"Ha, manage? Of course we manage! Not only have we managed, but we're not allowed to manage anymore!" Tong Youlin clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with fury, and said through gritted teeth, "It was only after this person that we saw clearly that the government and those damned bastards were clearly in cahoots!"
“They came to steal children, and there was more than one of them! We had just taken the first person away when others came to steal more, but there were many able-bodied men in our village, so we didn’t let them succeed and instead detained them all.”
"They brought everyone to the county government office. At first, the county magistrate pretended to be serious and said he would interrogate them strictly and stand up for us. Later, he even said that the thieves had all been caught and told us not to waste any more money and resources. He told us to get a good night's sleep, focus on farming, and stop being suspicious."
Tong Youlin was so angry he couldn't sit still. He jumped up, furious. "Good heavens! He's clearly telling us to hand over our child!"
Huo Chengche's face was also gloomy and cold, his thin lips were tightly pressed together, and murderous intent surged in his eyes.
These beasts!
Tong Youlin suppressed his temper before continuing, "Later, seeing that we weren't stupid, they simply sent people to rob us. When we went to the county government to complain, the magistrate simply made excuses, saying he had other important matters to attend to, and refused to send any constables or yamen runners to help us."
"So, that's why you became bandits in the mountains?" Huo Chengche continued for him.
Tong Youlin nodded, "Yes, but saying we've gone up the mountain to become bandits is less accurate than saying we've moved here to hide. We mountain people know this mountain best. Once we're in the forest, even if those people dare to come, even if they have weapons, we can still beat them up with our fists!"
"As for those so-called 'mountain bandits,' we live in villages all around here, and we're all relatives. We would never rob our own relatives. We really didn't do anything like that! It's those damned officials in the government who fabricated these charges to force us out of the forest!"
Huo Chengche nodded. Compared to what was said in the dossier, he felt that Tong Youlin's uncontrollable anger was more credible.
Calculating the time, he realized he was right; this was indeed the place where those people secretly used children to refine pills.
"Don't worry, Mr. Tong. I happen to be investigating something today that relates to your missing child. As you just mentioned, you built an altar on the shady side of this mountain?"
“Yes! It’s in the valley on the other side!” Tongyou Lin pointed outside.
Huo Chengche gave a faint "hmm," his narrow eyes deep. Just then, he glanced at a certain white egg-like creature licking its fur at his feet, which was being used as a dog.
The boy raised an eyebrow, smiled, and immediately had an idea.
He gently touched the chubby little tiger's bottom and ordered, "Go and call someone."
White Egg was nestled comfortably in its little master's arms when a certain tyrant grabbed it by the scruff of its neck and threw it out, complaining that it was taking up too much space!
Right now, White Egg was drooping its little head, licking its fur angrily, when the Tyrant kicked its little bottom, and it let out an angry "Awoo!"
However, as soon as he opened his mouth, he looked up and met the cold, deep eyes of a certain tyrant. His fierce shout immediately turned into a cowardly "woof woof" sound, and he lowered his head without any backbone.
Huo Chengche glanced at it sideways and snorted coldly.
The little dumpling's face was wiped clean by his older brother, the prince. His little mood came and went quickly. When he heard his little white dumpling's voice, he immediately abandoned his older brother, happily jumped out of his arms, and hugged the little white dumpling into his own arms.
"Awoo~" White Egg nestled into its little master's arms and cried out happily. It glanced at the Tyrant and then quickly buried its little head in the sweet and soft embrace of the little milk bun, pretending to be deaf and dumb.
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