Abandoning literature for martial arts, starting by unleashing the beauty's bow.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

This old turtle weighs over a thousand pounds. If sixteen people had to carry it back on their shoulders and backs along a rugged mountain road that stretches for over a hundred miles, they would probably be exhausted to death.

If one could travel by water, relying on the buoyancy of the water, it would naturally be a hundred times easier.

Yang Kai added, "We'll reassemble the disassembled raft and tie it to the old turtle's body to increase its buoyancy and prevent it from sinking."

Then, by using a raft to pull it along, there's a good chance of dragging the old turtle back to the village.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get started!"

Zhao Tie laughed heartily, and then began to retrieve the arrows and javelins that had been inserted into the old turtle's body.

Other men also stepped forward to help.

Soon, after the arrows and javelins were collected, the men who carried bone needles and iron needles began to mend the old turtle's wounds.

Lu Fengqing gently reminded, "Before sewing, blow air into its body as much as possible to increase its buoyancy. Remember to tie the air in place securely so that it doesn't leak air."

The old turtle is so wide that we don't need to worry about it capsizing in the water.

Everyone naturally nodded in agreement and strictly followed Lu Fengnian's instructions.

Soon, the wound was stitched up and the air was blown in. The already frighteningly large turtle grew even larger, looking like a small mountain.

The group tied its limbs with hemp rope and carefully pushed it back to the upstream river channel.

The location where the person fell into the water was far from the gap in the riverbank.

Once the turtle settled on the river, the men collected the cedar logs and re-tied them into a raft.

Then, six men, with hemp ropes tied around their waists, went down into the river and tied the raft to the bottom of the old turtle.

Before tying the raft to the turtle, Lu Fengnian instructed them to turn the old turtle over so that its carapace was facing down and its belly was facing up.

Once the raft is secured, the old turtle floats steadily on the river surface without needing a rope to pull it down or sink.

After finishing all this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and rested while eating dry rations and cooked meat.

As time passed, the breach in the riverbank grew larger and larger, allowing more water to pour down from above, and the water level difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the riverbank gradually decreased.

The old turtle that was floating on the river above the riverbank slowly sank down with the river surface.

Every now and then, a man would pull on the ropes binding the old turtle's limbs to control its position and keep it away from the gap in the river channel.

Time passed slowly, and the wait was slightly longer than expected. After about four hours, although the river embankment had not completely collapsed, the water levels upstream and downstream were basically the same.

Fortunately, Lu Fengnian had the foresight to make more than forty torches, which ensured that the area around the rock platform remained brightly lit.

"The water level is about right, we can go now."

Lu Fengnian instructed the others to slowly lower the three rafts onto the water, and then, using ropes, to transfer the people from the rock platform one by one onto the rafts.

There are three rafts, two of which carry six people each. The two rafts sandwich the old turtle in the middle, and their main task is to pull the old turtle downstream.

The remaining raft can only seat four people, plus all the necessary items.

It leads the way, its mission being to pave the way, provide early warnings, and eliminate potential dangers.

Lu Fengnian sat on the first raft and went ahead.

Because the blockage was cleared, the water flow in the downstream channel increased significantly, the water level was higher, the river surface was wider, and the water flowed downstream.

In less than 15 minutes, the four rafts successfully emerged from the Old Turtle Cave.

As they emerged from the Old Turtle Cave, the light suddenly brightened. The men on the raft had been in the river cave for too long and were slightly drowsy, but their faces were all relaxed and joyful.

Lu Fengnian originally planned to cut some more fir wood after leaving the old turtle cave to reinforce the raft carrying the old turtle.

However, the old turtle floated steadily downstream without encountering any disturbances.

So he simply pressed on and continued forward.

When they get tired, they find a shallow beach with a gentle current, stop, rest, and eat.

These men had solved the water problem and caught such a large turtle; they were all eager to return home.

Having filled their stomachs, they urged each other to continue on their journey, not wanting to waste a single moment longer.

They worked day and night, and just as the sun rose the next day, the four rafts stopped at the riverbank where the river splits between Mao'er Village and Shangjie Village.

When we set off earlier, the water in the river was less than a quarter of the height of the riverbank.

Now, the water level in the river is only half a foot away from overflowing the riverbank.

The group moored the raft, went up the riverbank, and dragged the old turtle onto the bank.

"Just like with the wild boar before, this old turtle will be divided equally between our two villages. Let's gather everyone from both villages and divide the meat right here," Lu Fengnian said softly.

This enormous turtle is a treasure from head to toe. In particular, its weathered shell is a top-grade medicinal ingredient.

If you were to sell it, you could definitely make a lot of money.

However, the fact that the old turtle was shot down was thanks to everyone.

Dividing it equally is reasonable and appropriate. As for what to do with it after it's divided, that's their own business.

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

Zhao Tie and Yang Yinfeng volunteered to go back to their respective villages to gather the villagers.

In less than half an hour, people from Mao'er Village arrived. There were only two people: the village head Zhao Dagui and Zhao Tianming.

Moreover, Zhao Dagui and Zhao Tianming's faces were visibly red and swollen, and the handprints from the slaps had not yet faded.

The two men reached the riverbank and were visibly startled when they saw the enormous turtle. However, they showed no joy on their faces and instead looked at Lu Fengnian with guilty eyes.

Lu Fengnian realized something was wrong and quickly pulled the two aside, asking, "Has something happened?"

Zhao Dagui's face was bitter. "Fengnian, I'm sorry. You risked your life for our village, but we couldn't protect your family..."

Lu Fengnian was startled and asked urgently, "What exactly happened?"

Zhao Tianming replied guiltily, "Fengnian, your sister was taken away by Wang the Cripple."

"What?"

Lu Fengnian's eyes widened in shock, and he strode off towards Mao'er Village.

"Fengnian, don't be in such a hurry, let me finish speaking first..." Zhao Dagui quickly said.

Lu Fengnian did not respond and quickly walked down the river embankment.

"Lu Fengnian, where are you going?" Yang Kai asked loudly when he saw Lu Fengnian suddenly leave.

Lu Fengnian didn't even turn his head. "I have some things to take care of. You'll be in charge of the division of the old turtle's affairs."

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned into the woods below the riverbank and disappeared from sight.

…………

Lu Fengnian was still half a mile from home when he saw Liu Yunjuan struggling to walk along the stone path in the village, leaning on her cane, with a white gauze wrapped around her head.

"mother!"

Lu Fengnian quickly stepped forward and helped Liu Yunjuan up. "Mother, what happened?"

Liu Yunjuan gripped Lu Fengnian's hand tightly, "Fengnian, you're finally back."

At this point, tears streamed down his face, and he burst into sobs.

Lu Fengnian wiped away Liu Yunjuan's tears with his sleeve and asked softly, "Mother, don't cry. Tell me, what happened?"

Liu Yunjuan calmed herself down a little and said in a choked voice, "Last night, Wang the Cripple suddenly came to the village with his men and forcibly took Xiaoyu away."