Chapter 487 - 474: Return
On this lively day at the foot of the mountain in Taoyuan Village, a fight almost broke out.
Cheng Dashan, who was in charge of the village’s security, received the news and felt a tightness in his heart. Could someone have attacked again? But he hadn’t received any warnings from the undercover agents in Yuan Yang City. Could they have come over the mountain?
Right, there’s a hidden path to the south. Could it have been discovered?
That would be terrible. Who knows how many people have come.
"Yixiu, go and see what’s going on."
"Okay, Captain!" With that, the person ran off quickly.
Hu Yixiu had undergone a transformation over the past year. At the age of twelve, he was already a martial master, progressing rapidly, thanks in part to his solid foundation. Now he was one of the ten squad leaders in the training camp.
Cheng Dashan felt uneasy. If the intruder was strong, Yixiu’s team wouldn’t be able to handle them.
He thought it would be better if he went himself. He could call more people; there’s strength in numbers. He couldn’t afford to lose Phoenix City’s future main force.
He picked up the radio, "Squad Leader Luo Yuan, listen. Stop the training immediately, take your team down the mountain, and assist Squad H in defense."
At this moment, Luo Yuan was leading a squad of a hundred, frog-hopping up the mountainside to build stamina.
The young men behind him were sweating like rain. Despite being out of breath, their slogans were loud and powerful, full of energy.
"Received, Captain! Setting off immediately."
Luo Yuan was extremely excited to receive the order; finally, there was a chance to earn some military merits, and those were shining contribution points!
"Everyone, gather!"
Upon hearing the order, the group of half-grown kids excitedly picked up their weapons and quickly assembled in formation.
With a command, they descended the mountain in orderly fashion.
Cheng Dashan could imagine how excited this group of young brats was at the moment. The half-grown children always wanted to show their prowess on the battlefield. Unfortunately, they were only the reserve army, mainly focused on training, and were rarely used in regular combat.
So, each of them was keeping their energy pent up, longing to showcase their skills.
Training with them every day, Cheng Dashan felt like his bones were getting rusty. It was time to move a little.
Initially, the commander assigned him to manage these half-grown kids, and he was reluctant.
But when Zhiqing glared at him, he was left speechless.
Zhiqing was not yet sixteen. The new rule in Phoenix City was that women could only marry at eighteen. Sigh! He still had to wait two years to marry his bride, and it was really unbearable!
With a troubled face, Cheng Dashan left the yard.
After informing the village chief at the village entrance, he left in big strides.
The population left behind in the village wasn’t large; everyone had gone to work.
The village chief here used to follow Yang Fan. Cheng Xiaoxiao didn’t remove him from his position and let him continue as the village chief of Taoyuan Village.
At this moment, down the mountain, two groups of people stood facing each other, the atmosphere tense and charged.
The whole scene was noisy, and it looked like a fight was about to break out.
Luo Yuan, with keen eyes, saw Cheng Dashan approaching quickly and shouted.
"Captain, you’re just in time. The other party is claiming to be the City Lord’s brother."
They all knew the City Lord’s two cousins; when did he get a brother? This person was making up stories, not even using a more reliable one.
Cheng Yao was utterly helpless. He had traveled far, with the wind and frost on his face, but couldn’t even get past the gate.
At this time, Cheng Beiniu, returning from a mission, saw a large group of people gathered from afar.
He thought someone was causing trouble.
"Why are you all gathered here? Don’t you have tasks today?"
With his loud scolding, the crowd parted to make way.
Father and son, one returning from outside the mountain, the other coming down from the mountain, both arrived in front of him.
The person standing in the center, hearing the long-lost familiar voice, turned around and recognized him at once.
The person opposite also stared at him without blinking.
At this moment, Cheng Beiniu’s emotions surged uncontrollably. Even though the other person had grown taller and darker, with a somewhat fierce look in his eyes.
But those familiar features hadn’t changed, easily recognizable; this was Cheng Yao, who had been rumored to have been dead for years.
"Cheng Yao, it’s you, you’re alive."
Cheng Beiniu excitedly ran forward and hugged Cheng Yao tightly.
"Uncle Beiniu, I’m fine. I’m still doing well."
Seeing a familiar face, Cheng Yao was also very emotional, his eyes sparkling with tears.
The few people Cheng Beiniu led were all men from the village, around Cheng Yao’s age.
At this moment, everyone gathered around, very shocked that Cheng Yao was alive. They couldn’t believe that the tall man before them was the skinny, mischievous boy from years ago.
Initially, Cheng Xiaoxiao had only notified the family about her brother’s news, keeping others in the dark.
Cheng Beiniu patted Cheng Yao’s back, "It’s good to be alive, let the past be the past, everyone is living better now." Saying this, his nose turned sour, and his eyes reddened.
"You’ve done well, kid!"
Cheng Dali looked at the robust figure before him, feeling dazed. This was his good brother from childhood, who played with him, fished in the water, chopped wood in the mountains, and did many naughty things together, wearing the same pair of pants.
He never thought they’d see each other again.
The two stared at each other for a long time, as childhood memories flashed through their minds, the innate bond and closeness instantly softening the years of separation. It felt as if they were still those carefree children from years ago.
Without any words, the two communicated their brotherly affection through gestures only they understood.
Finally, the two bumped shoulders and laughed silently.
Suddenly, Cheng Dashan changed his tone, "Ah Yao, that’s not fair, wearing thick armor made my shoulder numb. We must have a match."
As a child, Cheng Dashan was stronger, and he always won their fights. It seemed the other had gotten stronger over the years; he couldn’t accept that.
"Sure! No problem!" Cheng Yao replied with a smile.
Seeing the childhood friend suddenly appear before them, everyone was initially surprised but soon came forward to greet him. Although their relationship wasn’t as close, they were all truly children who grew up together in Qingshan Village.
"How’s everyone been?"
"Never thought you’d become an official. Look at how mighty you look in that outfit," someone immediately teased sarcastically.
And those more than two hundred armored soldiers, majestic and imposing, seemed combat-ready.
Cheng Beiniu eagerly patted his shoulder excitedly, "Come, I’ll lead the way. When Second Uncle Cheng sees you, he’ll be overjoyed."
Cheng Yao smiled silently, knowing his sister had told his family he was alive.
"Alright, thank you, Uncle Beiniu. The two of us must have a good drink."
"Me too, me too!" Cheng Dashan protested. After all, this was his brother.
"Have a drink, have a drink." The crowd jeered, their faces lit up with bright smiles. It was hard not to be excited about someone thought dead for years suddenly returning.
How could the greetings not be enthusiastic?
Just by looking at the scene, one could tell they were doing well, had earned a lot of silver, and even became an official, not to be underestimated. Moreover, this was the City Lord’s biological brother.