226: Chapter 226 All Living Beings

"This is the black market."

Bourne patted the entrance to the sewer and said.

"It's actually in the sewer? That's... unusual."

"It's not that special, sir." Bourne smiled. "This isn't like those cramped drainage pipes in Asia."

"True..." Li Ming shrugged and followed Bourne inside.

"This black market has existed since the very beginning of the civil war."

Bourne pushed open a somewhat heavy door. "Back in '23, the Mediation Force moved in here, and for a long time after that, it was basically abandoned until the Donkey Party attacked."

"And then it was reopened?"

"Pretty much..." Bourne hesitated. "The black market is currently run by the Hunter Gang. They took advantage of the initial chaos to loot, attacking and raiding several depots belonging to the Mediation Force and the Red Cross."

"And they haven't been wiped out yet?"

"Well, the Mediation Force was too busy to care at the time. Plus, they only stole supplies and kept casualties to a minimum during the conflicts. Since others were doing the same thing back then, they didn't stand out too much."

"Hmph..." Li Ming let out a cold snort. "How many people are still in the city?"

"To be honest, there are at least a hundred thousand or so," Bourne said. "As for the others... we're not sure."

"It's fine." Li Ming shook his head, looking toward the light deep within the gloomy sewer.

After walking for a short while, they reached the light.

"This is the main body of the underground black market," Bourne said. "In theory, as long as you have hard currency, you can buy anything you want—firearms, water, food, even women."

Upon arriving here, the number of people increased noticeably.

Refugees huddled in corners were being counted by gang members who looked like administrators.

"We need thirty people now to go outside and scavenge for supplies left over from the fighting. Everyone will get a bottle of water and three pieces of bread. Does anyone want to sign up?"

A few people stood up, were recorded by the administrator, and then led away.

Passing them by, Li Ming and Bourne continued further in.

Bourne mentioned that anyone found carrying an infectious disease would be kicked out immediately.

Winter was coming soon...

"Want to see some weapons? Just recovered from the battlefield..."

"Hey, kid, want to have some fun with a woman? As long as you have the goods..."

"Want to try some of this? It'll make you feel great..."

"Water, flour, soybeans... exchange for hard currency."

"Canned food—meat, fruit, vegetables... exchange for bullets."

*Bang! Bang!*

Two gunshots echoed from deep within.

The noisy black market went quiet for a moment, then returned to normal.

"That's the place for underground boxing..." Bourne shook his head. "Losers are sometimes shot by those so-called big shots to vent their anger."

"...I see." Li Ming shook his head. "Is there more further in?"

"Yes... though the goods are mostly the same. However, the stalls further in don't belong to the Hunter Gang; it's more of a place where various gangs exchange information and barter," Bourne thought for a moment. "But sometimes you can find some novel things."

Exactly what Li Ming was looking for. "Can you take me to see?"

"No problem," Bourne replied. "We've set up a stall here before to sell some things we didn't need."

"Sounds good..."

"Good, my foot," Bourne shook his head. "If it weren't to survive, who would do this?"

"True enough." The corner of Li Ming's mouth curled up as he followed Bourne to the back stalls.

"Yo, if it isn't Bourne Hackworth? Why are you back again?"

"...Omar Diller, I'm not in the mood to argue with you."

"Hmph, neither am I." The masked man crossed his arms and looked at Li Ming. "Who is this guy? Doesn't look like one of yours... someone from the World Government?"

"Huaxia person," Li Ming replied.

"Li, this is Omar Diller, from the Werewolf Freedom Network... uh, a little wolf head."

"Little Wolf King," Diller corrected. "So, do you have business here? Why come here instead of enjoying life in Huaxia?"

"Diller!" Bourne tried to interrupt him, but Diller raised a hand to stop him. "Let me guess, you're trapped in the city for some reason and came here looking for a way out?"

Li Ming shook his head as he noticed members of other gangs gathering their gaze. "I came to gather some other information, buy some useful supplies, and... get to know all of you."

"Get to know us?" Diller let out an ambiguous snort. "Isn't Huaxia supposed to be incompatible with 'evil forces' like us? How come you're doing the opposite?"

"Special circumstances require special measures," Li Ming replied. "If you have the information I want, I will naturally give you a fair price."

"Then I'll... wait and see." Diller paused. "If you want information, there's no one in this city better at gathering it than our Freedom Network. So, what kind of information do you want?"

"Personnel information for every checkpoint on the I-610 Loop, the size of the patrol convoys, how many there are, and their patrol times. If possible, tell me where the gaps in the defensive lines are."

"...Are you making a wish to me?" Diller's eyelid twitched.

"Naturally not."

Li Ming placed his backpack on the table, opened it, and pulled out a box that occupied most of the space, placing it on Diller's table.

Diller opened it, and even Bourne, who was watching from the side, caught his breath.

A full box of 9mm pistol ammunition and four military pistols that looked well-maintained. These were all things Li Ming had scavenged from corpses along the way.

"I'll pay the balance once I receive and verify the information," Li Ming said, zipping up his backpack and putting it back on his shoulders. "How about it? This deal."

Diller looked into Li Ming's eyes for a long time before speaking. "Aren't you afraid we'll silence you?"

"You can try. Perhaps your end will be similar to those Delta guys who sneaked in these past two days."

"Are you from the World Government?"

"I am not. I am a Huaxia person."

"..." Diller rubbed the table. "I want 4 more assault rifles and 480 rounds of ammunition."

"5.56 and 5.45 caliber. 7.62 is a no-go."

"Deal."

They didn't intentionally lower their voices, but when Li Ming cast his gaze toward the other gang members, they instinctively lowered their heads.

"Do any of you do mechanical repairs?" Li Ming asked. "The price is negotiable."

...

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