Chapter 495: Chapter 464, Iron Ore_1
Regarding the fact that Daohua had poisoned him, Yongwang felt uncomfortable inside, but trying to empathize, he understood, and after thinking, he said, “Miss, rest assured, I won’t betray you.”
Daohua gave him a glance but said nothing.
Seeing that she didn’t trust him, Yongwang didn’t say anything more.
Daohua said, “Can you tell me about the situation in your village?”
Yongwang looked at her, picked up a tree branch, and started drawing on the ground, “Our village is surrounded by mountains on all sides with only one entrance and exit, that is the stone cave filled with mechanisms.”
“There are people guarding the entrance of the stone cave every day, each one a master. Unless you can take down these masters, you won’t be able to escape.”
The light in Daohua’s eyes flickered, and confusion crossed her gaze. Even if this was a gathering spot for Prince’s underlings, there was no need for such tight security.
“I heard you mention the Guard Squad before, what is that for?”
Yongwang remained silent for a moment: “The Guard Squad is responsible for maintaining order in the village.”
Daohua raised an eyebrow, “Your village really isn’t simple, even having a dedicated team to maintain order. What, do fights and brawls happen often here?”
Yongwang said, “…Most people in the village are just common folk, seeking only to have enough to eat and wear, and not to fight and brawl.”
Daohua, “That’s strange then, if there’s no trouble, what do you need a Guard Squad for?”
Yongwang didn’t know how to answer and simply closed his mouth and stayed silent.
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Seeing his reaction, Daohua continued, “You say you are common folk, I doubt that. Knowing my father is an Imperial Envoy, you still dare to kidnap me. If there isn’t someone backing you, who would believe it?”
This time Yongwang spoke up, “The people who kidnapped you are not us.”
Daohua immediately said, “Don’t tell me you’re not with them?”
Yongwang said urgently, “Of course not, if I were with them, I would have reported it the moment I discovered you had stolen my clothes.”
Daohua fell silent, pondering for a while, probing, “What exactly does your village do?”
Yongwang glanced at Daohua, pursed his lips, and gave no answer.
Seeing that he wasn’t talking, Daohua had no choice but to ask from a different angle, “Your village is guarded so strictly, can you normally go out?”
Yongwang shook his head, “I’ve been in Sishan Village for three years now and haven’t left once during that time.”
Daohua knitted her brows, “What about the others, can they not leave either?”
Yongwang nodded.
Daohua, “Doesn’t that mean you are trapped in this village? Don’t you all make a fuss?”
Yongwang showed a wry smile, “What’s the use of making a fuss, those who do…” were killed.
Seeing that he stopped speaking there, Daohua became somewhat anxious and was about to continue asking when she saw Yongwang looking at her seriously, “Miss, don’t ask any more. The more you know, the less likely you’ll be able to leave.”
Hearing this, Daohua fell silent.
This village must be hiding some secret.
After pondering for a while, Daohua said, “Take me to see the exit area.”
Yongwang frowned, “Are you sure? There are people looking for you everywhere in the village now.”
Daohua looked straight at Yongwang, “I think… you must have a way to help me avoid them, right?” His eyes were lively, and given that he dared to hide her, it was clear he was bold and astute. Such a person would definitely have some skills.
Yongwang’s frown deepened, “Even if I take you there, you still won’t be able to leave.”
Daohua, “Whether I can leave or not is my business, it has nothing to do with you. You just need to lead the way.”
Seeing that Daohua was determined, Yongwang knew that even if he didn’t guide her, she would still try to make her own way there. Thinking it over, he nodded and said, “Fine, I’ll show you the way.”
Yongwang didn’t take Daohua out through the front but instead left through the back door and headed straight for the back mountain.
It was only after they had gone deep into the back mountain, surrounded by dense vegetation, that Daohua took the opportunity to look back at the fields and cottages at the foot of the mountain; they were peaceful and serene. She couldn’t help but remark, “Your village looks quite like a paradise.”
Hearing this, Yongwang chuckled and said, “You also said it looks that way, but that’s not actually the case. In fact, most people in the village… live a very tough life. Many die before they turn thirty.”
Seeing him willing to share more, Daohua wouldn’t miss the opportunity, “Why?”
Yongwang went silent again, and after a while, he finally spit out three words, “Worked to death.” He relied on having some connection with Brother Bald and was considered rather clever, attaching himself to Mr. Cao and running errands, he was spared from going to the weapons factory to smelt iron every day. Otherwise, his health wouldn’t stand a chance.
Daohua’s eyes flickered, “There aren’t that many fields here, are there? How could sharing just a little among each family work someone to death?”
Yongwang fell silent again.
Seeing this, Daohua could only suppress the doubts in her heart and took a careful look around at the situation.
Half an hour later, Yongwang slowed down, and whispered to Daohua, “Miss, we’re almost there. Be careful, the people guarding the entrance are very powerful. Don’t let them spot you.”
Daohua nodded and moved forward carefully while crouching.
“See that stream over there? The entrance is right beside it.”
Daohua followed where Yongwang pointed, and saw a pool of water about a hundred meters away, spanning a few hundred square meters, with a massive cave behind it.
At the moment, there were five or six black-clad men with knives standing in front of the cave.
Yongwang lowered his voice, “That cave is the only way out of the village. Apart from the men standing outside the cave, there are also traps set up inside.”
While speaking, he pointed towards a cluster of houses not far from the stream, “See those houses? The people who tied you up live there. If there’s any disturbance here at the cave, they can immediately come over to reinforce.”
Daohua furrowed her brows, “Do you know how many of them there are?”
Yongwang, “There are over a thousand.”
Daohua showed surprise, “That many?”
Yongwang added, “Not so many are idle. Some have been sent out on tasks, some have entered the army… done things. There are only a few dozen to a hundred people free at any given time.”
Daohua, “What did you just say about entering the army?”
Yongwang, “You heard wrong.”
Just as Daohua was about to press further, at that very moment, a guard squad appeared in their line of sight.
Watching the guard squad head towards the cave, Yongwang signaled Daohua to leave, “Let’s go quickly. Whenever they change guards, there will be patrols in the mountains.”
Daohua took one more glance at the stream, knowing that escape was not possible at the moment, and retreated with Yongwang.
“Bang!”
While retreating in a hurry, Daohua wasn’t paying attention and kicked a stone, tripping and falling to the ground.
“Be careful!”
Yongwang rushed over to help Daohua up, “Are you alright?”
Daohua shook her head and crouched down to look at the stone she had kicked.
Yongwang glanced at it and his complexion changed dramatically. He was about to say something when he heard Daohua ask, “Is this iron ore?” Although she phrased it as a question, her tone was very certain.
Gazing at the iron ore in front of her, Daohua suddenly remembered the rust smell on the quilt from before, and suddenly looked up at Yongwang, “Is there an iron mine in your village?”
Yongwang hadn’t expected Daohua to guess so quickly and hung his head in silence.
Seeing him like this, Daohua’s doubts quickly cleared. She understood why the village was so heavily guarded and why Yongwang had said that people in the village died young.
“The people in your village aren’t secretly forging weapons, are they?”
…
Meanwhile, Xiao Yeyang led siblings Yan Wenkai and Wentao, following the trail of the Fragrant Pills left by Daohua, to the valley on the other side of the cave.
Hidden Guard, “Master, the Fragrant Pills end here!”
Xiao Yeyang looked around the valley with a steely gaze and said somberly, “Search this valley thoroughly. The Fragrant Pills stop here, so there must be something amiss.”