Chapter 149: Digging Traps Might Be Better
The two captured men finally confessed after being beaten half to death.
“We’re from Fengcheng! Stop hitting us! If you know what’s good for you, let us go. Otherwise, when our boss realizes we haven’t returned, he’ll come looking for us.”
“Your boss?”
Yu Zhengqing wasn’t intimidated. They had already killed most of their men, and there was no turning back now.
What mattered most was gathering intel before their reinforcements arrived.
“Yes! You think killing ten of our brothers makes you powerful? Our Wanli Gang has over a hundred members, with fifty skilled fighters. The rest can fight too.
You weaklings, with just a few fighters among you? You don’t stand a chance!
If you’re smart, hand over ten women, and maybe our boss will let this go. Otherwise, expect relentless revenge!”
Seeing Yu Zhengqing’s serious expression, the other prisoner suddenly grew bolder, continuing his threats.
However, before he could say another word, Yu Xiaoxuan punched him in the mouth.
The man’s face twisted in pain, and since he was tied up, he collapsed to the ground with a muffled groan.
“Hah! Still talking tough? You’re at our mercy, yet you dare to threaten us?!”
Blood splattered onto the ground, along with several of his teeth.
Writhing on the ground, he moaned in agony, powerless to retaliate.
“Wait! Don’t listen to him! You all seem strong—why not join Wanli Gang instead? Here, you have no backing. The Jianghu warriors could attack you anytime.”
Seeing his comrade suffer for his arrogance, the second prisoner panicked and quickly tried to persuade them instead.
Yu Zhengqing’s gaze remained icy cold.
“That’s none of your concern.”
At his words, the sound of a sword being drawn echoed through the cave.
The women of the Yu family, watching from their bedding, quickly turned their faces away.
Lady Lan even covered Yu Xiaoyun’s eyes, while Yu Yingying kept her gaze locked on her father’s sword, her lips curling slightly.
With a single swift strike, Yu Zhengqing slit their throats.
Blood sprayed across the cave, and the two prisoners stared in disbelief as life drained from their eyes.
They had never expected him to kill them so decisively.
“This is bad.”
Hearing their final words, Yu Xiaoxuan paled.
“They have many more people. It’s been three days already—if their boss realizes they’re missing, they’ll come for revenge.
Even if we have fighters, we’re still outnumbered. How can we fight them all?”
Unlike his brother, Yu Xiaoran remained silent, watching his father’s reaction.
“This needs to be discussed with everyone so that we’re mentally prepared.”
After a brief pause, Yu Zhengqing cleaned his sword, then strode toward the cave entrance.
His ruthless efficiency made it clear—the upcoming threat was far greater than before.
“Xiaoran, you and your brother use light-footed movement to dump these corpses far away. I’ll inform the others.”
“Yes, Father!”
When the others heard that the attackers belonged to a powerful gang, they panicked just like Yu Xiaoxuan.
Some women even started crying silently, afraid of making things worse.
Seeing their low morale, Yu Haojie spoke up calmly.
“What’s done is done. We’ve killed their men, and there’s no going back. We came to this wilderness knowing we had to fight for survival. We didn’t provoke them—they came to steal our women and supplies. Would you rather surrender and hand over your wives and daughters to them?”
His words silenced the crowd.
No one wanted to sacrifice their loved ones.
“Second Brother is right.”
Yu Zhengqing nodded in agreement.
“Our priority is to protect our families. Women, stay inside the caves as much as possible. Men, continue gathering firewood. Women should collect stones for defense. We have a few hundred arrows—I’ll distribute them for archery practice. Everyone, men, women, and children, must learn how to shoot arrows—it’s a skill that will keep us alive.”
“I agree!”
Yu Xiaoran stepped forward.
“Since the snow hasn’t melted, we should train together outside during the day. My brother and I can teach archery.”
Hearing this, the crowd felt relieved and grateful.
Even Yu Qiang, usually resentful toward the main Yu family, was moved by their willingness to help.
“Your third grandfather’s family is skilled with the bow. Let them teach archery, while my sons teach self-defense.”
Yu Zhengqing suggested a better plan.
“If you learn a few deadly moves, you may not be able to kill the enemy, but at least you’ll have a chance to escape.”
This way, even the children could develop basic martial skills, improving long-term survival chances.
“This works for me. I trained my sons and grandsons in archery myself. I’ll teach them.”
For the first time, Yu Qiang willingly set aside his past resentment.
Although he still hated how the main family had treated him in the past, he knew that now, they needed to stand together against a common enemy.
Seeing his uncle finally cooperate, Yu Zhengqing felt relieved.
“I have another idea.”
Suddenly, Yu Luo spoke up.
“Instead of just preparing for battle, why don’t we set traps? The snow makes it easy to dig hidden pits. If the Wanli Gang comes, they’ll fall right in. If we fill the pits with sharpened stakes, they’ll be wounded or killed instantly. Then we can easily finish them off.”
Her suggestion immediately caught everyone’s attention.
“That’s brilliant!”
If they used this strategy, they could weaken the enemy before the fight even started.
“This could work! We’ll dig the pits tomorrow!”
At last, a solid plan was in motion.
(End of Chapter 149)
