Chapter 630 Supper (1/2)

They were all holding tools in their hands. Other than their own axes, knives or other hunting weapons, they carried specialised tools for farming like vine woven into a large net, nets attached to long poles etc. They usually only used these during the day but rarely at night.

“All ready?” asked Shao Xuan.

“Yep, we were just waiting for you,” said Ao.

The guards who were called over were confused, not knowing why Ao wanted to see them. However, they would still obey their two elders’ instructions.

Shao Xuan surveyed the fields and asked one of the guards. “Which part usually has the most bugs at night?”

“Which part?” The guard thought for a moment and pointed. “There.”

That area was where their more valuable crops were planted, mostly given by Ji Ju. Even the Thousand Grain Gold were planted nearby.

“We’ll test that area then.” Shao Xuan went over with his water moon stones.

The two moons in the sky had just appeared but then were quickly covered by clouds once again. The land darkened with the lack of moonlight.

The chirping insects were silenced momentarily by the sudden disappearance of the moons but continued chirping.

It was dark but since everyone was very familiar with the farms, they did not need to worry about accidentally falling into any of the drainage trenches. In addition, although it was dark, there was a small fire built on the ground which was enough to help them see.

Shao Xuan did not start right on the edge of the fields but instead only stopped a distance away from the crop fields. He took out the ‘subpar products’ from his bag, then arranged them together in a circle.

“Put out the fire, and everyone back away,” said Shao Xuan.

Everyone obeyed his instructions, even putting out the fire torches they held.

Due to the banquet, many of the patrol guards became very frugal and used few water moon stones for illumination. While they didn’t believe one banquet was enough to bankrupt their tribe, they privately felt like they should be frugal now anyways. That was why, everyone seemed to suddenly become more frugal in lifestyle since they started preparations for the banquet. Within the tribe, they would not use water moon stones if fire torches were available. Even after the feast ended, they still did not change their habits immediately.

That was why when Ao asked them about it, even they didn’t know if water moon stones could attract insects because they had been using fire torches.

The entire area darkened without a single fire lit. Against the darkness, the water moon stones became very obvious.

After backing away, Shao Xuan suppressed his aura to erase his existence as much as possible.

Everyone else had been briefed by Ao so they knew what to do. When Shao Xuan and Ao dimmed their auras, they followed suit but also stared curiously at the water moon stones.

What were the dim water moon stones for? Were they baiting the insects?

It was very quiet. They heard faint sounds from the tribe on the hill, as well as insects from the forest but they did not pay attention to these sounds.

Shao Xuan focused on distinguishing the various sounds around.

Within the fields, water was flowing across the irrigation canals dug by the tribesmen.

The night breeze blew, causing friction between the crop leaves and producing a rustiling.

Hmm?

Shao Xuan cocked his head, listening to a sound from a particular direction.

It came from the field.

Suo----- Suo-----

Tiny, abrupt leaping sounds could be heard heading in his direction.

In the sky, sounds of insect wings beating fast could be heard approaching. These were the nocturnal flying insects.

A slender figure appeared at the water moon stone pile, the black silhouette obvious against the glowing stones.

It works!

Shao Xuan was delighted.

When they saw the figure, the warriors in charge of guarding the fields all raised their eyebrows.

Although it couldn’t be seen fully, they still recognised it based on its shape. This was one of the most annoying insects in the field. They stayed underground during the day and only came out at night. It was too difficult to guard the crops against these insects unless they could add underground barriers around them too.