Watching Wu Da Sang Men, who was on the verge of exploding with rage, I didn't know what to say.
Instead, Zhang Da Biao nodded in agreement, "That's a bit underhanded, but old brother, don't take it too much to heart. Everyone has their own way of living, right?"
Wu Da Sang Men sighed, "Alas! How could I not know that? But grave robbing and tomb raiding leads to no descendants and invites retribution."
I knew a little about this. After all, it was an act that desecrated the resting places of others, a deed that depleted one's virtue. However, to say it leads to no descendants was an exaggeration. If that were truly the case, there would be no tomb robbers throughout history. It was true, however, that the fates of most tomb robbers were not good.
In ancient times, when medical technology was not as advanced as it is now, tomb robbers who met untimely ends were often said to have met their retribution. But true retribution was rare. The main reason for the various unfortunate ends of tomb robbers after their raids was the lack of air in the tombs for extended periods, leading to the accumulation of various harmful gases.
Seeing Wu Da Sang Men's intense hatred for tomb robbers, I could only follow his lead. I feigned surprise, "Surely not?"
Wu Da Sang Men snorted, "Not? My eldest brother was caught before he could even get his hands on the treasures on the mountain, and he's still not out. My second brother was luckier. He took the goods, sold them, got married, but his wife left immediately after the child was born, without even a glance. My second brother then quit the trade. But a few years ago, to get a bride price for my useless nephew, he went into the mountains and never came back. Tell me, if this isn't retribution, what is it?" He became more and more agitated as he spoke, almost shouting by the end. It took a while for him to calm down.
From Wu Da Sang Men's words, it was clear that he strongly opposed his nephew's involvement in tomb raiding. He even blamed his nephew for his second brother's death. This was not a good sign.
This also gave me a headache. Originally, with Wu Da Sang Men's status as village chief, I could move freely within the village. A quick visit to any house that seemed suspicious would have given me a good idea of the situation.
Now, the first suspicious household turned out to be Wu Da Sang Men's nephew's, and from the surface, Wu Da Sang Men seemed to harbor significant resentment towards his nephew. It appeared this conflict had been brewing for some time.
This left me without an excuse to search his nephew's house. What was I to do? Fang Hui Xin had only given me two hours. If Wu Da Sang Men cooperated, I would have the answer in less than an hour.
Should I confront Wu Da Sang Men directly and tell him that his nephew was hiding someone's corpse, and the rightful owner was now looking for it?
I figured that if I said that, given Wu Da Sang Men's current temper, he would likely grab a shoulder pole and break his nephew's legs. Moreover, before leaving his nephew's house, his nephew had cursed him, "You die for appearances and suffer for it." It seemed the situation was not as simple as Wu Da Sang Men had described.
But if I didn't say anything, I certainly wouldn't be able to enter their house. Therefore, I had to find an opportune moment to reveal the matter.
Wu Da Sang Men's wife was very efficient. While we were talking, a simple meal was prepared, and Wu Da Sang Men was asked to get bowls and chopsticks and help serve the dishes.
"Coming."
While Wu Da Sang Men was helping his wife serve the food, I said to Zhang Da Biao, "Brother Zhang, we need to find a way to visit his nephew's house. I suspect Fang Yuan is hidden there."
Zhang Da Biao thought for a moment, "What's the chance of that?"
I thought about it and gave him a six-tenths answer.
If I hadn't learned from Wu Da Sang Men that his nephew was involved in tomb raiding, I would have been at least eight-tenths certain. But now, I could only give a six-tenths chance. Su Dan Novel Network
"Watch my signal later."
Seeing Wu Da Sang Men bringing the dishes, Zhang Da Biao quickly reached out to take them, "Old brother, you're too hospitable. If we eat and can't get things done, don't blame us, old brother."
"Haha... Whether it succeeds or not isn't decided by a meal. I'm happy today to finally meet someone I click with. What's a meal?"
Some say alcohol is not a good thing; drinking too much not only harms the body but also slows down thinking. Others say alcohol is a good thing; it can bring people closer and turn strangers who have just met into brothers who talk about everything.
Wu Da Sang Men and Zhang Da Biao were proof that alcohol is indeed a bond that brings people together. Wu Da Sang Men was so drunk that only his teeth were visible, and he kept pulling Zhang Da Biao, talking about how good Xiangyanggou Village was and how he must invest.
Zhang Da Biao responded vaguely, his words always seeming to lack some intention, which made Wu Da Sang Men a little unhappy.
"Young brother, I, Wu Da Sang Men, am a straightforward person. Just tell me if this can be done?"
When I heard this, I quickly kicked Zhang Da Biao under the table, signaling him not to agree casually, or the subsequent lies would be impossible to maintain.
Zhang Da Biao clearly understood my intention. After thinking for a long time, he replied, "It's difficult and simple at the same time. It mainly depends on you, old brother."
"On me?"
Wu Da Sang Men swayed his head, trying to stay sober, "What do you mean?"
"Look at us two, dressed like this. Do we look like big bosses? The real big bosses are in the cars. We are just their vanguards. Investigating Xiangyanggou Village is only part of it. The main purpose is to find someone?"
"Find someone? Then you've come to the right person. There are over thirty households in this village, and I know everyone, young and old. Just tell me the name, and I'll know whose family it is. Tell me!" Wu Da Sang Men patted his chest, guaranteeing us.
"Fang Yuan."
Upon hearing the name "Fang Yuan," Wu Da Sang Men clearly paused. He looked at Zhang Da Biao with half-closed eyes, "Young brother, are you joking with old brother? There's no one surnamed Fang in Xiangyanggou. Where would I go to find this person for you?"
Wu Da Sang Men's tone was clearly displeased.
Zhang Da Biao chuckled, "Old brother, don't be angry. Fang Yuan is not from your village. She got lost from the neighboring village by accident. We followed clues here, so, you see..."
Seeing Wu Da Sang Men hesitate, Zhang Da Biao didn't rush him, only occasionally taking a bite of food, as if he was certain Wu Da Sang Men would agree.
"Are you sure she's in whose house? If you're not sure, I won't take you there. People in the village are already wary. If I, as the village chief, suddenly bring outsiders to find someone, and if we don't find them, my position as village chief will be over."
"We understand that. We have seven or eight-tenths certainty that the person is in his house, but we're afraid you might be in a difficult position and unwilling to take us there!"
Wu Da Sang Men rolled his eyes, "Brother Zhang, you're looking down on me through a crack in the door. If you're sure she's in their house, I wouldn't mind even if you smashed their house. But if we don't find the person..."
I immediately interjected, "If we don't find the person, Village Chief Wu, we'll do whatever you say?" I couldn't let Zhang Da Biao continue. If he agreed to invest, where would the two of us get the money to invest?
"Very straightforward. I won't make things difficult for you. Since you are the vanguards of the big boss, please speak well of me to him. If this works out, I'll remember your kindness."
Hearing that Wu Da Sang Men didn't demand investment, I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Where is she? Since you're so sure, you must know where she's hidden."
This time, Zhang Da Biao remained silent and kicked my foot under the table, signaling me to speak.
"She's most likely in your nephew's house."
As soon as I finished speaking, Wu Da Sang Men shot up, nearly knocking over the table.
"What? In his house? This little brat doesn't learn anything good. He's done all sorts of wicked things like grave robbing, and now he dares to steal people? Watch me break his legs!"
Saying this, Wu Da Sang Men grabbed the shoulder pole leaning against the wall and rushed out. Before I could react, he was already out the door and far away.
"What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and chase him!"