Winning Them Over

The other side saw that no one was handing over the children, so they charged into the village with spears in hand, followed by their men.

Seeing this, Chen Guan felt his blood surge.

He stepped forward with Whirlwind Wind Steps, grabbed the man leading the charge, and hurled him away.

As the villagers fell to the ground,

the elderly Village Chief raised his arm and shouted, "Neighbors, we have to protect the children!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he charged forward alongside the villagers, farming tools in hand.

The melee began.

Though the villagers pressed forward fearlessly,

they were no match for Fang Zhe's men when it came to fighting.

One villager after another fell to the ground!

Chen Guan's heart bled at the sight.

"Pecking Sparrow Strength!"

He hurled a stone at Fang Zhe.

Seeing it coming, Fang Zhe hurriedly raised his spear to block!

The immense force within the stone sent him flying off his horse, and he spat out a mouthful of blood!

Chen Guan's strength shocked him, and he quickly ordered everyone to fall back.

Yet faced with the threat to their lives,

not a single villager retreated. Each stood with head held high, staring him down.

Afraid that Chen Guan might strike again, Fang Zhe ordered his men to retreat and face off against the villagers.

Seeing this, Chen Guan pulled Zhou Tai back. "You said before that there were many soldiers in the camp who thought the same way you did. Is that true?"

"Of course. They've long been unhappy about colluding with demons. They just haven't dared to resist because no one has been there to lead them."

As Zhou Tai spoke, he carefully studied Chen Guan's expression, unsure why he had suddenly brought this up.

Chen Guan looked at him with a calm smile. "This is our chance. If we want to protect the village, we have to win them over!"

Zhou Tai's eyes lit up at once. "Lord Chen is absolutely right. But... I'm afraid you'll have to come with me. If no one gives them a promise, they'll probably think I'm lying to them."

That suited Chen Guan perfectly, so he agreed without a moment's hesitation.

If these men really were as Zhou Tai had said, he could cultivate them well in the future!

It wasn't until daybreak that Zhou Tai cautiously slipped out of the village by a side route.

But a whole day went by.

Zhou Tai still hadn't sent back any news! Chen Guan couldn't help but worry.

If Fang Zhe had discovered him and killed him, they'd have gained nothing.

When Zhou Tai still hadn't returned by nightfall, Chen Guan prepared to go look for him.

He had just reached the back of the village when he saw Zhou Tai returning with several men in armor.

"Lord Chen, these are the brothers I served with in the camp! I told them about you, and they all want to follow you!"

Zhou Tai introduced them.

Then one of the soldiers behind him spoke in a rough voice. "Damn it, Li Tong could really bring himself to do that to such a young child! If I had the ability, I'd have killed him myself!"

His words drew nods from everyone around him.

Chen Guan smiled calmly at them. "Gentlemen, those who commit injustice will bring about their own ruin! Li Tong colluded with demons, and sooner or later he'll meet his end. Turning over a new leaf is the best choice you can make!"

Still, Chen Guan didn't trust them completely yet.

After all, this could just as well be one of Li Tong's schemes!

But he certainly wasn't going to let such an opportunity slip by.

"My lord, after seeing you risk your life to save those children, I, Li Kun, am determined to follow you! Just tell me what you want done!"

The burly man spoke with hearty resolve.

Chen Guan sat with them beneath the millstone behind the village.

"How many men do you each have?"

Chen Guan looked at them and asked the most crucial question.

The soldiers exchanged glances.

"I have over thirty men under me. They're all brothers who've faced death by my side!"

"About twenty will definitely follow me!"

"If I go back and rally them, I should be able to get around fifty men!"

"..."

They each spoke up, describing the men under their command.

Chen Guan carefully added up the numbers.

They could muster more than eight hundred men. If they could catch Fang Zhe by surprise,

they would surely deal him a crushing defeat!

"Good. You can all head back in a little while. But don't let anyone in the camp find out!"

"Gather your men in secret! When Fang Zhe makes his move, catch him completely off guard!"

Chen Guan waved his hands as he gave the orders!

Fang Zhe was Li Tong's lackey!

If Fang Zhe and all his men could die here, Li Tong wouldn't be able to keep throwing his weight around!

Li Kun and the others quickly nodded at his words.

"My lord, we have no problem following you, but that means our lives and livelihoods will all be in your hands!"

Li Kun stood up, looking troubled.

To them, it made little difference whom they worked for, as long as they got paid.

So now they needed a promise from Chen Guan!

"Rest assured. I won't let down anyone who works with me! Once the situation in Qingshi County is resolved, your standing will rise along with mine!"

Chen Guan gave them his promise without hesitation.

As a promise from the Demon Suppressing Division, it was enough to earn their trust.

"With Lord Chen's word, I'm relieved. Don't worry, we'll make sure Fang Zhe dies without a place to be buried!"

Li Kun said with a broad smile.

Then he hurriedly left the village with his men.

"Zhou Tai, won't Fang Zhe and the others find out about this?"

At Chen Guan's question, Zhou Tai quickly nodded. "Rest assured, my lord. Fang Zhe is arrogant and stubborn. He thinks all the men under him are afraid of him and wouldn't dare pull anything. He won't send anyone to keep watch, either."

Chen Guan nodded, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile.

Fang Zhe would meet his end because of that very arrogance.

Over the following days, Fang Zhe continued to face off against the villagers with his troops.

Though Li Tong had sent men to urge him on,

Fang Zhe didn't dare make a rash move, for fear of putting his brothers in danger!

"General, Lord Li is getting impatient. If you still don't make a move, I'm afraid he'll punish you!"

The deputy general hurried into the camp to report.

Fang Zhe furrowed his brow. "Doesn't Lord Li know the situation here?"

"How could he not? I'd guess someone above him is putting pressure on him!"

The deputy general's words drew a sigh from Fang Zhe.

Just thinking about the people above him made him tremble with fear.

Though he was now afraid of Chen Guan's strength, returning empty-handed would still mean certain death.

With no other choice, he stood and said, "Then let's go. We've been facing off for so many days, and their fighting spirit must have worn down. This time, the villagers won't be able to stop our charge!"

Besides, he'd already made up his mind.

This time, he'd hide behind his men. No matter how strong Chen Guan was, catching him wouldn't be so easy!

When he finished speaking, he donned silver armor, took up his spear, mounted his horse, and rode out.

He pointed his spear at the villagers. "Have you made up your minds? If you keep stubbornly resisting, I'll slaughter you all without mercy!"