Since a single hidden mission had been divided into two halves, the people who triggered it should have some connection to each other.
It could be someone in the same situation as Zhang Qin, someone she knew, or someone connected to her in some way.
There were no other trafficked women in Zhou Family Village who still wanted to escape, as Zhang Qin did.
None of the villagers Zhang Qin knew could possibly be on her side, so they probably could not trigger the hidden mission.
Two halves of the same hidden mission could hardly have completely contradictory requirements.
That made someone connected to Zhang Qin the most likely possibility.
But Zhao Xun had yet to figure out exactly what that connection might be.
He could only set the matter aside for now and see whether further exploration yielded anything new.
That was also why he had told Zhang Qin he would help her escape by the day after tomorrow at the latest.
He did not know whether completing only half the hidden mission would earn him half the reward. Finding the entire mission would certainly be better.
Zhao Xun stood up and headed deeper into the village.
In that case, he might as well meet the Madman first.
No one had lived in the depths of the village for many years. Most of the houses bore obvious signs of weathering, looking dilapidated and desolate.
Weeds half a person's height lined the path. Without any human presence, they could grow unchecked.
It was winter now, and many of the weeds had withered, their leaves drooping.
Still, a few dry stalks remained upright, swaying in the wind without falling. They prickled uncomfortably against the backs of his hands.
It was extremely quiet here, even quieter than the area near the village