I used the Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword) to fight the Japanese.

Third Master ran even faster, calling to the two dogs to lead the way as he hurried towards the Ten Thousand People Cave, constantly praying to God for protection!

The path leading to the Ten Thousand People Cave was still a mountain trail, overgrown with thorns and rotten to the point of disrepair due to years of neglect. Da Shu drew his Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword) to cut down the vines and branches blocking the way, but Third Master stopped him, explaining that the worse the path was, the better it would conceal the Ten Thousand People Cave; the more dilapidated the path, the more advantageous it would be.

Once everyone realized this made sense, they carefully parted the thorns and slowly moved forward, trying their best not to damage the thorny branches.

Along the way, the four women took out some dry rations and shared them with everyone. Around mid-afternoon, as the group passed through a canyon, two hunting dogs suddenly started barking merrily ahead.

"Wow wow wow!"

"Wow wow wow!"

"Huh? There are people ahead! Who's there?" The thorns on both sides of the road blocked their view, but judging from the barking of the two dogs, they weren't strangers. Third Master, who was leading the group, tried to shout, and the rest of the group unconsciously gripped their crossbows and became alert.

On the other side of the thorn bushes, the two brothers, Manxiang and Qingshui, hid under two large trees, gripping their long knives tightly and full of vigilance.

"It's Dahuang! It's my Dahuang!"

"It's Uncle San speaking! Uncle San is back!"

The two brothers were immediately relieved to hear their third uncle's voice, especially since he was accompanied by their beloved dog, Da Huang, who had escaped death. How could they not be excited?

"Whoosh!"

Qingshui put his finger in his mouth and let out a sharp whistle, which made Big Yellow bark even more happily! The two dogs darted into the thicket of thorns, wagging their tails as they ran toward the two brothers.

"Third Uncle? Is it Third Uncle?" Seeing Da Huang confirmed that the person opposite was one of their own, Qingquan asked.

"It's me! It's me! Qingquan! Qingshui! I've finally found you!" Third Master's voice trembled with excitement, and tears streamed down his face even before they met!

Soon the two groups met after passing through the thorns. Third Master was overjoyed, holding his two nephews' hands. Manxiang also hugged Mancang tightly, pounding his back repeatedly, saying, "Finally back!"

Afterwards, the three of them sighed again when they saw Dahuang and Heizi, and couldn't help but shed tears when they saw the injuries on the two dogs.

Soon everyone returned to the Ten Thousand Cave. Second Master, Mancang's parents, and the elders of the clan were overjoyed to see the two return. They surrounded them, asking after their well-being, and the two finally felt the warmth of home again.

The Ten Thousand People Cave is a naturally formed cave, the widest part of which is about the size of a basketball court. People built several rows of simple thatched huts inside for temporary residence. A stone wall and steps were newly built around the cave entrance, so that even if someone found the place, they could defend themselves using the stone wall.

Third Master, Manxiang, and their families gathered together, exchanging pleasantries. Hu Zi and his group, led by Manxiang and a few others, toured the peculiar cave. Hearing that they had escaped the iron mine under Mancang's leadership and planned to set up camp in Tianma Village to fight the Japanese, everyone was envious. Manxiang and the others even held up the enemy's crossbows and long-handled swords, showing off their admiration.

Tiger and his friends were amazed to hear that Manxiang and his men had also been captured by the Japanese and were about to be sent to the mines to work as miners, but were later rescued by Second Master and a pack of hunting dogs. The fact that a group of domesticated dogs could accomplish such a feat gave Tiger a sudden inspiration, and he stroked his tiger teeth, coming up with the idea of ​​creating a hunting dog squad.

People on both sides were of similar age and had similar experiences, so they quickly became friends, chatting and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere!

Dinner was a communal meal. After arriving at Wanrendong, all the grain from each household was piled up together for storage. No one lit fires to cook; instead, the women of the village took turns cooking the communal meal. The rest of the people, led by the clan chief, built houses, laid stone walls, and cleared land on the mountainside, clearly intending to live there permanently.

After dinner, clan chief Zhao Renyi summoned Zhao Mancang and Third Master for a talk. Inside a thatched hut, Zhao Renyi, along with the clan elders and several young men, were gathered, creating the impression of a clan meeting.

"Haha, you two have changed quite a bit in the months you've been gone! You're stronger and more energetic! The third one even looks a lot younger! Great! Great!"

"I heard from Manxiang that you two caused quite a stir in Tianma Village. Tell me, what are your plans for the future?" Zhao Renyi was clearly pleased with the changes in the two men and was even more concerned about their future plans.

"Fight the Japanese devils and avenge them! You all have no idea what we've been through these past few months in the mine. The Japanese didn't treat us like human beings at all! People were dying in the mine almost every day. There were hundreds, even thousands of corpses piled up in the rubble. If it weren't for Cangwa leading us in an uprising and successfully escaping, none of you would be here today!"

"Everyone admires Cangwa. He's currently training troops at Tianma Village. He'll definitely kill as many Japanese devils as possible to avenge them!"

“I said let’s move the whole village there. Tianma Village is big enough to house hundreds of people. The young people can train with us and fight the Japanese, and the old people and women can help with cooking, making arrows, clearing some wasteland and growing some crops. Isn’t that better than staying cooped up in this cave?”

Third Master, who was usually quiet, poured out his thoughts in one breath, like beans spilling from a bamboo tube. It was clear that he had been thinking about it for a long time and was determined to find a way out for the elders.

"..."

Everyone exchanged surprised glances. When did the honest, unassuming shepherd boy become so eloquent? Judging from his earnestness, he was clearly not just talking!

"Third brother, when did you become so talkative? Are you still the cowherd who wouldn't utter a word even if you were beaten three times?" Second Master stared at his own brother and asked the question that had been bothering him.

“Yes! The third brother has changed quite a bit. Tell me what he’s been through?” Zhao Renyi was also very curious. If he was this talkative before, would he have been single for so many years?

"This... is all thanks to Cangwa's good training. He's become much bolder now..." Third Master said with an embarrassed smile, touching his bald head.

"Hahaha, good! You've got guts! Cangwa, tell me your thoughts. The Japanese are so powerful, do you think you can defeat them with just a dozen or so of you?" Zhao Renyi looked at the young man in front of him with great interest, clearly very curious about how he could lead the miners to a successful uprising and have so many people follow him so wholeheartedly to fight the Japanese.

"Even if we can't win, we have to fight! I don't need to elaborate on how wicked the Japanese are; you all witnessed this conscription. Our village is still relatively safe; in many villages, the Japanese left no one alive—that's no exaggeration at all!"

"Then where is our way out? Serving the Japanese will only allow them to bully us endlessly. Sooner or later, we will be drained of our last drop of blood and collapse in frustration! So only if we stand up and fight the Japanese hard, beat them until they are hurt and drive them away, will we be free from their bullying and be able to protect our families and live a peaceful life!"