Chapter 5
Since Auntie Wang had proactively offered a discounted price, Su Wangchuan naturally followed the flow. He took out the money, counted out two copper coins, and expressed his support on the spot.
Auntie Wang accepted them cheerfully, turned around, and brought out a large basket so big it was hard to wrap one’s arms around. She handed it to him and gave him two copper plates as change.
Remembering Lin Dahai’s advice, Su Wangchuan examined it carefully. The basket, woven from bamboo strips, was extremely sturdy.
Basket: Durability (100/100)
Can carry heavy objects.
Auntie Wang then fished out a palm-sized floral cloth pouch from her clothes and smiled.
“Wangchuan, this is for you. Take it to hold your money. Do not let it fall out.”
“Thank you very much, Auntie.”
Su Wangchuan hurriedly expressed his gratitude. He truly needed this.
“No need to thank me. It is just something sewn from leftover fabric. It is not worth much anyway.” Auntie Wang smiled kindly, turned around, and continued feeding the chickens.
Su Wangchuan put all the copper coins and copper plates into the pouch, tightened the drawstring, and tucked it into his chest. He immediately felt much more at ease.
Carrying the basket, he bid Auntie Wang farewell and followed the sound of hammering to Blacksmith Sun’s place.
Blacksmith Sun was standing at the door, clanging and banging as he hammered an iron pickaxe. Sparks flew with every strike.
He was fully focused. Inside the workshop were many finished pickaxes and other items—long spears and broad sabers displayed one by one along the walls.
“Uncle, my name is Wangchuan. I just arrived in the village. I would like to buy an iron pickaxe.”
With his earlier experience in mind, Su Wangchuan once again took out the wooden plaque and introduced himself.
“One hundred and thirty copper plates.”
Blacksmith Sun glanced at him and quoted the price directly.
Su Wangchuan felt a bit disappointed.
No discount.
He had been hoping to save a little more.
“Uncle, could it be any cheaper?”
Still unwilling to give up, Su Wangchuan pinched the floral cloth money pouch in his hand.
Blacksmith Sun had intended to refuse, but when he saw the pouch the young man was holding, he gave him another look, rubbed his nose, and said,
“I can knock off five copper plates at most. No less than that.”
“Thank you, Uncle! I will take it!”
Su Wangchuan’s eyes lit up. He immediately counted out the copper plates and handed them over.
The money pouch deflated at once, leaving only one copper coin and two copper plates inside.
He selected a brand-new iron pickaxe from the shop. It was heavy, solid in the hand.
Iron Pickaxe: Durability (100/100)
Attack 1–1
Can be used for mining.
Heh. This counted as the first piece of equipment with attributes he had obtained since entering the game.
In a good mood, Su Wangchuan placed the pickaxe into the basket. The realistic pulling and dragging sensation on his back made him feel even more strongly that this game was anything but simple.
After acquiring the pickaxe, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he looked around the blacksmith shop, examining the other equipment Blacksmith Sun had made.
Crude Spear: Durability (100/100)
Attack 2–3
Low-tier equipment.
Crude Saber: Durability (100/100)
Attack 2–3
Low-tier equipment.
Crude Wooden Shield: Durability (100/100)
Defense 1–2
Low-tier equipment.
Further inside, there were also some chipped blades and damaged swords…
Unable to resist, Su Wangchuan asked, “Uncle, how much do these weapons cost?”
“The saber is one thousand five hundred copper plates each. The spear is one thousand four hundred. Shields are cheaper—five hundred copper plates,” Blacksmith Sun replied. “When you are out and about, it is always necessary to buy something for self-defense. The mine is not exactly safe either.”
Su Wangchuan froze.
The mine was not safe?
Were there monsters?
He was not too worried. Since the company had been mining there for some time, they should have sufficient experience to ensure safety.
Besides, there were Lin Dahai and several companions with him.
“Alright. Once I earn some money, I will come back and support your business, Uncle.”
Su Wangchuan tightened the straps of his basket and was about to leave.
Blacksmith Sun revealed a meaningful expression and called out from behind him,
“Wait.”
Su Wangchuan stopped, looking puzzled.
“What is it?”
“Do you want to earn more money?”
“Huh?”
Su Wangchuan was taken aback.
Blacksmith Sun set down his hammer and sized him up from head to toe.
“I can tell your arms are strong and your footing is steady. How about coming to apprentice under me? Learn some blacksmithing with me.”
“Blacksmithing?”
Su Wangchuan hesitated.
“You mine during the day. After delivering the ore, if you do not mind the trouble, bring back a bit of iron ore. I can teach you how to forge. For any iron tools you make, I will pay you wages.”
Blacksmith Sun seemed to know the situation at the mine well and explained further.
“It may be harder than what those people do, but if you can endure it, saving up money to buy a house and marry a wife in the future would not be impossible. Think it over.”
He did not press Su Wangchuan to make a decision immediately.
Su Wangchuan nodded, indicating that he would consider it, and then turned to leave.
The invitation from Blacksmith Sun left him somewhat conflicted.
He was unsure whether blacksmithing here would trigger a main storyline, whether it would interfere with the company’s gold-farming tasks, or whether it would clash with his schedule.
He decided to wait until things on his side were on track.
After all, a monthly salary of over ten thousand yuan was the primary goal.
Leaving the blacksmith shop and arriving at the village entrance, he caught a whiff of scallion fragrance from afar.
A flatbread stall!
A banner at the village gate fluttered in the wind.
Wang Dalang, a short man in his thirties, stood there wearing a filthy apron. In front of him were two large baskets covered with scallion-scented flatbreads.
Two villagers were counting copper plates.
“Five copper plates for two flatbreads.”
“I will take two.”
“I will take four, so I do not go hungry when I get up at night,” the other said, making Su Wangchuan glance at him instinctively.
Getting up at night?
That meant this one was a player.
Both men were very sensitive to gazes and immediately looked over.
“A newcomer?”
“Another one…”
Su Wangchuan’s brand-new basket and iron pickaxe were obvious at a glance.
“Heh.”
“Let’s go.”
The two bought their flatbreads and left, giving off an unfriendly vibe.
Su Wangchuan did not think much of it.
Wang Dalang greeted him with a smile.
“New guy, I noticed you earlier… Did not expect you to get a basket so quickly. Here, these just came out of the oven. They are hot. Eat them and you will have strength. Want one?”
“I have twelve copper plates…”
Su Wangchuan poured out all his money.
Wang Dalang was easygoing.
“Alright. I will give you five.”
With nimble hands, he wrapped five flatbreads in lotus leaves and handed them over.
Flatbread: Edible. Can fill your stomach.
(Tastes good.)
“Thank you.”
“Come again if you like them.”
Wang Dalang was also happy to complete a large sale.
“Will do.”
In high spirits, Su Wangchuan took his leave. Lin Dahai appeared out of nowhere once more, staring in surprise at the five thick flatbreads in his hands.
“I remember giving you only one hundred and fifty-five copper plates.”
“Did you pick up some money?”
Lin Dahai was astonished.
“Heh, Brother Lin, have some.”
As Su Wangchuan handed two flatbreads to Lin Dahai, he explained in detail how he had bargained, including Blacksmith Sun’s offer to take him on as an apprentice.
Lin Dahai stood there holding the flatbreads, completely stunned.
“I have indeed heard before that some people are lucky enough to trigger special events, but among the five of us in the company, none ever did. Wangchuan, your luck is really something.”
Looking at the flatbreads in his hands, he found Wangchuan even more agreeable.
“Blacksmith Sun’s apprenticeship is a way to make money, and it is done inside the village. It is not considered a dangerous task. The higher-ups will not say anything about it.”