The most crucial component, the Light Guide Shield, was also made from ice blocks as Huang Liang had mentioned.
When the eight lighting vehicles appeared in the camp, illuminating the entire night sky, it caused quite a stir among the people in the camp.
The incident Fan Daniu encountered had already spread. Although none of those people were in life-threatening danger, they were too frightened to get out of bed for a while.
This made many people even more tense and alert.
Though none dared to speak openly, private discussions never ceased.
"Have you heard, Fan Daniu nearly died."
"I heard, they say it was a giant bat. I wonder how big a bat would have to be to silently drag away so many people."
"What bat? I heard it was a flying monkey that could talk and loved eating human brains. At that time, Fan Daniu nearly had his skull lifted, so he fought back with all his strength."
"I also heard from the elders that such monkeys are formed from concentrated grievances and come to capture souls. They are extremely formidable."
Rumors spread quickly, and the camp’s atmosphere couldn’t be described as just fearful; it was shrouded in a ghostly aura.
In such circumstances, the introduction of these eight lighting vehicles naturally caused a significant commotion.
The brightly lit night sky especially gave people a strong sense of security, gradually calming their previously frantic spirits.
It’s undeniable that Liang Xin’an’s suggestion hit the mark perfectly.
After these lighting vehicles were introduced, there were no more disappearances in the camp over the following days.
The tension in people’s hearts finally began to ease.
Yet, as people celebrated, in the central large tent, Kong Xiangdong, Jing Rou, Huang Liang, and Liang Xin’an sat together, their expressions unprecedentedly serious.
"Are you certain our camp has been blockaded?" Jing Rou couldn’t help but ask.
Kong Xiangdong nodded solemnly, "Yes, because according to routine, the supply convoy should have arrived yesterday, but there’s been no sign of them by today."
"Could it be that the supply convoy encountered an accident on the road, causing a delay?" Jing Rou said.
"Impossible. Firstly, this is already the edge of the Northern Realm’s snowfield, with little danger. Secondly, such supply convoys always split into three groups to prevent total loss due to accidents."
Regarding the delay...
Kong Xiangdong paused, then continued.
"In the Northern Realm snowfield, no one dares to jest with time, for a day often makes the difference between life and death, so anyone wishing to engage in this business must value dates above their life."
"The convoy I work with is an experienced, old trading firm that has never been delayed by any accident. Now, their sudden silence can only mean they all encountered trouble."
"But that doesn’t confirm we’ve been blockaded, does it?" Jing Rou persisted in asking, with Huang Liang and Liang Xin’an also listening quietly.
Though they were from the Mechanical Sect, their experience in the Northern Realm snowfield was no richer than that of ordinary people, so they had to seek out Kong Xiangdong.
Kong Xiangdong sighed, "Because as of yesterday, I already quietly sent people out to investigate, yet no one returned."
Instantly, the faces of those in the tent turned even grimmer.
For them, a direct confrontation with visible enemies was not frightening; it was this invisible enemy necessitating passive defense that was truly unsettling.
The prior wave of disappearances had been like this, and no sooner had that been resolved when another mess cropped up.
"How long can the camp’s supplies last?" Liang Xin’an asked in a deep voice.
"Food and water are sufficiently stocked, but we’re running low on kerosene for lighting. This supply convoy was mainly bringing us kerosene, and then this happened."
Hearing Kong Xiangdong’s words, even the most composed Huang Liang couldn’t remain still.
Because everyone knew what the absence of kerosene meant for the camp.
Once kerosene ran out and the camp fell into darkness, no external threats would be needed; mere moral collapse could devastate them.
"I’ll mull over this later to see if we can minimize kerosene consumption while maintaining sufficient light," said Huang Liang, offering what he could.
No one spoke.
Because everyone knew it was simply psychological comfort.
No matter how much it’s improved, kerosene still needed to be consumed.
As for switching fuel sources...
Not to mention that burning coal wouldn’t be bright enough, it’s what people use for warmth; depleting that reserve would mean freezing without the ghost monkeys’ attacks.
Just when everyone was at a loss, Liang Xin’an suddenly said, "I have an idea."
"What idea?" Kong Xiangdong immediately asked.
"We were lighting up eight vehicles to cover the entire camp, but that’s too wasteful."
"Now that kerosene is running low, why not gather people together, reducing the risk of attacks and the lighting vehicles needed."
No one objected to this suggestion.
Nonetheless, the more mature Huang Liang added cautiously, "Remember to handle it naturally, especially avoiding the revelation of our blockade to prevent unnecessary panic."
"Don’t worry, I have a plan," Kong Xiangdong assured.
His subordinates, the Sea Gatherers, and the disciples of the Mechanical Sect were manageable. The issue lay with the others.
Most were Sea Gatherers from various factions, some staying even with their leaders remaining.
Some aimed to defend with Kong Xiangdong out of camaraderie; others stayed for opportunistic gains, unsure of encountering such trouble.
Should these people learn the truth, chaos would likely ensue.
If the camp’s balance was disrupted, it could mean its end.
Kong Xiangdong moved swiftly, gathering people and citing reasons of preventing attacks and conserving resources to bring everyone into central tents.
Apart from a few grievances, most complied.
After all, survival overrules the discomfort of communal sleeping arrangements.
Once gathered, only three lighting vehicles were needed for tasks previously requiring eight.
Kerosene consumption was more than halved.
Yet simply waiting wouldn’t solve the problem, as kerosene would eventually deplete.
If Zhao Ya didn’t arrive beforehand, would they await death?
Liang Xin’an proposed exploring outside the camp to assess the situation.
Jing Rou unhesitatingly agreed, "Count me in!"
Then he said to Huang Liang and Kong Xiangdong, "Leader Kong, Senior Brother Huang, you stay to hold the fort; Xin’an and I will investigate outside."
Huang Liang didn’t object, gravely nodding, "Be extremely cautious, you two."
"Rest assured, I’ve got the real deal on me. I’d like to see what can withstand a hand cannon blast," Jing Rou said, pulling out a large hand cannon from his pouch.
Aimed as a gun, it was essentially a small cannon.
Moreover, Jing Rou had a bag full of flares and fireworks ready.
If any eerie thing dared to attack, Jing Rou promised a big "surprise."
Huang Liang prepared an upgraded lighting vehicle equipped with a mechanical crossbow and firearms, fortified at key points.
Prepared, Liang Xin’an and Jing Rou pushed the lighting vehicle out of the camp under everyone’s watchful eyes.