Chapter 52: Can We Join You?
Gu Jianghai stood frozen in place, his eyes wide with shock.
Was this not an illusion?
"Jianghai, are the people from Chen Village calling us back?" the man beside him asked cautiously.
"I heard it too. They mentioned returning our prey?"
"Really? Could such good fortune exist?" Disbelief hung heavy on their faces.
Gu Ze remained silent, swallowing hard.
If true, this would be the best possible outcome.
Just then, urgent shouts rose again from behind.
Now hearing clearly, they exchanged nervous glances before turning to look.
They saw Chen Village's people looting spoils at Gu Village's former position, with Chen Guodong waving cheerfully at them.
"Jianghai, should we approach? What if it's real?" someone proposed.
"We've no feud with them. If they meant harm, they'd have acted already."
"Let's try. We lose nothing."
"Then... let's go see."
Gu Jianghai's resolve hardened. Clenching his teeth, he agreed.
They advanced stiffly, stopping twenty meters short. Gu Jianghai forced a chuckle, "Brother Chen, were you calling us?"
His gaze drifted toward Chen Fan, who stood calmly nearby. He remembered vividly - this youth had single-handedly annihilated Li Village's entire hunting team. Terrifying prowess.
Chen Guodong smiled, gesturing to the partial wildebeest carcass. "If I recall correctly, this was your kill?"
"Yes! Ours!" blurted an eager voice.
Gu Jianghai nodded, throat tight.
"Then take it," Chen Guodong declared without hesitation.
The Gu villagers felt struck by heavenly fortune.
Was... was this too effortless?
"Brother Chen, truly? No jest?" Gu Jianghai pressed. He'd have accepted even half the prey - without their help, retrieval was impossible.
"Eh?" Liu Yong chuckled nearby. "Old Gu, you're something! Think we'd lie?"
"Exactly! Don't want it? We'll keep it!"
"Want it! We do!" Gu Jianghai jumped like a scalded cat.
"Then quit dawdling!"
"Enough." Chen Guodong smiled. "Old Gu, I understand your caution. No tricks - rightful owners should claim their prey."
Tears sprang to their eyes. The sincerity rang clear - Chen Guodong truly meant to return it.
"Brother Chen, thank you! Thank you!"
"Without your help, we'd return empty-handed. How could we face our village?"
"Yes! Now everyone eats!" Men wiped their eyes as they spoke.
Chen Fan observed quietly, equal parts amused and heart-sore. Adulthood granted no ease.
"Old Gu, enough." Chen Guodong waved, sighing. "Truthfully, we owe you thanks."
The tear-wiping men gaped upward.
Chen Guodong explained: "When we first met, we avoided helping not from cowardice, but fear of harming you in the fray. We feigned retreat to lure Li Xiong's chase."
"This coldness made us expect you'd abandon us. Yet you followed, planning to aid us, yes?"
Liu Yong's group nodded. Even Chen Fan felt surprise - they'd never expected Gu Village's men to show such courage. This made them worthy allies.
Among Gu's men, only Jianghai remained composed. Others burned with shame. Now they understood - Chen's retreat had been to prevent friendly fire. They'd resented Chen Village, wishing them equal misfortune. Without Jianghai's leadership, they'd never have followed, losing both prey and future security, never comprehending Chen's consideration.
"Brother Chen, shame consumes us." Gu Jianghai's eyes glistened. "We contributed nothing. Why thank us?"
"True! We deserve blame! We thought you heartless. Now... ah!"
"Past matters." Chen Guodong shook his head. "We all struggle in the wilds. Mutual aid is natural."
"Right! Mutual aid!" The Gu men nodded vigorously.
"Enough. The return journey's long. Stay vigilant." Chen Guodong surveyed the scene - Li Village's corpses picked clean, their people likely withdrawn. The bodies wouldn't last a night.
"Xiao Fan, thoughts? Time to go." Liu Yong prompted.
"Mm." Chen Fan nodded, eyeing the Gu villagers. Now might be the perfect recruitment chance. Though possible rejection existed, odds favored success.
Suddenly, Gu Jianghai spoke.
"Brother Chen?"
"Hmm?" Chen Guodong turned back, smiling. "Something else?"
His men looked expectant - more gratitude?
The next words stunned all.
"Brother Chen... could we... join Chen Village?"
Silence descended. Time froze.
Chen's people stood thunderstruck. Chen Fan's heart leaped - developments surpassed expectations. With Gu's members, even Song Fortress supply runs would gain safety.
After prolonged silence, Chen Guodong hesitantly asked, "Brother Gu, did I hear right? Your village... wishes to merge with ours?"
"Y-yes." Nervous hope colored Gu Jianghai's voice. "We're too small. Winter approaches - hardship increases. Your numbers are few too, though your strength exceeds ours. Combined... we could thrive."
