Chương 25: Secret Plot

The Great Ridge Mountains, inside a nameless ravine. By this time, Li Tie had crawled out from the spot where the wild ginseng was discovered. Seeing him walking with a floating step, his face flushed as if he had just experienced a climax, Song Que felt a wave of disgust. Don't tell me he actually has some unspeakable secret! Struggling for a long time, Grandee Song didn't know whether he should gently advise him against it. Old Li, obviously oblivious to his thoughts, was currently beside himself with excitement.

The harvest from this trip was truly overwhelmingly bountiful. It pushed the money-loving Old Li straight to the peak of euphoria, making him wish he could come here every single day. Knowing that such encounters could only be stumbled upon by luck and not sought out, he regretfully walked over to help Song Que set up the tent, saying:"A'niu, let me handle this. You go inside and dig that thing out."

"Uncle, there's no rush. It's not something that can be done in a moment. Let's finish setting up camp and eat first; it won't be too late to do it after," Song Que said, shaking his head. The ginseng root was buried deep under hard soil and rocks. Digging it out without damaging it was an extremely time-consuming task. He wasn't in a hurry. Seeing this, Old Li didn't press the issue. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of Mengmeng, the Blazing Fire Fox, sitting leisurely on the ground. He was instantly horrified.

Five hundred taels of silver! Don't run! Without a word, he stumbled forward and lunged, trying to grab it. Mengmeng, who was sitting and grooming its fur, was startled. It dodged like a compressed spring, causing Old Li to face-plant spectacularly into the dirt. Seeing this, Song Que finally reacted and hastily shouted:"Uncle, there's no need! It's one of us! Mengmeng, come here." The Great Demon King was still slightly more reliable. Mengmeng immediately trotted to his side to find a sense of security.

That really scared this Fox to death! Old Li sat up from the ground, staring blankly at the scene. A moment later, he clicked his tongue in amazement, staring intently at the man and the fox, shouting out his incomprehension.... Soon, a leather tent was erected in the forest. A roaring fire blazed, dispelling the darkness, and the savory aroma of roasted wild meat drifted through the air. The two humans and two beasts leisurely enjoyed their dinner.

Sitting by the fire, unable to suppress the restless curiosity in his heart, Song Que finally asked Old Li:"Uncle, this place is so hidden. How exactly did you and my dad find it back then?" Hearing this, Old Li, who was drinking wine, choked violently. A mouthful of wine sprayed out, almost hitting Mengmeng, earning a look of intense disgust from the little creature.

"Uncle, what's wrong?"

"Ah, nothing. Just choked, that's all. How careless, haha." Changing the subject again? Your acting is way too fake! Could there really be an unspeakable secret? The fire of gossip burning fiercely within him, Song Que hurriedly pressed:"Uncle, you still haven't told me how you found this place!"

"Well, it was just like that... we were wandering around and accidentally discovered it," Old Li started to beat around the bush. Song Que sneered disdainfully, the words "I don't believe you" written clearly on his face. Did he not know what kind of person Old Li was? Absolutely gluttonous, pleasure-seeking, lazy, greedy for money, and afraid of trouble—a whole mountain of bad habits. In the past, Li Tie worked hard in the fields, but that was out of absolute necessity.

With several mouths to feed at home and occasionally subsidizing the Song family, he had to work even if he didn't want to. But to say he, with a full belly and nothing better to do, crawled into this dark, deep, secluded ravine just to play? Song Que didn't believe it for a second. If he said he was looking for a place to slack off and sleep, that would be more believable.

Seeing Song Que's look of disdain, Old Li finally cleared his throat and recounted: Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Actually, back then, your father and I were tasked with gathering a bundle of Bitter Heart Vine up there," he said, pointing up at the cliff face.

"While working, I accidentally dropped my money down here. So, after we finished the task, I begged your father to come in with me to pick it up." Now that makes sense. Venturing into a ravine to pick up dropped money and accidentally discovering a wild ginseng, then pretending they saw nothing, leaving with the team, and finding an excuse to sneak back later. Unfortunately, encountering a tiger on the way. The world is truly unpredictable. Reconstructing the events in his mind, Song Que shook his head and sighed.

He casually asked:"Uncle, how much money did you drop back then?" He had only asked casually to make conversation, but seeing Old Li's face gradually turn red, stammering unable to speak, Song Que grew even more curious and urged:"How much was it, Uncle?" Only after a long while did Old Li raise a single finger.

"One tael, huh? That must have been a considerable sum for you back then." Song Que nodded, but as soon as he said it, he realized it didn't add up. With Old Li's abilities, it was hard for him to have any spare cash. Moreover, he wouldn't be crazy enough to carry a large sum of money into the forest for no reason. Watching Old Li lower his head to the ground, his ears red as if they were bleeding, a sudden thought struck him. He asked in disbelief:"Uncle... don't tell me it was one copper coin?"

Knowing the answer but still asking! This is a slap to the face! Lord Li uncomfortably turned his head away and didn't answer. Song Que stared at him, dumbfounded. He looked at him as if looking at a heavenly being. A f cking single copper coin?! * One copper coin exchanged for a 300-year-old wild ginseng?! Song Que had no words left to describe the inner reverence he felt for Old Li. With the mystery solved, the uncle and nephew sat there awkwardly, unable to say a word.

It was Old Li who broke first, urging Song Que to hurry in and dig up the ginseng so they could rest. They had to leave early for the village tomorrow. Only then did Grandee Song sigh emotionally, lift his butt, and stand up. Instructing Husky to stay on guard, he grabbed his saber and dagger and entered the crevice. At the same time. Giant Willow Village. The Zhao residence was still brightly lit, bustling with voices.

Today, when the hunting team returned—a battered, disheveled group carrying and supporting each other through the village—it naturally caused panic and a massive commotion. Instantly, the entire village went crazy spreading the rumor: the orphaned brat from the Song family had single-handedly beaten down the entire hunting team! Some refused to believe it, but when faced with a mountain of undeniable evidence, they all fell silent, feeling in their hearts that the sky over the village was about to change.

Right now, in the Zhao family's living room. Zhao Cairong furrowed his brows deeply, looking at Zhao Hu, who was sitting on a chair, grimacing in pain, his face and arm wrapped in a pile of bandages. If his own son hadn't recounted the events, corroborated by so many witnesses, he absolutely wouldn't have been able to believe that a kid just over ten years old like Song Que could do such things. Feeling his authority being challenged, the old Village Chief felt not only fury but also a trace of fear in his heart.

If this kid is like this now, what will he become in the future? Will my voice, Zhao Cairong's, still hold any weight in this village later on? Lord Hu watched his old man pace back and forth until he felt dizzy. Belly full of grievance, he cried out:"Dad, stop pacing and think of a way! What do we do now?!"

"A way? What way?! Can't you see your old man is desperately trying to think of one?!" Old Zhao glared and roared. Why are you glaring at me? I'm the victim here! Seeing his old man flare up, Lord Hu instantly cowered, transforming from a tiger to a kitty in a second. He said softly:"Dad, how about we spend some money to hire the Black Tiger Gang? Get them to play him to death."

"Money! Money! All you know is money!" Old Zhao shouted in frustration. Actually, he wasn't heartbroken over the money; if throwing money could solve the problem, he'd be willing to pay a hefty price. He was just venting his irritation.

"This is hard to execute. If the Black Tiger Gang only sends a few lackeys, they might not even be able to handle him. It might even drag our Zhao family down with them."

"But if we report the truth... setting aside how much money we'd have to spend... what if that kid catches the eye of Gang Leader Feng? Wouldn't we just be dropping a rock on our own feet?"

"Anyone can see that kid's potential is too immense. It's tricky."

"Then what do we do? Are we just going to let that little bastard run wild?" Lord Hu slammed the table, his eyes burning with fury as he roared:"Dad, if this goes on, this village is going to answer to the surname Song!"

"You little brat, sit down! Where are your manners?! With such a rash temper, you'll never achieve anything great!" Old Zhao bellowed in annoyance. The atmosphere grew oppressive. After pondering for a long while, Old Zhao finally spoke:"For now, we stay quiet and watch. Do not act rashly." Hearing that his old man could actually swallow this insult, Lord Hu said in disbelief:"Dad, are we really just going to leave it at that?"

"Idiot! Just because we don't touch him now doesn't mean we won't touch him later. Is he going to stay in this village his whole life? Once he goes to town, won't you be able to do whatever you want?"

"When that time comes, even if the plan fails, without evidence, I dare him to lay a finger on us!" Old Zhao scolded him, frustrated by his son's lack of ambition. Hearing this, Zhao Hu slapped his thigh:"That's right! We can set up an ambush for him on the road! If ten people can't deal with him, we'll call twenty, thirty! Shoot him with arrows, crush him with boulders! I refuse to believe he has three heads and six arms to fight that off!" The more Lord Hu spoke, the more excited he got.

Listening to this, Old Zhao turned purple with rage. He slapped him hard on the back of the head, making him wince in pain.

"Idiot! How did I give birth to something like you?! Twenty or thirty people? Aren't you afraid the money won't be enough to split after the job is done?!"

"Ouch! Dad, why did you hit me? Then what do you say we should do?" Looking at his son, Old Zhao sighed heavily. Why does he only grow meat and not brains? Feeling mentally exhausted, he said:"Doesn't the Ou Family Fort have a group of hardened thugs? When the time comes, just find them. Remember, this matter must be kept strictly confidential. Do not get yourself personally involved!"

"If things go south, we absolutely must wipe our hands clean of it. Do not let anyone get any evidence against us, or our Zhao family will be in grave danger." Zhao Hu nodded repeatedly, praising excitedly:"Dad, you are truly cunning!" Motherf cker! * Is that supposed to be a compliment?! Old Zhao felt a sharp pain in his heart, tempted to just beat him to death right then and there. But what could he do? His Zhao family only had this one heir to carry on the family line!

Exhausted, he closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, not uttering another word.