Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

129: Chapter 113: Did I Fall into Heaven?

129: Chapter 113: Did I Fall into Heaven?

When they reached the front of the crowd and saw the scene in the valley for the first time.

The three members of the Chen Ying family instantly understood why those people had just gasped.

First, entering the valley, a wave of warmth hit them, the temperature rising almost immediately.

Heaps of timber piled high on both sides of the valley, most of it being Golden Frost Wood.

In the outer areas, there were neatly cut planks, and many people were working hard with saws and tools beside them, clearly crafting materials for wooden houses.

From a small cave on the southern side of the valley, the aroma of Crystal Fruit wafted out, almost tangible, and could be clearly smelled even from dozens of meters away.

Someone emerged from the cave, holding dozens of azure-blue Cold Beast Meat, each weighing hundreds of pounds by sight.

Others carried bags of Crystal Fruit inside, and came out with their bags empty, clearly storing the Crystal Fruit inside.

Unsurprisingly, it should be the warehouse of the Great Xia Camp.

In the center of the valley stood a massive square wooden house, approximately two hundred meters long on each side and fifteen meters high.

The wooden house gleamed with a faint golden light in the firelight.

Chen Ying could tell at a glance that it was all made of Golden Frost Wood.

The roof was four-cornered, piled high with snow, yet at the eaves, the beast-skin tarps under the snow were clearly visible.

Generally, the outermost layer of beast skin with fur is suitable for clothing; the second layer is more durable and resistant to decay, suitable for writing records; the third layer is toughest and hardest, often used in tarps at the camp.

Ordinary beast-skin tarps would not shock Chen Ying, though.

The issue was the vast area of this wooden house, with its roof entirely covered with beast-skin tarps, which was incredible.

The walls of the wooden house appeared about six meters thick, all formed from single Golden Frost Wood logs, with large iron reinforcements visible at the joints.

The two grand doors of the wooden house were five meters high, mainly of wood but bordered with iron bands, exuding a sense of weight even from afar.

The doors were wide open, with people carrying planks in and out, their hands mostly holding wooden tools, while some even had various iron tools.

The second and third floors of the wooden house featured half-meter diameter wooden windows.

Through the open windows and by the firelight from inside, it was clear people were busy at work.

A spring-like warmth, endless timber, freely obtained Cold Beast Meat and Crystal Fruit, a giant wooden house interlaced with iron artifacts, people’s hands holding various iron tools…

At first sight, the Chen Ying family was completely dumbfounded.

Much less, in the camp, people were gorging on Cold Beast Meat, including children, the smallest appearing less than ten years old;

Moving the massive lumber, there were forty to fifty people with Logging Realm strength.

In front of the wooden house, four campfires were set up, each with dozens of complete beast skins roasting on the spit, women beating them with wooden sticks, clearly processing the hides; young children ran about, brandishing wooden toys, laughing and playing.

Seeing all this, the Chen Ying family was left speechless, and the other two hundred from Chen Ye Camp were even more so.

“Have we reached heaven?”

“Is there such a place in Redwood Ridge?”

“Is this the Great Xia Camp?”

…

Everyone stood stunned, eyes full of disbelief, many even thinking it was a mirage, instinctively pinching themselves.

Realizing it was all real, everyone, including the Chen Ying family, broke into smiles, over half were moved to tears with joy.

But after the joy, they all turned worriedly toward Chen Ying.

The Chen Ying family shared this anxiety.

Especially seeing Xia Hong and others, upon entering the valley, went straight to the large wooden house without discussing the arrangement for Chen Ye Camp, leaving Chen Ying uneasy.

Would such a powerful Great Xia really take them in?

While Chen Ying was anxious, a young man, even younger than his sons, approached with a smile, calling out to him.

“Leader Chen, rest assured, since our leader decided to take you in, we won’t go back on our word.

Here, we’re all family; come with me to register.”

Seeing the young man’s friendly face yet imposing stature, even more so than his own, wearing a uniform like what Xia Chuan and Luo Yuan had, Chen Ying dared not show arrogance, promptly bowing respectfully with his sons.

“May I ask, who is this gentleman?”

The young man appeared surprised by this address but seemed pleased, chuckling and waved it off, saying, “Just call me Shi Ping, I’m no lord, just a member of the Camp Supply Station, following Lord Xia Chuan’s order to record the new arrivals.

Please follow me!”

Shi Ping?

Hearing this name, Chen Ying paused, as if realizing something, and hesitantly asked, “Might you be Shi Qing’s…”

“Old Chen?”

Before Shi Ping could respond, an excited voice came from behind.

Chen Ying turned his head, immediately showing excitement on his face.

“Old Shi!”

Seeing Shi Qing approaching, the young man deferentially made way.

Chen Ying immediately realized he had guessed right.

“Old Shi, your son is remarkable!”

Shi Ping’s aura surpassed his own; wearing one of the rare full-set uniforms of the Great Xia Camp; directly under the command of Xia Hong’s brother, Xia Chuan, it showed his significant standing in the camp.

“Hahaha, not bad, not bad.”

Hearing the envious tone, Shi Qing was greatly pleased.

Though aware of Chen Ying’s misunderstanding, he did not explain, laughing heartily, leading Chen Ying and others from Chen Ye Camp to register.

The population of Great Xia was close to a thousand, with living spaces limited, there was no need for a stringent household system.

Registration was merely to note numbers, names, and ages, aiding in organization.

As individuals from Chen Ye Camp, all two hundred plus, reported names and ages, Shi Ping noted them on the leather scrolls, quickly categorizing them.

“A total of two hundred and twelve people, thirty-seven are under six, not yet of age for Cold Beast Meat; they’ll receive five pounds of meat monthly, it can be smashed with Crystal Fruit for supplementary food;

The remaining one hundred and seventy-two are all reserved for the militia, with strength under a thousand pounds, and a daily quota is one pound.

Additionally, Leader Chen, Chen Shang, and Chen Ping, all of Logging Realm; the Collection Team currently has vacancies, so you have no choice but to join.

Once in the team, the daily quota is five pounds.”

Previously, Chen Ye Camp escaped from the cave with two hundred seventy-seven individuals.

Still, being pursued by those two Rodents midway resulted in over sixty deaths, leaving only two hundred twelve.

“Little Stone, just call me Uncle Chen, please don’t call me Leader anymore, now that I’m part of Great Xia, it would be a joke to continue that.”

Seeing Shi Qing, Chen Ying relaxed.

They’d known each other from years ago, and he recognized the name Shi Ping because he’d seen him as a child.

Thus, he spoke more freely now.

Noticing everyone was assigned to different teams and the Cold Beast Meat quotas were announced, Chen Ying was naturally pleased.

The Cold Beast Meat was secondary; most importantly from Shi Ping’s arrangements, he was sure Great Xia genuinely intended to accept them.

It wasn’t just him; Chen Shang, Chen Ping, and the rest from Chen Ye Camp realized they were part of Great Xia from today, feeling settled, no longer anxious.

“Old Chen, you’re lucky.

The wooden house should be complete in two days; you’ll get to live in a new house upon arrival, haha, being early doesn’t beat impeccable timing, hahaha…”

With a settled heart, Chen Ying was more inclined to chat.

Hearing Shi Qing’s tease, he just shook his head and explained how they arrived.

Shi Qing had missed the discussion about the Rodent horde, though Shi Ping was present.

Hearing the harrowing escape of Chen Ye Camp and the massive Rodent horde on the northern slope, Shi Qing comforted Chen Ying but soon realized the significant threat facing Great Xia Camp.

Learning the Rodents were drawn away but returned to the northern slope, knowing that Great Xia was not yet out of danger, Shi Ping and Shi Qing showed worry.

…

In sharp contrast to the joy of Chen Ye Camp’s people, Xia Hong had just returned to a temporary wooden house.

Seated alone, Xia Hong wore a look of worry, his brow furrowed deeply.

He’d maintained this attitude since returning to the camp.

“The torches aren’t working.

We can’t fight them, can’t flee either.

Must we truly just wait for doom?”

To wait idly by!

Hoping the Rodents wouldn’t find the valley camp.

What’s the difference from awaiting death?

“There must be a way.

First, calm down.

According to Chen Ying, the lure for the Rodent horde is above the northern slope, farther from the valley and hopefully unnoticed.

If things turn serious, we’ll take everyone back to the mound!”

Constantly without a good plan, Xia Hong forced himself to stay calm; though the crisis was near, it hadn’t arrived yet, and they couldn’t panic.

Exhausted from the night outside, Xia Hong lay back in his chair to rest, though before he could relax, Xia Chuan and Mu Dong entered.

When they approached and Xia Hong opened his eyes, Xia Chuan was the first to speak:

“Leader, the people from Chen Ye Camp have been settled, totaling two hundred twelve, including those above six…”

As Xia Hong listened and nodded, he learned more details about Chen Ye Camp’s many children and adults and their gender ratio beyond the system’s knowledge.

Once Xia Chuan finished, Xia Hong looked to Mu Dong, who displayed an eager expression, guessing what was about to come.

“Leader, tomorrow, the wooden house can be completed!”

Despite still pondering the Rodent horde, hearing Mu Dong, Xia Hong couldn’t suppress a hint of joy.

A new home, after over half a year of construction, was finally near completion.