Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Xia Hong's serious tone made it easy to hear the implied meaning in his words. Everyone standing in the circle remained silent for only a moment before one person stepped forward.

"Chief, just tell us what to do. I'll listen to you."

The first to step forward wasn't one of the original Da Xia members, but Zou Yuankai, a member of the former Rogue Camp and now part of the hunting team.

As Zou Yuankai's words fell, Yuan Cheng, Hong Gang, Huang Yong, and other members of the hunting team, as well as members of the logging and gathering teams, all stood up and expressed their support to Xia Hong.

"If the gnawing rat swarm comes, none of us will survive. Chief, if you have a plan, just tell us. If there's anything I, Yuan Cheng, can do, I won't hesitate."

"That's right! The Chief is always leading people to fight outside, and we're useless. It's rare to have a chance to be useful, and I've been waiting for this day. Chief, please speak frankly!"

"Whatever the Chief orders, I'll be the first to charge forward!"

...\n\n...

Xia Hong sat in his chair, listening to the continuous expressions of support and looking at the determination and fearlessness on their faces. He couldn't help but be moved.

Those who stood up to express their support weren't just members of the hunting team, logging team, or gathering team. Almost all the Lumbering Realm cultivators in the camp were present, and even some of the reserve ordinary people standing at the back were included.

From the relocation and camp merger to now, almost seven months had passed. At this moment, Xia Hong truly realized that everyone in the Da Xia Camp no longer had any barriers. In the face of disaster, they had not only become a tightly twisted rope, but everyone had the determination to die for Da Xia.

The greatest achievements and gains of the past seven months of hard work were, of course, the cultivation of so many Lumbering Realm and Burrowing Realm combatants in front of him.

But now, in Xia Hong's eyes, the courage and responsibility these people showed in the face of disaster were the greatest reward for him.

"Good! We, Da Xia, don't have a single coward!"

Xia Hong stood up directly from his chair, his expression also quite invigorated. After looking around at everyone, he said in a deep voice, "With our current strength, it's unrealistic to confront that gnawing rat swarm head-on. Forcibly driving them away is definitely impossible, so we can only think of a way to guide them away from here..."

The strength of a single gnawing rat wasn't considered strong.

Xia Hong believed that he should have no problem hunting them in a one-on-one situation.

However, the gnawing rat swarm on the side of the mountain wall was too large. Combined with the gnawing rats' silent burrowing ability and their elusive speed, the current Da Xia was definitely no match. Once the location of the camp was discovered, it would definitely be a catastrophe.

Guiding them was the only way, and what's more, Da Xia just happened to have torches, a perfect tool for attracting cold beasts.

But even just leading the gnawing rat swarm away carried huge risks.

First of all, where to lead them?

There was no other answer to this question. The Lu Shang Camp was north of the mountain wall, unfamiliar mountains were to the east, and their settlement in the valley was to the south, which was even more impossible. Therefore, they could only lead them west, into the Redwood Ridge.

The north slope of the mountain wall was only seven or eight hundred meters away from Redwood Ridge. To be on the safe side, they definitely had to lead the gnawing rat swarm as far into it as possible, which, according to the distance Da Xia could currently penetrate, was about one thousand meters into Redwood Ridge.

Secondly, how to lead them?

According to Xia Hong's idea, they would lay torches all the way, leading the gnawing rat swarm to the deepest part, preferably to the edge of the Cloud Mist Teng Snake's territory, their natural enemy.

The difficulty of this operation was that the torches definitely had to be lit simultaneously. They couldn't light one torch, lead them a distance, and then light the next one. This would not only be troublesome to operate and extremely difficult to control the distance, but also very easy to have accidents.

Furthermore, with such a large gnawing rat swarm that could also burrow, who knew if a few would run around randomly? If they discovered the people lighting the torches and then followed the clues to find the valley, it would be a disaster.

Finally, there were various unexpected situations that could occur along the way.

For example, according to Xia Hong's plan, at least dozens of torches would be needed to lay from the north slope of the mountain wall to the inner side of Redwood Ridge. They had never tried lighting so many torches simultaneously before. What if it triggered a large-scale cold beast mobilization?

Laying so many torches along the way, according to the density of cold beasts in Redwood Ridge, some of the points where the torches were laid would definitely not be able to avoid cold beasts. The degree of danger for the people responsible for lighting the torches in these locations was self-evident.

And whether the gnawing rat swarm would all move towards the torches;

Whether the gnawing rat swarm would fight with other cold beasts after entering Redwood Ridge. What if they didn't fight?

Moreover, the burning time of the torches was only fifteen minutes. After they went out, would the gnawing rats just occupy Redwood Ridge, or would they return to the north slope of the mountain wall? If they returned, wouldn't they have wasted their time?

...\n\n...

Xia Hong explained his entire plan, including the difficulties of implementation, the various possibilities of success and failure, and even his concerns, in detail.

Because he explained it clearly, everyone understood it quickly.

In essence, this method was an attempt by the weak.

From tonight's encounter, it could be seen that it was completely impossible to slowly lure and hunt them in batches with torches. First of all, there were too many of them, nearly four hundred. How long would it take to kill them all? Secondly, gnawing rats could send information to each other, and the tribe had the ability to communicate. Once there was a problem with a hunt, it was likely to involve the camp.

If they could confront the gnawing rat swarm head-on, whether it was to drive them away or carry out a large-scale clearing and hunting operation, Xia Hong would not hesitate in the slightest.

The problem was that the current strength of the camp was completely unable to do so.

But sitting idly by and watching them occupy that place would eventually lead to a dead end, so they could only try to use torches to lead them to another place.

Here, another question was involved. Why did the gnawing rat swarm gather there?

If it was just an accidental gathering, then they shouldn't come back after being led away by the torches. But if the gnawing rat swarm had a purpose in gathering here, then they would naturally come back after the torches went out.

The former was fine, but if it was the latter, then all the effort and risk they took to guide them would be useless.

Why was it called an attempt by the weak?

Because this was the only feasible method they currently had, even if it was very likely that the method would be useless.

"Can we move away and not live in this valley anymore?"

"Move to where? There are mountains to the east, so we can't go there. The gnawing rat swarm is to the north. It would be a big commotion to move eight hundred people, so going north is also impossible. The farthest south we can go is three kilometers away, the location of the Great Stone Camp's Pagoda Mountain. What's the difference between moving and not moving? Going further south is an unfamiliar area, which is even more impossible."

Someone suggested moving away, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he was immediately rejected.

"Then can we..."

One after another, people put forward other suggestions, but unsurprisingly, either they weren't feasible, or the difficulty was too great and there were too many dangers.

A large number of people even showed obvious resistance on their faces when they heard suggestions such as relocation.

Xia Hong sat in his chair without saying a word, silently waiting for everyone to discuss.

Although he was already certain in his heart that this was the only way, it would naturally be better if everyone could discuss other better countermeasures.

Unfortunately, after a full hour, everyone in the wooden house finally quieted down and then slowly turned their gazes to Xia Hong.

Obviously, they all realized that the only feasible way was still Xia Hong's suggestion to lead the gnawing rat swarm into Redwood Ridge.

"Chief, pick people! It's definitely not okay to sit and wait for death!"

"At most, it's just death. If I can lead the gnawing rat swarm away, I'll be considered to have made a contribution to Da Xia and gained face. I'm willing to go."

"I'm also willing to go, Chief."

"I'm also willing."

...\n\n...

Looking at everyone's enthusiastic requests, Xia Hong's expression was a little heavy, but he still stood up, nodded, and then used coal stones to draw the terrain on the ground, making detailed deployments.

"From the north slope of the mountain wall to Redwood Ridge is a total of more than seven hundred meters, and then going deeper into the inner side is more than one thousand meters. Counting the roads that need to be detoured along the way, it should be no more than three thousand meters. Placing a torch every hundred meters will require about thirty people.

Taking the lighting of the first torch as the signal, the people behind must immediately retreat as soon as they light the torch, so I need people who are familiar enough with the terrain and run fast.

In addition, when arranging the torches tomorrow night, we must first explore the cold beasts entrenched on the trees along the way and try to avoid them. The torches in the outer five hundred meters and the personnel deployment will be arranged by Xia Chuan and his people. Within five hundred meters, I will be responsible with Luo Yuan and the other four..."

The specific deployment would naturally not come out of thin air like this. Xia Hong was just planning to explain the operation ideas to them and select personnel.

Everything would have to wait until after nightfall, when they went to the north slope of the mountain wall and combined it with the actual situation to make a more comprehensive and detailed plan.

After everyone understood Xia Hong's ideas, they also offered suggestions one after another. Xia Hong gladly adopted some useful ones, and soon thirty-five candidates and specific implementation methods were determined.

Among the thirty-five people, fifteen members of the hunting team were impressively listed, and the rest were all members of the logging team. This group of people was the most familiar with the environment of Redwood Ridge in the camp.

Although these selected people understood that the task they were about to perform was very dangerous, there was still no trace of fear on their faces.

"In theory, this plan does not require a head-on confrontation with the gnawing rat swarm. Under normal circumstances, there should be no danger, but I also said just now that there may be several unexpected situations.

Therefore, I must explain in advance that in order to ensure that the camp is not discovered by the gnawing rat swarm, the people performing the torch-lighting task, including me, are not allowed to return to the camp immediately after escaping. They must wait until dawn before coming back, understand?"

"Understood, Chief!"

The thirty-five people looked slightly solemn and nodded in unison in response.

Xia Hong didn't say more, waving his hand to dismiss everyone. He glanced at Luo Yuan, who had already woken up, and saw that the wound on his waist was healing rapidly. He lay directly on the chair, closed his eyes, and began to rest, quietly waiting for the night to arrive.

The physical fitness of someone in the Earth Burrowing Realm was already very strong. Furthermore, with the application of Golden Sore Powder, the injury recovered quickly. By nightfall, even if not completely healed, he and Luo Yuan should have no problem regaining all their mobility.

… … … … … …

The north slope of the mountain wall, a biting cold wind.

It was currently daytime. At first glance, there were only a few Long-Tailed Gnash Rats left on the north slope, perhaps only ten or so.

But if one looked further north up the mountain, they would discover, a hundred meters away on a dirt slope, countless fleshy long tails were exposed on the ground.

Those tails, seemingly connected to the Gnash Rats' bodies underground, were rhythmically swaying left and right, creating an extremely bizarre and disgusting scene.

And just twenty or thirty meters underground below the mountain wall, inside a cave three meters high, Chen Ying was standing on the shoulders of two people, pressing his ear against the stone wall of the cave ceiling, with his eyes closed, clearly listening to the movements above.

After listening for a while, Chen Ying tiptoed down. A hint of despair appeared on his sallow, thin face.

The two people below saw his expression and clearly realized something, their expressions gradually becoming desperate.

"They're still here. They don't plan on leaving. What exactly is on the north slope? These beasts, are they planning to stay here forever?!"

"It's useless even if they leave during the day. We can't get out anyway. They come back at night and lie down to rest on top of us. We still can't escape."

"The Crystal Fruits ran out three days ago. The leather, hay, and old tarpaulins in the cave, everything that could be eaten, has been eaten. Some of the children have already fainted from hunger."

"We can't go on like this, Father."

"The firewood is about to run out too. The camp is about to start eating people, Father."

"Shut up, be quiet!"

Chen Ying interrupted his two sons' discussion. Although his tone was slightly heavier, he still tried to keep his voice down, for fear of being discovered by the cold beasts above.

But after interrupting the two, Chen Ying didn't know what to say. Thinking of the current situation, the despair in his pupils grew even stronger.

This group of Gnash Rats, since they came over half a month ago, no one knows why, has occupied the north slope of the mountain wall and hasn't left. Today, it's been a full seventeen days.

Chenye Camp was already just a small camp, not very strong. The reserves of Crystal Fruits and firewood weren't much. For seventeen days, the lumber team hasn't been able to go out. The current situation is imaginable.

Chen Ying hadn't considered risking his life, but the problem was, with their strength, even risking their lives was a luxury. If they exposed themselves even a little, it would basically be the end of them, becoming food for these cold beasts.

Last time, with the Wooden Puppet incident at Rogue Camp, Chenye Camp also lost five Lumbering Realm cultivators. Now, there are only the three of them, father and sons, in the Lumbering Realm. With this little strength, the overwhelming number of Gnash Rats on the north slope, even if just one came, they would be dead without a doubt.

Chen Ying had previously hoped that these Gnash Rats had come for some purpose, and once they achieved it, they might leave.

But until now, the Gnash Rats showed no signs of leaving.

"Let's go back and take a look!"

Chen Ying led his two sons more than ten meters south along the cave, and knocked on a stone wall. A response immediately came from behind the stone wall.

A stone was moved away, and light immediately shone from inside. The three immediately crawled in, and then blocked the stone wall again.

Behind the stone wall, there was actually another cave within a cave, about twenty or thirty meters in circumference. A small bonfire was lit in the middle of the cave, and two or three hundred people were packed tightly around the bonfire, their faces full of despair and helplessness.

When Chen Ying and the others came in, the crowd stirred slightly.

But noticing the expressions on the three's faces, the crowd clearly fell into despair again, their expressions listless.

"Wuwuwu, child, my child..."

Suddenly, a woman's sobs came from the crowd.

Chen Ying followed the sound and walked over, finding an adult female beside the bonfire, holding a three- or four-year-old child, sobbing softly.

Chen Ying reached out and put his hand on the child's neck, discovering that his pulse had stopped beating. His face immediately darkened a bit.

Those closest to the bonfire were mostly children and women. Chen Ying stood up, looked around, and found that most of the children had their eyes closed, their breath faint, and some had even fainted.

On the third day of fasting, under normal circumstances, people shouldn't starve to death.

The problem was, the heating also had problems. Above their heads were a large number of cold beasts. They didn't dare to burn the fire too brightly in the first place. In addition, the firewood was also running out these days, so the heating became even more strained.

Just being hungry could still be endured, but if cold was added, even adults couldn't withstand it, let alone children. If this continued, the children would definitely be the first to starve and freeze to death, and then it would spread to the adults.

Chen Ying clenched his fists for a moment, seemingly making a decision. The despair on his face gradually turned into determination.

He turned to look at the crowd and said in a deep voice:

"When night falls, Chen Shang and I will rush out of the cave and run north, attracting the cold beasts' attention. Chen Ping, take the rest of the people and run south. Run if you can, and if you can't, let's all die together!"

After speaking, Chen Ying ignored the reactions of the crowd, sat directly on the ground, and began to close his eyes and rest, quietly waiting for the night to arrive.

The newest and fastest novel is on Liu 9 Shu Ba first!

Chen Ping and Chen Shang didn't have any emotional fluctuations when they heard this, but nodded with a slightly desperate expression.

The others' reactions were the same as theirs, even more desperate.

Not to mention these ordinary people, but at the moment Chen Ye made this decision, he understood in his heart that Chen Ye Camp's two hundred and seventy-eight, no, it should be two hundred and seventy-seven people, would not survive, barring any accidents.

The problem was, not going out to fight was also death.

If they fought, at least they would die with some dignity.

When he confirmed the child's death just now, he had already noticed that there was a faint glint in the eyes of many adults in the camp.

If they continued to stay inside, not only would they die undignified, but there was also a high possibility that a human tragedy that he didn't want to see would occur.

Therefore, other than death, there was no other way!

Weakness was the original sin. Who told them to be at the bottom of this icy and snowy world? Since death was unavoidable, then accept it calmly.

Alas… … … …

Chen Ying, who had closed his eyes, sighed slightly in his heart, and couldn't help but think of Yang Ning and the others he had seen at Rogue Camp some time ago.

"It would be great if we could be born in a place like Beishuo Town!"

Night quietly arrived.

In fact, during these seventeen days of being trapped in the depths of the cave, because he was worried about being discovered by the cold beasts, Chen Ying had even found a way to vent the smoke from the bonfire into the depths of the cave through wooden pipes, let alone open the cave to see if it was day or night outside.

He didn't dare to even dig a small hole to take a look.

He could only judge based on the movements made by the group of cold beasts above.

The group of cold beasts would climb up the high mountains on the north slope during the day, and climb back to the mountain wall to rest at night, so when he heard the movements above becoming louder, Chen Ying realized that it was already dark.

After waiting for a moment, Chen Ying first extinguished the bonfire, and then led everyone out of the hidden cave within a cave, along the three-meter-high passage, to the outer area, which was the large cave they had previously occupied.

"Open the cave!"

Chen Ying was already mentally prepared and didn't waste any words. He led his two sons and some of the adults to clear the cave entrance.

To avoid alarming the cold beasts above in advance, their movements were as light as possible. In addition, they hadn't eaten for several days and didn't have much strength, so the efficiency of clearing was extremely slow.

Even so, everyone wasn't impatient, probably because they knew that they would be facing death when they went out later, so their mentality was still very calm.

When only the last layer of branches remained at the cave entrance, Chen Ying waved his hand to signal everyone to stop, and then looked at everyone in turn, clearly meaning goodbye.

Just as he raised his hand, preparing to push open the last layer of branches.

Boom boom… … … … … …

Suddenly, a violent tremor came from above.

Chen Ying looked up, his expression changed drastically. He thought that his group had been discovered by the cold beasts, and he subconsciously wanted to have everyone retreat back to the previous cave.

"Wait, Father, these cold beasts seem to be leaving!"

"They're not going to the north slope, they're moving towards Redwood Ridge."

Chen Shang and Chen Ping had already put their ears to the ground. After listening for a while, the two suddenly raised their heads, their faces full of ecstasy.

Chen Ying was also stunned for a moment, and then immediately lay down on the ground. After listening for a while, his face also showed ecstasy, and then he immediately tore open a small piece of the cave entrance and looked outside.

"Fire?"

As soon as he saw it, he was instantly stunned.

On the west side of the mountain wall, more than a hundred meters away, although he couldn't see clearly, Chen Ying could be sure that a small flame was burning, and at the same time, countless silver cold beasts were jumping down from above, rushing madly towards that small flame.

No, there's more!

Behind that flame, another flame was lit, followed closely behind, more and more, until four or five small flames were lit, almost reaching the outer edge of Redwood Ridge. It was too far away, and Chen Ying couldn't see clearly either.

"Everyone, get out and run south quickly!"

Until all the silver cold beasts had jumped down and ran towards the west side, and were constantly moving away from the mountain wall while chasing those small flames, Chen Ye, realizing that this was an excellent opportunity to escape, immediately lifted the branches at the cave entrance and shouted loudly behind him.

He didn't take the lead in escaping, but let the others run first.

"Run, run!"

"Run quickly, hurry, those who still have strength, pick up the children, hurry!"

Chen Shang and Chen Ping were also the same. Not only did they not run first, but they walked to the back and picked up two children respectively, and then shouted and urged everyone to run quickly.

It was unrealistic to expect over two hundred people to escape so quickly.

However, with the coordination and organization of the Chen family (father and sons) and the cooperation of many adults, the speed was surprisingly fast. In less than two minutes, everyone had fled the cave and was frantically running south.

The Chen family (father and sons) stayed at the rear of the group, constantly monitoring the approaching Frost Beasts that had entered the outskirts of Redwood Ridge, while also keeping an eye out for danger behind them.

Unfortunately, the group of two to three hundred people was simply too large. While their coordination and organization allowed for a quick exit from the cave, their speed immediately slowed down once they started fleeing south.

"Ah… … … …"

At the same time, a scream suddenly echoed from the middle of the group, instantly breaking it apart. The people in front ran forward frantically, while those in the back actually began to retreat.

Chen Ying and his sons, who were covering the rear, looked shocked and immediately rushed to the middle.

The sight in the middle sent a chill through their hearts.

Three large holes, each half a meter in diameter, had appeared in the ground. Three long-tailed, silver-furred Frost Beasts had already killed seven or eight people. One of them even had the upper half of a person in its mouth. With a few gentle chews, it crushed the person and swallowed them whole.

"Hold them back! The rest of you, keep running! Quickly!"

Without hesitation, Chen Ying drew his stone axe and charged forward bravely. Chen Ping and Chen Shang followed closely behind, all rushing towards the Frost Beasts.

The three of them clearly intended to use their lives to create an opportunity for the others to escape.

The ordinary people reacted quickly as well. The vast majority tried to bypass the beasts and continue running, while a small number of adults gritted their teeth and followed behind Chen Ying and his sons, charging towards the long-tailed, silver-furred Frost Beasts.

"We're going to die anyway, let's fight this beast!"

"The rest of you, run!"

"That's right, let's fight it!"

… … … …

The scene could be considered heroic, but unfortunately, these people were simply too weak.

The two Frost Beasts barely moved. With a few leaps, their claws flashed and their teeth gleamed. The adults were either sliced in half or had their bellies ripped open, their deaths incredibly gruesome.

Chen Ying and his sons, who had charged in first, did manage to hold them back for a few moments, but that was all. In less than three or four breaths, they were sent flying five or six meters by the long tail of one of the Frost Beasts.

The Frost Beast's tail was covered in barbs. The parts of their bodies that were struck instantly became a bloody mess. The oldest, Chen Ying, coughed up blood and couldn't get up immediately.

"Father, let's run! The commotion over at Redwood Ridge is getting bigger and bigger. If those Frost Beasts come back, we're doomed!"

Hearing his son Chen Ping's words, Chen Ying gritted his teeth and turned to see that the two Frost Beasts were still frantically slaughtering the ordinary people in the camp. Without a second thought, he pushed his son away and forced himself to stand up, charging towards the Frost Beast on the left.

"You run first!"

Pa… …

Seeing Chen Ying still charging towards it recklessly, a hint of mockery flashed across the Frost Beast's face. It flicked its body slightly, and its tail, more than two meters long, suddenly lashed out with a cracking sound, flying straight towards Chen Ying's face.

Chen Ying's speed was clearly not on the same level as the beast's. He didn't even have time to raise his stone axe to defend himself. Seeing the barbs on the tail about to pierce his eyeball, Chen Ying closed his eyes subconsciously, a look of relief on his face.

He was already in his early forties, which, according to the average lifespan of forty years for humans in the Ice Abyss World, was already considered old. He had thought that everyone in the camp would starve and freeze to death in the cave. Now that so many had managed to escape, he was already content.

Having stalled for so long, quite a few people should have escaped. It was worth it!

Shua… … … …

However, Chen Ying, who had already resigned himself to death, suddenly heard the sound of an arrow whistling through the air. He suddenly looked up and saw the Frost Beast flying backward four or five meters, a look of astonishment on his face.

"Get the bows and arrows ready! Don't let these two rodents get away! Quickly!"

A calm and collected voice of command came from behind him. Chen Ying and his sons, as well as those who hadn't managed to run far, all turned around subconsciously to look behind them.

At this sight, everyone couldn't help but be stunned.

Six young men, neatly dressed and with extraordinary bearing, were quickly rushing over from behind. They had sabers at their waists and quivers on their backs. As they approached, they quickly drew their bows and notched arrows, shooting them rapidly at the two rodents.

Especially the person giving the orders, the leader, his clothes were far more than just neatly described.

A light blue velvet hat with two white beast teeth, each five or six inches long; straight white-brown trousers; dark and shiny animal skin boots; plus that domineering black cloak.

Magnificent!

The word popped into everyone's minds, including Chen Ying.

"People from North朔 Town are here again?"

The thought subconsciously popped into Chen Ying's head. Such magnificent clothing, coupled with the six men's luxurious weapon configuration, could only make him think of Yang and Li, and then associate them with North朔 Town.

"Chief Chen, don't stand there daydreaming! Hurry and lead the people to escape!"

They recognize me?

Chen Ying was stunned. At the same time, he also saw the faces of the six approaching men clearly.

"Xia… … Chief Xia… … Why is it you guys?"

"Attack! We don't have much time. Let's make it quick!"

Xia Hong had no time to explain to Chen Ying at the moment. With a command, he put down his bow and arrow, drew his saber, and led the charge.

Xia Chuan, Luo Yuan, and the other three followed closely behind.

The six men directly surrounded the two rodents in the middle, giving them no chance, and charged straight in.