Logging

Zhen Jin issued a series of orders. Whether it was Huang Zao, Lan Zao, Bai Ya, or Cang Xu, all accepted them solemnly.

But when Zhen Jin looked around, he still saw the uncertain flickering in the Exploration Team members' eyes.

Zhen Jin barked in a low voice, "If anyone has different thoughts, speak up now! A Temple Knight will never punish anyone who dares to speak honestly."

No one spoke. A few people opened their mouths, only to hesitate and stop.

Zhen Jin's expression darkened slightly.

He knew he still had not established sufficient authority as a leader.

Cang Xu spoke at the right moment. "Sir, your decision is undoubtedly wise. Although the Flying Squirrel Leader can produce Electric Shock powerful enough to kill, there are very few of them. Your archery and Flying Dagger have always struck without fail!"

"During this time, we have encountered many beast packs. Setting aside the sheep herd, this Flying Squirrel pack is the weakest. If we give up, I fear we will not be fortunate enough to encounter a more suitable target than these Flying Squirrels."

"My suggestion is that we should work hard to devise tactics. Proper tactics will let us defeat these foolish Flying Squirrels more easily. After all, human minds are far smarter than beasts'."

"Very good." Zhen Jin nodded, his face showing approval. "Scholar Cang Xu, your opinion is very sound. In truth, we only need enough food. We can lure the Flying Squirrels over in batches and control the scale of the battle. Once we have hunted enough food, there will be no need to fight the Flying Squirrel Leader head-on."

What Zhen Jin said was actually somewhat wishful thinking.

Animal nature was difficult to fathom, especially since they were all unfamiliar with these Flying Squirrels and had only encountered them briefly. On this island, creatures like the Flying Squirrels bore strong traces of human intervention and were not natural creations. Their habits were truly hard to predict.

Both Zhen Jin and Cang Xu understood these principles.

But after this deliberate exchange, the others no longer wavered as they had before. Some people's gazes became firm again, and morale rose to a certain extent.

Zhen Jin had not established his prestige, and Cang Xu's combat strength was weak, but by combining their influence, they could still stir the entire Exploration Team into action.

Zhen Jin became increasingly satisfied with Cang Xu.

He secretly assessed him in his heart. Cang Xu knows how to cooperate with me. Perhaps this is exactly where he surpasses Zi Di.

Although Zi Di is the president of a merchant association, she is still too young. She has devoted most of her energy and time to magical cultivation.

Although Cang Xu has no strength, he has served nobles for half his life and possesses abundant experience and knowledge. All along, he has been the one assisting me in controlling this Exploration Team.

After breakfast, everyone quickly sprang into action.

This place was forest terrain. As far as the eye could see, there were trees everywhere.

To make shortbows, they needed suitable wood.

"We currently need two kinds of wood. One will be used for the limbs of the shortbows, while from the other, we will only take the bark to make bowstrings. As for how to choose them, I do not know. We will need to rely on Bai Ya and Sir Cang Xu." Huang Zao looked toward Cang Xu and Bai Ya.

The old scholar smiled. "Although this island is filled with bizarre mutated beasts, comparatively few trees and grasses have mutated. I believe these types of trees should be our targets."

Bai Ya added, "Sir Huang Zao, my father and I used to fell trees and make our own hunting bows. After taking a rough look around, this kind of tree most closely matches my memory."

Combining Bai Ya's experience, Cang Xu's knowledge, and Huang Zao's practical testing through chopping the trees himself, the three successfully settled on two types of trees.

Then Huang Zao got to work and felled the trees.

He was, after all, a Bronze-level warrior. His strength far exceeded that of ordinary people.

The blade from the Blade Spider was exceedingly sharp. With one slash, the tree slowly tilted before crashing to the ground.

Bai Ya stepped forward and cut into the trunk with the blade, then skillfully pried off a piece of bark. The bark was dark green and extremely hard on the outside, but when Bai Ya flipped it over, he saw its inner layer.

The bark's inner layer was yellow-green. Bai Ya touched it, and a slick, greasy sensation came through his fingers.

He nodded slightly and evaluated it. "This inner bark layer should be able to make high-quality Hemp Rope."

The three selected another large tree.

This tree was much thicker and sturdier than the one they had felled earlier.

Huang Zao drew the sharp blade Zhen Jin had lent him and was about to begin.

Cang Xu stopped him. "Do not use such a sharp weapon. Use an axe. Only extraordinary individuals can bring out the true power of such blades. Ordinary people should still use axes for logging."

Huang Zao readily accepted the advice and chose an axe to chop at the trunk.

Tie Zhi swords and blades could easily have their edges rolled from logging. Unless absolutely necessary, people would not use them this way.

The Exploration Team had brought several axes. They had originally been intended mainly to make gathering food easier, such as bananas, coconuts, and so on. Secondarily, they were for clearing a path. If they found a stable food source, having a convenient route would be very useful.

Huang Zao swung his thick arms and hacked more than a dozen times before finally cutting a notch into the trunk.

"If I could use Battle Qi, I could chop down this damned tree with one axe!" Huang Zao muttered, dissatisfied with his performance.

Although Bronze-level Battle Qi could not be attached to weapons or cover the body's surface, once activated, it could greatly and temporarily enhance one's physical capabilities. Depending on the Battle Qi Formula, practitioners would gain greater improvements in areas such as strength, speed, endurance, and recovery.

After several more chops, the notch in the trunk finally widened past a critical point.

Huang Zao changed directions and shoved the trunk with all his strength, toppling the large tree.

Then he swung his axe again, chopping out a section of trunk, extracting the heartwood, and cutting it into planks.

After Bai Ya and Cang Xu inspected the long planks, both were very satisfied.

Cang Xu had Huang Zao deliberately bend one of the planks. The plank displayed excellent toughness.

The three showed delight. Things were progressing very smoothly.

"Let us return and report to Sir Zhen Jin. It is time to bring people here to fell these trees." Cang Xu made the decision.

The three were located near the camp. This area had long been cleared out and was relatively safe.

Very soon, the three returned to camp.

Zhen Jin remained in camp, overseeing the overall situation.

Upon learning of their results, Zhen Jin thought for a moment before asking Cang Xu, "How many people do you think would be suitable, and roughly how long will it take us to obtain enough wood?"

Cang Xu had clearly considered this on the way back and immediately answered, "Naturally, the more hands we have, the better. But Sir, there are several matters we need to pay attention to."

"First is the safety of the Logging Team. When logging in dangerous wilderness, teams are usually equipped with a Patrol Team and guards. Although the Exploration Team members are all warriors, their stamina is limited. Logging is strenuous work and will leave people exhausted, greatly reducing their combat strength. If danger truly arises, the logging members will find it difficult to resist."

"Second is food. I suggest assigning some people to gather food in the surrounding area as much as possible. The harvest certainly will not be large, but our food reserves have already reached the warning line. Even a little more food would be good."

"Third, this wood can be put to greater use. It is not only for making shortbows. We can also set up more defensive works. On the way back, I spoke with Bai Ya. He knows many hunters' traps. We can set more traps, and make them larger. They would be impractical against people, but those Flying Squirrels are beasts. We possess an enormous advantage in intelligence."

"Fourth, I believe this is also the most crucial and difficult problem. Our time is actually very tight. Yet both the Hemp Rope for making bowstrings and the shortbow limbs need to dry. Making the bowstrings and shortbows will take at least one day. Drying them will take at least two days. Very little time will remain for training."

Just as before, Cang Xu provided Zhen Jin with many sound suggestions.

Zhen Jin nodded. Cang Xu was as reliable as ever.

Zhen Jin had always believed that Cang Xu was the best candidate for an administrative officer. Coordinating personnel was no simple matter. Zi Di lacked sufficient experience in this regard. Huang Zao and Lan Zao excelled at combat. From what Zhen Jin knew, the pair of brothers had accomplished little in command as well. All they could do was lead charges from the front.

In response to Cang Xu's distress, Zhen Jin smiled and calmly took out several potions.

The next moment, Zhen Jin saw Cang Xu's eyes light up sharply.

Zhen Jin said, "I have already prepared for this."

"There are two kinds of potions here. One is applied to the bow limbs, while the other can rapidly dry freshly stripped bark. One night will be enough."

"But take note: these potions only remain effective for one day."

These potions had all been hastily prepared by Zi Di.

When Zhen Jin had previously discussed bows and crossbows with Zi Di, these potions had been their main result.

Cang Xu was overjoyed. "With these, nothing could be better."

The lack of food made time extremely critical.

The potions seemed insignificant, but they actually solved the greatest trouble facing the Exploration Team.

Zhen Jin then appointed Cang Xu to lead the members in logging.

He also ordered Bai Ya to gather food, with Huang Zao accompanying him and being responsible for the safety of Bai Ya and the others. At the same time, they were to continue clearing out the area around the camp.

Huang Zao possessed Bronze-level strength. Even without activating Battle Qi, his combat power surpassed that of ordinary warriors.

"But if we do this, everyone will be assigned to the Logging Team or the search team. There will be no one to serve as guards beside the Logging Team." Cang Xu said worriedly.

The Exploration Team had originally been fairly large, but by the time Zhen Jin took over, only a dozen or so people remained. Then they had suffered the poisoning incident, causing their combat strength, stamina, and other capabilities to decline across the board. A task that originally required one person might now require one and a half, or even two. Thus, manpower was extremely tight.

"Do not worry. I will personally serve as the Logging Team's guard." Zhen Jin said.

Cang Xu immediately felt relieved. The area around Zhen Jin would certainly be the safest place!

He had originally thought that Zhen Jin would guard Zi Di's side. Although her strategic importance had diminished considerably on this island, Zi Di was still a mage.

Cang Xu pondered for a moment. "Then, Sir, do you intend to appoint Lan Zao to guard the camp?"

Zhen Jin shook his head. "No. Scouting the enemy is extremely important. Lan Zao still needs to investigate the details of the Flying Squirrel colony. He can act alone. The others are too weak, and going with him would only burden him."

Cang Xu frowned and reminded him, "Then Lady Zi Di's safety..."

Zhen Jin smiled. "I have spoken with her. She will remain alone in camp. She is also a potion master and has ways to protect herself. If she encounters any danger that is difficult to handle, our Logging Team will be near the camp, and I can reinforce her immediately."

Cang Xu had no further objections. He understood that the Exploration Team lacked manpower, and Zhen Jin's arrangement had already made the best possible use of it.