Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Ambush (Middle) Hu Family Village is one of the few villages that primarily rely on hunting among the surrounding ten villages. Due to historical reasons, the proportion of hunters with official documents among the villagers is relatively high. They are temperamental, reclusive, and unwilling to engage with people from other villages. Unexpectedly, Qi Laosan invited them all, clearly determined to deal with me. It is foreseeable that as soon as I enter that forest, I will undoubtedly become a target for many arrows. Even though Lou Yi’s current strength and physique far exceed that of ordinary people, he is still made of flesh and blood, and once he steps into the trap, the consequences could be dire. Thinking of this, Lou Yi felt a strong urge to rush out and deal with all these people. ’Without dealing with the main perpetrator, capturing them would only alert the enemy, best to hold back for now.’ Lou Yi thought rapidly and decided to remain hidden for a while. He took another look at the Hu Family Village hunter team, then crawled away from the scene. In the following days, Lou Yi acted even more cautiously. Even when going out to search for energy, he specifically chose difficult, secluded paths. Relying on senses far superior to ordinary people, he encountered no further dangers. On this day, the sky was just beginning to lighten. Housekeeper Wu assigned a task: a batch of fine silk needed to be transported to Yong’an Village, led by Cui Yuan with Wang En as deputy. Among the group were Lou Yi, Shi Zhan, Yao Kang, and other skilled hands. The formation was significantly larger than the last trip to Dafeng Town. There were more than a dozen carriages, showing how much Landlord Jia valued this shipment. "As long as the goods are intact, so should we be; if the goods are lost, we die with them!" Wang En promptly expressed his loyalty to Housekeeper Wu, drawing disapproving glances from the group. "Remember to steer clear of Sheep Ghost Slope." Housekeeper Wu, still with a gloomy expression, instructed coldly. "I got it!" Wang En responded loudly. "What’s so special about Sheep Ghost Slope?" Lou Yi, who had never heard of it, asked the Tiger-Striped Man, Shi Zhan, beside him. "It’s a spooky place where eerie sheep bleating is often heard at night. Nine out of ten who hear it become possessed and eventually go mad and die!" Shi Zhan, usually carefree, now showed a hint of fear on his face, "It’s said there are vengeful ghosts there!" Lou Yi listened quietly, committing the name Sheep Ghost Slope to memory. If he had just arrived in this world, he might not have believed such tales. But having already encountered tiger spirits and living corpses, another ghostly creature wouldn’t be a big surprise. Despite all these strange things, humans still managed to remain steadfast. This speaks volumes about the strength and foundation of martial artists, far beyond what one might imagine. ’I must quickly reach Tai City to learn martial arts!’ Lou Yi resolved inwardly. Traveling from Xinxiang to Yong’an Village, there are many mountains and rivers. The shallow streams can be crossed directly by horses, but for those deep rivers with no visible bottom, a ferry is necessary. The group’s travel speed remained very slow, relying on the map in Cui Yuan’s hands, zigzagging all the way. "This dense forest is home to tigers, we must detour!" "Wolf King Mountain, the name alone tells you to stay clear. Do you know how many wolves are on that mountain? I’ve heard there’s even a wolf king that’s become a spirit!" "Sheep Ghost Slope is ahead, we must go around!" This time, Cui Yuan’s voice was rarely tinged with fear. Lou Yi looked up and saw a small hill, about a hundred meters high, standing quietly in the distance. The trees on the hill were sparse, resembling a middle-aged man’s balding head, revealing patches of white, bare soil. Lou Yi couldn’t discern anything peculiar about this hill. But seeing everyone else looking so serious, he also steeled himself. Wang En and Cui Yuan quietly discussed, then Cui Yuan announced the decision: "Let’s go to the right side. On the left, there’s a big river, and if we’re delayed, we’ll have to camp out tonight! Yao Kang, you lead the way!" "Got it!" Yao Kang responded briskly, spurring his horse into a reed thicket first. ’Rustle, rustle!’ The wind swayed the reeds, occasionally mixed with the cries of birds, as Lou Yi and the others sat in the carriages, listening to the ’swoosh’ of wheels crushing grass and leaves. "Ah!" A scream broke the tranquility, making everyone tense up. "Not good, take cover!" At the forefront of the group, Lou Yi’s keen eyes already saw arrows darting through the gaps in the reeds at high speed. He immediately pulled Shi Zhan beside him and jumped to the ground. At the same time, he clung to the outer side of a carriage board, using it as cover. "Ah, ah!!" More screams followed as the carriages came to a halt. But a horse, startled, frantically plunged into the reeds carrying the goods. From all directions behind the reeds, a group of adult hunters emerged with slings and straw hats, their eyes cold. "Hu Family Village people, do you dare offend Landlord Jia?" Cui Yuan shouted in anger and shock. "I only want one person today, Lou Yi!" A tall, white-faced man with a black scarf and wearing black clothes stepped out of the hunter group, his eyes like a poison snake fixating instantly on Lou Yi. It was indeed Qi Erlang, Qi Hu. Beside him stood several other colleagues dressed in black. "Those unrelated, get lost, or die with him!" The guards from Jia Family Manor looked at each other. But, to Lou Yi’s surprise, not a single person fled; instead, they gathered together. "We from Jia Family Manor never abandon comrades!" Cui Yuan said disdainfully. His left hand deftly pulled out a simple wooden shield from the carriage, while his right hand raised a long stick, its metallic spearhead already mounted, shimmering with a silver cold light. The other guards followed suit, one hand holding shields, the other holding sticks, making Qi Erlang’s face grow even darker. "Don’t be foolish. Lou Yi has a personal vendetta with him, what’s it to us?" Wang En shouted, causing hesitation among many guards. "So it was you who leaked our route!" Cui Yuan suddenly turned, his eyes blazing with fury, practically burning Wang En alive. "Y-you can’t just accuse me!" Wang En retorted, though his gaze flickered, and his fingers unconsciously gripped the spear tighter. He looked toward Qi Erlang, then steadied himself and sneered, "A newcomer couldn’t possibly be worth us risking our lives. Everyone has family relying on them, is it worth it?" Wang En’s words seemed to strike a chord with the guards’ concerns. They exchanged glances, their expressions growing confused. "I’ll take responsibility for my actions." Lou Yi stepped forward. "Fall back, everyone, remember Jia Family Manor’s rules! They’re just a group of hunters, even with bows, we have spears and shields. Once we close in, they’re just fodder!" Cui Yuan shouted decisively, "Form up!" A dozen guards immediately gathered, raising their wooden shields high. Between the shield crevices gleamed dangerous spear tips. Lou Yi thought for a moment, then quickly joined the group. Only Wang En stood left outside, frustrated and angry. "Charge!" Cui Yuan led the charge, spear forward, leading the guards towards Qi Erlang. Qi Erlang’s expression changed, shouting, "Release arrows!" ’Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!’ The hunters from Hu Family Village drew their bows simultaneously, arrows raining down on the Jia Family Manor guards. ...