Chapter 620: Fragile Peace

Translator: CKtalon

Dozens of cannons? Long Yuehong asked in surprise.

Such strength far exceeded the Hyena bandits the Old Task Force had previously encountered. They could almost be compared to those who occupied mineral resources in harsh environments.

Dawson stroked his messy beard. Our hunting team heard it from Ruin Hunters passing by, but weve never really encountered them. If they did bump into them, how could they return? In any case, its my warning to you. Believe whatever you want; I wont be able to find any other reason to persuade you otherwise.

With that said, as the settlements Elder, Dawson asked in concern, How much canned meat do you want in exchange for the mushrooms and moss?

It was fine if foreigners died, but the transaction of supplies couldnt be delayed.

Dawson had actually lied about some of the details. This was mainly focused on the production of mushrooms and moss.

Although the production wasnt that high, the sewage system of a large city in the Old World was massive. There were plenty of places in the ruins suitable for growing mushrooms. Coupled with generations of improvements, it was barely sufficient as a staple for their settlement.

Dawson knew the principle of dont show the wealth in your pockets to others. Otherwise, these foreigners might have thoughts that they shouldnt have. Therefore, he deliberately said that the production of edible mushrooms and moss was a problem and that it wasnt enough for the townsfolk.

Of course, such food didnt provide sufficient nutrients and didnt fill the stomach. Therefore, they still had to organize teams to hunt and pick fruits regularly. At the same time, they wouldnt let go of the opportunity to exchange for food like military canned food and compressed biscuits.

Not only were these delicious, but they were also enough to satiate their hunger!

Jiang Baimian replied before the high-spirited Shang Jianyao could. At most four. We dont have much left either. Oh, do you need weapons? We have relatively varied types, and there arent many corresponding bullets. However, you can exchange for them using a few bags of dried mushrooms. If you need metal resources, weve also gathered a little.

These were all taken from the Heartless cave and packed the jeeps remaining space. Therefore, Jiang Baimian hoped to clear them as soon as possible and replenish their food supplies so that she didnt have to be a part-time hunter on the way to First Cityreal hunters.

Dawson scratched his slightly moist hair. Im afraid we cant afford to exchange so much. There are still a few settlements in this area. Why dont we do a collective trade?

Upon hearing this, Long Yuehong deeply understood the lack of supplies in the settlement.

This couldnt be described as poverty.

Theres no need. It will be a waste of our time Jiang Baimian tried her best to promote the resources she had plundered. She exchanged for three bags of dried mushrooms, a bag of edible moss, and a map of the water sources with relatively mild pollution in the surrounding area.

Both parties were happy.

After being sent out of the shed Dawson had built in the sewage, Long Yuehong shook the flashlight in his hand and illuminated the green and wet moss on the walls on both sides.

This settlement only had one fuel generator and a few solar panels produced by the Old World. They were very sensitive to energy expenditure. Even when Elder Dawson and the Old Task Force conversed, they mainly relied on the flashlight in Jiang Baimian and the others hands for illumination.

After staying in a dark and humid environment for extended periods, the residents here had certain abnormalities in their facial features. They could move freely in the sewers like rats, coming and going like the wind.

Upon seeing that nobody was around, Long Yuehong asked, Team Leader, should we go to the place with the magnetic field anomaly in the west?

He didnt care much about the bandits named Zorro. As long as the other party didnt have a Mind Corridor-level Awakened, it was almost impossible for the Old Task Force to fail with their current strength and carelessness.

No matter how many cannons there were, they needed people to operate them. If the people suffered problems, the cannons would be useless.

At this thought, Long Yuehong glanced at Genava guiltily. Yes, smart bots are also humans!

Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said, The magnetic field in that area is chaotic. Be it Old Ge, our military exoskeletons, or various weapons, they cant be used. Who knows if there are any dangerous creatures lurking there? Its better to report this matter to the company and get them to specially organize an Awakened team to investigate.

Jiang Baimian paused and said in the tone of a team leader, You have to remember that we have a large faction backing us. Theres no need to think about doing everything yourself. If you want to do everything yourself, even if its not dangerous, just running around will exhaust you! In any case, this concerns the secrets of Awakening. The company definitely wont let it go. Once they have results, wont we be the ones benefiting?

When the time comes, we can also apply to read the corresponding information and see if theres any hidden reason for the Old Worlds destruction and the origins of the Heartless disease.

Bai Chen agreed. According to the Elder from before, the journey will take two to three days. It completely deviates from our planned route.

I understand, Long Yuehong replied in a tone as though he had learned something.

Shang Jianyao had a hesitant expression, but he ultimately chose to obey his leader under Jiang Baimians gaze.

The five Old Task Force members passed through a sewer filled with edible moss and arrived at the metal staircase that led to the ground.

Many residents were lining up and climbing in sequence.

It was afternoon, and the sun was shining brightly outside.

Jiang Baimian and the others climbed out of the sewers and casually looked around. They realized that the townsfolk who had previously come out had first gone to the various cool and humid areas to examine their farmed mushrooms. They then found areas that were exposed to the sun and relatively protected. They lay down one after another and narrowed their eyes in comfort.

The environment in the sewers made them enjoy the sun. It was also because of this that they chose to believe in Julys Kalendaria, Double Sun.

Jiang Baimian took note of this folk tradition with interest.

Upon seeing this, Long Yuehong opened the door to the jeeps backseat and sighed with emotion. Compared to many wilderness nomad settlements, this place is like heaven. Its a little outside First Citys sphere of influence. A town with sewers is relatively hidden, so theres no need to worry too much about slave hunters and all kinds of bandits. Furthermore, they have also found the mushroom cultivation technology from the Old World and horticulture involving edible moss. They have a relatively stable source of food, and being a little conservative is enough to deal with famine

The honest Genava reminded Long Yuehong after he was done with his piece, However, they cant escape the Awakeneds perception, nor do they have the strength to resist external enemies. If it werent for the fact that we happened to encounter them and conveniently finished off the Heartless cluster, its very unlikely that the humans in this settlement would be spared when they finish their food reserves and begin hunting.

Long Yuehong fell silent.

After a few seconds, the honest Shang Jianyao helped him curse. This f*cked up world!

This was the Ashlands.

As many places required detours and many roads were very difficult to traverse, the Old Task Force took more than a week to drive the jeep to First Citys southern entrance.

Long Yuehong looked at the khaki-colored tanks, armored vehicles, city defense soldiers holding assault rifles, submachine guns, and the cars and pedestrians being examined. On the one hand, he felt that this was no different from before. On the other hand, he still found it a little different.

In the passenger seat, Jiang Baimian looked around and said, Theres nobody like Jadi here.

Jadi was a Red Coaster they got to know at the other end of the Red River Bridge when the Old Task Force first came to First City. He helped convoys and hunters with contraband enter the city safely.

But now, such people werent active at the southern city entrance.

This was rather abnormal.

Upon seeing Long Yuehong and Shang Jianyao look at him, Genava placed a pair of sunglasses on the bridge of his nose and blocked his blinking red eyes. When I left, Consul Gaius was reorganizing the army. On the one hand, he emphasized discipline and promised to expand

So the city guards dont dare to receive bribes? Jiang Baimian came to a realization.

This killed off business for Jadi and company.

If it were the Old Task Force in the past, they would definitely be a little vexed when they encountered such a change. But now, they only stopped the car in the distance and switched Bai Chen and Shang Jianyao before continuing forward.

Before long, it was their jeeps turn to be examined.

Shang Jianyaowho had disguised himself to a certain extentstopped the car, took out the identification General Phocas had given him, and casually waved it. I really envy you guys. You dont have to rush around every day; you just have to do the same thing regularly. We have to find people everywhere. Chap, Ill talk to you later.

Compared to Inference Clowning, Thought Guidance was milder and more concealed. The city guard next to the jeep immediately laughed and waved his hand to let them pass. See you later.

They thought that they were colleagues on a secret mission.

The Old Task Force easily returned to First City.