Chapter 116: The Mountain of Savages!

Chu Xiao had been busy in the kitchen for a long time, only to produce two dishes. He brought them to the dining table, served two bowls of rice, and asked Wang Lulu to critique his work.

"What on earth is this? Is salt free of charge? Quickly, get me some water!"

Wang Lulu had taken a bite full of anticipation, but the result was far from her expectations. It was an absolute culinary disaster. She spat everything out, nearly choked to death by the saltiness.

"How much salt did you put in this?"

"Not that much. The recipe told me to add a spoonful, so I added a spoonful!"

Chu Xiao felt he hadn't done anything wrong. He took a bite himself, and just like Wang Lulu, he spat it all out—it was completely inedible.

"Exactly how big was the spoon you used?"

"The soup ladle. It wasn't even a full one, just a large half-ladle. Your salt container is empty now!"

Chu Xiao felt aggrieved, insisting he had followed the recipe and couldn't have gone wrong. Wang Lulu was so angry she nearly took a swing at him.

"You've never cooked before, yet you decide to cook for me? Am I some kind of lab rat to you?"

Wang Lulu looked at the dishes, unable to swallow another bite, but since she couldn't waste food, she had no choice but to head to the kitchen herself to prepare something more.

"I am truly sorry. I thought I couldn't go wrong if I followed the recipe!"

Chu Xiao looked apologetic. Seeing Wang Lulu struggling to cook for him despite her swollen ankle, he felt a knot of guilt in his heart.

Wang Lulu told Chu Xiao to call Number One and Dr. Ren over for dinner. They arrived at the same time, just as the new dishes were ready.

"You two aren't enjoying your private time, so what made you think of inviting us over for dinner?"

Number One asked curiously. Chu Xiao felt awkward and couldn't bring himself to admit they only invited them because they didn't want to waste the food he had ruined.

"We haven't eaten together in a long time. We finally had a moment to share a meal and strengthen our bond."

Even Chu Xiao didn't believe his own words. Number One and Dr. Ren weren't fools; how could they buy that?

"It’s because he cooked for the first time and dumped a huge spoonful of salt in, but we couldn't waste the food and we couldn't finish it ourselves, so we had to call you!"

Wang Lulu exposed him immediately. Number One and Dr. Ren burst into laughter, and Chu Xiao’s face turned as red as a monkey's backside.

"I was wondering when Chu Xiao would have the leisure to invite us two old men over to 'strengthen our bond'!"

Chu Xiao wished he could find a crack in the floor to crawl into. Seeing that Chu Xiao was embarrassed, Wang Lulu gestured for everyone to start eating.

Chu Xiao stood up, pulled out a chair, helped Wang Lulu sit down, and prepared the bowls and chopsticks for everyone.

"Oh my, since when has our Lieutenant General Chu become so attentive?"

Seeing how well Chu Xiao treated Wang Lulu, Number One began to tease him. In truth, Number One was quite surprised, as he had always thought Chu Xiao only knew how to lead armies and fight battles.

He hadn't expected him to be so doting toward Wang Lulu. Chu Xiao didn't mind the teasing and continued to pick food for Wang Lulu, their interaction quite intimate.

They only knew that Chu Xiao and Wang Lulu had met a few days ago, but they couldn't know that in Chu Xiao's heart, they had known each other for a long time, and she had even died before his eyes once.

In his heart, no one could replace his feelings for Wang Lulu. As long as he was there, he would never let anyone hurt her again.

After the meal, they began discussing the meteorite issue. They had been worried about it for days, as the current supply was far too scarce.

"Should I call the other three nations to see if they can share some meteorites with us?"

"If we take their meteorites, they will surely find out what we are doing and take the opportunity to demand weapons from us."

Chu Xiao had actually thought of this method long ago, but he hadn't mentioned it; he would only ask the other nations as a last resort. He knew that if they realized meteorites were essential for developing new weapons, they would certainly start calculating how to divide the spoils.

Only a tiny amount of magnesium could be refined from each meteorite. If they had to share the weapons, it would be a losing trade. Although they were allies against a common enemy, every nation had its own hidden agenda.

If enough meteorites could be found within the Nine Provinces, Chu Xiao would never reach out to the other three nations. Of course, Number One understood this clearly, and only suggested it because he was truly out of options.

"Actually, there is one place we haven't searched."

"Where?"

Dr. Ren, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly spoke up. Chu Xiao and Number One were puzzled. With so many people searching every corner of the Nine Provinces for meteorites, how could there be a place they had missed?

"Wildman Mountain!"

Chu Xiao was baffled; he had never heard of a place called "Wildman Mountain" in the Nine Provinces. Number One hadn't heard of it either. The two looked at each other, waiting for Dr. Ren to continue.

"People call it Wildman Mountain because no one who has entered the mountain has ever come out. Legend has it that wild men inhabit the forest and feed on humans, so everyone is too afraid to go in."

The mountain was vast, an untouched primeval forest teeming with ferocious beasts and all manner of venomous snakes, insects, and vermin. It was extremely dangerous.

Every other part of the Nine Provinces had been searched; only Wildman Mountain remained, as no one dared to enter. Chu Xiao and Number One fell into deep thought. They didn't necessarily believe in wild men, but the snakes and insects alone were enough to give them a headache.

"What if we send the military in? And bring two locals to lead the way?"

Number One pondered for a while and agreed with Chu Xiao's suggestion. That very evening, he ordered the troops to prepare their supplies for an early departure the next morning.

"Make sure the medical equipment is fully stocked, and ensure there is plenty of ammunition. We must do everything possible to ensure no one gets hurt."

Chu Xiao added a final instruction to Number One. Searching for the meteorites was important, but not as important as the lives of his soldiers. Meteorites could be found again, but a life could only be lived once.

After finalizing the plan, Number One and Dr. Ren got up to leave. Chu Xiao prepared to lead the team into Wildman Mountain himself.

"I'm going tomorrow, too. I have wilderness survival experience and can help you."

Wang Lulu was worried about Chu Xiao. After all, there were many dangers there, and she couldn't rest easy if he went in alone.

"No. Even though you have extensive wilderness experience, it's too dangerous, and your ankle is not in good condition."

Chu Xiao refused flatly. He didn't want Wang Lulu to face even the slightest danger, as the unknowns of Wildman Mountain were too great.

"No, I must go this time. I want to contribute to the Nine Provinces. If you don't let me go, I'll go by myself after you leave!"

Wang Lulu's attitude was firm. After some deliberation, Chu Xiao agreed to her request. Although he feared for her safety, he knew that if she entered the mountain alone, the danger would be even greater. It was better to have her with the main force, where many people could protect her.

Moreover, with Wang Lulu's help, the mission would likely proceed much more smoothly. Chu Xiao carried Wang Lulu to her bed, told her to rest early, and prepared for their departure at dawn.