Chapter 110: Chapter 108: If You Know You’re Doomed Either Way, Why Not Fight for a Way Out?

She walked to the supply cart and flipped out the weapons from a box.

There were short swords, daggers, bows and arrows—all of which were spare, exquisite weapons she brought from the space, just in case. Unexpectedly, they became useful at this moment.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion; most were weak women, elderly people, or young children.

Not to mention killing; few had ever wielded a sword or saber.

In an instant, they became timid, and several women began to cry, sobbing.

"We... how can we possibly be a match for those soldiers outside? We’re doomed either way!"

"I don’t want to die; I’d rather live a meager life than die. My mother is waiting for me to return home. As long as I work long enough, I can get registered, and then I have a chance to go home. I don’t want to die..."

They exchanged glances, but at this moment, Mr. Xue stood up with no hesitation, rolling up his sleeves.

"Since you know that death is certain, why not fight for a bloody path for yourselves?!"

As soon as he stepped forward, the ten or so children he had adopted picked up the weapons on the ground with faces full of determination and high morale.

"Wherever Grandfather is, I’ll be there too. I’d rather fight for my survival than die uselessly!"

Seeing them step forward one by one, Bai Lun also led the Jinsha Clan members to the front.

"These soldiers attack our clan during the chaos and should be punished! Moreover, they want our lives. Should we go to our deaths without resistance?!"

In the end, only Qi Nanfeng and his family cowered behind the crowd, with Liu Family silently praying, "Can’t see me, can’t see me."

Of course, Ruan Mian wouldn’t let them recklessly fight the soldiers with just their bodies.

He dragged the corpse of the soldier leader into the depths of the cave and quickly explained his plan to them.

Time was not on their side.

Ruan Mian and Cui Zhu rapidly piled the collected firewood at the entrance, while others moved away from the entrance, covering their noses and mouths tightly, their expressions tense.

As Ruan Mian poured some powder into the firewood pile and lit it with a flint, a special scent gradually drifted outside the cave.

They dared not take deep breaths and could only follow Ruan Mian’s instructions to cover their noses and mouths and breathe quietly.

The farther from the fire pile, the better, as people tightly gripped their weapons, ready to face the soldiers who might rush in at any moment.

After a while, there was movement at the entrance; Ruan Mian glanced at Vice Minister Dong, and he and Yun Xiu led them out of the cave.

The soldiers outside looked dazed.

"Miss Ruan, your medicine worked."

Actually, she had just poured sleeping powder into the firewood pile, letting it catch the wind at the cave’s entrance, causing all the scent to drift outside.

However, Ruan Mian wasn’t entirely certain about the effectiveness of this powder, as it was medicine moved from the medicine shop to the space and never used before.

Seeing the effects now, it was already quite good.

Not expecting to completely knock them out, even weakening their combat ability was good!

Just as they planned to move the family, the leading government officer rushed into the cave, catching sight of his leader’s corpse!

He roared in fury, "Ignorant fools! You dare to kill our Lord?!"

With that, he charged at Ruan Mian with his sword!

No sooner said than done, Vice Minister Dong took a swift step forward, precisely stabbing the man in the chest.

Immediately following, he quickly dealt with the next person.

Though dazed, those people remembered to capture them.

Now, Old Man Xue and the Jinsha Clan members rushed out, no longer afraid, and swarmed them, weapons in hand, engaging the soldiers.

In numbers, they held the upper hand, and this troop of soldiers wasn’t many, especially since they were already tampered with by Ruan Mian.

Before long, many lay on the ground, dead or unconscious.

Among them, the exiled and Jinsha Clan also suffered numerous injuries.

Seeing this, Ruan Mian first had Bai Lun lead the team forward; they stayed behind.

Fearing other soldiers might catch up.

Ruan Mian took advantage of the moment; while no one was around, he took a bucket of palm oil from the space and poured it all at the cave entrance.

Once Vice Minister Dong and Yun Xiu dragged the soldiers into the cave, she set the fire, creating a boundary between the inside and outside.

The fire might burn for a while; those inside would not be able to exit for the time being.

Enough time for them to escape.

Ruan Mian didn’t expect Xie Huai’an to remain behind.

Vice Minister Dong and Yun Xiu were easily fooled, but the wise Prime Minister was not easy to deceive.

Just as Ruan Mian reached him, she met his puzzled gaze.

Without waiting for her to speak, Xie Huai’an asked, "Did you also bring palm oil?"

Ruan Mian casually nodded but was soon exposed by Xie Huai’an, "You only brought that little supply, excluding food and clothing. How could there be room for palm oil?"

Moreover, the burning fire line at the cave entrance couldn’t have been ignited by just a little palm oil.

Facing his deep eyes, Ruan Mian sighed deeply after a moment of thought.

"So, where does the Lord think my palm oil comes from? Surely not out of thin air?"

She chuckled and did not prove herself, instead throwing the question back to Xie Huai’an, raising both hands as if nothing had happened.

Xie Huai’an followed behind her, shaking his head helplessly.

This woman’s secrets seem as numerous as my own.

This piqued his curiosity even more.

...

After dealing with the soldiers, Ruan Mian joined the team.

Leading the way was Bai Lun’s mother, Wu Jie.

Soldiers chased them; they had no reason to return to Wuheng, unsure of the current battle situation, even their old base in Longchang Mountain had been taken by Lanqiang people.

They could only lead Ruan Mian and the others to Fasting to temporarily hide.

Fasting was deep in the heart of Longchang Mountain, the upstream source of the Linfen River.

The place was treacherous, with towering mountains, dense forests, wild beasts roaming, and easily lost, full of dangers.

Even for the tribes that lived in Longchang Mountain for years, it was a perilous place, let alone this group of exiles who had never been there before.

But Ruan Mian showed no sign of fear.

During the journey, she took the initiative to treat some of the injured during breaks.

Seeing this, Mr. Ruan rushed over, volunteering to heal the injured.

Ruan Mian was willing to let him do so, as such practical opportunity was an essential path for any healer.

She handed the medicine in her hand to her father, reminding him, "Father, you do it."

Then went to check on Mrs. Chen’s condition.

Halfway there, Qi Nanfeng knelt before her, pleading.

"Mianmian, do you have more medicine? Look, I’m hurt too, can I ask for some medicine?"

Ruan Mian coldly looked over without changing her expression, unable to help but scoff.

"Qi Nanfeng, you are the most shameless man I’ve ever seen; you know I won’t give it to you."

"Mianmian! We’ve weathered hardships together, this life could be lost at any time, and you’re still angry at me, still..."

Before finishing, Vice Minister Dong swiftly put a knife to his neck, disdainfully uttering, "Scram."

Seeing this, Qi Nanfeng dared not say another word, disappearing from Ruan Mian’s sight, crawling away.

Standing beside Vice Minister Dong, Xie Huai’an looked at the retreating figure, shaking his head with a sigh.

Then turned his gaze to Ruan Mian, "I heard that when you married him, you were widowed, and later he wanted to divorce you for a Prince Consort position. For such an ungrateful man, why not end it all? Do you still..."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com