Courtyard House: Report enemy agents at the start, and you'll take off immediately.

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However, the only response he received was a slightly tired but still firm voice: "Qingyao and the others are back. Please open the door."

Upon hearing the name, everyone present immediately relaxed. Sure enough, several familiar figures soon came into view. Although they looked exhausted, they were carrying many unfamiliar medicinal herbs. "How are you?" Before Zhao De could even speak, the villagers, who had been eagerly waiting for him, asked with concern.

"Fortunately, everything went smoothly..." the girl replied with a slight smile. "These are the raw materials we need, enough to produce a sufficient dose of toxic gas for us to use temporarily against the enemy. It's just that we were delayed by a few wild beasts along the way."

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she added, "By the way, on the way back, I seemed to see some scattered firelight not far away. I wonder if other villages are also under similar threat."

After hearing this, everyone fell into a brief silence. Indeed, no place can remain uninvolved during this special period; perhaps only by uniting can we better resist unknown dangers.

"Shall we set off now?" a young man suggested eagerly.

"Wait a moment," Zhao De raised his hand to stop his impulsiveness. "We need to send someone to confirm the situation before deciding whether to provide assistance. Acting rashly will only bring unnecessary trouble to both sides."

“Well said. In that case, I’m willing to go and investigate.” The old hunter, who had been silent until now, volunteered, his face full of confidence and determination.

Just as everyone was expressing their agreement, an unexpected voice broke the silence: "Wait, I'll go too."

All eyes turned to the speaker—it was Zhao De, who had just returned to camp and was still pale. Faced with the surprised expressions of the crowd, the girl did not back down, but firmly explained, "As a healer, I know many ways to diagnose injuries and illnesses. Perhaps I can help if I encounter someone in need on the road."

Zhao De frowned, clearly hesitant about his suggestion: "Qingyao, you've only just returned, and you haven't fully recovered. Besides, this mission is fraught with danger..."

“That’s precisely why I’m going,” Zhao De said firmly. “I know it’s risky, but what if I can help even in the smallest way? At least it can reduce some unnecessary casualties.”

Li Changgeng, standing to the side, glanced at her slightly pale but resolute face and sighed softly, seemingly understanding her thoughts. "Since that's the case..." he turned to the old hunter, "Uncle Zhang, please take good care of Qingyao on the road. Her medical skills can be life-saving in a critical moment."

Chapter 1313 Discussing Important Matters

Chapter 1313 Discussing Important Matters

Hearing this, the old hunter nodded, his eyes filled with trust and respect for the girl. "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to her."

After quickly packing their belongings and taking only the necessities, the group hurriedly set off. As dusk approached, the sunset painted half the sky crimson, adding a touch of inexplicable tension to the approaching night.

"Qingyao, remember to stay close." Not long after leaving the camp, the old hunter who was walking ahead turned around and instructed.

The girl nodded obediently, "I'll be careful, Uncle Zhang, you don't need to worry so much! With you here, what do I have to be afraid of?"

The two walked side by side, crossing the edge of the dense forest as night fell. The surroundings were eerily quiet, broken only by the rustling of leaves in the wind and the occasional calls of unknown birds in the distance.

Suddenly, faint lights appeared not far ahead, accompanied by hurried footsteps approaching. "Who's there? We've come for help!" a slightly panicked voice came from the depths of the woods, followed by several figures stumbling out.

When the refugees saw that the kind villagers they had met a few times before were waiting for them, they breathed a sigh of relief. "Great! It really is you! Our village has been attacked by a group of unknown people, please come and help us quickly!" said a young man leading the group, panting heavily.

Zhao De and the old hunter exchanged a worried look before stepping forward to check the situation. "Don't panic, tell us exactly what happened?"

After a brief communication to understand the specific situation, they quickly decided to return and report the message, and bring as many supplies as possible to provide support.

When everyone returned to the original camp to report the latest developments, the village was already brightly lit, and everyone gathered together to discuss countermeasures. "Let me finish speaking before deciding on the next step," the young woman who had just returned from outside spoke first…

The night deepened, and the already oppressive atmosphere grew even more tense. The villagers held their breath, awaiting further instructions. "According to their description, the invaders are well-equipped and numerous, clearly having launched a meticulously planned attack," Zhao De paused for a moment before continuing, "and more importantly, they don't seem to intend to give up easily—they've made it clear that if they don't receive sufficient financial compensation, they will continue their offensive until their objective is achieved!"

"It seems we need to prepare ourselves mentally for a long-term struggle." Zhao De stood up and ordered solemnly, "Everyone, immediately go into battle mode! Prepare to meet the upcoming challenge. Also, contact the surrounding villages and towns as soon as possible to seek more help."

As soon as Zhao De finished speaking, the atmosphere in the camp immediately became tense. Everyone quickly split up to take action. The young and strong men picked up their weapons and prepared for battle, while the women and elderly helped pack up valuables, care for the wounded, and prepare all possible supplies. Throughout this busy yet orderly process, Zhao De stayed close behind, always keeping an eye out for any areas where he could help.

"Leave this to them. Let's quickly discuss our strategy." Seeing that everything was on track, Zhao De waved to his small team, signaling them to follow him to a relatively secluded hut. The room contained a few old wooden tables and chairs, appearing quite simple, but large enough to accommodate several people to discuss important matters. "First, thank you all for your support and cooperation. Next, I will formulate a detailed battle plan based on the information I have just gathered."

Chapter 1314 Defense

Chapter 1314 Defense

After everyone was seated, Li Changgeng spoke first: "Since the enemy dares to invade so openly, they must have made ample preparations. We probably can't resist for long on our own; we must contact other friendly villages for help as soon as possible!"

While agreeing with this view, Zhao De also offered suggestions: "That's right. Before waiting for foreign aid to arrive, we should make full use of existing resources for reasonable deployment. For example, setting traps to increase defensive depth; using geographical advantages to launch ambushes... and most importantly, ensuring the safety of civilians."

“That’s right!” Old hunter Uncle Zhang interjected. “I’m familiar with the layout of the mountains and rivers here, so I’ll lead a team to set up obstacles and ambush points to buy precious time for the main force behind us.”

Seeing that everyone's emotions had gradually stabilized and they were beginning to actively offer suggestions, Zhao De, who had initially appeared somewhat worried, finally showed a slightly relieved smile. "Very good, then let's not delay, let's begin now! Remember—unity and cooperation are the key to victory. No matter what happens, we must support each other and overcome difficulties together."

After the meeting, each group quickly got to work according to their assigned tasks. Zhao De volunteered to join several other volunteers to set up a first-aid tent at the edge of the forest in case of emergency. While directing the setup, she also thoughtfully reminded everyone to take personal protective measures to prevent accidental injuries.

As everything proceeded smoothly, the night grew deeper, and apart from the chirping of insects, there were almost no other sounds to disturb the peace. Suddenly, a few faint but sharp whistles rang out in the distance—the pre-arranged emergency communication signal!

Everyone immediately became alert upon hearing the sound, quickly dropping what they were doing and converging on the direction of the noise. Several scouts came running towards them, their faces filled with panic. "It's bad! The enemy has begun their attack and will arrive in about half an hour! We must prepare our defenses immediately!"

This sudden intelligence instantly restored the previously relaxed atmosphere to its previous tense state. "Quickly, proceed according to the agreed plan! Everyone, get moving!" Upon hearing the report, Zhao De gave the order without hesitation.

Zhao De glanced at the villagers beside her who were busy reinforcing the defensive fortifications, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes, yet unwavering determination. "Everyone must remain calm, trust each other, and provide the greatest support. Believe that as long as we work together, no difficulty is insurmountable! Keep going!" she encouraged loudly, then turned and walked towards the command center to join the leaders in discussing specific contingency plans.

Time ticked by, and a tense atmosphere filled the air during this long wait. Fortunately, the villagers did not lose heart despite the impending great test; instead, they became even more united, displaying extraordinary fighting spirit. Just as everyone was preparing to set off, they suddenly heard familiar footsteps outside the door...

The curtain was lifted, and Uncle Zhang walked in. His face was covered in dust, and his eyes showed a hint of anxiety.

"Uncle Zhang, is there any new development?" Zhao De asked quickly, his voice filled with tension.

"Village Chief," Uncle Zhang wiped the sweat from his brow, "the enemy outnumbers us more than I thought. They've already triggered our first trap, but they're moving incredibly fast. I'm afraid we'll need to reinforce defenses in other areas."

Chapter 1315 Leading into a Trap

Chapter 1315 Leading into a Trap

“Understood.” Zhao De immediately replied, “We need more manpower to set up more ambush points on the edge of the forest, and at the same time strengthen the defenses here. Uncle Zhang, you and your hunters will be in charge of the forest section; I will bring volunteers to reinforce the defenses here.”

Zhao De nodded in agreement: "Okay, that's settled. Zhao De, you're in charge of allocating personnel, and I'll go find some villagers to help. Li Changgeng, you're in charge of distributing supplies, making sure each point has enough food and water. We must make sure everyone understands their role in the battle."

Everyone quickly divided the tasks and got to work. Uncle Zhang led several hunters back into the night, while Zhao De swiftly gathered a team to provide support. At the same time, Zhao De also quickly organized a small group of volunteers to come to the front lines.

Behind a makeshift shelter at the edge of the forest, Zhao De and several volunteers were quickly digging a trench, while others were setting up a simple fence nearby.

"Make sure to dig the pits deep enough to prevent the enemy from jumping over them!" Zhao De shouted, then turned to the young man beside him, "Wang Ming, go check if those traps are still effective. Don't let our hard work go to waste."

"Don't worry, Brother Zhao!" Wang Ming patted his chest, then picked up his tools and ran towards the trap not far away.

Just then, a low growl and footsteps echoed in the distance; the enemy seemed to be getting closer. A young girl couldn't help but ask, "Brother Zhao, is it really going to work? We've all been trying so hard..."

Zhao De grasped her hand and said firmly, "Don't be afraid, little girl. Everyone is doing their best. As long as we work together, nothing is impossible. Look over there, Brother Li and the others are working hard to build fortifications! We will get through this!"

The words had barely left his lips when clearer footsteps echoed in the distance. The enemy's silhouettes gradually came into view, armed with knives and guns, closing in step by step. The entire village fell silent, the air thick with tension and unease.

"Are you ready?" Zhao De asked in a low voice.

"Ready!" everyone answered in unison, their eyes gleaming with determination and courage.

"Then we'll defend this place to the very end!" Zhao De raised the wooden stick in his hand and led everyone forward.

At this moment, the enemy's vanguard had already appeared in sight, holding torches that made them particularly conspicuous in the darkness.

"Loose the arrows!" With a shout, a dense rain of arrows erupted from the concealed positions, disrupting the enemy's formation. Immediately afterwards, the sounds of chaotic fighting echoed through the night sky…

"Hold your ground, maintain formation!" Zhao De shouted, directing the team forward. Suddenly, he saw a boy fall to the ground, injured. "Xiao Bin, hang in there! The medical team is on their way!" he said, personally helping Xiao Bin up and carrying him to safety.

On the other side of the forest, Uncle Zhang and his hunters cleverly used the terrain to lure the enemy into traps one by one. Each successful ambush bought the main force precious time to counterattack.

The battle lasted for an hour. The villagers, though exhausted, persevered. Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, a sudden, urgent bugle call rang out—reinforcements from a nearby friendly village had arrived!

Hearing the bugle call, the villagers' spirits lifted. A glimmer of hope flashed in Zhao De's eyes: "Reinforcements have arrived! Hold on, everyone!"

Chapter 1316 Stabilizing the Defenses

Chapter 1316 Stabilizing the Defenses

The enemy's offensive seemed to be interrupted by the sudden turn of events, and they became somewhat chaotic for a moment. Zhao De immediately seized this opportunity and shouted, "Counterattack! Counterattack with all your might!" He led a group of his men forward, their blades flashing as they slashed at the enemy in the front ranks.

Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Uncle Zhang and the hunters were also moving swiftly. "Quick, keep up!" Uncle Zhang commanded as he drew his bow and fired. Arrow after arrow struck with pinpoint accuracy, each one revealing the enemy from their hiding places. "Maintain formation! Don't let them outflank us!"

"Uncle Zhang, how much longer can we hold out?" a young hunter asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, Xiao Jie, the reinforcements have arrived. We need to hold on for a while. If we can buy a little more time, victory is just around the corner," Uncle Zhang said firmly, his face covered in sweat and dust.

On the other side, Zhao De led the volunteers in a tenacious defense on the front line. "Everyone, concentrate! The enemy is about to attack!" she shouted, holding a homemade spear and standing at the forefront of the group. "Hold the line! We absolutely cannot let them break through!"

"Understood, Brother Zhao!" the surrounding volunteers responded, gripping their weapons tightly, their eyes resolute. Suddenly, a piercing scream rang out, and several enemies had already leaped onto the makeshift fence. "Stop them!" Zhao De shouted, brandishing his spear and charging forward. The two sides immediately engaged in close-quarters combat.

At this critical moment, reinforcements finally arrived from afar. "We are soldiers from a nearby village, ordered to come and provide support!" A middle-aged general rode up on horseback, his voice deep and powerful, greatly encouraging the villagers.

Seeing the arrival of reinforcements, the enemy's morale began to waver. The villagers, seeing this, were even more emboldened, charging forward with a deafening roar, like a torrent of water. The battle reached its climax instantly, swords flashing and spears gleaming, drawing blinding sparks in the darkness.

The battle was fierce. Zhao De wielded his blade with all his might, constantly repelling the surging enemies. Beside him, a wounded soldier was painfully clutching his chest, struggling to get up. "Old Wang, don't push yourself, the medical team is coming to treat your wounds right away," Zhao De said urgently, while giving a signal to the people beside him. "You guys take him away first."

Meanwhile, at their ambush point on the edge of the forest, Uncle Zhang and the hunters held their ground, successfully repelling enemy attacks time and again. Just as the situation was improving, an arrow whistled through the air, narrowly missing Uncle Zhang. "Watch out behind you!" Xiao Jie shouted a warning, quickly stepping in front of Uncle Zhang, but the arrow pierced his own arm in the process. "Ouch—" A sharp pain caused Xiao Jie to collapse to his knees. "Ah! Xiao Jie, are you alright?" Uncle Zhang looked at his young comrade in panic. "Quick, everyone else, carry Xiao Jie back for treatment! I'll hold them off here!"

"Uncle Zhang, I'm fine..." Xiao Jie forced a smile, his face pale, but he still refused to give up his determination to fight.

The fighting on the battlefield grew increasingly brutal. However, as more and more allied troops arrived, the enemy began to retreat steadily. Finally, with the combined efforts of the villagers and reinforcements, the defensive battle gradually came to an end. As dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight touched the earth, the entire village returned to tranquility.

Chapter 1317 Strange Figure

Chapter 1317 Strange Figure

The wounded soldiers sat on the ground to rest, sharing smiles of relief at having survived the ordeal. But for some, the battle was far from over…

As dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight shone on the village, bringing a touch of warmth to the land still reeling from fierce fighting. Zhao De dragged his weary body to a corner of the battlefield. Looking at the wounded soldiers lying on the ground, a complex mix of emotions welled up within him. "We won this battle, but the price was too high," he murmured, then turned to Uncle Zhang standing not far away. "Is everyone alright?"

Uncle Zhang nodded, but his brows betrayed his exhaustion and sorrow. "He's out of immediate danger, and Xiao Jie has been taken to the village doctor. However..." He paused, his gaze shifting to the villagers in the distance who were dealing with the aftermath, "We need to quickly rebuild our fortifications to prevent the enemy from making a comeback."

Hearing this, Zhao De took a deep breath and nodded in agreement: "You're right. Although the enemy has been defeated this time, they won't give up easily. We need a stronger defense to ensure everyone's safety."

Just as the two were discussing the next steps, a villager rushed over. "Brother Zhao, Uncle Zhang, something bad has happened!" The man, sweating profusely and panting, said, "We've spotted some suspicious figures on the hill to the north. They look like a reconnaissance team."