Chapter 1525 Bumpy Road (1/2)

As the SUV sped up, Li Du asked, ”Is that guy very powerful?”

Liu Zi said, ”He's backed by the government, but the government's goal is to seize the assets left behind by the King of Old Hpakant. If not for the fact that he was backed by the government, I would have had my way with him!”

Li Du was shocked. ”No way. The King of Old Hpakant was in business for the better half of a century but he didn't leave behind any capable people to work with his children?”

Zhong Dapao shook his head and laughed. ”No, he didn't. He left them a lot of money, gems, and mining areas, but not a single talented person. Back when he had been in Hpakant, the King of Old Hpakant relied entirely on himself to sustain his family, so his family was essentially doomed the moment he died.”

Da Mao piped in with his own question, ”If that's the case, what do we have to fear? They are people who will do anything in the heat of the moment. The year before, Hpakant was besieged by guerrilla troops because that idiot crippled the son of one of their generals.”

The road was relatively empty. The Longken area was about 30 kilometers away from the Chinese Village, and even if traffic were bad they would have reached their destination in about 20 minutes.

When they stepped out of the car, Zhong Dapao rang for the merchants to deliver basic necessities like grains, vegetables, meat, and alcohol. Liu Zi waved his hand and a crippled old man grabbed the trumpet strapped to his bag and blew into it. At the sound of the trumpet, everyone rushed out of their houses.

These people were relatively elderly, their ages ranging from forty to eighty. They stepped out with weapons in their hands — guns, knives, rods. They hurried to lower the rails at the village entrance and stacked a few sandbags. Some people grabbed guns and hid behind the sandbags.

Da Mao was shocked at the sight of this. ”F*ck, Master Liu, are you preparing for a war?”

Liu Zi glanced at him from the corner of his eye. ”Hmm, it's a precautionary measure for now. Sonam's grandson is a stupid person capable of stupid things.”

Da Mao said, ”Seems about right. I heard someone say that many of the King's descendants were beaten by government troops, guerilla forces, and the bosses of mining areas.”

Liu Zi patted his chest and said, ”Now you know how much it's costing us to protect you, then? You're too high-profile and everyone wants a piece of you, but it's not like you have a guardian angel protecting you!”

Da Mao picked up on what Liu Zi was trying to say. He hurriedly nodded and bowed. ”Master Liu, I'll work hard for you guys and help you pick good rocks.”

Liu Zi nodded in satisfaction and said, ”Don't worry, Master Pao won't do you dirty. We're all old, you won't know when we'll drop dead. Whatever we have is yours after we pass.”

Li Du chortled at their exchange. Liu Zi's way of reassuring the boy was rather interesting; he was making empty promises that extended past their death. Da Mao was way too naive and trusting and brightened visibly at the man's words.

Liu Zi continued, ”You'll definitely step on a few toes if you carry on with your investigation in Hpakant. Stick close to us so, at the very least, no one can touch you. Besides, we're all Chinese. Blood is thicker than water, right?”

Da Mao nodded enthusiastically. ”Yes, yes.”

Liu Zi went on, ”We're not controlling you, this is a partnership. We earn some money in the short term while you gain experience and connections. From here on out, the Chinese Village will have your back. You won't have any trouble in Hpakant.”