The group arrived at the village chief's house, a modest quadrangle courtyard with a large, lush tree growing in the center. Planting a tree in the middle of the quadrangle suddenly brought Chen Feng back to a story from his previous life.

In the past, a family built a quadrangle courtyard, and afterward, things became unsettled. They sought out a wandering Taoist priest to examine the residence.

The priest advised that the quadrangle courtyard formed the character for "mouth" ($\square$); if there were people inside the mouth, they were naturally imprisoned—they were all prisoners, and how could they prosper? The family heeded the priest's advice and planted a tree.

Still, things remained unsettled. Another wandering Taoist came and said that having wood ($\text{}$) inside the house formed the character for "confine" ($\text{}$); if everyone was confined, how could they prosper?

This presented the family with a dilemma: should they cut the tree down or not... This anecdote was merely a jest mocking superstitious people, but seeing a quadrangle courtyard here nonetheless startled Chen Feng.

The group walked into the courtyard. It was brightly lit, and a large circle of people stood waiting, mostly elders and young men.

An elderly man in his fifties stood at the front of the crowd, his face etched with anxiety. Strands of grayish-white hair clung limply to the top of his head, making him look exceptionally haggard; this was the Village Chief of Hutang Village.

"Our village has reached its most perilous moment!" the Village Chief's voice was somewhat hoarse. "These bandits are demanding 500,000.

Everyone, what should we do?" The young men gritted their teeth, their faces contorted with anger. "We should fight them!" "Fight them?

With what? Their leader is a Second-Rank Silver Armored Warrior.

How can we fight?" the Village Chief countered. "I think we should gather the money!" "Gather the money?

Where would we get such a sum? If we really scrape it together, the people of our village will starve for years to come!" an elder worriedly stated.

The income of Hutang Village residents was meager, consisting only of growing some grain or occasionally hunting in the mountains. Due to the barren land, they were by no means wealthy.

If they truly had to raise 500,000, the villagers would have to sell all their grain. If the grain was gone, wouldn't they starve sooner or later anyway?

Moreover, if the bandits came, would they allow the villagers to sell grain? What they truly wanted was cash—they wanted hard currency and women!

The women would be directly taken and killed after being violated; cash took up no space, so even if the Church sent people to hunt them down later, no trace would be found. Another elder clearly understood such matters and sighed, "If they only wanted money, that would be one thing.

But these bandits do all manner of evil. Whichever girl catches their eye, they will snatch her away.

They are purely beasts!" Everyone in the courtyard knew what he was saying. Did one expect bandits and robbers to agree to a set of rules with the villagers—pay up and be left alone?

That was clearly impossible. Thus, after the bandits left, many villagers would perish, especially women, children, and the infirm, suffering countless casualties under the hooves of their horses.

"We die if we pay, and we die if we don't pay. We might as well fight it out!" the young men, full of vigorous spirit, shouted in unison.

"Fight? How?

Can these few hundred people in our village possibly stand against them?" the conservatively minded elders argued. For a moment, everyone was undecided, and various opinions were voiced.

Chen Feng found the situation odd and turned to Ah Can, who had come with him, asking, "These bandits are so audacious; doesn't your Church Guard intervene?" In his mind, since religion governed the entire society, maintaining public order should also fall under the Church's jurisdiction. "The Church Guard has organized several raids, but these bandits disappear without a trace; they are thieves on horseback and civilians dismounted.

They are hard to catch. Take today, for instance; it is the Festival of Divine Arrival.

The Church is forbidden from shedding blood during prayers and sacrificial ceremonies held at this time, so they won't dispatch troops to suppress bandits!" Ah Can explained. "Otherwise, how could I have taken leave on a normal day?" Chen Feng understood.

"White, what is your opinion?" Seeing the clamor of differing opinions, the Village Chief turned to White. As the village's sole Sixth-Rank Bronze Armored Warrior, White held significant prestige among the villagers.

When they heard the Chief soliciting his opinion, everyone turned their heads simultaneously. "I suggest we organize a defense," White stated.

"A defense?" The Village Chief was somewhat shocked. White nodded.

"They are greedy bandits. If we meekly hand over 500,000, I fear they will demand a million next.

The greed of bandits is strong. If we beat them badly this time, they won't dare return!" Upon hearing this, the young men immediately responded favorably, but the elders remained deeply frowning, uncertain whether this course of action was right or wrong.

The Village Chief hesitated to agree, as his initial inclination had been to pay. Seeing the Chief's hesitation, a flash of fierce intent crossed White's face, as if he had transformed into a different person.

His tone was filled with certainty and resolve: "Even if we pay, we likely cannot escape a massacre. We might as well risk everything." At these words, the people in the courtyard immediately began to argue, with some agreeing and others objecting.

White surveyed the crowd, stamped his right foot down hard, instantly shattering the bluestone paving into powder. Simultaneously, his voice rose abruptly, like a clap of thunder: "Stop arguing, everyone!

If you want to live, listen to me today!" This declaration carried immense pressure, and a killing aura emanated from his body. Chen Feng narrowed his eyes.

The killing aura emanating from White at that moment was incredibly dense. Such formidable killing intent could only be accumulated by having killed tens of thousands of people!

A mere villager from a mountain hamlet possessing such killing intent? A question immediately arose in his mind.

White was unaware that Chen Feng had focused his attention on him. However, his roar successfully deterred all the villagers.

"The bandits are coming soon, and you are still arguing? Do you think we have time?" White roared in anger and issued an order: "Ah Can, gather all the strong and young men in the village!" "Yes!" Ah Can strode out.

In less than five minutes, all the young and strong men were assembled—a total of over a hundred able-bodied men. Seeing everyone gathered, White spoke, "All those under 25, step forward!" With a rustling sound, about 30 youths emerged.

White addressed them: "You men, hide at the very front of the village. Place all the straw we have in the foremost line.

When you see the bandits approaching, immediately set the straw ablaze. There is a wind tonight, which will fuel the fire.

Their horses will certainly be startled by the flames! Once the fire is lit, flee immediately toward the Black Box Ravine area!" "Those between 25 and 35, step forward!" As he spoke, a larger group stepped out this time—over fifty men.

"You men, hide in the shadow cast by the blaze. Take your bows and arrows.

When the fire roars up, start shooting immediately, without hesitation. Each of you has twenty arrows.

Once you finish shooting, withdraw toward the Black Box Ravine," White directed. Since they lived close to the mountains, most villagers possessed bows and arrows for hunting prey, so procuring bows was easy enough.

"The rest of you, escort the elderly, weak, women, and children into the mountains. The terrain at Broken-Heart Ridge is treacherous, perfect for hiding people.

Take the village elders, the weak, women, and children there! After escorting them, immediately go to the Black Box Ravine and lie in ambush.

If you see our people pass by with bandits in pursuit, start setting fires. There is plenty of dry grass in the Black Box Ravine; it will burn instantly," White commanded.

Hearing White's arrangements, which were orderly and methodical, Chen Feng couldn't help but reveal a look of shock. This was entirely the method of military deployment.

He only knew cultivation and nothing about this aspect. However, listening to him utilize the timing of heaven (the wind), the advantage of the land (the Black Box Ravine), and finally the cooperation of the people, just these three elements alone indicated that this man was absolutely an expert in warfare.

For someone from a remote mountain village to be versed in military strategy? It sounded unbelievable, but if that weren't the case, how could he have devised such an excellent plan in such a short time?

Combined with the killing aura he exhibited earlier, Chen Feng now realized White was peculiar. Not only was he strange, but his father, that elder, also seemed odd.

"Ah Can, you and I will launch a surprise attack during the chaos. The louder the commotion, the better it will facilitate the villagers' escape.

We know this area well, and escaping will be simple. Once we find a path, we flee toward the Black Box Ravine," White said, turning to Ah Can.

Since they were the only two Bronze Armored Warriors in the village, White designated himself and Ah Can as the surprise force. Utilizing the wind, the terrain, the cooperation of the people, and finally a surprise attack, Chen Feng had to look at White with new respect.

If this group hadn't been mere villagers—a disorderly rabble—one could easily imagine this battle against the bandits resulting in an absolute victory. However, even in this current state, the bandits were likely to suffer at least half casualties.

Using the wind to start fires, startling the enemy horses, unleashing arrows amidst the confusion, and deploying a surprise force—if the bandits could still survive this without losing half their numbers, they would rival a regular army. What formidable techniques!

Chen Feng exclaimed inwardly. White immediately followed up with various other deployments: who would set the fires, who would set off firecrackers, who would harass the enemy...

He assigned the over one hundred strong men their duties in a perfectly organized manner. …………………………………………………………………………………… "What about me?" Chen Feng felt perplexed when everyone else had been assigned a task except him.

"You?" White's eyebrows shot up. The commanding air he possessed moments before completely vanished, and he spoke slowly: "I know you might currently be a Ninth-Rank Bronze Armored Warrior, but their leader is a Second-Rank Silver Armored Warrior.

If you engage, survival is impossible. Furthermore, you are not one of our villagers; you shouldn't have to risk your life.

Stay out of it! You should protect the women and children in the village as they head into the mountains!" He finished by his eyes turning red, clapping Chen Feng on the shoulder: "If...

if I don't return, please take care of Xiao Rou and my father. He is old..." Hearing White say such things, Chen Feng was momentarily moved.

He clenched his fist and said, "I'll go with you!" White seemed to hesitate before saying, "You are not from our village and have no need to share this risk with us. You should leave!" Seeing his earnest expression, Chen Feng's mind stirred.

He finally discerned the artifice, couldn't help but laugh. This fellow was actually scheming against him...

He feared Chen Feng might desert at the critical moment and was using this tactic of 'playing hard to get'—not assigning him a role, but pretending to be benevolent. Any other young man, moved and encouraged by such words, would naturally rush forward without hesitation...

However, having lived two lives, being fooled by such rhetoric would be too pathetic. Realizing the scheme, while finding it both amusing and exasperating, Chen Feng was also impressed by the man's cleverness.

This fellow was truly a genius at military matters. Under such dire circumstances, he could still devise a way to utilize every single person effectively—he truly possessed the spirit of a commander.

It seemed White had not been a simple person before; he must have led guards or fought in wars, otherwise his methods wouldn't be so seasoned. Being tricked like this, Chen Feng smiled wryly, though he was also a bit displeased.

He said, "Very well, since you put it that way, I won't presume to be a hero. I'll stay with the elderly and weak as they head into the mountains." "..." White was instantly silenced.

It is better to provoke than to request; the young men were impulsive, and the plan was simply to trick him into taking the bait. Who knew that Chen Feng wouldn't fall for it at all...

When White saw the cold smirk on Chen Feng's face, he realized his tactic had been seen through. His old face flushed slightly, and he slowly said, "Perhaps...

you should stay after all. Otherwise, just the two of us might not be enough to make an impact on the enemy." Chen Feng said nothing, only nodded.

After all, White had offered him help, and the elder had taught him the mystery of integrating with nature. These bandits were just a disorganized rabble.

He might as well stay and observe whether White's deployment would be effective. The only reason he spoke as he did earlier was because he disliked being deceived.

…………………………………………………………………………………… "Dazhu Zi, do you think Teacher White's method will work? These people are bloodthirsty bandits!" Er Dan, the youngest in the group at 16, asked curiously while pouring pine resin onto the straw.

This pine resin flowed from the bark of wild pines in the mountains; it was an excellent material for lighting lamps and making torches, so almost every household had some. Now, all of it was brought out and poured onto the straw, specifically to ensure it ignited instantly and caught the enemy off guard.

"I believe in Teacher White!" Dazhu Zi replied in a simple, honest manner. Er Dan sighed.

He was still young and somewhat fearful, but he also knew that if they didn't follow Teacher White's instructions, the village wouldn't just be looted; his family might not escape harm either. For the sake of his family and home, he had to fight.

He looked around. Everyone else was methodically placing straw in the ditches on either side of the road, attending to their assigned tasks.

A cold wind blew, making Er Dan shiver slightly. He couldn't help but ask, "Dazhu Zi, aren't you scared?" "I'm not scared.

Teacher White can shatter a large rock with one punch. I don't believe the bandits' heads are harder than stone!" Dazhu Zi asserted.

"Oh." Er Dan responded. Although he had strong faith in White, recalling the bandits' fearsome reputation still made him uneasy and worried.

He finished pouring the pine resin, straightened his back, and before he could rest, he heard the violent thunder of hooves in the distance! The bandits were here!

ps: Extra characters: Dazhu Zi... Er Dan...

Sigh, are the names too silly? (To be continued.

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