The words of the two were accurately conveyed once more.
To everyone's surprise, the old hunter, without holding anything back, directly offered his old bow and a quiver of long arrows. He also included a small box of medicine, said to be slightly toxic, capable of paralyzing prey. He rarely used it, as the quantity was limited, and it rendered some of the meat inedible. He typically reserved it only for self-defense.
He also mentioned that his father, who had passed away many years ago, was an excellent archer. He himself rarely used arrows, as his accuracy was only about fifty to sixty percent.
"At this critical juncture, Young Madam and Young Master Cheng would certainly not deceive us. I am willing to trust them. There are nearly thirty arrows here, which I believe will be of great use, much better than remaining with me. I willingly give up this bow and arrows," the old hunter said softly, dismounting his bow and arrows to give them away.
Everyone’s confidence grew a little, and they began to concentrate their efforts on passing the items. Not a single person faltered. After all, making a mistake at such a time was gambling with one's own life. No one would be that foolish. This also demonstrated, from another angle, that in times of crisis, regardless of their usual behavior, everyone worked together in earnest.
The bow and arrows were quickly passed to Su Miaomiao. Seeing the familiar set, both she and Cheng Hao were somewhat surprised, as it resembled the old bow and arrows of Grandpa Su that they had played with during their somewhat childish phase. However, upon reflection, it didn't seem strange. Old styles of bows were generally similar in appearance. Grandpa Su had a penchant for collecting, so he had many old bows. Some were purchased by himself or were gifts from former comrades, while others were sent by his guilt-ridden sons. Therefore, he had quite a collection.
During their more juvenile years, the two children had found archery to be quite cool and had played with it for a while. Su Miaomiao felt a bit rusty, as later on she had frequented archery clubs and used many modern bows. Modern bows and arrows required less strength and were easier to use. Old bows, on the other hand, might be difficult to even draw without practice. Yet, she and Cheng Hao had indeed practiced with old bows and had good accuracy.
Occasionally, during holidays, they would visit the countryside and practice with the elders. It was an hobby they hadn't entirely abandoned. Now, holding the bow, a sense of familiarity inexplicably washed over her.
Cheng Hao asked, "Any problems?"
Su Miaomiao smiled, raising an eyebrow, and said with a touch of pride, "Of course!" This was a testament to her confidence in her own abilities. As she adapted more and more to this ancient era, the radiant Su Miaomiao of the past seemed to have returned.
Su Miaomiao's resounding "Of course!" stabilized the hearts of many. Xiao Wuzi and Xiao Liuzi became inexplicably excited, though they didn't know why. The young girl's demeanor was incredibly reassuring! She stood up, holding the bow and arrows, and said to her childhood friend, "Same as always!" She would take the lead, and he would provide cover! The two had not only played competitive games like other childhood friends but had also played live-action combat games. Their coordination wasn't just talk. Their tacit understanding was etched into their very bones.
Cheng Hao, on the other hand, worried if he could keep up with her current extraordinary abilities, but he quickly calmed down. He would still assist her with all his might! He smiled back and replied, "Don't worry!"
The two exchanged a brief glance. They understood each other perfectly. What followed was a state of readiness. Cheng Hao continued to issue new instructions, reminding everyone to firmly remember that if the wolf pack attacked rashly, the torches in their hands would be their best weapons. Wolves had fur and could not help but fear fire. Moreover, a wolf's eyes, nose, neck, and waist were its weak points. There was an old saying, "bronze head, iron bones, tofu waist," which was used to describe wolves. Therefore, they needed to strike at these specific areas! This way, they would have a chance to win if the wolves got close! Cheng Hao had integrated all the crucial knowledge and passed it down. Whether everyone could save themselves would depend on their own capabilities. He had done his best.
Everyone naturally understood and expressed that they knew how to respond. The men remained on the outermost perimeter, holding torches and weapons for defense. The people from Shanaocun also brought farm tools, which could now be used. In the end, the most important thing was not to panic. No matter what, thinking of their wives and children, they had to remain calm, as only then would their aim not be off. Their morale surged. In this short time, everything had changed. People had accepted the situation of being surrounded by wolves; if they didn't resist, they would die, so for the sake of survival, they had to fight desperately!
Morale was not an abstract concept; it was a tangible factor that the enemy could perceive. The wolf pack was intelligent and would not engage in a losing battle. They were clearly becoming restless, but their patience was also great, and they were still reluctant to leave. They were still assessing them, determining if an attack was feasible.
Cheng Hao thought about the wine bottles in the convenience store. When encountering fire, they could explode, creating a larger and more intense blaze, especially the small ceramic bottles. They were quite similar to the situation here. If necessary, he could use these small wine bottles to cover for Su Miaomiao. All his mental faculties were working rapidly, as he monitored the situation outside and surveyed all available items in the space convenience store. It also contained lighters. In the warehouse, he had found those old, cheap plastic lighters, which could create small explosions when exposed to fire. These were also valuable.
Almost everyone was on high alert, engaged in a battle of nerves with the wolf pack. Then, there was some good news: Su Miaomiao had located the alpha wolf. The one with its tail held the highest must be the wolf king, the alpha. As the saying goes, "capture the leader to capture the bandits," and this applied equally to wolf packs. The wolf king would generally charge forward first, increasing her chances significantly.
Even better news: the Jin family head, who had been stingy for most of his life, surprisingly had a crossbow in his collection! Although bows and crossbows were different, both had their own advantages and disadvantages. Crossbows had stronger penetration, but the accuracy of a crossbow in this situation might not compare. However, at this moment, having an extra weapon was beneficial. Su Miaomiao readily accepted it. Looking at the well-crafted, expensive item, she was very pleased. Now, everyone's safety was even more assured.
Their morale had surged, while the wolf pack began to show signs of hesitation. Some suggested that perhaps they could scare them away. Su Miaomiao and Cheng Hao were already considering taking down the alpha wolf, as wolf packs tended to persistently pursue. Their sense of smell was too keen, and the reason behind this encounter would need to be investigated later. If they were targeted by hungry wolves, it would be bad luck, but clearly, these wolves did not appear to be starving. This indicated that there must have been someone stirring up trouble, and the culprit would need to be identified later! Otherwise, it would remain a hidden danger, though they couldn't attend to it now. Survival was the priority.