Men often do what women find hard to understand.
Luo Yang knew that explaining things clearly to Cheng Xin would require quite a bit of talking.
Before coming, he had already considered the potential dangers he might face.
Now, after hearing Cheng Xin's words, he wasn't particularly surprised, but he knew he had to be even more careful and on guard.
Luo Yang, a young man full of vigor, had grown much bolder after some experiences.
Besides, possessing a unique skill added greatly to his confidence, like a tiger growing wings.
On his own, he could penetrate Xingang Brigade and come out without a scratch, confident of emerging unscathed.
Bringing Hong Jiaxin with him, however, and having to look after her, did add some pressure.
Luckily, Hong Jiaxin had been practicing martial arts since she was young and was no pushover.
Under normal circumstances, the two of them should be able to get out intact.
"Sister Cheng, is it the whole village that wants to kill me, or just a few specific individuals?" Luo Yang asked.
At dusk, he had knocked out the leader of the young men with the flat of his blade.
After returning to the village chief's grocery store, he learned that the leader was named Yu Xianghai, a nephew of Yu Baiqiang, the clan leader of Xingang Brigade's Yu family.
This was problematic.
Luo Yang had come here wanting to establish good relations.
If Yu Baiqiang interfered with the reconciliation of the two villages, then no matter how much effort Luo Yang put in, the feud between the two villages would be hard to resolve.
Cheng Xin, being the village chief's daughter, naturally had access to some exclusive information.
"Quite a few people," she answered.
"Give me two minutes to think, I'll call you back with my decision," Luo Yang said.
After hanging up, Luo Yang started to think hard.
Entering the village was very dangerous.
But if he turned back, he would be breaking his word.
The feud between the two villages would only escalate, leading to loss of life sooner or later.
"To go or not to go?" Hong Jiaxin asked.
Luo Yang mainly wanted to show his sincerity in solving the problem to Xingang Brigade this time.
Hearing what Cheng Xin had said, it indeed seemed like entering the village might result in being carried out.
If Luo Yang went in alone, the pressure would be less.
But now, with Hong Jiaxin by his side and having to protect her, the weight on his shoulders was much heavier.
The night breeze was cool and gentle.
Yet Luo Yang felt somewhat overheated, sweating on his forehead.
This was a major event in his life, one he had to resolve relying solely on his own abilities.
"I'm afraid you'll get hurt," Luo Yang said.
Hong Jiaxin scoffed.
She had always been tough, her courage rivaling that of most men.
"Can't Sister protect herself?" she responded disdainfully.
"Squad leader, how about I ask Sister Guihua to drive over, and you wait for me in the car?"
This mission was too risky, and Luo Yang didn't want to gamble with Hong Jiaxin's life.
Even letting Jiaxin stay in the car posed possible dangers.
He feared the bad elements might be lurking nearby, waiting for a chance to strike, and without Luo Yang by her side, they might seize the opportunity to kidnap her.
Weighing the two risks, neither seemed minor.
Hong Jiaxin was very dissatisfied, sensing from his words that he was underestimating her.
She snorted coldly and stubbornly said, "Is Sister that weak?"
Luo Yang, fully aware of Hong Jiaxin's competitive nature and her need to be the best, realized he had touched on her pride with his comment.
"Squad leader, you are strong. It's just that people in the village say nasty things, and you might feel uncomfortable hearing them," Luo Yang found a more reasonable excuse.
"What nasty words hasn't Sister heard?" Hong Jiaxin retorted unconvinced.
From the tone of her voice, it was clear she was getting agitated.
Continuing this conversation would only increase her anger, and that would be bad.
Arguing about this at the entrance to Xingang Brigade was useless.
Luo Yang looked towards Xingang Brigade, where lights twinkled in the village as families enjoyed their time together.
However, somewhere in the village, there's probably a group of people discussing how to kill Luo Yang.
"Squad leader, this is our first time working together, so you must follow my command," Luo Yang said.
Hong Jiaxin was not pleased when she heard Luo Yang say this.
"Why should I follow your command? I am your squad leader; you should be following mine," she retorted.
Luo Yang gave a wry smile.
Hong Jiaxin never liked to concede to others easily, which was both a strength and a weakness.
Although Luo Yang couldn't see Hong Jiaxin's expression, he could guess from her gaze, which was definitely not gentle, that she was looking at him.
"Fine, on the way to the village, I'll follow your lead. When we talk to them later, you'll listen to me," Luo Yang said with a smile.
"I'll move freely," she responded.
That was her subtle way of compromising.
Luo Yang originally wanted to call Cheng Xin to meet at the village entrance so they could enter together.
Cheng Xin's father was the village chief; the villagers would show some respect.
However, when he heard that the situation was severe, Luo Yang dared not do so, fearing that the villagers' anger might be directed at Cheng Xin.
The hatred between villages is something that is feared to be amplified.
Once it grows, it can evolve into full-scale violence between the two villages, with casualties as expected.
Right now, the people from Xingang Brigade were fueling their hatred. In just one night, this hatred could become the rage of every villager, and then it would be out of control.
Luo Yang thought he should extinguish it while the fire of hatred had not yet blazed fiercely, making it easier to handle later.
That's why he decided to enter the village.
It wasn't that Hongyun Brigade feared a fight, but Luo Yang didn't want to see bloodshed.
Fighting and killing were second nature to him.
Killing someone was no more than nodding his head.
Luo Yang also considered that if he really did end up lying dead in the village, it made him nervous.
He was now a focal figure of Hongyun Brigade, and for any major issues in the village, many villagers would expect him to step in and resolve them.
This expectation propelled Luo Yang's courage.
He was willing to take risks for the sake of the village.
"Squad leader, you might not be aware of the troubles between our village and theirs," Luo Yang said.
He then quickly briefed her on the previous disputes and grievances between the two villages.
In the end, Luo Yang added, "It's possible they might kill. Are you sure you still want to go with me?"
Hong Jiaxin scoffed, "Do I seem like a coward to you?"
With that said, Luo Yang had no choice but to take her with him to the village.
He took out his phone and called Cheng Xin again. Once connected, he said, "Sister Cheng, we're heading to the village now. Could you ask your dad where it would be appropriate for us to meet some people from your village?"
Cheng Xin still tried to dissuade him, "They are furious right now; if you come, they will kill you."
She meant well.
If she saw their benefactor getting killed by the villagers, she wouldn't take it well either.
Luo Yang said firmly, "It's okay. I can take care of myself. Sister Cheng, please talk to your dad for me. I'll wait for your call."
Seeing that Luo Yang was unswayed, Cheng Xin reluctantly agreed to help him gather information.
After ending the call, Luo Yang joked, "Squad leader, we're kind of like Divine Condor Heroes."
While Luo Yang couldn't see Hong Jiaxin's face clearly, her words were tinged with embarrassment.
"Who's your Divine Condor Heroes?" Hong Jiaxin said crisply.
"Squad leader, really, we do sort of look like a married couple, huh?" Luo Yang teased.
Knowing that Hong Jiaxin would be irritated by his comment, Luo Yang was prepared.
"Married your head! If I don't beat you, you won't be happy!"
Hong Jiaxin launched a kick at him.
"Squad leader, it's just a joke. If not a married couple, we at least have a couple's look, right?" Luo Yang dodged to the side, laughing.
This time, Hong Jiaxin laughed.
"I should kick you to the curb and see if you still dare to be so mouthy!" she said with a smile.
"Squad leader, calm down. As Divine Condor Heroes, we need to be united, no infighting allowed," Luo Yang ran ahead.
Under the moonlight, their laughter echoed through the night sky.