Everyone had a rather deep impression of this place; last time, on their way to Wildman Mountain, they had passed through here as well. During lunch that day, they had a run-in with the local police chief, and Wu Zhiguo even ended up getting slapped.

That chief ended up having a miserable time, becoming the shortest-serving chief in the history of Lieshan County.

This time, they drove faster. After a brief discussion, the few of them decided to have lunch in Lieshan as well. Wu Zhiguo had lost some weight and wasn't as voracious a glutton as before, but his resistance to delicious food remained decidedly weak.

Besides, the Fire Shop Roast Chicken in Lieshan was genuinely good, and everyone was keen to try it again.

“Same old, same old!”

Standing at the entrance of the roast chicken shop, Wu Zhiguo felt a touch of melancholy. Though not much time had passed between the last visit and this one, it gave him a feeling of things remaining the same while people had changed.

It wasn’t yet half-past eleven, but many cars were already parked in front of the old Fire Shop Roast Chicken establishment, and the main hall inside was nearly full.

The storefront wasn't striking; it looked somewhat worn down, but the reputation of this century-old shop was undeniably significant. Business was booming daily, and the aroma of their roast chicken could be smelled from a good distance away.

“This place is pretty ordinary!”

Wang Chen jumped out of the car, looking around with some confusion. This young man usually only frequented lavish and luxurious dining spots; he probably rarely stepped into a restaurant like this.

“Mountains aren't judged by their height. Don't let the looks fool you; their roast chicken truly is exceptional!”

Li Ya also walked over. He had eaten here before and retained a good memory of the place.

“We got here early today, so there should be seats. Let’s go inside first!”

Wu Zhiguo beckoned, and everyone else, including the drivers of the two RVs, also alighted from their vehicles.

When they got out, they drew quite a few curious stares. A convoy consisting of luxury cars, RVs, and a tanker truck was quite a rare sight. Moreover, it was immediately apparent that these people were wealthy young masters; it was hard not to attract attention.

Since they arrived early, there were indeed seats available inside.

The owner also recognized Wu Zhiguo. At first glance, he was hesitant to acknowledge him, only believing that the man standing there was the same fat man from before after Wu Zhiguo mentioned a few specific details.

Since their last visit, Wu Zhiguo hadn't been back here in a long time; this was only their second visit.

Every century-old shop has its specialties, and the greatest hallmark of this one was its roast chicken. Each chicken was quite large, and when they were first brought out, they emitted an enticing fragrance. Even Yang Ling and Ying Ning, the two girls who normally ate very little meat, consumed a good portion.

Lunch was simple, but the atmosphere was excellent.

Li Ya brought up the incident with the Japanese swindler from last time, and the others questioned Chang Feng about the ultimate fate of that fraudster.

Wang Chen asked the most questions, and Ying Ning was full of curiosity as well; only those two had been absent during the previous incident.

“That swindler was extremely arrogant at first, denying everything and claiming our actions constituted a declaration of war, for which we would have to pay the price. He only quieted down after the Japanese Consul appeared. He was sentenced three months ago—fifteen years!”

Chang Feng recounted the swindler's outcome with a smile. He had been temporarily in charge of the case initially, but it was transferred once personnel from the provincial department arrived.

However, because he had handled it, he kept tabs on it, especially since it was one of the rare foreign criminal cases in the province in recent years.

Considering the amount of money the Japanese man had defrauded, fifteen years wasn't a light sentence; he could have easily received a life sentence. But given that he was an international figure, the final verdict settled on this term, after which the Japanese man would be deported.

Chang Feng also shared a piece of inside information: the Japanese man was utterly unwilling and too afraid to return home.

He had been committing fraud in China by impersonating a member of the Japanese Imperial Family. Had it been any other status, it might have been manageable, but although the Imperial Family no longer held political power, their symbolic significance was immense. It was rumored that the Japanese government was furious with this fraudster.

Some organized crime syndicates had even issued threats: if this fellow returned, they would ensure he committed seppuku before the Emperor to apologize.

In such circumstances, he naturally dared not go back; fifteen years might even feel too short to him—he probably wished for more time.

After eating his fill, Wu Zhiguo asked the owner to pack up thirty roast chickens. They had arrived early, so there were plenty left; arriving later, securing this quantity would have been difficult.

Thirty chickens seemed like a lot, but divided among so many people, it wasn't much. Besides, once they reached the town, they needed to deliver some to Mayor Mi.

Nothing untoward happened during their stay in Lieshan this time, and no clueless police officers came looking for trouble.

However, just before leaving, Zhang Yang still made a call to Mi Zhiguo.

Regardless, he was engaged to Mi Xue, making Mi Zhiguo his future father-in-law. It would be inappropriate not to check in when passing through.

Mi Zhiguo was out dining when he received the call saying Zhang Yang had arrived and rushed back immediately. Zhang Yang had actually intended only to make a brief courtesy call; he was purely passing through, not intentionally returning.

Mi Zhiguo escorted Zhang Yang and his group out before heading back himself.

It was worth noting that Mi Zhiguo was having a very good time in Lieshan County now. When Zhang Keqin made an unexpected visit last time, County Party Secretary Zhou Guocheng learned that Mi Zhiguo had such a powerful backer.

After the engagement, news that Mi Zhiguo was related by marriage to Provincial Party Secretary Zhang Keqin also began to spread. Such things couldn't be concealed for long, as everyone possessed their own channels of information.

However, only a few knew, mostly high-ranking officials; the City Party Secretary and the Mayor were the first to learn the news.

The most direct impact of this news was that Mi Zhiguo's life had become exceedingly comfortable.

He remained in his original position, Executive Deputy County Head, but both his duties and status had increased significantly. Even the County Party Secretary and the County Head dared not criticize him too harshly.

City leaders had also increased their visits to Lieshan over this period, invariably ensuring Mi Zhiguo accompanied them.

The position of Executive Deputy County Head would become vacant in the next two months, and now, both the county and the city were certain that Mi Zhiguo would be the one to take it. Although there were a few other contenders initially, they had all quieted down now, losing the will to compete.

After all, they couldn't compete when they weren't related by marriage to the Provincial Party Secretary.

This was precisely why Mi Zhiguo had rushed out the moment he heard Zhang Yang had arrived; he knew exactly where his current standing originated.

Besides Zhang Yang, Mi Zhiguo also greeted Su Zhantao and Long Cheng warmly.

He had met these individuals before; when he was hospitalized after his car accident in Changjing, they had all visited him in the hospital. At that time in the hospital, there had been minor conflicts, and these men had already displayed considerable influence.

Later, when he learned of their true identities, he naturally treated them with respect.

Because of Mi Zhiguo, the group was slightly delayed. By the time they were back on the road, it was past two in the afternoon. Fortunately, Wildman Mountain wasn't too far. They weren't planning to reach it directly tonight anyway; they certainly needed to find a place to stay for the night.

Towards evening, the convoy arrived at Sushan County.

This peculiar convoy immediately caught the attention of many upon reaching Sushan County—the luxury cars, the RVs, the tanker, and the beautiful women stepping out of the vehicles all stirred up endless speculation.

“We’re staying here tonight; we head into the mountains tomorrow!”

After getting out of the car, Long Cheng gave the instruction. While Zhang Yang was the person these individuals trusted the most, Long Cheng handled all the apparent arrangements.

These used to be his responsibilities, and he was most accustomed to managing them.

Zhang Yang was no stranger to Sushan County. As soon as the cars stopped, he opened the rear hatch of his vehicle; Zhuifeng had been cramped inside for ages and had been protesting loudly.

The moment Zhuifeng stepped out, it instantly drew many eyes. This wasn't Xijiang or the grasslands; horses were uncommon here, and such a pure-colored, beautiful white horse was even rarer.

Never mind the onlookers; even Chang Feng and Yang Ling were captivated.

During the previous trip to Hangzhou, Chang Feng had been busy and missed seeing the majesty of Zhuifeng, the Horse King. Yang Ling had gone but returned home first, so she also hadn't seen Zhuifeng.

After Zhuifeng and the others descended, the group realized Zhang Yang had brought this Horse King along in his vehicle.

Looking at Zhuifeng, Su Zhantao immediately said to Yang Ling beside him, “Lingling, this is the Horse King I told you about. Isn't he magnificent?”

After emerging, Zhuifeng shook its head, then proudly lifted its head, standing beside Zhang Yang as if looking down upon everything around it.

This demeanor made it seem even more miraculous; regardless of Zhuifeng's appearance, its unique temperament had never been observed in other animals.

“I always thought you were exaggerating, but it’s real!”

Yang Ling’s eyes shone brightly as she nodded. Su Zhantao had indeed mentioned Zhuifeng to her before, even claiming that all the horses at the stud farm knelt before Zhuifeng.

At the time, she had taken it as a joke, thinking Su Zhantao was deliberately teasing her. Now, setting aside whether Zhuifeng was truly the Horse King, the sheer beauty of this horse was unparalleled.

Yang Ling was wealthy enough, owning a car dealership, and she had visited several stud farms, having seen those so-called noble European bloodline thoroughbreds. Yet, none of those horses could compare to Zhuifeng.

“When have I ever exaggerated? Everything I say is the truth!”

Su Zhantao grew somewhat smug and walked towards Zhuifeng with Yang Ling, attempting to stroke the horse.

Zhuifeng snorted sharply, shaking its head. Su Zhantao not only failed to touch it but was also startled, chuckling sheepishly.

“Zhantao, Zhuifeng is the Horse King; he has a rather fiery temper. He’s unhappy after a full day in the vehicle. I’ll let him spend time with you later,”

Zhang Yang said helplessly. Zhuifeng’s temperament remained the same; it acknowledged no one except Zhang Yang. Even Long Feng or Mi Xue couldn't casually pet him, let alone Su Zhantao.

“I know, the Horse King. Zhang Yang, you aren't planning to ride him into the mountains, are you?”

Su Zhantao nodded, then looked up and asked, his eyes showing a hint of curiosity, though tinged more with envy. He could vividly imagine how imposing it would be to ride Zhuifeng into the mountains, a grandeur that, unfortunately, would not be his.

“Why not? Zhuifeng used to live in the mountains!”

Zhang Yang smiled slightly. Under his gentle touch, Zhuifeng calmed down considerably. The journey had indeed been stifling for the horse. If not for the company, he and Zhang Yang could have entered Wildman Mountain immediately without waiting here.

“A horse that lives in the mountains?”

Yang Ling looked puzzled. Wu Zhiguo and Ying Ning, walking over from the side, also looked bewildered. A horse living in the mountains—they truly had never heard of such a thing.

Zhang Yang smiled and was about to speak when Huang Hai called out to them. The rooms were ready; everyone should return, rest for a while, gather for dinner later, and get an early night so they could set off first thing in the morning.

Chapter Two follows! RS