Wasteland Ruins No. 13? Jiang Baimian slightly raised her eyebrows in surprise upon hearing Genava's answer.
Lehman, on the other hand, looked as if he had heard a ghost story, taking two steps back with a face of terror.
Anyone with some knowledge of "First City" is familiar with Wasteland Ruins No. 13.
The area north of the Taiwei River and south of the northern mountains, on both banks of the Red River, was one of the most prosperous and bustling regions of the Old World. A large number of cities were located here, forming a densely populated and industrialized urban area.
When the Old World was destroyed, most of this area turned into a wasteland. Cities either faced physical destruction or transformed into havens for "Heartless" and mutated creatures.
After "First City" was established based on one of the relatively well-preserved cities in this area, it gained a certain level of strength. They began to explore the various ruins and relics in this area to acquire resources and develop.
Logically, as the nominal leading power in the Ashlands, after decades of effort, "First City" couldn't possibly have left those city ruins under their nose untouched. They would have taken the most important and useful resources, leaving only scraps for the wasteland wanderers and relic hunters, but there was one exception.
That was Ruins No. 13.
It was very close to First City, but it didn't seem to have been effectively developed. At least, local relic hunters had hardly ever come across any materials or technology originating from it.
What was even more strange was that even if "First City" didn't explore it themselves, they sent troops to guard all the roads, forbidding anyone from entering Ruins No. 13.
As a result, rumors gradually spread among the people, saying that Ruins No. 13 hid something very dangerous, and even the troops sent by "First City" failed to return, completely losing contact.
There were also rumors that "First City" had discovered some information related to the destruction of the Old World in Ruins No. 13, and was organizing manpower to establish a secret laboratory there, carrying out forbidden experiments.
In short, after continuous embellishment, Wasteland Ruins No. 13 had become a mysterious and terrifying place in the eyes of ordinary people in "First City."
And the "Dao and Appliance Repair" radio station was located there!
Thinking of how Wu Meng had "controlled" all his bodyguards through the radio, Lehman shuddered, no longer treating some of the rumors about Wasteland Ruins No. 13 as jokes.
At this moment, Shang Jianyao said with bright eyes:
"This could be used as the blueprint for a ghost story."
Then, you'll submit it to the company's radio station? Jiang Baimian subconsciously speculated about Shang Jianyao's purpose.
She immediately collected her thoughts and said to Genava:
"Detect it again tomorrow to see if the location has changed."
"Okay," Genava said in a slightly synthetic baritone voice.
Jiang Baimian turned to look at Lehman, smiling as she said:
"From the current situation, the possibility of you being targeted is very low. It's more likely that you accidentally stumbled upon a terrifying incident."
Lehman's expression changed slightly a couple of times, and he asked in a deep voice:
"Have Rondall and Richardson returned to normal?"
"Probably. This kind of thing is like magic; it loses its effect once it's exposed," Jiang Baimian comforted.
At least that's how it is this time.
But some aren't... Shang Jianyao's words, which were already on the tip of his tongue, were glared back by Jiang Baimian.
Hearing this, Lehman nodded lightly and said:
"After completing the transaction with you, I will leave First City."
According to Richardson, he only heard the "Dao and Appliance Repair" radio station for the first time when he arrived here.
We don't even need to urge him... Jiang Baimian chuckled inwardly, nodding as she said:
"Then let's complete the transaction today?
"We have a manor here, with farmland..."
After listening to all the exchange conditions given by the Old Task Force, Lehman frowned slightly and said:
"It's also troublesome to deal with a manor. It'll take four or five days..."
Jiang Baimian could tell that this arms dealer from "United Industries" couldn't wait to leave First City tonight.
"Maybe we can help..." Shang Jianyao volunteered.
Lehman ignored his words, struggled for a few seconds, and said:
"Okay, it's settled. We'll do the handover tomorrow, and the corresponding Aulers will be deposited into this bank account."
That large sum of cash was borrowed by the Old Task Force from Terence, the second boss of the Blackshirts. The same batch of supplies will be handed over along with the Left Bank Manor.
Not bad, as expected of a true profiteer, fully embodying the saying 'people die for wealth, and birds die for food'... Jiang Baimian thought she could take advantage of Lehman's eagerness to escape First City to lower the price and get the subsequent agency rights for the manor.
That way, she wouldn't have to talk to Lehman about the women in "Wolf's Den."
Who knew that Lehman would rather take a bit of a risk to save this "fee."
At this time, Lehman pondered for a while and said with a pained expression:
"This time, I really have to thank you for saving me. I, I'll give you another discount..."
Clap clap clap, Shang Jianyao applauded his "generosity."
Jiang Baimian suppressed her laughter and said:
"No need for a discount. Just agree to two conditions."
"What?" Lehman perked up.
Jiang Baimian roughly mentioned Suna, Li Qiong, and the others' fast food restaurant, giving the condition of supplying them at the lowest price and the corresponding period.
"It'll be difficult to sell the manor for a good price like this..." Lehman mumbled a few words, but still agreed. "Okay, this is equivalent to giving you another 10% discount!"
He asked in one breath:
"What's the second condition?"
"Do you have a way to get tickets for the Noble Box at the Highest Colosseum?" Jiang Baimian asked, seemingly casually.
Lehman looked at her, Shang Jianyao, and Genava, revealing a simple and honest smile like an old farmer:
"This isn't too difficult, but I have a prerequisite."
"What?" Jiang Baimian asked with a slight twitch of her eyes.
Lehman said sincerely:
"I can only provide tickets after I leave First City."
Very sharp... As expected of an arms dealer who has managed to survive until now... Jiang Baimian nodded slightly and said:
"No problem. We need tickets for a total of three arena matches, five tickets for each match."
"So many?" Lehman blurted out, not hiding his embarrassment and heartache.
This seemed to require him to spend another considerable amount of favors, money, or resources.
Seeing Jiang Baimian looking at him with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, Lehman returned a polite smile:
"Although it is indeed a lot, it's nothing compared to my life."
Because he still had to get tickets for the arena matches, he pushed the time for the handover of supplies back to 8:00 PM the day after tomorrow.
After leaving 55 Corne Street, Jiang Baimian and the others circled around twice before getting into their modified jeep.
After waiting for a while, Bai Chen and Long Yuehong returned to the car with the boxes containing the military exoskeleton devices on their backs.
After listening to their team leader's retelling and Shang Jianyao's ghost story-like additions, Long Yuehong said with slight horror:
"That Wu Meng is very powerful..."
If he was really influencing radio listeners without a specific target, then given enough conditions, he could even destroy a city!
Moreover, he didn't seem to care at all about life, others, or order.
Jiang Baimian hummed and said:
"Actually, his name reminded me of an idiom, Wuxia Ameng."
"Did he choose this name himself to indicate that he's different from the past?" Bai Chen instantly understood what her team leader meant.
"It could also be that his parents gave it to him, expressing good wishes," Genava gave another possibility based on his analysis.
Jiang Baimian didn't answer Bai Chen's rhetorical question, but thoughtfully said to herself:
"During the chaotic years immediately after the destruction of the Old World, many people broke away from the constraints of social order, and after gaining certain abilities or resources, they showed extreme disregard for the lives and personalities of others..."
"Not just in chaotic times," Genava added based on the data. "Even in the New Calendar, there are many similar things."
"They're inflated," Shang Jianyao commented.
So, Wu Meng might be like that too? Did he obtain terrifying power from Wasteland Ruins No. 13? Long Yuehong said his guess, and finally sighed:
"First City really hides many dragons and crouching tigers..."
The Old Task Force had only been here for a few days and had already encountered so many hidden and terrifying powerhouses, and First City was still able to maintain a level of order above the standard. Its strength was conceivable.
"Therefore, we can't think that we can swagger around First City just because we successfully killed the true 'Father'," Jiang Baimian took the opportunity to conduct team education. "Next, we need to be low-key, low-key, and even more low-key. We need to seriously push forward our main mission."
After confirming that they could get the arena match tickets from Lehman, the Old Task Force's main mission of contacting the descendants of Orey finally took a substantial step.
--The reason why Jiang Baimian wanted tickets for three arena matches was because she didn't want to rashly "get to know" Orey's grandson, Marcus. She planned to do one or two observations first and act according to the circumstances.
...
While waiting for Lehman to get the tickets, the Old Task Force didn't idle. They split up again to search for Xiao Chong and Han Wanghuo.
Antana Street, underground black market.
Bai Chen and Long Yuehong found the organ merchant, Yan Miao.
"Are you here to buy or sell? If you're selling, you have to see if there are any buyers, how many buyers there are, before you can determine the final price..." Yan Miao rattled off a bunch of things.
While carefully listening, Bai Chen noticed that Yan Miao was constantly observing her and Long Yuehong's reactions while speaking.
She nodded imperceptibly, didn't mince words, and took out Han Wanghuo's portrait:
"Have you seen this person?"
Yan Miao glanced at it and chuckled:
"If I said I haven't seen him, would you believe me?"
"No," Long Yuehong felt that this was how he should answer at this moment.
Yan Miao smiled and said:
"If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do."
"..." Long Yuehong didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Fortunately, Yan Miao continued:
"I have seen him. He came to buy a heart and wanted to have a transplant, but the match wasn't successful."
"When was this?" Bai Chen asked calmly.
Yan Miao made a look of recollection:
"Yesterday, yes, yesterday afternoon."
You're still reminiscing about what happened yesterday afternoon? Long Yuehong barely managed to hold back this complaint.