Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends: Starting from the Equipment Slot

Chapter 6 Protecting the Homeland

"Stop eating, everyone, come with me!"

Wang Hu emerged from his tent, carrying a long spear and a black longbow, and ran towards the gate tower.

More than a hundred young men followed, and Wang Yuan also joined the crowd, arriving at the building entrance.

More than thirty bandits, armed with various weapons, rode in on horseback, circling the open space in front of the building several times before stopping.

Leading the group was a middle-aged man dressed in khaki armor, sitting upright on his horse, noticeably taller than the others. His black horse was tall and strong, its breath emitting two long plumes of white smoke from its nostrils, its bright and fierce eyes exuding a menacing aura.

On either side of the middle-aged man were a pair of twin brothers carrying knives on their backs.

The two men exuded an extraordinary aura, and it was clear at a glance that they were not people to be trifled with.

"Hu Xiao, the Feng brothers!"

Wang Yuan's pupils suddenly contracted. These three were the leaders of the White Horse Mountain bandits. Apart from Wei Daxian, there were four leaders in White Horse Mountain, and three of them had come today.

This is very unusual. In the past, when they came to beg for alms, only one person would come. Today, it seems that the whole flock has come.

"Could it be for the Starfire Sword?!"

Wang Yuan's heart skipped a beat. Only a powerful earthly weapon like the Starfire Sword could provoke the White Horse Mountain bandits to come out in full force.

"Greetings, my three masters!"

Wang Hu stood atop the gate tower, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, and asked in a deep voice, "May I ask what brings the three leaders to Wang Family Village?"

"You talk too much nonsense!"

Feng Bao rode out, pointed his knife at Wang Hu, and shouted, "Open the gate and let me in first, then I'll tell you what's going on!"

"Master Feng is joking."

Wang Hu forced a smile and said, "Our stronghold was attacked by wild beasts yesterday, and many people died. Everyone is in a state of panic. If you would like to be our guests, please come another time!"

"What kind of wild animal could possibly get into the village?"

Hu Xiao suddenly spoke, his tiger-like eyes fixed on Wang Hu.

"The black bear from Black Wind Ridge."

Wang Hu didn't hide anything and told the truth: "This beast must have become a demon. It sneaked into the village from the back mountain and wiped out eight households. Early this morning, the village sent someone to the county town to report to the authorities. I think the government will send people to catch the demon soon."

A glint of light flashed in Hu Xiao's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "Coincidentally, we're also here for that black bear. The brothers searched for half a day near Black Wind Ridge but couldn't find any trace of the beast. We were wondering if it had hidden in Wang Family Village."

"Absolutely impossible!"

Wang Hu shook his head and said, "Last night, after Hei Xiazi's actions were exposed, he escaped from the cliff behind the mountain. Many villagers saw him. If the chief doesn't trust me, you can send a few brothers in to ask him."

"I trust Brother Wang's character."

Hu Xiao nodded and said, "Bear bile is very nourishing, and the effect would be even better if that beast became a demon. Since Wang Family Village also wants to get rid of this beast, why don't you two cooperate?"

"How does the boss want to cooperate?"

"It's simple. Wangjia Village will send someone to help me find that black bear, and the rest will be up to me, Hu. Your village has many hunters who are experts at tracking wild animals, so finding the black bear shouldn't be too difficult for you."

"That's a demon. I can't make the decision myself. I need to discuss it with Muramasa."

"Alright, I'll give you half an hour."

Hu Xiao nodded, his gaze turning fierce, and said, "If the brothers get anxious in half an hour, I don't know what they might do."

Wang Hu nodded, his expression grave as he walked down the gatehouse to discuss the matter with Wang Zhixu.

In the temporary camp in the village, village head Wang Zhixu, Master Wang Huai'ren, and patrol team leader Wang Hu sat around a stove.

Wang Huai-ren, dressed in brocade robes and draped in a tiger-skin cloak, frowned slightly and said, "This matter must be handled carefully. Hu Xiao possesses the Five Sacred Mountains Armor and is said to have reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. His attitude this time is tough. If we refuse him, no one in the village can match him. In my opinion, his claim that he killed Black Bear to obtain bear gall is probably true. We might as well go with the flow and send some experienced hunters to cooperate, using the White Horse Mountain bandits to kill Black Bear."

"To cooperate with the bandits of White Horse Mountain is tantamount to seeking help from a tiger!"

Wang Zhixu's eyes showed worry as he said, "Even before that black bear became a spirit, it possessed immense strength, and ordinary cultivators might not be its match. Now that it has become a spirit, it's even more formidable. Hu Xiao is ruthless. What if we find the black bear and he sends our men to their deaths first?"

"Hey, do we even have the right to refuse?"

Wang Huai-ren sighed, turned to Wang Hu, and said, "Wang Hu, why don't we explain this to the hunters in the village? Whoever is willing to go, I'm willing to contribute a hundred catties of rice and thirty catties of cured meat."

Wang Zhixu's lips trembled a few times, but he ultimately didn't voice his objection.

This much food is enough for a family to get through the winter.

As far as he knew, many families in the village were struggling to survive until winter; starvation was inevitable. Rather than starve to death, they figured they might as well take a gamble and perhaps survive.

"Okay, I'll lead the team myself!"

"No!"

The two objected in unison. Wang Hu was also a cultivator. Although he had not completed the Foundation Establishment stage, the bandits of White Horse Mountain were very wary of him because of his superb archery skills.

If something happens to him, Wangjiazhai will be no longer an obstacle for Baimashan!

"Once they join the patrol, they're all my soldiers. How can a general abandon his men!"

Wang Hu's gaze turned slightly cold, and his tone carried an unquestionable air.

The two opened their mouths, but no words of advice came out.

They all knew the reason why Wang Hu retired from the army.

Their unit was abandoned by their superiors. Wang Hu fought to the death, but he couldn't protect his soldiers. In the end, he was the only one who survived.

At this point, it's impossible to get him to abandon his teammates.

If the two dared to offer any advice, Wang Hu would likely turn hostile immediately!

"You need to be careful!"

Wang Huai-ren said in a low voice, "Your life is related to the safety of the entire Wangjia Village. If something happens to you, the hundreds of people in Wangjia Village will be at the mercy of the bandits from Baima Mountain."

Wang Hu's eyes twitched slightly, he nodded, and strode outside.

Fifteen minutes later, below the gate tower.

Wang Yuan's gaze swept over everyone, and he said in a deep voice, "As you all know, the village has decided to select ten people to join the bandits of White Horse Mountain in searching for Black Bear. This is extremely dangerous, and we may die. For those willing to participate, Master Wang is willing to offer 100 catties of rice and 10 catties of cured meat as compensation."

"Furthermore, I will participate in the operation. As long as I am alive, I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety. Who is willing to participate in the remaining nine spots?"

These words caused a stir among the crowd!

Count me in!

A thin, middle-aged man raised his hand, smiling, and said, "I'm over forty. These years of hunting have taken a toll on my health, and I don't have many years left to live. If I can earn some money and food to supplement my family's income before I die, then it'll be worth it."

As he spoke, he stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over several people in the crowd who were about his age.

"We're all old bones, why are we so afraid of dying? Let's give the younger generation a chance!"

Several more middle-aged men stepped forward, and two young men also tried to step forward, but were held back by the middle-aged men next to them.

"Uncle Tie Jun!"

Wang Yuan tugged at Wang Tiejun's sleeve, and Wang Tiejun stopped, smiling as he said, "The eldest son died a few years ago, and the second son is about ten years old now. I've taught him all the skills I needed to. For your sake, if he really encounters difficulties, please help him out."

Wang Yuan nodded silently, his eyes stinging a little.

In this cutthroat world, the people of Wangjia Village have been able to thrive thanks to their unity and willingness to sacrifice. When the village faces a crisis, there are always those who step forward to protect it!