Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

Sumali stopped lingering in bed and quickly sat up.

But she still had some doubts: "Don't people in the Central Plains value returning home for the New Year? Who would sell land at this time? Aren't they ashamed to face their ancestors?"

Liu Xingmo laughed: "It's not that exaggerated. Besides, there's someone selling houses and land right next door, isn't there?"

"Liu San Niang?" Su Mali suddenly realized, "You mean the properties of the prisoners who were arrested in the spy case..."

"We can get it cheap!" Liu Xingmo grinned, revealing two rows of gleaming teeth. "Two or three thousand dollars is enough to buy land in Central City! I specifically inquired about it at the newspaper office last time; it can't be wrong. Let's hurry, or we'll miss out!"

"Midtown, okay. Moving there isn't bad; it's convenient, has a wide variety of goods, and will save a lot on travel and transportation costs." Sumari thought carefully, then couldn't help but frown. "But alchemy has certain dangers; it can cause fires, which is too fatal."

"Then let's build a sturdy house, bricks and cement. If necessary, we can buy some steel to make reinforcing bars and pour them into the main beams. That should be safe, right?"

"But what about the cost..."

"It's okay, Bao Hei is capable. He can earn tens of dollars a day pulling a minecart. If I bring blood potions and dried fish and shrimp, I can make that guy run back and forth several times a day and earn hundreds of dollars a day! If he works for three months, he can save up several thousand dollars."

"That turtle, alright, don't force it."

Liu Xingmo had calculated his family income.

That gold nugget from before is about enough for use in the gold refining equipment.

Working in the mine for a few months earns enough to buy land and build a house.

In addition, the newspaper's salary was used to purchase elixirs and miraculous medicines to aid in cultivation.

……

Although Liu Xingmo is only at the first level of cultivation, he has the ability to earn money beyond his level and can support a family all by himself.

As an alchemist, Sumari also enjoys a substantial income. Once the alchemy workshop begins operation, her income level will reach the third tier, earning her hundreds of dollars a day.

After finishing breakfast, the two tidied themselves up and took their wallets.

Dress Bao Hei in a fur coat as well.

Liu Xingmo and Su Mali sat in the soft deer fur and hurried towards the central city.

As soon as you leave the mine, the blinding sunlight and the biting cold wind attack you without mercy.

Liu Xingmo was prepared and simply covered himself and his wife with an old cotton quilt.

Several more heavy snowfalls have blanketed the world in snow. Only the streets, frequented by people, are swept clean daily.

Walking along the birch-lined avenue, the entire village comes into view.

The newly built wooden house was half-buried in the snow, and wisps of blue smoke rose from the chimney, stretching long in the cold wind before finally merging into the gray sky.

A hundred-meter-tall giant tree, its branches adorned with a string of icicles, occasionally drips a drop or two of water, which hits the frozen snow crust with a crisp sound before quickly dissipating into the boundless silence.

As for the more distant mountain peaks, they were completely buried in snow, leaving only their rounded outlines, which shone brightly under the golden beams of light that pierced through the clouds.

Liu Xingmo was tucked into the blanket, with only half of his head showing, gazing at the vast snow-capped mountains and forests.

Sumari simply buried herself in the deer fur and slept on the smooth tortoise shell. This capable woman, only in the early morning, resembled an ordinary girl.

White breath puffed from Baohei's nostrils, and its four legs moved with the speed of the wind. Today, it had left the mine and no longer had to be a laborer. It felt refreshed and invigorated, and even carrying two people on its back felt like nothing.

By noon, the city center was in sight.

It was a plain in the snow-capped mountains, a vast, flat, white snowfield.

All the wooden houses were completely buried in snow. As for the few tall buildings, only their spires covered in white frost were visible.

The residents of Midtown still live in their old houses, and they have dug out streets under the snow, creating a world without the cold wind.

At the end of the birch avenue, the old turtle arrived at its final stop.

The specially cleared area was surrounded by several meters of deep snow, and tunnels of various sizes had been dug out of the snow, leading to unknown places.

This station remains bustling even in winter, with many diligent people sticking to their posts.

Liu Xingmo sent Bao Hei to a snowdrift where he was looked after by a special person.

He and Sumali walked hand in hand toward a snow cave and onto the street beneath the ice and snow.

Everything was white, not particularly dark.

In this season, the melting snow freezes into ice before it can even reach the ground. Ice encases snow, and snow encases ice, creating a very solid ice shell.

After walking a short distance in the tunnel, small holes appeared on both sides of the road, leading to the front doors of each household.

The town I used to know has changed completely.

Liu Xingmo had been delivering newspapers for many years and was very familiar with the terrain.

He held his wife's hand, and without even needing to figure out which way to go, they could walk accurately towards their destination.

The further you go in, the more pedestrians you see.

The young vendor carried a straw rake, which was covered with candied hawthorns.

The elderly couple, nestled together, strolled slowly through their memories.

There was also a large group of children chasing and playing, their eyes only on their friends' smiling faces, completely ignoring other pedestrians.

Winter is such a season.

It was probably noon by then.

Liu Xingmo and Su Mali found a family.

There are several houses near the river, scattered at different heights and connected together, forming a beautiful villa in the summer.

Of course, at this time it was covered in snow, so you couldn't tell what it was.

Liu Xingmo took his wife's hand and led her into a snow cave, arriving at a vermilion gate.

"Knock knock knock!" He knocked on the door knocker.

After a long while, the small door on the main gate opened, revealing the face of a sorrowful woman.

Liu Xingmo smiled and said, "Hello, we're here to look at the house."

"Coming at this hour? Never mind, come in." The homeowner opened the door. The woman appeared to be in her forties or fifties, but her hair was dry and white.

Liu Xingmo looked around and asked directly, "How much did you sell the house for?"

"Twenty thousand yuan, no bargaining," the woman said calmly. There was hardly any emotion in her tone; she was simply stating a matter of course.

Liu Xingmo didn't think the price was acceptable: "Show us around, and we'll decide after we've seen it."

The woman walked silently ahead, displaying her magnificent home.

It is indeed a nice place, with a sophisticated layout and luxurious decoration.

The varnished red pine flooring had a deep, reflective sheen, the beautiful oak furniture was meticulously crafted, and even the windowpanes were crystal clear without a single bubble.

Many rooms are furnished with beautiful storage shelves, now covered in a layer of dust. Presumably, there were once valuable collections displayed here, but now they are empty.

This family is not doing well, so they need to sell their house in the winter. If you include the interior renovations, the house is indeed worth the asking price of 20,000.

Liu Xingmo spoke up: "I've got my eye on this house. How about two thousand yuan?"