56: Chapter 56 The Vietnamese Gold Mine is Coming Soon!

At 5:00 AM the next day, A-Jun arrived on time to knock on the door.

"It's time to get up."

Li Xin opened his eyes. The straw mat was hard, and his back still ached, but it was better than yesterday. He climbed up and used a ladle to splash water onto his face. The water was cool, making him feel much more awake.

A-Juns wife brought over sticky rice and roasted pork again.

"Dig in," A-Jun said.

Li Xin grabbed a handful of rice, stuffed a piece of pork inside, and finished it in a few quick bites. He shouldered his bag, and A-Jun picked up his machete.

"Let's go."

The two left the village. The sky was still dark, and A-Juns headlamp swung back and forth. Li Xin followed behind.

"Today we head west, over two mountain ridges," A-Jun said. "The path is harder to walk than yesterday."

"I know, you said that yesterday."

"Are you sure you want to go? You almost died yesterday."

"I didn't die. There is an old saying in my country: 'If you survive a great disaster, you are destined for future blessings.' I believe good luck is coming."

A-Jun chuckled and said nothing more.

After walking for half an hour, the sky began to brighten. The clouds were still thick, and the sun was nowhere to be seen.

"It won't rain today, will it?" Li Xin looked up at the sky and asked uncertainly.

"Hard to say. In this season, it can start pouring at any moment."

They entered the mountains. The tree canopy blocked the sky, and the light dimmed. The air was humid and stuffy, like soaking in warm water.

"The weather is still so sultry," A-Jun said with a smile.

"It sure is! I'm already sweating."

"I'm used to it."

Li Xin didn't reply. His T-shirt was soaked through again, sticking to his back. He didn't actually feel hot, but to avoid making A-Jun suspicious, he had to pretend.

The path became increasingly difficult to traverse. There was no established trail, so A-Jun used his machete to clear the way. With a single slash and a sharp crack, the vines were severed.

"Careful," A-Jun said.

A branch snapped back, whipping Li Xin across the face.

"I'm fine."

"The mark on your face from yesterday hasn't even faded yet."

"I'll live."

Three hours later, A-Jun stopped, found a rock to sit on, and took a swig from his water bottle.

"Let's take a break before moving on."

Li Xin also sat down and asked, "How much further?"

"Almost there. Once we cross that ridge ahead and walk a little further, we'll be there. What's the matter, can't walk anymore?" A-Jun said with a smile.

"You're underestimating me, let's go..." Li Xin replied to A-Jun with a smile, while quietly initiating a Scan with the system. Unfortunately, the result was still disappointing.

Let's keep going. This side is much harder to traverse than yesterday's path.

After walking for another hour or so, they reached a mountain ridge. A-Jun stopped and suddenly raised his hand.

"Don't move."

Li Xin froze, immediately becoming tense.

"Listen," A-Jun whispered.

A rustling sound came from ahead. It didn't sound like a bear; it sounded like something crawling.

"What is it?" Li Xin asked nervously.

A-Jun listened for a moment and then exhaled in relief. "Monkeys. It's nothing."

"Phew..." Li Xin let out a long sigh of relief. He was really afraid of running into that big black bear from yesterday again. Thankfully, it was just a false alarm.

They walked for about another forty minutes, and this time, there was finally some good news.

[System: Gold mine detected. Location: approximately 4600 meters directly ahead. Gold content: unknown, requires further Scan.]

Li Xin's footsteps came to a sudden halt.

"What's wrong?" A-Jun asked, turning back in confusion.

"Nothing. I just want to take a break."

Li Xin squatted down, pretending to tie his shoelaces to hide the excitement that had almost betrayed him. His heart was thumping wildly.

"You've tied those shoelaces three times now." A-Jun rolled his eyes, looking exasperated.

"Too tight, then too loose, so I'm tightening them again." Li Xin couldn't help but laugh.

A-Jun didn't ask any further questions and leaned against a tree to smoke.

After resting for a few minutes, Li Xin stood up and continued walking forward with a calm expression, though his pace had unconsciously quickened.

"Slow down," A-Jun called out from behind. "The path is slippery."

Li Xin continued as he pleased. They passed through a bamboo forest, where water droplets cascaded from the leaves, and crossed another small hill—

The view suddenly opened up. It was a valley. It wasn't large, surrounded by mountains on all sides, with a clear stream at the bottom. The banks were covered in wildflowers—red, yellow, and purple. A few butterflies fluttered among the blossoms.

"We're here," A-Jun said, catching up and looking around. "This is a nice place."

The system indicated that the gold mine was right beneath this valley.

"Let's take a break," Li Xin said.

A-Jun nodded, found a rock by the stream to sit on, took off his shoes, and soaked his feet in the water.

"This feels good," he sighed.

Li Xin walked to the center of the valley, raised his camera, and took a few photos of the surroundings. Click, click.

Then, he squatted down and pressed his hand against the ground.

"What are you doing?" A-Jun asked.

"Looking at the rocks."

"What kind of good rocks could there be in a place like this?"

"Who knows."

Li Xin thought to himself, "System, perform a precise Scan."

[Precise Scan in progress... please wait.]

A-Jun shouted from where he was, "Are you done taking photos? Come over and soak your feet; the water is cool."

"Coming right away."

[Ding... Scan complete.]

[Gold mine located 28-40 meters below current position. Ore vein width: 1.8 meters; length: 1860 meters.]

[Estimated gold content: 34.8 tons.]

[Note: No owner property, 100% Extraction possible.]

Li Xin took a deep breath. He stood up and brushed the dirt off his hands.

"Are you done taking photos?" A-Jun asked casually.

"Yeah, I'm done."

"Come over and soak your feet."

Li Xin walked over unhurriedly, took off his shoes, and dipped his feet into the stream. The water was cool and felt truly comfortable.

"This place is really nice," A-Jun said, his expression relaxing as he looked completely at ease. "I'll bring my wife here for a picnic next time."

"Is your wife willing to go hiking?"

"Not really. She's just saying that."

Li Xin smiled. After sitting for a few minutes, he stood up.

"I'm going to take a look over there."

"Sure, go ahead."

Li Xin walked to the other side of the valley and cast a quiet glance at A-Jun, seeing that he was focused on enjoying his foot soak. He then slowly squatted down and pressed his hand against the ground.

"System, perform Extraction."

[Extraction in progress...]

A slight vibration came from beneath the ground; it wasn't very strong. Only the stream water rippled slightly. The vibration lasted for about a minute before stopping.

[Extraction complete. Total gold ore extracted: approximately 1,400 tons. Estimated gold content: 34.8 tons. Perform Extraction?]

"Yes, perform Extraction."

[Extraction in progress... Extraction complete. Gold obtained: 34.8 tons.]

[Cumulative gold extracted: 157.6257 tons.]

Li Xin slowly stood up and brushed the dirt off his hands. There was nothing unusual about his demeanor, and he walked back to the stream with his face still calm. However, if one looked closely, they would see that his hand, tucked into his pocket, was clenched tightly.

"Are you done?" A-Jun asked casually.

"I'm done."

Li Xin put on his shoes and shouldered his bag.

"Let's go."

"Not looking anymore?"

"I've seen enough."

A-Jun also put on his shoes and picked up his machete.

"Let's head back then. We can reach the village before dark."

The two walked back along the same path. Going down the mountain was faster than going up.

"Did you find the stones you were looking for?" A-Jun asked.

"I did."

"What kind were they?"

"Just ordinary ones." He then took out the few decent-looking small stones he had just picked up and waved them before his eyes.

A-Jun glanced at him and didn't ask further. After walking for a few hours, they returned to the village. It was almost dark.

A-Juns wife had already prepared a meal: roasted fish, sticky rice, and stir-fried green vegetables.

Li Xin ate two bowls, set the bowl down, took money from his bag, and handed it to A-Jun.

"This is for your services as a guide. The extra amount is compensation for yesterday."

A-Jun took it and counted. It was double what they had agreed upon.

"You gave me too much."

"Just take it. I almost died yesterday; it's worth this price."

A-Jun glanced at him, didn't refuse again, and tucked the money into his pocket.

"If you come back next time, remember to visit my home."

"I will."

Li Xin got into the car and started the engine. A-Jun stood outside the car window.

"Where are you heading next?" A-Jun asked politely.

"I'm heading to Myanmar."

"Myanmar? It's a bit chaotic over there," A-Jun kindly reminded him.

"I know. I have people meeting me there."

"Then take care."

"I will."

Li Xin stepped on the accelerator, and the car drove out of the village. In the rearview mirror, he saw A-Jun standing at the intersection, waving goodbye.

By the time he drove to Vinh City, it was already dark. He didn't stop and continued driving toward Da Nang. The night road was difficult to navigate. The car headlights shone onto the uneven road surface, with light and shadow flickering.

His phone vibrated. He picked it up and saw a message from Chen Hu: "Boss, I've found a guide in Myanmar. His name is Old Wu, he's Chinese, and he's in Yangon. I'll give you the details when you return."

Li Xin replied with a "Good" and tossed the phone onto the passenger seat. He stepped on the accelerator. The headlights illuminated the road ahead, which wound its way deep into the darkness.

He calculated in his mind: 157 tons of gold, worth over 40 billion. It was already enough to upgrade. However, there was no rush now. He would go to Myanmar first to search for more, and then upgrade later.

By the time he reached Da Nang, it was already late at night. Li Xin found a hotel, took a shower, and lay down on the bed. He opened his phone to check for flights. There was a direct flight from Da Nang to Yangon tomorrow afternoon. He booked the ticket.

Then, he called Old Wu.

"Hello?"

"Is this Old Wu? I'm Li Xin, a friend of Chen Hu."

"Oh, Boss Li. When will you arrive?"

"I'll be in Yangon tomorrow afternoon."

"Alright, call me when you arrive, and I'll come pick you up."

"Alright, thank you."

He hung up the phone, placed it aside, and seemed to mutter to himself, "Myanmar. Kachin State. Gold mine."

He closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.