Preparing for Battle

As the sun rose, Zen and Yun worked tirelessly to rebuild the village. Zen, skilled in both swordsmanship and herbalism, tended to the wounded. "Apply this poultice twice a day. It will reduce swelling and prevent infection," Zen instructed, his hands steady and sure. "Healing takes time, so be patient." Zen taught the men about swordsmanship, including how to hold the sword, basic stances, and basic swings.

Meanwhile, Yun assisted the women with cooking and imparted lessons on poisons and archery. "Hold your bow like this," Yun demonstrated, showing the proper stance. "Pull back smoothly, eyes fixed on the target." He taught them new recipes and devoted extra time to teaching Zong Ya self-defense and the use of hidden weapons. "Here, hold the knife like this," Yun instructed, guiding her hand. "If someone grabs you, strike for vulnerable spots without hesitation." Yun complimented Zong Ya on her fast learning, and she blushed, thanking him gratefully.

As night fell, Zen and Yun reflected on their journey and the village's plight. "We need to finish this quickly," Zen said, gazing at the stars. "My father is counting on me to return with that medicine, and if I don't return on time, things will take a turn for the worst."

"Agreed," Yun replied solemnly. "But our priority now is ensuring these people are safe."

The next day, during training, Zen noticed a child named Li Wu displaying exceptional swordsmanship talent. Yun also recognized the boy's potential and praised him. "You're a natural, Li Wu," Yun encouraged, tousling the boy's hair gently. Li Wu, only ten years old and having lost his mother in the raid, burned with determination to end the bandits' tyranny.

At noon, Zen called for a meeting, and the villagers gathered in the chief's house. "The bandits will likely attack full-scale," Zen began. "We've sent messengers for reinforcements from nearby villages, but we must prepare as if we're on our own." Zong Ya suggested hiring mercenaries too, and the village chief agreed with the proposal.

Yun requested a large number of arrows to be made and infused with poison for the attack. Lei, a traveling merchant among the villagers, estimated the bandits numbered around 200 based on what he had heard. The village chief grimly acknowledged the loss of 30 men in the previous raid and decided to enlist the women in the upcoming fight. He spoke of the bandit leader, Taotie, an elementary-level five fighter, whose reputation for brutality sent a chill through Zen and Yun. Taotie's primary weapon was the Qiang.

As evening approached, Zong Ya approached Yun with gratitude. "Thank you for everything," she said earnestly. "You're giving us hope."

Yun smiled warmly. "We're all in this together, Zong Ya. We'll find your sister and bring her home safely."

Meanwhile, Zen spoke with Kushan, a promising villager in their training sessions. "You're doing well, Kushan. Keep refining your strikes and remember, precision over power."

"Thank you, Zen. We'll defend our home with all we've got," Kushan vowed, his resolve shining through. Zen noticed Zong Ya's fondness towards Yun and teasingly brought it up. Yun, slightly embarrassed, mentioned Yawen, and they both laughed about it, easing the tension before heading to rest and wish each other sweet dreams.

The next day, under Zen's guidance, the villagers constructed booby traps as defenses against the bandits. They dug pits and concealed them, rigged nets to ensnare intruders, and devised alarm systems with bells and ropes. Each action was executed with the precision of seasoned warriors rather than simple villagers.

Zen instructed basic self-defense techniques, demonstrating how to wield sticks and farming tools as weapons. "Use your opponent's force against them," he coached, showing disarmament maneuvers.

Yun continued his archery lessons, emphasizing accuracy over speed, and shared insights on using poisons judiciously. "These are tools of last resort," Yun cautioned. "Incapacitate rather than kill, if possible." The village chief mustered around 40 mercenaries from a nearby company, though their arrival would be delayed.

That same evening, Hua, a determined woman from the village, sought advice from Yun. "Is there more we can do to prepare?"

Yun nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, Hua. Continue honing your archery skills. Stay focused during the attack. Panic is our greatest enemy."

Later that evening, Yun scouted the village surroundings and detected a trail left by a surviving bandit. His arrows were scented uniquely, detectable only by him. Cautiously, Yun tracked the scent and stumbled upon the bandits' hidden camp. He hurried back to the village to inform Zen of his discovery. "Zen, the bandits are more prepared than we thought. There are around 300 of them in their camp, not 200 as we estimated."

Zen and Yun strategized quickly. They had 40 skilled fighters and 35 villagers. They decided Yun would flank the bandits during the raid with 20 mercenaries, while Zen would confront them head-on with the remaining 20 mercenaries and 35 villagers. On the fourth day, three messengers returned with 25 reinforcements. The fifth messenger had yet to return. The additional reinforcements were instructed to attack the bandits' hideout alongside Yun. As Zen was injured during his confrontation with the bandit leader, he delegated command to the mercenary leader, Qin Shi. Together, they bolstered the village's defenses and prepared for the impending bandit attack.

The bandit leader Taotei, with his 320 troops, instructed 20 soldiers to remain in the hideout and attack the village from within. He planned a coordinated assault from all sides, deploying 40 horsemen, 200 infantry, 40 archers, and 20 axemen.

As night descended, the bandits readied themselves for battle. Fully armed and equipped, they were prepared to overwhelm the mostly untrained villagers. Yet, these villagers stood resolute, determined to defend their homes and loved ones from the looming threat.