Chapter 141: “Spoils of War”

Fortunately, the rush of blood to his head hadn’t clouded his judgment. He gathered a few strong men to replace Yan Lao’er and focused on retrieving arrows for Yan Huaiwen…

Liang Fengnian stared blankly at his father, his hands covered in blood as he pulled out arrows. Blood splattered on his head, face, and body made his veins-bulging, exertion-filled face look even more ferocious.

This is… his father?

Not everyone had the courage to charge into battle. Some stayed back, protecting their parents, wives, and children…

But more and more people joined the fray.

Some, despite their fear, carried the wounded on their backs or dragged them to safety.

Even half-grown children rushed forward. As more children joined, they followed the adults’ lead, darting nimbly to pick up fallen bamboo arrows and gather them in one place.

Once they had collected a decent amount, they eagerly delivered them to the well-known Young Scouts.

Each time they brought arrows, they took a long detour, never daring to get too close, leaving them near Yan Xiao’er, the leader of the Young Scouts.

Yan Xiao’er would then assign people to collect and distribute the arrows.

Occasionally, she would direct the children to deliver them to specific locations on the flanks.

Being given direct orders made the children ecstatic. They ran even harder, tirelessly picking up and delivering arrows.

Everyone seemed to have changed.

Fear was slowly fading away.

This change was especially evident in Yan Lao’er.

He was practically half a divine archer.

Only “half” because no one could predict where his miraculous arrows would land next.

Would they hit an ally’s wooden shield? A horse’s tail? Or actually strike an enemy?

Possibilities included—but were not limited to—grazing someone’s neck, causing excessive bleeding…

Hitting all limbs but missing the vital parts…

Or planting an arrow straight into a leg, forcing the target to kneel…

Yan Lao’er himself was exhausted.

He had to shoot through the gaps in the encirclement.

It wasn’t that Qi Da was unwilling to lift him up for a better vantage point—it was just that Qi Da had enough self-awareness to know better.

Shooting from a higher position…

Was only suitable for someone with reliable archery skills.

As for Yan Lao’er? Best not. Giving him a better view…

Would just increase the chances of friendly fire—by a lot!

“You dare rebel?! We are—”

Thud!

Hu Da’s head +1.

“We are all government officials! If you kill us—”

Thud!

Hu Er’s head +1.

“Filthy peasants! Our lord will—”

Thud!

Half-divine-archer Yan Lao’er clenched his fist excitedly as his miraculous accuracy struck again.

Meanwhile, Yan Yu tightened the formation, coordinating with Old Yan to clear out the remaining horses.

She couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.

Live horses were worth much more than dead ones.

But!

Even leaving a single one alive could spell their doom!

“Ignore the panicked horses! Let them run!” Yan Yu commanded her Young Scouts.

The children grew bolder, their coordination improving.

Injured horses would flee in all directions in their panic.

One horse running could spur several more to follow.

At first, the children scrambled to get out of the way. But over time, they learned the pattern—if a horse seemed ready to charge at them, they would dodge and run in a curved path.

Yan Huaiwen no longer acted but instead rode his fine steed, observing from the side.

The enemy force was large and fairly skilled. They finally found an opening, sacrificing a few lives to break through the encirclement.

The Young Scouts unleashed a dense barrage of bamboo arrows.

But because their fire was too concentrated, some enemies still managed to escape.

Yan Huaiwen gave chase on horseback. Every time he loosed an arrow, another enemy fell.

But no one can fight forever.

His iron arrows eventually ran out.

The survivors seized their chance, grabbing the reins of nearby horses and fleeing in disgrace.

Disorderly mobs… their collective danger surpassed that of mere bandits!

—

Post-battle work was just as important.

Like her father, Yan Yu took special care to ensure that every fallen enemy was truly dead.

No children, including the Young Scouts, were allowed near the bodies.

The three Qi family uncles had an important job: finishing off any enemy still breathing.

Father and daughter believed that no one could survive being run over by the Qi brothers’ cart.

Except for the dead.

After the “reinforcement” came the exciting part—collecting the spoils of war.

After multiple battles against bandits and these so-called “official soldiers,” the villagers had grown bold. Searching bodies was now second nature to them.

Luo San was overjoyed!

Everything!

The scholar had given his orders—everything, including every single horse, was to be slaughtered for meat! Not a single one would be spared!

In this barren wilderness, dozens of people gathered around Luo San, waiting for him to butcher the horses and distribute the meat. Some helped him lift and move the carcasses, acting as his assistants.

Dozens of people…

Luo San was dazed. Never before had he felt so powerful—so respected—as a mere butcher!

Yan Yu stared at the horses, her expression unreadable.

Yan Lao’er, meanwhile, was massaging Li Xuemei’s legs and whispering, “We have no choice. We can’t keep the horses—they’d attract too much attention. And we can’t release them either. Didn’t your uncle say so? These are trained horses. They won’t run far and will be easy for others to reclaim. Strengthening our enemies means weakening ourselves. Daughter, you understand that, right?”

“If we can’t use them and can’t let them go, then the only choice is to kill them. Meat in hand is the most practical gain. Once Luo San finishes, we need to leave immediately!”

“I’m not reluctant,” Yan Yu murmured. “I’m just wondering… who exactly were they?”

“Who?” Yan Lao’er answered as if it was obvious. “Private mine owners, of course. Didn’t your uncle say so?”

“They were soldiers!” Yan Yu glanced at the gathered “spoils of war,” all of which were piled up near the Yan family.

By now, everyone had developed a habit—no one kept anything for themselves. Everything was handed over to the Yan family for distribution.

It almost felt like… in some ways, their operation resembled that of bandits.

Yan Yu was bolder than her father.

While Yan Lao’er had bursts of courage but feared checking afterward, little Yan Yu had no such qualms.

She thoroughly examined every person and looted item.

If their uniforms alone weren’t proof enough, then what about their identification plaques?

The inscriptions were clear—they belonged to the Lianshan Garrison under the jurisdiction of the Leshan Prefecture Commander’s Office.

The first man to die had been a Baihu (hundred-man commander). Among the dead were Zongqi (squad leaders) and Xiaoqi (deputy squad leaders)…

If they were truly government troops, then they were now outlaws who had killed officials.

If they weren’t… then their disguises were far too convincing.

Yan Yu was inclined to believe they were real. Otherwise, where did all those horses come from?

They started as law-abiding citizens. Then, they became refugees. And now… outlaws.

A game-changing move—and everything shattered.

How were outlaws supposed to survive? Could they still go to Guanzhou? Or should they turn around and become bandits instead?

Her father’s joke might just come true—Qiyun Stronghold might really rise up!

“They’re fake! Your uncle said so!” Yan Lao’er dismissed it absentmindedly.

He was more concerned with massaging his wife’s legs.

“Wife, let me massage your feet.”

Li Xuemei swiftly withdrew her feet and flatly refused. “No need!”

She only wanted to keep him busy so he wouldn’t overthink and scare himself. How did he end up taking advantage of the situation?!

“Dad!” Yan Yu looked at him resentfully.

“Pay attention to the child! She’s worried sick!”