124. Setting Out to Scout the Path

"Xuanzi, do you happen to know what that pervert Nie Rong mentioned does to those children after taking them away in the middle of the night? You were calm just now, but as soon as Nie Rong described that pervert, you suddenly became so furious!" After hearing Zhang Xuan's ordeal, Yuwen Chengdu recalled Zhang Xuan's earlier demeanor and asked.

"It's just a guess. But it's better if you all don't know—I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it," Zhang Xuan thought for a moment but decided not to tell Yuwen Chengdu and the others.

Yuwen Chengdu wanted to press further, but Yang Zaixing pulled him back and shook his head. Knowing Zhang Xuan’s nature, if there was something he wouldn’t say, no matter what, he wouldn’t open up. As long as Zhang Xuan wouldn’t harm himself, that was enough. So, he didn’t ask more.

"Nie Rong, Nie Zheng, let me ask you something. Do you know the way back to your village?"

"Brother Xuan, I’ll be bold and call you that—I know the way back, but I won’t take you there. I know each of you has some skill, but going now would only mean unnecessary sacrifices. The result would just be getting caught. You don’t know how many people are inside; they’re not people you can handle now. It’s not worth it. Wait until you’re stronger, then come back to rescue the others," Nie Zheng shook his head, clearly thinking Zhang Xuan and his group were not capable of rescuing anyone from that village at this time. But there would definitely be a chance in the future.

After hearing Nie Zheng’s words, Zhang Xuan pinched his cheek and said, "I just want you to take me there tonight to see where the village is, and maybe mark the spot. So that later, I won’t forget where it is. I’m not stupid. If I go now, I’d be walking into a trap. I don’t want to fall into that pervert’s hands."

"If you’re serious, then I can take you there tonight. I’ll only take you alone, and I’ll watch over you so you won’t do anything foolish."

"No, take someone else too. If something unexpected happens, there should be someone to watch out for us. Don’t worry—I value my life very much. After all, my fate is in my own hands!"

Nie Zheng nodded after hearing Zhang Xuan’s words and promised to keep a close eye on him at night and prevent him from doing anything reckless.

Zhang Xuan and the others chatted casually for a while. When the fire Zhang Xuan had kicked apart finally died down, they checked the time and decided it was about time to go back and find Master Tong and the others. But on the way back, Zhang Xuan felt as if he had forgotten something.

As they walked back, Zhang Xuan, Yang Zaixing, and Yuwen Chengdu lagged behind. "Xuanzi, you’re not seriously planning to go into that village to rescue those people, are you?"

"If there’s a chance, why not? If we can’t do it, then we’ll bring Master Tong and Uncle Yang along. Especially Master Tong—he’s not called the ‘King of Guns’ for nothing! But honestly, brother, if we don’t go rescue these kids now, we might never get the chance. That village isn’t the only one. If it’s abandoned, the world’s so vast—where would we find them later? Human traffickers are the smartest; they run faster than anything once they sense trouble!"

"But Xuanzi, from what Nie Zheng and Nie Rong said, that village isn’t just guarded by one or two people. With just a few of us, it won’t be enough. Even if we want to help, we’re powerless. Going now would only be a pointless sacrifice!" Yuwen Chengdu pointed out the key problem.

"Tonight, brother and I will follow Nie Zheng there first, just to scout. I’m not so reckless as to rush in when I know we can’t pull it off. After we return, we’ll find Master Tong and Uncle Yang. They wouldn’t just stand by, right? If they don’t help, then we’ll have to get Xiaoyun and Xiaofei to ‘cry, make a fuss, and climb up to Yuya’—no, I mean ‘cry, make a fuss, and hang themselves.’ Master Tong spoils those two the most. If even they can’t do it, then I have no more words."

Yang Zaixing and Yuwen Chengdu didn’t comment on Zhang Xuan’s slip of the tongue; they hadn’t heard that phrase before anyway. They nodded and planned to scout the area at night before deciding the next step.

After Zhang Xuan’s group reunited with Master Tong and his people, Master Tong and Uncle Yang admired how quickly Zhang Xuan managed to gather two people just by going for a run. Zhang Xuan gave a brief introduction without going into details, then had the Nie brothers stay with Zheng Chao and Zheng Jian, waiting quietly for nightfall.

Dinner was a simple meal of dry rations. After eating, Zhang Xuan did some routine exercises. When the time was right, he called Yang Zaixing, Nie Zheng, Yuwen Chengdu, Yang Hu, Zhao Yun, and Nie Rong to go out. This was routine for Zhang Xuan and his team, and Master Tong’s group said nothing, just asked them to return early.

After going a short distance, Zhang Xuan, Yang Zaixing, and Nie Zheng separated from the others. Yuwen Chengdu and Nie Rong scolded them a bit and watched them leave. Once the trio was gone, the rest either sparred or exercised. Zhao Yun noticed how nervous Nie Rong was and occasionally comforted him, also teaching some push-ups and sit-ups—both to prepare him for the future and to distract him from worrying so much.

Zhang Xuan, Yang Zaixing, and Nie Zheng ran alongside each other, stopping occasionally to mark the path. It was better to be safe than sorry, especially since night would soon fall, and once it was dark, any markings would be useless.

They ran for so long that Zhang Xuan began to doubt himself. "Nie Zheng, are we sure we’re not lost? Is it really this far?"

Nie Zheng stopped to catch his breath and thought carefully before shaking his head. "We’re not lost. We ran all the way here when we escaped. We only hid to rest a bit because we got tired. I think the spot where my brother and I rested isn’t far ahead. Yesterday, it didn’t feel this far, but running like this, it really is a bit far."

"Since you say it’s right, let’s push on!" Zhang Xuan said without hesitation. Nie Zheng was sure, and they had run so far already—they couldn’t just give up and turn back now.

After some time, Nie Zheng brought Zhang Xuan and Yang Zaixing to the place where he and his brother had rested before. Faint traces of the two were still visible. Nie Zheng stood there, trying to recall the route they had taken. Zhang Xuan and Yang Zaixing didn’t disturb him, knowing they had been in a rush when they escaped and had no mind to memorize the path. It was also a good chance to rest and recover.

While resting, Nie Zheng hesitated between two possible routes. Just then, Zhang Xuan faintly heard some sound nearby, not far from where they were.