Liu Pingkang hurried ahead and saw several large trees lying across the road, as well as the men standing on the stumps. He purposefully glanced over the axes and knives in their hands before stepping forward with clasped hands, saying to them, "Greetings, brave brothers. We meet again by chance on this road. We're on a task for the government, so I hope you'll give us some passage."
"Don't give me that spiel, Mr. Liu. We've known each other for quite some time now," said an elderly man who emerged from behind the group of men, his face full of smiles as he looked at Liu Pingkang. "I know it's not easy for you to travel, so let's stick to the usual arrangement."
"Ah, Uncle Yang, I wish you good health!" Liu Pingkang curiously examined the men behind him, "If I'm not mistaken, Uncle Yang, isn't your territory elsewhere?"
"Hahaha, you remember well. It's just that there's more mouths to feed, and this old man has to find other ways.
