Landlord in the Arctic

Chapter 418: Chapter 306: Fellow Travelers

Just then, the ground began to tremble slightly.

At first, the tremors were faint, just an odd feeling in the air. But before long, the vibrations grew stronger.

Then, a massive herd of cattle appeared over a nearby hill. The sight was spectacular.

The herd was like a flash flood, charging menacingly across the road and kicking up a huge cloud of dust. With hooves thundering like a storm, they stampeded in their direction.

The rumbling was deafening, as if the very earth itself was trembling.

And behind the herd, dozens of riders on horseback came into view.

They were all dressed in colorful Indian garments, their outfits exceptionally bright under the sun.

The Indians held rifles, letting out loud whoops as they drove the herd. They steered the cattle straight toward Bao Wen and his men while fanning out to encircle the large tree.

"Did you call for all these people?" Feng Shan asked, a flicker of surprise on his face as he took in the grand spectacle.

’I thought Nash had just called a few Indians over for backup.’

’Who knew he’d bring such a huge group of Indians.’

「Meanwhile.」

On Highway 20, a Pickup Truck roared toward Baird Town like a metal beast, moving at lightning speed.

The roar of its engine shattered the highway’s calm. Its wheels kicked up a trail of dust that billowed in its wake, a unique signature of its passing speed.

Inside sat five tough-looking men, each with sharp eyes and a cold, indifferent expression.

In terms of their demeanor, they bore some resemblance to Yves and the three retired veterans from the Crown Territory.

With the sudden appearance of the cattle, the members of the Zorro Gang could no longer focus on Feng Shan.

Facing the surging herd, they scattered in a panic, afraid of being hit by the stampeding cattle.

A stampeding herd, after all, was incredibly dangerous.

Each animal weighed over a thousand pounds, a mass of muscle with hard, long horns.

Anyone who accidentally fell beneath their hooves would be instantly and mercilessly trampled.

They’d be reduced to a pile of pulp, absorbed into the arid soil.

Feng Shan, however, was quick-witted. As soon as he saw the herd charge across the road, he pulled Nash behind the large tree, using its trunk as a shield to escape the immediate chaos and danger.

The two of them stood behind the tree, watching the powerful longhorns thunder past. Gusts of hot wind and dust swirled around them, whipping at their faces.

Yet both of them remained perfectly calm. Feng Shan even nonchalantly picked up a piece of barbecued meat and, while eating it, waved a greeting to Bao Wen on the other side.

Bao Wen, however, was in a miserable state. He could only stare at Feng Shan’s triumphant expression from across the dense, stampeding herd.

He was so angry he could grind his teeth, but there was nothing he could do.

The dozen or so meters separating them, a gap carved out by the herd, felt like an impassable chasm.

Though the distance wasn’t great, it seemed like an uncrossable gulf.

There was simply no way to get near Feng Shan, let alone execute any kidnapping plan.

Damn it!!

Bao Wen cursed viciously. He knew.

’The kidnapping is a total failure. If I stick around any longer, those Indians will surround me, and I’ll be trapped.’

At this thought, he gritted his teeth and decided to flee to Mexico first.

’I’ll lay low for a while. Once the heat dies down, I’ll come back and get my revenge.’

’Besides, once I’m in Mexico, not even the FBI can touch me.’

So, Bao Wen turned and ran for his vehicle parked on the side of the road.

But before he could reach it, an Indian on horseback blocked his path, leveling a rifle at him. The rider shouted in English, his accent a bit stiff.

"White man, drop your weapon, surrender."

Bao Wen’s heart sank. He knew resisting now would be suicide. Reluctantly, he dropped his pistol and raised his hands high, a picture of utter defeat.

More Indians on horseback had appeared to his side, cutting off any path of retreat.

Even if he could have gotten past the man in front, there was no way he could break through the encirclement on his flank.

Soon, the tide of cattle surged past the clearing, leaving a scene of total devastation in its wake.

The neatly arranged tables and chairs were knocked over and scattered, some smashed to pieces. The barbecue grill had been trampled into a mangled heap of scrap metal.

A few unlucky members of the Zorro Gang hadn’t been quick enough to dodge and were hit hard by the cattle.

They were sent flying like broken sacks, landing heavily on the ground and letting out piercing screams.

Just then, the unfamiliar Indian herdsmen rode up to the large tree. One of them, a dark-skinned, middle-aged man wearing a feathered headdress, was particularly eye-catching.

He dismounted and walked with a steady gait toward Nash. He first crossed his hands over his shoulders, then bowed slightly. In English that was stiff yet solemn, he said,

"Welcome, brother of the Bear Tribe from the distant land of ice and snow."

Seeing this, Nash quickly returned the gesture. "Thank you, brother of the Kikapu Tribe, son of the Five Great Lakes."

After they spoke, the two men looked at each other and smiled, an unspoken understanding seeming to flow between them.

Then, after completing their traditional greetings, they embraced warmly, the air thick with the feeling of kinship.

"Brother of the Kikapu, this is our tribe’s Guardian Spirit, Khilla," Nash said, proudly introducing Feng Shan. His expression was that of someone revealing his tribe’s most precious treasure.

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged Indian’s eyes flew wide open. His face filled with shock and disbelief, his mouth hanging slightly agape. It took him a long moment to recover his senses before he said excitedly, "By the grace of the Spirit of All Things! Your tribe has actually found its Guardian Spirit again. This is truly wonderful news."