Chapter 52: Xu Qian's Plan

This Xu Qian was Xu Mao's eldest son.

The Xu family had been destroyed, their people killed.

Xu Qian and Third Master Xu and others escaped, but halfway they encountered this group of bandits.

Third Master Xu and the others were all killed, while he, because his strength was decent, was absorbed into the gang.

He harbored resentment in his heart but dared not show it. He even put on a smiling face and let them hit him.

This was only because the leader of this gang of bandits was at peak Postnatal realm, with several first-rate martial artists as well.

Combined with having gathered several hundred able-bodied men, they could possibly slaughter even some prominent clans that didn't have innate realm experts presiding.

Xu Qian himself was a second-rate martial artist. Having contributed quite a few good ideas, his status among these bandits continuously rose to the sixth position.

Previously, Xu Qian had gone with others to hunt in the mountains. Passing through Dongxi Village and seeing the Xu family's harmony, he thought of his own family's tragedy.

So he told his companions about the Xu family, arousing their greed.

This led to the scene just now.

As for the plan he proposed, it was genuinely feasible.

With this gang of bandits' strength, they had the possibility of destroying an ordinary aristocratic family.

It was just that he also knew full well the Xu family's unfathomable depths.

In his heart, he hoped even more that both sides would mutually destroy each other.

"Big brother, I wasn't the one who suggested dealing with the Xu family. I'm just giving suggestions according to your intentions. As for whether to execute them or not, it all depends on your decision, big brother."

"Under nightfall, vision is already poor. As long as we're careful and let those cannon fodder go to their deaths, even if problems arise, the probability of you, big brother, and the other brothers surviving is very high."

Xu Qian displayed an innocent expression, spreading his hands. "As for a one-hundred-percent method, forgive this younger brother, I truly can't think of one."

"After all, the Xu family isn't comparable to ordinary aristocratic families. They have innate realm presiding."

Another burly man said, "Big brother, I think what Old Six said isn't wrong. What we do is knife-edge business. We've long been prepared for casualties."

"Moreover, even if we huddle here without moving, with several hundred people, when we run out of ammunition and provisions, we won't survive either."

"But attacking the Xu family, if we gain something, naturally that's best. If not, we can also consume a portion of cannon fodder. Otherwise, heaven knows how long we can hold on with so many people."

"If we fail, at worst we leave Qingjiang County and go to other counties."

"Generally, families of slightly larger scale have all relocated to the county town. It's truly rare for one like the Xu family to remain in the countryside."

"So it seems you, Old Two, agree with attacking the Xu family?" The scarred middle-aged man pondered briefly, his tiger eyes sweeping around. "What about the other brothers? Those willing, raise your hands to vote."

Swish swish swish~

Nearly ninety percent raised their hands.

"In that case, we'll rob the Xu family!"

To eliminate the scarred middle-aged man's concerns, Xu Qian further suggested, "Big brother, we can hold off for a few days first. Send a few common people disguised to investigate and see the Xu family's personnel scheduling arrangements, patrol shift times, and so on."

"Old Six, you're still the careful one."

The scarred middle-aged man felt somewhat reassured. "We'll do as you say. Old Two, you're in charge of this matter together with him."

"Yes, big brother."

…

"First Young Master, in recent days, there have been ordinary common people wandering around the periphery of several business locations."

A patrolling guard made his routine report.

"Are they all the same people?"

Xu Mingwei's brows suddenly drew together half an inch toward the center, carving a shallow furrow on his forehead.

"No." The patrolling guard shook his head.

Xu Mingwei's brow relaxed. He supposed it was just coincidence.

"Elder brother, when things are abnormal, we must guard against them."

Xu Mingxuan suddenly spoke up. Hearing this matter, a sudden intuition arose in his heart—a vague unease.

"True, but there's also no need to create an atmosphere where every sound is alarming and every tree and blade of grass seems like an enemy. As long as we rotate defense day and night and let people see our strength, I believe the bandits wouldn't dare assault our Xu family either."

Xu Mingxuan nodded slightly, feeling that what Xu Mingwei said was also reasonable.

Previously there had been such incidents too, but they quickly vanished, all had the thieving heart but no thieving courage.

It was just that for some unknown reason, the worry in his heart never disappeared. Like haze hanging over his heart, it stuck in his throat like a fishbone.

Xu Mingxuan then went to find Xu Chuan and told him about this matter, wanting to hear Xu Chuan's thoughts.

In his eyes, Xu Chuan was the most wise person.

"Several common people appearing in the surroundings? You feel there's haze over your heart that won't dissipate?"

Xu Mingxuan couldn't understand, but Xu Chuan was clear about it.

This was the influence brought by the [Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Harm] destiny talent.

If Xu Mingxuan hadn't said so, he would probably also think it was just coincidence, at most dispatching a few more people and increasing patrol intensity.

"Tantou, Father believes you. From now on, you must also believe in your own intuition. This may preserve your life at critical moments."

"Yes, Father."

Having received recognition, Xu Mingxuan's face immediately showed a smile.

"You don't need to worry about this matter. I'll arrange it."

Two days later, Xu Chuan received a divination warning.

[Today's divination: Inauspicious. At the hour of hai, a peak Postnatal will gather large numbers of refugees to assault the Xu family's orchards, farmland, medicinal fields, and estate]

"Large numbers of refugees, that should probably be several hundred people."

"One peak Postnatal definitely isn't enough. Perhaps there are several, plus quite a few first and second-rate martial artists."

The divination didn't give specific hints. Xu Chuan could only estimate to the maximum degree.

"Wanting to assault my Xu family, I'll make sure none of you return!"

…

Not far from the Xu family's main gate stood a watchtower several dozen meters high.

This tower was specially built by Xu Chuan for Xu Mingwei.

Within a surrounding dozen li or so, all was open terrain. When Xu Mingwei stood atop it, even at night, he could see everything at a glance.

Combined with his archery attainments, when an arrow was shot out, if the opposing crowd was dense, it could probably pierce through seven or eight people's bodies and send two or three dozen people around them flying.

This was just the power of the previous black iron powerful bow.

If it were [Frost-Cold Cloud-Piercing], then it would be even more terrifying.

Night fell.

Xu Chuan suddenly summoned all patrolling guards to gather at the main gate. Xu Mingwei and others were also here.

"Tonight, double the manpower at the orchards, medicinal fields, and farmland, until dawn."

The guards were somewhat in an uproar.

Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and others also looked at their father uncomprehendingly.

"Ahyuan, you and Yunnu, Instructor Zhang, Instructor Qian, go protect the orchards. Da Niu, Instructor Meng, and Xueji take the white tiger to the medicinal fields. Tantou, Li Zhi, Instructor Chang, Instructor Jin, Zhao Dalong, Sun Fugui, you all go to the farmland."

"The usual number of patrolling guards hold torches on patrol. The rest hide in the surroundings."

"As for you, Shitou, preside at the watchtower."

"If anyone approaches, kill without mercy!"

Cold killing intent erupted from Xu Chuan's body. All the others, feeling Xu Chuan's determination, no longer opened their mouths.

What they needed to do was trust their father.

Trust their family head.

Everyone went about their business, all moving into action.

Only three first-rate instructors from the Dragon Elephant Martial Hall and several dozen servants who had practiced martial arts but weren't martial artists remained at the Xu family estate gate.

Large quantities of arrows were moved out.

The watchtower had a pulley device that could continuously send arrows up.

"Family Head Xu, this Gu has eaten and lodged at your home. I should always do something, otherwise my heart is uneasy."

Gu Yiping walked before Xu Chuan and cupped his hands toward him.

Xu Chuan turned to look at Gu Yiping and stopped him from saluting, saying with a smile, "Brother Gu, you and I are peers, there's no need for this."

"If you're willing, an hour from now, you and I will separately go to the orchards and medicinal fields to watch over them in secret. If there's no danger, there's no need to act. After all, the children also need tempering."

"It should naturally be so." Gu Yiping cupped his fists with a slight smile.