Large numbers of fierce bandits spotted this vulnerability, so they directly abandoned the city and delved deep into the surrounding villages, claiming the mountains as their king and descending when hungry to plunder readily available resources, essentially finding themselves in a haven of comfort.
Regrettably, all the able-bodied men in these villages were at war, leaving only the elderly, weak, women, and children at home, who were utterly unable to resist.
It was said that many brides were abducted, and some women, in order to preserve their honor, resorted to drowning themselves or hanging themselves upon seeing the bandits enter the village, which was not a rare occurrence.
Bai Junjun and Li Wenli listened in shock, while the old woman continued.
"Although some refugees are not bandits, they also show weakness to deceive villagers into sympathy, then when villagers bring them food, they stealthily steal meat, grain, chickens, and sheep..."