Chapter 51: Sixth Brother Blacksmith
Yu Jiang was willing to drive and kill zombies because the 5% shield on the vehicle had already been corroded by acid rain.
However, it took much longer than a normal vehicle, 12 hours.
She didn’t plan to repair the shield.
Acid rain could only corrode her car paint; it couldn’t damage the anti-corrosion materials worth 500 crystal coins, as long as she paid attention to the vehicle’s status.
With vehicle wear and tear under 50%, she didn’t need a repair card; she’d wait until the acid rain passed.
Today she traveled 300 kilometers. Yu Jiang planned to complete the weekly mission in three days, then the instance mission.
The acid rain was really uncomfortable. The trees seen on the road were all withered and decayed, the sparse weeds were severely corroded, and the scenes on both sides of the highway had completely changed.
Not a blade of grass grew; no supplies could be gathered.
There was no wood for making fire either. In 10-degree weather, even instant noodles were hard to prepare.
Yu Jiang checked her stock of small wood—several hundred pieces. She wouldn’t touch it for now and would see how the weather went.
Things only fetch a good price when everyone is short on them.
After a day passed, the public screen was full of requests for vehicle anti-corrosion covers, polyester fiber fabric, raincoats, and clean water.
As night approached, survival grew harder; many couldn’t take it and vented bitterly on the public screen.
In the friend group, at Han Jiang Gu Ying’s suggestion, everyone reported they were safe.
Sad Pig Intestine: “Report! I’m fine here. The anti-corrosion spray is very effective, and I have repair cards in reserve!”
Pure Love Cockroach Spicy Spicy: “Me too!”
28-bar Bicycle: “My scrap vehicle has been upgraded!”
X: “Everything normal.”
Seeing that her friends were all in good shape, chatting in the channel and even joking around, Yu Jiang’s mood eased quite a bit.
Once everyone had reported safe, Sad Pig Intestine sent another message,
“The snowflake crisps I made for everyone have been distributed. I ran into a mutated zombie this afternoon while driving away, so it was a bit late.”
Kuang Kuang Kuang: “No problem! You’re more important! Be sure to protect yourself.”
The King Called Me to Patrol the Mountain: “If you’re short on meds, just say so. I’ll figure something out. If not, team up with me. We’ll meet on the parallel road; I can heal you.”
Pig Intestine mustn’t have any accidents. Finding a teammate who cooks well and gets along great was too hard!
As long as Pig Intestine didn’t backstab, Yu Jiang would help him survive as much as possible.
Pursuing quality of life here, food and RV setup were equally important!
Hand Holding Cleaver Chopping Wire: “Exactly! Brother, protect yourself! If you can’t beat them, run first. You can team up with me too. As long as you reach the parallel road, I’ll fight for you!”
X: “+1”
Lightning Mage King: “When you go team up with the big shot Pig Intestine, bring me along. I’ll bring the pig herder! Whoever comes gets zapped!”
Purple Butt Can Do It: “I can’t fight, but if you’re short on any materials, tell me. I’ll try to help you.”
Everyone chimed in; like Yu Jiang, they feared losing the cook in the team.
Life without Pig Intestine would be too tough.
Sad Pig Intestine read everyone’s messages, warmth filling his heart. If nicknames could be changed, he’d switch to Happy Pig Intestine.
“Thanks everyone! Tonight I’m preparing to make some mixed rice simply. I’ll send it to you all soon! Using the rice everyone gave me yesterday, so no need for ingredients.”
Yu Jiang: “Wait two days for me; I’ll help you upgrade to a level 3 vehicle!”
There would be abandoned vehicles on the road; she’d go scavenging.
Once Pig Intestine’s vehicle level went up, its defense and speed would improve—not to mention the larger vehicle space making food crafting more convenient.
Soon, Yu Jiang received the snowflake crisps from Pig Intestine and couldn’t wait to taste one. It was so delicious!
After eating one, she wanted more, but she saved the rest.
The portion wasn’t much; maybe she’d encounter a sweets-loving monster NPC later. This would max out favorability!
Around 7:30 PM, Pig Intestine sent dinner.
Yu Jiang had given extra ingredients, so her mixed rice came with a soft-boiled egg and beef.
Small chili pepper and green pepper plus prepared seasonings, poured with hot oil, some carrot shreds, all mixed evenly with the rice, topped with soft-boiled egg and beef.
It smelled amazing and tasted even better.
One bite, and survival pressure and the desolate highway were no big deal!
Her vehicle storage box still had sausages and cured meat, all scavenged from Little Raccoon Supermarket. Next time, she could use those for mixed rice.
Friends’ messages were all praise for Pig Intestine’s cooking.
Purple Butt Can Do It: “Any extra rice left? I have a blacksmith here willing to pay top price for a bowl. He can make cleavers.”
Things made by a blacksmith were worlds apart from randomly picked-up cleavers.
Others sought him for weapons at sky-high prices.
Sad Pig Intestine: “!!! Yes yes, come get it with a bowl. What’s the price for a pot too?”
Purple Butt Can Do It: “20 iron blocks is fine.”
Sad Pig Intestine: “Deal. Sending it now. Once new kitchenware arrives, I’ll make you all even tastier food!”
Kuang Kuang Kuang: “@Purple Butt Can Do It, can the blacksmith make arrowheads? What’s the price!”
Purple Butt Can Do It: “I’ll ask and reply soon! Want me to pull him in? @The King Called Me to Patrol the Mountain”
Yu Jiang: “No problem.”
A blacksmith who could make weapons! Many friends here needed one; pulling him in was great.
Half a minute later, Sixth Brother Blacksmith joined the friend group chat channel.
Had to say, this nickname was really sneaky player level.
Sixth Brother Blacksmith: “Hello big shots. I’m a level 2 blacksmith. Call me Sixth Brother or Blacksmith. I can make arrowheads! Also parts for traps.”
“Pig Intestine’s food is too fragrant. Since entering the game, first time eating such delicious food. Thanks!”
Sad Pig Intestine: “No need to be polite. Full yet? I have a bit more.”
Sixth Brother Blacksmith: “Not yet. Gotta do some proper work first, or I’d feel bad eating. I’ll list what everyone needs and try to finish ASAP.”
Sad Pig Intestine’s cleaver had to come first; couldn’t delay the cook making food.
Kuang Kuang Kuang: “No rush! Take your time, Blacksmith big shot!”
Han Jiang Gu Ying: “Tell me if you need anything.”
Those two—one needed arrowhead upgrades, the other trap devices like iron wire. Roadside junk couldn’t handle mutated zombies, so seeing a blacksmith got them extra excited.
Yu Jiang looked at her gear; only the bayonet was worth forging.
It was like the selectable weapon she’d gotten from Shi Xu’s nighttime driving challenge for professional level up mission.
He needed special upgrade materials to improve specialized weapon quality.
Yu Jiang’s bayonet modification was poison quenching; wondered if forging could boost attack.
The deep green quality weapon showed it needed a level 4 blacksmith to forge.
No rush; wait till Sixth Brother Blacksmith’s professional achievement leveled up.
