Chapter 29: Eightfold Insight Picks the Finest Soldiers, Undercurrents Stir as We Scout Li Family Village

The salt and iron crisis hung over him like a sword, preventing Chen Wen from feeling at ease about internal construction.

External exploration is a must.

The target was initially set dozens of li away at the rumored well‑supplied "Li Family Village".

But exploring the outside is no easy task.

The outside is plagued by war and bandits, and the situation at Li Family Village is unknown—whether friend or foe remains unclear.

Those sent out must be true elite.

The next day, on the militia drill field.

Chen Wen did not start training as usual, but his eyes blazed like torches.

He slowly swept his gaze over the more than fifty faces below, those who had fought Hu Biao and already bore a hint of his ferocity.

"We've run into trouble."

Chen Wen got straight to the point.

"Our salt is almost gone, and the stone for forging won't last much longer."

A slight stir rose among the troops below; they exchanged glances, all aware of how vital these two things are.

"Just waiting means only a dead end."

Chen Wen raised his voice.

"We must go out, find these things, or find a way to obtain them!"

He paused, his eyes growing sharper:

"I've decided to form a scouting party to check out Li Family Village to the east."

"This squad shouldn't be large, but it must be the best!"

"They need quick minds, keen eyes, strong legs, tight lips, great courage—most importantly, they must be absolutely reliable!"

"Now, volunteer. Think it through—going out could mean running into tough opposition, and you might not return."

As his words fell, nearly all the able‑bodied youths below stepped forward, eyes burning with eagerness!

"Following the chief out on a mission is dangerous, but it's also glorious!"

Moreover, they placed blind trust in Chen Wen, believing that as long as the chief was present, no obstacle could not be overcome.

Chen Wen looked at those eager, loyal faces, feeling relieved, but he needed the most suitable candidates.

His eightfold observation and insight were now fully engaged.

His gaze swept over each person like a precise scanner.

Instantly analyzing their micro‑expressions, physical condition, and even past training performance.

That person's eyes were eager, but his breathing was slightly short‑winded, suggesting poorer stamina—eliminated.

That guy's muscles were bulging, but his eyes occasionally wandered, raising doubts about his discipline—eliminated.

This young man is not bad—he trains hard, learns moves quickly, and stayed calm in the last fight; I noted him.

Zhang Cheng will definitely go—he's clever and loyal, my most capable assistant.

We also need an old hand familiar with the surrounding terrain……

His brain raced like a supercomputer, in just a few tens of seconds.

From the fifty‑plus candidates he selected five:

Zhang Cheng, and a hunter named Zhao Lao Si who knows the mountains and forests extremely well.

Two veterans with the best training scores and steady temperaments—former soldiers of the Later Jin, with some experience.

And there's a youth named Hou San who looks unremarkable but has exceptionally lively eyes and is skilled at gathering information.

"Zhang Cheng, Zhao Lao Si, Wang Shuan, Li Zhu, Hou San—step forward!"

The five named stepped forward excitedly, while the others who weren't chose showed disappointment.

"You five, get ready—tomorrow at dawn we'll set out for Li Family Village to scout the route."

"Remember, this mission is reconnaissance, not combat. All actions follow my orders!"

"Yes, chief!"

The five replied in unison, their voices brimming with restrained excitement and tension.

With the personnel set, the next step was tense preparations.

Chen Wen once again displayed his eightfold planning ability.

He personally approved the supplies to carry.

Weapons must not be too many or conspicuous—mainly short blades and staffs, with Zhang Cheng carrying a bow;

dry rations must be durable and high‑energy;

we prepared a small amount of the fairly refined hides and herbs seized from Hu Biao as trial trade goods;

plus fire‑starters, rope, waterskins, and other wilderness survival essentials.

He personally inspected every item; his eightfold touch and detail perception let him spot whether a waterskin leaked or where a rope was badly worn.

【Conducting precise march planning, logistics management ability boosted! Diligence Points (WP)+30!】

At the same time, he made meticulous arrangements for those left behind.

He temporarily handed control of the town to Wang Ru and the steady, veteran Zhao Lao Bo, ordering the militia to strengthen vigilance day and night.

Without his order, no one may leave the town without permission, and outsiders are strictly forbidden to enter.

"If an emergency arises, hold fast and await help—above all, protect the town!"

He earnestly instructed Wang Ru.

"Chief, rest assured—as long as we draw breath, we will keep Jiao Tu Zhen safe!"

Wang Ru solemnly promised.

Everything was arranged properly, it was already deep night.

Chen Wen returned home; his mother Liu Shi and sister Chen Wan were still awake, waiting for him under the lamp.

"Waner, do you really have to go?"

Liu Shi's eyes were full of worry.

His son had just returned not long ago, and now he wants to go on an adventure again.

"Mother, don't worry, I'm just going to scout the route, not to fight in a war. I'll be back soon."

Chen Wen comforted her, his tone relaxed but his eyes firm.

"Some things must be done. Otherwise, our town won't last in the long run."

Liu Shi sighed, knowing her son bore the hopes of the whole town; she said no more, just carefully helped him check his pack, constantly reminding him of precautions.

Chen Wan silently slipped a boiled egg she had saved into her brother's pack.

Looking at his family, Chen Wen felt warm inside, and his determination to carve out a path of survival for them and for the entire Jiao Tu Zhen grew stronger.

At dawn the next day, a six-person team left Jiao Tu Zhen silently, merging into the thin morning mist.

Chen Wen led the team, with Zhang Cheng and Zhao Lao Si on the left and right scouting ahead.

Wang Shuan and Li Zhu covered the rear, while the clever Hou San roved around the team, responsible for clearing traces and giving warnings.

Chen Wen's eightfold heightened perception reached its peak; every rustle of wind and grass, every strange cry of birds and beasts in the mountains and forests could not escape his ears.

He continually adjusted the route and speed based on the actual situation.

【Leading the team in outdoor reconnaissance, military Commander, outdoor survival proficiency increased (x Bonus)!

Diligence Points (WP)+5…+5… (continuous)】

Along the way, they avoided several areas where wolf packs might be active.

They also made a wide detour around an abandoned village that appeared to have cooking smoke rising, but whose situation was unclear.

Until dusk, Zhao Lao Si, who was at the front, suddenly crouched and gave a hand signal.

Everyone immediately took cover.

Zhao Lao Si crawled back and whispered:

"Chief, just past the mountain hollow ahead, we should be able to see Li Family Village."

"But… there seems to be movement over there, not like ordinary farmers."

Chen Wen's eyes narrowed, signaling everyone to stay hidden in place.

He himself, like a spirit cat, silently climbed onto a large rock ahead, using the lingering light of the setting sun to look down.

Only then did he see that at the foot of the distant mountains there indeed stood a sizable manor.

Its walls were high and its moats deep, imposing and far beyond what Jiao Tu Zhen could compare to; that must be Li Family Village.

However, outside the manor's outer wall, about a li or more away, a dozen or so tents were pitched, faintly forming a crude camp.

Shadows moved within the camp, suggesting many people were present… and… some of them reflected a metallic sheen!

Are they soldiers? Or bandits?

What is their relationship to Li Family Village?

Are they besieging it? Standoff? Or… are they in league?

The situation is far more complicated than anticipated.

Chen Wen's heart sank; the original plan to directly approach and make contact was clearly unworkable.

He slowly slid down the rock, his face solemn, and whispered to the five team members:

"The situation has changed. Let's first find a place to hide and observe, then we'll talk after we figure things out."

Unknown dangers have already surfaced.