Start your cultivation journey by allocating points to your Destiny.

Several senior elders in the village gathered some well-known figures in the village, such as the brothers Lu Ting and Lu Zhen, the brothers Lu Huaiyi and Lu Shouqian, as well as those who had already entered the realm of martial arts, to discuss the construction of a wall in the village ancestral hall.

Today, the village was suddenly robbed by bandits, and everyone was filled with anger. They also paid more attention to security issues. Building a wall would greatly improve the safety of the village, so naturally, no one objected.

During the conversation, they also talked about how Lu Chen lent money to the village, bought food and weapons, and set up awards, which made everyone extremely grateful to Lu Chen. They became even more dedicated to martial arts training and wished they could practice like crazy for twelve hours a day.

By evening, everyone had almost finished discussing the matter when suddenly someone ran in from outside.

"Father, Huaiyi, something terrible has happened! Yaozu is missing, and several other children in the village are also gone!"

"What?! He's gone?"

Lu Xiande and Lu Huaiyi were visibly shocked.

The others in the ancestral hall were also very shocked.

A child is missing, and it's not just one person?

"Have you searched the entire village?" Lu Huaiyi asked quickly, somewhat flustered.

"We've searched everywhere!" The person who came was Lu Huaiyi's wife, He Cuihua. She looked panicked, with tears still on her face. She was extremely anxious, and her voice was trembling.

"We've searched the pond and the riverbank, but haven't seen him. We asked Chengzong, and he said he saw Yaozu when he went to look for you this afternoon, but he couldn't find him when he went back. He thought he went to play with someone, but he hasn't come back yet!"

Her voice trembled with tears, which streamed down her face again, her eyes red and swollen: "Huaiyi, tell me, tell me, Yaozu won't be in trouble, will he? Waaah..."

"Stop crying!" Lu Huaiyi frowned. "Is there anyone else whose child is missing?"

He Cuihua's eyes were blurry with tears: "Luo Ping's children include Uncle Gen's grandson and Teng Xiaoguang's eldest son."

Among the crowd, the elders of these people widened their eyes, their hearts pounded, and their hands trembled uncontrollably, unable to believe it.

"Quickly, mobilize the whole village to search! Search along the riverbank, by the pond, behind the mountain! Search everywhere!"

Although Lu Xiande was very anxious, he was the clan leader and had to remain calm. He immediately gave the order, and everyone sprang into action.

Throughout the entire Qingshan Village, torchlight shone everywhere, and the sounds of children calling their names filled the air.

However, after searching all night, not a single trace was found.

The parents of these children are almost in despair.

Lu Chen frowned as he looked at the morning light on the horizon and found Lu Xiande.

"Grandpa De, I think it's highly likely they didn't get lost on their own; they might have been abducted! The caravan just arrived yesterday, and children are already missing. I suspect there's a connection. Why don't we send someone to other villages to ask if any children are missing?"

Lu Xiande's hair was disheveled, his eyes were bloodshot, and he hadn't slept all night. He was exhausted and nodded subconsciously when he heard Lu Chen's words.

"Okay, I'll find someone right away!"

Lu Chen thought for a moment, then said, "I'll go to the county town later to see if I can find any information."

Lu Xiande looked up at Lu Chen, hesitant to speak, but he opened his mouth without saying anything. He just sighed and patted Lu Chen's shoulder heavily.

"be safe!"

Lu Chen took Lu Ming and Lu Tang to his second grandfather Lu Wei's house, while he himself took all the weapons and a jade pendant and went to the county town.

Before even entering the city gate, the fisherman who was always by the river at the entrance had vanished without a trace.

The pedestrians at the entrance were also hurrying along, their faces showing signs of distress.

Lu Chen was somewhat curious.

It's only been a few days since I last came here, but the atmosphere in the county town is completely different.

Could it be...

He felt that it was most likely the work of the Flying Eagle Caravan.

"Hiring! The Cao Gang is hiring! Excellent benefits, daily pay!"

"The Green Bamboo Gang is hiring! Meals provided, 30 coins per day, large numbers of people needed!"

As soon as Lu Chen entered the city, he saw several stalls set up next to the city gate, with long queues forming.

They're all hiring.

"Why are these gangs suddenly hiring on such a large scale? What are they planning to do?"

Lu Chen pondered for a moment, then took a stroll around the city to gather some information.

The Cao Gang, the half-dead Green Bamboo Gang, and the Great Whale Gang were all swallowed up by the Flying Eagle Horse Gang.

The Flying Eagle Gang has only been in Shahu County for a few days, yet they have already accomplished such a huge feat: forcibly merging all the gangs in the county and starting to collect protection money from all the residents and businesses in the city.

It's euphemistically called a management fee.

Most importantly, the government doesn't care!

Lu Chen remained silent.

The world is really starting to get chaotic.

How can a government office not collect taxes from gangs?

This is absolutely ridiculous!

The only possibility is that the Flying Eagle Caravan and the government were in cahoots.

Holding the jade pendant, Lu Chen thought for a moment, then returned to his rented house, changed his clothes, found a bamboo hat to cover his face, and covered his face with a cloth before going to the Yunlai Inn in the east of the city.

"Are you here for a meal or to stay the night, sir?" The innkeeper behind the counter was busy checking accounts and working on his abacus. Hearing someone enter, he instinctively put on a smile.

Lu Chen looked around the inn; there were few people, and it was very quiet.

He took out the jade pendant and gently placed it on the counter.

Upon seeing the jade pendant, the shopkeeper paused, his smile becoming much more respectful. He picked it up, examined it carefully, and then presented it to Lu Chen with both hands: "Please follow me, sir!"

After saying this, he led Lu Chen to a secluded room in the backyard, poured him tea, and then stood respectfully to the side: "The master has instructed us that a distinguished guest may be coming with a jade pendant in the near future, and we are to receive him with utmost care! Please feel free to tell us any requests you may have, and we will do our best to fulfill them!"

Lu Chen nodded and said in a deep voice, "I need to meet with your boss, right here, as soon as possible!"

"Yes, please wait a moment, esteemed guest. I will send someone to fetch the master immediately!"

After the shopkeeper left, Lu Chen went to the window, glanced outside, opened the door, and disappeared in a flash, finding a quiet place to stay.

He didn't dare to completely trust the gentleman on the wall that day. What if the other party brought a bunch of people to surround him without him even knowing? Wouldn't that be a disaster?

However, his concerns were ineffective.

A person dressed in very simple clothes, wearing a hat, walked into the inn with their head down.

Lu Chen immediately noticed that this person's figure was very similar to the gentleman on the wall that day.

The other party did not bring any people with them.

He surveyed the area around the inn again and, finding nothing unusual, returned to the room.

"Oh, you've arrived? Sorry, I was just looking for the outhouse."

Lu Chen said without batting an eye, and found a chair to sit down.

The people in the room also took off their hats, revealing their true faces.

It was none other than Hu Bufan.

Lu Chen thought to himself, "Just as I expected."

"I am Hu Bufan." Hu Bufan took a sip of tea and looked at Lu Chen.

He still had that same sleazy, untrustworthy attire.

Who would cover themselves up like that in broad daylight?

It can't be exposed to the light?

Lu Chen ignored his inner grumbling and directly stated his purpose: "Greetings, Magistrate Hu! You may call me Qin Yi."

"Qin Yi?" Hu Bufan nodded, knowing this might be an alias, but didn't point it out. "What brings you here this time?"

Lu Chen shook his head: "It's not that I'm looking for you, it's that you need me!"

Hu Bufan: "Huh?"

Why would I need you?

Didn't you come looking for me?

He chuckled and put down his teacup. "Are you kidding me? I don't have time to waste on you!"

"Flying Eagle Caravan!" Lu Chen uttered four words calmly.

Hu Bufan remained silent for a long while, his eyes unreadable, before looking up at Lu Chen: "How about we make a deal?"

"Okay, how do you want to trade?"