"Grand Master, please forgive us," Zhu Jie clasped his hands and said, "In these times of natural disasters and wars, everyone is having a hard time. Otherwise, we wouldn't have to leave our homes. We hope the Grand Master will allow us some leeway."
The Mountain Tiger squinted his eyes slightly and said aloud, "Leave half of what you're carrying, and I'll let you pass immediately."
Zhu Jie naturally refused, and the others around him also looked extremely displeased.
After all, leaving home means taking everything with you. Leaving half is like taking their lives away.
Zhu Jie forced a smile and said, "This is a significant matter. Please give us a moment to discuss it."
"Hmph! Make it quick, I have little patience."
Zhu Jie slowly stepped back, and the group gathered together again.
"This Mountain Tiger is insatiably greedy, it's too much," said Village Chief Zhang angrily.
"Leaving half of our belongings, ha, he sure has the nerve. Isn't he afraid of breaking his teeth on that?"
Someone sneered coldly.
The village chief of Xianlu Village, previously the elder, sighed deeply: "It seems this matter won't end peacefully. We have no choice but to break through by force."
"Then let's proceed with the plan. I'll continue to pacify the Mountain Tiger; you guys mobilize the refugees, and we'll charge their blockade together. Once we open a gap, we can force our way through," Zhu Jie said solemnly.
The others exchanged glances and nodded.
This was their agreed plan, to start with diplomacy and then resort to force. Since diplomacy didn't work, it's time for force.
The refugees may not be combatants, but there's strength in numbers. Not to mention so many people, even stopping a herd of pigs would be a big ordeal.
Then these people began to return individually, rallying the refugees and urging them to break through together.
"If we don't break through, we'll starve to death here."
"Don't be afraid, charge with us."
"In numbers, we are strong. With so many of us acting together, even the bandits would fear us."
"Staying here means death. Breaking through offers a chance of survival. It's up to you."
The refugees were already starving with red-rimmed eyes, and at this point, they had no choice. As long as someone led the way, they were naturally willing to follow.
Finally, with a loud shout, the refugees gathered at the foot of the mountain began to charge.
Although thousands of refugees were weak with hunger, the loud shouts gave them momentum.
Zhong Lin carried Little Stone mixed in the crowd, neither fast nor slow, watching the surroundings, listening all around, ready to leave the crowd at any moment.
The refugees included the old and young, with varying speeds, gradually forming a long line during the charge.
The bandits on the mountaintop were panicked and unsure when they saw this scene.
Before, when they ambushed, the passing refugees came in waves, and faced with these strongmen, they dared not resist. Even if they did resist, their numbers were relatively small, and they were easily subdued.
But this time, with so many people charging like a flood breaking the dam, the scene was truly terrifying for them.
"Grand... Grand Master, what... what should we do now?"
One of the bandits asked in panic.
The Mountain Tiger slapped the bandit on the head and cursed angrily, "Useless! Just a bunch of refugees, and you're this scared?"
He glanced at the approaching refugees, a cold smile forming on his face.
"Heh, these people have some ability, using the refugees to break through. Do you think I have no solution? Listen up, don't loot the refugees, specifically target those with carts."
If you can't solve a problem, solve the person causing it.
Besides, what good is looting refugees? The Mountain Tiger's real goal was to loot the wealthy.
"Follow the Grand Master's orders."
"The Grand Master is wise."
The Mountain Tiger spat on the ground, grabbed a large machete, "Brothers, follow me."
With a shout, he raised his machete and charged forward, with the bandits following him tauntingly.
"The bandits are coming."
The refugees, seeing the bandits descending the mountain, were terrified, running crazily to escape, desperately trying to find a way around.
"Don't run, don't run, charge forward."
"Don't run, we have the numbers, they wouldn't dare..."
Zhu Jie and the others overestimated the refugees' discipline. They thought they could use them to break the blockade, but the bandits' charge sent them scattering.
The village chief of Xianlu desperately urged, and under his command, Zhu Jie, Village Chief Zhang, and the others hurriedly gathered the ox carts to form a defensive circle.
"Grab your knives and prepare."
Compared to the refugees, their own sworn brothers were more reliable, immediately grabbing spears, machetes, and bows after hearing the order.
With a command, dozens of arrows shot forth, aiming at the charging bandits.
The villagers living under the Black Mountain farmed by day and hunted in their leisure time. Many were skilled archers, and in this round, seven or eight bandits fell, causing chaos among them.
The Mountain Tiger jumped in rage, watching seven or eight of his comrades fall.
Zhu Jie was overjoyed and shouted loudly, "Aim at the Mountain Tiger, fire again."
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The sound of arrows breaking the air scared the bandits, forcing them to find cover instead of advancing.
Still, some were hit in the ankle or shoulder, screaming in pain.
The Mountain Tiger took the brunt of it, with seventy to eighty percent of the arrows aimed at him.
From afar, Zhong Lin watched the scene unfold, quietly sighing in relief. With his Full Level archery skill, he knew the Mountain Tiger was doomed with all these arrows aiming at him.
Thinking the refugees were in disarray, Zhu Jie's plan seemed to fail, but unexpectedly, the bandits were inexperienced, rushing out to become live targets.
Inexperienced against inexperienced, everyone takes a turn.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
The arrows fell straight onto the Mountain Tiger's body—some on his thighs, shoulders, and one pierced his chest directly.
But the sound of arrows hitting his body was strange, not the crisp penetration but a muffled thud as if striking leather.
The arrows tore through his clothes, leaving only red marks before bouncing off as if hitting tough leather.
Seeing this, Zhong Lin halted, watching in shock.
With his Full Level archery skill, he knew such forceful arrows couldn't be stopped by flesh. Unless he wore Iron Armor, but this couldn't pierce the Mountain Tiger's skin. How could this be...