Zhao Chi surveyed the area.
He confirmed it was safe.
"Let's go, Tang Ruan. We need to hurry and get water, then get you all fed. After you've eaten, we'll go wipe out that group of Goblins."
"Huh? Didn't that Goblin say they have 35 strong warriors? We only have 12 people. Can we really win?"
Tang Ruan was a little worried.
Zhao Chi laughed. "Thirty-five warriors? Goblins are the best at bragging. Everything they say is an exaggeration. The number he gave isn't necessarily true. There might not even be 30 of them."
Tang Ruan nodded. "Oh, there's still so much I don't understand. Thank you for patiently teaching me."
'This Tang Ruan is quite polite.'
Zhao Chi smiled faintly. "You're welcome. When we get back, you can teach the others what I've told you."
Tang Ruan nodded. "Okay, I will."
"Let's go. We need to hurry and get the water."
Things went smoothly after that.
They didn't encounter any obstacles.
Zhao Chi's iron pot and Tang Ruan's wooden basin were both filled with water.
The two of them returned to the territory, cautious yet quick.
They went straight into the Lord's House.
In the kitchen was Gu Qing, her skin fair and delicate.
The clothes obviously weren't finished yet.
But Gu Qing had already prepared the Supplies needed for cooking.
They were piled high in a corner.
When she saw Zhao Chi and the others, she stood up happily. "You're back? Lord, I've already prepared the firewood for cooking. You can start the fire right away."
Zhao Chi placed the pot on the stove.
He was a little surprised to see the large pile of firewood.
The firewood was stacked in a pile.
But it was exceptionally neat.
It was divided into three different stacks along the corner of the wall.
The innermost stack was all thick logs that could burn for a long time.
The middle one was dry branches and some smaller twigs.
And the outermost one was dry grass, dry leaves, and dry bark—perfect for kindling.
Zhao Chi couldn't help but ask, "Did you do all this?"
Tang Ruan also sighed in admiration, "Sister Gu is amazing."
Gu Qing smiled and waved her hand dismissively.
"How could I have done all this by myself?"
"Three of the other women helped me. After all, we need to cook first and make sure everyone gets a full meal.
"As for the clothes, it doesn't matter if we put them on a little earlier or later. It's not like anyone else will see.
"And even if you see us, Lord, it's no big deal.
"Right, Tang Ruan?"
Tang Ruan didn't expect Gu Qing to suddenly ask her.
She stammered, "Oh, uh, yes, right. If the Lord sees, he sees. It's nothing."
She blushed and lowered her head as she spoke.
Seeing her shyness, Gu Qing couldn't help but burst out laughing.
But suddenly, her expression changed.
She rushed toward Zhao Chi.
"Lord! Why is there blood on you? Are you hurt? Let me give you Treatment!"
Zhao Chi looked down and saw some bloodstains on his waistband.
But it was all from the Goblins.
Zhao Chi gave a simple explanation.
"Oh, you scared me to death! It's good that you're okay."
Gu Qing patted her impressive chest and breathed a sigh of relief.
The resulting ripple was quite a sight.
Zhao Chi asked, "Gu Qing, do you know how to make rice? Tang Ruan and I are going to go bury those three Goblins."
Gu Qing couldn't help but laugh. "Lord, how could I not know how to make plain rice? You underestimate me. We don't have many Supplies right now, but once we have enough, I'll show you my Culinary Skill. I'll make you delicious food every day."
Zhao Chi smiled. "Great. I'll be looking forward to that treat."
After saying that, Zhao Chi suddenly felt something was off.
'He hadn't seen the Culinary Skill among her Skills.'
'Without the Culinary Skill, what kind of culinary skills could she have?'
Zhao Chi asked, "Gu Qing, are you... also experienced in cooking?"
Gu Qing was surprisingly frank. "I have no experience whatsoever."
"Er... then you?"
Gu Qing smiled. "That's why I said we have to wait until we have enough Supplies. I'll practice diligently. I'm determined to become your personal chef. That's the only way to ensure your dining safety."
'Dining safety?'
'Is her Loyalty really only 5 points?'
Zhao Chi was a little happy. "Alright, then I'll be counting on you in the future. But for today, the rice won't be a problem, right?"
Gu Qing also smiled. "The rice really won't be a problem, you can rest assured. But I think it would be better if we made porridge instead. We don't have any side dishes to go with it, after all. What do you think, Tang Ruan?"
Tang Ruan nodded. "Yes, porridge does seem more suitable. But if the Lord wants to eat rice, then I'll eat rice too."
Zhao Chi smiled and waved his hand. "I'm fine with anything. Let's have porridge, then."
Gu Qing said, "If we're making porridge, this is just enough water. How about we have Tang Ruan make it, and I'll accompany you to bury the bodies?"
Tang Ruan said, "Lord, I have no problem making the porridge. Sister Gu Qing is very strong. It will be safer for you if she goes with you."
Gu Qing threw Tang Ruan a friendly glance.
Zhao Chi shook his head. "Gu Qing, your Combat Power is the highest. You need to stay here. If enemies attack, we'll be counting on you to defend us."
Gu Qing nodded. "Understood. Lord, please be careful. If you get injured, come find me, and I'll give you Treatment immediately."
"Okay." Zhao Chi nodded. "Tang Ruan, grab the shovels. Let's go."
It was currently summer.
If they didn't deal with the bodies quickly, they would soon rot and start to smell.
It would also attract swarms of insects and could even cause diseases.
It might also attract other beasts.
So, burying them as soon as possible was the best option.
Soon, the two of them returned to the battle site.
The three Goblins lay there silently.
The two of them started digging a pit right away.
Although Tang Ruan really looked like a delicate girl, her Power was also 5 points.
On par with Zhao Chi's.
They were in the same Power Level.
There might be minor differences, but overall, they weren't far apart.
Moreover, Tang Ruan was deliberately putting all her effort into digging, so she ended up digging even faster than Zhao Chi.
Soon, they had hastily buried the three Goblins.
When they returned to the Lord's House again, Gu Qing and the other female villagers were all wearing small shorts.
Gu Qing said to Tang Ruan, "Here, these are yours. Go on, put them on."
"Okay, thank you, Sister Gu."
"You're welcome~"
As Gu Qing spoke, she took the shovels from Zhao Chi and put them away.
Then she brought over two bamboo cups filled with hot water.
She handed one to Tang Ruan and the other to Zhao Chi.
"Go ahead and drink, Lord. It was just boiled. It's a little hot, but it's drinkable."
Zhao Chi asked, puzzled, "Where did the bamboo cups come from?"
Gu Qing pointed ahead. "From right there. You just cut the bamboo along the joints, chop it into sections, and you have bamboo cups. All-natural."
Zhao Chi nodded. "You're really amazing. Every time I come back, I see something new."
Gu Qing smiled. "Now do you believe I can train up a good Culinary Skill?"
Zhao Chi couldn't help but nod. "I believe you. I'm looking forward to it."
Gu Qing said happily, "Hee hee, that's great. The porridge will be ready in a little while."
The aroma of rice porridge was already wafting from the Lord's House.
Mingled with the acrid smell of burning firewood.
Just then, a system notification arrived.
[New Friend Request Received]
He opened it and saw it was from Yang Xiong.
Yang Xiong was in his system contacts.
The two of them could talk at any time.
But their territories had not yet established a friend relationship.
If they established a friend relationship, they could trade, assist each other in battle, and so on.
Of course, trade between Lords was also taxed.
As for assisting in battle, it probably wouldn't be needed in the early stages.
The surrounding factions and wild monsters in the early stages weren't strong.
If a Lord needed help even in the early stages, they were far too incompetent.
Unless, that is, they encountered a Giant or some other powerful force.