------------
"Go around? We're not far from the border checkpoint here. Won't the border guards spot this secret passage?" Shawn Young asked in surprise.
"Relax, they won't notice. We've got a secret tunnel!" Leon Longhair grinned, leading Shawn Young to a patch of thick weeds beside the sugarcane field. The two of them dove into the waist-high grass, and after a few minutes, arrived at a neem tree.
Leon Longhair crouched down, feeling around in the weeds beneath the neem tree until he found a thumb-thick iron chain. The chain was smooth and rust-free, clearly well-used. Leon Longhair gave it a tug—"clack"—and a patch of grass slowly shifted aside, revealing a pitch-black opening about half a meter wide, with a faintly visible stair railing leading downward.
Leon Longhair felt around the edge of the opening—"click"—and pressed a switch. Instantly, the shaft lit up, and a row of iron stairs leading down became visible.
"Alright, this is the secret passage. We'll cross here! Through this tunnel, we'll reach the Mai Zayan Special Economic Zone in Myanmar in no time!" Leon Longhair said, climbing into the shaft first. Shawn Young quickly followed, and once they were both inside, Leon Longhair pulled another chain by the wall, sealing the camouflaged lid above them shut.
Shawn Young examined the environment below, seeing a narrow dirt path about half a meter wide. In the corner were several battery-powered lamps. Leon Longhair picked one up and handed it to Shawn Young, then took one for himself and switched it on, lighting the way. "Let's go, the tunnel is over a hundred meters long. We usually use these lamps to get through."
Shawn Young switched on his lamp, illuminating the surroundings. Though a bit dim, the dirt floor was packed solid, clearly from frequent use. He raised his eyebrows and followed Leon Longhair deeper into the tunnel.
Soon, they reached the end of the tunnel. Shawn Young was surprised to find the exit led to a simple concrete hut surrounded by sugarcane. Leon Longhair explained, "Oh, we're already in Myanmar. Goldtooth bought this land. Once we leave the sugarcane field, a private car will take us straight to his casino!"
"Oh, so that's how it works!" Shawn Young finally understood—everyone has their own way, just like snakes have their own paths.
Leon Longhair led Shawn Young along a narrow path through the dense sugarcane fields. Shawn noticed some parts of the field were especially lush, much better than the ones back in China. He couldn't help but marvel, "Wow, what kind of sugarcane is this? Why does it grow so much better than ours? Is their agricultural technology ahead of ours?"
Leon Longhair shook his head as they walked. "These sugarcane fields are all planted by the locals. Myanmar is pretty chaotic—people die all the time. So, there are often corpses buried in these fields. The spots where the sugarcane grows best usually have a body underneath! With all that nutrient-rich fertilizer, of course the sugarcane thrives!"
"Huh!? Is it really that bad? It's that chaotic?" Shawn Young was stunned by the explanation.
Leon Longhair explained, "It's true. We're in the Mai Zayan Special Economic Zone now—this is Myanmar territory. It's controlled by the Burmese Army's Third Brigade and Nick Carter's private militia. Guns everywhere. Most of the bodies are Chinese gamblers who lost everything at the casino, borrowed from loan sharks, and couldn't pay back. The lenders couldn't get their money, so they killed them and buried them here. But don't worry, as long as you don't mess with the armed guys, it's fine."
"Oh—so this place isn't paradise, it's just even more wild and violent!" Shawn Young mused, gathering some true energy to peer into the lush sugarcane fields. Sure enough, he could see wisps of resentful spirits swirling around, never dispersing. Clearly, they died with unfinished business!
After about ten minutes, they emerged from the sugarcane onto a cement-paved road. Nearby was a large shed, with several luxury minibuses and some three-wheeled motorcycles parked inside. It was obviously a parking lot.
By the shed, a few burly young men in orange uniforms were smoking and chatting. Leon Longhair led Shawn Young over, and the group immediately stood up, bowing respectfully and greeting, "Longhair, you're here!" One of them even offered Leon Longhair a cigarette.
Shawn Young raised his eyebrows—clearly, Leon Longhair was a big deal around here. Leon Longhair took the cigarette, waved at the young men, and pointed at Shawn Young. "Yep, I brought a brother over to make a living!"
The young men looked at Shawn Young with envy. The one who handed Leon Longhair a cigarette said to Shawn Young, "Heh—you're really lucky to have Longhair personally bring you in for work! Haha—"
Leon Longhair just laughed, "Heh—anyone I bring in is definitely talented. This brother's got serious skills, so I'm bringing him in to apply for deputy team leader in the casino's security department!"
"Oh! Really can't tell! This brother looks so refined—can he really fight?" one of the young men said, clearly unconvinced.
"Charlie, itching for a fight?" Leon Longhair sneered at the young man.
"Uh—well, Longhair, I know I'm no match for you. But—well, I just think it's a bit much for this brother to get straight into the security department as deputy team leader the moment he arrives. Doesn't sit right—" Charlie said, looking at Shawn Young.
"Oh! Fine then! Charlie, if you're not convinced, you can spar with my brother here. But don't say I didn't warn you—if you get beat up, I'm not paying your medical bills!" Leon Longhair sneered.
'Fine! But, uh, what if I win?!' Charlie asked cautiously.
"Oh! Charlie, if you beat him—heh—I'll even let you take the casino security captain's job. I promise!" Leon Longhair sneered.
"Alright! If I've got a shot at that, I'm definitely going to give it my all!" Charlie was visibly excited, looking every bit the daredevil.