Chapter 38: Section 39: Logging


    Editor: Henyee Translations


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    Zhenjin issued consecutive orders, whether it was Huang Zao, Lan Zao, or Bai Ya, Cang Xu, etc., all received the orders solemnly.


    But Zhenjin glanced around and still saw the uncertain gazes of the exploration team members.


    Zhenjin shouted in a low voice, “Now, if anyone has different ideas, then speak up immediately! The Holy Temple Knight never punishes anyone who dares to speak his mind.”


    No one spoke, a few people opened their mouths but stopped.


    ...


    Zhenjin’s face slightly darkened.


    He knew he still had not established enough leadership prestige.


    Cang Xu spoke at the right time, “My lord, your decision is undoubtedly wise. Although the Flying Squirrel leaders can produce electric shocks that can be deadly, their numbers are very scarce. Your archery and flying daggers have always been extremely accurate!”


    “During this period, we have encountered many beast packs, setting aside the sheep packs, this Flying Squirrel pack is the weakest. If we give up, it is unlikely we would have such good luck and encounter a more suitable target than the Flying Squirrel pack.”


    “My suggestion is, we can strive to devise tactics. The right tactics can make it easier for us to defeat these foolish Flying Squirrels. After all, human brains are much smarter than beasts.”


    “Very well.” Zhenjin nodded with a look of approval, “Scholar Cang Xu, your opinion is very pertinent. In fact, we just need to obtain enough food. We can attract the Flying Squirrels batch by batch, control the scale of the battle, and as long as we hunt enough food, we do not need to fight the Flying Squirrel leaders head-on.”


    Zhenjin’s words were somewhat wishful thinking.


    The nature of beasts is difficult to fathom, especially since everyone was very unfamiliar with these Flying Squirrels and had very little contact with them. Moreover, on this island, creatures like Flying Squirrels had strong signs of human interference and were not naturally created. Therefore, it was really hard to say about their habits.


    Both Zhenjin and Cang Xu understood these principles. Sёar?h the Novёl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But after this deliberate conversation, the group was no longer as shaken as before, and some people’s gazes became firm again, morale increased to some extent.


    Although Zhenjin’s prestige had not been established, Cang Xu’s combat strength was weak, combining their influence could still mobilize the enthusiasm of the whole exploration team.


    Zhenjin was increasingly satisfied with Cang Xu.


    He silently evaluated in his heart, “Cang Xu understands how to cooperate with me, perhaps, in this aspect, he is better than Zi Di.”


    “Zi Di, although she is the Chairman of the Guild, is still too young, and her main effort and time have been devoted to the magic cultivation.”


    “Despite Cang Xu’s lack of strength, he has served the nobles for half his life, with rich experience. All along, he has been assisting me in controlling this exploration team.”


    After breakfast, everyone moved quickly.


    This place was a forest landscape, a sea of trees as far as the eye could see.


    To make short bows, suitable wood was needed.


    “We now need two types of wood, one for making the bow arms of short bows, and another for making the bowstring. I have no idea how to select them, we need to rely on Lord Bai Ya and Cang Xu’s expertise.” Huang Zao looked at Cang Xu and Bai Ya.


    The old scholar smiled, “Although this island is filled with bizarre, mutated beasts, tree and grass mutations are relatively rare. I believe these kinds of trees are our targets.”


    Bai Ya said, “Lord Huang Zao, my father and I have chopped down trees and made hunting bows ourselves. Roughly looking, this kind of tree matches my memory best.”


    Combining Bai Ya’s experience, Cang Xu’s knowledge, and Huang Zao’s hands-on examination of tree-cutting, the three successfully identified two types of trees.


    Then Huang Zao started chopping down the trees.


    After all, he was a Bronze Level warrior, his strength far exceeded that of an ordinary person.


    The blade from the Blade Spider was extremely sharp. With one slash, the tree slowly leaned over before crashing to the ground.


    Bai Ya stepped forward, cut into the trunk with the blade, and skillfully pried open a piece of bark. The bark was black-green and very hard, but when Bai Ya flipped the bark over, the inner layer was revealed.


    The inner layer of the bark was yellow-green, and Bai Ya’s fingers felt a slippery sensation.


    He nodded slightly and commented, “The inner layer of this bark should be able to make top-quality hemp rope.”


    The three chose another large tree.


    This tree was much thicker than the previous one.


    Huang Zao drew the sharp blade Zhenjin lent him and was about to start.


    Cang Xu stopped him, “Don’t use such a sharp weapon, use an axe. Such weapons can only be wielded to their full potential by a Transcendent. Ordinary people are still better off using axes for felling trees.”


    Huang Zao followed the advice and used an axe to chop the trunk.


    Iron-made swords and knives are prone to edge rolling when used for tree-felling. People don’t do this unless absolutely necessary.


    The exploration team had brought a few axes, mainly for conveniently gathering food like bananas and coconuts. The second was to cut out a road. If a stable food source was found, a convenient road would be very helpful.


    Huang Zao swung his stout arm and chopped more than a dozen times before cutting a notch in the trunk.


    “If I could use Fighting energy, I could split this damned tree with one axe!” Huang Zao grumbled, dissatisfied with his performance.


    Bronze Level’s Fighting energy, although it could not attach to the weapon or cover the body, could temporarily boost a person’s physical attributes significantly after activation. Depending on the Fighting energy tactics, cultivators would see improvements in strength, speed, endurance, recovery power, and other aspects.


    After a few more chops, the notch in the trunk finally expanded to a critical mass.


    Huang Zao changed direction and pushed the trunk forcefully, felling the large tree.


    Then he used the axe to cut out a trunk section, take the core, and cut it into wooden boards.


    After examining the long, narrow boards, both Bai Ya and Cang Xu were very satisfied.


    Cang Xu had Huang Zao deliberately bend the board, which exhibited excellent toughness.


    The three were pleased and things were progressing smoothly.


    “We shall return to report to Lord Zhenjin, it’s time to bring people to start felling these trees,” decided Cang Xu.


    Their location was near the camp, which had long been cleared and was relatively safe.


    Soon, the three returned to the camp.


    Zhenjin oversaw the camp, commanding the entire situation.


    After learning about the trio’s findings, Zhenjin thought for a moment and then asked Cang Xu, “How many people do you think we need, and how long will it take to gather enough wood?”


    It was clear Cang Xu had considered this on the way back, and he answered immediately, “The more people, the better, but my lord, there are some points we need to pay attention to.”


    “Firstly is the safety of the logging team. In dangerous wildlands, logging teams typically have patrol and guard teams. Although the exploration team members are warriors, their physical strength is limited. Logging is labor-intensive and can exhaust people, reducing combat power. If danger arises, the logging team would have trouble resisting.”


    “Secondly, food. I suggest allocating some people to gather food nearby. The harvest won’t be much, but our food supplies are at a critical level. Any additional food would be beneficial.”


    “Thirdly, these wood materials can be used for more purposes beyond making short bows. We can build more defensive structures. On the way back, Bai Ya and I discussed that he knows many hunter traps. We can set and enlarge these traps to deal with beasts like the Flying Squirrels. We have a huge intelligent advantage over them.”


    “Fourthly, and most critically, is time. We are pressed for time, but both the hemp rope for bowstrings and the bow arms require drying. Making bowstrings and short bows will take at least a day, with drying needing at least two days, leaving us very little time for training.”


    As before, Cang Xu provided Zhenjin with many pertinent suggestions.


    Zhenjin nodded, Cang Xu remained as reliable as ever.


    Zhenjin always believed, “Cang Xu is the best candidate for management and allocating personnel is not simple. In this respect, Zi Di lacks enough experience. Huang Zao and Lan Zao excel at combat. According to my knowledge, the two brothers have no achievements in commanding apart from leading charges.”


    For Cang Xu’s concerns, Zhenjin smiled and produced a potion.


    The next moment, Zhenjin saw Cang Xu’s eyes light up.


    Zhenjin said, “I have prepared for this.”


    “Here are two types of potions, one to apply to bow arms, and one to quickly dry the freshly cut bark. It only needs one night.”


    “But note, their shelf life is only one day.”


    These potions were prepared by Zi Di on short notice.


    Zhenjin had previously discussed the matter of crossbows with Zi Di, and these potions were the main results.


    Cang Xu was overjoyed, “With these, it couldn’t be better.”


    The lack of food made time critical.


    The potions, seemingly insignificant, solved the exploration team’s biggest problem.


    Zhenjin then appointed Cang Xu to lead the team members in logging.


    He also tasked Bai Ya with food gathering, with Huang Zao accompanying him for safety and clearing the area around the camp.


    Huang Zao had Bronze Level strength, even without Fighting energy, his combat ability far exceeded ordinary warriors.


    “But this means everyone is assigned to the logging and foraging teams, leaving no one to guard the loggers,” Cang Xu worried.


    The exploration team was originally large, but by the time Zhenjin took over, there were only a dozen or so people left. After the poisoning incident, overall fighting power and physical strength dropped. Tasks that one person previously handled might now require one and a half or even two people, making human resources very tight.


    “Rest assured, I will personally guard the logging team,” Zhenjin said.


    Cang Xu was immediately relieved, the area around Zhenjin would certainly be the safest!


    He had thought Zhenjin would guard Zi Di. Although her strategic importance on the island had decreased, Zi Di was still a mage.


    Cang Xu mused, “So, my lord appoints Lan Zao to guard the camp?”


    Zhenjin shook his head, “No, reconnaissance is vital. Lan Zao will still scout the details of the Flying Squirrel colonies. He can handle it alone. Others lack the strength and would only be a burden.”


    Cang Xu frowned, reminding, “But what about Zi Di’s safety?”


    Zhenjin smiled, “I’ve communicated with her. She will stay alone in the camp. She is also a Pharmacist, with ways to protect herself. If any unsolvable danger arises, our logging team is near the camp, and I can reinforce her immediately.”


    Cang Xu had no more objections, knowing the exploration team lacked manpower, Zhenjin’s arrangement was optimal.


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