Chapter 134: Brother Xia, say something! (Third Watch)

Time came to the second day.

Zhao Xing planted a type of second-tier plant, utterly ordinary, not a large quantity either, around fifteen hundred jin.

The base points were secured, plus a bonus of five hundred jin.

However, the points weren't many, and for martial artists, it was child's play.

When Zhao Xing delivered it over.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good, it's only second-tier supplies, and non-toxic at that."

"Even Wang Meng, the weakest among us, could handle this much alone."

Xia Jing breathed a sigh of relief.

The five thousand jin of 【Numb Fish Fruit】 hadn't been finished yet, but Zhang Jie, Hu Bing, and Chen Fang had already fallen one after another.

Some hallucinated, some vomited.

In the end, only he was still persevering, continuing to eat.

"Boom~ boom~"

When Zhao Xing came to deliver goods, Xia Jing picked up two Numb Fish Fruits and put them in his mouth, and a rumble came from his abdomen, like rolling thunder.

At this moment, although Xia Jing's lips had turned purple and his mental state was somewhat listless, he hadn't stopped even once.

The third layer of Gluttonous Heaven and Earth was quite formidable in power.

It was just that the taste of dead fish was somewhat unbearable for him.

He no longer dared to throw his weight around with Zhao Xing, let alone utter any harsh words.

Because he was also somewhat terrified in his heart.

His scalp was still numb right now; how could he dare to provoke Zhao Xing?

Only, he hadn't bowed his head to Zhao Xing either.

When the others were all begging Zhao Xing to show mercy and to change the flavor in the future, Xia Jing didn't say a single word.

Zhao Xing glanced at Xia Jing, and said nothing more.

After delivering the ordinary second-tier supplies, he quickly returned to the planting area.

【Fire-Glory Green Gold】

【Quality: Mid fourth-tier】

【Status: Seedling stage】

【Effect: Medium-short growth cycle, herbaceous class, metal and fire attribute; its root is edible once the thorns are removed; can replenish a large amount of primal energy, defects: pungent in taste, hard to chew.】

【Overall Evaluation: Fourth-tier supplies.】

Fire-Glory Green Gold looked somewhat like a cactus in appearance.

The seedling looked like a ball of bristling thorns; the reason Zhao Xing chose it was also considering the geographical conditions.

Because although he had conditioned the ley lines, the fire and metal within the ley lines were still slightly stronger.

Strong wasn't necessarily a bad thing, because Fire-Glory Green Gold was a derivative species artificially cultivated by the Benwo Sect.

It was specifically to cope with relatively complex environments.

It could absorb the power of the fire element and metal element to grow, so here, choosing this fourth-tier plant as the seed was the most appropriate.

The upper part of Fire-Glory Green Gold, in Zhao Xing's view, could also be eaten after removing the thorns and peeling it, but because it was imbued with metal-element power, it was somewhat hard to chew.

The root growing underground wasn't hard; its only flaw was its pungency.

Because a large amount of fire-element power gathered there, causing the pungency to skyrocket.

Zhao Xing had only eaten it once, but the impression was extremely deep.

In his previous life, when he was on a mission in sandy terrain, he gnawed on this thing once; the aftereffect lasted a whole month, and he walked with his butt stuck out, and from then on he never ate it again.

"Tough talk? Then I'll serve you some tough stuff!"

Zhao Xing grinned darkly and planted the seedling.

The fourth-tier Fire-Glory Green Gold was equally hardy.

【Wild Growth】 allowed it to pass through the seedling stage, and he didn't switch to 【Wasteland Condensation Art】 either.

Why?

Because 【Wild Growth】 was a root-strengthening method!

The root of Fire-Glory Green Gold was the part that absorbed the most nutrients, and the edible portion was also concentrated in the root.

Naturally, applying the root-strengthening method throughout was the most suitable.

Applying the condensation method here was actually less effective than 【Wild Growth】.

"It's just that the Node-Folding Method and the Element-Separating Method, when paired together, could provide some enhancement, but unfortunately I haven't learned them yet, otherwise the effect could be even better." Zhao Xing felt a bit of regret.

The Node-Folding Method could concentrate all the effects of Fire-Glory Green Gold into the root, meaning the upper part wouldn't grow.

The Element-Separating Method could amplify any single part of the Fire-Glory Green. Compared to the Node-Folding Method, the Element-Separating Method was more practical, because the Node-Folding Method had limitations: you could take the upper part but not the lower part—you couldn't exactly fold away the root.

"It's already sufficient; the mid fourth-tier Fire-Glory Green Gold is enough for them to eat."

Zhao Xing summoned a light rain, waiting for the Fire-Glory Green Gold to mature.

The third day, mao hour.

The martial artists' training area.

"The last one! I'll eat it!"

Xia Jing closed his eyes, held his breath, and swallowed the last Numb Fish Fruit.

"Ha!"

He sprang up abruptly and exhaled a breath of turbid air.

"Roar!"

Then he stood atop the boulder and let out a long howl toward the sky, a blue dragon coiling around Xia Jing.

"Bang bang bang bang bang!"

With that roar, the surrounding rocks and stones shattered.

"What terrifying presence."

"Xia Hou's Blue Dragon Elemental Transformation Art is his signature technique, encompassing movement, offense, defense, and sonic skills. It seems Xia Jing has deeply inherited his father's teachings."

"Why is the Blue Dragon Martial Division called the Blue Dragon Martial Division? Xia Hou is one of its founders. The Ten Sun Grotto Heaven was originally seized from the barbarian tribes, and Xia Hou rendered great service in that."

"Truly fierce…"

The rest of the people watched Xia Jing's figure, some envious, some worshipful.

Xia Jing's roar lasted for a very long time, as if he wanted to spit out all that fishy smell.

And as if announcing that in his contest with Zhao Xing, he was the ultimate victor!

"Enough, Xia Jing, stop roaring." Liu Yongli said, "Come down and assemble."

"Yes." After that roar, Xia Jing's spirit seemed to have recovered quite a bit.

"Today there's no speed-eating training. We begin the next drill." Liu Yongli said, "Same old rules, we start with the extreme…"

"Commander Liu, wait!"

Just then, a roar came from afar.

"Hm?" Liu Yongli turned his head to look, and saw a cyan gale-force wind suddenly rise in the distance, spiraling toward them.

"Zhao Xing?"

Xia Jing's face changed.

The other nine martial artists also looked in terror at that gale-force wind.

Because Zhou Ming had also followed over.

Unless supplies appeared, Zhou Ming wouldn't come over—he needed to come to tally the count.

The middle-aged military doctor beside them also looked at the gale-force wind with some surprise.

On the third day at the Mao hour, another batch?

Didn't they just plant a batch of second-tier supplies yesterday?

He thought this was the limit of this plot of land…

But Zhao Xing indicated that the limit of the land's fertility was not his limit!

"You…" Liu Yongli watched Zhao Xing sweeping in, also somewhat shaken, because he recognized what Zhao Xing was carrying behind him. "This is… fourth-tier supplies?!"

"That's right, fourth-tier!" Zhao Xing descended from the sky and landed before everyone. "The Hemp Fish Fruit was merely an appetizer for all you martial brothers. The speed-eating training is only just beginning now."

Only just beginning?

The ten martial artists, including Xia Jing, were all dumbfounded.

The Hemp Fish Fruit was actually just an appetizer?

What is it now then?

Zhou Ming said to the doctor: "Fourth-tier mid-grade, Fire-Glare Blue-Gold, ten thousand catties in total."

"Of course, it needs to be peeled and de-thorned before eating. According to regulations, only three thousand catties are edible."

The middle-aged doctor was expressionless.

Liu Yongli's heart trembled: "H-how much?"

"Three thousand catties."

Zhou Ming repeated it.

"Fourth-tier supplies, three thousand catties?!" Hearing this, Zhang Jie's eyes went black.

"Fourth-tier supplies, and three thousand catties?" Chen Fang gaped.

"Brother Chen, how about we just kill ourselves, save ourselves the trouble of bursting to death and wasting food…" Hu Bing muttered to himself.

Wang Meng and the other six were simply scared silly.

Even if they burst themselves to death, they couldn't finish it!

Xia Jing looked at those rows of thorny plants and was left speechless.

He had originally thought that on the third day Zhao Xing wouldn't produce anything noteworthy.

At most another wave of second-tier supplies, to grab some basic points.

But unexpectedly, another ten thousand catties had been grown now!

Although only three thousand catties were edible, that was three thousand catties of fourth-tier!

But rules are rules.

Liu Yongli could only give up his plan for other training: "Warm up for a quarter-hour, then begin speed-eating training!"

"Commander." Zhao Xing spoke up at this moment, "It's rather inconvenient for the martial brothers to remove thorns and peel. How about I help them with it."

Liu Yongli couldn't help but glance at Zhao Xing—why, you're actually quite kind.

Is this because he's afraid they can't eat it all?!

"Fine." Liu Yongli smiled, "I'll thank you on their behalf."

Zhao Xing used wind techniques to shave off the thorns. Soon, the ten thousand catties of Fire-Glare Blue-Gold were peeled and de-thorned, neatly stacked on the ground.

For fear the martial brothers wouldn't eat well, a layer of outer shell was also spread on the ground, not a speck of dust clinging to it.

At the same time, Zhao Xing also cut them into section after section, easy to pop into the mouth.

In no time, the dark-red, forearm-thick roots of the Fire-Glare Blue-Gold were arranged in neat rows.

"Everyone, please help yourselves."

Zhao Xing smiled and stretched out his hand, like a master chef presenting his masterpiece for the guests to enjoy.

"I'll go first."

Wang Meng marched toward death as if it were home, charging up first.

He grabbed a segment and sent it straight into his mouth.

Crunch~

After taking a bite, Wang Meng's face flushed bright red. He chewed a few times, then shut his eyes tight.

The people beside him found it very strange. Chen Fang asked the military doctor, "My lord, has he been poisoned?"

"No." The middle-aged military doctor shook his head.

"Then why is he keeping his eyes closed?"

"He's afraid his tears will fall."

"..."

Wang Meng struggled for a full quarter-hour before he could barely stand.

Fire-Glare Green Gold was heavy in texture — a single segment weighed ten jin.

Wang Meng opened his eyes again, and there were already threads of blood in them.

"How was it?"

Zhang Jie asked cautiously.

Wang Meng said nothing, kept silent, shook his head, then nodded.

"Why won't you speak? What do you mean by shaking your head and then nodding?" Chen Fang grew anxious.

"He's temporarily lost his voice," the middle-aged military doctor said. "He can't speak."

"What?" another man cried out strangely. "Wang Meng, with only the first layer of the Gluttonous Art, lost his voice from just this one little segment. With such an effect, how can the Agricultural Monitoring Office call this a supplement? This isn't a supplement — it's clearly a useless poison!"

Zhou Ming raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Not a supplement? Are you questioning the strength of my Agricultural Monitoring Office?"

"Wang Meng lost his voice, but he didn't die. Even without a military doctor, he'd only need half a shichen to adjust before he could go fight. One segment of this Fire-Glare Green Gold a day, and he can stay alive — and maintain at least seventy percent combat effectiveness!"

"Fire-Glare Green Gold has been listed by the Ministry of War as the one hundred and eighty-ninth fourth-tier military supply item. Its export and private trade are strictly forbidden. In the desert, it is a life-saving thing, and it has helped the Great Zhou army through difficulties many times!"

"Just because you can't eat it doesn't mean others can't!"

"How many past sages of the Agricultural Monitoring Office poured their hearts out to develop this derivative variety — and you, a mere recruit, think you're qualified to judge it?!"

Zhou Ming's tone was very stern. When he spoke the last sentence, lightning flickered over his body, and the celestial phenomena above his head shifted faintly.

Clearly, the recruit's words had angered Zhou Ming.

"Slap!" Liu Yongli backhanded the foul-mouthed recruit with a great box to the ear, sending him flying. "You bastard! No respect for your elders, spouting wild words — you deserve a beating!"

Zhao Xing glanced at the martial artist and shook his head slightly.

Zhou Ming is the judge. When you ask a question, you should address him as 'my lord,' and wait for permission before speaking.

Secondly, if you have doubts, then voice your doubts — how could you drag the entire Agricultural Monitoring Office into it?

Do you really think this is some game of house?!

"Lord Zhou, please calm your anger. It was my failure to govern my men — an ignorant brat. Please don't take it to heart with him." Liu Yongli cupped his hands in salute.

"Commander Liu, the rules must be made clear. Let there not be a next time." Zhou Ming waved his sleeve, and the strange phenomenon dissipated.

"Yes, my fault." Liu Yongli smiled apologetically.

In actual military campaigns, naturally one wouldn't need to eat this much.

But this is training. If the Gluttonous Art is to improve, doesn't it require practice?

To speak truly, they ought to thank Zhao Xing for giving them this chance.

Other groups might not have this much to eat to earn points.

The training continued.

Zhou Ming didn't leave, and Zhao Xing didn't leave either.

Wang Meng couldn't eat more after one segment, but that didn't mean others couldn't.

Zhang Jie, Hu Bing, and Chen Fang could still continue after finishing one segment.

"Crunch~"

On the first segment, Zhang Jie felt his abdomen burning, but he could still bear it.

On the second segment, Zhang Jie felt this scalding sensation already spreading outward, no longer confined to his abdomen, but throughout his whole body.

On the third segment, his tears came pouring down. His whole body broke out in sweat, fire-aspected power rampaged everywhere, and the second layer of the Gluttonous Art could no longer fully digest it.

By the fourth segment, Zhang Jie's whole body was burning, his throat had gone hoarse, and he was overwhelmed by the spiciness, completely unable to suppress it. He felt as if he were about to burst into flames.

"Water, water!"

Zhang Jie called out in a raspy voice.

"Stop yelling. Silence." The middle-aged military doctor inserted needles into Zhang Jie. "This is fire-toxin invasion. Ordinary water won't work. Remember — if you truly have no choice but to eat large amounts of Fire-Glare Green Gold for supplies in the future, immediately needle four meridians and five acupoints."

"Stomach meridian's Shuitu and Shuidao, kidney meridian's Shuiquan, governor vessel's Shuigou, conception vessel's Shuifen."

"Like this — got it?"

Zhang Jie, tears streaming down his face, nodded to indicate he had remembered.

He would never forget it for the rest of his life!

Chen Fang and Hu Bing also forced themselves to eat, steeling their resolve.

When each of them reached the fourth and fifth segments respectively, they could no longer hold on at all. Tears streamed down in torrents, and their lips were completely swollen and red.

They ran to the military doctor to get needled.

Seeing how miserable the others were, Xia Jing's scalp went numb again.

He buried his head in eating while circulating the Gluttonous Art.

After eating eighteen segments in a row, he finally retreated back and sat cross-legged to receive treatment.

At this moment, the recovered Chen Fang cupped his hands toward Zhao Xing, his voice hoarse: "Zhao the Minister of Agriculture is extraordinarily gifted; I, Chen Fang, am full of admiration."

Hu Bing also cupped his hands and said: "Brother Zhao, three kinds in three days — the Minister of Agriculture's method is superb; I, Hu Bing, am convinced."

Zhang Jie also cupped his hands and said: "Big Brother Zhao, this place is barren as can be, yet you could provide so much military rations and supplies — I'm convinced too!"

Seeing Zhao Xing only cup his hands in return without speaking, the three of them looked together at Xia Jing beside him and said in a low voice: "Brother Xia, going on like this is no solution — there are still twenty-seven days to go, say something!"

Xia Jing, tears streaming down his face, raised his head and pointed at his own throat.

Oh, he's still hoarse!

Nothing more today; the extra chapters will be made up later — I'll strive to finish making them up this month!