Landlord in the Arctic

Chapter 370: Chapter 282: Running Away

Village Chief Ijiku led two villagers, cautiously making their way toward the oil company station.

Their hearts were heavy along the way, and their feet made CRUNCHING sounds as they trod through the thick snow.

The sound was exceptionally clear in the silence of the polar night.

When they finally arrived near the oil company station, the Village Chief peered out from cover, using the faint light of the polar night to survey the scene.

The station’s large iron gate had been blown open.

Fragments of the iron gate, large and small, lay scattered across the muddy snow.

Village Chief Ijiku couldn’t help but gulp, the unease in his heart growing stronger.

Just then, a point of red light flashed in the direction of the gate, immediately followed by someone shouting.

"Who’s there?"

"It’s me, Ijiku."

Hearing Feng Shan’s voice, Village Chief Ijiku was instantly thrilled. Forgetting everything else, he emerged from the darkness and quickened his pace, reaching Feng Shan in just a few strides.

"Feng, what’s the situation inside? I heard gunshots."

Village Chief Ijiku asked with concern, his eyes scanning Feng Shan from head to toe to see if he was injured.

At the same time, he was curious about what on earth had happened inside the station to cause such a commotion.

Feng Shan first dropped the lit cigarette from his hand. Its tip sizzled in the snow for a moment before he spoke slowly.

"Tell Lina the man who hurt her was caught in Dead Horse Town. He’s going to face justice."

Upon hearing this, Village Chief Ijiku was stunned for a moment. Then, a smile of both surprise and relief spread across his face, and the weight that had been pressing on his heart finally lifted.

"That’s wonderful, just wonderful!"

With that said, Village Chief Ijiku started to head into the oil company station.

But he had barely taken a step before Nash stopped him.

"Chief, I’d advise you not to go in," Director Roland suggested kindly.

Village Chief Ijiku’s eyebrow twitched. ’The gunshots were so loud,’ he thought. ’Surely there weren’t many people killed inside?’

At this thought, he stopped in his tracks and subconsciously took a few steps back.

Feng Shan seemed to guess the chief’s thoughts. He smiled and waved a hand dismissively. "No one’s dead. We just found something more important. The scene needs to be preserved, so it’s best you don’t go in. They even kicked me out."

’That’s right. Feng is the Sheriff, and even he isn’t allowed inside. The problem in there must be huge!’

Having become the village chief, Ijiku was no fool. He could tell from Feng Shan’s expression that the situation at the oil company station likely involved something more.

"Then I won’t go in. How about coming to my home for a cup of herbal tea? Mu Ke just hunted a reindeer yesterday."

Feng Shan glanced back toward the station.

’With Paine and Yves watching over it, there shouldn’t be any trouble.’

’Frank also told me not to get involved—to stay as far away as possible.’

With that in mind, Feng Shan gladly accepted the chief’s invitation.

...

A tense atmosphere had fallen over Noiksoth Village.

The villagers had gathered at the entrance to the village, muttering quietly amongst themselves. All eyes were fixed on the direction of the oil company station, and worry was written on every face.

As the minutes ticked by, their anxiety grew, all of them fearing the worst.

The moment familiar figures appeared in their line of sight—the Village Chief and the Sheriff—the quiet entrance to the village erupted into a wave of enthusiastic cheers.

"The Sheriff’s all right! That’s great!"

"Thank God, they’ve all returned safely!"

"The culprit must have been caught! May the Spirit of All Things be praised."

...

As they reached the village entrance, Village Chief Ijiku deliberately fell a step behind and gave Feng Shan a meaningful look. The intention was clear: he wanted Feng Shan to say a few words to the villagers.

Feng Shan, of course, understood the chief’s intention and gave a slight nod.

He walked before the villagers, a warm smile on his face, and raised his arm, waving it gently to signal for quiet.

The bustling village entrance gradually fell silent, and the villagers all watched Feng Shan with anticipation.

"Everyone,"

Feng Shan cleared his throat, his voice ringing out loud and clear. "I have good news for everyone."

He paused for effect before continuing.

"The bastard who hurt Lina has been caught in Dead Horse Town."

A wave of laughter and cheers erupted from the crowd, and much of the worry vanished from their faces, but they quieted again to hear what else Feng Shan had to say.

"He will be brought to justice," Feng Shan added, his tone firm. "I promise you, he’ll spend the next twenty years in prison atoning for his crime."

The moment he finished speaking, a deafening cheer erupted from the crowd.

The villagers’ faces were flushed with excitement. Some waved their arms, others hugged each other in celebration, and a few even jumped for joy.

At that, Village Chief Ijiku stepped forward. "Go tell Lina the good news! The rest of you, prepare some food. We must thank our Sheriff!"

The small village, once steeped in grief and anger, finally welcomed a moment of warmth.

These Indigenous People had suffered so much injustice and mistreatment in their daily lives, and most of the time, they could only endure it silently.

And so now, to feel even this small measure of justice was like a beam of light piercing the darkness, rekindling their hope for the future.

It let them believe that in this land, justice would not, in the end, be absent.

Everyone turned and bustled about. Some ran toward Lina’s home, while others returned to their own houses to prepare a feast. The entire village was enveloped in a joyous atmosphere.

Just as Noiksoth Village was immersed in its joy, a row of navigation lights appeared in the dim sky, blinking like red stars.