Chapter 15: A Tremendous Harvest

Inside the cave.

Liu Hen saw Black Stone entering and immediately handed over a newly made small-sized thermal jacket. “This is for you. Put it on.”

Little Black Stone was somewhat overwhelmed with gratitude—she even had her own share?

“Thank you, sir!”

Knowing she must obey every command from her master, she didn’t hesitate. She took off the only piece of clothing she had and put on the small thermal jacket.

Soon, she was astonished; the jacket was incredibly comfortable and warm.

Liu Hen prepared another thermal jacket and smiled, “This is the ‘Bark Thermal Jacket.’ It absorbs sweat and gets stronger, with many benefits you’ll discover in time. There are no pants yet, so just wear the coat for now.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Black Stone was so moved that tears almost welled up again. She obediently put on the oversized coat, which was still too large for her.

Growing up, she had hardly ever worn decent clothes.

Yet since following her master, in such a short time, she had received so many privileges that she wished she could immediately devote herself completely to him.

Liu Hen, unaware of her thoughts, returned to the campfire in high spirits, retrieved the bark porridge, and took a big gulp.

...

Outside the wall.

The Wu siblings caught the scent of food and their eyes lit up.

For the wastelanders to survive in such a dark and extreme environment, a keen nose was an essential skill.

“Was it made so quickly this time?”

“Smells delicious!”

The other four were eager to try.

“Don’t rush. This might be the master’s own food. Ours might have just begun.”

Wu Yuanming led a few underlings away and whispered, “Be patient. Meanwhile, let’s discuss the price of the jacket—how many magic crystals can we afford at most?”

...

Since Liu Hen remembered the taste of food from Earth and wasn’t particularly hungry yet, he only felt his hunger fade quickly this time.

Moreover, the bark porridge remnants, after all the essence had been extracted, tasted awful—almost like eating dirt.

Still, he knew he wasn’t in a position to be picky, so he forced himself to keep drinking. As long as it filled his stomach, that was good enough.

After drinking about two and a half jin in one go, his stomach nearly full, he stopped and handed the rest to Black Stone. “Finish it.”

“Sir, I just ate last night,” Black Stone replied quickly, feeling it wasteful to eat so frequently.

She had already eaten a full meal the night before and could probably last five days without intense activity.

With sheer willpower, she could even hold out for seven days.

That’s how she had survived before.

“You eat when I tell you to,” Liu Hen said coldly.

“Th-thank you, sir!” Black Stone’s nose tingled, and she quickly picked up the large bowl, overwhelmed with emotion, drinking heartily through tears.

“Eating once every few days—that’s not living,” Liu Hen said, recalling his near-starvation with a shudder. “That’s mere survival, not life.”

Life?

What was that?

Black Stone didn’t understand; all she knew was that her master treated her so well—feeding her twice in such a short time, and both times she was full.

This time, even her small stomach felt a bit stretched.

“Don’t blame me for speaking harshly, but with your current condition, if you go out like this, you’ll embarrass me. You’re at a crucial growth stage. I’ll gradually increase your food intake so you can recover quickly.”

“Mm-hmm, Black Stone remembers.”

Wiping away tears, her expression resolute, she buried all her gratitude deep in her heart and vowed to repay her master with actions.

---

Liu Hen said no more. He casually wore a coat over the snug bark thermal jacket and cooked another portion of bark porridge. Then he picked up the all-purpose pickaxe again to pass the time digging the cave.

After about half an hour, he collected a finished thermal jacket from the workbench, took a second portion of bark porridge, and, with Little Black Stone, stepped outside.

‘Hope it sells,’ he thought silently.

If this deal went through, his “golden finger” would level up quickly, greatly enhancing his survival skills in this misty night world.

As soon as they exited the cave, a howling cold wind blasted them.

Yet, both wearing thermal jackets, they barely felt the chill—at least from the waist up.

The biting wind that once could kill now barely affected them.

“Greetings, Lord Liu Hen.”

Seeing Liu Hen emerge, the Wu siblings quickly saluted.

This time, they were even more respectful, their faces full of reverence after witnessing the extraordinary power of an ability user once again.

Wu Yuanming still wore the jacket, unwilling to take it off—he seemed decided to buy it, if the price was affordable.

Liu Hen waved his hand, pulling out the bark porridge. “Eat first. We’ll talk after.”

“Yes, thank you, sir.”

The Wu siblings eagerly began sharing the porridge.

Although not their first time eating it, the steaming hot porridge brought satisfied expressions to all five faces.

In this freezing environment, enjoying hot food was itself a luxury.

Soon, after the bowls were emptied, the pristine large bowls vanished into thin air.

Although it wasn’t their first time witnessing this, the five couldn’t help but marvel.

The meaning of existence... such matters were profoundly mysterious to them.

Seeing them finish, Liu Hen said, “I suppose you’ve realized the miracle of the ‘Bark Thermal Jacket.’ What are your thoughts?”

“The Bark Thermal Jacket? The name fits perfectly!” Wu Yuanming exclaimed. “Your skills are amazing, sir. This jacket is tailor-made for wastelanders like us.”

Liu Hen smiled, “The jacket’s effects are deeper than they appear. It absorbs body sweat to upgrade itself. The longer you wear it, the thicker and tougher it becomes—like young bark maturing into old bark, warm and protective.”

Wastelanders might wear a single garment their entire lives. Slow upgrades were acceptable, and if undamaged, it could even be passed down to descendants.

“This...”

“It upgrades by absorbing sweat?”

The Wu siblings exchanged glances, astonished yet concerned.

Because this jacket was already treasure-level. They feared the price would be beyond their means.

Wu Yuanming took a deep breath and asked solemnly, “Lord Liu Hen, how many magic crystals for one jacket?”

“Not expensive. One hundred magic crystals will do,” Liu Hen replied.

One hundred crystals was a price Liu Hen set based on the Wu siblings’ approximate status.

Although it didn’t fully reflect the jacket’s value, it considered the buyer’s affordability.

Selling directly to the campfolk could yield more crystals but carried high risks.

Besides, Liu Hen wasn’t sure if the campfolk even needed such jackets.

Better to let others shoulder that risk. He would be the original manufacturer.

The cost to make one jacket was negligible—just one magic crystal for the easily obtained bark.

He only needed to make a hundredfold profit, letting others earn some as well, helping spread the word and expand the market.

As expected, the Wu siblings sighed with relief hearing the final price.

It was just within their budget.

Wu Yuanming said excitedly, “Sir, you truly are a fair merchant. I’ll buy this jacket.”

They could only afford one because the rest of their crystals were reserved for supplies at the Red Snail Camp.

“Don’t rush.”

---

Liu Hen took out another jacket and smiled, “You’re traveling merchants—business is your trade. You wouldn’t just buy one jacket and have five people share it, right?”

“This...” Wu Yuanming hesitated, uncertain if such an expensive item would sell. He was wary of risking too much.

If it failed, it would be disastrous.

He thought a moment, then said, “I can try selling the one I’m wearing first.”

If it sold, he could come back to buy more.

“But have you considered whether others would want to wear a jacket you’ve already worn? Also, as fellow wastelanders, you know how wary we are of the unknown. How would others trust you?”

Liu Hen said, “These ability-user-made items might not be trusted by outsiders. Only if you wear one yourself and demonstrate its safety can you increase the chances of selling.”

“I... suppose that makes sense.”

Wu Yuanming nodded, admiringly, “Truly worthy of Lord Liu Hen.”

Liu Hen smiled slightly; such sales tactics had long been overused on Earth.

Still, Wu Yuanming remained hesitant—too much risk for their modest business.

“Besides, this is only my temporary base. I won’t wait here forever for you.”

Liu Hen looked at Wu Yuanming, gently persuading, “Not counting last night, our last meeting was over half a year ago, when I was still an ordinary man. You should understand, I only recently awakened my powers. Few know I’m an ability user. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even have the chance to do business with me. Such a rare opportunity—are you really going to miss it?”

Wu Yuanming understood. Ability users were scarce; Liu Hen was the only one they’d ever met.

Such chances were extremely rare.

Suddenly, the second brother Wu Yuanguang said, “Big brother, if it really doesn’t sell, we can just wear them ourselves. Wearing them on monster hunts will keep us safer and help us earn magic crystals faster. Either way, we won’t lose out.”

The other three also looked to their eldest brother.

Wu Yuanming felt tempted, pondering briefly, then asked, “We have less than two hundred magic crystals. Can we pay some with bark porridge?”

“That’s possible. But this is a trade, so bark porridge will be valued at Red Snail Camp prices.”

Liu Hen said, “One jin of bark porridge counts as one magic crystal.”

Food is essential, so he didn’t refuse.

“Alright, that works!” Wu Yuanming gritted his teeth, deciding to take the gamble.

He also believed the jacket’s true value far exceeded one hundred magic crystals, and they could make a profit.

Anyway, he didn’t intend to sell such treasures to ordinary wastelanders—his target was scavenger squads like theirs.

Having made up his mind, he quickly had his men gather their resources.

In the end, they amassed one hundred sixty magic crystals plus forty jin of bark porridge and placed them in the trade window.

‘No wonder the Wu siblings can afford a meal a day—they really have money!’ Liu Hen thought, excited but expressionless.

He waved, collecting the crystals and porridge, then handed the jacket to Wu Yuanming with a smile. “Then these two bark thermal jackets are yours. Welcome again.”

“Thank you, Lord Liu Hen. We won’t keep you any longer.”

Wu Yuanming took the jacket, inspected it carefully to ensure it was intact and seemingly new, then quickly left with his four men.

He intended to bring the jacket to Red Snail Camp.

Only the people there could pay a high price.

Their scavenger squad was well acquainted with the camp’s steward Chen.

He had even prepared an excuse—that he bought the jacket from an ability user far away for a high price. If it sold, he would return for more.

With profit potential and future benefits in sight, Red Snail Camp likely wouldn’t cheat them.

After all, pampered campfolk seldom ventured out themselves and relied heavily on traveling merchants like them.