Chapter 364 Going Hunting
Chen Yang's eyes fell upon a hidden underground cave, clearly reinforced with cement. The entrance was narrow, forcing adults to stoop to enter, and a delicate small door protected it from the rain. Chen Yang realized this cave wasn't dug by the yellow weasel itself; even with intelligence, it wouldn't use cement. This had to be Qin Jianghe's work, built for the weasel. Thus, he concluded this was the yellow weasel's lair.
Stealthily, Chen Yang approached, releasing his spiritual energy and sniffing the air. He detected a distinct, foul odor emanating from the cave. He was now certain that the yellow weasel, nurtured by Qin Jianghe, was hidden here.
Silently, Chen Yang retreated, leaping away from the desolate mountain and heading rapidly towards the village. As he passed Qin Jianghe's house, he could still hear Qin Dahu's enraged roars. Chen Yang sneered; Qin Dahu's punishment was far from over. Breaking his arms was merely the beginning. Such a man wouldn't cease his wickedness unless completely crippled.
However, Chen Yang now understood his priority wasn't dealing with the father and son duo, but rather eliminating their reliance – the yellow weasel, whose age was unknown but clearly ancient.
As Chen Yang was leaving the village, two figures suddenly blocked his path. They then knelt before him with a "plop." Chen Yang looked to see Mao Dan and a young woman. The woman, in her early twenties, was reasonably attractive. Despite her coarse clothes and messy hair, she had a delicate appearance. Holding Mao Dan's hand, she spoke to Chen Yang, "Thank you, thank you, sir, for not harming Mao Dan, for not breaking his arms. As his sister, I thank you."
Chen Yang was momentarily taken aback. He nodded and said, "Please, both of you, get up. I punished Li Gousheng and the others because they are truly wicked. As for Mao Dan, he was clearly coerced by Qin Dahu and his ilk, so I wouldn't be harsh with him."
Upon hearing this, Mao Dan's sister burst into tears. She stood up and said to Chen Yang, "Sir, you must be careful. Qin Dahu is a true beast."
"Furthermore, Qin Dahu's family is not to be trifled with. Qin Dahu's father is the village head of our Donghuang Village. Their family was poor before, but in recent years, they've become inexplicably wealthy. Qin Jianghe has a group of men under him who are ruthless. In the past, many in our village defied him, but they all met with misfortune. Some were hit by cars, others died suddenly in the fields, and some were killed by wolves in the mountains. Over the years, many accidents have happened in Donghuang Village, and all those who defied Qin Jianghe have lost their lives. As for that beast Qin Dahu, he frequently harasses me, but we can do nothing about him. Whether we report him or call the police, he always walks away unharmed. It's for this reason that Mao Dan was forced to obey Qin Dahu's orders."
Listening to Mao Dan's sister, Chen Yang's brow furrowed with suspicion. He looked around and said, "Let's go to your house."
Chen Yang, Mao Dan's sister, and Mao Dan returned to a dilapidated dwelling. Chen Yang asked Mao Dan's sister, "You're saying Qin Jianghe has only been village head for a few years?"
Mao Dan's sister thought for a moment. "Yes, about three or four years. Before that, Qin Jianghe's family was very poor, the poorest in our village. Qin Jianghe didn't work, didn't farm, and didn't go out to work. Coupled with having a troublemaking son like Qin Dahu, their family was dirt poor, and his wife even left. But somehow, their family suddenly became wealthy, and he even ran for village head. Many in our village weren't happy with his candidacy, but those who opposed him had accidents. Because of this, no one in our village dared to offend him anymore. Moreover, Qin Jianghe now has money and influence. In short, the people in our village dare not speak out against him."
After hearing this, Chen Yang understood. It seemed Qin Jianghe's rise to wealth and becoming village head were all connected to his nurturing of the yellow weasel. Chen Yang nodded and said to Mao Dan's sister, "Alright, you two stay home tonight. Do not go out." With that, Chen Yang quickly turned and headed towards the campfire resting spot on the mountainside.
Upon arrival, Meng Qingxue and the others were huddled inside Chen Yang's car. Seeing him arrive, Meng Qingxue opened the car door and stepped out. She asked Chen Yang, "How is it? You didn't kill those thugs, did you?"
Chen Yang gave a wry smile. "Cousin, do I seem that violent to you?"
At this point, Liu Ran, Su Ya, and others also emerged. Liu Ran, worriedly, grabbed Chen Yang's arm. "Chen Yang, were you a bit too heavy-handed just now? You broke their arms. What if something happens and you go to jail?"
Chen Yang shook his head. "Don't worry about that for now. My actions weren't that severe. Think about how detestable those people were. These are only fifteen or sixteen-year-old kids, and they're already committing such foul and heinous acts. If you give them another ten years, when they're in their twenties, do you think they won't break the law? Breaking their arms today was actually saving them."
Chen Yang patted Liu Ran's back. "Don't worry, Liu Ran. Don't worry about me. Even if it blows up, I still have Cousin, right? Cousin will handle everything."
Meng Qingxue immediately patted her chest. "Yes, yes. Don't worry. I'll be the witness. Chen Yang acted in clear self-defense and will absolutely not be breaking any laws."
Liu Ran breathed a sigh of relief. "So what do we do now? Should we head home under the cover of darkness? I'm worried the people from Donghuang Village might come looking for us."
Chen Yang waved his hand and asked Meng Qingxue, "Cousin, do you like hunting?"
Meng Qingxue blinked, looking at Chen Yang curiously, then nodded. "Of course, I do! Let me tell you, don't let my work demeanor fool you; I was a sharpshooter back in police academy. Hunting is a piece of cake for me."
Chen Yang chuckled. He didn't believe a word of it, that this Meng Qingxue was a sharpshooter! Chen Yang said to Meng Qingxue, "Alright, Cousin, you and I will go hunting later. Give me your gun, and I'll tinker with it for you."
Meng Qingxue looked puzzled and handed her service pistol to Chen Yang, muttering, "Chen Yang, what are you doing?" Chen Yang waved her off, took Meng Qingxue's pistol, stepped aside, and with a "click," unloaded the bullets.