Chapter 79

"Leader Luo, why have you come?"

The person who arrived was actually Luo Ming.

Although Xia Hong was somewhat surprised, seeing the nervousness on the faces of the camp members, he still hurried to the cave entrance to bring Luo Ming into the cave.

Seeing that no unusual situation occurred after Luo Ming entered the cave, the nervousness on everyone's faces instantly disappeared.

Xia Hong, who led Luo Ming to the side of the iron-smelting furnace, also felt relieved in his heart.

Although he knew there was a high probability that there would be no problem when Luo Ming entered the cave.

But after all, it is better to be safe than sorry.

The description of the Level 2 iron-smelting furnace says it can deter and damage primary strange creatures within a hundred-meter radius, but it does not include intermediate and advanced strange creatures.

"Brother Xia Hong, what were you all celebrating just now?"

As soon as Luo Ming sat down by the furnace, he did not answer Xia Hong's question but instead asked what they were celebrating just now.

Xia Hong was a bit confused, but Xia Chuan on the side happily explained the meat distribution, perhaps with some intention to show off, since the meat distribution had been discussed with Luo Ming before.

Hearing the meat distribution rules Xia Hong decided on, Luo Ming immediately understood why those people in the camp were so excited just now.

Xia Chuan's four-tier classification was something Luo Ming had discussed with him, so he was naturally not surprised, but he was startled upon hearing the two rules Xia Hong had added at the end.

Relaxing the age limit for recruiting reserves; and issuing five jin every month to children under thirteen.

A strange look flashed repeatedly in Luo Ming's eyes.

As the leader of the Luo Ge camp, Luo Ming knew very well what the intention was behind the two rules Xia Hong added at the end.

These two rules might not produce results in the short term, and they might even require risking more hunting trips to meet the increased demand for cold beast meat.

But if it can be maintained for a long time, the future development of the Great Xia camp will be absolutely limitless.

More importantly, Xia Hong was willing to take out so much cold beast meat to distribute to the ordinary people in the camp, and Xia Chuan and the others did not oppose him, which was even more commendable.

Waiting until Xia Chuan finished speaking, Luo Ming turned his head to look at Xia Hong, his eyes full of admiration and respect, and sighed: "Brother Xia Hong, what courage!"

Xia Hong smiled and didn't pay it much mind; he was only curious about Luo Ming's purpose for coming.

However, just as he was about to ask, Luo Ming's expression froze, and Xia Hong then noticed his gaze had shifted to the Still Cold Blade tucked at his waist.

"Brother Xia Hong, this blade..."

Xia Hong thought Luo Ming was interested in the blade he had just forged, so he handed the Still Cold Blade over directly.

Luo Ming took the blade, saw the cold, gleaming edge and the brand-new forging patterns on the side, and instantly opened his mouth wide, his face full of disbelief.

"New? Leader Xia, this wouldn't be something you just forged using the iron ore I sent, would it?"

Xia Hong roughly guessed why Luo Ming was so shocked and did not deliberately hide it, nodding to indicate that it was indeed something he had just forged.

Hearing Xia Hong confirm it himself, Luo Ming's heart was instantly in turmoil.

A mere ten-forged weapon was naturally not enough to shock him so much; what shocked him was the time.

It had only been two days since he sent Xia Hong four thousand jin of iron ore.

In two days, how could Xia Hong, an Earth-Digging Realm cultivator, forge a ten-forged weapon? It was simply inconceivable.

For the Luo Ge camp to forge a ten-forged great blade, it would take at least two Earth-Digging Realm cultivators working together, rotating for three to five days.

In fact, when sending those four thousand jin of iron ore, Luo Ming never thought Xia Hong could forge weapons, thinking he would at most forge some ordinary ironware.

How did Xia Hong do it?

"Leader Luo, you still haven't said what you came here for tonight."

Seeing the shock on Luo Ming's face and fearing he would ask about the great blade, Xia Hong took the initiative to ask about his purpose.

Although the system buildings are not a secret in the camp, it is naturally inconvenient to reveal them to outsiders. After all, wealth moves people's hearts; although he is not afraid of being robbed, it is not good to cause extra trouble.

Clearly realizing that Xia Hong did not want to say more, Luo Ming immediately suppressed the curiosity in his heart. Remembering his purpose, his expression suddenly became solemn.

He stood up from the side of the furnace and walked to Xia Hong's front.

Then, he actually knelt down directly.

This kneeling shocked Xia Hong quite a bit.

Xia Hong hurriedly stood up, wanting to help Luo Ming up.

But awkwardly, Luo Ming's strength was greater than his.

Moreover, his body was tense, clearly intending not to let him help him up.

Xia Hong had no choice but to let go, his face full of confusion.

"Leader Luo, what are you doing..."

Luo Ming took a deep breath, remained kneeling, looked up at Xia Hong, and said sincerely: "Brother Xia Hong, Luo Ming has lost his father, wife, and children this time, and has neither the heart nor the strength to manage the Luo Ge camp anymore."

"Right now, I, Luo, only have one young son, Luo Cheng, left. The environment here in Red Wood Ridge is harsh, and my strength is insufficient, so I want to take my son to a larger and safer camp, but I cannot let go of the hundred-plus people left in the camp."

"I came today to beg Brother Xia Hong to take in the hundred-plus people remaining in my Luo Ge camp and lead them to continue living!"

After saying this in one breath, Luo Ming paused and added:

"Of course, I know it's very difficult, so I am willing to hand over everything from the original Luo Ge camp. On the south side of the valley where the base is located, there is an iron mine that has not been fully mined, and in the territory of Red Wood Ridge, there is also a coal mine that can be directly mined. As long as Brother Xia Hong agrees, these things will all belong to Great Xia from now on."

After Luo Ming finished speaking, the entire area beside the furnace fell into silence.

Xia Chuan, Yuan Cheng, Yue Feng, and some ordinary people had already gathered around when Luo Ming knelt down. Hearing what Luo Ming said, everyone instantly quieted down, looking at Xia Hong with inexplicable expressions.

No wonder, no wonder...

Xia Hong instantly realized why Luo Ming had sent so much coal and iron ore to him before, why he had chatted so much with Xia Chuan, and why he had discussed the meat distribution with him.

It seems the previous Wood Puppet disaster had ravaged the Luo Ge camp too severely; coupled with the deaths of his father, wife, and eldest son, Luo Ming was indeed disheartened and unwilling to put his heart into the camp anymore, only wanting to protect his only young son.

This was to take his young son and leave for a larger, safer camp.

Combining the events that happened before, Xia Hong was not surprised that Luo Ming chose to escape.

Instead, Luo Ming did not just walk away but chose to come to him, and his attitude was so humble and sincere, all for the sake of seeking a way out for those hundred-plus people in the camp.

Xia Hong even admired him; after all, this at least showed that although Luo Ming chose to escape, he still had a sense of responsibility.

"Since you know the location of other camps, why don't you take those people from the camp and go there together?"

As soon as Yuan Cheng asked this question, it immediately drew strange looks from everyone.

Mainly because this question was asked too bluntly.

Migration is extremely difficult for any camp.

Moreover, the larger the camp, the greater the risk.

Furthermore, Red Wood Ridge is not connected to the outside world. Since Luo Ming decided to leave, there must be some hidden safe route. Since it is a hidden route, it certainly cannot accommodate too many people.

Luo Ming didn't mind and explained: "Brother Xia Hong, rest assured, I am only taking twelve people with me this time. Among the one hundred and seventy-three people remaining in the camp, there are seventeen in the Woodcutting Realm, who will be able to help Brother Xia Hong when the time comes!"

Seventeen people in the Woodcutting Realm!

Xia Chuan, Yuan Cheng, and the others' eyes lit up upon hearing this, and they turned to look at Xia Hong, wanting to speak but stopping themselves, clearly having the urge to persuade him to agree.

Xia Hong had not spoken the whole time, only frowning tightly in thought.

Seeing him not speak, everyone else remained silent, just watching him quietly.

Luo Ming remained kneeling on the ground without getting up, looking very much like he would never get up unless Xia Hong agreed.

The entire cave instantly fell into silence.

(End of chapter)