Lord of the Myriad Worlds

Chapter 70: The Four Family Workhorses

Under your conservative yet steady, safe yet warm leadership, all monthly main family quests have been completed this month. The family's comprehensive wealth has steadily increased, and the family's ability to withstand external risks has gradually improved. However, unfortunately, the family didn't undergo any particularly outstanding changes this month, so the family camp remains at level three with a total population of six people.

You will receive an additional +5% clearance evaluation reward. Your current total accumulated clearance evaluation bonus has reached +25%.

This month, you completed the felling and processing of five units of oak wood while simultaneously practicing both archery and wooden spear throwing. You gained 8 family contribution points, bringing your total family contribution to 239 points.

——

As these messages appeared before Li Wei's eyes, it signaled the successful conclusion of the month. The next dozen minutes would be a rare period of leisure time.

Plot Kill, it's been a while!

Do you wish to initiate a Plot Kill against your former good friend Margaret? Since she has been promoted to Family Elder status, you need concrete evidence proving she made mistakes during the past month and must pay 50 family contribution points?

Huh!

Margaret has leveled up surprisingly fast.

Li Wei felt helpless.Well, there's nothing to be done then. We're still one big happy family.

Hmm, no Plot Kill options available since everyone has become Family Elders, including Penny, who has survived those difficult two months of punishment and has now regained her status as a Family Elder.

That's quite good.

Li Wei took a sip of pine needle tea, smiling as he scanned everyone present, paying particular attention to Thomas and Margaret.

These two had been working tirelessly this month, leaving early and returning late, braving the severe cold to mine like crazy. Each of them probably earned between 30 to 40 family contribution points—truly extraordinary dedication.

But the cost was enormous. Over this past month, it was visibly apparent that both had lost over ten pounds each, their faces gaunt and worn.

Actually, even Penny and Leon weren't much better off. After completing the main quests, they all worked like mad on side jobs, practically risking their lives for family contribution points.

Time ticked by minute by minute until finally, new information appeared before everyone.

As expected, Li Wei continued his term as Family Head without any difficulty.

Everyone, your boss is back again.

"Ahem, everyone, for next month, do you want to continue as usual, or do you have any new ideas?"

Li Wei spoke with a smile. Outside, the cold wind howled, snowflakes flying like abrasive sand. The lowest temperatures had probably dropped below negative twenty-five degrees Celsius—a true blizzard conditions. He didn't even dare practice archery anymore, let alone go woodcutting. He was genuinely curious whether these four were still willing to charge forward with unparalleled courage to mine stones.

Penny, Leon, Thomas, and Margaret all remained silent. The men were unshaven and skinny, while the women had listless eyes and sallow, emaciated faces. Doing heavy physical labor in such severe winter conditions—tsk tsk.

Truthfully, Li Wei really wanted to suggest, why not forget it? This month we could gather together and play mahjong with four plus two, wouldn't that be comfortable?

He was willing to take the risk, but he genuinely feared something might happen to these four. After all, they were all his beloved friends and family.

"Let's continue as usual. What's a little wind and snow?"

Thomas finally spoke up. Next month would be the third month of his agreement with Li Wei—three months without interfering in main quests.

Thomas probably never expected Li Wei's contribution points would be so high!

Doing nothing all month, idling around, yet still getting re-elected as Family Head.

Completely defying logic.

"Alright, but be careful. Put your personal safety first."

Li Wei spoke seriously, then personally checked with Penny, Leon, and Margaret. After getting their responses, he routinely asked Fila as well. Hmm, everything remains as usual.

Originally, he had considered having Fila take over the night watch duty for the furnace, but now it seemed he should keep it for himself.

He needed to do something next month anyway.

Spending three family contribution points to issue the monthly main quest proceeded without any drama, making Li Wei seem like a genuinely good person—he'd even spared Margaret.

The reason was actually quite simple.

The weather was too cold. Daytime average temperatures had reached negative twenty-something degrees, combined with howling winds and blizzards raging outside. Forcing these people to work outdoors would be a massive disaster for them!

If they pushed their bodies to the absolute limit, then when spring arrived with blooming flowers, they wouldn't be able to compete with him anymore.

Not paying attention to health maintenance, not taking physical wellbeing seriously—heh! We'll see about that!

After that, everything proceeded according to routine.

The entire family operated like a wound-up antique clock, running at its own unique rhythm.

This month, Li Wei didn't even need to cut oak wood anymore. He only needed to tend the furnace at night, then sleep through the day before practicing wooden spear throwing and thrusting.

Archery practice had completely stopped. Even with the hunting bow that was relatively suitable for harsh environments, he didn't dare take it outside. In conditions where temperatures frequently dropped below negative twenty degrees, recklessly using a bow would be truly irresponsible toward his own life.

"Whoosh!"

A wooden spear shot through the air like lightning, accurately hitting the bullseye twenty meters away. Immediately after, Li Wei threw two more spears in quick succession—slightly less precise but still acceptable.

In a way, this was equivalent to Li Wei smashing an enemy's head open from twenty meters away.

The accuracy bonus from the Two-Star Hunter Card was incredibly effective.

So much so that Li Wei considered carrying a bunch of wooden spears for hunting. Compared to the delicate bow and arrows, weren't these simple, rugged, readily available wooden spears more practical?

Well, actually, both had their pros and cons.

Li Wei had calculated during actual combat that even drawing the recurve bow to full draw and firing three consecutive arrows consumed about thirty-six stamina points.

But after throwing three wooden spears consecutively, his stamina consumption skyrocketed to 120 points—and he only had 170 total stamina points to begin with.

The former recovered quickly, while the latter felt like detonating a stamina bomb—heart pounding wildly, breathing ragged—requiring significant rest to recover.

"Whew! So for prolonged battles, archery is definitely the preferred choice. For short conflicts, spear throwing can be attempted, but consecutive throws shouldn't exceed three times, otherwise I'd genuinely collapse from exhaustion immediately."

"Additionally, archery has longer range. When holding advantageous terrain with friendly cover, it's the optimal choice."

"Whereas after throwing spears, you basically enter close combat mode."

"So I should still focus on archery, avoiding close-quarters combat. Using tactics like kiting and maneuvering to eliminate enemies from range is the best approach."

In the biting wind, Li Wei panted heavily, figuring things out through trial and error, making preparations for potential future battles. Every time he trained until he felt himself starting to sweat, he immediately stopped and returned indoors.

Or he simply stayed in his small room for physical training.

Well, there was no helping it. Because he ate well, slept soundly, and had no heavy physical work—aside from spear training each day, he had virtually no energy expenditure. To prevent himself from gaining excess weight, he had to do this.

In stark contrast stood Thomas, Margaret, Penny, and Leon. Li Wei felt these four deserved the title of the Family's Four Annual Workhorses.

Their dedication to overworking was truly impressive.

After building the sled, Penny even attempted to make wooden wheel carts and bearings, though she seemed to have failed repeatedly.

Considering how cold the weather was now, these four determined individuals still pushed themselves relentlessly—leaving before dawn and working two extra hours after dark.

Even when frostbite appeared on their hands and feet, they absolutely refused to rest.

Each of them grew as thin as donkeys and as exhausted as mules.

Every day they returned silent, ate their meals, collapsed where they stood, and soon snored loudly.

All six family members hadn't properly conversed for over half a month now.

Absolutely incredible.

Whenever Li Wei saw this, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion. If he hadn't built up that previous accumulation, he'd be joining this overwork competition today too.

Ah! Thank you, Penny! I miss Mixi!

Mixi, are you doing well in that distant land?