Zheng Yang was particularly smug. He had always known that the clan leader, Zheng Ankang, was quite capable. If it weren't for Zheng Ankang protecting them along the way, their group would have been almost wiped out, if not completely.

So when Zheng Ankang and he faced off against Zhao Rong and Zhao Peng, he knew they were destined to win.

"Little girl, now you should return this woman to her!"

Zheng Yang stopped calling her "commander," which meant he had completely broken off all pretense of civility. He didn't believe this little girl could lead people to find food; their clan leader couldn't find it here.

Chen Xi said coldly, "Since she chose to follow me, and I accepted it, she is naturally mine. How can you just take her away?"

Zheng Yang's eyes widened. This little girl was really stubborn: "If you don't return her, it won't make sense. She's my sister-in-law, and that child is my nephew. How can she just leave without my permission?"

Chen Xi tilted her head and said with a smile, "Don't mention your brother and sister-in-law or nephew, even your wife and son, as long as they submit to me willingly, once I accept them, they are mine, and no one can touch them!"

He looked at the middle-aged man, Zheng Ankang, and said, "Do you want her to go back too? You are the clan leader of these people; shouldn't you have the right to speak?"

Zheng Ankang was furious. Zheng Yang was really looking for trouble. A woman and a child could follow whomever they wanted. Besides, he had no intention of breaking ties with Shen Xi. He knew his own abilities; he had martial arts skills but little leadership ability and no ability to find food.

He said with a tense expression, "Zheng Yang, we were originally with the leader. If Zheng Er's wife is willing to stay by the leader's side, then she can stay by the leader's side. It can't interfere with anything."

Zheng Yang was stunned. He hadn't expected that even after all this commotion, Zheng Ankang would still have to submit to Chen Xi.

He glanced at his younger sister-in-law, Di Yingxue, who was thin but still had a good figure and appearance, then at Chen Xi, before turning his gaze back to Zheng Ankang: "Clan leader, how can a man be subordinate to a little girl? What can a girl in her teens do?"

Zheng Ankang shook his head: "Zheng Yang, I don't have her abilities."

Zheng Yang didn't believe it: "Clan leader, you've led us all this way, we know your abilities, everyone, don't you agree?"

Zheng Yang shouted to the group of thirty-odd people, who all nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, clan leader, we all admire your abilities."

Zheng Ankang smiled bitterly. If they really had the ability, how could there be so few people left out of several hundred? The old, young and women were almost all killed or wounded, and the vast majority of those left were young and strong.

Shenxi sneered but did not speak.

"I really don't have any more skills. I only know some martial arts. If someone bullies you, I can fight back, but if it's about finding food so you can survive, I really don't have that ability."

Zheng Ankang put it more bluntly: "The food we had left wasn't even enough for one meal. If it weren't for the commander giving us a few meals, we would all be on the verge of starvation by now."

Upon hearing this, the people of Qingshui Village fell silent. Along the way, they had almost completely lost their basic conscience. When they were starving, they would steal food from those weaker than themselves. They had even forgotten Zheng Ankang's warnings. The only thing they had actually followed was not to kill anyone.

Some of them had even eaten the dead and barely made it here. Seeing no way forward, a sinking stream suddenly appeared and gave them a few meals.

To say that one has no gratitude whatsoever would be to be utterly devoid of conscience.

Pan Ruoqiao tugged at Zheng Ankang again and whispered to him, "Brother Kang, this girl is extraordinary. I think she admires you a lot. You should just agree to her conditions. You've brought these people here until now, which is a good way of honoring the deceased Second Master."

"Besides, if we don't agree to this girl's conditions, and these people really have nothing to eat in the future, who can guarantee that no one will resent us?"

Zheng Ankang was straightforward and not stupid. He understood everything as soon as he heard this. If he followed Chen Xi, there would be food. If he took these people away, there would be no food. How could no one resent him?

So he bowed to Chenxi and said, "Zheng Ankang, the clan chief and village head of Qingshui Village, is willing to bring everyone to submit to the leader and submit to the leader's arrangements!"

The villagers of Qingshuitun breathed a sigh of relief. Although they were willing to let Zheng Ankang continue to lead them as a small team, they didn't want to leave Chenxi!

Zheng Yang was completely stunned. He never expected that he would be the one who ended up being isolated.

"Chieftain!"

Zheng Yang roared, his voice filled with disbelief and anger.

Zheng Ankang ignored him and continued to bow with his head in the same posture.

Shen Xi raised an eyebrow. She had seen Pan Ruoqiao say something to Zheng Ankang, and then Zheng Ankang suddenly changed his mind. It seemed that this Pan Ruoqiao was not simple.

"Are you being sincere?"

Shenxi needs people who genuinely follow her: "If they are not sincere, I will no longer accept them."

As mentioned before, getting rid of them and then accepting them back is naturally not so easy.

Zheng Ankang did not look up, but answered firmly and resolutely: "I, Zheng Ankang, wholeheartedly follow the leader. If I have any disloyal intentions, may I be struck by lightning!"

People in this era value commitments, especially those who are capable.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Shenxi immediately asked Zhao Rong to help Zheng Ankang up.

She smiled and asked, "May I ask the clan leader's honorable name?"

Zheng Ankang bowed again, his voice crisp and clear: "Zheng Ankang!"

"Alright, Chief Zheng, from now on you will no longer be the chief. You will be the head of my guard team and protect my safety. I will transfer some more people to you to manage later. If there are any suitable people in Qingshui Village, you can recommend them to me!"

Shenxi needs skilled martial artists by her side. Not all of these hundreds of people will be so obedient. If someone takes advantage of her when she's not on guard and attacks her from behind, or if they harm her younger siblings, there will be no going back.

"Yes, sir. I will obey your orders."

Shen Xi was secretly pleased, and her smile became much more genuine: "Guardian, you don't need to be so reserved. From now on, you will be responsible for the safety of my brother and sister-in-law."

Zheng Ankang stood quietly and straight beside Chen Xi.

Shen Xi's smile vanished, and her expression darkened: "Zheng Yang, what else do you have to say?"

Zheng Yang wasn't stupid. Seeing that Zheng Ankang had completely surrendered to the sinking stream and that the people of Qingshui Village hadn't resisted, how could he dare to shout again, "Commander, I will definitely protect your safety as well?"

Chen Xi snorted coldly: "Neither you nor I dare to use it."

Then he turned to Zhao Rong and said, "Zheng Yang is unruly, just like Li Si. Cripple his hands and throw him out of the group!"

"yes."

Zhao Rong had long disliked Zheng Yang. This man had ulterior motives, dared to defy and even threatened his superiors with force, and even wanted to harm him when he was defeated. How could he tolerate this!