Chapter 32: Chapter 32

With that in mind, Mu Ying headed into Marlene’s Bakery.

Compared to Bruce’s sloppy tavern and his own disheveled appearance, Madam Marlene and her bakery were the very picture of cleanliness and freshness.

Madam Marlene was a plump, middle-aged woman, dressed in a pale long dress and a white lace-trimmed apron. Her eyes curved gently when she smiled, radiating warmth.

The sample breads displayed in the window, just like Madam Marlene herself, made people feel happy just looking at them.

However, since many of the baked goods didn’t keep long, the only things regularly in stock were the cheaper breads.

The best-seller was the black bread—three for one copper coin. Next was the white bread at two copper coins apiece, and the baguette at three copper coins each.

Mu Ying bought a little of everything, planning to try them all, especially the legendary black bread.

The person ahead of her had just bought two copper coins’ worth of black bread, so it couldn’t be that bad, right?

She regretted it at dinner. The black bread lived up to its reputation: dark, hard, and could probably be used as a weapon. Without soaking it in hot soup, it was nearly impossible to eat.

Even after softening it, eating was still a struggle—she kept worrying it would scratch her throat.

She didn’t finish a single one of the three black breads, giving them all to Yuan Gun Gun to gnaw on.

Watching Yuan Gun Gun happily munching on a loaf taller than itself, Mu Ying genuinely envied its strong teeth.

The little guy had a big appetite and a broad palate. Even though it was still in its juvenile stage, its teeth were already better than hers—no wonder iron-eating beasts had such a reputation.

Thinking about the odd skill it had awakened from eating too much fruit, Mu Ying figured she might as well feed it more black bread. Soft, squishy fruit couldn’t compare to the destructive power of black bread.

“Gun Gun, no rush, eat slowly. When you’re done, I’ll buy you more—as much as you want,” Mu Ying said, gently stroking the little creature, full of anticipation.

“?” Yuan Gun Gun puffed out its cheeks, feeling its teeth ache a little.

In the block world, after another day of gathering, Mu Ying finally had enough wheat seeds.

She’d also crafted enough bread from wheat to last three or four days, so it was time to find a place to settle down.

Wheat needed to be planted near water to keep the soil moist, so a river was essential.

The area she was in was mountainous, and Mu Ying had her eye on the tallest peak.

The mountain was especially steep, with the side facing the river looking as if it had been sliced by a knife—nothing but bare rock. Mu Ying’s sharp eyes spotted plenty of coal blocks, so there must be lots of coal inside.

She chose to dig a cave at the southern foot of the mountain. The entrance opened onto a fairly flat stretch of grass, with the river right beside it—perfect for turning into wheat fields with a little work.

Across the river was a vast oak forest, stretching as far as the eye could see—ideal for gathering wood.

She dug a person-wide entrance, then widened the interior bit by bit.

Since she planned to stay here long-term, she even crafted a wooden door and installed it.

Inside, the cave was an 8×8×4 stone chamber, perfectly square. She placed two torches on the wall by the door and two on each of the other walls.

Along the wall with the door, she built two layers of stone steps. She’d also hollowed out a few blocks at the top of the wall, so she could climb up and see outside, while nothing from outside could get in.

Once she had time to dig up some sand from the river and install glass in the openings, it would be even safer.

The cave only held a bed, a chest, and a furnace. Everything she didn’t need for now was stored in the chest.

Digging out this makeshift shelter only took Mu Ying a few minutes; it was the farming that was more troublesome.

According to the wheat planting guide, the soil had to be kept moist, with water nearby.

Mu Ying had to dig two layers of soil, connect them to the river, then cover them with another layer of dirt—this way, the soil would stay moist.

Luckily, in this world, dirt and stone blocks didn’t collapse, so she didn’t have to worry about structural support—otherwise, things would be much trickier.

Compared to digging, tilling and sowing were much easier—almost like playing a game. One swing of the hoe, and the dirt turned into soft farmland.

After a lap with the hoe, a 10×20 plot of rich black soil appeared.

Then she scattered wheat seeds, one per block, and soon little green shoots poked up.

Sprinkling bone meal she’d crafted from collected bones sped things up even more—the wheat shot up as if on steroids, cutting the maturity time from five days to three.

“If only farming in real life were this easy,” Mu Ying sighed, admiring her freshly planted wheat field.

Unfortunately, once the hoe left this world, it lost its magic. Otherwise, she’d gladly postpone converting her backpack for a while."

"""Here we are—Qingshan Camp.""

""It's amazing. Before the apocalypse, we used to come here for training, and there was nothing here at all.""

Seven tall, buzz-cut young men stood at the camp gate, marveling at the sight.

""This wall doesn't look like it offers any protection at all. It's so low—are you sure zombies can't break through it?""

One of them reached out to punch the vine wall. A transparent ripple shimmered around his fist, but he couldn't penetrate it even an inch.

Seeing this, another guy also reached out and punched the air in front of him. Sure enough, the same ripple appeared.

""It's some kind of invisible air wall. No idea how it works."" The bespectacled one among them ran his hand along the air wall. ""These vines seem fake?""

""Hey, Four, Five, Six—stop studying the wall. There's a notice board over here.""

""Entry fee is 5 copper coins per day. I bet a lot of people can't afford to get in.""

""No cutting down trees? What's with that rule?""

""Anyone who damages the forest is denied entry. Excessive logging gets you charged double. Is this camp run by environmentalists or something?""

""Alright, the main force is right behind us. Let's pay up and get inside while we can."" The leader counted out 35 copper coins and pressed them against the territory shield.

""Who are you guys?"" It was early morning. Mu Ying had just come out of her nature-sensing trance when she saw these seven unfamiliar faces wandering around like they were at a zoo. A few had even run over to the plantation to inspect the white mist barrier, startling the family of sparrows on her shoulder.

This spot was a good hundred meters from the cluster of treehouses and not near the lake. At this hour, aside from her—the early riser tending the fields—no one else would be around.

""Miss, we're the advance party from the Binhai garrison. Just arrived at the camp today to scout things out for the main force. What's this white stuff?""

Military? They finally made it? They were later than she expected, but at least Bruce's long-awaited restaurant would have customers now, and she herself would be making more money.

""Oh, that? I have no idea. Anyway, you can't get in."" Mu Ying put on an innocent face, then pointed toward the cluster of treehouses. ""If you're new here, you should check over there. That's where all the shops are.""

""Thanks a lot."" The group headed in the direction Mu Ying indicated.

""That girl seems a bit odd, standing alone in front of a tree. What's she doing?"" The third guy couldn't help but glance back. He saw her staring off into space at a different tree now, the sparrows that had just flown away quietly perched on her shoulder again.

""Why are all those sparrows looking this way? I get the feeling they're watching us,"" said Five, shivering.