Chapter Twenty-One: The Mannequins of the Food Processing Plant

"I refuse."
There were no pleasantries, no tactful words—just a blunt rejection that blocked his next sentence.

Yang Zhijie was left standing there, bewildered. He had thought that, given the other's mobility issues, such a good opportunity would surely be accepted.

As the atmosphere froze, the elderly woman behind Yang Zhijie spoke slowly, "Young man, are you sure you don't want to reconsider? In times like these, going it alone could be fatal. Don't try to act tough now only to regret it later."

"No need, thank you. Please go on your way."

With that, Mu Chen no longer looked at them and instead stuffed the remaining steak into his mouth.

His resolute refusal made many members of the Yang family frown.

"Ungrateful. Let's leave him be—dead or alive, he thinks that having a few bites of meat makes him capable now."

Just as the Yang family was about to depart, Mu Chen called out to them.

"By the way, there’s a formidable creature inside the grain storage facility. I advise you to avoid it."

Hearing this, the Yang family scoffed inwardly. They had come all this way for food—how could a few words change their minds? Everyone assumed he was exaggerating the threat.

No one responded...

Mu Chen watched their figures fade into the crimson mist and sighed.

It was then he noticed Yang Zhiying was still standing nearby, facing him.

"Why haven't you left yet?"

"I know our earlier actions angered you, but there's no need to antagonize us this way," Yang Zhiying said, her expression complex.

"Tch..."

"Whether there’s a monster or not, you’ll see for yourselves. I was only offering a sincere warning. Listen if you wish; ignore it if you don't."

Yang Zhiying fell silent.

"Then, on behalf of my family, thank you..."

...

"Why are you still here?!"

Yang Zhiying: "..."

"Um..."

"I know you have water here. Could you spare us some? Our supply is running low, and there are children with us."

It seemed she had mustered all her courage, her eyes full of hope. Before Mu Chen could reply, she hurried on:

"Even if I borrow it now, I promise to repay you in the future."

Her request made him chuckle, his gaze lingering on her delicate face.

"And how will you repay me?"

"If I borrow one liter, I’ll return two," Yang Zhiying bit her lip.

"Don’t bother. We aren’t close enough for that."

After hearing Mu Chen’s answer, Yang Zhiying lowered her head, the light in her eyes fading.

"I’m sorry, I was too forward. Then I won’t trouble you further."

Once Yang Zhiying had left, Mu Jiu’er wiped the grease from her mouth and laughed.

"Brother, she seems like such a manipulator—acting pitiful here, who knows what she says about us once she’s back with her family!"

Mu Chen handed her a packet of tissues.

"Smart kid, always thinking she knows everything. Clean your hands—you're getting it everywhere. Once you’re ready, we’ll move on."

...

...

The next leg of their journey wasn’t far.

All they needed was to find a suitable building nearby to shelter in.

After marking the locations of the grain storage facility, fertilizer plant, and the cluster of tumor-flesh hills on the map, Mu Chen fell into deep thought.

"This is it! The place I mentioned before—the ‘Food Processing Plant.’"

To the north was the fertilizer plant, to the west the grain storage facility, and to the south, two kilometers away, lay the tumor-flesh hills.

[Once you have a goal, pursue it without delay. You’ve truly found an excellent spot—there are many things there that can help you realize your dreams. For example... crafting a giant mushroom?]