Chapter 8, Tragic Transformation, Establishing a Foundation

However, the development of events often does not proceed according to human will. Anyone on the path of struggle will encounter setbacks. Smooth sailing, as if aided by divine intervention, is unrealistic

Ten days ago, a large ship arrived at Xiaohuangzhou, and a group of soldiers came to the village entrance. The village chief came out to greet the soldiers with two pigs. The Mongolian officer at the forefront spoke some incomprehensible Mongolian, and then he beheaded the village chief. The officer then shouted in Chinese to those behind him: "The bandit leader has been executed, kill them all." Following this, the soldiers, like beasts, charged into the village. Zhang Xue and Li Yu fled towards the center of the island with their children. However, Zhang Xue and her three children were blocked by the government troops at the schoolhouse. Fortunately, the government troops were only there to kill and rob, and, finding it troublesome, did not search the island.

Half a day later, at a location one mile away from the original Xiaohuang Village, Cheng Pan looked at the nearly two hundred people in front of him. Most of them were newly recruited by Cheng Pan from outside, while the rest were his students.

At this moment, Cheng Pan turned his head and said to the people below again: "The village defense team alone cannot guarantee the safety of the village. I will also organize all able-bodied men to train during the slack farming season. I will take care of the meals during the training period, and no one is allowed to be absent." After finishing this sentence, Cheng Pan conjured a long spear in his hand and, with a whoosh, threw the spear, which flew like lightning towards a large tree. The spearhead embedded itself into the trunk, and the shaft buzzed loudly. Everyone looked at Cheng Pan and then at the spear. After a while, they all expressed their agreement.

Nearly two hundred people stared blankly at the performance of these two individuals, their minds struggling to comprehend. How could a soldier possibly shout at a high-ranking official? The people of this era find it difficult to understand.

Cheng Pan clenched his hands tightly after listening to Li Yu's description. Then, with a slightly hoarse voice, he asked, "How many people are there now, and where are they?" Li Yu replied, "Including me, there are 28 classmates, all currently in the thicket at the center of the island. Most of them are very weak due to lack of food." Cheng Pan took out a bag of steamed buns from his spiritual space and handed it to Li Yu, saying, "Go distribute the buns to fill their stomachs and bring the people to the village entrance." Li Yu took the package, glanced at the buns inside, swallowed hard, nodded, and turned to leave. "Wait a moment," Cheng Pan called out, and Li Yu turned back with a puzzled look. "Wait a moment," Cheng Pan called out again, and Li Yu turned back with a puzzled look. "Eat half a bun before you go." Li Yu felt a lump in her throat, lowered her head to hold back her tears, and took small bites of the bun.