Goblin Heavy Dependence

Chapter 346 Introduction to Relationships and Unexpected Situations

Xia Nan is going on a long trip.

If we were to travel to the technologically advanced modern world before, it wouldn't be difficult as long as we know how to utilize some relevant tools and channels.

To some extent, if you're really too lazy to go through all that trouble, you can even go without any prior planning, deciding on your destination on the day of departure. With enough money, you can take your phone and some cash and embark on a spontaneous domestic trip.

With a highly developed tourism industry, a transportation system covering land, sea, and air, and the information explosion of the Internet age, the vast population of the country he lived in in his previous life, and the information he had accumulated online over the years, even in the most remote and unknown corners, could be found through careful online searches. It is possible to find logs and related precautions left by an unknown traveler many years ago.

For many people living in his world, the only limitation to taking a long trip is the trade-off between work and money, whether or not they are willing to step out of their comfort zone during their precious vacation, get out of their warm bed, and push open the door to go outside.

But the situation is completely different now.

Perhaps the legendary Barto Purgatory outside the material world has formed a massive industrial system, capable of producing massive amounts of weapons for the multiverse in a manner similar to a factory assembly line.

Perhaps the magically advanced city of Huancai, as described by adventurers, already possesses a sophisticated urban structure, with the convenience of magic permeating the daily lives of every resident.

However, for the vast majority of creatures inhabiting the continent of Aifara, their living environment is still at the level of the previous medieval period.

The existence of supernatural forces did not make their lives happier.

The great deity they devoutly worship has become the subject of irreconcilable conflicts between races, nations, and regions due to disputes over faith.

Isolation, division, and intrigue...

This vast continent is like a giant palette, where the color blocks appear to blend together, but in reality, they are separated and independent under the guidance of various forces.

Here's a simple example.

A clergy member of the "Santia" sect, the goddess of agriculture, discovered a special type of wheat with a much higher yield than before after years of research.

If this type of wheat could spread widely throughout the world, it could potentially feed seven figures more ordinary people.

For the vast majority of ordinary people, this is undoubtedly a good thing.

But can things really develop so smoothly?

Not necessarily.

After all, the spread of this special type of wheat, to some extent, also signifies the spread of the "Shangtia" goddess belief.

Faith itself is generated by all living things and has an invisible and intangible, but real, upper limit.

If you go from being a general believer who worships multiple gods to becoming a devout fanatic of a particular deity, then the faith received by the other great beings will decrease accordingly.

If you spend an entire day praying in the church of the agricultural goddess "Shentia" for a bountiful harvest, then the prayer time that should have been reserved for the forest goddess "Melika" and the earth god "Gulamba" will have to be reduced or even canceled.

The gods are not emotionless wish-granting machines; they have their own personalities, different stances, and distinct styles of doing things.

Even among so-called close allies, when the other party's reach extends into their territory, attempting to spread and harvest faith among their followers, how many would sit idly by?

Therefore, no matter how advanced the civilization in a certain region may be, or even if it has already entered the stage of industrialization ahead of schedule, possessing railways and huge steam-powered machines, it is still a significant development.

However, this did not affect the poor residents of a remote village nearby, who toiled day and night in the fields, burdened with heavy taxes, just to survive the coming winter and avoid starving to death in the cold wind and snow.

Xia Nan needed to make meticulous and thorough preparations for this trip.

First, regarding the supplies needed during the journey.

Needless to say, the equipment is excellent.

Armed to the teeth, wearing a full set of enchanted gear, maximizing their combat power to deal with any dangers they might encounter on their journey.

However, spare boots, changes of clothes, waterproof ponchos and raincoats, fire starters, ropes, camping tools... all need to be prepared in advance.

In other words, with the [Tears of Spring] on you, you can use "Secondary Healing" three times a day, which is enough to deal with most minor injuries.

Otherwise, Xia Nan would probably have to stuff a lot of medical supplies such as bandages and splints into his backpack.

Food preparations also need to be made.

While hunting wasn't difficult for him, he didn't want to have to survive in the wilderness while traveling.

Therefore, before setting off, he also needs to prepare a sufficient amount of food that is easy to carry and does not easily spoil.

Similar to jerky, smoked fish, hard cheese, and dark bread.

But since they don't have any storage items, even if they are physically strong, they can only carry so much. Their backpacks can't be used entirely to store food; they also need to store other items.

If we eat sparingly and combine this with hunting in the wild, this food can only last for half a month at most.

Therefore, route planning became of paramount importance.

Reality is not a game; it's not like you can just flick the mouse and click on the screen and your character will "whoosh" past.

The journey from River Valley Town to Fish Bay in the Southern Islands will take nearly fifty days, during which Xia Nan will need to stop in several towns to prepare and replenish supplies.

We might have to travel by boat for a few stretches of waterway in between.

The journey is long and arduous.

In this situation, how to devise a safe, reliable, and convenient route becomes another problem.

Fortunately, River Valley Town is a major town for adventurers, attracting a large number of adventurers from all over the world. Information from the surrounding areas converges here, including many who have traveled to the Southern Islands.

Spending a little money to buy a few drinks can also reveal subtle details that you would never be aware of if you didn't bring them up.

For example, local customs, residents' lifestyles, taboos, and the weather...

At the same time, due to the special nature of River Valley Town, Xia Nan bought a map marked with River Valley Town and Sucker Bay. Just to be on the safe side, he also bought an extra copy to mark and annotate the various information he had inquired about.

But even after arriving here, the preparations are far from over.

There are many things to consider when planning a route.

Are the borders of the noble territories you pass through tense? Are there any areas occupied by dangerous monsters? Do you need to take a detour to reach the same destination? What are the differences between main roads and side paths? Are the villages along the way welcoming to outsiders? Are there any taboos to be aware of?

Even in extreme situations, can one temporarily change their route, or even return the way they came...?

After three whole days of preparation in River Valley Town, Xia Nan felt like his head was about to explode.

Every night after training, he would lock himself in his room, frowning at the map he had filled with all sorts of notes. He had prepared three backup routes and a large number of branching points along the way.

That is to say, he had a complete and systematic education in his previous life, and then honed his skills in the workplace for several years, so he had a certain ability in information summarization and analysis; otherwise, he might not have been able to handle it.

Today, having finally completed the initial planning, Xia Nan decided to treat himself to a good meal.

In a classic corner of the White Sparrow Tavern's main hall, he ordered a whole table of delicious dishes. His current financial situation might not be as good as it was during his peak when his savings exceeded four figures, but after receiving the rewards from the three commissioned tasks, even after deducting the 500 gold expense from [Purgatory Pulse], he still had 542 gold, 8 silver, and 3 copper in cash.

He doesn't have any gambling addictions or weapon forging expenses. He only spends money on food, which is enough for him to live a carefree life in town for quite some time.

"Ding-bang."

The wine glass gently fell back onto the table.

With his Adam's apple bobbing, Xia Nan pursed his lips, savoring the fresh, sweet cream flavor on his tongue, which, after being washed by the mellow wine, carried a slightly astringent taste.

His gaze fell upon Fuyuki and Lillie in front of him.

River Valley Town is a popular destination for adventurers and merchants looking to strike it rich. As long as you are hardworking, you will never lack job opportunities.

Within three days, both young people had found jobs that suited them.

Lillie found a job as a seamstress in a small tailor shop in town. She was still on probation, but she heard that she was doing a good job and had a good chance of being hired permanently.

Fuyuki successfully became an apprentice at the town's post station, doing odd jobs like preparing hay, feeding horses, and shoveling horse manure. Due to the special nature of the post station, he was able to come into contact with a large number of people of different backgrounds, including adventurers, just as he had planned.

Neither of them earned much money, but it was more than enough to support themselves.

In three days, Lillie's plain white dress used in the sacrificial ceremony had been changed into a simple linen garment for easy work; Fuyuki's hunter's attire had also been locked away in the deepest part of his wardrobe, and he was simply wearing a brown shirt that was commonplace among the townspeople.

However, the mental state of the two people has undergone tremendous changes compared to when they were in Fog Lantern Village.

She smiled more, no longer looked preoccupied, and her body was no longer tense; she seemed much more relaxed.

It gives people a sense of youthful vigor, like someone basking in the sunshine and striving towards the future.

Xia Nan couldn't help but feel gratified.

Even if he didn't consider himself a particularly kind person, when he saw two kind and simple young people whose tragic fate was changed by his casual act and gradually moved towards the light, he was deeply moved.

Deep down, he still felt an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

I feel that my choice has not been in vain.

"Mr. Xia Nan, you said... you're going on a long trip?"

Lillie took a small sip of the broth in front of her and asked softly.

"Going south." Xia Nan nodded slightly. "I probably won't be back for another three or four months."

"So far!?" Dongshu's mouth dropped open involuntarily, his face filled with longing. "I really envy you. The farthest place I've ever been in my life is now River Valley Town."

Recalling the map in the hotel room that was filled with dense notes, Xia Nan's face showed little emotion, but he shook his head with a pain in his heart.

He specifically called the two of them over today, not just to treat them to dinner.

The journey takes nearly a hundred days, during which so much can happen.

He didn't want to wait until he finally finished his mission and returned, hoping to see how things were going with the young couple, only to find that either Fuyuki or Lillie had died due to some circumstance that shouldn't have happened.

Therefore, I thought I would make some preparations before setting off.

For example... call out an old friend who you originally planned to introduce to the two of them after the adventure, even if you don't take good care of them, at least let them become acquainted with each other first.

"Clap, clap."

Mixed with the scraping sound of metal armor, dull footsteps came from beside me.

The dining table, which was originally filled with the aroma of food, suddenly had an even more familiar smell to Xia Nan: the fishy smell emanating from goblin blood.

"Green Blood" Adeline didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly next to Xia Nan.

I poured myself a full glass of ale and drank it all in one gulp.

She casually wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, her gaze sweeping over Fuyuki and Lillie across the table, who seemed a little nervous about her presence.

His gaze shifted to the black-haired youth beside him, a smile appearing on his face:

"These are the two little guys you were talking about?"

After saying that, without waiting for Xia Nan's reply, he took the initiative to start a conversation with the two young men.

"I heard you come from a village near the canyon where the fog lamp grass grows, that's quite far... What made you decide to come to River Valley Town?"

"Have you all found jobs? Would you like me to introduce you to a few good ones?"

"So you want to be an adventurer? Do you have any prior experience...? Hunter? Of course you do, but..."

During the past two days, Xia Nan had naturally exchanged ideas with Adeline while preparing for his long journey.

She knew that although the other party had already obtained a professional level, she was still leading the group of ordinary adventurers.

The tasks I usually take on are mostly clearing out goblin lairs, which are relatively less dangerous.

After all, given the other person's personality, they wouldn't abandon their teammates just because they've become a professional.

In addition, she herself had even lower material desires than Xia Nan. After the death of the red-maned bear goblin that attacked her family and village, she almost entered a state of having avenged her great enemy and having no desires.

There is no motivation to move forward.

For a long time to come, I'll probably stay in River Valley Town, working as a professional with a few teammates to do simple tasks and earn some extra money.

Since she was about to embark on a long journey and wouldn't be back for more than three months, she wanted to introduce Fuyuki and Lillie to each other in advance, so that Adeline could help look after them a little.

They wouldn't die inexplicably and absurdly in some corner of town because of some trouble that they could easily solve.

Just as the atmosphere between Adeline, Fuyuki, and Lillie became increasingly harmonious and their conversation grew more lively.

Another familiar figure appeared at the tavern door.

Her shoulder-length blonde hair swayed violently with her hurried steps, and silver earrings above her earlobes were constantly revealed in the strands of hair.

He was still wearing the uniform of an Adventurers' Guild receptionist.

Jasmine walked into the tavern, looking around until Xia Nan's figure came into view, at which point she breathed a slight sigh of relief and walked straight over.

"Mr. Xia Nan, there's been news about the equipment you consigned to the association!"

(End of this chapter)