22 Exchange 2 (Xie Ai Ai's Big Cute Sisi Alliance Leader)

Both wore goggles and black face masks, dressed just like Little Stutterer had been moments ago.

Soon, they arrived at the cave entrance. The slightly taller one stepped forward and knocked on the door.

"Yu Hong of White Mound Village?"

"It's me. Something?" Yu Hong replied from behind the door, staying to the side.

He hadn't hidden directly behind the door but had instead pressed himself against the stone wall, avoiding it.

"I heard you have better glowstones to sell?" The man didn't bother introducing himself, just asked his own questions.

"What better glowstones? I don't know what you're talking about, and who are you?" Yu Hong asked in a low voice.

"Don't play coy. We've seen the two Lin Yi Yi had—they're impressive. With that skill of yours, you shouldn't stay here. You should come with us to town. That's where you'll find more glowstones to fully use your craft and save more people." The taller man urged in a deep tone.

"Oh, and I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Zhao Zheng Hong, and he's Xu Yang. We're both from the town's United Army."

"United Army." Yu Hong's heart stirred. "Sorry, I don't want to go to town. I feel safe staying here alone. But I can sell Enhanced Glowstones—just not right now. I don't have enough for myself, and I don't have time to make them."

He had indeed considered trading Enhanced Glowstones for supplies, but mass production wasn't possible yet. One stone took three days, which was a huge waste of Black Mark for him.

"It's High Tide Period now. There are plenty of places that need glowstones. If you come to town with us now, most people will protect you, and you can focus on making new Large Glowstones. That's way better than hiding here alone and worrying about everything yourself." Zhao Zheng Hong pressed on.

"No need. I'm used to living alone. I'd be uncomfortable in town. Thanks for the offer." Yu Hong refused again. "If you want to buy, you'll have to wait until after High Tide Period."

The man behind Zhao Zheng Hong heard this and quietly reached for the pistol holstered on his thigh.

But Zhao Zheng Hong stopped him with a gesture.

"Mr. Yu Hong, according to the Wartime Emergency Regulations established when the United Army was founded two years ago after the Black Calamity appeared, Article 28, Paragraph 3: When technology or talent that can greatly optimize military strength is discovered, compulsory conscription may be enforced, with compensation provided afterward."

He paused.

"Honestly, we could ignore your wishes and forcibly conscript you. But since we're all locals from White Stone Town, I'm giving you a chance. You don't have to come. But you should at least contribute the method and technique for making Large Glowstones, right?"

"In these tough times, every extra Large Glowstone might save one less life. Besides, after you share the technique, you can still make them yourself. It won't affect you hiding here alone at all. You'd be contributing to everyone and avoiding a lot of trouble. Isn't that right?"

Zhao Zheng Hong's words were logical and persuasive. If it had been someone else, they might have been convinced.

But unfortunately, Yu Hong's Enhanced Glowstones weren't based on any technique he mastered—they came from Black Mark.

And Black Mark's power couldn't be exposed.

"Sorry, I only accept trades. As for the technique, you wouldn't be able to master it." Yu Hong answered steadily.

With the Reinforced Wooden Door in place, he didn't think they could get in, so his tone was quite firm in refusal.

Outside the door, Zhao Zheng Hong's eyes flickered. He didn't get angry but smiled instead.

"Alright, then. We'll visit again next time. Mr. Yu Hong can think it over. After all, suffering alone out here is nothing compared to living comfortably in a bunker—plenty of food and drink, and even girls assigned to share your days."

He patted his companion, and the two turned to descend the Stone Steps at the cave entrance, heading off into the distance.

Before long, they vanished into the forest, leaving no trace.

But from an angle the cave's window couldn't see, a figure in the same camouflage uniform was silently pressed against the rock wall, hiding to the right of the door.

This figure was dressed exactly like Zhao Zheng Hong and the other man. He gripped a dagger in one hand, his back flat against the rock wall, standing straight and still like a gecko.

From this position, as soon as the cave door opened, he could pounce in and subdue whoever was inside.

At the cave's window, Yu Hong quietly moved his eye away from the gap in the Viewing Window and let out a breath. He watched for a while, making sure no one was there, before relaxing slightly.

'The kind of trade partner I want isn't like this.'

Enhanced Glowstones would inevitably attract unwanted guests. But for Little Stutterer's safety, he hadn't held back or hidden them.

Besides, since the reputation of Enhanced Glowstones would spread, others would surely come looking to trade.

After all, the old glowstones were too bulky and inconvenient to carry—just like when Little Stutterer had driven off the Ghost Shadow, throwing handfuls of glowstones.

Coming back to himself, Yu Hong didn't go out again. He just waited quietly in the cave.

He had food and water for now, and the water could last at least another day, so he wasn't in a hurry to go out.

What if those two pulled a surprise attack?

Leaning against the Fireplace, feeling its warmth on the surface, Yu Hong thought for the first time that maybe just living peacefully in the Safe House forever wouldn't be so bad. Suddenly, his stomach let out a series of gurgles.

Yu Hong's expression changed. The good mood from moments ago vanished without a trace.

He rushed to the corner, pulled out a small bucket, dropped his pants, and aimed.

Splash.

The moment he aimed, a torrent of liquid erupted.

Yu Hong's face completely changed.

He... had diarrhea!! A sharp cramping in his gut told him this wasn't just a simple chill—it was likely an intestinal infection!

Soon, after wiping himself clean with leaves, Yu Hong had barely stood up when his stomach churned again.

He lifted the wooden lid of the Poop Bucket once more and let loose another torrent.

'Trouble!'

Yu Hong got up and quickly started rummaging through the pile of miscellaneous items he'd brought in, soon pulling out a small black box.

Opening the box, inside were two Dark Blue Capsules, their purpose unknown.

But Yu Hong remembered that these pills seemed to be the cold medicine Doctor Xu had given him. Not anti-inflammatory medicine.

He'd already finished all the anti-inflammatory medicine from before. When he ran out later, Little Stutterer had used quite a few good things to trade with Doctor Xu for more, but unfortunately it still wasn't enough. Doctor Xu, out of goodwill, had even exchanged at a loss once.

Finally, after taking the medicine, his body slowly recovered.

'No, I have to think of something!' Yu Hong covered the Poop Bucket, but by now the stench in the cave had already spread.

He had no choice but to pull open the Viewing Window to let the air exchange between inside and out.

'I need medicine, either intestinal anti-inflammatory or antidiarrheal!' Yu Hong's heart was anxious. He suspected that drinking unboiled rainwater had caused his diarrhea.

But strangely enough, the water he'd drunk before had all been filtered through Little Stutterer's dirty Filter Pot, and he hadn't gotten sick from that. On the other hand, the rainwater didn't smell bad, but drinking it gave him an upset stomach.

Yu Hong clutched his stomach and glanced at the Comprehensive Physical Training Method newspaper still counting down its enhancement. Only a little over two hours had passed. It was still early before completion.

He looked at the sky outside. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed two boards and stuffed them into his vest and against his chest and abdomen, then picked up the Steel Nail Glowstone Rod and walked to the door.

He had to go to the residences of other villagers in White Mound Village and ask if the Post Office there had any medicine.

Otherwise, by tomorrow, with too much diarrhea, he'd definitely be weak and out of strength, and his condition would be even worse then.

Also, regarding medicine, he had to find a way to resupply. When he got back, he might try using the Black Mark to enhance it.

His hand gripping the door handle, Yu Hong twisted hard.

Click.

The lock turned, making a sound.

But Yu Hong stood still, not moving, waiting quietly.

He even lightened his breathing, listening to everything outside.

Whoosh! He suddenly pushed the door outward.

Then bang—he slammed it shut like lightning.

A crisp clatter rang out. Just as the door closed, a figure flashed past from outside, tumbling heavily down the Stone Steps and crashing onto the grass.

"Damn!"

The person cursed as they got up, then shouted a few words in some unknown dialect.

Finding no movement from the cave, the person glanced at the sky, snorted coldly, turned, and quickly walked away.

Behind the door.

Yu Hong took a breath, cold sweat seeping out slightly, but his expression relaxed. He still stood motionless behind the door.

After waiting another ten-plus minutes like this, he repeated the same probing a few more times. Only when he was sure there was no further movement outside did he slowly open the door.

Outside, the light was bright. It was noon, the time when the sunlight was strongest.

'At least five hours until dusk. The Post Office is about a li away. Round trip is completely doable. I can also ask nearby villagers if they have anything to trade. If the Post Office has no medicine, maybe someone else will.'

As for what to trade with, Yu Hong brought his own water-filtering cup. The Filter Cup was obtained through enhancement, its craftsmanship decent, and its filtering effect much stronger than ordinary devices. It should be quite popular.

And this thing was entirely made by himself. The Wooden Cup didn't even have a handle—it was simple to make, just hollowing out a round pit in a piece of wood.

As for the filtering material, a piece of cloth and some charcoal cost next to nothing, and the enhancement time was short.

It could completely serve as his own specialty product for trading with people.

Carrying the Filter Cup, holding the rod, and tucking a few pieces of Dried Meat and a leather water pouch into his pocket, Yu Hong left the door and ran all the way toward the Post Office, following the directions Little Stutterer had given him.

Because he'd been there many times, a small path had already been trampled into the ground.

The grass on the path had also been cleared, growing shorter than elsewhere.

Plus, Little Stutterer, afraid of getting lost, had deliberately carved marks on the trees as markers.

Yu Hong jogged along and didn't take a wrong turn.

About half an hour later.

He finally arrived at what White Mound Village called the Post Office—a square, white stone house.

A fence surrounded the house, and on the wooden gate for entering and exiting hung a sign that read: Ring before visiting.

Yu Hong looked at the stone house, walked up to the sign, and found that the bell had already fallen to the ground.

He picked it up. It was a Copper Bell the size of an egg. He gave it a gentle shake.

Ding-dong!

The bell rang.

He kept shaking it, the bell ringing continuously, the sound echoing through the woods, spreading outward in circles.

But there were no birds, no insects—only the rustling of wind blowing leaves and branches, as if responding.

He shook it for a full several minutes.

There was no movement from the stone house. It seemed no one was there.

"Stop shaking. The Mailman went to the Town Bunker. No one's here."

A cautious, middle-aged woman's voice drifted over from the side and slightly behind.

Yu Hong followed the sound and saw a short, blonde woman in a dark green men's jacket, hunched over as she stood up from a clump of grass.