Chapter 453: Overwhelmed

“The village entrances were all blocked; this looked really bad.”

From this perspective, Wangu Village’s situation appeared truly dire.

“I hope Mother and Uncle Dayou are safe.”

Though Zuo Meng had arranged protection for them during peaceful times, those two helpers might fail if real chaos erupted. After all, the people he could contact a year ago weren’t great experts – to hire skilled fighters, one needed connections first.

He’d never encountered those legendary geniuses who’d immediately pledge loyalty. Those arrogant talents all walked with noses upturned – how could they ever serve as subordinates?

The conflict between Wangu Village and Shangqiong Village had dragged on for six months.

Both sides had shed blood by now.

Wangu Village had practically exhausted its fighting capacity. Villagers considered seeking help, first approaching the ‘talented cousin’ in the tribe. Unfortunately, this cousin held little influence and couldn’t mobilize forces. Shangqiong Village wasn’t weak either – they also had tribesmen who outperformed this cousin.

After weighing options, Wangu Village could only endure the onslaught.

As for Zuo Meng? Few villagers knew his current status. Information traveled poorly in these times – even the cousin in the tribe remained unaware of his existence.

“If necessary, surrender. Give them what they want!”

In the meeting hut, the wounded village shaman sat beside an old hunter presiding over discussions. Uncle Dayou, relatively unharmed compared to maimed hunters, owed his condition to Zuo Meng’s arrangements – while unable to secure victory, his protectors at least kept the uncle alive.

“Surrender? Then our brothers died for nothing!” roared a one-armed hunter.

Six months of bloodshed had bred bone-deep hatred.

“What’s your solution then?”

“Fight to the death! We’ll perish together if needed!”

“You go die then! I’ve got family to feed!”

“Spineless coward…”

Tensions exploded – war-weariness finally boiling over.

“Silence!”

The old hunter’s command froze the room.

“Give them the goods.”

The elder took no pleasure in this, but Wangu Village had no alternatives left.

“Elder!”

“This is the shaman’s decree!”

All protests died instantly. The shaman represented absolute authority – their village’s rise from humble beginnings stemmed entirely from having this spiritual leader.

Zuo Meng arrived at dawn the next day.

His leisurely journey included eliminating several Shangqiong hunters besieging the village, inadvertently easing pressure on his home.

The settlement now stood far more desolate than when he’d departed.

Some villagers who had lost loved ones sat by their doors, staring vacantly at the sky, while confused infants cried hungrily. Zuo Meng walked slowly through the village. No one greeted him – to these broken people, the world seemed drained of color.

“Xiao Meng?!”

His mother hadn’t expected his return. The woman threw her arms around her increasingly robust son, tears flowing freely. For this widow, her child represented her entire world.

“You should’ve warned me you were coming.”

After their embrace, she hastily dragged him indoors.

The moment they entered, Zuo Meng spotted the snake-tattooed man he’d hired as his mother’s protector. The tattooed guard gave a subtle nod before melting into the shadows.

“I’ve come to bring you and Uncle Dayou to the tribe.”

Wangu Village remained just a small mountain settlement, too vulnerable to dangers. Better to relocate them under tribal protection. As an elder’s disciple, Zuo Meng could bring two relatives without opposition.

“Us?”

His mother hesitated, homesickness flashing across her face. This was where she’d been raised, where her husband’s memory lingered. Yet seeing her son’s concern, she forced a smile.

“Little Snake, notify Dayou…”

She gestured toward the shadows. After a year’s protection, she’d grown accustomed to the tattooed man. He’d arrived bearing Zuo Meng’s token, making her regard him as family.

Uncle Dayou agreed immediately when notified. His household consisted of three: a taciturn dark-skinned wife and their rowdy toddler whose fiery temperament caught Zuo Meng’s attention – the child showed potential.

The group traveled safely to tribal lands. None dared challenge Zuo Meng’s tribal garments in their own territory. Only the village shaman sighed at their departure – Wangu had bet on his “talented cousin” instead of Zuo Meng. Now successful, Zuo Meng faced no resentment.

After settling his family, Zuo Meng resumed Closed Door Meditation. Mid-third stage strength remained insufficient. The chaotic world demanded more power, especially for his personal quest.

In his chamber, golden insect eggs splashed into boiling dark-green liquid.

“Finally usable,” Zuo Meng murmured of his insect-control technique. His spellcasting surpassed even the Elder of Beast Control’s methods, particularly regarding delicate insect manipulation – a rare skill honed through Dream Realm simulations.

The brewing eggs contained Nine Foods, real-world insects bred from multiple Poisonous Insects. His Dream Realm-derived process left no room for error.