Chapter 21: Public Outrage

Some hunters stood up to resist, but as soon as any movement was made, the government officials quickly held a knife to the necks of the elderly.

"Move again and I will slaughter them!"

Although the child held at knife-point by the government officials may not have been their own, there were only a few families in the village, so the effect of taking any child as a hostage was the same.

Indeed, the hunters who had erupted in resistance, upon seeing their restrained elderly and young, could only relax their efforts and obediently comply.

By now, they had finally understood why the government officials had conscripted all the elderly, women, and children in the village.

With their families and relatives in the hands of the Fifth Prince, who would dare to desert?

However, what saddened them even more was the universal fear of war. Nobody wanted their homes destroyed!

If the Fifth Prince had recruited soldiers by appealing to their emotions and reasons, many would have voluntarily stood up to defend their homes, but the Fifth Prince chose the most extreme methods.

This showed that the Fifth Prince didn't trust the people of his city at all!

The news that the entire Hunter Village had been conscripted spread like wildfire.

It wasn't even midnight yet, and most households in the city had already packed up, preparing to blend into the refugee groups and head south.

After all, waiting here was a death sentence; it was better to head south.

However, Xuanwei Seven Cities had a curfew, with the city gates closing at Zi Hour and not opening until Mao Hour.

But somehow, that night the city gates opened at Chou Hour. Before the city's people could get out, the refugees surrounding the city took advantage of the chaos and stormed in, looting the area.

Both shops and private houses were targeted wherever the eye could see.

And the looted residents did not try to stop them, pulling along their families and belongings, and then merging into the groups of refugees and leaving the city.

In short, out of the seven fortified cities of Xuanwei, three fell into chaos instantly.

At that time, Old Uncle Qiu's family had just returned from spring hunting in the mountains, only to watch helplessly as the people from their village were taken away by the soldiers.

What Old Uncle Qiu did not expect was that shortly thereafter, another small troop arrived in the village.

Although they were in civilian clothes, Old Uncle Qiu had seen several of them before—they were from the government office!

As soon as they arrived, they immediately looted everything valuable and edible from Hunter Village.

Their movements were so skilled it was as if they often engaged in such plunder.

Whether the goods they took were used for military provisions or ended up in their own pockets… that remained unknown.

"The morality of society has declined, the hearts of people are no longer like those of the past." Qiu Da said resentfully, watching the group leave.

Old Uncle Qiu also shook his head and sighed, "If it were not out of sheer desperation, why would common folk turn to banditry in the mountains? It is not that the people wish to become bandits; it is the officials who drive the people to revolt."

Old Uncle Qiu's family waited until the moon was high in the sky to make sure that there was no more movement in the village, then they brought their family back in, gathered up the remaining useful items the government officials had left behind, and returned to the mountains.

They couldn't stay here a moment longer.

Old Uncle Qiu knew of a deserted path and immediately let his family escape in that direction.

Just as they reached the foot of the mountain, they heard footsteps behind them. They thought it was the pursuers, but it turned out to be Bai Sasa and two others.

Just like that, the most noble family of Baiju Country met the most ordinary mountain family.

After listening to Old Uncle Qiu's explanation, Bai Junjun felt their family was truly fortunate.

"All thanks to the protection of the Mountain God."

Thinking of the fate of the people from the same village, Old Uncle Qiu felt endlessly sorrowful.

Seeing the sorrow on Old Uncle Qiu's face, Bai Lingyu tactfully changed the subject, "Old Uncle Qiu, where does this road lead?"

Feeling the child's kindness, Old Uncle Qiu answered with a smile in his eyes, "This road leads to the end, to North River."

"Is it Biluo City after crossing the river?"