243: Chapter 333

Inside the blacksmith shop.

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

In his previous life, because he was born into a Family of ancient martial arts masters skilled in combat and cold weapons, he was specially recruited into the army. However, since coming to this era, he had never fought anyone.

He didn't know how skilled the opponents were and dared not be careless.

Just then, Blacksmith Wang, who had just returned from the back room, saw the tense situation and quickly called out:

"Oh no, Chief Li! It's a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! This young man is my distant nephew! His unit was scattered by the Northern Mang people, so he came to seek refuge with me."

"You, boy! You're so grown up! Your temper is still so fiery! Why don't you change it! The officer doesn't know your situation, and you don't explain."

"Chief Li, you manage over fifty good brothers. That boy's bow and arrows were spoils of war from the battlefield. Young people need some Face, so let's try to understand each other, alright?"

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

Chief Li sized up Lin Yuan.

"Boy! What's your name?"

"Lin Yuan!"

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

Lin Yuan's eyes immediately flashed with brilliance.

"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 followed him to forge iron since I was little."

Chief Li smiled knowingly.

"Heh, 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 work."

"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 you, sir!"

Just then, urgent shouts and the rapid clang of gongs suddenly came from outside.

"northern mang cavalry are here!!"

"northern mang cavalry are here!!"

Chief Li's expression immediately changed drastically.

"How could these Northern Mang barbarians 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 Mang scouts, so the border didn't detect them."

"These dog barbarians! It's endless day after day!"

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

He glanced at Lin Yuan.

"Boy! If you have the guts! Follow me to the village entrance! And kill some barbarians!"

Lin Yuan's lips curled slightly upward.

"What's there to be afraid of? You go first, I'll be right there."

After speaking, Chief Li led his 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 might be a Northern Mang spy?"

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

"Northern Mang is not as good as Great Liang Dynasty 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 resemble my son somewhat, but if he hadn't gone to war, he would be about your age now, and perhaps even forging iron here..."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan immediately bowed deeply to Blacksmith Wang.

"Please keep these two pheasants for now. One is a token of respect from a Junior to you! The other, this Junior needs to take 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, indicating it was often opened.

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

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

This long spear was personally forged by him 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 Jinghong, is my son's relics. Now I am old and can no longer wield it. You need to protect the villagers, and relying solely on a bow and arrows won't do."

"Take this long spear for now."

Lin Yuan's heart trembled upon hearing this.

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

How fortunate indeed... The moment he took the long spear with both hands, Lin Yuan felt its heavy weight make his arm sink.

The spear tip gleamed coldly, and the spear shaft, specially treated, had excellent toughness and an unparalleled feel.

In his previous life, he had practiced Liuhe Great Spear, and few in his Family were his match. Now with a suitable weapon, he could increase his chances of survival.

He casually twirled the spear in a flourish and bowed to Blacksmith Wang.

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

"Hahahaha! Boy! If you truly want to repay me, kill a few more Northern barbarians and bring me back a pot of Yubing Shao!"

With that, Lin Yuan left the blacksmith shop.

Under the elm tree not far away.

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

Villagers all around were frantically running into the village.

On the official road not far away, smoke permeated the air, and a few dark figures could vaguely be seen rapidly approaching.

"Everyone run! northern mang cavalry are charging in!"

Screams erupted, and the crowd instantly exploded, surging into the village in a scramble.

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

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

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

"They are just a few Northern Mang scouts!"

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

A tall, thin villager trembled.

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

"Everyone has a head on their shoulders! Are you just going to wait for your heads to be chopped off? Watch your wives and children be abducted by them?"

The crowd immediately fell silent.

At this moment, Chief Li, who had just finished deploying combat tasks on the high platform, looked at Lin Yuan, who was blocking the road with a spear in one hand, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Wielding a long spear over two meters long greatly tested the user's strength and skill.

And this boy had been holding the spear steadily until now, without his hand shaking, which showed his astonishing arm strength.

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

"Count me in!!"

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

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

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

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

Chief Li quickly walked to Lin Yuan's side.

"Very good, boy, your pre-battle motivation 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 commanding, I would let the northern mang cavalry enter the village."

The villagers nearby were immediately puzzled.

"We have more people, shouldn't we take advantage before they enter the village..."

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

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

"The rest can be left to us!"

Chief 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."

Upon hearing Chief Li's words, hope ignited in everyone's eyes.

And in the distance, the sound of northern mang cavalry hooves was getting closer and closer...