Gorgin effectively cut off any alternative trading prospects for the fellow who'd obtained the Pixian bean paste.

  After all, he controlled the water supply.

  While he desired the Pixian bean paste, it was merely a want.

  Not getting it wasn't the end of the world.

  Could the guy afford to reject the water?

  In the searing heat of the Endless Desert's daytime, without water replenishment, they'd perish within at most two days.

  Gorgin had no intention of using the oasis water to rescue so - called kin...

  He'd been an ogre since his very existence in the womb, not a compassionate Buddha.

  In this world, goodness didn't even foster the growth of grass on a grave, did it?

  Upon hearing Gorgin's words, the other party wasted no time and initiated a trade request through the trading channel.

  When Gorgin opened the trade interface, he spotted the familiar red - boxed Pixian bean paste on the other side.

  It was the very kind he used frequently before his transmigration.

  Gorgin casually directed a staff member from the House of Amorous Feelings, who was in the midst of giving a massage, to fetch a bowl of water.

  The house had buckets, but they were designed for humans.

  Too small for ogres, they were, however, sufficient for the daily water needs of the few staff members there.

  Shortly, a bowl of water was placed in Gorgin's massive hand.

  A human - sized bowl was almost the size of his fingernail.

  With a mental nudge, he placed the water bowl in the trade bar.

  Once both parties confirmed the details, the trade was sealed.

  Gorgin now held a box of Pixian bean paste.

  Given its regular size, it was minuscule in Gorgin's eyes.

  He carelessly set it aside and resumed his relaxed state with closed eyes.

  Assembling all the seasonings required for an authentic Chinese meal would likely prove to be a challenging feat.

  At the moment, indulgence was the top priority!

  With six individuals massaging him simultaneously, Gorgin felt the day's fatigue melt away entirely.

  Meanwhile, the six waitresses endured intense soreness in their arms and palms.

  After posting a long - term offer to purchase various seasonings on the trading channel, Gorgin drifted into a contented slumber.

  It was mid - day, and the sun was blazing.

  He'd feasted, quenched his thirst, enjoyed a soothing massage, and acquired a can of seasoning.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Freed from the weight of fatigue, Gorgin slept soundly until evening.

  Suddenly, the door of the House of Amorous Feelings shuddered under a series of loud bangs.

  Despite being called a door, it was crafted from thick, intertwined thorns.

  The substantial use of material gave it a rather imposing and heavy appearance.

  Gro groggy from sleep, Gorgin pried his eyes open and barked irritably, roused from his slumber.

  "What's the commotion?"

  "Beastmen. Merchant team!"

  came the shout from Nu, the tribe's top fighter.

  Gorgin rubbed his eyes, took a deep breath, rose from the animal - skin mat, wrapped the animal - skin skirt around his waist, and pushed through the door.

  Outside, over a dozen ogres had already gathered, each gripping a thick thigh - bone club or a hefty wooden cudgel.

  Gorgin accepted the large bone hammer handed to him by Nu and stared intently at his comrade.

  "Where?"

  Nu, a one - eyed, one - horned ogre, sported a prominent horn on his forehead, adding to his menacing demeanor.

  "Outside. Quick!"

  As fellow ogres, Gorgin instinctively understood the urgency.

  The beastmen's merchant caravan was approaching rapidly and would soon reach the tribe's outskirts.

  Gorgin, flanked by a group of ogres, stood at the tribe's entrance.

  He squinted against the glare, observing the approaching figures.

  They seemed familiar.

  Otherwise, they wouldn't have ventured so close to the ogre tribe without hesitation.

  Ogres were as tenacious as the honey badgers of the African savannah in Gorgin's previous - world knowledge.

  But ogres weren't just tough in spirit; they were physically imposing too.

  Standing around five meters tall, they were powerfully built, with immense strength.

  Once they set their minds on something, they were unwavering, and they had long memories for grudges...

  As the distant shouts grew louder, the beastmen's merchant team drew nearer.

  Comprising nearly fifty individuals, the team also included a massive beast of burden for hauling goods.

  The beastmen stood between two and three meters tall, their bodies covered in reddish - hued skin and rippling muscles.

  They were a naturally belligerent race.

  "Hey there, Gorgin!"

  The beastmen leader waved and greeted the ogre chieftain.

  Only then did Gorgin recognize him as the first customer of the ogre service area since he'd assumed the chieftainship.

  It was Kash, leader of the Chew - bone tribe's merchant caravan.

  Gorgin passed his large bone club to Nu, who stood behind him.

  Then, he strode over to Kash, bent at the waist, and slapped his shoulder heartily.

  "Kash, you're a true friend, reliable as they come!"

  Kash grinned widely.

  "Among beastmen, trust is our most prized virtue!"

  "Gorgin, it's getting dark. Since your tribe's close by, I decided to lead the team here for the night and restock on water. Is that okay?"

  Gorgin's lips curled into an unappealing smile.

  "Sure thing. Just pay a fair price that matches your needs, and our tribe's always open to you."

  Kash nodded.

  "Rest assured. We'll set up camp outside your tribe, then head to the oasis for water. At night, we'll hire an ogre for guard duty. What do you think the cost should be?"

  Gorgin rubbed his fingers together.

  "If that's all, goods worth one gold coin will do. Are you sure you don't want an ogre escort? I can guarantee your safe journey."

  Kash shook his head.

  "Gorgin, the guards I brought are enough for the day. Ogre guards are too pricey. A good night's rest is all we need."

  "Alright..."

  Gorgin felt a twinge of disappointment but held his tongue.

  After all, even a small gain was better than none.

  He'd finally landed his first repeat customer.

  He dismissed the eager - to - engage ogres and turned his attention away from the beastmen.

  "Nu, keep our rowdy lot in check. Don't let them hassle the customers."

  After giving Nu his orders, Gorgin set about preparing dinner.

  With his plan to shift into the service - area business, integrity was paramount. While they could launch an all - out attack, the beastmen were no easy opponents and could inflict casualties.

  Moreover, such an aggressive move would likely deter merchant teams from passing through the ogre - tribe's territory for a long while.

  If Gorgin were a typical, unadulterated ogre, such a course of action might be par for the course.

  But as an ogre with the soul of a Blue - Planet person, he couldn't continue down that brutish path.

  As chieftain, his word was law, especially considering his prowess in combat...

  The beastmen established their camp outside the ogre tribe.

  Soon, they dug a large pit and kindled a bonfire.

  The Endless Desert was a place of extremes. Blistering heat during the day gave way to bone - chilling cold at night. Without a bonfire, survival was a precarious affair, risking death or severe injury.

  For the humans from the Blue Planet, this was yet another formidable challenge.

  With their smaller statures, the drastic day - night temperature fluctuations could easily prove fatal.

  The thought flashed through Gorgin's mind but was swiftly cast aside.

  I'm a native here.

  Why should I bother fretting about this?