Chapter 54

In the camp, more and more people were waking up. It was still dark, but the place was already bustling with noise.

In fact, on such a night, no one could sleep soundly. Even the slightest rustle of the wind could startle them.

Luo Xiu was helping an old woman from the village cook. She was quick and efficient, but it was more like the old woman was helping her, as she did most of the work.

Sheng'er sat obediently on a small cloth bag beside her, watching his mother busily working. They had escaped in such a hurry that they didn't bring much, including cooking utensils and food, so they had to eat from a communal pot.

Fortunately, most people were eating from the communal pot, otherwise, with Luo Xiu's situation, there might have been some trouble.

In the midst of her work, the old woman suddenly sighed, and two streams of tears flowed down her wrinkled face. "Xiu, I wonder what sin our village has committed to suffer such a great calamity. This time, we might all die in the Dongmang Mountains..."

Luo Xiu's hands slowed down, and she fell silent, not knowing what to say. Just yesterday, Aunt Wang's son was killed by the Dongmang bandits, and the old man died on the first day the bandits stormed into the village...

"Auntie, I'm not afraid of death, but I can't bear to see Sheng'er so young..." After a long silence, Luo Xiu finally spoke.

Aunt Wang lifted her head and looked at Sheng'er with kindness, a smile finally appearing on her face. "Sheng'er is such a sensible child. I wish I had a grandson like him."

Sheng'er, who was still half-asleep, called out, "Mom, I'm hungry."

"Okay, the porridge will be ready soon." Luo Xiu poked the crackling firewood under the stove.

At this moment, Aunt Wang leaned closer to Luo Xiu and said in a low, earnest voice, "Xiu, the only one in the village who might be able to help us escape is Aye. Although the old lady doesn't know what happened to him, the fact that he hasn't left yet shows that he still has feelings for the village. You and he are neighbors, and your relationship must be better than others. Even for Sheng'er's sake, you have to swallow your pride and ask him to take you and your son away."

Under the flickering firelight, Luo Xiu was stunned. She gathered her loose hair behind her ear and, after a long while, smiled bitterly and murmured, "I only ask that he take Sheng'er away."

Aunt Wang, seeing that Luo Xiu had already made up her mind to die, was shocked. "Silly girl, if you die, who will take care of Sheng'er? Even if Sheng'er can escape this disaster, who will love him?"

Luo Xiu's eyes suddenly reddened, and tears welled up in them. However, she held back, sniffed, and wiped away her tears with her sleeve, then continued working efficiently.

She wanted to ask Bu Ye for help, but Bu Ye never gave her the chance.

At this moment, most people in the village, like Aunt Wang, knew that they had little chance of escaping. Those who thought deeply even guessed that the constellation secrets were likely related to the missing Liang Xiong and Du Sanhui. Since those two had already left, they had even less chance of finding a solution.

There was only one path to death. Those who couldn't run could only take one step at a time, essentially waiting to die. Those who still had some strength were planning when to leave the group. Although the chances of surviving alone in the deep mountains of Dongmang were slim, it was better than dying immediately.

In a corner of the camp, in the dim light, Chai Ren whispered to his son, Chai Wangming, "After eating, you take your mother, wife, and son and follow everyone, but make sure to stay at the front. If anything goes wrong, don't hesitate; run into the mountains."

"What about you?"

Chai Ren's face showed a cunning smile. "Of course, I'll go with you, but I need to keep Bu Ye in place. Now that Du Sanhui and Liang Xiong have fled, only Bu Ye can buy us time."

"Will he listen?"

"He has to listen. Who else can lead the village defense team now?" Chai Ren sneered.

Finally, the sky began to brighten, and the young and strong who had worked hard the previous day started eating. After they finished, it would be the women and children's turn. However, Sheng'er had already woken up early and secretly had a bowl of rice porridge.

Everyone ate without savoring the taste, and the entire camp was restless, ready to disperse at any moment.

Bu Ye naturally became the leader of the defense. He ate something hastily and then called the two remaining members of the village defense team.

One was named Gao Qun, in his thirties, and the other was Chen Qingyan, just in his early twenties. The fact that they were still alive showed their strength. Indeed, the true test of one's combat ability was in real battles, and both of them were quite strong.

Bu Ye addressed them as he would in this world: "Big Brother Gao, today you'll take over Uncle Du's job from yesterday and lead a few people to clear the way. Qingyan, you and the rest will stay behind with me to hold off the Dongmang bandits."

The mountain people of Dongmang Village had a strong sense of blood and courage. Gao Qun and Chen Qingyan both responded resolutely, "Okay!"

However, after speaking, they both hesitated. Finally, Gao Qun whispered, "Xiao Ye, do you really think we can make it through today?"

"What if we can't?" Bu Ye countered.

The three looked at each other, fell silent for a moment, and then Gao Qun and Chen Qingyan's fighting spirit burned fiercely.

Indeed, what if they couldn't make it? Could they abandon the villagers and even their own families to escape alone?

Only death, then!

If they couldn't make it, they would die in battle!

But even in death, they wouldn't let the Dongmang bandits have it easy.

Gao Qun and Chen Qingyan walked away, entering the depths of the camp to gather people and assign tasks.

By now, the sky was bright, and most people in the camp had eaten.

The Chai family had finished eating, and Chai Ren looked at Chai Wangming. After Chai Wangming nodded, the old man straightened up and walked towards Bu Ye at the other end of the camp.

On the way, he "heavily" greeted everyone, his expression becoming more serious as he approached Bu Ye.

Finally, when he was close to Bu Ye, he spoke up.

"Bu Ye." Chai Ren called out in a hoarse voice.

Bu Ye turned and looked at Chai Ren.

Chai Ren sighed and said earnestly, "You've seen the situation. The whole village relies on you now."

Bu Ye couldn't help but laugh lightly. "I can't bear such a heavy responsibility."

"Ah... we all misjudged you." Chai Ren glanced at Bu Ye and said like a kind elder, "When you killed Yang Yuanda, everyone thought you were possessed..."

Bu Ye had no interest in Chai Ren's rambling. He didn't believe this old man had suddenly changed his nature.

While humming and responding casually, Bu Ye thought from Chai Ren's perspective and quickly understood his plan. He was trying to tie Bu Ye down with words, afraid that he would escape.

Thinking this, Bu Ye's thoughts became clearer. He immediately guessed that Chai Ren not only wanted to tie him down but also planned to use the opportunity to escape with his family!

Bu Ye didn't care if his guess was right. He would rather err on the side of caution and not let anyone slip through.

"Uncle Chai, rest assured. I won't abandon the villagers and escape unless it's absolutely necessary."

"I knew it! Uncle Chai didn't misjudge you."

"Uncle Chai flatters me. With the village in such a crisis, everyone should work together. Everyone is contributing, not just me."

"Right, right." Chai Ren responded, but inside, he was overjoyed and already cursing Bu Ye for being a fool, easily falling for a few compliments.

At this moment, Bu Ye smiled and said, "Uncle Chai, you have the highest prestige in the village now. After we set off today, we'll need your help. Especially the young and strong who will stay behind to hold the rear. They might get scared before the battle even starts, and only Uncle Chai can boost their morale."

Huh?!

Chai Ren was completely stunned. Just as he was about to speak, Bu Ye cut him off. Bu Ye looked at the camp and called out loudly, "Qingyan, come here!"

"Coming." Chen Qingyan responded and ran over.

Before Chen Qingyan reached, Bu Ye said, "The morale is low. You and Uncle Chai need to stabilize the situation. Also, when the Dongmang bandits catch up, Uncle Chai must be there to boost our morale."

Chen Qingyan was taken aback. Honestly, he didn't like Chai Ren and didn't understand what Bu Ye was up to.

At this moment, Chen Qingyan saw Bu Ye wink at him. Although he didn't understand the meaning, he still agreed, "Alright! It all depends on Uncle Chai." "Remember, when we fight the Dongmang bandits, Uncle Chai must be there."

"Okay!" Chen Qingyan responded loudly.

"No, Bu Ye..."

Before Chai Ren could finish, Bu Ye was already walking down the hill, waving his hand and saying seriously, "The Dongmang bandits are on the move. I need to get a closer look."

Chai Ren was completely stunned...

"Let's go, Uncle Chai." Chen Qingyan urged.

Half an hour later, with Gao Qun leading a few young and strong men at the front, the villagers of Dongmang Mountain set off again.

However, this time, everyone knew it might be their last journey. No one had confidence that Bu Ye and the others could hold off the Dongmang bandits.

Chen Qingyan had fully understood Bu Ye's intentions and forcibly dragged the ashen-faced Chai Ren to the front of those responsible for holding the rear...

Chai Ren clearly didn't boost morale at all. His trembling legs even made people feel annoyed.

The young and strong men holding the rear were on edge, only feeling a bit more at ease when they saw the figure of that person in the front.

Bu Ye.

Many people were in a daze, unable to believe that in just a few days, Bu Ye had become the only pillar of Dongmang Village.

He wasn't as tall as Hong Zhongwei, as strong as Liang Xiong, or as intimidating as Yang Yuanda, but at this moment, he stood alone at the front, and the sense of reliability he exuded was no less than that of Hong Zhongwei!

Is he really trustworthy?

Can we hold out today?

In their doubts, they all saw the Dongmang bandits moving below, chasing after them!