Lost City (2)

Turning his gaze away, Fanxin said no more and immediately returned to the courtyard.

At this moment, Ren Fang was playing with her two daughters.

The children are already six months old, and they've opened their eyes. They're giggling and laughing as Ren Fang teases them.

Fanxin walked into the courtyard and joined them.

"Well, did you find out anything?" Ren Fang asked curiously.

"Yes, that Lost City isn't outside the island, it's in that forest. Everyone's searching outside now, let's wait for the results. If they can't find it, then we'll go deeper into the forest," Fanxin said.

"Are you sure? Is it possible that it has already been destroyed?" Ren Fang asked.

With the existence of such overpowered things Devil Fruit in this world, it's entirely possible for a city to be destroyed.

"I don't know. If that's the case, then we'll have to give up. However, there's no evidence yet that the Lost City has been destroyed. So, we still have hope," Fanxin said with a smile.

He smiled calmly, because he no longer cared about the Lost City. Whether he found it or not, he would be leaving in a month.

He's just using this opportunity to give everyone a good rest, since a series of major battles are likely to follow.

At that time, it was impossible for anyone to rest.

"Okay, let's leave it at that then. In short, let's treat this as a trip here," Ren Fang said with a smile.

"That's natural," Fanxin said.

"Alright, you take care of the child. I'll go to the village to buy groceries. Tonight, I'll cook a few dishes for you myself," Ren Fang said.

Since becoming pregnant, she hasn't cooked any meals herself; everyone else prepares them and brings them to her.

Now that the baby is born, she's ready to do everything herself. She thinks that's a good idea.

"Okay, go ahead, but be careful," Fanxin said.

"Hehe, don't worry! My strength is not weak at all," Ren Fang said with a smile.

She's a demon-wielding ability user, but she hasn't made a move since becoming pregnant. However, if she were to take action, it's not certain that anyone could defeat her.

"Okay, but you should still bring a robot with you," Fanxin said.

Although everyone here is an ordinary citizen, no one can guarantee that there aren't pirates here.

If they can come here, others will definitely come too. With an extra helper by her side, Ren Fang will be much safer.

"Okay, I'll do as you say," Ren Fang said helplessly.

"Hehe, go ahead." Fanxin didn't say anything more. He turned around and started playing with the child.

Ren Fang, meanwhile, carried her vegetable basket and went to the village market.

Fanxin used both hands to hold the two children and began to wander around the area.

The two children were being very restless, playfully fighting each other. Fortunately, Fanxin kept them some distance apart; otherwise, who knows how far they would have gone.

"Little one, when you grow up, you mustn't fight," Fanxin said with a smile.

Although the two children couldn't understand, they giggled when they saw Fanxin smile.

The three of them couldn't help but laugh in the end.

After wandering around the area for a while, Fanxin Xin was about to head back.

However, just then, Fanxin noticed a figure sneaking into a nearby village, and he didn't know what it was up to.

After pondering for a moment, Fanxin Xin followed.

In front of him was a tall man wearing a mask, holding a large knife.

Although Fanxin couldn't see the other person's face clearly, it was obvious from their appearance that they weren't there to visit the local villagers.

He's most likely here to cause trouble.

Fanxin followed them all the way, and finally arrived at a place on the west side of the village, where there was a small thatched hut, which was not very conspicuous.

In front of the house, an old man was weeding with a hoe. He was so focused on his work that he didn't notice anyone approaching.

Fanxin stood there waiting, and did not go any further.

He wasn't far from the old man. If the man intended to harm him, he could easily intervene and stop him.

The masked man walked on until he reached the small courtyard. He walked up to the old man and coldly demanded, "You old codger, tell me, what is the true location of the Lost City?"

This man had also come for the Lost City. However, he didn't actively seek it out; instead, he threatened an old man, which was puzzling.

Fanxin pondered for a moment, somewhat puzzled. Did this old man know where the Lost City was?

He thought for a moment, but still couldn't figure it out.

However, he was too lazy to think about it anymore and focused on watching.

Ahead, the masked man placed a large knife against the old man's shoulder. The knife was extremely sharp, and if he were to strike, the old man would likely be in danger.

Fanxin Xin immediately made preparations and was ready to strike at any moment.

However, the old man ignored the masked man's threats and continued with his own business.

He seemed to disdain the masked man.

Seeing that the old man ignored him, the masked man felt his authority had been challenged. He roared and prepared to kill the old man.

He came here for the Lost City; he'd heard it was full of treasures.

If he can get it, he'll be rich. He won't need to work so hard outside anymore.

The reason he sought out this old man was because he had heard that the old man was the oldest person in the village.

In that case, he must know a lot about the Lost City.

However, since the other party didn't tell him, he naturally got angry.

His fierce expression, revealed by his clothes, was an attempt to coerce the other party into submission.

"Young man, if you want something, you have to find it yourself. What you're doing is against the rules," the old man finally spoke, looking at the masked man and saying calmly.

He didn't even look at the broadsword in the other person's hand; it was as if it weren't a sword, but a stick.

The old man's calmness stunned the masked man.

Because he had never seen anyone disregard his broadsword before.

"Hmph, this is also one of my methods for obtaining treasure, old man. Let me tell you, if you don't tell me, I'm going to get angry. Once I get angry, the knife in my hand might start to wreak havoc," the masked man said.

He was threatening them, trying to make them think twice.

Upon hearing this, the old man laughed and said, "You're robbing people. You think you're so capable? Aren't you ashamed?"

He didn't hold back and directly mocked the other party.

"Hmph, you damned old man, I told you to speak, but you wouldn't, and now you're mocking me? You're asking for it!" The masked man was enraged.

He came here to get the treasure, not to be insulted. This old man had made him lose face, so he decided to teach him a lesson.

"Hmph, kill me if you want, as long as you can kill me," the old man sneered.

After saying that, he went back to his work, ignoring the man.

The masked man was furious; he wished he could tear the old man to pieces.

He shouted several times, but the other party wouldn't listen, which frustrated him to the extreme.

Without saying another word, he immediately swung his broadsword and slashed at the old man.

The old man ignored him and continued with his work.

Fanxin glanced at it, originally intending to intervene. After all, an old man had died in front of him; it would be difficult to justify not doing so.

However, just as he was about to make his move, Fanxin suddenly sensed that someone was watching him.

Fanxin was taken aback. He glanced around and realized that the old man had looked up and was staring at him.

Fanxin met the old man's gaze and was momentarily stunned, for he saw an indifferent expression in the old man's eyes.

He was puzzled as to why the old man seemed indifferent; did he not want to live anymore?

He didn't think so, because he believed that no one could be unafraid of death; even he was very afraid of dying.

He was able to ignore the weak because he was strong enough to block their attacks. Otherwise, he would have run away long ago.

"Could this old man be a master?" Fanxin was stunned, somewhat incredulous.

It's unbelievable that such a powerful master could live in such a remote place.

"Never mind, if that's really the case, then I really don't need to take action," Fanxin muttered to himself.

His opponent was a master; his intervention was completely unnecessary.

So he said nothing more and just stood there watching.

The masked man raised his broadsword and finally slashed it down on the old man's neck.

"Heh, you old fool, you forced me to this. I told you to talk, and if you don't, then die." The masked man was insane, like a mad dog.

The old man was still busy there.

Soon after, the broadsword met the old man's neck.

The masked man was thrilled, thinking the old man's head was about to detach from his body.

However, to the masked man's dismay, while the knife was indeed at the old man's neck, it failed to decapitate him.

On the contrary, his knife had a large nick, as if it had been bitten by a dog.

He was stunned. He had seen it clearly; there was absolutely no one who had bitten his knife.

"What did you do to my knife?" the masked man asked, stunned.

He believed that the old man was responsible; otherwise, his knife wouldn't have ended up like that.

"Hmph, I didn't do anything. You're the one who tried to cut me with a knife. Alright, your knife is useless now. You'd better leave. You're not welcome here," the old man said calmly.

Upon hearing this, the masked man hesitated, then prepared to launch another attack.

However, this time the old man did not let the other party act recklessly. Seeing that the masked man was about to make a move, he immediately attacked, reaching out towards the large sword.

The masked man laughed upon seeing the old man's actions. He felt the old man was essentially crippling himself by doing this, as his broadsword was incredibly hard and sharp.

Once he makes a move, he can cripple the opponent's hand.

However, the man was stunned the next moment.

Because his broadsword was held down by the old man's two fingers. He swung the sword with such great force, and the other man only used two fingers to hold it down. What does that mean?

"You... how did you do that?" The masked man was stunned and shouted.

"Hehe, I just pinched it like that and it worked!" the old man said with a chuckle.

He spoke very casually, as if he hadn't done anything significant.

However, these words from the other party made the masked man uneasy.

Even if he were incredibly foolish, he would realize that this old man was no ordinary person. Otherwise, why would the other man be unharmed after he chopped off his head?

Now, his broadsword was being held between the opponent's two fingers—this was simply impossible.

So, he became somewhat unsettled, released his grip on the broadsword, and prepared to leave.

"Hey, young man, I don't want your knife. Take it," the old man said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the masked man dared not linger. He turned and vanished in a flash, faster than a rabbit.

The old man watched the other person leave, shook his head helplessly, put the knife aside, and continued weeding.

Fanxin pondered for a moment, then immediately took his two daughters and went over. Once in the courtyard, Fanxin looked at the old man and laughed, "Hehe, it's truly unbelievable! In this remote and impoverished place, there is such a learned person living in seclusion. I am truly honored to meet him."

This old man was definitely a master, even though he didn't use any special techniques. However, Fanxin felt that this guy was definitely not simple.

If you underestimate your opponent, you'll likely suffer a great loss.

"A master? Heh, what master? Just a farmer." The white-haired old man said with a chuckle.

"Really? That's not necessarily true. Before, your eyes were just like mine, able to show an indifferent expression. Only a highly skilled person could do that. Otherwise, no one could remain calm when facing life and death," Fanxin said.

"Say what you will, I'm not some kind of expert anyway." The old man chuckled, dismissing the matter with a single blow. No matter what Fanxin said, he had decided not to get involved.

"Alright, I know the old man doesn't want to reveal his identity, so I won't press him. I just wonder if I could visit you here in the future?" Fanxin said with a smile.

He didn't mean to bother the other person; he just wanted to chat.

"Sure, I've been here all along," the old man said with a smile.

"Alright, then I'll keep these wines. I hope you like them, senior." Fanxin said, immediately taking out many expensive wines from her Diamond Space and placing them aside.

"Oh, you have wine? Thank you very much, this is just what I need." The white-haired old man chuckled and said.

After saying that, he stopped doing his work, sat down, and started drinking.

Fanxin smiled, took his daughter and left. As he left, he said something.

"I'll bring it over again tomorrow, but don't try to sneak away while you're at it, or the wine will be mine."