"good!"

Old Dao took out a lighter, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag. It was true, he was really pent up.

The announcements outside still said "No Smoking," but the smoke detectors remained unchanged.

"Brother Chen, it seems you were right. It looks like we're really unaffected here! We're not on a high-speed train!"

Old Dao was smoking a cigarette when he handed me one as well.

This is not a high-speed train, which means that what we are seeing is very likely an illusion.

"What about that old Deng? That old bastard is definitely up to no good! What should we do?" Old Dao probably remembered what he had just drunk and didn't have much affection for the old master.

I told Lao Dao to wait and see. It's not that I don't want to seek justice, but this person is clearly more powerful than me.

Now is not the time to tear off all ties.

I'd also like to know, what was Old Deng's purpose in going to such lengths to set up this scheme?

"You're back? Looks like you found out. You're not as stupid as I thought..." The old master stared at me and Lao Dao, his tone playful.

"The smoke alarm device confirmed that this is not a high-speed train. You've improved a lot since last time."

Based on your performance just now, you'll survive.

The experienced worker commented on my actions just now.

The old master suddenly raised his voice, which became extremely stern: "Sit back down. If you want to go to Haopo Village, don't move around!"

My lips twitched, as if I wanted to say something, but I held back.

While I was in the restroom, I tried to contact Liu Sandao, but unfortunately, the cell phone signal was completely blocked, and I couldn't send even a single message.

"Senior, can I trust you?"

"At least it's possible now, silly boy. If I really wanted to harm you, I would have done it long ago. Why wait until now?"

The old master laughed loudly.

I think it makes some sense, and I have no other choice but to believe it now.

The train didn't stop again after that, and it wasn't until about two hours later that it emerged from the tunnel.

"Alright, kid, we've arrived at Shenwu County. Someone should have already told you the specific directions, so I won't get involved!"

The old master tapped me with his elbow, because I had almost fallen asleep without realizing it.

I glanced out the window instinctively; the sun was already shining brightly outside.

I took out my phone, and the signal was restored.

"Senior, aren't you coming with us?"

I was a little surprised to see the old master like this; I had originally thought he was going to come with us.

Unexpectedly, he didn't go to Haopo Village immediately.

"I definitely want to go to Haopo Village, but I have something much more important to do."

The experienced craftsman explained the situation and then immediately got up.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to give me a few words of advice: "Kid, remember what you did today, you did a great job!"

After saying that, he got off the bus carrying his bags.

Lao Dao and I were also getting off the bus. On the way off, I seemed to be lost in thought.

The old master was probably referring to the incident where I asked Lao Dao to light my cigarette.

In other words, when necessary, I have to find a way to sacrifice others in order to survive.

"Pah! What a charlatan!" Old Dao muttered to himself after the master craftsman left.

After we left the station, I contacted Liu Sandao.

Liu Sandao explained to me in detail how to get to Haopo Village.

I took careful notes, and after I finished, I told Liu Sandao about what had happened that day.

I could sense Liu Sandao's surprise from his tone, but he didn't offer much comment on what had happened that day.

After that, he told me to keep in touch with him anytime.

After hanging up the phone, I took Lao Dao and, following Liu Sandao's instructions, settled down in the county town.

"This village is quite difficult to find; we can only do it at night. So our top priority is to find a place to stay!" Seeing that Lao Dao looked a little confused, I patiently explained.

Lao Dao, of course, followed my advice. He carried my luggage while I led the way.

Shenwu County is not large. According to information found on Baidu, the county has a permanent population of only over 60,000.

Of course, this is the result of the census, and in reality, the number may not be this high.

There were very few people in the county town, and the streets were dilapidated, with potholes making it very difficult to walk.

There weren't many people on the streets; even in broad daylight, there were hardly any living people on the entire street.

"Brother Chen, is there really so few people in this county? It's broad daylight!" Old Dao felt a chill run down his spine.

Aside from its pleasant environment, this county town doesn't seem to have any other advantages.

"That's normal, I guess. In such poor places, everyone wants to leave, and there aren't many people left in the county town." I can relate to that.

People in the village like to go to the county town, people in the county town like to go to the city, and people in the city want to go to the provincial capital.

And that's how it ended up looking like this.

While we searched for a place, we also prepared to inquire about Xu Feng's whereabouts.

This person must be quite capable; someone like him would probably be somewhat well-known in the county.

We headed east and found a small hotel to stay in.

It's more like a guesthouse; the rooms are very basic, and there are quite a few chickens in the yard.

The yard isn't small, and it's filled with lush vegetation, making it a very pleasant environment.

My tattoo reacted again at this time.

Old Dao was incredibly excited to see these chicks; they were genuine free-range chickens.

"Brother Chen, this place is great! We can even have some free-range chicken here today!" Lao Dao's mouth watered at the mention of free-range chicken.

Since Lao Dao went into hiding, apart from a takeout meal last night, he hasn't had anything decent to eat.

I nodded slightly and didn't say anything more.

Anyone who has raised chickens knows that chicken farms are usually barren.

But the place is lush and green, and doesn't look like a place for raising chickens at all.

There were those actors who retired from the entertainment industry to raise chickens online before, claiming to raise millions of chickens a year, but their fields are lush and green.

Upon further investigation, it turned out to be a staged photo.

"You two are from out of town, aren't you? Are you going to Haopo Village?"

A sharp voice came from behind me. I turned around and saw a middle-aged woman who looked quite fat.

The woman, dressed in flamboyant attire, looked like an old hen in the sunlight.

The woman immediately announced that we were going to Haopo Village, which surprised both Lao Dao and me.

"It seems so. You two can rest for a bit. Our yard is full of free-range chickens. Eating some will give you more energy tonight!"

The plump woman enthusiastically described her family's chickens, whetting Old Dao's appetite.

Then, in front of us, he picked up a plump chicken, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Lao Dao's leg, and he swallowed hard.