Chapter 91: Chapter 90 Better to Kill Wrongly Than to Let Go! (1/6 please subscribe)
"Xiaofan, do you mean that someone might be watching us?"
Gu Jianghai’s mouth opened wide, a look of panic in his eyes.
"No, it can’t be, right?"
Someone nearby said instinctively, with a clearly uncertain tone.
Although it wasn’t their first time to the Song Family Castle, it was the first time they drew so much attention.
Everything went smoothly on the way there, but who could say for sure whether there would be danger on the way back?
"It’s possible."
Chen Fan frowned and said, "First of all, the people from Zhao Family Castle know our identities and might have been waiting for us outside. Besides them, we can’t rule out others, like bandits, waiting for us to come out."
"Bandits?"
A chill ran down everyone’s spine.
The area around Song Family Castle was known to have bandits. It’s said that someone once saw those bandits kill people. If that person hadn’t discovered them early, he probably wouldn’t have been able to escape once they spotted him.
"Yes, Dad, Uncle Gu, do you remember what that old man said when I bought those Martial Arts Secret Manuals?"
Chen Guodong’s pupils contracted sharply. "I remember, he said the bandits specifically target groups of about ten to twenty people and warned us to be careful."
"Exactly."
Chen Fan nodded and took out a telescope, "That’s why I bought this. I’ll go out first to check. It might take some time. Once I’m sure it’s safe, everyone else can come out."
Hearing this, everyone looked at each other and nodded.
Chen Fan was always thoughtful, even buying a telescope in advance.
If someone was indeed watching them, they wouldn’t be too far from the entrance.
Of course, they couldn’t rule out the possibility that someone might blend into the crowd and pass on information once they left. If they were bandits, it would be easy for them to catch up.
"Chen Fan, I’ll go with you."
Gu Ze spoke up.
"You?"
Chen Fan was slightly stunned.
That was a bit unexpected.
"Yes," Gu Ze looked around briefly before nodding, "If you go out alone and encounter danger, I can help. Also, it means there’ll be an extra pair of eyes."
His words immediately won everyone’s approval.
"Xiaozhe’s right. Xiaofan, I think you should let him go with you."
Gu Jianghai spoke first.
They had sought refuge with Chen Guodong, who treated them sincerely, so they must also contribute.
"Indeed, two pairs of eyes can spot more details and they can look out for each other in case of danger."
"Xiaofan, let Gu Ze go with you."
Chen Guodong also agreed.
He was already a bit uneasy, thinking of going along himself.
Now that Gu Ze volunteered, it was even better. Both of them were skilled archers and had better eyesight than most.
Seeing this, Chen Fan could only smile wryly, "Alright, let’s go together."
He wasn’t sure if Meng Yu’s prediction would come true, or if the bandits were indeed watching. Taking Gu Ze along wouldn’t make much difference.
"Here, take this."
He handed a red Asura Mask to Gu Ze and put on a black one himself, "Just in case."
"Okay."
Gu Ze took it and put it on, suddenly realizing everything.
Chen Fan had thought this all through.
Even if there were informants among the bandits, they couldn’t relay the message if they saw the two of them wearing masks, unless they had some special channel.
The two of them headed toward the exit.
Chen Guodong and the others watched nervously.
"Let’s hope nothing happens."
"Yes, it would be great if we could return safely."
Everyone murmured.
After handing their pass to the man at the gate, under his slightly surprised gaze, the two walked out of the Song Family Castle, immediately sensing an uneasy atmosphere.
"Chen Fan, are you sure those bandits are watching us?"
Gu Ze asked in a low voice.
"Not sure."
Chen Fan shook his head and scanned the surroundings, "Too many people here, let’s find a less crowded place."
"Alright."
Gu Ze gripped his bow and arrow tightly, scanning the area with his eyes.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, at least not at first glance.
But a kilometer or two away, someone was watching them through a telescope. Chen Fan and Gu Ze’s figures fell right into the lens.
"Boss, two people have come out, both wearing masks."
"Damn, those masks are creepy."
Someone next to him said while looking.
"Yes, I see them."
The bald man squinted and watched them for a moment before saying, "Ignore those two, just keep an eye on the main group. It’s been a while, they should be coming out any moment now."
"Got it."
The other two with telescopes replied simultaneously.
In front of Song Family Castle, Gu Ze glanced at where Zhao Family Castle’s truck was parked, now empty.
"It seems the Zhao Family Castle people left long ago."
He whispered.
"Probably."
Chen Fan glanced over. Even if the Zhao Family Castle people were waiting on the road, he wasn’t worried since they had no horses.
Even if they drove a truck towards them, bursting a tire with an arrow would stop them.
But the bandits were different, well-equipped, numerous, and skilled in mounted archery, making them much more troublesome.
The two walked several hundred meters.
"This seems far enough, right?"
Gu Ze said helplessly.
There was no one else around here.
"Yes."
Chen Fan set down his long gun and took out the hidden telescope, scanning the surroundings in a 360-degree arc.
He was a bit nervous. Could those people really be waiting in the southwest?
Slowly, the telescope’s lens moved towards the southwest, and suddenly, Chen Fan’s eyes widened as he involuntarily took a deep breath.
"What is it? Did you see something?"
The tense Gu Ze hurriedly asked.
Chen Fan handed him the telescope.
With some skepticism, Gu Ze took it and looked in the same direction, then exclaimed, "That’s!"
He turned his head, disbelief in his eyes.
"Yes, it’s the bandits."
Chen Fan nodded.
Meng Yu was right.
The location, the number of people, even the characteristics of the leader were all correct.
Plus, in the lens, they were also using telescopes to watch the exit of Song Family Castle.
"How can it be..."
Gu Ze was still in shock, his mouth half-open.
Chen Fan was right? The bandits were really outside!
"Gulp!"
He swallowed hard, asking with a hint of hope, "Chen Fan, maybe they’re not targeting us?"
Chen Fan looked at him calmly, "What if they are?"
Gu Ze was speechless.
Yes, what if they are?
"Then... what should we do?"
He asked, his voice trembling.
Looking at the situation, it seemed they were at an absolute disadvantage.
"What else can we do?"
Chen Fan picked up the long gun, looking towards the southwest, his voice cold, "Better to kill them wrongly than to let them go."
"Chen Fan, you?"
Gu Ze seemed not to comprehend, "What did you just say? Are you going to kill those people?"
"Yes."
Chen Fan glanced at him, "You stay here with the telescope. Don’t let them notice you. Wait until I kill all of them, then go back and get the others."
"Are you crazy?"
Gu Ze’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
"How can you, alone, be a match for so many?"
He looked through the telescope again to confirm. There were at least twenty people, all on horseback, most equipped with bows and arrows.
The bandits from Li Family Stronghold were nothing compared to these.
"How do you know if you don’t try?"
Chen Fan squinted, "Besides, do you have a better idea? If their target is indeed us, do you think they will let us go even if we abandon the goods?"
"No."
Gu Ze instinctively shook his head.
If the bandits’ target was indeed them, they would have known those people brought in thousands worth of goods. Even if they came out empty-handed, the bandits would still chase, even if it amounted to nothing.
"That settles it then?"
Chen Fan patted his shoulder, "Don’t worry, I won’t joke with my life. Alright, I’m going."
If Gu Ze hadn’t come along, he wouldn’t need to explain so much. But since he did, there was no point in letting him run back and forth.
Gu Ze’s body trembled, watching Chen Fan turn around. He took a deep breath and shouted, "Chen Fan, wait, I’ll go with you!"
"You’ll go with me?"
Chen Fan turned, surprised.
"Yes."
Gu Ze gritted his teeth, "We came out together. They must have seen us. If you go alone, it might raise suspicion. If I go with you, I can help if things get rough."
Chen Fan hesitated, thinking of ways to dissuade him.
After all, if things got heated, he might not be able to look after him.
As for raising suspicion, it wasn’t a big deal.
He wouldn’t approach with a mask on or a long gun.
Once within 500 meters, he could start the attack. From that distance, the bandits would only see his figure and might only get alerted within 200-300 meters.
Unless they could predict the future like Meng Yu or were ruthless enough to kill anyone who saw them, they’d charge at him from beyond 500 meters.
This scenario had a strict set of conditions.
If it did happen, he had a plan.
Meng Yu’s vision was of him staying behind to protect the stronghold. If he retreated, the stronghold would be exposed to their arrows.
But now, alone, he could kite them.
With 35 points in agility, it wouldn’t be hard to increase it to 40. A normal person runs 100 meters in 13 seconds; his speed would exceed 30 meters per second. A wildebeest’s top speed is also 30 meters per second. Turning would slow them down.
So, once they entered his range, he could run, circle, and shoot. It was difficult but doable.
"Chen Fan, don’t look down on me!"
Gu Ze gritted his teeth, "I won’t drag you down!"
Deep down, he was scared. Those were bandits! Ruthless killers! His life was at risk.
But his masculine pride couldn’t let him sit idle.
"Gu Ze,"
Chen Fan looked at him seriously, "I’m not underestimating you. Your courage is admirable. But this is very dangerous for me too. If you come, it’ll distract me, do you understand?"