Chapter 46: In Reality, There’s No Other Choice
Upon hearing these words, the others’ hearts sank.
Damn it. Why did we have to run into these guys right now?
“What should we do?” someone gritted out. “They’ve definitely spotted us. There’s no way we can slip away now.”
The others fell silent.
It was true. Paired in twos and burdened with their haul, they couldn’t move quickly. Even a child could outpace them.
“Screw this! If it comes down to it, we’ll fight!”
Gao Yang, ever hotheaded, had pushed for a direct clash even during their last encounter with wolves.
“Right! A few days ago, that antelope fell into our trap. It was our kill. But those bastards from Lijia Village, taking advantage of our small numbers, not only stole it in broad daylight but even slapped Guodong!”
“What?”
Chen Fan whipped his head toward Chen Guodong, who hadn’t mentioned this during their night together.
The older man shook his head calmly. “It’s in the past.”
Turning to the seething group, he added, “A wise man avoids unnecessary battles. Preserving our strength matters most. If they come for us, we’ll hand over a portion.”
The others bristled at this.
The odds were against them—any clash would end in their loss. But yielding once would invite endless demands. Would their village now owe Lijia Village a tithe of every hunt? Why should we?
“Dad,” Chen Fan cut in calmly, “don’t concede yet. With me here, there’s no need to fear them.”
The group’s spirits lifted.
Last time, Lijia Village had relied on numbers and archers. But now they had Xiao Fan—his godlike marksmanship dwarfed their opponents’ skills. Let them come; they’d regret it!
“But this isn’t as simple as it seems,” Chen Fan continued.
“Huh?”
“What do you mean?”
“Look closer. There are two groups: Lijia Village and Gujia Village, whom we met earlier while resting.”
The men squinted ahead. Through the haze, they glimpsed figures blocked by Lijia Village’s men—confirming Chen Fan’s words.
“My guess? Gujia Village was ambushed returning with their haul. Lijia Village moved to rob them just as we arrived. Otherwise, they’d have charged us already.”
The group inhaled sharply.
“He’s right,” the bald man agreed. “Lijia preys on the weak. They’ve bled smaller villages dry—some starved to death after losing their hunts.”
“Bastards!” Gao Yang spat. “No wonder they’re stalled. Guodong, let’s join Gujia Village and crush them!”
Chen Guodong wavered. His caution stemmed from pragmatism, not cowardice. But abandoning Gujia Village now might doom them all later. If roles reversed, would Gujia Village aid them? Letting Lijia grow bolder spelled disaster.
Yet some hesitated.
“Guodong,” urged Qin Ming, the man who’d exposed Meng Yu’s identity, “this is vile, but our priority is getting the food home. If we linger, Lijia will catch us.”
Others nodded. “Fighting’s not worth the cost.”
Chen Guodong clenched his jaw, torn.
“Uncles,” Chen Fan interjected, “leaving stopped being an option the moment they saw us. Lijia hesitates because they fear our intervention. If we join Gujia, Lijia retreats—but nurses greater hatred. Once we separate, they’ll attack. Taking our food will be the least they do.”
The group paled.
Lijia’s thugs had killed indirectly before. Provoked, they might slaughter openly. Even Gao Yang’s faction broke into cold sweat—unless they annihilated Lijia here, retaliation was inevitable.
“Then we flee now!” Qin Ming pressed.
“Right! Let’s go while they’re distracted!”
Chen Guodong nearly relented.
“Uncle Qin, that’s worse,” Chen Fan countered.
“Why?”
The group stared, baffled.
“If we abandon Gujia, Lijia takes half their haul to avoid pushing them too far. Then—”
“—they come for us,” the bald man realized, horrified.
Chen Fan nodded. “Gujia would ignore us, just as we did them. We’d be caught again, lose most of our food, endure humiliation, and strengthen Lijia further.”
The truth crashed over them—they had no real choice. Stay or flee, Lijia would hunt them unless they gambled by sacrificing part of their haul. But how much? Too little, and Lijia attacks. Too much, and they invite endless extortion.
Greed knows no bounds. Each concession fuels greater demands.
The men exchanged grim looks. Lijia was capable of all this.
“Xiao Fan,” Chen Guodong asked, “what do we do?”
“There is a way.” Chen Fan’s voice hardened. “We strike first.”
