Jiang Wan kept urging, and Jiang Pan quickly carried Jiang Wan into the mountains.
He harbored a sliver of hope, perhaps he was overthinking things?
Moreover, the campsite was at the foot of the mountain. If there was any commotion, they could hear it from the mountains in time, and there shouldn't be any problems.
With these thoughts, Jiang Pan stopped worrying about other matters and led the entire family deeper into the forest.
Under Jiang Wan's subtle guidance, Jiang Pan led the whole family deeper and deeper, until the sky was almost completely dark, and they still showed no signs of stopping.
The eldest son asked, "Father, where are we going? We've walked so far, let's go back quickly. It's night, and the forest might be dangerous."
Jiang Pan chided him, "You talk too much! Hurry up, don't delay important matters!"
The eldest son, having been reprimanded, hunched his shoulders, looking wronged. Seeing him like this, Su Shi smiled reassuringly at him. Receiving his wife's comfort, the eldest son felt better.
Jiang Wan, watching the interaction between the young couple, couldn't help but purse her lips and smile.
After smiling, she continued to search for traces of birds and beasts in the forest.
Just before it got completely dark, Jiang Wan caught a bird resting on a tree.
After some 'friendly communication,' the bird flapped its wings and flew further into the depths of the forest.
Jiang Wan whispered in Jiang Pan's ear, "Father, go forward about five li, and you'll find a water source."
Jiang Pan's heart leaped with joy, and he urged everyone to walk faster.
It was already completely dark, but fortunately, the moon was quite large, otherwise their family wouldn't have been able to travel at all.
Five li was not far for farming families, but the mountain path was difficult to navigate, and it took the family half an hour to reach their destination.
Following the bird's guidance, Jiang Wan successfully found the water source. It was a small spring, not very large, and after flowing for a short distance, it quickly disappeared underground.
Er Lang, with his keen hearing, heard the sound of flowing water from afar and shouted excitedly, "Father, Mother, there's water ahead! I hear it!"
Saying this, he was about to run towards the sound.
Jiang Wan quickly stopped him, "Second brother, come back! Don't go, it's dangerous!"
Er Lang immediately stopped and looked back at her, "What danger could there be here?"
Jiang Wan quickly said, "Second brother, water is scarce everywhere now, and only here is there water. Think about the poisonous snakes and wild beasts in the forest, where would they go to drink?"
Hearing her words, Er Lang's hair stood on end in fear, and he quickly retreated a few steps.
Jiang Pan took out a fire starter and picked up some dry grass from the ground. After lighting the dry grass, he raised it high. As the firelight shone, many glowing eyes appeared in the distance.
It was a swarm of snakes!
Snakes of all sizes, covering the ground, the largest one as thick as an adult's calf.
Su Shi's legs went weak with fright, and she almost fell to the ground. Da Lang quickly supported her and shielded her.
Er Lang and San Lang also quickly protected Chen Yuezhi and Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan hadn't expected so many snakes to be here. So many snakes gathered together made even her skin crawl.
Due to the drought and high temperatures, it was already late autumn, yet these snakes were still roaming outside.
Jiang Pan said softly, "Let's leave here first, light torches, and watch your step."
The family cautiously retreated, not daring to make a sound. After they had moved a good distance away, they finally relaxed their strength and slumped to the ground.
After a while, Jiang Pan said, "Let's go back, it's already very late."
San Lang quickly asked, "Then we're not getting water? Father, the water in the pot is only enough for half a day tomorrow."
For the past two days, to save water, they had been reluctant to drink unless they were desperately thirsty, and had managed to save enough for only half a day.
Jiang Pan replied, "In that situation, how could we get water? Offer it as a meal to those snakes?"
Jiang Wan's eyes lit up, "Father, can snake meat be eaten?"
Jiang Pan: ...
Was his daughter a bit too formidable?
However, his daughter was truly intelligent! Snake meat not only could be eaten, but it was also delicious and very nourishing!
It was just that with so many snakes, even he, a grown man, felt a chill. Killing snakes for meat was not an easy task.
Jiang Wan said happily, "Father, let's go back and call all the villagers. We can catch snakes together! Eat snake meat, and then get water! This way, we'll have both food and drink, wouldn't that be wonderful!"
Jiang Pan's eyes lit up, "That's a good idea! Let's go, quickly go back and call people, hurry up, don't let those snakes escape!"
Thinking of having meat and water soon, the whole family was filled with energy, and the time taken to return was shortened considerably.
However, when they descended the mountain, they were stunned by the scene before them.
They saw their village filled with crying, tents were all knocked down, belongings were scattered everywhere, and there was a smell of blood in the air.
Jiang Pan immediately guessed what had happened.
"Those people finally made their move!"
He quickly led his family towards their cart. When they arrived, they found the cart still there, but Qin Shi's daughter-in-law was injured and unconscious.
The Qin family, seeing them return, immediately rushed over, "Da Pan, why are you only returning now! Hurry and let your wife take a look at my wife, she's injured and bleeding a lot."
Chen Yuezhi did not hesitate and immediately went to help.
Jiang Pan grabbed Qin Zhu and asked, "What happened? Did those people from over there cause trouble?"
Qin Zhu, a grown man, suddenly burst into tears, "Yes, those scoundrels took advantage of the fact that all the men from our village were in the mountains, and they rushed over to steal food and water. Those sons of bitches, not only did they steal things and beat people, but they also abducted two of our village girls."
"What!"
Jiang Pan was furious, "Whose daughters were abducted?"
Qin Zhu said helplessly, "Zhang Gui's eldest daughter, and Zheng Da You's youngest daughter."
Jiang Wan said without thinking, "Father, quickly call people, let's go rescue them!"
What she couldn't tolerate the most was innocent women being harmed.
Qin Zhu sighed, "The village chief sent people to chase them, but those people had already disappeared, and they couldn't catch up."
Jiang Wan knew her words carried little weight, so she tugged on Jiang Pan's hand, signaling him to speak aside, "Father, those people's goal was to steal water and food. Having finally succeeded, what's the best way for them to prevent their gains from being stolen?"
Jiang Pan's eyes lit up, "Eat it!"
Jiang Wan nodded, "Yes, and to prevent us from catching up, they will definitely find a place to hide. After our group leaves, they will come out, so they can ensure they won't be caught. Because we would never have thought they would be behind us!"
Jiang Pan clapped his hands, "Right! Wan Wan, you are truly too smart! I'll go find the village chief now!"
Jiang Wan quickly said, "Father, I'll go too, I want to go with you to rescue those two older sisters."
Jiang Pan did not agree, "You are too young, and there will surely be a fight when we go, it's too dangerous, you stay here."
"No!" Jiang Wan shook her head very seriously, "Father, you might not find them, but I can, because the old immortal will guide me!"