Protect Our Clan Leader

And in the summer, it’s far too hot. Both beasts and fierce beasts are reluctant to move around, and it’s particularly unsuitable for humans to travel and hunt in such temperatures and conditions.

As for winter, not only is food scarce with game hiding away, but a heavy snowfall often blocks the mountains.

After autumn, the climate becomes dry, causing vines and other plants to wither. Many wild fruits and seed-bearing plants have already borne fruit.

The large amount of ripe food attracts many animals eating to store up fat. Even some beasts and fierce beasts will enter their active hunting stage, storing energy to get through the winter.

Therefore, this season is the best for venturing into the outer lands for hunting. The trip is full of constant sways and never stops. The road is bumpy, difficult, and even dull at times.

Occasionally, someone would have trouble with their horse, which could only be replaced by a backup one. Good thing Wang Shouzhe was there, quietly treating the injured horse’s foot to avoid running out of horses later on.

After several hours, the journey only became more difficult.

At one point, a huge rock weighing seven or eight tons blocked the road. They had to work together to pry it away.

Wang Luoqiu and Wang Luo Jing, who had initially been eager to fight fierce beasts, gradually became listless.

They had been told that they would have meat to eat in the outer lands as they went hunting for fierce beasts with their eldest brother.

But what had happened?

They had been walking for half a day without even seeing a single ferocious beast. They had only seen a few small animals and birds that ran away at the sight of humans, even faster than Wang Luoqiu.

“Luoqiu, the path to becoming an Empress begins with the step right below your foot.” Wang Shouzhe comforted, “Who knows, as we continue along, we might just find a level five fierce beast that’s foolishly smashed itself against the mountain?”

Big brother, save those words to coax Luo Mei when we get back.” After rolling her eyes, Wang Luoqiu yelled at Wang Licui, “Niece, weren’t you especially good at finding delicious things? Why haven’t you said anything all this time?”

“Wang Luoqiu, I am the eldest sister. You need to have some patience!” Wang Licui’s cultivation had been rapidly increasing. With Old Ancestor Longyan’s assistance, she was making swift progress toward Level Four of the Qi Refinement stage.

But clearly, Wang Luoqiu was not easy to provoke either. She enthusiastically engaged in any work that could increase Valor Points and did it well. With the aid of resources, her cultivation level had also been rapidly rising; from the early stage of Level Two in Qi Refinement, she would soon be reaching the advanced stage of Level Two in less than half a year.

Just as the two girls were on the brink of fighting due to their energy and nowhere to expend it, Wang Shouzhe flicked his fingers, giving each of them an airborne blow to the head: “Both of you be quiet, or I’ll deduct contribution points or withhold food.”

With this threat, both of them instantly became obedient.

Everyone has weaknesses, and it was simple for Wang Shouzhe to manipulate them.

The journey continued on peacefully. By the early hours of 3pm to 5pm, the team arrived at the planned hillside base.

It was a very rudimentary base with rows of large wooden stakes forming a simple fence. However, the base was located high enough to have an unobstructed view of the surroundings, and not far away, there was a clear stream for water replenishment.

Some of the older clansmen, Wang Shouxin, Wang Shouyi, and even the elders like Wang Dinghai and Wang Dingzu, started to clean up the campsite professionally with the head of the household.

Wang Shouzhe, Wang Shounuo, Wang Zongwei, Shu Yong, Shu Lian and other young men also joined in, learning how to set up a campsite from the elders and elder brothers. With Wang Luotong also joining the building team, the young girls began to learn about the campsite.

They cleared the weeds, swept and leveled the ground, collected firewood from the surroundings, reinforced the damaged fences, erected and reinforced the tents, and gathered fresh water. Every task was carried out systematically.

Even the position where everyone’s tent was to be erected was considered based on rules and regulations.

All these tasks and traditions have been passed down from generation to generation, which Wang Shouzhe was following and learning. To survive in the outer lands, you need the survival skills unique to the area.

As the sky gradually darkened, a large bonfire and several small fires were lit. It was only then, as everyone began to cook their meals, that the atmosphere became a bit more festive.

What followed was the rotation of guards throughout the night.

The night passed without a word, until the sky began to brighten.

At that time, they began to dismantle the campsite, clean up the tents, and pack up all their living supplies. It was only when dawn broke that they finished tidying up the campsite and ended their day’s work.

Afterward, they began to move at a steady pace, according to the plan and map, to the next stronghold.

In such a manner, it took them three full days.

Only then did they reach the true edge of the wilderness. By this point, fierce wild beasts were gradually starting to appear.

In past years, the Wang family would generally go no further than this point, opting not to venture deeper into the wilderness. Instead, they would station themselves at a stronghold and conduct sweeps in the nearby area, hunting large wild beasts. After slaying a few savage beasts, they would start to make their way back home.

They didn’t have much choice. If they ventured any deeper without the protection of the Old Ancestors, they would likely encounter a powerful fierce beast, which could result in casualties to the team.

The next day,

There was a seemingly unremarkable tent. In it gathered a group of people dressed as coachmen. However, any one of them could scare the living daylights out of people were they to step outside.

Among them sat Wang Shouzhe, quite leisurely.

One of them, a skinny man dressed in a ragged sheepskin coat and a felt hat, hunched over as if he were a destitute old man. He complained in a low voice, “Shouzhe, could your information be wrong? The Liu and Zhao families seem scared to death by you, I doubt they would dare to take any action.”

Wang Shouzhe, however, just chuckled with confidence and said, “Old Ancestor Mingsheng, please be patient. Although I’m not 100% confident, I’d say I’m at least 90% sure. I’ve been sitting at home for quite some time now, just about stoking their anger to the breaking point. Now that a hard-won opportunity has finally come, they will surely take action.”

“Shouzhe is right. They will inevitably take action. If they miss this opportunity, the Liu and Zhao families will never have another chance,” another burly coachman added. “And if they don’t show up, isn’t that even better? In that case, Old Ancestor Mingsheng, you’ll have a thousand Qian Gold coming after just one round, isn’t that wonderful?”

“Gongsun Meng! I didn’t help my great-grandson for the money. He is the direct descendent of my Lu Family’s direct daughter, Lu Mengxue,” Old Ancestor Mingsheng retorted sharply.

The words direct descendant meant a lot to him, spoken with a heavy emphasis, as if trying to highlight something.

Gongsun Meng merely gave a sly grin, replying, “That might be the case, but right now, Shouzhe is the direct son of my own granddaughter, Gongsun Hui. Thus, he is my direct great-grandson.”

In fact, there wasn’t any significant conflict between the Lu Family and the Gongsun Clan. However, with regards to the matter of Wang Shouzhe, both Old Ancestors seemed to hold a bit of a grudge. Lately, when the topic arises, neither is willing to concede to the other.

No one could blame them. Wang Shouzhe was just too outstanding. Both Old Ancestors simply couldn’t help trying to claim the title of great-grandfather.

Wang Shouzhe felt a bead of cold sweat slide down his forehead. This matter was his fault for lacking foresight. He shouldn’t have put Old Ancestor Meng and Old Ancestor Mingsheng together. Who could have expected the Old Ancestors would be fighting over him like a couple of jealous suitors?

Lu Mingsheng, Gongsun Meng, both of you calm down,” another elderly figure dressed even more “professionally” said. “Don’t distract me from my meditation.”

At his words, the two of them quieted down.

They didn’t have much of a choice. This Old Ancestor Ruhong was a peak mid-stage practitioner in the Spirit Platform Realm. They naturally held him in high regard.

At that moment, another elderly figure gently said, “Brother Shouzhe, my movement techniques aren’t bad. Should I go and scout for information?”

This, of course, was Old Brother Zhong Xingwang.

After he finished selling his Dan medicine, he rushed back after hearing that the Wang family was going on the autumn-winter hunt. He refused to leave, insisting on staying right up until today.

Just as Wang Shouzhe was about to answer,

Suddenly!

Old Ancestor Ruhong opened his eyes and said calmly, “They’re here, Shouzhe.

You go and face them. All outside forces are in our hands.”

Almost simultaneously,

Not far from the camp, a crazed laughter sounded, “Wang Shouzhe, you’re surrounded. Come out and face your death!”

It was the voice of Liu Shengye. How could he not be angry?

His entire Liu and Zhao families’ promising situation, their bright future, all destroyed by Wang Shouzhe.

“Ah… esteemed Old Ancestors, please take a moment to rest.” Wang Shouzhe gave a light laugh. “I will go and ‘face my death’.”