Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!

Chapter 266 - 258: Every Citizen a Soldier

They never expected to encounter a group of down-and-out beauties while fleeing from calamity. The two groups instantly clicked, each getting what they needed, forming the team they have now.

The leader is a rugged man with a scarred face, standing eight feet tall, with a thickset body and a bold, unrestrained demeanor.

With his rough voice, he said, "We people of the Jianghu speak of righteousness and rely on strength. It’s not easy to make me bow down. If anyone has the skills to earn my respect and conviction, I’ll follow their orders without question!"

Quan Bin’s words were music to Xiaoxiao’s ears. She liked straightforward people who could prove themselves with strength, bypassing all the unnecessary twists and turns.

Several people turned their gaze toward Xiaoxiao, sensing that Quan Bin’s words were hinting at something. Was he challenging her authority as a woman, or was he trying to test her?

After all, no one has seen the young lady in action.

Previously, they didn’t take her seriously. What they’d seen and heard over the past half month completely shattered their traditional views and thought processes.

The team may not be large, but its members were organized and efficient, each knowing their role.

What’s especially astonishing were the children in the group, each of whom had to learn, regardless of gender, receiving equal instruction.

In the morning, the sound of reading echoing throughout the snow-covered woods was orderly and powerful, making the still winter seem vibrant, which was particularly precious and attracted the curious gazes of those from the trailing team.

Poor children envied them greatly, wishing they could join too.

Not only did the children need to study, but they also had to train their bodies and practice martial arts, with the boys and girls having the same lessons.

They practiced martial arts in designated locations, away from the crowd, with someone guarding them so no one could steal their techniques.

They also had a formidable Guard Team, each member capable of taking on ten opponents at once.

But the biggest surprise came when, within just a few days of departure, a group of thirty or forty men caught up with the vast group of refugees, surpassing them to target the 132th Regiment.

Everyone believed that with Xiaoxiao’s team consisting mostly of old, weak women and children, their combat effectiveness depended on a guard team of thirty to forty men, predicting an ominous outcome and debating whether to help.

Yet, they decisively annihilated the thirty or forty men with thunderous tactics, leaving no survivors.

It completely overturned their perceptions. If the victory was merely due to the Guard Team’s formidable martial arts, it wouldn’t have been so shocking.

Still fresh in their minds was the moment when the young lady commanded, "First team, clear the way. Second and third teams, go!"

The Guard Team split apart but did not engage. The ones who did were a group of women and half-grown children, some as young as seven or eight.

At that time, Fang Zheng and Lu Jingtian’s family were anxious.

They wanted to step in but were stopped by Patrol Team Captain Cheng Beiniu.

The worried looks of some contrasted sharply with the eager women and children.

The hostiles weren’t strong, allowing Xiaoxiao to permit Cheng Jia to join the fray.

Excitedly, he took off his cumbersome outer cotton-padded coat, mumbling to himself, "This is the new coat mother tailored for me, better not get it dirty or torn."

He then picked up his weapon, lining up at the end of the attacking team, with others following suit, shedding their outer coats.

Indeed, they felt much more unburdened, brimming with fighting spirit.

And the general sentiment was, what kind of eccentric group is this?

Don’t they realize the predicament they’re in shortly? And yet, they’ve time to worry about whether their clothes will tear? ...At stake is their very lives...

As everyone feared for them!

Amidst the disdainful scoffs of the opposite, vicious thugs!

The two groups clashed.

But the women and children showed no fear, with eyes full of a chilling ruthlessness, entirely different from their usual playful selves.

They fought, often two against one, or three surrounding one.

With agile movement techniques, they either ambushed, feigned attacks, or confronted directly, collaborating seamlessly, striking the opponent’s vital points whenever an opportunity arose.

The assailants suffered throats slit or bodies pierced through; some even had their brains spilled out, the brutality leaving onlookers in awe.

It left the surrounding crowd shivering involuntarily in fear.

In less than fifteen minutes...

The thirty or forty attackers were all utterly dead.

Their ruthlessness shocked everyone present.

Even more outrageous was their looting for spoils, with such techniques and swiftness, it seemed like they’d done it countless times.

Once done, they buried the bodies and covered the bloodstains, then cheerfully ran off to claim credits and calculate work points.

It made people doubt they were even the same individuals from before.

Since then, no one dared provoke the team again.

They realized just then how fearsome this team was.

Despite their small numbers, nearly everyone could fight.

With women and children like this, let alone the dozens of strong men who trained daily.

No longer did anyone dare underestimate Xiaoxiao as a weak female.

To lead the whole team and train the women under her to be so formidable...

Her strength mustn’t be underestimated, otherwise, how could she command everyone to follow orders without hesitation?

Of course, speculating is one thing, but seeing is another; they were eager to see if Xiaoxiao’s real strength matched her formidable reputation.

The topic returned, and when they looked at Xiaoxiao, she openly admitted she wanted to be the leader.

"Since several candidates were chosen, let’s compete fairly and let our strength speak." Xiaoxiao said as she gestured towards the front’s skirmish.

"After those two finish fighting, whoever first takes down the victor will be our new team’s leader."

The suggestion was very fair, offering everyone an equal shot at leadership.

Seeing Xiaoxiao’s confidence, they couldn’t help but wonder if she indeed possessed such astonishing strength to compete against them, but...her frail-looking figure seemed too fragile, unlikely to withstand a gust of wind.

It was then that Lin Yiqiu raised a concern.

"Might we antagonize two major factions from the outset? If they join forces against us, we stand no chance."

Xiaoxiao scoffed, "By appearing here, we’ve already offended everyone, not just two factions."

Everyone stayed silent; they were no fools to lead the team this far, understanding the critical point.

They’re now stuck in a difficult position, whether they fight or not, offend or not, they’re a coveted target, everyone wanting a piece.

And what would those who can’t have a piece think? What would they do?

They’d rather destroy...than let it pass!