Chapter 82: Black Tortoise Coin!

The next day, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Lead-gray dawn light pierced the smog hanging over Suchen, coating this steel ruin with a metallic sheen.

To Lin Yue's surprise, the response from Suchen's Three Major Shelters was much faster than he had imagined.

The first to arrive was the Heavenly God Group, the wealthiest and most overbearing in its actions.

"Boom—"

Ten heavily modified military trucks, their fronts welded with ferocious rams, rumbled over the abandoned road and finally stopped on the outskirts of Xuanwu City.

After the convoy halted, the door of the most extravagantly modified lead truck opened, and a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses stepped out.

"Boss, you really are generous..."

Chen Bo raised his head, gazing up at the moving city that, even hidden among the ruins, could not conceal its majestic aura; a glint flashed in his eyes.

Although he had already seen drone reconnaissance footage before coming, giving him a rough impression of Xuanwu City,

but only upon standing here in person did he realize that no image could capture even one percent of its shock.

"Pass the word: everyone stay at their posts; without my order, no movement is allowed."

He issued the order via his tactical earpiece.

Moments later, Xuanwu City's massive gate slowly slid open to either side.

Han Ya, dressed in a neat black combat uniform and holding the short blade she never parted with, walked out of the city at an unhurried pace.

Her face showed no expression; her cold eyes calmly swept over Chen Bo.

"Are you the person in charge of this deal for the Heavenly God Group?"

Han Ya's voice was clear and cold, like a mountain spring, sounding especially clear in this lifeless industrial wasteland.

Chen Bo did not answer; he simply sized her up from head to toe, instantly forming an initial impression of her.

This woman… is not simple.

Facing him and his armored convoy behind him, she could keep her composure and her heart steady; just this courage alone would make ninety-nine percent of Suchen's men feel ashamed.

One of his deputy officers behind him, however, could not contain himself.

He was a burly man with a face full of flesh; he stepped forward, adopting a lofty posture, and bellowed in a rough voice:

"What are you even supposed to be, to dare speak to our Lord Chen Bo? Where's your city lord? Get him out here to meet us!"

In his view, no matter how miraculous Xuanwu City might be, it was nothing more than an outsider just arrived.

Meanwhile, the Heavenly God Group is one of Suchen's three major overlords; how could a woman dare to speak to Lord Chen Bo like that?

However, the response to him was a flash of icy light at extreme speed!

"Swish!"

Han Ya's figure appeared as if teleported, suddenly before that burly man without any warning!

The burly man's pupils contracted sharply; he didn't even have time to react before feeling a cold touch on his neck.

The short blade, flashing with a cold light, was already steadily placed against his carotid artery.

If Han Ya's hand moved forward just another centimeter, his head would be completely severed from his body.

"Gulp—"

The burly man swallowed hard, a fine layer of cold sweat instantly appearing on his forehead, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

"On Xuanwu City's turf, you still dare to be so arrogant?"

Han Ya's voice remained clear and cold, but her beautiful eyes were already brimming with killing intent.

"Miss, please calm down."

Only then did Chen Bo slowly speak,

"It's my man who doesn't know the rules; I apologize on his behalf."

Han Ya gave a cold snort, flipped her wrist, and retracted the short blade.

She was not a bloodthirsty person; her strike just now was merely to establish authority.

She wanted this gang from the Heavenly God Group to understand that this place was not where they could run wild.

"Our city lord is not someone just anyone can see."

Han Ya turned, her gaze falling once more on Chen Bo, her tone devoid of any emotion.

"I am Han Ya, head of Xuanwu City's Security Department. The city lord has entrusted me with full authority over this transaction with your Heavenly God Group; you may discuss any demands directly with me."

Chen Bo's eyes flickered with surprise; he hadn't expected this woman to be the so-called Security Department head, but he quickly regained his composure.

He nodded, acknowledging her identity.

"Director Han Ya, we have come this time with full sincerity."

He clapped his hands.

Behind him, the rear cargo covers of the ten trucks opened simultaneously, revealing the metal boxes inside.

"Click! Click! Click!"

Each metal box was opened, revealing neatly stacked energy crystals that, under the sunlight, refracted a dazzling light.

"Here we have a total of one thousand grade‑one energy crystals and twenty grade‑two energy crystals."

Chen Bo's voice carried a hint of undisguised arrogance.

"This is just the first batch. As long as your goods satisfy us, the subsequent energy crystals will be more than enough."

Even though she had made an estimate beforehand, the quantity of energy crystals the Heavenly God Group produced this time still shocked Han Ya.

You know, Lin Yue spent over half a year in Hangcheng, and even adding the energy crystals from Hangcheng's Third Prison Shelter, it's only about this much!

Although she was shocked inside, Han Ya's face remained calm and undisturbed.

She took from her bosom a metal coin about the size of a coin, its entire body an ancient bronze color.

The metal coin's workmanship is extremely exquisite; its obverse bears a lifelike depiction of the Black Tortoise divine beast, while its reverse bears the character 'one'.

What is this?

Chen Bo's gaze fell on that peculiar metal coin, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

Xuanwu Currency.

Han Ya calmly uttered three words.

It is the sole circulating currency of Xuanwu City.

We do not trade directly with Energy Crystals.

If you want to buy things in Xuanwu City, you must first exchange your Energy Crystals for our Xuanwu Currency at a one-to-one rate.

Then, use the Xuanwu Currency to shop at the Xuanwu Supermarket inside the city.

Of course, the exchange rate for Level 2 Energy Crystals is one to ten.

Upon hearing this, Chen Bo and all the Heavenly God Group members behind him froze, even doubting if they had misheard.

Exchange?

This isn't taking off your pants to fart—an unnecessary extra step, is it?!

What a joke!

Isn't this an unnecessary extra step? Why can't we trade directly?!

Damn it! I see they have no intention to trade sincerely; they're just trying to make things difficult for us!

Even Chen Bo's ever-smiling face showed a hint of displeasure.

Since the apocalypse, money has become worthless paper, even gold is no longer valuable.

Nowadays, aside from barter, only Energy Crystals remain.

What does the other party mean by this?

He narrowed his eyes, his voice tinged with a dangerous aura:

Minister Han Ya, I need an explanation.

I have nothing to explain.

Han Ya's reply was straightforward and left no room for maneuver.

She met Chen Bo's almost murderous gaze and calmly added:

To trade with Xuanwu City, you must follow our rules.

Either exchange,

Either way, take your Energy Crystals and scram.