Chapter 13: Survival of the Fittest

Upon witnessing this scene, everyone was stunned, unable to fathom what the bandits were up to—were they performing a ritual to the heavens? At that moment, within the Ninth Squad, Hu San, just returned from his morning exercises, brightened with realization and murmured, “Damn it, they’ve finally shown their true colors. I thought this place was really a fair and just kingdom town.”

“So it’s still that survival-of-the-fittest bandit stronghold. Now I can finally fill my belly!” Ever since Hu San enjoyed a hearty meal on the first morning, he had resolved to eat his fill at every meal. Yet, his plans could not keep pace with changing circumstances.

From lunch onward, the food supply for the Ninth Squad was reduced to match the other squads. Although Hu San’s dominance within the Ninth allowed his underlings to share a portion of their food with this voracious leader, the combined amount was never enough to sate his hunger.

Correspondingly, the warmth generated from eating became scarce. Thus, securing food became a pressing issue. Seeing his own squad’s portions dwindle, Hu San could no longer bring himself to snatch from their plates—after all, they were his foundation. Without their support, he would struggle to survive alone.

As for extorting from other squads, first, he didn’t know how the stronghold would react; second, each squad was united like a family, one hundred people strong. While Hu San could easily kill them, taking food without bloodshed was a fantasy. If it came to a fight, Hu San would surely be overwhelmed if he charged into a hundred-strong group—this was beyond doubt.

Thus, for five days, Hu San resumed his half-hungry, half-full existence. While the other squads were left bewildered, only Hu San, driven by his relentless hunger, discerned the bandits’ intentions.

The food was stored in a large field surrounded equally by all squads, making the distance from each squad roughly the same. Clearly, the bandits had gathered the previously distributed food together, now adopting a “might makes right” policy, fitting the bandits’ nature of survival of the strongest.

“Tan Yue, Xiang Bang, Lei Ming—you each take ten strong guards and stand watch outside. Everyone else, follow me to collect the food. Remember, act quickly!”

“Yes!” “Yes!” “Yes!”

With Hu San’s command, the entire Ninth Squad sprang into action. Under the dumbfounded gaze of the other squads, the hundred members of the Ninth shot forward like arrows, charging into the field.

When Hu San led his squad onto the field and began their orderly raid of the provisions, the leaders of the other squads finally realized what was happening—their expressions changed dramatically.

Suddenly, the entire area of the second phase erupted; shouts resounded as squads surged forward like hungry wolves, rushing toward the central field.

The Ninth Squad had completed their raid and, guarded by thirty fierce youths, began their swift retreat. The squad moved with steadiness, their formation tight and composed, guards brimming with energy, and the food carriers fierce and determined, like tigers descending the mountain—nothing could stand in their way. Though they took much, it was scant compared to the total provisions among sixteen squads, so even as they crossed paths with others, no conflicts arose.

Once safely back at their camp, everyone, Hu San included, breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Looking at the scattered heaps of grain, Lin Hu licked his lips and exclaimed with excitement, “Third Brother, looks like we’ve grabbed enough for three squads! Damn, that was easy.”

He glanced at the mountain of food still on the field and suggested, “Damn, their reaction was so slow—still fighting over there. Why not go for another round?”

“Don’t be too greedy!” Hu San knocked Lin Hu on the head, looked back toward the field, and said, “It’s not worth provoking everyone for a bit more. This is just the beginning!”

“Everyone, eat your fill. Whatever’s left, stash it in the finished log cabins. If my guess is right, lunch will be much the same, but with this morning’s precedent, it won’t be as easy next time.”

Tan Yue blinked, puzzled. “So, according to you, Third Brother, what should we do at noon? Should we stake out a spot near the field ahead of time?”

Xiang Bang and Lei Ming nodded in agreement. After days of training, Hu San’s strength now surpassed all in the Ninth Squad, even stronger than most grown bandits, earning their full respect.

“That won’t be necessary.” Hu San, stuffing food into his mouth and savoring the warmth spreading within, kept his gaze fixed on the field and said gravely, “Come lunchtime, it’ll all depend on real strength to grab food. Whether you’re early or late, the result will be the same.”

“Without strength, even if you seize food, you can’t bring it back to camp. Even if you do, keeping it is another matter.”

“Five days is enough for differences to show. In short, until absolute power emerges, every meal will be fought over.”

Lei Ming nodded in understanding. Compared to the rugged Tan Yue and Xiang Bang, his mind was sharper—both a fighter and a strategist. If not for Hu San, Lei Ming would surely have led the Ninth Squad.

He said, “With our Ninth’s strength, facing one squad is no problem. But if several attack at once, even Third Brother couldn’t keep much food.”

“But if we only take our rightful share and show a bit of force, no squad would risk starting a big fight. The downside is less food gained.”

After Lei Ming’s words, silence fell. The few gathered around Hu San were the Ninth Squad’s leadership—their decisions were the squad’s decisions.

“So what do we do?” Xiang Bang, seeing Hu San’s silence, rolled his eyes anxiously and frowned. “Are we just going to watch others snatch everything? Never mind Third Brother’s appetite, what about our reputation? Once we go soft, regaining our hard edge is nearly impossible. I say we don’t play the fool!”

“It’s not playing the fool, just a slow approach. At first, hang back, then act when the situation is clearer and the pressure is shared. That way, we have room to maneuver,” Lei Ming argued, clearly not keen on being the first to stick his neck out.

“Food cannot be yielded.”

After listening, Hu San concluded decisively, “The establishment of order must go through chaos, and that’s where we are now. Food determines a squad’s strength—it cannot be given up. With enough food, training can be thorough, strength grows, and it’s a cycle; fall behind once, and you fall further every step.”

“Moreover, not only food, but reputation cannot be yielded.”

“If the Ninth Squad wants to stand firm, we must be the creators of order, not just participants. Only then can we reap maximum benefit.”

“Still, Lei Ming has a point. If we risk being attacked by all, let’s be even more forceful. While alliances haven’t formed and squads act alone, crush any group that dares block us—make them think twice. In the afternoon, we’ll go last!”

Hearing Hu San’s resolute decision, Tan Yue and Lei Ming exchanged wry smiles. They knew Hu San’s word was law; their task was not whether to obey, but how.

Only Xiang Bang, hearing this wild command, was not troubled at all, but full of eager anticipation.

Since a major operation was planned for noon, all the food gathered was devoured. Hu San, of course, feasted once again, and the others also stuffed themselves. Then they resumed their daily work repairing the stronghold, quietly awaiting midday.

At that moment, the Ninth Squad wasn’t the only one waiting. Not to mention the adults of the first phase, just among the kids of the second phase, members of the Second Squad were busy in the deep woods, chopping trees and shaping them as the bandits required, preparing for traps and mechanisms in Wolf Fang Stronghold.

Nearby, another squad worked on the exposed rocky hillside, selecting suitable stones and hammering them down with their tools. At the center stood a handsome youth swinging a massive iron hammer—though thin, he wielded the ten-pound hammer as if it were made of paper, effortlessly spinning it and creating flourishes.

With a few strikes, the youth’s output matched that of seven or eight others.

After smashing away for a while, the youth tossed the hammer aside and called over a few mates, giving instructions. Then he looked up at the woods on the slope and slipped into the forest.

For ordinary members, not working as assigned might bring punishment, but for leaders, these constraints were much looser—one of the perks of leadership.

The youth entered the woods, entering the Second Squad’s work area. It seemed he was familiar to them; though the Second Squad members showed little warmth, they neither questioned nor stopped him.

Soon, a round and chubby boy bounced out of the depths of the woods, so adorable it was hard to tell if he was growing up or sideways.

Yet his voice was the opposite of his appearance—raspy as a drake. He called out, “Man Shi, what brings you to my Second Squad today? Can’t make it in the Fifteenth anymore?”