CH 115

Due to the addition of the mutant rats, Shui Jing Gong’s migration force expanded once again. Nan Ge had to order the construction of several more boats to accommodate the mutant rats.

The mutant rats were well aware that this migration depended on the people from the base. They behaved remarkably obediently, even on the first day of gathering, standing in orderly rows to make it easier for Nan Ge to count their numbers.

Not all the mutant rats were migrating; very few, whether due to their age or their unwillingness to leave the valley, chose to stay behind. However, the majority agreed to migrate with the larger group.

Animals are naturally more adept at observing nature than humans. The unusual early winter snowfall had already raised concerns among the mutant rats. This valley, as calculated by Shu Shuishui, was considered a Feng Shui treasure trove, with an excellent geographical location. Each year, during the summer, they would simply migrate from the valley to the mid-slopes or mountaintops to avoid the rainy season. However, this year’s weather seemed particularly abnormal.

With the imminent arrival of the summer rainy season, the snow outside had yet to melt, and one could only imagine the scene that would unfold when the rainy season arrived.

The mutant rats had their migration plans in mind as well. However, without the use of tools and relying solely on swimming, they couldn’t venture too far on their own. So when they learned that the people of Shui Jing Gong had migration plans, the mutant rats also decided to follow along.

In addition to their cooperation with Gu Langu, this further solidified the mutant rats’s confidence in following along. Besides, there was a relative of theirs inside. If Shu Shuishui and Gu Langu got married in the future, they would be well-connected rats.

The people in the valley didn’t have any reservations about the mutant rats joining them in the migration; instead, they welcomed it. Not to mention the mutant rats’s combat abilities, their relocation skills were truly impressive. So when it came to building additional boats, everyone readily accepted the idea.

In total, there were forty-two mutant rats, a quite considerable number. After mutations, while the combat abilities of organisms experienced a qualitative leap, their ability to reproduce offspring was weakened, possibly a self-balancing mechanism of nature.

To express their gratitude to Shui Jing Gong, the mutant rats willingly took on some of the valley’s work, such as climbing trees to pick fruit, harvesting field crops, weeding, insect-catching, and cotton picking.

For the people in the valley, it was the first time they saw how life could become so simple and comfortable with this group of rats around. After the mutant rats harvested the fields, not a single grain of rice was left behind; they were all carefully collected and piled up in a small heap for drying.

The diligent attitude of the mutant rats quickly changed the perception of the people in the valley, from initial hesitation to active acceptance. Coupled with the countless quirky little flags that the mutant rats carried, the communication and integration between the two sides went surprisingly smoothly.

Watching the gray-furred rats turning over the soil in the fields, Shu Shuishui couldn’t help but exclaim, “These are the real field mice, aren’t they?”

The pseudo-field mouse, who was actually a dormouse, yawned and leaned against Gu Langu beside him. “I heard that the gray rats have formed the Gray Rats Moving Company, and people even tip them when they work. They really know how to make a living.”

Hearing about Gray Rats Moving Company, Gu Langu inexplicably felt a bit guilty. Fortunately, Shu Shuishui was leaning against him and couldn’t see Gu Langu’s expression at the moment. He only heard him make a faint “Hmm.”

On the other side, a small gray-furred rat, just a few months old and about the size of a palm, spread out its tiny paws and received its reward for the work it had just done: twenty grains of rice. This was its payment for catching bugs in a field, and the little rat wasn’t in a hurry to eat them. After all, it had snacked on bugs while catching them.

Holding the twenty grains of rice in its little paws, the rat joyfully returned to its burrow. It had recently moved out and was living alone. Its burrow was quite simple, with only a small pile of rice, five peanuts, one potato, two sweet potatoes, and a small cloth bag used to store these grains. The bag had been inherited from its parents and was quite large, more than enough to carry these supplies. It did sway a bit when carried, but no rat minded this sweet burden.

The little rat carefully selected five grains of rice from its afternoon harvest, then, under the cover of night, quietly went to its usual spot. It found the designated area for rice and carefully scattered the five grains onto the rice heap before sneaking away.

Many rats did the same thing as this little rat. Clearly, the terms of cooperation had been discussed in advance. Each time the rats made a harvest, a small portion would be given to Gu Langu in exchange for communication and business opportunities through the little flags he provided.

According to Gu Langu, they needed to expand their business and reach outside the valley and even beyond the northern hemisphere. As more and more people chose migration due to environmental changes, these were all opportunities. So, the rats didn’t have to worry about running out of food on their journey. As long as they earned enough, they could buy micro-farms from Shui Jing Gong, one for each family, enough to make a living.

With this bright future constructed by Gu Langu, the rats were filled with determination and hope. They searched for opportunities every day, and some rats had even started window-cleaning, sweeping, and mopping businesses for humans.

Gray Rats Company took the lead in building a reputation within Shui Jing Gong, and it received excellent reviews.

With the recognition of the Gray Rats Company, Gu Langu’s harvest became even more bountiful. From a single sweet potato, it gradually accumulated into a sweet potato pile, along with heaps of rice, peanuts, potatoes, and more. From a distance, one could sense the joy of a bountiful harvest.

But it wasn’t enough for Gu Langu. He hoped that one day, that pile of sweet potatoes would become a sweet potato mountain, and that handful of rice would become a rice mountain… At first glance, it should not only bring the joy of a bountiful harvest but also awe.

Therefore, when it came to the “private stash” matter, Gu Langu decided to keep it a secret for now, until he felt satisfied.

Driven by this anticipation, Gu Langu gradually developed the same enthusiasm that Shu Shuishui once had for counting hazelnuts. Every night, he would sneak out to collect the supplies brought by the gray rats and store them in his Shui ring. Then, he would joyfully count the items over and over, genuinely feeling that his “private stash” was growing.

At this moment, Gu Langu unexpectedly experienced the joy of Earthlings in hiding their private stash and counting it.

In the valley, everyone was preparing for the upcoming great migration. Xie Feng used existing materials and the highest level of technology to improve the ship’s propulsion system. Builders were busy making the ships safer and more comfortable to withstand the impending storms, and the farming team was working hard to harvest as much food as possible to sustain them during the long journey.

Outside the valley, the situation was indeed as initially predicted. The melting snow increased day by day, far surpassing previous years, making travel outside extremely difficult. They could only rely on ships to move around.

During the preparations for the migration, two more bases came for trade one after another. Upon learning about Shui Jing Gong’s imminent northward migration, they discussed and ultimately decided to join the migration together. Of course, when entering or leaving the valley, they still employed the services of the Gray Rat Moving Company.

The visiting bases were greatly surprised by the actions of the gray rats, while the people of Shui Jing Gong felt a strange sense of pride, as if the mutant rats had already become a part of their community.

“Bro, the ships for the mutant rats are almost ready. Xie Feng said that the ships can be towed and follow the ones in front, so even if there’s no one piloting them, they can still move along,” Nan Fang reported the progress of ship production in the valley to Nan Ge.

Nan Ge chuckled after hearing this. “Don’t worry, there’ll probably be plenty of volunteers to pilot the mutant rats’ ships. These ships might end up just being used as cargo vessels.”

Nan Fang glanced outside and nodded. “You’ve got a point.” It was lunchtime, a rare break in the valley.

People still gathered in groups around campfires or cooking stoves, eating, and chatting. However, unlike before, in every gathering now, there would be several large gray rats sitting among the people.

Sometimes it was just one rat, other times it was a family. The gray rats had seamlessly integrated into Shui Jing Gong. Plus, the mutant rats didn’t get a free ride; their meals were usually deducted from their pay or they paid for them themselves, which made the people in the base even fonder of them.

“Bro, do you think Shui Shui taught them all this? It’s impressive how well he had trained the mutant rats!” Nan Fang marveled at the changes in the valley in such a short time.

“Of course, it’s Shui Shui. Otherwise, who would communicate with the mutant rats and guide them to integrate into Shui Jing Gong?” Nan Ge answered without hesitation, given Shu Shuishui’s style of handling things comprehensively and diplomatically.

“With the mutant rats joining us, I feel like the journey will be much safer, but I’m a bit reluctant to leave this valley.”

“If you’re reluctant, then go help Shui Shui. He’s been working on planting the Spirit Wood, planning to create a protective array that can circulate within the valley. If successful, we might even be able to return here in the winter,” Nan Ge patted Nan Fang’s head. “Come on, let’s go eat.”

“Yeah, I heard there’s a new dish today. Let’s hurry!” When it came to food, Nan Fang immediately perked up and urged to go.

On the other hand, Shu Shuishui and Gu Langu were not eating. Their cultivation had reached a level where they didn’t need to eat every day. They were currently searching for suitable Spirit Plants to grow in the valley.

Shu Shuishui planned to use Spirit Wood as a replacement for Spirit Stones to serve as the core of the protective array, ensuring that its spiritual energy wouldn’t deplete. However, there were not many Spirit Woods suitable for growth on Cang Zhan Star. So after selecting them, they needed to be cultivated and experimented with, followed by array deployment and stimulation. This series of actions was quite intricate.

“Fortunately, this place is a Feng Shui treasure trove, with naturally favorable conditions. Otherwise, the remodeling process would be even more challenging. But this is our first home and also a key point in the transformation of the Cang Zhan Star’s protective array. So, it will definitely succeed!” Shu Shuishui pinched the leaves of the sapling he had just planted, as if encouraging not only the plant but also himself.

“Squeak, squeak!” This was a gray-haired rat that had just helped dig a hole and water the plants.

Shu Shuishui patted the rat’s head, feeling a strange sense of kinship as if he was patting himself, and he found it somewhat fascinating. “Thank you, little Gray, how much reward do you want for your help?”

“Squeak, squeak.”

“Free? No, that won’t do!”

“Squeak, squeak.”

“Oh, I see. Well, then, I won’t insist.”

Beside him, Gu Langu reached over to gently support one of the young saplings. He also wore a satisfied expression as he looked at the gray-haired rat.