Traveling Between Two Worlds: From Bread for Maids to Fantasy Overlord

The smoke from the battle on the city walls had not yet dissipated, and the air was filled with a faint smell of blood and kerosene, mixed with the dampness of the earth, which was carried throughout Qin Family Fort by the evening breeze. The city walls, which had been filled with the deafening shouts of battle just moments before, were now finally quiet, with only a few guards remaining on duty. Their weary figures leaned against the battlements, panting heavily, but their faces showed the relief of surviving a disaster.

Huang Yiming leaned against the cold city wall, his eyes slightly lowered, his fingertips gently tracing the cold barrel of his pistol. He had just killed the bandit leader and intimidated the cultivators with two consecutive shots, seemingly effortless, but in reality, his mind had been on edge. Now, as he relaxed, an overwhelming weariness washed over him. He looked towards Black Wind Ridge; the night was as dark as ink, obscuring the distant scenery, but he knew this was only temporary calm. The Black Stone Sect's revenge would come sooner or later; this rest was merely the calm before the storm.

"Young Master, please rest." A soft, gentle voice sounded beside him. Yang Xiu, carrying a rough porcelain tray, hurried to Huang Yiming's side, her small face full of heartache, her eyes still tinged with lingering fear. On the tray were a bowl of warm rice soup, two coarse grain buns, and a piece of braised meat wrapped in a clean cloth—the only rare food available in the fortress.

Yang Xiu carefully handed the tray to Huang Yiming, gently brushing the dust off his shoulder with her hand, her movements as delicate as if she were afraid of breaking a precious treasure. Looking at the bruises under Huang Yiming's eyes, she softened her voice even more: "My heart was in my throat during the battle just now, I was so afraid something would happen to you. Please eat something to tide you over, and I'll wipe your sweat."

As she spoke, Yang Xiu picked up a clean piece of linen, dampened it with warm water, and, standing on tiptoe, gently wiped the thin layer of sweat from Huang Yiming's forehead. Her movements were clumsy yet earnest; her fingertips occasionally brushed against his skin, carrying a faint warmth that instantly relaxed Huang Yiming's tense nerves, a warm current welling up in his heart. In this unfamiliar fantasy world, Yang Xiu was his initial bond and his purest source of warmth. No matter what, this girl would always silently stay by his side, never abandoning him.

Huang Yiming took the rice porridge, the warm liquid sliding down his throat and dispelling the chill. Looking at Yang Xiu's concerned eyes, he reached out and gently patted her head, his voice soft, "I'm fine, I'm sorry to have worried you. You eat too, don't just think about me." Yang Xiu's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded obediently, but she only nibbled on her steamed bun, her gaze fixed on Huang Yiming, unwilling to look away.

On the stone steps not far away, Qin Hu sat cross-legged, clutching three coarse grain buns in his arms and a piece of braised meat in his hand. He was wolfing them down, his cheeks bulging, looking like a hamster hoarding food. His appetite was already enormous, and the fierce battle had exhausted him; now he ate with even less restraint, finishing a bun in a few bites while muttering indistinctly, "Brother Huang, you're amazing! One shot and you've taken down that bandit leader and those two stinking Taoist priests, scaring them half to death! That was so satisfying!"

As Qin Hu ate, he gestured animatedly about the battle that had just taken place. In his excitement, he almost threw the steamed bun he was holding, causing the guards on duty nearby to burst into laughter. After finishing his own portion, he stared longingly at the half-eaten bun in Huang Yiming's hand, his honest face clearly saying "I want more," but too embarrassed to speak up, he could only scratch his head and chuckle foolishly. His adorable appearance made Yang Xiu cover her mouth and chuckle.

Huang Yiming shook his head helplessly and handed the remaining steamed buns to Qin Hu. Qin Hu's eyes lit up, and he quickly took them, thanking him repeatedly before devouring them. During the break, Huang Yiming got up and checked his storage space. He immersed his mental energy into it, and the modern supplies were clearly visible: only nine pistol bullets left, thirty spare arrows for the improved crossbow, two bags each of refined salt and white sugar, ample supplies of ibuprofen, antibiotics, hemostatic powder, and other medicines, as well as several packets of fruit candy, biscuits, and the cloth and tools he had brought earlier.

He secretly calculated that while the banditry was temporarily quelled, the Black Stone Sect cultivators were still watching with predatory intent. He needed to quickly stockpile more war supplies, especially ammunition and medicine, as these were fundamental to his survival. Furthermore, Qin Family Fort's defenses remained weak; high walls and powerful crossbows alone were insufficient to withstand a large-scale attack from the cultivators. He would need to utilize modern knowledge to reinforce the defenses and create more simple weapons to cope with the coming crises.

Just as Huang Yiming was taking inventory of the supplies, Qin Yuling, clad in light armor, slowly walked up the city wall. A hint of weariness lingered on her cool face, but her eyes were filled with unwavering resolve. She had just finished inspecting the defenses, comforting the wounded guards, and handling post-battle matters. Now, she quickly approached Huang Yiming, her voice clear yet concerned: "The casualties have been tallied. Eleven are seriously wounded, and over thirty are lightly wounded. All have been properly cared for. The provisions and arrows have also been inventoried and stored. The remaining bandits have scattered and fled; they shouldn't be attacking again anytime soon."

Her gaze fell on Huang Yiming, noticing his slightly weary expression. A pang of heartache rose in her heart, but restrained by her pride, she didn't show it. She simply stood silently beside him, gazing at the fortress under the night sky with him. In the moonlight, their figures standing side by side appeared exceptionally well-matched. Yang Xiu sensed the subtle atmosphere and obediently stepped aside, tidying up the empty trays so as not to disturb them. A faint trace of bitterness flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination—as long as she could stay by the young master's side, she would be content.

Huang Yiming nodded, praising Qin Yuling's competence: "Thank you for your hard work. In the next few days, we need to strengthen the city's defenses, especially the back mountain and side gates, to guard against cultivators' sneak attacks. Also, we need to appease the people and refugees within the fortress; winning their hearts is essential to stabilizing the defenses." Qin Yuling agreed, her eyes fixed intently on him, carefully noting down every word. At this moment, she had shed her usual haughty and aloof demeanor, leaving only complete trust and devotion.

As night deepened, moonlight bathed the city walls in a warm and tranquil glow. Yang Xiu stood guard beside Huang Yiming, massaging his shoulders and back to ease his fatigue. Qin Hu, leaning against the battlements, yawned as he stood watch after a hearty meal, occasionally glancing warily into the distance, not forgetting to lick the remaining scraps of braised meat clean—his stingy, gluttonous manner amused the guards. Huang Yiming and Qin Yuling discussed subsequent defense plans in hushed tones, their teamwork impeccable. This seemingly peaceful night of rest was actually fraught with undercurrents—unbeknownst to anyone, the Black Stone Sect cultivators were secretly plotting a far greater conspiracy. Huang Yiming's fingers traced the shaft of his gun, secretly considering how to exchange refined salt and sugar for supplies and manufacture simple gunpowder; the idea of ​​upgrading his firearms grew increasingly clear.