This night, the wolf pack did not return.
The villagers stared wide-eyed until dawn, then continued to work desperately on the defenses.
Trench after trench was dug for traps, all filled with sharp wooden spikes. The nearby stones were almost all picked clean by the children. If not for considering the load-bearing capacity of the scaffolding, Jiang Wan would have even taken the children to pick more from elsewhere.
Er Lang, meanwhile, led people to sharpen many wooden arrows and make more发射器.
And Jiang Pan led people to melt down all the kitchen knives in every household, then forge them into daggers.
The daggers, tied to sturdy wooden poles, became very handy weapons.
Every method they could think of was employed, and now they were just waiting for the wolf pack to attack.
These wolves were very cunning. They seemed to know that the people in the small mountain village were well-prepared, so for two consecutive days, they did not show themselves again.
The villagers, kept on edge by them for several nights, all had red eyes from exhaustion. In the end, they even started to wish for the wolves to come quickly.
Jiang Wan released her little pony to see what the wolves were up to.
As a result, the little pony went out for a round and brought back news that was either good or bad.
Jiang Lao Er's team had been targeted by the wolf pack.
When Jiang Wan told Jiang Pan this news, Jiang Pan pursed his lips tightly.
"Dad, don't think too much about it. The old immortal said everyone has their own fate, and the path is their own choice. Whether they live or die is their destiny."
Jiang Pan stroked her little head, "That's what they say, but if I had strongly stopped them at the time, perhaps they could have avoided this calamity."
Jiang Wan did not think so, "They might avoid this time, but not necessarily the next. Dad, if even the old immortal doesn't bother with such matters, why are you, a mere mortal, worrying so much?"
Jiang Pan thought about it and realized it made sense.
He had done everything he could, yet he couldn't change those people's minds. Therefore, their life or death had nothing to do with him.
What he needed to worry about were these people who chose to take risks with him.
Two more days passed, and the villagers had perfected their defenses, yet still no sign of the wolf pack.
Some villagers couldn't help but murmur, "These wolves won't dare to come because they can't get any advantage, right?"
Hunter Yang's expression was solemn, "I think they want to trap us in this forest. After all, our food is limited. If we're trapped any longer, and our supplies run out, we'll have no choice but to go out. By then, we'll be too weak from hunger to be a match for those beasts."
The villagers were somewhat disbelieving, "They're just beasts, how can they have such intentions?"
Hunter Yang said, "Don't underestimate these beasts; they are very smart. We need to find a way to lure them here, otherwise, they will wear us down to death."
But what method could be used to lure the wolves?
Jiang Wan looked at her own horse and had an idea.
"Dad, let me ride the horse to lure the wolves!"
"No!"
Jiang Pan refused without a second thought, "You're just a little girl, how can you do something so dangerous!"
Jiang Wan spread her hands, "Dad, didn't you forget? I have the old immortal protecting me. In fact, I'm the safest one. No one is more suitable than me to go."
Jiang Pan still shook his head, "Even with the old immortal, I can't let you go!"
Jiang Wan took a step back, "Then, how about you go with me?"
Jiang Pan still disagreed.
Jiang Wan was a bit helpless, "Dad, don't hesitate anymore. Many families in the village are running out of food."
"No one is more suitable than us father and daughter to go. I have the old immortal's protection, and you are the village chief. If people with our status and conditions can't go, then who can?"
Jiang Pan was speechless for a moment.
"Let's go, Dad, don't delay. Let everyone get ready. We'll go and come back quickly, lure the wolves here, hunt them for meat, and use their hides to make clothes for winter!"
Jiang Pan was finally persuaded by Jiang Wan, but he dared not tell Chen Yue Zhi about this, fearing she would tear him apart.
To prevent Chen Yue Zhi from knowing that he was taking Jiang Wan to lure the wolves, he specifically asked Su Shi to find an excuse to keep Chen Yue Zhi occupied.
Su Shi didn't know that Jiang Pan was taking Jiang Wan to lure the wolves. She just thought Jiang Pan was going to do something important, so she agreed.
But what good idea could she have? She could only pretend to have a stomachache, which greatly frightened Chen Yue Zhi. Chen Yue Zhi quickly took her pulse and took good care of her.
The area around their camp was dug with many traps. To get out, they had to lay long planks.
The horse's hooves made a clattering sound on the planks.
Chen Yue Zhi subconsciously wanted to check the situation, "Wasn't our horse locked up?"
Su Shi quickly cried out in pain again, startling Chen Yue Zhi into returning quickly, "What's wrong? Is the pain getting worse? Don't be afraid, Mom is here."
After Jiang Pan and Jiang Wan left the camp, the villagers immediately pulled away the planks, which ensured the safety of the camp to the maximum extent.
Jiang Wan had the little pony lead the way, and the father and daughter followed behind, riding horses without saddles.
The wolves' lair was deep in the mountain forest. This forest had been undisturbed for years, with trees and weeds growing in a chaotic manner. Fortunately, it was winter and had been dry for years, otherwise, it would have been impossible for people to travel through it.
Jiang Pan chopped through the branches with a cleaver all the way, for fear of the branches scratching Jiang Wan.
The father and daughter did not travel fast because their goal was to attract the wolves. They only needed to wander around the forest, spreading human scent. Traveling too far would be detrimental to their smooth return.
Soon, the little pony let out warning calls in the air, indicating that wolves were approaching.
Following the little pony's guidance, the father and daughter spotted the wolves.
Two gray wolves stood in the distance, observing them, but showing no intention of approaching.
Jiang Pan narrowed his eyes, "These beasts are smarter than we imagined. They see that there are few people and fear traps, so they dare not come closer."
Jiang Wan looked at the wolves and said, "Then let's provoke them and make them lose their reason."
"How do we provoke them?"
Jiang Pan was somewhat confused, "Do we need to get closer?"
Jiang Wan nodded, "Yes, let's get closer and kill these two wolves. Once the smell of blood spreads, the other wolves will naturally not be able to remain calm."
Beasts are still beasts. No matter how smart they are, they cannot control their innate bloodlust.
Jiang Pan hesitated, "Isn't this too risky?"
"Dad, with the old immortal here, what is there to fear! Let's just do it!"
As Jiang Wan spoke, she took out her weapon.
It was a dagger that had been sharpened to a very fine point, made especially for her by Jiang Pan. It was about the length of a palm, and it still felt a bit large in her hand.
Using her special ability, she gave the horse a command to advance. The horse sensed the dangerous aura ahead and was reluctant to move forward, but it dared not disobey Jiang Wan's command. It could only snort and express its dissatisfaction as it walked.
After the horse had moved forward a distance, Jiang Wan suddenly threw the dagger in her hand.
Her strength was great, and her aim was accurate. Before the wolf could react, the dagger pierced its forehead.