Chapter 44: Wow! So Much Money!

[Ding!]

[Appraising...]

[Ding!]

[Congratulations, Host, for successfully exchanging fifty million system coins.]

[...]

[...]

Chen Tong looked at the enormous string of numbers, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. These system coins were more than enough for him to purchase a batch of fine tools.

Immediately afterward, Chen Tong began selecting tools in the system mall.

The mall was brimming with an array of items, featuring all kinds of advanced and bizarre tools imaginable.

His gaze first fell upon common tools such as pickaxes, shovels, and hoes, carefully examining their attribute descriptions.

These tools were forged from special alloys, boasting sharp edges and exceptional durability. Even with continuous, high-intensity use, they were not easily damaged—far superior to ordinary tools available on the market.

Without hesitation, Chen Tong selected these items and added them to his shopping cart.

Given the heavy material transportation tasks on the construction site, he decisively added wheelbarrows to the cart as well.

Just then, Chen Tong's gaze was caught by an electric tricycle in the corner of the mall.

The transportation capacity of an electric tricycle was immensely powerful; with it, the construction progress would undoubtedly accelerate significantly.

However, Chen Tong's finger lingered on the virtual interface for a long time, his heart torn with hesitation.

Chen Tong imagined the scene of these electric tricycles appearing on the construction site, with the expressions of shock and fear flashing through his mind.

The people here knew almost nothing about modern technology.

The sudden appearance of such a self-propelled iron beast would definitely frighten everyone, potentially sparking panic, or even damaging the trust and team cohesion they currently had in him.

After weighing the pros and cons multiple times, Chen Tong ultimately gave up on the electric tricycle.

Chen Tong sighed and muttered to himself, "I'll wait until everyone gradually accepts modern things before considering these."

Chen Tong confirmed the order.

A moments later, these tools appeared right inside his room.

Carrying the newly purchased tools, Chen Tong arrived at the construction site and shouted loudly, "Brothers, come over and take a look! I've brought new tools for everyone!"

The crowd swarmed over. Seeing the pickaxes, shovels, hoes, and wheelbarrows, their eyes lit up.

"Brother Chen, these tools look sturdy!" Liu Meng picked up a pickaxe, weighed it in his hand, and said excitedly.

"Indeed! With these new tools, our work will surely be easier, and the progress will be much faster!" Chen Feng chimed in from the side.

Only a month had passed, and the urban construction at the foot of Black Wind Fortress had yielded remarkable results.

The surrounding city wall was largely completed, standing tall and sturdy upon the earth like a winding dragon guarding this rising land.

Stepping inside the city wall, basic living facilities had also been initially established.

Simple houses were scattered in an orderly fashion; although their exteriors were not magnificent, they could shield people from wind and rain.

Some open spaces had also been designated, prepared for subsequent construction such as markets and workshops.

Chen Tong stood atop the city wall, overlooking the fledgling city with a heart full of emotion. He spread his arms and shouted excitedly, "Fantastic! In just one month, we've built the city wall, and the interior is starting to take shape. This is simply a miracle!"

Beside him, Xie Qingshuang smiled, her eyes filled with gratification. "Indeed, Brother Chen, this is all thanks to everyone working together with one heart."

At that moment, Liu Meng ran up the city wall, huffing and puffing, and bellowed in his booming voice, "Brother Chen, Fortress Master Qingshuang, look at this city—how is it built? All us brothers have exerted every ounce of strength we had."

Chen Tong patted Liu Meng on the shoulder and smiled, "Fortress Master Liu, everyone has worked hard! This city wall is tall and sturdy; from now on, we have a solid fortress."

Liu Meng scratched his head and gave a hearty chuckle. "What hard work? With food, drinks, and pay, the brothers are working with unmatched enthusiasm. Everyone is just hoping this city will be finished quickly so we can live in peace."

Chen Tong nodded, his gaze resolute. "Rest assured, this is only the first step. There is still much to be done."

Xie Qingshuang continued, "That's right. The markets and workshops inside the city must be built as soon as possible so that everyone can have more ways to make a living."

As they were speaking, Chen Feng walked over as well, saying with a worried expression, "Brother Chen, Fortress Master Qingshuang, I heard that the Inspection Office of Huaijiang County has been inquiring about us everywhere lately. Could they be coming to make trouble again?"

Chen Tong frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "They certainly won't let the matter rest. But we have nothing to fear; this city wall is our foundation of confidence."

Xie Qingshuang looked at Chen Tong, her eyes full of trust. "Brother Chen, if you have any ideas, just speak your mind. We will all listen to you."

Chen Tong took a deep breath and said, "On one hand, we must accelerate urban construction and strengthen our capabilities; on the other hand, we must assign people to closely monitor the movements of the Inspection Office and prepare countermeasures in advance."

Liu Meng patted his chest. "Done. Leave this to me; I'll send a few sharp brothers to keep an eye on them."

Chen Tong looked at Liu Meng with gratitude. "Then I'll have to trouble Fortress Master Liu. As long as we are united as one, we can overcome any difficulties we encounter."

Just as Chen Tong and the others were discussing future construction and strategies to deal with the Inspection Office atop the city wall, a troop was quietly approaching in the distant mountain forest.

This troop consisted of bandits allied from the Fierce Tiger Fortress and the Flying Eagle Fortress.

Leading them was Wang Meng, known as the "Flying Tiger."

Wang Meng had brought his subordinates out for raiding, originally hoping just to try his luck, but he never expected to discover this newly constructed city.

His eyes instantly widened into saucers, gleaming with greed like a starving wolf spotting its prey.

One of Wang Meng's subordinates, as thin as a bamboo pole, sneered in a shrill voice, "Boss, look at that! To think someone would build a city in this remote wilderness—isn't this plainly a fat piece of meat delivered right to our doorstep for us bandits? There's no reason not to eat food that's served to us."

Wang Meng laughed heartily, patted the subordinate's head, and said, "You rascal are right. It seems our luck is pretty good today."

"There must be plenty of good things in this city. Brothers, perk up! Once we charge in later, take everything you can carry!"

Thus, led by Wang Meng, this band of bandits swaggered toward the new city.

As they walked, they shouted loudly, not taking this new city seriously in the slightest.

The sentinels on the city wall quickly spotted them.

A sentinel immediately sounded the alarm, and the piercing whistle echoed over the city.

Hearing the alarm, the expressions of Chen Tong and the others changed abruptly. Chen Tong quickly said, "It seems trouble has arrived again. Everyone, get ready!"

Liu Meng clenched his fists and said viciously, "Hmph! Whoever dares to come here and act wild will not be allowed to leave alive!"

Xie Qingshuang also wore a solemn expression as she asked, "Brother Chen, what should we do?"

Looking at the slowly approaching bandit troop, Chen Tong calmly said, "Everyone, don't panic yet. Let's see what they are up to first."

"This city wall is sturdy; they won't be able to breach it anytime soon."