Chapter 76: Setting Off to Song Family Fort
“Riding horned horses, twenty or thirty people, and they can shoot arrows?”
At the dinner table, Chen Guodong’s expression suddenly changed. “Xiao Fan, are you talking about those bandits?”
Hearing these words, Yin Fang beside him was so startled that her chopsticks clattered onto the table.
“Bandits?”
Chen Fan’s heart skipped a beat. Could such a group really exist?
“Yes.” Chen Guodong’s eyes darkened with apprehension. “They ride horned horses, swift as the wind. Most are skilled archers who prey on weaker targets. Sometimes they raid entire villages, looting everything before burning them to the ground.”
Chen Fan’s eyes widened. These people were nothing but beasts!
“Many small settlements were destroyed by them. Later, I heard a similar group appeared near Song Family Fort. Their leader is a vicious-looking bald man who reached Tempering Body Level 2 years ago. He might be Level 3 by now.”
His voice cut off abruptly, fear twisting his features. “Xiao Fan… are you saying we might be targeted tomorrow?”
The atmosphere at the table froze.
Yin Fang trembled uncontrollably. “Maybe we shouldn’t go? Those bandits show no mercy.”
“Dad, Mom, don’t panic. I was just asking.” Chen Fan smiled reassuringly. “What are the odds they’d single us out? Besides, you’ve been to Song Family Fort before without trouble.”
“True,” Chen Guodong admitted, though worry still creased his brow.
In past trips, they’d traded modest amounts of valuables for food—hardly enough to draw attention. But this time, the sheer quantity of goods would tempt even Zhao Family Fort’s residents. Yet refusing to go meant starvation as their food and salt dwindled.
Should they trade less? But one jin of meat bought three to four jin of rice—enough to feed the village for days. With winter approaching and hunting growing perilous, stocking up was essential.
Chen Guodong wrestled with the dilemma.
Chen Fan ate silently. Twenty to thirty men led by a bald leader—exactly as Meng Yu had described. Either she’d fabricated the story knowingly, or she truly possessed foresight.
Regardless, tomorrow will reveal the truth.
They had no choice but to go. If Meng Yu’s warning proved false, all the better. But if events unfolded as predicted and he still failed despite foreknowledge… he might as well drown himself in shame.
After dinner, they practiced martial arts at the warehouse. The once-empty yard now teemed with spectators around twenty trainees—an almost comical sight.
Hours later, only Chen Fan, Zhang Ren, and Gu Ze remained, the latter still drilling archery.
“Heading to Song Family Fort tomorrow?” Zhang Ren asked.
“Yes.” Chen Fan grinned. “Besides trading, I want to see the fort’s interior.”
“It’s different there,” Zhang Ren said. “They have a weapons shop worth visiting.”
“A weapons shop?” Chen Fan’s interest sparked. “Anything good?”
Zhang Ren glanced at him. “Half our village’s bows came from there. They also sell blades forged from special metals that slice through mid-tier beasts. You’ll find similar items at stalls, but stay sharp—scammers abound.”
“I’ll be careful.” Chen Fan’s thoughts drifted to the old man peddling cultivation manuals. Tomorrow, he’d confront him.
“Enough for today.” Zhang Ren limped toward the warehouse. “Rest early. Stay vigilant tomorrow.”
Chen Fan watched him leave, then called to Gu Ze: “Let’s go. Early start tomorrow.”
“You’re leaving too?” Gu Ze looked over from afar.
Chen Fan sighed. Is he really competing with me? No wonder the man stayed while others left.
Back home, Chen Fan ate another meal, gaining twenty potential points. Belching, he reviewed his status panel:
[Basic Spear Technique: LV6 (38.9%)
Traits: Physique Enhancement LV6, Strength LV6, Agility LV6, Combat Mastery LV6, Critical Strike LV3]
A night of sparring had boosted his spear technique two levels. Now he could trade blows with Zhang Ren, accelerating his progress.
No wonder I blocked those arrow volleys in Meng Yu’s vision. With further growth, deflecting bullets might become possible.
He checked his attributes:
Realm: Tempering Body Level 3
Level: 8 (0/100)
Constitution: 69.67
Strength: 60.11
Agility: 34.28
Spirit: 12.97
Potential Points: 168 (7/day)
Experience: 10
Raising both archery and spear skills had increased his constitution and strength by 4 points each, agility by 2.
“Sixty strength… enough to draw a three-hundred-pound bow,” he muttered. But the slower draw speed made his current two-hundred-pound bow—powerful and rapid—the wiser choice.
He still had one breakthrough and body enhancement opportunity.
“Let tomorrow pass peacefully,” he sighed. Otherwise, blood would flow.
———
Dawn’s first light found the hunting party assembled, faces masked with black cloth—Chen Fan’s idea to avoid recognition.
Meng Yu stood among the crowd at the village gate.
“Return home,” Chen Guodong urged. “Await our news.”
Pairs of men carried bundled game into the dim light.
“Be careful!”
“Stay safe!”
“Come back unharmed!”
Voices chased them as they departed.
Chen Fan’s gaze lingered on his mother and brother before meeting Meng Yu’s. He nodded once, adjusted his bow and spear, and marched forward.
Return safely,
