Chapter 44 For World Peace! The Expedition Team, Set Off! ...

Lin Yue was completely stunned by this information, his worldview shattered.

He always thought he was playing a post-apocalyptic farming and infrastructure-building game, maybe with some side quests involving food management and racial harmony. But now he's suddenly being told this is actually a fantasy epic about saving the world and protecting a seal?! And Gray might even be a hidden mastermind burdened with a blood feud and the fate of his entire tribe?! He's more like an overpowered protagonist!

"System! Come out here! Did you get the wrong script?! I'm just an ordinary engineer who wants to quietly grow potatoes, bake bricks, and occasionally make some small inventions to improve my quality of life! Shouldn't high-difficulty tasks like saving the world be left to those chosen ones who are born with an aura of dominance and can pick up divine artifacts as soon as they step out the door?!" Lin Yue roared in his mind.

[System Response: A major plot turning point has been detected for the host. The first stage of the emergency S-rank chain quest "The Lament of the Earth's Sorrow": "The Call of the Valley of Tears" has been triggered.]

[Mission Objective: Accompany your companion, Gorem the Silent One, to the Valley of Tears in Shival to investigate the truth behind the anomalies of the Earth's Lament, and assist him in protecting the seal and averting the crisis as much as possible.]

[Mission Rewards: Abundant experience points, a huge amount of system points, legendary materials/blueprints (random), MAX favorability with Goreem the Silent One, Silent One clan reputation, and... the sense of accomplishment of saving the world (probably)?]

[Failure Penalty: The Sorrow of the Earth spirals out of control, calamity spreads, the Cursed Land is ravaged, and the Lin Family Restaurant community is highly likely to be wiped out. Friendly reminder: Forget about brick houses; you'll even have to cremate your own ashes beforehand.]

Lin Yue looked at the failure penalty flashing with blood-red light on the system interface and felt a chill run down his spine.

Well, it seems he has no choice but to get involved in this mess.

What does "high probability of total wipeout" mean? What's the difference between that and just saying "you're all doomed"?!

Gray's attitude was unusually resolute. Ever since he regained consciousness and confirmed his chaotic memories and ominous premonitions, he couldn't stand being alone for even a day longer, wishing he could sprout wings and fly back to the Valley of Tears immediately.

Seeing his distraught and worried expression, Lin Yue felt a pang of sympathy. After all, they were partners who had spent so much time together; although he was usually a bit reserved, he was truly reliable in times of need. Now that something had happened to his family, Lin Yue couldn't just stand by and do nothing, could he?

Moreover, this matter concerns the safety of the entire Cursed Land and the future of their Lin Family Restaurant. If that so-called Earth's Lament really explodes, their small business will probably be submerged before it even makes a ripple.

"Sigh... I'm destined to be a workaholic..." Lin Yue sighed deeply and made a difficult but seemingly the only decision.

“Grey, Graeme? I'll just call you Grey,” he patted Grey on the shoulder, his expression serious. “Don’t go alone! It’s too dangerous! I’ll go with you! The Valley of Tears, right? Let’s go see what kind of monsters are causing trouble there!”

Gray abruptly looked up, a flicker of surprise and gratitude in his eyes, but then shook his head: "No! Lin Yue! It's too dangerous there! You...you don't understand how terrifying those things are..."

“I don’t understand, you can teach me!” Lin Yue interrupted him. “Besides, I’m an engineer, after all. Maybe my knowledge can come in handy? Like reinforcing a seal or something? And more people means more strength, which is better than you blindly rushing around alone, right?”

He paused, then flashed his signature shrewd businessman's smile: "Most importantly, what if there's something good there? Like rare ores? Special plants? Or the Silent Ones' exclusive recipes? (That's the key point, isn't it!)"

Gray: "..." Although he knew that Lin Yue's last sentence was mostly a joke, he was still moved by Lin Yue's loyalty and optimism.

Ultimately, at Lin Yue's insistence, Gray agreed to Lin Yue's request to accompany him.

Having dealt with Gray, the next step was to persuade another big shot—Stonefist.

Lin Yue exaggerated the severity of the situation, describing a terrifying apocalyptic scenario to Shi Quan. Sure enough, the dwarf tyrant was first so shocked his mustache stood on end, then habitually launched into his sarcastic commentary:

"What?! You two idiots! You actually want to venture into that Valley of Tears?! And that Earth's Lament?! I think you're tired of living!!"

"The source of the calamity in the Cursed Lands? What do we care! If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up! Wouldn't it be better if we just stayed in our little tavern, burning bricks, forging iron, and drinking wine?!"

Lin Yue let him rant and rave until he was tired, then slowly said, "Uncle Stone Fist, don't get agitated. Think about it, if that Earth's Lament really explodes, forget about drinking, all our possessions, including your precious blacksmith shop, will probably be wiped out. You don't understand the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold,' do you?"

Shi Quan's expression changed, clearly realizing the seriousness of the situation. Although he was sharp-tongued, he knew better than anyone that this Lin Family Restaurant was their only refuge. If they couldn't even protect this place, where could they escape to?

"Hmph! If you're going, then hurry up! Don't dawdle!" Stone Fist finally relented, but his tone remained harsh. "Don't blame me if you die out there! I'm counting on you to come back and help me at the blacksmith's shop back home! If you find any good ore, remember to bring it back for me! And if you don't come back, I'll smash all your lousy blueprints!"

Lin Yue knew this was Shi Quan's unique way of expressing concern and pride. He bowed respectfully to Shi Quan: "Uncle Shi Quan! During our absence, I entrust the daily management and security of the restaurant entirely to you! Especially those refugees, you'll have to take extra care of them, keep them calm, and prevent them from causing any trouble. Also, production can't stop! Bricks must continue to be fired, and iron must continue to be forged! I've left some blueprints for new tools, including a more labor-saving wheelbarrow and a simple seeder. You can study them when you have time, and we'll inspect the results when we return!"

Shi Quan took the few crooked but ingeniously drawn stone slab drawings from Lin Yue, glanced at Lin Yue with a complex expression, and finally just snorted heavily: "I know! Stop nagging!"

And so, the formation of the Valley of Tears expedition team was officially put on the agenda!

The composition of the expedition team, after friendly consultation, was finally determined as follows:

Core Member #1: Lin Yue, nicknamed "Walking Encyclopedia (BUG Version)," the team's brain, engineering expert, chief logistics officer, and system cheat user. Main responsibilities include: strategizing, solving technical problems, cooking delicious food, and decisively clinging to powerful allies when facing insurmountable enemies.

Core Member #2: Graeme the Silent One, titled "The Silent War God (Awakening)," is the team's guide, main combatant, and a native of the Valley of Tears. His main responsibilities include: leading the way, fighting monsters, and unleashing astonishing power at crucial moments.

Key Member Number Three: Fenrir (Little Fenrir), titled "Magic Radar Dog (Growing Type)," the team's mascot, tracking expert, and early warning system. Main responsibilities include: being adorable, tracking enemies/targets, sensing magical fluctuations and abnormal energy, and providing a fluffy pillow for Lin Yue when he's hungry. He has now grown into a half-grown wolf cub, agile and with sharp eyes, no longer the whimpering little puppy he once was.

Support Member #1: Amu, nickname: Miracles Happen with Strength, the team's laborer and reserve tank. Main responsibilities: carrying heavy loads, clearing paths, and avoiding hindering the team in battle. After this period of training and ample nutrition, Amu's body has become increasingly robust, and his strength has become astonishing.

Support Member #2: Veteran Hunter Barton, nicknamed "Walking Survival Handbook," the team's survival skills expert. Lin Yue specially selected him from among the refugees. A former experienced hunter, despite his age, he is familiar with various plants, knows how to track prey, set traps, and can process various game. His main responsibilities include: identifying poisonous/edible plants, assisting with hunting, processing prey, and providing practical skills when camping in the wild.

The group may be small, but it's highly capable! Lin Yue believes this team is strong enough to handle most challenges!

Next came the hectic and busy preparations for the long trip!

Weapon and equipment upgrades are a must! Uncle Stone Fist personally took charge, working overtime to scavenge all the usable iron in the shop to tailor-make or improve weapons for the expedition team members!

Gray's iron spear, which had been with him for a long time, had its tip reforged, making it sharper and stronger. The shaft had also been replaced with tough ironwood and reinforced a second time with animal sinew and resin, making it practically a dragon-slaying sword.

Lin Yue also received a brand-new self-defense weapon, a small but extremely sharp [fine steel short sword], which was Uncle Stone Fist's masterpiece. It is said that he used a small piece of star iron ore that he had privately hoarded, plus a [multi-purpose tool knife] that integrates multiple functions.

Amu and the old hunter Barton each received a newly forged short spear and a sturdy machete. Although they were just crude iron tools, they were much better than their previous stone tools!

Xiao Fen... Xiao Fen's weapons are its own sharp claws and teeth!

Various tools were also essential! Ropes, shovels, iron axes, high-quality obsidian flint and steel, ample tinder, and a simple first-aid kit filled with various commonly used herbs that Lin Yue recognized or that the system had identified, such as hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, and insect repellent herbs. There were also clean linen strips sewn by Mia to serve as bandages, a whetstone, and so on. Lin Yue wished he could pack up all the belongings of the small restaurant and bring them with him!

Food preparation is of paramount importance! This journey is long and fraught with danger, and whether we will be able to find food is still unknown, so we must bring enough dry food!

Lin Yue, Chief Research and Development Officer of Lin's Grain Depot, personally oversaw the production of a large quantity of high-energy, long-lasting, and durable special rations for travelers:

Hardcore Roasted Potato Chips: Boil potatoes, cut them into thick slices, season with a little salt and vanilla powder, then slowly roast over low heat until all the moisture evaporates and they become as hard as a rock. Advantages: Extremely durable for storage, high in energy. Disadvantages: The texture can be tough and chewy; it's best to soak them in hot water before eating.

Flavorful Air-Dried Meat Strips: Fresh game meat is cut into strips, thoroughly marinated with salt, exotic herbs, and a small amount of newly discovered, slightly spicy fire crystal pepper powder, then hung in a well-ventilated place to air-dry. Advantages: High in protein, unique flavor. Disadvantages: A bit tough, requires strong teeth.

Crispy Pork Floss: Cooked meat is shredded by hand into thin strips, seasoned with salt and spices, and then repeatedly stir-fried and baked on a heated stone slab until all moisture is removed, resulting in fluffy and crispy pork floss. Advantages: Good taste, easy to digest; can be eaten directly or sprinkled on porridge or mashed potatoes. Disadvantages: Troublesome to make, low yield; even Lin Yue himself is reluctant to eat it.

Compressed wild vegetable biscuits: Various edible wild vegetables are blanched, dried in the sun, then ground into powder using a stone mill. This powder is mixed with a small amount of potato flour and water, pressed into thin biscuit shapes, and then baked until dry. Advantages: Provides vitamins and fiber; convenient to carry. Disadvantages: The taste is...unpleasant. Its popularity is mainly driven by faith and a pursuit of health.

Special salt and spice packets: These are essential! Salt is the source of life! Spices are soulmates!

Lin Yue let everyone try the special rations, and the reactions were mixed. Gray and Amu, who weren't picky eaters, said, "It's alright, it's filling." Uncle Stone Fist praised the pork floss but scoffed at the dried potatoes, saying, "Can you even eat this stuff? What's the difference between it and a rock?!" Old hunter Barton was very interested in the dried wild vegetable biscuits, saying they would be very useful in the wild. Xiao Fen warmly welcomed anything edible.

Map drawing was also put on the agenda! Based on the information provided by Old Tom, Gray's fragmented memories, and the map of the area still shrouded in mist unlocked by the system, Lin Yue attempted to draw a simple route map towards the Valley of Tears. Although most places on it were marked with ridiculous notes such as "Unknown area, danger level ???", "Large monster suspected of being present, please detour", and "Beautiful scenery here, suitable for picnic", at least it gave him a general direction.

Team members must have clearly defined roles! Gray will lead the way and handle the main combat. Lin Yue will be responsible for logistics, technical support, and shouting "Big Brother, help!" when Gray is struggling. Amu will carry most of the supplies and assist in combat. The veteran hunter Barton will be responsible for wilderness survival, navigation, and food preparation. Xiao Fen will be responsible for being cute and providing early warnings.

Finally, and most importantly, the arrangements for those staying behind!

Lin Yue once again summoned Stone Fist, Old Bard, Mia, and the shrewd and capable Aunt Leah, as well as her mother, the respected old woman who had initially led everyone here, for a detailed handover of responsibilities.

He made arrangements and gave instructions for the small restaurant's daily production, including brick making, smelting, agriculture, material distribution, internal management, and most importantly, security and defense.

"Uncle Stone Fist! While I was away, the blacksmith shop has been relying entirely on you! I've left you the blueprints for those new tools. Take some time to study them, and try to get us some even more awesome equipment when we come back!"

"Old Bud! The potatoes and wheat in the field are in your hands now! Make sure the harvest is good! They're our lifeline!"

"Mia! Aunt Leah! It's all going to be hard on you two in managing the refugees and distributing food! You must be fair and just, and keep everyone calm!"

"And also! Everyone! Safety first! The fence must be patrolled at all times! If any abnormality is found, sound the alarm immediately! Do not act rashly! Protecting the restaurant is the most important thing!"

He went through almost every detail he could think of, feeling as worried as an old father whose daughter was about to marry far away.

Shi Quan and the others knew that this trip was no small matter, and they all solemnly agreed.

Just then, the old woman who had been silently listening stood up, leaning on her cane. Although her weathered face was covered with wrinkles, her eyes were exceptionally bright.

She walked up to Lin Yue and bowed deeply.

“Lord Lin,” her voice was hoarse but full of strength, “please accept this old woman’s bow! And please accept the bow of us poor, homeless people!”

Lin Yue quickly stepped forward to help her up: "Grandma, what are you doing! Get up!"

The old woman stubbornly refused to get up. She raised her head, tears glistening in her cloudy eyes: "Sir, you may not know. Back then, our home was destroyed. My old man, as the village chief, died protecting us women and children at the hands of those people. It was me who led the remaining hundred or so people, fleeing like headless flies. We chose to flee to this cursed land that everyone fears, not because we were truly chasing any hope, but simply because we knew those bad people wouldn't dare to pursue us here. This is our only way to survive."

"We thought we would starve to death, die of illness, or be eaten by monsters here. Until we found your little restaurant. To be honest, we shamelessly went to your door begging for food, without any hope at all. But we never expected that you would not only give us food, but also shelter, and more importantly, the dignity and hope to live! You taught us how to work, gave us work points, and let us earn food with our own hands. Especially in that heavy rain, you and Brother Gray risked your lives to protect us. At that moment, I swore in my heart that this place would be our new home! And you, Lord Lin, would be our new pillar of support!"

As she spoke, her voice became impassioned as she looked around at all the refugees who had fled from her village: "I'm making this clear today! From this day forward, Lord Lin is the benefactor of all of us! Lin's Restaurant is the home we swear to protect with our lives! If anyone dares to cause trouble behind our backs, if anyone dares to ruin our good life now, I, this old woman, will be the first to object, even before Lord Lin lifts a finger!"

Her words, resounding and powerful, were deeply imprinted in everyone's hearts. The refugees nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with determination and gratitude.

Lin Yue was overwhelmed with emotion as he witnessed this touching scene, his eyes welling up with tears. From this moment on, the responsibility on his shoulders grew even heavier.

The night before his departure, Lin Yue specially organized a small farewell banquet.

The menu is the most impressive it has ever been since the restaurant opened!

The main course was a plump stag that Gray had just hunted. Lin Yue personally prepared it, carefully marinating it with all the spices he had treasured, and made it into a secret-recipe roasted whole stag leg! The outer skin was roasted to a golden brown and crispy, sizzling with oil, while the meat inside was tender, juicy, and incredibly fragrant!

There was also a large pot of venison stew with potatoes, made from venison bones and leftover meat. The soup was milky white, the meat was tender and fell off the bone, and the potatoes absorbed the rich meaty aroma, melting in your mouth!

Lin Yue even went so far as to use a tiny bit of freshly milled early-maturing wheat flour from the experimental field, mix it with mashed potatoes, and bake a few golden-brown wheat-flavored potato pancakes on a stone slab! Although the texture was still a bit rough, the long-lost wheat aroma was enough to move everyone to tears!

The meal was eaten with exceptional relish, yet also in profound silence. Everyone knew in their hearts that this was more than just a sumptuous dinner; it was more like a farewell with no end in sight.

After a satisfying meal, Lin Yue stood up and held up the earthenware bowl filled with clear water:

"Everyone! For the future of our restaurant! For the day when we can finally enjoy real braised goose in an iron pot and ice-cold beer! And for Gray's people and that damned tragedy of the earth! Let's drink this toast to send us off!"

"Dry!"

Everyone, including Xiao Fen, licked their paws and raised their "wine glasses" to drink it all in one gulp!

Under the moonlight, several figures are about to embark on a journey full of unknowns and dangers.

Their goal is the Valley of Tears, shrouded in mist.

What awaits them?

Lin Yue didn't know.

But he knew he couldn't back down.

For survival, for his comrades, and for that damned S-rank mission that could wipe him out!

"Damn it, I'm going all in!" Lin Yue cursed inwardly. "I'll treat it as an adventure in another world! Maybe I can even pick up some new recipes along the way!"

This unreliable curator always manages to find the most peculiar way to comfort himself in the most tragic moments.

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Author's Note: Lin Yue (hands on hips): "System! Can you give me a spoiler for the next mission? Don't always make me turn into a savior halfway through planting potatoes!"

System (indifferently): "Honey, random drops are more exciting~ (ps: Who gave you the audacity to think you're a savior?)"