26: Chapter 26 A Choice in the Dead of Night

Li Xin's hand, which was just about to hail a taxi, froze abruptly.

He found a spot on the side of the road and sat down casually. The streetlamp's glow fell softly onto his face. His cheeks were burning slightly, and his breathing had lost its rhythm, but his eyes were startlingly bright. Even his usually composed brows and eyes were reflecting the uncontrollable excitement surging within him.

That system message from just a moment ago was still fresh in his mind.

[ Detected large gold mine signal. Location: Border area between Yunnan, China, and Myanmar. Distance from current location: Approximately 1,200 kilometers. Estimated gold content: Over 50 tons. Note: This time, only a general location is provided; the host must explore and find it personally. ]

Fifty tons of gold. Despite the thrills of gold panning he had experienced over this period, his heart was still uncontrollably pounding. He sat by the roadside, struggling to calm himself for a good while before he finally quieted down.

He calculated silently in his mind, "Damn, fifty tons of gold. At current gold prices, it's worth over two billion USD."

Two billion USD.

If he were still moving bricks at the construction site, he would only earn 150 a day. But now, in less than two months by any estimation, he had already acquired nearly five tons of gold. However, those five tons had been scraped together by scavenging and picking up scraps everywhere.

This time is different. Fifty tons—this is definitely getting rich overnight.

He stood up. The night view of Shenzhen unfolded at his feet, with thousands of lights and traffic flowing like a woven tapestry. Yet, his mind was on Yunnan, thinking of the vast, boundless mountains on the border between China and Myanmar.

"System," he asked inwardly, "Can you provide a more precise location for this gold mine?"

[ System: Precise coordinates cannot be provided at this time. The host must search based on external clues. Once the host arrives in the area of the gold mine, the system can perform a precise Scan. ]

Search it himself!

That meant he had to rely on himself to locate this gold mine.

Li Xin frowned, turned around, and went back to the office to check on the computer.

He returned to the office, sat down at his desk, and opened his laptop.

He typed several keywords into the search bar: "Yunnan China-Myanmar border gold mine," "Myanmar gold mine distribution," and "Western Yunnan gold mine geology."

Web pages popped up one by one. He browsed through them quickly, copying useful information into a document.

There were indeed gold mines in the China-Myanmar border region, and quite a few of them. The areas around Tengchong, Yingjiang, and Longchuan had historically been gold-producing regions. Not to mention Myanmar, where the gold reserves in Kachin State were quite substantial.

But the range given by the system was too vague.

"The border area between Yunnan and Myanmar"—this boundary line was over a thousand kilometers long, spanning several cities and prefectures. If he searched inch by inch, he had no idea how long it would take.

No, he had to narrow down the range.

He thought for a moment, picked up his phone, and called Chen Hu.

"Boss." The phone was answered after one ring; Chen Hu's voice was so alert that it didn't sound like he had been sleeping.

"Chen Hu, are you familiar with Yunnan?"

"Yunnan? I've been there a few times, and I've traveled around the border area as well. Does the boss want to go there?"

"Yes, the China-Myanmar border. Is there anything I should know about it?"

Chen Hu was silent for a few seconds. "The environment there is quite complicated. It's mountainous, the roads are difficult to traverse, and since it's close to the border line, the Patrol Team is strict with checks. In some places on the other side, there are local armed forces active; ordinary people can't get in."

"What if I want to go in?"

"Is the boss going there for business?" Chen Hu's voice remained steady. "Do you need me to prepare anything?"

"Not for now." Li Xin leaned back in his chair. "If I want to enter those deep, old forests, what identity do you think would be least likely to arouse suspicion?"

"Pretend to be a villager collecting herbs." Chen Hu blurted out, "There has always been a tradition of collecting herbs there, and mountain folk often go into the mountains to dig for wild medicinal herbs. If you act as a villager entering the mountains to collect herbs, the locals won't find it strange, and the Patrol Team won't pay much attention either."

A villager collecting herbs.

Li Xin's lips curled up slightly. This was a good idea. He was a student, didn't look aggressive, and if he changed into local clothes and carried a bamboo basket, who would suspect a young man collecting herbs?

"Alright, I understand. Get ready over the next few days and wait for my notification."

"Understood."

After hanging up, Li Xin researched some more information online, getting a rough idea of the terrain, climate, and traffic conditions in Yunnan.

Then, he opened the system panel and took a look at his data.

[ Gold Search and Refining System 2.0 ]

[ Host: Li Xin ]

[ Current Level: Level 8 ]

[ Detection Range: 990 meters ]

[ Cumulative Refined Gold: 3.1757 tons ]

[ Gold Required for Next Level-Up: 10 tons ]

He was still seven tons short of leveling up. But if he could find those fifty tons this time, it would not only be enough to level up, but he would also have over forty tons left over.

Over forty tons of gold, plus the two hundred million plus in cash he had on hand, would be enough for him to expand his business territory by another magnitude.

He turned off the computer, stood up, and paced around the office twice.

His mind was calculating one thing—how to ask for leave.

He was a junior now. Although he didn't have many classes left, disappearing suddenly for a few days required a reason. He had already used several excuses for previous leaves; telling the truth was definitely out, and if he told a lie, it had to be watertight.

He thought for a moment, picked up his phone, and sent a message to his counselor: "Teacher Zhang, I've caught a cold these past two days, and my throat hurts badly. I'd like to ask for three days of leave to go back to my hometown to rest."

After sending it, he felt it wasn't convincing enough, so he added: "The temperature difference in Dubai was too great, and I haven't been feeling well since I got back. It's been getting worse these past two days."

After sending it, he opened the school's academic affairs system and checked his schedule for the next few days. Fortunately, they were all elective courses, so skipping them wouldn't affect anything.

He also sent a message to Luo Maifa: "Maifa, I'm going back to my hometown tomorrow. I've asked for three days of leave."

Luo Maifa replied instantly: "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I caught a cold, going back to rest for a couple of days."

"Is it serious? Do you want me to go with you?"

"No need, it's a minor ailment. Help me keep an eye on Yang Hong; don't let him push himself too hard."

"Alright, don't worry. By the way, my dad said the company made over 300,000 last month, and your share of the profits has been transferred to your card. Check it."

Li Xin opened his mobile banking app and took a look; sure enough, there was a transfer of over 120,000. He put his phone down, his lips curling up slightly.

Xinfa Logistics was running more and more smoothly now; Uncle Luo's management ability was indeed strong. With the one million he had invested, the company had bought new vehicles, expanded its premises, and landed several big clients, with profits rising every month.

Things were also progressing smoothly with Yang Hong. The office renovation was finished, the first batch of employees had been recruited, and product development was working overtime. According to Yang Hong, the first version would be ready in two more weeks.

Qiang Zi's security company had also been registered, the business license had just come through, and they were recruiting. Zhao Tiezhu's breakfast shop was booming, with daily revenue of several thousand; at this rate, he would break even in a few months.

Everything was moving in a good direction.

Li Xin stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the nightscape outside, and took a deep breath.

Fifty tons of gold.

This treasure hunt must succeed.

He turned off the office lights again, locked the door, and took the elevator downstairs. When he reached the building entrance, the night wind blew over, carrying a wave of damp heat. In June, Shenzhen was stiflingly hot even at night.

He hailed a taxi, gave the address, and prepared to return to school.

In the car, he opened the system panel again to take a look. A detection range of 990 meters was neither big nor small. If the gold mine was buried deep, he would have to get very close to be able to Scan it.

This meant he might have to wander in the mountains for a long time.

But he had no other choice. The system didn't provide precise coordinates, so he could only rely on his own judgment and the system's scanning ability to search area by area.

Back at the dormitory, Luo Maifa wasn't asleep yet and was lying on the bed scrolling through his phone. Seeing him return, he poked his head out and asked, "Back? Did you eat?"

"Yeah."

"You caught a cold and you're still running around?" Luo Maifa frowned. "Hurry up and wash up and go to sleep. What time is your train tomorrow?"

"The high-speed train after 8:00 AM."

"Should I take you to the station tomorrow?"

"No need, I'll just take a taxi myself."

"Alright." Luo Maifa retreated back into his quilt. "Then stay safe and send me a message when you arrive."

"Okay."

Li Xin washed up, lay on the bed, and closed his eyes.

But his mind kept racing. He was thinking about how to get past using the identity of a villager collecting herbs, how to deal with border checks, the mountain roads, the Patrol Team, and that fifty tons of gold, and so on.

He turned over, forcing himself not to think about these things.

But he still couldn't sleep.

He turned over again, took out his phone, and checked the time; it was already 1:00 AM.

Forget it, stop thinking.

He closed his eyes and silently planned the route in his mind: first take the high-speed train from Shenzhen to Kunming, then transfer to a county town near the border, and then rent a car or hitchhike into the mountains. Once he reached the mountainous area, he would have to rely on his own two legs.

As for equipment, he couldn't bring too much stuff; it would be too conspicuous. A backpack, change of clothes, a few bottles of water, some dry rations, a flashlight, an entrenching tool, and a tent, etc.—but these could all be put into the space.

Right, he also had to buy a set of clothes for an herb collector, a bamboo basket, and herb-collecting tools; he would buy these when he arrived locally, no rush.

Thinking of this, he felt a bit more at ease.

"System," he asked inwardly, "Do you have any suggestions for this treasure hunt?"

[ System: It is suggested that the host make full preparations. The terrain in this area is complex, and it is close to the border line, posing certain security risks. It is suggested that the host summon the Armed Squad to accompany him. ]

Li Xin thought for a moment and shook his head. The Armed Squad was too conspicuous; five strong men entering the mountains would be too eye-catching. He would find it easier to get things done alone.

"Can I summon one person? Just one."

[ System: Yes. Members of the Armed Squad can be summoned individually; there is no need for all of them to be deployed. ]

"Alright then, I'll see how the situation develops."

He turned over, finally feeling a bit sleepy.

The night outside the window was deep; in the dormitory, there was only the sound of his roommates' even breathing.

Li Xin closed his eyes, ran through tomorrow's itinerary in his head, and then fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, he woke up.

He climbed out of bed quietly, washed up, and changed into the simplest clothes.

He set off with an old backpack stuffed with a few changes of clothes and toiletries.

Luo Maifa was still sleeping, snoring loudly enough to shake the sky.

Li Xin glanced at him, pushed the door open gently, and walked out.

At the school gate, a taxi was already waiting.

He got in the car and gave the address of the high-speed railway station.

"Going on a long trip alone?" The driver was a middle-aged man in his forties who asked casually.

"Yeah, going back to my hometown." Li Xin leaned back against the seat, his voice a bit hoarse—not faked, as he really hadn't slept well last night.

"Caught a cold?"

"A little."

"Drink more hot water, young man. Don't take it lightly just because you're young and healthy."

"Thanks, driver."

The car drove onto the highway, and the sky outside began to brighten. Li Xin watched the city receding rapidly outside the window, running through today's itinerary in his head again.

Arriving at the high-speed railway station, he picked up his ticket, passed security, and found the ticket gate.

There were many people in the waiting hall. He found a seat in a corner, took out his phone, and sent a message to Luo Maifa: "I'm leaving, I'll message you when I arrive."

Luo Maifa didn't reply; he was probably still sleeping.

He also sent a message to Yang Hong: "I'm going to Yunnan for a few days, call me if anything comes up."

Yang Hong replied instantly: "Yunnan? What are you going there for?"

"Have some business to attend to, I'll tell you when I get back."

"Alright, stay safe."

Li Xin put his phone in his pocket, leaned back against the seat, and closed his eyes.

The boarding announcement sounded.

He stood up and followed the crowd toward the ticket gate.

The high-speed train slowly pulled out of the station, and the city outside the window was gradually replaced by fields and mountains.

Li Xin leaned back in his seat, watching the scenery receding rapidly outside the window, and a strange, indescribable feeling suddenly welled up in his heart.

He had never even left the province.

The furthest he had ever been was taking a bus from Shenzhen to neighboring Huizhou, and that was when he was sent there while working at a construction site.

Now, he was going to Yunnan again.

Not for a trip, but to find a gold mine.

Fifty tons of gold.

His lips curled up slightly, and he closed his eyes, silently planning the route into the mountains in his mind.

The train sped on, and the scenery outside the window constantly changed.

His journey had only just begun.