Chapter 28: Hunting Tigers on the Mountain

"You're being pretty reckless," Tang Yingying commented, watching Zhao Kuo's actions.

"You don't know anything," Zhao Kuo shot back without hesitation, then focused intently on the pitch-black tunnel ahead. After all, after a fork in the road, no one knew what might happen.

Although the luck value had taken effect, it didn't guarantee 100% safety.

The rewards after encountering danger also fell under the management of the luck value, so Zhao Kuo naturally didn't let his guard down.

Tang Yingying pursed her lips and continued with her lunch plans.

Soon, the fragrant pork chop and fried eggs were ready, paired with soft, sticky white rice, making one's appetite soar.

Zhao Kuo didn't hold back either. After all, the pork chop was something he had obtained, the rice was what he had grown, and the train engine was his. There was no need to be polite.

Why be polite in his own home?

After a couple of bites, Zhao Kuo sincerely remarked, "Tang Yingying, your cooking skills are really good. Maybe we can stock up on more ingredients at the next station."

In fact, at the last station, Zhao Kuo had wanted to buy some ingredients to store on the subway.

But it was too expensive. A pound of pork cost 15 subway coins, and a bundle of Shanghai greens, which might not even weigh a pound, was worth 20 coins. Not to mention steak, chicken legs, lamb, and the like.

Even though Zhao Kuo was quite well-off, he had to hold back.

However, now, looking at the delicious meal in front of him, Zhao Kuo's resolve wavered slightly.

Faced with Zhao Kuo's praise, Tang Yingying puffed out her chest proudly, "Of course! My dad used to be a chef. What I've learned is just the tip of the iceberg!"

"Is that so… If it were monster meat, it might taste even better," Zhao Kuo said.

Monster meat might have some negative effects, but in terms of flavor and texture, it definitely surpassed ordinary meat.

Probably because most monster meat had undergone mutations, making it firmer or higher in fat content.

Tang Yingying, however, said, "It's okay. I've cooked grasshoppers before, and they were just average. They were just richer in protein, maybe because I didn't have any seasoning at the time."

"Grasshoppers? How big?"

"About this big…"

Zhao Kuo fell into deep thought as he watched Tang Yingying gesture.

Honestly, even if that thing were cooked, he'd have to think twice before eating it. Grasshoppers… Could Tang Yingying be from Yunnan?

The two of them chatted idly like this when suddenly, Tang Yingying pointed out the window and asked, "What's that?"

Zhao Kuo turned his head.

Not far ahead, beside the tracks, there was a high platform with a slot machine on it, somewhat weathered but surprisingly not covered in snow.

Looking at the slot machine, Zhao Kuo vaguely understood the meaning of the fork in the road.

He stopped the train, quickly finished the food in his bowl, and then wrapped himself in a blanket and went out.

The stuffed rabbit and stuffed crocodile stood on either side like two guardians, while Tang Yingying stayed on the train to prevent any unexpected incidents.

The platform wasn't very high, just about a dozen steps, made of concrete. Zhao Kuo tried to see if he could dismantle it like the abandoned cabin, but to his disappointment, he couldn't.

If he could have taken it apart, he might have been able to make a warm kang bed, which would have been so comfortable.

Finally, Zhao Kuo reached the slot machine.

Slot machines could be considered a type of gaming machine with a long history. When Zhao Kuo was a kid, he had even played one in an arcade, but after losing ten coins in a row, he never touched one again.

The rules of the slot machine were simple: if specific patterns appeared, you would receive corresponding rewards.

Especially the jackpot—if you hit it, the slot machine would spit out the entire prize pool.

There were three game coins on the slot machine in front of him, meaning he had three chances.

Zhao Kuo frowned. Clearly, this slot machine was a reward stage—the better your luck, the better the rewards.

His luck value was only at 78%, not yet at 100%. Although he could activate the lucky aura, Zhao Kuo wouldn't take that gamble.

It was just a matter of a few hours…

Zhao Kuo put the three game coins in his pocket and returned to the train.

It was too cold outside; the train compartment was much warmer.

"What's wrong? What was that thing?" Tang Yingying, who had clearly never seen a slot machine before, asked.

Zhao Kuo shook his head, "You wouldn't understand even if I explained it. We'll have to wait here for a while, but it won't be too long."

"Alright, I'll follow your lead," Tang Yingying naturally didn't object. After all, the two of them were far ahead of the other players. Wasting a bit of time wasn't a big deal.

The only worry was encountering another extreme cold storm or something.

Ugh, Tang Yingying, don't jinx it.

Tang Yingying turned back to clean up the dishes and table. It was worth mentioning that dirty dishes only needed to be put back into the storage and taken out again to become brand new, saving a lot of trouble.

Then, the two of them each sat by a stove and began the long wait.

Soon, two hours passed. Seeing his luck value restored to 100%, Zhao Kuo took a deep breath.

"I'm going," he said, wrapping himself in the wool blanket and stepping out of the train, heading toward the slot machine.

This time, he didn't hesitate and directly inserted the three coins into the slot machine.

Luck value, activate!

As he pressed the start button, the luck value was completely depleted, entering a sustained phase.

At the same time, a notification sounded in his ears.

**[Player has activated the trait: Fate Manipulation. Current progress: 3/10]**​

In front of him, the patterns on the slot machine began to spin rapidly.

The first one was a banana.

The second one was a banana!

The third one was still a banana!

Was this the power of the luck value? The appearance of three identical patterns made Zhao Kuo completely relax.

**[Congratulations, player has won the third prize on the slot machine! Prize package is being distributed!]**​

**[Congratulations, player has received a special material exchange voucher x1]**​

**[Congratulations, player has received a rare item: Zhong Kui Statue x1]**​

**[Congratulations, player has received 500ml of purified water x24]**​

A whole box of purified water, along with two other items that looked incredibly rare.

Zhao Kuo didn't have time to examine them carefully. He pressed the start button again, and the patterns on the slot machine spun rapidly once more.

The first one was a monkey.

The second one was a monkey!

The third one was, of course, still a monkey!

**[Congratulations, player has won the second prize on the slot machine! Prize package is being distributed!]**​

**[Congratulations, player has received a rare item: Pet Collar x1]**​

**[Congratulations, player has received a rare item: Advanced Water Condenser Blueprint x1]**​

**[Congratulations, player has received an Iron Structure Carriage Blueprint x1]**​

Three more items, and the quality was clearly a step up from the third prize! There was even an advanced water condenser blueprint!

After all, the biggest problem they faced now was the lack of water. Tang Yingying's water condenser had a limited daily output, barely enough for daily drinking with nothing left over.

With an advanced water condenser, things should improve significantly.

And third prize, second prize… What about next? Zhao Kuo's eyes gleamed as he looked at the treasure chest pattern on the slot machine.

As he pressed the start button again, the patterns on the slot machine spun rapidly under his expectant gaze.

The first one was a small treasure chest.

The second one was a small treasure chest.

The third one was still a small treasure chest!

Although he was pleasantly surprised, Zhao Kuo was still slightly puzzled.

It wasn't the big treasure chest pattern, meaning that even with his luck value fully activated, he hadn't hit the ultimate jackpot.

But the first prize wasn't bad either…