Cave Refuge-Chapter 246 - 244 - Expired Drink_1

The baked sweet potatoes Zachary gave would indeed sell for just a few bucks per pound pre-apocalypse, and their price wasn’t far from common pure metals of the same weight, like copper and iron.

If we go back before the apocalypse, a ten-times weight exchange rate would undoubtedly bring Zachary good profits, let alone the metal bars brought by the Taylor brothers, which contained not only common metals like copper and iron but also some very valuable rare metals.

However, after the apocalypse, despite Pengcheng entering a recovery period, most metals were unable to be utilised due to damaged processing equipment, severely devaluing their trading value.

Those unassuming pre-apocalyptic baked sweet potatoes, made from grains, now became rare trade items.

Even though some grains had been harvested during the safe period, they were stored in warehouses for emergencies. Every individual grain was precious, and no one dared to brew alcohol for pleasure.

Although this alcohol isn’t a class D item and theoretically isn’t addictive, if someone knew about its existence, just one whiff would make them instinctively respond, elevating their urge for alcohol to the extreme.

Also, unlike other things, alcohol doesn’t have an expiration date. No matter how long it’s stored, its value only appreciates; hence, alcohol is universally accepted as hard currency everywhere.

Zachary ignored the two and proceeded to open the third shipping container.

In it were neatly placed numerous colourful beverages.

Zachary casually grabbed a few boxes of drinks, putting them into the back of the car, and offered them to Ye Liuyun with a smirk, "I’ve already gotten plenty for your brother. Of course, I have to get something you’d like too.

However, just a heads-up; these beverages are past their expiry date. Whether you’d drink them or not is up to you."

Ye Liuyun didn’t care one bit about what Zachary just said about the expired beverages. When he saw a shipping container full of drinks, he was salivating.

Seeing all these unopened drinks, Ye Liuyun naturally knew that most of them were probably expired. These beverages theoretically wouldn’t pose any significant harm if the taste hasn’t changed, wouldn’t they? After all, people still buy tobacco despite the packages having ’smoking is harmful to health’ warnings.

If you’re healthy, you should remain healthy even after a bit of unhygienic consumption. People still live to over a hundred years old even with smoking and drinking, while those who devote themselves to fitness and wellness often die young.

Of course, Ye Liuyun can afford to be unbothered because he has also become a martial artist under Robinson William’s supervision. Although he hasn’t reached the Inner Breath Realm, his physical state has significantly improved. He was now unperturbed.

Ye Liuyun, despite his intense longing, didn’t immediately open a package and drink to his heart’s content.

Zachary packaged five boxes of various drinks for Ye Liuyun, "That’s all I’ve got. If it’s not enough, there’s nothing I can do."

As Zachary closed the drink-filled container, Ye Liuyun’s spirits also fell with the closing door. Still, the two watermelons he had in his arms constantly reminded him to avoid any sudden movements.

Ye Liuyun hesitated for a moment before gently placing the watermelons on the ground and swiftly opened the passenger’s car door, placing the watermelons cautiously on the seat.

Then, he snatched two bags of apples from Robinson William and placed them around the watermelons, fearing that the round watermelons would roll off the passenger seat.

After placing the watermelons and apples, Ye Liuyun then carefully exited the passenger seat.

Seeing Ye Liuyun’s careful actions, both Robinson William and Zachary laughed.

Ye Liuyun didn’t care about their laughter and admonished Robinson William, "You don’t understand the value of things since you don’t manage the household. Do you have any idea what we could trade for these watermelons from Zachary? At least half a slice of pork, that’s for sure."

Robinson William was startled when he heard that a single watermelon could be traded for so much pork.

Zachary then said, "You’re the kind who burns bridges after crossing them, aren’t you? When you need something, you call me Brother Dong, but once the deed is done, it’s back to calling me Zachary."

Hearing Zachary’s words, Ye Liuyun was indifferent and casually waved his hand, "Whether I call you Brother Dong or Zachary, you understand I’m addressing you. Titles aren’t important. As long as you understand who I’m calling out to, it’s fine."

Well, Ye Liuyun usurped the words Zachary had planned to say.

Seeing Ye Liuyun’s rather shameless rebuttal, Zachary could only smile and didn’t say anything further.

Sometimes, when the relationship between male friends is good, they’ll tease each other. However, because they understand each other’s boundaries, they avoid topics that could upset or offend.

Robinson William and Ye Liuyun’s purpose for coming here has been accomplished. They have what they wanted in their car, and they’re eager to get back and savour it. So, after the transaction was completed, they didn’t linger. They bid Dong Tianyu farewell, hopped in their car and set off back to the city.

After watching the pair leave, an odd smile began to form on Dong Tianyu’s face.

Now that the other matters are settled, it’s time to deal with the situation on the ship belonging to Shadow Formation.

Dong Tianyu nonchalantly closed the great metallic entrance, strolling and pondering about how should he act once he reaches Shadow Formation’s ship.

When he invited Ye Liuyun and Robinson William onto the ship, Dong Tianyu had used his Divine Sense to check and saw that there were only six or seven Canaries left. He then stopped observing the situation there using his Divine Sense.

Now, Dong Tianyu isn’t in a hurry to use his Divine Sense to find out about the situation there. He’s just silently guessing how many Canaries are still on the ship. He wonders how many out of the twelve Canaries are still there.

Amid endless speculations in his mind, Dong Tianyu finally reached the deck. Although he has not entered the living quarters yet, the chattering voices from inside have already reached his ears.

As the sound of Dong Tianyu’s footsteps echoed in the living quarters, the heated discussion inside abruptly ceased. After all, the girls have also practiced the Mystical Yin Body Forging Art.

Plus, there’s no shortage of food on the ship, so their cultivation has always progressed quickly. Now, whether it’s their physical fitness or sensory acutance, both are far superior to ordinary people.

When Dong Tianyu entered by climbing the stairs, he didn’t do anything to stay hidden, so it’s only natural that they discovered him.

Once Dong Tianyu stood in the living room, he was surprised to find that there were nine Canaries still here. He clearly remembers that six Canaries had escaped while Ye Liuyun and Robinson William were away in the mountains, so by his calculations, there shouldn’t be nine Canaries here.

Looking at the nine Canaries, sitting silently since his arrival, Dong Tianyu comfortably leaned against a wall, then said in a calm tone, "Talk!"

Although Dong Tianyu didn’t specifically mention what he wanted to hear, all the Canaries present knew what he was referring to.

The Canaries have seen Dong Tianyu’s entire process of boarding the ship and have realized that he knows about their every move on the ship.

Even though they have thoroughly inspected every part of the ship to ensure there are no surveillance devices, they do not doubt that Dong Tianyu has ways to monitor them, given that they have personally experienced the Shadow Formation’s ability to perfectly conceal the ship.

So upon hearing Dong Tianyu’s question, three of the Canaries immediately went forward and knelt before Dong Tianyu. Without trying to justify their actions, they bowed their heads and admitted their mistakes, waiting for Dong Tianyu to speak up.

Dong Tianyu didn’t bother with the three who knelt down. Instead, he turned his gaze to the others and asked them with interest, "Why didn’t you run?"

Upon hearing Dong Tianyu’s question, Jasmine Anderson quickly stepped in, huffily retorting, "Why should we leave? We have food and drink here, a comfortable living environment, and you also taught us martial arts. Living here is so comfortable, we’re not stupid to leave just like that."

Having heard Jasmine Anderson’s crisp and clear reply, Dong Tianyu didn’t show any reaction. Instead, he simply told the three kneeling women, "Get up, and tell me, why you came back."

Dong Tianyu only asked why they came back, and didn’t ask why they left initially.

The three Canaries, just getting up, trembled a bit due to fear, worrying about how Dong Tianyu might punish them.

But since they decided to come back, they must have also accepted that Dong Tianyu would find out about their departure. So, even though they’re fearful now, they don’t regret coming back.

Seeing the other two were afraid to speak, Jade gritted her teeth, mustered some courage, and then finally began to speak, "Master, we know we were wrong. Not long after we left, we regretted it, and then we immediately parted ways with them and came back right away."

"Why did you regret it?"

Upon hearing Dong Tianyu continue to dig deeper, the three of them were genuinely regretful. How could they have been so naive to think about leaving in the first place? Although they came to their senses halfway and hurried back to the ship, they still couldn’t escape Dong Tianyu’s watchful eyes, or it could be said that they were always living under Dong Tianyu’s surveillance.

Thinking so, Jade stopped hiding anything and directly confessed her thoughts in a somewhat resigned manner, "I was incited by Destiny to leave at the time. Although she did persuade me multiple times, it was mainly because I couldn’t resist the temptation and was swayed by her, that’s why I wanted to leave the ship."