"Wait, wait, what about me?"
Wang Tiancai quickly added, "Jie is right, Gousheng, don't worry about them. These people are just after money. They came here willingly, so it's their own fault if they die."
"Who are you calling 'Jie'? I'll tear your mouth off."
Wang Tiancai chuckled awkwardly, not daring to respond.
I gave him a glare and said impatiently, "You're still the descendant of a gravedigger. Didn't you help dig your own family's grave together?"
"But that's different. I was forced into it. Besides, my ancestors are from Henan. In 1942, my grandfather fled..."
"Alright, enough. Don't say anymore. One sheep is easy to manage, but a flock is not. They are also someone's sons, husbands. I can understand the pain of losing loved ones. I've decided to rescue them."
"Guangting..."
"Alright, Jie, let's not talk about it anymore. I've made up my mind."
"It's up to you, but remember, while we plan our actions, success is in the hands of heaven. If there's an emergency, you must ensure your own safety first."
As the time approached, we returned to the dog kennel. The scene before us was both amusing and sad.
"Jie was right, dogs are tougher than people."
The black-backs hadn't died, but they had gone mad.
They ran around frantically in circles, pulling on their chains, their tongues hanging long, saliva trailing down, their eyes devoid of light.
Seeing us, they neither growled nor barked, but remained focused on running in circles, as if participating in a marathon for dogs, entering the final sprint phase.
Zhang Ling asked, "How did this happen?"
I said, "It's probably damage to their brain's nervous system. Let's leave them alone for now and focus on rescuing the people."
On our way here, we noticed a pile of tools in the corner, so we grabbed two pry bars. I handed one to Chen Duyu and took one myself.
"Come on, let's pry the door open."
We inserted the pry bars into the gap, and both Chen Duyu and I exerted force. With a creaking sound, the gap widened considerably after a few attempts, enough to accommodate one person.
Chen Laoda squeezed out first and patted my shoulder. "Guangting, you've saved me again."
"Guangting, you're amazing. After Lin Lao retires, we'll follow you. Grandpa, hahaha."
Chen Duyu said, bowing with both hands clasped in salute.
Zhang Wenjie dusted himself off. "This is not the place to talk. Let's go."
The Chen brothers rummaged through a pile of debris like they were digging for food with the fierce dogs.
Soon, they pulled out Chen Er's body.
"Second brother, you've suffered."
Chen Duyu wiped the dust off his face with his sleeve and carried him on his back.
After discarding the heavy pry bars, they picked up suitable weapons from the pile of tools. Zhang Wenjie and I each took a small pry bar, one end flat and the other pointed, about sixty to seventy centimeters long, suitable for use as weapons.
Zhang Ling, with sharp eyes, took the only dagger with a broken blade.
The Chen brothers picked and chose, and in the end, one of them took a small hoe.
These kinds of tools were very common in the rural areas of Guanzhong, and there was even a special name for them, called "suijuejue".
A tool measuring approximately one foot in length, typically employed in agricultural pursuits such as sowing beans, found a solitary figure crouched amidst the earth. One hand grasped a diminutive hoe, the other clutched seeds with intent.
With each hoe stroke, a furrow was created, whereupon two to three seeds found their resting place. A mere foot-tap followed, and the task was complete. This implement, both efficient and effective, bestowed upon its user the ability to sow two to three acres of land in a single day, earning its title as an indispensable artifact.
"I shall attend to the removal of the sentry at the exit, ensuring unimpeded passage," declared Zhang Wenjie, before pivoting to depart. Yet, my voice arrested his steps.
"Hold a moment."
Zhang Wenjie turned back, inquiring, "Guangting, what is amiss?"
Gazing into his eyes, I posed the question, "Mr. Zhang, do you happen to know the whereabouts of the exit?"
Upon hearing my query, Zhang Wenjie paused momentarily before responding, "Easily managed, we shall detain an individual for inquiry."
At that juncture, an uneasy feeling pervaded my mind, inexplicably tied to Zhang Wenjie. Although the specifics eluded me, this sensation lingered, a nebulous yet palpable presence.
After a moment's contemplation, I proposed, "Given the labyrinthine nature of this locale, it is prone to confound. Therefore, Mr. Zhang, I suggest you remain here while Miss Ling accompanies the Chen brothers."
Acknowledging my suggestion with a nod, Zhang Ling affirmed, "Guangting speaks wisely. Let us proceed accordingly, with utmost caution."
With tasks briefly allocated, we dispersed to our respective duties.
Upon our return to the construction site, two additional figures appeared: Bai Ruoxue and Liu Zuizi. Engaged in conversation with the large mastiff, their discourse remained beyond auditory reach.
The collective activity unfolded with remarkable celerity. The Eight Pillar Country's Twelve Great Generals' terracotta warriors had been swiftly transported, leaving only select, well-preserved specimens awaiting removal.
Though preoccupied, Wang Tiancai's demeanor betrayed a restlessness. Having exchanged glances to confirm our intentions, I nodded to him, signaling the commencement of our predetermined plan.
In a critical misstep, Wang Tiancai issued an erroneous command. As several individuals exerted their strength, a terracotta warrior tumbled to the ground, its wooden framework collapsing, and its head rolling forth with a resounding clatter.
Reacting swiftly, the large mastiff leapt from its perch, striding purposefully toward Wang Tiancai. With a forceful kick to Wang Tiancai's abdomen, the mastiff sent him sprawling.
In a moment of desperation, Wang Tiancai seized a handful of earth, flinging it at the mastiff, who instinctively shielded its eyes. Seizing the opportunity, Wang Tiancai retrieved an iron shovel, brandishing it overhead before delivering a powerful blow to the mastiff's head.
"Compatriots, these wretched fiends seek to entomb us here. We are all sons and daughters nurtured by our mothers and fathers, not beings sprung from the very rocks. We must not await our demise passively but confront these vile curs with all our might."
The sudden turn of events left the assembled crowd momentarily stunned, immobilized by the rapid escalation of hostilities.
Though the mastiff staggered under the assault, it remained upright. Clutching its forehead, blood streaming through its fingers, it fixed a fierce glare upon its assailants, teeth bared in a snarl.
In a swift motion, it retrieved a handgun from its underarm, taking aim at Wang Tiancai.
With a sudden shift in expression, Wang Tiancai evaded the impending shot, but not before a bullet found its mark in his left shoulder, blood gushing forth.
At times, repressed emotions require but a spark to ignite. Coupled with the indomitable spirit characteristic of the people of the northwest, this spectacle roused a dormant fury within their hearts.
"Since death is inevitable, let us confront these wretches head-on."
"Curses upon them! Let us fight!"
In the ensuing chaos, the assembled throng surged forward like a torrent, swiftly dispatching the mastiff as though it were naught but a mere cucumber.
Its companion let loose a primal cry before drawing a pistol, unleashing a volley of shots.
The mob scattered in disarray, leaving two individuals wounded but alive, their anguished cries piercing the air.
Rushing forward, I clasped the mastiff's arm tightly, as the report of gunfire echoed, the bullet embedding itself into the earth with a dull thud.