Jiang Pan's words threw the villagers into a panic, leaving them utterly unsure how to choose. They looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
Seeing the villagers' indecision, Jiang Pan stepped forward first. "I choose to press onward."
The elder village chief also had his son step forward to represent the Zhao family. "My father said to follow the village chief."
Jiang Pan was now essentially the backbone of the small mountain village. Coupled with the elder village chief's influence, the others quickly sided with Jiang Pan.
Jiang Lao Er broke free from restraint and ran over, saying, "Jiang Pan, you are the village chief of the small mountain village now. You can't risk the lives of over four hundred villagers to pave the way for your own family's safe passage to Jiangnan!"
"By telling everyone to keep moving forward, aren't you just leading them to their deaths? When the wolf pack comes, you'll drive your cart away and leave everyone else to feed the wolves, buying yourselves time to escape. Your heart is truly wicked!"
Seeing Jiang Lao Er step out, Madam Zhou also rushed out from a corner to stand with him. "Eldest brother, after everyone trusted you so much, I never expected you to do something like this! Are you worthy of them?"
Their alarmist talk and incitement caused many villagers to stand up abruptly. "No, I don't want to go any further. If there are wolves ahead, why should we keep going? Going back is the safest!"
"Yes, let's go back. We can't go forward anymore!"
Jiang Lao Er shouted, "I choose to go back. Anyone who doesn't want to die in vain, stand with me!"
Madam Zhou pulled her children and called for Grandma Jiang to add to their numbers, standing behind Jiang Lao Er. She then began to rally the villagers to join them.
A few families, overcome with fear, quickly moved to their side.
Jiang Lao Er looked at Jiang Pan triumphantly. See? With just a few words, I've rendered your abilities useless!
He continued to deliberately frighten everyone. "Everyone, hurry and pack your things and head back before the wolf pack arrives! After all, we only have two legs, and those beasts have four. We can't outrun them!"
Upon hearing this, the villagers could no longer sit still. They hurried back to pack their belongings, preparing to travel overnight.
Seeing this, Jiang Pan could do nothing to persuade them.
After all, this was a matter of life and death, and he couldn't force anyone.
Jiang Wan could no longer bear to watch. She climbed onto the table where meat was being distributed and yelled at the crowd, "Are you done yet? Are you afraid the wolves won't hear your commotion?"
She was small, but her voice was loud. Combined with her crisp, childish tone, it cut through the chaotic din, sounding remarkably clear.
The crowd suddenly fell silent.
Jiang Wan quickly said, "If everyone wants to go back, my father and the elder village chief have no objections. After all, they both said before that they would listen to everyone's opinion. But don't forget one thing: the road we came on has already collapsed. If we turn back now, we'll just be trapped in one of the mountain forests. At most, we can only retreat to that cave where we sheltered from the rain."
"Those wolves have legs. If they've already set their sights on us, they won't let us go even if we retreat. It's a dead end; where can we retreat to? Are we more familiar with this mountain forest than those beasts?"
"Even if the wolf pack doesn't chase us out, how much food do we have left? How long will it last us?"
The harsh reality laid bare, the villagers were stunned.
Going forward meant death, but retreating didn't guarantee survival.
Some women couldn't help but shed tears.
Jiang Wan said with some annoyance, "Can you have some fighting spirit? This group of ours has been out for so long, and we haven't lost a single person, which means we are capable! Didn't we deal with that group of bandits before? A bunch of beasts blocking the road, and I alone can take down four wolves to save Madam Cheng and her son. Can't over four hundred of us fear a mere two hundred wolves?!"
Some villagers, recalling past events, began to hesitate.
Perhaps they could win this time too?
At this moment, Jiang Lao Er sneered, "Heh, a five-year-old little girl with such a big mouth. If those wolves were really as easy to deal with as you say, how did that Madam Cheng end up in such a state? Her guards weren't useless, were they? Even those who were skilled in martial arts ended up as wolf fodder, yet you dare to boast that you want a bunch of dirt-farmers like us to fight wolves! What are your intentions?"
Madam Zhou, seizing the moment, jumped up to echo his words.
Many villagers became even more determined to go back.
Jiang Wan looked at Jiang Lao Er's smug expression and narrowed her eyes.
In truth, she didn't care much about the villagers' choice. Her family was already being burdened by the small mountain village. Even if all the villagers chose to turn back, she wouldn't object, and might even be happy to finally shake off these troubles.
However, she was truly annoyed by Jiang Lao Er's deliberate disruption!
Seeing Jiang Lao Er attacking Jiang Wan, Jiang Pan immediately stepped forward to shield her, glaring at Jiang Lao Er. "Never mind what Wanwan's intentions are. First, tell us your own intentions! You and these few people are causing such a commotion; you know yourselves what you're trying to do. The situation is urgent now, and I can't be bothered to argue with you."
After speaking, he turned to the villagers. "Fellow villagers, as I said, how you choose is entirely up to you, and no one will be forced. Now, let's all calm down and tally the results. Those who wish to continue forward stand with me, and those who wish to turn back stand with Jiang Deng. The final decision will be made by majority rule."
Jiang Lao Er was not willing to give up. "Why should the minority obey the majority? Isn't the opinion of the minority important? In my opinion, why don't we split into two groups? Those who want to advance follow you, and those who don't want to advance follow me back!"
Jiang Pan narrowed his eyes. "Are you serious? Do you know that by doing this, you are splitting the small mountain village?"
A dark glint flashed in Jiang Lao Er's eyes. Of course, he knew!
He had only intended to cause trouble initially, but after being held aside by Da Lang and the others, he suddenly had this idea. Why should he always be controlled by Jiang Pan? It would be better to use this opportunity to rally some people to his side and take charge himself, wouldn't that be more satisfying!
"Fellow villagers, we escaped to find a way to live, not to die! Knowing there's a wolf pack ahead, why should we force our way through? By going back, we'll at most expend more effort, but at least everyone's lives won't be in danger! Those who think what I'm saying makes sense, come to my side!"
After some hesitation, several families did choose to follow Jiang Lao Er.
However, most people still chose Jiang Pan's side.
They were also unsure if they could survive by continuing forward, but they might not survive by turning back either. Moreover, between the two Jiang brothers, Jiang Pan was clearly more trustworthy.