204: Chapter 204, page 333

Inside the blacksmith shop.

Lin Yuan's eyes gradually turned cold. He looked at the two people constantly approaching, decisively took out two arrows, and held them in his hand.

In his previous life, because he came from an ancient martial Family and was proficient in combat and cold weapons, he was specially recruited into the army, but he had never fought anyone since Transmigration to this era.

He didn't know how good the opponent's martial arts were, and he dared not be careless.

And just then, Blacksmith Wang, who had just returned from the back room, saw the tense situation and quickly greeted them, saying:

"Oh dear, Commander Li! It's a misunderstanding! It's a misunderstanding! This kid is my distant nephew! His unit was scattered by the Northern Barbarians, so he came to me for refuge."

"You, child, really! You're so grown up! Your temper is still so fiery! Why don't you try to change it! Your superior doesn't know your situation, and you don't explain."

"Commander Li, you are a man who manages more than fifty good brothers under your command. That kid's bow and arrows were spoils of war he obtained on the battlefield. Young people need a bit of Face, so let's all try to understand each other, alright?"

At this critical moment, Blacksmith Wang stepped forward to mediate, which slightly eased the atmosphere among everyone.

Commander Li scrutinized Lin Yuan.

"Kid! What's your name?"

"Lin Yuan!"

"You look quite strong. What are your plans for the future?"

Lin Yuan's eyes immediately flashed with keenness.

"I might not be able to find my original unit. I've been thinking of joining a nearby guard post recently."

"What can you do?"

"My father was a blacksmith before, and I've been following him to forge iron since I was a child."

Commander Li immediately smiled knowingly.

"Haha, so you're from a blacksmith background. Many pieces of equipment in the guard post need repair, and Old Man Wang is getting old and can't keep up with the energy."

"How about this, I'll give you two taels of silver every month. Will you work for me?"

Lin Yuan was instantly overjoyed.

"I! Am willing to follow you, Sir!"

And just at this moment, urgent shouts and the rapid sound of gongs suddenly came from outside the house.

"Northern Barbarian cavalry are here!!"

"Northern Barbarian cavalry are here!!"

Commander Li's Face immediately changed dramatically.

"How could these Northern Barbarian savages charge into the village! Why didn't the border beacon towers give a warning?"

One of the soldiers immediately said: "Boss, it's probably just a small group of Northern Barbarian scouts, so the border didn't detect them."

"These dog savages! Day in and day out, it never ends!"

Commander Li immediately grabbed the newly forged battle saber from Blacksmith Wang's hand.

He glanced at Lin Yuan.

"Kid! If you have the guts! Follow me to the village entrance! Kill the savages!"

Lin Yuan's lips curved slightly upwards.

"What is there to fear? You go first, I'll be right there."

After speaking, Commander Li led his soldiers out of the blacksmith shop.

Lin Yuan handed the two pheasants in his hand to Blacksmith Wang.

"Can you tell me why you helped me just now? Aren't you afraid I'm a Northern Barbarian spy?"

"The moment you walked in, I noticed your arms had many burn marks from sparks, the kind only left by someone who has forged iron for many years."

"The Northern Barbarians are not as good as Great Liang in forging, and they abduct a large number of blacksmiths every year."

Speaking of this, Blacksmith Wang looked at Lin Yuan and sighed.

"Alas... and... you not only look a bit like my son, but if he hadn't gone to war, he would probably be about your age now, and maybe he'd still be forging iron here..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan immediately bowed deeply to Blacksmith Wang.

"Please keep these two pheasants. One is a token of respect from a Junior to you! The other, this Junior needs to take it to repay the young lady who saved my life!"

"Great kindness needs no words of thanks! Uncle Wang! If I survive this battle! I will definitely repay your kindness!"

After understanding why Blacksmith Wang helped him, Lin Yuan prepared to leave the blacksmith shop.

"Wait a moment!!"

Blacksmith Wang held a camphor wood box, about two meters long, in both hands. There was no dust on it, clearly indicating it was often opened.

He carefully placed the wooden box on the ground, his rough fingers unfastening the lid.

With a "creak," a gleaming long spear lay at the bottom of the box.

The cloth strips wrapped around the spear shaft had faded.

Blacksmith Wang gently caressed the spear shaft with both hands.

As if he smelled the faint scent of blood on it.

He had personally forged this long spear for his son after learning he was going to war.

Who would have thought that after a great battle, the spear remained, but the person was gone.

Blacksmith Wang's hands trembled slightly as he took out the long spear.

"This long spear, named 'Startling Swan,' is my son's relic. Now I am old and can no longer wield it. You need to protect the people of this village, and relying solely on bows and arrows won't do."

"Take this long spear and use it for now."

Lin Yuan's heart trembled upon hearing this.

Although he hadn't received a Golden Finger like a System after his Transmigration, he was fortunate enough to meet Su Yun and Blacksmith Wang.

How fortunate... The moment he took the long spear with both hands, Lin Yuan felt a heavy weight that made his arm sink.

The spearhead gleamed coldly, and the spear shaft, specially treated, had excellent toughness, and the feel was beyond words.

In his previous life, he had practiced the Six-Harmony Great Spear and had few rivals in his Family. Now, with a handy weapon, he could also increase his chances of survival.

He casually twirled the spear and bowed to Blacksmith Wang.

"Uncle Wang! If I return victorious from this battle! I will definitely repay you well!"

"Hahahaha! Kid! If you really want to repay me, kill a few more Northern Barbarians and bring me back a pot of Jade Ice Brew!"

After speaking, Lin Yuan left the blacksmith shop.

Under the elm tree not far away.

Commander Li stood on a high platform, assigning tasks to the soldiers around him.

The surrounding villagers were all running back into the village in a panic.

On the official road not far away, smoke billowed, and several dark figures could vaguely be seen rapidly approaching.

"Everyone run! The Northern Barbarian cavalry are here!"

Screams erupted, and the crowd instantly exploded, scrambling to rush into the village.

Lin Yuan walked forward alone, holding the spear horizontally with one hand, blocking the road.

"Do you think if you flee home, the Northern Barbarian cavalry will spare you?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it calmed the chaotic crowd.

"They are just a few Northern Barbarian scouts!"

"Counting you all, we have over thirty people! What's there to be afraid of?"

A tall, thin villager stammered nervously.

"Last month! A few Northern Barbarian scouts directly massacred all fifty people in the neighboring Zhang Family Village!"

"They all have two shoulders and one head! Are you just going to wait for your heads to be chopped off? Watch your wives and children be abducted by them?"

The crowd fell silent.

At this moment, Commander Li, who had just finished deploying combat missions on the high platform, looked at Lin Yuan, who was single-handedly holding a spear and blocking the road, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

However, wielding a spear over two meters long requires great strength and skill from the user.

And this kid had been holding the spear continuously until now without his hand shaking, which was enough to show his astonishing arm strength.

"What? Do you prefer to die kneeling than live standing?"

"Count me in!!"

"That makes sense! I'll go too!"

Before long, ten young men expressed their willingness to stay.

Commander Li's gaze towards Lin Yuan also became increasingly fervent.

Some people are born leaders. With such a talent joining his unit, he might even earn many more military merits.

Commander Li quickly walked to Lin Yuan's side.

"Very good, kid, your pre-battle mobilization was excellent."

"Now I want to test you. If it were you, how would you choose to engage the enemy?"

Lin Yuan said without hesitation:

"If I were in command, I would let the Northern Barbarian cavalry enter the village."

The villagers nearby were immediately somewhat puzzled.

"We have more people, shouldn't we take advantage of them not entering the village yet..."

"Northern Barbarian cavalry are highly mobile. Fighting them in open terrain is simply suicide. The best way is to lure them into the village."

"The villagers are familiar with the village roads. Find narrow dirt paths, preferably ones where their horses cannot turn around!"

"The rest can be left to us!"

Commander Li nodded in approval.

"Very good, it's pretty much what I was thinking."

"Everyone, don't worry, we will do our best to ensure the safety of the village."

When everyone heard Commander Li's words, hope immediately ignited in their eyes.

And in the distance, the sound of the Northern Barbarian cavalry's hooves was getting closer and closer...