[ Bonus Update Progress: 11/20]
Chapter 25: The Next Step
"Cowboy! Over here!"
Before long, just as everyone had finished scavenging most of what could be found, Dutch's familiar and booming voice rang out from a distance once again, like an order cutting through the previously quiet air.
One by one, figures slowly emerged from various corners, each carrying or holding a bulging satchel filled with all sorts of items.
They walked with cautious steps, as if carrying precious and fragile porcelain, each step exceptionally careful for fear that an overly large movement would cause the items in their bags to spill out.
At this moment, Dutch shouted loudly, "Alright! Gentlemen, though we've had quite a harvest this time, while we enjoy the fruits of victory to our hearts' content, don't forget our family back at camp who have been worrying about our safety!"
Arthur! You lead them back to camp. First, put the scavenged loot properly onto the respective wagons, then tell Hosea to bring everyone in the Gang here with all our supplies."
And... little Johnny, you stay behind with me for a moment."
Hearing this, Arthur couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled. He had originally thought Dutch summoned everyone to distribute the money taken from Colm.
According to the Gang's long-standing rules, any member involved in an operation had the right to share half of the primary take.
However, at this moment, he didn't dwell on it too much. He simply nodded to show he understood Dutch's intent, then turned to organize the group to head back to camp.
Just as they were about to set foot on the winding, snow-covered, and rocky path, Johnny's urgent shout suddenly came from behind them:
"Arthur! Arthur! Don't forget to help me bring Mr. Charles's Taima back too!"
Arthur turned back and waved at Johnny, signaling that he had heard. Then, he led the others further away along the rugged trail.
Meanwhile, Dutch and Johnny stood quietly where they were, their gazes following the departing figures. Only after those silhouettes had completely faded from view did the two begin to converse.
"Johnny! I must say, for this plan to be completed so smoothly and successfully, the credit definitely goes to you most of all! But what I find quite baffling is why you didn't reveal your key contributions to the others?"
You should know, those valuable suggestions of yours were quite important!" Dutch said as he patted Johnny on the shoulder, his eyes full of admiration and curiosity.
Facing Dutch's inquiry, Johnny only smiled slightly and slowly explained, "Boss Dutch, although I've only recently joined our Gang, after this period of time together and our experiences, I have some understanding of Gang life and various rules."
Think about it—a Gang is like a tightly-knit team. If everyone is voicing their own opinions and talking at once, wouldn't it be chaos?"
So, a Gang usually only needs one unified and firm voice to direct the whole situation. As for me, I really didn't do anything that grand."
If I had to compare this operation to cooking a delicious pot of stew, then at most, I just slightly adjusted the order of adding the tomatoes and the sugar cubes at the final critical moment. For the flavor and quality of the whole pot of soup, the influence was truly minimal."
(Boss! I want to advance so badly!)
Hearing Johnny's humble yet humorous words, Dutch couldn't help but laugh heartily. Clearly, he was very satisfied with this answer.
After laughing, Dutch suddenly pointed toward the distant mountains and began walking in that direction, gesturing for Johnny to follow him a bit further.
Along the way, the two walked side by side. The road beneath their feet was rugged, and the branches on either side were covered in frost. Dutch looked at Johnny thoughtfully and asked:
"Since the operation is over now, we need to think carefully about how to cleverly avoid those detectives Cornwall sent to track us."
Do you have any good ideas or plans for this?" Johnny's lips curled up slightly into a confident smile, and he responded with total assurance:
"BOSS, have you noticed that Mr. Marston's build is very similar to Colm's? You know I don't mean to insult Mr. Marston, I'm just referring to his physical appearance."
Dutch thought about it for a moment and realized it was true. Johnny immediately followed up:
"Why do we have to act as if our names are carved onto our bandanas every time we move? We could completely disguise ourselves as the ODriscoll Gang every so often to commit robberies! And the leader of this 'new' Gang would be Mr. Marston."
Hearing this, Dutch couldn't help but think of John's miserable state and almost laughed out loud. However, in his heart, he agreed with the plan.
But Dutch wouldn't let himself look like he knew nothing about planning; he still gave passionate instructions for the subsequent actions.
He suggested gathering the corpses of the ODriscoll Gang into a pit and lighting a fire to burn them clean, making it as if they had never existed in this world.
When they finally reached the summit, The Count was already hopping around impatiently, seemingly complaining that his master had forgotten him in such a cold place.
After some patient soothing and feeding of sugar cubes, The Count finally reluctantly agreed to let the big guy Johnny ride for a while.
The two remounted their horses and galloped away. Before long, they arrived at the entrance of the abandoned mine. However, at that moment, Dutch suddenly noticed a particularly eye-catching pink turkoman horse not far ahead.
What was even more surprising was that a man dressed like an ODriscoll Gang lackey was actually tied up on the horse's back!
Confusion rose in Dutch's heart. He pulled the reins, turned to Johnny with a slight frown, and asked, "Little Johnny? What is going on here?"
Hearing Dutch's question, Johnny was stunned for a moment, then raised a hand to slap his own forehead, saying with great regret:
"Oh man, I completely forgot about this guy!" Then, he took a deep breath and began to explain in detail to Dutch.
It turned out this bound fellow wasn't carrying any weapons; he was just an ordinary groom responsible for looking after the horses. Johnny had originally intended to interrogate him for the whereabouts of the remaining Colm remnants.
Dutch understood his intention and said they should finish the business at hand first, leaving this guy for interrogation later.
The two of them moved the twenty-odd scattered corpses from outside the entrance and several spooked horses into the mine one by one.
--------
Guys if you want to support me and read some chapters in advance please do check out Pitreon.com/AnonymousWriter6