Chapter 47: Ridding the People of a Scourge

As soon as Lu Yu's words left his mouth, the crowd stood frozen on the spot, looking at one another in dismay.

"Strike first to gain the advantage? Little Yu, are you saying we should take the initiative?" Zhao Shan's jaw dropped in surprise, his eyes wide as copper bells.

"That's right." Lu Yu's gaze was like a torch, fixed tightly on the people from Wang Family Zhai in the distance, his expression cold and stern. "Regardless, the people from Wang Family Zhai will catch up to us and cause trouble anyway. The outcome is the same; it's just a matter of the intensity of the conflict. Since that's the case, we might as well strike first."

"The reason the people from Wang Family Zhai are holding back right now is that they aren't sure if we will go to help Qin Family Stronghold. Even if we get closer, they are likely guessing our intentions; they would never imagine we intend to take the initiative."

"Therefore, we will feign passing by, and once we are close, we will launch a sudden attack. I will eliminate their archers first to remove the long-range threat they pose to us."

"At a distance of two hundred meters, by the time they react and rush over, there won't be many of them left. That is when you, Uncle Zhao, and the others can charge in and wipe them all out."

After Lu Yu finished speaking, he secretly rejoiced that he still had one chance for an attribute point enhancement remaining; it would certainly come in very handy now.

"Hiss..." The group drew a sharp breath. Even Lu Guohao was shocked by Lu Yu's bold plan. This meant killing people, and not just one or two, but over a dozen!

"Dad, uncles, if there were any other way, I wouldn't want to do this either." Seeing the hesitation on their faces, Lu Yu couldn't help but sigh and say earnestly, "But we truly have no other choice, unless we are willing to hand over the prey we worked so hard to catch."

At the mention of "handing it over," the crowd was instantly consumed by rage, their faces filled with resentment and anger.

"Little Yu is right!" Sun Gang was the first to respond, his emotions stirred and his voice raised a notch. "These bullies do nothing but evil every day. Although they haven't killed anyone with their own hands, think of how much food they've snatched and how many innocent people they've indirectly caused to die! Eliminating them today is ridding the people of a scourge!"

"That's right! Doesn't everyone know what kind of people those from Wang Family Zhai are? Last time they snatched our prey, they even humiliated us wantonly, saying things like 'if you had been obedient earlier, there wouldn't have been so much trouble.'"

"They definitely won't let us off easily this time. Since that's the case, we should strike first!"

"Yes, I've had enough of them! We are all upright men; who is afraid of whom? Let's just do it!"

The group spoke one after another, and several more people expressed their agreement. The atmosphere at the scene was heated, and their fighting spirit was high.

At this moment, only a few people, including Lu Guohao and Zhao Shan, were still hesitating.

"Guohao," Zhao Shan said slowly, feeling the gazes cast upon him, "I think Little Yu makes sense."

"Even if Wang Family Zhai spares us today for the sake of the prey, what about next time? Or the time after that? They will only become more insatiable."

"If our entire Zhai were to migrate elsewhere, the dangers outside might not be any less than they are here."

"But isn't it a bit too ruthless for us to do this?" One of the middle-aged men looked pained, his brows furrowed. "They snatched our prey, but it hasn't reached the point of taking our lives. Can't we just help Qin Family Stronghold teach them a lesson and drive them away?"

"What's the difference between snatching our prey and taking our lives?" Sun Gang scoffed as soon as he heard this, his tone full of disdain. "How many people have starved to death because of their evil deeds? How is that any different from murder?"

"Exactly, and those who starved to death were so innocent!" The crowd chimed in one after another, and the middle-aged man was left speechless, falling silent.

Everyone's gaze focused on Lu Guohao. He looked grave, his expression complex.

He understood in his heart that Lu Yu's plan was indeed logical, and from the long-term interests of the Zhai, it might be the best choice. But the methods were truly too ruthless, and he couldn't help but feel a bit soft-hearted.

Furthermore, he thought about how Wang Family Zhai also had over a hundred people, and these people all had families behind them—the elderly, wives, and children.

If they died here, how would the old, weak, women, and children of Wang Family Zhai survive?

"Guohao, don't hesitate anymore!" Sun Gang urged anxiously. "If we drag this out and the people from Qin Family Stronghold give in, we will have missed our chance."

"That's right, Guohao, have you forgotten how they humiliated us last time? Before they left, they even slapped you hard. Have you forgotten all these insults?"

"Guohao, blind concession will only make them more arrogant!"

Lu Guohao clenched his fists, his face full of struggle as he underwent an intense internal conflict.

"Dad," Lu Yu saw the inner turmoil of his father and patiently persuaded him again. "I know you are worried about what will happen to the families of those in Wang Family Zhai, and I have actually thought about it too."

"But at this critical juncture of life and death, we must first ensure that the people of our own Zhai can survive. If we bring back less prey, our fellow villagers will go hungry; if we bring back half as much, half the people will have to go hungry."

"If we can't even protect the people around us, what is the point of talking about benevolence and morality?"

Lu Yu's words were like a thunderbolt, striking deep into Lu Guohao's heart. He started, as if he had been awakened.

That's right, hadn't his goal all along been to lead the people of the Zhai to survive? If he couldn't even resolve the crisis at hand, how could he talk about protecting everyone?

"Alright!" Lu Guohao nodded heavily, a firm light reigniting in his eyes as if he had made up his mind.

Seeing this, the crowd breathed a sigh of relief. If Lu Yu and his father Lu Guohao had disagreed, they would have been in a difficult position. Fortunately, the team had now reached a consensus.

Everyone was full of confidence in defeating Wang Family Zhai; after all, Lu Yu's strength was something everyone had witnessed.

However, just then, Zhao Shan suddenly thought of something. He glanced at the few people from Qin Family Stronghold not far away, his expression filled with worry, and asked, "Little Yu, the people from Qin Family Stronghold are mixed in with those from Wang Family Zhai. When you shoot your arrows, won't you accidentally hurt them?"

This question made Lu Yu pause as well. His instinct was to say the possibility was low, but the battlefield changed in an instant, and it was better to be safe than sorry.

The Strong Bow in his hand had a draw weight of one hundred catties; it could easily pierce a Fierce Beast, let alone unprotected people.

If he really accidentally injured someone from Qin Family Stronghold in the chaos, he wouldn't be able to explain himself.

For a moment, the atmosphere turned silent, and the hope that had just been ignited seemed to have reached a stalemate.

"I've got it!" Lu Yu had a flash of inspiration, and a new plan instantly crossed his mind. "We won't use the surprise attack plan; we'll switch to a plan of luring the enemy deep."

"Luring the enemy deep?"

"How do we lure the enemy deep?" The crowd became interested, pricking up their ears and asking impatiently.

"It's very simple, let's ignore Qin Family Stronghold for now." Just as Lu Yu said this, Lu Guohao's expression changed slightly, but he didn't interrupt, continuing to listen.

"When the people from Wang Family Zhai see us carrying so much prey and moving slowly, they will definitely be unable to resist chasing after us. We will pretend to flee and let them lower their guard."

Once they all enter my range, I will strike decisively. This way, I can eliminate the bullies from Wang Family Zhai while ensuring I don't accidentally hurt the people from Qin Family Stronghold.

"The only drawback is that it might make the people from Qin Family Stronghold feel a bit cold, but after it's over, we can return the prey they had stolen and explain clearly; I believe they will understand." Lu Yu smiled, his eyes filled with confidence.

"This is a good idea." Lu Guohao let out a long sigh of relief, the heavy stone in his heart finally falling to the ground.

If they had truly ignored Qin Family Stronghold completely, he wouldn't have opposed it, but looking back later, he would inevitably have felt some guilt.

"I also think this method is feasible."

"Let's do it!" Zhao Shan, Sun Gang, and the others nodded in agreement.