The next morning, this temporary group of three women and one man embarked on their "journey" to Lin Feng's shelter.
It was called a journey, but it was more like a miserable migration.
Zhao Defu gave the few biscuits and a small bottle of water he had left in his backpack to Yang Li and the other two, while he himself only ate some dry and hard plant tubers left over from the previous night.
Nevertheless, he remained in high spirits.
He held the rather thick branch he used to stir the campfire in his hand as a "weapon," and walked at the front with his head held high, trying to create the image of a "pathfinder."
Yang Li plays the role of a weak, helpless woman who needs to be protected.
She leaned weakly against Liu Pan's support, occasionally letting out a low cough or two, or looking at Zhao Defu's back with eyes full of gratitude and worry, further arousing his protective instincts.
Wang Lan followed behind like a ghost, remaining silent. Occasionally, when passing by some relatively dense bushes, she would nervously peek into them, afraid that some monster might suddenly jump out.
The terrain at the edge of the Misty Forest is complex and rugged, filled with jagged rocks and tangled vines. Thick fog still hangs in the air, visibility is extremely low, and the air is thick with the damp, putrid smell.
Although Zhao Defu was a homebody in the city, he was still a young man and had better physical strength than Yang Li and the other two.
He tried his best to clear away the branches blocking the way and move some smaller stones, making it as easy as possible for the "ladies" behind him to walk.
Whenever he finished doing these things, Yang Li would always say something like, "Defu, you're so capable," or "Defu, thank you for your hard work," which would make him feel full of energy.
"Teacher Yang, you said... roughly in which direction is Lin Feng's shelter located?"
Zhao Defu, panting, turned around and asked. He was actually completely unfamiliar with this area and could only rely on Yang Li's guidance.
Yang Li frowned slightly, looking as if she was trying hard to remember: "I remember... it seems like you go north... pass through a high-altitude area with a lot of sandstorms... and you'll see the shelter."
Zhao Defu looked up at the gray sky around him, trying hard to figure out his direction. "Okay! Let's head north!"
They were quite lucky; they didn't encounter any other large, dangerous beasts along the way.
Even so, the journey was fraught with hardship.
They lacked food and clean water, and their physical strength was greatly depleted. Zhao Defu was in slightly better condition, but Yang Li and the other two were growing increasingly weak. Liu Pan nearly fainted several times, and Wang Lan's eyes became even more vacant.
Although Yang Li was anxious, she knew that it was precisely at times like these that she needed to keep Zhao Defu calm.
She kept encouraging him, describing how finding Lin Feng would bring him "the treatment he deserved" and a "safe and comfortable" life.
She even began to hint that if Zhao Defu could successfully "persuade" Lin Feng, she... she would consider giving him a "further" opportunity.
These vague promises and hints were undoubtedly a powerful source of psychological stimulation for Zhao Defu, who was deeply immersed in the fantasy of "hero rescuing the damsel in distress."
He gritted his teeth, dragged his weary body, and stubbornly headed north, as Yang Li had indicated.
Meanwhile, inside the shelter, Lin Feng also noticed something unusual.
First, there was the information brought back by Ling Feng and Zhui Yue.
These two Radiant Falcons have an extremely wide reconnaissance range. High in the sky, they spotted several blurry figures moving slowly towards the shelter at the edge of the Misty Forest, about ten kilometers southeast of the shelter.
"Figures? How many?" Lin Feng frowned slightly.
"Could they be other survivors?" Qin Lan couldn't help but ask. This planet is so vast that it's not surprising that other humans have survived.
Immediately afterward, Wangcai, who was responsible for perimeter security, also let out some uneasy growls. It too had sensed the approaching unfamiliar presence.
"Looks like we have more guests coming." Lin Feng's eyes turned slightly cold.
"Qin Lan, pass on the word: increase security." Lin Feng said to Qin Lan beside him, "Increase manpower at the watchtower, and everyone must carry weapons. Without my order, no one is allowed to contact anyone outside."
"Yes, Mr. Lin." Qin Lan's expression also turned serious. She knew that every appearance of a stranger could mean unknown risks.
Lin Feng himself climbed to the highest observation tower, holding the improved telescope with a crystal lens, and looked in the direction Ling Feng had warned.
The thick fog still lingered, but thanks to the sun-wheel wood dispelling some of the fog and the amplifying effect of the telescope, Lin Feng could still vaguely see several staggering figures struggling to trek along the edge of the wind-eroded highlands in the distance.
Judging from their appearance, they were indeed in a sorry state and had reached their limit.
"Another group seeking asylum?" Lin Feng scoffed inwardly. He had already made up his mind that if these people were like Yang Li, harboring unrealistic fantasies and calculations...
He would not hesitate to turn them away again. His kindness and compassion were reserved only for those who deserved them.
However, as the figures drew closer and Lin Feng was finally able to make out their faces, his brows furrowed even more.
One of these three women was none other than Yang Li!
Although she looked even more haggard and disheveled than before, Lin Feng could still recognize her calculating face at a glance. She was accompanied by two other unfamiliar women, who also appeared extremely weak.
And the man walking at the very front... Lin Feng narrowed his eyes.
He was a slightly chubby young man wearing black-rimmed glasses and a plaid shirt and jeans that seemed out of place in this alien environment.
"Yang Li? She's still alive? And she's even hooked up with a man?" A hint of surprise and wariness flashed through Lin Feng's mind.
This was the first time he had ever met a man other than himself.
After a difficult trek, Yang Li, Zhao Defu, and their group of four finally arrived at the outskirts of Lin Feng Shelter.
When they crossed that desolate highland and saw this vibrant sanctuary bathed in the light of the sun-drenched trees, Zhao Defu's eyes widened in amazement.
"Wow! Teacher Yang! Look! That's...that's Lin Feng's sanctuary?" Zhao Defu pointed ahead, his tone filled with shock and a hint of...unexplained jealousy?
He had initially thought that the "shelter" Yang Li mentioned might just be a sturdy wooden hut, but he never expected it to be so large and well-defended.
The towering wooden walls, the deep moat outside, and the shadowy figures and glints of cold light visible on the top of the walls all indicate that the "master" of this place is no ordinary person.
Compared to his own humble rocky hollow, this place was simply paradise!
Looking at Zhao Defu's naive and unsophisticated demeanor, Yang Li felt contempt, but her face betrayed a perfectly calculated mix of "grief and indignation" and "grievance": "Yes, Defu, this is it. Look how well he built this place... but... he won't even give us poor women a place to live..."
Her words reignited the anger in Zhao Defu's heart.
"This is outrageous! It's such a waste!" Zhao Defu said indignantly. "He has such a wonderful place, yet he's so selfish! Teacher Yang, don't worry, I'll make him understand what a man's responsibility is today!"
Liu Pan and Wang Lan also showed "expectant" expressions at the right time, further satisfying Zhao Defu's vanity.
Just as they approached the wooden fence gate of the shelter, a cold voice came from the watchtower: "Who goes there? Halt!"
It's Qin Lan's voice.
She held a longbow made of animal bones and tough vines, the bowstring already drawn, the arrowhead gleaming with a cold, eerie light, aimed at Zhao Defu and his group.
Zhao Defu was startled by the sudden reprimand and instinctively took a step back, almost dropping the branch in his hand.
Yang Li cursed Zhao Defu inwardly for being spineless, but she still immediately stepped forward, trying her best to look more weak and pitiful: "We...we are human survivors...we want to see Mr. Lin Feng..."
"Mr. Lin said he would not see any visitors."
Qin Lan's voice remained cold and devoid of any emotion. She had already recognized Yang Li and had a very poor impression of the woman.
"We are not guests!" Zhao Defu finally mustered his courage, straightened his back, and said loudly, "We are here to confront Lin Feng! Tell him to come out! I want to ask him face to face why he treats Teacher Yang and these defenseless women like this!"
Qin Lan frowned. Who was this man? Why was he so arrogant? And it seemed he was standing up for Yang Li?
Just then, Lin Feng appeared on the watchtower.
He looked down at the four people outside the fence, his gaze calm and unwavering, as if he were looking at a few clowns.
"Oh? A theory? What do you want to argue with me about?" Lin Feng's voice came calmly, revealing no emotion.
When Zhao Defu saw Lin Feng appear, he felt inexplicably apprehensive.
This man, though simply standing there quietly, exuded an indescribable sense of oppression. It was like facing a lurking beast.
But when he thought of the pitiful teacher Yang Li behind him and her tragic experience, as well as the sacred mission he was shouldering, he forced himself to muster his courage.
"You're Lin Feng?" Zhao Defu asked, head held high, trying to appear more imposing.
"It's me." Lin Feng nodded, his gaze shifting to Yang Li, a playful smile playing on his lips. "Ms. Yang, we meet again. It seems you didn't learn your lesson from me last time. You've brought another accomplice this time?"
Yang Li felt uneasy under Lin Feng's gaze, but she forced herself to remain calm, putting on a tearful expression: "Mr. Lin... I... we just want to beg you to give us a way out... Defu... he was just standing up for us..."
"Standing up for justice?" Lin Feng's gaze returned to Zhao Defu.
"Brother, what's your name?" Lin Feng's tone suddenly became much gentler, even carrying a hint of a smile.
Zhao Defu was somewhat bewildered by Lin Feng's sudden change in attitude. He subconsciously replied, "I... my name is Zhao Defu."
"Zhao Defu? What a good name!"
Lin Feng nodded, a "kind" smile on his face. "Brother Zhao, you look dignified and have an extraordinary bearing. You must be a capable and responsible hero, right? To be willing to stand up for several ladies on this alien planet, I admire your chivalrous heart!"
As he spoke, Lin Feng actually came down from the watchtower and gestured for Qin Lan to open the gate of the shelter.
"Brother Zhao, since you're here, you're a guest. It's windy outside, why don't you come in and have a cup of hot tea, and we can chat slowly?"
Lin Feng walked up to Zhao Defu with a smile on his face, and even took the initiative to extend his hand to shake hands with Zhao Defu.
This left not only Zhao Defu, but also Yang Li, Liu Pan, and Wang Lan completely stunned.
What... what's going on? Why did Lin Feng's attitude suddenly change 180 degrees?
Shouldn't he hate them? Why is he being so "enthusiastic" towards Zhao Defu?
Zhao Defu was flattered. He had expected a fierce argument, perhaps even a physical fight, but Lin Feng was so "reasonable" and even praised him as a "hero." This greatly satisfied his vanity.
"Mr. Lin...you...you're too kind..." Zhao Defu stammered, subconsciously extending his hand to shake hands with Lin Feng.
Lin Feng's palm was broad and strong, with a slightly cold metallic feel, which made Zhao Defu's heart skip a beat.
"Of course, of course." Lin Feng's smile remained unchanged. "Brother Zhao, it is my honor to meet fellow countrymen on this desolate alien planet, especially a fellow countryman with a sense of justice like you. Please come in!"
Lin Feng's "enthusiasm" made it difficult for Zhao Defu to vent his pent-up "questions" and "anger".
He felt like he had punched cotton.
Alarm bells rang in Yang Li's mind. She knew Lin Feng all too well; this man was definitely not a kind soul.
His unusual behavior must mean he's plotting something! But for now, she couldn't say anything, so she forced a smile and followed Zhao Defu into the shelter.
Lin Feng "invited" Zhao Defu into a fairly spacious wooden hut in the inner courtyard of the shelter. This hut was originally used by Lin Feng to store some odds and ends, but it had been temporarily cleared out.
Inside the wooden house, there was a simple wooden table and a few wooden stools.
Tang Bao quickly brought over several cups of steaming "tea"—actually brewed from the leaves of a plant with a slightly sweet aroma.
Lin Feng warmly invited Zhao Defu to sit down, but only nodded slightly to Yang Li and the other two, as if they were merely Zhao Defu's appendages.
This preferential treatment made Zhao Defu feel even more at ease, and it also made him more convinced that Lin Feng was impressed by his domineering aura.
"Brother Zhao, please try our simple tea. The conditions are basic, but we hope you won't mind." Lin Feng personally poured a cup for Zhao Defu.
"Not at all, not at all." Zhao Defu was flattered and took the teacup. He took a sip and felt a warm current flow into his stomach, which dispelled much of his fatigue from the past few days.
Yang Li and the other two stood awkwardly to the side, with no one offering them seats or pouring them tea.
They felt a mix of emotions as they watched Zhao Defu being treated with such "courtesy" by Lin Feng.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhao Defu finally remembered the "main purpose" of his trip.
“Mr. Lin,” Zhao Defu put down his teacup and said with a serious expression, “Actually, we’ve come here today to discuss something important with you.”
"Oh? Brother Zhao, please speak freely." Lin Feng still had a smile on his face, looking like he was all ears.
“It’s like this,” Zhao Defu took a deep breath, pointed to Yang Li and the other two behind him, and said righteously, “As you can see, these three ladies, Ms. Yang, are all alone and in great danger in this perilous forest. But Mr. Lin, you have such a sturdy shelter here, and plenty of supplies…”
He paused, then emphasized, "So, I hope that Mr. Lin can show some humanitarian spirit and give your shelter... to Ms. Yang and the others. After all, shouldn't a man have the responsibility to protect and care for vulnerable women?"
When Zhao Defu uttered these words, he felt righteous and awe-inspiring, radiating moral glory. He hoped that Lin Feng would be moved by his "righteousness" and readily agree to his request.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere inside the cabin suddenly changed.
The smile on Lin Feng's face vanished instantly, as if frozen in ice. His eyes sharpened, staring coldly at Zhao Defu.
The air seemed to freeze at that moment.
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