From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him-Chapter 47 - 48: Bai Jinglie

"Lu Ping, are you an idiot? You think these ignorant people can tell the difference between a wolf and a dog?" Bai Jinglie pointed at the boy who had spoken and chided with a laugh, then raised a hand to summon his guards.

"I’m taking all of them today. I don’t care if the alpha is here or not, not a single one gets away."

"Yes," the guards replied, raising their bows in unison. This brought the opposing wolf pack and the hyenas, who had been quietly retreating, to a halt, forcing a standoff.

The moment their arrows were loosed, another howl echoed from the mountain. Instead of inspiring fear, the sound only made the men stare up the mountain with greater excitement.

"Young Master Bai, the alpha is up ahead," said Li Dayong, pointing to a spot on the mountain. "Looks like it’s a cunning one. We’ll have to find a way to lure it down. Look, over there! You can still see their eyes flashing green."

Bai Jinglie glanced back at the black-clad guard behind him. "Ye Yi, go bring me that alpha wolf. Remember not to damage its pelt."

"Yes," the black-clad guard replied, vanishing from his saddle in an instant. If not for the horse still standing there, no one would have even realized someone had just been riding it.

Perhaps sensing the crisis, the howls from the mountain grew increasingly urgent. The pack, which had been keeping its distance, suddenly seemed to go mad, charging the men and horses ahead while ignoring their arrow wounds.

Bai Jinglie yanked his reins, turned his horse around, and galloped to the rear.

"Hurry it up! It’s the middle of the night, and I’m in a hurry to get back."

Lu Ping looked at the huddled refugees, a rare wave of pity washing over him. "Young Master Bai, these people have it so rough. No water, no food, and on top of that, they have to deal with threats from these beasts.

It’s a good thing you’re here today to handle this for them. You’ve basically saved their lives. This is a truly virtuous deed!"

Bai Jinglie glanced over, chin held high. "They’re lucky I happen to be in a good mood today. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone bring them some water and food. Consider it an act of charity to accumulate merit for my grandmother."

Lu Ping immediately raised his voice. "All you refugees are in luck! Our very own Young Master Bai Jinglie has decided to distribute water and congee at the city gates tomorrow! Hurry and thank Young Master Bai for his great benevolence!"

"Thank you, thank you!" Upon hearing there would be water and food, voices of thanks began to rise one by one from all corners.

"The Old Madam will surely feel Young Master Bai’s filial piety," Lu Ping said, pointing to the wolves the refugees had killed earlier. "It’s a shame about these. It’ll be difficult to properly skin them for their pelts now."

Bai Jinglie waved his hand dismissively. "Then don’t bother. They’re worthless. Bringing them back would just dirty the floors.

I wonder what’s taking An Yi so long. He still hasn’t brought back the alpha wolf. Surely he hasn’t failed?"

"It seemed a bit far," Lu Ping said. "It might take him some time. How about we go back and wait?"

Bai Jinglie shot him a glare. "If we go back now, what was the point of me making this trip?"

’I came out here to hunt with such a big show. If I go back without any game, half the city will be waiting to laugh at me tomorrow.’

Lu Ping just smiled. ’I’ve already gotten what I wanted. It wouldn’t do to overdo it.’

The battle at the front was winding down. Except for a few hyenas that had seized the chance to flee, only a handful of wolves from the surrounded pack remained, stubbornly fighting on.

As the fight began, Jin Qianqian pulled Ancient Wen Heng toward the oxcarts at the rear.

Seeing everyone gaze with such longing at those brightly dressed youths, whose faces were free from any sign of hardship, left a bitter taste in Jin Qianqian’s mouth.

But she hadn’t forgotten her real task. After making a quick round, she collected all the plastic she had put out earlier.

"Young Master, this is the alpha wolf." Ye Yi appeared, dangling a wolf carcass before Bai Jinglie. Its fur was long and fluffy, with a tuft of white on its forehead.

"This is the alpha?" Bai Jinglie dismounted and examined the wound on its neck. "Nicely done," he said approvingly. "You’ll be rewarded when we get back."

An Yi respectfully bowed his head, expressionlessly walked behind Bai Jinglie, and took up the reins of his own horse.

"Alright, our business here is done. Let’s head back to the city." Seeing a nearby servant properly secure the alpha wolf, Bai Jinglie swung onto his horse and galloped off.

"Are we... saved?" Li Cuicui collapsed onto the ground, muttering, "Old man, we’ve cheated death again."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "It’s infuriating. Just look at the way these people live."

Jin Qianqian replied, "This is what class is. Think about our entire journey. The ones who are truly suffering are poor commoners like us.

Those officials and people with even a little bit of power haven’t been affected at all. They’re still living lives of utter luxury."

"Once we get past this hurdle, things will get better for us, too," Ancient Wen Heng said.

"What about these wolves?" Gu Yuanjin guarded the wolf he and Ancient Wen Heng had felled, waiting for a verdict.

Three wolves had gotten into their circle. Everyone’s eyes shone as they stared at the seventy or eighty pounds of meat lying on the ground.

A few people who had been scratched or bitten by the wolves immediately clutched their wounds and pushed to the front. "We’re the ones who got hurt! These wolves should be our compensation."

"No way! We’re the ones who killed this wolf, what does it have to do with you? Even back home, the prey belongs to the one who hunted it."

"We all worked together to corner them! Everyone pitched in, so naturally, everyone gets a share."

"On what grounds? Because you stood on the sidelines and watched?"

"Even if we didn’t fight directly, we gathered the firewood for the bonfires! If it weren’t for that, more than just a few wolves would have broken through. So we all contributed!"

"..."

Seeing the endless bickering, Gu Sanbu felt a headache coming on. He pressed his temples. "That’s enough arguing! Quiet down."

"What’s the point of all this bickering?" Gu Sanbu asked, pointing to the men who had fought desperately against the wolves. "When they were risking their lives to fight the wolves, all of you were hiding as far away as you could get.

Now that there’s a reward to be had, you’re suddenly all united. How come I didn’t see any of you lift a finger before?"

"But we got hurt, didn’t we?" The injured few started displaying their wounds. "We can’t speak for anyone else, but our injuries are plain to see."

Gu Sanbu pointed at Liang Xiaojun, who was being the most vocal. "You have the nerve to mention your wound? I’m sure plenty of people saw what happened. When the wolf leaped in, you dove to the ground and cut yourself with your own knife while rolling around to get away."

Then he pointed at Gu Kaishan. "And you, the scratch on your face is from a wolf, true, but you would have dodged in time if you hadn’t been distracted."

"And you..."

Gu Sanbu then laid down the law. "Stop thinking you can get something for nothing. Others fought hard and risked everything for these. In doing so, they indirectly saved many of your lives. Do you really have the shamelessness to try and take this from them?"