63: Where's my fence?

Anyone who frequently relieves themselves in the Desert knows that it's best to have someone on lookout when squatting in a shaded area.

It's not out of fear of being peeped at while pooping; it's mainly because the sand dunes in the Desert often create blind spots, making it difficult for those at the bottom of a dune to perceive their surroundings.

Look at my soul drawing!

At this point, a companion is needed to stand guard at the top of the slope, to spot and warn of potential approaching dangers, such as off-road vehicles or other hikers. (Information referenced from Outdoor Ma Ge)

And by utilizing the blind spots in the shadows behind the sand dunes, the Warriors avoided direct sunlight and successfully ambushed the enemy pursuers.

The Golden Scorpion Tribe members, who had been chasing relentlessly, had no idea that after cresting the hill, they would be met with iron fists even mightier than the mountain.

Life is just full of ups and downs, downs, downs, downs…

A Kun Duo and the others, who had rested for a good while, were all at full strength. Without a word, they rushed forward and pinned the people down.

The Golden Scorpion Tribe's pursuers couldn't resist at all. In a few moments, they were beaten to the ground and brought before Cheng Zhen.

“Where is your Chieftain?” Cheng Zhen didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point.

The loyal NPCs stiffened their necks, remaining silent, determined not to betray their Chieftain.

Cheng Zhen wasn't surprised. He instructed A Kun Duo to search them: “Go and check their bodies for anything that could leave a signal.”

“They acted in a hurry, so anything used for a signal wouldn't be too complicated. Also, pick a few fast runners to follow their route back, and once they find the signal object, mimic its placement.”

“Next, all we need to do is set up an ambush and lure them over.”

A Kun Duo and the others' eyes lit up at his words, and the Golden Scorpion Tribe's pursuers immediately broke down.

“You cunning fox! Using such despicable methods, you will not succeed!” The Golden Scorpion Tribe members, pinned to the ground and unable to move, could only resort to verbal attacks.

These words had less impact than being spat on by a camel, so Cheng Zhen naturally didn't care. He replied casually, “You're not despicable? You brought so many people, three against one, and still let them get away. Do you even know how to play?”

After saying that, he added another jab: “Using smoke to make signals? How crude. Your Chieftain is going to be screwed over by you guys~”

The Golden Scorpion Tribe members completely shut down.

Although he wanted to deal with the Golden Scorpion Tribe, Cheng Zhen wanted to resolve the battle while preserving as much combat strength as possible, in order to prevent a potential dungeon upgrade. Therefore, it was better to make some preparations beforehand.

“Brother Cheng, take Maomao,” Jin Yu offered the Pencil-tailed Tree Mouse. “With its help guarding, we'll probably know when the enemy arrives.”

Cheng Zhen reached out to take it, but the little creature seemed very afraid of him.

So Jin Yu took out some food and handed it to Cheng Zhen along with the Pencil-tailed Tree Mouse.

After handing them over, Jin Yu wiped the wristband on her wrist; it seemed to have some food residue stuck to it.

Cheng Zhen took the items, glanced at Jin Yu, and then said to Xiao Xi, “You go with Jin Yu and keep an eye on the Lesser Spotted Eagle Tribe. Don't let them sneak away while we're fighting the Golden Scorpion Tribe.”

The two nodded and left with their people.

“Leader, please rest assured, A Kun Duo will surely bring you victory!” A Kun Duo thumped his chest, guaranteeing.

“No rush, I have other ideas.”

Considering that the Golden Scorpion Chieftain might have the ability to poison, Cheng Zhen decided to minimize close-quarters combat methods.

“Is the Leader planning for us to primarily use arrows for attack?”

After hearing Cheng Zhen's plan, A Kun Duo spoke with some difficulty: “A Kun Duo dares not question your decision, but… we don't have that many arrows.”

In previous hunts and battles, they had already consumed many arrows. Now they were in a wasteland, and there was nowhere to get materials to cut down trees and make arrows.

Moreover, fresh wood is not suitable for making arrow shafts, as fresh wood contains more moisture and is prone to deformation during drying, thereby affecting the accuracy and performance of the arrow shaft.

“Don't worry about that,” Cheng Zhen smiled. “I have a way to get enough materials.”

“Now, go find a suitable ambush location!”

… …

… …

“Chieftain, this way.”

After confirming the direction, a Warrior of the Golden Scorpion Tribe reported to his boss.

The Chieftain looked annoyed.

They had been chasing for two or three days and still hadn't caught up. Were those people too good at running?

“Chieftain, please rest assured, we are close!”

The Warrior held up a tattered cloth, which did not appear to be Golden Scorpion Tribe attire, and had some bloodstains on it. Judging by the color of the blood, it didn't seem to have been there for too long.

The good news invigorated everyone, and their steps became more purposeful.

Continuing in that direction, they saw more blood-stained rags, broken weapons, and fragments of animal hide along the way. It seemed the Black Eagle Tribe and their pursuers had engaged in many battles.

The Warriors, eager to support their allies, moved even faster.

After cresting another sand dune, they saw a group of people lying on the ground from afar.

Above them, a simple sunshade made of animal hides was set up, as if they were sleeping soundly inside.

Looking at their attire from a distance, they seemed to be from their own tribe?

At that moment, question marks appeared above the heads of the Golden Scorpion Tribe members.

I've been rushing all this way, and you're here sleeping soundly while the sun bakes your butt?

The Golden Scorpion Chieftain's face became even darker. Even if I was carried all the way, I was still exposed to the sun, wasn't I? Are you guys here enjoying yourselves with a sunshade?

He was so angry that he ordered his subordinates to quickly lead the way, wanting to see which traitors dared to openly slack off during work.

When they got closer, and a few Warriors went to apprehend the people, they suddenly realized something was wrong.

Those slackers weren't sleeping; their faces were full of pain, as if enduring some torment.

Seeing people approach, they forced their eyes open. Upon seeing their tribesmen, they were instantly shocked.

“Quick, run— ”

The people on the ground endured the pain and managed to speak: “There's, there's an ambush…”

The Golden Scorpion Tribe Warriors, hearing this, seemed to realize something.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

“Fire arrows!”

Following Cheng Zhen's command, the Warriors lurking behind the surrounding sand dunes emerged and then shot arrows at the Golden Scorpion Tribe members.

Several tribes acting together, the volley of arrows seemed to blot out the sun.

Because the Golden Scorpion Chieftain was eager to move forward, his position was not far. Seeing the sky full of arrows shooting towards him, his dark face instantly turned pale with fright.

“Protect the Chieftain!!!”

The surrounding Warriors quickly shouted, and the people behind them rushed forward in unison, raising their wooden shields to block in front of the Chieftain.

The arrows struck the wooden shields, making thudding sounds.

Unlike the heavy sounds of previous battles, this surprised the Golden Scorpion Tribe Warriors; they hadn't expected to block the enemy's attack with a simple lift of their shields.

A curious Golden Scorpion Warrior picked up an unhit arrow and discovered the problem.

“Leader, these arrows are crude and not very sharp. It's just that the front is slippery, as if something is on it…”

(Arrowhead sharpening referenced from UP master Xiao Zhong's primitive tribe travel documentary)

The arrows looked crudely made, as if rushed. Although they still couldn't be withstood with flesh and blood, they could easily be blocked with a shield.

The Golden Scorpion Chieftain thought the enemy was playing a trick in haste. Feeling tricked, he immediately frowned and ordered his subordinates to advance with shields raised: “Their attacks are nothing at all. Block them! Once their arrows are exhausted, we will rush over and eliminate all those damned bastards!”

The Warriors naturally did not argue with him, all raising their shields and slowly advancing towards Cheng Zhen's direction.

The thudding sounds continued incessantly. The Golden Scorpion Tribe moved like turtles, slowly crawling under the weight of their shells.

“It's fine! Their arrows should be running out soon!”

Looking at the ground full of wooden sticks, the Golden Scorpion Chieftain urged the Warriors to persevere.

The Warriors continued to hold up their shields.

Thump, thump, thump!

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump!

The Warriors' arms were numb from holding them, but the enemy's attacks continued.

The Golden Scorpion Chieftain looked at another round of arrow rain, and his dark face turned a little green again.

Where did you get so many arrows?

Even if they're just crude things, where did you get the wood?!

Behind the sand dunes, a long line of wood was stacked, and several Warriors were carving and passing them to others.

Cheng Zhen looked at the Golden Scorpion Tribe slowly moving forward and gathering together, a smile appearing on his face.

In stark contrast to his good mood, in the advertisement page, a certain fierce immortal, holding a wooden fish, looked at the bare surroundings and the monsters surrounding him, utterly bewildered.

No, where's my fence?

Where's my safe, thick, monster-blocking wooden fence?!

(Image ↓)

It's indeed made of wood, no problem there!