Although he was curious, he had more important things to do, so he shoved it away for now and will ask the other party later.
Accepter Garut turned around and led the caravan on the incomplete outer wall.
"This is...made from mud?" The others can't help but examine the walls by their sides. It was tall and looked sturdy enough to withstand their kicks.
"Brother, I think we can do the same for our village."
"This is a good idea." "We'll tell the village chief after we get back."
"Still, this place looked desolate." "Is he alone?"
The moment everyone heard that, different thoughts started shooting through their minds. Nobody knows what they are thinking.
It's just that it seems to lean more on bad intentions. "Dispel those ideas you have."
Accepter Garut said to them with a deep look. However, even with that said, he can't change a human's heart and mind with just a few words.
Although nobody talked about it, they still nodded as a show of obedience.
Argar's eyes were glinting with bad intentions. It seems he already made the decision by heart. He looked around in his mind, thinking of a scheme.
Not noticing a man's gaze was on him all the time.
When they finally reached their goals, Nai met up with the old man. "Welcome to my territory, the Viridescent Castle."
His voice is casual, with a hint of caution mixed in.
Garut nodded with a faint smile on his wrinkly face. "You're welcome, my friend; how about we talk?"
Nai invited the old man to the side, where he had already prepared a wooden chair and a table hardened by mud.
The two sat on opposite sides. The others didn't follow them, as they knew this was their private business.
Argar wanted to but he refrain from doing so. Thinking something very dangerous.
"Let's cut to the chase. I want to exchange our goods with the miracle water." Accepter Garut directly spread out his cards on the table to avoid misunderstanding.
Nai nodded. "How many bags do you want?" Looking at the old man's expression on his face, he knew that the old man had come with good intentions.
As for the others, he would see about that.
"How much do you want to exchange for our wood? This should be important to you right now."
Nai nodded. "I'll give you...hmm..half a bag from the last time for all of your goods.".
"Isn't that too little? After all, we traveled for three weeks here nonstop. I can't just disappoint my people's hard work." Frowning, Accepter Garut spoke.
True, but the value of his pond's water can't be measured by the number of logs and lumber they can provide. "That's final."
"The numbers of our goods are higher than in the past." His meaning is clear; all he wants is an increase in quantity, just as he has.
However, Nai shook his head. He had already regretted exchanging his precious treasure for those unworthy products back then.
If he was much smarter back then. A small bag of water containing a kilogram of water would be enough for an exchange.
Just why did he have to exchange a twenty-kilos bag of miracle water for those unworthy goods?
It was a loss. That's why this time he was firm in protecting his treasure. However, he can't just make enemies of everyone when he's all alone.
If there's time to push the button, then he can only adapt to the situation. "I pity your situation back then. Plus, as a first meeting, I naturally can't give you much."
"But now is different. We're in for the benefits. Your logs aren't worthy of my miracle water." Nai spoke softly, but his tone showed his stance to remain unmovable.
Accepter Garut took a deep look at Nai. He suddenly can't understand the young man in front of him. Well, they only met two times, so it can be explained as such.
He also knows that they were taking advantage at this time, but for Nai to know this means the exploitation he was planning has already failed since the beginning.
"Alright. Tell me what other things we can exchange for the miracle water." Garut took compromised; he hates making enemies too.
It's better to settle for less than to be sleep-deprived and die anytime from danger.
Hearing this, Nai somehow relaxed, as he displayed a faint smile on his face. "I need more logs; the more the better. I will only exchange them all for miracle water."
By thinking of that, Garut knows that he has secured a long-term partnership with Nai as well as constant miracle water replenishment.
"After, we go back. There will be a constant delivery of wood and logs every two days after a month."
"Good, same exchange. I will give half a bag's worth of miracle water for every exchange." Nai nodded, satisfied with the cooperation.
"Anything else?"
Nai thought for a bit and nodded. "I need flour. You have one in the previous exchange, that means you have a field of wheat."
"Indeed."
To think that the crops names are the same in this world. There might be some connections between this place and the earth. Nai thought, It's just a guess, though.
"How long will you stay?" Nai asked casually as he took out a cup of miracle water from the side and pushed it toward the old man.
The old man didn't wait for too long as he received the cup. The coolness and refreshing feeling were sliding through his throat to his stomach.
Before finally spreading to his whole body and making all of his exhaustion sweep away. Relaxed, he felt much more light and spirited. "Well, go back this afternoon."
"Alright. After the exchange, tell your men not to intrude on my territory. Also, not there." Nai pointed at the Underground Land Dragon's little territory as he made a cautious expression.
Accepter Garut asked out of curiosity, "What's in there?"
Nai was silent for a bit. In the end, after looking for some time, he said, "Underground Land Dragon— my territory's guardian."
Sorry Browny, I alright enlisted your name as my guardian without your consent, though I know you had heard it and was quite happy for the promotion. Nai muttered in his heart.
Browny seems to be staring in their direction from its little cave. It's thought to be unknown.
"Guardian?"
Nai was silent; there's no need to explain. They will know it in due time.
"Anyway, let's get it done."
"Alright."
Then the two stood up and left the table.
Nai returned to the walls and took out a bag containing ten kilograms of miracle water.
There are no weight measurements in this world, so he had just done so using the bags as units.
After each has received their own goods, they nod at each other and get to do their rest.
After the logs and timber were piled on the side, he started a fire with them and pulled out the smoked meat hanging from his storage hut.
"Let's have some barbecue before you all leave." Naturally, no one denied Nai's invitation.
Although they were wary of this young man, food can move people.
If not, then that means there's just too little.
"Friend Nai, I heard you're the only one living in this forsaken place. Where did you come from before?" A middle-aged man suddenly asked, seeing that the atmosphere was harmonious.
Nai narrowed his eyes but didn't answer immediately; he took out a smoking hot skewer that was already oozing with irresistible fragrance and oil.
Even the villagers gulp it in subconsciously. Meat has always been a luxury commodity in everyone's heart.
Even with the bountiful grassland and forest, it's too hard for them to catch those animals to be their meal.
The traps are just too unproductive. Nai didn't know who told the man how he was all alone, but he knew.
Even if he knew it was just a bluff, sooner or later, they would still see that he was all alone. So what can he answer this time?
His answer was, "I came from above.".
"Above?" Accepter Garut subconsciously looked at the bright blue sky in confusion. He wasn't the only one; everyone does.
"Above? There's no land above; how can my friend Nai come from above? It must be a joke." The man joked as he laughed.
"Hahahaha." Everyone thought so too.
There's no way a man can live above the sky, right? How can that be? That's impossible.
However, Nai didn't explain further. Instead, he passed the meat on to everyone. "It's my treat today. There's more if you want."
Together with the laughter just now, the already harmonious atmosphere was further pushed into a relaxing and casual mood.
Everybody except Argar has a good impression of Nai. Even the bad intentions sprouting in their hearts were weathered.
"Hmph." Argar sneered. Only the weak would bow down and please the strong. In his heart, he had already looked down on Nai and deemed him weak.
"A weak man isn't worthy to take reign of such miracle resources." His eyes flashed with sinister light. "...by I do."