The Woodworker's Shop, the Blacksmith's Shop, and the Tailor's Shop.
These were all Buildings that came with the system.
Once built, they contained corresponding workbenches and tools.
For example, a Melting Furnace, an anvil, cutting tables, looms, sawing tables, and so on.
They were very well-equipped.
The small workshops could accommodate five people working at the same time.
At full capacity, they could hold up to ten, though it would be very crowded.
Tonight, the female villagers had decided to work overtime until midnight before resting.
They would have new tools to use tomorrow.
They would also be able to provide clothes for the new villagers right away.
Zhao Chi was vigorously chopping trees.
Visibility was poor at night, but Chopping trees didn't require much light.
A single torch was enough.
Gu Qing was chopping alongside Zhao Chi.
Other than cooking, she had no interest in Forging or Sewing.
Tang Ruan, on the other hand, quite liked mending and sewing.
Her fingers were nimble, and she was very skilled at Sewing clothes.
If she weren't set to be re-classed as a Soldier, she would definitely have become a Tailor.
The Goblins had to work as well.
With the three remaining axes, the Goblins continued taking turns chopping down trees.
With Zhao Chi and Gu Qing both present, they didn't dare slack off.
They were so tired they were about to cry.
Gu Qing had great Power, so it only took her a few minutes to chop down a bamboo stalk.
A tree as thick as a bowl only took her ten minutes.
But Chopping a tree as thick as a person's waist took much longer.
Zhao Chi was a bit slower, but still much faster than the Goblins.
These trees were all randomly generated using Configuration Points.
Their thickness and species varied.
But there were no fruit trees.
By midnight, the Goblins had collapsed to the ground, unwilling to move an inch.
Gu Qing's arms were sore and weak as well.
Her Attributes were good, but they had their limits.
No matter how strong someone was, they would get tired from chopping trees so strenuously. By the end, she couldn't even swing her axe anymore.
Her arms hung limply. "My Lord, how come you don't seem tired at all?"
Zhao Chi lifted his trembling arm. "Look at how much it's shaking. I'm exhausted too."
Gu Qing smiled. "Let's go rest. We can continue tomorrow."
Zhao Chi nodded.
He had Old Bu and his men bring over their dirty blankets to rest under.
They were just Goblins; sleeping outdoors was fine for them.
But the female villagers couldn't sleep outside.
No houses had been built today, so they could only sleep in the Lord's House.
They would have to sleep on the floor, though.
The bedroom in the Lord's House was 20 square meters, more than enough for ten people.
There were also 2 female villagers who needed to stand the Night Shift.
They would watch for Magical Beast attacks and keep an eye on the Goblins.
Each shift was 1.5 hours long. This way, there would be a watch all night, and no one would get too tired.
Seeing a house full of women, Zhao Chi certainly had no objections.
They had all bathed.
The house was filled with the scent of body wash and shampoo.
Tang Ruan and the others had already spread Beast Hides on the floor.
These were Beast Hides from their confiscated Supplies. They were quite clean, so sleeping directly on them was no problem at all.
They then used another Beast Hide as a blanket.
It was summer, so the nights weren't cold. This was enough.
The women were all wearing Simple clothes and shorts.
There wasn't much to take off.
They all burrowed directly under the Beast Hides.
Tang Ruan pointed at the bed in the back of the room. "Lord, we've made the bed for you. Do you think those two Beast Hides will be alright? They're the largest ones, so they should definitely be able to cover you."
Zhao Chi had an average male figure.
He was much taller and larger than these women.
Zhao Chi nodded. "Thank you for your hard work. Get some sleep. I'm going to take a bath first."
Tang Ruan was sitting under a Beast Hide.
Hearing what Zhao Chi said, she immediately stood up. "It's too late now. I'll go with you. I can stand guard and watch for Magical Beast attacks."
Gu Qing patted her head. "I'm here. You go rest."
"Oh..." Tang Ruan looked at Gu Qing, then sat back down.
Zhao Chi said, "Gu Qing, you've also had a long day. You don't need to go. I can handle any Magical Beasts."
Gu Qing smiled. "I worked up another sweat chopping trees just now. It's the perfect chance to wash up with you."
"Huh?" Zhao Chi stared at her, stunned.
Tang Ruan also looked over in surprise.
The other women, who had been chatting, suddenly went quiet. Though they didn't turn around, they were all listening intently.
Gu Qing laughed. "What's wrong with all of you? We're just washing up in the same river. What's the big deal?"
"Right, right, it's nothing."
"Yeah, totally normal."
"Yep, I don't think it's a big deal either."
"Exactly, exactly, no need to make a fuss."
Tang Ruan also nodded. "Oh... so that's how it is."
The riverside at night was completely different from how it was during the day.
The river water was terrifyingly dark.
Zhao Chi knew it was just because of the dim light and that there wouldn't be any Magical Beasts in it, at least not in the early stages.
He took off his shirt.
Just as he was about to take off his pants, he noticed Gu Qing was staring at him.
Gu Qing sat on the bank, resting her chin in her left hand.
Her eyes, reflecting the starlight, were sparkling.
Zhao Chi said, "Um... I'm going to take off my pants now."
Gu Qing nodded. "Mhm, go ahead."
"Aren't you going to turn away?"
"Hee hee, what's wrong? Afraid I'll look? I don't mind if you look at me."
'Fair enough...'
Zhao Chi didn't hesitate any longer and just took them off.
He walked into the river with his head held high.
Gu Qing watched him with a smile, not saying a word.
Zhao Chi finished washing up quickly.
Gu Qing walked up and unfolded a towel.
"Here, let me wrap it around you."
"No need, I'll do it myself."
Gu Qing didn't insist and handed the towel to Zhao Chi.
Zhao Chi asked, "Why do you keep staring at me? Weren't you supposed to be on guard?"
Gu Qing smiled. "You don't need your eyes to stand guard at night. My Intelligence is 7, so my base Perception is very high, and my hearing is extremely sensitive. In the dark, ears are more useful than eyes. Listen, a little rabbit just ran past."
Zhao Chi listened carefully.
But all he could hear was the sound of the river and the chirping of insects in the grass.
He couldn't hear anything else.
'Whatever.'
Zhao Chi politely turned around. "Your turn."
"Mhm."
Gu Qing undressed without any hesitation, then walked past Zhao Chi and into the river.
SPLASH, SPLASH. The sound of water being scooped up rang out.
Soon, Gu Qing was finished as well.
"Alright, Lord, let's head back."
The two of them walked side-by-side through the woods and returned to the Lord's House.
An oil lamp was lit inside the house.
The light was dim and yellow.
On the floor lay Tang Ruan and the other women.
Exhausted from the long day, they were all already fast asleep.
Zhao Chi and Gu Qing tiptoed inside.
Zhao Chi slept on the single bed.
Gu Qing slept on the floor beside him.
They each lay down.
And quickly fell asleep.
After sleeping for an unknown amount of time, Zhao Chi began to feel very hot and stifled.
He could barely breathe.
He opened his eyes to see that Gu Qing had climbed into his bed.
One of her long legs was pressed down on top of him.
Her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck.
Her soft Body was pressing against his chest.
She was clinging to him like an octopus.
Her forehead was resting against his neck, and she was sleeping soundly.
Her dark hair was splayed out, a few strands tickling Zhao Chi's face.
Zhao Chi was completely bewildered.
'When did she get up here?'
'She's holding me so tight. No wonder it's so hot and stuffy.'
Zhao Chi opened the system. It was already 5:10 in the morning.
It would soon be 6:00, and new female villagers would be arriving.