Chapter 379: Betrayals and Bargains

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Tang Hai opened his mouth, but even someone as smooth-talking as he was found himself at a loss for words.

He was a second-generation survivor of the apocalypse, raised in the Far Frontier. All his childhood stories came from the Tianlang Safe Zone, and he had always lived there.

The Military of China was utterly foreign to him.

He only remembered that as a child his mother had told him that in the early days of the apocalypse, the Chinese Military had ‘abandoned’ this place. It was only through the agonizing struggles of the previous generation that things had developed as they did. It was said that back then every survivor sent messages to the Capital with hope, pleading for a rescue.

But there was no response. This place was simply too far away, too remote for any unit to cross the thousand-mile distance and save them.

In recent years, the Military’s attempts to take control here made them feel utterly betrayed and humiliated.

Just as he had mentioned earlier… why? Why, after they had managed to survive on their own, would the Military suddenly assume command over them?

As for what Captain Huang had mentioned, he only knew a vague outline of it.

“Captain Huang,”

Yenir gently soothed him and tugged Huang Yuanhao to sit down, signaling him to calm down. To tell the truth, Yenir was not entirely sure what had happened in the past either; yet the mention of a horde of corpses from Huang Yuanhao’s lips reminded him of the Ruins Battlefield.

He knew that the forces there had been deployed to block the northern onslaught of the undead. It seemed that back then massive casualties on the part of the Military had been accompanied by factors they preferred not to see spread.

No wonder the survivors of the Far Frontier harbored such deep resentment towards the Military. It was hardly surprising that, in the second year of the previous life, troubles had erupted here. Forget about collaborating with the Military to resist the catastrophe; the Bloodshadow Legion even experienced a rebellion in his memory, which led directly to the collapse of the South China Battle Zone – Far Frontier defensive line in the second year of the disaster.

So the problem was here after all…

With an awkward expression, Tang Hai glanced at Huang Yuanhao, who had been pulled down to sit by Yenir, his face brimming with embarrassment. He quickly changed the subject.

“Young Yenir, I’m truly sorry. I’m not much of a talker—please forgive me. And as for this brother here, I’ll drink a toast to myself!”

“But regardless, the Military’s situation here in the frontier hasn’t been good lately. You all really need to be cautious…”

After a gulp of the frontier’s potent liquor, Tang Hai finally answered the question Yenir had asked earlier:

“As for high-grade materials… and the Human-Faced Falcon?”

After a brief moment of thought, a glint of something unusual flashed in Tang Hai’s eyes.

“Young Yenir, I know exactly where to get those high-grade materials. Some are even rare enough that I can swap a few out for you. After all, I’m in charge of supplies at the Tianlang Safe Zone. I practically know every item here by heart.”

“But…”

His words trailed off as Tang Hai glanced uneasily at Yenir.

The name Human-Faced Falcon carried immense weight… It was something every frontier person knew about. In the early days when high-grade materials were scarce, this terrifyingly mutated beast had wreaked enormous havoc.

Unlike other mutants that attacked from the ground, this ultra-fast aerial creature was a nightmare for every Awakener.

Its defeat had caused a huge sensation and marked the famed battle that earned the first commanding officer of the Bloodshadow Legion his renown.

“Young Yenir, if you want the materials from the Human-Faced Falcon, you should know its legend.”

“While the Human-Faced Falcon might not be the most valuable in raw worth, its significance ranks among the highest of all high-grade materials.”

“To be honest…”

“I know exactly where it is—right in the hands of the Legion’s leader! As a trophy from his defining battle, the corpse of the Human-Faced Falcon has always been one of his greatest prides.”

“That top-tier powerhouse earned enormous renown by slaying the Human-Faced Falcon— and that triumph led to the founding of the Bloodshadow Legion!”

His tone was earnest.

After finishing his account, Tang Hai studied Yenir’s eyes. Demanding such a prized item right off the bat, especially given Yenir’s Military affiliation, made him wonder if the Military planned to take action against the Bloodshadow Legion…

After all, as a mutant material, the actual value of the Human-Faced Falcon wasn’t that high. There was no way that mysterious man would come all the way here on his own.

“It’s in the hands of the Bloodshadow Legion’s leader?”

“If I were to try buying it, do you think he’d agree? Or could you perhaps help set up a meeting?”

Furrowing his brow, Yenir asked once more.

With the Human-Faced Falcon in the hands of their leader, it was no wonder the Military’s response had been that they’d try to broker a deal. Apparently, they just couldn’t get their hands on it…

But Yenir was determined to obtain it at any cost—even if it meant sacrificing everything.

“Buy it?”

His expression grew even more perplexed.

Tang Hai let out a dry laugh and said in a low tone:

“Young Yenir, are you aware of the strength of the Bloodshadow Legion’s leader, Xueqiang Yinglong?”

“He had already hit his Peak Third-Stage level seventeen years ago…”

“He commands the entire Bloodshadow Legion, controlling three major Safe Zones, sixteen settlements, and even the most crucial spirit energy ore mines are under his management.”

“Do you really think someone like him would ever part with his prized trophy? The one he’s most proud of?”

With that, Tang Hai sighed as if trying to convince Yenir to throw in the towel.

A top-tier existence like Xueqiang Yinglong had no shortage of supplies or equipment. Perhaps something like a Legendary Suit might pique his interest? But as for a suit… even the Capital’s Military might not have one.

Unless you were an equally formidable Peak Third-Stage powerhouse capable of negotiating, no one else could really make a move.

Tang Hai knew he didn’t even qualify to be in the same conversation.

A brief silence followed.

After hearing Tang Hai’s explanation, Yenir found himself in a dilemma.

Peak Third-Stage…

Alright, he thought, if the item was in the hands of a high-ranking member of the Bloodshadow Legion and was of Third-Stage Advanced quality, maybe he could just grab it and run if all else failed.

But a Peak Third-Stage item— even Uncle Liang wouldn’t be a match for that.

Almost instinctively, Yenir couldn’t help but glance toward Huang Yuanhao.

If his memory served him right, the Military had once sworn that although they couldn’t get it now, they would eventually secure it for him.

Was this one of those cases? Would they send someone like Fang Hao himself to get it?