They didn't linger in the same spot.
The group moved quickly, making very little stops. As for the way they exited, they certainly didn't retrace their steps through the tomb passage.
Instead, they used the main entrance of the Kwantung Army Fortress.
The fortress's main gate was located in a secluded corner of the mountain, making it hard to find.
After emerging, the group had no idea what time it was.
The sky was still bright.
"Damn, every single time Fatty comes out of a tomb, it's high noon."
Fatty's eyes teared up uncontrollably as he looked at the glaring sunlight.
"Fatty, you should be counting your blessings. At least it's not night, or those wolf cubs would have eaten you," Hu Bayi said nonchalantly.
He scanned their surroundings and quickly found a route.
Zhang Tian remained silent after exiting, his mind already calculating plans for his return home.
This tomb raiding expedition, coupled with their visit to the mountain village, had already taken four to five days.
The auction was scheduled to start in another five days.
Therefore, Zhang Tian had to leave either today or tomorrow.
Zhang Tian also intended to see what good items the Crescent Moon Restaurant had up for auction, so he didn't want to miss it.
"Let's head back first. Old Hu, I plan to leave this afternoon," Zhang Tian said.
He looked at Hu Bayi.
There was no alternative; the train was simply too slow.
If there were planes, he wouldn't be in such a hurry.
From here to Beili, it would take at least ten hours, indicating the vast distance.
Hu Bayi gazed at the mountains and rivers.
"Yes, I understand. We'll inform the village chief and then we can leave."
Hu Bayi replied.
Zhang Tian, however, waved his hand.
"Actually, you don't need to go back with me. I can leave first, and you can finish your business here before returning."
Zhang Tian said.
Fatty clapped Zhang Tian on the shoulder.
"Boss, what kind of talk is that? Who are we to each other? We're brothers, so of course we'll go back together, right, Old Hu?"
"Besides, my siheyuan hasn't even gotten warm yet, I need to go back and properly relax there."
Fatty declared boisterously.
Hu Bayi nodded as well.
"Fatty's right. Let's just go back together. Anyway, the village matters are mostly settled."
Hu Bayi said.
Looking at the two of them, Zhang Tian felt a surge of emotion and nodded.
Yingzi felt a pang of sadness. It had been so difficult for them to meet, and even more so for her to get to know Zhang Tian.
But now, they were leaving.
And they were going to the big city. Yingzi believed she might never get to visit a big city in her lifetime, and would likely never see Zhang Tian again.
After much thought, Yingzi looked at the group.
"Um, Brother Zhang, can I go with you?"
Yingzi asked, her words startling everyone.
Hu Bayi was taken aback.
"Yingzi, are you leaving your grandfather? Your grandfather is still at home."
Hu Bayi said. Yingzi lowered her head, looking flustered.
"Ah, I remember, Old Hu, don't we have quite a few rooms in our siheyuan? We could bring the old man over to try it out," Fatty suggested after a moment's thought.
"The old man's temper is stubborn; he'll definitely refuse. Don't worry, Yingzi, we'll be back," Hu Bayi assured her, but Yingzi's eyes welled up with tears.
Even though it had only been a few days, the many experiences they had shared had stirred a sense of reluctance in Yingzi's heart.
Yingzi's gaze shifted to Zhang Tian.
Zhang Tian understood what Yingzi meant; she was worried they would go to the city and never see her again.
"Don't worry, Yingzi, we'll see each other again soon," Zhang Tian said.
Yingzi pursed her lips.
"Really?"
Yingzi asked.
"Yes."
Seeing Zhang Tian's earnest agreement, Yingzi fell silent.
Fatty's eyes lit up at this.
"Hey, I told you, Old Hu, our words don't hold much weight anymore."
Fatty sighed dramatically, and Hu Bayi also smiled and shook his head.
Yingzi, however, lowered her head.
"Alright, let's hurry back. The village chief might be worried about us," Zhang Tian said, feigning annoyance.
The group nodded and began to depart.
Nearly a few hours later, Zhang Tian and the others finally arrived back at the village.
The village had changed considerably in just a few days.
Due to Zhang Tian's financial injection, road construction had already begun.
Workers were laying down roads, and the villagers were helping out.
They knew the roads were being built for their benefit, so they were diligently assisting.
Seeing the road construction workers, Yingzi felt a surge of excitement.
"That's great! This way, it will be easier for us to go to town, and if a child in the village gets sick, we can get to the hospital faster."
"Thank you, Brother Zhang."
Yingzi expressed her sincere gratitude.
With the village's income, it would take not just a lifetime, but perhaps two, to build roads.
Zhang Tian waved his hand, not paying much attention to it.
"It was just a small gesture."
"Alright, Yingzi, hurry back. Your grandfather misses you too," Zhang Tian said, gently patting Yingzi's shoulder.
Yingzi nodded, mounted her horse, and quickly rode away.
The village chief, who was overseeing the road construction, spotted Zhang Tian and the others.
He hurried over with a smile.
"Haha, Comrade Zhang Tian, you are truly a lucky star for our village! Without you, who knows when we would have been able to build this road."
The village chief said, grabbing Zhang Tian's hand.
His demeanor suggested he was on the verge of tears.
"Alright, Old Hu, we've become outsiders," Fatty remarked with a hint of annoyance, looking at the emotional village chief.
"The village chief is just happy. Besides, building roads is a major undertaking. With our previous capabilities, let alone building roads, even building houses would have been difficult."
Hu Bayi said.
He also felt a sense of gratitude towards Zhang Tian.
Without Zhang Tian, they would never have achieved what they had today.
And for Fatty, forget a siheyuan; even renting a place would have been a struggle.
"Yes, life is truly unpredictable, like a string of dumplings," Fatty said with a sigh.
After the village chief had thanked Zhang Tian for a considerable amount of time, he finally turned his attention to Hu Bayi.
"Oh, Comrade Xiao Hu, you're here too."
The village chief feigned surprise.
Hu Bayi: "?????"
Fatty: "!!!!!!"
Both of them were speechless.
Good heavens, it was as if they were invisible.
"Village Chief, you must be very nearsighted. You didn't even see us, such big people," Fatty couldn't help but retort.
The village chief offered an awkward laugh and didn't say much more.
"Quick, three comrades, come back with me for some meat and tea."
The village chief seemed overjoyed.
"Village Chief, we won't be staying. We're planning to leave," Hu Bayi interjected in time, holding the village chief's hand.
"What? Leave? Go where? Don't be silly, you've only been back a few days."
The old village chief looked reluctant.
Especially regarding Zhang Tian, they had planned to have the village girls "attack" him, and whoever managed to "conquer" Zhang Tian would become the village's daughter-in-law, bringing great prosperity. But now they were leaving, it was truly unexpected.
"Yes, Village Chief, we have other matters to attend to, so we won't be staying any longer," Zhang Tian nodded, his voice soft and gentle.
The village chief sighed deeply.
"Very well, since you are insistent on leaving, there's nothing I can do. However, allow me to see you off."
The village chief said, then quickly ran out and soon returned with a horse-drawn cart.