Chen Fan stood before Warehouse No. 1, whose entrance was 5 meters high and 4 meters wide.
The entrance had been made so large in case they got huge items to store in the future
He lowered his gaze at the nails and hammer in his hand, then glanced at the high entrance.
"Heyhey."
Chen Fan tilted his head toward the crocodile sprawling at the feet of Qi Chong, staring intently as Qi Chong grilled meat. "Come over and help me reach up."
"Zhou Mo, I'll hold the nail; you hammer it in."
"Don't hit my hand."
...
On the crocodile's back, the two quickly hung the wooden boards, marked with "Warehouse No. 1," "Spirit Nurturing Pavilion," "Meat Grinder Passage," etc., where they were supposed to be.
"Hmm, not bad."
In the middle of the cave, Chen Fan surveyed all around and nodded with satisfaction.
These things had no practical use. But just like how every office in a company has its sign, they usually go unnoticed, but once missing, it would feel weird.
With these signs, the camp looked more formal.
With no work to do for the moment, Zhou Mo seized the brief period before dinner and rushed into the Spirit Nurturing Pavilion to try out this new building.
If only one person is cultivating inside, even if the acceleration is set at tenfold, it would not consume many Eerie Stones.
After all, Zhou Mo's cultivation was too low, which determined the rate at which the Pavilion devoured Eerie Stones.
The meal was delicious.
Perhaps because of today's great harvest, everyone laughed happily and ate heartily.
Including the crocodile, who held an octopus head in his claws and ate with great relish.
The Perpetual Night descended punctually.
Darkness once again enveloped the wasteland.
After the meal, it was time to sleep.
Tonight, no one kept watch, or rather, it was Heyhey keeping watch.
This guy seemed to sleep little, and at the slightest sign of disturbance, he was the first to be startled awake—a good candidate for night watch.
The Level 2 wall separating the abyss pit and the canyon had retracted underground.
It was not a defensive structure and had no Canon Towers mounted on it.
Instead, it was intended to cut off the enemy's retreat once they had all barged into the abyss pit. When this wall rose, it was time to give them a shower of firepower.
The camp was quieting down; everyone was about to sleep.
"Tonight is the 14th night of the rainy season. Just hold on for less than 20 more days, and the rainy season will be over."
Inside the stone bunkhouse, Zhou Mo, seated on his blanket, tucked his blade under the pillow, drew a knife from his pocket, and carved on a wooden board while muttering to himself.
Beneath him was a blanket of pelts and straw, with no bedsheet. He had found his bedsheet in Heyhey's mouth, but it was covered in saliva. He found it too disgusting, and it was still drying after being washed.
Only an oil lamp emitted a faint light in the room.
Pockmark Wang, A Le, and others also slept on the floor nearby, quietly watching Zhou Mo cut into the wood, keeping his countdown for the rainy season.
At this time every day, the stone house would fall into a hush as everyone silently looked on.
"Less than 20 days left."
Pockmark Wang licked his lips, caught up in memories, then declared with a grin, "Everyone, after the rainy season ends, I'll treat you all to a good time in Rivernorth City."
"If we make it through the rainy season together, to say the least, we could be considered brothers in arms. I'm not a stingy man. I'll take everyone to a brothel to enjoy some Riversouth girls."
"Just so tender and so seductive. Believe me."
"And unlike the rough Rivernorth women, Riversouth girls speak softly and gently. They offer a totally different experience."
"Last time, I was a little short, so I hired a working woman, a local widow. That woman was even sturdier than I am. I hadn't even taken off my pants yet, but she had. Guess what she said first?"
Pockmark Wang paused a moment for effect, a flicker of fear in his eyes.
"That woman snapped at me with, 'Hey, big man, show me your strength! I can take it!' Damn, can you imagine?"
"So you ran away?" From the side, Qiu Junior probed somewhat gloatingly.
He was younger and had never been to a brothel or visited a working woman, though he had heard of such places. Pockmark Wang's story sounded quite entertaining to him.
"Of course I didn't run."
Pockmark Wang lectured seriously. "A man entering a brothel is like a soldier going to battle. Deserting the scene of battle is cowardice."
"No matter what girl comes to you, that's your fate. You have to grit your teeth and charge forward. Retreating is shameful."
"Could I go easy on her? I tamed her thoroughly that day. When I came out of her room the next day, that woman was already weak in the legs. She didn't take any customers for a month afterward. Rumor has it her legs trembled even while out to relieve herself."
Laughter echoed in the dimly lit room.
Pockmark Wang loved telling risqué jokes, and they enjoyed listening. It wasn't that they particularly liked such stories, but hearing tales from before the rainy season made them feel like they might survive through it.
"But, Pockmark Wang,"
Zhou Mo, lying on his side by the wall, teased, "Do you still have Eerie Stones? After the rainy season ends, how are you going to treat us at the brothel? If you've hidden Eerie Stones, perhaps I can get credit for giving Station Master a heads-up, brother."
Upon joining this camp, all the Eerie Stones they had saved over the years were handed over to the Station Master.
The biggest giver was Wang Kui. After 13 hardworking years as a worker bee, he had finally saved up a small sum, only to pass it all over that day, left with none.
During these days, they all holed up in the Station Master's shelter to survive, so naturally, they wouldn't ask for wages or anything.
There was no logic in seeking refuge in someone's place and then asking for pay. Helping with a bit of manual work was a way to repay the host.
"No, I'm flat broke."
Pockmark Wang gave a straightforward, unapologetic reply. "But don't worry. "
"As long as the Station Master takes us to Rivernorth City and it hasn't been laid waste during the rainy season."
"Just one night, and I can get enough Eerie Stones to treat you all."
"You've got some tricks up your sleeve, Pockmark Wang." Zhou Mo beamed at Pockmark Wang, then set the wooden board aside, stretched, and lay down.
"Alright, everyone, time to sleep. We have to get up and work tomorrow. Forget your plan for after the rainy season. Let's survive the rainy season first."
He didn't doubt what Pockmark Wang promised. To put it bluntly, they had indeed fallen on hard times, but how could a wasteland Station Master be a nobody?
They doubtless had their own means. Even if penniless, as long as they returned to Rivernorth City, getting some Eerie Stones would be a piece of cake.