Chapter 252: That’s Right, It’s Just a Small Matter!
Xiong Jie hesitated slightly, feeling the politeness in Ding Ning’s voice.
What tempted him the most was Ding Ning’s promise to withdraw her control over him once the passage opened.
"Jiang Che is dealing with something in the Human Realm now, so I can only contact you," Ding Ning continued.
Xiong Jie took a deep breath, "Please, there’s no need for such formality, you’re Jiang Che’s beloved, and I consider you like my junior." Xiong Jie steadied his mind, regardless of whether Ding Ning would eventually release her hold over him, the promise was what he truly desired.
With her words spoken, he wouldn’t push further to take advantage of the situation.
Besides, Ding Ning hadn’t issued him any commands for a long time, which gave him the illusion that he was free already.
"Uncle, could you help me find more salt?" Ding Ning asked shyly.
"Huh? How much do you need?" Xiong Jie was taken aback, assuming Ding Ning wanted him to handle something difficult or dangerous, for which he was prepared to risk his life.
He understood clearly that to gain freedom, one must fight for it.
He rubbed his ears, even though Ding Ning’s words transmitted directly to his mind.
"Is it the seasoning salt for food?" He pondered briefly, realizing that salt generally referred to this.
"Yes, that’s it. Can you help me find more?"
"We have plenty in our warehouse." Xiong Jie hadn’t expected Ding Ning’s request to be such a simple task.
They had prepared a lot of survival resources, especially seasoning salt.
"Really?" Ding Ning couldn’t hide her delight. She thought it would be hard to find, but Xiong Jie surprised her.
Thinking about it, salt was indeed precious, and Jiang Che would surely collect some. Even if Jiang Che didn’t know, Xiong Jie and Feihu were by his side.
These two handled affairs for Jiang Che, and she should rest assured.
"Can you take me to see it?" Ding Ning wanted to see their salt storage.
"No problem!" Xiong Jie put down his work.
"Continue, I’ll be back shortly." He greeted his coworkers and began walking toward the warehouse with Ding Ning.
Ding Ning could observe things through his perspective, which he always remembered.
Not far from where he stood, there was a temporary warehouse built with bricks, stacked simply. The warehouse was tall, with each floor holding specific items.
"The first floor here stores daily necessities, things like paper," Ding Ning was just interested in salt, but he introduced the stored items to her, wanting Ding Ning to see that he indeed prepared many things while staying by Jiang Che’s side.
Seeing the full warehouse of supplies, Ding Ning nodded affirmatively, unfamiliar with the objects, but the intention to prepare was a good thing; if humans prepared it, surely it would be useful.
"These are long-term food stores, vacuum-treated, and some food we’re breeding and planting, aiming to have a continuous influx of fresh supplies in the future." Xiong Jie pointed at the food before him, having prepared many such warehouses that could support them for years even if nothing grows.
As for years later, that’s a concern for another time.
When the time comes, even without food, they’d find a way to survive.
"Not bad." Ding Ning nodded affirmatively, growing more certain about keeping Xiong Jie initially.
"We have many such warehouses, each stage unlocking different stores of resources."
Xiong Jie continued to introduce while guiding her to the section where seasonings were stored.
"Besides salt, we also prepared other spices and herbs. Though cooking mainly requires salt, using other things can add flavor when life is more stable." Xiong Jie estimated the proportion of stored resources.
They had many such warehouses, and the salt on this half-wall of boxes was enough to last their group for a long time.
Seeing the boxes on the half-wall, Ding Ning frowned slightly.
It seemed humans stored salt frugally, according to usage needs, but based on her usage, this amount wouldn’t last many meals, let alone for cooking practice.
"Could you find some more?" Ding Ning asked, embarrassed, knowing her request was audacious given the item’s value.
"Of course, but if you can’t find it, that’s okay." Ding Ning quickly added, recognizing she’d need to ration wisely, and it should last long.
"What?" Xiong Jie paused, even though resources were stored proportionally, salt, even a small bag, lasts a long time.
This half-wall of salt would outlast consuming all the food in the warehouse.
Isn’t this enough?
"Rest assured, other warehouses have reserves; each proportionately stored," Xiong Jie feared Ding Ning thought there was only this.
"Ignoring others, it’s for staged use, right?" Ding Ning shook her head, unaware of human ways but understanding not to touch supplies for future use.
"Then... I’ll find some more for you..." Xiong Jie scratched his head, not questioning further, knowing the SSS-level Lord must have their reasons.
Some matters don’t need questioning, for their stage, much said is beyond understanding.
"Thanks, if it’s tough, don’t stress it." Ding Ning whispered softly.
"No, you’re too polite." Hearing this, Xiong Jie felt relieved, with Ding Ning speaking so courteously about such a small matter, it seemed she truly intended to set him free.
He hadn’t expected the pair he initially didn’t acknowledge to embody the rarest feelings amidst the apocalypse.
After all, which SSS-level Lord converses so kindly with a low-level human?
Which SSS-level Lord truly loves a human?
Initially, he thought Jiang Che was just a plaything like himself.
"I’ll surely take care of this for you, trust me." He might struggle with other tasks, but finding salt, even if buried under the Dark Wood, he’d take a bus to dig it out.
Even if it’s all the salt in the world, he’d find a way!
It’s just a matter of finding salt, not like it was in ancient times.
Yes, just a small matter!
If he couldn’t handle such a trivial task, he’d rather be dead.
Only he couldn’t fathom why Jiang Che’s wife needed so much salt?