Armed Train in the Apocalypse

”June 10, 2037, metal corrosion.”

”The rule of the Rust Area is not ’corrosion,’ but metal.”

The fine snowflakes were blown diagonally by the wind, beating against the car window’s dim halo like tiny flying insects.

The train conductor adjusted his posture as he rested against the sofa, sipped the ice-cold Kvass on the table, reviewed today’s log, and marked it with the word [metal] beside it.

He hadn’t expected Xiaoba’s fortune to be so profound, just a stroll and he found the [metal] rule of the Rust Area, and naturally advanced to Tier Three under the rule’s promotion.

With Lin Jin included, there are now two Tier Three members on the train.

As for that Tier Three Iron Swallow, it’s akin to the Tier Three Locust Tree in the Plant Zone, a result of rule promotion with feathers almost metal-like, its combat power surpassing ordinary Evolution Beasts.

But in front of the metal-controlling Xiaoba, the outcome was already decided.

These past few days were mainly spent on gathering the Tier Three Iron Swallow; without recruiting Deng Ke, the collection progress was tough, Xiaoba, Lin Jin, and the first expert of the arena all became disassemblers with daily hard labor.

If it weren’t for Wan Xing’s ”coincidental” Tier Two Living Potion advancement, it wouldn’t have been completed by now.

Counting this Iron Swallow, the train has over a thousand tons of Tier Three flesh materials, considered treasure by top-tier forces, but on the train it’s a regular meat dish, making Hua Junyan and others heartache deeply, trading a large expense for some scraps.

Besides major trades between forces, the train also opened restrictions these past few days.

Passengers brought high-end evolution resources to Dragon Gate City, while using economic advantage to acquire a large amount of basic supplies.

Both parties profited with mutual satisfaction.

For large forces, they have large populations, making the scale of acquiring low-level resources quick, but it’s equally tough for gaining top-tier materials.

Internal factions are many, once divided it’s gone.

As for the train, ammunition and other consumables are always insufficient, obtaining various raw materials post-apocalypse is quite troublesome, current bullet workshops are more about weapon repair and new ammunition research, storing only a few raw materials for emergencies.

Directly trading for finished ammunition is best.

But the deal needs to leave the Rust Area for delivery, otherwise it’ll all rot inside.

The window opened, a long howl sounded from under the train.

”Quite energetic, eh.” Su Huan leaned out to take a look, seeing a figure hanging upside down under the train, wearing only a pair of big shorts, his pale body beaten by the snowflakes, swinging chaotically in all directions with the wind.

This was certainly not abuse, but a custom training content designed by He Jie: After tough daytime training, captured at night during rest, unarmed and hung thirty meters above ground, escaping quickly before body temperature drops.

Of course, Tier One Evolvers don’t lose temperature so easily, to achieve the effect a potion was applied to his body, consuming energy faster, also more sensitive...

”Oh, he’s climbed up.”

When Su Huan looked down, he found Huayang climbing from below with hands and mouth, his fair muscle lines covered with frost, slightly turning purple.

His eyes were astonishingly bright, full of desire for life.

Just as he neared the cabin door, his face’s smile was suddenly shadowed, similar in size to a forty-four-size foot.

”...What...?”

The joy not released turned into a miserable wail, swept away by the wind.

”Why?” He Jie flicked his cigarette ash, deeply saying, ”Because the cigarette hasn’t finished, saving it with a foot.”

”I clearly... climbed up!”

”Ah, you mean this.” He Jie grinned, ”The plot changes, during your escape you were discovered, kicked back, now the enemy’s testing you even more ruthlessly.”

After speaking, He Jie turned sideways, giving a soldier behind him a look, ”Pour the water.”

The soldier operated the carriage’s robotic arm, connecting a water tank to begin precise water projection onto the Huayang hanging below.

”Too brutal... Tut tut.”

The train conductor exclaimed with sympathetic admiration.

”Train conductor... I’m wrong, I don’t... confess...”

His intermittent wails echoed in the sky above Dragon Gate.

Yu Yue covered her mouth with laughter, ”He said he’s wrong, wants to confess to you face to face...”

Su Huan waved his hand interrupting her, solemnly saying, ”As the saying goes, soldiers are raised for a thousand days, used at a moment, tell He Jie, don’t mind my view of his fate, go ahead.”

”But Hua Junyan is here, is it good to torture Huayang like this in front of him?”

The little chef advised, not being a difficult type, she long forgave last time’s matter.

Su Huan frowned, ever since the Tier Three Iron Swallow was taken down by Xiaoba and Lin Jin, he hadn’t bothered with these people, preparing to pack materials and head straight to Lion’s Mouth.

”Why is he here? No free food or drink.”

Yu Yue tilted her head listening, ”Seems like he has something to say.”

”Then let him in.”

Soon, Hua Junyan entered with Ge Mian and Ruble, under the contrast of two fatties, Hua Junyan appeared even more handsome and gentlemanly.

Hearing Huayang’s cries outside, Hua Junyan greeted the train conductor without changing expression, as if the hanging person outside had nothing to do with him.

Su Huan interrupted his pleasantries, saying lazily, ”The matter is already settled, find Hu Shuo regarding trade issues, don’t waste my mood.”

Hua Junyan immediately shifted into business mode, earnestly saying, ”This time I’ve come to share some information with the train conductor, thank you for your help to Dragon Gate City.”