Lin Feng's patience was gradually running out.
He would check their mining output every day, and his displeasure would deepen when he saw the meager results.
Although he didn't physically assault her like he did with Tang Bao, his cold gaze and occasional rebukes were enough to send chills down the women's spines.
"Useless! A bunch of useless trash! You can't even do this little thing right, what use are you!"
"If this continues, you'll all starve to death!"
These words lashed at the women's hearts like whips.
Several times, Ruan Mengtian and Tang Bao fainted in the mining area due to exhaustion. But Lin Feng simply had them dragged aside to rest for a bit before forcing them to continue working.
Qin Lan saw this and was deeply worried. She knew that if things continued like this, these women would eventually be worked to death.
She tried to communicate with Lin Feng, hoping to reduce some of the workload or provide some more effective tools.
“Mr. Lin, they really did their best. This kind of intense work is really too much for them,” Qin Lan said, mustering her courage.
Lin Feng snorted coldly: "Try your best? If this is all the result of trying your best, then it only proves that their value is so low. Aliens don't need weaklings, and the shelter doesn't keep useless people. If they can't prove their worth, then they don't deserve to enjoy the shelter's resources."
“But in the past, these mining jobs were all done by men. We women had our own division of labor,” Qin Lan said, forcing herself to speak.
Lin Feng sneered, "Do you think men are willing to work in dark, sunless mines? Are willing to risk the constant threat of collapse to dig coal? Do you think men don't want to sit in an office and give orders?"
"Aren't they doing this to support their families! To support their wives!"
"Unfortunately, I don't have a wife, and I don't have any family!"
"I'm a childless cat-loving man! I only care about myself. If you want to stay, then stay at the shelter; otherwise, you're on your own. I won't force you!"
Qin Lan felt a deep sense of powerlessness once again.
Faced with Lin Feng's absolute power and ruthless pragmatism, any sympathy or pity seems pale and powerless.
She could only sigh silently and return to the ranks to continue the arduous labor that offered no hope.
Despair spread among the women within the shelter.
They began to grow numb, mechanically repeating the actions of swinging pickaxes and smashing rocks. The light that once shone in their eyes was gone, replaced only by deep weariness and fear of the unknown.
They began to miss the old days, even though they were scolded by Lin Feng and lived in fear, at least they didn't have to struggle on the brink of life and death every day like they did now.
Lin Feng's expression grew increasingly grim, and the atmosphere in the shelter became increasingly oppressive. He began to frequently go out alone, seemingly searching for something.
The women didn't know what he was looking for, but they all had a vague feeling that a bigger storm might be brewing.
Lin Feng's irritability intensified day by day.
In his view, these women were even more useless than he had imagined.
They had made a complete mess of mining iron ore, something that he didn't think was too complicated.
His meager daily output wasn't even enough to fill a gap between his teeth, let alone support his subsequent smelting and forging plans.
Food is consumed every day, but these "miners" create almost no equivalent value.
"A bunch of useless and incompetent burdens!" Lin Feng cursed inwardly more than once.
He began to consider other possibilities. Were there even richer veins of ore?
Or are there other, more effective mining methods?
That day, he once again ventured alone, accompanied by Wangcai and Meiying, deeper into the northwestern mountains. He wanted to personally explore the area and see if there were any other surprises.
Ling Feng and Zhui Yue hovered in the air, acting as his eyes, watching out for any potential dangers.
The mountain road became increasingly rugged, and the vegetation became even denser.
This area is far from the warm basin, and the forest appears somewhat dark and damp.
Suddenly, Wangcai, who was scouting ahead, stopped and let out a low growl towards a dense thicket. Its fur stood on end slightly, as if it had sensed something.
Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately became alert. He signaled Wangcai not to make any rash moves, while he quietly parted the branches and leaves in front of him and looked behind the bushes.
The sight before him startled him slightly.
Behind the bushes, there was a relatively open valley.
Large areas of dark red iron ore were also exposed on the rock walls of the valley, and they appeared to be richer than the area the women had previously mined.
But this did not surprise Lin Feng.
What truly captured his attention were the strange creatures moving about in the valley.
They were a group of creatures about half a person's height, their bodies covered in glossy, golden fur that shimmered faintly in the dim forest.
They walk upright on their two strong hind legs, their posture somewhat unsteady, yet remarkably agile. Their forelimbs are relatively short, but their fingers are exceptionally long and powerful. At this moment, these creatures are using their nimble forepaws to climb and dig along the rock face!
"This is... a monkey?" A hint of doubt flashed through Lin Feng's mind.
These creatures do indeed resemble golden monkeys on Earth, but they are larger and can maintain upright walking for extended periods. What Lin Feng found even more incredible was that they seemed to be…mining!
He held his breath and observed carefully.
These golden "monkeys" were seen using their sharp claws to dig at the ore on the rock wall, while others were using stones to pound the harder parts.
Although their movements are primitive, they possess a strange coordination and purposefulness.
They plucked chunks of iron ore of varying sizes from the rock face, then carried them with their forepaws or mouths to a clearing in the center of the valley, where they piled them up. There, a small heap of dark brown ore had already formed.
Lin Feng's eyes lit up instantly.
These golden "monkeys" not only possess intelligence far exceeding that of ordinary wild animals, but they also know how to use tools to carry out organized labor!
"Interesting..." Lin Feng's lips curled into a smile. If he could control these creatures and make them mine for him, wouldn't his efficiency be a hundred times higher than that of those pampered women?
He carefully observed the number of the golden "monkeys," which numbered about thirty or forty.
Their social structure is very orderly. A male, whose body is obviously more robust and whose fur is more abundant than the other "monkeys", is sitting on a towering rock, looking down at the other "monkeys" working. He occasionally lets out a low roar, as if giving orders.
It is undoubtedly the leader of this group of "monkeys".
Lin Feng's gaze fell on the leader, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
To catch a thief, you must first catch his leader. To control this group of "monkeys," you must first take down their leader.
He gestured for Wangcai and Meiying to stay put, while he silently crept towards the leader, the "monkey."
His movements were as light as a cat's as he darted through the complex mountain forest environment without making a sound.
When he crept to within twenty meters of the leader "monkey," the leader sensed something, abruptly turned its head, and a hint of vigilance and ferocity flashed in its golden eyes.
It let out a sharp roar, revealing a mouthful of sharp fangs.
Hearing the leader's roar, the other "monkeys" working in the valley stopped what they were doing and looked warily in Lin Feng's direction.
Knowing he had been exposed, Lin Feng stopped hiding and suddenly leaped out of his hiding place like an arrow, heading straight for the leader, "Monkey"!
Upon seeing this, the leader, "Monkey," let out a roar and leaped off the rock without showing any weakness. With a powerful push off the ground with its thick hind legs, it charged towards Lin Feng.
It is extremely fast, with its front claws extended, and its sharp claws slicing through the air with a piercing shriek!
"Well done!" Lin Feng's eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
He didn't use any weapons, but instead prepared to completely crush this beast with his enhanced physical strength!
The man and the "monkey" collided instantly!
"Bang!"
The dull thud echoed through the valley.
Lin Feng felt a tremendous force emanating from his opponent, causing him to take a slight step back.
The leader, the "monkey," was even stronger than he had anticipated!
But Lin Feng's physical strength far surpassed that of ordinary people. He steadied himself, advancing instead of retreating, his right hand forming a claw as he lightning-fast grabbed at the leader "Monkey's" throat!
The leader, "Monkey," reacted extremely quickly, suddenly lowering its body to dodge Lin Feng's fatal blow. At the same time, it opened its mouth wide and bit Lin Feng's arm hard!
Lin Feng snorted coldly, flipped his arm to avoid the opponent's fangs, and then slammed his elbow down, hitting the leader "Monkey" hard in the back!
"Aww!"
The leader, "Monkey," let out a painful roar, staggered, and almost fell to the ground.
Lin Feng, seizing the advantage, pressed forward, raining blows and kicks upon the leader, "Monkey."
Each of his attacks contained terrifying power, causing the leader "monkey" to retreat in defeat, utterly powerless to fight back.
Seeing their leader so badly beaten, the other golden "monkeys" in the valley let out anxious and angry howls, and some of the bolder ones even tried to rush up to help.
But just then, Wangcai and Meiying darted out from behind Lin Feng and blocked the "monkeys" that were trying to come forward.
Wangcai let out a deep roar, displaying a fierce aura, while Meiying moved like a ghost among the "monkeys," leaving several bloody marks on the "monkeys" that charged at the front with its sharp claws.
With Wangcai and Meiying keeping him occupied, Lin Feng can focus more on dealing with the leader, "Monkey".
Although the leader "Monkey" was fearless, he was quickly covered in wounds and his breath grew weaker and weaker under the fierce and relentless attacks of the forest wind.
Its golden fur was covered in dust and blood, and the ferocity in its eyes was gradually replaced by fear.
"Fall down!" Lin Feng roared, seizing an opportunity to deliver a powerful whip kick, striking the leader "Monkey" hard in the waist!
"Snap!"
A clear cracking sound rang out.
The leader, "Monkey," let out a shrill scream. Its massive body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily against the rock wall several meters away. It then slid to the ground, twitched a few times, and remained motionless.
Fresh blood gushed from its mouth and nose, staining the ground beneath it red.
Lin Feng slowly walked up to the dead leader "monkey," looking down at it with icy eyes.
The valley was deathly silent.
All the golden "monkeys" looked at Lin Feng in horror, at this human who had so easily killed their powerful leader.
Their bodies trembled, their eyes filled with fear and awe.
Lin Feng slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the entire "monkey" troop. His eyes held an undeniable air of authority and murderous intent.
"From this day forward, I am your new leader!"
Lin Feng's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of every "monkey": "Obey me, and you will live and have food. Disobey me, and you will suffer the same fate as it!"
He pointed to the leader, "monkey," who was already dead on the ground.
The golden "monkeys" were intimidated by his powerful aura.
They all lowered their heads, emitting soft whimpers, their posture humble, no longer displaying their previous ferocity.
Lin Feng nodded in satisfaction.
He knew that the most effective way to deal with these beasts was to use absolute power to completely crush their will and make them feel fear from the bottom of their hearts.
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