Volume One, Chapter Five: Construction

Looking at the boy’s tender face, no more than eleven or twelve years old, Lin Xuan reflected for a moment. When he was that age, he certainly wasn’t as sensible as this boy, who already knew how to care for his younger sister.

“The favor you’ve shown me, sir, I have no way to repay. But if you would not mind, I am willing to serve you with all my might,” the boy said again, his voice steady.

Lin Xuan snapped back to reality at those words. Seeing the boy kneeling once more, he fell into deep thought. Although the village desperately needed people, he had no intention of recruiting the native inhabitants of this world as villagers.

The virtual panel had clearly warned him: while lords could recruit generals, strategists, and common folk from this world, due to the unique nature of the territory, it was best not to bring natives into the domain if their loyalty couldn’t be assured.

After all, if these natives witnessed the refugee camp and barracks transforming people instantly, or saw entire buildings materialize with a snap of the fingers, it would be difficult to guarantee they wouldn’t harbor suspicions.

Besides, Lin Xuan had already gathered the necessary materials and was about to construct the refugee camp and the basic barracks, so the population issue would soon be resolved.

With that in mind, Lin Xuan made up his mind.

“Little one, hearing your words brings me great joy. I am glad because I know the person I helped today is truly worthy,” he said.

“You are exceptional; you should never be beneath others. I believe that one day, you will achieve great success and fame.”

With that, Lin Xuan pulled out a few silver coins and placed them in the boy’s hand.

“Take these; you need them now.”

The boy wanted to refuse, but Lin Xuan’s words convinced him otherwise.

“By the way, little one, I don’t even know your name,” Lin Xuan asked as they walked along with Jiang Feishang.

“My name is Chu Xiaobai, sir! You can call me Xiaobai,” the boy promptly replied.

“Xiaobai is a fine name,” Lin Xuan nodded, then asked, “Do you know if there are any warehouses for rent within the city?”

Though the virtual panel showed that two thousand units each of timber and iron ore had already been credited upon completing the transaction, Lin Xuan didn’t believe that the materials needed for building the refugee camp and barracks wouldn’t be consumed in reality.

While he could store the materials directly in the space contained within the virtual panel, doing so might expose its existence more easily.

Renting a warehouse to store all the materials was a safer bet.

“A warehouse? I know of many places renting warehouses in the city, but what size are you looking for, sir?” Xiaobai answered.

...

More than two hours later, Lin Xuan finally resolved the issues of the warehouse and the materials.

After purchasing some daily necessities and a few new outfits at the market, Lin Xuan bid farewell to Chu Xiaobai and led Jiang Feishang out of the city.

Originally, Lin Xuan had intended to treat Xiaobai to a meal at a tavern before leaving, but seeing the two thousand units of timber and iron ore displayed on the virtual panel, he decided instead to return to the village and immediately begin constructing the refugee camp and basic barracks.

This world was fraught with danger, so Lin Xuan reminded himself to give his all, never allowing a moment’s slack.

Leaving Jiyin City behind, Lin Xuan and Jiang Feishang retraced their steps toward Lin Family Village. After nearly two hours of travel, they finally arrived.

Entering the village chief’s hall, Lin Xuan took a breath, drank some water, and immediately set to work.

He retrieved the blueprints for the refugee camp and the basic barracks from the virtual panel, then stepped outside the hall.

He found two relatively open spots within the village and placed the blueprints at the center of each.

Then, with a tap on the “Confirm” button on the virtual panel, the refugee camp blueprint transformed into a radiant glow.

The panel showed the deduction of 500 units each of copper coins, timber, and iron ore.

Lin Xuan then approached the spot where the barracks blueprint lay and clicked “Confirm” again.

Another glow appeared, but this time the construction consumed a full 1,000 copper coins, though timber and iron ore remained at 500 units each.

At that moment, both the refugee camp and the basic barracks were fully set up; now, he only needed to wait five minutes for the refugee camp to complete, after which he could receive the first batch of villagers.

Training soldiers would take another fifteen minutes.

As time passed and the glow on the refugee camp’s site faded, a large camp tent emerged.

From within, eight refugees of varied builds, clad in tattered clothes, stepped out.

Staring at these eight people before him, Lin Xuan felt a momentary daze before focusing to check their attributes.

[Liu Dahu]: 33 years old
[Territory]: Lin Family Village (Lin Xuan)
[Loyalty]: 94
[Profession]: None
[Strength]: 55
[Intelligence]: 43
[Leadership]: 38
[Politics]: 41
[Specialty]: Mining

Unlike the attribute panels of generals like Jiang Feishang, these refugees’ panels lacked qualifications, weapons, or mounts.

Instead, they had a specialty and displayed both strength and intelligence values.

Among these eight refugees, including Liu Dahu, only two had listed specialties.

[Wang Yan]: 35 years old
[Territory]: Lin Family Village (Lin Xuan)
[Loyalty]: 93
[Profession]: Blacksmith
[Strength]: 56
[Intelligence]: 38
[Leadership]: 54
[Politics]: 58
[Specialty]: Blacksmithing

Studying Wang Yan and Liu Dahu’s stats, Lin Xuan pondered deeply.

Specialty in blacksmithing… blacksmith profession…

He wondered if the villagers’ professions might relate to their specialties.

Unfortunately, with just these two, he couldn’t draw any conclusions.

“Let’s wait until tomorrow’s batch of villagers arrives and see,” he said, shaking his head and setting the matter aside as he turned toward the now-completed basic barracks.

P.S.: To clarify, the virtual panel displays all items owned by the lord, whether or not they are stored within the space contained inside the virtual panel.

Therefore, when timber and iron ore are purchased, the panel immediately reflects the acquisition.

Taking items out of the space inside the virtual panel does not reduce the displayed quantity.

Only upon actual consumption of the items does the number on the panel decrease.