Chapter 1108: Chapter 383: Han Feng Returns Home, New Road Regulations, Xia City Street Vendors, the Black-Robed Child Blocking the Road
If Hongmen is currently the busiest place in the Moao Nine Towns; then East Ridge Village, located in the extreme west of Beishuo Town, is the quietest area.
Beishuo is the northernmost town on the south slope of Moao Mountain, while East Ridge Village, located around Beining Mountain, is the most remote in the Jingxi District of Beishuo. In the entire Jingxi District, it is also the village closest to the broken wall of Twin Dragon Mountain to the west, so it is not an exaggeration to describe it as quiet.
To give a simple example, take the recent news about Great Xia Town that spread across the Eight Towns. By the time it reached the area around Beining Mountain, it was already mid-July, and by the time people in East Ridge Village received the news, it was almost August.
Thereâs just no way around it!
The more remote and quiet the place, the slower the news spreads.
The eighth year of Da Xia, August 4th, late at night
North of East Ridge Village, on Bluestone Road.
A middle-aged man in his thirties carrying a long knife, holding two young boys of about four or five, was leading a young woman in a gray cotton coat, quickly heading towards East Ridge Village.
This was obviously a family of four.
The young woman had a consistently sullen expression, clearly unhappy. Seeing her husband quicken his pace again, she finally couldnât help but speak up.
"Living in Tan Village was so much better. Why do we have to make such a long journey? I inquired all along the way. This Jingxi District is the most remote district of Beishuo Town. What good place could it possibly have?"
"Youâve become a deputy leader in Tan Village. We, the three of us, could have stayed there comfortably. Wasnât it nice?"
"You went on a long journey at the end of last year, claiming to visit your sister. When you came back, you changed completely, refusing to tell me anything."
"How good is the place where your two sisters live that we have to uproot and move there?"
"Han Feng, are you deaf? Answer me quickly!"
"Why did we leave Tan Village?"
"Han Feng, if you donât tell me the truth, you can go by yourself. Iâll take Mingâer and Ruiâer back to Tan Village!"
.........
After two consecutive days of traveling, Tan Rou was already uncomfortable in her heart. Seeing her husband ignoring her words, her emotions flared up immediately. She took the two children from his arms and turned around to head back.
Han Feng naturally wouldnât let his wife turn back. He blocked her way, pondered for a moment, and then spoke in a deep voice, "Rouâer, weâre just two kilometers away from East Ridge Village. I donât need to hide it from you anymore, but itâs a long story, and I canât explain it all at once. Just follow me, and youâll understand once we get there. I wouldnât make you leave home for no reason. I want to give you, Mingâer, and Ruiâer a better life. Weâve been married for six years. Donât you trust me by now?"
Hearing her husband say that, Tan Rouâs heart softened instantly.
Seeing his wifeâs expression soften, Han Feng seized the opportunity to take the two sons back into his arms and asked softly, "Mingâer, Ruiâer, are you tired?"
"Dad, we are men, not tired."
"Mom should be more tired than us, so Dad, carry her! Weâll walk by ourselves."
Though the two children were only four or five years old, they were exceptionally sensible. Knowing their parents had just fought, they were afraid of causing more trouble and insisted they werenât tired.
The younger Han Ming couldnât help but say a thoughtful sentence.
As soon as these words were spoken, Tan Rou laughed heartily.
"Haha, thatâs hilarious."
All of Tan Rouâs pent-up resentment was dispelled by her younger sonâs innocent remark. After laughing for a long while, she couldnât help but walk over, pinch her younger sonâs chubby cheeks, then roll her eyes at Han Feng and said, "Letâs go! I want to see what kind of place your two sisters live in that makes you so determined to take us there, hm!"
With his wifeâs mood improved, Han Feng felt much more relaxed. Continuing on the journey, he gave a thumbs-up to his two sons with a smile and said, "You two are both smarter than Dad. When we get to Xia City, your two aunts will definitely like you."
At the mention of their aunts, Han Ming and Han Ruiâs little eyes were filled with curiosity.
Since their fatherâs return from a trip last year, he had occasionally mentioned their two aunts. Before that, they hadnât even known they had two aunts.
The family continued southward and soon saw the bonfires of East Ridge Village from afar.
"Youâre not from our village, are you?"
All villages had night patrols, and East Ridge Village was no exception.
The four of them were spotted by the patrol while still a mile from the village.
The group clearly looked like a family of four, not like troublemakers, and their goal was obviously East Ridge Village, so the patrol team revealed themselves directly.
Han Feng had already sensed their presence and wasnât surprised. He cupped his hands and smiled at them, "I am Han Feng, and I have an appointment with your Leader Lu. Please inform him on my behalf. Leader Lu will recognize my name."
Tonightâs patrol captains were coincidentally Lu Yangâs two disciples, Zhu Baixu and Wan Qingyu. Upon hearing Han Feng was there to see Master Lu Yang, Zhu Baixu frowned. He could tell Han Feng was very capable, likely at the Cold Resistance Level, and didnât dare to be negligent. He quickly cupped his hands in return, "You have come at an inopportune time. My master is currently not in the village!"
Not in the village?
Having come so far, Han Feng wasnât going to turn back. He immediately continued, "May I ask if Lin Fan, Wang Tao, or Zhu Shun are present? They know me too."