After receiving the tip-off, the security team sent people from the city overnight and arrived at the village where Old Tony was in the early morning of the next day.
"Bang Bind"
"Come on, come on. Who is it so early in the morning?"
Old Tony's voice came from behind the door, and soon Old Tony opened the wooden door in his pajamas.
"We are from the Second Umur City Security Team, and we have been ordered to investigate the boy you took in the night before last."
Said the four security guards standing at the door.
Old Tony thought, "Oh no, what's coming is coming. I can't hide it."
But he said loudly and deliberately with a smile on his face,
"Oh, the official is here. He left last night and headed east to Elbach. He's a little injured, so he can't go far."
The security guard frowned and did not leave immediately, but continued to ask,
"Why did you take that boy in?"
"I went fishing by the river and saw him injured and fainted by the river, so I saved him. It's human nature. Can you be considered a real man if you don't save him?"
Old Tony said tactfully that he had heard the sound of Angus climbing out of the window, and he was certain in his heart that
"I can only help so far little one. Go find Knoknoll."
"What's that sound?!" the security team member asked vigilantly.
"My fat cat is shy and doesn't like outsiders coming, so he ran away. What's the big deal? Do you want me to bring four officials in to take a look?"
Old Tony had anticipated that someone would come to investigate, so he put the fish's entrails in a bowl and placed a bowl of water next to it to create the illusion that he had a cat at home.
Since it was only autumn and the nights were not very cold, Old Tony did not give Angus a blanket, but deliberately let him sleep in his clothes; this way, if someone came, Angus could leave immediately.
Old Tony understood from Angus's behavior that this kid was kind, but he was not good at speaking. If he was caught, he might be tortured into confessing, so he specially thought of an escape route for Angus.
Just last night, Old Tony and Angus planned the escape route.
Although Angus was not the culprit of the case, he could not explain why he was the only one who escaped successfully. So he might as well take advantage of the situation and make the identity of Angus disappear from the world forever.
"My child, remember, from now on, you are Jason. There is no more Angus in the world. Do you understand?"
Old Tony spoke to Angus earnestly at night.
Although the young Angus didn't quite understand why he did this, he still nodded, because he knew that the old man in front of him would not murder him.
"This knife is for you to carry with you. If the two Noknor brothers don't believe it at first, you can take out this knife and show it to them."
Old Tony wrapped the slender and sharp knife he used to cut fish that day in cloth and placed it in Angus's hand with great care.
"Just in case, just in case, someone wants to hurt you, you use this knife to defend yourself. Do you understand?"
Aengus nodded to show that he understood, and said slowly,
"Thank you, Old Tony..."
Old Tony smiled brightly, rubbed Angus's head, and said,
"My child, this knife is very precious, don't lose it."
"Yeah... I understand..."
Aengus responded.
"Here's some money. It's not much, but it's enough for your journey. Put it in this waist bag and you can carry it with you."
Old Tony took a waist bag from behind and hung one end on Angus's shoulder.
"Hey, I didn't expect it to look so suitable."
"Old Tony...why...are you so nice to me?"
Angus asked doubtfully.
Although they had been getting along very well during the past few days, Angus didn't quite understand why Old Tony treated him so well.
Old Tony was speechless for a moment. He didn't expect that the simple-minded Angus would ask this question. He was silent for a moment and then answered,
"Maybe it's because you're the same age as my grandson."
"Old Tony...you have grandchildren?"
Aengus asked innocently.
"Yes, there were two. But when they were playing in the river, a flood happened and they drowned in the river. They were the same age as you at that time. But it just so happens that I will treat you as my little grandson."
Old Tony tried his best to suppress his sad emotions and spoke in a playful tone.
That's why the two sons never came to visit me again.
The children entrusted to him all died overnight. Old Tony has always felt guilty towards his two sons. And in Angus, Old Tony seemed to see the shadows of his two little grandsons.
Old Tony let Angus escape because he was selfish.
He didn't want to see Angus being taken away for interrogation by the security team, but wanted Angus to live freely.
He almost treated Angus as his own grandson, so naturally he didn't want Angus to suffer, and even less did he want him to go to jail.
"Report, nothing was found inside."
One of the team members went in as usual and took a look around, but found nothing unusual and came out to report.
"Okay, let the intelligence personnel notify Elbach's people and ask them to pay attention. Old man, your words have been recorded. If anything goes wrong, you will be responsible for it. Let's go!"
The leader waved his hand, and the other three followed him out of Old Tony's house.
"Okay, gentlemen, take care."
Old Tony shouted from the door.
Then Old Tony closed the door and he was alone in the room again.
A feeling of loneliness surged into Old Tony's heart. The empty house seemed deserted without one person there.
The boy who was looking forward to eating fish fillets on the chair was no longer there. Old Tony couldn't help feeling lonely and sat on the recliner.
After a while, Old Tony came to the river alone with his fishing gear and straw basket.
The bait was put on the hook and it fell into the water in a beautiful arc.
The fishhook fell on the water, creating a few splashes. Old Tony said softly to the river,
"River God, thank you for giving me the opportunity to enjoy family happiness. Old Tony, I am satisfied."
——
Angus walked alone on the road, following the route given by Old Tony towards the city of Umr.
According to Old Tony, this is called the darkest place under the lamp; but Angus didn't understand what this meant.
He made his way through dense forests and small valleys, and finally arrived at the city of Umr.
The prosperity of the city dazzled Angus. Having grown up in Arkham Orphanage, Angus had never seen such a scene.
"Hey, boy, what are you looking for?"
A sleazy ruffian put his hand on Angus' shoulder and asked.
"Nock... Noel... Two brothers..."
Aengus replied.
The little gangster's face changed drastically, he made a gesture to keep quiet, and took Angus to the side.
"How do you know the names of these two adults?"
The little gangster lowered his voice and said.
Angus scratched his head and answered honestly,
"Old Tony... let me... come..."
"Hiss. Then come with me."
The gangster took Angus through the streets and alleys and came to a noisy basement.
The little gangster pushed open the door and found an underground casino inside.
There are all kinds of social situations in the casino. Some people shout "hit, hit, hit" with red faces, some people hug the security guard's thighs with sad faces and say "let me have one more try", and some people are in great glory and spend money lavishly.