Chapter 301 - 300: That’s Enough—Get in the Vehicle
After settling those dozens of people, the men under Guo Xu started huffing and puffing as they hauled stack after stack of salt crates for Xiong Jie.
The heavy truck’s cargo bay seemed like a bottomless pit, but even so, just with the salt, it was crammed to the brim, almost about to burst the whole thing open.
Then, as if from out of nowhere, they brought in another heavy truck and directly chained it behind the one they’d driven over.
Midnight, inside one of the four-person rooms on Guo Xu’s territory.
The people who’d been settled were lying on their beds.
Dim moonlight slipped quietly through the cracks of the window, spilling softly into the room.
To still be able to see the moonlight—what more could one want?
But this place was much worse than Jiang Che’s territory.
"If only we could go back, I’d never be the same as before!" someone said through gritted teeth.
"Yeah, we even dragged our families into this, and we’d only just brought them over..."
...
Dozens of people didn’t sleep at all that night.
Early the next morning, Xiong Jie had already picked up Guo Xu’s wife and children and put them on the bus, arranging a hidden spot for them.
Even though they’d only rested for one night, when they returned, there was no weariness or fatigue on their faces.
On the contrary, leaving with their loved ones, everyone’s faces were lit up with excited smiles.
Their smiles were like the first light of dawn, breaking through the gloom, full of hope and longing for the future.
Guo Xu looked at his wife and children on the bus, feeling anxious and uneasy.
Because last night, when talking with other Human Lords, he learned that many of the vehicles they’d sent out hadn’t returned.
Jiang Che had sent them some small carts made from dark wood, and while they couldn’t carry a lot of people, they were useful for gathering information and handling basic tasks.
They said none of the people sent out yesterday had come back.
They suspected the passage between the evil spirits and humans had opened.
They said it was best not to go to the forest lately—it’s possible to run right into the Evil Spirit Lord.
"How about you all stay a bit longer? Wait until things settle down, and once we’ve located those lords, then head home?" His voice was trembling—still afraid his wife and kids would get caught up in trouble.
He wanted to make sure which direction those lords were stationed in before letting Xiong Jie and the others leave.
That would also help them avoid danger.
Xiong Jie glanced toward the Dark Forest, smiling, "No need. We already ran into one on the way here—going back should be fine."
"You ran into one?" Guo Xu was startled.
"Yeah, a terrifying, weird-looking octopus, its head covered in eyes." Xiong Jie gave a brief description of the horrifying creature in the dark.
He hadn’t dared to look closely at the time, just caught a glance or two.
"Huh? The Evil Spirit Lord? And you all survived?" Guo Xu was even more baffled.
"Mm, all thanks to Jiang Che’s wife." Xiong Jie let out a hearty laugh.
As he spoke, he didn’t hold back at all and told them everything about Ding Ning, openly admitting that the reason they’d made it here alive was entirely thanks to her.
Xiong Jie didn’t hide Ding Ning’s existence one bit, because he was as clear as day—he knew Jiang Che’s intention was to let everyone know about Ding Ning, for all to be aware of her identity.
Guo Xu was stunned, totally shell-shocked, standing there as if struck by lightning.
Long ago, humans had always suspected someone was in contact with the evil spirits.
No one ever guessed it would be Jiang Che.
He simply had too shallow a background, not even a chance to mingle with the evil spirits.
But now, whether or not you had dealings with the evil spirits was no longer important—everyone could barely protect themselves.
Yet sharing a dungeon territory with an evil spirit still made him uneasy.
"Maybe... maybe my wife and kids should stay, after all..." Guo Xu hesitated worriedly, his face twisted in conflict and struggle, his brows knotted tight.
Xiong Jie was just wondering how to reply when he saw the group getting ready to head home, pulling their families along, all grinning as they hurried toward the bus.
Their faces were full of impatience, hurrying as if afraid they’d miss their chance.
But unlike them, their relatives’ eyes were full of worry, with a hint of unwillingness to part.
"I heard you guys don’t even have salt over there, and some people even tried to sneak out."
"Why don’t you just stay here? Our Lord Guo is easygoing. We’ll help you plead your case," said some family members walking by, clutching their kids, reluctant to leave.
They looked sincerely at the others, trying to convince them to stay.
Right now, population movement wasn’t allowed without permission—pleading was the only way.
"Sneak out? Who tried to sneak out?" Those preparing to leave were stunned. Was someone actually trying to leave Brother Che’s territory?
"Just those few from yesterday! Word’s gotten out that your lord asked ours for salt. Look at that huge truck back there! If he doesn’t even have salt, how’s he supposed to keep you all? Might as well stay here," someone chimed in, getting more worked up and waving their arms around.
Looking where he pointed, there really was a heavy truck loaded with salt over there.
Seeing the whole truckload of salt, everyone’s expressions turned odd.
They didn’t know what Xiong Jie wanted with a truck like that, but it definitely wasn’t what people assumed.
"Enough talking, get on the bus—there are others at home waiting to use this," they said, not giving any room to argue, dragging their relatives onto the bus.
Guo Xu froze. Why did those people look so desperate not to be left behind?
They clung to their family, scrambling aboard, as if it were a race for spots and they might lose out.
He turned to look back—those dozens who had decided to stay on his territory all wore faces full of grievance, yet no one uttered a word of complaint.
"Mom, remember, don’t tell anyone anything once you’re back."
"You’ll see how good the food is over there once you arrive."
...
A few people quietly urged their relatives, their voices as soft as mosquitoes, but Guo Xu caught every syllable without missing a beat.
He had already reached the thirteenth rank, keen-eared and sharp-eyed, so of course he could hear their words clearly.
"Brother, tell me honestly, is it really okay to go over there or not?" He frowned, staring at Xiong Jie with urgent, anxious eyes.
Entrusting his family, he naturally had to be cautious.
The way these people acted left him confused.
Xiong Jie paused, then nodded, "It’s hard to say, honestly."
"If they don’t like it when they get there, we’ll send them back to you." Xiong Jie neither said it was good nor bad, keeping his stance ambiguous.
Guo Xu was taken aback, then nodded, his face filled with helplessness and bitterness.
Now he really had no way to guarantee survival. If the evil spirits attacked, he wasn’t confident he’d make it out alive.
At that moment, the group who’d been pushed away looked back at the scene, when mocking voices sounded from behind them.
The voices pierced their hearts like sharp thorns, merciless and cold.
"You lot really drag others down. When you all find a way to run off, they have to bring in new people to keep the numbers balanced," someone said coldly.