Chapter 99: Doing What Is Right in One’s Heart

Old Yan had a kind of convincing power.

The refugees believed his words, realizing that they were all fellow escapees. They wept uncontrollably.

They had fled their homes in search of a way to survive, yet before even reaching a place where they could live, they had lost their loved ones. Parents were either beaten to death or their fates remained unknown. Those with multiple children were only allowed to keep the youngest by their side, while the others were taken away to places unknown.

The sorrow of being separated from one’s own flesh and blood was the most heart-wrenching.

Everyone present could relate to this pain.

Yan Lao’er cried the hardest, his face covered in tears and snot.

He knew it was embarrassing, but he couldn’t control himself.

It was just too tragic!

A capital “Tragic”!

Even more heartbreaking than the most melodramatic soap operas!

“You should hurry back to the main road and look for them. Maybe you’ll find them,” he said while wiping his tears.

Luo Da whispered, “Yan Er, don’t talk nonsense. The main road is crawling with bandits.”

Yan Lao’er: “Huh?!”

In his excitement, he had completely forgotten about that.

Hearing something off in Luo Da’s voice, he looked over, puzzled.

The usually calm and steadfast man had tears welling up in his eyes.

Looking around, the others weren’t as openly emotional as he was, but they were all visibly struggling to suppress their grief…

Yan Lao’er fell silent.

He wanted to say something but didn’t know where to start.

Should they risk everything to save the refugees?

Did he even have the face to ask that of everyone?

They could barely take care of themselves, with their families still relying on them—how could they afford such a risk?!

It was at that moment that Yan Huaiwen spoke up:

“There were originally over a hundred bandits in Laosong Stronghold. The rest are just villagers they recently kidnapped. There’s a path through the back mountain—it’s rough, but it bypasses the main group of bandits and leads directly to where they’re holding the refugees.”

He paused and looked around.

Everyone’s gaze was on him.

There was fire in those eyes—a burning fire that only grew stronger.

“Those who want to save people, follow me. The rest will return with Tianyou and protect our families.”

“No way, big brother! I’ll go save them!” Yan Lao’er objected without a second thought.

“Tianyou!” Yan Huaiwen’s voice rose slightly, his expression solemn. “Listen to me!”

Tianyou was not suited for this. He feared killing, revered life itself.

That wasn’t a flaw—it was proof of his kindness.

As an elder brother, Yan Huaiwen not only had to ensure Tianyou’s safety but also had to protect the kindness in his heart.

That kindness was rare and precious in times like these!

Yan Lao’er: …

But big brother, you’re directionally challenged! How are you going to lead people up the back mountain?!

He lowered his head and looked at the cat that kept playfully biting at his straw sandals.

Sensing his gaze, the cat quickly looked up at him.

No way, right?! What kind of cat could lead the way?!

Just as Yan Lao’er was caught in this dilemma, Uncle An stepped forward.

Then, all the villagers emerged from their respective groups.

Uncle An said, “Scholar, we all heard about the back mountain route. Let the young men from our village go scout ahead first. We know the people in the nearby villages—they’re honest folk, just like us. If they weren’t, they would’ve joined the bandits long ago.

“If they find out we’re going up to rescue people, they’ll definitely help us. Helping us is helping themselves, isn’t it?”

Yan Lao’er thought this was a great idea.

An inside-outside coordination would be even better, right?

But his brother didn’t hesitate for even a second before shaking his head decisively.

“These villagers are not like you. They’ve been oppressed by the bandits for too long—they’ve already lost their fighting spirit.”

Otherwise, how could hundreds of them be subdued by just over a hundred bandits?

The bandits came down the mountain in groups to plunder and abduct people regularly, yet there was never any resistance.

Perhaps, like the refugees they had just rescued, their families were being held hostage, leaving them too afraid to rebel.

If that were the case, then it was even more dangerous to try to recruit them.

It could easily backfire.

The Luo brothers, the Hu brothers, the Wang family men…

Not a single man from the village backed down—all of them stepped forward.

Only the three Qi family members remained by Yan Lao’er’s side.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to go, but their mother had warned them countless times to protect Yan Lao’er.

The Qi family’s matriarch understood things clearly.

The scholar had the whole village looking after him, but Yan Lao’er only had her three simple-minded sons keeping an eye on him.

Her eyesight was bad, but her heart was clear.

She had carefully observed how the scholar treated his younger brother.

If they looked out for Yan Lao’er, the scholar would probably be even more pleased!

After all, that was the younger brother he had protected for over twenty years!

Suddenly, several men among the refugees stepped forward.

“Count me in!”

“Me too!”

Oh no!

Yan Lao’er felt like crying again.

We ordinary folks have such kind hearts—even while suffering our own hardships, we still reach out to help others.

Each person offers just a little, but those small efforts add up, piling up like grains of sand to form a mighty tower!

When we unite as one, even the worst villains will tremble!

Yan Lao’er sniffled and started pleading with his brother.

“Big brother, just let me go!”

“Big brother, look at me! Look at me!”

…

Yan Huaiwen ignored him and continued organizing the groups.

Everyone had stepped forward, but not everyone could go.

Some had to stay behind with Tianyou to protect their families.

Only by securing their home could they go forth without worries—to do what was right in their hearts!

“Big brother!” Yan Lao’er was getting desperate. He called out loudly, then quickly sidled up to his brother and whispered, “Don’t forget, you have no sense of direction! What if you get lost in the mountains?!”

Yan Huaiwen chuckled.

This flaw of his wasn’t new—it had been the same in his past life. And yet, he had managed just fine.

“If you really want to help me, then ensure everyone gets home safely. Whatever happens next, we’ll decide after this is over.”

Yan Lao’er looked over at the pitiful women and children and sighed.

Fine, his duty was just as important.

Yan Huaiwen had once stood firm as a high-ranking minister through three dynasties—it wasn’t due to luck.

It was because he always calculated every risk, planned meticulously, and prepared thoroughly.

He had learned this lesson the hard way—through painful personal loss.

Now, they had numbers on their side, bamboo crossbows, and the element of surprise…

With the right time, the right people, and the right opportunity—

How could they not fight?!

…

Before Yan Lao’er’s group even reached their shelter, a bunch of tiny figures tumbled out from behind trees and bushes, rolling and crawling toward them.

Yan Yu covered her forehead.

The entrance was a bit… comical.

“Who goes there?! Name yourselves!” she demanded, holding up her tiny bamboo crossbow.

Yan Lao’er snorted. “I’m your father!”

Yan Yu grinned. “Haha! I couldn’t see clearly before, but it really is you, Dad!”

Yan Lao’er: …

You think I’d believe that?!

Just how bad is your eyesight?!

“Where’s Uncle? Where are all the village men? Why are only these people back?” Yan Yu suddenly realized something was wrong. She widened her eyes at the struggling women carrying children and stammered, “Who… who are they?”

The militia kids saw it too.

They rushed forward, sweating anxiously.

“Where’s my dad?! Why isn’t he back?!”

“Dad, where’s Uncle? Where did he go?!”