Chapter 76: Fierce Bandits

"Riding Horned Horse Beasts, about twenty or thirty people, and they even use bows and crossbows?"

At the dinner table, Lu Guohao's expression changed abruptly, "Xiao Yu, you don't mean that gang of fierce bandits, do you?"

Hearing these two words, Geng Lian, who was to the side, was so frightened that the chopsticks in her hand dropped onto the table.

"Fierce bandits?" Lu Yu felt a shock in his heart; did such a group of heinous people really exist?

"Yes." Lu Guohao's eyes were full of wariness, "Those guys ride Horned Horse Beasts, move quickly, and most are skilled at using bows and crossbows, specifically picking on weak targets.

Sometimes they even ransack a Zhai, and after grabbing everything, they burn it to the ground."

Lu Yu widened his eyes; these were simply a group of inhuman demons.

"In the past, many small Zhais were destroyed at their hands. Later, I heard that such a group appeared near Zhou Family Fort. The leader is a fierce-looking bald man who was already at the Body Tempering Second Layer a few years ago; by now, he might have even broken through to the Body Tempering Third Layer."

Lu Guohao's voice came to an abrupt halt, a look of terror appearing on his face, "Xiao Yu, do you mean that if we go to Zhou Family Fort tomorrow, we are very likely to be targeted by these people?" In an instant, the atmosphere at the dinner table became incomparably oppressive.

Geng Lian's body couldn't help but tremble, "How about we don't go tomorrow? Those fierce bandits are all people who kill without blinking."

"Dad, Mom, don't worry too much, I was just asking casually." Lu Yu smiled slightly, trying to soothe them, "How could it be such a coincidence? Why would they happen to target us? Besides, Dad, you've been to Zhou Family Fort before, and haven't you always been safe and sound?"

"True, I've never had any trouble going there before." Lu Guohao said, yet his brows remained tightly locked, full of worry.

In the past, when they went to Zhou Family Fort, they only took some worthless small items to trade for a bit of grain; the quantity was small, so they probably didn't catch the eyes of those fierce bandits.

But this time is different; they are carrying so many supplies that even people from the Wang Family Zhai would likely be tempted if they saw them.

However, if they don't go, the grain at home is about to run out, and there is little salt left. How about trading less? But one catty of meat can be traded for three or four catties of rice, enough for the people in the Zhai to eat for several days.

Winter is coming soon, and the difficulty of hunting will increase greatly by then; it won't do to not trade for more grain. Lu Guohao was momentarily caught in a difficult dilemma.

Lu Yu ate his meal in silence; twenty or thirty people, the leader is a bald man—this matches Ji Bingyu's description perfectly.

Either Ji Bingyu knew about these circumstances long ago and said it on purpose, or she truly possesses the ability of Future Prediction.

"Regardless, one trip tomorrow will make everything clear."

There is no reason not to go. If what Ji Bingyu said is false and nothing happens, that would naturally be for the best; if everything is as she said, and he still can't beat these people while knowing the future, then he might as well find a place to hide.

After finishing the meal and resting for a while, Lu Yu and Wang Liang headed to the Warehouse to practice martial arts.

Not long ago, the area in front of the empty Warehouse was now crowded with people.

There were about twenty people practicing martial arts, while quite a few onlookers surrounded them; the scene was somewhat lively.

In the blink of an eye, a few hours passed. The people in the open space gradually dispersed; besides Lu Yu and Wang Liang, only Qin Ze remained, focusing on practicing Archery.

"Going to Zhou Family Fort tomorrow?" Wang Liang asked.

"Yes." Lu Yu answered with a smile, "Besides trading supplies, I also want to see what it's like inside Zhou Family Fort."

"It is indeed quite different from our Zhai; there is a weapon shop there, you can go take a look."

"A weapon shop?" Lu Yu became interested, "Are there good things inside?"

Wang Liang glanced at him, "Half of the bows and crossbows in the Zhai were bought there, and there are also some knives and swords forged from special metals, which are fine for dealing with Intermediate-level Fierce Beasts. Of course, you can buy similar things at street stalls, but you have to keep your wits about you so you don't get cheated."

"Mm, I will be careful." Lu Yu unconsciously thought of the old man who sold the Cultivation Method; tomorrow, he would have to have a good talk with him.

"It's getting late, go back and rest early, be extra careful tomorrow." After saying this, Wang Liang limped toward the Warehouse.

Lu Yu watched his back, then called out to Qin Ze, who was still practicing archery: "Qin Ze, let's head back, we have to get up early tomorrow."

"You're heading back too?" Qin Ze looked over from a distance.

Lu Yu felt a bit helpless; this guy really seemed to be competing with him. No wonder everyone else had gone back to rest one after another while he was still persisting here.

After returning home, Lu Yu ate another meal, increasing his Potential Point by about twenty. He let out a burp, sat on the bed, and looked at the Skill panel:

【Basic Spear Technique: lv6 (38.9%), Traits: Body Strengthening 6, Force Strength 6, Swift Movement 6, Imperial Guard 6, Absolute Kill 3】

That's right, after almost an entire night of sparring, 【Basic Spear Technique】 had improved by another two levels.

Now, he could fight Wang Liang to a standstill, and it was precisely because of this that his proficiency grew especially fast.

"No wonder in Ji Bingyu's dream, I was able to block several rounds of arrow rain." Lu Yu sighed with emotion; if he continued to improve like this, using a long spear to block bullets might actually be achievable.

"Let's look at the attributes again." His gaze moved upward:

Realm: Body Tempering Third Layer

Level: 8 (0/100)

Constitution: 69.67

Strength: 60.11

Agility: 34.28

Spirit: 12.97

Potential Point: 168 (7 points/1 day)

Experience Value: 10

Compared to last time, because both 【Basic Archery】 and 【Basic Spear Technique】 had improved by two levels, his Constitution and Strength attributes had each increased by 4 points, and his Agility attribute had also increased by 2 points.

"60 points of Strength, that should be enough to pull that 300-catty draw-weight bow." Lu Yu muttered to himself. However, doing so would make his rate of fire much slower.

By comparison, the 200-catty draw-weight bow he was currently using had great power and a fast rate of fire, making it the best choice. Furthermore, he still had one chance to break through his Realm and one chance to strengthen his body.

"I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow." He sighed lightly; otherwise, he would have to go on a killing spree again.

The night passed quickly. At three or four in the morning, the sky was still dim, and many people were still in their dreams, but the Hunting Team was already prepared.

Unlike in the past, everyone covered their mouths and noses with black cloth; this was Lu Yu's suggestion to prevent being recognized and inviting unnecessary trouble.

Some people were already gathered at the Zhai entrance, and Ji Bingyu was among them.

"We're setting off, everyone go back, wait for our good news." Lu Guohao waved goodbye to the crowd. A dozen people, in pairs, carrying their prey, walked outward.

"Be careful!"

"Watch your safety!"

"Make sure to come back safely!"

Words of concern kept coming from behind.

Lu Yu shifted his gaze away from his mother and younger brother, and it happened to meet Ji Bingyu's gaze.

The next moment, he nodded slightly at Ji Bingyu, shouldered his bow and arrows, gripped his long spear, and turned to walk forward.

"You must return safely." Ji Bingyu pressed her hands together in front of her chest and prayed silently.

She had already done everything she could; what came next would depend on Lu Yu.