Chapter 49: The Fall of Boulder Camp |
"Ah... my leg, my leg..."
"Wuu... my neck is broken, it hurts so much..."
"Mother, don't die, please don't die..."
"My son, where's my son's head? Has anyone seen my son's head?"
As the Abomination fell, Xia Hong showed no trace of joy on his face. The agonized wails of Boulder Camp's remaining survivors filled his ears. The phrase "misery and suffering everywhere" had become a vivid reality before his eyes.
Sigh...
Xia Hong surveyed the surrounding devastation and could only sigh heavily.
"Chunyu... Chunyu..."
Shi Qing staggered forward, limping toward a corpse. Though the white threads binding him had been removed, the wounds they left behind remained - bloody holes puncturing his shoulder blades, lips, limbs, and torso, still oozing fresh blood.
"Mother! Father, save mother! We can't lose her!"
The girl, clearly distraught, looked up at Shi Qing with tear-filled eyes as she pleaded with her father. The heart-wrenching sorrow in her voice made Xia Chuan, Yuan Cheng, and the others who had gathered nearby blink back tears.
Shi Qing trembled as he gathered his wife's severed remains, then turned to look at his brother Shi Dong's headless corpse. His lips moved soundlessly before he finally closed his eyes, his face twisted in agony and regret.
Witnessing this, Xia Hong sighed inwardly. The nine men behind him, including Xia Chuan and Yuan Cheng, averted their eyes uncomfortably. They all understood Shi Qing's pain - the Abomination had once controlled Xia Ding to slaughter their own people from Great Xia Camp.
The Abomination's massacre had been so devastating precisely because it wore the face of someone familiar. Death was terrifying enough, but when the slaughter came from someone you knew and trusted - when both killer and victims were your own people - the horror cut even deeper, chilling souls to the core.
"Leader Shi... please accept our condolences."
Xia Hong stepped forward and patted Shi Qing's shoulder. He had meant to offer advice, but the words that came out were simple comfort instead.
Seeing Shi Qing's numb expression still mired in grief, Xia Hong sighed again and scanned their surroundings. "Leader Shi, time is precious. That Abomination could return any moment. Many of your camp still live - if you don't pull yourself together quickly, more tragedy may follow."
The words seemed to shock Shi Qing awake. He gave Xia Hong a look of profound gratitude before turning to his children.
"Ping, go count the dead and survivors. Search every corner of the caves - some may be hiding in the lower levels. Get them out immediately."
"Lu, tell everyone to gather their belongings and assemble at the cave entrance. We're leaving at once."
"Yes, Father."
Though still grieving, the two youths quickly rose to carry out their father's orders, recognizing the urgency.
After dispatching his children, Shi Qing turned his gaze back to Xia Hong.
"Leader Xia..."
One look was all Xia Hong needed to understand Shi Qing's unspoken plea. The desperate hope in the man's eyes was painfully clear.
Shi Qing's shoulder blades, limbs, and torso had been pierced by the Abomination's white threads. Drenched in blood and barely able to move, he was effectively crippled. Leading his people to a new home was impossible in his condition - even surviving the journey was doubtful.
Moreover, with the loss of their last Lumberjack Realm fighter - their spiritual leader Shi Qing - Boulder Camp had effectively ceased to exist.
The plea in Shi Qing's eyes went beyond mere assistance with relocation. His meaning was obvious: he wanted to entrust Boulder Camp's survivors to Xia Hong's care.
By not voicing it outright, Shi Qing left Xia Hong room to refuse. He understood taking in hundreds of people was no simple matter. Though Great Xia Camp's situation seemed improved after Xia Hong defeated the Abomination, Shi Qing doubted they could absorb so many newcomers - especially ordinary civilians without combat skills like Boulder Camp's survivors.
As Xia Hong remained silent, the hope in Shi Qing's eyes gradually dimmed, replaced by despair.
"Come back to Great Xia Camp with us first. We'll figure things out from there."
Shi Qing jolted at Xia Hong's words, looking up sharply. Seeing Xia Hong's sincerity, he was too moved to speak, managing only a deeply grateful nod.
"Father, we lost 132 people. 187 survived. Sister has already told them to prepare - they should be ready soon."
Shi Ping approached with Shi Lu and several others who had finished packing.
"Chuan, your group of nine will organize the evacuation. Have people at the cave entrance help pull up the children first, then escort them down the mountain. The elderly can climb on their own - it'll be faster that way."
"Yes, Leader!"
Xia Chuan and his eight companions began coordinating the orderly retreat. Though Xia Hong had led Great Xia Camp's previous relocation, Xia Chuan had assisted and gained valuable experience. Their involvement immediately improved efficiency.
Soon, children were being hauled up one by one with ropes by Yuan Cheng's team at the cave entrance, followed by adults carrying their belongings. Watching his people evacuate in good order eased some of Shi Qing's distress.
"Leader Shi, let me carry you. You can barely move."
Shi Qing looked startled, then touched by Xia Hong's offer. Waving his hands weakly, he smiled bitterly. "Leader, you jest. I'm already useless - no need to trouble yourself. Let Ping carry me."
Xia Hong raised an eyebrow at Shi Qing's change in address. He understood the man's subtle attempt to cement his leadership role, ensuring Xia Hong wouldn't abandon Boulder Camp's nearly two hundred survivors.
Though Xia Hong had never intended to abandon them, Shi Qing's cautious maneuvering weighed heavily on him. It revealed just how precarious small camps' situations were - limited resources prevented mergers, while stronger camps would only accept them if they offered sufficient value and the camp had surplus resources. By normal standards, Great Xia Camp lacked the capacity to absorb so many, especially ordinary civilians.
Yet leaving them to become prey for Abominations and Frost Beasts was unthinkable. Combined with Shi Qing's desperate, pleading eyes, Xia Hong had accepted the burden despite the challenges.
"Don't worry, Leader Shi. I won't abandon them. Let's get to Great Xia Camp first."
Only then did true relief wash over Shi Qing's face. He even tried to kneel despite his injuries, though Xia Hong caught and steadied him.
As Shi Ping arrived to carry his father, Xia Hong helped position the wounded man on his son's back while guiding them toward the cave entrance. Along the way, he questioned Shi Qing:
"Leader Shi, how did you escape when you encountered the Abomination in Great Xia territory? Did everyone except Wang Ming's group of four die? How was Shi Dong replaced without you noticing? And... have you actually seen that Abomination?"
Xia Hong fired off several questions, the last being most crucial. He needed to know more about the Abomination.
Hearing these questions, pain flashed across Shi Qing's eyes before he composed himself and began answering Xia Hong from his son's back.