As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings fell completely silent. After a short while, the villagers grew anxious:
"Hunter Xu, is this true?"
Hunter Xu nodded:
"It should be true. The two elderly people we encountered said their youngest son was captured by Butcher Hu. They told us Butcher Hu let the old folks go specifically to inform us of this matter.
Moreover, they knew Da Zhuang's Mother's name. Without any grievance or enmity, there's no reason for them to lie about such a thing."
Qin Sang curled her fingers and pressed her lips tightly together, not rushing to speak.
Old Sixth Tian said:
"Aiyo, Butcher Hu must have a grudge against our village! Otherwise, why would he only burn our village and not the others?"
Guihua's Father said indignantly:
"If we had known, we shouldn't have let him go that day."
The other villagers were also helpless:
"It's too late to say all that now. We should think about what to do."
For a moment, the scene fell into silence. Qin Sang felt the occasional glances falling on her and knew everyone was now weighing their options.
Butcher Hu was also clever. Knowing he might not find them in the mountains, he used the entire village's houses as leverage, forcing everyone to hand over her family.
Qin Sang dared not hope they would choose to protect her. She could only prepare for the worst.
She only hoped these villagers wouldn't act immediately, restraining her family tonight. If she could just have one night, she could leave this place.
"Regarding this matter, shouldn't we call all the adults in the village to discuss it?"
Qin Sang wanted to buy time so she could go home and let the others prepare.
Qin Sang also understood clearly in her heart that once she left, if the heavens withheld rain for another month, what awaited these people would only be death.
She couldn't blame herself for abandoning the villagers and leaving on her own. She had already done her utmost for everyone in the village. If they wanted her to die, she would never just surrender.
As for Heizi and Carpenter Zhao and the others, they weren't from Tianjia Village. She didn't know if they would leave with her.
Qin Sang had already made up her mind. If they agreed to go with her, she would take them along. If they refused, she wouldn't force them. It was their own choice; their life or death would have nothing to do with her from then on.
After hearing Qin Sang's words, the village chief scanned the crowd:
"What do you all think?"
Guihua's Father said directly:
"No need. Those who came are the heads of their households. Bringing the women and children over would just cause trouble. Women have short-sighted views and would only create a noisy mess."
Da Hua's Father also agreed:
"Right. With so many grown men here, we can make the decisions."
Old Sixth Tian also nodded:
"Too many people would just lead to everyone saying different things, causing trouble instead."
The others also agreed one after another, deciding not to call their family members over.
Qin Sang felt secretly anxious. Had they guessed she would try to find a way to leave, leaving her no opportunity at all? Though her heart was in turmoil, her expression remained unchanged as she forced a smile and said:
"Well, since that's the case, let's all discuss together and see what plans we have."
The village chief continuously twisted his dry tobacco pipe in his hands, his turbid eyes filled with worry:
"Butcher Hu is ruthless and vicious. Back when his ex-wife was abused to death by him... Since he said this, he'll definitely do it. If he says he'll burn the village, he'll burn the village."
The others nodded. Hunter Xu added:
"That couple said they've been in the mountains for four or five days. That means we don't have much time left for Tianjia Village. In another two or three days, if Butcher Hu doesn't see anyone handed over, he'll set the village on fire."
"Damn it, why doesn't a bolt of lightning strike that Butcher Hu dead?"
Qin Sang listened as they argued back and forth. No one spoke up about whether to hand her over or not. She guessed no one wanted to be the villain, but once someone suggested it, the others would likely agree.
This was human nature; everyone had their own selfish interests.
Qin Sang's eyes turned cold as she spoke up:
"Everyone, don't be troubled. Butcher Hu is targeting my family. You're being threatened because of my family's involvement.
Actually, Butcher Hu hates me the most. After all, I went back on my word and tricked him, causing him to lose face in Tianjia Village.
If he wants to vent his anger, just hand me over. I only hope everyone can spare my children.
They're still young and innocent, especially Er Fu. If not for me, she wouldn't have suffered so much.
Can everyone agree to my request?"
Qin Sang had already made up her mind. As long as she made everyone see she had no intention of escaping, she should still be free tonight.
As soon as Qin Sang finished speaking, the village chief abruptly stood up from the stone, sternly rebuking:
"Da Zhuang's Mother, what kind of talk is this? Do you think the villagers would listen to Butcher Hu's threats and hand your family over in exchange for everyone's safety?"
Qin Sang's mouth opened slightly. Her eyes looked at the anger revealed on the old village chief's face, as if trying to discern whether it was genuine or not.
In her heart, she wondered if the village chief was truly worried about her or just saying polite words because she was being understanding...
On second thought, the village chief was, after all, related to her. It was possible he couldn't bear it. But there were so many people in the village, and not all were surnamed Tian.
People's hearts are hidden behind their chests. Even if one or two didn't agree to compromise, what about the others?
They say the minority obeys the majority. If most people became afraid, the village chief would have to consider the interests of the greater number.
While she was pondering this, Qin Sang heard Hunter Xu speak up:
"I agree with the village chief. Not to mention Da Zhuang's Mother has saved the lives of our entire village several times—we can't be such ungrateful people—even if Da Zhuang's Mother hadn't saved us, we still couldn't push out an innocent woman to shield ourselves from disaster.
If we can push someone else out today, who's to say it won't be our turn tomorrow?
Moreover, given Butcher Hu's cruel and violent temper, even if we hand over Da Zhuang's Mother, he might not spare the rest of us villagers. Instead, we might all be wiped out by him."
Da Hua's Father also nodded and said:
"If not for Da Zhuang's Mother, our village would have starved to death long ago. If the houses burn, they burn. They're just a few mud-brick houses anyway.
We all have hands and feet. We built so many wooden huts in just a few days. Couldn't we build a few more rough houses?"
Old Sixth Tian also agreed:
"Build nothing! If they really get burned, we might as well settle down and make our homes right here in the mountains."
Zhou Lin's Wife spoke even more bluntly:
"Da Zhuang's Mother saved the lives of our entire family. Whoever wants to push her to her death, our whole family won't agree."
"Right, and my family too."
"My family as well. We can do without the houses. We didn't starve or die of thirst after entering the mountains. Not having houses to live in is nothing."
The other villagers also nodded one after another:
"Right. There are houses, firewood, and land here. The mountains are full of fruit and game. When the heavens send rain, there's a waterfall and a riverbed here, so we won't lack water.
We can dig the land, plant vegetables and grains, live off the mountains, and won't starve."
"Let's do just that. Settling in the mountains means we don't have to pay grain taxes either."
"Exactly. I've been feeling uneasy ever since hearing about Tian Hongmei's family burning over a hundred people to death."
"Right, and my house is close by. If Butcher Hu really sets fires, burning it all clean might be better."
"Da Zhuang's Mother, you must never say such things again. Hearing it feels like you're calling us beasts, not humans."