77: Chapter 77 Luo Ming’s Commission 77: Chapter 77 Luo Ming’s Commission “Leader Luo, what brings you here?”
It was none other than Luo Ming who had come.
While Xia Hong was somewhat surprised, seeing the tension on everyone’s faces in the camp, he quickly went to the cave entrance and brought Luo Ming into the cave.
Once Luo Ming entered the cave and nothing unusual happened, the tension vanished from the faces of everyone in the camp.
Leading Luo Ming to the side of the Iron Melting Furnace, Xia Hong also breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he knew that there was likely nothing to worry about once Luo Ming entered the cave.
But as they say, better safe than sorry.
The description of the Second-level Melting Iron Furnace is that it can deter and kill primary monsters within a hundred meters, but it doesn’t include intermediate and advanced monsters.
“Brother Xia Hong, what were you celebrating just now?”
As Luo Ming sat down by the furnace, instead of answering Xia Hong’s questions, he asked what they were celebrating earlier.
Xia Hong was a bit confused, but Xia Chuan, standing beside him, happily recounted the matter of distributing meat, possibly with some intent to show off since they had previously discussed it with Luo Ming.
Hearing about the distribution rules Xia Hong decided upon, Luo Ming immediately understood why everyone in the camp had been so excited just now.
The four-tier system of Xia Chuan was something he and Luo Ming had discussed together, so it was no surprise, but hearing the two final modifications Xia Hong made.
Relaxing the age limit for recruiting reserves; and giving five pounds per month to children under thirteen.
Luo Ming’s eyes were immediately filled with admiration.
As the leader of Rogel Camp, Luo Ming clearly understood the intention behind Xia Hong’s final additions.
These two wouldn’t have immediate effects, and they might even need to risk increasing hunting efforts because of the extra demand for Cold Beast Meat.
But if they could sustain this in the long run, the future development of Great Xia Camp would be limitless.
More importantly, Xia Hong was willing to give out so much Cold Beast Meat to the ordinary people in the camp, and even Xia Chuan and others didn’t oppose him, which was even more commendable.
After Xia Chuan finished speaking, Luo Ming turned to Xia Hong, his eyes full of appreciation and admiration, and sighed, “Brother Xia Hong, what boldness you have!”
Xia Hong smiled slightly, not caring, curious only about Luo Ming’s purpose in coming.
But just as he was about to speak, Luo Ming’s expression changed, and Xia Hong noticed his gaze had shifted to the Shock Frost Saber hanging on his waist.
“Brother Xia Hong, this saber…”
Xia Hong thought Luo Ming might be interested in the saber he had just forged, so he handed the Shock Frost Saber over directly.
Luo Ming took the saber, saw the chilling blade and the newly forged pattern on the side, and his mouth fell open, full of disbelief.
Leader Xia, did you just forge this using the Iron Ore I sent you?”
Xia Hong roughly guessed why Luo Ming was so shocked and did not deliberately hide it, nodding to indicate it was indeed newly forged by him.
Upon Xia Hong’s confirmation, waves surged in Luo Ming’s heart.
A mere ten-forged weapon was naturally not enough to shock him; it was the time that shocked him.
He had given Xia Hong four thousand pounds of iron ore only two days ago.
In just two days, how could Xia Hong, at the Earth-digging Realm, forge a ten-forged weapon, which was simply unfathomable.
At Rogel Camp, forging a ten-forged saber would require at least two Earth-digging Realm individuals working in shifts over three to five days.
In fact, when he sent that four thousand pounds of iron ore, Luo Ming never thought Xia Hong could forge weapons, thinking he would at most make some ordinary iron tools.
How did Xia Hong achieve it?
“Leader Luo, you haven’t said why you came tonight yet?”
Seeing the shock on Luo Ming’s face and worried about questions regarding the saber, Xia Hong preemptively asked his purpose.
Though the system architectures in the camp weren’t a secret, it was not advisable to reveal them to outsiders, as wealth could attract unwanted attention, and while he wasn’t afraid of robbery, it was best to avoid unforeseen complications.
Clearly realizing Xia Hong’s reluctance to elaborate, Luo Ming immediately suppressed his curiosity, remembered his purpose, and his expression turned solemn.
He stood up from beside the furnace and walked up to Xia Hong.
Then, he knelt down directly.
This kneeling startled Xia Hong quite a bit.
Xia Hong quickly stood up, wanting to help Luo Ming up.
But awkwardly, Luo Ming was stronger than he was.
And his body was tense, clearly intentionally not allowing him to lift him up.
Helpless, Xia Hong let go, his face full of confusion.
“Leader Luo, what are you doing…”
Luo Ming took a deep breath, remained kneeling without moving, and looked up at Xia Hong, speaking sincerely, “Brother Xia Hong, having lost my father and wife and children, I neither have the will nor the strength to manage Rogel Camp anymore.
Currently, I only have my little son Luo Cheng left.
The environment at Redwood Ridge is harsh, and I lack the strength.
Therefore, I want to take my son to a larger, safer camp, but I can’t stop worrying about the remaining over a hundred people in the camp.
Today, I’ve come to ask Brother Xia Hong to take in the remaining over a hundred people from Rogel Camp and lead them to continue surviving!”
After saying this in one breath, Luo Ming paused for a moment and continued to add:
“Of course, I know it’s difficult, so I’m willing to hand over everything from Rogel Camp.
In the valley south of the base, there’s a not yet fully mined iron mine, and in the Redwood Ridge territory, there’s a coal mine ready for direct extraction.
Brother Xia Hong, if you agree, all these will belong to Great Xia in the future.”
After Luo Ming finished speaking, silence fell by the furnace.
Xia Chuan, Yuan Cheng, Yue Feng, and some ordinary people had already gathered when Luo Ming knelt down, and upon hearing what he said, everyone became silent, gazing at Xia Hong with complex expressions.
No wonder, no wonder…
Xia Hong suddenly realized why Luo Ming had previously given him so much coal and iron ore, why he talked so much with Xia Chuan, and even discussed the meat distribution with him.
Apparently, the previous disaster caused by the Wood Puppet Monster had devastated Rogel Camp severely; coupled with the loss of his father, wife, and eldest son, Luo Ming was truly disheartened, unwilling to keep his focus on the camp, only wanting to protect his only young son.
He’s leaving with his young son for a larger, safer camp.
Given the preceding events, Xia Hong wasn’t surprised at Luo Ming’s decision to escape.
Instead, he admired that Luo Ming didn’t just leave without a word but chose to come to him, humbly and sincerely seeking a way out for the camp’s over a hundred people.
At the very least, this showed that even though Luo Ming chose to escape, he still held a sense of responsibility.
“Since you know the locations of other camps, why not take the people with you there?”
Yuan Cheng’s question immediately drew strange looks from the crowd.
Mainly because the question was too blunt.
Moving a camp is exceedingly challenging for any community.
And the larger the group, the greater the risk.
Moreover, since Redwood Ridge is isolated from the outside world, if Luo Ming decided to leave, he might have a hidden safe route, and such a route wouldn’t allow taking too many people.
Luo Ming didn’t mind, explaining, “Don’t worry, Brother Xia Hong.
I am only taking twelve people with me this time.
Among the 173 remaining in the camp, there are still seventeen in the Logging Realm, who can assist Brother Xia Hong in due time!”
Seventeen, in the Logging Realm!
Upon hearing this, Xia Chuan, Yuan Cheng, and the others’ eyes immediately lit up, turning to Xia Hong with a look of wanting to persuade him.
Xia Hong remained silent, just frowning in deep thought.
Seeing him not speak, everyone else also stayed silent, merely watching him quietly.
Meanwhile, Luo Ming remained kneeling without rising, as if he wouldn’t get up unless Xia Hong agreed.
The entire cave sunk into silence.