I Am Cultivating in the Apocalypse

Chapter 693: Going to Pick Up Insect Woman Xiao Wei

Who knew what the heck was inside here? It might look fine at first glance, but... COUGH, COUGH.

She didn’t say anything else; Zhen Nantian might have guessed Jing Shu’s intentions. Unless he asked her outright, she wouldn’t voluntarily spill any information.

Now that this information had been confirmed, Jing Shu tidied up her current tasks and spent another day organizing her supplies and arranging related affairs.

Indeed, this time Jing Shu planned to personally go deep into the mountains and bring out the entire Insect Clan! This was the result of much contemplation. To build roads quickly and facilitate the upcoming mass migration, keeping the Insect Clan in the deep mountains was too inconvenient. Furthermore, with the Township Government’s relaxed policies toward New Humans, hiding in the mountains was neither necessary nor safe anymore.

This is about the migration of a whole clan, which cannot be taken lightly. Moreover, since the deep mountains are quite far, I have to prepare... The road is long, and I don’t want to be uncomfortable.

Besides, how to get there and what kind of transportation to use is also an issue. Helicopters are out of the question; the mountains are too irregular and treacherous, a technical nightmare that could lead to disaster. Most importantly, I need to return with people, and finding a driver could expose our situation.

A motorhome is too big... it can’t get into the deep mountains.

Little Red... might get submerged in heavy snow, making it impossible to drive out.

There’s also a shark yacht, but that won’t do either.

So what’s to be done? Jing Shu thought about it, and then her eyes lit up. Hey, don’t I have a bunch of rotten mermaids? As Dark Creatures, mermaids are very resilient. Even in cold weather, they’re completely unfazed, plus they’re big and fast...

Jing Shu had decided that instead of using fuel-powered tools, free mermaid labor was more economical. So, how I can make the journey more comfortable is my main concern now.

「Two days later.」

The mermaid tent vehicle, personally crafted by Mr. Jing, was mounted on many mermaids. To put it simply, it was like a Mongolian yurt on top, with a dual-purpose track system below. If the road conditions were good, mermaids could pull it like a sled for speed; if not, they could carry it on their bodies without delaying the trip.

The tent was made of long-haired ball fur fabric, which blocked the wind and kept the cold out completely. This way, Jing Shu wouldn’t feel cold while the mermaids were on the move, and she even planned to travel day and night, having the mermaids continue through the darkness.

The tent was quite spacious; after all, she would be staying in it for many days. It was roughly two meters in length and width, with a large wooden plank covered with comfortable and warm bedding. There was also a small two-tier shelf, which could be used for dining or placing miscellaneous items.

Once Jing Shu got into the tent vehicle, she had the rotten mermaids set off immediately. She had lied to her family again because Grandma Jing wouldn’t have agreed to let her go out otherwise. She only managed to leave by claiming it was a cover for the Medicine Association.

Inside the tent vehicle, there was an array of pots and kitchen utensils, and even plenty of ingredients, all of which Jing Shu promptly stored in her space. They were prepared by Grandma Jing.

Of course, outside the tent, there was a portable toilet prepared by Mr. Jing, a testament to his thorough consideration. With food, drink, and everything needed for bodily functions provided, if it weren’t for the apocalypse, one might think she was going on vacation.

Fat Chicken also came along on this trip, insisting on following her. Having been away too long during the past three months without a supply from the Spiritual Spring, Fat Chicken was in dire straits. The downside of the Spiritual Spring was starting to show, but fortunately, the Jing family didn’t have this problem due to their low intake.

As it happened, Grandma Jing had also said, "We have enough eggs at home. It’s good that you take it with you, to nourish your body."

Alright... Fat Chicken is just a mobile egg-laying tool.

The wind howled like a tiger, and despite traveling in the snowy landscape, their speed was not slow at all. Initially, it was a bit chilly inside the tent vehicle, but Jing Shu generously spread out a dozen hot water bottles and hand warmers, along with thick quilts, making it quite comfortable.

After all, it’s not feasible to set up a stove or an electric heating rod. Otherwise, it would be even warmer.

Speed equates to danger. During the day, Jing Shu had the rotten mermaids pull the carriage so any mishaps could be immediately addressed. At night, she let the rotten mermaids carry the tent vehicle as they crawled through the snow.

「Three days later.」

They finally arrived in the territory of the insect woman Xiao Wei.

Upon learning of Jing Shu’s arrival, Xiao Wei and her people were very surprised, as they had just completed a trade on the designated trading day.

Jing Shu surveyed the dramatically changed small village, a hint of surprise in her eyes. The two rows of houses on the surface were no longer inhabited and were now stacked full of various items.

Jing Shu was welcomed into the underground caves, which had been modified, giving them an appearance similar to the dwellings of primitive people.

"What major event has occurred for you to come here in person?" Xiao Wei struggled to her feet, her huge lower body now half as large again as before! She was somewhat anxious, as she had been living well these days. Although there was no internet, thus completely cutting off outside contact, with Jing Shu there to bring her many goods, she had managed to trade insects for enough food to feed the entire village.

Jing Shu looked at Xiao Wei. This means she’s even more prolific than before!

"No worries, don’t be nervous..." Jing Shu reassured her.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief, thinking that something serious had happened.

"How have you all been recently?" Jing Shu asked, noting they were better off than most people in Wu City, with clothes to wear and food to eat.

"Sigh, the weather is getting colder, so we’ve moved underground by using the insects to dig tunnels," one of them replied.

"We have food and clothing, but lately it has been so cold, we’re running out of Fuel, and the caves aren’t warm anymore. No matter how many clothes we wear, it’s still cold. The key issue is Xiao Wei... she might be sleeping a lot because it’s too cold."

After hearing their story, Jing Shu nodded. Other issues were manageable, but the biggest concern was the deteriorating living conditions.

"That’s why I’m here this time... to take you all with me, to leave the deep mountains. This place is no longer livable. The temperature may drop to minus seventy degrees Celsius soon!"

"The most important thing is, there’s a mission that we need to complete together!"

Following that, Jing Shu began to explain the stakes and the gravity of the situation. She also played the video recording of her conversation with Zhang Lang for Xiao Wei and her clan to see.

Xiao Wei’s clan, not venturing out, feared most that Xiao Wei would be exposed, captured, and treated as a monster. But now, with the Township Government’s stance, Zhang Lang’s support, Jing Shu’s assurances, and the prospect of building roads without exposing their identities...

Xiao Wei’s clan had no reason to refuse. They immediately gathered their belongings and began to prepare for the migration of their entire clan with Jing Shu.

When it came down to it, there wasn’t much to take—only a few dozen ordinary members. The rest consisted of various foods, clothes, and some other useful items.

Everyone took everything they could, not sparing even what seemed like useless junk, not even cups and bowls; after all, they had plenty of insects to carry things.

The giant insects could carry quite a lot of items.

The most labor-intensive part was that Jing Shu also had to make several tent vehicles for them. After all, Xiao Wei, as the egg-laying queen, had an exceptionally large lower body and had to rely on a dozen worker insects to carry her.