Chapter 46 There Really Is a Gold Mine at Home <TOC> Chapter 48 The Pirate Captain Only Wants to Retire
Translator: SumTLMan
The confirmation of the deposit zone made Zhou Yi contemplate relocating.
Relocating Jade Emerald City next to the Mushroom Forest and farmland would allow direct access to the Exploding Mushrooms in the Mushroom Forest and could provide better radiation coverage for surrounding land, enhancing the company’s asset security.
However, after thorough consideration, Zhou Yi dismissed the idea.
While the underground deposits of Mushroom Forest were indeed valuable, his unique advantage lay in the ruins of human civilization, and proximity to the Dead Sea facilitated excavation. That was the true treasure trove.
After consulting with Bone Man Sun Zhonglai, Zhou Yi decided to have the Black Hand Mushrooms periodically deliver batches of mushrooms to Jade Emerald City, using edible mushrooms to conceal the Exploding Mushrooms within.
Only the Black Hand Mushrooms could safely transport Exploding Mushrooms.
After harvesting, they would revert to Carpet Fungus, bringing back the Exploding Mushroom spores to the Mushroom Forest to cultivate the next round.
Due to the isolation and harsh environment of the area, transport was surprisingly secure.
“Chairman, rest assured, we will accomplish this task,” Sun Zhonglai assured, thumping his chest bone in earnest.
Zhou Yi had no doubts about Bone Man’s years of mushroom cultivation expertise; he simply raised a question he had long wanted to ask: “That red scarf of yours, does it have some personal significance or is it a special item?”
The Bone Man tugged at the scarf: “Chairman, I just think it looks stylish.”
It turned out to be a matter of personal style.
Zhou Yi nodded: “Yes, it’s quite striking.”
“I actually used to have a full set, with a cape, trousers, a vest, and even a hat. But over time, they wore out beyond repair, only this scarf remains in decent shape,” the Bone Man explained.
“I’ll find you a couple of sets next time I’m at the Dead Sea.”
“Thank you so much! I’ll eagerly await the good news!” Sun Zhonglai’s face lit up, shaking Zhou Yi’s hand firmly.
…
Life returned to a peaceful routine for the next couple of weeks.
After days of rebuilding and repairs, Jade Emerald City no longer appeared aged and worn. From the outside, it had transformed from a half-demolished neighborhood to an aging apartment complex with elevators.
Inside the walls, stone paths and gravel trails were laid out, complete with stone benches, a pavilion, and lampposts crafted from prism stones.
With some transplanted trees and flowers, it would closely resemble the residential area Zhou Yi remembered.
One night, Gong Zheng hurried over to report.
“Chairman, Grub Grain Town has recently been harassed by marauders.”
Gong Zheng’s face was solemn as he said: “Today, as usual, I went to trade there, selecting materials they had gathered… Cao Dayuan told me something.”
“He said that in the past three days, four people in the town were abducted by marauders but were later released. However, these marauders inquired about our company, indicating they were targeting us.”
Zhou Yi immediately became alert.
Marauders typically prey on the weak, avoiding direct confrontation with a monster army or a Dead Sea Abomination.
He quickly concluded this was the handiwork of the Dead Sea Knight Order.
Gong Zheng continued: “The townspeople who were captured had their heads covered with bags, so they couldn’t see outside. But they all mentioned hearing bird calls. This group likely uses scout birds, skilled at reconnaissance.”
Zhou Yi asked: “Scout birds?”
“Chairman, scout birds refer to domesticated birds used for auxiliary purposes; there are many types. They’re usually small, fast, and agile, able to detect danger from afar and sound an alert.”
Gong Zheng explained: “Initially, knights trained them, but now they’re also available on the market. However, training scout birds is rigorous, requiring them to overcome fear and resist food or instinctual temptations, making them costly. Bringing scout birds indicates this group is experienced.”
So, they were avian scouts, animal-based sentries.
Through synchronized consciousness, Zhou Yi issued a command: “Red Falcon, locate them.”
The drone immediately took off.
“Additionally, the townspeople saw unfamiliar outsiders around the oasis, disguised as scavengers but only pretending to dig around. When they encountered dried dung, they didn’t even glance at it, revealing them as marauders in disguise.”
Gong Zheng added: “Cao Dayuan, as their representative, requested our help in driving these marauders out. The townsfolk will continue to support the company, providing anything we need.”
Cao Dayuan?
Zhou Yi remembered him.
Cao Dayuan, A Feng, and Gong Zheng were recommended by A Jin. While the latter two joined, Cao Dayuan remained in Grub Grain Town.
“Chairman, he’s somewhat stubborn and traditional.”
Gong Zheng chuckled: “But he has high local prestige. Grub Grain Town doesn’t have a formal position like a mayor, but if it did, Cao Dayuan would definitely hold that role.”
“Cao Dayuan’s family has lived in Grub Grain Town for three generations, one of its earliest residents. As a teenager, he went to Chicken Head Town, known for mushroom cultivation, where he could have settled. But his father fell ill, so he returned.”
“Chicken Head Town only allows capable outsiders to settle, while the less capable must pay a hefty fee. Cao Dayuan had no money and couldn’t leave his father, so he returned to Grub Grain Town.”
“He’s now worked for twenty years and is one of the oldest remaining residents.”
“Cao Dayuan once told me that Grub Grain Town’s issues can only be resolved by the townsfolk. If everyone is well-fed and prosperous, they won’t be looked down upon, taken advantage of by merchants, or forced to abandon their families for other places; they must stand on their own.”
Gong Zheng’s expression turned more serious: “I’ve had plenty of dealings with him. He’s straightforward, but that’s also his strength.”
“For years, he’s focused on mushroom cultivation, teaching his methods to others, significantly increasing Grub Grain Town’s mushroom yield. Without him, more people would have left.”
Zhou Yi nodded as he listened.
Even in a place like Grub Grain Town, there were people with ambition.
Zhou Yi pondered: “What trade agreements does the company currently have with Grub Grain Town?”
Gong Zheng took out a small notebook, flipped to a page, and replied: “We trade prism stones, dried meat, bones, and the batch of clothing you provided.”
“As per your directive, we now regularly purchase Grub Grain insects, which A Feng cultivates into Armored Insects. We also buy select natural materials or tools they collect, paying prices higher than previous merchants. Following recent battles at the Mushroom Forest and the coast, the townsfolk hold us in great respect and are increasingly reliant on us.”
“Given the high value of our traded goods, we’ve acquired substantial supplies.”
“There’s another issue: several people in Grub Grain Town have asked if they can work for the company as scavengers… I’ve turned them all down.”
Zhou Yi acknowledged this.
It was an adjustment he had made.
Initially, Zhou Yi needed manpower and hoped to recruit people from Grub Grain Town for farming. But he realized this was somewhat one-sided; the locals didn’t farm and were nocturnal by nature, unsuitable for the job.
After the farm machine team arrived and the Mushroom Forest joined the company, the labor shortage was quickly resolved.
Compared to the local humans, the farm machines and Black Hand Mushrooms were far more professional.
So, Zhou Yi stopped recruiting locals, unless, like A Feng, they possessed unique skills.
“Tell Cao Dayuan and the people of Grub Grain Town,” Zhou Yi instructed Gong Zheng: “that I’m aware of the situation, and it will be resolved soon.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
…
Gong Zheng hobbled away.
Red Falcon had also completed its investigation.
“Three scout birds are operating to our west and north, maintaining a distance while observing our activities.”
“Based on the scout bird coordinates, I’ve expanded the search range to the limit, locating the encampment of the group behind them.”
On the display screen of the remote control, 14 kilometers northeast of Jade Emerald City, was an area within the Claw Boar’s territory. There, at the beach of the local Dead Sea, two ships were moored.
Both were small wooden sailboats, much smaller than the Organ Horn, but similarly coated with black paint.
However, being able to navigate the Dead Sea was no small feat.
Usually, throwing wood or stone into the Dead Sea results in it sinking. The so-called Dead Sea is essentially a fluid environment where Dead Light and air blend.
Yet these wooden boats floated steadily.
Zhou Yi issued an order.
“Activate [Bird’s-Eye View].”
Red Falcon’s abilities engaged, revealing the pirates’ thoughts clearly.
——This job is no joke. Constantly under the watch of those Claw Boars, I can’t even sleep peacefully.
——Dead Sea Knight Order… Why don’t they bring their warships over to blast away? Do they want us to die here so they don’t have to pay us? Damn, those dogs are the real thieves.
——Boss… I should’ve quit after the last job, but now I can’t leave. How will I get promoted if you don’t retire?
——That company is really that dangerous? They killed five Enhancers with no bodies left? They send us to die whenever things get tough; damn, money’s hard to make, and shit’s hard to swallow!
…
As expected, they were scouts sent by the Dead Sea Knight Order.
Speed was essential in warfare.
Zhou Yi immediately mustered his forces and prepared to strike!
Chapter 46 There Really Is a Gold Mine at Home <TOC> Chapter 48 The Pirate Captain Only Wants to Retire