Free labor, that really saves me a ton of money!
Diana looked at Zhou Bai's happy expression, and couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile as well.
Then she finished making another piece of rain gear and delivered them all to Zhou Bai, "Here are sixty sets of gear. You can use them first!"
"Yeah, good work. I'll treat you to an extra meal tonight." With that, Zhou Bai grabbed the gear and left.
Before heading to the cafeteria, Zhou Bai stopped by the Heroic Spirit Hall.
When Zhou Bai arrived, the summoned Bayer and Danis were practicing swordplay and reading a medical scroll, respectively.
Seeing Zhou Bai, both instantly stopped what they were doing and stared eagerly at him.
No nonsense, Zhou Bai handed two sets of gear to them, "Put these on and come with me."
The two obediently did as told.
Then the three headed toward the cafeteria together.
**
Inside the cafeteria.
After Cao Jingshan's group had eaten their fill and changed into new clothes, their whole state improved, and the wounded were treated simply, their Life Value slowly rising.
Compared to them, Yu Ziming's group stuck in the corner were not so lucky.
Their wet clothes clung to their bodies, sending chills through them, and their stomachs kept growling. They had food on them, sure, but they couldn't exactly eat it raw!
Especially when the scent of steamed buns, rice porridge, and other food wafted over, it was pure torture.
"Yu Ziming, if I'd known, I wouldn't have listened to you."
"If we hadn't tried to rob them and just followed Cao Jingshan, we wouldn't be stuck like this now."
"Who knows how they'll deal with us? If they kick us out of the territory, can we even survive?"
Yu Ziming listened to the complaints, ignoring them. He knew, whatever he said now would be wrong, so better to say nothing.
Back when things were good, every word was 'Brother Yu.' Now? Heh.
While the group drifted in a daze, a system message arrived.
News of new territory rules and tasks.
The moment they heard it, they knew—it was aimed at them.
Several people instantly panicked.
Meanwhile, Zhou Zhengping's group also heard it.
Li Xingteng looked at Zhou Zhengping and said, "You really nailed it. Talk about fast—this territory reacts quick!"
As for Zhou Zhengping, after studying the freshly updated rules on the control panel for a bit, he smiled too.
His daughter is fast!
Thinking of Zhou Bai, just then Zhou Bai walked into the cafeteria, followed by curious Bayer and Danis.
Li Xingteng, sharp-eyed, quickly waved them over.
But Cao Jingshan's group were completely stunned.
"Th-th-that... what is that?" Someone pointed at Bayer and Danis, voice trembling.
"Those are territory-summoned NPCs." Ding Qiurou, among the crowd, helpfully reminded them. Another two NPCs summoned, Xiao Bai now had more people at hand.
NPCs? They thought they were humans—turns out they're spirits?
Everyone exchanged uncertain looks. Just how many 'surprises' does Hope Village have in store for them?
At this moment, Zhou Bai walked up, first handing Zhou Zhengping and Li Xingteng several sets of rain gear, "Diana asked me to bring these over, says it's for you guys from the territory as replacements."
Li Xingteng grinned as he accepted them, "The territory is truly awesome!" They didn't even have time to relax.
But they didn't mind. Aside from some special materials, their harvest was plentiful—they definitely weren't losing out.
Looking on, Zhong Yongmin and the others were full of envy—they could only wait out the cooldown. Fortunately, with a new batch of survivors, they'd sold plenty of stuff.
In the territory, the more people, the better after all.
Right after, Zhou Bai introduced Bayer and Danis behind him, "They're newly summoned NPCs in the territory. Diana asked me to bring them gear, so I brought them over with me."
Zhou Zhengping and Li Xingteng's gazes shifted to the two NPCs, noticing for the first time they now had positions.
[Bayer, Camp Commander]
[Doctor Dennis]
Their pupils contracted—was Bayer about to become their direct boss?
Bayer had already heard that Zhou Bai wanted him to take over the two squads of Soldiers, so he straightened and said sternly, "Bring the Soldiers, bring everyone, follow me!"
A fierce aura swept over the group.
Reflexively, Zhou Zhengping, Li Xingteng and the rest replied, "Yes, sir!"
They immediately gathered their people, ready to follow Bayer out.
Yu Ziming's group were dragged out under force, growing more frantic.
"Where are you taking me?"
"I don't want to leave here."
"Don't send me out—I'll die!"
The desperate cries grew louder and louder, but they were nonetheless forcibly taken away from the cafeteria.
The sight instantly shocked Cao Jingshan's crew.
But what followed was excitement.
A territory that punishes the guilty always lets people feel safe.
Recalling everything they'd experienced since arriving, their hearts settled once and for all in Hope Village.
After those people left, Zhou Bai looked at the cafeteria full of survivors and said directly, "Danis is a doctor. Anyone who's injured can go to him for healing."
After Zhou Bai's introduction, Danis stepped forward and offered, "A healing session costs just one silver coin—I'll have you as good as new."
He had to prove his worth to the Lord, so he'd be hired long-term.
Upon hearing this, Cao Jingshan was the fastest to react, bringing his daughter Cao Zhu to Danis.
Danis took one look, then grabbed a wooden stick, waved it at Cao Zhu while chanting a spell. Within moments, Cao Zhu's complexion went from pale to rosy, her Life Value fully restored.
The visible transformation stunned everyone else, and those with injured family stopped fearing his unusual appearance, hurrying over for treatment.
After his daughter was healed, Cao Jingshan hurried over to Zhou Bai and Ding Qiurou. He now knew the two were Zhou Zhengping's wife and daughter, and seeing Zhou Bai's extraordinary skills, he wanted to ask for their help.
"Do you have any rain gear left? I want to buy some so I can go see the houses."
After running around for a day and night, he just wanted a good place to rest.
"Yes, a set costs 30 silver coins, single items are also available."
"I'll take three sets, thanks." Cao Jingshan replied immediately.
Just then, seeing their transaction, others came over too.
"I just need a rain hat."
"I want a cloak."
"..."
In no time at all, the rain gear Zhou Bai had was cleaned out.
After buying the gear, some of the original residents spotted an opportunity and started doing business again.
"Looking to buy a house, right? There's nothing inside—you need a bed? I have those, plus matching mats and blankets, all made from beast skin."
"I have rooms for rent! Fifty copper coins per person per day, fits four people. Each gets a bed, a cabinet, and a small table. Good for transition—you won't lose out."
"I've got rooms for rent too, fully equipped, two-person rooms, 200 copper coins a day, monthly rate is 50 silver coins."
"Need hot water for washing? Hot water supplied—ten copper coins per bucket. Just holler and I'll bring it over."
"Want to go together and see what you need before buying? Sure, that works."
"..."
With "help" from the existing Hope Village Residents, batches of new survivors were escorted from the cafeteria to their new housing—a win-win for everyone.
Seeing this scene, Zhou Bai couldn't help raising his eyebrows.
The landlady's business—territory residents are even slicker at it than she is!