Chapter 913 - 913: Chain Traps

"Whoosh!"

A sharp wooden spike swiftly shot out from the ground, aiming directly at Xiao Feng's belly.

From these designs, it's evident that the person who set up the mechanisms clearly didn't intend to leave any room for survival for those who triggered them, almost one after another, intricately linked.

No time for breath was given, and the angles of attack were extremely tricky.

Just look at this moment: Xiao Feng dodged the giant net, barely had time to stand up before encountering the next mechanism, another attack emerging from underground, even for a seasoned fighter, it was hard to react.

However, Xiao Feng was far stronger than the average fighter. Sensing something was off, he immediately used his forearm as a pivot, exerted force from his waist, and rolled to the side.

Nonetheless, despite his quick reaction, his clothes still got slashed open.

From arrows flying from the wall, to the giant net from the doorpost, to the wooden spike darting from underground, this whole sequence occurred in less than half a minute.

Sun Shijie finally reacted, shouting towards the house: "Old Tie, I'm Sun Shijie from Jiuyou Town."

While speaking, Xiao Feng once again anticipated the mechanism, scrambling in a flurry.

In fact, he should have thought of it much earlier.

Could such an important thing really be placed defenselessly just in the yard?

According to Old Donkey's claims, the village's reluctance to relocate was mainly due to Tiebushan's staunch persistence.

And the reason for Tiebushan's persistence was precisely because of this tree that doesn't look like a tree.

Then the most basic logic would be that someone would definitely want to cut down this tree.

Correspondingly, Tiebushan couldn't possibly leave it unguarded.

Unfortunately, one wrong step rendered all words useless—it was sheer negligence that led to this situation.

"Damn it! Forgot to mention!" Old Donkey slapped his thigh anxiously: "My cousin told the villagers long ago not to get within five meters of this tree, or there's a mortal risk. I didn't think it would be this dangerous!"

Sun Shijie glanced at Xiao Feng, who was continuously darting around, evading mechanisms yet repeatedly guessing the next one correctly. Without hesitating, he rushed towards the house.

But by the time he reached the door, before he could knock, it gradually creaked open, revealing the elderly man behind it.

The old man leaned on a cane, his face a web of wrinkles like earthworms.

Eyebrows, beard, hair—all silvery white.

"Old Sun?" The old man exclaimed, somewhat emotionally.

Sun Shijie scrutinized the old man inside the door, astonished: "Old Tie, you...how did you become like this?"

But for the sound of "Old Sun," Sun Shijie could hardly recognize who he was.

Compared to five years ago, Tiebushan had indeed changed unbelievably!

Nevertheless, now clearly wasn't the time to focus on these things.

"Old Tie, quickly stop the mechanisms. He's a friend, not trying to destroy that tree of yours," Sun Shijie pointed at Xiao Feng and hastily said.

Tiebushan nodded, "Hold on!"

After speaking, he shakily closed the wooden door.

Sun Shijie understood the behavior—disabling the mechanisms must be extremely secretive, best kept unknown to everyone.

Meanwhile, Old Donkey, having experienced a series of mental shocks since the afternoon, felt somewhat numb by now.

Watching Xiao Feng perpetually dance on the knife's edge was like enjoying an action movie, an unexpectedly calm mood.

About three minutes later, the mechanisms finally stopped.

Xiao Feng immediately withdrew outside the five-meter perimeter of that unknown tree, feeling a surge of lingering fear.

Even now, had this been three months earlier, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't fall here.

Link after link, leaving no time for breath; after a long time, there's bound to be mistakes, as humans aren't perpetual machines, they can't operate without fatigue.

"Creak..."

The house door reopened, Tiebushan breathed heavily, hunching as he spoke, "Come in and have a seat."

Having said that, he turned back into the room, moving very slowly, almost like he was "shuffling" rather than walking.

Furthermore, just the act of turning around took half a minute.

Old Donkey walked in, helping Tiebushan sit inside the room.

After steadying his breath, Tiebushan spoke: "Old Sun, given my current condition, I can't host you folks. There's water in the well, a kettle in the kitchen, and tea leaves in the cupboard inside my room, make yourselves at home."

"I'll boil some water," Old Donkey volunteered.

Firstly, Xiao Feng and Sun Shijie were guests, and secondly, both had helped him, so hosting them was necessary both emotionally and logically.

Exiting the door, Old Donkey couldn't help but think, what would have happened if he hadn't met these two out-of-towners this afternoon?

Faced with robbers, saving your life must come first, letting them take everything from the car, then Little Wu wouldn't die, and he'd owe almost ten thousand yuan.

Ten thousand yuan, he worked hard year-round, only barely making that amount.

"Forget it, better not think about these useless things, take it as it comes," Old Donkey shook his head, walking towards the well by the wall.

Passing the tree in the yard, he involuntarily shivered, instinctively distancing himself, almost walking along the wall's edge.

Inside the house, Xiao Feng observed Tiebushan, seated in the Master's Chair.

The opposing figure was skeletal, with long hair, but not particularly messy—his appearance was undoubtedly weary.

"Old Tie, can I check your pulse?" Sun Shijie cautiously asked.

Tiebushan paused, then placed his hand on the table, lowering his head: "I probably don't have many days left to live, huh…"

Sun Shijie didn't respond, he walked over to check the pulse, his expression continually smiling, without any change.

This was a form of consolation. If during pulse-taking he occasionally frowned or sighed, it would be frightening enough.

In this way, maybe Tiebushan could live another two years, but due to immense psychological pressure, he might leave within half a year.

After some time, Sun Shijie withdrew his hand, smiling: "Not bad, at least better than I expected. I'll prescribe some medicine to help, it should have some effect."

"Thank you!" Tiebushan accepted Sun Shijie's proposal without hesitation.

Then, Tiebushan turned his attention to Xiao Feng, courteously saying: "Young man, your skills are impressive. Since you came with old Sun, you must have something to ask me, right?"

Initially, Tiebushan assumed Xiao Feng was Sun Shijie's disciple, but since Sun Shijie said they were "best friends across generations," that clearly wasn't the case.

With his understanding of Sun Shijie, he was sure there was nothing Sun Shijie could ask from him.

By elimination, the one seeking him must be this young man.

Xiao Feng smiled, stood up, and replied, "Indeed, I have something to discuss with you."

"What is it? Speak up."

"It's about the tree in your yard."

Tiebushan's gaze sharpened, squinting: "Old Sun should have told you that's my lifeline. Before I die, no one can take it away."

"I don't want that tree," Xiao Feng shook his head, denying it, and honestly said: "In fact, I don't even know its name or type, having it would be useless."

"Oh?" Tiebushan was genuinely confused: "Then what do you mean by it being related to my tree?"