CHAPTER 107: CHAPTER 103: TRICKS! IN TERMS OF BEING CUNNING, I NEVER ADMIT DEFEAT_2

"Human trafficking can only be conducted through our official institutions, located in the administration hall at the end of the central road. Rest assured, the prices our camp offers are absolutely the fairest. Although there are nasty rumors about us out there, I can guarantee they’re all nonsense."

Chen Pingchuan had no idea what the man was planning, but Belia saw it clearly. Aside from the last sentence, every word was dripping with malice. Ordinarily, Belia would have killed them without a second thought, but considering her agreement with Chen Pingchuan, she hesitated and suppressed the urge.

After paying two hundred Federation Coins at the camp’s entrance, Chen Pingchuan led Belia into the shelter known as the Doomsday Bunker.

The first thing they saw was the camp’s neatly arranged layout, a stark contrast to the dilapidated exterior. The factory, spanning tens of thousands of square meters, had been divided into several areas. The busiest part, the resource trading area, was immediately visible to the southwest. To the southeast, tents and temporary shelters were neatly arranged. In contrast to the silence outside, this place was quite lively.

Chen Pingchuan didn’t immediately take Belia to the faction leader’s residence; instead, he first headed to the trading market. As someone who had lived at the bottom, Chen Pingchuan knew that while words could deceive, seeing things with his own eyes would give him a more accurate read on the situation.

As they walked through the trading market, they saw various miscellaneous items of unknown use, as well as food and firearms, spread out on blankets on either side of the path. The firearms, of course, were the same old-fashioned flintlock pistols Chen Pingchuan had seen at Big Beard’s place, with handmade bullets.

Belia was curious about the scene before her. The people here were completely different from the residents of the Inner City District. Despite their extremely difficult lives, they were optimistic and cheerful, holding onto a beautiful hope for the future.

The pair’s clothing made them stand out in the crowd. Every passing merchant eagerly hawked their wares; to them, newcomers dressed so well were deep-pocketed, fat sheep ripe for the fleecing.

Just as the two were observing the goods with interest, a dirty, raggedly dressed little boy suddenly came sprinting from the other end of the crowd, heading for the camp gate. Chasing him were three burly men, their furious expressions mixed with exasperated curses.

"You little brat, don’t let me catch you! If I do, I’ll skin you alive today!"

Thanks to his small size, the boy easily weaved through the crowded market. As he ran, he kept looking back to taunt his pursuers.

"Nyah nyah, catch me? In your next life!"

The boy’s words were tough, but he didn’t slow down one bit, and soon, he was right in front of Chen Pingchuan and Belia.

Chen Pingchuan had intended to step aside, but a glance at the expressions of the nearby merchants stopped him. They showed no pity for the child; instead, their faces were a mixture of accustomed indifference and, more tellingly, sympathy for him, the outsider.

Sympathy? Chen Pingchuan realized there had to be more to this story.

He stretched out his right hand, grabbed Belia’s left, and pulled her behind him. He tensed his muscles and frowned, preparing for the unwelcome encounter.

The moment Chen Pingchuan reached for her, Belia’s instincts flared. If she hadn’t consciously suppressed them, she would have either dodged his hand or put him on the ground. She didn’t know his reason for doing this. Even though he was clearly much weaker than her, he had instinctively moved to protect her. This feeling of being protected... moved Belia.

After leaving the City of No Night through the secret passage, Belia had asked herself if she would regret leaving with Chen Pingchuan to chase an unknown, idealized future. But now, she had her answer. She understood her own heart and had no regrets.

Chen Pingchuan, however, wasn’t thinking about any of that. His reason for pulling Belia behind him was simple.

A true master of survival never reveals his trump card.

To Chen Pingchuan, shielding Belia was only natural. You don’t use a cannon to swat a fly, after all.

Standing behind Chen Pingchuan, Belia’s vision was filled with his broad, steady back. The sight of his body completely shielding her petite frame reminded her of her father protecting her as a child, and a blush instantly crept up her face. Her entire focus was on him, and she paid no attention to the commotion around them.

Seeing the boy was about to collide with him, Chen Pingchuan remained perfectly still.

BANG!

The boy slammed into Chen Pingchuan, who was as solid as a rock, and was knocked head over heels. His head spun, and he lost control, tumbling to the ground. His escape came to an abrupt halt.

The three burly men caught up in an instant. They hauled the little boy to his feet, slapping him several times while spewing vile insults.

"Haha, you little bastard! We got you now, didn’t we?"

"Today, I’m going to show you what happens when you mess with me!"