After nightfall, the light dimmed, and the grasslands became dangerous.
Exposed in the open, one not only stood the chance of encountering Werewolf attacks but also faced peril from roaming predators.
The laboring farmers all retreated inside the barbed wire defensive wall.
Tents were pitched, and campfires were lit on all sides.
The patrolling guards, carrying shovels, moved along the barbed wire. Their quiet night reverberated with the sounds of women lulling children to sleep.
After surveying the territory, Yan Xing returned to his own tent.
He didn't go back to the real world.
As the mightiest warrior and the Lord of the entire territory, he had to shoulder more responsibilities during this critical time to be ready to respond to emergencies at a moment's notice.
Lying on the camp bed, Yan Xing's mind was filled with thoughts of the territory's development.
Tomorrow they would start building the trench belts, an even bigger project than constructing the barbed wire defensive wall. Fortunately, there would be 14 more farmers available for recruitment from the shed tomorrow. The number of farmers would increase to 45. For the construction of the trench belts, the purchase of barbed wire would need to be increased. There was also the matter of arming the farmers. Shovels were only suitable for close combat. For the defense, increasing long-range weapons was the most effective tactic. In terms of traditional ranged weapons, bows and crossbows were the preferred choice. Although firearms were more powerful, there was nowhere to buy them… and they depended too much on logistics, which wasn't a priority at the current stage. Actually, not just firearms, but even ranged weapons like crossbows couldn't be bought through regular channels. One could find bows on online shopping platforms, though. But without extensive training, even equipping citizens with a modern bow wouldn't make them accurate shooters. However, a slingshot was something they could quickly get the hang of. A steel ball shot from a slingshot could still be quite lethal within twenty meters. Moreover, the large gaps in the wire fence were also suitable for shooting steel balls.
Realizing that such a weapon could resolve the pressing issue at hand, Yan Xing couldn't sleep anymore. He jumped off the bed and returned directly to the small woods in the real world.
The pitch-black woodland was devoid of any light.
Squatting behind a large tree, Yan Xing took out his phone, connected to the internet, and started searching for slingshots on e-commerce websites.
The bright glow of the screen lit up half of his face.
Wow... Are slingshots so advanced now? Not only do they come with sights and rulers, but shell out some extra cash and they even include laser aiming assistance! Buy, buy, buy...
Yan Xing hurriedly placed an order for a hundred slingshots.
He stocked up on a thousand replacement rubber bands and 10,000 steel balls.
He also left a message for the seller, "Ship quickly; expedite the freight orders. I will have a large demand for this kind of slingshot, and if yours are good, I'll buy another thousand in a few days!"
After spending the money, Yan Xing's heart relaxed instantly, and drowsiness soon followed.
Time to go back to sleep; there's work to do tomorrow.
Yawning, Yan Xing flashed back to the game world next to his bed and fell asleep immediately.
「The next day, as just a hint of light rose in the east over the grasslands, the territory bustled with activity.」
Following the plan made last night, the farmers set out to build three trench belts outside the defensive wall.
However, after testing the Werewolves' jumping ability, it became apparent that these creatures had too strong of a leap, all of them capable of an athlete's level in the long jump. And that was without any formal training—it wouldn't be hard for them to break world records if they were trained.
If they dug three trenches wider than eight meters each, the workload would be immense.
Thus, Yan Xing decided to purchase a batch of simple iron fences to work in conjunction with the trenches to slow down and obstruct the charging Werewolves.
Of course, before working, they had to eat.
This was a rule set by Yan Xing. Digging trenches was a physically demanding job, and being well-fed was the only way to ensure work efficiency.
After recruiting the new batch of farmers from the shed this week, Yan Xing and his subjects had breakfast. Then he took Eddie to the Werewolf prison.
Sitting down in a chair, he said, "Bring out a Werewolf."
A Werewolf was brought before Yan Xing.
Yan Xing stretched out his hand, and Eddie immediately took a steamed bun out of the thermal box and placed it in his hand.
The bun was as big as a fist, each one with eighteen pleats, looking quite appealing.
Torn open from the middle, the bun had a thin skin and was generously filled with pork and vermicelli—hearty and substantial.
Yan Xing, watching the Werewolf who couldn't stop licking his lips, asked, "Do you know where the food you're eating comes from?"
"It's bestowed by Lord Yan Xing."
The answer came quickly and was standard.
"Hahaha..." Yan Xing laughed heartily, tossing the bun to the Werewolf and pointing to a line that Eddie had already drawn. He said, "Go, jump far for your lord. The one among you who jumps the farthest will get a reward from me."
"Yes, my lord."
Knowing what the reward was, the Werewolf swallowed the bun in one gulp, then looked at the starting line with a serious expression.
The reward was fine wine stored in a gemstone bottle!
To win, he had to give his all in this one leap.
The Werewolf, serious this time, was different from the casual one of yesterday. His acceleration was faster. His robust hind legs sprinted, kicking up the grass turf.
The Werewolf accelerated with all his might, lowering his body. In the final sprint, he even used his hands, like a true ferocious wolf pursuing its prey.
Reaching the takeoff point, he soared into the air, his body stretching forward in a pounce.
Finally, he landed on the ground with a solid thump.
The distance, by the looks of it, was close to ten meters!
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP...
Yan Xing couldn't help but applaud, saying to the returning Werewolf, "Impressive, impressive! Time to eat... Today's breakfast is steamed buns and seafood and dough drop soup, eat as much as you like... and then go back after you're full."
Yan Xing let the Werewolf eat his fill in front of him, his belly swollen before being sent back to his cell.
All along the way, there was no reluctance or resistance.
He probably wouldn't leave even if he were set free at that moment.
One Werewolf was sent into the cell, another called out.
By the usual custom, he was made to understand how his meal came to be.
Then came the long jump.
For the ultimate reward, this Werewolf also tried his utmost in a brave leap, then scampered back for his meal.
One Werewolf after another.
After nine Werewolves had eaten their fill and returned to their cells, Steeltooth was finally brought before Yan Xing.
Steeltooth, hungry all night, decided not to play tough; saying "It's a gift from Lord Yan Xing" didn't cost a piece of his own flesh.
However, just as Steeltooth decided to blend in for breakfast, Yan Xing asked, "Where is your tribe located? Who is the Clan Leader? How many warriors do you have?"
"It's from Lord Yan Xing..." Mid-sentence, Steeltooth suddenly looked up at Yan Xing...
You're not playing by the script! You're not supposed to ask these questions!
Seeing Steeltooth's expression, Yan Xing smiled. He had Eddie remove the remaining breakfast, then said to Steeltooth, "Since you won't speak, I'll let you have your 'noble sacrifice.' Starving for another meal won't kill you. Take him back to the cell. Eddie, reward the Werewolf who jumped the farthest with a bottle of beer..."
"Yes, my lord!"
The surrounding farmers raised their shovels towards Steeltooth, pushing him step by step back to the cell.
Another bottle of beer was tossed by Eddie to today's champion.
"This is the beer bestowed by Lord Yan Xing. My lord says... at lunch, we'll have another long jump competition, prepare well if you want to win..."
Eddie closed the cell door.
All the Werewolves turned their gaze once again to the Werewolf who was nervously holding the bottle of beer.
Then the bottle was snatched away by Steeltooth.
Outside, Yan Xing, satisfied, watched as another seed of hatred was planted.
It was time to prepare weapons for the Werewolves...