Before they could launch their attack, a deafening din of gongs and drums erupted, and flames suddenly burst into the sky.
Damn it, they actually have patrols?
Old Lu had excellent hearing to begin with, and he was concentrating intently during his shift. In addition, the wind tonight carried the voices intermittently into his ears.
The bandits, however, assumed the villagers were all fast asleep and didn't bother to lower their voices.
"Brother Lu, it really is the bandits! Hey, they really are here!"
"Quickly beat the drums and gongs to wake everyone up!"
"Okay."
The three split up, and soon, the air above Shiligou was filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, and every household lit up their torches.
These past few days, the men, young and old, have been sleeping fully clothed. Upon hearing the sound of gongs and drums, they reflexively jump out of bed, grab the tools behind the door, open the door, and run out.
When Qin San Niang and the others came out, Gu Qingshan was already standing in front of the door with a bow and arrow in his hand. The murderous aura that he usually tried to conceal suddenly filled his entire body!
Da Wa, Lu Song, Xiao Er, and others also came out to join in the fun, their young faces beaming with excitement. Qin San Niang was at her wits' end and quickly told Liu Shi and Liao Hongying to take them back.
"Mother, let me stay here! We learned martial arts to protect our family!" Da Wa's eyes were firm. Faced with bandits all over the mountain, he couldn't let his mother and uncle fight outside.
“Yes, Auntie, I want to fight alongside Da Wa.” Lu Song stepped forward and stood firmly beside Da Wa.
"Sister, let the boys go down and practice," Gu Qingshan said.
Since their master had spoken, Qin San Niang had no choice but to agree, but all they had were sticks, which were rather crude weapons.
"You two stand in front of the door and protect our house. Don't let any stray fish get in."
"Don't worry, Mother/Auntie!" There are women and children in the family, so we can't be careless with them.
Qin San Niang was dressed in a narrow-sleeved blue top and trousers, looking quite neat. In her hand was a brand-new Zhuge Repeating Crossbow. This weapon was so powerful that she dared not give it to anyone else to use, lest it accidentally injure her own people.
He Yingyuan stood with Da Wa and the others. Although he didn't know martial arts, he didn't want to be second to anyone and was determined to stand with his family and friends. Otherwise, even if he was reborn and could choose a wise ruler, what good would it do? When poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; when successful, one should benefit all under heaven. Therefore, his first priority was protecting his family, and only then the world. Otherwise, standing alone on a high position would be like having a vast fortune but no one to share it with—what would be the meaning of life then?
Fatty was the same, standing guard in front of Qin San Niang, holding an iron shovel, looking like she had suffered a great deal of bitterness and hatred. Seeing that the iron shovel was too simple, Qin San Niang quickly handed her a broadsword, as Fatty was strong and not bad in combat.
"Auntie, the shovel is enough for me!"
Qin San Niang: Okay... excuse me, I don't understand...
The patrol team members took their positions as previously arranged.
Luo Huan led a team to guard the location of the ambush trap, determined to ensure that the thieves would never get up again once they fell into it.
Gu Qingshan led a team of men to guard the front line to prevent them from entering the village.
Boss Lu's group, on the other hand, was trying to mobilize the entire village, gathering all available resources. Although the patrol team was powerful, it couldn't withstand so many bandits, especially after they saw the overwhelming number of them, far exceeding their expectations.
He Yingyuan said solemnly, "Third Sister, they're coming for us."
In fact, he already had a guess in his heart.
"Hmm." Qin Sanniang nodded, thinking to herself, "You don't need to tell me that, it's not like I didn't see it!"
But why are there so many of them? Even with just a few of them, they can't possibly fight off so many opponents. Lately, because she's been busy making money and living a comfortable life, she's neglected her martial arts training, and Qin San Niang is filled with regret!
Fortunately, she still had weapons for self-defense, but she didn't intend to take out grenades or explosives.
It was too late to plant explosives, and as for grenades, she didn't have many left; she needed to save them. Besides, the bandits had rushed down the mountain in an instant; at such close range, there wasn't enough time!
Now she can only hope that the traps will work and that the patrol team can gather a large number of villagers. She doesn't expect everyone to come and help, but if there are just twenty or thirty more men, it will be able to intimidate the enemy.
Given her and Gu Qingshan's martial prowess, Yuan Lang, hiding in the shadows, wouldn't stand idly by. Thinking about it this way, a fight wouldn't be out of the question; the odds of winning were quite high!
Of course, if the other side is too powerful and they can't resist, she doesn't mind firing shots from the shadows. After all, it's dark, and as long as they don't hit their own people, it's a win.
Seeing the increasing number of fires on the opposite side, which seemed to be converging on them, the bandits on the earthen slope grew anxious and shouted, "Guards, grab your weapons and charge! Today's going to be a tough battle, but it also means that family has plenty of money. If we win, we'll be living the high life for the rest of the year! I'll treat you to some women!"
A cheer erupted from below. Many of the bandits had followed him for years and had done plenty of robbery and plunder!
"Hmph, the boss is right! Those below are just peasants. So what if they outnumber us? Can they withstand our real swords and spears? Let them see what happens when they resist!"
The crowd below echoed their agreement, some even flashing contemptuous smiles. They had once massacred wealthy families; even their well-trained servants were no match for them, let alone these villagers wielding shovels!
"Alright, charge!"
At the bandit leader's command, the sounds of horses neighing, hooves thundering, and shouts instantly pierced the night sky, tearing a hole in the pitch-black darkness.
The bandits burst forth like a floodgate opening, exposed to the crowd. Only then did Qin San Niang realize the sheer number of them! Were they here to attack the village? Were they sure they weren't here to massacre it?
With so many people attacking their village, isn't that a bit of an overreaction? Look at the back of that group, there are quite a few people carrying farm tools and dressed in rags, probably just recruited, but their bloodshot eyes look like they've been bewitched.
Da Wa and the others gripped their sticks tightly, their palms sweating slightly.
Qin San Niang's eyes darkened, and she raised the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow.
Gu Qingshan fired three arrows in quick succession, and in an instant, the arrows pierced the sky and whistled into the distance.
All that could be heard were cries of "Ouch!", as many of the leading bandits had already been shot off their horses.
The bandit leader was terrified. He hadn't expected there to be a sharpshooter among them! His underling hadn't mentioned it earlier. At this point, he couldn't worry about settling scores; he just needed to get through this first.
"Brothers, charge! That archer is only one person. Are we afraid of him with so many of us?"
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