CHAPTER 680: CHAPTER 673: A STEP TOO LATE

When Sisi and the others descended the mountain, Shangguan and his group had already arrived. Seeing the miserable state of the two little ones filled everyone with rage, though the predominant feeling was fear. Luckily, Tian Xinhua noticed the scattered footprints on the road, otherwise, had they missed them, who knows what would have happened to the children stranded on the mountain late at night?

"Mo Liu is still in their hands. Du Du said they are heading to the coast. We estimate this group is likely going to the coast of S Province to board a ship to R Country," Tian Xinhua said solemnly.

"Then let’s hurry and chase them! If Ah Liu is taken to R Country, it will be difficult to handle!" Zhong Anmei urged.

Shangguan Qing glanced at the two battered children before speaking: "Alright then, us men will go after them. You ladies should return home and take the kids back to rest."

No one objected, and after some thought, Sisi opened the car trunk and took out two large oil cans from Space.

"These are filled with gasoline. You can use them to refuel on the road," Sisi said.

Indeed, everyone’s cars were low on gas. Tian Xinhua took the oil cans to fill Yang Shu’s off-road vehicle and placed the remaining fuel in the trunk.

"The three of us will take this car. Ah Xi, please help take them back home," Tian Xinhua said to Ah Xi.

Ah Xi knew he wouldn’t be much help later and nodded in agreement.

When Sisi and the others returned to the courtyard, dawn was breaking. Mrs. Yang saw the two miserable children and felt as if she were being cut with a knife, hurriedly bathing, changing, and tending to their wounds. Luckily, the injuries were superficial, and under the effect of medicinal wine, the wounds did not fester or inflame.

In all the misfortune, there was some fortune!

Tian Xinhua and his group returned when the sun was fully up, but they did not bring Mo Liu back.

"Three durian trucks were found at the fruit market in H Province. Brother Lei and his team weren’t there. Fruit market people said those selling durians switched to a van," Tian Xinhua said.

The group fell silent upon hearing this. With countless vans nationwide, finding the one with Mo Liu was as hard as reaching the heavens.

"After breakfast, I’ll head to S Province. They want to go to R Country—I’ll just wait there. Planes are always faster than cars," Yang Shu reassured everyone.

"I’ll go too!" Sisi and Shangguan said in unison.

After breakfast, Tian Xinhua drove back to T City for an important meeting he needed to chair today. His son was found, giving him some peace of mind. Although he’s anxious about Mo Liu, his son’s safety is paramount.

Sisi, Shangguan, and their group quickly packed and boarded a plane to S Province, arriving at Q City by noon.

Unfamiliar with the area, they dared not inquire randomly and spent money to hire a local hoodlum to gather information. Their luck was good; this young thug was well-versed in the local scene and soon led them to the shore, where they found Brother Yu.

Brother Yu’s official job was a fisherman, but secretly, he was the largest human trafficker in the area. Being closest to R Country, it was just over a 30-hour sea journey, typically overnight, which is why many nationwide sought Brother Yu for help to reach R Country for work.

Sisi and Shangguan remained silent outside, knowing that such figures in the underworld seldom liked interacting with women—especially those living off the sea, who viewed women as bad luck.

Brother Yu was quite satisfied with Shangguan and Sisi’s tact, and since Yang Shu was generous and only wanted to ask a few questions, he cooperated.

Yang Shu emerged with a stern face, saying, "They have not come here."

"Not here? Then which coast did they mean? Where else can they go to R Country?" Sisi raised her voice.

Yang Shu shook his head: "All cities along this coast can reach R Country; it’s just unclear which city they’ve headed to. But Brother Yu said the most likely is D City. It’s also possible to reach R Country from there, though it’s farther."

The trio rushed to D City, and by the time they arrived, it was already dark. Yang Shu used the same approach to find the person in charge of crossing the sea at D City’s shore.

Whom they found wasn’t the biggest local power, though he was somewhat notorious.

This person wasn’t as forthcoming as Brother Yu and was greedy for money. Only after Yang Shu offered ten thousand yuan did he spill the truth.

"There was such a person, prettier than a woman but seemingly unhealthy. The rest were R Country nationals. It’s bewildering, returning home secretly like that?" The man spat and opened up.

Sisi and the others felt their hearts sink, for they were indeed one step too late—Mo Liu had already been taken away.

"It looks like we have to go to R Country. Ah Liu is surely taken to Tanaka Baihui’s Sakura Manor," Sisi exhaled and said.

"I’ll go with you," Shangguan, still feeling guilty about losing Mo Liu and the kids, spoke up without hesitation.

"Let’s head back to discuss this. We need visas anyway, and it won’t be quick," Yang Shu said.

Mo Liu was already at sea, leaving them no good options despite their urgency. However, the man said the boat would float at sea for four or five days at least, so they had a five- or six-day buffer period.

Returning to G City, everyone sat together again as Sisi updated them on Mo Liu’s situation and expressed the intention to rescue Mo Liu in R Country.

Of course Tian Xinhua was uneasy about Sisi going to R Country. After thinking it over, he said, "Alright, today is Tuesday. I’ll call Mr. Yun to prepare some passports for us, and on Friday, I’ll go with you to R Country."

Yang Shu voiced that he would go too, for how could he not follow his wife?

In this manner, the travel party bound for R Country grew to four.

Brother Lei’s group was handed over to Shangguan Qing.

"Rest assured, I’ll ensure they personally spend a night on the mountain," Shangguan Qing grinned, his seemingly bright smile giving a chilling feel.

Mr. Yun, upon hearing the plight of the two little ones, grew angrier than Sisi. He scolded them harshly and urged them to bring the little ones promptly back to stay at Yun Mansion.

Luo Datou moved swiftly as usual, and by the time Sisi and the others brought the kids to Capital City, four passports were neatly laid out before them, all under aliases.

Sisi still had that adorable name—Zhu Zhu.

Considering the fearsome reputation of Daoji Association, Sisi prepared thoroughly, stocking up medicines, wine, and more.

However, when it was almost time to leave, one more person joined their group, Qiao Xingbang.

Upon learning that Mo Liu was also in trouble, and still related to Miyazaki Shin, Qiao Xingbang couldn’t stay put. Mo Liu was, after all, the younger brother-in-law of his dear wife.

Coupled with Luo Linglong and Xue Yi’s injuries, the fresh grudge combined with old enmities. When Qiao Xingbang heard Sisi wanted to go to R Country to rescue Mo Liu, he joined without hesitation.