13: Tiequn Gang, not simple

After receiving the order, Qin Zhong led the others to conduct surveys and planning on the first floor. Cheng Xiao took Pan Han to the second floor.

"Lord Pan, this room was yours before. It's provisionally designated as your lounge and meeting room. No one will enter without your command."

"Good. When our base expands in the future, find me a bigger one," Pan Han agreed.

"Lord Pan, please have a seat. I will report to you now."

"Actually, there's no need for us to be so formal. You sit too, and have a Coke," Pan Han said, not putting on airs. He knew these seven people might be his main team members for a long time to come. He needed to win them over.

"Understood!"

Pan Han opened two bottles of Coke and handed one to Cheng Xiao.

Cheng Xiao lowered her head, took it with both hands, took a sip, and then slowly began to explain.

"Lord Pan, I don't know where you came from, nor do I know which organization you belong to. So, I'll start by introducing the situation in our city, as development must begin here after all."

"No problem."

"Our Z City is a coastal city located in the southeast of Dragon Country. Before the apocalypse, the urban area was 17,000 square kilometers, with a population of about 20 million. Now, there are probably less than 50,000 people left. Currently, Z City is controlled by three major gangs. The largest is called Z Tower, with over 1,000 members. The second largest is the Big Dipper Gang, with about 400 members. The third largest is the Iron Gang, with members ranging from 100 to 200. These three organizations each control a territory." Cheng Xiao first introduced the three major gangs of Z City.

"Oh, the Iron Gang, why is it called that? It sounds like it was established by a group of people wearing skirts."

"It was established by a group of men who like men. They are all strong and robust, yet they love to wear skirts to show their orientation. That's why they are called the Iron Gang."

"Well, so that's it." Pan Han was a bit surprised to hear that.

"The Iron Gang is very strict about recruiting, so their numbers are small. But their combat power is very strong."

"So, this 'Qun' ( group) means 'skirt' ( skirt)?"

"No, on their flag, it just says 'Iron Qun' (铁 group). It seems to represent some concept like 'group but not harmony' or something. It's quite inexplicable."

"What is their connection with you?"

"Well, this is a bit embarrassing to say, but they took a fancy to our leader, Qin Zhong, and have always wanted to recruit him."

"Hahahaha. That's possible!" Pan Han couldn't help but let out a pig-slaughtering laugh when he heard that reason.

"Our leader doesn't like men. He's a true man of loyalty, righteousness, and chivalrous tenderness!" Cheng Xiao quickly explained.

"Exactly, I don't like men either."

Cheng Xiao took a sip of Coke and continued, "The three major gangs of Z City fight among themselves, but they don't openly break ties. The current urban population and resources are basically enough to meet their survival needs. So, it's still relatively peaceful right now."

"I actually want to know how you all survive. Does anyone farm in this city?"

After hearing this, Cheng Xiao hesitated for a long time, rubbing her hands together. Finally, she mustered the courage to ask, "Lord Pan, I've wanted to ask for a long time, where exactly are you from? Why do you seem to know nothing about the apocalypse?"

"What do you mean?"

"When the apocalypse came, the whole world experienced a full year of acid rain. The soil died long ago. How could anyone still be able to farm? Everyone in the world knows this information, why don't you know anything about it?"

Pan Han pondered for half a minute...

He needed a permanent reason, otherwise, he would always give himself away.

"Have you seen The Walking Dead? Have you seen 28 Days Later?" Pan Han chuckled and blurted out.

"What are those? Never heard of them, never seen them." Cheng Xiao looked bewildered.

Pan Han thought, 'That makes it easier.'

"Before the apocalypse, I had an incurable disease. My family arranged for me to go into cryosleep, to be thawed and treated when a cure became available in the future. Who knew that the apocalypse would come, and my cryo-chamber would gradually become unusable? Actually, I only woke up three months ago. So, there are many things I don't understand," Pan Han slowly told the story he had just made up.

"Ah? Lord Pan's background is so pitiful?" Cheng Xiao exclaimed.

No wonder he didn't know anything. So he just woke up. How will Lord Pan adapt to this apocalypse, and with an incurable disease, he must be very weak. Cheng Xiao thought a lot silently.

Pan Han decided not to say more and just nodded vigorously.

"You continue to talk about how everyone survives," Pan Han changed the subject.

"Now everyone just eats some mutated fruits, wild beasts, and cockroaches. Although we can't farm, some plants have also mutated and can survive. As for cockroaches, they are many times bigger than before and have low attack power, so they are everyone's main food source. Z Tower controls a cockroach meat patty processing plant," Cheng Xiao said.

"So, now there's good news and bad news?"

"Huh?" Cheng Xiao was a bit slow to understand.

"The bad news is, we can only eat cockroaches. The good news is, there are plenty of cockroaches!"

"Hehehe!" Cheng Xiao couldn't help but laugh. It had been a long time since she had heard such an interesting joke. She suddenly realized that Lord Pan, in front of her, was not only 'sick' but also humorous, and her good impression of him increased significantly.

"So, do cockroach meat patties taste good?" Pan Han asked, tempting fate.

"When I first ate them, I threw up many times. Now I'm numb to it."

"I'm giving you a strict order: never let me see this stuff. It's best if it doesn't appear within 5 meters of me," Pan Han said solemnly.

"Understood, Lord Pan, hehehe!"

The two gradually relaxed as they talked.

"After the apocalypse, have your weapons changed?" Pan Han suddenly thought of a very important question. He wanted to understand the level of weapon technology here.

"Self-defense weapons haven't changed much; firearms and ammunition are still the same as before. After technology stopped, heavy weapons also lost their source. It seems only personal mechs have been preserved. There was a top-tier technology company before, with an underground research base and factory. It wasn't much affected by the apocalypse."

"Mechs???" Pan Han was extremely excited after hearing that. He seemed to see himself transforming into Iron Man.

"Yes. This mech was not only unaffected but also became more advanced. Before the apocalypse, it was developed to the second generation; now it's already the fourth generation. It can go into the sky, underground, and even into the sea. Its mobility and defense are excellent, and its firepower goes without saying: laser cannons, tracking missiles, various imaging devices, and so on. It should be considered the top-tier weapon in the apocalypse," Cheng Xiao introduced, as if counting her treasures.

"So, where can I buy one?"

"There aren't any in our Z City, anyway. Even if you took all the supplies from our Z City, you might not be able to trade for one," Cheng Xiao said, waving her hand.

"Then what about with my food?"

Cheng Xiao thought for a long time and then quoted a number: "500 boxes of canned luncheon meat!"

"That's it?" Pan Han's face darkened.

...