Post-Apocalyptic Survival Modpack

Chapter 10, Section 10: Don't Mess with a Child Walking Alone
Reverse smelting furnace.

Wang Ji looked at the newly added recipe.

This new work block, as its name suggests, is used to smelt metal products back into raw materials, such as hoes, sickles, and armor. However, it cannot return all the raw materials; there will be some loss.

This was an unexpected surprise.

Wang Ji's furnace can only be used to burn wood into charcoal, cook raw food into cooked food, or burn ore into ingots.

You could force metal tools or equipment inside to burn, and the raw materials could be returned.

However, the losses are ridiculously high.

Whether you throw in an iron sword or an iron breastplate, it will only return a symbolic iron pellet; it's practically a matter-devouring machine.

The advent of reverse smelting furnaces has made things much more convenient, providing an effective way to recycle raw materials.

After saying goodbye to the blacksmith and walking to the door, Wang Ji didn't buy any weapons or raw materials like iron, obviously because these were things that ordinary people couldn't afford.

However, he had a very broad mind at the moment, and he could find cheaper alternatives for many things, just like a bucket doesn't necessarily have to be made of iron.

You don't necessarily have to buy iron ingots to get iron; you can collect some scrap metal and melt it down.

But now there is another problem.

No money.

In the market, Wang Ji stared longingly at a wooden bucket, somewhat helplessly.

"Can I touch it?"

He tried to get closer to take a look and see if he could directly unlock the synthesis of this thing.

"If you're willing to buy it."

However, the vendors were not very generous.

"Ok."

Wang Ji sighed and turned to leave.

If the vendors won't let you see it, does that mean others won't be allowed to see it either?

Just as Wang Ji had taken two steps, a shout suddenly came from afar.

"My lord, my lord, I've been looking for you for so long!!"

Wang Ji turned his head and saw a somewhat unfamiliar-looking person running towards him like a madman.

The man bowed and said in a fawning manner, "Sir, I didn't dare to delay for a moment after hearing the news, and came to find you immediately!"

Now Wang Ji remembered.

Oh, isn't that the thug who ran away before?

Wang Ji nodded.

"You arrived just in time. I was just about to buy something and I'm short on money. Give me everything you have on you."

"Yes, it's my honor!"

The rogue immediately agreed, patting himself all over, seemingly afraid that Wang Ji would suspect he was hiding something and be dissatisfied. He even dug out the coins hidden in his boots.

This made Wang Ji's lips twitch.

He waved his hand and said, "Keep that one for yourself."

"Thank you for your kindness."

The thug bowed and scraped before Wang Ji, who was less than half his height, making no attempt to hide his fawning.

This performance was undoubtedly quite remarkable.

The gazes that gathered from both sides of the street made the thug's face feel slightly burning.

As it turns out, sometimes even a thug can lose face if there are enough people around.

'Hmph, what do you commoners know? This child is a master of extraordinary arts; bowing his head isn't shameful. Besides, this is a matter of life and death…'

"This is none of your business. Go now. Remember to do some honest work and live a good life from now on."

"I will heed your teachings, my lord."

The thug's face lit up with joy, and he quickly left. Whether he listened to those words or not, no one knows.

"I want this bucket."

After he left, Wang Ji paid the money according to the price the vendor had quoted.

At this point, the merchant was already somewhat suspicious. He looked at Wang Ji, then at the burly man who had fled as if on the run—the thug—and a variety of thoughts raced through his mind.

These unscrupulous thugs have always been the main targets of merchants' vigilance, but now such a guy is bowing down to a child, and even seems very scared.

That didn't seem like an act.

What exactly is this child's identity?
The vendor abandoned his dismissive attitude and said rather cautiously, "Um, if you... if you want it, how about I give you this bucket for free?"

Anyway, it's not anything valuable.

"No need for that, just charge whatever amount is due."

"Then... I'll give you a discount, you can take it for half price."

"Okay, thank you."

After getting the bucket, Wang Ji didn't linger and immediately left the noisy place.

At the same time, after obtaining the wooden barrel, the corresponding recipe was also unlocked.

[Crafting recipe added: Wooden Barrel]

Although it shares the same name, this wooden bucket is certainly not the kind of bucket used by fishermen to store items; it is specifically designed for holding water.

Looking at the newly emerged formula, Wang Ji let out a breath, unable to contain his excitement.

After these two trials, Wang Ji figured out some patterns in the synthesis table.

The composition table will change according to one's own cognition.

It seems that anything you understand and have come into contact with can be directly added to the crafting table to become a new crafting recipe, which can then be crafted directly using a crafting table.

But as happy as I am.

The obstacles to development have not yet been resolved.

We need minerals.

Or even if there are no mines, obsidian will do.

If one could open the gates of hell, it would be better to venture into hell and develop there than to be constantly hampered here.

This isn't "Minecraft," hell is.

The Gates of Hell require obsidian, and it has to be a large piece of obsidian.

Wang Ji wandered around and found that there really was obsidian for sale in the town, but it was mostly used to make ornaments or as a material for magical experiments.

Putting aside the price, even if it were available, the quantity would be pitifully small. Even if all the stores' inventory were swept up, it might not be enough to build half of the Gate of Hell.

If he had enough time, Wang Ji could become rich by farming and fishing every day, and then he could buy anything he wanted.

But what we lack most right now is time, and we don't even know exactly how much time we have. All we can say is that we should do everything as quickly as possible. Feeling slightly irritated, Wang Ji walked until he reached a noisy tavern.

It was lunchtime, and many people were exhausted after finishing their work. They were hot and hungry and needed a cold beer and some food to replenish their energy.

It just so happens that they have all of these here.

"Perhaps the people here know something?"

Such bustling gatherings of various people are always well-informed.

crunch.

Wang Ji pushed open the door, and the noisy, chaotic sounds and various mixed smells were immediately released and hit him.

Dissipated into the air.

He stepped into the tavern.

A moment later, he was pulled out again.

"Where did this little brat come from?"

"... "

Wang Ji squatted silently by the door, feeling depressed.

Not angry, not angry.

It's my fault, I'm only seven years old this year.

"What bad luck! Luckily I had some money hidden away."

Just as Wang Ji shrank back, feeling a bit annoyed, a familiar voice came from above.

"I also secretly hid some."

"How many?"

"Not much, just enough to buy a few beers."

"I can buy a piece of bread and a bowl of soup."

"Then let's share a meal."

The two walked past Wang Ji as they discussed their plan.

Clearly, they did not notice Wang Ji sitting by the wall.

Wang Ji frowned and stood up, blocking the two of them.

"Where did this... Great, Great Person come from?!"

The two of them looked down and were both a little shocked.

Damn it, we just separated and here he is again!
It's true that when you're traveling, one wrong move can ruin your life.

I will never rob children who are walking alone again.

One of them immediately knelt down and began to plead: "I didn't mean it, sir. You said you didn't want the money hidden in the boots. I... I'll go and wash them clean and present them to you right away!"

Wang Ji's face darkened.

"I'm not here to settle these petty scores with you."

"Oh, we apologize for disturbing you. We'll be leaving now..."

"and many more."

Wang Ji stopped the two men and said, "I do need your help with something. After this, I will not pursue anything you did before."

"You mean...?"

The two felt uneasy; were they about to do something dangerous?

"Don't worry, I just wanted to ask you about some things."

"Oh--"

The two were relieved.

It's just talking, it's nothing, saying a few words won't hurt you.

"You've come to the right people. No one knows this town better than us brothers. We know everything about it, from the town's intelligence to the surrounding lords and wealthy families..."

At this point, his companion behind him suddenly nudged him.

The sound suddenly stopped.

The group moved to a less crowded spot to talk.

"Uh, what would you like to ask?"

Wang Ji didn't waste any words and went straight to the point: "Where are the mines?"

The thug in front of him paused, seemingly surprised by such a strange question. After thinking for a moment, he said:

"I know that. There's a place called Tieshi Town south of the capital. I heard there's a huge mine there that's several hundred meters deep, rich in all kinds of minerals. A while ago, a group of people who had worked there were talking about that place at the tavern."

"Is it far?"

"I don't know, sir, none of us have been there."

Do you have a map?

"You might be overestimating our knowledge and wealth..."

Yes, Bai asked.

Just as those two scoundrels said, they were indeed very well-informed, and could get some information out of almost anything you asked.

However, most of these are just rumors, or things they overheard in taverns or busy streets. They only have a general idea, and asking them for details would stump them.

After asking around about some random things, Wang Ji waved his hand and let the two scoundrels go.

"Southside."

Wang Ji thought to himself.

Their home was far to the west of the capital, and considering the obstacles along the way, it took the three of them a full four months to reach the capital.

Ironstone Town, with its mines, is located in the south of the empire. According to the two thugs, many people from that town had worked there, so it shouldn't be too far away.

Perhaps it is feasible.

Thinking it over, Wang Ji immediately took action, inquiring about the direction and distance to Ironstone Town based on the clues provided by the thugs.

While he was making inquiries, other people's attention was also drawn to him.

Inside a room, two thugs who had just escaped from Wang Ji were tied up and thrown on the ground, both looking utterly hopeless.

"A seven-year-old boy from the countryside, a master of magic."

The person standing was pondering the information the two had shared.

"I'm so lucky, I didn't expect to find it so soon after I arrived."

(End of this chapter)