Chapter Thirty-Three: Willow Sweeps the Ground

“Rat-tat-tat…”

A fiery red streak pierced the darkness.

Fang Tang stood before the tent, bathed in the lamplight spilling through the window above the door, casting a glow upon him that lent a sense of sanctity... and a hint of iron-blooded solitude.

He gripped an AKM in both hands, its flaming muzzle greatly extending the weapon’s length.

Fire snakes spat from the barrel, roaring like an enraged dragon.

Once the magazine was emptied, Fang Tang removed his earplugs and propped the AKM against his foot, clutching his chest with a pained expression.

“Hiss... This wound is really hampering my movement.”

After easing the pain, Fang Tang picked up the AKM and scrutinized it, a sharp gleam flickering in his eyes.

“A fine piece… If I’d had this AKM before, I wouldn’t have been injured fighting those two snow fiends.”

He loaded the AKM with fresh rounds and stepped into the tent.

Picking up the newspaper on the bed, he opened a private chat with Willow Down.

“Want to make some money?”

Willow Down: “Do you mean your way of making money?”

Fang Tang: “Exactly. The AKM packs a tremendous punch. Most cave creatures can barely withstand its force. Right now, it’s a powerful weapon, bound to be in high demand.”

Willow Down: “So… the price is still one element stone?”

Fang Tang: “Absolutely not! The era of buying weapons with a single element stone is over. Before heavy firepower becomes widespread, we should raise the price to two element stones.”

Willow Down: “Those stones… element stones, what are they for?”

Fang Tang: “Among all cave resources, blueprints and element stones are the most precious. Element stones surpass blueprints, since they’re consumable. Their function is to combine with certain blueprints to craft special equipment—like water collectors, grills, or flame muzzles.”

Willow Down: “So element stones are just for improving quality of life?”

Fang Tang: “Strictly speaking, they boost strength. The stronger you are, the greater your chance of survival. The rest is important intelligence—if you want to know, you’ll have to trade element stones for it.”

Willow Down: “Mr. Fang, you really are… a true merchant.”

Fang Tang: “I just want to survive.”

Willow Down: “Alright then, I’ll announce the news. If I make money, I’ll give you a share.”

Such a windfall?

Fang Tang’s eyes lit up, and his fingers danced across the keys.

“Awaiting good news!”

When the conversation ended, Fang Tang turned to the trade zone and public channel.

Sure enough, a new AKM appeared on the trade board, priced at two element stones.

The moment the AKM was listed, Willow Down’s announcement flashed in the public channel.

“Shop opening! AKM rifle commissions available, fee is two element stones. Small business, no credit. Thank you for your cooperation.”

With that, a wave of chatter surged through the public channel.

“Damn? Someone’s selling AKMs now? Who’s Willow Down—another big shot?”

“First we had Fang the Skinner, now Willow the Scraper—are they trying to starve us out?”

“Two element stones, that’s steep, but if we get a rifle, cave creatures won’t scare us anymore. We’ll be able to survive.”

…

…

Messages streamed rapidly across the screen.

A sly smile crept over Fang Tang’s face—his scheme had succeeded.

Others were unaware, but Fang Tang knew that among his acquaintances, Xie Ling and Willow Down possessed the best weapons.

Explosive bows, element equipment—a single arrow could not be stopped, and the key was that arrows could be retrieved, though they required more element stones.

But the power spoke for itself; there was nothing more to say.

Yet Xie Ling had no interest in making money.

Fang Tang had once hinted, “We could all earn together.”

But Xie Ling refused.

She only cared about not starving for now, with no sense of crisis for the future.

A true lucky one, blessed with fortune, she’d always survive against the odds.

As for Willow Down, she had some luck, but nothing compared to Lin Zhao.

Fang Tang revealed the AKM’s value to Willow Down, hoping to profit from it.

Even if there was no profit, if Willow Down became rich, their deals would go smoother, benefiting his own growth.

This was Fang Tang’s fifth-level maneuver.

A textbook case of making something from nothing.

Not long after, Willow Down sent Fang Tang a link containing two element stones.

Willow Down: “Mr. Fang, could you make a flame muzzle for me? The other element stone is your commission.”

Fang Tang’s fingers twitched, and he simply sent back an “Okay.”

This commission offset Willow Down’s work on the AKM.

The key was, she hadn’t provided materials for the flame muzzle—he’d have to supply them himself.

The second element stone could cover the cost.

Yes… perfectly reasonable!

With their transaction complete, Fang Tang comfortably stretched out on the bed.

He was badly wounded; exploring the cave was impossible.

This was a huge loss for him.

So, he had to find another way to make money.

Uh… this required careful thought.

His blueprints included: ladder, second-tier dwelling, third-tier dwelling, Longwind hunting knife, shovel, rice cooker…

None particularly useful.

The valuable ones were: mechanical claw arm, frost gun, ****, flame muzzle, water collector, grill, heart of mithril, shock-absorbing insoles, plant incubator…

Among these, the mechanical claw arm and frost gun were beyond his ability to craft.

**** had become obsolete with the arrival of the AKM.

The flame muzzle could deal tremendous damage to cave creatures—very useful.

Water collectors were essential for survival, grills improved quality of life, which was somewhat helpful.

Heart of mithril was just a material blueprint, shock-absorbing insoles were rather lackluster.

Plant incubators… too niche.

In sum, he had plenty of blueprints, but only a pitiful few could yield significant profit.

“Element stones can’t be bought, and food materials won’t sell… that leaves no way to make money!”

Fang Tang rubbed his face and sighed helplessly.

He thought he’d finally stood up, but it turned out it was only on the surface—inside, he was still soft and weak.

“Too few blueprints encountered!”

Fang Tang stroked his chin, eyes glinting with contemplation.

Perhaps…

He could buy blueprints?

That was a good idea, but blueprints were like loot boxes—before you collect them, no one knows what’s inside.

After collecting, they can’t be traded. Such a frustrating design!

As if the system were working against him!

Fang Tang sat brooding for two hours, his thoughts growing more chaotic.

In the end, he lay on the bed in dejection.

“When will this wound heal!”

He stared listlessly at the ceiling, an ache of hunger rising in his belly.

Realizing he hadn’t eaten all day, Fang Tang decided to stop thinking and fill his stomach first.

He set up the grill, roasting meat while messaging Xie Ling.

“I’ve got roast meat here, want some?”

Xie Ling: “You’re so bad, big shot! I’ve gained weight these past two days, so I’m refusing any late-night snacks.”

“….”

To be able to gain weight in the cave, only you could manage that!

Such was the fortune of the truly lucky.

Indeed, the thickest thigh to cling to.

Fang Tang: “Any other gains today?”

Xie Ling: “Yes, indeed!”