Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

In late autumn, the mountains and forests are shrouded in a thin layer of mist, and the colorful trees seem to be covered with a white veil.

On the towering mountain, towering trees grow, their canopies blocking out the sun. Golden sunlight filters through the bare branches, casting crisscrossing shadows, and amidst these shadows, a human the size of a squirrel darts along the path.

The dry, cold northwest wind carried the scent of fallen leaves and vegetation, and the cries of firewood vendors could be heard from the roadside from time to time.

Liu Xingmo kept an eye on the prices on the signs.

The further away from the city center, the cheaper the price. In the bustling procession, people would occasionally stop to end their short journey.

Firewood's target customers are Midtown residents who don't have fruit trees as fixed assets and have to buy them.

Liu Xingmo also saw the attractive price and couldn't help but slow down.

Liu Yizhu shouted, "Hurry up! At this rate, when will we get outside the city?"

Liu Xingmo pointed to the pile of pine needles by the roadside: "I think these are quite good."

"Then I'll walk by myself." Liu Yizhu waved the reins, urging the bullfrog on.

"Don't rush, are you that short of money? Can't you even come up with a dollar or two?" Liu Xingmo drove up to catch up.

"My savings have all gone into your pocket."

"I'm so sorry, I caught your bullfrog."

"It has nothing to do with you, it's my fault. Luckily you stopped that beast in time, preventing it from harming innocent passersby. Otherwise..." Liu Yizhu gritted his teeth, "otherwise I would never forgive myself."

Liu Xingmo fell silent.

His parents died eight years ago in an attack by a strange beast; Liu Yizhu's parents also perished in that incident.

Two more orphans were suddenly born into this world.

However, as a reincarnated person, Liu Xingmo quickly adapted to independent life. It's just unknown how Liu Yizhu has managed all these years.

Liu Xingmo asked, "What kind of work do you do now?"

"I'm in the patrol team, currently just a foot soldier, but I'll become a commander someday," Liu Yizhu said, looking up. Then he added in a low voice, "The old forests aren't safe in autumn; all sorts of wild animals roam around. I've been temporarily laid off, so I'm a bit short on cash lately."

"They're doing this for your own good. Once you reach the third tier and have a powerful contracted beast, you'll be able to take on important responsibilities."

"I hope so."

The cart moved slowly forward.

As the sun rose high in the sky, a warm feeling filled the mountains.

That's how autumn is in the mountains and fields—the temperature fluctuates wildly, like a woman's face.

Baohei kicked its four legs and completely collapsed, lying on its stomach.

Although it is a naturally born rare beast, its rank is too low, and its luck cannot boost its physical strength.

It had run so far; it really had done its best. The three beetles had already begun taking turns resting on the cart.

Liu Xingmo could only pull the car to the side of the road and set up camp for a short rest.

He took out food from the package in the car, fed the turtle dried fish and the beetle preserved fruit.

Liu Xingmo himself took out a boiled chestnut the size of his head and ate it with a silver spoon.

The sweet, soft, and chewy golden starch melted in my mouth, and I gradually regained my strength. It was a pity the conditions were simple; it would have tasted even better if it had been hot.

The chestnuts were a bit dry after being wolfed down. Then I took out a bottle of beverage and pulled out the cork.

Orange liquid ripples inside a clear glass bottle, with tiny bubbles constantly forming, floating, and exploding.

This is a blend of orange juice, honey, soda water, and low-alcohol beverages, and its clear aroma wafts out from the bottle opening.

Liu Xingmo took a deep breath of the alcohol, then chug down half a bottle, finally letting out a satisfying burp.

On the other side, Liu Yizhu also stopped his car.

He untied the bullfrog's reins and drove it into the jungle.

When the man and the frog returned, the man was carrying pine needles scattered along the road, while the frog had two large grasshoppers in its mouth.

Liu Yizhu took out a tinderbox, lit the pine needles to make a bonfire, and used two of them to skewer grasshoppers to start grilling.

Liu Xingmo was utterly speechless.

Seriously? Dude, you, the number one genius of Black Dragon Village, have ended up like this? All the young guys who have ideals and are working hard to cultivate are going to cry.

Liu Xingmo broke the chestnuts in half and took a bottle of fruit wine, giving them to Liu Yizhu along with the chestnuts.

Liu Yizhu took the large grasshopper blankly and handed it to Liu Xingmo.

Liu Xingmo held a string of pine needles with grasshoppers on it, then simply stuck chestnuts on it as well, and roasted them over the campfire.

Soon, the aroma of caramelized protein filled the air, mingling with the sweet scent of chestnuts, rising slowly into the sky along with the pine resin.

Bring the skewer to your mouth and bite into the grasshopper.

"Crunch! Crunch!"

Not bad, it's an extra dish to go with the drinks.

While eating and drinking, Liu Xingmo took a moment to say, "Liu Yizhu, I think you can broaden your thinking and come up with some ways to make money."

"What method?"

"Use your genius status as leverage! At the very least, you could... go teach!"

"My talent comes from my physical constitution, and has nothing to do with hard work, intelligence, or comprehension. I can't teach students."

"That's not what I meant. Just because of your reputation, a whole bunch of people would be willing to give you money; you could totally..."

The usually calm and taciturn Liu Yizhu suddenly roared, "I refuse to accept charity!"

Liu Xingmo was speechless, and stammered, "Well said, that's what I think too."

"Indeed. Liu Xingmo, you are much smarter than me, and extremely talented. I've inquired about you, and you live very well on your own, completely different from me."

"Uh, I'm not that good." Liu Xingmo shook the glass bottle, the orange-yellow liquid shimmering beautifully in the sunlight. He took a sip and sighed, "Stop talking, just drink!"

Liu Yizhu raised his head and looked into the distance, lost in thought.

He uncorked the bottle and took a small sip.

His lifeless, dead fish eyes widened instantly: "What is this? It tastes so good!"

"Hehe, it's homemade. Take this bubbly soda water, for example, only my wife knows how to make it in the whole village."

"Wow! How much is this bottle of wine worth?"

"There must be at least three or four pieces, right? This is what I brewed this spring. I made too much at once! I was hoping to make a fortune, but who knew..."

At this point, Liu Xingmo's smug expression suddenly vanished.

"Who knew a master would sneak up overnight and steal my secret recipe? All my efforts have gone down the drain! Damn Jinli Restaurant, I'll remember this grudge!"

Liu Yizhu's gaze was deep and unfathomable: "Liu Xingmo, all these years, have you ever thought about avenging your parents?"

"Of course there are..." Liu Xingmo said with an awkward smile, then fell silent.

Liu Yizhu stared into his eyes.

Liu Xingmo's face flushed red. "Of course I've thought about revenge! But I'm not like you, who jumped straight to the second tier as soon as you grew up and can easily break through to the third tier with a little practice. I'm still struggling at the fourth level of the first tier. What am I supposed to do? What else can I do?"

"Stop talking, drink up." Liu Yizhu tilted his head back and gulped down half a bottle of wine.

The sun is tilting westward.

The two handcarts were on the road again.