Chapter 780: Trade Talk and Turf Tensions in the Lords’ Channel

At 7:30 in the evening, Zhang San’s lazy voice echoed in the Lords’ channel: “Inspection teams and all territories, based on the results of the fourth round of patrols and sample testing, we’ve confirmed that all Devastation Snakes have been cleared from Section One. The emergency disaster status is lifted. All territories and inspection teams can now focus fully on the Devastation Rain.”

Once each territory replied “Got it,” Zhang San asked weakly, “So, what’s everyone having for dinner tonight?”

During the Devastation Rain period, everyone was too busy even to sleep. They’d been surviving on rations and nutrient shakes just to keep going—no one had the energy to think about meals. That being said, while they could skip a good meal, the senior expert absolutely had to eat, and eat well. After a tough day, every territory quickly reported their very best ingredients.

Section One’s acting agent Yin Jie offered, “Third Brother, want some Green Lantern Bamboo Rat? I can prep two for you and bring them over.”

Tang Huai from Territory Two piped up right after, “How about a plate of Green Lantern chive stir-fried with Green Lantern breadworms? Interested, Third Brother?”

Fan Xia Qing jumped in immediately, “Third Brother, do you want some Green Lantern Wild Boar or maybe Green Lantern Chestnut Chicken?”

Zhao Ze’s mother asked, “Would you like dumplings stuffed with Green Lantern alfalfa and snake meat, Third Brother?”

After Qi Fu and Kuang Qingwei made their offers, Zhou Zhaoping asked Zhang San if he’d like some Green Lantern black fish slices. Then Shi Du checked if he wanted fresh Green Lantern water celery. Huo Lei, who had apparently been waiting for this, hit his button: “Third Brother, it’s Huo Lei from Territory Eleven. I’ve got Green Lantern sweet potato noodles ready here.”

Even Wen Nengjie followed right behind Tang Huai and Yue Haiying, showing off his own best dish. “Third Brother, this is Wen Nengjie from Territory Seventeen. I have homegrown Green Lantern grey greens—just blanch them with water, mix in some garlic and sesame oil, and it’s an instant appetite booster.”

To Xia Qing’s surprise, even Yan Meng from Territory Fourteen went public in the 1-10 Lords’ chat, boldly offering a trade. “Third Brother, it’s Yan Meng from Territory Fourteen—I’ve got Green Lantern fiddlehead ferns over here.”

From all the options, Zhang San chose what sounded best. “Thanks, everyone. Tonight I’ll have chestnut chicken and grey greens. I’ll send Ji Li over to pick them up. If you need something in return, just arrange it with her.”

With their dishes chosen, Xia Qing and Wen Nengjie hurried off to prepare. Then Zhang San spoke up again. “Tan Junjie, did you let the Lord of Territory Fourteen know that, since a Devastation Snake was found there, all sealed food in that area must wait twelve hours and test negative for toxins before it’s safe to eat?”

Zhang San’s tone was measured, but for those who knew him, it was obvious he wasn’t pleased. Everyone perked up to listen.

Before Tan Junjie could answer, Yan Meng quickly jumped online to explain. “Don’t worry, Third Brother—the Devastation Snake in Territory Fourteen was found inside a thick plastic bag. My vegetable garden, where I grow the fiddlehead ferns, is over a hundred meters away—it couldn’t possibly be contaminated.”

Tan Junjie replied, “Already notified in person.”

Still keeping that unhurried tone, Zhang San continued, “Devastation Snake venom isn’t your average snake venom. It spreads fast in water and any atmosphere with high Devastation Element content. Right now during Devastation Rain, the air is more humid and saturated with the element than ever. You were notified but didn’t follow the disaster commander’s orders and even openly suggested trading produce from the danger zone? That’s a clear violation of the Huaguo Emergency Natural Disaster Response Act, Tan Junjie.”

“Understood. I’ll handle it immediately,” Tan Junjie responded dutifully.

Fuming, Yan Meng’s face turned red and he was about to hit the button to continue arguing—but Feng Wen quickly grabbed his hand, stopping him.

When Yan Meng finally fell silent, Xia Qing was a little disappointed. What a shame—if Yan Meng had stubbornly argued two more sentences, their petty idol would’ve just tossed him straight into the blacklist, marked as an outright no-trade candidate.

Inside Territory Twelve, Tang Huai spoke up gently. “Third Brother, I also have Green Lantern fiddlehead ferns in my field, plus our family’s own extra-spicy, sour pickled chilies—all ingredients are Green Lantern varieties. They’re perfect mixed together with the ferns for a punchy flavor.”

Sure enough, Zhang San was tempted. “I’ll trade a bottle of pickled chilies for half a pound of fiddlehead ferns to try out. Whatever you want in return, just coordinate with Ji Li.”

Tang Heng replied cheerfully, “You got it.”

Over in Territory Fourteen, Yan Meng simmered with even more frustration.

In Territory Eleven, Huo Lei carefully jotted down in his little notebook: Senior Expert likes fiddlehead ferns, grey greens, and chestnut chicken.

Back in Territory Fifteen, Jiang Ying’s mother let out a long sigh. “Zhang San lives better than people in the Inner City! Who is he really, anyway? Why is everyone scrambling to trade him their best goods?”

Jiang Ying explained, “Third Brother does research. The pesticides and anti-fungal powder he developed work way better than what the Safe Zone has. The special hemostatic my brother brought back for us was a trade with him.”

Thinking of her son who’d died in battle, Jiang Ying’s mother felt her heart twist, but she kept up appearances, picking more greens for her daughter. “That explains it. These are all Green Lantern vegetables, Yingzi—eat up, then get to sleep. You’ll have to wake up before dawn for work again.”

In the Lords’ channel, Tang Huai grumbled, “We also have grey greens in my territory—who’d have guessed Third Brother would want them today?”

Hu Zifeng laughed, “If you’re on the blacklist, it doesn’t matter what you’ve got.”

Tang Huai snapped, “What’s so funny? The rats you raise aren’t even fit to feed the cats in Territory Seven, let alone Third Brother!”

Hu Zifeng fired back, “Doesn’t matter if he’s not into my bamboo rats. You’re still blacklisted.”

Suddenly, Zhang San popped back online. “Section One—do you have plenty of Green Lantern bamboo rats?”

Yin Jie answered at once, “Loads. How many do you want, Third Brother?”

“Send me a plump one. It’s for the cat.”

“On it!”

Tang Huai… Third Brother, that’s just too much!

Everyone laughed, unable to help marveling at Zhang San’s pettiness.

Huo Lei discreetly added another note: Senior Expert’s cat likes Green Lantern bamboo rats.

Just as everyone was finally relaxing after a long day, Tan Junjie’s stern voice came through the walkie-talkie: “Attention, all Lords. The next red-level Devastation Rain is forecast to start at 9 PM and last about 30 minutes. Please prepare in advance.”

Immediately, nerves were on edge again.

Only Tang Huai focused on something else entirely—not the next disaster, but how Yan Meng from Territory Fourteen had suddenly joined the 1-10 Lords’ chat. He called Xia Qing. “You didn’t tell Third Brother you and Yan Meng have a feud?”

Xia Qing answered calmly, “No need.”

Tang Huai frowned. “But we can’t let Yan Meng just hang around in our channel, making it awkward. I’ll go kick him out.”

Xia Qing pointed out, “We’re using a public channel.”

There are three Lords’ channels in Section One of the North, all open channels. Anyone with the right equipment can join.

Tang Huai snorted, “I just checked with the Territory Management Department—there’s no rule that says Lord channels have to be public. We could switch to a private protected channel, what do you say?”

A protected private channel means reprogramming the Lords’ channel to a new, unused frequency, then setting access requirements—like a password or a special invitation link.

Xia Qing reminded him, “Our walkie-talkies don’t support features that advanced.”

“That’s not a problem. Just say yes or no—if you’re on board, I’ll handle the channel and supply all our allies with new, high-end walkie-talkies for free.”

Xia Qing nodded, “I’m fine with it, as long as Captain Tan and the Territory Management Department sign off.”

“Got it. Leave it to me!” Tang Huai said, delighted, and hung up.

Xia Qing put down the phone and told his buddies, “Tang Huai really is a great ally.”

Old Goat squinted, clearly itching to argue the point—he definitely didn’t agree with his friend’s opinion.