Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely-Chapter 118 - 108 Long-tailed Rodent [3-in-1 Mega Chapter]

Chapter 118: Chapter 108 Long-tailed Rodent [3-in-1 Mega Chapter]

The power of the swarming Cold Beasts was already something Xia Hong had experienced when the Great Xia relocated to the valley before.

At that time, there were only fifteen Frost Wolves.

On his side, there were five in the Earth-digging Realm and about twenty in the Logging Realm.

Even with such forces, four or fifty people were killed during the migration, and two from the Logging Realm died. In the end, if it weren’t for Xia Hong’s bluffing strategy against the wolf pack, the results could have been more tragic, with more deaths.

That was just a pack of fifteen Frost Wolves, and now, there are hundreds of unfamiliar Cold Beasts on the northern slope of the mountain wall. If they move just two kilometers south and find the valley, it would be catastrophic for the Great Xia.

"Stay calm, these Long-tailed Rodents aren’t very large, and by the looks and aura, they’re not as threatening as Snow Mane and Frost Wolves. Their individual strength might not be very strong, but their sheer number is overwhelming. We don’t know if they have a leader, and if they do, how strong would that leader be? We can’t provoke them easily. We have to think of a plan..."

From the Frost Wolf pack they encountered during the previous migration, it was evident that they had a clear division of labor, coordinated seamlessly, and advanced and retreated with order. This shows that there is likely a hierarchy among these Cold Beasts, suggesting the presence of a leader.

Though the leader of the Frost Wolf pack wasn’t seen at that time, Xia Hong remained confident in his assumption, considering this Long-tailed Rodent group amounts to nearly four hundred, there must be a lead rodent.

What is the strength of that lead rodent?

Could it be an Intermediate Cold Beast, and if so, what should be done?

Xia Hong’s expression grew increasingly serious, his mind racing to figure out a strategy.

Beside him, Xia Chuan and Luo Yuan knew he was deep in thought and dared not disturb him. They were equally aware of the significant threat this group of Cold Beasts posed to the camp and were pondering solutions just as seriously.

"Is it possible, to attempt to lure them away somewhere else?"

Upon hearing Xia Chuan’s suggestion, Luo Yuan didn’t show any surprise.

He had just returned to the camp with the news, and before Xia Hong came back, Xia Chuan had already proposed this idea.

Yet, beside him, Xia Hong, after hearing the suggestion, wasn’t surprised but instinctively shook his head.

But after a brief moment of thought, he showed a helpless expression.

"This is the only option, but in actual execution, the difficulty is too high!"

The idea of luring away this group of Cold Beasts had already occurred to Xia Hong on his way over, but the feasibility posed significant challenges.

Firstly, these Long-tailed Rodents aren’t gathering here for no reason. Without understanding why they’re congregated here, trying to lead them elsewhere is easier said than done;

Secondly, the sheer number of rodents is enormous, three to four hundred of them. During the guiding process, even the slightest mishap would mean lives lost at best. If they accidentally discover the valley, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Finally, regarding the strength, behavior, and attack methods of these Cold Beasts—especially in such large numbers—how much destructive power they possess remains entirely unknown to them.

These three challenges combined make it evidently difficult to successfully lead this group of rodents elsewhere.

Xia Hong instinctively shook his head, rejecting Xia Chuan’s suggestion based on this;

Then, he showed a helpless expression because he had to admit, it’s currently the only feasible strategy they could conceive.

When encountering a formidable enemy, there are only two options:

Fight or flee.

Fighting is not feasible, neither driving them away nor killing them, as our strength does not allow it;

Fleeing isn’t feasible either, last time three to four hundred people relocating to the valley met with significant mishap. Now, with nearly nine hundred people in the Great Xia, relocating recklessly, who knows what could happen—possibly greater threats than the rodent swarm;

Moreover, where can they run to?

The surroundings of Redwood Ridge are limited. Moving nearby is like not moving at all, but moving far to explore new, unfamiliar environments entails greater risks.

So, trying to lure the rodent swarm far away from the valley, though difficult, is currently the only viable option.

"Leader, look over there!"

Luo Yuan suddenly whispered, prompting Xia Hong to quickly lift his head and follow his pointing finger. Upon seeing it, his eyes lit up.

In the silver rodent swarm on the northern slope of the mountain wall, two rodents were darting in a direction seemingly aimed at the south’s Redwood Ridge.

Nighttime is the rest period for Cold Beasts, and this rodent swarm is no exception. Nearly ninety percent of the rodents twine their tails, closing their eyes to rest. Only these two are acting independently, seemingly trying to break away from the group.

"Great opportunity, move quietly, and follow."

After speaking softly, Xia Hong led the descent along the mountain wall, with Xia Chuan and Luo Yuan close behind. All three moved with exceptional stealth, not daring to make the slightest noise.

After the three descended the mountain wall, Xia Hong looked northward again, only to find those two rodents were just two to three hundred meters from Redwood Ridge.

Yet, in that last two or three hundred meters, the rodents stopped moving.

They stood in place, emitting faint chirping sounds like they were communicating something.

As the three preemptively entered Redwood Ridge from the flank and saw those two were still at a standstill, Xia Hong frowned and, after a moment of contemplation, retrieved a torch from his back.

"You two wait here, don’t move; I’ll go first..."

"Leader, it’s too dangerous; let me do it."

Before Xia Hong could finish, realizing what he intended to do, Xia Chuan immediately interrupted, volunteering.