Chapter 78: Chapter 78: It’s Time for Uncle Wei and the Others to Come Back
"Alright, let’s let them go this time."
After Third Brother Zhao finished speaking, he glanced at Wei Tiangong and the others.
"Huh?"
"Sigh, what a pity."
The others showed expressions of reluctance and helplessness.
Wei Tiangong and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.
If a fight really broke out, would they still help Chen Guodong and his people? Doing so would undoubtedly offend everyone in the Zhao Family Castle. If their family members in the fortress wanted to come out safely, it would be difficult.
"As expected."
Third Brother Zhao’s lips curled into a cold smile.
It made sense now why Wei Tianyuan reacted so strongly earlier. It seems likely that these people are from the Chen Family Stronghold.
Despite having many people on their side, if it came to a real fight, the situation might quickly get out of hand.
Even if they weren’t from the Chen Family Stronghold, expecting them to help with something like this was unrealistic.
Third Brother Zhao’s eyes turned cold.
If that’s the case, what use are they? Body Tempering First Layer? There weren’t many in the fortress, but there were some. Still, it would be a waste to kill them. Alright, once we return, let them do hard labor like the rest.
The truck drove away without incident.
Chen Fan’s tensed spirit slowly relaxed.
He caught bits and pieces of the conversation in the opposing truck. These Zhao Family Castle people didn’t seem to be good people either.
Uncle Wei, they had helped them once again.
Watching the Zhao Family Castle group disappear from view, everyone showed expressions of envy.
If they had a truck too, how great would that be? They wouldn’t have to struggle so much. If they were unlucky enough to encounter a fierce beast, they wouldn’t even be able to run.
At that moment, Chen Fan spoke up, "Dad, did you see Uncle Wei and them?"
Everyone was taken aback.
"I saw them."
Chen Guodong turned back, a hint of sadness in his eyes.
Not just him, Liu Yong and the others felt downcast as well.
"Dad, I think it’s time to bring Uncle Wei and the others back," Chen Fan said seriously.
The stronghold was flourishing now. As the greatest contributors in the past, Uncle Wei and the rest weren’t here, and that didn’t seem right.
Unexpectedly, no one immediately agreed. The atmosphere was strangely silent.
"Xiaofan."
At that moment, Liu Yong said bitterly, "We also want Uncle Wei and the others to return, but it’s not that simple."
"Yeah," Gao Yang sighed, "It’s easy to get into Zhao Family Castle, but leaving is much harder. In the past few years, many who wanted to leave ended up dead inside. The few who escaped didn’t live long."
"What?"
Chen Fan’s eyes widened.
"So, if you agree to join Zhao Family Castle, you can’t change your mind, or you’ll only meet death?"
"Pretty much."
Liu Yong nodded.
"I know some things about Zhao Family Castle too," Gu Jianghai said after a deep breath, "Don’t be fooled by its bright appearance. It’s rotten inside. The three Zhao brothers abuse their power in the fortress, bullying and exploiting everyone.
Anyone who dares to resist meets only one end: death. Even martial artists who offend them won’t have good days."
Chen Fan took a deep breath.
They were local tyrants in a post-apocalyptic world.
"What about Uncle Wei and them..."
He clenched his fists, imagining the kind of people who could survive in Zhao Family Castle.
Given Uncle Wei’s personality, he could hardly fit in.
The outcome was predictable.
"Xiaofan is right."
Chen Guodong’s voice was hoarse, "When we meet them later, I’ll ask Third Brother Zhao how to get Tiangong and the others back."
"That’s the only way."
"Hope they’ll release them."
Liu Yong and the others spoke with no confidence in their hearts. The Zhao brothers were ruthless.
Back then, Tiangong and the others hesitated because of this. In truth, Song Family Castle was a better option, but the requirements were high. Not only must one be a martial artist, but also pay a fee to be considered part of the fortress. So many people wanted to get in. Even Body Tempering First Layer martial artists were just that.
In comparison, Zhao Family Castle’s requirements were much lower. Except for the elderly, most could enter quickly. Martial artists had good treatment, could safely hunt with larger groups, and got a fair share of the prey upon return.
Chen Fan clenched his fists. His intuition told him this wouldn’t be easy.
The team’s atmosphere turned heavy.
It only lightened up when they were two or three miles from Song Family Castle.
Chen Fan looked around. There were scattered houses, some with fences, some without. Doors were open, darkness inside. Who knew if anyone lived there?
"These are people with nowhere else to go."
Gu Ze’s voice broke the silence, "No stronghold would take them, and Song Family Castle wouldn’t let them get too close. They live here, go to the castle to beg during the day, and return before dark. You’ll see them soon."
Chen Fan nodded. The fences were about a meter high, not stopping anyone, let alone fierce beasts. At night, one might get dragged away when stepping out for a moment.
More people appeared as they got closer, some forming small strongholds with two or three-meter-high walls and watchtowers. People could be seen observing them.
"That seems to be Lin Family Stronghold."
Following Chen Fan’s gaze, Gu Ze said, "They have more people than us. It’s said it’s hard to get in."
"Because of proximity to Song Family Castle?" Chen Fan asked.
"Yeah, Song Family Castle has many people and martial artists. They even have a few cannons that once repelled a high-level fierce beast. Many who couldn’t get into Anshan City want to enter Song Family Castle."
Chen Fan thought and asked:
"Living inside Song Family Castle is safe, but what about the surroundings?"
"You’re right."
Gu Ze nodded, "The more people, the more scents that attract fierce beasts. They can’t enter Song Family Castle but can easily attack those outside. If a high-level fierce beast shows up, it will likely attack these places first."
"High-level, fierce beast."
Chen Fan took a deep breath, looking at Lin Family Stronghold. If a high-level fierce beast attacked, the consequences were obvious.
"It’s the same around cities, even the three super cities," Gu Ze continued, "The stronger the defense, the more people try to live nearby. Those who can’t get in pay high prices for houses nearby, hoping to gain entry."
"Entry, more conditions?"
"Yeah, for example, ordinary people wanting to get into Anshan City must live in nearby strongholds, help build the city for free for years, and then pay a fee. Then they can get on the waiting list. When it’s their turn? Who knows." Gu Ze shrugged.
"Do people really do this?"
Chen Fan frowned. It seemed too exploitable.
Also, weren’t the Awakeners who guarded Anshan City the ones who imprisoned Meng Yu’s sister?
"Of course. How do you think we learned this? From discussions in Song Family Castle."
"Song Family Castle is close!"
Someone shouted excitedly.
Chen Fan looked up, seeing a gigantic fortress about ten times their stronghold’s size, like a huge creature in the wild.