Chapter 23: This Is the Real Nerd Village Chief

Lu Chuan’s eyes held a hint of a smile. Su Ruan’s archery skills were truly no joke. Women who came from the General’s Mansion carried an indescribable wildness about them, and that shot of hers was undeniably skillful.

"Ah..." Zhao Xi, reacting a beat too late, hurriedly let out a cry and instinctively tossed his bow aside.

In the blink of an eye, Su Ruan had already drawn another arrow, nocked it, and pulled the bowstring again. The entire process was as fluid as flowing water, without the slightest hesitation.

"Uncle Zhao!" Lu Chuan looked at Zhao Dabao, his eyes narrowing slightly. "It seems your people aren't so impressive after all."

"Su Ruan!" Lu Chuan called out again.

Su Ruan nodded in response. "At your command, Boss."

"Remember this," Lu Chuan said, his voice laced with mockery. "From now on, if anyone from Zhao Family Village moves, shoot them. No need to aim for the head—just aim for their feet."

"Understood," Su Ruan replied with a nod.

Lu Chuan yawned, looked at Zhao Dabao, and spread his hands. "Oh, my apologies, I just remembered something. Since I only recently took up hunting, I'm a bit inexperienced and didn't prepare many arrows. How many are left, exactly?"

As he spoke, Lu Chuan glanced at Su Ruan.

Su Ruan replied coolly, "Boss, there are seven arrows left."

"Hmm," Lu Chuan mused. "But there are thirteen of them." He looked at Zhao Dabao with a feigned expression of concern. "How about I give you a suggestion? If you all charge at once, she surely won't have enough arrows for everyone. And we definitely wouldn't be able to react in time." A cruel smile tugged at the corner of Lu Chuan's mouth.

Zhao Dabao’s face twitched violently. Of course he knew that tactic, but even if they caught the others off guard, she would still take down two people, and Lu Chuan would surely take down two more. The losses on his side would be too great.

Yet, having arrived with such a threatening air, leaving now felt humiliating. Hatred burned in his eyes as he glared at Lu Chuan. "Hmph, I never thought you were such a ruthless person, nephew."

"No choice, really," Lu Chuan said, his eyes narrowing. "A man has to survive. In this day and age, good people don't live long. So, whoever wants to be the 'good guy' can have at it. If you think I’m easy to bully, you’ve truly picked the wrong target."

"Let's go!" Zhao Dabao roared, though he was deeply unwilling. He knew that today, there was no benefit to be gained from Lu Chuan without paying a heavy price. However, Lu Chuan would eventually have to head up the mountain. When that time came, things would be out of his control. A cruel glint flickered in Zhao Dabao's eyes at the thought.

*Thwack.*

"Ah!" Zhao Dabao let out a miserable shriek as he collapsed to the ground, an arrow pinned firmly through his foot.

Su Ruan looked at the group coldly, her expression void of emotion. "Did you not understand what the Boss said? No one is allowed to move! Whoever moves, I shoot!"

Her voice sent a chill through everyone present.

Zhao Dabao glared at Lu Chuan with fury. "You—what exactly are you trying to do? Can't you control your own woman?"

"Why would I control her?" Lu Chuan asked, smiling down at Zhao Dabao. "She is simply following my orders to the letter. Not only will I not stop her, I intend to reward her."

Lu Chuan crouched down, inspected the injured foot, and then casually yanked the arrow out.

"Aah!" A piercing scream echoed as Zhao Dabao’s body shuddered uncontrollably, cold agony flooding through him.

"What... what do you want?" Zhao Dabao looked at Lu Chuan, truly afraid now. He could sense that this man didn't value their lives in the slightest. Even if he killed them all, he wouldn't bat an eye.

"Nothing much," Lu Chuan said, his face still wearing a gentle smile. "I just heard you beat up the village chief. The chief represents the face of our village; striking him is an insult to all of Shuangshui Village. We really ought to settle that debt, shouldn't we?"

With that, Lu Chuan looked up at Li Yanjun. "Go, invite the village chief over."

Li Yanjun was too terrified to speak. He hadn't expected Lu Chuan’s woman to be so ruthless—she shot without a moment's hesitation. He hurried off toward the head of the village.

"What... what do you intend to do?" Zhao Dabao had lost all his earlier arrogance, his eyes fixed on Lu Chuan. "We're all just trying to make a living in these mountains. There's no need to push us to the brink, is there?"

"Push you to the brink?" Lu Chuan curled his lip. "I haven't done that yet. But you hitting our village chief—that definitely needs a proper explanation. When he gets here, you will apologize sincerely. If he forgives you, then today’s business will be settled for now. How about that?"

Lu Chuan narrowed his eyes. Sun Zhi was a scholar—a bit pedantic, perhaps, but quite clever. He wasn't the type to be a pushover, otherwise, he wouldn't have remained village chief for so long. He had taken the humiliation earlier only because he had no choice—Zhao Family Village was strong, and Shuangshui Village was weak. Now that Lu Chuan had provided an opportunity, he knew Sun Zhi wouldn't let it slide easily.

Sure enough, before long, Li Yanjun returned to the courtyard with a strange expression.

"Where is the village chief?" Lu Chuan asked.

"Well, Brother Chuan," Li Yanjun stammered, "I'm terribly sorry. The village chief said that after being beaten by the people from Zhao Family Village earlier, he's feeling dizzy, his vision is blurred, his legs ache, and his body is stiff, so he can't make it over."

Hearing this, Lu Chuan burst into laughter. That was his bookworm village chief, alright.