Both Xu Ran and Liu Tong headed back to the village head's residence based on their recollections and discovered that the village chief had returned. The village chief was displeased when he saw the dirt on Xu Ran's garments "Do you have a large amount of clothing on you? Do you enjoy changing your clothing frequently?"
Hearing this, Xu Ran felt embarrassed. He replied, "I am so sorry, village chief. I'll have to trouble you again. I'll explain this to you later. But can you allow us to take a bath first?"
"Wait there," the village chief said, turning back in disdain after another glance at them. He then proceeded to the kitchen.
Xu Ran smiled and whispered to Liu Tong, "The village chief has a sharp tongue but a tender heart. If he is really not a bad person, I will be at ease."
Liu Tong remained silent. He had never been so far away from home before. He did, however, come across such an occurrence. He clutched Xu Ran's clothing firmly, fearful that he might vanish in an instant.
Xu Ran sensed his worry and attempted to reassure him "Tongtong, this type of thing doesn't happen all of the time. Despite the fact that I have been out many times, I have never encountered this. You know how well it went the last time I sent Mr. Hu home alone. I can only say that we haven't been fortunate enough this time. You have to trust that the world is still full with good people."
When Liu Tong heard Xu Ran mention that he had never had any problems coming out before, he couldn't help but think of himself. He had never followed Xu Ran out before, but he had never faced such an occurrence. Mr. Hu died first, then Ran was regarded as a suspect, and finally he was pushed into the river and nearly drowned. Was it all due to Liu Tong's actions?
The more Liu Tong considered it, the more likely he believed it was, and he even began to split hairs on the issue.
Xu Ran noticed that something was wrong with Liu Tong. He gently patted his face, "Tongtong, what are you thinking? How can you blame yourself for this? Think about it. Wouldn't Mr. Hu die just because you came here? He was, in fact, already dead in January. Obviously, this has nothing to do with you, therefore don't waste your time on such a little issue. As you can see, I've been in a similar scenario. Do you want my heart to break for you?"
Hearing this, Liu Tong came back to himself. He then looked at Xu Ran with guilt, "Ran, I don't..."
Xu Ran interrupted him, "Of course I know you don't hope so. I know you too well. Don't you think so?"
Xu Ran assumed no one was around, so he kissed Liu Tong "From now on, Tongtong, you must be cheerful. I've decided not to buy any fruit trees at this time. We'll both be secure after we leave the village three days later! Understand? We'll have to return safe and sound."
Xu Ran said solemnly. He appeared very serious. Liu Tong took a look at him and then nodded, "Ran, I know. I will. We will go back safe and sound."
"Mm," Xu Ran nodded with satisfaction.
"The water is ready. Now is the time to take a bath! By the way, if you fell into the village river today, you are no longer required to wear your clothing. You won't be able to live tonight if you continue to wear them."
The village chief came unexpectedly at the door and addressed them both. Xu Ran and Liu Tong were both taken aback. They had not expected the village chief to be aware of their fall into the river. They couldn't understand, however, why they couldn't keep their clothing on. Is it possible that there are water ghosts in the river? Is it possible that the village chief truly knew something?
The village chief was hesitant to say anything further and walked straight inside. Liu Tong was concerned that Xu Ran would be uncomfortable in his muddy and damp clothes, so he went to the kitchen to get him some hot water.
Liu Tong's clothing were also soaked, but just from the waist down. Xu Ran thought that running back and forth would be inconvenient, so he proposed that they take a bath together.
Liu Tong consented despite his embarrassment and the fact that they were still in other people's house since he knew he couldn't let the village head provide hot water for him again.
Liu Tong had placed the silver notes they had brought with them this time on the innermost layer of his clothing and securely wrapped them with a handkerchief.
Liu Tong pulled the item out at the time and exhaled a sigh of relief when he discovered it was not damp. Thankfully, the river was not very deep and their clothing was not entirely soaked.
In the bath, they both had a good time. Liu Tong let Xu Ran sit there since his hands and feet were still aching, and he planned to wash their clothing himself.
"If you don't want something to happen to you again, you must throw the clothes away!" remarked the village chief, who appeared out of nowhere.
The village chief's words seemed so definite, as if something bad would happen if they didn't throw away the clothes. Liu Tong took one look at Xu Ran and decided. He stepped out with the clothing in his hands. Xu Ran understood exactly what he meant. He intended to throw the clothing.
Liu Tong, on the other hand, did not trust what the village chief had said. However, because it was about Ran, he would like to think what he said was true.
Xu Ran waited in the yard on a stool, preparing to inform the village chief about his fall into the river. He didn't expect the village chief to speak first, but "Don't say you fell into the river if you don't want to. I'm not interested in knowing about it, and I'm not interested in dealing with it. You may go back to where you were in three days since everything is OK now! Keep in mind that you should not return to this place."
Xu Ran was taken aback by what the village chief said to him. He gulped the words he was about to speak. Xu Ran could tell from the village chief's look that he wouldn't be able to extract any more information from him.
Still, something about Hu Jin, who was attempting to kill him, made Xu Ran a bit hesitant to let it go. At the same time, he couldn't help but think that the instances of the deceased in the village that Hu Jin informed him about were real, but that the causes of death were different.
Xu Ran deliberated for a long time. He chose to shift the topic because the village chief refused to answer his inquiry in this regard. He thought that knowing more knowledge was always beneficial. There were still three days left, after all. He assumed he would be murdered if he didn't know anything here.
Xu Ran then asked the village chief, "Village chief, are there always people from other villages coming here?"
"Did Hu Jin tell you about it?" The village chief sounded extremely dangerous. He pretended to believe Xu Ran had known a secret he shouldn't have known, and that if he acknowledged it, he would kill him.
This reaction was too great and Xu Ran became even more alert.
Xu Ran replied, "No, he didn't. I just guess so. You know, I used to visit to the hamlet to buy strawberry seeds. I'm aware that your village produces fruit. As a result, I assumed there would be a large number of people here to buy fruits, so I inquired."
Even still, the village chief didn't appear to believe it. He discovered, however, that Xu Ran was staring at him innocently, with no hint of remorse.
The village chief looked away from Xu Ran after a brief pause and said, "No, our village attracts a small number of visitors. Only a few familiar merchants come to buy fruits on a regular basis, and they don't typically remain long."
Xu Ran saw that the village he was residing in today was very different from the one he had seen last year when he had traveled with Qin Shuwu. Xu Ran resolved that when he returned home, he would speak with Qin Shuwu and inquire about how he had discovered the village.
Liu Tong returned before Xu Ran could gain any further information from the village chief. After seeing Liu Tong, the village chief turned around and went, stating he was going to the kitchen to cook supper.
Liu Tong looked at the leaving back of the village head, and then he turned to Xu Ran, "Ran, what happened just now?"
Xu Ran shook his head looking a little irritated, "The village chief seemed to have been aware that we had fallen into the village's river. He's even aware that it has to do with Hu Jin. But he didn't say anything else and wouldn't allow me ask him about it. Despite the fact that I think they're all odd, I'm puzzled. We're both new to this area and must be wary of other people harming us. I'm a little annoyed."
Liu Tong squatted beside him and consoled him "Don't overthink it, Ran. You know, right now the most essential thing for us is to stay here for three days and then go. It makes no difference if we can figure out why Hu Jin injured us. We can return later once we've done our preparations."
Will they come back? Xu Ran had the feeling that he didn't want to remain in this village any longer, but he was hesitant to do so in his heart. After all, they just knew Hu Jin wanted to murder them immediately, but they had no understanding why he was doing it.
Xu Ran frowned, confused as to how he could have upset this person.
It would be unthinkable for him to have offended Hu Jin if it was during the Spring Test. Everyone understood that the exam outcome was determined by the individual's abilities. Also, didn't Hu Jin mention that he was already a Xiucai? Hu Jin shouldn't be bothered in this regard now that they're both Xiucai.
Xu Ran was puzzled as to why Hu Jin was so angry toward him. The village chief arrived to call them for supper without waiting for Xu Ran to think it through. Thankfully, this time the meal was better. They might be full this time since it was brown rice + rice.
They'd simply had some porridge for lunch. Xu Ran, on the other hand, had just used all of his strength battling in the river. He could have been hungry long ago if he hadn't been preoccupied with his thoughts right now.
Xu Ran had planned to ask the village head some questions while eating, but the village head was clearly preoccupied with his food and hesitant to talk. Xu Ran was unable to open his mouth as a result of this. Hence, he intended to ask him after dinner! After supper, however, he was dismissed by the village chief, who advised him to mind his own business.
Well! Xu Ran decided that since the village chief urged him not to interfere in other people's affairs, he wouldn't. He was curious, though, as to why Hu Jin intended to hurt him! He wouldn't be able to exact his own revenge if he didn't know the reason!
Xu Ran felt very anxious.
Liu Tong took his hand in his and shook it "Don't overthink it, Ran. Didn't you agree to help them in their search for the murderer? Maybe we'll figure out why Hu Jin attacked us when we discover the culprit. We've been busy all day and have seen and done a lot. Tonight, we should go to bed early!"
Xu Ran nodded. He knew what Liu Tong said was right, so he suggested, "Then you go to bed first!" I'll go to feed Big Black some grass.
Liu Tong felt at ease because the shed was not far behind the house, so he consented to let him go alone. Xu Ran just took some grass from the village head's family's cowshed and threw it to Big Black.
After feeding the Big Black, Xu Ran returned to the cowshed and noticed a flashing figure outside. Xu Ran had an idea. He rushed into the home in search of Liu Tong.
_____
Xu Ran entered the room and informed Liu Tong of what he had just witnessed. That person was either plotting something against them or attempting to steal Big Black.
Xu Ran's words were heard by Liu Tong. He had not anticipated the villagers' boldness. Even if they were residing in the village chief's home, why would anybody dare to steal? Is it likely he wasn't from this village?
Xu Ran was having the same thoughts as Liu Tong. He wondered whether this individual was Hu Ming. Despite the fact that Hu Ming had said that he would not steal from the village, what if the stolen item was not from the village? What if he's a newcomer to the village and has no idea what's going on?
Could it be that the stolen one found something missing but had nowhere to report, and he didn't want to risk his relationships with other villagers by doing so, so he swallowed his complaints.
The more Xu Ran considered it, the more he believed it was possible, and he began to question whether he was being very creative. Xu Ran and Liu Tong deliberated for a moment before lighting the oil lamp in the room, opening the door, and sneaking out.
They did not, however, take the oil light with them. Others would undoubtedly assume they were in the room since the oil light was blazing. No one would suspect that they had been out late.
Xu Ran, on the other hand, had another concern. The village chief was too impoverished to eat rice, despite the fact that he should have an oil lamp at home. Wasn't it strange? Oil was extremely costly. But, for the time being, Xu Ran did not give it any thought. Instead, he actively went for the killer alongside Liu Tong.
If the village chief did not handle the killer after they apprehended him, Xu Ran would inform the Yamen of the event. After all, there was a murder in the village, so Zhubu must be paying attention.
Xu Ran and Liu Tong were both deafeningly quiet. They crept quietly inside the cowshed. As though something had happened, Xu Ran noticed two individuals tugging each other. Xu Ran and Liu Tong were silently watching them. For a time, the two of them had been pulling each other, and Xu Ran overheard one of them saying, "You can't do this. It will arouse their suspicion."
Then the other one said, "Why not? I would have drowned them if you hadn't gone so quickly today. In such case, their horse will be without an owner and will eventually be ours. In the end, you were a coward for leaving too quickly."
The one who talked first said, "It wasn't like this last time. All of them died. It was only by chance that they lived this time, but it's a good thing they didn't die. Then we'll be able to blame them for the murder. Aren't their belongings still ours in that case?"
The other one replied, "Do you think it's so easy? They are currently living in the village chief's house. What if the village chief does something to them before we do?"
These two appeared to be devising a solution to the problem, but Xu Ran and Liu Tong were completely shocked. The two of them were talking about how to murder for money, and even the village chief was thinking about it!
It wasn't unusual that the two of them didn't talk in hushed tones, as if they weren't scared of being detected at all. There was no one else in this village except the village chief. Furthermore, according to these two, the village chief was a bad guy who was likely to harm them. As a result, both sides ambushed Xu Ran and Liu Tong.
"Alright, stop appearing in the village recently.You'd be done if Yamen runners or other people in the village saw you. It's not that I hold you responsible, but you were truly inhuman. You even murdered your own father."
Xu Ran found these words to be very informative. Hu Jin, the one who had pushed them into the water earlier in the day, spoke first, followed by Hu Ming. Hu Ming and Hu Jin were working together to murder Xu Ran and Liu Tong. Xu Ran was devastated as he thought about it.
Since the identities of the two speakers were confirmed, then it was much easier to make out their voices.
Xu Ran listened very carefully. When Hu Jin finished speaking, Hu Ming said, "My dad? Humph, he treated that Xu better than me. If he hadn't stopped me back then, how would I have attacked him? I guess that Xu is his biological son."
When Hu Ming stated this, he didn't feel bad about it, as if Xu Ran was truly Mr. Hu's son, which he wasn't. He was an outsider in every sense of the word. Xu Ran's body twitched when he heard this. He wanted to rush up to Hu Ming and slap him.
When Xu Ran was twitching, Liu Tong could tell what he wanted to do. Liu Tong tugged at Xu Ran's clothes, not letting him go.
Xu Ran remained seated. He calmed down and returned his gaze to Liu Tong. There were far too many scumbags, and everyone will encounter them at some point in their lives. Of course, hardly many individuals would murder their own fathers.
The other two speakers were completely unaware that they had been overheard. They were still debating how to steal their horse without being discovered.
Most significantly, they could blame the theft of the horse on the village chief. These three looked to have been harboring a grudge for quite some time! Xu Ran considered enlisting the help of the village chief to deal with these two. After all, wasn't discovering the killer a contribution as well?
Hu Jin, on the other hand, rushed from the cowshed to the front door to see whether they were sleeping. Xu Ran remembered the oil lamp he had ignited and decided to follow him and check around.
"Ah!" Xu Ran didn't expect to hear a scream. He looked back at Liu Tong, both speechless. They had no idea what was going on.
Then Xu Ran heard the village chief's loud voice, "Come out!"
Xu Ran and Liu Tong assumed the village chief was addressing them. It didn't occur to them until they clinched their fists and were about to walk out that the person who walked out was Hu Ming. Is it possible that he didn't run away after being discovered? Xu Ran was perplexed.
Liu Tong was likewise dragged along by Xu Ran. They were walking very slowly, so Hu Jin and Hu Ming didn't see them except for the village chief who was facing them.
Xu Ran heard Hu Ming saying to the village chief, "Aren't you afraid of waking up the people in your house with such a loud voice? Oh, that's not right. This lamp is on, so are the two people in the room still awake? How about coming out and chatting?"
Hu Ming was talking louder and louder. Apparently, he was talking to Xu Ran and Liu Tong.
After Hu Ming finished his words, the village chief told him, "Look back."
Hearing the village chief, Hu Jin and Hu Ming both turned around to see two individuals gazing at them from behind. Hu Ming and Hu Jin couldn't figure out what to do. What were these two doing behind their backs?
Xu Ran and Liu Tong had no plans to leave. Xu Ran's concept was straightforward. He and Liu Tong could still stop them if they chose to escape. According to the current circumstances, either the two of them or Hu Ming and Hu Jin have joined forces with the village chief. The village chief now had the upper hand.
In the dark night, Xu Ran chuckled, "Village chief, make your choice. Whose side are you going to take? You know what they have done, and so do we. There's an ancient saying that goes like this: God is aware of the truth, yet he waits. If one wanders outside late at night all the time, he will ultimately run into ghosts. Aren't you worried that, like the person who tried to drown me today, you will one day be drowned by those who died in the water?"
The last question was asked plainly by Xu Ran, yet it made the listener shudder. After that, Xu Ran remained silent and awaited the village chief's and Hu Ming's responses. Hu Ming appeared to be terrified, although it was most likely due to his own thoughts. He continued to tremble.
Hu Jin saw him and patted him, "What's the point of being afraid now? You weren't so sentimental when you killed your dad. We've got a fat chance of winning."
Hu Jin spoke in hushed tones to Hu Ming's ear, so Xu Ran and the others were oblivious to what Hu Jin was saying.
Having heard Hu Jin, Hu Ming was not that scared instead, "Who told you there are three of them? Didn't you hear Xu saying just now that he was waiting for the village chief's decision? This indicates that they haven't finished bargaining yet. Isn't it true that we may also bargain with the village chief in that case? These two are wealthy, and if we kill them, we will undoubtedly make a fortune."
Hu Jin thought about it and found that Hu Ming made sense.
Hu Jin said, "I didn't expect you to be so smart. Why haven't I noticed it before?"
Hu Ming smiled, "I've been in town for a long time, so I have naturally learned a little." He sounded somewhat proud.
After a while, Xu Ran heard Hu Ming telling the village head, "I'm also familiar with your past, village chief. Those two aren't from our area. Isn't it true that you can't only support the outsiders? We may continue to live our lives the way we choose in the future as long as this is over. What are your thoughts, village chief?"
Xu Ran looked uneasily at the village chief. They'd be in big danger if the village chief agreed. After all, he wasn't particularly skilled in fighting, and Liu Tong might not be able to defeat three opponents on his own!
Under Xu Ran's gaze, the village chief nodded cruelly, "You're right. As long as this is over, we can live life the way we like."
Hu Ming clapped his hands and walked towards the village head, "Now you're talking! I knew you were sensible, village chief."
Things, however, did not turn out precisely as he had hoped. Hu Ming was quickly apprehended by the village chief as soon as he reached him. The village chief was a martial artist, as anyone with keen eyes could see. It was, however, far too dark.
Hu Ming had not anticipated the situation's turnaround. He felt something prodding his waist just as he was going to question the village chief about it, and he immediately shouted.
"Your Lordship, you might come out now."
Hearing this, everyone present except for the village choef was stunned.
What exactly was going on? It was incredible! Zhubu had remained up late and set up an ambush in the dead of night? When the village chief finished speaking, there were several people who emerged. Then, as time went on, more and more people showed up. The locals, as well as Zhubu, were present.
They all came from behind the cowshed. So many people should've been waiting in the wings. Why hadn't they noticed them before?
Xu Ran also found it strange. He looked back at Zhubu. In the faint light, Xu Ran saw him smiling.
Zhubu seemed to know Xu Ran's doubts and said to him, "There is a huge pit behind the cowshed. Most people were in it."
It dawned on Xu Ran all of a sudden. It's no surprise they hadn't spotted them. Who, after all, would be interested in a massive hole in the middle of the night?
Zhubu made his way to the village's center. He was standing on the stairwell, looking down at the crowd below "Please accept my sincere apologies for inviting you all to see a show at midnight. It's becoming dark now. If you have a torch, please use it. Let us all take a closer look at this monster who murdered his own father!"
Zhubu underlined his last statement in particular. Following that, a large number of torches were quickly set ablaze below. In the meantime, the locals began to condemn him. Xu Ran suspected that the village chief had purposefully created this deception for them. Xu Ran, on the other hand, was curious as to when they had been targeted. They would have been too insignificant to be recognized otherwise.