As the two returned to the village, before they reached their front door, they sensed something was amiss.
Outside their home were numerous footprints, and the yard inside was eerily quiet. Normally, at this time, a fire would have already been kindled, yet the chimney was not smoking...
"What’s this?" Dong Huiying’s heart skipped a beat, immediately sensing trouble.
At that moment, a sneaky old woman poked her head out from the courtyard across the way. She glanced at Dong Huiying warily, then hastily called out to Zhi Chen, who was lost in thought. "Eldest lad, eldest lad? Come here, quick!"
Zhi Chen turned around and bowed to the old woman.
Old Lady Gao had watched the Liang Family Brothers grow up. When they were young and the family was pitiful, Old Lady Gao often helped them out. As they grew and came into their abilities, they too began to reciprocate her kindness. For instance, Liang Haoming and Liang Yuening would bring a portion of their hunting spoils to the Gao Family.
Old Lady Gao glanced at Dong Huiying again, the tree known by its shadow, the girl’s imposing presence from the past was deeply intimidating to her.
"It was Zhou Dachun! That Zhou Dachun from the mountain gambling house, he brought a bunch of men and took someone away!!"
Dong Huiying paused, then looked back at the Liang family’s small courtyard once more.
She reached a spot, pinched up some dirt, rubbed it between her fingers, then brought it close to her nose to smell it.
There was a considerable amount of dark yellow powder in the soil, she looked around further, and there were no signs of struggle in the house.
Zhou Dachun hadn’t forced his way in like the last time, but had used a kind of knockout smoke, this dark yellow powder was part of that smoke...
Dong Huiying furrowed her brow, then tilted her head towards Zhi Chen, "Where is Taihang Gambling House located?"
Zhi Chen’s piercing gaze shot towards Dong Huiying, leaving her quite puzzled.
She blinked her watery large eyes, with an innocent and cute expression.
Then, she saw that Zhi Chen had a profound and unfathomable expression as he said, "Taihang Gambling House is behind the Mountain God Temple, about a two and a half-hour walk."
Dong Huiying tucked a Small Ginseng into her clothes, then with sparkling eyes said, "Lead the way ahead!"
Her manner was a bit cunning, but Zhi Chen fell into thought instead.
On the mountain earlier, he had a sense of incongruity, and now... this person was a frequent visitor to the gambling house, and yet she didn’t know where it was located?
That was utterly unreasonable!
Two large lanterns hung outside the gambling house. One could occasionally see women entering and leaving, and from inside came a tumult of voices and the occasional rough voice loudly calling for final bets.
"Don’t act rashly later. Physical confrontation is a last resort. We’re here mainly to rescue, not to fight!"
Dong Huiying cast a glance at Zhi Chen, whispering her instructions.
This man was unfathomable, his demeanor as calm as a still well, indifferent and detached. However, ever since learning the Liang Family Brothers had been taken by Zhou Dachun, an icy chill had been emanating from him, putting one on edge.
Zhi Chen nodded, "You worry too much, Zhi Chen is not the sort to act without measure."
He looked as unruffled as a clear sky after rain, yet if he truly were so composed, could he not first mask the coldness in his eyes? The way he looked at people was chilling, like ice blades.
Dong Huiying’s mouth twitched, and then she stepped forward.