The Journey To Become The Strongest
Chapter 105 — Thano Village Investigation (2)
Not intending to waste any time at all, Lian Haocun, Lian Huanran, Long Yuan, Shui Zuo as well as Chao Bence went straight down dozens of stairs made from the stone.
Lian Huanran commented, “This ladder is really unsafe, it is quite narrow and there is no barrier.”
Chao Bence who went down stairs after stairs casually said, “Take care... Little brat.”
Lian Huanran who focuses on looking at the stairs while going down the stairs for fear of falling, “..”.
While Shui Zuo only smiled faintly looking at the harmony and familiarity of the two of them.
The residents living in Thano Village started to whisper when they saw foreigners heading to their village. Lian Huanran who saw the citizens crowding and ignoring the activities they were doing earlier, thought, ‘Is it very rare for this village to be visited by foreigners?’
Long Yuan also thought the same thing with Lian Huanran, because the reaction of the residents was very ‘heboh’. While Lian Haocun, Chao Bence and Shui Zuo felt an awkwardness, even though there was actually nothing strange. After all, Thano Village was a remote village that even if Lian Haocun did not surround the boulder, they would not be able to find Thano Village.
Lian Haocun began to observe the surroundings of Thano Village which had not been very clearly visible previously due to the distance. All the houses in Thano Village look simple, the roof is made of straw. The structure was simple, rough and somewhat messy, yet it was enough to live in the cave. However, the ceiling of the cave had blocked the rain and the hot sun.
Lian Haocun and his group arrived at the main street of Thano Village which was mobbed by many people. There are wooden fences that look unsound and somewhat tired on both sides of the road.
A woman with a pretty face and somewhat dark complexion, bowed her body towards Lian Haocun and her group, then smiled kindly while saying politely, “It's been a long time since we've been strangers... Hello, I am Thea.”
Lian Huanran said, “Salam know! I'm Lian Huanran, you can call me Huanran!”
Then they did a brief introduction with Thea. More precisely it was only Lian Huanran, Long Yuan, Shui Zuo and Chao Bence. So as usual, it was Lian Huanran who introduced Lian Haocun.
Lian Haocun intended to get some information from Thea, but unfortunately before being able to ask a question, Lian Haocun was interrupted by Thea. Thea said with a polite friendly smile, “Let me take you to the village chief. He must be very happy with the arrival of a stranger after so long.”
Unable to ask any questions, Lian Haocun began to observe Thea. From the beginning Lian Huanran and the others had a conversation with Thea, Lian Haocun felt a strange awkwardness with her smile, he felt that there was another meaning to that smile.
‘Keep why do they seem so welcoming and happy with strangers? Usually the residents who live in a closed place, will not be this friendly to strangers they do not know at all.’ Inner Lian Haocun.
Naturally, both Chao Bence and Shui Zuo also felt the same way as Lian Haocun. After all they had lived for a very long time and had faced more types of people than Lian Haocun, Lian Huanran or Long Yuan. Even though everything seemed normal on the surface, at least their instincts would definitely react.
Bai and Cheng only followed silently beside Chao Bence and Lian Huanran, whereas previously they were very active.
While Lian Huanran did not feel any strangeness and felt that Thano Village was not what she had expected. While Long Yuan felt a slight strangeness, but he decided to observe the situation first.
During the trip to the village chief's house, Lian Haocun continuously observed his surroundings. Thea also continuously spoke throughout the journey making Chao Bence think, ‘Is he not tired of talking constantly?’ But the thought was quickly removed from Chao Bence's mind, as he saw Lian Huanran respond to each of Thea's words endlessly along the way. If Chao Bence did not know about Lian Huanran's innocence, he would suspect that Lian Huanran was flirting with Thea.
Without feeling it, Lian Haocun and his group quickly arrived at the village chief's house. The house of the village chief did not have too much of a difference with the other simple houses. It just looks more neat and structured.
As if aware of his disrespectful actions, the hunchbacked old man said, “Ah. My eyes can't see clearly. So I subconsciously squinted my eyes to recognize who you are. You are strangers... Please login..”
Thea approached the old man and said, “It's okay, village chief. Don't think too much. It's okay, right? Huanran?”
Unexpected Lian Huanran would be questioned like that, reflexively replied, “Y-aa?”
While Lian Haocun immediately found out that the old man was lying to them.
‘That sharp gaze... Not because I can't see clearly. But why would he lie?’ Inner Lian Haocun and he began to connect the instructions he got.
Not knowing that his lie was known, the old man took Thea, Lian Haocun and his group into his house.
The old man said, “Sorry that this place is not up to your standards. It is just a small village... A hua! Please prepare seven drinks for guests!”
Someone called Hua, replied ‘Ya’ rather shakily. Lian Haocun instantly recognized that it was out of fear.
‘What scares him? We were? Or..’ Inner Lian Haocun.
Not long after, a little girl was seen carrying a wooden tray with seven teas on it. His body was somewhat trembling for what reason, and it got worse when faced with Lian Haocun and his group, Thea and the old geezer.
The old grandfather who saw Hua tremble, explained to Lian Haocun and his group, “Hua is indeed somewhat afraid of strangers. If the villagers who visit, sometimes he likes to tremble. So don't think too much..”.
Lian Huanran responded by muttering ‘Oh’ briefly.
Without staring at Lian Haocun and her group, Hua put down the tray and rushed back to the kitchen.
Lian Haocun who saw Hua hurrying, felt a little complicated, ‘Is what the old geezer said true?’
With Thea's help, the old man sat down and said, "Please drink."
Lian Huanran nodded, but did not touch the teacup at all. So did Long Yuan, Chao Bence, Shui Zuo and Lian Haocun. It seemed that even though Lian Huanran did not feel any peculiarity, he remained vigilant.
Chao Bence, Lian Huanran and Long Yuan sat on the straw mat and started conversing with the village chief and Thea. Of course, it was Chao Bence who controlled the conversation. At first he was just making small talk, but after that Chao Bence started a word trap game to get additional information. The result, unexpectedly, Thea managed to dodge repeatedly.
‘This human communication ability..., absolutely cannot be underestimated.’ Inner Chao Bence acknowledged Thea's prowess.
While Lian Huanran and Long Yuan looked somewhat confused by the harmonious atmosphere on the surface, it was actually very suffocating. While Lian Haocun and Shui Zuo observed the movements of the village chief and Thea at all times.