Several lackeys held cold pistols, the muzzles aimed directly at Scar’s waist as he leaned against the doorframe. Zhou Huan gave a look, and Yellow Cripple, along with the other three men, all raised their hands and got out of the vehicle one by one, lining up. The group was watched by one of the lackeys as they stood aside.

Another lackey saw that the men who had gotten out offered no resistance, so he tucked away his gun and got back into the car, preparing to open the neatly wrapped packages. Just then, a man rushed out of the tavern, still dressed in a pristine suit, a neatly folded handkerchief pinned to his chest like a flower. As soon as he appeared, he shouted, “Well, well, hello to you two big brothers guarding the door!”

The man about to search the car, hearing someone call out, quickly got down. Upon seeing the manager from the tavern, his expression immediately shifted. He became utterly amiable, smiling broadly as he walked toward the newcomer.

“Oh, Manager Qian, is something the matter?” the lackey stammered, bowing and scraping. The other lackey also put away his gun and plastered on a subservient smile.

The man who emerged was Qian Chuanzi. Since he and Scar had agreed on a rendezvous time around this hour, he had been watching from the doorway. Seeing the carriage pass by and noticing the two gate guards starting to search without a word, he stepped out to help Scar out of the predicament.

“You two are certainly diligent. Anyone else would have faltered. Who else dares to stop my brothers?” Qian Chuanzi spoke without any change in his expression, still wearing that friendly smile. However, his words thoroughly terrified the two lackeys. They worked here regularly, and their bonuses always passed through Qian Chuanzi’s hands. Offending him would spell serious trouble.

Hearing Qian Chuanzi speak like that, the two were dumbfounded, repeatedly bowing and clasping their hands. “Oh, Manager, we truly didn't know these were your brothers! If we had known, we would have definitely escorted them inside to see you. How could this happen? It’s purely a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding.”

The other lackey chimed in in agreement.

Zhou Huan smiled faintly upon witnessing this. These Chinese collaborators were truly something; the Japanese were in turmoil in their own country, yet these men still served them. Remarkable. It would almost be a shame not to teach them a lesson once this current task was complete.

Scar puffed out his chest and spoke, “Brother Qian, about the matter we discussed…?”

“Brother Scar, rest assured, everything will proceed as planned. Come inside with me. Did you bring your tools?” Qian Chuanzi kept glancing into the vehicle.

Zhou Huan led the way into the carriage, taking out his gear, his own tool bag held tight. The men followed Qian Chuanzi into the tavern. Qian Chuanzi entered last, pausing before closing the door to speak to the two guards: “If any Japanese come calling, give me a shout. You two did a fine job this morning; tonight, I’m treating you to Japanese cuisine!”

“Thank you, Manager Qian, thank you…” Although these two doormen guarded the entrance of the Japanese tavern day in and day out, they had never tasted the Japanese cuisine that the Japanese constantly boasted about. Hearing that Old Qian Chuanzi was treating them to it now filled them with genuine delight. They completely forgot about the earlier incident, likely too excited to focus on watching the door properly for the rest of the day, just waiting for that evening meal.

In the rear courtyard of the tavern, there was a back gate that led directly into the Japanese patrol route. The Japanese soldiers passed by this back door three times a day, meaning they had three opportunities to cross paths with anyone there. Furthermore, since the Japanese arrived, the Chinese had certainly not allowed them any peace; violent incidents targeting the Japanese occurred almost daily. Consequently, their patrol density and range were extensive. Outside the minefield alone, three squads patrolled simultaneously, and the area around the arsenal was even more tightly guarded. Therefore, for Scar and his men to execute their plan by swiftly moving through the trees, they needed specific opportunities, or someone would have to lure away all the patrolling devils, perhaps by creating a diversion within the patrol zone or tricking them into going somewhere else entirely to stall them, allowing the rest of the team to proceed according to the plan.

“Listen closely, I’ll go out first. At this hour, the little devils should be arriving soon. I’ll have a word with them, and then you all can proceed,” Qian Chuanzi said. He opened the back door, peeked left and right—no one was around—and beckoned, “Who is responsible for distracting the Japanese?”

Old Man Yellow Cripple hobbled forward. “Heh heh, that would be me!”

“Oh my, isn’t this Old Master Huang? You’re taking personal charge? I honestly didn’t recognize you just now; I wouldn’t have dared to imagine.”

“Ah, I’m old now, and nobody bothers with me, so I have to go out and stir up trouble, or I won't eat,” the Cripple said, surprisingly talkative, his expression perpetually fixed in a sly grin.

Zhou Huan urged, “Let’s hurry up, and try to steer clear of the devils as much as possible.”

With that said, Old Man Yellow Cripple began to hobble outward. Qian Chuanzi checked his pocket watch. “Old Master Huang, walk east. You should run into their patrol team within fifteen minutes. Just offer them cigarettes and bow politely; they’ll understand what you mean. Your job is simply to lead them back here to me; I’ll handle the rest.”

Scar followed up, “This is one squad of devils. Didn’t you say there were three teams here? Where are the other two?”

“Don’t you worry about that. If the remaining devils don't see this group return, they will surely head this way. You all just proceed without concern. Once Old Master Huang leads them here, head straight into the minefield, go northeast. When you see the first tree, just climb up! Here!” Saying this, Qian Chuanzi tossed a large satchel in front of Scar. “This is rope; it’ll come in handy!”

“Alright, hmph hmph, you’re a real stand-up guy,” Scar replied, first pulling out ten silver dollars from his pocket and handing them to Qian Chuanzi. Qian Chuanzi was notorious for doing work only when paid, so Scar was paying the deposit now. “Brother, this matter relies on you. Once we succeed, we’ll all rise up together.”

Qian Chuanzi tucked the ten silver dollars away, weighing them in his hand. “Look what you’re saying, are we still talking about money!” As he spoke, without anyone noticing, the silver dollars had already slipped into his inner pocket.

A faint trace of mockery touched Zhou Huan’s face as he smiled and departed, Xiao San and Xiao Si following behind him. After exchanging a few hushed words with Scar, Qian Chuanzi, and Old Huang, the others followed suit.

The group ran swiftly. They stuck to haystacks when possible and traversed dense woods when available. They reached the edge of the minefield smoothly, without encountering any obstacles. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder at the perimeter, the four of them stared at the vast forest ahead, each holding a bead of sweat, as no one knew exactly where the buried mines were set in the woods.

Zhou Huan took out his compass. Strangely, in the broad daylight, the compass spun wildly. The needle flicked left and right as if spasmodic, causing Zhou Huan’s brow to furrow slightly. He understood clearly: beyond this forest lay their destination—an endless expanse of hillside graves. Naturally, there would be many lonely spirits here. Coupled with the fact that this territory was occupied by the Japanese, even ghosts wouldn't feel comfortable. Thus, they were bound to wander out when they had nothing else to do, venting their grievances or tormenting any Japanese they could find.

“Hey, Master Zhou, what are you doing?” Among the remaining men, only Scar dared to address Zhou Huan so directly. The two simpletons, Xiao San and Xiao Si, had been completely subdued by Zhou Huan; they acted as if they were seeing a tiger whenever he was near and dared not approach him. They simply did whatever Zhou Huan commanded.

Zhou Huan put away the compass and turned back to Scar. “Come on. You locals know the routes best. You take the lead, and I’ll cover the rear.”

“Heh heh, is that really necessary? Let Xiao San and Xiao Si take the rear; Old Huang will need someone to follow him later. Come on!” As he spoke, Scar opened the large satchel, pulled out a rope, and tossed it over an oak branch. The two ends were quickly secured. Scar’s body moved with surprising agility; with just a slight spring, he swung his whole body across. He then drew out another rope with a grappling hook attached. Using the two hooks one after another in an upside-down grip, he disappeared into the woods within moments.

Zhou Huan followed closely behind, using the same technique and following Scar’s path. Xiao Si’s technique was far inferior; getting him up a tree was harder than hanging himself.