Chapter 130: Welcome to Blackwater Town

Lu Xin, Gecko, Mom, and Sister arrived at the bustling central street of the town.

At first glance it seemed even livelier than the lifeless streets of the Satellite City. Both sides were lined with stalls displaying all sorts of goods—unidentifiable meats, live creatures in cages or tied with ropes and even several stalls piled high with firearms. One stall owner had belts of bullets wrapped around him, cradling a gun as he advertised.

“Our guns are good! Our guns are great!”

“Our guns don’t jam, perfect for ambushing travelers…”

…

Along the muddy road many stalls were shaded by huge awnings next to which stood exaggerated promotional posters.

One host in strange attire held a microphone, dancing with bizarre exaggeration to pulsating music.

Beside him sat a cage containing a small thin humanoid creature covered in black feathers. It huddled motionlessly in a corner, only flinching slightly when someone kicked the cage.

The host danced while gripping the microphone shouting loudly, “Come see! Tickets are ten bucks each! Child in a jar, hairy chicken-man, post-cataclysm mutants, human-headed snake woman… all kinds of monsters, we’ve got ’em all! Ten bucks, you can’t go wrong, you won’t get ripped off! For just ten bucks, you’ll feast your eyes…”

…

The people walking the street were a motley crew. Most wore clothes that were worn but tough. Though the temperature in the town outside the city walls was already quite cold many deliberately left their jackets open revealing guns tucked into their waistbands.

Near some doorways framed with neon lights several heavily made-up women stood smoking.

Their small eyes under dark circles constantly sized up passersby on the street.

Whenever their gaze met someone’s they’d call out in a rough voice, “Wanna try? Best service!”

There were also some thin-looking men leaning against pillars shouting at people, “Wanna try? Free fruit platter!”

Lu Xin felt uncomfortable under their stares and asked Gecko, “What are they doing?”

Gecko glanced over shook his head with mock despair and said, “Legitimate business… selling newspapers…”

…

“So this is the world outside the city walls?”

Lu Xin obviously knew Gecko was talking nonsense; he wasn’t completely naive. Similar businesses existed in the Satellite City too.

He only asked because he hadn’t expected men to be involved in this trade in Blackwater Town.

Walking silently down the street taking in the surrounding liveliness he sighed inwardly.

This was a world utterly different from the one within the walls. The city had similar streets too but they mostly sold vegetables and trinkets. The solicitors weren’t so blatant. Overall the city felt somewhat subdued while this place felt wild.

The world after the Red Moon had always been like this; order and chaos seemed like parallel lines developing simultaneously inside and outside the walls.

The world outside the walls was certainly dangerous and cruel but it offered a sense of freedom bordering on reckless abandon.

Perhaps it was this feeling that attracted some people.

So even though material life within the High Wall was decent many still chose to remain outside.

…

…

“Brother where are the people we’re looking for?”

Gecko had already put on his oversized sunglasses.

It was nighttime and even though the street lights were bright wearing sunglasses should have made it hard to see. Who knew what he was thinking.

Hearing him Lu Xin also looked up.

Having finally arrived at such a lively place Sister had already vanished without a trace.

Mom wasn’t right beside him either but whenever Lu Xin looked up he could always see her shadow.

Sometimes she stood before a small stall as if admiring piles of trinkets.

Other times she stood at a quiet corner pointing towards a certain location.

Lu Xin followed Mom’s directions weaving through the crowded street moving forward bit by bit.

“What should we do once we find those people?”

As they got closer Lu Xin asked Gecko.

Gecko frowned looking around slightly nervous.

He knew their purpose this time was to track a Knight Order.

The opposition likely had heavy firepower and three Ability Users among them.

“Normally we should first notify the boss of this town. I heard he’s a guy called Master Snake who commands a sizable armed force. He has business dealings with us in Qinggang and is considered an affiliate so he should cooperate.”

Gecko frowned analyzing in a low voice, “But this place isn’t exactly close to Qinggang City. Besides these bastards are all greedy. I can’t be sure if those Ability Users hiding here have already colluded with them. If we reveal our identities first we might tip them off creating an opportunity for them instead.”

“Generally dealing with them in this town should be easier than outside.”

“After all once inside the town they probably only carry handguns…”

…

Lu Xin nodded. “Let’s find them first then.”

He understood Gecko’s analysis. Factions like Blackwater Town often paid lip service to High-wall Cities like Qinggang. If they intended to shelter the targets they might secretly cause trouble. However if Lu Xin and Gecko found the targets first and then informed Blackwater Town the local boss would likely behave. Causing trouble then would mean openly opposing Qinggang.

As they spoke they had crossed a busy street and arrived before two rows of converted three-story buildings. Lu Xin saw Mom was now standing at the doorway of a chess and card room smiling back at him.

Understanding dawned on him and he said to Gecko, “Let’s go take a look inside!”

“Are you planning to gamble or…?”

Gecko looked at the chess and card room slightly startled then quickly followed.

“What are you here for?”

As Lu Xin and Gecko reached the entrance two tall heavily built men with fierce expressions stood up.

Lu Xin walked straight in while Gecko looked up and cursed, “We’re fucking here, what do you think we’re here for?”

He pulled out a wad of cash flashed it then stuffed it back.

Seeing this the two brutes didn’t say anything more just shook their heads and sat back down.

Lu Xin walked directly into the main hall of the chess and card room immediately hit by an overwhelming stench.

It was a heavyweight stink bomb—a complex mix of smoke alcohol body odor and sweat. Walking towards them were young girls in bikinis with white rabbit ears perched on their heads carrying trays of cigarettes and alcoholic drinks.

A cacophony filled his ears. Some shouted “Big!” some shouted “Small!” others yelled “I said bet big!” “I said bet small!” “Fuck you!” “Fuck off!” “Spit!” “Spit spit!” “You dare spit salt?!” “Bang!” “Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!”

…

…

Despite being in the kind of place he usually enjoyed Gecko’s face had lost its usual playful grin.

No matter how irresponsible he normally was he knew what this trip was about.

They weren’t just tracking the Knight Orders; there were three Ability Users involved. More importantly they weren’t in Qinggang City with the Special Pollution Cleanup Department backing them up. While Qinggang City held significant influence in the surrounding areas personnel from various Qinggang sectors on official business disappearing or turning up dead in the Wasteland was all too common.

One wrong move and it could be them.

His expression tightened. He glanced at Lu Xin and whispered, “They’re here?”

Lu Xin nodded his gaze piercing through the chaotic crowd towards a closed room at the back.

Gecko reached for the gun at his waist his face cautious. “What’s the plan?”

Lu Xin’s gaze shifted slightly as he instinctively considered Gecko’s words.

Sister was nearby crouching by a card table watching intently seemingly eager to play. Mom stood beside the innermost room holding her delicate little satchel smiling gently at him.

Behind that door were likely the Knight Orders responsible for so many deaths in Qinggang…

Then he shook his head. “No need for a plan.”

With that he walked straight to the room’s door and kicked it hard.

“Bang!”

The door flew open with a tremendous noise.

Inside people were gathered around a makeshift long table playing cards. They all instantly looked over.

Lu Xin calmly swept his gaze over the people in the room. There were seven in total: five men sitting at the table playing cards and two girls in rabbit ears serving them. He didn’t find anyone matching Qin Ran’s description among the group but his eyes settled on a man in a red suit sitting near the window opposite the table. He slowly confirmed something.

The man was holding three cards raised high seemingly about to slam them down.

Seeing Lu Xin enter his expression froze slightly.

…

…

Lu Xin looked at him a slow smile spreading across his face. “Go ahead and finish playing that hand. I’m not in a hurry.”