He Fang huddled under Sai Gu’s arm, following behind the personnel from Scorching Sun City who were receiving them. Even though Scorching Sun City was wealthier compared to Hope City, it was still a mobile city, after all, and its narrow corridor structures were similar. He Fang truly felt a suffocating sensation brought on by the oppressive space.
He Fang quietly opened the attribute panel. Upon seeing the attributes listed, he began to vaguely sense something unusual.
The attributes of these people were not particularly high.
Min Zhizhou’s attributes stood out among the old, weak, sick, and disabled left behind in Hope City. However, could one really expect impressive attributes from the old, weak, sick, and disabled?
According to Min Zhizhou, the people of Scorching Sun City should have stunning attributes. Yet now it seemed that while some of these people might surpass Min Zhizhou in attributes, none of them could compare to the NPCs from his city.
He Fang finally started to realize—could it be that the attributes and talents of the NPCs he used to expand his city were inherently higher than those of these people?
It was just like the difference between his cultivated land and wild land. His land could support unlimited planting and mature in a short time, whereas wild land grew at a normal planting rate, with a cycle of three or four months per harvest being considered pretty good.
He Fang suddenly felt that perhaps this was the setting of “Ruins Without Restart”. In his city, every resident possessed remarkably high attribute values and had significant room for growth. This was precisely why the land he developed was so expensive.
However…
The level of attribute values essentially didn’t signify everything. Perhaps small carnivores couldn’t individually attack large herbivores, but in the external cities, the population far outnumbered that of his city. “Many ants can bite an elephant to death.” His city residents were raised with peaceful education from a young age. When compared to seasoned doomsday warriors, they would likely find themselves at a disadvantage.
He Fang thought that what he had discovered was both good news and bad news.
“Hello, Mr. Min’s mercenary team. I am the representative in charge of this trade transaction.” Standing before them was a woman. Her attire was neat, her appearance clean and fresh. Without makeup, her natural complexion was plain, yet her demeanor was graceful, and her speech articulate.
“Wow,” Sai Gu’s deep, raspy voice carried a hint of light teasing, “a beauty.”
He Fang raised his head from under Sai Gu’s arm, only for his head to be pushed back down by Sai Gu. “Don’t worry, she can’t compare to our little ancestor.”
Little… little ancestor? He Fang’s expression momentarily froze.
Three people were there to receive them—one woman and two men. It was clear that the woman at the front was the leader. “Now, let’s proceed to inventory the items you wish to trade,” she said.
At this moment, the two men behind the woman stepped forward to take the prepared inventory list from Min Zhizhou’s hands. The woman lowered her gaze to examine the paper, noticing the handwriting done in pencil—a common mercenary tactic. While paper wasn’t particularly hard to produce, in an era where everything was expensive, thrift was essential. Writing in pencil and erasing it later was standard practice. It seemed the mercenaries before her were not as wealthy as they appeared.
However, as the two men began taking stock, their small exclamations drew attention. The woman turned back, observing their expressions, and her emotions subtly shifted as she vaguely sensed something unusual.
She took the inventory list from them.
Upon seeing the listed trade items, she couldn’t suppress a slightly astonished expression. Although she quickly concealed it, her keen instincts told her that her brief lapse had been noticed by someone.
She raised her head, following the gaze fixed on her. Standing there was a young, bespectacled, and refined-looking man. From him, she felt a similar energy to her own.
“All transactions in our team are handled by this member,” Min Zhizhou said, stepping back and revealing the long-prepared finance department official.
The woman understood very well that in a negotiation, the last thing one should do is let others discern one’s emotions. Yet, her surprise just now had clearly been caught by this man, putting her side at a disadvantage in this transaction from the very start.
“May we begin the negotiations?” The finance official, who had always maintained a stern demeanor, rarely interacting with others and only occasionally tending to He Fang, suddenly showed a cheerful expression. This standard formulaic smile was reserved for dealings with a negotiation counterpart. “I hope we can have a pleasant negotiation process,” he said.
It was quite normal for mercenaries to engage in trade, as there were already well-established standards circulating in the market. However, the woman distinctly felt a sense of pressure emanating from the man opposite her.
He was a highly skilled negotiator, yet he continuously asked questions that were already common knowledge. This mixture of “shrewdness” and “ignorance” endlessly confused her perceptions. Though she was ostensibly leading the negotiations, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the initiative always remained in his hands.
She could clearly sense that the man was probing—never excessively so, but his gradual, unrelenting progression made her feel as though he had extracted a great deal of information from her.
Even after carefully reflecting on every word she had spoken, she realized that nothing she said had been out of line. Still, this peculiar feeling lingered—what exactly was it?
The man was a mercenary, and as it seemed, a highly capable one at that. Whether it was their exceptionally crafted armor, the goods they had brought, or even their noticeably handsome appearances—far more striking than ordinary people—it was clear that these were not individuals who had merely scraped by in life. In an era where most people couldn’t even get enough to eat, it was nearly impossible to maintain such outstanding looks.
They seemed more akin to elites from some city’s upper echelon.
The woman grew increasingly wary. If they were mercenaries, she could adhere to standard trading practices. However, if they were not mercenaries but spies from another city, then she would have to find a way to test them further.
Yet, the man’s words were watertight. Or rather, while he had said quite a lot about his mercenary group’s private affairs, she couldn’t piece together any truly useful information from it.
This man is a professional negotiator.
Why would a mercenary team bring along such a person? Was it solely to secure better trade deals or to offer constant protection to an otherwise ordinary man?
The woman realized that obtaining meaningful information was becoming increasingly difficult. Perhaps it would be best to avoid continuing this negotiation with him; she needed an opportunity to disrupt this delicate and impenetrable balance.
She began to glance around her surroundings. The mercenaries stood in various relaxed postures within the space. Suddenly, the woman noticed what appeared to be a small, shadowy figure in the arms of the silver-haired man in the corner.
Her peripheral vision unconsciously lingered on that slight figure. Among the five members of the mercenary group, three had large, muscular builds—stereotypical of strong mercenaries—and their weathered appearances suggested years of hardship.
Though slightly less imposing, the man currently negotiating still revealed the contours of well-built armor, indicating considerable training.
But that slender figure… stood out starkly. The frail body, even wrapped in armor, betrayed unusually thin legs. By comparison, it almost seemed like a child.
Was it the child of one of the mercenaries? Yet, judging by appearances, there were no familial similarities. In fact, the figure seemed… rather ordinary.
“Negotiator.” Just as the woman momentarily lost focus, the sharp and chilling voice of the negotiating man suddenly broke through her thoughts. “You’re distracted.”
The woman was startled and quickly withdrew her gaze, only to find that the mercenary who had been eloquently speaking just moments ago now wore a much more restrained expression. The polite and flawless smile he had maintained earlier had vanished, replaced by one that was even slightly cold.
She couldn’t discern whether his displeasure stemmed from her momentary distraction during the negotiation or her attention directed at the frail youth.
“You are a truly exceptional negotiator. I have gained much from this transaction process with you,” the female negotiator said, quickly shifting her gaze to Min Zhizhou. “Mr. Min, your mercenary team is outstanding. We underestimated your team’s level, which is why I was sent here. Unfortunately, I can only handle the simplest part of the transaction. For the remaining items, I will likely need to refer to my superior, who will provide you with a more reasonable offer.”
Min Zhizhou glanced at the now visibly displeased team member and said, “We could stay overnight in Scorching Sun City. Traveling on the road every day—we haven’t had a restful night of sleep in a long time.”
“I hope you all find comfort and rest within Scorching Sun City. We greatly appreciate the abundant resources you’ve brought and trust in your sincerity in this trade,” the female negotiator replied with a radiant smile that enhanced her already graceful appearance. “You may take this time to relax. Perhaps the child in your team has also grown weary of such dry and dull discussions. We can escort you to upper levels with entertainment facilities so the child can unwind from the hardships of travel.”
“That would be most kind of you,” Min Zhizhou replied. Once he began speaking, the finance official immediately returned to silence. As someone who wouldn’t act out of turn when his expertise wasn’t needed, he refrained from saying anything further.
As for He Fang, he had been listening to the negotiation all along. However, the complexity of the conversation required careful thought, and in his attempt to keep up, he grew increasingly drowsy and was soon on the verge of nodding off.
To remain as inconspicuous as possible, He Fang leaned on Sai Gu throughout the process. Sai Gu’s warmth was just right, giving him an oddly comforting sensation.
Ahead of him, the finance department official skillfully negotiated with the other party. Min Zhizhou and Qi Jingwei walked in front, acting like an invisible barrier, shielding him from all danger, while Sai Gu stayed by his side, providing a deep sense of security.
For the first time in a long while, He Fang felt uncharacteristically at ease.
This game’s intelligent NPC settings are truly outstanding, he thought.
Just as he was basking in this unexpected tranquility, a sudden gaze jolted him. Instinctively, he looked up and locked eyes with the female negotiator.
The woman’s unique demeanor usually had a relaxing effect on people, but He Fang didn’t feel relaxed in the slightest. It seemed as though she had set her sights on him. Their eye contact lasted only a fleeting moment before she quickly averted her gaze.
“Let’s find a place to stay,” Min Zhizhou said as he stood up and stretched. He put on his helmet, and his actions made everything clear to the group. He Fang hurriedly followed suit. Min Zhizhou’s voice echoed from within the helmet, “City Lord, don’t stray far from Qi Jingwei or Sai Gu.”
“What’s wrong?” He Fang asked, puzzled.
“Mercenaries generally avoid Scorching Sun City because, more often than not, they might enter but never leave,” Min Zhizhou explained while leading the way and scanning the area, evidently unfamiliar with the layout. “To this day, we still don’t know whether the mercenaries who entered Scorching Sun City remained or died.”
“Are the things we brought worth this kind of effort from them?” He Fang asked.
“…They are,” Min Zhizhou replied. While the items they brought might not be considered particularly rare, everything from He Fang’s city far exceeded its intrinsic value in terms of quality. Even just a box of fresh fruit was already incredibly valuable.
If Min Zhizhou were still a mercenary, he might have been reluctant to part with such items. However, as a resident of the city, he no longer felt it was particularly expensive.
“Can we move around freely now?” Sai Gu suddenly asked.
“Any doors marked with special colors are off-limits. If you need clarification, signs are posted on the doors that can help determine access. Aside from that, you’re free to explore,” Min Zhizhou replied.
“Anywhere at all?”
“Yes.” In mobile cities, divisions of labor and coordination are clearly defined, typically using color coding and signage—basic knowledge for mercenaries entering such cities. “I’ve already mentioned the precautions earlier. Each city has its own ‘rules’, so it’s best not to wander too much. If they take a dislike to you, they might even impose a rule on the spot,” he warned.
As He Fang pondered this, Sai Gu suddenly removed his helmet and pushed He Fang toward Qi Jingwei. “Go hang out with another uncle, little ancestor. Uncle Gu has some matters to attend to.”
He Fang understood immediately. “Be careful,” he said.
Sai Gu heard this and laughed, his silver hair trembling slightly as he chuckled. “Don’t worry, there’s no man or woman who can get the better of your Uncle Gu.”
He Fang froze, not understanding what he meant.
Qi Jingwei, who understood perfectly, darkened his expression. “Don’t cause any trouble.”
“How could I?” Sai Gu laughed heartily as he turned and walked away. “My skills have always been impeccable. Everyone loves me—there’s nothing to worry about!”
He Fang’s face went completely blank.
Min Zhizhou’s expression grew complicated as well. “Shouldn’t we keep an eye on him?”
He Fang tugged at Qi Jingwei’s armor. “Tell your friend to take care of his… younger brother. He might get sick.”
Qi Jingwei’s mouth twitched.
“It’s not a younger brother,” came Sai Gu’s teasing voice from the helmet, “it’s an older brother.”
He Fang’s eyes widened in shock. “…”
“Sai Gu!” Qi Jingwei’s voice uncharacteristically carried an authoritative scolding tone.
But Sai Gu’s voice was never heard again.
“Let’s take a walk,” He Fang said, pulling Qi Jingwei along. Qi Jingwei glanced at the city lord beside him, and an image of Sai Gu partially embracing the huddled city lord flashed through his mind.
As a middle-aged, perfectly normal man, Qi Jingwei allowed himself a small indulgence, draping an arm over He Fang’s shoulders to shield him protectively. Since He Fang didn’t reject the gesture—aside from the finance department official throwing some sharp, disapproving glares—everything seemed fine.
So thin…
So small.
A strange feeling stirred within Qi Jingwei.
So… fragile.
He Fang’s intent in exploring Scorching Sun City was simple: he needed a map of the city.
Given that Scorching Sun City was an extremely warlike place, even the information regarding Nightmare Beast attacks might not slow them down. The city’s proximity to Hope City was now alarmingly close, which left him feeling uneasy.
Although Hope City had landmarks, its current faith value was too low. He Fang couldn’t be sure whether his city would hold its ground against such a massive and advanced mobile city before the faith value was entirely depleted. Despite having weapons, the number of soldiers stationed in Hope City was far too few. The remaining populace consisted entirely of the old, weak, and infirm.
If the warlike Scorching Sun City decided to launch an attack, Hope City would stand little chance of holding them off.
He Fang opened the map, hoping to gain an understanding of Scorching Sun City’s basic structure and see if he could identify any weaknesses. If a conflict were to arise, this might improve Hope City’s chances of victory.
Additionally, he wanted to see if the residents of Scorching Sun City could reveal their reason for heading directly toward Hope City. Although He Fang was fairly certain it was for the “Land of Hope”, he still sought confirmation.
However…
“So vast,” He Fang muttered after walking a considerable distance. The city felt like a bottomless pit; no matter how far he went, he couldn’t reach the end. “It is, after all, a city. Trying to comprehend it all on foot is truly difficult.”
Just as Hope City had maximized its use of space, Scorching Sun City was no different. Countless winding passageways turned and twisted like a labyrinth. Without access to a system map, one could easily get lost.
While the corridors were narrow, He Fang occasionally noticed residents of Scorching Sun City using various technological means to traverse through them. He refrained from utilizing any special functions of his armor to make his journey easier—his armor was already eye-catching enough. If its capabilities were revealed to be exceptionally advanced, it might provoke unwanted attention.
Leaning against a wall to rest, He Fang found that their current location appeared to be the entertainment district. The space was far more comfortable than the cramped corridors. Many residents had gathered here, and while some passing by occasionally complimented their armor, He Fang could see men and women laughing and playing in the small square—a lively scene.
“Is this an entertainment venue?” He Fang wondered aloud. It was astonishing that such a small and otherwise unremarkable square could draw so many people.
“Yes, many mobile cities establish similar spaces to maintain the psychological health of their residents during long migrations,” Min Zhizhou explained.
He Fang, however, could no longer determine whether Hope City had such a place.
The men and women he saw here, though not as carefree and healthy as the people in his own city, at least had smiles on their faces. The atmosphere in the square was lively and vibrant.
He Fang suddenly asked, “Is it the same in other mobile cities?”
“No, this is unique because this is Scorching Sun City,” Min Zhizhou replied. Based on a foundation of warfare, Scorching Sun City essentially functioned as a city of soldiers. Coupled with their intensive work and the vast resources obtained through plundering, the physical constitution of Scorching Sun City’s inhabitants was significantly superior to that of other mobile cities.
Compared to Hope City, which retained so many of its old, weak, and infirm residents, Scorching Sun City thrived on a harsh and brutal prosperity.
“To live fiercely at their most glorious moment and then calmly accept death when they are no longer of use—that is Scorching Sun City,” he added.
He Fang gazed at the spirited men and women, unconsciously muttering, “If only Hope City could be as vibrant as this.”
Min Zhizhou wanted to point out that this was likely impossible, but he chose to remain silent instead.
Of all the cities he had encountered, the only one where he had truly felt a sense of freedom and vitality was He Fang’s own city.
It was a city where people could laugh and cry freely, a place where they could unabashedly search for themselves. It was a paradise where dreams could be embraced and personal growth nurtured.
In contrast, Scorching Sun City’s intense vibrancy was nothing more than a fleeting revelry—a brief catharsis for residents living day by day. When their rest time ended, they would use these fleeting moments of joy to heal from a day filled with monotonous, exhausting, and painful labor.
—
The female negotiator reported to her superior about the resources brought by the recently arrived mercenaries. “They’ve brought a lot of resources. Though not particularly rare, the sheer quantity is beyond what you’d expect from mercenaries. And among them… there’s gold and gemstones.”
“Hmm, if this inventory list is accurate, it’s truly remarkable,” her superior said as he reviewed the list.
“It’s all accurate. I personally inspected it,” she replied. “The quality is shockingly high. Moreover, they possess armor that we’ve never encountered before. It’s hard to imagine which city could produce such armor—let alone sell it to a group of mercenaries.” Doubts filled her mind, and she couldn’t help but feel anxious about these unusually affluent mercenaries.
“Did you manage to extract any information from them?” her superior asked.
“According to them, they’re just mercenaries highly skilled at resource gathering, no different from any other mercenary group. Even their identity cards seem overly ordinary. It feels like they’re two completely different teams, yet there’s no flaw to exploit,” she explained while analyzing her thoughts for her superior. “However, based on the information, the last time this group visited a mobile city was a year ago. For the entire year since, they’ve had no contact with any mobile city.”
“A year…” the superior mused. “That’s a very peculiar timeframe.”
It’s not a particularly long period, but not short, either. For small, fortunate groups, surviving a year without a city isn’t unthinkable. Moreover, collecting such a large quantity of resources in a year isn’t all that surprising.
“Those mercenaries have extremely advanced armor,” the superior commented while examining the mercenaries’ recorded footage. The high-definition recording vividly displayed every intricate detail of the armor. “Did you interact with it?”
“I only observed with the naked eye; I haven’t tested it, so I can’t make a judgment about the armor,” the female negotiator replied, frowning. “Among them is a man particularly skilled in negotiation. They seem to be well-versed in trading. I… couldn’t gain any advantage over him.”
As she spoke about this transaction, she seemed somewhat embarrassed. Voicing her failure left her feeling nervous, uncertain if her perceived incompetence would lead to a reprimand.
“I’ve reviewed it. He’s indeed a sharp and clear-headed man. A perplexing individual—his speech is flawless, yet certain questions make him sound like a complete novice. Truly difficult to read,” the superior remarked.
Hearing this, the female negotiator finally exhaled in relief, reassured that her oversight hadn’t been blown out of proportion.
“Tomorrow, I’ll personally handle the transaction,” her superior instructed her directly. “After extracting all the information from them, we’ll eliminate them. Their goods are too valuable—I’m not letting them take any of it with them.”
The female negotiator sighed faintly in response to the order. “Sir, should we investigate their backgrounds more thoroughly? Their bearing is far from ordinary, and considering their wealth, I suspect they might be scouts sent by another mobile city to test us.”
“We don’t need to. All we want are their resources and armor,” the superior said, leaning back in his chair with a cold sneer. “If they truly have what it takes to provoke a war, let them bring it on.”
“Understood, sir.” The female negotiator let out a relieved sigh. Now that it had been decided to eliminate these mercenaries outright, she could name whatever price she wanted during negotiations. As long as she extracted the necessary information, the actual price wouldn’t matter—no one would leave Scorching Sun City alive anyway.
This decision made everything much simpler.
Still, it was a pity. There were a few clearly remarkable men among them. It had been ages since she’d seen such handsome individuals. This mercenary squad seemed like a pinnacle of good looks.
“Hello, beautiful lady,” a sudden, unfamiliar voice interrupted her thoughts as she stepped out of the room. Startled, she instinctively turned around, only to see a silver-haired mercenary. Her heart skipped a beat—this man was Sai Gu!
The female negotiator immediately prepared to trigger the alarm. There was no way an ordinary mercenary should have made it into this area.
“Shh.” With just that single sound, she suddenly froze mid-action. Strangely, she felt no threat emanating from this man. On the contrary, the gaze from his eyes sent a peculiar flutter through her. Sai Gu smiled, his expression incredibly innocent and undeniably charming. “Beautiful negotiator, I have no intention of causing any trouble. It’s just that I couldn’t help but be captivated by your radiant beauty during the negotiation.”
The female negotiator was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting such words from the man named Sai Gu.
Her expression quickly turned cold. “Are you trying to extract information from me?” she asked sharply.
“You can choose not to say a single word while spending time with me,” Sai Gu said, raising his hands in an innocent gesture. “Moreover, I might even share with you information that you’d otherwise only learn after tomorrow’s trade—if you grant me the pleasure of spending a wonderful evening with you.”
The female negotiator hadn’t expected such words. Her gaze dropped, noticing that the mercenary wasn’t wearing the coveted armor. Without it, his perfectly sculpted physique was on full display. His broad shoulders, casually dressed upper body, and well-defined muscles, paired with his long legs, all showcased his exceptional genetics.
She curled her lips into a faint smile and, just as Sai Gu suggested, chose not to speak further.
Sai Gu laughed—a sound he often made in various situations, as if his laughter carried an almost hypnotic allure.
“Thank you, beautiful negotiator, for granting me this opportunity. May I use my information to earn the privilege of entering your private quarters?” Sai Gu, with his silver hair, appeared somewhat unkempt, yet his mature, handsome features and solid build made him undeniably appealing to a sophisticated woman.
The female negotiator was quite satisfied with Sai Gu’s physique—powerful, vigorous, and brimming with energy. It would indeed be a pity for such a man to perish.
Perhaps she could preserve his seed before his demise, ensuring that such exceptional genes could be passed on.
With a playful glint in her eyes, the female negotiator led the casually dressed Sai Gu through a passage inaccessible to ordinary mercenaries, heading upstairs. “Tomorrow’s trade will be entirely under my control,” she said with a teasing tone. “If you perform well tonight, I might even make a small concession during tomorrow’s negotiations.”
“I don’t need any reward, beautiful negotiator,” Sai Gu said casually, walking behind the female negotiator. “I’m about to receive the best reward already.”
The woman couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “And that child who’s always clinging to you—you just left him behind like that?”
“Ah, the little ancestor?” Sai Gu shrugged, his silver hair swaying slightly. “One must give their elder brother some private time, don’t you think?”
“Is he your younger brother?” she asked offhandedly.
Sai Gu simply smiled without answering. Yet, his gentle, smiling tone inexplicably made her blush. Though he stood at a respectful distance behind her, she felt as if his laughter was right by her ear. His deep voice, like a delicate mountain breeze, brought an inexplicable sense of ease.
As soon as the female negotiator led Sai Gu into the room, she felt a sudden pressure from behind. Before she could even turn on the lights, she was pressed against the wall. The heat radiating from behind her was almost scalding, leaving her flustered.
“Our time is limited. We’ve already wasted quite a bit of it on negotiations tonight,” Sai Gu murmured softly into her ear. “I’m truly sorry, but we’ll likely have to leave before sunrise tomorrow. We have about two hours left. Beautiful lady, rest assured, I’ll make these two hours more restful than you could ever imagine.”
The woman laughed, fiery and passionate. This mercenary seemed just like someone from Scorching Sun City. Yet, she caught the underlying message in Sai Gu’s words. “What a pity. If only you could stay here. Why the rush to leave?” she asked.
“Your pace is too fast,” Sai Gu murmured, gently stroking the woman’s hair as if caressing a lover. “You’re getting dangerously close to the Nightmare Beast Forest. Our captain, to ensure our safety, has decided that we’ll leave immediately after resting tonight.”
“Too close to the Nightmare Beast Forest?” The woman’s sharp instincts kicked in upon hearing this. She realized this might be information they had originally planned to reveal during tomorrow’s trade. She pushed Sai Gu back slightly, intending to clarify the situation.
“Yes, it’s too dangerous. Mercenaries may be reckless, but that doesn’t mean we’re suicidal,” Sai Gu replied calmly, his composed demeanor standing out in the dimly lit room. “The lifeforms near the Nightmare Beast Forest have already been parasitized. There are even bird-type Nightmare Beasts within short range, and they’ve already attacked Hope City.”
The woman’s heart skipped a beat, and she shoved Sai Gu away forcefully. “What did you just say?”
“The ten thousand people left in Hope City have all been infected. By now, they’re likely spreading Nightmare Beast seeds everywhere. It’s far too dangerous,” Sai Gu said, his usual charming laughter absent. This only made him appear more serious and sincere.
“You escaped?” The woman was stunned. “Impossible. If they’ve been parasitized, how is the locator still functional?”
“Locator?” Sai Gu tilted his head slightly. “Are you referring to that glowing object sealed in a massive, heavily fortified room?”
The woman, having just revealed her understanding of the locator, was caught off guard when Sai Gu’s words provided her with unexpected information. “What do you mean by ‘sealed’?” she demanded.
“Literally,” Sai Gu replied. “We investigated it—it’s maintained using translucent materials, likely the same as those used in plant-based armor.” He released the female negotiator, respecting her now-diminished desire, and stood before her. “I estimate it will take some time for the Nightmare Beast seeds to break through the sealed barrier. For instance… when Hope City’s framework is fully parasitized and consumed, and that sealed room collapses to the ground.”
“How is that possible?” The female negotiator could hardly believe what she was hearing.
The locator was sealed? Why would anyone do such a thing? Wasn’t that entirely unnecessary? Wait…
Could it be that Scorching Sun City’s movements had been exposed? Scorching Sun City’s hardline approach had made enemies on all sides, and many would want to see its downfall. If someone had prepared in advance, ensuring that Scorching Sun City constantly received the locator’s signal, they could mislead them into believing Hope City was still safe, prompting them to continue advancing toward it.
However, if they got too close to Hope City, exploration teams would surely detect something amiss. Yet, their current proximity to Hope City was already dangerously close.
Ten thousand wandering Nightmare Beasts.
Flocks of bird-type Nightmare Beasts.
The female negotiator, upon receiving this information, was instantly thrown into a state of panic.
Sai Gu observed her shifting expressions and sighed softly. He reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. “Has tonight’s date been ruined?” he asked with a hint of regret. “Perhaps I should’ve waited two more hours to tell you this. At least then, I could’ve enjoyed two hours of intimacy with a beautiful lady. Ah, but what can I do? When I see someone I admire, I just can’t keep my mouth shut.”
“How do I know you’re not misleading me?” The female negotiator, despite her efforts to steady herself, swatted away Sai Gu’s hand as he attempted a more intimate gesture. Yet, the fear in her heart only grew stronger. Her racing heartbeat felt like an instinctive warning, telling her that everything this man said was true.
“I have no reason to lie to you, beautiful lady,” Sai Gu said, stepping back to a safe distance. “I’m just a mercenary, trading in any city I come across. The relationships between cities mean nothing to me. I don’t care what happens to Scorching Sun City—I only wish to share everything I know with the woman who has captured my heart at first sight.”
The female negotiator, hearing her own heartbeat quicken, immediately cut off Sai Gu’s rambling. “Do you have any proof to back this up?”
“If I had taken photos, it might seem too deliberate. Instead, let me offer you, my beautiful lady, a piece of information that would normally come at a price—as an apology for our failed date tonight,” Sai Gu replied.
In the dim room, Sai Gu’s silver hair shimmered faintly with a bluish glow. The shadows obscured his expression, making it hard to discern his true emotions.
“Underneath Hope City, we discovered a ruin filled with an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and even some living creatures. After investigating, our captain referred to it as the ‘Land of Hope,’” Sai Gu revealed.
The female negotiator was taken aback. She had never heard of such a thing. The “Land of Hope”?
“What is that?” she asked.
“According to the records, it’s a seedbed left behind when Hope City evacuated—a foundation meant to support the city’s return in the future,” Sai Gu explained.
The female negotiator found it utterly unbelievable. “And the ‘Land of Hope’—what about it now?”
“I don’t know,” Sai Gu replied with a helpless shrug. “The fruits and other items currently on the vehicle were all harvested from the ‘Land of Hope,’ including some of the gold and gemstones.”
At that moment, the female negotiator began to believe much of what he said. It all made sense now—why such an ordinary mercenary team possessed such a vast quantity of high-quality resources. Even the fresh, perishable fruits were all in perfect condition. What initially seemed illogical now appeared to have an explanation.
However, her skeptical gaze remained fixed on Sai Gu. “If you truly discovered a place like the ‘Land of Hope,’ how is it that other mobile cities haven’t found it? Why did you get all the benefits?”
“That, I don’t know,” Sai Gu replied, offering no definitive answer this time. He simply shrugged innocently. “Our captain led us there. He’s a kind-hearted man—maybe he helped the residents with something, and they gave us a small favor in return. Besides, we couldn’t take much with us anyway.”
Sometimes, an imprecise answer is more reassuring than a detailed one. Yet, with this new information, the female negotiator was not in the mood to continue their conversation. She abruptly opened the door and grabbed Sai Gu by the arm. “Come with me!”
“Is it really appropriate for someone like me to wander around here?” Sai Gu hesitated when he realized she was leading him to the upper levels, but she firmly pulled him along.
“Come with me,” she insisted. The urgency of the situation was evident—she wanted him to move.
“Apologies, madam. I only wanted to spend a lovely evening with you, not to meet your possibly less-than-handsome superior,” Sai Gu said with a tone full of reluctant refusal, as if he were truly being forced. “I have an hour and a half left before I need to leave with my captain. Please, let me value my life.”
“You’re not leaving,” the female negotiator snapped, turning back to glare at him with a shadowy intensity in her eyes. “Now that you’ve entered Scorching Sun City, leaving won’t be so easy.”
As she dragged Sai Gu toward the upper levels, he allowed a faint, enigmatic smile to cross his face—one she couldn’t see.
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