However, on second thought, Chen Fan felt he was overthinking it.
First of all, they had just left the stronghold not long ago, and their hands were empty. Even if the people on the other side were really from Li Family Stronghold, there was nothing to worry about. Moreover, this group of people was apparently coming back with a full load.
Secondly, the numbers didn't add up.
This group had too many people, nearly thirty, while the number of people at Li Family Stronghold was only around thirteen or fourteen.
Of course, most importantly, he saw the Wei Brothers among the crowd.
Evidently, this Hunting Team in front of him probably came from Zhao Family Castle.
"They're people from Zhao Family Castle."
A voice echoed from the team.
"Look, Celestial Craft and Celestial Essence are over there!"
"It seems their harvest is quite bountiful."
"After all, Zhao Family Castle is a major stronghold with over a thousand people, not something a small camp can compare to."
People whispered among themselves.
"Let's wait for them to pass by first."
Chen Guodong whispered, a look of undisguised sorrow in his eyes.
The bald man patted his shoulder and sighed lightly.
The people from Zhao Family Castle also saw Chen Guodong and his group a hundred meters away. They whispered among themselves, but the distance was too great to make out their words. The Wei Brothers were also among them.
At that moment, Wei Tianyuan ran to the front of his group and said something. Then, to the complete surprise of Chen Guodong and his group, he actually ran towards them, holding a desert rabbit weighing about twenty to thirty pounds in his right hand.
Chen Fan was equally bewildered, a thought popping into his mind—could it be?
In just half a minute, Wei Tianyuan was standing before them, "Brother Guodong, this is for you."
He smiled as he handed the desert rabbit to Chen Guodong.
The latter instinctively took it, then immediately pushed it back as if electrocuted, saying, "Tianyuan, what are you doing? Take this rabbit back; I can't accept it."
"Yes, Tianyuan, do you know what you're doing? What will they think if they see this?" The usually carefree Liu Yong also put on a serious face for once.
In the distance, people from Zhao Family Castle stopped and looked over.
"Don't worry," Wei Tianyuan said nonchalantly, "I already asked Brother Zhao, and he has no objection. Brother Guodong, please take it. I don't have much time."
With that, he glanced at Chen Fan, who was holding a longbow and carrying an arrow quiver, and felt a pang of sorrow, nearly bursting into tears.
What a pitiful child, not even an adult yet, already out hunting with the people from the stronghold. What if they encountered danger...
He didn't dare think further.
"Tianyuan..."
Chen Guodong was about to say something, but the other waved his hand, saying, "That's enough. I need to get back. I can't keep the others waiting too long. Brother Guodong, everyone, take care."
With that, he turned and quickly ran off.
"Third Brother Zhao, thank you."
He ran to the front of the team and thanked a burly man.
"Thank me for what?"
The burly man sneered, "Anyway, the stuff you gave away will be deducted from your brothers' shares when we get back to the castle."
"Yes, I know." Wei Tianyuan smiled warmly at him, then returned to the end of the team.
"Tch."
The burly man sneered disdainfully.
The others watched this unfold, some gloating, some sneering, and some shaking their heads in regret.
This newcomer dared to make such a request in front of so many people. Could Third Brother Zhao refuse? Otherwise, wouldn't it make him look petty?
As for feeling sorry, it's ridiculous. The world is full of people to feel sorry for. Many are homeless or eaten by Fierce Beasts. Are only people from Chen Family Stronghold pitiful? Aren't their own families pitiful?
Just keep a low profile when you first arrive, for goodness' sake.
"Brother."
Wei Tianyuan returned to Wei Tiangong's side, chuckling.
Wei Tiangong shook his head slightly, sighing inwardly.
His younger brother was still too impulsive. If he was going to do something like this, he should have at least consulted him first.
But what was done was done, and there was no point in talking about it now. Besides, he too saw Chen Fan among the crowd and felt a pang of sadness.
This child had to go out hunting at such a young age. If only the two brothers hadn't left, would this have happened?
Forget it, they've shared so many years of affection. How could they remain indifferent? As for the consequences, we'll deal with them slowly.
Watching the team from Zhao Family Castle gradually depart, Chen Guodong and his group remained bewildered until the last figure disappeared.
"So, Tianyuan specifically came over to bring us hunting gains. He still cares about us." Someone choked up.
"Yes, he must think we're having a hard time now."
"This might not actually be a good thing..."
Chen Guodong sighed.
Everyone suddenly fell silent.
Indeed, although they didn't lack a desert rabbit, who would mind a free gain? But if they were from Zhao Family Castle and Wei Tianyuan did something like this, it would be rather indecent.
No matter how generous, they would feel upset inside.
Chen Fan also furrowed his brows.
This would make it even harder for them to establish themselves in Zhao Family Castle, right? The stronger they were, the more suspicion they'd face. Uncle Tianyuan shouldn't have done this.
"Blame me."
Chen Guodong sighed, looking at the desert rabbit in his arms, "I should have stopped him then."
"It's no use," the bald man shook his head, "The moment he ran over here, it was already done. Even if you return the rabbit, the result would be the same. Let's hope we're just overthinking it."
"Ah!"
At that moment, someone suddenly woke up, glancing at Chen Fan, "We should have told them about Xiaofan. The stronghold isn't what it used to be; if they could come back..."
He trailed off, unable to continue.
Indeed, what would it accomplish even if they told them?
Zhao Family Castle wasn't a place to come and go as one pleased.
"Alright, it's done. Discussing it further is pointless. Let's hope today's incident blows over. If they ever want to come back, I'll welcome them with open arms," Chen Guodong said.
"Me too."
"Me too."
Everyone chimed in.
The atmosphere, which had been cheerful, now turned somber.
And more troubles were yet to come. Whether it was because Zhao Family Castle had already swept through, or just plain bad luck, they found nothing after nearly an hour, not even in their traps.
The group was drenched in sweat, parched.
"We can't go any further."
Suddenly, the bald man stopped, looking at the wilderness ahead. The vegetation grew thicker, and even the once-rare trees were becoming common. Shadows hovered in the sky, watching them.
"We've walked almost ten miles already; ahead lies the danger zone."