Chapter 47: Luring the Enemy into a Trap?
As these words fell, everyone froze momentarily.
"What do you mean by 'striking first'? Xiao Fan, are you suggesting we make the preemptive move?" Liu Yong asked, his jaw slack.
"Exactly." Chen Fan narrowed his eyes at the distant Li Family Village group. "The outcome remains unchanged whether we stay or go - they'll chase us down regardless. The only difference lies in the conflict's intensity. Since that's the case, we should seize the initiative."
"Right now, the Li clan maintains their position because they're uncertain whether we'll aid Gu Family Village. Even if we approach, they'll only speculate about our intentions toward Gu's people. They'll never never suspect our true objective."
"We'll pretend to pass by casually. Once in range, we'll strike suddenly. I'll eliminate their two archers first to neutralize the threat. At two hundred meters, few will survive the charge. Then Uncle Liu and the rest can finish the remnants."
Chen Fan felt grateful he'd saved his last enhancement opportunity. Now it would prove crucial.
A collective hiss of indrawn breath sounded through the group.
This meant killing.
Not one, but over a dozen lives!
"Father, uncles," Chen Fan sighed, seeing their expressions, "if we had alternatives, I wouldn't propose this. But our only choice is surrendering all our prey."
At these words, suppressed rage ignited among the listeners.
"Xiao Fan's right!" Gao Yang burst out first. "These bastards might not wield blades themselves, but how many have starved from their thefts? Eliminating them serves heaven's justice!"
"Exactly! Remember last time?" another voice joined. "They stole our game and mocked us - 'Should've surrendered sooner!' This time they'll show no mercy. We must strike first!"
"Damn right! I've endured enough! We're all flesh and blood - who fears whom?"
Five others voiced agreement, leaving only Chen Guodong and two holdouts.
"Guodong," the bald man spoke under collective scrutiny, "Xiao Fan's logic holds. Even if they spare us today for the prey, what about tomorrow? They'll only grow bolder unless we abandon our homes - and the wilderness offers worse dangers."
"But isn't this excessive?" A middle-aged man hesitated. "They steal, yes, but haven't taken lives. Can't we just drive them off?"
"Starving our families isn't killing?" Gao Yang countered harshly.
"How many have died from their plunder?"
The objector fell silent. All eyes turned to Chen Guodong, whose face warred with conflict.
He recognized the plan's strategic merit for their village's survival. Yet the moral weight pressed heavily - nearly a hundred souls in Li Village depended on these men. Fathers, husbands, sons... What of their families' fates?
"Guodong, decide!" Gao Yang urged. "If Gu's people yield, we lose our chance!"
"Remember their last slap to your face? Their mockery?"
"Compromise breeds greater oppression!"
Chen Guodong's knuckles whitened, tendons standing stark.
"Father." Chen Fan pierced through the turmoil. "I understand your concern for their dependents. Truthfully, I don't know their fate either. But our first duty is our own people's survival."
The words struck like a temple bell. Chen Guodong jolted.
Hadn't survival always been his paramount goal? Reduced prey meant more hungry mouths. Half rations, half the village starving. If he couldn't protect his own, what meaning had protection?
"Very well." His nod carried iron resolve. The group exhaled collectively - a father-son rift would have paralyzed them. United, they stood confident, especially with Xiao Fan's demonstrated prowess.
But Liu Yong frowned, glancing toward Gu Family Village's representatives. "Xiao Fan, our allies are mixed with the Li group. Could your arrows... miss their mark?"
Chen Fan paused. His instinct said no, but chaos bred accidents. His hundred-pound bow pierced beast hide effortlessly - human flesh offered less resistance. Injuring allies would shatter trust.
Tension thickened until inspiration struck. "Then we pivot. Abandon ambush for enticement."
"Enticement?"
"How?"
"Simple." Chen Fan's gaze swept the group, noting Chen Guodong's flicker of concern. "We disregard Gu's people temporarily."
Seeing confusion, he clarified: "Burdened with prey, we can't outrun pursuit. We'll feign panicked retreat. When the Li group gives chase and enters kill range, I'll eliminate them en masse. No collateral damage."
"The cost? Gu's people might resent temporary abandonment. But returning their stolen prey afterward mends bridges."
Chen Guodong exhaled in approval. Complete abandonment would have haunted him, but this balanced pragmatism with conscience.
"Solid plan."
"Agreed!"
"Let's move!"
Liu Yong and Gao Yang chorused their support as others nodded. The course was set.
