Chapter Thirteen: Truly Consented

“Young master, where did all this food come from?” Qiuyue narrowed her almond-shaped eyes at Jiang Li.

Today, they had only managed to exchange a single sheep for dozens of large flatbreads from Qin Lang, yet before them lay not just hundreds of flatbreads but also numerous beef and lamb legs.

Even if Jiang Li had produced these items to barter with Qin Lang, it was unlikely the latter would have traded.

“It’s nothing special. These were gifts from the natives we met last time,” Jiang Li replied.

“As for the rest, Qin Lang tacitly allowed us to take them,” Jiang Li added with a blink.

Suyang nodded reluctantly. “Yes, that’s right. The young master did ask Qin Lang, and he gave his consent.”

Qiuyue frowned. “But Qin Lang tried to take advantage of me not long ago. Could he really be this generous?”

“Well, he’s definitely a bad guy, but this time I managed to persuade him,” Jiang Li quickly explained.

“Let’s not dwell on that now. We need to move these supplies immediately!”

Though Jiang Li had wiped away their tracks with branches along the way, whether it was Qin Lang or the natives, all of them were quite cunning.

The natives had managed to track them by the drops of sheep’s blood on the ground, catching Qin Lang off guard.

As for Qin Lang and his men, clever as they were, they could easily deduce their route from the marks left by branches sweeping across the earth, even if the wheel tracks were hidden.

With so much cargo, they couldn’t outrun them. Their priority was to find a place to hide.

Eventually, the group found a cave deep in the forest. Jiang Li and the others began moving all the supplies from the cart into the cave.

“Young master, what should we do with the cart? Should we push it into the sea?” Suyang asked.

“That would be a waste,” Jiang Li replied without hesitation.

Suyang circled the cart several times before shaking his head helplessly. “It’s a good tool for transporting goods, but it’s too big to hide.”

Jiang Li nodded. “True, but we don’t need to hide it.”

“Qiuyue, Suyan, both of you sit on the cart.”

“Chuchunqiu, pull the cart. I’ll give you a lamb leg tonight!”

“All right!” Chuchunqiu’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

With Jiang Li’s arrangements, the group pulled the cart for several miles before stopping.

“Leave the cart by the roadside. We’ll return through the forest.”

By the time the three returned to their hiding place, night was falling.

---

Jiang Li’s chosen refuge was a cave with a small entrance but spacious interior, featuring multiple exits for silent escape. The terrain was complex.

At the entrance, Jiang Li had Chuchunqiu move large stones to block it, while the rear exits were concealed with vines. Only after ensuring everything was secure did he finally exhale.

“Dinner!” Jiang Li took two lamb legs and plenty of food from his backpack—one for Chuchunqiu, the other enough for himself, Suyang, and Qiuyue.

Though Chuchunqiu ate a lot, his strength justified the intake. The cart alone had carried five to six hundred pounds of food, plus tools and water bags—nearly a thousand pounds—and the beach was all sand. Yet, he had pulled it alone with little strain.

They built a fire and roasted the lamb legs, devouring them like ravenous wolves.

After a night of running—first raiding the natives’ territory to seize three large meat sacks, then ransacking Qin Lang’s cabin—they had secured the greatest gains.

But the exhaustion was real.

Chuchunqiu and Suyang fared better since they were guards with some skill, but Jiang Li was in rough shape, his feet blistered.

After eating, they carefully extinguished the fire. Jiang Li leaned against the cave wall.

[System activating…]

[Your planet is about to self-destruct. As the most outstanding leader, you must guide your people to survive.]

[Mission: Lead your people to find a suitable habitat.]

[Reward: Complete Field Survival Guide.]

Jiang Li pondered briefly but, overwhelmed by fatigue, soon fell asleep.

---

Outside Qin Lang’s cabin:

“Qin, isn’t it risky coming back now?” Lu Ren glanced around nervously, fearing another ambush by the natives.

Creaking sounds filled the air.

Qin Lang gritted his teeth. “Those stupid natives! Bothering me for no reason—they must be tired of living!”

“Do you think I want to take risks? Our resources are all inside. Without food, how long do you think we’ll survive?”

“Even if there are thousands of enemies, we have to break in today and take back as much as we can.”

“Besides, the natives’ main force is far behind us. How many could be here?”

Lu Ren looked worried. The natives weren’t very bright, but their combat ability was considerable. They had seven or eight men before the fight; now only four remained.

If they charged in and got surrounded, it would be total annihilation.

“Qin, I think it’s dangerous.”

“What’s there to fear? The natives are trailing behind us. Who’d expect us to come back?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t lead you to your deaths. If there are too many natives guarding here, we’ll leave.”

After Qin Lang’s persuasion, Lu Ren and the others nodded.

The four circled around to the front of the cabin.

“Qin, the two natives guarding the door are asleep,” Lu Ren whispered.

“Good. Perfect chance for a sneak attack. Let’s go!” Qin Lang said.

They crept up to the two natives and suddenly struck with fierce blows, venting all their anger.

After a while, Qin Lang angrily kicked the mutilated corpse and stormed into the cabin.

“Are you tired of living? Once I get some food, I’ll wipe you out completely!”

“That’s right—a bunch of uncivilized natives daring to mess with us. They’re begging to die!”

Lu Ren quickly flattered him.

Qin Lang entered the cabin, his expression freezing instantly.

The cabin, once piled high with food, was now completely empty—not a scrap left. Even tools, machetes, axes, and water bags were all gone.

“Ah!” Qin Lang kicked the wooden floorboard in fury.

“These natives are truly unbearable!”

“They left us nothing. It’s clear they want us dead!”

“Damn it! Let’s fight to the death!”