Rebirth: I Am Super Rich in Apocalypse
Chapter 369: Unwelcome Outsider

Chapter 369: Chapter 369: Unwelcome Outsider

"Yes, a long time ago, there was a lake beneath the back mountain.

We’ve never seen it, but later that area dried up, not a drop of water left."

So, there really was such a place.

Jhiang Yuan felt a rush of excitement, an urgency to get there and see for herself.

However, she couldn’t be too obvious about her intentions.

"That’s truly a pity, otherwise, if it were developed, it might even become a tourist spot."

She laughed it off, and the old lady smiled back, remaining silent.

There weren’t enough tables and chairs in the house for everyone, so people just held their bowls and found a spot to manage a bite.

Not only that, there weren’t enough bowls in the house either.

First thing in the morning, the old man had gone out to borrow quite a few from the neighbors.

When we arrived yesterday, there weren’t many people left in this area.

Counting the two children, there were twenty-five people.

After eating, the village chief invited everyone over.

It was the same courtyard as yesterday, and now that it was day, one could barely make out the specifics of the area.

It seemed to be a place similar to an ancestral hall, where the hall they were in last night was specifically for holding meetings.

Today, some had already warmed up a charcoal brazier early in the morning.

When we arrived, it was warmly heated.

The houses here were very tall, still made of wooden structures, ancient and aromatic.

Even the main seat across from us had an Eight Immortals table and an armchair fit for a grand master.

Looking at the complicated and delicate carvings, it was clear they were things of age.

There were many of us, and quite a few village elders had come as well.

Chuyi, Chuliu, and the Wu Zhiqing couple were all present.

Second Master Teng was the village chief of Half Moon Lake Village, seated in the central seat.

"Everyone’s here, eh? Take a seat, make yourselves comfortable."

He seemed amiable and approachable, without the fierceness he had shown last night.

"Thank you very much."

Song Yi, neither servile nor overbearing, thanked him, internally planning how to ask about Half Moon Lake and the whereabouts of Mo Qi and the others.

"Right, brother, let’s not beat around the bush in these unusual times. I’ll speak plainly.

What are your plans for the future? Have you thought about what to do?"

The question unsettled many people.

It had never occurred to anyone that Half Moon Lake was actually a village.

And more so, it seemed they weren’t eager to take us in.

"Second Master Teng, we were just trying to get to Half Moon Lake, never expecting it to be a village.

I wonder if there really is such a lake?"

Jhiang Yuan was also quite nervous, the old lady had mentioned it, the lake existed but was dried up.

If Second Master Teng didn’t want everyone to know about the lake...

"Indeed, there was a lake, but that was in the past. It’s been dry for a while now, right under the back mountain."

Luckily, the story was consistent.

"May I ask if it would be possible for us to go there?

Things are chaotic outside, and our group is looking for a place to settle."

He lowered his stance quite a bit, as after all, he was asking for favors.

The back mountain was not within the village limits, so Second Master Teng was rather indifferent.

"It’s possible, but there’s nothing there.

With the weather like this, life wouldn’t be easy for you all if you went over!"

As soon as the words were out, he immediately regretted them.

"What I mean is, if you don’t mind, you all could settle down in the empty houses in the village.

At least there’d be a place to shelter from the wind and the rain. Later, if you wish to leave, it would also be convenient for you."

Wow, this was a rather cold way to treat them!

"Thank you for your kindness, but we want to check out that place; we’ve come all this way.

If it really isn’t suitable, we’ll have to look for a new place.

We’ve bothered you enough already."

Seeing that Song Yi was so cooperative, Second Master Teng was also very pleased.

"Ah, brother, no need to be so polite, shall I find someone to take you over for a look?"

"Okay, that would be troublesome..."

As Song Yi spoke, Jhiang Yuan’s gaze turned back to Wu Zhiqing and his wife.

"Chuyi, Chuliu, you must be happy now that you’ve found mom and dad."

"Happy, sister~"

Chuliu came over and took her hand, the little girl was without guile.

This couple didn’t seem like simple, honest folk, even though they always wore smiles on their faces.

However, those smiles never reached their eyes, leaving her puzzled.

"By the way, big sister, I heard that a group of people took you away.

The children were worried all the way here.

It was too late when you came yesterday, and I didn’t have the chance to ask.

Those people didn’t harm you, did they? Did you get hurt?"

She spoke with sincere concern, still holding onto little Chuliu.

"It’s okay, girl, thanks for caring.

With Second Master Teng here, naturally, he would stand up for us."

Wu Zhiqing listened from the side and now joined in the conversation.

"Speaking of which, that group came from Changming Village, maybe you know them!"

The probing intent in his words was too obvious.

"Perhaps we do know them, but we are just ordinary people, working in various places when we get there.

Chuyi mentioned they were all wearing camouflage clothing, probably officials.

We may have seen them, but we wouldn’t have spoken to them."

Jhiang Yuan’s response was very tactful, offending no one and excusing herself from the situation.

Wu Zhiqing’s hollow smile betrayed his intentions, with her frank approach, pressing further would make him seem petty.

Jhiang Yuan stopped probing, too. People like Mo Qi, if they weren’t dead, were probably being controlled.

The people here were shrewd.

Moreover, to have survived this long in the apocalypse, each of them was no simple character.

Soon, Second Master Teng called someone over, and feeling somewhat concerned, he followed them himself.

They left the house and headed directly towards the back mountain.

Jhiang Yuan also took a careful look around, noting the village was not small.

The old lady said there weren’t many people, which meant most of the houses were vacant.

In such a case, it would be completely fine for them to live here.

Yet, Second Master Teng didn’t agree.

He was probably wary of outsiders; at this point, it was best to proceed with caution and sureness.

The name Half Moon Lake was too well-known, and he himself was uncertain.

To get there, they passed through the village, onto a narrow path.

First through large expanses of woods, then across a small river.

Its original state was no longer recognizable; they wouldn’t dare to confirm if not for the trail markers.

Everyone was curious; having finally reached the foot of the mountain, they started walking deeper inside.

After turning a couple of times, they circled back again.

"Second Master Teng, what’s going on here? This is clearly next to the village, why take such a big detour?"

Song Yi asked directly, as it was impossible to explore on his own under the current circumstances.

So, he chose to be upfront.

"Brother, don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I’m deliberately leading you in circles, but this is the only way to get there!"