"If there are bandits, we're not afraid. If we actually encounter bandits, perhaps we can help Niujia Village overcome this crisis!" Xu Fei declared with conviction.
"Youngsters, don't exaggerate. Those bandits kill without blinking and show no mercy!"
The old village chief quickly said, "If they really come, you'll be in trouble!"
"Old sir, please rest assured, we are not afraid of bandits!" Lu Fan chuckled, "Could you let us in? We could use a rest."
The elder frowned, showing no intention of letting Lu Fan in, seeming to be resistant.
"What, is there some secret in Niujia Village? Otherwise, why would you try to stop us multiple times?" Sister Zhao spoke up, "Or perhaps, Niujia Village isn't as simple as it appears on the surface."
"You jest, sirs. Niujia Village is just a backward village, not worth mentioning!"
The old village chief smiled faintly, "Since you are so fearless, then come in! Lest you say I am ungracious."
Lu Fan did not hesitate and stepped into the village. He could tell that although the village was dilapidated, it was somewhat unusual. He felt that everything before him was a facade.
After Lu Fan and his companions entered, the old village chief led them to a dilapidated house. "Wait here. I'll get you something to eat. Leave as soon as you're done, and don't linger here!"
After speaking, the old village chief left the room.
Lu Fan and the others were bewildered, especially by the old village chief's words, which made them even more confused. Under normal circumstances, it shouldn't have been like this.
"I have a feeling this village chief is a bit strange!" Sister Zhao said, "But he looks like an ordinary person. Is the news about a killer dynasty in Niujia Village reliable?"
"I'm not entirely sure of the specifics!" Lu Fan shook his head, "To uncover the truth, we'll likely need to investigate further."
Facing these words, Sister Zhao nodded slightly but didn't say much more.
After a while, the old village chief brought some coarse food. "Niujia Village doesn't have much to eat. This is all we have, please don't be picky!"
"We don't mind, as long as there's food!"
Lu Fan quickly stood up, smiling, and his gaze fell upon the old village chief.
The old village chief smiled and said, "After you finish eating, leave quickly. If you encounter horse bandits, all your belongings will be robbed!"
"Thank you for the reminder, old sir!"
Lu Fan cupped his fists and then slowly began to eat, while also asking with a smile, "Are there any outsiders in Niujia Village?"
"Outsiders?"
The old village chief smiled faintly, "Aren't you outsiders? Why do you ask, young brother!"
"I was just asking casually, please don't mind, old village chief."
Lu Fan smiled, "I heard that some things happened in Niujia Village before. I don't know if it's true."
"Young brother might have heard rumors. Nothing has ever happened in Niujia Village!"
The old village chief shook his head, "Moreover, as the village chief of Niujia Village, if anything had happened, how would I not know?"
"I see!"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, "Then have you heard of the Killer Dynasty, old village chief?"
As soon as the words fell, the old village chief trembled violently, his eyes becoming sharp, and he looked at Lu Fan with a hint of killing intent.
Seemingly sensing this killing intent, Lu Fan frowned slightly and looked back at the old village chief.
The old village chief regained his composure and then smiled faintly, "Young brother, don't scare me. What Killer Dynasty? I've never encountered it. What could one know in a remote mountain village!"
"You really don't know?"
Xu Fei asked, "This matter shouldn't be false!"
"I am the village chief of Niujia Village, and I know Niujia Village better than anyone. I haven't heard of any Killer Dynasty!"
The old village chief stated directly, "I think you've heard rumors. Be careful not to spread them carelessly, lest you bring trouble upon yourselves."
Lu Fan remained silent, but he could tell that this old village chief was by no means simple. He might even know about the Killer Dynasty, otherwise, why would his words carry a threat earlier.
As they were eating, several strong men entered the village, carrying wild rabbits and looking happy.
"Village chief, this is our harvest today. It's just enough to supplement your health," Da Long said, carrying a wild rabbit to the old village chief.
"No need to be so polite!" the old village chief shook his head.
Da Long looked at Lu Fan and his companions, "Oh, there are guests in the village? Why didn't the village chief say so earlier? We could have treated them well."
"These people don't look simple at all. You don't need to bother," the old village chief waved his hand, "Let them leave after they finish eating."
Da Long stood there, somewhat at a loss, not expecting the old village chief to say that.
In the past, the old village chief was quite polite, especially to outsiders. But for some reason, the appearance of Lu Fan and his group today did not earn the same hospitality from the village chief.
While Lu Fan and his group were eating, the old village chief had already left. Da Long, however, brought a roasted rabbit to Lu Fan and his companions. "Please don't mind. Our village chief has this temper. This is a rabbit I hunted today, and I'm sharing it with everyone!"
"Thank you!"
Sister Zhao quickly said, looking at the roasted wild rabbit with great appetite.
At the same time, Lu Fan smiled and said, "I don't think the old village chief is ordinary. Is he really from your Niujia Village?"
"Young brother indeed has sharp eyes. Nothing can escape your notice."
Da Long chuckled, "The old village chief was not from Niujia Village when he was young, but he owed a great debt to the people of Niujia Village, so he has lived in Niujia Village and even became its village chief!"
Lu Fan and Sister Zhao exchanged glances, their expressions instantly becoming strange. It seemed that everything could be explained.
"Don't look at the old village chief's age. He was quite remarkable in his youth," Da Long said righteously, "He was a prominent figure in our Niujia Village."
"It seems this old village chief is indeed not simple!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly and smiled.
After they had eaten their fill, Lu Fan approached the old village chief. The old village chief was still sitting at the village entrance, appearing idle. Seeing that Lu Fan and his group had finished eating, he spoke, "You've eaten enough, so leave quickly. Niujia Village does not welcome outsiders."
"I heard that there are people from the Killer Dynasty in Niujia Village. I didn't believe it before, but now I have to!"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, "How long will you keep up this act, old village chief?"