Five thousand kilograms of coal, four thousand kilograms of iron?
Bruce's disbelief was not without reason.
As far as he knew, when Rogel Camp previously had five Earthripper Realm cultivators, their daily coal stone output was only a thousand kilograms.
A thousand a day might sound like a lot over time.
But considering that back then, Rogel Camp had a total population of over a thousand people.
These thousand or so people lived in five large wooden houses, each requiring one hundred and fifty kilograms of coal, plus wood, to maintain one day's heating.
In other words, just for heating, they consumed seven hundred and fifty kilograms of coal daily, almost three-quarters of the daily output.
Not to mention, heating was a minor expense compared to iron smelting, which was the major one.
So five thousand kilograms of coal was absolutely no small number for Rogel Camp, and Bruce even suspected that their usual reserve wouldn't be much higher than that.
As for iron, it was even more challenging to speak of — even now, Rogel Camp hadn't universally equipped their skilled individuals with iron weapons.
This fact alone suggested that extracting iron ore and smelting iron tools was incredibly difficult.
Five thousand kilograms of coal, four thousand kilograms of iron.
George, how could he be so generous?
Helping George with such a massive issue was a fact Bruce did not deny.
But for George to practically give away everything his camp owned made Bruce a bit shocked, even feeling a little bewildered inside.
Although puzzled and unable to comprehend, Bruce's body was honest when facing those tempting bags.
How could he not accept them!
He risked his life to help George, which was a fact, and since George presented so much in gratitude, of course, he could accept it.
Moreover, it was exactly the coal and iron he currently desperately needed!
In the system, the other eight buildings still hadn't found solutions, not to mention the camp itself, which also had a strong demand for coal and iron.
Bruce first signaled Charlie, Tony, and others to take all three bags and then took a deep breath and bowed to George:
"Leader George is so generous. If there's anything in the future where help is needed, just ask, and Bruce will do his utmost without refusal!"
Upon hearing this, a smile immediately appeared on George's face.
George had prepared generous gifts, which all five camps accepted.
After securing everything, people from the five camps naturally didn't want to linger any longer.
Bruce's group was fine — they had come from Harper Camp, which was just a day away, but Sam and others from the four camps had been out for over half a month and were clearly eager to return home.
Upon exiting Rogel Camp's cave and bidding farewell to George, everyone set off on their journey back.
Since everyone had to head towards Redwood Ridge first and then back to their respective camps, they didn't separate.
During the walk to Redwood Ridge, Bruce deliberately observed people from the four camps.
Honestly speaking, the four camps were the most tragic this time.
According to George, forty-three people, including four leaders, came this time to eliminate the monster.
Yet now, only ten remain.
Samsung and Ben each with three, Vegeta and Brocolli each with two.
The dead weren't just thirty-three ordinary people but thirty-three Axeheart Realm combatants, the backbone of the camps.
Losing so many at once, life for these camps would likely be difficult for some time.
Silently sighing in his heart, Bruce said nothing further.
Vegeta and Brocolli's camps were north of Rogel Camp, so they bade farewell to Bruce and others upon entering Redwood Ridge and headed north.
Samsung and Ben's camps were south of Rogel Camp, thus on the same path as Bruce and others.
Upon reaching Ben Camp, Ben and the two others left first.
Finally entering Samsung Camp's territory, Sam and his two companions also departed.
Bruce and his group of seven continued south, passing through Taylor Territory, until they reached Harper Territory.
Exiting Redwood Ridge, they walked east about five to six hundred meters, quickly finding the small hill where the Harper Camp was located.
Seeing the snow-covered small hill lying quietly on the ground with no difference from usual, the expressions on the seven people's faces relaxed considerably.
Even though they had only been away for a day, both Bruce and the other six had their minds on the camp, after all, their family and friends lived there.
Additionally, having witnessed human tragedies at Rogel Camp, seeing their camp safe and sound made them cherish it even more.
Charlie rushed to the cave entrance and shouted inside:
"The rain from all directions can't match the rain of our Redwood Ridge."
"Dragon Gate Mountain has rain, Snowland Tiger comes down the hill!"
A sound of surprise came from inside, and the trees blocking the entrance were quickly pushed aside by Robin, Orion, and Elias, who greeted them with joy.
"The leader has returned!"
"I told you, the leader would be alright."
Besides the three, some young people from the camp also came out to welcome them.
Seeing that all seven of them had returned, each carrying four large bags, smiles appeared on everyone's faces.
Upon entering the camp with the six others, Bruce noticed Robin preparing to lead people to seal the entrance again.
He immediately stopped him: "No need to seal it. From today onwards, the entrance can remain open at night to let everyone get some fresh air!"
Robin paused, and Orion, Elias, along with the young ones prepared to help, were also somewhat confused.
Charlie chuckled beside them and said, "The Wood Puppet Monster has been defeated by the leader, and I personally finished it off. There's nothing to worry about anymore."
Upon hearing that the Wood Puppet Monster was dead, Robin and others were shocked but quickly erupted in joy, especially after confirming with Bruce.
Their morale soared.
"The Wood Puppet Monster is dead, hahaha, it's finally dead."
"The leader defeated it, and our camp's revenge is complete."
"It killed so many of us before, but now it's finally dead, finally dead, this is wonderful, hahaha…"
"From now on, there's no need to seal the cave anymore, just like before."
---
The Wood Puppet Monster had afflicted more than just Rogel Camp.
Harper was the same.
Of course, there was also Taylor Camp.
Previously, the remaining nearly two hundred people from Taylor were also in the cave.
But they gathered on the right side of the furnace, quite distant, showing a clear division from people of the Harper Camp.
Bruce felt a stir in his heart and walked towards the people of Taylor Camp.
People instinctively made way for him, and upon walking into the crowd, Bruce found William lying in the center, tended by his children, Flash and Jane
"Leader…"
Seeing William trying to get up, Bruce quickly stepped forward and said, shaking his head, "Your injuries haven't healed, don't move."
Previously penetrated by white threads that pierced through his entire body, rendering him mostly a cripple, William, seeing Bruce still treating him with respect, showed a touch of gratitude on his face.
"On behalf of the more than one hundred people who died tragically in the camp, William thanks the leader for the great kindness."
William could naturally hear the lively discussions inside the cave.
Knowing the Wood Puppet Monster had died, he felt immense gratitude toward Bruce, but being unable to move, he turned to his children, saying, "Flash, Jane, kowtow to the leader on behalf of father. The great revenge for your mother, uncle, and our Taylor Camp's victims has finally been avenged…"
Speaking with deep emotion, perhaps recalling his wife, brother, and those who died in the camp, William couldn't help but shed tears.
Flash and Jane were also full of emotions, kneeling in front of Bruce, preparing to kowtow.
Of course, Bruce immediately stopped them.
Noticing the young pair still stubbornly trying to kneel and kowtow, Bruce chuckled, shook his head, and pressed them down next to William, then looked at William and spoke earnestly:
"Uncle William, since you call me leader, from now on, we are one family. You one hundred eighty-seven people are equally a part of our Harper Camp. It wouldn't be proper to be so formal!"
Hearing Bruce's words, William was startled, looking at Bruce, face full of emotion and gratitude.
When Bruce spoke, he deliberately raised his voice, allowing not only William but also Flash, Jane, and over a hundred people of Taylor Camp to hear it clearly.
They all looked up at Bruce, faces aglow with excitement.
Some couldn't help but let out sobs of joy.
Bruce understood what the people from Taylor were thinking.
With their camp destroyed, these survivors came to the Harper Camp, providing them temporary safety.
However, without a clear answer from him as their leader, the Taylor people lived without legitimacy, feeling like dependent guests always at risk of being expelled.
Thus, their hearts were extremely lacking in a sense of security.
Even knowing that the Wood Puppet Monster was killed and their great revenge fulfilled, they didn't dare to celebrate and discuss freely like the people of the Harper Camp did.
In the Ice Abyss World, a sense of security is an extremely precious and scarce commodity.
Bruce's recent words undoubtedly gave them a great sense of security.
"Rest assured, since I have decided to take you in, henceforth you are all members of Harper, and I will treat you all equally!"
Watching Bruce leave after speaking, William's face was still filled with emotion.
He took a deep breath, looked around at the surrounding crowd, and spoke solemnly:
"I am now a cripple. We have more than a hundred people, not a single one in the Axeheart Realm, frankly just a bunch of burdens.
The leader is willing to accept us, such a great kindness and virtue, it would be difficult to repay even if we face death nine times over.
From now on, Harper is our home, Bruce is our only leader, even if the leader asks us to die, we should not even frown. Do you all understand?"
Everyone looked up at Bruce, who had already walked afar, their faces solemn and they nodded earnestly.