I Live on the Land in Global Games-Chapter 193 - 191: Entering Lingtian Town

The snowy ground was difficult to trek through and it took the group nearly an hour to reach the entrance of Lingtian Town.

What met their eyes were densely packed shacks, covered in a layer of snow.

People in thin clothing hid inside them, watching them.

The snow on the road was already ankle-high.

It bore many footprints, but there were no signs of it being swept.

After walking a few hundred meters, they finally saw proper tents. The tent area was a bit livelier, with people bustling in and out.

Their clothing seemed warmer, and everyone carried weapons, presumably still striving to live.

It was heartening that there were more people making an effort to live than those who were hiding in shacks, barely scraping by.

However, the sheer number of shacks surpassed the total population of Qingshan Town.

Further inside, they finally saw proper houses, and shops were located there.

Mu Ying noticed a bakery’s sign that shockingly read, "Black bread one copper coin apiece," knowing that at Marin’s Bakery, black bread was three for one copper coin, and the loaves in the hands of the people coming out from the shop were even smaller than those at Marin’s.

"Why is this black bread so expensive?" she asked, puzzled.

"The territory doesn’t charge an entrance fee, and most people don’t rent rooms. To make money, the territory has to increase taxes; however, the merchants won’t make unprofitable deals, so naturally, they raised the price of goods," Zhan Qing said.

"Those people in the shacks probably can’t afford it, right?" Mu Ying asked again.

Xie Sen shook his head, "Of course they can’t afford it, but if they really can’t make ends meet, they can go to the relief center every three days to get a piece of black bread, which, if rationed, won’t starve them to death."

Mu Ying: "..."

No wonder some, being slightly more timid, are unwilling to risk their lives out there.

It’s not just about using the territory’s income to support these people; it’s almost like making all the other people who are still trying to survive in the territory contribute as well.

Take the black bread for example; those who go out to fight can’t afford to be hungry and can’t rely on relief, so they have to buy black bread at high prices. The extra money they’ve spent gets taxed by the territory and goes to support others.

"Are you really sure you don’t want to reduce the price to open the Transmission Array? I reckon these people who can afford black bread would try their utmost to run to my territory," Mu Ying said.

Zhan Qing nodded, "I am sure. The territory has let them down. If they have a better place to go, I’m happy for them."

"Zhan Qing, who is this?"

Mu Ying and the others walked confidently into the territory and naturally saw many people. Just then, someone got the news and came over.

"This is Mu Ying," Zhan Qing said emotionlessly.

"I told you, as soon as Ah Qing gets back to the territory, he puts on that dead-faced expression," Xie Sen whispered to Mu Ying.

The newcomer looked young, in his twenties, fairly above average in appearance, and his attire was much neater and more refined than the others who hurried through the tent area.

"Hello, I’m Le Qiang, a student from the Foreign Languages Department at Imperial University. Both my parents work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It’s a pleasure to meet you," Le Qiang extended his hand to Mu Ying.

Mu Ying hesitated, "I’m Mu Ying, a senior at Coastal High School, orphaned and alone?"

"Pfft!" Xie Sen couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing. Mu Ying was really too good at implying things.

Le Qiang’s face turned red, "Isn’t someone hiding out in the woods outside, acting like a Wild Man, unwilling to come back and share in our hardships? What’s all this bag and baggage for then?"

"Share in our hardships? I’d say it’s more like wallowing in filth!" Xie Sen snorted coldly.

"Is this Miss Mu Ying? You look great, I really like you. Don’t mind these stinky men. I’ll take you around the territory. I heard you were coming, and my parents have prepared lots of delicious food!" another seemingly innocent young girl said as she took Mu Ying’s hand.

"Miss Mu Ying, my family has also prepared a feast in your honor. Please grace us with your presence." Another one going for the gentlemanly approach, Mu Ying assessed internally.

"Mu Ying, your dress is lovely. Are you tired from the long journey? Why not take a rest at my place?" This one was going for the caring big sister approach.

"Here you go, take it or leave it."

Oh wow, there’s also the aloof and commanding type.

"Mu Ying, here you go. Please, you must have a look... I..."

Is this little brother trying to play the innocent lover by handing over a love letter?

Mu Ying was truly amazed.

The world is so vast and filled with wonders, including some truly unique humans.

She coughed lightly, "Before the apocalypse, I made money by writing online novels. Your character setups are quite abrupt and greasy. Don’t bother."

Others: ... How were they supposed to act now?

"Zhan Qing, speed up with the Transmission Array," Mu Ying urged.

"I’ll take you to meet the old chief," Zhan Qing said apologetically.

Mu Ying understood that his Lord status had not yet been made public; nominally, the Lord was still the old chief.

A group followed, trailing behind them like a flamboyant tail.

Suddenly, they saw a large group of people kneeling in front of a house.

"Please save us. Without warm clothing, we might freeze to death."

"It’s so cold, and one loaf of black bread is too little; we can’t get full!"

"What happened to serving the people? Are you just going to watch us die?"

They wailed, completely forgetting their human dignity.

"Don’t bother with those disgusting leeches," Le Qiang said disdainfully, glancing over there.

Mu Ying thought this was a reasonable comment and asked, "Is this the relief center?"

Before she could get an answer, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "Green eyes, green hair, it’s the Lord of Qingshan Town!"

Immediately, a large crowd looked over.

What’s with ’green eyes, green hair’? It made her sound less than human, Mu Ying silently complained.

Zhan Qing realised the situation wasn’t good and thought of quickly getting Mu Ying out of there.

But the crowd swarmed around them. Luckily, enough people seeking favors had come, forming a protective circle around Mu Ying, keeping the crowd at bay.

"Lord Mu Ying, you’ve finally arrived. When will the Transmission Array open? I’ll definitely be the first to go." frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"I heard that in Qingshan Town there’s plenty of food that doesn’t cost money, is that true?"

"How many loaves of bread are distributed daily? Do you have winter clothes?"

...

Listening to them, Mu Ying couldn’t help but laugh.

She pushed past a few people blocking the front, "Don’t worry, the Transmission Array will be activated today. But sadly, since you all don’t have winter clothes, I doubt you can afford the 1 silver coin transport fee, and Qingshan Town will probably remain out of your reach. Moreover, no territory has the policy of distributing bread to those who don’t work. Also, Qingshan Town does indeed have a public vegetable garden where you can pick freely, but if someone who didn’t help with planting crops gathers a lot, it might provoke public anger. Oh, and the entry fee for Qingshan Town also can’t be waived. If you can’t afford to rent a Tree House, setting up a tent temporarily is allowed, but setting up shanties and damaging vegetation is prohibited."

"Cool," someone from her side remarked without knowing who.