CHAPTER 331: CHAPTER 328: KEEPING PROMISES

Xie Liangchen stopped occasionally to look in the direction of the Dai State Pass. Although they were some distance away, it seemed she could still hear the sounds of battle.

"The sound of firearms exploding," Xie Shao Yuan’s voice came.

Xie Liangchen turned her head to meet her father’s gentle gaze.

Xie Shao Yuan continued, "Worried about the situation over there?"

Xie Liangchen nodded, "General Song asked us to take a team to help the villagers, but the remaining people are far fewer than those Liao soldiers. I don’t know if this battle will succeed."

Xie Shao Yuan patted Xie Liangchen’s shoulder, "The Third Prince is not as capable as his two brothers, he should not be General Song’s match."

Xie Shao Yuan said this and raised his head to look at the sky not far away.

Xie Liangchen asked, "Father... what is it?"

"It’s raining," Xie Shao Yuan said.

A raindrop smacked on the back of Xie Liangchen’s hand.

The rain began to fall, and the wind carried a moist scent.

Xie Liangchen said, "It looks like this rain won’t be small, let’s hurry to the village." What she and the Village Chief Wang had worried about happened.

In an instant, a heavy rain poured down.

Village Chief Wang and several villagers hid in the forest not far from Wang Family Village, soaked by the rain.

Ever since the trouble with the mountain bandits began, Village Chief Wang decisively sought out the chiefs of nearby villages to discuss dealing with these bandits.

The Song Family Army was busy fighting at the pass, while the mountain bandits colluded with the soldiers, each holding sharp weapons. They were strong and robust, and the villagers were no match for them head-on.

But the villagers didn’t want to flee too far, fearing that the mountain bandits and the Pseudo King’s men would cut off the Song Family Army’s retreat. So everyone worked together to hide the elderly, women, and children deep in the mountains, while the men picked up sticks and tried to delay the bandits. Once the battle at the pass stabilized, the Song Family Army would assist.

Like yesterday, the bandits attempted to follow the official road to the pass. Village Chief Wang and the others spotted them and took up sticks to fight the bandits.

The bandits were more ferocious than usual and the village had suffered too much from several encounters, leaving many wounded villagers to face the enemy. After only a moment, the villagers were defeated. To prevent too many deaths and injuries, Village Chief Wang had to lead everyone to hide in the forest.

Seeing no solution, the villagers dejectedly suggested, "With this heavy rain, let’s go back to the mountains! If we all die here, what will those left behind do?"

No one responded.

After a while, someone else spoke, "If the Qi people truly win, will they send troops to help?"

Again, silence filled the air as everyone thought no one would answer, but suddenly a resolute voice said, "Yes."

Everyone turned to look at Village Chief Wang.

Village Chief Wang had personally seen how the Song Family Army defended the city, completely different from the people of the Gao Dynasty. You couldn’t fake earnest city defense.

Village Chief Wang had also helped in the infirmary. There, the lightly wounded soldiers climbed back onto the city wall, and he heard the Deputy General of the city say they would hold out until reinforcements arrived, ensuring the Liao people did not storm the city.

Village Chief Wang believed in their words; otherwise, he wouldn’t convince nearby villages to join against the bandits.

Village Chief Wang said, "While the rain falls, we should find out where the bandits are. If they stop to hide from the rain, we won’t disturb them, but if they continue to the pass, we must try again to stop them."

They had some strength left, and they couldn’t just watch and do nothing.

Again, silence, with only the incessant sound of the pouring rain.

Village Chief Wang spoke again, "If we truly let the Liao people in, hiding in the mountains won’t help. They’ll definitely search the mountains."

No matter what, the outcome wouldn’t be good.

"Alright," some villagers thought of the actions of the bandits and the Liao people, "We’ll fight them; if we can injure one, that’s one less enemy."

"Fight them."

The crowd echoed.

Village Chief Wang’s nose tingled slightly, but he ignored the discomfort, "Perhaps if we delay enough, the Qi people’s reinforcements will arrive."

There was still a glimmer of hope at least.

The group made up their minds, tightened their grips on their sticks, and quietly exited the forest. Just as they were about to determine a direction to find those bandits, they heard the sounds of fighting not far ahead.

Village Chief Wang’s eyes lit up, and someone beside him asked, "Could it be... Qi reinforcements?"

The crowd hastened forward and saw in the distance through the rain curtain that the bandits were falling one by one. Though the soldiers in armor were few, the bandits were clearly no match for them, and the injured bandits lay on the ground wailing.

Then a familiar face appeared in Village Chief Wang’s sight.

It was Miss Xie.

The mountain bandits numbered over sixty, usually using their height and strength to oppress the villagers. But encountering the well-trained Song Family Army, they couldn’t last for even two moments before they all knelt and begged for mercy.

Xie Liangchen walked over to Village Chief Wang, "How is the village? Did these bandits hurt anyone?"

Village Chief Wang replied, "Five in the village died, and over a dozen were injured. We sent the elderly, women, and children to the mountains."

After saying this, Village Chief Wang couldn’t help but ask, "What about the pass..."

Xie Liangchen said, "General Song is there."

Hearing this, Village Chief Wang finally relaxed.

Xie Liangchen inquired about the villagers, "The rain is heavy, and there might be flooding in the mountains. Are the places they are hiding safe?"

Village Chief Wang thought for a moment, "I’ll take people to check on them. Once the rain stops and the pass is stabilized, we’ll bring them back."

As they talked, Xie Liangchen went to see how Xie Shao Yuan was doing. Her father’s chronic cough had not been well, and being drenched in the rain might make it worse.

Xie Shao Yuan adjusted the straw hat on his head and nodded to his daughter, "Don’t worry, I’m fine."

"The village is just ahead," Xie Liangchen said, "I’ll help you over to rest."

Traveling through the rain might be too much for Xie Shao Yuan’s health to endure.

Chang Yue also said, "Miss is right, if there’s any news from the pass, I’ll report immediately to the Master and Miss."

Xie Shao Yuan indeed couldn’t walk anymore, and continuing might make him fall sick here, becoming a burden to Liangchen, so he had to nod in agreement.

"I haven’t properly thanked you yet," Xie Liangchen looked at Village Chief Wang, "This is my father. It was because you told us the road to Lingqiu that we could be reunited."

Village Chief Wang hurriedly said, "Miss, no need to thank me; after all, your arrival in Dai State has saved us too."

Xie Liangchen didn’t continue with the pleasantries with Village Chief Wang. She would find a way to help Wang Family Village after the battle concluded.

Xie Liangchen settled Xie Shao Yuan in the village, and Village Chief Wang brought over a set of clean clothes for Xie Shao Yuan to change into.

For now, all they could do was let her father rest a bit.

Xie Liangchen walked out of the house, and Chang Yue quickly approached, "News from the pass: Master has captured Ge Kun."

Everyone’s faces lit up with joy.

The rain gradually subsided, and Village Chief Wang felt a sense that the storm was about to pass and the sky would clear.