Upon hearing Bruce's rhetorical question, Charlie and Tony both showed a hint of hesitation on their faces.
In fact, looking back over the past month, they had hunted more than six Cold Beasts.
Now that they had iron tools and greatly improved hunting ability, considering the terrifying density of Cold Beasts at Redwood Ridge, hunting six a month should surely be achievable.
But the problem is, hunting carries risks.
The hunt for that Snow Mane seemed simple, but it required all ten of them working together, plus the enhancement from the Frostfire Saber, and their understanding of the Snow Mane Cold Beast.
It was a combination of many factors that made it possible.
So far, they've only encountered three types of Cold Beasts.
If they come across others they don't understand, the risks remain very high.
Moreover, taking such risks is only for the sake of ordinary people in the camp.
After thinking for a long time, Charlie finally spoke up.
"Brother, hunting two more Cold Beasts would mean taking greater risks, and for the ordinary people in the camp, I don't think it's worth it; Besides, our current hunting range, including the original Taylor territory, is only about a thousand meters north-south on the outskirts.
Though the Cold Beast density is high, within this thousand-meter range, they are extremely limited, and adding two more might soon deplete the Cold Beasts in this area entirely. By then, we'd have to venture deeper into Redwood Ridge, which is even less safe."
As Charlie spoke, the three of them reached the entrance of the camp.
"Greetings, Leader!"
"Greetings, Leader."
"The Leader is back…"
"Brother Charlie and Brother Tony are back too."
"Alright, everyone, go about your business."
While smiling and acknowledging the greetings from people at the entrance, Bruce led the two into the camp, stopping by the Iron Refining Furnace before indicating for them to sit down, then pointed to the ordinary people in the camp and asked Charlie:
"What do you think these people are considered for the camp right now?"
Charlie paused for a moment, thought briefly, and answered with two words.
"A burden."
"Exactly, a burden. So, are you willing to abandon them?"
Charlie and Tony immediately fell silent.
The answer was obvious—they weren't willing to abandon them.
Not to mention that among these ordinary people in the camp, were their relatives and friends.
Even without personal ties, having lived together for many years, there surely was an emotional bond.
"You said that it's not worth taking greater risks for these people, which I can understand. But think about it, before they had the ability to venture out, we were already taking risks for them.
Hunting, picking Crystal Fruits, Axeheart, and future mining work—once we venture out, who can guarantee absolute safety? Isn't that considered taking risks?"
After Bruce finished speaking, he let out a slow breath, and his expression gradually became serious.
The fact that ordinary people are burdens is a commonly held belief.
They cannot venture out, let alone Axeheart, hunting, or mining—even moving wooden materials requires many people to work together.
Previously, they didn't dare open the entrance at night, and even collecting snow water had to be done by the Axeheart team.
During the attack by the Golden-eyed Demon Sheep, apart from the seven people led by him and Charlie, over a hundred others could only watch helplessly from the side.
With Cold Beast attacks being like this, one can imagine how much worse it would be with a stronger mimicking Monster.
The destruction of Taylor Camp and the tragedy of Rogel Camp are two bloody lessons right before their eyes.
Bruce was not blaming these people.
With scarce resources, ordinary people at any camp were considered burdens.
Not only could they not provide any help, but to sustain their survival, the camp's active forces have to risk their lives by venturing out.
Venturing out inevitably involves risks, and while the ordinary people staying in the camp are risk-free, they offer no assistance and produce nothing.
This rise and fall, if it continues, the camp cannot possibly develop sustainably.
The camp must have every person involved in development.
This, as they would say in past times, is about liberating their productivity.
The first step is to provide enough Cold Beast Meat.
After all, without the ability to venture out, everything is mere talk.
Allowing more people to contribute more strength to camp development, it's completely worth it to take a bit of risk initially.
Moreover, this risk won't last for long.
Bruce has already seen through his cultivation progress that for humans, the Axeheart Realm and Earthripper Realm virtually have no threshold; as long as enough Cold Beast Meat is provided, anyone can break through, with speed varying only by age and talent.
With enough people in the Axeheart Realm, Bruce and the others can focus on hunting without worrying about cutting trees.
The same logic applies to subsequent mining work.
As more people take on their respective roles and contribute, the camp's output will grow richer.
Using this output to nurture further development, this cycle is the essence of true sustainable development, allowing Harper to reach its full potential.
After articulating his thoughts in detail, Charlie and Tony immediately delved into contemplation.
Unlike last time when he proposed the Four-level Division Method, this time they quickly understood.
In fact, the very proposition of the Four-level Division Method indicates that Charlie's thinking was quite close to Bruce's, so he quickly accepted what Bruce said.
"Have you ever thought that maybe one day, everyone in Harper could cultivate, and even children as young as five or six might have Axeheart Realm strength?"
"Leader, stop joking."
"Brother, you're out of your mind—how could that be possible!"
Bruce's last remark made Charlie and Tony burst into laughter.
The idea that everyone could cultivate was ridiculous enough, but five or six-year-old children having Axeheart Realm strength was, to them, pure fantasy.
Unless Cold Beasts lay still, waiting to be slain.
Bruce did not refute them.
After pondering for a moment, he joined in their laughter:
"Hahaha, just kidding. Go count the numbers first, and announce the new meat allocation rule to cheer everyone up!"
Watching them walk away, Bruce withdrew his smile and glanced around the camp, a hint of ambition in his eyes.
He wasn't joking— with the camp system, it was only a matter of time before Harper reached that point.
After Charlie announced the new meat distribution rules set by Bruce, the camp naturally erupted in cheers.
Especially the newcomers from Taylor, hearing that everyone would get Cold Beast Meat, including them, initially seemed skeptical, but upon confirmation, tears streamed down their faces.
Seeing the crowd swarming toward him, Bruce immediately realized what was happening, jumped up, and opened his mouth to stop them.
But before he could speak, the crowd had already surged forward, with several people lifting him high.
"Mighty leader!"
"Mighty leader!"
"Mighty leader!"
---
The loud cheers, although mixed, were unanimously filled with gratitude and admiration, even growing into a frenzy as the cheers intensified.
But just then, a familiar voice suddenly echoed from outside the cave.
"Brother Bruce, what a journey to find you!"
Although the voice wasn't loud, it was exceptionally clear inside the cave, interrupting the cheering crowd.
Everyone instantly quieted down, some nervously looking toward the entrance.
"Leader George, what brings you here?"
It was none other than George who had come.
While Bruce was somewhat surprised, seeing the tension on everyone's faces in the camp, he quickly went to the cave entrance and brought George into the cave.
Once George entered the cave and nothing unusual happened, the tension vanished from the faces of everyone in the camp.
Leading George to the side of the Iron Melting Furnace, Bruce also breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he knew that there was likely nothing to worry about once George entered the cave.
But as they say, better safe than sorry.
The description of the Second-level Melting Iron Furnace is that it can deter and kill primary monsters within a hundred meters, but it doesn't include intermediate and advanced monsters.
"Brother Bruce, what were you celebrating just now?"
As George sat down by the furnace, instead of answering Bruce's questions, he asked what they were celebrating earlier.
Bruce was a bit confused, but Charlie, standing beside him, happily recounted the matter of distributing meat, possibly with some intent to show off since they had previously discussed it with George.
Hearing about the distribution rules Bruce decided upon, George immediately understood why everyone in the camp had been so excited just now.
The four-tier system of Charlie was something he and George had discussed together, so it was no surprise, but hearing the two final modifications Bruce made.
Relaxing the age limit for recruiting reserves; and giving five kilograms per month to children under thirteen.
George's eyes were immediately filled with admiration.
As the leader of Rogel Camp, George clearly understood the intention behind Bruce's final additions.
These two wouldn't have immediate effects, and they might even need to risk increasing hunting efforts because of the extra demand for Cold Beast Meat.
But if they could sustain this in the long run, the future development of Harper Camp would be limitless.
More importantly, Bruce was willing to give out so much Cold Beast Meat to the ordinary people in the camp, and even Charlie and others didn't oppose him, which was even more commendable.
After Charlie finished speaking, George turned to Bruce, his eyes full of appreciation and admiration, and sighed, "Brother Bruce, what boldness you have!"
Bruce smiled slightly, not caring, curious only about George's purpose in coming.
But just as he was about to speak, George's expression changed, and Bruce noticed his gaze had shifted to the Frostfire Saber hanging on his waist.
"Brother Bruce, this saber…"
Bruce thought George might be interested in the saber he had just forged, so he handed the Frostfire Saber over directly.
George took the saber, saw the chilling blade and the newly forged pattern on the side, and his mouth fell open, full of disbelief.
"New one? Leader Bruce, did you just forge this using the Iron Ore I sent you?"
Bruce roughly guessed why George was so shocked and did not deliberately hide it, nodding to indicate it was indeed newly forged by him.
Upon Bruce's confirmation, waves surged in George's heart.
A mere ten-forged weapon was naturally not enough to shock him; it was the time that shocked him.
He had given Bruce four thousand kilograms of iron ore only two days ago.
In just two days, how could Bruce, at the Earthripper Realm, forge a ten-forged weapon, which was simply unfathomable.
At Rogel Camp, forging a ten-forged saber would require at least two Earthripper Realm individuals working in shifts over three to five days.
In fact, when he sent that four thousand kilograms of iron ore, George never thought Bruce could forge weapons, thinking he would at most make some ordinary iron tools.
How did Bruce achieve it?
"Leader George, you haven't said why you came tonight yet?"
Seeing the shock on George's face and worried about questions regarding the saber, Bruce preemptively asked his purpose.
Though the system architectures in the camp weren't a secret, it was not advisable to reveal them to outsiders, as wealth could attract unwanted attention, and while he wasn't afraid of robbery, it was best to avoid unforeseen complications.
Clearly realizing Bruce's reluctance to elaborate, George immediately suppressed his curiosity, remembered his purpose, and his expression turned solemn.
He stood up from beside the furnace and walked up to Bruce.
Then, he knelt down directly.
This kneeling startled Bruce quite a bit.
Bruce quickly stood up, wanting to help George up.
But awkwardly, George was stronger than he was.
And his body was tense, clearly intentionally not allowing him to lift him up.
Helpless, Bruce let go, his face full of confusion.