Chapter 129: Arrival at Blackwater Town

The slightly reddish sky to the southwest was indeed a reflection of lights. Lu Xin and Gecko followed the road straight ahead and soon found the faint red glow becoming more distinct, like a hazy crimson mist with faint lights visible beneath it.

After walking for about ten more minutes they spotted a rusty signpost by the roadside.

It stood crookedly, bearing several large, scrawled words and an arrow painted in bright red:

“Blackwater Town”

…

Below these three words were a few smaller ones: “Gas” “Food” “Major Main…”

The last word was somewhat illegible.

“Quite the full-service place…”

Gecko perked up slightly. Following the arrow the car turned onto a small road covered in gravel.

Both sides of the road were pitch-black, filled only with waist-high weeds.

Occasionally Lu Xin would hear rustling sounds from within the weeds and see them swaying.

Gecko explained in a low laugh, “It’s rabbits.”

Lu Xin glanced over. “Can we hunt one?”

“Don’t even think about it…”

Gecko jumped startled and quickly stopped him, whispering, “Those are rabbits released by Blackwater Town to keep watch.”

“By the time we reach Blackwater Town these guys will have basically figured us out.”

…

Only then did Lu Xin understand: rabbits meant spies.

After driving on the small road for about half an hour the car finally reached the brightly lit place that had seemed so close. It was a town built on higher ground surrounded by a three-to-four-meter-high rough wooden fence tangled with menacing barbed wire. The lights they saw from afar were actually just a small fraction escaping over the top of the fence.

Outside the fence parked rows of dark imposing trucks, some empty some loaded with goods.

A few people guarded the trucks, warily scanning the surroundings while silently smoking cigarettes.

At the end of the small road stood a large rusty sheet-metal gate next to a booth with iron bars.

“Scavengers just stopping for a rest.”

Gecko drove the car straight up to the booth and flashed his ID.

“Scavengers?”

The person in the booth seemed to already know they were coming. He cast a playful glance from the booth sizing up Gecko and Lu Xin through the car window and chuckled, “You don’t look the part. You two look pretty clean…”

His voice was a bit loud. Several men holding guns inside the booth casually ambled a few steps closer.

Nearby among the people resting and chatting by the trucks many also turned their gazes toward them.

“We’re goddamn scavengers not beggars why can’t we be clean?”

Gecko slammed his hand on the car door forcing a rough laugh. “What? Do we have to roll in mud to get in?”

“No just asking.”

Seeing Gecko’s fearless demeanor the man in the booth lowered his eyelids and recited the rules matter-of-factly:

“Same old rules. You can enter town but only carry handguns. Heavy firepower stays in the car.”

“What counts as heavy firepower you ask?”

“Anything that goes rat-tat-tat is heavy firepower and stays in the car. Anything that goes bang-bang-bang you can carry on you!”

“For parking you still have two choices! Park inside town it’s one hundred Alliance Coins a day or ten cans of food. Guns and bullets can also be used for payment. We have people watch your vehicle but keep valuables with you.”

“Park outside town no one cares. You leave someone to watch it yourself. We’re not responsible if anything happens.”

…

Lu Xin felt he’d learned something new. Even parking had so many rules.

“Of course we’re bringing the bang-bang-bang ones. Did you even need to say?”

Gecko pulled out his handgun slapping it twice against the car door. “Park inside. Save us the trouble of someone stealing the tires!”

Seeing the gun in his hand many of the surrounding onlookers looked away.

“Being allowed to carry a handgun doesn’t mean you can fire it. Randomly firing a gun in town whether you’re right or wrong means a fine of one thousand bucks first!”

The man in the booth muttered took the one hundred Alliance Coins Gecko handed over and called out, “Niu Zi, guide them.”

“Alright!”

The large iron gate opened and a young man ran out holding a bamboo token.

He snapped it in two gave half to Gecko tied the other half to the car’s left rearview mirror then stood in front waving his hands:

“Come on come on, drive in…”

“It’s fine you won’t scrape it. Go ahead drive boldly…”

…

“Just parking costs a hundred bucks…”

Lu Xin thought feeling a slight pang.

But then he reconsidered: It’s official business anyway it can all be reimbursed…

Then another thought occurred: If I manage to save money on official business I wonder if I can keep it for myself…

…

…

The car stopped in a flat open space behind the iron gate. Gecko jumped out took the keys and slammed the door shut.

“Is it okay to park here?”

Lu Xin lacking much experience traveling still felt a bit uneasy. “Will anything happen to it?”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Gecko patted the rear of the car. “Ordinary people can’t mess with this car.”

Lu Xin nodded and turned his head to see Mom and Sister had also gotten out of the car by now.

Mom was smiling faintly looking in a particular direction.

She was looking at a wall but her gaze seemed to penetrate it looking somewhere far beyond.

“It’s very close now. You need to be prepared.”

Seeing Lu Xin looking at her she smiled and nodded at him.

Beside them Sister was already very happy her eyes sparkling.

…

…

“Gents what brings you to town?”

After they parked the car the young man called “Niu Zi” led Lu Xin and the others out of the parking area.

He looked Lu Xin and Gecko over attentively yet scrutinizingly and smiled, “Our Blackwater Town has more to eat drink and play with than High-wall City. Whether you want lodging or just food and drinks I can take you there…”

He then lowered his voice conspiratorially, “If you’re looking to buy other kinds of goods there are different places too. The big market’s closed now you’ll have to go tomorrow. As for the small market it depends on what you want. Anyway I know pretty much everyone.”

“Can we buy people?”

Gecko grinned at the question winking at the young man.

“Of course…”

Niu Zi’s interest piqued immediately. He lowered his voice, “Our labor market here is the biggest around.”

He counted on his fingers as he spoke: “Adult laborers sold in threes ten thousand bucks; young female slaves a bit pricier five or six thousand each but you can buy them individually; as for the old ones they’re not worth much usually thrown in as extras…”

“If it’s short-term you can rent too. The price is much lower but you need to pay a deposit…”

“…And don’t think it’s expensive!”

“It’s not like before when livestock ran wild everywhere. Prices have to go up of course. Might get even more expensive later…”

…

Hearing these words Lu Xin couldn’t help but give him a strange look.

Growing up inside High-wall City he hadn’t known such “labor markets” existed outside…

Gecko seemed to know about these things but hadn’t expected the topic.

He frowned. “Who wants to buy that? It’s heartless. I was asking about the other kind…”

“Oh that? You’re quite reserved sir…”

Niu Zi instantly lost interest clearly looking down on such small transactions.

He casually pointed towards the street. “Plenty of those just take your pick…”

“Tsk tsk…”

Gecko shook his head. Though he sounded excited he still turned to look at Lu Xin.

At that moment Lu Xin glanced towards an empty spot as if confirming something first.

Then he looked up towards the town center and said slowly, “Let’s walk around first!”

“Alright let’s walk around first.”

Gecko put an arm around the young man Niu Zi’s shoulder slipping a few coins into his hand. “We’ll find you later.”

“You got it! I’ll be right here by the main gate…”

The young man Niu Zi readily agreed but his eyes held a cunning glint.