169 - We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 169: I Want to Take You All on a Quest for Immortality! That night, under the cover of darkness, Xiao Mo quietly approached the entrance of a secluded courtyard in the northern part of Luofeng City. Several men masked their faces with cloth. The courtyard was isolated, with few residents nearby. "Fourth, Fifth, stand guard here. If you see any movement, mimic a cat's meow. Second and Third, follow me inside," commanded Zheng Shanhan, the leader of the group. Like the cautious Fourth, Xiao Mo was assigned as a lookout. Being the youngest, alongside Qian Zhenhao, who was overly timid, they were given tasks that required less strength and risk. "Got it, boss," they whispered in acknowledgment. "Move out!" Zheng Shanhan signaled with a wave. Xiao Mo and the Fourth positioned themselves on opposite ends of the quiet street flanking the courtyard. The remaining three deftly hooked a rope with a grappling hook onto the courtyard wall and, like nimble monkeys, scaled over. Once inside, Lou Tai, the Second, quickly located the spot where Mr. Fang had hidden his money. Excitedly, they began to dig with iron shovels. But before long, Xiao Mo noticed a horse-drawn carriage approaching from a distance. Unsure if it was indeed Mr. Fang, Xiao Mo decided not to risk it. He ran to the base of the wall and imitated a cat's call. "Meow, meow~~" The meowing echoed through the still night. The trio inside paused, startled, but did not leave. They simply kept digging. Zheng Shanhan grumbled as they labored, "Why did that vile fellow bury the stuff so deep?!" "Meow~ meow~~" With them still not coming out, Xiao Mo’s anxiety grew. He continued his calls but realized as the carriage drew near, he had no choice but to hide behind a tree. Indeed, the carriage halted in front of the courtyard. The coachman and a steward alighted, setting down a step stool. "We’ve arrived, sir," announced the steward. Following his words, a paunchy, greasy-looking middle-aged man emerged, a bawdy woman clad in scanty attire soon following after lifting the curtain. As she disembarked, she feigned losing her balance, falling onto Mr. Fang’s ample stomach. "Careful, my dear," Mr. Fang said as he copped a feel of her firm bottom. "Oh, you rascal~" she giggled, playfully tapping his chest with her handkerchief. Fired up, Mr. Fang embraced her slender waist and led her into the courtyard. The coachman and steward remained at the gate. Cold sweat adorned Xiao Mo’s brow, desperately wishing his peers inside remained concealed from Mr. Fang. However, before long, Mr. Fang’s voice rang out from the courtyard, shouting, "What are you brats doing in here? Put down my gold! Put it down now!" Hearing the commotion, the coachman and steward rushed inside. "Catch those little scoundrels! Don’t let them escape with my gold!" "I’ll break your legs, you punks!" Soon, a chaotic scuffle ensued. The timid Fourth trembled with anxiety, unsure of his mentor’s fate. Meanwhile, Xiao Mo seized a stick and charged in. "Second, hit them with the shovel!" "Throw stones at them." "Break for the gate!" "Run! Run fast!" Amid the chaos, Zheng Shanhan and his companions managed to burst out of the courtyard. "Fourth, get the carriage moving!" Zheng Shanhan hollered upon spotting him. Qian Zhenhao, hearing his leader’s voice, grabbed a stick and struck the horse's rear. Startled, the horse neighed and bolted forward, pulling away. The group sprinted down an alley. However, they soon realized something amiss. "Where’s Fifth?" Zheng Shanhan suddenly asked. "Didn’t he make it out?" Third queried, belatedly realizing. "Fifth might’ve been caught!" Fourth speculated fearfully. "Bastards! I’m going back for him!" "I’ll go too!" "Fourth, stay here and guard this box. It's full of gold. We’re going to save Fifth. If we don’t make it out, grab it and run!" Zheng Shanhan and his men, fueled by determination, armed themselves with shovels and charged back. Inside the courtyard, Xiao Mo was already captured by Mr. Fang. "You brat, keep running! Go on!" Mr. Fang taunted, kicking Xiao Mo in the stomach, causing him to spit out bile. "Talk! Where are you rascals hiding? If you don’t…" "Fat pig! Let my brother go!" "Die, fat pig!" Before Mr. Fang could finish, Zheng Shanhan and his cohorts stormed back in. Tang Kuang, naturally strong, wielded a shovel, breaking the coachman’s leg and then, with a hefty kick, toppled Mr. Fang. After a frenzied altercation, Zheng Shanhan cut Xiao Mo’s bindings, briskly escaping with him in tow. "Chase them! After them!" Mr. Fang bellowed. "Oh, my gold!" Mr. Fang and the old steward darted after them. Yet, catching up to the younger group was futile. Soon enough, Xiao Mo and his comrades vanished like smoke. By dawn, they had returned to the village. Breathless, the five slumped to the ground, feeling as if their lives had halved. "Fourth, open the box. Fifth, have a look at what you missed," Zheng Shanhan said eagerly after catching his breath. Qian Zhenhao, bursting with anticipation, opened the box to reveal gold ingots. They weighed a full four pounds! "Brother, we’ve struck gold!" Qian Zhenhao swallowed hard, feeling as though he were dreaming. Four pounds! Four whole pounds of gold! Enough for so much rice and meat! Yet, soon a worry crept in. "Brother, do you think Mr. Fang will find us?" "Don’t worry, Fourth," Lou Tai, the Second, assured with a grin. "First off, Luofeng City’s massive, packed with countless beggars. Our village is secluded. They wouldn’t find us. "Plus, this gold isn’t much to Mr. Fang. He wouldn’t dare seek us out openly. Imagine if his wife found out, hehe…" With Lou Tai’s analysis, Qian Zhenhao found peace. "We’ve had a big haul today! But let’s not use this money in Luofeng City yet to avoid suspicion. And I’ve got an idea that I want your thoughts on," Zheng Shanhan proposed, satisfaction lining his face, despite his bruises. "Speak your mind, boss," Tang Kuang beamed; his aches forgotten at the sight of gold. Zheng Shanhan swept a glance over his comrades and solemnly declared: "I want to take you all on a quest for immortality!"