After the statement, everyone stood in stunned silence.
"What do you mean by 'strike first,' Xiaofan? Can you explain what you're suggesting?" Liu Yong's mouth hung open, his confusion apparent.
"Exactly," Chen Fan replied, his gaze fixed on the distant figures from Lijiazhai. "The outcome remains the same whether we stay or go. Conflict with Lijiazhai is inevitable. The only variable is the intensity of that conflict. Given that, it's better to act proactively."
"At present, the people from Lijiazhai seem to be waiting, unsure if we intend to aid Gujiazhai. Even if we approach, they'll be uncertain of our true intentions. So, we should feign indifference and close the gap swiftly. I'll eliminate their two archers immediately to nullify the threat. When they rush towards us from a distance of two hundred meters, there will be no survivors. After that, Uncle Liu, you can take care of the rest."
After delivering his plan, Chen Fan was relieved that he had an opportunity to put his skills to use.
No, it wasn't just an opportunity – it was a necessity.
A collective hiss of comprehension rippled through the group, including Chen Guodong. They all understood Chen Fan's intent.
This plan was about taking lives, not sparing them.
Instead of killing one, they would take down a dozen!
"Dad, uncles, I wish we didn't have to resort to this," Chen Fan sighed. "But we have no choice, unless we're willing to relinquish our prey."
Upon hearing these words, a wave of anger surged through the assembly.
"Xiaofan is right!" Gao Yang exclaimed. "These beasts may not have killed anyone directly, but they've stolen our prey and caused the deaths of many. Eliminating them is doing justice for all those lives lost!"
"Absolutely! Do you all remember how they robbed us last time?" Another voice chimed in. "They even mocked us, claiming that if they had acted sooner, everything would have gone their way. This time, they won't let us go so easily. It's high time we take the initiative!"
"Yes, I've endured their insolence for far too long! We all have our heads on our shoulders – there's no reason to fear them!"
Several voices echoed in agreement, leaving only Chen Guodong and the bald man in contemplation.
"Guodong," the bald man began, sensing the collective gaze. "I believe Xiaofan's plan is sound. Even if Lijiazhai spares us today for the sake of our prey, what about next time? It will only get worse. Unless we relocate the entire village, which might be even more perilous outside."
"But, won't this approach be excessively cruel?" One of the middle-aged men couldn't help but interject. "They did steal our prey, but they weren't planning to harm us. We could help Gujiazhai, confront them, and drive them away, couldn't we?"
"Stealing prey – does that not make them killers?" Gao Yang retorted, his voice cold.
"Indeed, how many people have suffered due to their actions?"
The man fell silent for a moment, everyone's attention now on Chen Guodong.
Chen Guodong's expression displayed a mix of emotions. He knew that Chen Fan's plan was logical and in the best interest of the village. Yet, he couldn't ignore the ruthlessness of the method.
There was another aspect that weighed heavily on him – Lijiazhai housed nearly a hundred people. These individuals were the children of elders, husbands to wives, and fathers to children. If they perished here, how would Lijiazhai survive?
"Guodong, don't hesitate!" Gao Yang urged anxiously. "If we delay further and Gujiazhai concedes, we'll miss our chance."
"Yeah, Guodong, have you forgotten the way they taunted us last time? They even slapped you before leaving. Can you forget all that?"
"Guodong, sometimes taking a step back means taking two steps forward," Chen Fan added, seeing his father's inner conflict. "I understand your concerns about their well-being and the people in Lijiazhai, but at this moment, we need to prioritize our own survival."
This statement seemed to strike a chord deep within Chen Guodong, leaving him momentarily stunned.
"Yeah, I've always wanted to live in harmony with the village," he replied.
"If we return with less prey, more people will suffer from hunger. Bringing back only half means half the village goes hungry. If we can't protect those around us, what kind of protection do we offer?" he continued.
"Good," he nodded firmly, his resolve unchanged.
Others breathed a collective sigh of relief at his agreement.
If Chen Fan and Chen Guodong, father and son, disagreed, it would have posed a significant challenge for them. Thankfully, the team had now reached a consensus.
As for their ability to defeat Lijiazhai, they had confidence. After all, Xiaofan's strength was undeniable.
However, at this moment, Liu Yong raised a concern. He glanced at the people in Gujiazhai and said with worry, "Xiaofan, what about the people from Gujiazhai? If you shoot arrows, could they get accidentally injured?"
Chen Fan was taken aback by this question. His initial impulse was to dismiss the possibility, but he couldn't completely rule it out. In the chaos of battle, with a bow capable of piercing through fierce beasts and unarmored individuals, accidents could happen.
The atmosphere fell silent once more, and it seemed they were back at an impasse.
"Yes," Chen Fan said, a new idea forming. "We don't need to rely on a surprise attack. Instead, we can lure the enemy deeper."
"Lure the enemy deeper?" the others inquired eagerly.
"It's quite simple. We leave Gujiazhai behind," he began, and though Chen Guodong's expression changed slightly, he remained silent. "We act as though we have a substantial amount of prey, making it seem like we can't move quickly. Naturally, the people from Lijiazhai will catch up. We pretend to flee, causing them to let their guard down. When they're all within range, I'll take decisive action. This way, we can wipe out the Lijiazhai group without risking harm to Gujiazhai. The only downside is that it might leave the people in Gujiazhai feeling uneasy, but once the dust settles and we return the stolen prey, they'll understand."
Chen Fan smiled.
"That's a good plan," Chen Guodong said, releasing a sigh of relief. He might have felt guilty if they had truly abandoned Gujiazhai.
"I agree with this approach," another chimed in.
"Let's do it," Liu Yong, Gao Yang, and the others concurred.