Everyone’s expression grew solemn, and Liu Xiaoqiao hesitated before turning back and saying, "Sister Wang, they’ve encountered a wolf pack. Once the wolves hold a grudge, if they’re not wiped out in one go, I fear our village will suffer their vengeance. This is too dangerous; we can’t drag you into it. Why don’t you go back first?"
This was a fight between the hunters of Chongzi Gou and the wolf pack; outsiders should not be involved.
Liu Daming also showed a face of agreement.
Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu exchanged a look; it wasn’t their first encounter with wolves. In fact, their home still had spoils from the last time.
Wang Yongzhu smiled, "Sister Xiao Qiao, we’ve already come this far; if the wolves truly seek revenge, I doubt we could escape anyhow. No more words, human lives are at stake, and we can’t afford to delay, let’s go!"
Liu Xiaoqiao didn’t speak but silently resolved that if the wolves turned out to be too much to handle, she would risk everything to ensure the Wang Family members got away.
If they could exterminate the wolf pack, the Wang Family’s goodwill would be forever etched in the hearts of the hunters of Chongzi Gou.
As they walked on, the smell of blood carried by the wind grew stronger, the barking of dogs louder, along with the shouts of people.
They quickened their steps involuntarily, and after crossing a rise, they saw at the bottom of the slope a group of hunters, nearly all bearing wounds, in disarray, backing into a circle. In the middle lay several hunters with serious injuries, none of them idle.
Even wounded, they still clutched bows and hunting knives.
At the fringe of the hunters, their hunting dogs, barely a dozen left, loyally guarded their owners’ sides, barking furiously into the woods.
From within the forest, behind the bushes and stirred by the wind, were the fleeting shadows of wolves’ grayish-green backs.
Especially as dusk fell, the eyes glowing green under the dark boulders seemed even more unnerving.
"It’s Uncle Huzi and the others," Liu Xiaoqiao counted the number of people first; thankfully, despite the injuries, everyone was accounted for, a stroke of luck in misfortune.
"What do we do? Rush down to save them? I think Uncle Huzi and the others can’t hold out much longer, especially with nightfall approaching. Once it gets dark, it’ll be even harder to deal with them," said Liu Daming, frowning.
"We can’t worry about that now; we’re fewer in number, so let’s get down there first, help Uncle Huzi and the others hold them off for a while, and when big brother arrives with father and the others, we’ll figure out a plan," Liu Xiaoqiao decided then and there.
Wang Yongzhu looked at Song Chongjin.
Song Chongjin nodded, "Stay close behind me, don’t stray."
Wang Yongzhu then turned back to Wang Yongping. His face was a bit pale, but he was still holding on. Seeing his sister look over, he managed to say, "Little... little sister... don’t worry, I’ll... I’ll protect you in a bit..."
Wang Yongzhu rolled her eyes, "Just stay behind us later without wandering off and that’ll be enough!"
Having made their decision, Liu Xiaoqiao and Liu Daming drew their bows, aiming at the wolves behind the trees and in the brush, letting arrows fly.
A wounded wolf let out a pained howl, causing a commotion.
The hunters trapped by the wolf pack were immediately heartened, reassured by the arrival of reinforcements, their morale surged.
Even the hunting dogs barked louder, and for a moment, their spirit seemed to overpower the wolf pack.
Following closely behind Liu Xiaoqiao and her brother, Song Chongjin borrowed a bow from the Liu Family; although it wasn’t as handy as his usual one, his archery was still accurate, and virtually every shot hit its mark.
Wang Yongzhu and Wang Yongping, not skilled in archery, followed behind the trio. Wang Yongping held a hunting knife, and Wang Yongzhu gripped the dagger that Steward Yue had given her.