Sister Qiu put water in the kettle and started to boil it.

She said, "Old Luo said that everyone needs to go downstairs later to help clear the sand. You can pick up tools over at the school building."

"Ugh, can’t we skip it?" Qin Siyao pouted. "It’s really tiring. I’ve been dying of thirst all day. Just let those people down there clear it. It doesn’t matter if we go, and besides, no one is supervising."

BANG! Sister Qiu suddenly stood up and slammed her hand on the table. She turned to look at Qin Siyao, her voice filled with fury. "I’ve had enough of you!"

"You’re always slacking off when it’s time to work. We’ve been living here for almost a week, and you haven’t fetched water even once. When we did a big cleanup, you said you had period cramps. When we go out to gather supplies, you work for a little bit and then complain you’re tired. You do nothing, and you can’t do anything right.

At first, I thought we should help each other out since we’re all girls here. But now I see it clearly. You’re just completely selfish!

We’re all residents of this Gated Community. This isn’t just one person’s problem! Everyone else is down there clearing sand. If you don’t go, and I don’t go, and nobody goes, what will people think of us? You need to remember that this place we’re living in was given to us for free. People need to learn to be grateful!"

Hearing Sister Qiu’s powerful speech, the girl in the yellow shirt applauded quietly.

Qin Siyao’s face went pale and then flushed.

"I was just looking out for you all, but you can’t appreciate a kind gesture." After saying her piece, Qin Siyao stormed back to her bedroom and slammed the door with a BANG!

Sister Qiu watched her go with a cold stare and said suddenly, "You should find somewhere else to live. You’re not welcome here. If we have to vote you out, it will only be more embarrassing for you."

Inside the room, Qin Siyao said nothing.

After a while, she emerged with her luggage, her face an icy mask, and left.

After she was gone, Sister Qiu asked the others, "Shall we go clean up together?"

The other three nodded vigorously, their attitudes now properly adjusted.

Sister Qiu glanced at them, a helpless look on her face. "I’m actually quite good-tempered, you know."

"Right, right."

"I heard from Old Luo that there’s a demonstration outside the Gated Community tonight. Want to go check it out?"

"Yes, yes, of course."

....

"Sister Qiu, so this is the ’demonstration’ you were talking about." The girl in yellow patted her chest, staring curiously at the Car-Mounted Crossbow being wheeled out nearby, a weapon that possessed a brutal kind of beauty.

Before she’d transmigrated, she probably would have scoffed at something like this.

But with over a month of experience in this world, the crude, powerful Car-Mounted Crossbow looked completely different in her eyes.

"I didn’t know before we came."

"Hey, Sister Qiu, isn’t that your Cao Biansheng over there?" The girl in yellow tugged on Sister Qiu’s arm, pointing to a young man pushing the Car-Mounted Crossbow in the distance.

"What do you mean ’my’? Don’t talk nonsense. We were just high school classmates," Sister Qiu explained.

Not far away, Cao Biansheng was talking with a young man beside him, nodding from time to time.

Then, he seemed to receive an order and began to operate the Car-Mounted Crossbow.

He planted the three support legs at the back of the Car-Mounted Crossbow on the ground, securing its position. Then he turned the winch while Yuan Ming assisted by loading an Arrow.

In the distance, on an empty plot of land fifty meters away, was their target: a dead tree.

A large circle of Gated Community residents had gathered around the Car-Mounted Crossbow, all staring at the somewhat ancient-looking device.

Here, it seemed to have been given new life.

"What do you guys think? How powerful is this Car-Mounted Crossbow?"

"I don’t know, but that arrow looks huge. I bet one shot could kill a bull, no problem."

"I think killing it might be a stretch, but a serious injury is definitely possible."

"Do you all have some misunderstanding about siege weapons like the Car-Mounted Crossbow? It’s a siege weapon. For sieges," someone who knew a little more spoke up. "Forget a bull. As long as it hits the torso, even an elephant would be killed."

From the distance came a great shout, "Fire!"

The next moment, the string of the Car-Mounted Crossbow was released.

"BANG!!!"

A thunderous crack echoed.

Fifty meters away, the dead tree—so thick it would take two people to wrap their arms around it—instantly snapped in two.

The long Crossbow Arrow left a lingering afterimage as it disappeared into a distant sand dune, kicking up a massive cloud of dust!

Although it was a dead tree, years of exposure to wind and sun had made its bark extremely hard.

But in front of the fired Crossbow Arrow, it was as fragile as paper.

It offered no resistance, breaking in an instant.

The crowd of onlookers was silent for a moment, then erupted into a massive cheer.

Some laughed toward the sky, hot tears streaming down their faces.

Others raised their fists in the air, shouting at the top of their lungs.

The surroundings were plunged into a sea of cheers.

This was a Sharp Weapon for dealing with beasts, and a source of their courage.

Seeing this scene, Luo Gang couldn’t help but smile.

He knew well that in a high-pressure, oppressive environment, a person’s nerves were like a taut string. Over time, they would become more irritable, sensitive, fragile, and quick to anger.

It was easy to go to one of two extremes: either becoming increasingly belligerent and short-tempered...

...or becoming avoidant and withdrawn, shirking all social contact and responsibility.

This change was subtle, and some people might not even notice it in themselves.

An inspiring event like this could soothe many people’s frayed nerves, which was why he had wanted his students to come and watch.

Zhou Xiaqing came to Luo Gang’s side. "Teacher Luo, can we also build a Car-Mounted Crossbow?"

"It would be difficult in the short term. We don’t know the specific structure of a Car-Mounted Crossbow. Of course, we could try to reverse-engineer it from its appearance, but that would take time," Luo Gang said, shaking his head.

Zhou Xiaqing looked over at Cao Biansheng, a trace of emotion in her eyes.

’Before, we were all gossiping that Teacher Luo sending Cao Biansheng to the Qin Alliance meant he had ’fallen out of favor.’ But seeing how spirited and confident he looked operating the Car-Mounted Crossbow today, I finally understand. Perhaps the moment Cao Biansheng went to the Qin Alliance, he started down a completely different path from the rest of us.’

At eight o’clock in the evening, the second Car-Mounted Crossbow was fresh off the assembly line.

But they had found no information all day about suitable dragon-type prey.

Du Yu was very calm about it, as if he weren’t the one about to undertake an extreme challenge.

"Instructor Du, you’re way too calm. You’re making us feel like the eunuchs next to the emperor," Qin Ziwu said helplessly.

"Why is that?" Du Yu asked, curious.

Qin Ziwu said seriously, "The Emperor isn’t worried, but the eunuchs are."

Du Yu laughed heartily. "To be honest, I’m just as anxious as you are. But seeing you all run around on my behalf, with such earnest goodwill, I am already deeply grateful. We have done our best. Whether we succeed or not is up to fate."

Qin Ziwu sighed. "You really are like a monk."

"Rather than wasting energy on ethereal hopes, it is better to calm one’s spirit and await the opportune moment," Du Yu said with a gentle smile.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK."

An urgent knocking at the door interrupted their thoughts.

Outside the door was a young woman with a pleasant face. Her voice held a note of anxiety. "Hello, is Chairman Qin here?"

"What do you need him for?"

Zhou Xiaqing said, "Teacher Luo sent me. I’ve come to ask for his help with an urgent matter."

"Oh, I remember now. You’re the one who’s always next to Old Luo. I’ve seen you a few times," Qin Ziwu realized. He pointed outside. "My brother went out. He should be downstairs shoveling dust right now."

Zhou Xiaqing nodded quickly. "Thank you."

Du Yu stood up and followed her. He nodded and said, "Let me show you the way."

"Then I’ll have to trouble you."

At the edge of the Gated Community’s south gate, Qin Ziwen was using a simple, modified shovel to push a large pile of dirt outside the gate.

The south gate originally had a downward-sloping flight of stairs, but now the stairs were almost completely buried in dirt. Following this path was the way out of the Gated Community.

Seeing the chairman of the Qin Alliance rolling up his sleeves and working alongside everyone else, sounds of praise could be heard from time to time.

But there were also those who couldn’t stand the sight, scoffing, "Isn’t he just putting on a show!"

This remark was quickly refuted. "Hah, the chairman of the Qin Alliance is as efficient as three of you. What are you so salty about? I’ve been watching for a while. The man’s as strong as an ox. He does the work of several people by himself. No wonder he’s the chairman."

"Wait a minute, no wonder you’re working so slowly. You’ve just been standing here watching others work!"

"What are you talking about? What are you talking about? Who says I’m not working? I’m working slowly, working sustainably, working rhythmically!"

...

...