Yan Xing wanted to build many things, but he knew progress had to be made one step at a time. Now his task was to ensure the logistics for the Great Army's construction efforts and that the hardworking farmers received adequate nutrition. Thus, Yan Xing drove his truck, going back and forth between the real world and the game world.
Time passed in the hustle and bustle.
When the grassland was once again shrouded in darkness, Yan Xing drove a farm tricycle back to his territory with dinner, about to spend his third night in this game world.
The territory transformed daily.
Summon all farmers back! It's time for dinner!
The farmers working outside gradually returned within the protective walls. Though weary, their spirits were high. They excitedly discussed what delicious food their Lord would prepare tonight.
But just as Yan Xing thought they could spend another peaceful evening, Lao Hansi approached him and whispered, "My Lord... all the farmers working outside the protective wall have returned, but one person is missing?"
Yan Xing's heart lurched. "One is missing! Are you sure you didn't miscount? Could he be with Gao Sipa and Eddie?"
Lao Hansi replied, "I've checked; he's not with Gao Sipa and Eddie. My Lord has been so good to us; he wouldn't just sneak off."
Yan Xing also didn't believe the missing farmer had left on his own accord.
Despite the territory's low prosperity, loyalty was at its absolute peak. He was also blessed with the 'Allegiance of the People' talent.
What farmer would abandon hearty meals of meat and fish to gnaw on roots in the wilderness?
If that farmer didn't leave by himself, it meant someone had taken him.
The Werewolf Tribe has finally found us!
Yan Xing looked out over the wilderness beyond the protective wall, unable to see far into the darkness.
"Don't spread the word about this," Yan Xing instructed Lao Hansi, "After supper, take some men and set traps around the protective wall. No need for a big fuss; just cut the barbed wire netting into small pieces and place them in the tall grass."
"As you command, My Lord."
Lao Hansi left and found a few farmers. After speaking to them in a low voice, they immediately sped up their eating.
Then Yan Xing called over Gao Sipa, instructing him to organize manpower after dinner to build a village-level Council Hall overnight and to construct several arrow towers on the inside of the defense wall using the existing scaffolding.
After Gao Sipa left to carry out his orders, Yan Xing considered the situation. He felt they could delay no longer with the captive werewolves. They had to extract information about the Werewolf Tribe from them as soon as possible.
"Eddie, come with me to the prison!"
Bonfires were lit throughout the territory. One blazed right in front of the prison, allowing the guards to clearly see every werewolf inside.
The werewolves, accustomed to mealtimes, saw Yan Xing and Eddie approaching and instinctively stood at the entrances to their cells. They flexed their muscles, eager to outperform the others and win the long jump competition. All the while, they glanced at Gangya—the only one who hadn't stood up—and wondered if they could keep the bottle of wine if they won.
After Yan Xing sat down, he announced it was feeding time for the werewolves.
The werewolves were led out one by one.
"Do you know how the food you eat comes about?"
"It is bestowed by Lord Yan Xing," answered the werewolf, now quite naturally.
Yan Xing nodded and pointed to the long jump area, saying, "Go, show me the full extent of your strength. If you achieve first place, I will reward you handsomely."
"Yes, Lord Yan Xing."
The werewolf sprinted and leaped with all his might, earning his meal for the evening.
One werewolf finished eating and was sent back; another was brought out.
It seemed as if Yan Xing was merely amusing himself by watching the werewolves' long jumps.
In reality, the food rewards and the execution of commands were subtly shifting the pack's perception of their own status. Gangya's isolation, a result of his own actions, was also accelerating this change within the pack.
Gangya, unaware that he was now caught in a deadly scheme, remained defiant when brought before Yan Xing.
Without waiting for Yan Xing to speak, Gangya threatened, "Lord Yan Xing... hunger cannot break a werewolf's will. We grew up with hunger. Even if we don't eat for three days, werewolves still possess formidable combat strength.
"I won't betray my tribe. It's not because of my loyalty, but because your failure is inevitable.
"Release us and leave these plains.
"This is your last chance."
Hearing Gangya's resolute tone, Yan Xing abandoned any thought of persuading him to surrender.
What a pity, what a pity... Yan Xing showed his appreciation for Gangya but, still pained, ordered Eddie to take him back to the prison. He then said, "Give a bottle of wine to the werewolf who jumped the farthest."
The werewolves themselves didn't know who had jumped the farthest. Therefore, Yan Xing naturally had the final say on who the champion was.
The long jump was a test of the werewolves' physical capabilities. In the first three contests, Yan Xing had selected the three strongest werewolves.
This time, he awarded the championship to the werewolf who had won first place in the very first competition.
Gangya was sent back to the prison, and the wine was delivered into the chosen werewolf's hands.
Rewarded once more, the werewolf gripped the bottle of wine tightly. He bared his fangs at the approaching Gangya, the fur on the back of his neck bristling.
"Gangya, you've already stolen my reward once! Don't even think of taking my honor this time, or else..."
"Or else what?" Gangya felt his authority within the pack challenged. He looked scornfully at the werewolf clutching the wine bottle. "Are you challenging me? You're merely a First Order Werewolf, while I am a Second Order Great Werewolf. Provoking me will only bring you shame and injury.
"Give me the wine. That's the pack's rule."
"The pack's rules might let you take food, but honor... you can't take that!"
The Great Werewolf and the werewolf faced off. Outside the prison, Eddie couldn't help but ask Yan Xing, "My Lord, is this the scene you wished to see? What if the werewolf gives his reward to Gangya?"
"If that werewolf, even in this situation, still willingly lets Gangya take the wine from him again, it would mean that werewolves are a race with a high tolerance for hardship but a low ceiling for ambition. Authority can indeed create significant cohesion. However, excessive authority will cause a group to lose its upward drive.
"For short-term benefit, I hope the werewolf resists Gangya.
"From a long-term perspective, I'd actually prefer the werewolf to hand over the wine."
Eddie pondered Yan Xing's words for a long while but still couldn't fully grasp their meaning.
In any case, it was enough to know that everything was under the Lord's control.
Eddie exclaimed, "My Lord's wisdom is beyond my dull comprehension! My Lord is wise!"
Yan Xing's gaze remained fixed on the prison. Faced with Gangya's pressure, the chosen werewolf had to make a choice.
And Gangya, to maintain his authority within the pack, also had to obtain that bottle of wine. He was the leader of this pack; he had to be unyielding.
Faced with the werewolf's stubborn refusal to hand over the wine, Gangya was the first to strike, slapping him across the face.