Under the protection of a contingent of tribal police, Feng Shan and Jie Luo arrived at the clinic.

The doctor was still trying to figure out how to treat the injured men when several tribal police officers burst into the room and began brutally dragging them toward the door.

"No, I don’t want to go! Save me!"

"I was wrong! I want to see the state police!"

"Can someone call my brother? I’m begging you."

At that moment, the faces of Jim and the four other injured men were filled with terror and unease as they screamed and pleaded for help.

They knew that tribal police operated differently from state police. The state police would at least follow the law, but the tribal police wouldn’t. They followed the ancient traditions of their tribe.

"What are you doing? They’re still receiving treatment!" The doctor stepped forward, blocking the door with his arms outstretched, and condemned the tribal police for their savage and brutal behavior.

An Indian tribal police officer coldly pushed the doctor aside. "We have our own hospital. They’ll receive the best treatment."

HA!!

Who didn’t know the popular joke that made the rounds in Alaska?

The Indians claim they have the best hospitals.

They use a mix of grass, tree bark, and plant ash as prescription medicine.

The doctor wanted to laugh, but upon seeing the tribal officer’s icy gaze, he wisely stepped aside and let the injured men be dragged out of the clinic.

Outside the clinic, Village Chief Hale watched helplessly as the men were swept away by the tribal police toward the airport. He then turned to Jie Luo.

"Officer, can I go with you? As the village chief, it’s my responsibility to handle this matter."

’You!’

Jie Luo gave a sarcastic smile and shook his head.

Based on Feng Shan’s brief description, this gang had been entrenched in Mangting Village for so many years that it was impossible for them not to have a backer. And that backer was very likely the village chief standing right in front of him. This kind of situation was all too common in Alaska.

’He wants to go with us for no other reason than he’s afraid of being sold out.’

"Sorry, Mr. Chief, you’d better stay in Mangting Village and wait for the state police investigation."

After rejecting Chief Hale’s request, Jie Luo looked at Feng Shan.

"Feng, are you leaving with us?"

Feng Shan nodded.

’I definitely can’t stay in this village. I just had the local thugs arrested. If there are any who got away, it’s not worth the risk of them taking a potshot at me in the middle of the night.’

Just then.

A raging inferno shot into the sky, illuminating the night. The scorching flames were like a ferocious beast, clawing its way toward the heavens.

Feng Shan and the others were stunned by the sudden sight. The villagers broke into a panic-stricken discussion.

"That’s the Red Salmon Bar."

"Oh no, is this Jim’s men getting revenge on Demi?"

"I told you we shouldn’t have let outsiders into Mangting Village."

"Hurry up and put out the fire! Demi is still inside the bar! Go!"

Amid the discussions, a small group of villagers wanted to fight the fire, but when they saw that the people next to them weren’t moving, they hesitated as well.

These people were struggling internally. Their gazes flickered between the blaze and the other villagers, their hearts filled with conflict.

On one hand, they were worried about the fire; on the other, they were afraid of retaliation.

In the end, they didn’t take that step. They just stood there, watching as the fire grew larger and larger.

Feng Shan sighed to himself, no longer holding any illusions about this village.

He had originally thought that by helping them get rid of the bad guys, the villagers would unite. Reality, however, had sorely disappointed him.

The villagers’ hesitation and the indifference of others showed Feng Shan the selfishness and cowardice of this village.

Feng Shan was about to ask Jie Luo to send men to fight the fire.

Just then.

A figure emerged from the direction of the burning bar. She was carrying a backpack and dragging a sled, upon which rested a piece of wood.

If he wasn’t mistaken, it was the sign from the Red Salmon Bar.

The corners of Feng Shan’s mouth turned up slightly. He crossed his arms and waited for the show to begin.

The figure walked into the crowd. When the residents saw Demi and the sign, they immediately understood what had happened.

Demi was the one who had set the bar on fire.

"Boss, I’ve decided to work for you!" Demi pulled out a bottle of rum and handed it to Feng Shan. "This is the last bottle of Salmon Rum."

’Not bad.’

’There’s still one interesting person left in this village.’

Feng Shan smiled, took the bottle, and handed it to Jie Luo. "Buddy, help me get her to the Crown Territory. Here’s the money for her ticket."

Not understanding the situation, Jie Luo took the bottle. His eyes scanned over Demi’s face and figure, and a knowing smile, one understood by all men, appeared on his face.

"Buddy, leave it to me. You can rest assured, I won’t let a single hair on her head be harmed."

Feng Shan then looked at Demi. "You leave with Mr. Jie Luo first. When you get to the Crown Territory, tell Tom about the bar. She can sort out whatever equipment you need."

The two groups met up and headed for the airport runway.

The villagers of Mangting Village watched with longing as the group departed, their eyes filled with complex emotions.

Perhaps there was a trace of guilt for not showing the courage and unity they should have at a critical moment. Or perhaps there was a hint of envy, envying Demi’s decisiveness in leaving to seek a better future.

On the airport runway, Feng Shan declined Jie Luo’s invitation to rest at the Wild Bull Tribe Reserve and instructed Demi to start preparing for the new tavern as soon as she reached the Crown Territory.

After that, the two parties said a friendly goodbye and boarded their respective planes to depart.

....

Flying a bush plane at night is very dangerous.

However, Feng Shan had equipped the Carnation with an avionics system, which ensured relatively safe flight even at night.

At the Mangting Village airport, the staff refueled the Carnation. Not wanting to waste any more time, Feng Shan immediately set off in the direction indicated by his divination.

In the night sky, the Carnation was like a bolt of lightning, tearing through the silent darkness as it carried them south.

「Four hours later.」

The Carnation appeared over a vast, boundless sea.

In the darkness, the sea surface was like a giant swath of black silk, mysterious and profound.

The waves swelled gently, making a low sound. The Carnation’s lights cast faint, flickering shadows on the water’s surface as the plane moved forward.

Looking down from high above, the endless sea made one feel small and alone.

Feng Shan sat in the cockpit, his eyes fixed on the navigation map. According to the display, the Carnation was currently over the Bering Sea.

According to the vague directions from his divination, the target was still to the south.

But if he kept flying this way, he would soon cross the border and enter the Russian Sea Area.

The navigation map showed that the closest possible stop was the Prirazlomnaya Islands. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

It was known as one of the most remote and isolated communities in the United States.

’Perhaps the killer is hiding on the Prirazlomnaya Islands. No wonder no one could find them.’

Checking the fuel, he saw the tank was still more than half full, more than enough to reach the Prirazlomnaya Islands. Feng Shan immediately turned off the autopilot, took manual control, and pushed the throttle, accelerating toward the target islands.

...

The Prirazlomnaya Islands.

A group of islands in the Bering Sea, located 360 kilometers north of the Aleutian Islands. They belong to the state of Alaska in the United States and consist of four volcanic islands: Saint Paul Island, Saint George Island, Otter Island, and Walrus Island.

Total area: 466 square kilometers.

Population: 684 people.

「Half an hour later.」

He could now faintly make out two islands. The beam of a lighthouse slowly rotated, cutting through the dark night sky as if waving to a distant visitor.

As the Carnation gradually approached the islands, their outlines became clearer and clearer.

The islands had rolling hills and lush trees, presenting a mysterious sight in the darkness.

Inside the cockpit, Nash and Wawa’s exhausted spirits lifted at the sight of land.

’Two islands. Now I have to figure out which one the killer is on.’

Feng Shan randomly chose one and flew the plane toward it, leaving the rest to his divination.

As he neared the airspace over Saint George Island, the divination gave him a northward pointing.

’It’s on Saint Paul Island.’

With his target confirmed, Feng Shan didn’t hesitate, piloting the Carnation toward Saint Paul Island.

Soon, under the guidance of the island’s airport staff, he landed on the runway.

"Buddy, where’d you guys fly in from this late?" a spirited young man asked curiously, shining a flashlight as he approached the runway and watched the three of them emerge from the cockpit.

"From Mangting Village!" Feng Shan replied, stretching his stiff legs.

’Good God!’

Flying from Mangting Village to the Prirazlomnaya Islands is a journey of over 700 kilometers, and in a bush plane, no less.

"You guys are crazy!" the young man said, shaking his head in shock.

"Is there a hotel on the island? All I want to do right now is sleep!" Feng Shan had no time for small talk.

He had spent the entire day flying, and just when he finally got a chance to rest in Mangting Village, he ran into some shortsighted robbers. Now, he just wanted to find a bed and get a comfortable night’s sleep.

"Of course! The Gray-Eyed Snow Crab Inn is at your service 24 hours a day!" The young man gave a knowing smile. "I can give you a ride. The fare is 20 US Dollars."

SWISH!

A 20 US Dollar bill appeared in Feng Shan’s hand.

"Buddy, you can start your service now."

"No problem!" The young man snatched the bill, hopped into a Pickup Truck parked beside the runway, started it up, and stuck his head out. "Get in."

「Two minutes later.」

The Pickup Truck stopped in front of a two-story wooden house. The young man grinned.

"We’re here. Thanks for your business."

"You make money faster than the Federal Reserve can print it," Feng Shan said, giving a thumbs-up of mock admiration as he opened the truck door.

"Aunt Lucy’s snow crab soup is pretty good. I suggest you try it." The young man couldn’t stop grinning, having made 20 US Dollars in two minutes, and offered a heartfelt suggestion.

Feng Shan gave him an international gesture, then turned and led Nash and Wawa into the wooden inn.

The wooden door bumped against a wind chime, creating a crisp, pleasant sound.

The inn’s interior was decorated with a homey warmth.

Warm yellow light spilled onto the wooden floors and furniture, creating a comfortable and tranquil atmosphere.

The walls of the hallway were covered with photographs, each featuring different people.

The people in the photos had various expressions and poses: some were beaming with smiles, some were focused intently, while others carried a hint of faint sadness.

Perhaps they were travelers who had once stayed here, leaving behind their footprints and memories.

Just as the three of them walked into the front hall, looking for the innkeeper...

MEOW!!

A fat cat appeared from out of nowhere and clumsily waddled over to Feng Shan. Seemingly smelling the scent of Coca-Cola on him, it raised its tail and began circling his feet.

Then, a door opened, and a kind-looking old woman emerged, wearing a softly colored shawl.

Her hair was slightly gray, her face was lined with the marks of time, but her eyes revealed a gentle and kind nature.

Seeing Feng Shan and the others, the old woman gave a warm smile, as if welcoming long-lost family.

"Children, I am Margaret, the owner of this inn. How can I help you?"

Feng Shan stepped forward politely. "Hello, ma’am. Do you have any rooms available?"

Margaret looked at the attire of Feng Shan’s group and gave a slight bow. "I’m sorry, there’s only one room left. If you’re willing to sleep on the floor, it should be able to accommodate you."

"No problem, ma’am," Feng Shan nodded quickly.

"Follow me." Old Margaret gave a warm smile and slowly took a key from the wall. "Follow me. The room is on the second floor. The time for hot water is over for tonight. If you want to shower, the water is on at 9 in the morning and 8 at night. If you’re not having breakfast, let me know in advance so I don’t prepare it for you."

"We’ll have breakfast," Feng Shan called from behind.

Margaret led them to a room on the second floor and opened the door.

"The blankets are in the closet. I hope you have sweet dreams."

....