Chapter 41: The Voice of Li Hongshen’s Heart

Chapter 41: The Voice of Li Hongshen

Li Hongshen’s cheeks were tinged with red, and his head felt light and dizzy. This was not the result of drinking—though he brewed wine, he never touched a drop himself. Even a moment ago, he had only raised a glass of fruit juice in response to his subordinates’ toasts.

What he was feeling now was the exhilaration of feasting. When one indulges in good food, it’s not unlike being drunk: the mind grows a little hazy, and the tongue loosens.

“Let me tell you all,” he began, “your lord here, I don’t really have grand ambitions, nor am I particularly cunning. All I ever wanted was to live a good life, to survive peacefully.

Don’t be fooled into thinking I know everything, or that I can grasp every aspect of our world. That’s only because I’ve been forced to, by circumstances. I’ve told you before—the main world is a strictly stratified society.

A highly advanced civilization sweeps us all along with it. If I hadn’t become a lord, the inheritance my parents left me would have been carved up by all sorts of people, and I might not have survived at all.

If that happened, I’d be tossed into some foreign world without warning, and trouble would find me fast. As the stories go, I’d either carve my way out or be buried by the natives. Novels always write it like that, and I believe art imitates life—so I’m genuinely afraid.

I mean it, I’m really scared. I’m afraid it’ll happen to me—that’s why I work so hard to learn, why I never let myself relax. All I ever wanted was to farm, raise a few animals, live quietly. If others didn’t bother me, I’d never bother them.

I only want to mind my own affairs. I don’t want to meddle in anyone else’s business, but that’s impossible—civilization has roles for everyone, and each person has their own obligations. Unless you renounce civilization itself, there’s no refusing that.

Civilization is powerful, but it also makes us a target. Blue Star shines like a radiant gem in the sea of stars—dazzling, beaming, a pearl every star-faring civilization longs to touch, taste, and, if possible, divide and swallow for themselves.

Beyond our borders, rival civilizations watch us with hungry eyes. We face constant void invasions, daily clashes on the Immortal Continent, struggle for supremacy with others, and battle the Void Swarm. Sometimes we must aid our vassal worlds, fighting their cross-world wars for them.

Don’t think our lives are so comfortable by chance. It’s only because others are holding those threats at bay, hidden from our sight.

I’ve witnessed war—real war. Worlds upon worlds hurled into battlefields, high-level lords falling daily. Even transcendent lords of the eighth or ninth rank cannot be assured of safety.

You must work hard. This Wildlands is a platform built by the highest authorities of the Ministry of Education, fueled every day by taxes paid by high-ranking lords, burning through hundreds of millions of source points to support our growth.

Honestly, if I didn’t seek higher ranks, if I was content to be an ordinary mid-tier lord within civilization, I wouldn’t face any of this. I’d nurture resources in the rear, support the front lines, take care of logistics. That too would be a worthy life.

But I’m not content—I truly am not. Now that I’ve come to this era, I want to climb to the top, to see the world from above. I hope to bring all of you with me to soar among the clouds. I have faith: given enough time, I can reach the summit of civilization, and I hope you’ll still be by my side then.”

Moved by Li Hongshen’s words, Li Li, Zhao Yun, and the others rose to their feet.

“Lord, chieftain, you can rest assured—we will strive to hone ourselves, to sweep aside every obstacle for you. We shall follow you to the end, never regretting it, even unto death.”

“Good, good, good, good, good! Sit down, all of you, please sit. Your resolve is the greatest reward I could hope for. Now, let’s continue discussing the matter of the Lang Tribe.”

Once their loyalty had been pledged, Li Hongshen repeated his approval five times, quickly urging everyone to sit.

“The Lang Tribe stands as our final obstacle before we enter the Endless Mountains. Overcoming them will not only earn us a first-tier altar, but also gain more people for our community. Newly arrived bachelors in our tribe could even start their own families.

Li Li, Zhao Yun, this mission rests heavily on your shoulders. I’ll assign both Storm Eagles to you two.

Li Li, you understand the tribe’s information best and have had prior contact. You’ll act as the mission leader, but all decisions must be discussed with Zhao Yun. Don’t act alone.

Zhao Yun, you’ve just joined our tribe, so I’ll ask you to bear a bit more this time. Li Li, as the hunting team’s captain, is more familiar with the members and can command them better. I hope you won’t mind this arrangement. Work together, and once you’ve dealt with the Lang Tribe, I’ll reward you both with those two second-tier bone spears.

Have the hunting team and the Storm Eagles keep watch nearby. If you spot any signs of them venturing into the Beast Forest, set out with the warriors at once. Finish the job in a single strike—don’t let anyone escape.

As for capturing prisoners, I won’t insist on it. Your top priority is to achieve the mission’s goals. Whatever happens, bring back the bodies and erase all traces.”

He then turned to Ma Wu, hesitated, but finally spoke.

“Ma Wu, you’re not to join Li Li and Zhao Yun on this mission. Stay in the tribe and recover your health. When the rainy season ends, we’ll launch a full offensive, and we’ll need your strength to bless the warriors.

Please use the rainy season to train Li Liang and Cha Wu well, so they can cast blessings too and lighten your burden.”

Li Hongshen and his companions continued their discussions in the hall, focusing on matters concerning the rainy season. Ma Wu explained its challenges and customs, and Li Hongshen made decisions as needed. They talked until the moon rose high above the branches before finally stopping.

“So let’s proceed with our plan against the Lang Tribe. It’s late, and the rain is still pouring. Go home and rest early. This first downpour doesn’t look like it’ll end soon, and the rainy season will last at least two months. There’s plenty of time—if anything comes up, we’ll communicate later. Thank you all for your hard work tonight.”

“You’re too kind, my lord. This is our duty. We’ll take our leave and not disturb your rest. No need to see us out. Good night.”

After sending everyone off, Li Hongshen tidied the hall a bit, arranging the items neatly before heading to bed himself. The dining room had already been cleaned by the womenfolk, so he had nothing to worry about there.

During the rainy season, the downpours could last for days on end, with no sunlight breaking through the curtain of rain. The sky stayed gloomy and heavy, pressing down on everyone’s spirits.

Yet in the camp at Phoenix Perch Valley, everything ran smoothly. Everyone and everything operated according to set rules. The smelting workshop, saltworks, and sugar mill all functioned within the territory, hidden from the Wildlands and unaffected by the storms.

The only changes were that cattle and sheep no longer roamed the valley, instead grazing within the territory, and all tribal training sessions were moved indoors. Daily exercises could not be neglected.

The hunting team was split into two groups for greater safety, its numbers increased, and their expeditions shortened for efficiency. Fortunately, the Storm Eagles were undaunted by wind and rain, sparing the hunting team much trouble.

Half a month after the rainy season began, Li Li returned with news: the Lang Tribe’s hunting team had left the nearby hunting grounds.

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(End of chapter)