"Ah Chen, you mean---"
"I understand, Ah Chen means, compared to the next generation."
"Compared to the next generation? That's true. Our generation was born at the wrong time. We're pretty much useless. All we can do is brute force or some kind of craftsmanship."
“I agree with that! But what you said isn’t comprehensive enough. We should not only compete with Qiandong in terms of craftsmanship, but also with the next generation and the generation after that.”
"The crafts passed down from our ancestors are the cultural heritage of our Miao people, and we cannot lose them."
"Not only can we not lose it, we have to compete with Qiandong, compete in silver ornaments, embroidery, batik, and even witchcraft, and also—"
"That's right, we also need to compare development—"
…
Ah Chen's little spark ignited a frenzy of excitement among the chieftain of Longzhai and the Miao men of the border villages.
Even the two elders were very excited.
As for the big jackals, they set their sights directly on Tang Abao and Gu Axiong.
Ah Ting turned his head to look at Tang Abao and said, "Tang Abao, how can your Qiandong compare to our Xiangxi? We'll wait for the elders to discuss it and decide before we compare."
“You, Tang Abao, are the second in rank among the jackals of eastern Guizhou, while I, Mai Ating, am the second in rank among the jackals of western Hunan.”
"How should we compete? You decide. Let's have a match in the next couple of days!"
As soon as Mai Ating finished speaking, Xiangxi Akuang stepped forward, stared at Gu Axiong, and said:
“Gu Axiong, you are the third in the ranking of the jackals of eastern Guizhou, while I, Su Akuang, am the third in the ranking of the jackals of western Hunan. You decide how we will fight.”
Whether it was the wolves of western Hunan or Tang Abao and Gu Axiong of eastern Guizhou, they knew perfectly well that the future Miao King, Mu Achen, had deliberately set this on fire for them, yet they—
Who wouldn't want to crush the other side?
They're all jackals, and their ranks are corresponding; none of them will submit to the others.
"Whatever. Once it's agreed upon, we, the 'Jackals of Qiandong,' will definitely keep our word." Tang Abao and Gu Axiong accepted the challenge directly.
"Then what are we waiting for? Come on, let's discuss it first--"
While Mai Ating and the others were discussing, Ah Chen suppressed a laugh, then got up and went to the hearth in the main room.
But as soon as he sat down inside, the old women pulled him aside and started talking to him for a long time.
All the themes revolve around Miao children.
Only after Amo and Aling came in did he get up to say goodbye to the old women.
after--
At the urging of the old women, Ah Chen, along with Qin Feng and Vice President Chai, returned to Fengluan Ancient Village first.
At night, the light was poor, or even pitch black.
But with torches in hand and the fog not being too thick, they were still able to see.
An hour later, Ah Chen and his group arrived at Fengluan Ancient Village.
"Brother Mu--"
As they parted, Qin Feng approached Achen and said:
"I didn't have a chance to say this when we were at the border village, but the guy you arranged to be in Tianti Miao Village named 'Nie Yun' left at noon today."
Nie Yun?
Ah Chen only thought about it for a moment before remembering that it was She Ling's friend.
Has he fully recovered?
“I don’t know the specifics. When Aran came here this afternoon, she told me that Nie Yun was asking about you, but no one knew what your relationship with him was. He also said that he didn’t know you, so no one told him.”
"It's alright! They're gone now."
Ah Chen and Nie Yun didn't know each other at all. The reason Ah Chen saved Nie Yun was simply because the old squad leader, She Ling, asked him to.
So he didn't care whether he left or not, but Qin Feng suddenly asked him, "Do you still remember Niu Heng?"
"Niu Heng?"
Ah Chen thought for a moment, then shook his head. By the light of the torch, he looked at Qin Feng and asked, "He looks familiar. Isn't he Niu Kongkong's grandson?"
“Yes! Niu Heng’s wife lives in a Miao village on the border between the outer and inner regions of Xinjiang. It’s not far from Tianti Miao Village, about ten kilometers away.”
Qin Feng said, "But the couple is currently doing business in Jinhe County. They heard you were here and came to see you several times, but—"
"They haven't met you yet, so they asked me to ask when you'd be available so they can come and visit you."
Upon hearing this, Achen asked curiously, "What kind of business do they do in Jinhe County?"
"These are all local specialties, collected from several nearby counties and then sold elsewhere!"
Ah Chen nodded. "Give me their address. I'll contact them when I have time. If not, just give them my number."
"good!"
Qin Feng also gave Niu Heng's address and contact information to Achen, then chatted with Achen for a few words before leaving.
But he wasn't going back to Tianti Miao Village; instead, he was temporarily staying at Fengluan Ancient Village, since he had things to do there the next day.
Besides, it's quite a long way back to Tianti Miao Village from here, more than 20 kilometers.
Although Qin Feng had also bought a minivan, the mountain terrain was steep, and it was raining.
It is indeed unsafe for one or two people to walk at night.
This insecurity isn't about the fear of a rollover; it's about something far more sinister.
"Ah Chen, hurry up, the rain is getting heavier!"
Seeing that Ah Chen was walking very slowly, Ah Mo, who was standing next to him, spoke up.
Ah Chen glanced at the rainy night and immediately took off his Miao clothes and draped them over Ah Mo, saying, "Cover yourself up a bit, the rain is really heavy."
"No need, no need, just walk faster."
"Go quickly, it's alright!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Achen took off her headscarf and used it to cover Mi Aling's hair ornaments.
"Cover your headdress, don't catch a cold."
In that instant, a strange feeling arose in A-Ling's heart, a warm feeling. But before she could think about it, A-Chen reminded her not to stand there, but to hurry up and leave.
Half an hour later--
An ancient building on the mountainside.
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