Chapter 134: A Highly Cost-Effective Guide

The young man instantly grew sharp and said, "Fine! Boss, I'll take the job. As long as you keep your word when the time comes!"

Heh, this kid was truly shrewd. While he struggled internally with the money I offered, he had also noticed the movement of Guo Fan’s hands. He likely realized that if he didn't agree, it wouldn't be as simple as just returning the money; it might well cost him his life.

I turned around, suddenly feeling an urge to laugh, though it was a bitter one. Could it be that Anna was right? Did I really look like a mob boss now?

We waited for about half an hour until the trucks finished loading and began to roll out of the warehouse area one by one. Liu Dong, who was driving, glanced at me. I shook my head, signaling him to wait. After a while, once all the small trucks had departed, I gave Liu Dong the nod to start the engine.

Our car followed at a steady pace, neither too fast nor too slow, keeping the small trucks in sight without being discovered. On a county road, it was normal to have other vehicles around, but once we entered the mountains, traffic would be sparse, and whether we could remain undetected was another matter entirely.

I asked San Biangua again if he was certain he could locate the encampment. This time, he offered a sheepish smile and confessed:

"Well... to be honest, Boss, I was bragging earlier. I should be able to remember the general location, but it was so dark that night, and since you asked me to go back out of the blue, I was a bit rattled. But I guarantee, given enough time, I can find it."

After a few more questions, I felt reassured. San Biangua’s initial bravado had been driven by greed, but after seeing the weapons we carried, he realized we weren't people to be trifled with and stopped the tall tales.

I remained silent. To be honest, my internal state felt somewhat manic. This madness stemmed from my own life; the realization that my existence could be extinguished suddenly—without a trace, without a warning—made me feel that there was no longer any need for restraint. It was a hysterical, desperate urge to do whatever I could think of, to achieve whatever I set my mind to. That was the nature of this madness.

That was why I had hired these helpers at a high price and procured weapons and equipment to rescue Li Ling and retrieve what was rightfully mine. Truth be told, while I harbored some friendship for Li Ling, it wasn't enough to risk my life for her. But between my newfound indifference toward life and my obsession with reclaiming my property, I would crush anyone who stood in my way.

The car continued to crawl forward, the taillights of the small trucks visible in the distance. San Biangua confirmed that this road did indeed lead to Longtou Mountain, albeit by a roundabout route. It made sense; the smaller, more direct paths were too narrow and treacherous for trucks, whereas this longer road was passable.

I had initially considered having San Biangua lead us directly to the camp, but his description of the place sounded rather ominous. Besides, after so many days, it was highly probable the camp had been relocated.

Bringing a guide was a sensible precaution. Venturing into the mountains blindly would be fraught with trouble, and having someone familiar with the terrain offered distinct advantages.

Despite his unreliability, San Biangua’s knowledge of Longtou Mountain was genuine. His detailed, coherent accounts of the terrain didn't sound like fabrications; they were clearly the product of firsthand experience.

He told me that Longtou Mountain was steeped in history, with many ancient battles having taken place there. Mountain foragers had occasionally stumbled upon antiques—mostly worthless trinkets—but there was a time when a craze for treasure hunting swept through them. It was said that one forager accidentally fell into a pit and discovered an ancient tomb. Terrified, he grabbed a single item and fled. That item was later sold for a small fortune, turning him into a "ten-thousand-yuan household," a mark of significant wealth back then.

This event stirred up the entire surrounding region, prompting countless people to search the mountain, though none found anything else. It was simply a matter of luck and destiny.

Longtou Mountain, however, held legitimate historical and cultural significance. Its scenery was breathtaking, and for a while, the local government had intended to develop it into a tourist destination, following the trend of promoting tourism across Yunnan.

But then, things took a strange turn. After months of planning and organizing surveys, the project simply fizzled out. Many were baffled by the sudden silence. Rumor had it that during the government’s survey, several bizarre incidents occurred, forcing them to terminate the development project.

Curious, I asked San Biangua what exactly had happened. He seemed to relish showing off his knowledge, though one had to take his words with a grain of salt, filtering out the inevitable exaggeration.

He claimed that he had heard it from others. When the government departments organized the expedition, they hired a veteran forager as a guide. Longtou Mountain was vast, its range connected to many others, making it easy to get lost without a guide. Furthermore, the area was known for its wild beasts—the name "Hundred Thousand Mountains of the Miao Frontier" was not earned without cause.