Imperial Treasure

Chapter 549 - 357: Ghost in the Wall

"The Miao ethnicity might not understand geomancy, but they certainly know how to utilize nature. This landscape, if you lived here, you’d have no worries,"

Having lived in urban jungles for many years, the environment in these deep mountains was naturally beautiful. However, thinking that every household here knew how to use gu and consisted of purely Miao people, nobody dared to take it lightly. If it weren’t for the fact that this was the only village around and they absolutely needed to stay overnight due to two injured members, they wouldn’t want to deal with these Miao people at all...

However, modernization had indeed greatly influenced life; even the villagers deep in the mountains had to accept RMB, thus their attitude improved a lot, greeting the group as they entered the village...

Although the houses were mostly low and dilapidated, at least they weren’t filthy, and one could manage a night’s sleep. The two injured were also placed in a side room...

Sui Yi and the others soon saw some Miao people escorting an elderly man in his fifties into the courtyard, chattering away with Second Master Gong. Mount Mover was translating, also chattering away on the side.

Fortunately, Pork Rong, who was also familiar with the Miao language, mentioned that the elder was the village chief, who had come to deal with their situation...

"Deal with?" Third Lady Yin felt uneasy about this term. "It sounds like they plan to trap us~ Fatty, are you sure you translated it right?"

"Uh, that’s what I meant. This old man came to treat those two guys. While most Miao people know how to undo gu, with so many of us here, the village chief definitely had to step in..."

As Pork Rong explained, he shouted a few words to several Miao women, then turned to ask Sui Yi and others, "So, are you guys hungry? I’ll ask them to stir up some dishes."

Clearly, his words hit the spot for many, especially for Feng Sha and other big men who had exhausted a lot of energy. It was now midday. After taking turns rowing for so long, they were famished.

Thus, the animosity towards Pork Rong lessened significantly, instantly transforming from a ’damned fatty’ to a ’reformed fatty.’

While Pork Rong was shouting about cooking, Second Master Gong already sat down next to Sui Yi, whispering, "Uncle asked me to tell everyone that he just tested that village chief. He inquired about those two boatmen’s background. The chief said those two were residents of Poison Dragon Gully, always cruel, tricking and killing outsiders who come here... We’re lucky to be alive,"

"Poison Dragon Gully?" Feng Sha said gravely, "Ninth Miss had mentioned this place in her contacts before, and they had reached Poison Dragon Gully by that time."

"How long ago?" Sui Yi asked.

"Three days before we lost contact."

Sui Yi, indifferent, looked towards Second Master Gong, "Although those two boatmen didn’t dress like they were from this village, the items in their small leather pouches were also gu-related... Better safe than sorry, test the food for poison later..."

Everyone nodded. They didn’t need to be reminded to be careful—after all, the locals could easily use gu, and it would be a death wish if they were too careless themselves.

Soon, Second Master Gong came out, getting along famously with the Miao Village Chief. During the meal, the chief also sat with them to eat. Although they were cautious from the start, upon closer interactions, they found the Miao people to be very warm and friendly. Their initial wariness towards strangers was just a result of their environment. Once rapport was established, they were quite cordial even if they didn’t speak the same language.

For instance, now, the chief’s words were being translated by Pork Rong and Mount Mover.

"Don’t blame us for being unwelcoming before, setting so many traps. For some reason, in these past six months, this isolated place has seen several groups of outsiders arrive. One group was particularly vicious, using fire guns to kill someone from our village..." the chief said, his expression darker, and Second Master Gong’s eyes flickered as he asked, "Were there many of them?"

"Yes, many, and very strong, carrying powerful fire guns. We stood no chance and had to swallow our resentment,"

With this explanation, Sui Yi and the others suddenly realized why the Miao people had set up so many traps outside their village, which was unlike their reputed friendliness.

There was a cause behind it.

Understanding the situation, everyone felt relieved. Second Master Gong was more curious about the origins of those people. The chief took a sip of Little Liquor and said, "Don’t know where they were from; they spoke a different language from yours, and there were a few blond-haired guys too,"

Blond-haired guys?

"They brought monkeys too? I’ve only heard of people carrying Black Donkey Hoof markers, never blond-haired monkeys..." Skinny Waist laughed.