Chapter 5: Finding Someone

He looked around and saw that there was no one nearby. Tianxing leaped up, directly jumping onto the balcony of the third floor. Grasping the railing of the balcony, he effortlessly flipped inside. Standing on the balcony, he could already hear the indistinct voices of people inside.

Old Liu sat alone in the gatehouse, sipping a little wine and watching television

Your work is still not detailed enough; such a significant oversight makes it very difficult for me to explain

Unhurriedly, Tianxing observed the street names and took quite some time to find "No. 18 Ping'an Avenue." Before him stood a dilapidated three-story building, its gray-white walls still faintly displaying some slogans: "Have fewer children, plant more trees"

The table was nearly cleared of the snacks meant to accompany the drinks. Just then, the door of the room creaked open with a "squeak," and a warm voice came from outside.

Initially, I was not entirely certain that Mayor Li of Ping A Town was the mastermind behind the scenes, but now it can be confirmed without a doubt

Feeling a sharp object digging into his waist, a chill crept in from that point. He sensed the grip on his neck loosening slightly. Old Liu quickly said: "The mayor's house is located at 18 Ping'an Street..."

If you dare to shout, I will stab you!

A middle-aged woman walked in, placed the plate on the table, and began to speak. Noticing the curtains fluttering in the wind, she started to complain again: "Oh, Lao Li, what kind of weather is it? You still have the door open while drinking. Aren't you afraid your old cold legs will act up again?"

Ping A Town, a small town located in the southwestern border region, has a simple and unpretentious local culture

Oh dear, Mayor Li, this time you must lend me a hand, otherwise this year will truly be in vain

With a "creak," the door was closed again, and only then did the two people inside continue their conversation.

Tianxing slightly loosened his grip, pressing Mayor Li onto a small bed to one side, making him lie face down. He leaned close to his ear and said: "If you don't want your family to be affected as well, hurry up and tell me everything!"

"Cough, cough, cough," as the hand gripping his throat loosened, Mayor Li began to cough violently. At that moment, a middle-aged woman's voice came from outside the door: "Old Li, I’m bringing you some more fruit to help with the hangover!"

A gentle breeze lifted a corner of the balcony curtain, and Tianxing saw the yellow ore inside, igniting a fire of anger within him

Having said that, the middle-aged woman walked over. Tianxing, who was standing on the balcony, quickly hid himself in the corner. The middle-aged woman approached and closed the door to the balcony, saying, "Take your time drinking. If the dishes are not enough, I will go make more for you."

The anxious and fidgety Xiao Zhang, upon hearing these words, jumped up with joy. He repeatedly agreed, yet his steps had already taken him out the door, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared around the street corner, leaving no trace.

A house like this in the 1970s would have been considered quite good, but now, surrounded by luxurious and beautiful villas, the mayor's house appears particularly shabby.

The released Mayor Li immediately shouted out

Old Liu, who had never encountered such a situation, was nearly scared to the point of fainting

Tell me where Mayor Li's home is, otherwise I will kill you

Xiao Huang, this loss is too great. Although the leaders at the county level have been properly arranged, I cannot bear such a significant loss.

Today marks the New Year of the local ethnic minorities. In the lunar month of October, the weather here has yet to feel cold. People from all directions are gathering, cheering and laughing, with joy evident on the faces of the children

In the small room, sitting by the door is the yellow miner, who is bare-chested and holding a large bowl in his hand, speaking with a look of dejection. Opposite him sits a clean-looking middle-aged man, whose every gesture reveals a hint of authority. He is holding a large enamel tea cup and sipping from it slowly.

Save ... ...

Staring at Mayor Li's quickly turning purple face, Tianxing's expression became somewhat ferocious. He leaned closer to Mayor Li's face and, lowering his voice, shouted: "How many children have you harmed?"

The town government is located in the southwest of the town, with several brand-new buildings that appear particularly grand, and even the gatehouse adorned with the national emblem exudes a sense of solemnity

A sharp pain shot through Lao Liu's head, causing his body to go limp. Tian Xing lifted him and placed Lao Liu on the bed in the guardroom, carefully unfolding the blanket and covering him with it.

With a creak, the door was pushed open, and Tianxing immediately released Mayor Li, lunging towards the middle-aged woman. In the midst of her horrified gaze, Tianxing struck her neck with a chop, then seized her collar and pulled her inside, kicking the door shut behind him. However, with a clatter, the plate that the middle-aged woman had brought fell to the ground, shattering into pieces, and the entire plate of grapes scattered all over the floor.

"Mayor Li, you must help me with this. No one expected this incident to happen. It was all that old fellow who said that the ones sent over were just uneducated kids. Who would have thought that among them there would be a kid who could drive!"

He glanced outside, where the distant sky was illuminated a fiery red by the bonfire. Watching the recently arrived Xiao Zhang, who was pacing at the door, Old Liu couldn't help but laugh. He opened the window and called out, "Go ahead, I can manage here by myself, but remember to come back before six in the morning!"

Uncle Liu, thank you very much

Oh dear, I say, Old Li, Director Huang is quite a prominent figure in the county, so you shouldn't always act so high and mighty! Come, come, Director Huang, I've prepared some stir-fried rice noodles for you; have a bite. Drinking on an empty stomach is harmful to your health!

Casually placing the guard's hat on his head, Tianxing swiftly disappeared into the night of the library. The television was playing the Peking opera that Old Liu loved most, and the "yi yi ya ya" singing style brought a touch of warmth to Tianxing. Old Liu resembled the elderly director of the orphanage, who also enjoyed sipping a little wine while listening to Peking opera.

Standing in the corner, Tianxing's anger burned increasingly within him, his fingers digging into his palm. Unable to endure any longer, Tianxing pushed the door open and rushed in, delivering a punch to the head of Huang Kuangzhang. Following that, he grabbed the astonished Mayor Li, who was seated opposite him, and yanked him up.

A slightly youthful voice came from behind Lao Liu, and someone had also grabbed his neck

Mayor Li's hands were gripping the hand that was choking him, and he could only emit a "gurgling" sound from his mouth, unable to utter a single word. His feet kicked at the person in front of him, but it felt as if he were kicking a steel plate, and a sharp pain surged through his toes.

Old Liu, turning his head, raised his wine glass and took a gulp, pouring the liquor into his stomach. He grinned and exhaled a breath of alcohol. As he lifted his hand to grab some food, darkness enveloped him; someone covered his face, and he felt a tight grip on his lower back, a sharp object poking into his waist.