He started by killing his abusive father, and from then on, he embarked on the road to wealth.

Chapter 135 Scouting the Way Ahead

Ling Qi returned shortly after Mu Sheng, bringing back good news.

“Young master, we can go around to the west, but the journey is quite long…” Ling Qi hesitated. “At the end of the swamp, there are mounds of earth that look like graves. The carriage can’t go through there; we have to go around that area.”

Niu Er suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. How could so many people have died in this place, and even have graves erected there? How strange!

This good news, however, was hardly good news to Meng Fuqing and Xie Jin.

The two exchanged a glance, and Xie Jin said, "Miss Meng was right. It seems that someone here deliberately made people change their route to the west. I'm afraid there might be a trap on the other road."

"We've come this far, we have to try our luck. We'll leave the rest to Young Master Xie." Meng Fuqing cupped his hands in greeting to Xie Jin and the other two, then led Niu Er back.

Her blunt attitude actually pleased Xie Jin.

Xie Jin strode after him and whispered to Meng Fuqing, "Meng Fuqing, come down to the fields with me. I've done this kind of work before, so I'll protect you."

"It seems Young Master Xie has a wide range of interests, even going so far as to dig up graves. But I wonder why you keep urging me to go down there? Why don't you just take your men with you?"

"I saw that Miss Meng used to like to rob Hu people, so I thought you wouldn't want to miss out on this good job."

I, Xie, am only thinking of Miss Meng's best interests. Could it be that Miss Meng thinks I harbor any ill intentions?

A hint of hurt flashed in his eyes as he looked at Meng Fuqing.

Meng Fuqing: ...

She was indeed tempted, but it was the money that lured her, not the person.

After thinking for a moment, she spoke again: "It's fine to go and take a look. I'll bring Yan He along."

Xie Jin paused, then thought for a moment, realizing that she wasn't Qi Liang or Niu Er, and nodded, "If you trust her, then take her with you."

Niu Er, who was lagging behind and overheard most of their conversation, felt inexplicably sad.

He was tempted by the money, but lacked the courage to do so. The royal tombs were heavily guarded, and even with his abilities, it was uncertain who would protect whom if he went in.

They just felt that Qi Liang was born with superhuman strength, and Yan He was both literate and skilled in martial arts. Even though the seven brothers had followed Meng Fuqing first, they couldn't withstand such a comparison.

As he felt dejected, Meng Fuqing turned to Niu Er and said, "Brother Niu Er, if you want to go, you can come with us."

Xie Jin: ...

Niu Er's eyes lit up at the thought of his boss, but then he shook his head. "Boss, Miss Yan He is highly skilled in martial arts. I'm relieved to have her protect you."

If I go in, I'm afraid I'll only be a burden to you all. I'll stay outside and protect everyone.

After thinking for a moment, he added, "Don't worry, boss, I definitely won't let anything slip."

Meng Fuqing shook his head, "Going around from the west will inevitably lead to the burial mound. Anyone with a bit of knowledge should be able to see that; it can't be hidden."

"Tell Qi Liang in advance to discuss it with Chief Du. If they are interested, they can let Qi Liang come with us. But this matter should not be publicized, and the fewer people who go, the better."

Xie Jin could tell that Meng Fuqing wanted to inform all parties in the team in order to avoid any misunderstandings or internal strife in the future.

He focused intently on Meng Fuqing speaking, without uttering a single word.

Niu Er nodded, "Okay, I'll go right away."

After speaking, Niu Er hurriedly left. Meng Fuqing thought about going to tell Meng Bochang, but when she looked up, she saw Xie Jin staring intently at her.

Her heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason, but she remained calm and said, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Xie Jin looked away, a smile spreading across his eyes. "I suddenly remembered the first time we met."

The reason I always noticed Meng Fuqing was because no matter who he faced, he never bowed down and always forged ahead.

Despite being dressed in rags and looking extremely thin, he seemed to possess an aura that could single-handedly defeat an army.

But for Meng Fuqing, the past is too painful to recall.

Her brow twitched, and she quickened her pace. "I'm hungry, I'll head back first."

When Meng Bochang learned from Meng Fuqing that there was an imperial tomb in this place, he was so shocked that he almost bit the large blister in his mouth that had become inflamed.

"An imperial tomb? Why would they bury an emperor in this place?"

"The emperor chose this place himself, probably because it's quiet here."

Meng Bochang shook his head. "If you were able to find this place, you probably don't want anyone to find it. You will be in danger if you go there, so you must be careful."

As if knowing Meng Fuqing's concerns, he said, "Villagers, don't worry about it. Even if they are blinded by the gold and silver treasures inside, they are not destined to take them. They still have to rely on you."

You've relied on them too many times along the way, so there's no need to tell them about this. Even if they find out, you don't need to care; just let them do what they want.

Meng Fuqing knew that the old man in front of her had a keen eye for things, but she didn't expect him to be so insightful.

She had mixed feelings, saying, "You must have had a long journey."

Meng Bochang smiled and said, "To tell you the truth, from the moment we learned that the Hu people were attacking and we had to flee, Grandpa Village Chief felt that we probably wouldn't survive this ordeal. It would be good if we could die in Jing'an Prefecture."

Who would have thought that you would appear and lead everyone here with Young Master Xie? It's much easier than the escape route your ancestors described.

"None of our Mengjia Village has died, largely thanks to you. You've saved more than half the lives. If anyone were to betray us for personal gain, I, Meng Bochang, would be the first to object!"

When Meng Fuqing returned to his resting place, the meal had already been prepared.

Shan Qiyu specially saved a portion for Meng Fuqing, keeping it warm in the pot.

After quickly finishing their meal, Meng Fuqing found Shan Qiyu and said a few words. Shan Qiyu was relieved after listening and looking at the red string on Meng Fuqing's wrist.

She reached out and straightened Meng Fuqing's collar, saying, "Go soon and come back soon."

Meng Fuqing nodded in agreement and then found Yan He, who was playing with Meng Ali.

He glanced at her warily and warned, "Don't let me find out you're giving the child the pills you made, or else—"

It wasn't that she didn't trust Yan He; it was just that he lacked any qualities that could inspire confidence.

Yan He almost jumped up, "Meng Fuqing, don't slander people! Out of so many people, I only sold you pills!"

Meng Fuqing: "...Should I thank you?"

Realizing he had misspoke, Yan He lost his earlier bravado and said guiltily, "No need for that. I'll think of you if there are any good things in the future."

“Perfect timing,” Meng Fuqing said, “Good news has arrived, let’s keep your promise.”

Yan He was completely bewildered as Meng Fuqing pulled him away.

While the group was still eating and resting, Meng Fuqing and Xie Jin, along with Mu Feng, Qi Liang, and Yan He, quietly disappeared into the reeds.

They did not intend to travel with the main group, but rather to leave ahead of time so that they could catch up with the group if they moved quickly.

After walking quite a distance, Yan He realized that they were going to do something big: dig up someone's grave.

Excited, she said to Meng Fuqing, "You've come to the right person! My power has recovered to 70%, more than enough to protect you! By the way, what did you mean by asking me to fulfill my promise earlier?"

She left in such a hurry that she hadn't even figured it out yet.

"Didn't you say you'd think of me if something good happened to you? Remember to give it to me when you get the treasure from the imperial tomb."

Yan He: ...

"You have no shame."

Meng Fuqing walked earnestly without arguing.

Xie Jin glanced at Yan He and said to Meng Fuqing, "Don't worry, Miss Meng, I will have Mu Feng keep an eye on her at all times."

Mu Feng replied in a formal and measured tone, "Yes."

Yan He: ...

Very well, they're all Meng Fuqing's people; she can't afford to offend them.