"Kobolds?"
Yi Tianxing frowned slightly. Ever since that kobold tribe had migrated over, they had been sent to the nearby mines to dig. Their mining efficiency had increased significantly—truly little experts in excavation. Since they were well-fed and well-treated for mining, the kobolds seemed content and had become increasingly diligent. With the Green Emperor keeping them in check, they didn't dare show any hostility.
They were gradually being tamed. After a few generations, they could be completely domesticated.
Using kobolds to deal with rats… it wasn't a bad idea at all.
The only question was whether it would work.
The rat swarm was simply too large.
"We can give it a try. Though dogs aren't the natural enemies of mice, they still pose a threat. It could work," Huang Chengyan also nodded in agreement.
"My lord," Jia Xu suddenly said, his eyes gleaming with a faint smile, "if we truly wish to resolve this rat plague once and for all, there is a method. One that's simple and effective."
"Oh?" Yi Tianxing's eyes lit up. He trusted Jia Xu's abilities immensely. If he said there was a method, then there was definitely something behind it. Curiosity piqued, he leaned in.
"Speak, what method?"
"Come closer, my lord."
With a smirk, Jia Xu whispered swiftly into Yi Tianxing's ear. As he listened, Yi's eyes brightened, and a faint look of joy appeared on his face. He nodded continuously, clearly understanding the plan.
After hearing it all, Yi Tianxing decisively waved his hand and said loudly:
"Send the word: start gathering all the wheat and rice straw available, and begin crafting scarecrows—the more, the better. Once completed, place them in the fields. If scarecrows can scare off birds and bugs, maybe they can frighten off rats too."
His words were completely open, passed down for everyone to hear.
But many people frowned upon hearing it.
Could scarecrows really scare away rats? These weren't ordinary mice—they were ferocious rat beasts, a whole rat army. Lifeless strawmen deceiving a swarm of monsters? And there could even be a cunning figure behind them…
Something didn't add up.
Was this really an order from the city lord?
Even ordinary folk couldn't help but feel a little skeptical.
"This order seems a bit too childish," someone whispered.
But Jia Xu clapped his hands and added with a smile, "Everyone, hurry and follow the command. The scarecrows must be sturdy and durable. Equip them with all kinds of tools—insect-catching nets, buckets, bamboo poles, longswords, tridents—anything that resembles actual farming equipment. The more human-like they appear, the better."
"Well, if the city lord said it, it must have its reason. Let's just do it. Making scarecrows isn't hard anyway."
"That's right. We don't have a better plan right now. Might as well keep ourselves busy with this."
People quickly buried their doubts and started preparations.
After all, materials like straw and weeds were everywhere. They could easily gather and use them in large quantities.
Huang Chengyan frowned in thought. "What are the lord and strategist really planning? What do scarecrows have to do with all this?"
In the crowd, a man murmured to himself:
"Are these humans really that stupid? Trying to scare Rat Devourer with scarecrows? If that works, I'll eat my own tail. But… I can't shake the feeling there's a deeper scheme at play here…"
His eyes sparkled with intrigue.
"This is getting interesting. Rat Devourer will definitely get wind of this. I must see his reaction—it's bound to be a show."
Without hesitation, he vanished from sight.
Making scarecrows was a simple task. Soon, vivid, lifelike figures appeared throughout the rice fields, looking almost as though a horde of humans were toiling away.
Scene Shift: Rat Devourer's Perspective
"What? Has Yi Tianxing gone insane? Does he think putting up scarecrows will frighten me? Disperse my army?"Rat Devourer was livid when he received the news.
He nearly burst a blood vessel.
Did they really think he, Rat Devourer, was so easy to fool?
"Does he think I'm some idiot? A few straw men and that's enough to drive me off?"
Humiliation surged in his chest. He was being mocked.
But then, another thought occurred:
"Wait… is this a trap? Trying to provoke me? Draw me out with such a laughably low tactic?"
Even so, even if it was a trap, he couldn't just walk away.
"If I don't respond to this, my reputation among the alien races will be ruined. I'll become a laughingstock!"
Though Rat Devourer was cunning and shameless in his tactics, he valued face. If word got out that he was scared of a few straw men, his name would be forever tarnished.
"A lowly trick… but even knowing it's bait, I still have to take the hook. Let's see what you're really planning, Yi Tianxing."
Scene Shift: Scarecrow Realm
Time passed. Tens of thousands joined the crafting effort. Even the artisans of the Heavenly Crafts Pavilion took part, making exquisite and vivid scarecrows—some even differentiated by gender, like living art pieces. In just one morning, the number of scarecrows reached an astonishing level.
At the City Lord's Mansion, Yi Tianxing's shadow suddenly disappeared without a trace.
Outside Xuanhuang City – Hidden Valley
A field of golden wheat shimmered under the sun. Within it, countless scarecrows diligently worked—weeding, watering, driving off pests. It was a harmonious scene, completely natural.
Among them stood a towering golden scarecrow, its golden eyes gleaming beneath a wide-brimmed straw hat.
Swish!
Suddenly, from the shadows of a tree, a figure appeared—it was Yi Tianxing.
But something was different—a faint sinister aura lingered on his body.
This was his Shadow Avatar.
"You there—human," the golden scarecrow king turned and said coldly, "have you come to steal our grain?"
Yi Tianxing replied respectfully:
"No, noble Scarecrow Chieftain. I have no intention of harming you or your kin. I've come because some vile rodents have been stealing our grain—ruining crops and destroying the harvest. The people of my city toiled endlessly, only to have their sweat and tears wasted."
His voice turned sorrowful and indignant.
"They're devouring everything. The grain, the vegetables—all gone. If this goes on, my people will starve."
"Stealing grain? Ruining farmland? Outrageous!"
"Such vile thieves must be punished!"
"Even if it's not our field, damaging food is a crime!"
The surrounding scarecrows erupted with fury. In their hearts, grain was sacred, and any damage to it was an unforgivable offense. Their anger rose from deep within their instinctual belief in protecting the harvest.
But the golden chieftain shook his head:
"We're sorry. Even though we're furious too, we cannot leave. Protecting the wheat fields is our sacred mission. If we go, the grain here will be unguarded."
Yi Tianxing continued in a pained voice:
"If you don't help, the grain in Xuanhuang City will all be destroyed. So many people will go hungry. The thieves are rats—ferocious and many. Soon, we won't even be able to grow crops."
Scarecrows began shouting:
"We must fight these grain thieves!""Protecting food is our sacred duty!"
At last, the golden chieftain's resolve cracked.
"Then we will create more brothers… to help guard the fields!"
Their desire to defend grain from evil had been stirred. Even more importantly, each battle against these grain thieves would empower them, drawing strength from natural blessings—from the Path of Protection.
This was the Way of Protection, the Way of Faith.
By defeating those who threatened the harvest, they would grow stronger in spirit and soul alike.