Ficool

Chapter 92 - Making Plan

Firstly, where to lead them?

There's no alternative answer; to the north of the cliff is the Vegeta Camp, to the east are unknown mountains, and the south is where their valley base is, which is even worse, so the only option is to lead them west, into Redwood Ridge.

The north slope of the cliff is only seven to eight hundred meters from Redwood Ridge; for safety, they should guide the rodent swarm as deep as possible, up to a thousand meters into Redwood Ridge, which is as far as Harper can reach.

Secondly, how to lead them?

According to Bruce's idea, lay out torches along the way, to lead the rodent swarm to the deepest area, preferably near the lair of their natural enemy, the Cloud Mist Teng Jiao.

The difficulty of this operation lies in the fact that the torches must be lit simultaneously, rather than lighting one, leading a short distance, and then lighting the next.

Such a method would be cumbersome, difficult to control the distance, and prone to accidents.

Furthermore, with such a massive rodent swarm that can burrow, who knows if a few will stray and find the person lighting the torches, and then trace back to find the valley, which would result in unforeseen disaster.

Lastly, there are various unexpected situations that could arise midway.

For example, according to Bruce's plan, laying the path from the north slope of the cliff to the inner side of Redwood Ridge would require at least dozens of torches.

Lighting so many torches simultaneously is something they've never attempted before, and what if it triggers a large-scale movement of Cold Beasts?

Laying out so many torches along the way will inevitably run into Cold Beasts, given their density in Redwood Ridge.

The danger for those lighting the torches at these locations needs no further elaboration.

And whether the entire rodent swarm will move towards the torches;

After entering Redwood Ridge, it's best if the rodent swarm fights with other Cold Beasts, but what if they don't;

Moreover, the torches burn for only fifteen minutes, and after they go out, will the rodents settle within Redwood Ridge, or will they return to the north slope of the cliff?

If they return, won't their efforts be wasted?

---

Bruce explained his entire plan, including the difficulties of implementation, the various possibilities of success or failure, and even his concerns, in detail.

He explained clearly, and the others understood quickly.

Essentially, this approach is an attempt by the weak.

From tonight's encounter, it becomes clear that gradually luring them with torches and killing them in batches is utterly impossible.

Firstly, the sheer number of nearly four hundred makes it an endless task; secondly, rodents can communicate and coordinate, and if any hunting attempt fails, it could jeopardize the camp's safety.

If there were any chance to confront the rodent swarm directly, whether it was to expel or to hunt them down in large numbers, Bruce would not hesitate for a second.

The problem is that the current strength of the camp is entirely incapable of doing so.

But to allow them to occupy that area is a dead end sooner or later, so we can only try using torches to lure them elsewhere.

This brings up another question: why is the rodent swarm gathered over there?

If it's just an accidental gathering, they shouldn't come back once lured away by the torches; but if the rodent swarm has a purpose in gathering there, then once the torches go out, they will naturally return.

The former is fine, but if it's the latter, all the effort and risk of guiding them away would be in vain.

Why call it a weak attempt?

Because this is currently the only feasible method they have, even if it is very likely to be useless.

"Can't we move and not live on this side of the valley?"

"Where to move to?

East is mountains, can't go there; rodent swarm is to the north, moving over eight hundred people would create a big disturbance, so north is not possible either; to the south, at most it's three kilometers away to the Tower Mountain of Taylor Camp, moving there is no different than not moving, beyond that is unknown territory, which is even more impossible."

Someone proposed leaving, but as soon as they spoke, they were immediately rejected.

"Then how about…"

Subsequent suggestions surfaced, yet unsurprisingly, they were either infeasible or excessively difficult and risky.

A large group of people, upon hearing suggestions about relocation, visibly showed resistance on their faces.

Bruce sat silently on the chair, waiting for everyone's discussion.

Even though inside he was certain that this was the only method, if the crowd could come up with a better strategy, that would naturally be ideal.

Unfortunately, after more than an hour, everyone in the wooden house finally quieted down and slowly turned their gaze to Bruce.

Clearly, they all realized that the only viable solution was Bruce's proposal to lure the rodent swarm into Redwood Ridge.

"Leader, pick people, sitting and waiting to die is definitely not an option!"

"At most, I would die, but if I can lure the rodent swarm away, I'd have done a service for Harper and gained face, I am willing to go."

"I am also willing to go, Leader."

"I am willing too."

---

Looking at the enthusiastic volunteers, Bruce's expression was somewhat heavy, but he still stood up, nodded, and then used coal stone to draw the terrain on the ground, beginning a detailed deployment.

"From the northern slope of the mountain wall to Redwood Ridge is over seven hundred meters, penetrating further inside is over a thousand meters, considering the detours along the way, it should be within three thousand meters at most; with torches set every hundred meters, it would require about thirty people.

Use the ignition of the first torch as a signal, once someone in the back lights their torch, they must immediately withdraw, so I need people familiar with the terrain and who can run fast.

Also, tomorrow evening when setting up torches, the Cold Beasts dwelling in the trees along the way should be scouted out and avoided as much as possible.

Torches and personnel deployment within five hundred meters on the perimeter will be arranged by Charlie, within five hundred meters, Aaron and four others will join me in charge…"

The detailed deployment couldn't possibly just come out of thin air; Bruce was merely explaining the operation ideas and selecting people.

Everything needs to wait until nightfall, to the northern slope of the mountain wall, to be adjusted based on the actual situation for a more thorough and detailed plan.

Once the crowd understood Bruce's approach, they enthusiastically offered advice, some of which Bruce readily adopted; soon the thirty-five personnel and specific execution plan were determined.

Among the thirty-five people, fifteen were prominently from the Hunting Team, while the rest were all members of the Logging Team, who were the most familiar with the Redwood Ridge environment in the camp.

These selected individuals, although understanding the perilous nature of their imminent task, showed no sign of fear on their faces.

"Technically, this plan doesn't require directly confronting the rodent swarm, in normal circumstances there shouldn't be any danger, but as I just said, there might be a few unexpected situations.

Therefore, I must state in advance that to ensure the camp isn't discovered by the rodent swarm, those executing the torch-lighting task, myself included, must not return to the camp immediately after escaping past this point, they must wait until dawn at the earliest to return, understood?"

"Understood, Leader!"

The thirty-five people, with somewhat solemn expressions, nodded unanimously in response.

Bruce didn't say more, waving everyone away, he glanced at Aaron who was already awake, noting that his own waist injury was healing rapidly, he lay down on a chair to rest his eyes, quietly waiting for nightfall.

The physique in the Earthripper Realm was inherently strong, and with the application of Golden Sore Powder, recovery was swift; by nightfall, he and Aaron should already have regained full mobility without any issue.

---

North Slope of the Mountain Wall, the cold wind is bitter

It was daytime now, and upon first look, only about a dozen Long-tailed Rodents were left on the North Slope.

But if following the northern mountain, one would find on a mound over a hundred meters away, countless flesh-colored long tails exposed on the ground.

Those tails seemed to be swaying rhythmically left and right with the rodents' bodies underground, making the scene extremely bizarre and disgusting.

In a three-meter-high cave beneath the ground thirty meters from the mountain wall, John was standing on the shoulders of two men, with his ear pressed against the stone wall at the top of the cave, eyes closed, clearly listening to the movements above.

More Chapters