30: Chapter 30 Dominating Destiny

After the meeting concluded, everyone dispersed to make preparations.

Gao Feng remained alone on the watchtower, the mountain wind whipping his robes, making them snap loudly.

He knew he had already made all the arrangements he could.

But all of this was merely external force.

To truly gain a firm foothold in this chaotic world and protect everything behind him, the ultimate reliance was still himself.

He clenched his fists, feeling the surging Qi and blood within his body and that incredibly tough Bottleneck.

"Third Stage Muscle Refining..." he muttered to himself, an unprecedented yearning erupting in his eyes.

"Soon, it will be soon..."

He had a strong premonition that as long as he broke through that layer of barrier, he would usher in a tremendous transformation.

Only then would he truly possess the qualifications to be the Dominator of his own destiny in the storm that was about to come!

The next morning, when the first light of dawn appeared on the horizon, the entire Panshi Stockade began operating with unprecedented efficiency, like a precision machine that had just been wound up.

Old Qiu led a well-equipped team, carrying heavy grain bags, and set off on a new round of "recruiting talent."

Skinny Monkey led his newly formed "Scout Team" and disappeared into the mountains and forests, becoming the eyes and ears of Panshi Stockade to the outside world.

Luo Qin drove all the combat soldiers to the training ground, beginning what could be called devilish training.

On the training ground, shouts, the clashing of weapons, and heavy breathing rose and fell, merging into a symphony filled with strength and sweat.

Luo Shu displayed her astonishing management talent.

Holding the simple layout map drawn by Gao Feng, she divided the hundreds of newly joined refugees into over a dozen groups.

The young and strong were responsible for reinforcing the pass and digging traps; the women were organized to sew, wash, process game, and cure meat; those with some craft skills, like carpenters and stonemasons, were gathered to build new wooden houses and warehouses according to the layout map.

Those who were idle and loafing around could not find any space to survive in Panshi Stockade.

Following Gao Feng's suggestion, Luo Shu established a clear "work point system." Anyone who put in labor could receive corresponding work points, which could be used at the warehouse to exchange for food, cloth, or even dried meat.

This system greatly stimulated everyone's enthusiasm for production.

Instead of waiting to die on an empty stomach, it was better to use one's own hands to create hope for survival.

For a time, the entire stockade presented a bustling and prosperous scene, diluting much of the shadow of the approaching war.

However, just when everyone thought that the retaliation from the Government Soldiers would come quickly, three consecutive days passed, and it remained calm outside the mountains.

On the evening of the fourth day, Skinny Monkey returned to the stockade, covered in exhaustion and dust, bringing back news that surprised everyone.

"Stockade Master! The situation is a bit off!"

Skinny Monkey gulped down a large bowl of water before panting and speaking.

"Speak."

Gao Feng was inspecting the defensive fortifications at the pass and stopped his work upon hearing this.

"Our people have already reached a town thirty miles outside of Qinghe County. According to the villagers there, it is indeed rumored all over the county seat that the County Magistrates Young Master was attacked by mountain bandits at Ghost Sees Sorrow. The County Magistrate is furious and wants to send troops to suppress them."

"But..." Skinny Monkey changed the subject, "The recruitment notices at the entrance of the county government office have been posted for several days, but there are very few applicants. Furthermore, it is said that in order to raise provisions and military pay for the expedition, the County Magistrate is arguing with the largest noble clans in the city. Those big clans are unwilling to provide money or grain, and the two sides are having a very unpleasant time."

"Therefore, the army of the county government has not yet been assembled!"

This news left the core members present stunned and somewhat puzzled.

Luo Shu frowned slightly and analyzed: "This is not strange. I heard Steward Chen mention that the Qinghe County Magistrate, Zhang Dingtian, is a greedy person. This military expedition is a private vendetta for him, but for those noble clans, it requires them to pay real money and silver. Naturally, they are unwilling to be the suckers."

"Moreover, suppressing mountain bandits has always been a thankless task. If they win, the credit goes to the County Magistrate; if they lose, it is their own money, grain, and manpower that are lost."

Luo Qin also snorted coldly: "In the end, it is because the government is corrupt and the people are not united. If it were truly an elite force that followed orders, they would probably have arrived by now."

"Regardless of the reason, this is great news for us!" Gao Feng's tightly locked brows finally relaxed.

A flash of light appeared in his eyes, and he immediately made a judgment: "The enemy has given us time, so we cannot waste this 'gift'! This is the golden period for us to accumulate strength and make up for our shortcomings!"

The unexpected breathing room allowed Gao Feng to immediately adjust the strategic focus of the entire stockade.

He tilted more resources toward production and construction.

He found the Old Blacksmith, who was directing people to forge farm tools.

"Old man, is there enough manpower? Is there enough iron material?"

The Old Blacksmith wiped the sweat from his forehead, revealed his yellow teeth, and smiled: "Stockade Master, rest assured! The batch of iron material you had Miss Luo Shu send over is enough for us to forge hundreds of sets of farm tools! There is enough manpower too; these lads are very diligent!"

Gao Feng nodded and said: "I will add ten more people for you, and we will set up another furnace. Farm tools must be prioritized, but the forging of weapons cannot stop either. I need more spears, more shields, and also this..."

As he spoke, he took out a blueprint from his bosom, on which a large, complex-structured contraption was drawn.

"This is... a crossbow?" The Old Blacksmith exclaimed after just one look.

"That's right, it's a bed crossbow for defending the city," Gao Feng said in a deep voice. "This thing is a treasure I've been keeping hidden. I don't need many, just build three for me before the Government Soldiers arrive! Can you do it?"

Looking at the delicate and deadly structure on the blueprint, the Old Blacksmith's eyes were shining. He patted his chest and guaranteed: "I can! Stockade Master, as long as there is enough iron material and wood, I guarantee I will build it for you within three months!"

"Good!"

Gao Feng was a cold weapon enthusiast in his previous life, which is why he could draw the blueprint for a simplified version of the bed crossbow.

Although the power was not very great, it was barely enough!

After arranging production, Gao Feng turned his gaze to the captured Tiger King.

He did not abuse this former king, but instead ordered people to build a huge iron cage to imprison it, serving it good meat and water every day.

He knew deep down that this living Tiger King was worth far more than a corpse.

"Perhaps... it's worth a try."

A bold idea sprouted in his heart.

He walked into his room, took a bowl of clear spring water from the spirit spring space, and then carried it towards the Tiger King's cage.

Seeing Gao Feng approach, the Tiger King in the iron cage immediately let out a low roar, its pair of golden pupils filled with vigilance and hostility.

Gao Feng was not afraid; he slowly placed the bowl of spring water, which exuded faint Spiritual Qi, by the side of the cage.

"Drink," he said softly. "I know you can understand me."