Chapter 169: Go Raid a Herd of Cattle, Sheep, and Women

On the western side of the vast prairie, a series of undulating, winding mountain ranges stretch across the horizon.

Standing tall and majestic, these mountains act like giant guardians protecting the boundless grasslands.

On the other side of the mountains lies an ancient forest, dense, lush, deep, and shrouded in mystery.

Normally, the place is peaceful and tranquil, as if completely isolated from the outside world.

Yet on one such serene morning, a sudden disaster shattered this peace.

From the sky above the distant mountains, billows of thick smoke suddenly erupted, instantly followed by raging flames shooting into the sky!

The roaring inferno illuminated half the firmament, casting a horrifying, hellish glow over the entire deep mountain forest.

If the fire could not be contained, there was a high likelihood it would spread along the mountain ranges toward the prairie.

When that happened, not only would the cattle, horses, and sheep on the grassland be affected, but the lives of the people living there would also be in grave danger.

In this era, there were no professional firefighting teams, only a few forest patrolmen responsible for the daily monitoring and protection of the woodlands.

Consumed by burning anxiety, the head of the livestock farm immediately called the local public security bureau to report the situation.

Upon hearing the news, the director of the public security bureau felt his vision go dark with panic.

A forest fire was a matter of utmost gravity; any mishandling could result in numerous casualties.

The public security director hurriedly sought support from the border armed police force.

Learning of the situation, higher authorities immediately issued orders, and several thousand fully armed armed police officers were dispatched to conduct firefighting operations in the deep mountains near the prairie.

Before setting off, fire-fighting experts briefed everyone on fire suppression techniques and potential accidents that might occur subsequently.

Even knowing the possibility of sacrifice, everyone wore resolute expressions and bravely headed for the front lines.

...

Lin Xiaodou was just preparing today's lunch when she learned about the forest fire in the mountains west of the prairie.

This was truly ominous.

In this day and age, without firefighters or specialized equipment, fire-fighting relied entirely on manual labor, making the process extremely slow.

If the forest fire got out of control and spread toward the grassland, everyone would be in danger!

Back in modern times, a poignant and popular sad love song titled Mohe Ballroom had gone viral, originating from a catastrophic northern forest fire back in the 1980s.

Curious at the time, Lin Xiaodou had looked it up online.

After seeing the death toll from the fire and those desolate, devastated images, her heart could not find peace for a long time.

If even with the massive mobilization of firefighting personnel in the eighties the losses were so tragic, the situation in the seventies could not be ignored under any circumstances.

Lin Xiaodou quickly searched through the books in her spatial dimension for methods to combat forest fires.

After reading through the plans, she immediately found the head of the livestock farm, laying out her concerns and solutions in meticulous detail:

"I once read about methods for dealing with forest fires in a book, and I wanted to share them with you..."

At that moment, the livestock farm director was frantic and at his wits' end due to the raging fire.

Upon hearing Lin Xiaodou's words, he immediately relayed the methods to the research institute and the armed police force.

He also mobilized a large number of laborers to assist the armed police in extinguishing the fierce blaze.

Everyone except non-essential staff, the elderly, and children—all able-bodied adults—had to be deployed!

Fearing any unforeseen accidents, everyone traveled in small groups.

Liu Yan'er was having her period these past two days, suffering from severe abdominal cramps, and could only lie in bed to rest.

Consequently, Lin Xiaodou, Zhu Damei, and Batu acted together.

Originally, Old Man Wang also wanted to go, but Lin Xiaodou persuaded him otherwise:

"Given your poor health, it is better if you do not go, just in case something unexpected happens. With your exceptional medical skills, staying at the rear is equally important; you can help treat any patients who arrive."

Hearing that this made logical sense, Old Man Wang instructed:

"Then you must all be careful. Remember to press the wet cloths tightly against your faces and avoid inhaling the toxic fumes at all costs."

Because higher authorities had issued clear instructions on how to fight the fire, incorporating warnings from firefighting experts as well as suggestions provided by Lin Xiaodou.

Everyone deployed, including the armed police, was required to cover their mouths and noses with a damp cloth to avoid being incapacitated by toxic smoke.

Each person also held a wooden stick with a wet cloth tied to the end, ready to extinguish fire sources at any moment.

In addition, everyone wore a water canteen hung at their waist for contingencies.

Of course, these were the equipment of ordinary people, whereas the armed police had specialized water transport trucks and water cannons to put out the fire.

Because the distance was too far, everyone traveled by horse-drawn carriage or tractor.

Lin Xiaodou and her companions were at the very back, left with only a dilapidated, open-air horse-drawn carriage.

Batu leaped onto the horse and said to the group, "Quickly get in the back. I'll ride fast to catch up."

"Alright!" At this point, no one cared about being particular; they hastily climbed aboard.

"Hold on tight! Giddy-up!"

Batu shouted, and the carriage immediately bolted forward.

Perhaps out of anxiety, Batu drove the horse at a breakneck speed.

The carriage shook violently like a rickety three-wheeler, bouncing frantically.

"Ouch!" Zhu Damei failed to hold on properly and was nearly bounced out of the carriage.

Fortunately, Lin Xiaodou had quick eyes and fast hands, grabbing hold of her.

The two friends clung closely together, gripping the front railing as they swayed wildly with the carriage.

Lin Xiaodou felt as though her body was about to shake apart,

resembling a night out clubbing.

Had the timing not been entirely wrong, she would have wanted to dance disco right then and there.

After shaking and rattling for nearly two hours, they finally arrived at the fire scene.

By the time Lin Xiaodou and her group arrived, the others were already in the midst of emergency firefighting.

Some were beating the flames with wooden sticks, others were carrying buckets of water from nearby to pour on the fire, and others were using clumps of earth to smother the blaze.

Working with one heart and mind, everyone went about their tasks with stern expressions.

Lin Xiaodou immediately joined them, throwing herself fervently into the action.

...

Not far away, on a hillside, a dozen figures were lurking.

A thinner man spat out a mouthful of phlegm and angrily cursed:

"Damn it, how did these people get here so fast? The fire has only burned halfway; if it gets put out, all our efforts will go to waste!"

"Exactly, after all those brothers of ours died, we have to vent this burning grudge!"

This group of people was a gang of vicious, desperate fugitives.

Having previously run wild committing crimes in the southern region, they had fled in panic to this place.

After enduring untold hardships, they finally found an extremely covert hideout, only to be accidentally discovered by local herdsmen who reported them to the authorities.

Upon receiving the report, the higher-ups immediately dispatched the armed police force to the scene to launch a pursuit.

In the fierce exchange of gunfire, several bandits were shot and killed, while the rest fled in disarray to hide deep within the mountain forests.

Nearly a month had passed since that thrilling event.

These desperate criminals had gradually recovered their strength, and the flames of revenge burned in their hearts.

Therefore, this time they had deliberately set fire to the mountain forest simply to avenge their fallen brothers.

Seeing that the fire was about to be brought under control, the leader wore a sinister expression and gritted his teeth:

"While they're busy fighting the fire over there, let's head to the livestock farm, raid a bunch of cattle and sheep, and snatch some women back!"

...

Inside the veterinary station yurt.

Liu Yan'er was pale-faced, resting in bed with a hot water bottle pressed against her abdomen.

"...I never used to cramp during my period before, so why does it hurt so much this time... I wonder how Xiaodou and the others are doing."

Liu Yan'er desperately wanted to help fight the fire, but lacked the strength to do so.

She rubbed her abdomen and sighed heavily:

"Sigh... what a torment... I don't want to be a woman in my next life..."

At that moment, a bright-eyed, lovely little girl scampered in from outside.

"Sister Yan'er, I'm here to play with you!"

The little girl was named Zhuoma, 10 years old, and was Batu's younger sister.

Batu's entire family worked at the livestock farm, and their living quarters were very close to the veterinary station's dormitory yurt.

Lively and cute, Zhuoma had a personality very similar to Liu Yan'er's, and the two of them got along exceptionally well.

Today, everyone had gone to fight the fire—Zhuoma's brother Batu and her parents were all helping out, leaving only an elderly grandmother at home.

Finding herself bored and hearing that Liu Yan'er was resting at home, Zhuoma had hurried right over.

"Little Zhuoma, my tummy hurts, so I can't play with you today."

Seeing the little girl, Liu Yan'er's previously furrowed brow softened into a smile.

"Sister Yan'er, are you feeling unwell? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Seeing Liu Yan'er lying on the bed looking so miserable, little Zhuoma's face showed a hint of worry.

"No need, I just need to rest for a while." Liu Yan'er shook her head and added:

"Why don't you go play with the little Tibetan Mastiff? It's digging in the dirt pit outside, it's hilarious."

Today, she was the only one in the veterinary station's women's dormitory; everyone else had gone out to fight the fire.

Before leaving, Lin Xiaodou had specially brought the little Tibetan Mastiff over to keep watch and guard the place for her.

Over the past two months, the palm-sized puppy had grown at a startling rate like a blown-up balloon, weighing well over thirty catties.

By now, its height and weight were similar to an adult dog, and its sturdy body resembled that of a young calf.

Having watched it grow up since it was small, the little fellow had a great relationship with all of them.

Though fierce toward outsiders, whenever it looked at them, it wore an enthusiastic and goofy expression, and everyone adored it.

Usually, Zhuoma also loved playing with the little Tibetan Mastiff the most.

But seeing that Liu Yan'er was uncomfortable, the sensible girl lost all inclination to play.

"I don't want to. I want to keep you company. Do you want some water? Let me pour you a cup."

Sister Yan'er was the nicest to her, so she wanted to take good care of Sister Yan'er.

A wave of warmth washed over Liu Yan'er's heart, and she nodded:

"Then could you please pour me a cup of warm water and stir in a spoonful of brown sugar?"
Xiaodou had said drinking brown sugar water could help relieve menstrual cramps.

Before leaving, Xiaodou had brewed a cup for her, but she had already drunk it all.

Brown sugar water truly worked wonders; drinking it left her body feeling warm, and her stomach seemed to hurt less.

Only, after just over two hours, the pain had started creeping back again.

"Mm-hm, okay." Having grown up on the prairie, Zhuoma often helped her parents with chores, so brewing a cup of brown sugar water was a breeze for her.

Soon, she walked over holding a sweet-smelling cup of brown sugar water: "Sister Yan'er, drink up, be careful it's hot."

"Thank you." Liu Yan'er took it with a smile and took a few slow sips. "I have comic books in that trunk over there, do you want to read them?"

She had brought those comic books from her hometown, and she had already read through them several times.

"Yes, please!" Zhuoma skipped over happily to fetch the comic books.

Overcome by sleepiness, Liu Yan'er instructed: "Zhuoma, you go ahead and read by yourself, I'm going to sleep for a bit."

Zhuoma nodded obediently: "Okay, I understand, Sister Yan'er."

She then pulled a small stool close to the bedside and quietly began reading the book.

Liu Yan'er smiled at her and drifted off to sleep.

She did not know how long she had slept, but in her half-asleep haze, she seemed to hear the little Tibetan Mastiff outside barking furiously.

"Woof woof woof! Woof woof woof!"

"Sister Yan'er! Sister Yan'er! Help! Help!"

A weeping, terrified scream followed immediately after.

It was little Zhuoma! Something had happened to her!!

Liu Yan'er jolted fully awake from her drowsy state.

She instantly kicked off the quilt and, without even having time to put on her shoes, bolted outside.

As soon as she stepped out of the yurt, she locked eyes with a large, menacing-looking man.

The man glanced at her, a flash of malicious light crossing his eyes as he smiled wickedly:

"Oh! There's still a delicate little beauty hiding in here, this trip was not in vain!"

With those words, he began walking rapidly toward her.

Not far away, another fierce-looking brute was holding little Zhuoma, who was sobbing in sheer terror.

The little Tibetan Mastiff was being cornered by three tall, sturdy men armed with clubs, barking at them with fierce vigilance.

As the man drew closer, Liu Yan'er's heart pounded wildly against her ribs.

She hastily picked up a wooden stick from the ground and stammered, "D-don't come any closer..."

Seeing her frightened appearance, the man threw his head back and burst into exaggerated laughter:

"Hahaha, little beauty, do you really think that stick in your hand can fight me off?

Come on, I'll give you a handicap—as long as you can manage to hit me once, I won't capture you!"

His playful expression was akin to a cat toying with a mouse.

Gritting her teeth, Liu Yan'er trembled uncontrollably in the legs: "You... you have to keep your word!"

The man hooked his lips into a wicked smile: "Of course I keep my word."

The other thugs heard the exchange and let out a chorus of sneers.

Hysterical with amusement, they thought this little beauty was purely naive and absolute fool.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Yan'er raised the stick and lunged at the man, shouting at the top of her lungs.

The man simply sidestepped effortlessly, sending Liu Yan'er sprawling flat on her face.

"Hahahaha!" An immediate wave of mocking laughter erupted at the scene.

Even the terrifying brute who had been holding little Zhuoma let her go, restraining her only with one arm while watching the spectacle with keen interest.

Liu Yan'er scrambled back to her feet in a rush, shouting, "I'm not convinced! Let me hit you one more time!"

"This little beauty has quite some nerve!" The man raised an eyebrow, smiling good-naturedly: "Alright, I'll give you one more chance."

Armed with her stick, Liu Yan'er ran around in circles, darting left and right before swinging wildly in the air as if psyching herself up.

Her foolish antics once again reduced the gang of thugs to roaring laughter.

Just as everyone was thoroughly enjoying the show,

Liu Yan'er's eyes flashed. The stick in her hand whipped forward with blinding speed, striking the arm of the brute who was holding Zhuoma.

She had deliberately acted foolish and run around erratically precisely for this single moment.

"Thud!"

The stick struck the man's arm hard, and the sudden jolt of pain forced him to loosen his grip.

Little Zhuoma instantly shoved his arm away, grabbed Liu Yan'er's hand, and the two of them bolted away at a dead sprint.

"Damn it! We got tricked by that bitch! After them, hurry!"

The thugs finally snapped back to reality, rage contorting their faces as they gave chase.

Liu Yan'er shouted the command without hesitation: "Zhuangzhuang! Sic 'em! Bite them!"

Lin Xiaodou had specifically trained the little Tibetan Mastiff beforehand.

If enemies ever appeared, it should not fight immediately, but instead pretend to be weak and hide aside.

Only when a command was given should it charge out to tear into the enemy and catch them completely off guard.

The little Tibetan Mastiff hadn't made a move against these men earlier simply because it was waiting for the command.

Hearing Liu Yan'er's order now, it lunged forward like a lightning bolt...