Chapter 312. Hugging the thigh
Old Hua nodded, "I am Hua Man, the village chief of Hua Village. Don’t be afraid, we are not bad people; the bad ones have been captured by us and can no longer do evil."
"Hua Man?" Li Laosan was just about to speak when the village chief behind him motioned for him to stop. The limping village chief Li Dazhi took a step forward, brushing aside his disheveled white hair and carefully scrutinizing the people by the torchlight.
... It’s that face, unchanged.
Wearing the same tattered clothes, the difference was that, though thin, he gave a strong impression. Even in the night, where one couldn’t see their complexion, it was clear they lived better than us, judging by the spirited young men surrounding them.
"It’s truly the village chief Hua Man from Hua Village! Village Chief Hua, I am Li Dazhi, the village chief of Li Village!" At this, Li Dazhi, who had lived for so many years, was so overwhelmed with excitement that he burst into tears.
"We are saved! We are saved," he cried as he spoke.
Thinking of how Li Village sent out over twenty men for food, only for a few to return, Old Li was inconsolable in his sobbing.
"Village chief..." Li Laosan, who wanted to say something, could only tightly support Village Chief Li.
If not for the belief of wanting to return alive, their aged village chief wouldn’t have held on after enduring continuous beatings; even now, he struggled to stand with Li Laosan’s support.
Excitement coursed through him, his face terrifyingly flushed, nearly unable to breathe, prompting Li Laosan to quickly help him calm down.
"Village chief, you must stay calm. We’ve barely been rescued and have yet to return to see our families, so you must endure," Li Laosan urged, concerned.
In the rush, a water pouch was extended, "Have some water to soothe yourself."