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"Let's not talk about that. What are you practicing?" I asked.

"It is said to be the Silent Hunter Special Training Program prepared by the Wise King Chief of the Brown Pool Tribe for the tribe back then!"

Jay eagerly said, "Since the old chief passed away so suddenly, only his disciple, Grandpa Bertholdt, knows how to do it."

The jay created distance and displayed a series of sweeping somersaults, dodges, and rolls in the trees. When it was far away, it could throw daggers from under its cloak from time to time. When it was close, it could attack with flying knees and heel hooks. It was a performance that was almost too fast for the audience to keep up with.

"That's awesome!"

I couldn't help but applaud and said, "This kind of training is truly amazing. The attack and evasion are impeccable, and it can be perfectly integrated into firearms warfare."

The jay said sheepishly, "I haven't mastered the essentials yet. For example, Grandpa Bertholdt won't teach me the techniques of using poison. He says I have to learn psychological warfare tactics first..."

"Psychological warfare? You can train for that?" I exclaimed in surprise.

The jay coughed, removed its mask, and slowly approached me, bringing its face closer and closer until it met my eyes. It stretched out its hands, its face displaying a strange expression...

?(oo? !)

"...What are you doing?"

Jay blushed and said, "This move is called 'Terror,' and it's said to make enemies retreat without a fight just by looking at them..."

I patted her head: "Give up, girl, this trick isn't for you. Not only will it not intimidate the enemy, it will also easily turn them into friends. Don't use it again."

“(??-??) Alright then…” Jay nodded with a bitter face.

I slapped my thigh: "I recognize this move, it's called the Pain Mask, right?"

Chapter 680 Harvest Festival in Mineral Town (Training Battle)

Late at night, I finally returned to the ranch.

It was almost midnight, but I saw that the rancher's house was still brightly lit, though strange clanging noises were coming from inside.

Could it be that Mr. Rod came to my house to vent his anger and tear it down?

I leaned closer to the window, only to find that I had misunderstood. There was only Gotz inside, faithfully carrying out the house renovations even in the dead of night.

I breathed a sigh of relief and pushed open the door to the house.

"Gotz, you've been working hard. Why aren't you off work so late?"

Wearing special work clothes with his chest pockets full of tools, Gotz vigorously planed a burl on the window frame, then turned to me and grinned, "I was preparing building materials during the day, and now that it's almost done, I'll just start working through the night. Anyway, your place is relatively remote, so it won't disturb the other neighbors."

I asked tentatively, "While you're here today, has anyone come looking for you?"

Gots thought for a moment: "How do you know? Rod came by once in the evening, carrying a heavy bag, saying he wanted to give you the gift inside in person, and then left after confirming you weren't there."

After saying that, she sighed with longing, "Although you've only been here a short time, you're really well-received!"

I awkwardly agreed, "Ahem...that's right. But I never accept 'gifts' like this. Next time you see Mr. Rhodes, please remember to refuse for me!"

Gotz chuckled and said, "Then you should refuse their kindness yourself. The house extension and renovation are basically finished. I'll just finish up tonight. You don't need to come here tomorrow!"

"So fast?!"

The project only started the day before yesterday, and it's already finished today? Gotz's work efficiency is equivalent to a construction team. Are they even letting the subcontractors make any money?!

Gotz, whose body was as big as a bear, laughed loudly, making the whole house shake slightly, and then patted my shoulder with his big, muddy hands.

"With this amount of work, spending two days on it is already considered meticulous!"

After saying that, Gotz, as a professional, gave me a detailed explanation on the spot.

On the one hand, the basic structure of the house was not significantly altered, and the beams and columns were retained. Only the walls on both sides were demolished for expansion, reducing the time-consuming procedures of laying the foundation and pouring concrete. On the other hand, Old Man Hook initially used a brick and stone main structure, but later simplified it by adding a wooden structure. Therefore, this construction only required treatment on the frame and did not require a complete overhaul.

But I know there's another important factor: Gotz's work ethic.

A typical construction team might bring people and promise to arrive at 3 PM but then drag it out until 5 PM. They'll just knock a couple of times and say it's too late to continue tomorrow, since they think they can earn more money by working an extra day.

But Gots, with the blood of the Deep Ones, possessed physical abilities equivalent to five people, and was only thinking about finishing quickly so he could return to patrolling the mountains and protecting the forests, so he had even less reason to delay.

Gotz is definitely a qualified builder!

Standing in the center of the house, I was delighted to find that the rancher's house looked completely different from what it used to be.

"I never would have guessed, Gotz, that you're so good at interior design!" I exclaimed sincerely.

Gotz said apologetically, "I just occasionally look into popular interior design styles."

I couldn't help but marvel, because the originally spacious and simple main house was divided into three functional areas under Goetz's construction, without adding any barriers, thus creating a large single-level design!

Perhaps because of my complaints about the cramped space, Gotz removed the storage room I had added without permission, freeing up an interior space on the east side near the ranch gate. This addition instantly increased the overall horizontal depth of the space.

Now, on the far east side of the room, there is my personal hibernation pod. It serves as a bed and also includes a bedside table, shelves, and storage boxes, forming a bedroom rest area where all the bedroom's equipment can be found.

Everything was arranged to be move-in ready, with such thoughtfulness that even the bouquet of flowers Lin gave me was already placed in the vase by the bedside.

In the center of the room was the desk that originally sat by the window, which, along with two armchairs, served as a dining table. Against the large wall of the room, on the storage shelves, were my carved handicrafts, gold and silver swords, and a jay-skin bag, among other things. The various styles of decorations each occupied a shelf, their appearances distinct yet eye-catching, allowing guests to immediately appreciate the richness of my travel collection upon entering.

I immediately realized that this was a very interesting design, which uses the special perspective of entering the door to make visitors focus their attention on the novel items on the display shelf first, and then stop at the dining table where guests can socialize.

Just as a beautiful woman can use one outstanding and stunning feature to conceal or even enhance other ordinary features, this kind of "attractive design" can make people ignore the most private spaces at the edge of the house, such as the bedroom.

The more I looked, the more surprised I became. I never imagined that Gotz had been hiding his true abilities and had secretly transformed from a builder into a designer.

Gotz is definitely a unique and ingenious designer!

"The space left on the side is..."

Goetz's law of attraction is indeed effective. It took me a while to notice that there was an empty space next to the display shelf, besides a full-length mirror as tall as a person, and I wondered about it.

Gotz scratched his head and said, "I figured that for a young person like you, there would always be a TV or something here, so I reserved a spot for you."

Oh, a video wall!

Once I'm able to turn on the TV by hand, I'll definitely fill in this empty space!

As for buying it? I'd better get the antenna I owe Mr. Dart first...

“Marcus, you seem a little down?” Gotz asked.

"It's nothing, just a little heartbroken."

Our gaze finally turned to the west side, which is also the area with the most obvious scale of renovation. The main focus of this expansion is concentrated here.

I pointed to a square brick platform on the west side of the house and asked, "What's this thing here?"

Calling it a brick platform isn't quite accurate; it's more like a brick and stone platform enclosed on three sides with a gap on one side, its height just reaching waist level. Speaking of which, the design of this waist wall is truly ingenious—was it some kind of indoor defensive structure?

But why does the opening face the main door? What kind of defense can I have hiding inside? I'd just get shot dead, right?

There must be a reason why Gotz dared to design it this way.

I turned my head and saw Gotz's slightly excited expression, so I dismissed the idea and pondered it carefully.

If the Workers' Stadium wasn't for defending against external enemies, could it be equipment for the homeowners...?

"Is this for me?" I asked.

Gotz said happily, "You figured it out? I knew every household needed it, so I prepared some for you too."

It was definitely made for me!

What does everyone need? If we have to put it this way, then it would be death and taxes, right?

...Could this be a stone coffin?

So, according to this structure, it seems that as long as you put a person in and then lay the last brick, they can be laid to rest on the spot!

Something's not right with this house. One side is for the funeral procession, the middle for the banquet, and the other side is for guests to take a nap if they're tired. This is clearly arranged for me. May you rest in peace!

But you know what? This statement may sound absurd, but the design actually fits the layout of the room perfectly.

The so-called design pursues harmony, and a harmonious layout emphasizes symmetry. At this moment, the east side of the room is my bed, representing life; the west side of the room is an unidentified coffin, representing death. Life and death, withering and flourishing, are contained within this small room.

Gently stroking the cold red bricks, I stood beside this unfinished coffin, already feeling a calm and steadfast peace, like the unyielding earth, welling up within me, and a faint meditation began on the universe and all things...

This Gotz, through his interior design, manages to incorporate his reflections on life without it feeling out of place—I should correct my statement, Gotz was actually an artist!

"Gotz..."

I hesitated and said, "Although the auspicious meaning of promotion and wealth is quite good, and I like it, isn't this a bit too early? I've only ever heard of emperors preparing this kind of thing for themselves at a young age..."

Gotz asked in surprise, "You don't like this? I thought you would really need it!"

...Which eye of yours saw that I need a small box as my eternal home!

But Gotz, out of professional ethics, said, "Alright then, I was presumptuous. Anyway, this place isn't finished yet, I can still tear it down."

What the hell do you mean you want to finish building this?!

The last student who failed his art exams and blew his way through Europe. Good heavens, could he have planned to kill me on the spot, stuff me in a coffin, and complete his artwork all along?

"Take it down quickly, I'm scared to see this thing..." I said hurriedly.

Gotz pulled out a construction hammer, over forty centimeters long, just like the one used by Boss Chen, from his clothes.

"I heard from Mr. Dart that you're a great cook, but I didn't expect you to dislike cooking so much. Then I'll turn this into the second bedroom..."

"Wait a moment!"

I grabbed his arm as he was about to slam down. "What did you just say this place was for?"

Gotz said blankly, "The kitchen."

...Oh, it's a kitchen. Then why does it have such a suspicious design?

Gotz continued, "This is the most popular open kitchen these days, connected to the dining area. If you don't like it, that's fine, but the ranch could definitely consider building an outdoor kitchen to reduce cooking fumes."

"Hmm... I suddenly think it's acceptable. Put the hammer down first. Even if I don't like the fumes from stir-frying, I can still stir-fry, braise, deep-fry, cook, pan-fry, simmer, pan-fry, stuff, roast, stew, simmer, bake, simmer, braise, simmer, roast, smoke, salt-baked, mud-baked, poached, stew, boil, boil, steam, and hot pot!"

"okay."

Gotz became happy again. "Watch out, when you decide to use the kitchen, just tell me, and I'll connect the sink faucet and countertop here, so you can put all your kitchen utensils on it."

After saying that, he pointed to a wooden door on the far west side of the house: "Connect the water pipe from here."

Behind this unremarkable wooden door lies a newly built single room within this house.

When I opened the door, I saw the bathroom I had been longing for!

The reason it occupies a separate room is because it adopts a three-part bathroom design, separating the three functions of bathing, toileting, and washing up, while maintaining a distinct area. Although it inevitably "borrows" space from the kitchen and bedroom, it allows the house to have a separate ventilation window, and the bathroom area even accommodates a bathtub.

The main house on the ranch is four or five meters high, making the area below the beams exceptionally spacious and offering a wide view. Even though the functional areas are close together, it doesn't feel cramped at all. A piece of glass replaces part of the roof tiles, allowing natural light to stream directly into the room, so you can look up and admire the beautiful sky while taking a bath!