High-level martial arts: Invincibility starts with basic archery.

Chapter 79 It really was Chen Family Village

"We're almost there."

"Yes, it hasn't been easy. My shoulders are almost numb."

"This Song Family Fortress is really big! I heard it houses almost two or three thousand people, right?"

"What does it have to do with us? We'll just change the stuff and leave."

"Too."

The crowd buzzed with discussion, their tones ranging from joy and envy to amazement and indifference.

"Everyone stay alert. Also, don't let those people get close."

Chen Guodong turned around and gave him some instructions.

Soon, Chen Fan saw the people his father had mentioned.

Starting two or three hundred meters from the gate of Songjiabao, there were many people lying haphazardly on the ground, emaciated and barely clothed, and a stench could be smelled from afar.

Upon seeing Chen Fan and his group approach, these people all sat up from the bushes, their eyes fixed on the prey the group was carrying, their mouths watering.

"Please, please give me some food."

"Please, sir, have mercy! I haven't eaten for three days."

"Brothers, I'll do anything you ask me to do, as long as you give me a bite to eat."

The cries of pleas were incessant.

Chen Fan's heart skipped a beat.

It was the first time he had seen this situation, and he felt somewhat reluctant to do so.

But the next moment, he hardened his heart. When he was successful, he would help the world; when he was poor, he would cultivate his own virtue. Now, it was already the limit for him to keep the people of the village alive.

Some people tried to approach with their courage, but were forced back by the men in the group carrying long spears.

The further you go, the more homeless people you see. Some of them don't even have a single piece of clothing on them. They lie on the ground, motionless.

Some people knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, while others focused their gazes, seemingly preparing something.

The crowd was somewhat restless.

"You all better behave!"

"Don't move, or I'll get rough!"

The crowd roared in anger.

To be honest, they were used to this kind of situation on the road, but today's encounter was a first. If they didn't handle it well, they might all die here today.

Chen Fan also gripped his spear tightly, focusing all his attention.

He was somewhat relieved that he had listened to Uncle Zhang's advice and practiced marksmanship.

Perhaps sensing that the group in front of them was not to be trifled with, the commotion in the crowd gradually subsided, and the pleas also quieted down.

"Phew, thankfully it was a close call."

Gao Yang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said with lingering fear.

"Yes, if we had been a little less forceful just now, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

"We'll have another chance when we come out later, but they probably won't dare to mess with us again," the group said, chatting amongst themselves.

At this moment, Songjiabao was less than 100 meters away, and it was visibly much cleaner. Occasionally, people would come from other directions, some with their faces covered and some without, but without exception, they were all very quiet.

Chen Fan glanced around and noticed that at least a dozen pairs of eyes had swept over him and his companions. Sometimes, when he saw them, they would quickly look away and pretend nothing had happened.

"Among them, there are probably the eyes and ears of that band of horse thieves, but no rush, let's take care of business first."

He withdrew his gaze and began to examine the enormous object in front of him.

The wall, made of bluestone, is four or five meters high and extends to both sides, with a circumference of about two kilometers. There are many people standing on the wall, armed with guns.

"That is?"

Chen Fan's pupils suddenly contracted. He saw several dark cannon muzzles pointing directly at them from the city gate tower, giving him a chilling feeling.

"That must be the cannon that Gu Ze mentioned earlier, the one that repelled the high-level ferocious beast."

He swallowed hard and looked down.

At the foot of the city wall, there are three gates, one large and two small, each guarded by fully armed soldiers.

The small door on the left was crowded with people, forming a long line. They were carrying prey in their hands and on their shoulders, clearly there to exchange supplies, just like us.

The one on the right seems to be the exit. When someone came out, they handed over a small piece of paper before being allowed to pass.

The central gate is three car widths wide, and vehicles occasionally come and go, but it is mostly empty. In fact, there are several cars parked outside the city wall, including the big truck from Zhao Family Fort.

This shows that the gate is reserved for people of status and position; it's not something anyone with a car can pass through.

"Let's join the queue. Everyone, please be quiet. Those soldiers guarding the city are really capable of firing their guns."

As Chen Guodong spoke, he glanced at Chen Fan, noting that the only one in the group who hadn't been there before was the latter.

The group joined the end of the queue and waited patiently.

Such voices could be heard from ahead from time to time.

"How many people?"

"Fifteen."

"Entry fee: 15 yuan, or the equivalent amount of ferocious beast meat. Take this note and leave the city before 5 PM, or you will bear the consequences. Also, don't cause trouble."

"Yes, yes, thank you, brother."

The group filed into the city.

Immediately afterwards, similar conversations began again.

"It seems we need to pay an entry fee to enter the city, and we have to come out before dark." Chen Fan thought to himself. It seemed that they would also check everyone's identity after dark to prevent anyone from sneaking into the city. Most likely, the people living here all had something like an ID card, while they, as outsiders, did not.

But this is really profitable.

If each person contributes one yuan, and there are hundreds of people contributing a day, that adds up to several hundred yuan.

This is only a day's income.

Soon, it was Chen Guodong's and the others' turn.

Chen Guodong took out the pre-weighed beast meat, and someone weighed it and nodded.

The person in charge of registration handed over a stack of slips of paper, saying expressionlessly, "Keep these slips safe, return them when you come out, and come out before dark. Don't cause any trouble."

"Okay, okay."

Chen Guodong quickly took them and distributed them to everyone.

Chen Fan also received it; it was a piece of paper, about the size of an ID card, with the words "Pass" written in large characters at the top and the date, November 12th, written below.

"Next."

A man's voice sounded again from behind.

Chen Fan followed the group into the city, and for a moment, he felt somewhat dazed.

Before them stretched a wide cement road, lined with numerous shops. Among them stood a prominent shop that bought materials from ferocious beasts, several times the size of a typical store. In addition, there were accommodations, restaurants, and foot massage parlors, and quite a few people were there.

In some places, there are still many people setting up street stalls and shouting loudly to sell their wares.

It resembles a marketplace.

Not only him, but everyone who came in also stared at the surrounding scenery with longing in their eyes.

"Ahem," Chen Guodong coughed lightly, "Alright, let's go exchange the items first. That shop, besides buying materials from ferocious beasts, also sells all kinds of weapons. Xiao Fan, see if there's anything you want to buy."

"OK."

Chen Fan's mind raced.

He had heard about it from Uncle Zhang before he came, and now was the perfect time to see for himself.

Then, go find that old man who sells martial arts techniques.

Finally, deal with those bandits, if they are really in their old positions.

Just then, a group of people walked towards them. One of them said in a sarcastic tone, "I was wondering why that person looked so familiar on the street. Isn't this Chen Family Village? Why are you hiding like this? Are you ashamed to show your face?"

In an instant, all eyes fell on Chen Guodong and his group.

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(End of this chapter)