41: Chapter 41: The Difference Between Corpse People and Corpse Slaves

Chizuru had hit the nail on the head. The new monsters appearing tomorrow were a result of Xu Xuan being the first to advance to the National Civilization stage.

Now that he had entered the Shang-Zhou era, the monsters that would appear would not be like Goblins wielding wooden clubs.

Xu Xuan speculated that tomorrow's monsters would likely be terrifying, equipped at the very least with metal weapons or armor, and possibly siege engines.

That's why he was now focusing all his energy, having Nvba build city walls to deal with the impending global crisis tomorrow.

Facing the pleas for help from his three vassals, Xu Xuan naturally didn't want them to die needlessly in the monster wave.

The Floating Island was now large enough to accommodate over a hundred thousand people.

With his current population of ten thousand citizens, taking in their few hundred more would be more than enough.

[(Sovereign) Xu Xuan: I have already made plans. You all continue your work as usual today. After midnight tonight, I will allow you onto the island to take shelter.]

[Tokugawa Mio: Thank you, Sovereign!!!]

[Yamamoto Chizuru: Thank you!]

[Tokugawa Yoshiko: Huh? I only know how to cook and do housework, I don't really understand what's going on. Thank you, Sovereign.]

The ditzy housewife still hadn't quite grasped the situation.

In any case, all tasks were properly arranged, and Xu Xuan was also waiting for the arrival of the next day's monsters.

By now, the sky was gradually darkening. He could see the gradually civilized savages starting to chop firewood, preparing to roast meat for dinner.

Only by watching their daily firewood consumption did Xu Xuan realize why the ancients always said.

Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea—firewood was ranked first.

In reality, ancient times weren't like what we see in TV dramas, with lush green trees everywhere.

If someone could see old photos from the Qing Dynasty, they would see that outside old Beijing's city walls, it was all barren land.

Why?

It was precisely because chopping and burning firewood created an enormous demand for it.

With the population explosion in the Qing Dynasty, trees in the entire northern and central plains regions were almost completely cut down. Apart from farmland, there were only barren hills.

Ancient times weren't as convenient as modern times, where you can just turn on the gas to start a fire.

It seemed he still needed to stockpile some coal, charcoal, and the like to ensure the Floating Island's firewood needs.

Perhaps he could try a biogas digester, but biogas was somewhat dangerous. These savages who didn't even fully understand fire might accidentally blow up the digester.

He never expected that after becoming a lord, there would still be so many things requiring his attention. No wonder ancient emperors liked to be hands-off rulers, indulging in pleasure all day while letting their ministers handle affairs.

"It seems I still need to fight a few more major battles, get more general cards, and recruit some famous historical figures to help me with construction."

Muttering to himself, Xu Xuan sat in place, observing the changes on the entire Floating Island.

Besides building the outer city walls, Nvba was also very thoughtful, prioritizing the construction of Xu Xuan's palace, especially by first creating a temporary small house where he could stay.

The palace's location was right in the center of the island, also the site of the island's spring.

Watching the sky gradually darken, time ticked by. In the center of the island, the simple wooden hut belonging to him was the first to be built.

The small courtyard with a wall also provided Xu Xuan with a good deal of privacy.

Through the system screen, Xu Xuan could see it was already 11:38 PM.

He stretched, already feeling drowsy.

Just as he was about to go check out his temporary hut, he saw Nvba approach, cupping her hands and saying, "My King, your temporary resting palace has been completed. It was a bit rushed, please forgive its simplicity."

Xu Xuan waved his hand: "It's fine. These are special times. Everything should be simple, everything should serve the war effort."

"My King is wise! Under your leadership, our nation will surely establish an eternal divine kingdom that stands firm for millions of years!"

Although Xu Xuan showed no outward reaction to Nvba's flattery, inwardly he was quite pleased.

People who know how to speak can truly make one feel happy.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, I'm going inside."

Seeing Xu Xuan about to enter the courtyard, Nvba spoke again: "My King, your subordinate has one more request."

"Speak."

Nvba raised her head, two fangs extending from her pink lips: "It is now the hour of Zi, when Yin energy is strongest. Your subordinate wishes to select ten servants to transform into the Corpse race."

"These Corpse beings will become fearless warriors, death-defying vanguard soldiers under your command!"

Oh!?

Hearing that Nvba wanted to create Corpse People, Xu Xuan's eyes lit up.

It was just a pity that in this era, she could only create ten Corpse People.

"Hmm, go ahead and choose whoever you like from today's captives. But aren't ten Corpse People a bit few?"

When Xu Xuan raised this question, Nvba replied, "The Corpse People can then create ten more Corpse Slaves. The quality of Corpse Slaves is somewhat inferior; they fear sunlight. However, at night, Corpse Slaves can still become very formidable soldiers."

Oh?

So beneath Corpse People there were Corpse Slaves. That explained it.

Corpse People did not fear sunlight and could be used during the day. Corpse Slaves had an additional restriction, only usable at night.

But regardless, these could be considered elite troop types, right?

"Hmm, go ahead."

Xu Xuan waved his hand, signaling Nvba to go select people from among the surrendered prisoners.

These slaves would soon become citizens too, but for now, Xu Xuan could dispose of them as he wished.

After sending Nvba to choose people, Xu Xuan pushed open the courtyard gate to take a look.

Huh?

The sight before him made his eyes brighten. Nvba had dug a pit in the ground, lining it with stones to form a simple small pool where he could take a bath.

After fighting all day, his body was sticky with blood, and his school uniform was stained red.

Perfect timing for a wash.

In this enclosed small courtyard, Xu Xuan removed his school uniform and lay in the small pool, comfortably wiping the bloodstains from his body.

Not having bathed for two days was truly unbearable for a southerner like him.

Soaking in the cool spring water pool, the sticky feeling on his body was swept away.

Just at that moment, the wooden door was pushed open.

Three women walked into the courtyard.

Two of them were still wearing school uniforms, while the other was Mrs. Tokugawa.

As agreed, they could come onto the island to take refuge at midnight.

Naturally, the three of them had hurried onto the island without delay to pay their respects to the Sovereign.

However, when they entered the courtyard and saw Xu Xuan soaking in the small pool, the three of them had different reactions.

The ditzy housewife Mrs. Tokugawa's first reaction was: "Oh dear, Sovereign, your clothes are so dirty. Let me help you wash them. An auntie like me can only do some housework for you."

With that, the experienced Mrs. Tokugawa picked up the clothes from the ground and walked out nonchalantly.

As for the delinquent girl, she pretended not to see: "Sovereign, I'll go outside for some fresh air."

Both of them left. Only Tokugawa Mio, wearing a white sailor uniform and short skirt, seemed to have mustered her courage and stepped forward proactively.

"Sovereign, would you like me to help scrub your back?"