novelraw Chapter 115: Returning to the Camp
Chapter 115: Returning to the Camp
Next, Li Wei traveled rapidly the whole way. Very quickly, he arrived outside that Abandoned Farmstead from before. From far away, he could see smoke soaring into the sky, and faintly hear mournful wails and vicious curses. Truth be told, there truly was an atmosphere akin to the descent of demons.
It was the Mare Inn's landlady; she was burned to death just like that.
Meanwhile, those refugees were watching the spectacle from afar, which was quite ironic.
Li Wei didn't want to court trouble and chose to detour. He journeyed all the way back to the mountain pass. After ensuring there were no trackers, he dug up all the Table Salt and packed it into his bundle. Following this, he strung his Two-Star Composite Bow and drew out his feather arrows, readying himself for combat at any moment.
Just as he was planning to return along his original path.
He suddenly had an indescribable feeling. Without any hesitation, he immediately crouched down, concealing his body amidst the vegetation.
After waiting for about roughly ten seconds, Li Wei suddenly saw a flock of pitch-black crows flying over from the mountain forest far to the east, cawing loudly and flying toward that Abandoned Farmstead. They appeared exceedingly enraged.
Had that black-robed Witch recovered from her injuries and made a comeback?
Where was she?
Li Wei didn't dare to go investigate. He could only remain absolutely motionless, watching the south.Those crows likewise didn't dare to land. They solely circled incessantly above the Abandoned Farmstead, giving mournful cries, as if giving a send-off to that innkeeper who had been burned to death.
This scene was extremely terrifying.
Li Wei could even hear something called 'fury' from those crows' cries, as if the flames of anger were about to burn to their limits.
However, inside the Abandoned Farmstead, those two Garrison Knights remained completely indifferent. Alternatively, some of the accompanying soldiers were a bit panicked.
Watching from afar, Li Wei was actually quite anticipating the outbreak of a massive battle, so he could see exactly what level this low-magic world possessed.
However, he waited for almost half an hour, watching as those two Garrison Knights led their troops and turned back, yet still, nothing happened.
For the time being, let's consider the Witch controlling the crows as a Witch... She seemingly could only control crows and blood wolves. Yet even with mutated blood wolves, there was a high probability they still couldn't defeat the Garrison Knights.
This set Li Wei's mind greatly at ease. Otherwise, if the opposite side directly tossed over a massive fireball, how could he continue playing?
Additionally, this Witch seemed to be collaborating with Bandits, which seemingly could also explain some issues.
"I'm just afraid that if these Witches can't defeat Kakh City, they'll target the family Camp instead!"
Li Wei thought with some worry in his heart. Although the family had suddenly gained seven Senior Players this time, all looking incredibly awesome, whether they were reliable or not still remained to be seen.
Next, Li Wei patiently waited another roughly half an hour before hitting the road. He experienced no further ripples along the way. Around dusk, he finally saw the family Camp, which he had been separated from for many days, from afar.
That city wall truly commanded attention amidst this mountain forest, particularly a newly constructed Arrow Tower, making the family Camp increasingly resemble a castle.
For a moment, Li Wei was deeply moved.
It was hard to imagine that he had actually genuinely completed such a task, albeit spending over thirty gold coins from beginning to end—equivalent to consuming over three hundred Contribution points.
However, he believed it was worth it. Extremely worth it.
During this trip to Kakh City, he had brought back four types of seeds in total: wheat, pumpkin, flax, and beans. He purchased two pieces of equipment, upgraded the one-star Wooden Spear, and obtained a title.
Most importantly, with only half the month passed, he had already obtained 100 family Contribution points. The position of Head of Household next month was already his without a doubt.
"Hi! George! You're back! Was this trip smooth?"
Across the stream, someone was calling out. It was indeed Braised Egg Pete. At this moment, he was returning carrying a Fish Basket on his back, seemingly with no small harvest.
It was worth mentioning that ever since Li Wei left the Camp and headed to Kakh City, he had never received any messages from other family members. Perhaps it was because the distance was too immense.
Then naturally, the other players shouldn't know about his feat of killing the two-star mutated blood wolf and obtaining 50 Contribution points.
He also didn't know to what extent this gang of Senior Players had developed?
"Uncle Pete, thank you for your concern. Everything went relatively smoothly."
Li Wei revealed a sincere smile.
"That's good. We've been worrying about you non-stop. The current Lord of Kakh City is a madman; his orders change from morning to night, and he is entirely unreasonable. It's just great that you were able to return! Right, how is the situation over in Kakh City? When I left there not long ago, that madman Lord was still indiscriminately hunting down Witches, causing widespread panic in Kakh City."
Braised Egg Pete asked again, very naturally.
"Everything is alright, just that the city entry tax is too high." Li Wei answered ambiguously. The method by which he could enter Kakh City was exceedingly valuable intelligence; how could he casually blab it out?
He was no longer a newbie now; he wasn't easy to fool.
However, Braised Egg Pete continued to press, "George, did you come into contact with anyone infected with the Plague? Their bodies are completely covered in pustules and blisters. After festering, the stench is unmatched. If you have a wound on your body and carelessly bump into them, it's very easy to get infected."
"I did not. I was very careful."
Li Wei spoke perfunctorily, quickening his pace. At this time, the people in the Camp seemingly also spotted him. Soon, the clanging sounds of continuous bell chimes could be heard, followed by several figures hurriedly rushing out. The one taking the lead was Fila, holding an earthen pot in her hand that emitted some sort of bitter smell. Were these medicinal herbs?
"George, my child! These past few days, I've been so worried I couldn't eat or sleep! The gods protect us, you've finally returned safely! Quick, drink this. The Plague in Kakh City is immensely fierce; you must take precautions."
Fila looked very happy, shedding tears of joy in a manner that couldn't be more natural. However, these medicinal herbs were absolutely not free.
[Family member Fila has initiated a trade request with you, offering to sell a portion of One-Star Quality herbal potion used to prevent and cure the Plague. This potion possesses an excellent curative effect towards the first stage of the Plague. You must pay five Standard Gold Coins.]
—
Good heavens!
Five gold coins—even a lion opening its gaping maw wouldn't be this exaggerated!
Li Wei sneered coldly in his heart. So this was how awesome Senior Players were—they could even make such arrangements in advance. Had he not already been infected with the Plague and acquired first-stage immunity, at this very moment, he would have had no choice but to swallow his shattered teeth. Because there were no alternatives!
Additionally, over the past few days, he had truly protected himself very well. Apart from that hard bread and salted fish, he drew all his drinking water from the stream at the mountain pass, solely drinking it after boiling it.
Yet this Fila thought that his stroll through Kakh City would inevitably result in him catching the Plague. Or even if he hadn't caught it, he would still feel guilty and afraid. This method of earning petty cash was extremely sharp!
Unfortunately, she miscalculated!
Reject!
Li Wei didn't hesitate in the slightest.
At the same time, he also captured highly advantageous information right now.
Which was: regardless of how this group of Senior Players strutted around pretending to be so proper and capable—seemingly truly understanding Kakh City extremely well—in reality, their understanding of Kakh City was more akin to taking a world tour via a globe. They were genuinely entirely ignorant of Kakh City's current state!
Yes, this point was very important.
Otherwise, that Braised Egg Pete from just now wouldn't have kept spouting nonsense attempting to fish for intelligence.
Otherwise, this Fila wouldn't have taken it for granted and whipped out a portion of one-star medicinal herbs, thinking Li Wei would buy them.
Because none of them had truly been to Kakh City. They were merely actors.
Just like if I roleplayed Han Li, could I massacre all sides? If I shouted "Draw it with the sword," could I truly draw down a bolt of divine lightning?
Therefore, if they had truly been to Kakh City, they would know that the situation over there was indeed very severe, but not to the extent of causing a devastating catastrophe for players who possessed Level 1 Awakening. They would push through it very quickly. Moreover, as long as one figured out a way to resolve the identity issue, Kakh City was still highly nourishing.
Of course, presumably, this gang wouldn't know about the Curse of the Kakh Family matter either.
As these thoughts flashed past in an instant, Li Wei simultaneously revealed a happy and confident smile. Opening his arms, under the gaze of several people, he hopped around twice.
"Mother, don't worry. Aren't I perfectly fine right now? I can eat, sleep, jump, and run! Keep these medicinal herbs to save for those in need. Speaking of which, right now I miss the mushroom meat soup and white bread made by Mother the most. Oh, right, Mother, this is the Table Salt I purchased and brought back. Take a look at its quality."
While speaking, Li Wei had already swiftly pulled out a bundle densely wrapped in the rainproof Cloak from his backpack. It was a little over five kilograms.
Meanwhile, Fila across from him finally jammed up a bit, essentially experiencing a bit of an out-of-character flub. She didn't care whether Li Wei had managed to buy back the full quota of Table Salt or not, but this was medicine she had boiled using one-star medicinal herbs! And you actually dared to refuse it!
Fuck you!
"This is truly excellent, George, my good son. Truly, you are simply our hope. However, you should still drink this medicine. This medicine can prevent and cure the Plague. You did just return from Kakh City after all. We shouldn't fear the predictable, but the unpredictable, right?"
Fila smiled even more radiantly, her tone growing even more benevolent. Simultaneously, she initiated the trade once more.
The price dropped this time: four gold coins.
Screw off. Reject.
A smile still remained on Li Wei's face. He held the bundled Table Salt with both hands, while Fila held the medicine pot. This scene looked a bit bizarre. Of course, Li Wei wasn't anxious at all. He had returned after completing his task and was handing the Table Salt to the chef in accordance with the rules. No matter how you looked at it, this didn't count as a violation.
And Fila?
She was riding a tiger and finding it hard to get off!
[Family member Fila has initiated a trade request with you, offering to sell a portion of One-Star Quality herbal potion used to prevent and cure the Plague. You must pay three Standard Gold Coins.]
—
A price drop again. Hehe, reject!
As a Senior Player, surely you can withstand the loss of a mere five gold coins, right?
Li Wei still carried a smile on his face, not uttering a word, waiting to see who would cave first.
After another two seconds passed, Fila opposite him finally put down the medicine pot in her hands. However, no trace of humiliated anger could be seen in her expression. Instead, she received the Table Salt handed over by Li Wei with a face full of gratification.
"It's good that you're fine. Let's go home quickly, there's still time for dinner. Dashing about outside these past days, you must have been working very hard."
Saying this so smilingly, Fila kicked that medicine pot right into the bushes.
Since Li Wei hadn't been infected with the Plague, the preventive medicinal soup she had painstakingly prepared had lost its meaning. Since this item couldn't be preserved either, if she didn't throw it away, was she going to wait for others to purchase it?
Simply wretched luck.