Chapter 17
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Chapter 17: The Calm Before the Crisis
Yang Guanfeng learned from Xu Guang that this situation had occurred throughout the Zhuhu Dynasty, and similar situations were happening in neighboring kingdoms.
Due to the overwhelming number of refugees, the populations of the Willow Leaf and Baishi towns quickly reached their limits.
The town gates had already been closed, preventing outsiders from entering.
Refugees cried and lamented outside the towns, kneeling in rows, and even when the military threatened them with swords, they refused to leave.
During this time, the Yang Family had also taken in many refugees, and the villages at the foot of Little Pine Mountain were not disturbed by monsters due to the Yang Family’s presence.
However, they were just a family and could not compare to the size of the towns; altogether, they could accommodate about three hundred people at most.
On the twenty-eighth day since the outbreak of the Monster Troubles, Yang Guanfeng and Old Yu switched shifts and returned to the Yang Family from the mines.
In the council hall, Yang Feiyun and Yang Xiaolei reported the situation to him.
“As of today, we have accepted two hundred thirteen refugee households, and they are all settled,” Yang Feiyun said.
Yang Guanfeng nodded and asked, “Can we still take in more?”
“Well… in terms of finances and food, the family can still manage, and as for space, we can squeeze in a bit more; it’s just that there isn’t enough land for them to farm.”
“Don’t let them farm; give them weapons.”
“Give them weapons?” Yang Feiyun looked a bit confused.
Yang Xiaolei pondered, “Do you mean to let them become external family soldiers?”
“Correct. With the monster tide approaching, the attack will undoubtedly be fierce. If these people don’t have the ability to resist, they will be doomed!”
Yang Guanfeng stood up and said, “You two handle this matter. Explain the pros and cons to these people; those willing to serve the Yang Family will join the family soldiers. After the monster tide, the elders and children can continue to stay here. Those who do not wish to join can seek their own fortune. During the disaster, the Yang Family will provide their rations, but afterward, they will have to return to where they came from.”
“Yes, big brother, we understand.”
Yang Guanfeng realized that this Monster Troubles was a great calamity for the Yang Family, but alongside the danger also lay an opportunity.
To grow stronger, they first needed capable individuals.
The river at the foot of Little Pine Mountain was called Linshan River. A few days ago, Old Yu, along with Lingrui, had built two wooden bridges and one stone bridge.
Currently, the Yang Family and the villages at the foot of the mountain were on the northern side of Linshan River. Yang Guanfeng’s original plan was to develop the southern area of the river for the use of the Yang Family, but at that time, there weren’t enough laborers, so it was put on hold.
Now that a large number of refugees were gathering, it was a perfect opportunity to absorb them, and after the monster tide, they could become a new force to help the Yang Family cultivate the land.
Once the Master’s orders were issued, the refugees responded enthusiastically.
Upon hearing that they could stay here afterward, most of the young men and women expressed their willingness to become family soldiers.
After experiencing this monster tide, they understood that they needed to rely on a strong backing for protection.
Training for the new soldiers began intensively, and the Yang Family reached the level of full mobilization; everyone except the elderly and children had a task.
There was a steep mountain pass in Little Pine Mountain that was difficult to traverse, and it was the area where monsters frequently emerged.
Yang Lingrui led the family soldiers to guard this place.
Meanwhile, the other cultivators of the Yang Family, with Yang Guanfeng at the forefront, ventured deep into Little Pine Mountain to observe the latest movements of the monster tide.
Old Yu kept watch over the mines, as the high-quality ore produced there was one of the few stable resources the Yang Family had to exchange for spiritual crystals, and it was vital not to lose it.
Linghu and Lingqing stood guard at the cliff of the forbidden area.
A few days ago, monsters had been frequently disturbing the area, but recently things had quieted down significantly.
“Master! The scout has returned, and there is still no movement today!”
The leader of the family soldiers reported as he reentered the tent where Yang Lingrui was.
His name was Yang Tieli, and by blood relation, he was Yang Lingrui’s uncle; he had even carried him when he was a child.
However, now Yang Lingrui had embarked on the path of a Master and held an elevated status as a figure of cultivation supported by the Yang Family, far above those like him who were mere mortals.
Yang Lingrui, who was examining a map, nodded gently at the news.
“Thank you for your hard work, Tieli. Continue to investigate, and do not let your guard down.”
“Yes, I will obey the Master’s orders!”
After exiting the tent, Yang Tieli conveyed Yang Lingrui’s orders, and a new batch of scouts set off up the mountain again.
“Leader, are we really going to follow the orders of a young child?”
Once back in his own tent, one of Yang Tieli’s subordinates expressed doubt, “We have killed so many monsters these past few days, and he hasn’t done anything, just staying in the tent all day.”
Another soon chimed in, “Yeah, there are no monsters around anymore. I think the Monster Troubles are nearing the end and will soon be over.”
“How dare you!”
As the two spoke carelessly, Yang Tieli suddenly shouted angrily.
“I see you two are tired of living! How dare you discuss the Master’s merits!”
Seeing his anger, the two immediately shrank back, not daring to speak further.
Both of them were quite young, around eighteen or nineteen years old, and they had heard of Old Ancestor Yang Guanfeng’s reputation since childhood. However, they were uncertain about the abilities of this new young Master.
With their mortal mindset, they found it hard to fully trust someone so young, viewing Yang Lingrui as just a child.
But Yang Tieli was different; he stood beside Yang Guanfeng in age. He had witnessed Yang Guanfeng’s training under Old Yu’s guidance and saw the various techniques and powers he possessed.
He understood well that the power cultivators have is not something mere mortals can aspire to, regardless of age.
Thus, he respected Yang Lingrui from the bottom of his heart.
“Get out! Go tell everyone that anyone who dares to discuss the Master in private will face the family law!”
Under Yang Guanfeng’s leadership, the family law was very strict.
Upon hearing this term, the two young family soldiers visibly became frightened, realizing the seriousness of the matter, and hurriedly responded before cautiously exiting the tent.
On the northern cliff of the Yang Family.
Due to the need for secrecy, Yang Linghu and Yang Lingqing were assigned to guard this cliff during the Monster Troubles.
The height of the cliff was deadly for ordinary mortals and monsters alike, though monsters had different capabilities.
Yang Guanfeng entrusted Chen Yang to Yang Lingqing.
Among the three children, Lingqing was the one he trusted the most.
She was calm, composed in emergencies, and had a good sense of the bigger picture, making her the perfect choice to handle the Mysterious Stone.
Coincidentally, Lingqing had practiced the Mud Dragon Technique, which excelled in controlling and defending; with the Mysterious Stone in her possession, she would be well-rounded in both offense and defense.
“Lingqing, it’s quiet in the forest. Could it be that the monsters have returned to the mountains?”
Yang Linghu said as he completed his patrol and returned to the forbidden area.
Yang Lingqing shook her head, “It’s unlikely that they’ve retreated so easily; this is merely the calm before the storm. They want us to lower our guard before launching a full-scale attack. This suggests there are indeed monsters at work behind the scenes; common beasts wouldn’t know such tactics.”
“That makes sense!”
“I’ll take another round. You rest for a bit, Huzi.”
The two switched places, and Yang Lingqing began to survey the cliff while holding Chen Yang in her arms.
After walking along the cliff without noticing anything unusual, she headed into the forest.
Once she had gone a little deeper, she took out Chen Yang.
“Good treasure, can you see any traces of monsters around here?”
