novelhk Chapter 59 An Unexpected Joy!
Chapter 59 An Unexpected Joy!
Just then, a series of hurried and ingratiating footsteps came from the side.
Zhao Yanzhi rubbed his hands together, his arrogance completely gone, replaced by an almost obsequious caution.
He didn't even dare to look directly at Jiang Ming's still-dripping mask, and could only fix his gaze on the silver armor plate on Jiang Ming's chest.
"Jiang... Jiang Ming."
Zhao Yanzhi swallowed, his voice a little dry.
Jiang Ming stopped wiping the sword and turned his head slightly.
Without a word, the sheer oppressive aura emanating from the steel armor caused Zhao Yan to instinctively take a half-step back.
"What's up?"
The two simple words struck Zhao Yanzhi's heart like a heavy hammer.
Zhao Yanzhi took a deep breath, suppressing the fear in his heart, and pointed to the deer carcass on the ground, which was as big as a small mountain.
"Um... Brother Jiang, you've seen the weather, it's so hot and humid. If we just leave all this meat out like this, it'll go bad in less than two days."
Jiang Ming didn't reply, but just looked at him quietly.
Zhao Yanzhi felt a chill run down his spine from being stared at, and quickly threw out his own chips.
"I have a member here who's from western Hunan. His family has a long-standing tradition of making smoked meat! As long as there's wood, even in this kind of weather, the smoked meat he makes can last for a year or two without spoiling!"
As he spoke, he carefully observed Jiang Ming's reaction.
"We can help process this batch of meat..."
Jiang Ming raised an eyebrow slightly beneath his mask.
This is indeed a problem.
Although he has a storage card, the space is only five cubic meters.
The room was already crammed with all sorts of supplies, weapons, and food that had been looted earlier; it simply couldn't hold such a large deer.
If we let this flesh rot, it would be an abomination to the heavens in this increasingly resource-scarce alien world.
"condition."
Jiang Ming's voice remained calm.
Zhao Yanzhi was overjoyed and held up two fingers.
"Twenty percent! We only want twenty percent of the finished meat! After all, none of us brothers have the ability to hunt this kind of monster; we can only follow Brother Jiang and have a taste of the soup."
Jiang Ming quickly calculated in his mind.
Twenty percent, or about one hundred pounds, of meat is used to preserve the remaining several hundred pounds of meat for a long time.
This deal is a good one.
Moreover, by getting rid of this tedious logistical work, he and his teammates could free up their hands to do something more important—to explore the area around the school.
"Can."
Jiang Ming nodded and casually pointed to Zhong Chengyu, who was assisting Wang Yang not far away.
"Old Zhong, call your roommate with the injured leg downstairs."
Zhong Chengyu paused for a moment, then understood Jiang Ming's meaning, turned around and ran upstairs.
Less than two minutes later, the boy with bandages wrapped around his leg limped down the road.
Jiang Ming walked up to him, patted his thin shoulder, and the sound of the iron gauntlet striking bones made the boy tremble.
"You don't need to come out with us later, you can stay here..."
Jiang Ming pointed to Zhao Yanzhi's group.
"Keep an eye on them when they prepare the meat. If they skimp on even a pound or two, or cheat us out of our venison, just tell me."
The boy nodded frantically, like he was pounding garlic.
"Don't worry, Brother Jiang! I... I'll keep a close eye on them!"
After arranging the logistics, Jiang Ming turned around and looked at Wang Yang, who was wiping his axe, and Li Bin, who was cleaning his glasses.
"Stop dawdling, pack your things, let's go check out the area around the school."
Jiang Ming looked up at the two eerie red suns overhead and the vast, unfamiliar mountains in the distance.
The once vast and dense forest has completely disappeared.
In its place lies a vast, undulating mountain range.
The entire school was like an isolated island, forcibly embedded in this wild world.
"If we don't figure out what the situation is in the surrounding area, we might not even know how we died."
Jiang Ming's voice turned somber.
"You guys grab your weapons and come with me for a walk."
"Okay!"
Wang Yang picked up the still-dripping Blazing Battle Axe and excitedly swung it twice, creating a wave of heat.
Li Bin silently checked the highly poisonous piercing device on his waist and the makeshift trap he had made the night before in his backpack.
Zhong Chengyu held the ghost-faced round shield that Jiang Ming had given him last night. Although it was a bit heavy, the solid sense of security it gave him made him feel much more at ease.
The four had just finished getting their gear ready and were about to head towards the smashed dormitory building entrance.
"Wait a moment!"
A clear, yet somewhat urgent female voice blocked their path.
Xu Shishi pulled Su Xiaoxiao along and ran quickly over from the side.
She changed into a neat tracksuit, but still wore the black brass knuckles stained with dried blood.
Su Xiaoxiao, carrying a small medicine box with cartoon patterns on her back, hid behind Xu Shishi, only revealing a pair of timid eyes.
Jiang Ming stopped, a puzzled expression on his face beneath the mask.
"What's wrong?"
He turned around and looked down at the two girls.
Xu Shishi spoke up: "Take us with you!"
Give me a reason to bring you along.
Jiang Ming's voice was completely flat, as if he were discussing a business deal.
"You've seen what's happening outside; even a rabbit could kill someone. I don't have the energy to be a babysitter; I only need useful people."
Xu Shishi's face tightened at the direct question, but she was clearly prepared.
"I won't be a burden! You've seen my skills; ordinary goblins can't even get close to me!"
She raised her fist, which was adorned with brass knuckles, her eyes resolute.
"Moreover, although Xiaoxiao is timid, she drew a very useful buff skill last night."
Xu Shishi pulled Su Xiaoxiao from behind her to the front, as if showing off a secret weapon.
"A skill that increases strength will definitely be a huge help!"
Jiang Ming raised an eyebrow slightly beneath his mask.
A skill that increases the Strength attribute?
In times like these, such buff skills are a rare find.
"real?"
Su Xiaoxiao shrank back, frightened by Jiang Ming's oppressive gaze, and stammered:
"Yes...it's true, it can...it can temporarily boost other people's strength attributes."
Jiang Ming's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Use it on me."
He gave the order without room for argument, taking a step forward as the gust of wind from his silver breastplate ruffled Su Xiaoxiao's hair.
"what?"
Su Xiaoxiao was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting Jiang Ming to be so direct.
"Do you want me to repeat it a second time?"
Jiang Ming's voice deepened.
"No...no!"
Su Xiaoxiao shuddered in fright and quickly stretched out her right hand, palm facing Jiang Ming's broad breastplate.
"Battle... our combat strength has increased!"
hum!
A pale yellow light burst forth from her palm, like a lively ribbon of light, and went straight into Jiang Ming's body.
next second.
Jiang Ming's eyes, hidden beneath his mask, suddenly widened.
A warm yet violent energy, like a flood bursting its banks, instantly washed over his limbs and bones.
The full plate armor that was originally quite heavy now felt as light as a thin shirt.
The heavy black iron horse-slaying sword in his hand felt as light as a feather.
[Benefited by skill: Strength +5!]