HAGLTP Chapter 13

After the recent night raid, the three of them had no desire to sleep any longer. Under the cover of night, they ate something that could hardly be classified as either a midnight snack or breakfast, and then set off on their journey.

Fortunately, although the old road to Yun City was dilapidated and winding, there were fewer wandering corpses and roadblocks with ulterior motives, which spared them quite a bit of trouble.

By the time dawn broke, they had already arrived at the gates of Yun City.

This was a large city that could rival Yao City, surrounded by water on all sides, and known as the “Capital of Variety Shows,” with a strong atmosphere of entertainment. Once, it was filled with stars and production crews, and even a nondescript little restaurant by the roadside might be recording a popular variety show.

Even in the current chaotic times, from a distance, it looked better than Yao City; at least the buildings were much more intact, and there were more vibrant colors, giving it a livelier appearance.

Perhaps this was the difference between happy variety show hosts and rebellious musicians.

The old road led to the old town of Yun City, and the further they went, the more aged the buildings appeared, with increasing signs of decay, gradually distancing themselves from the glamorous view they had seen from afar.

Ahead, there were already quite a few vehicles lined up waiting to enter the city.

Most of the entrances near the old city gate were blocked, leaving only one in and one out, with armed guards checking every vehicle that passed by. Occasionally, they could hear arguments coming from up ahead.

Huang Sansheng poked his head out: “Yun City isn’t as good as it looks.”

Xiao Lu scrutinized the commotion ahead: “Let’s take out some food to show, we might have to pay an ‘entry fee.'”

“Okay.” Huang Sansheng immediately sprang into action.

Soon, it was their turn. Before Ye Qi could roll down the window, a man with a cigarette impatiently knocked hard on the car window.

“Where are you from?” As the window opened, a cloud of smoke and a loud voice rushed into the car.

Since Ye Qi never spoke, Xiao Lu took the initiative: “Yao City.”

The man looked down at Ye Qi: “I’m asking you, where are you from?”

Ye Qi remained silent, not even changing his expression.

This attitude gave the man an opportunity to escalate the situation. His voice rose a few notches: “You think you’re something, huh? Do you know how many big stars I’ve dealt with? In today’s Yun City, the least valuable are those with just a pretty face; I wouldn’t even bother with them if they were given to me!”

Xiao Lu observed the man’s deliberately confrontational attitude and realized that it was impossible for them to enter the city smoothly.

“Hmm?” The man, who had been boasting, suddenly paused, his gaze fixed on Ye Qi, “You look a bit familiar.”

His eyes scanned the surroundings and landed on a huge billboard, which was printed and remained unaffected even without power.

It was an advertisement for a recently popular men’s perfume, featuring Ye Qi with half-drenched clothes, his wet hair brushing over his brows. He lazily gazed at the camera with slightly closed eyes, the light and shadow outlining his features in a deep and mysterious way, utterly captivating.

The man revealed a predatory glint in his eyes: “So it’s the big movie star… No wonder you’re so arrogant. According to the rules, the entry fee is seven days’ worth of rations per person. The big movie star surely doesn’t lack that, so let’s make it thirty days for each of you.”

Huang Sansheng panicked, desperately clutching his small bag: “Why don’t you go rob someone instead?!”

“That’s the rule.” The man scanned the car’s interior and noticed Huang Sansheng’s backpack filled with supplies, clearly insufficient for thirty days.

He scoffed disdainfully: “If you can’t produce anything, you’ll have to work. Workers live in Area 27, where the big movie star can sell himself for a good price.”

As he spoke, he began to peel off a sticker with a logo, deliberately slowing down his movements, waiting for the people inside the car to plead for mercy or offer a bribe.

This trick had worked for him many times before.

“Hey, come here.” Xiao Lu suddenly called out from the passenger seat.

The man felt a surge of hope but still pretended to be displeased: “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

Xiao Lu spoke in a mysterious tone: “I have something good here, a specialty from Yao City.”

He raised his hand to reveal a small paper bag.

The man’s gaze fell on the paper bag. A specialty from Yao City? What do those music freaks have besides music? They don’t even like to eat, just drink and do drugs, right?

Could it be…

Xiao Lu smiled: “It’s not easy to get goods now; if you miss this, who knows when you’ll get another chance.”

In this chaotic world, normal supplies were hard to come by, let alone these kinds of “little stimulants,” which had become rare treasures in the eyes of some.

Looking at the man’s mental state and the sores on his face, it was clear he was a drug addict.

The man immediately turned to look around, scolding a few idle onlookers, then quickly walked over to Xiao Lu: “Give it to me!”

“Get a little closer; if others see it, it won’t just be yours.” Xiao Lu was like a tempting snake leading him to ruin.

The man, without suspicion, leaned almost against the car: “Hurry up and give it to me!”

Xiao Lu slowly raised his hand holding the paper bag.

The man’s excitement made his pupils dilate.

“Ah————” In front of everyone, the arrogant man was suddenly knocked to the ground with a punch, his face landing right in a nearby mud puddle.

“You dare!! You’ve offended our Black Cloud Gang; tomorrow, we’ll pour concrete on you and sink you in the river!” The man covered his face, roaring in anger.

“Black Cloud Gang? Never heard of it; the name’s too lame.” Xiao Lu leaned against the window, his gaze cold.

According to the story, Yun City was jointly controlled by several major forces, each with different rules—some strict, some lenient, and their relationships were not harmonious, with no sense of solidarity.

Now, just three weeks after the mutation began, these forces had not fully developed; they hadn’t even clearly divided their territories, making it too early to collect entry fees.

Moreover, Xiao Lu suspected they might have entered a chaotic area.

The forces here were mostly small to medium-sized, with disordered management. For outsiders, they operated on a principle of scamming and intimidating, taking advantage of anyone until they figured out the rules of Yun City, by which time they wouldn’t even remember who had scammed them.

This man was just trying to scare them; he was mostly a paper tiger.

Even if they beat him up, they wouldn’t have to worry about not being able to survive in Yun City. At most, it would just lead to a bit more trouble.

Xiao Lu couldn’t even be bothered to open the car door, raising his hand to shoot a beam of light between the man’s legs, almost landing a devastating blow.

“Can! Ability user…” The man’s bravado instantly deflated.

In this era of global mutation, the wealthy, stars, and powerful had lost their former glory; only one type of person had risen against the tide—ability users, who were the rulers of this new era. Especially now that the mutation had just begun, even the major forces occupying Yun City would treat these ability users with respect.

And he had offended an ability user…

Perhaps more than one.

The man looked at the car in front of him, which contained three people. He was now filled with regret, deep regret; he shouldn’t have been born into this world.

Now it was Xiao Lu’s turn to look down at him.

Seeing the man’s reaction and the fact that no one had come to his aid for so long, Xiao Lu could confirm that this was just a small, ragtag group of fish, incapable of causing any trouble for him.

“B-b-brother… I was wrong, I didn’t see clearly, I’m trash…” The man struggled to force out a flattering smile, more painful than trying to sneak by the strictest teacher in class.

But he kept repeating those few phrases, clearly not as savvy as the rock youth from Yao City.

Xiao Lu didn’t want to waste time with him; the black car started up again, kicking up a cloud of dust.

“Wow, that car up ahead is fierce; it just charged through.”

“Should we also…”

“Aren’t you afraid?”

“Afraid of what! I think he’s just bluffing; would you really give away the food you’ve worked so hard to collect?”

The drivers behind them were also clever; realizing that the roadblock was just a paper tiger, they immediately accelerated to follow Xiao Lu into Yun City.

The convoy entering the city formed a long line, dust and mud splattering on the faces of those on the ground.

·

On the streets of Yun City.

Xiao Keyang walked ahead, accompanied by Chai Yige, who wore a duckbill cap.

Chai Yige smiled broadly, flattering: “Keyang, your luck is incredible, you’re the chosen one. Not only is your awakened ability super strong, but as soon as we entered Yun City, we were invited to join the Night faction, one of the four major forces. They must have seen your talent.”

Xiao Keyang’s lips curled slightly, but he said nothing.

Chai Yige continued to pump him up: “Look, it’s only been a short while, and you’re already the youngest captain in Night. I dare say, within Night, no, among all the factions in Yun City, no one has leveled up as quickly as you.”

During this time, Chai Yige had been living comfortably, backed by a major force, and with the protagonist as his support, he only needed to run errands and do some odd jobs, living better than most people in Yun City.

This made him believe once again in his choice; clinging to a big leg was the best way for a cannon fodder to survive.

At this moment, he also took the opportunity to step on Xiao Lu: “Look at that Xiao Lu, thinking he could rise by blackening you; now the entire entertainment industry is gone, and he can’t get anything.”

According to custom, this remark was meant to massage Xiao Keyang’s ego, but this time, the other party showed no reaction.

Xiao Keyang stopped, frowning as he looked ahead.

Chai Yige followed his gaze: “Xiao, Xiao Lu!”

Xiao Lu was being led by a few people toward a large building.

That was no ordinary building; it used to be the largest television station in Yun City and was now the headquarters of one of the four major forces, the White Dove.

The ones leading him were not small characters but the second-in-command of the White Dove.

This woman was fiery and often spoke her mind, even to the leaders of Night, but she was very polite when facing Xiao Lu.

Even more bizarrely, Ye Qi, the international film emperor, was following Xiao Lu. Xiao Keyang had once tried to invite Ye Qi for coffee under the pretense of collaboration, only to be flatly rejected.

But now, Ye Qi’s gaze was almost locked onto Xiao Lu, showing none of the previous distance he was known for.

Watching Xiao Lu being treated like a star entering the White Dove’s territory, Xiao Keyang’s expression darkened: “Damn it, who told you to mention him every day?”

Chai Yige: “…”

Can you blame me? If it weren’t for you wanting to hear it, I wouldn’t have to keep bringing up Xiao Lu as a secret to your happiness every day.