Chapter 352 - 211: Leave No One Alive (Part 2)

"You actually thought of so much today."

"Hahaha, I know my own strength well enough."

Gang Le scratched the back of his head, chuckling naively.

"Alright then."

Luo De didn’t try to persuade further, taking off his coat,

"Come on, while we have time, you two can train with me again."

...

...

Luo De didn’t stay long at the training ground.

Mainly because Gang Le couldn’t keep up.

Luo De recently enjoyed the thrill of wielding two great swords, especially swinging them energetically when tired.

After soaking in a hot bath back at the manor, Luo De returned to his workshop and focused on drafting design blueprints.

He revised them back and forth, drawing until nightfall.

Vivian was particularly spirited at night.

Seeing Luo De had finished drawing, she sat her tight, toned body on the table, picking up the sketch,

"What new and interesting thing are you drawing now?"

"Hand crossbow."

Luo De replied without lifting his head.

Vivian was visibly surprised,

"Hand crossbow?"

Luo De put down the pen and started explaining, "You can think of it as similar to a bow and arrow."

"But there’s a big difference between a bow and a crossbow."

He pointed out the details on the blueprint.

"A bow requires arm strength to draw the string, demands a high level of strength and skill, and takes long-term training to master."

"Whereas a crossbow is fired using the crossbow mechanism, making it easier to handle, and you can get the hang of it in a short time."

"That amazing?"

Vivian pointed at the blueprint in surprise, asking, "With just this small thing?"

Vivian could read the blueprint and knew that what Luo De had drawn was only a few dozen centimeters in actual size.

"Of course, a crossbow has its drawbacks."

Luo De pinched Vivian’s butt, hinting her not to sit on his draft paper.

"This simple crossbow loads slowly, and can’t shoot continuously like a skilled archer."

"Also, this hand crossbow has a range of only twenty to thirty meters, which can’t compare to a longbow at all."

Luo De pulled out the crossbow blueprint beneath, sighing, "Even this heavy crossbow, its range can’t match a longbowman."

Vivian nodded thoughtfully and then her eyes lit up,

"That’s still impressive, hiding within a battle formation or behind a fence to defend a city, even ordinary militia could use it, right?"

"Exactly, you’ve gotten smarter."

Luo De praised, "The penetration of a heavy crossbow is strong, it’s a powerful tool for defense and a counter to cavalry."

"However, this time I mainly want to make a portable hand crossbow for the Mountain Cat People."

"And what about this?"

Vivian picked up another piece of draft paper, asking, "What is this thing that looks like an arrowhead?"

"It’s something of an experiment."

Luo De looked at the blueprint as memories surged back.

After a moment, he introduced with a smile, "This thing is called shuriken, if you don’t understand, you can call it a short knife, throwing star, or iron cone."

"It can be used in melee or thrown."

"It’s not considered a main battle weapon but is easy to hide, the blade is usually blunt, while the tip is thicker and harder."

Luo De pointed to the end of the draft and said, "It also functions as a tool, can dig holes, break walls, open locks, and with a rope through the ring at the end, it can turn into a claw hook."

"Coincidentally, these are all prepared for you and the Mountain Cat People, see if they are suitable."

"If it really is like you say..."

Vivian tilted her head, looking seriously at Luo De, "Then I think it will definitely be useful, I’m really looking forward to it!"

"Alright, I’ll hand these designs to the carpenter tomorrow."

Luo De said, stretching lazily.

Seeing this, Vivian came forward voluntarily, placing her slender hands on Luo De’s shoulders, and started kneading firmly.

"Huh? You’re doing your sister’s work today?"

Luo De looked at Vivian in surprise, squinting his eyes in enjoyment.

"With you designing such powerful tools for us, what I’m doing is nothing."

Vivian stopped, wrapped her arms around Luo De’s neck, and slid smoothly into his arms,

"Besides, haven’t I been doing a lot of work for my sister?"

Luo De smiled and wrapped his hands around Vivian’s slender waist.

"Knock knock knock."

"Lord, Durant is here."

The guard’s voice interrupted Luo De’s action, and Vivian pouted helplessly.

Luo De gave a light kiss, smiling as he said, "Go open the door."

Vivian sighed softly, getting up to open the door.

"Yes, let Durant in."

After giving his order, Luo De got up and returned to the hall.

Soon, Durant pushed the door open and entered.

Luo De looked at Durant, cleared his throat, and asked, "So late, what’s the matter?"

"Good evening, sorry to disturb you."

Durant bowed slightly, then took out a wax-sealed wooden tube and presented it to Luo De.

"It’s news from the Night Language Association, Baron."

Durant looked somewhat grave.

Luo De frowned slightly, took the wooden tube, and tore off the wax seal.

He drew out the letter, his eyes scanning the lines of small words.

Luo De’s eyebrows furrowed tighter and tighter, his expression gradually darkening.

Gripping the letter, Luo De turned his gaze to Vivian.

"Go call Vika."

Luo De’s tone was calm, yet it carried a faint chill.

"Go yourself," Luo De emphasized.

Vivian was taken aback.

Normally, such matters were handled by servants or guards.

Why the sudden personal errand today?

"Who will protect you then..."

"It’s fine, you go."

Luo De interrupted directly.

The order was indisputable.

"Go quickly."

There was a hint of concern in Vivian’s eyes.

But under Luo De’s command, she swiftly left to carry out the order.

After Vivian left, Luo De gestured for Durant to sit down.

Then he handed the letter to Durant, his fingers rhythmically tapping on the table.

"Some people do like courting death."

Luo De inexplicably uttered this sentence.

The cold words made Durant’s heart skip a beat.

He quickly took the letter with both hands, unfolded it swiftly, and read it carefully, afraid to miss a word.