Chapter 13: A Familiar Scent

Feng Zhong: A descendant of Feng Hou, an important vassal of the progenitor of humanity, Xuanyuan Huangdi, and a true inheritor of the teachings from his ancestor's *Classic of Wuji*.

Chang Yin: A descendant of Chang Xian, an important vassal of the progenitor of humanity, Xuanyuan Huangdi, and a true inheritor of the teachings from his ancestor's *Classic of Nature*.

This was the information Lin Mu obtained after speaking with Chang Yin.

Feng Zhong held the position of Village Military Officer, and Chang Yin held the position of Village Administrative Officer. These were the village positions assigned to them by the system, and Lin Mu had not changed them; currently, it was the best possible allocation.

Feng Zhong managed military affairs, while Chang Yin managed internal administration—a seamless combination of military and civil governance!

As for Lin Mu, he actually had nothing to do... Currently, the village population was very small, and Chang Yin, as a God-tier Scholar, could manage all affairs on his own.

Recalling when he first established the village, he had worked as hard as a dog, with everything resting on his shoulders. He couldn't even dream of having an assistant official; even finding a villager with a Grade 6 aptitude was difficult.

Lin Mu stood in the Village Council Hall for a long while, thinking, while Chang Yin had already gone to attend to his duties.

The buildings currently under construction in his territory included: a Basic Blacksmith Shop, a Basic Mining Site, a Basic Shipyard, a Basic Fishery, a Basic Logging Camp, and so on. Other buildings were temporarily left idle due to a lack of manpower and specialized talent.

There were also several essential basic territory buildings needed, such as a Basic Grocery Store, a Basic Trading Market, a Basic Quarry, a Basic Clinic, and a Basic Barracks... all of which needed to be constructed.

Each was indispensable. For a territory to develop healthily and prosperously, it required a comprehensive and holistic upgrade with all kinds of facilities in place.

The territory also had another very important resource: farmland.

The cultivation of the territory's land had just begun, with personnel assigned to reclaim the wilderness. However, most of the land in the Yinglong Valley was extremely fertile; Lin Mu had seen that it was black-soil grade, which was highly conducive to planting.

Currently, the farmers' reclamation speed was very slow due to various constraints...

In *Mythical Three Kingdoms*, the physical constitutions of the native NPC residents were generally very strong, and they were highly skilled in farming. Many NPCs could typically cultivate 30 mu of land alone. Due to the early interference of the [Nuwa] Mainframe, the laws of heaven and earth were adjusted to favor player lords; the production cycle of a player's territory allowed for two harvests per month—planting at the beginning of the month allowed for a harvest mid-month, and planting mid-month allowed for a harvest at the end of the month, resulting in a 15-day cycle.

However, due to the God-tier attribute bonuses in Lin Mu's territory, the farming and harvest period was unnaturally shortened by half. He could actually harvest four times a month, which was exactly double that of other players. In the future, according to Lin Mu's plan for the Yinglong Valley, the agricultural land would need to reach 600 million mu, requiring 20 million man-days of reclamation to ensure the completion of the entire agricultural production. Of course, this was an ideal state; once all areas of the Yinglong Valley were fully explored, the most appropriate plan would be made based on actual conditions. At that time, the total cultivated area would certainly be less than the planned figure, as a significant reduction would be necessary.

The Yinglong Valley was approximately 800*800 kilometers, totaling 640,000 square kilometers. One square kilometer is equivalent to 1,500 mu, making a total of 960 million mu of land. To achieve the development of 600 million mu of farmland, the workload would be terrifying.

Players had conducted relevant statistics: an average farmer reclaims about 20 mu of land per day. In Lin Mu's territory, where the terrain is flat, the overall landscape is a vast grassland, the soil is fertile, and harsh obstacles like rocks are virtually non-existent, the average reclamation speed could reach 25 mu per day. Thus, to develop 600 million mu of farmland, 200,000 farmers could complete it in about 120 days.

However, many constraints existed, and it wouldn't be as unchanging or ideal as the calculations suggested. For instance, oxen and horses for plowing would be required, and each farmer would need a set of farming tools, as well as pavilions for rest... many various conditions constrained the reclamation of land. Only when the territory's various indices were developed and complete could the overall efficiency approach the budgeted data.

Currently, Lin Mu's number of farmers was 50—very, very small. Ideals are indeed plump, but reality is bony.

One day for sowing, two days for growth, and four days for harvesting. This meant the crops planted by the farmers in Lin Mu's territory could be harvested every seven days. With such a short production cycle, if the population reached a certain scale, the food problem would surely be solved.

This was merely the early-stage support provided to players by the laws of heaven and earth, which would be updated and changed later; Lin Mu knew this. Taking advantage of this period, Lin Mu decided to temporarily make agriculture his second largest industry, ranking it just behind weapons and equipment.

The current market price for grain should be about 5 copper coins per unit, whereas decent weapons and equipment would be around 1,500 copper coins. The gap was quite large.

However, as grain is the most important resource in war, its price fluctuations would change with the situation.

As for equipment and weapons, they would also depreciate. During this golden period, seizing massive profits was the way to go. For now, he would simply stockpile grain.

"Amass grain, build high walls..."

Currently, Lin Mu's territory could not trade with the outside world; it was very isolated, and he could only use that Basic Trading Market.

The Basic Trading Market was a very magical building that could connect to the Basic Trading Markets of other players' territories. However, currently, he was the only one in the entire Huaxia Region with a territory. Additionally, it could connect to the nearest county town's market. The connection ranges were as follows: a Basic Trading Market connected within a county; a Mid-level Trading Market within a commandery; a High-level Trading Market within a large province; and an Ultimate Trading Market nationwide.

Native NPCs also used the trading markets, which was another important setting.

But did you really think this was convenient? Hehe, Lin Mu knew the catch: as the trading market level increased, the transaction tax would increase significantly. The Basic Trading Market was 10%, Mid-level was 20%, High-level was 30%, and Ultimate was 50%. It was like a vampire; the tax consumed during market transactions would become a fatal point limiting its development.

Lin Mu's Basic Trading Market was not yet built; there was only a pit. Without construction blueprints or an architect, building without professional knowledge was very slow. This was a special treatment only for basic buildings—they could be built without professionals, but it took a vast amount of time.

Lin Mu estimated that the Basic Market would be usable in three days, at which point he could connect with the trading market of Dongye County.

After arranging the affairs of his territory, Lin Mu logged off. He had been in the game for more than half a day, and his physical body in reality must be starving.

The gaming helmet required players to log off to handle mundane tasks like eating, drinking, and hygiene.

Lin Mu summoned his attribute panel. There was a log-off icon in the upper right corner. He clicked it

"—System prompt: Do you wish to log off? Please log off in a safe location. If not, you bear the consequences!"

"Yes!" Lin Mu thought silently.

Lin Mu's figure turned into a flash of white light and vanished.

*Swish...* Lin Mu's vision went dark, as if his soul were returning to his body. When he opened his eyes, what met his gaze was the blue interior of the gaming helmet. This was the first time in his life that Lin Mu had logged off.

This gaming helmet was very exquisitely made and was very helpful for player sleep. When players logged into the game, their physical bodies entered a state similar to deep sleep. Even so, if worn for a long time, physical fatigue was inevitable, necessitating certain periods of rest.

Taking off the helmet, Lin Mu looked around; it was still his old, familiar, and simple room.

He had previously moved out to live in a more luxurious guild dormitory, but that place was like a giant dye vat—black, white, yellow, cyan, and green... Now, he felt that this place was warmer.

He didn't cook. It wasn't that he couldn't; Lin Mu was actually quite a skilled cook, he just lacked the ingredients. He also rarely bought groceries to cook for himself, usually eating out or just having instant noodles. To be a professional player, one needed to adopt the common habits of professional players, though those were merely the habits of low-level professionals. But he was different now; he shouldn't mistreat his stomach.

Lin Mu first checked his wallet: about 300 RMB. It was roughly his food money from a previous week. Sigh, thinking about it was a bit pathetic. Now, he could be considered a man with a career. He took all his cash, tidied his appearance slightly, washed up, and went out to eat.

Although many people used electronic currency, Lin Mu still liked using cash sometimes. It was just his style!

He didn't forget to bring his smartwatch. This was something he had spent a great deal of effort to buy. It had the same functions as an old-fashioned phone but was more advanced and had more features. It was a manifestation of modern technological advancement. It contained at least [Virtual Laser Projection], [Virtual Shadow Technology], [Photon 8G Communication Technology], [Weak Artificial Intelligence Assistant], and so on; it was very advanced.

Some of his old smartwatches had been in use for seven or eight years!

The same house, the same person, the same things, but a different self... Things change, and people change!

He didn't know what lay ahead of him...

First, he went to the bathroom to take a shower to wash away the fatigue, changed into clean, fresh clothes, and walked along the familiar yet strange roads.

...

There were still many people on the road. It was New Year's Day, and many shops were running promotions, making it very lively. Since *Mythical World* had been open for more than half a day, many players would be logging off to eat and rest just like Lin Mu. Since some of the secrets of *Mythical World* had not yet been revealed, the public was behaving as usual.

His black hair was slightly long, covering his ears and looking a bit messy. Lin Mu rarely groomed his hair. Standing at 173 cm, he was average—not particularly tall. One must realize that with modern technology, things like nutrient solutions had been manufactured; as long as one didn't lack nutrient solutions, improving physical fitness wasn't an issue. With sufficient nutrition, the body grows quickly, and physical constitutions are generally better.

He had a somewhat robust build, wearing a cheap gray shirt with a black jacket over it and light blue jeans. His looks were ordinary, but his eyes were bright and spirited, and his steps were steady. Compared to before, there was now a hint of a confident smile at the corners of Lin Mu's mouth, something even he himself didn't realize.

This was the current Lin Mu: an ordinary mortal, a scholar from a humble background.

Perhaps those who were frantically trying to track him down never imagined that such an ordinary person would have such adventures and achievements.

As the world's second superpower, China's economy was very developed, and there were many trees and greenery along the streets; the landscaping was very well done.

The city where Lin Mu lived was Xinghai City, one of the most developed areas in the Huaxia Region, a city built with countless tears and sweat. As the saying goes, "the predecessors plant the trees so that the descendants may enjoy the shade"; people's lives were quite good now.

The place Lin Mu was going to eat was not far from the street where he rented his room, just a few minutes' walk away. Lin Mu walked slowly, observing his surroundings.

Since moving out of his rental, he hadn't returned here for a long time, and he still missed it.

The familiar streets, the familiar shouts, the familiar smells...

There was a food street here where many delicacies could be enjoyed. Lin Mu had eaten here for many years; although it couldn't compare to the food in the guild canteen, it was still quite delicious.

Lin Mu ordered four dishes and a soup. It wasn't expensive, costing a bit over 200 yuan, which was a fairly nutritious meal. Lin Mu ate very satisfactorily.

It took him about 30 minutes to finish eating and leave. The money in his pocket was even less now.

All his money had gone into buying the helmet. He was poor. It seemed he would have to sell some copper coins for cash. Although copper coins were currently very useful to him, he couldn't even afford to eat in reality; those important things would have to be set aside for a moment.

One must have an economic foundation to talk about development; one must be full to have the strength to work. Lin Mu understood this principle.

"I have a career now. When I'm rich, I'll hire a dozen chefs to cook for me and enjoy the capitalist luxury of having everything served to me on a silver platter," Lin Mu vowed fiercely in his heart.

Using the remaining money to buy instant noodles and snacks, Lin Mu carried his things back. No melodramatic plots occurred, no heroes saved beauties—thinking about it, it was a bit of a pity, haha...

Returning home, he put his things away. Lin Mu didn't log into the game immediately but went to do some exercise instead. Given his current condition, Lin Mu only did 50 push-ups and 100 squats, just enough to stretch his muscles and rest. After a shower, feeling refreshed, Lin Mu put on the helmet and entered the world of *Mythical Three Kingdoms*.

(End of Chapter)