"If there are bandits, we won't be afraid. If we really see bandits, perhaps we can even help Niujia Village overcome this disaster!" Xu Fei said with conviction.
"Young people, don't boast. Those bandits kill without batting an eye and never show mercy!"
The old village chief quickly said, "If they really come, you will be in trouble!"
"Old sir, please rest assured, we are not afraid of bandits!" Lu Fan chuckled, "Can you let us in? We could use a rest."
The elder frowned, showing no intention of letting Lu Fan in, seemingly repelled.
"What, is there some secret in Niujia Village? Otherwise, why have you tried to stop us several times?" Sister Zhao spoke up, "Or is Niujia Village not as simple as it appears on the surface?"
"You jest, sirs. Niujia Village is just a backward village, not worth mentioning!"
The old village chief smiled faintly, "Since you are so fearless, then come in! Lest you say I was unkind."
Lu Fan made no attempt to conceal his thoughts and stepped into the village. He could tell that although the village was dilapidated, it was rather unusual. He felt that everything before him was a facade.
After Lu Fan and the others entered, the old village chief led them to a dilapidated house: "Wait here. I'll get you some food. Leave as soon as you're done eating. Don't linger here!"
After speaking, the old village chief left the room.
Lu Fan and the others were baffled, especially by the old village chief's words, which made them even more confused. Under normal circumstances, it shouldn't be like this.
"I always feel that this village chief is a bit strange!" Sister Zhao said, "But he looks like an ordinary person. Is the news about a killer dynasty in Niujia Village reliable?"
"I'm not entirely sure of the specifics!" Lu Fan shook his head. "To uncover the truth, we'll likely need further investigation."
Facing these words, Sister Zhao nodded slightly but didn't say much more.
After a while, the old village chief brought some coarse food: "Niujia Village doesn't have much to eat. This is all we have. Please don't be offended!"
"We don't mind, as long as there's food!"
Lu Fan quickly got up, a smile on his face, and couldn't help but glance at the old village chief.
The old village chief smiled and said, "After you finish eating, leave quickly. If you encounter horse bandits, all your belongings will be snatched away!"
"Thank you for the reminder, old sir!"
Lu Fan cupped his fists, then began to eat slowly, and asked with a smile, "Are there any outsiders in Niujia Village?"
"Outsiders?"
The old village chief smiled faintly, "Aren't you outsiders? Why do you ask, young brother!"
"I'm just asking casually, old village chief, please don't take offense."
Lu Fan smiled, "I heard that some things happened in Niujia Village before. I don't know if it's true or not."
"Young brother might have heard rumors. Nothing has ever happened in Niujia Village!"
The old village chief shook his head, "And as the village chief of Niujia Village, I would know if anything had happened."
"I see!"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, "Then, old village chief, have you heard of the Killer Dynasty?"
As soon as the words fell, the old village chief's body trembled violently, his gaze became sharper, and he looked at Lu Fan with a hint of killing intent.
Sensing this killing intent, Lu Fan frowned slightly and looked back at the old village chief.
The old village chief regained his composure and smiled faintly, "Don't scare me, young brother. What Killer Dynasty? I've never encountered such a thing. What could a remote mountain village possibly know!"
"You really don't know?"
Xu Fei asked, "This matter should not be fake!"
"I am the village chief of Niujia Village, and I know Niujia Village better than anyone. I haven't heard of any Killer Dynasty!"
The old village chief stated directly, "I think you are all just spreading rumors. Be careful not to pass them on, lest you bring trouble upon yourselves."
Lu Fan remained silent, but he could tell that this old village chief was by no means simple, and might even know about the Killer Dynasty, otherwise, why would his words carry a hint of threat earlier.
Just as they were eating, several burly men entered the village, carrying wild rabbits, looking quite pleased.
"Village Chief, this is our harvest for today. It's good for you to supplement your strength," Da Long said, carrying a wild rabbit to the old village chief.
"No need to be so polite!" The old village chief declined.
Da Long looked at Lu Fan and the others, "Oh, there are guests in the village? Why didn't the village chief say so earlier? We could have entertained them."
"These people don't look ordinary. You don't need to fuss," the old village chief waved his hand, "Let them leave after they finish eating."
Da Long stood there, bewildered, never expecting the old village chief to say that.
In the past, the old village chief was quite hospitable, especially to outsiders. But for some reason, the appearance of Lu Fan and the others today made the old village chief less welcoming.
As Lu Fan and the others were eating, the old village chief had already left. Da Long, however, brought a roasted rabbit to Lu Fan and the others: "Please don't mind. Our village chief has this temper. This is a rabbit I hunted today, and I'm sharing it with everyone!"
"Thank you!"
Sister Zhao said quickly, looking at the roasted wild rabbit with great appetite.
At the same time, Lu Fan smiled and said, "I don't think the old village chief is ordinary. Is he really from your Niujia Village?"
"Young brother indeed has sharp eyes. Nothing can escape your notice."
Da Long chuckled, "When the old village chief was young, he wasn't from Niujia Village. However, he was kind to the people of Niujia Village, so he has lived in Niujia Village and even became the village chief!"
Lu Fan and Sister Zhao exchanged glances, their expressions instantly becoming strange. It seemed that all this could be explained.
"Don't look at the old village chief's age. When he was young, he was extraordinary," Da Long said righteously, "He was a prominent figure in our Niujia Village."
"It seems this old village chief is indeed not simple!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, and then smiled.
After they had eaten most of their fill, Lu Fan approached the old village chief. The old village chief was still sitting at the village entrance, appearing to be idle. Seeing that Lu Fan and the others had finished eating, he spoke, "You've eaten enough. Leave quickly! Niujia Village does not welcome outsiders."
"I heard that there are people from the Killer Dynasty in Niujia Village. I didn't believe it before, but now I have to,"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, "How long does the old village chief intend to play this role?"