"Catch thieves? Hah! With the world in this chaos, the lords in the County yamen probably don't even know what to worry about themselves!
"Who has the spare time to care about the troubles of a backwater like ours? If they come and go through the motions, that's already giving us face!"
The man's words brimmed with the bleak sorrow of someone who had seen through the world. "Rely on them? Better pray your own door bolt is sturdy enough!"
The authorities could not be relied upon!
That realization made everyone's hearts sink to rock bottom.
With even their last hope gone, it meant they could only rely on themselves—or leave it to fate.
Fang Yuan, hiding inside the house, naturally heard the faint discussions drifting over.
He leaned against the door, his gaze cold as iron.
This reaction from the authorities was both unexpected and only natural.
Chaos had already begun. With limited manpower, the authorities would inevitably prioritize the safety of the county seat and important strongholds. As for law and order in the villages, they were likely already powerless to do much,
and could only go through the motions.
This only strengthened his resolve: they had to leave as soon as possible!
This place had already lost its last shred of order and protection.
He turned back into the room and said gravely to Liu Wanwan, who was nervously packing their things:
"From today onward, once it gets dark, no one is allowed outside. Reinforce the door and window from the inside."
He paused, then added, "I'll keep watch at night."
At the foot of Great Green Mountain, in a hidden mountain hollow, several bonfires burned. Their leaping flames lit up weather-beaten faces filled with savagery.
A dozen or so men had gathered there, dressed in