Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Luring the Enemy Deeper?
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone was stunned for a moment.
"What do you mean by ’Strike first and gain the upper hand’? Xiaofan, are you suggesting we make the first move?" Liu Yong asked, his mouth wide open.
"That’s right,"
Chen Fan squinted his eyes, looking at the group from the Li Family Stronghold in the distance, and said, "Because the outcome will be the same. Whether we go or stay, we will be chased down by the Li Family Stronghold’s people, leading to conflict. The only difference is the intensity of the conflict. Since that’s the case, we might as well make the first move."
"The people from the Li Family Stronghold are currently staying put because they can’t be sure if we’ll help the Gu Family Stronghold. Even if we go over, they’ll be speculating whether we’re really going to assist the Gu Family Stronghold. They definitely won’t see through our real intentions.
So, we can pretend to pass by, and when we get close, we launch a surprise attack. I’ll take out their two archers first to prevent them from posing a threat. At two hundred meters away, by the time they charge at us, there won’t be many left. That’s when Uncle Liu and the rest of you can wipe them out."
After saying that, Chen Fan felt a bit fortunate that he hadn’t used the enhancement opportunity yet.
Now, it could finally be put to use.
"Hiss..."
Everyone understood what Chen Fan meant, including Chen Guodong, who drew in a sharp breath.
They were going to kill.
Not just one, but dozens!
"Dad, uncles, if we had a choice, I wouldn’t want to do this either."
Seeing the situation, Chen Fan sighed, "But we don’t have a choice, unless we are willing to hand over our prey."
The mention of these words ignited everyone’s anger.
"Xiaofan is right!"
Gao Yang was the first to speak out, "Damn it, these bastards haven’t killed people yet, but how many people have they harmed by stealing their prey? Killing them is just doing justice!"
"Exactly! Don’t we all know what the people from the Li Family Stronghold are like? Last time, not only did they steal our prey, but they also mocked us, saying that doing it earlier would’ve avoided all trouble. This time, they definitely won’t spare us. So, let’s strike first and gain the upper hand!"
"Yes, I’ve had enough of them! We all have one head on our shoulders, who’s afraid of whom?"
Five or six people chimed in,
leaving only Chen Guodong and a few others, including the bald man.
"Guodong,"
Feeling the gathered gazes, the bald man spoke up, "I think Xiaofan has a point. Even if the people from the Li Family Stronghold spare us for the prey today, what about next time? And the time after that? It’ll only get worse unless our entire stronghold migrates, but outside might be even more dangerous."
"But isn’t this too cruel?"
One middle-aged man said, "Though they did steal our prey, they didn’t plan to kill us. Can’t we just help the Gu Family Stronghold beat them up and drive them away?"
"Stealing our prey isn’t harming us?" Gao Yang snorted coldly.
"Exactly, how many people starved to death because of them?"
The man fell silent immediately.
Everyone’s eyes turned to Chen Guodong.
Chen Guodong’s expression was complicated at the moment.
He knew that what Chen Fan said was reasonable and the best choice for the stronghold.
But are the means indeed too ruthless?
There was also one more thing weighing on his conscience.
That the people from the Li Family Stronghold are also nearly a hundred strong, with those people being someone’s sons, husbands, fathers. If they all die here, what will happen to those back in the Li Family Stronghold?
"Guodong, don’t hesitate!"
Gao Yang urged anxiously, "If we delay any longer and the people from the Gu Family Stronghold give in, we’ll miss our chance."
"Yes, Guodong, have you forgotten how they ridiculed us last time? And before leaving, one of them even slapped you. Have you forgotten all that?"
"Guodong, retreat once, and it’ll only get worse!"
Chen Guodong clenched his fists, his face showing a struggle.
"Dad,"
Chen Fan saw the conflict in his heart and persuaded him again, "I know you might be worried about what happens to them, but what we should prioritize now is whether our own people can survive."
These words seemed to touch Chen Guodong’s soul.
He was taken aback.
That’s right. All along, hasn’t he been trying to ensure the people of the stronghold survive?
If they bring back less prey, more people will go hungry. If they bring back half as much, half the people will go hungry. If he can’t even protect those around him, what protection can he talk about?
"Okay."
He nodded heavily, a look of determination returning to his eyes.
Seeing this, the others breathed a collective sigh of relief.
If Chen Fan and Chen Guodong had a difference of opinion, it would have been tough for them.
Luckily, the team’s opinions reached a consensus.
As for whether they could defeat the Li Family Stronghold, they didn’t think it was a big problem. After all, Xiaofan’s strength was evident to all.
But just then, Liu Yong thought of something, looked at the people from the Gu Family Stronghold, and worriedly said, "Xiaofan, the Gu Family Stronghold people are with the Li Family Stronghold folks. Won’t your arrows risk hitting them accidentally?"
Chen Fan was momentarily taken aback by the question.
He instinctively wanted to say the possibility was small, but accidents do happen. In the chaos, anything could happen. Plus, his bow had a draw strength of a hundred pounds, enough to pierce a Fierce Beast and easily kill someone without armor.
If they injured the people from the Gu Family Stronghold, that would be problematic.
The atmosphere suddenly became silent, and the matter seemed deadlocked again.
"Got it."
Chen Fan’s mind flashed with inspiration, "Then we’ll change our plan from a surprise attack to luring the enemy in."
"Luring the enemy in?"
"How do we do that?"
Everyone perked up, asking questions.
"It’s simple. Ignore the Gu Family Stronghold for now..."
At this point, only Chen Guodong’s expression changed slightly, but he didn’t interrupt and continued to listen.
"Seeing us with so much prey and unable to run fast, the people from the Li Family Stronghold will definitely chase us. We pretend to flee, letting them drop their guard. Once they’re within range, I’ll strike decisively. This way, we can eliminate them without accidental injuries,
though it might leave the Gu Family Stronghold feeling a bit cold. But once things settle, we can return their prey, and it’ll be fine."
Chen Fan smiled.
"Sound idea."
Chen Guodong let out a long sigh.
If they truly abandoned the Gu Family Stronghold, he wouldn’t object, but he might feel some guilt later.
"I also think this approach is good."
"Let’s do it!"
Liu Yong, Gao Yang, and others agreed.