Great Wilderness Demon Lord

Finally, Xiao Yunlan personally inspected the corpses of the giant wolves and pack animals.

"Wolf skins and animal hides must be completely removed. After tanning, the hides are tough and warm, and can be used for knee pads, vests, and repairing leather armor. Even the scraps can be used to mend tents." He pointed to the meat, "The meat is all removed and heavily salted. The bones, tendons, and internal organs are also processed separately. The tendons and bones can be used to make glue and bowstrings, and the internal organs..."

See if the cook can find a way to remove the smell; if not, try smoking it.

Remember, this is rations, your only means to survive what's to come. If there's any gossip, tell them, if you want to live, don't be picky about food.

Manager Wu took a deep breath and nodded emphatically: "This old servant understands. I will make the arrangements immediately and make the best use of everything."

The orders were relayed down the chain of command. Under the supervision of soldiers, the convicts began the arduous and meticulous work of cleaning: skinning, bone-removing, sorting, trimming, and recycling.

The fire in the blacksmith's forge quickly reignited, and the clanging sounds continued.

The kitchen area was filled with the salty, fishy smell of cured meat, mixed with the acrid stench of burning corpses, creating a cold and pragmatic atmosphere unique to the battlefield.

Everyone was busy both above and below the ice wall.

Transform what the enemy left behind into capital for your own survival and combat.

Every piece of iron, every piece of skin, every bite of flesh could be the key to life or death.

Xiao Yunlan returned to the main tent.

The charcoal brazier inside the tent was burning brightly, dispelling some of the chill.

He took off his blood-stained outer robe and examined the wound on his left arm—it had been grazed by a bone arrow yesterday. The wound wasn't deep, but it was cold in the north, and healing was slow.

He took out the Cold Jade Muscle-Regenerating Powder given to him by Xuan Chengzi, sprinkled some on the wound, and a cooling sensation immediately spread.

After treating his wound, he sat cross-legged and closed his eyes to look inward.

Deep within the dantian, eight halos of light floated silently.

The Valiant Demon and the Slaughter Demon were slightly satiated from yesterday's city defense battle, and their crimson and dark red halos rippled steadily.

The cunning demon's deep blue aura conveys a sense of satisfaction through the "calculation" of tactical deployment.

The cunning demon's eerie green aura had subsided somewhat; yesterday's battle had been more about direct defense, leaving little room for intrigue.

The problem lies with the demon of extreme passion.

The golden halo conveyed a clear sense of "hunger".

Yesterday's battle was fought by the defenders relying on the city walls and strict orders, not out of loyalty or faith in their commander.

The soldiers feared him and obeyed him, but they didn't necessarily believe him. This kind of obedience based on fear could not satisfy the demon's thirst for "pure faith".

The imbalance is worsening.

Xiao Yunlan could sense that the "satisfaction" of other demonic thoughts was squeezing the space of the Extreme Emotion Demon.

If he is not nourished for a long time, the Demon of Extreme Emotion may draw his emotions back, or even induce him to take extreme actions in exchange for loyalty—such as unnecessary sacrifices or more cruel rule.

He needs to find a way to balance things out.

But right now, there are more pressing matters.

"Captain." Zhao Meng's voice came from outside the tent.

"Enter."

Zhao Meng lifted the curtain and entered, his face showing fatigue, but his eyes were bright: "The battlefield has been cleaned up. The jackal corpses have been burned, the giant wolves and pack animals have been processed, their hides are being tanned, and the meat has been sent to the cellar to be cured."

The blacksmith's forge is lit. Old Chen said that melting down those scrap iron tools would yield enough to forge three hundred arrowheads, but it would take time.

Xiao Yunlan nodded: "The arrowheads should be prioritized. Also, the ice wall needs to be reinforced, especially the gap in the northeast corner."

"It's already underway," Zhao Meng said. "The convicts are laying ice bricks to raise that section of the wall to be level with the rest. But they don't have enough ice bricks, so they have to pour new concrete."

"Deploy half the manpower to pour ice bricks, and the other half to continue reinforcing the walls." Xiao Yunlan thought for a moment. "In addition, starting today, all soldiers will be divided into three shifts: one shift for guard duty, one shift for training, and one shift for rest. The training will focus on ice warfare and city wall defense."

"Understood," Zhao Meng replied, but did not leave immediately.

"Is there anything else?"

Zhao Meng hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Captain, the brothers... are not confident. The Lang Rong are powerful, and we are outnumbered. Even if we can salvage some arrows, logs, and rocks, they will be damaged every time we use them. We can't afford to keep going like this..."

Xiao Yunlan looked up at him: "Then what do you think we should do?"

Zhao Meng remained silent for a moment, then said with difficulty, "This humble servant does not know. I only feel... that guarding it is difficult."

"We must hold out, even if it's difficult." Xiao Yunlan's voice was steady. "Use arrows sparingly, and recycle any logs and rocks that can be recovered. As for the small number of people," he paused, his gaze sweeping over the busy camp outside the tent, "the smaller the number of people, the more we must unite as one."

Tell the brothers, hold the line, and we'll survive; if we don't, the North Wind Plains will be our graveyard. We can't outrun the wolves on this wasteland. So I will stay here, without retreating a single step.

Looking at Xiao Yunlan's calm yet unwavering expression, Zhao Meng felt his anxiety subside somewhat.

He took a deep breath and straightened his back: "Understood, sir. I will go and supervise the defenses and reinforce the city walls."

"Go ahead." Xiao Yunlan nodded.

After Zhao Meng left, Xiao Yunlan pondered for a moment and then summoned A Qi: "Go back to Zhenhuang Pass immediately and meet with Steward Liu. Pass on my message verbally: all necessary supplies, especially winter clothing and arrows, must be procured as quickly as possible and transported away. If you see any patrolling cavalry from the military government on the way, ask them for assistance."

Ah Qi solemnly replied, "Young master, rest assured, I will certainly convey your message."

"Be careful on the road," Xiao Yunlan added.

Ah Qi accepted the order, turned around, and quickly left the tent.

Xiao Yunlan stepped outside the tent; dusk was approaching. Figures bustled about on and off the ice wall, the sounds of hammering, carrying, and occasional commands mingling together. He looked towards the north bank, where the fires of the Wolf Rong camp flickered like the eyes of lurking beasts.

He knew Zhao Meng's concerns were valid. They couldn't afford a war of attrition. But he couldn't show the slightest hesitation.

The commander's confidence is the final pillar of morale in the army.

He turned and walked back into the tent. The next thing to do was to deduce the possible ways the Wolf Rong might attack next, and... how to hold out with limited resources until reinforcements actually arrived.

-----------------

Zhenhuang Pass Military Prefecture.

Han Chong stood before the enormous map, his gaze lingering on the location of Shuofeng Plain. A letter lay open on the table—a military intelligence report sent by Xiao Yunlan. A thin-faced advisor in a blue robe stood beside him.

"In your opinion," Han Zhong said calmly without turning around, "what exactly is the Wolf Rong's intention this time?"

After a moment of contemplation, the advisor slowly said, "Based on past practices and the signs of the cavalry activities this autumn, the Black Claw tribe's southward raids this winter should have been aimed directly at several fortified villages and trade routes within a hundred miles of Zhenhuang Pass."

After Wangbeibao was breached last year, Shuofengyuan became a vulnerable point, and they should have used this opportunity to advance directly in and harass our defenses from the rear.

He paused, then pointed to the location of Shuofeng Plain on the map: "However, Commandant Xiao suddenly led his troops to garrison the stronghold and rebuild it. Although it seemed hasty, it was like a move that blocked the breach."

If the Wolf Barbarians want to advance south as planned, they must first remove this thorn in their side. Otherwise, with our strongholds remaining on their flank, their advance will be like a thorn in their side.

Han Zhong nodded slightly: "Therefore, they will definitely attack Shuofeng Plain and take Wangbei Fort."