Chapter 101: Crazy Suchen

Suchen, originally an abandoned industrial park.

In just three days, this place became the busiest trading market in the entire Suchen area.

Modified trucks, armored vehicles, and even some oddly shaped steampunk-style vehicles formed a long line in the designated area outside Xuanwu City.

In the convoy, survivors poked their heads out, their faces full of curiosity.

"Old Li, is there really such cheap grain inside Xuanwu City?"

A shrewd-looking tall middle-aged man approached the window of a heavy truck's cab, lowering his voice to ask.

The one called "Old Li" was precisely the scar-faced man who was among the first to enter Xuanwu City three days ago.

At that moment, he impatiently clenched a cheap cigarette he had somehow acquired, smoke swirling around, making his scarred face look even more ferocious.

"Damn it, what's in it for me to lie to you?"

He glared at the middle-aged man and snapped angrily,

"I saw it myself! A ten-kilogram bag of rice costs only two Xuanwu Currency! Believe it or not, don't fucking delay my money-making!"

After saying that, he ignored the other person, his gaze burning as he stared at the huge gate of Xuanwu City.

Since returning from Xuanwu City that day, he has told the leader everything he saw and heard there.

After hearing his description, especially learning about the vast amount of supplies and unbelievably low prices inside Xuanwu City, the leader immediately made a decision.

Everyone mobilized, sparing no expense, to collect Energy Crystals!

To them, this thing was useless aside from glowing and being hard.

Who would have thought that in Xuanwu City, this thing would become hard currency!

Their shelter almost emptied out, spending two full days turning it upside down to gather about a hundred first-tier Energy Crystals.

Early this morning, the leader sent him to bring all the shelter's vehicles and fighters, loading up all their belongings, rushing over in haste.

Their goal was clear: exchange for food!

Exchange for anything that could let them survive!

Scar-faced Old Li thought of the hungry, emaciated brothers and women and children in the shelter, then of the piles of rice and flour stacked like mountains in Xuanwu City, and his heart pounded uncontrollably.

This time, we must return fully loaded!

Many people share this idea.

After the first batch of shelters, skeptical at heart, actually exchanged Energy Crystals for enough food to feed the entire shelter for months, the news spread like a massive bomb, completely exploding the survivor circle of Suchen.

Crazy!

Totally crazy!

Those shelters that had been watching and doubting whether this was a trap set by the Heavenly God Group and Xuanwu City lost control upon learning that all shelters that had traded with Xuanwu City had obtained massive amounts of rice and fresh green vegetables.

For a time, all small and medium-sized shelters in Suchen fell into a near-frenzied state.

They spent everything, digging out all their stored Energy Crystals, then organized their strongest people, driving various vehicles, and swarmed toward Xuanwu City.

Outside Xuanwu City, the convoy stretched from the industrial park entrance outward for several kilometers, a spectacular sight.

"Next!"

At the exchange counter, Sun Hao shouted at the top of his lungs; his originally crisp suit was now soaked with sweat, clinging tightly to his body.

The several Finance Department staff behind him were even busier, their feet never touching the ground as the bill-counting machine and abacus (of course, modified) in their hands never stopped, counting Energy Crystals until their hands went numb.

"Minister Sun, we're from the Flying Tiger shelter! We… we brought three hundred first-tier Energy Crystals and one second-tier! We want to exchange for three hundred ten Xuanwu Currency!"

A man with a flattering smile lifted several heavy boxes and placed them in front of Sun Hao.

"Three hundred ten, right? No problem!"

Sun Hao smiled so hard his eyes almost disappeared; he swiftly counted the Energy Crystals, then handed over a small bag of bronze-colored Xuanwu Currency.

"Money and goods cleared! Next!"

Similar scenes unfolded continuously before the dozen or so windows at the exchange counter.

Watching box after box of Energy Crystals being sent into the warehouse, Sun Hao's mood could only be described as "feeling light as air."

Although these past few days have been tough, ever since he fortunately became a resident of Xuanwu City, he has never felt as fulfilled as this period.

After the apocalypse, he has struggled every day just to survive; even so, he almost died at the hands of Mutant Beasts.

If it weren't for Lin Yue, who went to Hangcheng to exterminate Mutant Beasts for Energy Crystals, he might have died long ago!

After joining Xuanwu City, because he previously served as the financial director of a top domestic listed company, Lin Yue appointed him as the head of Xuanwu City's Finance Department.

This stark contrast only strengthened his resolve to contribute to Xuanwu City.

Now that he has the opportunity, how could he possibly feel tired?

Compared to here, the Xuanwu Supermarket inside is even more crowded and extraordinarily lively.

"Make way! Make way! These few bags of rice were first spotted by our Black Wolf shelter!"

"Nonsense! Clearly we arrived first! Do you guys follow any rules?"

"Rules? In the apocalypse, whoever has the bigger fist makes the rules! Want to try?"

As a fight was about to break out, several members of the Xuanwu Guard in black combat uniforms, holding Gauss electromagnetic rifles, walked over expressionlessly.

"No fighting inside the city; violators bear the consequences."

The cold words, paired with the Gauss electromagnetic rifles, instantly caused those tense brawny men to lower their weapons and obediently line up.

City Lord's Mansion, upper-level command room.

Lin Yue gazed through the huge floor-to-ceiling window, silently looking down at the bustling scene below, a satisfied smile on his face.

"City Lord,"

Han Ya's voice came from behind as she handed over a freshly compiled report; her usually cold face also showed a rare hint of excitement.

"As of this afternoon at three o'clock, we have exchanged a total of 3,500 Xuanwu Currency, receiving 3,400 first-tier Energy Crystals and ten second-tier Energy Crystals."

"This is just the beginning. According to our estimates, if all small and medium-sized shelters in Suchen participate, the total amount of Energy Crystals we could ultimately obtain would at least double from this baseline."

"Very good."

Lin Yue took the report, gave it a casual glance, his heart already blooming with joy.

These small and medium-sized shelters, although taken individually, have far less energy crystal reserves than the three major forces.

But there's no way around it… there are just so many shelters!

PS: New book, please urge for updates, please collect!