Chapter 51
Tang Yu’an never expected that rescuing others would earn him a special achievement title!
Accumulated rescues of three potential clients… So it was Old Li, Chi Hao, and the little boy named Xiao Bao?
Looking at the system message, he realized that the delayed notification might mean that the little boy was truly out of danger now.
Excited by the thought, Tang Yu’an reviewed the description of his new title:
[Special Achievement Title: Little Savior]
[Description: You are a small but bright star in the dark night of the apocalypse. Healing the sick and saving lives, you are the savior of those in hardship, worthy of respect and protection.]
[Effect: While wearing this title, you gain the ‘Savior’s Aura’ that prevents those you’ve saved from causing you harm. Those who witness or hear of your deeds will automatically feel ‘Respect’ toward you.]
Wow!
Tang Yu’an’s eyes lit up. This title seemed even more useful than “All Dogs” and “All Cats!”
Quickly, he equipped “Little Savior” and noticed that his “All Dogs” title remained in effect, meaning they didn’t conflict and could both be active.
“An An…”
Old Li, who had been about to remind Tang Yu’an to watch his step, suddenly paused. Looking at the boy, he felt his stern tone suddenly felt inappropriate. The child had, after all, saved him, and he ought to show the respect he deserved…
Thus, Old Li softened his tone, saying, “Young Master An, mind your step; the mountain path is tricky, and you could easily stumble.”
Tang Yu’an: 0.0
Zhou Qi: 0.0
Y-Young Master An?
Zhou Qi glanced at Tang Yu’an, wondering what he might have done, and found himself feeling a curious, inexplicable respect toward him, as though he shouldn’t even think of being disrespectful.
Tang Yu’an quickly waved his hands, coughing slightly as he said, “Grandpa, just call me An An! No need to be so formal!”
Old Li chuckled, realizing the awkwardness of his words. He nodded, resuming his usual tone. Yet his attitude toward Tang Yu’an had noticeably softened.
Tang Yu’an, though relieved, shot a quick look at Zhou Qi. If even Zhou Qi started treating him differently, he’d have to remove this title; it would just feel too strange!
Luckily, while Zhou Qi’s expression was a bit unusual, he hadn’t become overly formal. Instead, he patted Tang Yu’an’s head with a comforting smile, reassuring him.
At that, Tang Yu’an relaxed. As they continued their hike, he nearly tripped on a loose stone, quickly snapping back to attention and focusing on the mountain path.
*
By noon, they were close to the next rest stop. But instead of mingling with the crowds, Old Li led them down a winding path to a secluded cliffside area.
Here, a clear mountain stream trickled down the rocks, forming a small pond.
“Few people know of this spot,” Old Li said, “so we should be able to rest here undisturbed…”
He hadn’t even finished his sentence when footsteps sounded nearby.
Old Li fell silent, sharing a cautious look with Zhou Qi as they both turned toward the noise. Tang Yu’an, checking his map, noticed a green marker nearby and hoped it wasn’t another unsavory character…
Soon, a figure emerged from the trees—a tall, lean man who looked no older than 30, with striking black eyes and dark hair tinged with red in his beard and eyebrows.
At the sight of others, he seemed just as surprised, then broke into a grin.
“Well, old man, fancy meeting you here!”
Seeing it was a familiar face, Old Li relaxed, a smile spreading on his face as he greeted the man.
“Mo Ke, it’s been a while,” he said, clapping the man on the shoulder.
In the wasteland, there were no certainties; people could vanish forever without warning. Meeting an old friend again was indeed cause for celebration.
Mo Ke glanced over at Zhou Qi and Tang Yu’an and, without waiting for introductions, said, “I’m Mo Ke—‘Mo’ for stranger, ‘Ke’ for conqueror.”
This guy seemed quite the character!
Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi quickly introduced themselves, already familiar with the fact that many people born in the wasteland often gave themselves names, making last names an uncommon thing.
“These two weren’t picked up by me.” Old Li chuckled. “If anything, I was picked up by them.”
“Oh? What’s the story there?” Mo Ke, catching the unusual tone, leaned in, intrigued.
Old Li’s spirits visibly lifted upon meeting an old friend; his face relaxed into a smile, and he had plenty more to say.
“Come, sit down, and let me tell you the whole story.”
Old Li cleared a spot by the pond, while Tang Yu’an pulled Zhou Qi aside to gather firewood, giving Old Li and Mo Ke a moment to catch up.
While they were off gathering wood, Tang Yu’an shared more details with Zhou Qi about his recent achievement.
“A special title, ‘Little Savior’?” Zhou Qi looked pleasantly surprised.
“Yep!” Tang Yu’an happily explained the title’s perks as they gathered wood. “As long as I’m wearing this title, I won’t need to worry about safety when I help people in the future.”
In a wasteland like this, he was sure he’d encounter more people in need of help.
“True,” Zhou Qi nodded thoughtfully. “Also, I have a feeling this title could be upgraded.”
Tang Yu’an checked the title description and agreed. “We’ll see where it goes.”
Then he looked over at Zhou Qi and asked, “So… does this halo affect you?”
Zhou Qi paused and then replied, “It seems to… but not in a very strong way.”
“Why’s that?” Tang Yu’an wondered. Though if Zhou Qi started addressing him with the same level of respect as Old Li, he might need to take off the title.
Zhou Qi just smiled without answering. Perhaps it was because his feelings for Tang Yu’an already went beyond mere “respect.”
Once they returned with the firewood, they saw that Old Li and Mo Ke had already finished setting up the tent, with Mo Ke helping to organize things. Spotting Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi, Mo Ke beamed and quickly stepped over to help Tang Yu’an with the wood.
“So, you’re the famous Young Master An? Old Li’s told me all about how you and your friend here saved him.”
His friendly tone caught Tang Yu’an off guard, leaving him momentarily at a loss.
“Please, just call me Tang Yu’an,” he quickly suggested, trying to downplay the title.
Mo Ke chuckled and nodded, saying, “Alright, if that’s what you want!”
After gathering the firewood, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi got to work building a fire for lunch. The mushrooms they had were still fresh, and with a clean water source nearby, Zhou Qi decided they could prepare a proper meal.
Just as Tang Yu’an reached for a match, Mo Ke held out his hand, conjuring a small flame that he threw onto the firewood, setting it ablaze instantly.
“Mo Ke, you’re a fire-type user?” Tang Yu’an asked, noting Mo Ke’s reddish eyebrows.
Mo Ke nodded and pulled his hair back to show the red roots starting to show. “See? Even my roots are turning red.”
“Cool!” Tang Yu’an asked, “Does everyone with powers change their hair color like this?”
At the thought, he glanced at Zhou Qi, wondering if his hair might someday turn gold, blue, or red—or maybe even all seven colors if he reacted to other elements! The idea seemed exciting.
“Not always.” Mo Ke explained, “Usually, the stronger the power, the more pronounced the effect, but it’s not guaranteed.”
“People with more obvious traits are usually quite powerful, but those without noticeable changes can be just as strong,” Mo Ke added, patting his chest proudly. “Just look at me!”
Tang Yu’an laughed, agreeing, “True, and Old Li is really strong too.”
Mo Ke joined in the laughter. “That’s right! Old Li’s practically my mentor—I learned all my hunting skills from him. He’s the best hunter in all of Jufeng Mountain!”
Mo Ke, who had grown up in Jufeng Town, lost his parents early. At around fifteen, he had gone hunting alone and nearly died in a wild boar attack. Old Li had saved him, and since then, he’d taken him along on his hunts.
Years later, when Mo Ke awakened his fire powers, he finally had the means to stand on his own, choosing a wandering life around the mountain rather than settling in a town. Free as a bird, he embraced life as a nomad.
“Old Li even helped me pick my name!”
Grabbing a stick, Mo Ke proudly scratched out his name on the ground. “Originally, I wanted it to mean ‘invincible,’ but Old Li pointed out that it’d actually mean ‘unconquerable.’ So, I changed it to what it is now.”
As he recounted the story, Mo Ke’s face lit up with a rare joy, one Tang Yu’an seldom saw on others’ faces in the wasteland.
He proudly carved his name into the ground, each character carefully inscribed.
“Look, that’s my name!”
“Impressive, Mo Ke!”
Old Li, overhearing, rolled his eyes, shaking his head at their exchange. He then pulled a piece of pork from his pack, but Zhou Qi gently stopped him, saying, “Keep that for trading at the town. We have some meat already that we should use up first.”
At this, Old Li nodded and asked, “Need a hand with anything?”
“Could you carve a few wooden skewers?”
“Sure, how long do you need them?”
Watching Old Li at work, Mo Ke and Tang Yu’an joined in to help out.
“What exactly are we making here?” Mo Ke asked curiously as he helped whittle the skewers.
“Just follow the chef’s lead,” Old Li said with a knowing smile.
Chef? Was he referring to this tall, thin, young-looking boy?
Mo Ke could see the unusual nature of these two youths but remained respectful, especially toward Tang Yu’an, due to the title’s effect.
“So we’re really making lunch?” Mo Ke asked, intrigued.
“Yes,” Old Li nodded, his expression expectant. “You’re in for a treat.”
Growing even more curious, Mo Ke finished whittling the skewers and stood up, saying, “Well, if we’re having lunch, I can’t just eat for free. Wait here; I’ll be back.”
Tang Yu’an had just finished washing the mushrooms and was skewering them under Zhou Qi’s direction. Seeing Mo Ke walk away, he remarked, “I saw some fish in the pond earlier.”
“Hey, you just spoiled the surprise!” Mo Ke quickly headed to the pond and soon returned with two fish. Each one was roughly hand-sized, not particularly plump but still quite a find given the conditions of the water and the wasteland.
Tang Yu’an grinned and pulled out two whole wheat buns from his bag. “Two buns for one fish? Deal?”
“What are these?” Mo Ke asked, intrigued.
“They’re ready to eat,” Tang Yu’an replied.
Mo Ke didn’t hesitate; he took a bite without a second thought and immediately widened his eyes.
“This is… incredible! It’s delicious!”
Mo Ke found the buns chewy and flavorful, a delightful experience.
“They’re called wheat bun,” Tang Yu’an explained. “What do you say? Deal?”
“Absolutely! Only a fool wouldn’t trade!”
Mo Ke wasn’t a big fan of fish, finding it a bit too fishy for his taste, but in these harsh times, fish was a valuable source of protein. Trading a fish for a tasty, shelf-stable bun was a win in his book.
Tang Yu’an exchanged the buns, collecting 5 experience points and 36 credits, and then got Mo Ke to help gather some wild greens.
After washing the greens and bringing them back, Tang Yu’an returned to find Zhou Qi already roasting mushrooms, with the fish simmering in a pot, filling the air with a savory aroma.
Handing each of them a skewer, Zhou Qi invited them to try the flavor.
Mo Ke, who had never tasted seasoned, grilled mushrooms, took a tentative bite and was instantly hooked. The combination of oil and spices was a revelation, creating a texture that resembled meat.
“These grilled mushrooms are amazing!”
To Mo Ke, who had only ever eaten mushrooms raw or briefly boiled, this was a gourmet meal. As a native wastelander with little exposure to the pre-disaster world, this was the best food he had ever tasted.
Old Li, nodding with approval, was once again impressed by Zhou Qi’s cooking skills.
“Do you folks in the fortress eat like this all the time?” Mo Ke asked, finishing his third mushroom skewer, suddenly curious about the fortresses.
“I’ve heard you need crystal stones to enter. Once I’ve saved enough, I’d love to see what it’s like inside!”
Tang Yu’an, cheeks puffed with mushrooms, nodded enthusiastically. He wanted to see the fortress for himself one day, too!
The fish soup was soon ready, its broth a milky white. Zhou Qi sampled it, then, while Old Li and Mo Ke were distracted, discreetly added a drop of the healing potion.
“Try this first, Grandpa Li,” Zhou Qi offered.
He and Tang Yu’an had discussed this earlier, and even though Old Li tried to act tough, it was clear that last night’s injuries were slowing him down. With this effective remedy on hand, it only made sense to help him.
“Let An An try first,” Old Li insisted.
But Tang Yu’an shook his head. “You’re the elder. You should go first.”
Old Li chuckled and said, “Respect for the elderly isn’t exactly a wastelands tradition.”
He wasn’t wrong; here, the strongest were given priority, and in families, resources went to those who worked. Elders and children were often left with less.
“But you’re still the strongest one here,” Tang Yu’an replied, a touch of admiration in his tone.
Zhou Qi nodded, and Mo Ke had no objections either.
Finally, Old Li accepted the bowl and took a sip. The rich flavor made him close his eyes and sigh with satisfaction.
“It’s been too long since I’ve tasted such delicious fish soup…”
Mo Ke couldn’t help but swallow in anticipation. “Can it really taste this good?”
“It’s fish, after all—usually so fishy! Does boiling it really get rid of the smell?”
“Try it yourself,” Old Li replied, sipping his soup and feeling, perhaps out of wishful thinking, a bit of relief in his aching abdomen.
Soon, Mo Ke tasted the soup too. The milky fish broth, seasoned with pickled greens, was perfectly balanced between tangy and savory, with a hint of the fish’s natural sweetness and a dash of peppery spice that made him sweat while craving more.
“This is amazing! How did you do it, kid? There’s no fishiness at all!”
“Proper preparation and a few seasonings will take care of the smell.”
The fish soup wasn’t even gone when the foil-wrapped roasted rabbit was done as well. Mo Ke hadn’t expected that the mushrooms and soup were just starters—now there was even more delicious food awaiting him.
Sipping the soup and biting into the meat, he couldn’t help but look enviously at Old Li. “You’re living the good life, old man!”
Old Li shot him a glance. “Then maybe you should come live in Desolate City instead of wandering around?”
“Are you staying in Desolate City long-term?” Mo Ke asked Zhou Qi.
Zhou Qi nodded, “For a while, yes.”
“Then I’ll have to find a place there too,” Mo Ke said, happily chewing on his bun.
“Where have you been wandering the past few months?” Old Li asked suddenly.
“Not too far. Just over the mountain range to have a look.” Mo Ke pointed toward the other side of Giant Peak.
“Over the mountain?” Old Li followed his gesture. “To Lanhu Town?”
Listening to their conversation, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi perked up their ears.
“Yeah, I went to Lanhu Town,” Mo Ke confirmed.
“Does it have a blue lake?” Tang Yu’an asked curiously.
Mo Ke shook his head, “No, it’s named after the hu trees (Populus euphratica tree).”
Old Li explained, “There’s a forest of mutated hu trees there with blue leaves, and the town is built right within the forest—hence the name, Lanhu Town.”
“Isn’t it dangerous to live in a mutated forest?” Zhou Qi asked.
Mo Ke shook his head. “Not really. The hu trees aren’t aggressive; instead, they regulate the temperature. The day-night temperature difference isn’t as extreme, so it’s actually quite comfortable to live there.”
“So a lot of people must want to move there?” Tang Yu’an wondered.
Mo Ke chuckled, “They do, but not everyone can make it happen.”
The mountains of Jufeng aren’t easy to cross, and the people of Lanhu Town are known for being wary of outsiders, unlike the more approachable folks in Jufeng Town.
Tang Yu’an nodded, realizing how vast and unexplored this world was to him.
It was clear there was much to see, but for now, he would stick to familiarizing himself with the Jufeng area before considering venturing further.
Old Li shifted the conversation. “Do you have any leads on that mutated snake?”
Mo Ke nodded. “Actually, I’ve been tracking it these past few days.”
“It’s a fire-element snake, and if I could catch it, it would be a big boost to my abilities. Besides…” he paused, his expression serious, “it’s already burned several townspeople. Thankfully, the guards arrived in time, or there would’ve been more casualties.”
The mutated snake was treating Jufeng Mountain like its hunting ground. With no other dangerous creatures around and plenty of human prey, it had a free reign over the area.
If they didn’t deal with it soon, it would undoubtedly cause disaster.
“What about the leader?” Old Li asked, frowning. As a fellow fire type, the town leader should be able to track the snake down quickly.
“He left a few days ago, and hasn’t returned yet.” Mo Ke sighed. With no communication devices, getting separated meant losing contact. For now, Jufeng would have to rely on its own people to solve this.
Old Li patted Mo Ke’s shoulder. “Just be careful.”
“Don’t worry, I will,” Mo Ke said with a grin. “If I catch this fire snake, I might even level up.”
After lunch, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi retreated to the tent to rest.
When Tang Yu’an woke up, Mo Ke had already left, continuing his search for the mutated snake. Before leaving, he left Tang Yu’an a parting gift: a large blue leaf he’d found in the hu tree forest of Lanhu Town. Shaped like a fan and with a jade-like, translucent texture, the leaf shimmered with an icy blue glow in the sunlight.
Tang Yu’an was instantly captivated by the leaf, and after using his identification skill, he discovered:
[Identification Cost: 5 Points for Initial Item Appraisal]
Just one leaf was worth 50 points, equivalent to a mutated lantern fruit! Just thinking about the forest filled with such leaves made Tang Yu’an practically drool—he was determined to visit Lanhu Town someday.
He opened his map and saw Mo Ke on his way down the mountain, following a route previously covered by a patrol team and currently free of any dangerous creatures.
Tang Yu’an could only wish his new friend Mo Ke all the best on his hunt for the fire snake.
