Hedu District is located in the southeast of the continent, between the western and southern administrative regions of the Republic, and at the border with five countries including Hugur, Bunian, Bawa, and Sanan. Due to geographical reasons, the mountains have hindered development, resulting in poor transportation here.
The total area of the entire Hedu District is about 350,000 square kilometers, with undulating mountains and an average altitude of more than 1,700 meters. Long hours of sunshine and a humid climate are common features of the southeastern region, which are very suitable for the growth and reproduction of animals and plants. The name of Hedu District comes from the fact that the Jiudu River flows through here, with nine big bends that almost enclose the entire area.
The Jiudu River was formed by the melting of snow peaks of the Suitai Mountains in the western administrative region of the Republic. It runs through the territory of the Republic, divides the two southwestern administrative regions, flows directly from the northwest to the southeast, and finally flows into the Bilis Sea. The river is more than 4,800 kilometers long, cutting through countless mountains along the way. Its branching rivers run through valleys, spreading like human veins, nourishing the lush forests in the river crossing area.
The criss-crossing waterways and the overly lush vegetation along the coast that blocks out the sun mean that even local residents rarely dare to say they know all the roads. Coupled with the various dangerous creatures lurking in the rivers, these waterways have earned an alias - the Maze of Death.
The bright moon hangs high in the sky, and its cool silver light shines on the water. The night wind blows across the lake, creating ripples that sparkle like a river of stars.
A fishing boat is sailing on the Jiudu River.
Under the dim light, the crew members were crowded in the cabin. A group of burly and rough men made the cabin seem even smaller. They stretched their legs and put their feet down, but it felt like there was no place to put their feet.
"In a few dozen kilometers we will reach the fifth bend of the Jiudu River. The waterways here are more complicated and the people are a mixed bunch. Everyone, cheer up!" one of them said in a powerful voice.
The people who were originally lying on the ground seemed to have a change of heart when they heard the words. They sat up in an instant, moved in unison, and looked straight ahead with serious expressions.
But there was one exception. Compared with this group of tall and strong men, he looked even thinner, and coupled with his lazy attitude, his small body gave people the feeling that he could not withstand the wind and rain at all. Everyone else was sitting like sculptures, except him, who was still sitting with his back against the cabin wall. A black back dog was lying quietly beside him, with its tongue hanging out, and only its eyeballs were moving.
His hand casually touched the black back, from the head to the back to the tail, and then started over again.
He lowered his head, not knowing what he was thinking, and the loose hair on his forehead blocked his vision.
The person sitting in the corner snorted when he saw this, "You're like a boneless person! You've led Dabao astray!"
Dabao was the black back. When he heard his name, he raised his head and looked around. Not receiving any instructions, he lay down again.
"Er Tiao, what are you doing!" the person standing in the middle scolded, and then looked at the person sitting by the cabin, "Er Tiao has a straightforward personality, don't take it to heart."
The man named Nijo snorted and turned to look outside the boat.
The other party involved, Jing Ling, shook his head and said, "It's okay, I know you guys..." Before he finished speaking, he suddenly heard a fluttering sound. A bird came from the night and flew into the cabin. After circling in the sky for a while, it flew straight towards him and landed on his shoulder.
"Chirp, chirp, chirp..."
Jing Ling reached out and tapped the bird's head, then took out a handful of grains from his pocket, spread them out on his palm and put them in front of the bird, "I understand, thank you for your hard work, eat it."
Everyone looked at him as if he were a lunatic.
The little bird rubbed his hand affectionately and then began to peck at the grain.
"There is a ship coming ahead, the distance is unclear, and everyone on board is carrying weapons." Jing Ling said to Feihu, the man standing in the middle, who was the leader of this operation.
Hearing this, Feihu looked at him, then looked at the bird standing on his shoulder, frowned slightly, and after thinking for a moment, his eyes quickly swept over everyone in the cabin, "Everyone, be in place, be careful and alert!"
The others looked indignant, but in the end they said nothing. They walked out of the cabin in an orderly manner and went to the designated locations according to the prior arrangements.
"Jiang Yang, you...be careful." Feihu gave this instruction and went out.
Jiang Yang is the pseudonym used by Jing Ling. For safety reasons, it is also to avoid the tragedy that happened twenty years ago from happening again. The entire team, including the captain Feihu, did not know his real name. They only knew that he was related to the Li family. No one had ever seen his team. He had been wearing a human skin mask long before he came.
On the day of departure, the three old men personally saw him off. Before leaving, he did not forget to make a few insults to him, saying that he looked too conspicuous and was troublesome. Ordinary people could just go into battle in person, but he had to disguise himself.
He was sent here by his superiors as a (police dog) trainer, and was given a dog named Dabao to work with him. However, due to his natural affinity for animals, the originally good police dog stayed by his side the entire day, acting like a spoiled child from time to time. Just like what Er Tiao said just now, Dabao was led astray by him.
But it only does this when there is nothing to do. When Dabao is needed to take action, it will still be dedicated and conscientious.
All the people in the cabin left at once, and the cabin, which was originally crowded and small, suddenly became spacious. After the bird finished eating the grains and flew away, Jing Ling stood up and stretched out his arms. Then something slipped out from his sleeves. It was a dagger that shone with cold light and looked very dangerous.
"Even if you are a non-combatant, at least give me a wooden dagger for self-defense." He complained as he played with the dagger in his palm. The synthetic metal blade danced in his hand and bloomed into a silver flower.
Calm down and listen. Besides the sound of flowing water, the wind carries complex sounds from afar. There were sounds of boats, faint wild laughter, and vague cries.
Jing Ling frowned slightly, quickly walked out of the cabin, and found the captain Feihu, "I don't think something is right, there must be something wrong with that ship, there are people who have been captured on board."
Feihu looked at him steadily and asked in a deep voice, "Are you sure?"
Jing Ling nodded, "Nine out of ten."
Until now, no one has seen the so-called fishing boat, but the person in front of him said that he heard crying and shouting. To be honest, it is hard to believe. But Feihu knew some inside information. This person had some relationship with the former Li family, and he had heard about the Li family's abilities from his old leader more than once. Although it sounded incredible, he knew what kind of person his old leader was and that he would never make up stories to brag.
"I'll trust you this time." Feihu said this and gathered everyone together to make a temporary plan.
At night in Jiudu River, the cliffs of the valleys on both sides are covered with trees, and nocturnal creatures make continuous calls, some of which sound quite creepy occasionally. The moon gradually disappeared into the clouds, leaving only a hazy halo in the sky. In the dark night, an ordinary-looking fishing boat was heading towards the fifth bend of Jiudu River.
The prelude to chaos is about to begin.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
