A daily intelligence report; in chaotic times and famine years, grain is plentiful.

"Old Li, any news about Mo'er?"

As the crowd was discussing, a question suddenly came from behind them.

Li Laogen turned his head and saw Chen Dashan walking slowly towards him.

At this moment, Chen Dashan looked quite weak, and with Chen Ling'er's help, he managed to walk to the front of the crowd.

"Not yet, but it's okay. Chen Mo is usually so smart, he'll definitely be back."

Li Laogen replied.

"Sigh, Mo'er always makes me worry, cough cough..."

As Chen Dashan spoke, he began to cough violently.

These days he's been worried about Chen Mo's safety. He already had health problems, and now he can't eat or sleep well, so his old illness has relapsed.

"Dad, go back and rest for a while."

Chen Ling'er asked with concern.

"Yes, Uncle Chen, with us here, we'll go back to the village to find Brother Mo later."

Sun Dazhu also spoke up.

Chen Dashan stopped coughing, could only wave his hand, and went back to rest for a while.

Only after watching Chen Dashan walk away did the group continue their discussion.

"Uncle Li, we can't just stay here. Although we have a lot of food in the camp, we can't just sit around and do nothing. We should go out and take a look."

Sun Dazhu made another suggestion, and everyone else nodded in agreement.

Much of the food stored in the sinkhole was saved by them, while most of it was looted by Chen Mo and his men.

Now, including the elderly, women, and children, there are nearly four hundred people in the camp. If they eat and drink frugally, they can only make enough for half a year.

Moreover, if Chen Mo doesn't return, they might not even be able to find their way to Black Wind Ridge, let alone find supplies.

Black Wind Ridge has a complex terrain, with cliffs and dense forests everywhere. If it weren't for Chen Mo, they would never have been able to find so many supplies in the mountains.

Chen Mo was the backbone of the entire village, and now that he's gone, the community is at a loss.

"But if you go out and accidentally run into government troops, we'll have to send people to look for you again."

Some people expressed their concerns.

The discussion continued, but no consensus could be reached.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from the direction of the entrance.

"Uncle Li, something bad has happened! There are signs of government troops down the mountain, and they might be heading this way!"

A villager who was keeping watch ran over.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed instantly, and their eyes showed a hint of unease.

"Government troops? How did they find their way here?"

"Could it be that something has happened to Brother Mo and the others?"

Someone spoke up nervously.

"Damn it, since the government troops have found this place, Lingtou Village might already be in danger. We can't just sit here and wait to die; we have to go out and stop them!"

Sun Dazhu suddenly stood up.

This sinkhole base camp was their last hiding place; if the government troops discovered it, everyone would die.

"Dazhu, I'll go with you!"

"Fight the government troops! We can't let them find this place!"

"Grab your weapons!"

Others also stood up and volunteered to fight.

"Forty people will come with me; the rest of you stay behind to protect the villagers."

Sun Dazhu said.

Seeing that everyone was so emotional, Li Laogen couldn't stop them.

He was well aware that if the government troops were to reach this place, the villagers would be in danger.

Before long, Sun Dazhu led forty men, armed with weapons, and quietly made their way down the mountain.

They stopped and stood guard on the road leading up the mountain, keeping a close watch on the movements outside.

After an unknown amount of time, I suddenly heard a series of chaotic footsteps.

Outside the forest, it seemed someone was approaching.

"Are they here?"

Sun Dazhu was startled.

Now that Chen Mo is not by his side, he is leading the team alone, and he is inevitably a little uneasy.

Those around them also gripped their weapons tightly, their eyes filled with murderous intent.

The footsteps grew closer.

Soon, figures appeared before them. Although their faces were not clearly visible, there were roughly twenty people.

"Let's do it!"

Sun Dazhu gave the order in a low voice, and rushed out first, wielding his machete and slashing at the figure in front of him.

The able-bodied men behind them quickly followed, ready to wipe out the enemy in front of them.

The figures reacted quickly, raising their weapons to block.

Just as the two sides were about to clash, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.

"Dazhu! It's me!"

The sound reached everyone's ears, causing them to immediately stop what they were doing.

Sun Dazhu, gripping the knife, stopped in his tracks and suddenly looked up.

"Brother Mo!"

Everyone quickly put away their knives.

Behind Chen Mo, Liang Ming and about twenty others still followed, all looking exhausted.

"Brother Mo, how's it going in the village? Why did it take you so long to get back?"

"Are you wounded? Has the government army really arrived?"

The others also put down their weapons and gathered around, looking at Chen Mo with excited expressions.

"Don't ask now, let's talk about it when we get back."

Chen Mo waved his hand, telling them to calm down.

The crowd quickly made way, helping the injured people behind Chen Mo and retreating towards the sinkhole.

Sun Dazhu followed closely behind Chen Mo. Looking at the twenty or so weak faces behind Chen Mo, he instantly understood what was going on.

Something must have happened in the village...

Chen Mo led the group back to the sinkhole camp.

The villagers inside noticed the commotion and immediately surrounded Chen Mo when they saw him return.

"Mowa, what's wrong? Are you in danger?"

Li Laogen was the first to step forward and inquire.

"It's a long story."

Although Chen Mo spoke calmly, those around him could sense something was amiss from his expression.

"Mo'er?"

At this moment, Chen Dashan and Chen Ling'er also came over. Seeing that Chen Mo was safe and sound, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Father, Ling'er, I'm sorry to have worried you."

Chen Mo stepped forward and helped Chen Dashan up, his heart filled with guilt.

He could see the weakness in his father's expression and knew that his father and sister must have been very worried these past few days.

After reassuring his family for a few moments, Chen Mo dismissed everyone and went back to doing his own thing.

He then gathered the able-bodied men in the village to discuss the next steps.

Seeing Chen Mo's expression, everyone fell silent instantly, their eyes filled with unease.

"Gentlemen, Lingtou Village has been captured by the government troops."

Chen Mo said in a deep voice.

As soon as he finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent.

Everyone had their heads down, and there was a hint of despair in their eyes.

Even with so many people, Chen Mo couldn't defend the village; the strength of the government troops was clearly far superior to that of the villagers.

"Brother Mo, what do we do now? Has the government army already surrounded Black Wind Ridge?"

Someone asked in a low voice.

"The government troops are not many, so it won't be easy for them to surround Black Wind Ridge. As long as we are careful, they won't be able to find our trail."

Chen Mo reassured him.

That being said, when he led Liang Ming and the others to retreat earlier, they encountered many enemies searching the mountains along the way.

Black Wind Ridge is vast, but this is the only place left to hide.

"Can we still use our old farmland for farming?"

Someone asked.

"Those areas outside may have already been discovered by government troops, so please do not go out for the time being."

Chen Mo shook his head.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned even more grim.

Without the village, without the fields, how will they survive...?