Chapter 49: The Dwarf Tribe
Chu Feng looked up how to process ginseng online and decided to try making ginseng wine.
He figured that even if “earth root” wasn’t exactly the same as ginseng, it probably wasn’t poisonous — at worst it wouldn’t kill him.
He went to the wholesale market and bought strong sorghum liquor with 55% alcohol to brew the wine.
He recalled that Ilya had once said dwarves loved alcohol, so to be prepared, he also bought several crates of Wuliangye (a high-end Chinese liquor), spending over 30,000 yuan on just the alcohol.
Looking at the remaining balance on his card, Chu Feng thought: Even though I have 100 million, and most of what I’m buying isn’t all that expensive, spending freely like this sure makes the money go fast.
Since he was already out, Chu Feng decided to stock up on other supplies too.
He bought three crates of preserved mustard greens. These had been surprisingly popular in the other world. He figured bringing more would make good gifts.
Salt was also rare and valuable over there, but he’d already brought a lot last time — enough to meet their needs for now — so he could ease up on that.
After thinking it over, Chu Feng also bought ten large bags of rice. Since food is a top priority, he wanted to make sure that was always covered. The Highland Tribe had big appetites, so the more staple food, the better.
In addition to rice, he also bought four crates of instant noodles.
Previously, when Gray had handed out single packs of noodles to every household, they’d quickly been consumed. More had been given out afterward, and it seemed like they were going fast again.
Once the supplies were ready, Chu Feng began preparing to cross over to the other world again.
Having spent quite a while there already, Chu Feng had grown used to the lifestyle — in fact, he found it more interesting than his original world.
He brought the goods into Ilya’s room. This time, the amount of stuff he carried over was even greater than before.
As soon as he arrived, he saw Gray sitting cross-legged, but Ilya was nowhere to be seen.
“Where’s your brother?”
Gray blinked and said, “The dwarves arrived. Big Brother went to the shrine.”
“The dwarves?” Chu Feng had been curious about them before and had even thought of visiting their tribe, but with so many new things happening, the idea had slipped his mind. He had bought liquor to bring for them, but since he brought so much other stuff this time, he couldn’t carry the crates, so he left them behind.
“Who came from the dwarf tribe?”
“A few people,” Gray replied. “One of them is called Hughes. He’s really strong.”
Chu Feng thought: For Gray — who always sees his big brother as the strongest — to speak so highly of someone else, Hughes must be truly impressive.
“He’s an ability user?”
Gray nodded. “Yeah. Hughes has the ability to shape metal. He can mold metal into whatever shape he wants. I saw him turn a chunk of ironstone into a sword once — it was amazing.”
Chu Feng tilted his head. “So, if he wanted to, he could make a bunch of swords in one day?”
Gray shook his head. “No.”
Chu Feng: “…”
“Abilities have levels,” Gray explained. “If you use them too much, you’ll burn out.”
Chu Feng: “…” Right. How did I forget that part?
Gray tilted his head. “The weapons made by the dwarves are really famous. But those daggers you gave Big Brother are great too — just as good. In fact, your weapons have one special advantage. Do you know what it is?”
Chu Feng asked curiously, “What advantage?”
“They look awesome!”
Chu Feng: “…” So the selling point is looks, huh?
“How long has your brother been gone?”
Gray looked up at the sky and said enthusiastically, “A while now. Have you eaten? Want some food? A bunch of villagers sent over eggs and smoked meat. We can make fried rice with smoked meat, pickles, and eggs.”
Chu Feng crossed his arms and stared into Gray’s round eyes. “Who’s cooking? You gonna make it for me?”
Gray looked at him innocently and said shyly, “I want to, but… I don’t know how.”
Chu Feng rolled his eyes. Unbelievable. I just got here and this brat is trying to get me to cook…
Suddenly, Gray’s stomach let out a loud growl.
Chu Feng frowned. “You’re hungry?”
Gray nodded. “A little. But it’s not a big deal. Before you came, we only ate two meals a day. After you arrived, Big Brother and I started eating three times a day to keep you company.”
Chu Feng: “…”
So… they’re only eating three meals a day for my sake? Gray’s making it sound like I ruined his diet plan. He should look in the mirror and ask himself who’s been eating like a starving ghost every time.
Chu Feng waved his hand. “Help me move the supplies inside. I’ll cook.”
Gray nodded eagerly. “Okay, okay! Don’t worry. I’ll get it done!”
As he looked at the stacked crates, Gray said, “Big Bro, you brought so much stuff again!”
Chu Feng nodded. “Yeah.”
He thought to himself: Bit by bit, I’ve brought over quite a lot of food already. Next time, I can cut back on the edibles and bring other useful things instead.
Chu Feng got a fire going and began preparing to cook.
Chu Feng quickly finished cooking the fried rice — but by then, more diners had gathered.
A small wolf was circling around Chu Feng’s feet, looking like it was about to drool. A chubby rabbit kept shoving the little wolf aside with its body and even tried to step on the wolf’s head to leap onto Chu Feng.
Chu Feng rolled his eyes and thought: The rabbits around here are really fearless! Actually fighting a wolf over food, and even stepping on its head to gain an advantage.
The little rabbit and little wolf both looked like starving ghosts reincarnated, and their older siblings weren’t behaving much better.
Chu Feng looked at Duoduo and Loga’s eager eyes and served them each a bowl of rice. “Here, go eat. Share a bit with your younger brothers.”
Duoduo and Loga each hugged a bowl and went to eat at the table.
Gray came out just as the two were already digging in. Seeing them eating already, Gray looked a bit wronged.
“There’s more in the pot, go ahead and serve yourself.”
Gray blinked and said, “But Brother Feng, you haven’t eaten yet.”
Chu Feng shook his head. “It’s fine, I’m not hungry.”
Gray hesitated, then said, “Then I’ll eat!”
Chu Feng waved his hand impatiently. “Go on, go.”
As he watched Gray devour his food enthusiastically, Chu Feng rolled his eyes again and thought: This guy Gray has the nerve to say he used to eat only two meals a day.
Just then, footsteps sounded, and Ilya rushed into the house.
“You’re here?” Ilya said happily.
Looking at him, Chu Feng could sense Ilya’s breathing was a bit rushed. Did he run all the way here?
“I just got here. You were at the shrine earlier?”
Ilya nodded. “Yes.”
The relationship between Crescent Village and the nearby dwarf tribe had always been good, with frequent exchanges between the two. But recently, since Chu Feng arrived, everyone’s attention had been focused on him, and contact with the dwarves had dropped off. The dwarves had probably gotten word from the Highland Tribe and sent a few people to investigate.
There had been quite a few changes in the village lately. The priest was organizing people to clear land and try planting the seeds Chu Feng had brought last time. If they could grow, the village’s food supply would become much more stable.
With the salt problem resolved, villagers no longer had to find ways to trade goods for salt and could focus on other things — like fixing up houses and cultivating farmland. Without realizing it, the village had already undergone many changes.
Another notable change: more people had started learning wood carving.
“Did the dwarves leave already?” Chu Feng asked.
“A few did, but Hughes and Shua stayed.”
Chu Feng blinked. “Hughes is one of the elite dwarves, right? Is it okay to let him stay?”
Ilya frowned. “The dwarf tribe didn’t want to let him stay either, but Hughes insisted, and the others couldn’t stop him.”
Chu Feng looked puzzled. “Why did he suddenly want to stay?”
“He wants to eat instant noodles.”
Chu Feng: … “You served the dwarves instant noodles?”
Ilya nodded. “They’re important guests. Of course, we served them the best thing we had — the instant noodles you left behind.”
Chu Feng: … Instant noodles are the best thing Crescent Village has to offer? Are they really that good here?
“The instant noodles I brought last time… are they all gone?” Chu Feng asked.
Ilya nodded. “Too many people and too few noodles — there wasn’t enough to go around. They’re all gone.”
Previously, Chu Feng had asked Gray to deliver a pack of noodles to each household. That might’ve been a mistake — after just one taste, everyone became obsessed and couldn’t stop thinking about them.
Chu Feng frowned. “All gone? That fast?”
He could’ve sworn there were plenty left when he departed last time. If he’d known they’d be this popular, he would’ve brought more.
“Did you bring any this time?”
Chu Feng nodded. “Yes, but not much. Just two crates.”
Ilya nodded. “Two crates, huh.”
Chu Feng blinked and said, “Eating too much instant noodles isn’t good for your health.”
Ilya looked at him doubtfully. “Really?”
“Of course.” What’s with people in this world? Why are they so into junk food? No one would even believe him if he told the truth.
Ilya thought for a moment. “That’s not a big deal. Eating too much might be bad, sure — but no one here has the chance to overeat anyway.”
Chu Feng: … True. It’s my fault for not bringing enough. No one even gets the chance to eat too much.
“You brought more stuff with you this time, didn’t you?” Ilya asked.
Chu Feng nodded. “Yeah.”
The spatial portal seemed to be gradually growing. The increase was tiny each time — barely noticeable unless you paid attention.
