Chapter 1960 Garbage and Junk
While the three of them were talking, they stowed the two Heavenly Fire Thunderous Strike Rings into their backpacks. Then, they picked up the bubbles, scraps of the metal shell, and even the parachute and cables. Resources were scarce in the Land of Sins. The items had their own usages and must not be wasted.
It was not until there was not a single metal scrap on the ground that they activated the shuttle again and sailed to the Village of Peace, which was made of dozens of iron-shelled boats in the middle of the lake.
The villagers collecting the resources that they saw on their way were not fighting crazily but doing their work in different roles. Some were staying on alert, some were scouting, some were organizing, and some were calculating the assets that had fallen from the sky. They left the impression that they were a well-trained, obedient army.
No wonder the village had existed in the lawless, dog-eat-dog Land of Sins for decades and expanded from several hundred people to thousands. Han Teâs master, nicknamed Sky Breaking Hammer, was indeed a remarkable leader.
Li Yao released his vague telepathic thoughts, which were bound to the many villagers like a gentle breeze, while he perceived their vitality.
He discovered that the villagers were both physically and mentally strong. Their spiritual energy was surging like tides, suggesting that they were all experts above average. They would be one of the best troops even in the federation.
On second thought, it did make sense. The angelsâor the Immortal Cultivatorsâtreated the sinners in such a way that only the strongest of them could survive in the abnormal Land of Sins. Those who were not strong or fortunate enough had probably long been killed.
Of course, what the angels blessed the sinners with were all untested techniques with great shortcomings and danger. After scanning roughly, Li Yao noticed many hidden injuries inside the limbs and internal organs of the villagers. The circulation of their spiritual energy was highly unsteady. The odds of them going mentally deranged were almost twenty times higher than regular training.
The shuttle gradually approached the Village of Peace.
Li Yao saw another astonishing view. Many villagersâmostly old people, women, and dirty childrenâwere burning incense and praying on the deck. They couldnât have looked more pious.
âThey are expressing their gratitude for the grace of the angels,â Liu Li said in a low voice. âThanking the angels for bestowing so many weapons and assets upon us, which may imply that the angels are watching over us and will continue to protect us in the âBliss Ceremonyâ in half a month. We will be given more things, and the Village of Peace will thrive even more.â
Hearing Liu Liâs explanation and looking at the children and the women in ragged clothes kowtowing on the rusty deck so hard that their heads were bleeding, Li Yao felt as if his soul was even colder. Some women who were too old even passed out.
The three of them drove the shuttle into the parking area between two iron-shelled boats. Walking up the half-broken stairs, they happened to run into a group of villagers who had picked up a lot of assets from the lake and returned with full loads of trophies.
Seeing that Han Te and Liu Li were back, a lot of villagers who had just finished picking up resources smiled and greeted them. The two of them returned their welcome courteously. Despite the chaos and perils of the outside world, the atmosphere within the village seemed genial enough.
Li Yao noticed that the metal cases they had picked up contained new weapons that were shining coldly, hideous armor, or spiritual energy bars that stored explosive energy. Few of the metal cases stored synthesized food that was highly compressed and looked like gray bricks.
There were more weapons than food. The intention was obvious. The angels, or Immortal Cultivators, preferred the sinners to fight for food with weapons than to wait for food to come down from the sky.
âCome on. Iâll bring Grandpa Yao to master!â
Having recovered thirty percent of his past strength, Han Te could not have been more excited. He wanted his master to learn the news immediately. In the meantime, âGrandpa Yaoâ could examine his masterâs body condition, too.
Pretending to be a common spiritual puppet, Li Yao rolled his tracks in squeaky noises and followed the two of them.
However, at this moment, a malicious voice shouted from behind the crowd, âHan Te, wait!â
It was a bunch of teenagers around the same age as Han Te. They were all brawny and apparently arrogant, with leather armor full of iron nails on their bodies and thick steel plates beneath their boots. They swaggered and squeezed through the villagers in intimidating noises.
The young man in the lead had a pair of triangular eyes as well as an enormous garlic-like nose that nobody could ignore. He licked Liu Liâs face with his greedy eyes at first before he turned to Han Te in disdain. âIâm told that you were bold enough to explore Area âA3â. That place is full of high radiation and all kinds of mutated beasts. Is someone as worthless as you really brave enough to do that? You werenât bluffing, were you?â
Han Te seemed to have a grudge with the triangular-eyed young man. His neck suddenly thickened in fury as he gravely said, âZhao Chong, I do not need to report where I am going to explore to you!â
The young man named Zhao Chong cackled like a crow. Instead of talking to Han Te, he walked up to Liu Li, with even more scorching brilliance beaming out of his triangle eyes. He said âsoftlyâ, âLiu Li, if you want to find some good stuff from the city ruins to earn money for the village leaderâs disease, why donât you come with us? Everybody knows that my father is one of the best explorers in the village. Otherwise, he wouldnât have been appointed as the captain of the exploration team! It will be both safe and rewarding if you come to explore with us. Wouldnât it be much better than following this useless man? Look at you. You are hurtâŠâ
Swallowing, he snatched at Liu Liâs arm that had been scratched with his hand that looked like an eagleâs claw.
âWhat are you doing!â Liu Li shrieked and took two steps back, disgusted by the guyâs abnormal hand caused by radiation. âDonât touch me!â
Han Te burst into fury and stepped between Zhao Chong and Liu Li. âZhao Chong, donât be so outrageous!â
âHehe. I was speaking the truth. You are useless. Am I wrong?â
Zhao Tong retracted his hand. With brutality and cruelty beaming out of his face, he rolled his triangular eyes for a moment and shifted his attention to Li Yao.
Li Yaoâs rusty, unattractive appearance slightly dazed him. Then he burst into wild laughter. âHahaha. Is this the treasure that you have found in Area A3 after searching for three days and three nights? A puppet for cleaning and maintenance, broken and riddles with holes. Even its tracks are falling. Thisâthis is a piece of junk!
âCome on, brothers. Take a good at the treasure that Han He discovered through arduous effort at the risk of his life. Tsk, tsk, tsk. The shaking mechanical arms, the twisted antenna, and the unsteady tracks. You can certainly get a hundred coins if you sell it on the black market, right?
âHowever, it suits Han Te very well. One of them is garbage, and the other is junk. Arenât they the perfect match?â
The unfriendly young people all laughed.
Han Te was so infuriated that dozens of thick veins protruded out of his forehead. He clenched his fists so hard that they were squeaking. Looking at Li Yao, he was uncertain of the attitude of âGrandpa Yaoâ. Taking a deep breath, he gnashed his teeth. âLiu Li, ignore them. Letâs go!â
âWait!â
With an expression of a cat teasing with a rat on his face, Zhao Chong extended his thick arm again and blocked Han Te and Liu Li.
Han Te could not have been angrier. âZhao Chong, what do you want? Are we not allowed to leave?â
âOf course you can.â Zhao Chong grinned hideously and looked at their backpacks. âHowever, the items that you found just now must stay.â
As it turned out, he had noticed that Han Te and Liu Li picked up the Heavenly Fire Thunderous Strike Rings on the shore through a telescope, and he wanted the two pieces of magical equipment.
âYou should be well-aware that all the assets from the sky are distributed fairly according to demand,â Zhao Chong said coldly. âThose who discover the assets do not own them, or everything would be a mess. This is the rule of our village, established by your master, Liu Liâs father, our great leader of the village who admires fairness more than anything else. What, are you keeping your discoveries to yourselves?â
âStop your slander!â Things became serious when the rule of the Village of Peace was questioned. His face flushed red, Han Te argued, âIt is true that this is the rule of our village, but the rule is only effective within the range of the lake. For the assets that have fallen to the shore, those who discover them have the privilege to use them first, as long as they trade with their quota of other assets!â
The two Heavenly Fire Thunder Strike Rings were both the magical equipment of the latest generation that was rather powerful. With the Bliss Ceremony coming near, Han Te naturally did not want to submit the weapons.
âThereâs indeed such a rule, but I clearly saw that the parachute fell to the lake first, and you picked it up from the shore, didnât you?â
Zhao Chong turned around and asked the unfriendly young people around him, âHey, thatâs the truth, right?â
âExactly. We saw it with our own eyes. Thatâs what happened!â
âIt clearly fell to the lake first before you picked it up from the shore!â
âGarbage. They are the belongings of the village. Hand over the items and get out of here!â
The young men were all shouting and helping Zhao Chong. Outnumbered, Han Te and Liu Li seemed unable to defend themselves.
âYouââ Han Te was at a loss for words.
âGarbage, one should not be so selfish. Even if you have a piece of excellent magical equipment, what can you do about it? Do you know how to use it? Do you deserve to use it?â
Zhao Chong continued looking at Han Te with his nostrils and demanded cockily, âYou know that the Bliss Ceremony is only several days away. Only by giving the best magical equipment to the strongest warriors will the village get the most resources. This is all in the interest of the village. What do you have to say?â
âExactly how long are you going to continue this nonsense?â Li Yaoâs soul was also yawning hard as he sent a stream of feeble waves directly to Han Teâs brain. âPlease, just start the fight already. Enough of the trash talk. Such clichĂ©s are a waste of everybodyâs time!â
Han Te was rather shocked. âWhoâwhoâs talking inside my head?â
âItâs me, Grandpa Yao!â
âGrandpa Yao, you want me to fight him?â
âOf course. What, you want to invite him to dinner? When he walked up to you with a hideous smile at the beginning, you shouldâve already punched him in the face. Why did you ramble on so much?â