Chapter 384: Sadness, Return to the Original Snow Pavilion Village
Ouyang Hu stood aside, silently watching the hundreds of Yan State patrol cavalry. Under the intimidation of Lin Fan and others, these once invincible elite cavalry now lowered their heads, bent over the ground, and acted as laborers. They wore heavy armor, holding hoes and shovels in their hands, and sweat flowed from their foreheads and necks, dripping onto this devastated land.
Looking at these people, Ouyang Hu's heart was filled with mixed emotions. He knew that these cavalrymen were once the executioners of the State of Yan, who massacred countless innocent villagers in Xueting Village. But now, they have become the laborers rebuilding the village, wielding the tools in their hands, silently repairing the homes they destroyed with their own hands. Ouyang Hu had an inexplicable contradiction in his heart, with hatred for these people and uneasiness about the future.
He quietly approached Lin Fan and asked in a low voice: "Brother Fan, these patrolmen... why do they want to stay? They were the executioners who killed our compatriots. Now you let them repair the village. If they rebel in the future, won't there be another massacre?"
Lin Fan did not answer immediately, but just quietly watched the patrolmen working in front of him. His eyes fell on the gradually repaired streets and houses in the distance, with a hint of complicated emotions in his eyes. This place carried too many memories and too much longing for him.
After a while, Lin Fan whispered, "Huzi, I want Xueting Village to return to its original state. This way... when my parents come back, they can find their original home."
Ouyang Hu was shocked when he heard this. He stared at Lin Fan blankly, his lips moved, wanting to say something, but he didn't say it in the end. He knew that Lin Fan's parents left when he was very young, as if they had disappeared from the world, and there has been no news since then. But Lin Fan never gave up looking for them, nor did he give up waiting. He had a deep obsession in his heart, that is, he hoped that one day his parents would be able to return to this village, to their former home.
"But..." Ouyang Hu raised his head and wanted to express his concerns. He was worried that these patrolmen were only obeying Lin Fan on the surface, and once Lin Fan and others left, they would retaliate and become demons that slaughtered the villagers again.
However, Lin Fan had already seen through his thoughts and waved his hand gently, indicating that he didn't need to say anything more.
"I understand." Lin Fan's voice was very soft, but it was filled with an unshakable determination. He turned his head and looked at Ouyang Hu, his eyes were deep, as if he could penetrate Ouyang Hu's heart. "I know these people will not be loyal, they are just afraid of us. But even so, I still hope that Xueting Village can return to its former state."
There was a trace of obsession in Lin Fan's eyes, and that obsession seemed to have crossed time and space, tightly grasping a corner of his heart. Every tree, every stone, and every house in Xueting Village was a part of his memory, and the only bond between him and his parents. He firmly believed that as long as the village was restored to its original state, his parents would one day come back here and reunite with him.
Ouyang Hu was silent. He knew that Lin Fan's obsession could not be easily shaken. This obsession was the power that kept Lin Fan going, and it was this power that made him the strong man he is today. But Ouyang Hu also understood that behind this obsession, there were huge risks.
As time went by, under the supervision of Lin Fan and others, the patrol worked desperately. For them, every hoe and every shovel was to buy time for their lives. The cultivators in the foundation-building period had profound cultivation and extraordinary physical strength, and their labor efficiency was far beyond that of ordinary people. In less than half a month, the once dilapidated Xueting Village miraculously restored its former appearance.
The stream at the entrance of the village is now clear again, and the sound of gurgling water echoes in the valley again. The damaged houses have been repaired, the streets have been paved again, and even the old locust tree at the entrance of the village has been trimmed neatly and has lush branches and leaves.
Standing at the entrance of the village, Lin Fan looked at the newly renovated village in front of him, and couldn't help but feel an indescribable excitement in his heart. He seemed to see his past self, living with his parents in this small village, simple but full of warmth. His eyes gradually became gentle, as if he was reuniting with those distant memories.
"Xueting Village...is finally recovered." Lin Fan whispered to himself, with a hint of emotion in his voice.
However, Ouyang Hu stood beside him. Although he was pleased by the scene before him, the hidden worry in his heart could not be dispelled. "Brother Fan, the village has been restored, but some people will never come back." Ouyang Hu said in a low voice, with a heavy tone in his voice.
Lin Fan's expression darkened slightly when he heard this. He knew that although Xueting Village had recovered, those lost lives would never come back. No matter how much the village was repaired, the villagers who were slaughtered by the Yan State patrol cavalry would never see the recovery of this homeland.
His parents...maybe they are no longer in this world.
This thought was like a sharp thorn, piercing deep into Lin Fan's heart. His hand slowly clenched the Qiankun Axe, and his eyes became deep and cold. Even if Xueting Village was restored to its original appearance, it could not hide the hatred and pain in his heart.
Ouyang Hu looked at Lin Fan's gloomy face and couldn't help but worry. He gently advised: "Brother Fan, I know you want to wait for your parents to come back... but some things can never be reversed."
Lin Fan did not answer, but just stood there quietly, letting the wind blow through his hair. After a long time, he said calmly: "No matter what, I will wait."
His voice was still firm, with an unquestionable obsession. For him, waiting for his parents to return has become his belief in living and the driving force that has supported him to this day.
Ouyang Hu sighed, knowing that he could not convince Lin Fan. He looked back at the patrolmen. Although they seemed obedient now, once Lin Fan and others left, they might rebel at any time and become killers to slaughter the villagers again.
Just as Ouyang Hu was about to continue speaking, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps not far away. A villager ran over in a panic, panting and saying, "Brother Fan, Brother Jin, these patrolmen worked very hard during the day, but a few of them tried to sneak away at night, but were stopped by Miss Zhong's magic."
Lin Fan frowned slightly. Sure enough, these patrolmen had not given up the idea of rebellion. Although they temporarily succumbed to the powerful force, they would counterattack as long as they had the opportunity.
He said coldly: "Catch all those patrolmen who want to escape. No need to be polite."
Ouyang Hu was shocked when he heard this, and felt a hint of murderous intent. He knew that Lin Fan had already seen through the nature of these patrolmen, but out of some obsession, Lin Fan temporarily let them go. However, these people were obviously not grateful, but were ready to take action and try to escape.
Lin Fan looked into the distance, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "Since you don't repent, there is no need to show mercy."