231: Chapter 231 333

Inside the Blacksmith Shop.

Lin Yuan's gaze gradually turned cold. Looking at the two people constantly approaching, he decisively took out two arrows and held them in his hands.

In his Previous Life, he was specially recruited into the army because he was born into an Ancient Martial Arts Family and was proficient in fighting and cold weapons. However, since Transmigration to this era, he had never fought anyone.

He didn't know how good the opponent's Martial Arts were, so he didn't dare to be careless.

Just then, Blacksmith Wang, who had just returned from the Back Room, saw the tense standoff and quickly greeted them, saying:

"Oh, Chief Li! It's a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! This kid is my distant nephew! His troops were scattered by the Northern Mang people, and he came here to seek refuge with me."

"You child, honestly! You're so grown up, yet your temper is still so fiery! Why don't you try to change it! The officer doesn't know your situation, and you won't explain."

"Chief Li, you manage over fifty good brothers under you. That kid's bow and arrows were captured by him on the battlefield. Young people need a bit of Face, so let's try to understand each other, alright?"

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

Chief Li sized up 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.

"I might not be able to find my original unit. Recently, I've been thinking of joining a nearby Military Guard Post."

"What can you do?"

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

Chief Li immediately smiled knowingly.

"Heh heh, so you come from a blacksmith background. It just so happens that a lot of equipment in the Military Guard Post needs repair. Old Man Wang is getting old, and his energy can't keep up."

"How about this, I'll give you Two Taels of Silver every month. Will you work for me?"

Lin Yuan was immediately overjoyed.

"I am willing to follow Milord!"

And right at this moment, urgent shouting and the rapid Sound of Gongs suddenly came from outside the house.

"The northern mang cavalry are here!!"

"The northern mang cavalry are here!!"

Chief Li's expression immediately changed drastically.

"How did this group of Northern Mang Barbarians charge into the village! Why didn't the border Beacon Tower give a warning?"

One soldier immediately said: "Boss, they are probably just a small group of Northern Mang Scouts, which is why the border didn't detect them."

"These damned barbarians! They never stop!"

Chief 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 and kill those barbarians!"

The corner of Lin Yuan's mouth curled up slightly.

"Why would I not dare? Please go ahead, I will follow shortly."

After speaking, Chief Li led the soldiers out of the Blacksmith Shop.

Lin Yuan handed the two Pheasants in his hands to Blacksmith Wang.

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

"The moment you walked in, I noticed traces of severe burns from sparks on your arms—marks only left on those who forge iron year-round."

"Northern Mang is inferior to Great Liang Dynasty in terms of forging, and they kidnap large numbers of blacksmiths every year."

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

"Sigh... Moreover... not only do you look somewhat like my son, but if he hadn't gone to the battlefield, he would be about your age now, and perhaps he would still be forging iron here..."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan immediately Bowed Deeply to Blacksmith Wang.

"Please keep these two Pheasants here for now. One is a token of respect from this Junior! The other, this Junior needs to take to repay the girl 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 Lin Yuan figured out why Blacksmith Wang had helped him, he prepared to walk out of 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 latching onto the lid.

With a "creak," a gleaming Long Spear lay at the bottom of the box.

The cloth strips wrapped around the spear shaft were faded.

Blacksmith Wang gently stroked the spear shaft with both hands.

It was as if he could smell the faint scent of blood on it.

This Long Spear was personally forged by him for his son after learning he was going to the battlefield.

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 is named Jinghong. It is my son's relic. I am old now and can no longer wield it. Now that you are going to protect the villagers, relying only on arrows won't do."

"Take this Long Spear and use it for now."

Lin Yuan's heart trembled upon hearing this.

Although he had undergone Transmigration and had not obtained a Golden Finger like the System, he was fortunate enough to have met Su Yun and Blacksmith Wang.

How fortunate he was... The moment he received the Long Spear with both hands, Lin Yuan felt its heavy weight cause his arm to sink.

The spear tip gleamed with cold light, the shaft had been specially treated for excellent toughness, and the feel was superb.

In his Previous Life, he had practiced the Six Harmonies Great Spear. He had few rivals within his Family. Now, with a handy weapon, he could increase his chances of survival.

He casually performed a Spear Flourish and bowed to Blacksmith Wang.

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

"Hahahaha! Kid! If you truly want to repay me, kill a few more Northern Mang 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.

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

The surrounding villagers were all running frantically toward the village center.

On the Official Road not far away, smoke filled the air, and several dark figures could vaguely be seen rapidly approaching.

"Everyone run quickly! The northern mang cavalry have charged in!"

Screams rang out, the crowd instantly exploded, rushing toward the village center in a scramble.

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

"Do you think the northern mang cavalry will spare you if you run home?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it managed to calm the chaotic crowd.

"They are only a few Northern Mang Scouts!"

"Counting you all, we have over thirty people! What is there to fear?"

A tall, thin villager trembled.

"Last month! A few Northern Mang Scouts slaughtered all fifty people in the neighboring Zhang Family Village!"

"We all have two shoulders carrying one head! Are you just going to wait for your heads to be chopped off? Watch your wives and children be carried away?"

The crowd immediately fell silent.

Chief Li, who had just finished deploying battle tasks on the high platform, looked at Lin Yuan, who was single-handedly holding the spear and blocking the road, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

However, wielding a two-meter-Long Spear is a great test of the user's strength and skill.

Moreover, the kid had been holding the spear continuously until now without his hand shaking, which showed his astonishing Arm Strength.

"What? Are you willing to die kneeling rather than live standing?"

"Count me in!!"

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

Before long, ten Young Strong Men expressed their willingness to stay.

Chief Li's gaze toward Lin Yuan became increasingly fervent.

Some people are born leaders. With such a talent joining his unit, he might be able to achieve many more military merits.

Chief Li quickly walked up to Lin Yuan.

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

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

Lin Yuan said without hesitation:

"If I were commanding, I would let the northern mang cavalry enter the village."

The villagers nearby were immediately confused.

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

"The northern mang cavalry are highly mobile. Fighting them in open terrain is simply courting death. The best method is to lure them into the village."

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

"The rest can be left to us!"

Chief Li nodded in agreement.

"Very good. That's basically what I was thinking."

"Everyone rest assured, we will do our best to guarantee the village's safety."

When everyone heard Chief Li's words, hope instantly ignited in their eyes.

And in the distance, the sound of the northern mang cavalry's horseshoes was growing closer...