Zhao Zhu was already upset about not being able to gather three pounds of meat, and when provoked by Zhang Chenxin, he burst out in anger, turning his head to curse, "What the hell do you know!"
Zhang Chenxin sneered, took a few steps closer, and retorted defiantly:
"Then why don't you tell me, what do you know?"
Zhao Zhu's face was grim, and he raised his voice:
"Su Lin's dad is gone, but now Old Su has picked up this old stick again! He shot Hou Yong, his uncle backs him up, isn't that enough?!
If I don't help him gather this three pounds of meat, I might be eating bullets the next day!"
Their argument attracted some villagers who had just returned from outside; many slowed their steps, pricking up their ears.
The Su Family gossip? This is worth listening to.
Zhang Chenxin chuckled, his voice growing louder instead of quieter:
"Eating bullets? He has to survive tonight first! Idiot! Today, in a rush of heat, he upgraded to a Level 2 Safe House; my family's fifteen people barely managed to hold on, and you think he can withstand the whole night's Level 2 beast tide with his pathetic self?"
These words seemed sensible, and several villagers around nodded secretly.
However, Zhao Zhu looked at Zhang Chenxin as though he were a fool:
"Don't you know? This morning, Captain Chang, for his son's private gain, took an interest in Su Lin's fiancée, personally escorted Chang Kun to Su Family to apologize and paid a large chunk of Treasure Meat!"
His voice carried a hint of fear and certainty:
"The Su Family then gave that Treasure Meat to Su Lin! Old Su values him so much now; do you think he would die tonight? Where's your brain?"
"What?!"
"Treasure Meat?!"
"Given to Su Lin?!"
The words 'Treasure Meat' instantly caused an uproar in the crowd.
Zhang Chenxin's eyes widened, his voice breaking sharply, "That's a goddamn waste of good stuff!!"
Someone beside him shouted:
"What's the point of giving Treasure Meat to Su Lin? Has that waste ever practiced Breathing Technique? Can he even hold steady in the first Spirit Posture?"
Another person said:
"Zhao Zhu! Where'd you hear this? Where did Captain Chang get Treasure Meat? If he had it, why wouldn't he save it for Squad Leader Zhong's breakthrough?"
"Exactly! If Squad Leader Zhong used it, wouldn't this month's Night of Survival be safe for everyone?"
"Zhao Zhu, you could be spreading baseless rumors!"
The doubts rose and fell.
Zhao Zhu, enraged and embarrassed, shouted furiously:
"Captain Chang said it himself! After leaving Su Family, he told several people about it! I was there!
He said his son did something stupid, so he used a piece of Treasure Meat to apologize to Su Family and even begged Old Su to lead the team to hunt the Lord by the end of the month! If you don't believe it, you can ask the others who were there at the time!"
This statement was like a huge rock thrown into a deep pool, instantly stirring up towering waves!
"I knew it! There's no need for Treasure Meat to apologize; it turns out it's a reward for inviting Old Su out of retirement!"
"Didn't Old Su retire due to poisoning and injuries? With his health… can he still hunt Lords?"
"Hmph, either he's forcing himself for his grandson, or back then…"
"Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting… Such things can't be blurted out here, idiot!"
"But did Old Su truly give the Treasure Meat to Su Lin? Isn't that a waste! What good is it to give it to that waste!"
The crowd was agitated, with envy for Su Lin getting the Treasure Meat mixing with genuine feelings that the resources were wasted, buzzing together.
Just then, someone sharp-eyed spotted Xiao Lu from Gouhuo Tavern hurriedly passing by with an insulated food box, seemingly heading towards Su Lin's house.
That person's eyes lit up and dashed over, blocking the way.
"Xiao Lu! Xiao Lu!"
Most of the village knew this freckled-faced boy who helped at Gouhuo Tavern, and they especially knew that Tavern owner Old Liu was the village's expert in handling Treasure Meat.
"Are you delivering Treasure Meat to Su Lin's house now?" The person's voice was high-pitched and inciting.
Holding the food box, Liu Lu was startled and instinctively said, "Huh? How, how do you know that?"
The villagers instantly boiled over!
Countless gazes fixed on the insulated food box like hungry wolves, the greed and resentment instantly igniting rationality.
"Is it really Treasure Meat for Su Lin?!"
"No way! We can't waste it! Su Lin does not deserve this Treasure Meat!"
"Yeah! Leave the Treasure Meat! It must not be squandered on him!"
"Even if not for Squad Leader Zhong, it's better given to Old Su, Second Grandfather Su, or even if Captain Chang eats it, than giving it to that waste Su Lin!"
"It would be more useful even if I ate it!"
How precious is Treasure Meat!?
Even the most useless person could at least unlock a Skin Lock by eating a full piece of Treasure Meat!
In their furious indignation, several red-eyed individuals could no longer hold back and reached out their hands towards the terrified Liu Lu!
"What, what are you doing?!" Liu Lu clutched the food box in fright, retreating repeatedly.
Zhao Zhu, seeing this situation, felt his legs weaken on the spot!
Looking at things, it seemed to start from him!
If the Treasure Meat were really robbed, and Su Family flew into a rage, what chance would he have to survive?
Su Sect's Three Tigers.
Old Su's title "Tai Sui Tiger Might" was earned a year ago with blood! Never delayed revenge overnight!
"Are you guys crazy!! This is Su Family's Treasure Meat! Stop it now!!"
Zhao Zhu hurriedly rushed forward to try to protect Liu Lu, "Xiao Lu, run!"
However, more and more people bypassed him, pouncing on the panic-stricken boy like hungry tigers.
Liu Lu was pretty quick-witted, clutched the food box, and raced ferociously towards Su Lin's house.
But after all, he was just an eleven or twelve-year-old child; even having practiced the Dawn Breathing Technique and improved his physique with a bite of Treasure Meat, how could he outrun the similarly trained, strong adult villagers?
Just as a large hand was about to grab his collar—
Swish!
An arrow tore through the air with a piercing whistle, precisely nailing the ground ahead of that person's fingers with a "thud"!
The tail feathers quivered!
"What are you doing?! Trying to rebel, are you?! Dare to touch my squad's Captain Liu's own grandson?!"
Zheng Weimin, holding a hard bow, face sombre, led a team of ferocious Second Squad hunters charging out from the street corner.
The team, wolf-like and tiger-like, rushed forward with a few strides, fiercely kicking and pushing away the villagers pouncing on Liu Lu.
Hou Yong, with his arm in a sling, mingled amongst the burly team members, hopping about haughtily, ranting and spitting at the dispersed villagers, afraid that others might overlook him.
"Damn it! Tired of living, huh? Touching our squad's kid?!"
"Get lost! Get the hell out of here! Who eats the Treasure Meat isn't up to you dumbasses to boss around!"
"Take a piss and see what kind of thing you are! You think you can snatch it just because you're jealous?! Worth it? Worth a damn!"
After scolding them, he immediately switched to a flattering smile, approaching the still unsettled Liu Lu:
"Hey! Hey! Xiao Lu! Look! It's me! It's me, Hou Yong, who first sensed something was wrong and rushed to get Deputy Zheng here! You must remember… Put in some good words for me in front of Master Lin!"
Zheng Weimin couldn't be bothered with Hou Yong's petty schemes, glanced at the chaotic scene, and waved at two team members beside him:
"Escort Xiao Lu to Su Lin's house first, deliver the goods."
"Yes, Deputy!"
"Hey! I'll go with you too! To protect the food box!" Hou Yong quickly tagged along.
Once they left.
Zheng Weimin turned, his gaze like a blade, sweeping over the villagers subdued by the team's aura, not daring to make a move.
He slowly lowered the bow and said, his voice not loud but heavy enough to suffocate everyone:
"All of you, stand right here and think carefully about how big a mess you've just caused!"
The villagers below were intimidated, exchanging helpless glances, somewhat panicked.
Yet someone still shouted defiantly:
"Made a mess? What mess have we made?! Now Squad Leader Zhong is on the verge of a breakthrough; if he breaks through, our whole village will prosper!
"Even Black Scale Village doesn't have a First-Transformed Genetic Martial Artist or a Level 5 Safe House; how can we let them give the Treasure Meat to that waste Su Lin!"