Xiang Dong continued, "This is also fortunate that it's a bit far from our valley, but it still doesn't put our minds at ease.
These people are bandits, they do all sorts of evil. If this nest of bandits, starving during the heavy snow sealing the mountains, were to come to our valley looking for food, it would be too dangerous for our entire family of over ten people living in the valley.
We must find a way to eliminate these bandits so that everyone can rest easy."
Chen Lan didn't say anything this time. She just asked Xiang Dong and Er Hu to wait a moment, then immediately opened the system with her mind and placed an order for two sets of autumn camouflage uniforms and a thermal imaging scope.
She quickly retrieved the camouflage uniforms from the system warehouse with her mind and had them quickly put on by the two of them. She then handed the other thermal imaging scope to Er Hu.
Er Hu took the scope and immediately hung it around his neck. The two of them, accustomed to Chen Lan's instructions, quickly changed into the camouflage uniforms and, armed with crossbows loaded with six carbon steel arrows, circled the valley, preparing to flank the bandits and hide.
Soon, the figures of the two disappeared into the woods, no longer visible. Chen Lan hid behind a large tree, leaning against it, waiting for the two to return.
The wait felt like a long time. Chen Lan tidied the system warehouse with her mind while waiting for Xiang Dong and Er Hu to return. She dared not overuse her mind, and after nearly an hour, Chen Lan quickly withdrew her consciousness from the system, fearing that excessive use of her mind might cause a headache, which would be troublesome if danger arose.
After another half an hour or so, she faintly heard the sound of footsteps treading on fallen leaves. Chen Lan immediately hid behind a large tree, concealing herself.
Since crossing over, Chen Lan felt her senses had become exceptionally keen. She didn't know if it was the original host's inherent constitution or a benefit of the transmigration.
Soon, the footsteps grew closer and were quickly approaching her. Chen Lan clutched the crossbow tightly in her hand, afraid to fire lest she accidentally injure Xiang Dong and Er Hu. She waited until the approaching person spoke.
At that moment, Xiang Dong's voice rang out like a heavenly sound: "Xiao Lan, Xiao Lan, are you still here?"
Chen Lan quickly replied, "Brother Xiang Dong, I am here."
Saying this, she immediately poked her head out from behind the tree.
The three people's tense hearts simultaneously relaxed.
Xiang Dong hurriedly said, "Xiao Lan, let's go quickly! We can talk about any problems as we walk." He said this while walking back.
Chen Lan, holding her crossbow, quickly got up and closely followed Xiang Dong and Er Hu back.
At this point, Xiang Dong turned back to Er Hu and said, "Er Hu, I'll escort Xiao Lan back to the valley. Er Hu, you quickly go to the camp and report to Ming Xuan and Captain Zheng.
We'll meet up here again later. Those few people used grenades today, so they must be afraid of being exposed. Therefore, no matter how late it is, we must catch those few people today, otherwise, I fear they might move to another location and be hard to find."
Er Hu quickly agreed, "Okay! I'll go to the camp now to report to Ming Xuan and the others. I'll lead them and have them send people to catch the bandits with us." After speaking, Er Hu turned and ran off.
As Chen Lan walked along, she asked doubtfully, "Brother Xiang Dong, is the bandit lair on the mountain opposite? How many bandits are there in total in the lair? Can't the three of us handle them?"
Xiang Dong continued to walk forward without stopping, saying as he walked, "Er Hu and I followed them back to their lair. Fearing we might alert them, we didn't dare get too close. They live in a well-hidden cave on that mountain. The front of the cave is covered with vines, and the cave is hidden behind the vines. Changbai Mountain is covered with such vines everywhere; who would pay attention to them?
If you don't search up close, it's very difficult to find them. If Er Hu and I hadn't had the binoculars and followed closely behind them, we wouldn't have been able to discover how they suddenly disappeared."
Xiang Dong took a breath and continued, "After they entered the cave, they never came out again. We didn't see any other bandits come out either, so we can't be sure how many bandits are in the cave. I'm worried there might be other exits from the cave, and they might escape."
Chen Lan said, "So, you asked Brother Er Hu to go to the camp to find Brother Ming Xuan and Captain Zheng to come and suppress the bandits?"
Xiang Dong replied, "That's one reason. Another reason is that the country is now liberated, and our country's policy is to seek help from the government when in difficulty. We cannot arbitrarily kill people or set up private courts. This applies even to bandits. We need to get the higher authorities to resolve this."
After hearing this, Chen Lan nodded and immediately said, "Brother Xiang Dong, you don't need to escort me. I know the way back and can go back by myself. You should stay here and wait for Brother Er Hu and the others!"
Xiang Dong hesitated for a moment and said, "I'll escort you out of this mountain, and then you can walk back by yourself."
Time was pressing, and Chen Lan no longer argued with him, only walking forward quickly. The two of them walked rapidly for over an hour without speaking, heads bowed.
Chen Lan stopped and called out to Xiang Dong, who was walking quickly ahead: "Brother Xiang Dong, you can escort me this far. I know the rest of the way. Hurry back and wait for them!"
Xiang Dong no longer insisted. He simply cautioned, "Xiao Lan, don't delay outside any longer. Hurry back and greet my mother and wife. And Er Hu, tell them we have something to do at the camp and might not be back today."
After seeing Chen Lan nod, he watched her turn and walk away until her figure disappeared from view before turning back and running rapidly along the path they had just taken.
Seeing him run far away, Chen Lan emerged from behind the tree and sighed. She, a novice, shouldn't cause them any more trouble; it was better to go home obediently. She continued to walk quickly in the direction of home.
By the time she returned home, it was already getting dark. As expected, the entire family was waiting in the living room. Her mother-in-law and Uncle De were also there.
As soon as Chen Lan pushed open the living room door, everyone's eyes were fixed on her. The twins, seeing their mother return, joyfully bounced on their mother and Little Mountain's laps. Xiang Xi couldn't help but ask, "Little Lanzi, why are you alone? Where are my brother and Brother Er Hu?"
Chen Lan swallowed and steadied her nerves, saying, "Brother Xiang Dong and Brother Er Hu were kept by Captain Zheng at the camp to spar with the soldiers. They will return tomorrow morning and won't delay the construction of the greenhouse."
Uncle De interjected, "It's alright, it's not a problem. Whether the construction is a day earlier or later doesn't matter. It's rare for Xiang Dong and Er Hu, after being discharged due to their injuries, to meet with their comrades. Let them spar to their heart's content!"
Her mother-in-law quickly agreed, "Yes, yes. Xiang Dong has always blamed himself for the sacrifice of Xiao Lan's elder brother. Let them spar with their comrades in the army, enjoy themselves, and chat to relax their minds."