hes. The three of them also provide extra stipends to other partners. 。The men were busy in the fields. Zhang Changqing and Liu Aimin were responsible for physical labor, while He Jianguo took care of...Their calls to arms caused a stir. Everyone watched them with their bags slung over their shoulders, looking just like a newly married couple. Though there was teasing in their gaze, given the current dire situation, they only signaled with their eyes.

Five Grandpa nodded in agreement, after all Jiang Yan had once single-handedly dealt with two wolves, no one questioned his strength.

"Let's get moving early tomorrow and disband."

Uncle Niu sighed and, after giving his instructions, told everyone to go home and prepare. Several elders politely declined the invitation to stay for a meal together.

Jiang Yan and He JianGuo stayed behind, eager to learn the details.

The troop on the mountain wasn't very large, barely a battalion. Due to their deployment, logistical supplies were a regular occurrence.

Although there is an ample supply of meat, staple goods like rice, noodles, oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar still need to be supplemented. Sometimes, they also exchange with villagers for fresh produce, such as newly harvested vegetables and eggs.

Uncle Three went into the mountains three days ago. Before he left, he said goodbye to Grandpa Five and the others, claiming he wanted to bring Iron Bull to test whether his skills had declined.

When Tie Niu was young, he lived with his great-uncle. During the spring planting season, he worked hard and was incredibly strong. Because of this, the villagers weren't too worried.

Usually, the Hunter would go into the mountains to hunt, staying for two or three days was common. Finding large game took time, so it wasn't a big concern that Great Uncle Three didn't return after three days.

Until the army's announcement, the villagers did not begin to feel uneasy.

As hunting in the mountains inevitably involves gunshots, Uncle Three visited the commanding officer of the stationed troops beforehand to explain that he was looking for foxes to give as gifts to others. This was done to appease the military.

The troops were accustomed to this, after all, villagers from Qingshan Valley frequently went in and out of the mountains, whether it was for winter rations or to cooperate with public security operations, they understood.

Although this place isn't private property, it's shared by both the military and the people. Naturally, it wouldn't hinder villagers' livelihoods. They just arranged for some sentries out of caution to keep a watchful eye.

The sentinel watched as the imposing Third Uncle, accompanied by his iron ox that resembled a tower, traversed the undulating valleys and entered the secret realm known as Yuanzao Valley.

This piece of farmland is connected by two medium-sized hills, with loquats growing all over. They resemble hairless monkey peaches and have a sweet and sour taste, which is loved by people of all ages.

Jiang Yan recalled the taste he had experienced when he was young at his grandfather's house, and he had always hoped to grow a few plants in his own garden. Now, this opportunity has come unexpectedly.

Speaking of which, since the third uncle and Tie Niu entered Yuanzao Valley, they haven't made a sound.

When the sentinels changed shifts, they always inquired about details but never saw any trace or heard any gunfire.

Mixed with anxiety and curiosity, several soldiers, under orders from their superiors, searched in the direction where they had vanished.

The jujubes grew plump at the head of the valley, and the foothills of Mount Hei stretched out to an unknown mountain range beyond. Its forests were deep and treacherous, teeming with ferocious beasts. It was said that there lived pythons and tigers in those woods.

The people of Qingshangou rarely set foot there, so the legends about it are mostly half-true and half-false.

Four soldiers searched for a long time, returned empty-handed, and reported back. The superiors had to take this seriously.

He knew the capabilities of these soldiers; even when engaged in seemingly grueling field work, they were well-trained warriors. Their failure to find any trace hinted at a hidden secret that remained unknown.

"Could it be… " After leaving Uncle Niu's house, Jiang Yan looked around, his gaze falling on He Jian Guo. There was a hint of speculation in his voice, "The hidden treasure."

He JianGuo nodded almost imperceptibly, responding to her question with a glint of insight in his eyes.

Although the two didn't believe that their uncle had met with misfortune, considering their close relationship, they speculated that they might be searching for a precious artifact.

However, if even Lianbu and Wugeye who had spent half their lives with Sanyiye could guess, why were they able to casually reveal clues and decide to search There must be ulterior motives behind this.

Perhaps they also want to take advantage of this opportunity for some personal gain

Stepping into the familiar educated youth base, Jiang Yan and Liu Aimin first encountered a newly built brick stove beside the livestock shed. The stove body still held moisture, indicating it was just completed.

When Liu Aimin saw them, his eyes sparkled with pride. Although he was not taken seriously at home, this first attempt at being a mason had already begun to show results.

"See, it's accurate."

He clapped his hands in satisfaction.

Jiang Yan couldn't help but exclaim, "Amazing."

However, before his words could finish, he proposed building another stove. At this moment, a dull sound of a door closing came from outside. Zhang Changqing's face darkened, and he hurried in. He only glanced at them and walked straight into the inner room. The door was slammed shut again, leaving a silent room.

Jiang Yan and He Jian Guo exchanged puzzled glances, unable to understand why the usually mild-tempered Zhang Changqing was so angry.

"I heard he took ten eggs to the village down south this morning," Liu Aimin whispered, his finger lightly pointing south. That's where Zhang Changqing's crush lived at the educated youth point."

Three pairs of eyes met, each secretly pondering. They knew this was a matter they shouldn't interfere with; after all, when it comes to love, mutual affection is paramount.

Jiang Yan thinks it's still too early to talk about love, after all, the future is uncertain.

At four o'clock in the morning, villagers gathered a team of twenty to venture deep into the mountains in search of their third uncle and Tie Niu.

Although the mountains in May still carry a hint of coolness, they are much warmer than winter. Without heavy equipment, the team moves with more agility.

Last time I went into the mountains with a fake Liao Jun, my efficiency improved by at least half.

In her exploration of Mount Hekikai, Jiang Yan only ventured to the shortest of its six peaks. Now, she realizes that the intelligent beings are more terrifying than the soulless zombies.

Wǔ Yéye arranged the team, and they arrived at Yuánzǎo Gōu. The front was overgrown with weeds and shrubs, blocking out the sun, making people feel uneasy.

"I always feel like there's something hidden here."

After Chen Qiang left, Er Zhuang and Niu Wa stayed with Jiang Yan. The latter held her arms tightly and said nervously.

Jiang Yan also agreed. Looking around, there was nothing among the new green trees and grass. Everyone's faces showed seriousness, perhaps because they felt Niu Wa's unease, or maybe because of San Shu Gong's disappearance, their hearts were uneasy.

He Guoqiang, leading a group of young and strong villagers armed with long bamboo poles to scout the path ahead, glanced back to see Jiang Yan among a group of teenagers. Only then did he feel at ease and continue forward.

Suddenly, he stopped beside a gnarled old pine tree, scrutinizing it intently. At just a glance, his brow furrowed slightly.

He drew a short blade from his waist and intently dug into a scar on the bark of the tree.

"What's wrong"

Wu Shu walked closer, looking at He Guoqiang's actions with confusion. The others were also curious and asked questions.

He Guoqiang didn't answer because he had already made a discovery—a golden bullet casing was embedded deeply in the loose wood. If his gaze hadn't strayed just slightly, catching a glint of metal, 【he probably wouldn't have noticed it. "Is this a bullet casing It's been here for quite some time."】

Fifth Uncle stared for a long time, his brows furrowed tightly, but his expression remained calm. He Guoqiang raised an eyebrow, knowing that this old man might have heard something about the Third Uncle's secret.

"Like a light machine gun, like the Type 96 or Type 99, Japanese weaponry."

Ho Kuo-qiang scrutinized them carefully, still unable to be sure. Both types of firearms were commonly used by the Japanese army, with some parts interchangeable. Though he had seen the blueprints, he had never laid eyes on them before.

Jiang Yan just managed to squeeze over and, hearing He Guoqiang's analysis, felt both excitement and worry in his heart.

Since so much time has passed, it's unlikely that anyone would be guarding the treasure; the fact that Uncle Three and Tie Niu haven't shown up yet means they might have run into even bigger problems.

Although this discovery was of no help in finding the person, the group decided to rest for a while and continue searching for possible clues.

Jiang Yan strolled with his hunting dog nearby, when he suddenly heard the sound of flowing water.

Seeing no sign of trouble with the hunting dog, she brought it closer.

After a few steps, her foot slipped, and all she heard was the sound of water, but there was no sign of it.

Woof! Woof!he hazy space between sleep and wakefulness, Jiang Yan heard his self-reproach, and warmth filled her heart. She understood that her entanglement stemmed from the ordeal she had faced during this Shan...