Yao Wei started the car and drove towards the county town of Yao County. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

On the way, Lu Xi’an noticed Ba Niang sitting in the front trembling and asked, "What’s wrong, are you feeling cold?"

Ba Niang replied, "No... Master, I’m a bit excited.

"I’ve never felt so impressive before, sitting in such a vehicle with the master, making people bow down!

"The car of the old boss in town doesn’t even come close to comparing with the master’s car!"

"..."

Lu Xi’an fell silent upon hearing this, momentarily doubting if allowing this woman to use his name to stir up trouble in the county town of Yao was beneficial for the town’s people.

He said nothing, yet didn’t expect that the person who was previously chased by Ba Niang, Yao, and Ba Yu retorted to Ba Niang: "This is the master’s vehicle, the prestige is also the master’s prestige, it has nothing to do with you!"

Lu Xi’an: "..."

6!

This person is also capable; he was just at the bottom before and had no opportunity to showcase his talent. Now that he has a chance, judging by his look, he’s willing to go all out to seize it.

There was a flicker of anger in Ba Niang’s eyes, but it was quickly hidden as she smiled apologetically: "Yes! I got a bit carried away. All the prestige is the master’s prestige, and it has nothing to do with me. Master, I was wrong, please punish me."

Lu Xi’an waved his hand casually, unwilling to bother with these flatterers.

He thought it was fortunate he didn’t plan to reside permanently in Yao County, otherwise, with a heap of flatterers constantly singing his praises, over time he feared he’d become conceited.

When the time comes, he might even lose his mind; wouldn’t that spell disaster?

No wonder Yao Wei said that the bosses in the south could engage in such short-sighted deeds, like forcing people to farm and only providing resources to a privileged few. The root lies here!

——Those bosses, probably had their brains turned to mush by constant fawning.

"Alright, stop the nonsense."

Lu Xi’an said, "While we haven’t reached Yao County yet, Ba Niang, tell me, now how many factions are left in town, and where are they located?

"And your boss, what skills does he have, besides the three of you, who else does he have? What supplies and equipment?"

From the current information, in the county town related to the ’Vengeful Soul’, it is Ba Niang’s boss.

Therefore, Lu Xi’an is primarily aiming to find Ba Niang’s boss in the county town of Yao, and as for other people and forces, they just need to be watched cautiously.

Ba Niang replied, "Now, with our boss included, there are five groups in the county town.

"One group is in a building in the south of the town, the leader is Ba Tong, not many people, the two best fighters under him were also killed, said to be taken by the Vengeful Soul.

"One group is at the railway station on the north outskirts, the leader is Yao Guang, maybe six or seven people, anyway, there are quite a few, and they are quite powerful. The building there is preserved the best, the area is big, they occupy it, and others dare not go there.

"No one there has reportedly been taken by the Vengeful Soul, and this is why I feel our boss is lying.

"If the Vengeful Soul killed the old boss, why fear others? Why is that group special, that the Vengeful Soul doesn’t attack?"

Lu Xi’an glanced at Ba Niang, unable to deny that this woman indeed has some skills, actually able to analyze and make judgments from details.

Additionally, her analysis is indeed reasonable.

He kept his expression unchanged, Ba Niang speaking humbly with her head down, didn’t dare to look at Lu Xi’an, thus not noticing his gaze, she continued her introduction:

"There’s another group, there’s a row of small bungalows in the east of the town, they’re all there, not many people left, maybe they’ve already dispersed.

"Recently, it’s said that the most killed by the Vengeful Soul were their people. Their leader Ba Yang was also killed by the Vengeful Soul.

"Earlier we didn’t know the ins and outs and thought since Ba Yang was the closest with the old boss, that day also the most diligent in hunting down the old and the young, being taken by the Vengeful Soul was deserved.

"Now I think back and realize — maybe it’s because Ba Yang was easy to handle and easy to implicate with the Vengeful Soul seeking vengeance, that our boss started with him.

"And another group is also in the east, in a building, the leader is a woman named Ba Shi, she was the old boss’s woman.

"Compared to others, they’ve been the most obedient and neutral, so the boss hasn’t really targeted them.

"I guess our boss wants to bring Ba Shi over."

Ba Shi...

This name is really Ba Shi...

Indeed, there are plenty of people with the surname Ba in this town!

Lu Xi’an asked, "So what about your boss?"

Ba Niang replied, "Our boss is called Yao Zhuang. He also has someone under him named San, who is formidable. That San’s relationship with him is closer than mine, I suspect that the killings and framing the Vengeful Soul are all done by San.

"Additionally, there are four more people, one taken from Ba Tong’s place, and three who’ve always been with him.

"Judging from these alone, there’s nothing much. But the boss has a gun and the old boss’s car, so others can’t match him.

"The gun is quite old, not known if it’s rusty or what, it often jams, and apart from the boss, no one else knows how to handle it.

"So nobody dares underestimate him because of that gun."

"Mm."

Lu Xi’an nodded and asked again, "What about the car?"

Ba Niang replied, "The former boss’s car is a white compact; compared to yours, it’s far inferior, no competition!

"That car is really worn down; when it runs, it always shakes, feeling like it might fall apart any minute.

"Though I’ve only seen it once, I’ve never ridden in it. There are only two gas stations in the city and gasoline is nearly depleted, so unless it’s urgent, we don’t dare use it.

"Now, even if we wanted to use it, we can’t. The only person who knew how to drive was stabbed to death in the chaos the day the former boss died.

"That car is just parked there, occupied by our boss; nobody knows how to drive it."

Lu Xi’an asked again, "Where is your boss?"

Ba Niang pointed ahead and said, "Just go straight from here and there’s a building, considered the best in the city. Our boss lives with people in the basement."

Lu Xi’an asked, "And the former boss? Where did he live?"

Ba Niang said, "He also lived underground, but in a building in the city center. It is said that it’s where only people with power in the old world could live, and others had no right to live there.

"The gas station wasn’t far; he lived there like he was guarding it.

" Originally, there were two gas stations in the city, but it’s said there was a fight at the other one, somehow causing it to explode.

"Now there’s only this one left, and the oil tank is nearly empty. Every time we want to use the car, someone has to scoop the oil out. The former boss took this very seriously, fearing someone would steal the oil or fight there and blow it up too.

"Actually, now other bosses all want to move there; whoever lives there proves they’re the strongest in Yao County, able to dominate others.

"But nobody feels confident, so no one has taken over. Our boss is a bit stronger and just occupies the car while guarding the gas station, but doesn’t dare to move to where the former boss lived."

"I see..."

Lu Xi’an nodded, understanding. The place where the former boss lived must have been the former Yao County "County Yamen."

The former boss had quite a presence, even living in the County Yamen.

Or perhaps this "County Yamen" residence had become recognized as the "administrative headquarters" of Yao County’s town, and whoever occupied it became the master of the city.

Compared to Tongzhou County, this is a different model entirely...

He was pondering when he suddenly heard the pursued person say, "You woman, in front of the master, keep saying your boss this and that. What do you mean?!

"You’re still thinking about your boss! You’re not truly submitting to the master! You’re unreliable!"

This person was astute, waiting for Lu Xi’an to finish listening to Ba Niang’s "report" before jumping out to point and accuse her.

Ba Niang turned pale, hurriedly looking at Lu Xi’an, wanting to explain something.

Fortunately, Lu Xi’an just waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, stop the nonsense. Ba Niang, show the way to your boss first."

These people flatter and plot against each other endlessly; he couldn’t care less. He was no Ding Chunqiu.

All he wanted now was to hurry to Yao County town to check on Chai Xin’s situation, and then leave quickly to continue on.

Going to Ba Niang’s boss should resolve this matter. Capturing Yao Zhuang, the boss Ba Niang talked about, would get him the answers he needed.

There’s only the need to visit the gas station.

The oil in the tank is low, but thankfully there’s still a little left that he can use.

As for whether Yao County town needs it, he didn’t care to consider it. Anyway, no one in the town can drive anymore; keeping the gasoline would be wasteful, so it’s better left for him.

"Okay, fine, I’ll show you the way."

Ba Niang quickly said, reaffirming her firm stand and attitude, "Master, that boss is no longer my boss; I’m loyal only to you, Master! Please trust me!"

Once she finished, Ba Yu and Yao both hurriedly echoed, "Me too!"

The person who was pursued added immediately, "I’m the most loyal!"

Lu Xi’an: "..."

He was too lazy to deal with them and told them to be quiet and show the way.

Ba Niang sat on top of the car, pointing forward, telling them to go straight, who lived on the left and right ahead, how far to go to reach the destination.

She was very familiar with Yao County town, speaking without any issues. Even the one who had a grievance with Ba Niang failed to find any fault in her directions.

Seeing this, Lu Xi’an felt somewhat reassured.

And in the car, Yao Wei could hear Ba Niang clearly and drove calmly.

They all thought that following Ba Niang’s directions would lead them straight there. But just as they entered the city, the situation changed again.

Ba Niang’s boss, Yao Zhuang, was found naked.