The Second Letter

It felt as if the very next second, Lang Ji would lose his life if he dared to utter a single word of defiance.

Cheng Shuili hadn't really been angry at first. After all, these were the wolf-race's own internal affairs, and even though she was their King, she wasn't all that familiar with them yet.

When it came down to it, she resolved this matter hoping that the wolf-race would cause her less trouble in the future.

Under such high pressure, the other wolf-race beastmen shivered, not a single one daring to step forward to speak up for Lang Ji.

Lang Ji trembled all over, all his pleas for mercy crushed in his throat by this invisible pressure.

He slammed his forehead against the cold ground again, his voice hoarse and broken: "I... I dare not! My King... I... I accept my punishment! Thank you, my King... for your mercy!"

He knew the King had been merciful enough.

According to the old laws of the wolf-race, the act of attacking a comrade in the patrol team alone would have been enough to strip him of his position and have him whipped in public.

And his offense against the King could be interpreted as either grave or minor.

To merely be transferred from his original post and placed under Lang Ju's discipline was already an act of leniency.

This realization extinguished the last flicker of resentment in his heart, leaving only the relief of surviving a disaster and a bone-deep sense of awe.

Cheng Shuili stopped looking at him, her gaze sweeping over the terrified wolf-race members as her voice returned to a calm tone: "Let today's events end here. I hope you all remember that the fangs and claws of the wolf-race should be directed at external enemies, not your own kin. If anyone offends again, there will be no leniency."

"Yes! We will obey the King's command!"

All the wolf-race members, including the recently punished Lang Ji, responded in unison.

The goal had been achieved; if they didn't move now, they wouldn't be able to finish today.

Cheng Shuili briefly explained the situation to the werewolves of the patrol teams, then, under their increasingly fervent gazes, she straightened her back and returned to the safe zone first.

The group had argued for an entire day and came up with three plans for Cheng Shuili to choose from.

Cheng Shuili took one look at the first proposal they submitted, and after confirming it was the best choice, she immediately opened the safe zone's construction function to begin.

With the residential and commercial areas mapped out, all that remained was to build the basic structures.

For Cheng Shuili, who already possessed a faction, these operations were old news.

Unlike faction buildings, the construction of a safe zone consumed no time.

The moment Cheng Shuili pressed "Confirm," orderly wooden houses sprang up in the designated residential area like bamboo shoots after rain.

Roads were laid out in their wake, and simple yet sturdy fences quickly closed in along the boundaries of the safe zone, isolating this newly born area from the dangers of the outside world.

The foundation for the commercial area had also been laid, waiting only for specific facilities to be filled in later.

The entire process was silent, yet completed in an instant, like a miracle.

The group, who had been arguing endlessly over the details of the plans, were now all speechless, staring blankly at the unimaginable scene before them.

Cheng Shuili was used to the process, but seeing this miraculous scene unfold before her eyes, she couldn't help but be amazed.

It just so happened that the wolf-race members entered the Black Feather safe zone at this moment, seeing this scene that stirred their wolf hearts, and were completely stunned by their King's god-like means, their gazes filled with fanaticism and awe as they looked at Cheng Shuili's back.

Lang Ju helped Lang Ji up and sighed in a low voice: "Did you see that? That is our King."

Lang Ji's face was pale, and he nodded heavily. The last bit of grievance in his heart vanished, leaving only complete submission.

Cheng Shuili coughed twice to draw everyone's attention back to herself, and after catching a glimpse of the wolf-race beastmen carrying their bags, she took the opportunity to announce the news.

Regarding the wolf-race living in the Black Feather safe zone long-term, the Black Feather members had no objections; they were more curious about other things:

"When did the Boss become the Wolf King?"

"If the Boss is the Wolf King, does this mean these wolf-race beastmen are moving in with their whole families to depend on a relative?"

"Hey, these wolf-race beastmen really did bring their whole families! Why?! I haven't even started a family yet!"

...

In short, in Cheng Shuili's words, these people were all focused on trivial matters.

Back in the afternoon, Cheng Shuili had already briefed Xinxue on this.

This person, along with Su Rui, was one of Black Feather's top two managers, capable of handling both big and small matters. Xinxue had long since planned where the wolf-race beastmen should live, even though the houses hadn't been built yet.

The difficulty of this matter was beyond imagination, and she was too lazy to think about it anyway.

As a superior, she only needed to know whether someone was capable of getting things done.

With this, the wolf-race had completely settled down in Black Feather.

But getting humans and beastmen to live together in peace was never an easy task.

One could tell just from the prejudices and stereotypes held by the beastmen Cheng Shuili had encountered toward humans.

The wolf-race beastmen were the same, but with the King's orders and the result of Lang Ji's handling already established, even if they were unhappy with these humans, they had no choice but to keep it to themselves.

The members of Black Feather, on the other hand, were enthusiastic and generous, so these conflicts, which had yet to erupt, simply faded away as time passed.

Cheng Shuili didn't know the specifics, but whenever she felt a headache over the internal conflicts of other beast races later on, she would always lament how worry-free the wolf-race was.

A brand new week arrived without a sound.

Although it was still night, the stars filled the sky, and the moon hung high; there was no wind and no clouds, so anyone could see that the coming day would be perfectly clear.

The discussion of the disaster on the regional channel had shifted from the initial "extreme weather" to speculations about "resource scarcity" or "monster sieges." Occasionally, someone would mention "disease," but it was quickly drowned out by other, more conspicuous and impactful conjectures.

Cheng Shuili woke up early. She stood by the window on the top floor of the main building, overlooking the safe zone as it gradually awakened in the morning light.

The wolf-race beastmen were up early, already moving about quietly in their designated residential area, adapting to their new environment.

Black Feather's players also appeared one after another, curiously observing their new neighbors. Although the two sides kept their distance, anyone could see the friendliness of the other.

Everything looked peaceful and full of hope.

But on the regional channel, players had already started coughing.

And as for how to resist this disaster, Cheng Shuili still hadn't thought of a suitable method.

It was precisely because of this that she had woken up especially early this morning.

In the small group chat, the early-bird Wanyi and the still-awake Xinxue were discussing what to have for breakfast.

After the recipe list expanded, the choices had also increased.

Just like the working stiffs in her previous life who didn't know what to order for delivery during their lunch break, Wanyi was also at a loss, which was why she was asking in the group.

Xinxue wasn't greedy, but she was close with Jiang Tang, that big glutton, so she naturally remembered her heart's desire for meat buns.

Since Wanyi asked, she took the opportunity to suggest it.

Making meat buns wasn't difficult for Wanyi. Flour, which had been quite rare before, was now common. Life was indeed getting better and better, but speaking of flour:

【Wanyi】: The last time I used flour was when I made cookies for the Boss.

Cheng Shuili's pupils constricted as she read this message. Of course, she hadn't forgotten that at the time, Wanyi had suffered a gunshot wound and still insisted on fussing over cookies.

Cheng Shuili's brows furrowed tightly. Just as she was about to say something, a flash of inspiration hit her, and she took the Vial of Eternal Life at Both Ends out from the Abyss Ring.

The golden liquid was particularly dazzling in the morning light.

And what Cheng Shuili was thinking was...

If this thing could cure a gunshot wound in a second, wouldn't curing a plague be a piece of cake?

The only problem to solve was that the quantity of this item was extremely scarce; even if diluted with water, it would certainly not be enough.

But if she could enter the beastman town and guard the special device, she could change the state of the Vial of Eternal Life at any time...

Cheng Shuili briefly considered the cost and the potential gains.

The cost was obvious: each modification of the state required 100 energy stones, and the gains...

Cheng Shuili narrowed her eyes. If the buyer also paid for the 100 energy stones, this business would be pure profit!

And the risk Cheng Shuili had to bear was that this item might have to be made public.

If Cheng Shuili were an ordinary player holding such a great treasure, she might have to hesitate for a long time, but the current situation was that she was ranked first!

She was the number one on the leaderboard for the partition and even the Dragon Country grand region. Would someone covet her items and make a move on her?

Wouldn't that just be delivering supplies?

Moreover, for the sake of the Black Feather members, she needed to take a trip to the beastman town anyway; since that was the case, she might as well earn something on the side.

Having made up her mind, Cheng Shuili looked at the scenery at the foot of the building and suddenly felt a bit anxious.

The beastman town wasn't like a trading post; there were no teleportation cards. To trigger a visit voluntarily, she could only rely on radio batteries. Not only was it a matter of probability, but radio batteries weren't that easy to come by either.

After much thought, Cheng Shuili took out the letter given to her by the Rat King.

The Rat King surely had a way to reach the beastman town.

And the parchment only had three uses. Cheng Shuili had used the first one on Bao Chi, and this second one, she would use for the members of Black Feather.

This was an item that had already been given; naturally, the Rat King couldn't go back on his word, and perhaps she would even get to see the Rat King this time.

Cheng Shuili was very curious about the current attitude of this old friend.

With the problem basically solved, Cheng Shuili's mood became much lighter. It just so happened that Wanyi hadn't decided what to make for breakfast in the group chat, so she simply joined in.

【Angry Crow Takes Flight】: I remember there are still a few salted duck eggs in the fridge. How about boiling some rice porridge to go with the eggs?

【Wanyi】: Boss, you're awake! Salted duck eggs with porridge are great! Light and comfortable, I'll go prepare it right away.

【Xinxue Chu Ji】: How many duck eggs are there, Boss? Is there a portion for me?

This person still wants breakfast?

Cheng Shuili truly hadn't expected that. After chatting a bit more, she turned and went downstairs, tidying up while waiting to eat.

Cheng Shuili had already praised Wanyi's cooking many times, but every time she ate, she still couldn't help but lament.

The rice porridge was sticky and thick, yet not overly viscous; it was simply the most delicious porridge in the world!

Because there were only a few salted duck eggs, Wanyi also made some appetizers to eat with the porridge.

This meal could be enjoyed not only by the Black Feather members but also by the wolf-race beastmen who had just moved in.

For the King's reward, the wolf-race beastmen were pleasantly surprised, and they respectfully took the bowls and chopsticks with both hands.

They were mostly accustomed to the rough diet of the beastman tribe, which consisted of either meat chunks scorched hard or roots and fruits that could fill the stomach but could never be called delicious.

The sticky liquid in front of them, which was steaming and emitted a strange yet tempting aroma of grain, was an unprecedented experience for them.

Lang Ju, as their representative, was the first to pick up the bowl.

She followed the example of the Black Feather member next to her, scooped up a spoonful of porridge with a spoon, blew on it carefully, and put it into her mouth.

The warm rice porridge hardly needed chewing as it slid smoothly down her throat, and a wave of warmth instantly spread from her stomach to her limbs.

The pure fragrance of the rice and the just-right soft, glutinous texture made her freeze slightly.

So, besides the fullness of meat and the sweet and sour taste of wild fruits, there was such a gentle and comforting flavor in the world.

The other wolf-race beastmen also began to try it one after another.

At first, they were a bit hesitant and clumsy, but soon, the slurping sound of drinking porridge rang out.

"This... what is this? It's soft and warm, it feels so comfortable to eat..." a young wolf-race beastman whispered to his companion, his eyes shining brightly.

"Food bestowed by the King is truly extraordinary," the older wolf-race beastmen remarked, as they could better appreciate the preciousness behind this seemingly simple food.

This required such fine processing and cooking that it was definitely incomparable to the way they had lived by drinking blood and eating raw meat in the past.

Several wolf-race cubs ate without even lifting their heads, their little faces almost buried in their bowls, while their parents looked on with tenderness and gratitude.

Lang Ji was also given a bowl.

He held the bowl of hot porridge, feeling the temperature from his palms, and then thought back to how he had attacked his own kin and refused to accept the King's verdict not long ago, feeling a sudden, overwhelming sense of shame.

He lowered his head and drank the porridge in large gulps, as if he wanted to swallow this kindness and repentance together, integrating it into his bones and blood.

Cheng Shuili didn't know that a bowl of porridge could have such power. She didn't eat slowly, and after washing her bowl, she took the quill and parchment to start writing a letter to the Rat King.

The pen and ink were ready. She pondered for a moment and then wrote on the uniquely textured parchment.

The handwriting couldn't be called elegant, but it possessed a clean and spirited style.

The beginning was still a simple respectful address, but the tone was less probing and more matter-of-fact than the last time.

This gift was something the Rat King had offered voluntarily, so even if the current Rat King regretted it, it was too late.

She didn't mention the Vial of Eternal Life but pointed out that she wanted to enter the beastman town, and mentioned the current status of Black Feather in passing.

The Rat King was well-informed and must have known early on that she had established a safe zone here. If Cheng Shuili were to hide it, it would only make her look childish.

Moreover, Cheng Shuili was writing this letter inside the main building of the safe zone; after she finished writing the letter last time, the little mouse had appeared.

She needed to use this method to determine whether Black Feather had been invaded by little mice.

Until the letter was finished and Cheng Shuili was ready to send it out, the little mouse hadn't appeared.

Cheng Shuili was, of course, happy to see this result.

She returned to her vehicle, and as soon as she shook the letter twice, the little mouse scurried out from who knows where, took the letter, and ran far away.

Cheng Shuili watched its retreating figure, her expression dark and unreadable.