"You came to Niutou Mountain this time, probably for the thousand-year ginseng too?" Lu Fan looked at Xuanwu, "It's a pity that it's in my hands, you won't snatch it, will you?"
"You jest, sir. The thousand-year ginseng is indeed very important to me," Xuanwu chuckled, "But since you saved my life, how could I possibly snatch your belongings!"
"That's for the best then!" Lu Fan nodded slightly, "You are severely injured, so follow us back to Niutou Village to get bandaged. Rest for a night before leaving!"
"Thank you!" Xuanwu quickly cupped his fists. With his current injuries, even if he wanted to leave, it would likely be impossible.
With Lu Fan and the others helping, he naturally wouldn't refuse.
However, just then, a series of shouts erupted. Not far from the valley, a group of people, holding bows and arrows, were rushing towards them, appearing in a grand procession.
"Where are they!"
Da Tou quickly spoke, pointing in the direction Lu Fan was standing, a look of joy on his face. To prevent Lu Fan from being eaten by monsters, the villagers of Niutou Village had all risked their lives. Seeing Lu Fan safe and sound, they were naturally delighted.
With the arrival of many villagers, Lu Fan said awkwardly, "Why have you come? This is Niutou Village's forbidden area, you shouldn't be here!"
"Indeed, we shouldn't have come!" The old village chief spoke, "But you few ventured into the forbidden area alone. If anything were to happen, what would we do?"
"That's right!" Shen Xiaoxiao nodded, "The village chief was worried something might happen to you, so he specially asked everyone to bring their gear. Mr. Lu, you must be very grateful!"
"Gratitude is not necessary. Mr. Lu being safe is the greatest joy," Da Tou said repeatedly, "Let's return to the village now. We shouldn't linger in the forbidden area!"
Lu Fan did not refuse. He had already obtained what he came for, and there was no point in staying any longer.
"Who is he?" Shen Xiaoxiao looked at Xuanwu, "And why is he so injured!"
"He must be lost!" Lu Fan smiled, "Bring him back to Niutou Village. A night's rest should be enough for him to recover!"
The old village chief nodded slightly. Since Lu Fan had spoken, he naturally wouldn't say anything more.
The crowd, in a grand procession, headed towards Niutou Village. In the forbidden area of Niutou Village, the atmosphere seemed quite cheerful.
This valley was not only fertile but also filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, and even had plenty of game, which lifted the spirits of the Niutou Village folk.
"Old village chief, could the rumors be false?" a woman chuckled, "There are no monsters here, and the land is fertile. If the village could relocate here, we would surely have plenty to eat in the future!"
"How can that be!" The old village chief glared, "The monsters haven't appeared because there are so many of us. If there were fewer people, it might not be the same."
"That's right!" Da Tou nodded, "Everyone must not be careless, and we must not easily enter the forbidden area in the future!"
The people of Niutou Village nodded in agreement, showing considerable faith in Da Tou's words.
However, as they walked, Lu Fan glanced back and frowned. For some reason, he felt a sense of being watched, and a general discomfort settled in his heart.
"Sir, what's wrong?" Han Yunhai asked in surprise, "Is something the matter?"
"Nothing's wrong!" Lu Fan smiled, "Let's head back to Niutou Village!"
Han Yunhai nodded and didn't pry further.
After Lu Fan and the others left, a figure in black appeared. Looking at the departing group, venomous hatred flickered in their eyes, especially as they gazed at the ginseng in Lu Fan's hand, their anger surging.
Back in Niutou Village, Da Tou and the others roasted a wild boar. Everyone sat together, eating meat and drinking wine, appearing quite merry.
This wild boar was caught that day and was quite large, much to everyone's satisfaction.
After eating and drinking their fill, Lu Fan returned to his room, placing the ginseng on the table and entering a state of calm recuperation.
The others also returned to their respective rooms, having had a tiring yet joyous day.
In the dead of night, the village was shrouded in darkness. A figure in black stood not far from the village, holding a cane topped with a snake's head, exuding a sinister aura.
In the blink of an eye, the figure in black vanished. When they reappeared, they were already in Lu Fan's room. Gazing at the ginseng on the table, they quietly took it into their hands before preparing to leave.
At that very moment, Lu Fan's eyes snapped open. A powerful surge of inner energy was unleashed, striking the figure in black with a palm.
The man in black, like a phantom, disappeared from the room, taking the ginseng with him.
As if hearing the commotion, everyone rushed out. Han Yunhai quickly asked, "Sir, what happened?"
"The thousand-year ginseng was stolen," Lu Fan frowned, "That person truly has remarkable skills, to be able to conceal their presence. No wonder I felt something was amiss today!"
"The thousand-year ginseng was stolen?" Han Yunhai exclaimed, "Could it be Xuanwu's doing? He seemed quite interested in the thousand-year ginseng, and he's right here in Niutou Village!"
"Impossible, how could he possess such strength." Lu Fan waved his hand, "That man in black is definitely not him."
As they were talking, Xuanwu also approached. Upon hearing about the stolen ginseng, he looked even more surprised, "Sir's methods are extraordinary. To steal from under Sir's nose, what kind of person is this!"
"It must be some secret technique," Lu Fan said coldly, "Likely someone from certain tribes!"
"The tribes within the Hundred Thousand Mountains?" Xuanwu was slightly surprised, "How did they end up at Niutou Mountain?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but with such skills, the person's identity is likely not low!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, "However, that ginseng carries my aura. When dawn breaks tomorrow, I will be able to find their hiding place!"
The crowd nodded slightly but refrained from speaking further. To obtain the spiritual medicine, Lu Fan had employed many tactics, even killing the giant python. Now that the spiritual medicine was stolen, he was naturally displeased.
The next morning, Xuanwu bid farewell to Lu Fan and the others, "Your kindness is unforgettable. After I've settled my affairs, I will surely follow you and serve you faithfully!"
After Xuanwu departed, Lu Fan turned his gaze towards the direction of Chu Prefecture, "I truly didn't expect that person went to Chu Prefecture. It seems Chu Prefecture is full of hidden talents!"
"Chu Prefecture?" Han Yunhai narrowed his eyes, "Should we ask the Zhao family for help?"
"No need, through sensing the aura, I can determine the exact location," Lu Fan waved his hand, "There's no rush. We don't want to alert the enemy."
Leaving Niutou Mountain, the few of them arrived on the road. Shen Xiaoxiao was quite exhausted, so she went home to catch up on sleep. After she left, Lu Fan then looked in the direction of Wanbao Street.
"The aura is near Wanbao Street!" Lu Fan stated, "You all come with me! I'd like to see who this esteemed person is, who possesses such skills yet stoops to such lowly deeds!"
Meanwhile, in a courtyard near Wanbao Street, Lin Xiaojia was sweeping. An old woman, leaning on a cane, stumbled in, fresh blood still lingering in her mouth.