Chapter 77: Maybe They're Not from Li Family Village?
On the endless wilderness, occasional beast roars pierced the silence, tightening the nerves of the traveling group.
"These damned beasts!" someone cursed.
Ten years ago, they'd lived peaceful lives. Though working day and night to survive, they could at least sit down with beer and decent food after each day's labor.
Now mere survival had become a luxury. You never knew whether dawn would bring tomorrow or disaster.
"Don't worry, sunrise isn't far off," Chen Guodong said cheerfully. "Once we reach Song Family Fortress, we'll trade for grain, salt, and currency. Everyone can buy what they need."
The group's faces brightened at these words.
The former Gu Family Village members exchanged glances. Could this distribution include them too?
"Old Chen..."
Gu Jianghai's voice trailed off uncertainly.
Chen Guodong waved away the unspoken question. He'd already discussed this with Chen Fan last night, and the young man had raised no objections. His old comrades wouldn't oppose it either.
This small privilege was the hunting team's rightful due.
Walking at the rear, Chen Fan overheard the exchange and turned to Gu Ze. "I thought Song Fortress only took gold or barter? They use money there?"
Gu Ze blinked in surprise. "You've never visited? They accept three methods: precious metals, barter, and currency. Old-world money's worthless now. The new yuan comes in denominations from one to ten thousand."
Chen Fan's eyes widened.
This system sounded eerily familiar.
Though the previous currency had been called Sol.
"To honor the Awakened's decade of service," Gu Ze explained, "each bill features a different hero. The ten-thousand-yuan note shows Thunder Emperor, thousand-yuan has War Emperor, and so forth."
"If someone surpasses Thunder Emperor's achievements," he added, "we might see hundred-thousand-yuan notes bearing their likeness."
"Interesting design," Chen Fan nodded. "What's one yuan worth?"
"One pound of basic rice." Gu Ze held up a finger.
Chen Fan did quick math - ordinary beast meat would cost three yuan per pound then.
"What about gold? How much per gram?"
"Not much." Gu Ze shook his head. "A gold ring might fetch a few pounds of rice. Fancier pieces could get twenty. Useless for survival unless you're starving."
Chen Fan mused how gold's value mirrored water in deserts - worthless until desperately needed.
"What'll you buy with your share?" Gu Ze changed subjects.
"Depends what's available." Chen Fan shrugged.
The group walked in silence for another half-hour.
Two hours later, Chen Guodong rallied them: "Press on! Just one more hour!"
A sudden engine rumble interrupted.
Chen Fan whirled to see a truck approaching on the dirt road, closing fast.
"Zhao Village people," Liu Yong identified.
"Always flaunting their wealth," Gao Yang grumbled. "Burns five pounds of rice worth fuel each trip!"
Chen Guodong ordered: "Let them pass first."
Though Zhao Village showed only contempt, not hostility, their twenty-strong group might covet the hunters' laden carts.
They stood aside as the truck neared. Twenty passengers peered down, faces masked against dust.
"Which village scores this much game?" someone called.
"Can't tell with the masks. Li Village maybe?"
"Chen Village's too small. Must be Li's."
"Lucky bastards!"
In the truck's corner, Wei Tiangong's group stiffened. Those eyes... that posture...
"Chen Guodong!" Wei mouthed to his brother. This was Chen Village's team, likely including youths like Wang Ping. Their former home seemed stable enough to spare such surplus. The disguises made sense.
Their relief shattered as a voice提议: "Why not take their haul? Li Village steals anyway."
"Thirteen against twenty? Easy pickings!"
All eyes turned to Zhao San - their leader with serpentine eyes.
The man smirked. "Feasible."
"B-but," Wei Tianyuan stammered, "what if they're not Li Village?"
"Who cares?" a henchman sneered. "Kill any resisters."
Zhao San's crew cracked knuckles in anticipation. They only spared villages from lack of interest, not mercy. This bounty justified action.
Wei's group paled. Would they have to choose sides if fighting broke out?
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(Chapter End)
