In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

"very good."

Zhang He nodded in satisfaction. Just a few days ago, a nobleman from the city contacted him and asked him to do something for him. The nobleman didn't say what it was until today, when he finally revealed what he needed them to do: kill someone!

Zhang He looked up at the people in the room and said, "Brothers, do you want to have enough food and become martial artists?"

"miss you!"

The able-bodied men inside the house answered without hesitation. For these miserable refugees, even having a full meal was a blessing, let alone... the opportunity to become a martial artist. Before becoming refugees, becoming a martial artist was something they dared not even dream of, but now they had the chance...

The young men inside the house couldn't help but feel excited. Martial artists were high and mighty beings. If they could become martial artists, they wouldn't have to worry about not having enough to eat or not having enough money to spend.

"Brother Zhang, what do you say? We'll listen to you."

"Yes, we'll all listen to Brother Zhang."

"Anyway, Brother Zhang would never harm us!"

"..."

The young men looked at Zhang He with eager eyes, waiting for his answer.

Zhang He was satisfied with everyone's performance, but he still reminded them in a deep voice, "Doing this could very well lead to death. Do you still want to follow me?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured on everyone's hearts, extinguishing the passion in many people's hearts.

If all they had to do was exert themselves for an abundance of food and the chance to become martial artists, they would certainly be willing. But if it meant risking their lives, they would have to think twice.

After all... life is only once, even living on an empty stomach is better than dying!

Of course, there are also some young and strong people who remain fearless.

"Of course I will!"

The skinny monkey sitting next to Zhang He said, "My family has all starved to death, leaving only my worthless life. What's wrong with using this worthless life to gamble for wealth and status?"

After saying that, the skinny monkey looked at the young and strong people present and said loudly, "Look at yourselves now. You can't even afford a piece of clothing without any holes. You're so hungry that you're skin and bones. What's the point of living like this? You're just a worthless life in other people's eyes! You can use your worthless life to fight for wealth and status. If you succeed, you have the opportunity to become a martial artist. If you fail, you'll just die. What's there to be afraid of?"

"Exactly! I'll risk my worthless life to gamble on wealth and power!"

"Even if we don't risk our lives, we'll starve to death sooner or later anyway, so we might as well give it a shot!"

"Brother Zhang, tell us what you want us to do."

“My family is all gone, and I’m all alone. What’s wrong with entrusting my life to Brother Zhang?”

"..."

Lean meat's words were echoed by the vast majority of young and middle-aged people!

Yes! Even if they manage to survive these days, they are constantly hungry, their stomachs burning with hunger; it's hardly better than death.

Rather than living on an empty stomach, it's better to risk your life for wealth and status. If you succeed, you'll never have to endure hunger again; if you fail... well, there's nothing to say about dying.

"Since my brothers trust me so much, then I will lead them to do something big!"

Zhang He turned to the skinny monkey: "Skinny monkey, have you found out the situation of the city gate guards?"

"We've figured it out!"

Skinny Monkey nodded solemnly: "There are a total of 20 soldiers guarding Taiping County. Ten of them are responsible for the daytime and ten for the nighttime. Their shift change is at 10:10 PM every day."

"The hour of You (5-7 PM)?"

Zhang He pondered for a moment, "In that case, let's gather at Shenshi (3-5 PM) on the third day to undertake this important task!"

…………

…………

Chenjiacun.

As expected, Chen Dao and his group were once again surrounded by villagers upon returning to the village. However, when they saw that the truck was not piled high with grain as they had imagined, the villagers' faces showed surprise.

"Did Daoge and the others not buy any grain when they went to town this time?"

"Did you spend too much money treating us to steamed buns? Are you short of money?"

"It can't be like that, otherwise Brother Dao wouldn't have invited so many of us to eat steamed buns."

"I reckon Daoge'er's family still has plenty of grain, so there's no need to buy any!"

I think so too.

"..."

As everyone was discussing, Chen Gou ran up to Chen Dao in a flash, grinning and saying, "Brother Dao is back?"

"came back."

Chen Dao nodded and asked, "Is there something you need, Brother Gou?"

"I have some good news to tell you."

Chen Gou said boastfully, "The three Chen brothers are dead!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Da, Chen Cheng, and Chen Si were all stunned.

Yesterday they saw the three Chen brothers, all lively and energetic, and today they're dead?

Chen Dao, channeling his inner drama queen, feigned surprise and said, "Gou-ge'er, you're not kidding, are you? They came to my house to collect steamed buns yesterday, and they're dead today?"

"I would never lie to you, Daoge'er!"

Chen Gou replied seriously, "This morning, everyone in the village saw the bodies of Chen Jin and his two brothers. They died a terrible death; their throats were slit by wild animals. They have now been buried in the mountains by the villagers."

"So he was killed by a wild beast!"

Chen Dao made a look of realization, and Chen Da and the others also looked at each other. There had been cases in the village before where villagers were killed by wild animals coming down from the mountain, but overall, such things happened relatively rarely. The fact that the three Chen brothers were killed by wild animals can only be attributed to their bad luck!

As for the sadness caused by the deaths of these three people...

That's impossible. Nobody in the entire Chenjia Village liked the three Chen brothers. It's better that they're dead, so they won't be an eyesore in the village.

"It's a good deal for those three brothers."

Chen Gou said with regret, "Being able to eat a steamed bun before I die, Dao Ge'er, you are too kind. How could you give steamed buns to those three brothers!"

Chen Dao ignored Chen Gou's rambling, said goodbye to him, and returned home.

After having Chen Cheng and the others help carry the purchased medicinal herbs, ducks, and dogs into his home, Chen Dao treated Chen Cheng and the others to a hearty meal, and then said, "Alright, everyone go back now. Brother Cheng, come over tomorrow."

"Okay, then we're off."

The group left Chen Dao's house reluctantly, feeling somewhat disappointed.

The Chen family's house has been built, and it will probably be much harder for them to have such a full meal again in the future.

After seeing everyone off, Chen Dao went to the backyard and, before the sun had completely set, began feeding the 30 ducks and two local dogs advanced medicinal herbs.

In addition, Chen Dao also fed Xiao Yuan iron heart bamboo and bear blood flower.

According to the description of the golden finger, Xiao Yuan only needs to eat Iron Heart Bamboo and Bear Blood Flower for five days to advance into a Golden Claw Panda, possessing combat power no less than a seventh-grade martial artist. At that time, Chen Dao's safety will be more guaranteed!