Chapter 155
On the map, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi were getting closer to the red dot.
Soon, they heard shouts from the villagers.
“A monster is coming! Run!”
“Guards! Guards!”
Amidst the cries, several men and women ran up the mountain path, fleeing toward the outpost.
Tang Yu’an quickly spotted a figure climbing onto a rock—it was a giant centipede.
Its body was as thick as two adult thighs combined, with massive pincers opening and closing and countless reddish-brown legs wriggling. Just one glance was enough to make anyone’s skin crawl.
The giant centipede let out a screeching sound as it climbed down the rock, chasing after a woman lagging behind. If its massive pincers caught her, she wouldn’t stand a chance.
Suppressing his disgust and fear, Tang Yu’an acted. Once Zhou Qi carried him to a suitable distance—
Bad-luck Marble, activate!
A black marble landed on the giant centipede’s head and quickly disappeared, returning to Tang Yu’an’s inventory.
The centipede, which had almost caught the woman, suddenly froze in place—its numerous legs got stuck in the cracks of the rocks!
Seeing this, Tang Yu’an breathed a sigh of relief. Just like the Happy and Sad Marbles, the bad-luck Marble also worked on mutated creatures.
The villagers took the opportunity to escape.
Zhou Qi carried Tang Yu’an to a rock and, under the Shadow Umbrella’s cover, the centipede didn’t notice them. After Tang Yu’an landed, Zhou Qi summoned two machetes, which hovered in the air. He released them, controlling them to fly toward the centipede.
The machetes, made of mutated metal and honed to razor sharpness, moved with precision. One embedded itself in the centipede’s head, pinning it to the ground, while the other severed its writhing body in two.
Though Zhou Qi found cutting through the centipede’s tough body challenging, he managed it.
“Wow, you’re amazing, Zhou Qi!” Tang Yu’an clapped in admiration.
Zhou Qi shook his head. “Still need practice.”
If Black Pearl were here, she’d probably roll her eyes at him.
The giant centipede stopped moving. Zhou Qi retrieved his machetes, and Tang Yu’an didn’t let the body go to waste, transferring it back to their storage at 1st Store using his Remote Retrieval skill.
As for the machetes, now covered in viscous fluids, Zhou Qi returned them to his inventory. A quick clean via the inventory system made them pristine again.
Tang Yu’an checked the task list.
[Clear Dangerous Creatures (3): … (25/30)]
“Only five more to go for the reward!”
“Let’s take care of the next one!” Tang Yu’an said enthusiastically.
Zhou Qi sighed, glancing at him. “We haven’t done today’s lessons yet.”
“Saving people is more important!”
Tang Yu’an climbed onto Zhou Qi’s back. “Let’s clear the dangerous creatures near the outpost first, then we’ll head back for class!”
With no choice, Zhou Qi suppressed his eagerness to study and carried Tang Yu’an into the forest, continuing their monster hunt under the cover of the Shadow Umbrella.
Meanwhile, back at 1st Store in the ruins, Black Pearl finished a patrol with Old Li and stretched out in the courtyard under the warm sun. After last night’s rainstorms, the daylight was gentle and pleasant, perfect for lounging.
Nearby, the three puppies, Silver Coin, Black Pearl, and Wang Cai, dozed lazily in the sand. Three children, holding metal sticks, scribbled in the sand.
“Huoqiu, what are you doing over here?”
Huoqiu turned to see Lie Huo approaching, his expression stern. “Not working, playing in the sand?”
“Master, I’m not playing; I’m teaching the younger ones to write!” Huoqiu protested.
Yes, in just two days since arriving at the haven, Lie Huo had taken Huoqiu as his apprentice.
Initially, Lie Huo only gave Huoqiu a few pointers about controlling fire better during brick-making. But by that evening, Huoqiu was calling him “Master” so sweetly and persistently that he couldn’t refuse. Later that night, Huoqiu’s father even brought two roasted potatoes as an official apprenticeship gift.
Though hesitant, Lie Huo eventually accepted the offering. His wife, A’Xiang, was pregnant, and the extra food was much appreciated. She had even suggested forming good relations with Huoqiu’s family, as they were among the haven’s first residents and well-regarded.
Despite their relatively short stay, the second batch of residents quickly adapted. After witnessing the grocery store’s protective barrier, few were willing to leave the safety of Store No.1.
Moreover, the owner of the grocery store possessed the incredible power of a “protective barrier.”
Now everyone was working with full dedication. Whatever Old Li assigned, they did without complaint, fearing they might be deemed unworthy and driven out.
So, after listening to A’Xiang’s analysis, Lie Huo decided to officially take Huoqiu as his apprentice.
For his first time being someone’s teacher, he took it seriously. That’s why seeing Huoqiu idling around playing in the sand annoyed him.
“Writing?”
He glanced at the squiggly lines in the sand, then at Jin Lili and Kang Kang squatting nearby. His gaze made the two children spring to their feet and dart toward A’Lian, who was standing a little farther away. Each grabbed one of her legs, hiding behind her for safety.
Once safely hidden, they peeked out from behind her like cautious little animals, warily eyeing Lie Huo.
Lie Huo offered A’Lian an awkward smile, indicating he meant no harm. Huoqiu also chimed in with an explanation.
A’Lian nodded but still moved farther away with the kids, crouching down to watch them continue writing.
Wang Cai and Yin Bi gave them a brief glance before yawning and lazily laying back down.
Lie Huo looked down at Huoqiu, puzzled. “Why bother learning to write?”
Huoqiu explained the rules for exchanging water.
Since the 25 new residents were young adults aged 20 to 30, Old Li didn’t mention the rule allowing children or elderly residents to get clean water for free. Most of these new arrivals were illiterate, and their age disqualified them from the exemptions.
“That’s discrimination!” Lie Huo exclaimed indignantly.
“So, Master, do you know how to write?” Huoqiu asked.
“…”
He didn’t.
Lie Huo looked at the shapes on the ground and, feeling defiant, said, “What’s the point of learning this?”
“Grandpa Li said these are numbers. Later, he’ll teach us arithmetic. Once we learn, we can grow up to become employees!”
“Employees?” Lie Huo’s eyes lit up. “You mean employees of the grocery store?”
“Yeah, like Sister Lin, Sister Xiao Cao, and Brother Shi Tou.” Huoqiu’s eyes sparkled with longing. “I heard they get to have breakfast with Boss An An and the others every morning, and it’s really good!”
Huoqiu smacked his lips, remembering the aromas wafting from the fourth floor. Lie Huo swallowed, recalling the same enticing smells.
“So, they all know arithmetic?”
“I think so,” Huoqiu replied. “Grandpa Li started teaching us, but now it’s Sister Xiao Cao’s turn.”
Lie Huo fell into thought.
He and A’Xiang might have missed their chance, but couldn’t their children learn?
The thought startled him.
Even if his kids could learn, it would be years before they were ready. To even become employees, they’d need to be at least 12 or 13, like Sister Xiao Cao. That felt like a lifetime away…
Lie Huo looked up at the grocery store’s transparent protective barrier. He had only been here a few days, yet he was already daring to dream so far ahead.
Before coming here, he rarely thought beyond the next month. He hadn’t even dared to imagine living long enough to see his child born.
After a long pause, Lie Huo lowered his gaze.
No matter what, as long as they could stay in this haven, living to see his child’s birth seemed guaranteed.
He wondered if the baby might awaken to abilities. Before the baby was born, he would prepare a cozy little room for them.
Standing up, he said, “Finish your writing quickly and come back. I’m going to fire bricks.”
“Okay!”
Huoqiu waved him off and went back to practicing in the sand.
After Lie Huo left, Wang Cai, lying in the courtyard sunbathing, suddenly leapt up. It glanced toward the upper floors, then quickly bolted inside.
Yin Bi, puzzled, followed its lead, tail wagging, and chased it up to the ninth floor.
When they entered Room 901, they found Yuanbao and Black Pearl had already arrived.
Yin Bi excitedly ran to Yuanbao, nuzzling its head affectionately. Yuanbao gave an annoyed snort and dodged.
Meanwhile, Wang Cai hurried to the secondary bedroom.
A strange smell wafted from the room.
Curious, Yin Bi followed. Inside, it saw a massive centipede, sliced in two, lying on the floor. Sticky fluids pooled around the severed ends.
Wang Cai was busily licking up the liquid, occasionally biting off one of the centipede’s legs and crunching it audibly.
When Yin Bi approached, Wang Cai shifted to make room.
Yin Bi froze, wide-eyed, then let out a series of distressed whines and scrambled out of the room as if something monstrous were chasing it.
Dogs could eat almost anything—but definitely not bugs!
*
Back on Jufeng Mountain, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi remained busy clearing threats.
Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi encountered the guards fighting a mutated mantis halfway up the mountain.
This mutated mantis had two razor-sharp scythes, a light body, and wings that allowed it to fly. Its swift and agile movements made it a nightmare for the guards.
From the shadows, Tang Yu’an timed the use of his misfortune marble, while Zhou Qi sent his blades flying with precision.
Thanks to the misfortune marble’s effect on the monster, Zhou Qi managed another one-hit kill. Using their remote retrieval ability, they harvested only the mantis’s two scythes, leaving the rest of the body for the guards to handle.
They moved on to the next target.
While walking, Tang Yu’an glanced at the bustling message board. Messages had been flooding in since they started dealing with the mantis.
[Message Board (Public Channel)]
[Pan Shi]: Why isn’t 1+1 equal to 11? What’s wrong with this logic?
[Pu Wei]: 1+1=2. Teacher Tongtong said so.
[Pan Shi]: Just because Teacher Tongtong said so, it’s right? If you add 1 and 1, why wouldn’t it make 11?
[Greenish Blue]: …
[Changqing]: …
[Cloud Eagle]: Maybe because one fish plus another fish makes two fish? So 1+1=2?
[Greenish Blue]: Ah, now I want to eat fish!
[Cloud Eagle]: Fish isn’t tasty—it’s too fishy.
[Greenish Blue]: That’s because you don’t know how to cook! Handsome Zhou’s fish porridge is amazing. I wish I could have some now!
[Greenish Blue]: I’m going fishing!
Tang Yu’an chuckled at the lively exchange.
“Looks like we’re having fish for dinner.”
Although there was plenty of fish in the water surrounding the first shop, Tang Yu’an preferred not to eat them despite purification efforts. They’d been in dirty water too long. But the fish caught by Chi Hao along the way came from clean rivers, so they were much more appealing.
“Yeah, and the ginger Granny Guo planted has grown back,” Zhou Qi said. “We can use it to make fish porridge.”
“Haha, I can’t wait.”
Chatting idly, they soon neared another mutated creature.
This one, however, was extremely alert. It fled before they could get close, and they pursued it.
Unfortunately, the creature managed to escape into the fog-covered area of the map.
When Tang Yu’an turned his attention from the map to the path ahead, he noticed a cave entrance and realized why Zhou Qi had stopped.
“Did it run into that cave?” Tang Yu’an asked.
“Mm-hmm.” Zhou Qi nodded, gazing at the cave before deciding to leave with Tang Yu’an on his back.
Caves often meant unknown dangers. Zhou Qi wasn’t afraid to take risks but didn’t see a reason to do so now.
Tang Yu’an was curious about the cave but knew Zhou Qi was cautious, so he didn’t insist on exploring. However, something on the map caught his eye.
“Hmm?” he murmured.
“What is it?” Zhou Qi asked, pausing.
“I see Sister Hong Li,” Tang Yu’an replied.
“She’s nearby?” Zhou Qi raised a brow, not particularly surprised.
“No, she seems to be inside the mountain…”
Tang Yu’an fiddled with the mini-map, then said, “She might be in the cave, but probably not from this entrance.”
Otherwise, this part of the map wouldn’t still be shrouded in fog.
“Is she fighting mutated creatures?” Zhou Qi asked.
“No, she’s alone.”
For some reason, Zhou Qi recalled the red scales that appeared on Hongli’s hand yesterday when she got angry at Jin Fu. Could her venture into the cave be related to that?
“Is Jufeng Mountain hollow?” Tang Yu’an wondered aloud. “There’s that door in the basement of Shop No.2—who knows where it leads?”
“Probably to caverns,” Zhou Qi replied.
Many Jufeng Town residents lived in caves, some man-made and others naturally formed. Given the size of the Jufeng range, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were large hollow spaces within the mountain.
“Let’s head back.”
“Okay.”
Whatever Hong Li was doing in the caverns was her private business. As long as it didn’t concern them, it was better not to pry.
On their way back, they dealt with a mutated spider.
“So many insect-type mutants!” Tang Yu’an exclaimed.
“It’s the flooding,” Zhou Qi remarked.
“Yeah, that makes sense…”
Heavy rains often brought out insects. Since this disaster started with flooding before the rain came, Tang Yu’an hadn’t noticed the connection as much.
“Boom! Boom!”
As if on cue, thunder rumbled overhead.
The two hastened back to Jufeng Town. Under the concealment of their shadow umbrella, they slipped past the guards unnoticed and returned to the basement.
The light flashed, and they quickly disappeared above the teleportation array.
*
Meanwhile, in the Guard Post of Jufeng Town, Hong Li emerged pale-faced from the hidden chamber.
After removing her damaged clothing and changing into a fresh set, the fatigue on her face faded away. Just as she sat down, a knock came at the door.
“Who is it?” she asked.
“Reporting to the Mountain Lord, the satellite phone just rang,” Black Bear’s voice sounded from outside.
Hong Li’s expression became serious as she stood and moved toward the door.
“When did this happen?” she asked while leaving the room.
“About two minutes ago,” Hei Xiong replied. “But it may have been disrupted by the storm—it disconnected quickly.”
The satellite phone could only be used outdoors, and it was under constant watch in a designated area.
Hei Xiong added, “This time, it was from an unfamiliar number.”
“Not from Qingmu Fort?” Hongli asked.
“I’m not sure,” Hei Xiong said.
Frowning, Hong Li thought for a moment. “Keep monitoring it. If I’m not around, answer the call and record the conversation.”
“Yes!” Hei Xiong replied respectfully.
Hong Li looked at him, a thought crossing her mind. “Has Jin Fu returned?”
“Yes, yesterday the two young masters released him without causing any trouble,” Hei Xiong answered.
Hong Li’s disappointment was evident until she noticed Hei Xiong hesitating to speak further. “If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t beat around the bush,” she ordered.
“Well… Jin Fu seems to be in bad shape since returning,” Hei Xiong said cautiously.
“Oh? Did An An leave some sort of trap?”
“No, it’s not that,” Hei Xiong explained, shaking his head. “After leaving the Guard Post, he experienced several accidents—tripping and falling, or getting hit by rocks rolling down the mountain. By the time he reached his home, he was barely hanging on.”
Hong Li’s face revealed a trace of amusement.
“Are you sure An An didn’t scheme against him?” she asked, half-doubting.
“No, really. At that time, they were negotiating the cotton trade with you,” Hei Xiong replied.
“Alright, fine,” Hong Li said, nodding. “How’s the progress on the winter clothing?”
“The tailors are working hard to meet the demand,” Hei Xiong assured.
“Make sure it’s ready as soon as possible.”
“Yes!”
*
In the 901 suite of Desolate City’s first store, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi emerged from the teleportation room, immediately assaulted by a strange odor. Remembering the centipede carcass they had sent back, the two quickly ran to the side bedroom.
At the door, they saw most of the centipede’s body already devoured by Wang Cai.
“Wang Cai!” Tang Yu’an called out. The happily munching Wang Cai froze, immediately stopping its feast.
It looked at Tang Yu’an standing at the door, lowering its head guiltily.
“Woof woof!”
At that moment, Yin Bi ran into the room, loyally sitting beside Wang Cai, as if declaring it had a share in the deed.
Tang Yu’an looked at the dogs with exasperation.
“I’m not saying you can’t eat it, but you have to wait for me to tell you it’s okay. Understand?” he said sternly.
Faced with Tang Yu’an’s serious expression, both dogs lowered their heads even further, looking thoroughly remorseful.
Tang Yu’an softened, stepping forward to pat their heads.
It seemed Wang Cai’s mutation level had increased. The last time it consumed a small amount of dark green spider blood, it went into a hibernation-like state. This time, it devoured most of a giant centipede and seemed completely unaffected.
“Alright, no more of this next time,” he said.
Yin Bi immediately wagged its tail, grinning and licking Tang Yu’an’s face enthusiastically. Wang Cai, aware of its dirty condition, refrained from approaching but wagged its tongue playfully.
Standing at the door, Zhou Qi hesitated before stepping in, only to notice Yuanbao, the wolf-dog pup, had snuck over unnoticed.
The little pup peeked into the room, visibly relaxing when it saw the reconciliation between the humans and dogs. Spotting Zhou Qi’s gaze, Yuanbao froze momentarily before casually turning and walking away.
Zhou Qi watched it leave before shifting his focus back to the room. He noticed how these pets seemed increasingly human-like in their behavior.
Tang Yu’an cast a purification spell on the remaining centipede parts, ensuring they were safe before letting Wang Cai and Yin Bi finish the leftovers.
At that moment, Yin Bi displayed a conflicted, pained expression.
Tang Yu’an glared at it, exclaiming, “You don’t eat the clean stuff, but you love the dirty bits?”
Yin Bi: …
Yin Bi: QAQ
It whimpered, pitifully seeking Tang Yu’an’s attention. Unfortunately, due to its earlier show of solidarity, Tang Yu’an had already concluded that it also liked eating bugs.
“Dirty things can’t be eaten, got it?”
Tang Yu’an broke off one of the centipede’s legs and held it to Yin Bi’s mouth. With a serious expression, he said, “If you’re going to eat, eat something clean like this. Understand?”
Yin Bi hesitated but then took the leg into its mouth, mimicking Wang Cai’s crunching sounds. At first, it seemed ready to gag, but then its eyes lit up. It began to chew enthusiastically, wagging its big tail energetically.
This was delicious!
Seeing the two dogs happily devouring the centipede, Tang Yu’an still couldn’t understand what was so tasty about it. But since they seemed to enjoy it, he decided to leave them to it.
He left the room and walked to the balcony to gaze outside.
While Jufeng Mountain remained shrouded in thunderstorms, the skies above Desolate City were clear and bright.
From the balcony, he could see the residents working near the brick kiln. The pile of finished bricks had grown into a small hill.
Not far from the kiln, on two plots of land previously left fallow due to depleted fertility, Granny Guo was hard at work.
She carefully buried a slice of the star-chain fruit, seeds, and flesh together into the dry, yellowish soil before watering it.
After finishing, she stretched out her hand, her palm glowing with a soft green light.
As she channeled her plant-based energy, a tender green shoot quickly sprouted from the ground, swaying gently under the sunlight.
Watching the healthy, young star-chain fruit seedling, Granny Guo paused her infusion of energy.
From her experience, overusing energy on plants in poor soil often made them wither faster. She decided to proceed gradually.
However, even as she stopped her energy flow, the tiny seedling didn’t cease growing.
Under her watchful eyes, it rapidly extended fresh leaves and new branches. Before she realized it, the vine with star-shaped leaves had already stretched to her feet.
Thanks for the update!