Chapter 84: Two Grand Gifts |
On the scroll were drawn six vividly lifelike Frost Beasts.
The first three were precisely the Long-Tongued Frostback, bone-spike Frost Wolf, and Golden-Eyed Demon Goat that Great Xia Camp had previously encountered;
The next three included one resembling a long snake, labeled Mist-Treading Cloud Python; one with enormous size, labeled Golden-Armored Thunder Kui; and one with snow-white fur, labeled Blue Moon Spirit.
Most importantly, beneath the labeled names were detailed records of these three Frost Beasts' living habits, attack methods, and their fatal weaknesses.
"Leader Luo, thank you!"
Xia Hong took a deep breath and bowed respectfully to Luo Ming.
The value of this scroll could be said to be even more precious than the half portion of coal and iron that Luo Ming had left behind in the camp.
These Frost Beast creatures, cunning as foxes with bizarre methods and terrifying strength, were actually no easier to deal with than Abominations.
Not to mention distant examples—previously when Boulder Camp's large group hunted Snow Mane, they ultimately sacrificed three people and still ended in failure;
If familiar Frost Beasts were already this difficult, unfamiliar ones went without saying.
It could be said that in the wilderness, hunting any never-before-seen Frost Beast invariably came with sacrifice.
What Luo Ming was giving wasn't just a scroll—it was the lives of future Great Xia hunting team members!
This scroll had undoubtedly been recorded at great cost by Rogge Camp over so many years, and Luo Ming's willingness to voluntarily give it to him genuinely moved Xia Hong deeply.
"Don't thank me yet—look at the second one first!"
Xia Hong nodded and opened the second scroll. When he saw its contents, delight once again appeared on his face.
This was a map—a map of the area east of Redwood Ridge.
The map was quite simple, with only some special markings. Apparently worried Xia Hong might not understand, Luo Ming stepped forward and explained while pointing at the map:
"The map center is the valley where our camp is located.
East of the valley, meaning behind these two tall mountains, is somewhere we don't know about. We've never climbed these two mountains, but occasionally there are loud movements during daytime. Unless something unexpected happens, there should be powerful Frost Beasts on the mountains, and their types are unknown;
The west is Redwood Ridge. Rogge Camp's deepest exploration range in Redwood Ridge over the years has only been about one kilometer. The last three Frost Beasts on the first scroll are basically within the 500 to 1000 meter range.
South, past the Great Xia earth slope for two kilometers, there's a frozen river. That river shows no signs of Frost Beast activity around it, and unless something unexpected happens, it should be quite dangerous. People had better not go there either.
South, past the Great Xia earth slope for two kilometers, there's a frozen river. That river shows no signs of Frost Beast activity around it, and unless something unexpected happens, it should be quite dangerous. People really shouldn't go there either.
After passing through this mountain path, you can reach a place called Pingxi Plain, where there's a massive camp called Honeycomb—that's the destination of my journey."
Here, Luo Ming finally answered Xia Hong's earlier question.
Xia Hong stared at the map, unable to speak for a long time.
These two things Luo Ming left for him before departing were truly each more precious than the last.
"Leader Luo, I truly don't know how to thank you!"
Luo Ming waved his hand, forced a bitter laugh, then showed a trace of melancholy on his face:
"In earlier years when my father Luo Feng served as leader, he had great ambitions. Besides leading hunting teams, he often took people to explore and survey the surrounding areas, creating this map.
Originally according to his plan, this map would be continuously improved by successors until the entire area around Redwood Ridge was fully explored.
Unfortunately, after I succeeded as leader, my abilities were limited, and this map was never updated. Now that I'm leaving, I'm leaving this map to you."
The detailed information on six Frost Beasts and a map of the three-mile radius east of Redwood Ridge—Xia Hong didn't need to ask what price Rogge Camp had paid for these two things; he roughly understood in his heart.
From the melancholy on Luo Ming's face, one could glimpse a hint of it.
Perhaps Luo Ming had also entertained the notion of inheriting Luo Feng's great talent and bold vision in his early years.
But the camp's increasingly difficult situation and successive setbacks.
Coupled with the Wood Puppet Abomination incident, which served as the final straw that broke the camel's back.
Luo Ming ultimately abandoned this aspiration, and now by handing these two things to him, it could be considered entrusting both the camp and his father's unfinished legacy entirely to him.
Seeing the melancholy in Luo Ming's eyes, Xia Hong's face flashed with hesitation.
He was considering whether he should try to persuade Luo Ming to stay.
Luo Ming immediately discerned Xia Hong's thoughts, lightly laughed and shook his head:
"Brother Xia Hong, no need to say more. I know you have capability, which is why I'm willing to entrust these things to you. If not for Cheng'er, I wouldn't abandon these people and leave!"
Hearing this, Xia Hong nodded gently, a look of relief appearing on his face.
Luo Ming was indeed determined to leave, and truly asking him to stay might not actually benefit the current camp.
"Alright, with the camp newly relocated, you have much to attend to. I'll take my leave now. The Crystal Fruit Tree fruiting days are approaching in the next few days—I need to hurry and keep watch. If I miss it, I'll have to wait four months for the next opportunity."
After speaking, Luo Ming turned decisively and led the three Digging Realm experts including Shang Ping, five Lumberjack Realm members, and their respective family members into Redwood Ridge under cover of night, apparently planning to pass through Redwood Ridge northward to the arrow bamboo forest.
Among the three Digging Realm experts, Li Baihe, who carried a bow, frequently looked back, perhaps wanting to take a few more glances at the camp valley.
Xia Hong watched the group depart until they disappeared from view, then finally exhaled deeply, stored the two scrolls in his chest, and turned back toward the camp.
Inside the camp's wooden house, heated discussion continued.
What everyone debated most was essentially whether the rules Xia Chuan had just mentioned could truly be implemented and enforced.
What everyone debated most was whether the rules Xia Chuan had just mentioned could truly be implemented and enforced.
"Leader!"
Seeing Xia Hong approach, the two hurriedly stood and greeted him. Since both camps had agreed to merge into Great Xia, they naturally dropped the surnames when addressing him.
"Gentlemen, we must not delay. Huangzhao Camp is closer—tomorrow night I'll bring people over. Huangzhao Camp's people will relocate first, then Great Chuan the night after. Let's resolve this in two days, making it quick to avoid complications."
"Yes, Leader! We'll return to prepare immediately!"
Xia Hong nodded. Before the two could leave, he walked to the center of the wooden house, scanned the surroundings, and without avoiding the crowd, directly placed all the buildings from his system right in the middle.
The iron smelting furnace, medicine pot, wooden dummy, and grinding stone—four buildings materialized out of thin air in the very center of the wooden house. The original Great Xia Camp members were naturally accustomed to this.
But those from Rogge Camp were seeing this for the first time and immediately crowded around, their expressions filled with astonishment.
"Leader, we've finished inventorying everything remaining from Rogge Camp. There are 3000 jin of iron ore, 4500 jin of coal stone, seventeen Golden Frost Trees worth of lumber, over six hundred vermilion frost trees, plus four broadswords and nine bows currently held by the original fifteen Rogge Camp members. Besides these, there are over twenty iron tools that have all been sorted. Please come take a look."
Ignoring the astonished crowd nearby, upon hearing Yuan Cheng's report, Xia Hong directly followed him to the tool storage area at the inner side of the wooden house.