21: There is no capital without caution

Li and Gaia both fell silent, no longer mentioning the previous topic.

Tu Nan hid the thoughts in her eyes, standing obediently to the side, watching the two Male Beasts unload the bundles from their backs and arrange the armor plates one by one.

By the time Old Hei arrived, the armor plates were spread out across the middle of the underground warehouse.

"They really are good stuff. I only glanced at them earlier, but such complete breastplates are truly hard to come by."

Old Hei couldn't put them down. "This must be what he hunted, right? What's your name?"

"Li." Staring intently at Old Hei, Li probed, "That just now was..."

Old Hei inspected the armor plates one by one, answering him without looking up.

"Lord Hain seems to be a noble. He's truly rarely so polite."

"The other one... his friend? Judging by his clothes, he's from the Patrol Army."

He thumped his waist and stood up, revealing a somewhat cunning smile. "Although they look flashy and arrogant... I like these kinds of customers the most. They're willing to spend money!"

"He's the new Quartermaster of the Patrol Army..." Gaia muttered from the side. "The other one is a noble? From which Star Domain?"

"Don't know."

Old Hei shot Gaia a warning look.

"This is all just my guess. I didn't go asking. You unruly brat."

He tapped the pile of armor plates with his finger. "Speak, what price do you want for these?"

Tu Nan gained a very limited amount of new information. Hain, a noble who could end her life with a wave of his hand.

Never mind, she still had time. She would take it slow.

"Alright, alright, I knew you'd come here just to make me bleed money."

Old Hei grumbled, apparently having settled on a price while Tu Nan was distracted.

"I want to order a small, concealed weapon."

Li spoke, gesturing for Old Hei to look at Tu Nan. "It needs to be safe but easy to use. She has no experience and no strength in her hands."

Old Hei stopped, assessed Tu Nan, and asked, "What's the budget?"

Li simply stated, "The money from just now."

Old Hei beckoned to Tu Nan.

"Come here, let me feel your hands."

Li gave her a push at her waist.

Tu Nan took two steps forward, standing before Old Hei.

She didn't remove her hood, but simply extended her hands from within her cloak.

A pair of slender hands, delicate and fair. Her nails were lustrous, her fingers like peeled green onions, with almost invisible knuckles.

Old Hei's rough, fan-like hand reached out, tracing from Tu Nan's fingertips up each joint, scoffing inwardly.

"What can these do? She can't handle any recoil. Using a knife, she'd probably smash her own foot."

"If the money's not enough, we can add more." Li raised the price expressionlessly.

A glint flashed in Old Hei's eyes, and he finally became serious. He spun around several times, then suddenly slapped his thigh.

"Alright, leave it to me."

"But let's be clear, it's only for self-defense, to deal with two or three weaklings."

"That's enough."

Li wasn't disappointed. He only hoped that in case of an emergency, Tu Nan could hold out until he arrived.

"Alright, come pick it up in three days."

With the important matters handled, the three left Old Hei's shop.

Returning to the street, it was precisely noon.

"Let's go eat. My treat, hehehe." Gaia was very happy.

"Li... what's a restaurant like?"

Tu Nan's small hand had slipped into Li's cloak as soon as they stepped out, gently, softly, nestling itself into Li's palm.

Now, a slight sway of her hand was like swaying Li's heart.

It was normal for Tu Nan to be curious.

Li saw the curiosity and longing in Tu Nan's eyes, and pity welled up in his heart.

Tu Nan reminded him of himself as a child.

In the village, no one would help a bastard abandoned by his parents.

He brought a waterskin and mingled in the town, seeing for the first time the steaming hot food on other people's tables in a restaurant.

Hunger made him reckless; he rushed forward, snatched some, and ran.

That time, he was beaten badly, but he filled his stomach because he curled up tightly, stuffing all the stolen food into his mouth.

"Let's go."

He stopped reminiscing.

Although he never had a good impression of restaurants until he grew up, it didn't stop him from taking his Foster Mother to see the world.

Gaia skipped ahead, leading the way.

He was very familiar with Sand City, or rather, with his enthusiastic personality, he seemed familiar with any place he was in. Unlike Li... he didn't care about anything unrelated to his survival.

If she wanted more information, she could make a Breakthrough through Gaia.

Indeed... nothing would come to those unprepared. The seeds she had sown were silently blooming.

Tu Nan followed behind the two Male Beasts, walking and memorizing all the paths they took, but she hadn't even fully memorized the paths in River Valley.

The small River Valley had strict Ranks. Their cave dwellings in the rock face, no matter how many levels, were just residences for ordinary people. The higher-ranking Gray, including his core team members, lived in deeper, more central areas.

Someone of Tu Nan's status was not allowed to enter without an invitation.

"Try this place. Their braised Qiqi Pig Trotters are delicious, especially with soft, glutinous beans. Ah, a delicacy."

Gaia interrupted Tu Nan's thoughts.

"You can definitely eat this too. Although Qiqi Pig Trotters aren't expensive, they make them exceptionally well here—no gamey smell, and stewed until tender."

Tu Nan was startled, not expecting Gaia to know that she couldn't chew the meat here.

Or rather, Gaia seemed carefree, but was actually a very meticulous male?

She smiled gratefully at Gaia, but her heart grew more wary.

Never underestimate anyone... everyone who could survive in this wasteland possessed not only martial prowess but also other unique qualities.

Only she was like a dodder flower, only able to cling.

Therefore, she needed to be even more cautious.

Gaia was the first to push open the half-height wooden door of the restaurant, exaggeratedly bowing to the two behind him, acting as the small shop's non-existent waiter.

Tu Nan was amused by him and smiled, the gloom in her heart dispelled by this comical Big Dog.

The clamor rushed in, with tables and chairs packed closely together inside.

The small shop was almost full, and the sound of human voices mixed with a special broadcast rushed into Tu Nan's ears. She smiled, enjoying this rare liveliness, but her eyes suddenly narrowed.

In a corner, a small 'television' was hanging, presumably broadcasting local news, and a familiar figure was being interviewed.

The man with long, curly dark green hair was still in his white military uniform. As he pulled off his gloves, he made a statement to the camera with a charming smile that captivated all.

"There are too many problems with Sand City's local Ordnance Management. Our Patrol Army is determined to rectify this situation."

"I, Kong Jiamu, have accepted the Legion's mandate to take charge of this operation."

"The divine light of Emperor Haoyuan shines upon every inch of his territory—Sand City will be no exception."

"I assure all citizens that this operation will be thorough; we will uncover every lawbreaker..."

His peach blossom eyes slightly upturned, full of confidence and certainty in his promise, but this attitude was precisely what could best reassure ordinary citizens.

His gaze swept through the screen, scanning everything outside it, including Tu Nan.

"Television."

Tu Nan finally remembered.

That's right, television, mobile phones, networks—these are the essential configurations a world capable of interstellar flight should have.

Why did she feel like she was living in ancient times, only thinking of gathering information through the most basic methods?

She looked at her terminal.

What exactly went wrong with all of this?