A collective gasp escaped their lips. "Elder Bai, have you lost your mind? You know the strength of Yanhu Village. Killing their people will bring utter destruction upon Bailang Village!"
"Today they stole our food and women. Tomorrow, they might demand our land, our lives. Do you wish to be perpetually suppressed by Yanhu Village?" Elder Bai asked softly.
The others fell silent. They had long endured the oppression and bullying of Yanhu Village, growing weary of it. However, they were no match for Yanhu Village and could only submit.
"Elder Bai, we are helpless."
"Now, I have a plan that can ensure our four villages will never suffer under Yanhu Village's oppression again. I wonder if you three are willing to take the risk."
Elder Lu quickly grasped the implication. "You want to go to war with Yanhu Village?"
"Not just me, but all four of our villages united, to fight Yanhu Village. We will form an alliance. After we take down Yanhu Village, we can also jointly defend against attacks from other villages." Elder Bai laid out his plan.
"Our Changyuan Village will participate," Elder Yuan declared immediately. "We've had enough of being bullied. Elder Jin, Elder Lu, what about you?"
"To rebel against Yanhu Village... isn't that a bit too drastic?" Elder Lu asked cautiously. Their Milu Village had always lived carefully, thoroughly intimidated by Yanhu Village. The mere thought of attacking Yanhu Village sent him shaking his head in fear. "We still won't participate."
"Elder Lu, if you don't think of yourself, think of the children in the village," Elder Jin urged. "Yanhu Village is becoming increasingly excessive. One day, they will swallow Milu Village whole. What will happen to the children then? Will you just watch them be killed by Yanhu Village?"
"It won't come to that, will it?"
"It won't come to that?" Elder Bai clapped his hands, and immediately, someone brought forward two corpses. These two had tragically died during the skirmish with Yanhu Village, their bodies covered in wounds. Elder Lu's heart pounded, and he looked towards Elder Yuan.
"Elder Jin, what do you think?"
Elder Jin remained silent for a long moment. "Do you plan to launch your attack before dawn?"
"Yes. If Black Tiger doesn't return with his men by dawn, Yanhu Village will surely notice something is amiss and send people to investigate. That's when trouble will start," Elder Bai sighed. "If we are to launch a full-scale assault, a swift decision must be made."
"Elder Bai, if we disagree, what will you do?"
"We will still fight. Bailang Village has been pushed to a dead end. Since death is inevitable, why not fight for a chance at survival, to carve out a path for the children of our village?"
"But our four villages are the bottom four among the twelve villages. How can we fight against Yanhu Village, which ranks among the top three?"
"If you are afraid before the battle has even begun, you will surely lose," Elder Bai said calmly. "We have only one belief: either fight, or die!"
"I still feel it's inappropriate, especially for our Milu Village. We are not skilled in combat. If we rashly engage, Milu Village might be completely wiped out," Elder Lu gritted his teeth. "Elder Bai, I apologize, but Milu Village will not participate."
"Elder Lu, you..." Elder Yuan was furious, pounding his chest. They had been pushed to the brink by Yanhu Village, yet he still refused to stand up and resist. If this continued, Milu Village would eventually be consumed by Yanhu Village.
"You all have the ability to fight, but we don't," Elder Lu said in a low voice. "Milu Village has always existed by relying on others. In this situation, we are simply incapable of fighting. My own death is insignificant, but I cannot let the children die with me."
"If Elder Lu doesn't participate, then the three of us can join forces and still have a chance to fight. Elder Jin, it's up to you."
Elder Jin glanced at Elder Lu, remaining silent, lost in profound contemplation.
Huo Lei saw the solemn expression on Xiao Man's face and immediately reassured her, "Don't worry, everything will be fine. The Shaman will surely persuade the other three families to join forces."
Xiao Man looked at Huo Lei. "Tell me about the situation of the other three families."
Huo Lei recounted the circumstances of the other three villages. After Xiao Man listened, her brow furrowed even tighter. She then whispered something into Huo Lei's ear, and his expression changed.
"Impossible."
"Just in case," Xiao Man lowered her voice. "You wouldn't want the news to leak and endanger the lives of your clansmen, would you?"
Huo Lei gritted his teeth and finally nodded, secretly calling for two people and leaving stealthily.
As Elder Lu prepared to leave, Elder Jin still hadn't responded. He followed them out, only to find Xiao Man blocking their path.
"Elder Bai, who is this?" Elder Lu asked in surprise. "He looks unfamiliar."
Xiao Man bowed to Elder Lu. "Elder Lu, to prevent any news from leaking, I must trouble you to temporarily remain in Bailang Village."
"What do you mean?"
"It means Elder Lu can only take his people back after we return."
"Elder Bai, I am not participating in the counterattack, and you intend to restrict our freedom of movement?" Elder Lu became agitated. "Is Bailang Village going to be enemies with our Milu Village?"
"Elder Lu, it's not that Bailang Village is enemies with Milu Village, but rather for your safety."
Elder Bai was somewhat surprised by Xiao Man's actions, but he also feared news leaking. He simply didn't understand why Xiao Man was only detaining Elder Lu, as Elder Jin had not yet given his opinion.
After imprisoning Elder Lu and his people within a barrier, Xiao Man turned to Elder Jin. "I am an alchemist. Before the full-scale assault, I will provide various elixirs to the participating warriors to increase their chances of survival. Elder Jin, will your Jindian Village participate?"
Elder Jin took a deep breath. "Who are you?"
"Bailang Village has shown me life-saving grace, so I consider myself a member of Bailang Village," Xiao Man stated calmly. "Elder Jin's lingering concerns are likely about someone leaking information, aren't they?"
Elder Jin frowned. "You think Elder Lu would leak information?"
"Isn't Elder Lu constantly leaking information?" Xiao Man retorted. "I've inquired. Once Bailang Village, Jindian Village, and Changyuan Village obtain any good resources, people from Yanhu Village will arrive shortly to seize them. Although Milu Village is also bullied, they have the best living conditions among the four villages. Why is it that despite being the weakest, they suffer the least losses?"
Elder Jin's eyes flickered. "Elder Bai, your new recruit is quite capable. Jindian Village will join. When will the attack be launched?"
"In one hour. Elders Yuan and Jin, go back and gather your people. We will assemble in the nearby woods in one hour. I will provide elixirs to all participating warriors to maximize their chances of survival." Xiao Man's voice was calm, but Elder Yuan knew she was not lying.
"Alright, see you in an hour. Elder Yuan, let's go."