Hearing this, Bruce nodded, this affirmation from John reinforced his earlier suspicions.
To draw such vast numbers of rodents, whatever's atop the North Slope is certainly not simple.
But whether it's Bruce or others, realizing this didn't spark any greed, instead only a deep worry.
After all, nothing is more precious than life.
The massive rodent swarm presents an overwhelming threat to Harper's current capabilities; no benefit, no matter how great, is theirs to claim.
Rather, should the rodent swarm move slightly and discover the valley, it would be total disaster for them.
As long as they remain on the north slope, any hunting, logging, or gathering by Harper outside risks detection, it's like a sword hanging over their heads, ready to fall at any moment.
The issue of the rodent swarm must be proactively resolved, and it can't be delayed.
But the strength is insufficient!
What means are there to resolve them?
Bruce considered solutions for dealing with the rodent swarm as he headed alongside the team towards the valley settlement.
"Leader, we've arrived!"
A mere two kilometers distance, coupled with the rodent swarm's scare, the group's advance was swift, reaching the entrance to the valley settlement in no time.
After over half a year, seeing the gates of Rogel Camp again, the expressions of John and his sons showed slight emotion, but upon looking at Bruce, their hearts filled once more with hope and longing.
On the return, Michael told them not just about tonight's rodent diversion.
Rogel Camp is now a thing of the past; the valley is now under the control of Harper Camp; Bruce is the sole leader; Taylor, Banana, Samsung, and over a hundred from the former Rogel Camp have all joined Harper.
With a total of over eight hundred people, Harper Camp now boasts six Earthripper Realm individuals, and over a hundred Axeheart Realm, a gathering of strong ones.
If these revelations were enough to leave John dumbfounded;
Then upon hearing the current system of Harper Camp, especially the distribution system for Cold Beast Meat, John was left even more astounded.
Hunting Team, Logging Team, Collection Team, Camp Supply Station, and Craftsmen Workshop, five major agencies, Earthripper Realm ten kilos daily; Axeheart Realm five kilos daily; all above six years count as reserves, reserves with a daily quota of one to two kilos, even children under six receive five kilos per month along with Crystal Fruit as supplementary food …
If not for witnessing the divine presence of Bruce and his six, no matter who said these words, John and his sons might have considered them mad.
How could this be possible?
Is Harper's Cold Beast Meat falling from the sky?
Bombarded by such information, when Michael mentioned Harper's intention to take in the over two hundred from Brocolli Camp, John became completely numb, naturally unable to refuse.
He now had only one thought, to enter Harper Camp and personally verify whether what Michael said was true or false.
"It doesn't have to be all true, even if just one-fifth, no, even if just one-tenth is true, I'd be satisfied!"
As they entered the valley, this was the thought in the hearts of John and his sons at the last moment.
After all, even if Michael exaggerated, with just one-tenth truthfulness, they could still receive half a pound of Cold Beast Meat each day!
With such a mindset, the three, following behind over two hundred from Brocolli Camp, slowly walked through the passage into the valley.
"It's so warm in this valley, isn't it?"
"This… such a large house…"
"Is that canvas on the roof of that house?"
"So many people!"
"How come there's so much wood, so large, so much…"
"Crystal Fruit, is that the scent of Crystal Fruit at the cave entrance?"
"There's a smell of meat, I smell meat, it's Cold Beast Meat, I've had it before…"
---
As they hadn't fully entered, exclamations of surprise and admiration started to emerge from the front of the formation, the three of John and his sons, hearing this, felt further curiosity and instinctively quickened their pace to reach the front of the crowd.
When they reached the front of the crowd and saw the scene in the valley for the first time.
The three members of the John family instantly understood why those people had just gasped.
First, entering the valley, a wave of warmth hit them, the temperature rising almost immediately.
Heaps of timber piled high on both sides of the valley, most of it being Golden Frost Wood.
In the outer areas, there were neatly cut planks, and many people were working hard with saws and tools beside them, clearly crafting materials for wooden houses.
From a small cave on the southern side of the valley, the aroma of Crystal Fruit wafted out, almost tangible, and could be clearly smelled even from dozens of meters away.
Someone emerged from the cave, holding dozens of azure-blue Cold Beast Meat, each weighing hundreds of kilos by sight.
Others carried bags of Crystal Fruit inside, and came out with their bags empty, clearly storing the Crystal Fruit inside.
Unsurprisingly, it should be the warehouse of the Harper Camp.
In the center of the valley stood a massive square wooden house, approximately two hundred meters long on each side and fifteen meters high.
The wooden house gleamed with a faint golden light in the firelight.
John could tell at a glance that it was all made of Golden Frost Wood.
The roof was four-cornered, piled high with snow, yet at the eaves, the beast-skin tarps under the snow were clearly visible.
Generally, the outermost layer of beast skin with fur is suitable for clothing; the second layer is more durable and resistant to decay, suitable for writing records; the third layer is toughest and hardest, often used in tarps at the camp.
Ordinary beast-skin tarps would not shock John, though.
The issue was the vast area of this wooden house, with its roof entirely covered with beast-skin tarps, which was incredible.
The walls of the wooden house appeared about six meters thick, all formed from single Golden Frost Wood logs, with large iron reinforcements visible at the joints.
The two grand doors of the wooden house were five meters high, mainly of wood but bordered with iron bands, exuding a sense of weight even from afar.
The doors were wide open, with people carrying planks in and out, their hands mostly holding wooden tools, while some even had various iron tools.
The second and third floors of the wooden house featured half-meter diameter wooden windows.
Through the open windows and by the firelight from inside, it was clear people were busy at work.
A spring-like warmth, endless timber, freely obtained Cold Beast Meat and Crystal Fruit, a giant wooden house interlaced with iron artifacts, people's hands holding various iron tools…
At first sight, the John family was completely dumbfounded.
Much less, in the camp, people were gorging on Cold Beast Meat, including children, the smallest appearing less than ten years old;
Moving the massive lumber, there were forty to fifty people with Axeheart Realm strength.
In front of the wooden house, four campfires were set up, each with dozens of complete beast skins roasting on the spit, women beating them with wooden sticks, clearly processing the hides; young children ran about, brandishing wooden toys, laughing and playing.
Seeing all this, the John family was left speechless, and the other two hundred from Brocolli Camp were even more so.
"Have we reached heaven?"
"Is there such a place in Redwood Ridge?"
"Is this the Harper Camp?"
---
Everyone stood stunned, eyes full of disbelief, many even thinking it was a mirage, instinctively pinching themselves.
Realizing it was all real, everyone, including the John family, broke into smiles, over half were moved to tears with joy.
But after the joy, they all turned worriedly toward John.
The John family shared this anxiety.
Especially seeing Bruce and others, upon entering the valley, went straight to the large wooden house without discussing the arrangement for Brocolli Camp, leaving John uneasy.
Would such a powerful Harper really take them in?
While John was anxious, a young man, even younger than his sons, approached with a smile, calling out to him.
"Leader Chen, rest assured, since our leader decided to take you in, we won't go back on our word. Here, we're all family; come with me to register."
Seeing the young man's friendly face yet imposing stature, even more so than his own, wearing a uniform like what Charlie and Aaron had, John dared not show arrogance, promptly bowing respectfully with his sons.
"May I ask, who is this gentleman?"
The young man appeared surprised by this address but seemed pleased, chuckling and waved it off, saying, "Just call me Barry, I'm no lord, just a member of the Camp Supply Station, following Lord Charlie's order to record the new arrivals. Please follow me!"
Barry?
Hearing this name, John paused, as if realizing something, and hesitantly asked, "Might you be William's…"
"Old John?"
Before Barry could respond, an excited voice came from behind.
John turned his head, immediately showing excitement on his face.
"Old William!"
Seeing William approaching, the young man deferentially made way.
John immediately realized he had guessed right.
"Old William, your son is remarkable!"
Barry's aura surpassed his own; wearing one of the rare full-set uniforms of the Harper Camp; directly under the command of Bruce's brother, Charlie, it showed his significant standing in the camp.
"Hahaha, not bad, not bad."
Hearing the envious tone, William was greatly pleased.
Though aware of John's misunderstanding, he did not explain, laughing heartily, leading John and others from Brocolli Camp to register.
The population of Harper was close to a thousand, with living spaces limited, there was no need for a stringent household system.
Registration was merely to note numbers, names, and ages, aiding in organization.
As individuals from Brocolli Camp, all two hundred plus, reported names and ages, Shi Ping noted them on the leather scrolls, quickly categorizing them.
"A total of two hundred and twelve people, thirty-seven are under six, not yet of age for Cold Beast Meat; they'll receive five kilos of meat monthly, it can be smashed with Crystal Fruit for supplementary food; The remaining one hundred and seventy-two are all reserved for the militia, with strength under a thousand kilos, and a daily quota is one pound.
Additionally, Leader Chen, Freddy, and Bryan, all of Axeheart Realm; the Collection Team currently has vacancies, so you have no choice but to join. Once in the team, the daily quota is five kilos."
Previously, Brocolli Camp escaped from the cave with two hundred seventy-seven individuals.
Still, being pursued by those two Rodents midway resulted in over sixty deaths, leaving only two hundred twelve.