"You came to Niutou Mountain this time, probably also for the millennium ginseng, right?" Lu Fan looked at Xuanwu, "A pity that this thing is in my hands, you won't snatch it, will you?"
"Sir, you jest. The millennium ginseng is indeed very important to me," Xuanwu said with a smile. "But sir saved my life, how could I snatch sir's belongings!"
"That would be for the best!" Lu Fan nodded slightly. "You are already seriously injured, so come back to Niutou Village with us to get bandaged, and leave after resting for a night!"
"Thank you!" Xuanwu quickly cupped his fists. He was already seriously injured, and even if he wanted to leave, it was probably impossible.
With Lu Fan and the others helping, he naturally wouldn't refuse.
However, just then, shouts erupted. Not far from the valley, a group of people, holding bows and arrows, were rushing towards them, appearing to be a large procession.
"Where are they!"
Datou quickly said, pointing at Lu Fan's location, his face beaming with joy. To prevent Lu Fan from being eaten by monsters, the villagers of Niutou Village had all gone all out. They were naturally happy that Lu Fan was safe.
With the arrival of many villagers, Lu Fan said awkwardly, "Why did you come? This is the forbidden area of Niutou Village, you shouldn't be here!"
"Indeed, we shouldn't be here!" the old village chief spoke. "But if you few entered the forbidden area alone and something happened, what would we do?"
"That's right!" Shen Xiaoxiao nodded. "The village chief was afraid something would happen to you, so he specifically asked everyone to bring their tools. Mr. Lu, you should be very grateful!"
"Gratitude is not necessary. It is the greatest joy that Mr. Lu is safe," Datou said repeatedly. "Let's return to the village now, we cannot stay in the forbidden area for long!"
Lu Fan did not refuse either. He had already obtained the item, and there was no point in staying here any longer.
"Who is he?" Shen Xiaoxiao looked at Xuanwu. "And why is he so injured!"
"He must be lost!" Lu Fan smiled. "Take him back to Niutou Village, and he should be fine after a night's rest!"
The old village chief nodded slightly. Since Lu Fan had spoken, he naturally wouldn't say more.
The group walked towards Niutou Village in a grand procession, appearing quite cheerful in the forbidden area of Niutou Village.
This valley was not only fertile but also filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, and even had plenty of game, which made the people of Niutou Village feel uplifted.
"Old village chief, is the legend not false?" a woman said with a smile. "There are no monsters in this forbidden area, and the land is fertile. If the village could migrate here, we would surely have plenty to eat in the future!"
"How can that be!" the old village chief glared. "The monsters did not appear because there were many of us. If there were few people, it might not be the case."
"That's right!" Datou 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, finding Datou's words quite convincing.
However, as they walked, Lu Fan looked back and couldn't help but frown. For some reason, he always felt like he was being watched, and his heart felt uncomfortable.
"Sir, what is it?" Han Yunhai asked in surprise. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong!" Lu Fan smiled. "Let's return to Niutou Village!"
Han Yunhai nodded and didn't dare to ask further.
After Lu Fan and the others left, a figure in black appeared. He looked at the departing group with malicious eyes, especially at the ginseng in Lu Fan's hand, his eyes filled with anger.
Upon returning to Niutou Village, Datou and the others roasted a wild boar. Everyone sat together, eating meat and drinking wine, appearing quite cheerful.
This wild boar was caught that day, and it was quite large, which satisfied everyone greatly.
After eating and drinking their fill, Lu Fan returned to his room and placed the ginseng on the table, slowly entering a state of meditation.
The others also returned to their respective rooms. They had a tiring but also a 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 staff topped with a snake's head, looking quite sinister.
In the blink of an eye, the figure in black disappeared. When he reappeared, he was already in Lu Fan's room. He looked at the ginseng on the table and silently took it into his hands before preparing to leave.
Just then, Lu Fan's eyes suddenly snapped open. A powerful internal force was unleashed, and he struck the figure in black with a palm.
The man in black vanished from the room like a ghost, taking the ginseng with him.
As if hearing the commotion, everyone rushed out. Han Yunhai quickly asked, "Sir, what happened?"
"The millennium ginseng was stolen," Lu Fan frowned. "This person truly has remarkable skills to be able to conceal his aura. No wonder I felt something was wrong today!"
"The millennium ginseng was stolen?" Han Yunhai was shocked. "Could it be Xuanwu? He was quite interested in the millennium ginseng, and he is right here in Niutou Village!"
"Impossible, how could he have such strength?" Lu Fan waved his hand. "That man in black is definitely not him."
As they were talking, Xuanwu also walked over. Upon hearing that the ginseng was stolen, he was even more surprised. "Sir's methods are extraordinary. To steal from under sir's nose, what kind of person is this!"
"He must have used some kind of secret technique," Lu Fan said coldly. "It is likely someone from some tribe!"
"Tribes from the Ten Thousand Mountains?" Xuanwu was slightly surprised. "How did they come to Niutou Mountain?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but with such skills, the visitor's identity is likely not low!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "However, the ginseng has my aura on it. When morning comes, I will be able to find his hiding place!"
Everyone nodded slightly but did not dare to speak further. To obtain the spiritual medicine, Lu Fan had employed many methods, even killing the giant python. Now that the spiritual medicine was stolen, he was naturally quite displeased.
The next morning, Xuanwu bid farewell to Lu Fan and the others. "Your great kindness is unforgettable. After I finish my affairs, I will definitely follow sir and serve you with all my might!"
After Xuanwu left, Lu Fan turned his gaze towards the direction of Chuzhou. "I never expected that person went to Chuzhou. It seems that Chuzhou is full of hidden talents!"
"Chuzhou?" Han Yunhai narrowed his eyes. "Should we ask the Zhao family for help?"
"No need. Through aura perception, I can determine the exact location," Lu Fan waved his hand. "There's no rush, no need to alert the snake."
Leaving Niutou Mountain, the few of them arrived on the road. Shen Xiaoxiao was quite tired and went home to catch up on sleep. After she left, Lu Fan looked towards the direction of Wanbao Street.
"The aura is near Wanbao Street!" Lu Fan said. "You all come with me! I'd like to see who this esteemed person is, who possesses such skills but engages in such despicable acts!"
And in a courtyard near Wanbao Street, Lin Xiaojia was sweeping the courtyard when an old woman with a cane stumbled in, blood still trickling from her mouth.