Post-Apocalyptic Survival Modpack

Chapter 23, Section 23: A Conversation Amidst Wind and Rain

"Ok?"

Wang Ji looked at the prompt.

world map?

new function?
An interface unfolded before him, displaying the terrain around Wang Ji.

Wang Ji stared at the map with some surprise, and then realized that if he focused his attention on one place, he could add punctuation.

This feeling is so familiar.

Wang Ji immediately understood how to use the [World Map].

This is just a minimap module!
My heart immediately felt at ease.

Now I won't get lost anymore.

"By the way, there's also this."

Putting away the map, Ryder pulled out something that looked like a pickaxe from his bag and said:
“I specifically bought tools for surveying the terrain, which may be helpful for mineral exploration.”

Ian glanced at it and said, "Isn't this a pickaxe?"

"It's different, this is called a prospecting pick."

Ryder handed the pickaxe to Wang Ji.

This thing is slightly different from an iron pickaxe. From a design perspective, it wasn't designed specifically for mining. Although it can mine, its efficiency is always a bit lower.

Iron prospecting pickaxe

Upon receiving the pickaxe, Wang Ji learned its name.

[Crafting has been added]

Ryder continued, "I found some people who had worked in mines and asked them for some folk methods that might help with mineral exploration, which I can try later."

It's clear they're really putting their heart into this.

only…

After a moment's thought, Wang Ji picked up his prospecting pick and tapped it on the ground.

Trace amounts of minerals are present nearby.

"It's very useful. I've already learned how to prospect for minerals."

"what?"

He lived in Redton.

"I haven't even explained the method yet, and you've already learned it?"

Wang Ji nodded.

"Guaranteed."

Although he had many questions, Ryder felt relieved, considering that it was probably Wang Ji's talent that had inspired him.

Many things cannot be understood using common sense.

Or rather, this kind of thing is just common sense, and there's nothing to be surprised about.

"Let's go."

Wang Ji stood up and greeted them.

The three continued their journey northward, away from the capital.

As they traveled, they discreetly inquired about information in the towns along the way.

The farther away from the center of the empire, the less news there was about the capital. After only two towns, it was almost impossible to find out anything about the three of them.

The dissemination of information has become visibly more difficult.

Thanks to this, the group's situation became much safer, and they no longer needed to hide when walking.

The leaves are turning yellow.

The sky was overcast and dark, making it feel rather oppressive.

Boom!

Thunder rumbled, and a cold autumn rain swept in.

Raindrops pounded against the mountains and forests in waves, driven by the raging wind.

After setting up a makeshift temporary shelter, Wang Ji glanced at his backpack and, seeing that there wasn't much wood left, grabbed his axe and went outside.

The other two waited where they were.

Ryder crouched in front of the campfire, warming himself. He stared at the unchanging flames, and after a moment he suddenly said, "It's been a while since we left the central region of the Empire. To be honest, I'm a little worried."

Ian, who was standing to the side, put down the wooden bowl of hot water he was holding and asked, "What are you worried about?"

"On one hand, there's the situation in the capital; on the other hand, there's Wang Ji's hometown, that inconspicuous little village."

Ryder said, "Remember, before leaving there, Wang Ji turned large tracts of farmland into square plots with his unique laws, so that it only takes three or four days from sowing seeds to harvesting."

"When I set off, I thought that his ability to cultivate the land would benefit people all over the world sooner or later, so it would be good to let the village grow some things in advance to improve their lives."

“But… given the current situation, I’m worried that the village’s unusual output might be being targeted by someone.” Ian listened silently until Ryder finished speaking before saying, “Trust the villagers. They are simple, but they also have the wisdom to live. Besides, there’s no use worrying about these things now; we can’t even protect ourselves.”

"I know."

Ryder sighed, looked up at the rain outside, and said:

"If the people from the capital were to catch up, even the collapse of a mountain would only take a moment in front of a high-level magic user. I have witnessed this firsthand."

“But that’s not what I’m worried about. I believe Wang Ji will still be able to evacuate safely.”

"My only worry is what the world will become if the village is really targeted by people with ill intentions, or if everything in front of us is destroyed—if these worst things really happen."

“You should understand, Ian, even if Wang Ji only had farming as his ability, he could still cause a huge wave and make the whole world restless. The empire might no longer be the empire it is today.”

Although the empire is really not that great now.

“Of course I understand,” Ian nodded.

Ryder continued, "But speaking of this, I actually think that the more people there are, the more room Wang Ji's abilities can be utilized. This is something I've been thinking about. If we could..."

"What are you discussing?"

Just as Ryder was sharing his thoughts, a slightly immature voice broke through the rain and entered the shelter, bringing with it a damp atmosphere.

Wang Ji walked back from outside in the rain, completely unaffected by the environment.

"I just mentioned you."

Ryder said, "When we started from the village..."

"I'm a little worried about the situation in the village."

"You know, according to my plan, everything should have been fine."

"I am responsible for this."

"It's not your fault."

Wang Ji shook his head, found a place to sit down next to the two, and said, "In the village... I know my parents, and I trust everyone in the village."

"I believe they know how to utilize those farmlands."

He wasn't without reason for saying that.

The village has a relatively high level of education. Under Ian's diligent teaching, more than half of the villagers are literate, which may even be higher than some towns or cities.

As long as the villagers can unite and be a little clever, they should be able to live a prosperous life without being targeted, right?

Wang Ji wasn't sure, and he got a little annoyed whenever the topic came up.

Why don't we find a way to blow up the capital right now?

"There's also good news."

Ryder said to Wang Ji, "When I was at the academy, in order to save as much time as possible, I only introduced the abilities you demonstrated, and didn't mention anything else. Later, they couldn't get anything out of me or Ian either."

Why didn't you just go to your teacher then?

Ian suddenly asked a question.

Ryder sighed, his expression complicated, and said, "If I could do it this way, I would have done it a long time ago. You don't understand, Imperial University is complicated, that place, sigh..."

Ryder didn't continue, and the two fell silent for a moment.

The sound of rain was particularly noticeable outside the shelter.

Wang Ji suddenly asked, "What if the Empire investigates based on your identities?"

In Wang Ji's view, one of these people was the village supervisor and the other was the highest-ranking official in the town. Wouldn't they be imperial civil servants? There must be some records of them, right?
Ryder said, “That’s a very comprehensive consideration, Your Majesty, but in this respect, we must trust the Empire’s capabilities.”

"what?"

Wang Ji was somewhat puzzled.

"If those scoundrels can really mobilize the empire's vast resources just to trace our origins, then it's only a matter of time before they find out about the border towns and villages."

Lede said with a hint of sarcasm, "Heh... but given the efficiency of the Imperial Administrative Center and its chaotic record-keeping methods, it would be considered fast if they could find out the truth even if it took several months just by knowing the name."

"Moreover, the place where Ian and I work is on the outskirts of the empire, the most unpromising and inconspicuous place. In places so far from the center of the empire, it's not even certain whether there are any records."

"To put it bluntly, even if I died in that remote border town next to the village, it would be considered fast if the capital city's administrative center reacted at least a year later."

"More likely, the position will remain vacant, waiting for the next unlucky person to be targeted to be thrown in."

"Is that so?"

Wang Ji nodded.

That's absolutely rotten.

This empire is in some ways so backward that it seems a bit beyond imagination.

It's only been a little over a decade since the unification, and it's already like this. If it continues for a few more years, it might collapse.

Thinking of this, Wang Ji suddenly thought of the high-ranking sorcerer of Bagget Manor, and the temple archmage he had never met but only heard of from legends.

Hmm... it's hard to say.

(End of this chapter)