Chapter 101: The Mountain Deity’s Wrath Abates

Tang Long smiled and said, “You don’t need to worry about the situation at Ghost King Cave. I’ve already assigned Lian Sheng to handle it.”

Zhang Xiu’e was momentarily taken aback and looked at Tang Long, asking, “How are you handling it?”

Seeing Tang Long’s calm expression, she frowned and said, “You’re not seriously having Lian Sheng break their leg, are you?”

Tang Long’s smile remained unchanged as he replied, “Before entering Ghost King Cave, didn’t we notify everyone not to touch or damage any of the stalactites inside? Everyone signed the ‘Entry Agreement’!”

Of course, Zhang Xiu’e knew all this, but following the ‘Entry Agreement’ strictly would have some negative consequences. After all, Fish Head Village was now a popular ‘internet-famous mountain village.’

“Maybe we should think of another way?” Zhang Xiu’e hesitated before suggesting.

Tang Long shook his head. “Think of another way? What other way is there? In front of so many people, if today’s incident spreads and we don’t enforce the rules, more people will surely start breaking them in the future!”

Zhang Xiu’e understood Tang Long’s meaning. He wanted to make an example—show everyone that the rules are rules, that the regulations set by Fish Head Village are not empty threats or mere formalities.

Before Zhang Xiu’e could say more, Tang Long’s phone rang. He took it out and, seeing the number, was slightly surprised but not entirely unexpected.

He told Zhang Xiu’e, “It’s Manager Jiang from the Fish Head Resort calling!”

Then he answered the call.

“Boss Tang, I heard there was an accident at Fish Head Village? Is it serious? Do you need any support from us? Just say the word—our big boss said, if you need people, we’ll send people; if you need strength, we’ll provide strength. We’re fully committed to helping Fish Head Village!” Jiang Xiuzhi spoke quickly and cheerfully.

Support? Today’s incident at Ghost King Cave was purely a Fish Head Village matter; no one else could really help.

“Thank you, Manager Jiang, and thanks to your big boss as well. It’s just a minor incident—we can handle it ourselves,” Tang Long replied with a smile.

The Fish Head Resort was so close to Fish Head Village that they even had personnel and informants stationed at Ghost King Cave and other scenic spots in the village. Tang Long wasn’t surprised. Although everyone had agreed on mutual benefit and cooperation, they remained competitors.

Jiang Xiuzhi, curious, asked, “Boss Tang, how do you plan to handle the accident at Ghost King Cave? You’re not really going to break someone’s leg, are you?”

She was eager to find out if Fish Head Village truly had that domineering spirit.

Tang Long laughed and asked in return, “Not really break it—what, pretend to break it? It’s all clearly stated in black and white. We warned everyone repeatedly before they entered; their ears must have been nearly worn out. If someone insists on testing the rules, Jiang Manager, would you not break their dog leg?”

Jiang Xiuzhi thought for a moment, then put on a serious face. “Boss Tang, I understand how you feel. Honestly, when I heard about this, I was very angry too. But have you considered that if this incident is spread maliciously, it could harm Fish Head Village’s reputation, even that of the entire Peach County?”

Assault is illegal, even if you have warned the other party beforehand.

“I lead the villagers to develop the economy so that the people of Fish Head Village can live well, hold their heads high, and earn respect from outsiders. If we lose our dignity and spirit, what good is money?” Tang Long said, then hung up.

Fish Head Village’s tourism was his own creation, and he hoped it would endure. But he would not sacrifice the villagers’ pride and backbone for the sake of tourism.

The people of Fish Head Village spoke with unwavering resolve; they didn’t brag, but when they said something, they meant it.

Watching Tang Long hang up, Zhang Xiu’e fell silent.

Sighing, she gently tugged on Tang Long’s arm and softly said, “This is partly my fault.”

Tang Long found her expression amusing and asked in surprise, “Fault? Those troublemakers weren’t sent by you.”

“Won’t you go check it out?” Zhang Xiu’e ignored his words and asked.

Tang Long shook his head with a smile. “Such a small matter—I trust Lian Sheng to handle it properly.”

Indeed, to Boss Tang, this was trivial. Once the rules were set, they must be followed. No one could step beyond them.

Outside the entrance to Ghost King Cave, hundreds had gathered—some just exited the cave, others were tourists hoping to enter.

“Let go! It’s just a few worthless rocks you broke off inside the cave. Damn it, we’ll pay you back at the going rate. What else do you want?” three young men grumbled, struggling as their arms were held.

“Pay?” Lian Sheng’s face darkened. “Of course you have to pay. Compensation is by weight—ten thousand yuan per gram. The two stalactites you broke weigh six or seven jin. I wonder if your parents can afford that!”

The young men froze, then shouted, “Screw you, trying to extort us? Are the stones in this damn Ghost King Cave diamonds? Everyone, help us judge! We only broke off two pieces from the cave, and these guys want to extort fifty or sixty million from us. Have you ever seen so much money?”

Lian Sheng cocked his head, sneered, and said, “It’s all written in black and white. Before entering, everyone knows Fish Head Village’s rules—damage to the stalactites means compensation by weight.”

Pausing, he continued, “Let’s put that aside for now. The legal department will handle claims and liabilities; that’s not our concern. Since you knowingly damaged the stalactites and must compensate, you should also know Fish Head Village has a strict rule... Whoever damages Ghost King Cave has their dog leg broken!”

After saying this, he gave a signal to a thin villager behind him. The man’s face darkened as he approached, holding a thick wooden stick.

“What... what are you going to do?” the restrained young man shouted, eyes wide with disbelief. He knew the rules but didn’t believe the villagers would really be so brutal as to casually break someone’s leg.

The thin villager was Zhang Guang, in his early thirties. He had worked in the mountain city but left immediately when he heard the old village chief had died. Without taking any wages, he traveled a day and night by slow train to arrive in time for the funeral, just to pay his respects and see the old chief off.

“Enough yelling!” Zhang Guang said as he walked up, wooden stick in hand. Both his arms were held by villagers behind him, so struggling was useless.

“Ghost King Cave is the faith of the people of Fish Head Village,” he declared. “You’ve destroyed our faith and must be punished!”

Turning his head, Zhang Guang suddenly knelt and shouted toward the cave behind him, “Mountain Spirit, please spare us your wrath! I, Zhang Guang, unfilial son of Fish Head Village, avenge you. Please, Mountain Spirit, do not bring disaster upon this land!”

Muttering prayers loudly, he kowtowed several times, leaving the surrounding tourists stunned and speechless.