CHAPTER 754: CHAPTER 750: WOMEN ARE BRAVER (PART 2)

"I’ll go. We’re all from the same village, and we should help each other out. Plus, this is a matter of life and death, and I, Lu Yuanfeng, can’t just sit by and do nothing."

"Besides, I’m familiar with the situation in the mountains. With me leading everyone, there shouldn’t be any danger," Lu Yuanfeng said.

"Hmph, you’re a hunter and used to all kinds of animals. Of course you’d say that. But we’re just honest farmers, and we don’t dare go up Niuwei Mountain because we’d lose our lives if we did."

In the crowd, Ma Houhou pushed aside the people blocking his way and finally squeezed into the center of the courtyard.

Ma Houhou didn’t look happy, or rather, ever since Mu Shuangshuang had stung him with bees, leaving him with a pockmarked face, Ma Houhou still hasn’t gotten himself a wife.

He harbored resentment toward Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng, so how could his face show anything good?

"Listen to what I, Ma Houhou, have to say. Don’t go risking your life in the mountains for ten wen. Have you forgotten about that son of the Old Qian Family who was torn to shreds by a big cat a few years ago?

It was such an injustice; he was only farming at the foot of the mountain, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone. Have you all forgotten that because of that incident, the Old Qian Family hasn’t dared to approach the foot of Niuwei Mountain since?"

Ma Houhou started stirring up the villagers’ emotions with examples that had long existed in the village; he just wanted to prevent the villagers from doing as Lu Yuanfeng and Fu Wu planned.

Talking about life and death and the Old Qian Family’s son made those five men who wanted to go hesitate.

Those five men went, not for the so-called ten wen participation fee, nor for the lost ten taels of silver, much less for so-called righteousness, but for finding the one tael of silver on a person.

Man dies for wealth like birds die for food, but when it truly comes to life, let alone trading one life for ten taels, even for a hundred taels, everyone must think twice.

"Fu Wu, we don’t want your money. You better find someone else!" the five men spoke in unison.

"Exactly, we don’t want to risk our lives for your ten wen, one tael of silver, or even ten taels."

"We’re not going!"

"..."

This time, no one in the village was willing to go into the mountains to find someone.

Ma Houhou looked at Lu Yuanfeng with a provocative expression, clearly with the demeanor of a small-minded person who succeeded in causing trouble.

Mu Shuangshuang couldn’t hold back any longer. If this continued, no one from the village would go. She stepped forward to the center where everyone was gathered.

"Everyone, quiet down, can you give me a moment to speak?" Mu Shuangshuang said.

In an instant, the villagers’ eyes were all focused on Mu Shuangshuang.

Including the Old Mu Family who had already arrived, but could only stand at the back.

"Old Mu Family’s Shuang, if you have something to say, we’ll listen." someone from the village said.

"Yes, we’re waiting to go back to sleep, so don’t waste our time." someone urged.

"Everyone, don’t be impatient! Listen to Shuang. Although I’m just a child, I understand the principle that many hands make light work. Today, the wild bear forced Liu Qingshan up the mountain, and if we truly ignore it, there’s no guarantee other animals won’t come out and harm someone.

By then, will we continue to ignore the situation, watching as fierce animals kill and eat the villagers one by one?"

"Old Mu Family’s Shuang, what you’re saying, we indeed understand, but Liu Qingshan’s life is precious, and isn’t ours as well? If we die in the mountains, who will take care of our family? Who will take care of our children?" someone asked.

"Exactly, you’re here talking, if you have the courage, why don’t you go yourself?" Ma Houhou seized the opportunity when someone echoed his sentiment and directly challenged Mu Shuangshuang.

Mu Shuangshuang curled her lips into a smile. "Since I dared to stand up, I naturally have this idea. I’ll go up the mountain with Fengzi to lend Liu Qingshan a hand."

"I’ll go too. I, Mu Dashan, have just recovered from illness, but I must support my daughter’s and future son-in-law’s matter." Mu Dashan called out from behind Mu Shuangshuang.

"And I, Mu Dalang, support my third uncle’s decision!" Mu Dalang said.

Mu Dazhong and Mrs. Lin were furious, especially Mrs. Lin, who grabbed Mu Dalang’s hand and tried to drag him back to the Old Mu Family. "Are you crazy? Why go, don’t you know this is a matter of life and death? The third branch has gone crazy, and you’re following along?"

Mu Dalang shook off Mrs. Lin’s hand and said, "Mother, things aren’t as you say. In these times, every situation has its dangers. We can choke on water, be suffocated by food, and even die suddenly while walking.

No one knows when they will die, so it’s better to do everything well while still alive, to avoid regret."

"Brother is right. I, Fu Xiaonan, will go too!" Fu Xiaonan said.

Even the servant disguised as a woman spoke up. "I’m going too!"

As a result, quite a few people were willing to go into the mountains.

Fu Wu was both excited and scared; he opened his mouth and continued to ask, "Is there... anyone else willing to go?"

As soon as he finished speaking, someone responded.

"We’re coming too!" A very familiar voice came from not far away, and upon looking, it was Zhao Yun leading some women from the village, walking towards Old Fu Family.

Each of them held torches in their hands, looking formidable.

Women taking responsibility on their own was something the villagers had never seen before. The remaining women, still watching the drama, somehow got heated up and joined in, saying, "We’re going too!"

This time, it was truly beyond everyone’s expectations.

Only a few men stood up—Mu Dashan, Lu Yuanfeng, Mu Dalang—but nearly all the women from the village were going.

The men felt even more uneasy.

"Damn it! If our womenfolk dare to do it, what are we, these big men, worth? At worst, we’ll bring hoes and sickles to find Liu Qingshan.

If we really encounter a wild bear or tiger, we’ll all join forces to kill the bear. Who knows, we might even get to drink some bear blood." One of the men shouted.

This time, the men seemed inspired and stood out one after another.

"We’re going too!"

"Are you crazy? Don’t you care for your lives? The mountains are terrifying, anyone who goes up will die!" Ma Houhou couldn’t believe that his words didn’t work despite saying so much.

"Ma Houhou, you ugly thing, if you’re not going, don’t stop everyone.

Our men in Er Gui Village have always been fearless, and we must not lag behind the little women.

Everyone quickly go back and get your tools. After half a stick of incense’s time, we’ll gather at the foot of Niuwei Mountain. Fengzi will lead, and we’ll go into the mountains together!"

Zhang Yutou shouted to the villagers, and those who decided to go were already rushing back to get their tools.

Suddenly, the villagers dispersed.

Fu Xiaonan tugged on Mu Shuangshuang’s sleeve and said, "Shuangshuang, thank you!"