Chapter 996

He could also set aside 25 tons for Su Qin, to feed her beastfolk.

Of course, that portion would be free of charge.

Although those were Su Qin's soldiers, now even Su Qin herself belonged to him, so her soldiers were roughly his as well.

No need to be too particular with one's own people.

Besides, Su Qin was entitled to a share of the spoils to begin with, so giving her some was only right.

As for the offal, blood, and the like, those could be sold off at a low price.

After all, goblins and beastfolk ate that stuff too, so it could bring in a little money.

The ogre horns would be kept — 400 in total, a forging material.

No use for them yet, so he'd stockpile them for now.

Soon, Zhao Chi delivered 25 tons of meat to Su Qin's side.

He was rewarded with a face full of lipstick marks.

He contacted Zhao Cang again, selling the remaining lean meat, offal, and so on to Zhao Cang.

After taxes, ogre lean meat was 9 copper coins per kilogram, offal and scraps 3 copper coins, for a total of 122.8 gold coins.

Zhao Chi was a little surprised to see that amount.

He hadn't expected the haul to be that decent.

Su Qin killed large numbers of magical beasts every day — she couldn't possibly be unaware of the value of these ogre corpses.

So… had she deliberately let him have them?

This Su Qin…

Since she was showing goodwill, he would accept it.

Being overly polite would only make Su Qin unhappy instead.

Let it be, then.

Chen Hua's group hauled off the fat and began refining fire oil.

Feng Xiu's group carried away the thick hides for washing and tanning into leather.

Zhao Chi also carried off several ogre hides himself.

He found Qiyue, freshly washed clean, ducked straight in, and began crafting new-material high-heeled shoes.

One Work-Speed Talisman wore off, and 12 pairs of blue high-heeled shoes appeared.

Although ogre hide had been filthy and foul-smelling, after washing and tanning the skin had already turned into leather.

The stench was gone, leaving only the smell of leather.

These blue high-heeled shoes looked good and had a decent material boost.

But no extra improvement point had appeared.

It seemed the hide of this low-grade magical beast could boost equipment stats, but couldn't add improvement points.

Improvement points were what mattered most.

【Ice Bear Hide Material】 Defense +2, Durability +50, Cold Resistance +5

【Ogre Hide Material】 Durability +50, Impact Resistance +5%

Each had its pros and cons.

Ice bear hide had white fuzz on it, making it warmer.

But it also absorbed foot sweat more easily and got smellier faster.

Ogre hide was relatively smoother and softer, handling impact better.

But neither material held a decisive advantage.

There wasn't much ice bear hide left now, so he'd stockpile this ogre hide and use it later when crafting more high-heeled shoes.

As for these newly made 12 pairs, he'd hand them out to Gu Qing and the others to wear.

Gu Qing and Zhuang Ya were both very happy.

The two of them both loved these kinds of distinctly feminine things.

Especially high-heeled shoes and stockings.

Tang Ruan, meanwhile, hugged a pair of high-heeled shoes in silence, lost in thought.

She was usually all smiles; he rarely saw her like this.

Zhao Chi asked with concern, "What's wrong, Tang Ruan? Not happy?"

But looking at her character status, her mood was above 200% — she should be in an excited state.

Tang Ruan shook her head. "I'm not unhappy. I was just thinking how the hides of ice bears and ogres are different, and yet there are differences like these."

Gu Qing laughed. "What, is our carefree little Tang Ruan growing up? Already thinking about materials? Wanting to share my lord's burdens?"

Tang Ruan laughed. "Sister Gu, don't tease me — I'm not a child."

Gu Qing nodded. "Just a joke. Your contributions have been enormous; everyone knows that."

Zhao Chi replied to Tang Ruan, "Different magical beasts can be broken down into different materials, and leather is a very important category. What we've gotten so far is all low-grade magical beast hide; later, when we get mid- or high-grade magical beast hide, the effects might be even stronger."

Tang Ruan laughed. "Oh, I see. Thank you, my lord, for the blue high-heeled shoes — the color is really pretty."

Next, Zhao Chi planned to make a lot more ultra-bright fire oil.

The caravan hadn't set out yet.

The main reason was that the alien race had directly requisitioned half their supplies, leaving every family a bit dazed and at a loss for what to do.

Yet every family had swallowed it.

They'd been flayed, but their bones and flesh were untouched — they could endure a little longer.

Moreover, each family had sent along a few formidable lords with the caravan, but war would break out again in three days, so the caravan's departure had been postponed.

The entire caravan plans to set out again after the war.

Moreover, this time when they depart, the alien race probably won't violently requisition like this again.

After all, the alien race also knows they can't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Fatten them up first, slaughter them once they're plump, wait for the leeks to grow before harvesting.

So the extra-bright fire oil Zhao Chi makes this time should all be able to be taken away and sold, Zhao Chi can make money, and the Zhao family can also recover some blood.

But before that, Zhao Chi went to Su Qin's territory again.

He gave her two pairs of blue high-heeled shoes.

Since he's already taken her in, it's better to spread the rain and dew a little.

Zhao Chi returned to his territory again with a face full of kiss marks.

"My lord, you're back?"

Tang Ruan's crisp voice came over.

Tang Ruan seemed to be waiting for him; seeing him return, she jogged over.

And behind her followed Gu Qing and Zhuang Ya.

They seemed to have something to say.

Zhao Chi smiled and said: "What's wrong, Tang Ruan? You've been off since just now. Is there something you can't tell me? Don't keep it bottled up inside."

Tang Ruan said weakly: "I do have something, but don't scold me."

Hmm?

Although Tang Ruan is young, she handles things steadily too; matters she can't decide on she'll immediately ask Gu Qing and Zhao Chi.

Up to now she hasn't made any mistakes.

Looking at how she is now...

Zhao Chi looked back at Gu Qing and Zhuang Ya.

Gu Qing smiled, seeming to want to say something too.

Zhuang Ya, on the other hand, was even more hesitant to speak.

What's going on?

Zhao Chi was very curious.

"I won't scold you, tell me quickly."

Tang Ruan looked back; Gu Qing and Zhuang Ya both nodded.

In an instant, a piece of white soft leather appeared in Tang Ruan's hand.

The outside was hard and smooth as white jade.

The inside was soft and slippery as congealed fat.