Dimensional Supermarket - Chapter 95

“Set up tents for them,” he tells Wu Yan and the others. “Wear thick clothes—it’s cold out. Got any down jackets?”

Wu Yan replies quickly, “We’ve got plenty.”

They’re amazed to learn that duck down can be used in clothes to keep warm. Far better than animal hides—especially when layered with sweaters and boots, they barely feel the cold.

The supermarket is as warm as spring, and even outside, they don’t feel the cold.

All the employees spring into action, organizing portable tents and rations. Each of them checks that they’re properly armed with a handgun—these days, they never leave the supermarket without one.

They keep up regular training, especially since arriving in this place.

It has just snowed when they arrive, and the open space outside becomes their training ground. With Chen Shu as their coach, although not everyone is a sharpshooter, raising a gun to face an enemy is no longer difficult.

Cao’er wears a dark blue down jacket, straps her gun to her waist, and ties her long hair up with a rubber band. She moves a box of portable tents outside the supermarket, then returns to carry out several boxes of dried meat. Others move electric blankets.

These electric blankets are powered by light sources and can keep users warm without needing a stove.

However, the system only allows rentals, not purchases. Anything that uses light power can only be used by the supermarket. Rentals can’t exceed one month—after that, the system automatically reclaims them.

“Lord immortal is probably afraid someone’ll smother themselves in a tent if they’re given a stove,” Cao’er says to the children playing in the snow as she carries supplies. “And you guys! No playing with fire, or your parents will beat your butts into eight pieces!”

“We’re not playing with fire, we’re playing with snow. Our parents won’t beat us,” the children reply as they squat to make snowballs.

“Not now you’re not. Go back, or I’ll tell your parents to drag you back!” Cao’er warns.

The children look at each other, then reluctantly trudge back into the supermarket. They’re used to life there now. Memories of the Daliang Dynasty are fading—it hasn’t left them with many fond impressions. With their parents nearby and no fear of being beaten, they’ve grown bolder. Two of the older ones often pester Chen Shu to teach them how to shoot.

Raised together regardless of gender, there’s surprisingly little difference. All the children love pretty things and like climbing trees. The girls, being taller and stronger for now, often win when they clash with the boys.

The children get up early every day to study. Since there are no teachers, they watch TV and learn through videos.

Zou Ming occasionally supervises them, Zhou Yuanhe corrects their homework, and Ye Zhou prints weekly tests.

They study until 3 PM, then begin physical training. Their instructors are Zou Ming and Chen Shu. Though young, the children are in better shape than their parents.

They feel a stronger sense of belonging to the supermarket than to the Daliang Dynasty.

To them, the supermarket is home.

They don’t just learn literacy, but also math, history, and ideological politics. The older ones even study chemistry and physics.

Even though they’re just family members of employees, Ye Zhou doesn’t want them to go without an education.

He doesn’t usually like children—especially the unruly ones who cry and haven’t been properly raised—but he likes the kids in the supermarket.

After the children return indoors, Cao’er and Wu Yan load the sorted supplies onto the snowmobile.

There’s a flat wooden board attached to the back of the motorcycle, making transport easy.

“Cold?” Zhou Wen asks Cao’er.

Cao’er shakes her head. After multiple trips carrying goods, she’s worked up a light sweat. She rubs her hands and exhales. “The immortal said those people behind the trees are soldiers. You think they’ll attack us when they’re done?” she asks nervously.

Zhou Wen shakes his head. “Their ruler is still in our hands, remember? What’s that saying—throwing something at a rat but worrying about hitting the vase? Anyway, as long as their ruler is in the supermarket, they won’t dare make a move.”

Cao’er suddenly understands. “No wonder Brother Zou and Sister Chen only allowed two of them to come over.”

She feels like she learns something again.

With Chen Shu leading the way, the employees get on the snowmobile.

The tree line isn’t far from the supermarket. It takes them a little over ten minutes to get there.

Chen Shu, leading the convoy, stops first. She wears a down jacket over her usual short-sleeved shirt. She holds up a copper military token given by Chen Yan and shouts as soon as she gets off the snowmobile, “Put down your weapons! Your general and monarch have been rescued! This is the token!”

A lieutenant general steps forward and shouts back, “What token?! How do I know the general and monarch are still alive?!”

Chen Shu tosses the token to him.

The lieutenant catches it and, after confirming its authenticity, says, “And how do I know this proves anything?”

Chen Shu replies, “Your general exchanged the Emperor’s Sword for tents and food. If he and the marquis were dead, why would I be delivering these supplies? Send two men to check. If everything is in order, you’ll feel at ease. If it’s a trick, you’ll still have time to react. What do you say?”

After a moment’s thought, the lieutenant agrees and names two personal guards to inspect the goods.

The two guards, still young and inexperienced, are trembling from the cold. When they approach and see Chen Shu and the others’ clothing and gear, they’re visibly stunned. Before they can speak, Chen Shu points to the snowmobile and barks, “Don’t waste time. Go check it now. If you have questions, ask later. Move!”

Startled by her voice, the two immediately go to inspect the cargo.

Cao’er and the others have already opened the boxes. The guards recognize only dried meat and steamed buns. They pinch everything to make sure no weapons are hidden, but there are too many items and only two of them.

Seeing them overwhelmed, Chen Shu shouts, “Send a few more! These two can’t handle it.”

The lieutenant general sends more men.

Even with seven people, it still takes nearly an hour to confirm that everything is safe.

Chen Shu signals Wu Yan. Those with AKs raise their guns at the army. Chen Shu stands at the front and waits until the lieutenant general approaches.

“These things will keep you alive for the next few days,” she says. “Your general gave up the Emperor’s Sword for this. You should understand what that means.”

The lieutenant clasps his fists. “May I ask your name?”

“Chen Shu.”

“The soldiers most need shelter from the wind and snow.”

Chen Shu picks up a portable tent. “This will do it.”

The lieutenant thinks she’s joking but is too cold to argue. He forces a stiff smile. “Miss, please, don’t tease.”

Chen Shu presses a button. The palm-sized tent unfolds instantly. No wooden frames, no metal—just soft cloth that stands up by itself.

The dark gray tent stands proudly in the snow.

The soldiers are visibly shocked, and the vice general gasps, “This… this is…”

“This tent keeps out wind and snow. You won’t feel cold inside,” Chen Shu explains.

“There’s also a heated stall for treating the wounded—but wipe them down with snow and warm them up before use. There’s also strong liquor and dried meat to keep your stomachs full.”

No one says a word. They’re too shocked.

Chen Shu takes out an electric blanket. “This one has three temperature settings. Blue is low, red is high.” She turns to her group. “Everything’s unloaded. Let’s go.”

Before leaving, Chen Shu turns to the stunned vice general and calls, “If you need anything, send someone, no more than three at a time. If there are more, I’ll take it as a declaration of war. I won’t show mercy if that happens.”

Then she shouts, “Go!”

Cao’er and the others start the motorcycles and ride off, snow kicking up behind them.

“General Zuo…” a soldier murmurs.

The tent before them proves everything is real.

The lieutenant looks ahead and says softly, “Women like that are rare. She’s worthy of the word ‘great.’”

“General Zuo?”

Han Ran watches the soldiers set up the tents. The more he sees, the more amazed he becomes. “These tents clearly aren’t the work of mortals. Even the Mohists’ mechanisms aren’t this refined.”

(Translator’s Notes:Mohism was an ancient Chinese philosophy of ethics and logic, rational thought, and scientific technology developed by the scholars who studied under the ancient Chinese philosopher Mozi. It developed at about the same time as Confucianism, Taoism and Legalism, and was one of the four main philosophic schools from around 770–221 BC)

Though famous for siege weapons, the Mohists can’t do this.

“General,” whispers a soldier, “she doesn’t seem like an ordinary person. Her presence and the way she commands—it’s clear she’s used to giving orders.”

Han Ran knows what the guard means. He shakes his head. “The Zhou princesses—there are only two left, and both are barely of age. How could they have such presence? Besides, the Zhou court has grown weak. I once visited the Zhou King with His Majesty and met those two princesses. They were timid and withdrawn, nothing like noble princesses of a great nation.”

He sighs. “When a country is strong, its princesses are like princes. When weak, even its king can’t match another’s princess. Back when Zhou was powerful, its princesses were like lords—owning lands, with countless lovers. And now… look at them. How’s the blanket?” he asks.

“I’ll check.” The guard unzips a tent, goes in and touches the blanket. His face lights up with joy. Turning to the soldiers, he exclaims, “General, it really heats itself!”

Another soldier can’t help laughing, “Whoever made this must be some genius. Incredible!”

The guard runs out and reports, “General, the blanket works! And the liquor—they brought real strong liquor! I had a sip—burns all the way down and warms you up completely.”

Already tipsy, the guard says excitedly, “General! It has to be the work of immortals! How could ordinary men make these things? If they could, they’d be famous across the land—not hiding out here.”

Han Ran frowns slightly, feeling his soldier has lost composure. But seeing the joyful faces around the tents, he says, “Let’s rest early. Go check on the wounded.”

“It’s already underway,” a soldier replies. “The girl said to rub them with snow before using the blanket. But General—snow is freezing, and they’re already chilled. Wouldn’t that make it worse?”

Han Ran shakes his head. “She doesn’t strike me as a smooth talker or manipulator. If they meant harm, why wait until now? Without their help, we wouldn’t last three days.”

“So should we try it?”

Han Ran nods. “Use her method on the wounded. See if we can find any dry wood—make some hot soup for the men.”

The soldier looks doubtful. “Dry wood’s rare out here.”

Han Ran says, “Then chop some firewood first and put it in the tent. When morning comes, lay it out in the sun so it can dry and burn better.” He’s exhausted. Waving a hand, he adds, “Go ahead. I’ll rest a bit before I come back.”

The personal soldiers nod. “General, have some rice and water. The dried meat they gave us isn’t bad.”

Han Ran sighs. “I don’t know what this tent is made of—so thin, yet so tough, and it can block both wind and snow.”