Infinite Professions

Chapter 338 - 177: Bandits (Part 2)

Shen He frowned and said, "Are those horse bandits also the pawns of the Lanruo Old Demon?"

"This lowly one does not know."

The old ghost shook his head, saying, "But those horse bandits are very fierce. Not only are they skilled with bows and horses, but they also wear iron armor. Even the Dock Fortress we built in Baixi Town can’t stop them. Calling them horse bandits, they feel more like soldiers."

"Is that so?"

Shen He murmured but did not say more, "I understand. You may leave now, have a good rest, and await training!"

"Yes!"

The ghostly crowd heard this and dared not ask more, only bow and retreat.

Leaving Shen He alone, sitting at the altar, pondering quietly.

Massacre a village!

In this world where incense is the nourishment, it is an extremely heinous act, not tolerated by any deities.

But even so, massacres still occur from time to time. Behind it, not only is there a confrontation between the deities and evil spirits, but it may also involve the Yin and Yang Realms and the schemes and struggles of various forces.

This world may seem like a stagnant pool, but even stagnant waters have some undercurrents.

"Lanruo!"

"Old Demon!"

"Bandits!"

"Evil Ghosts!"

Shen He muttered, his eyes constantly shifting, but soon returned to calm.

All these seem chaotic, but in the end, it comes down to two words.

Strength!

If the power is sufficient, there is fundamentally nothing to worry about.

If the power is insufficient, worrying is useless.

So...

Shen He closed his eyes, feeling the Earth God Seal.

As his divine power increased to the tenth level, several divine arts were added to the Earth God Seal.

Divine Striking Art: Third-rank Divine Skill, bestows divine power to believers, greatly enhancing their physique and allowing them to manipulate some Earth Qi, using certain Land God Skills (unique to Land God Power).

Possession Technique: Third-rank Divine Skill, moving from Yin to Yang, a divine being possesses a believer at the cost of considerable divine power, controlling their actions.

Earthquake Technique: Third-rank Divine Skill, trembles the earth with divine power, causing Earth Qi to surge and resulting in severe destruction.

Earth Armor Technique: Third-rank Divine Skill, transforms the earth into battle armor for protection against various attacks.

Childbirth Technique: Third-rank Divine Skill, consumes divine power to enhance the reproductive ability of the people under one’s rule.

...

Several divine arts, all third-rank, mostly protective combat techniques, and some for production management.

All are good means; Shen He carefully studied them, focusing on Divine Striking Art and Possession Technique, preparing to turn them into professional skills for emergencies.

With these two divine arts, in times of crisis in Little Huang Village, he could possess a member of the Song Family and use the "Ancestor Proxy" method to overcome difficulties.

Of course, the premise is that the crisis cannot be too severe, or even the ancestor cannot withstand it.

In this way...

Time flies, three to five years pass in the blink of an eye.

It is the autumn harvest season again, outside Little Huang Village, the waves of rice gold, dazzling to the eyes.

"Another bountiful harvest!"

"Earth God bless, Earth God bless!"

In the fields, people are busy, striving to harvest the rice.

At the edge of the field, Song Wen sees this with eyes full of gratification.

"The grain harvest is abundant again this year!"

"The yield from the herb fields is also good, at least enough for the village clinic’s needs."

"Even though after father passed away, the family no longer had a scholar’s protection and we couldn’t be tax-exempt, with this land, it’s more than enough to deal with those debt collectors."

"In a few days, I’ll sell some surplus grain and herbs, then, according to father’s words, open a brick kiln to bake stone bricks, build the Dock Fortress. People fear fame like pigs fear fat, those bandits seeing our harvest like this, must have ideas..."

"Father!!!"

Just as Song Wen was planning developments, he suddenly heard a hurried call coming.

"Hmm!"

Song Wen turned to look back, finding it was his eldest son Song Zhi, rushing towards him with a face full of panic.

"What happened?"

"Father, you should go back and take a look!"

Song Zhi arrived in front of Song Wen, ignoring the scorching in his chest, urgently saying, "Those bandits are here again, Uncle Three and Uncle Four are confronting them."

"What?"

Song Wen’s eyes sharpened, immediately leaving Song Zhi, loudly calling to the people in the fields: "The bandits are here, grab your weapons and follow me."

With that said, he picked up a pitchfork and headed towards the village.

The people in the fields reacted, dozens of men hurriedly ran out of the rice field, grabbing sickles and pitchforks, running towards the village, followed closely by women and teenagers.

The field was newly opened ground, a few miles from the village, but the people, swift on their feet, quickly caught sight of the village.

Song Wen led the people, and from a distance saw at the village entrance, two groups of people were confronting each other. One group held knives and spears, looking hostile, while the other held pitchforks and sticks. The two men leading were full of anger, seemingly about to fight.

"Third Brother, Fourth Brother!"

Song Wen shouted, leading several dozen men rushing forward, surrounding the bandit group.

The bandit group, merely a dozen people, found themselves surrounded by over a hundred men from Little Huang Village; they felt somewhat apprehensive, instinctively gripping their knives and spears.

"Oh!"

Only the leader, a skinny man, was indifferent, smiling as he looked at Song Wu and Song Ying blocking the village, then turned his gaze to Song Wen returning in haste, laughing and saying, "The Song brothers are back. How’s the harvest in the fields this year?"

The teasing words were veiled with hidden intentions.

Song Wen, catching up, shielded the furious Song Wu and Song Ying behind him, then cupped his hands to the skinny man, "Thanks to Sixth Master’s fortune, it’s been manageable."

"Manageable?"

The skinny man, called Sixth Master, laughed coldly, "With such a harvest, if it’s just manageable, other villages might as well not live, is Village Chief Song fooling me, Wang Liu, or fooling Black Wind Village?"

"Dare not!"

Song Wen cupped his hands, "Our Little Huang Village has always respected your noble village’s heroes and dare not fool Sixth Master and your noble village. Once the grain is harvested in the coming days, I’ll immediately send money and grain up the mountain."

"That’s more like it!"

Wang Liu nodded, his gaze sweeping over Song Wen and the others from Little Huang Village, then laughed again, "It’s said Little Huang Village worships a notably efficacious Earth God, not only blessing abundant harvests yearly but also making livestock grow rapidly, and people well-nourished. Folks from all around want to move to Little Huang Village, and seeing it today, it’s indeed well-deserved. Each man is even sturdier than the brothers in our village."

"Thank you for your praise, Sixth Master!"

The promise of tribute made, yet the other party did not leave, a chill settled in Song Wen’s heart, but he still exchanged courteous words.

"Hahaha!"

Wang Liu laughed again, "Since such an efficacious Earth God is blessing, shouldn’t my Black Wind Village also bask in the light and share the blessings?"

"Hmm!?"

Song Wen’s eyes sharpened, "What does Sixth Master mean..."

"This year’s tribute, all the grain, wine, meat, and gold must be increased by half!"

Wang Liu glanced over, looking at the people behind, "The village should pick out twenty men and ten women to join my Black Wind Village, then we will be like family. How about it?"

"No way!"

Just as he finished speaking, Song Wu behind erupted in anger, stepping forward with a long knife, "I’d rather feed a dog than give to you."

"Hmm!?"

Wang Liu’s eyes turned cold, looking directly at Song Wen, "Does this mean Little Huang Village doesn’t want to become family with my Black Wind Village?"

"No, no, Third Brother, stand down!"

Song Wen shook his head, pulling Song Wu behind, then bent his body and said to Wang Liu, "Since Sixth Master asked, our Little Huang Village will certainly try to meet it, but such a big matter requires some time to prepare. I wonder if Sixth Master could grant us a few days extension?"

"Of course, certainly!"

Wang Liu laughed sinisterly, "Then how about three days, is that enough time?"

"Three days, this... fine!"

Song Wen hesitated for a moment, then nodded with difficulty, "Three days later, we’ll ensure Sixth Master’s satisfaction."

"That’s good. Boys, let’s go!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Liu no longer lingered, taking the dozen or so bandits and, under the angry gaze of Little Huang Village’s people, laughed as they left.

"Big Brother!"

After they left, Song Wu turned around, frustratedly saying, "Why stop me, I could take care of them in one hit."

"Shut up!"

Song Wen sternly shouted, then looked at everyone, "Stop harvesting the grain. Everyone, head to the threshing ground, I have a major announcement!"