Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Allocating Stone Houses
The village chief and the clan patriarch hurried over, their faces filled with curiosity and anticipation. Villagers gathered around in droves as well, eager to see the people who were about to become their new neighbors. In the crowd, a few children peeked out inquisitively, their eyes sparkling with excitement. The adults whispered among themselves, thoroughly intrigued by the arrival of these strangers.
The lead government officer stepped forward and, in a flat, indifferent tone, gave a brief overview of Ling Qianjun and his group. The village chief, the patriarch, and the rest of the villagers pricked up their ears, listening intently while discreetly sizing up the newcomers from the corners of their eyes. Some even silently counted on their fingers—tallying the number of children, the elderly, and the able-bodied adults.
Once the introduction was over, the government officers officially handed the group over to the village chief and the patriarch. The exiles’ criminal records would be kept on file at the Lingnan Government Office. Unless they made significant contributions that warranted an official report to their superiors, it would be impossible for them to be stripped of their criminal status and granted civilian residency.
The village chief and the patriarch exchanged a glance before nodding at the government officers in understanding. After the handover, the locals watched the government officers depart until they disappeared from sight. In the end, only the villagers and the exiled crowd remained on the sandy beach, staring at each other in awkward silence.
Soon after, the villagers stepped forward one by one to greet the strangers and express their welcome. Smiles beamed on everyone’s faces, creating an incredibly harmonious atmosphere. This deeply confused Ling Qianjun and his companions. They wondered why these total strangers were so friendly to them.
However, as the conversations unfolded, the exiles gradually uncovered a secret about Haiao Village. They learned that everyone in this village shared a similar past—they had once been exiled themselves. In fact, all the locals were descendants of banished prisoners, which was why they felt neither resistance nor fear toward the new arrivals. However, they only showed their smiles after making absolutely sure why the newcomers had been punished. True villains certainly wouldn’t be welcomed here; instead, the village would actively suppress them.
Realizing they shared the same fate as these villagers, a special feeling welled up in the hearts of the exiles. They began to understand the locals’ enthusiasm and felt the warmth and inclusivity of the village. Here, they were no longer isolated outcasts, but part of a community bound by shared experiences. They exchanged stories with the villagers, deepening their mutual understanding.
Ling Qianjun and the others took the opportunity to ask the village chief and the patriarch a few questions, gaining a general idea of the locals’ history. Those who remained in the village today belonged to the Nine Clans who had been collectively punished by association in the past. In truth, they hadn’t committed any actual crimes; they were merely collateral damage. The root cause was that during a past transition of power, their ancestors had backed the wrong faction. Upon defeat, the disaster implicated all of their Nine Clans.
Those with capabilities and connections had long since escaped this place, changing their names to start anew elsewhere. The ones who stayed behind—much like their incompetent ancestors and their even less capable selves—had simply grown accustomed to life here and decided to remain.
Afterward, the village chief and the patriarch took them to select their houses. These dwellings had once belonged to the people who moved away. Now long empty, they had reverted to the village’s ownership. Because so many had left, there was an abundance of houses, so there was no worry about lacking a place to live. With a broad sweep of his arm, the village chief marked out a cluster of stone houses for them to choose from.
The core rule was simple: first come, first served.
The moment they heard this, the exiles sprinted forward madly. Ling Qianjun was the first to dash out, with Ling Qianfan following close behind.