CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: IT’S TIME

Qu Jianlei exploded in fury, who dares say I’m not reliable?

He glanced sideways, his anger suddenly dissipating, and he only sneered coldly.

"Morrison, my tolerance doesn’t mean you can act recklessly... What have I done that’s unreliable?"

The visitor was none other than Morrison, who parted ways last night.

He lifted the Gauss Automatic Rifle in his hand, his face full of indignation, "The gun you lent me is broken!"

"Oh, I see," Qu Jianlei nodded slightly, looking calm, "I knew that."

"You... knew?" Morrison was genuinely surprised to get such an answer, "Why?"

Qu Jianlei furrowed his brows, "What do you mean why?"

Morrison gathered his thoughts and spoke slowly, "This is the gun you lent me, correct?"

Qu Jianlei replied straightforwardly, "Correct, I lent it to you, but did I ever say I would lend you a good gun?"

Morrison’s mind instantly exploded—foolish people surely think differently than ordinary folks.

"But, but... you let me take a broken gun to reason with a cripple?"

Qu Jianlei replied matter-of-factly, "Is there a difference? You wouldn’t dare fire it anyway."

I just... Morrison really wanted to curse: taking a broken gun and not daring to fire are the same thing?

Really don’t know how your brain grows, he was somewhat speechless, "I almost got killed by the cripple."

Qu Jianlei glanced at his thigh, nodding slightly, "Already bandaged, proves the outcome wasn’t bad."

How did we get to this topic? Morrison was a bit confused.

Next moment, he realized, "You mean..."

Qu Jianlei looked at him like he was an idiot, couldn’t be bothered to speak.

Morrison finally understood the crux, but he still couldn’t quite believe it.

"You’re so sure, the cripple wouldn’t dare harm me, and would definitely accept my extortion?"

Qu Jianlei contemplated for a moment, then shook his head, "Not entirely certain, there’s still a chance of failure."

When he lent that broken gun, he had already thought about how Morrison and the cripple would deal with each other.

The old cripple was surely no nice guy, but definitely not a fool.

Making him willingly accept extortion was unlikely, but the key issue was: Morrison made it back to camp alive!

Morrison’s survival meant a high chance Qu Jianlei, the gun’s owner, was also alive.

And as for those three who tracked them, basically no need to guess the outcome.

The crux was that Gauss Automatic Rifle was shot and damaged!

As long as the old cripple wasn’t particularly foolish or stubborn, he’d better honestly pay some compensation.

Because he was highly suspect in this matter, after all.

Of course, Qu Jianlei couldn’t guarantee his calculations were one hundred percent accurate.

For example, in case the old cripple had nothing to do with it...

But these thoughts, he knew for himself, no need to explain to Morrison.

Upon hearing this, Morrison’s face turned dark, "Chance of failure... Will I die?"

How should I know? Qu Jianlei lowered his eyelids, "Maybe... half dead?"

"That’s a bit too much!" Morrison’s face grew even darker, "And you didn’t give me a heads up!"

"Was it necessary?" Qu Jianlei curiously looked at him, "The old cripple has to consider... that I might still be alive."

"Well... that’s true," Morrison had to admit, the other’s logic was sound.

But thinking about nearly being killed, he still felt somewhat resentful, "Couldn’t you lend me a good gun?"

"Do we have that kind of relationship?" Qu Jianlei curiously looked at him: look at the size of your face!

Thinking about it, he added, "If you were killed, wouldn’t this gun be aiding the enemy?"

Upon hearing this, Morrison’s face involuntarily darkened again, "I never imagined... someone could speak so bluntly!"

Are you saying I don’t know how to speak? Qu Jianlei’s face also darkened, "What’s wrong with being blunt? It’s the truth!"

Your mind indeed works in an exceptionally unique way! Morrison was truly speechless.

Finally, he couldn’t help but ask, "If I got killed by the cripple, would you avenge me?"

This question stumped Qu Jianlei, he thought for a moment then answered, "Depends on my mood."

Morrison nodded, internally thinking at least now he knew why Qu Jianlei was a wandering soul, too capricious.

Qu Jianlei, however, raised a hand and took back the broken gun, "Time to return it... What’s the loot?"

"Ten tubes of nutrient injection, a bag of clean water... that’s all," Morrison’s gaze was very honest.

Qu Jianlei looked at him helplessly, "Doesn’t bandaging the wound count?"

He didn’t expect the other to be overly honest, but hiding visible things... could you respect my intelligence a little?

"I thought you knew," Morrison answered very frankly, "I’ll split six tubes of nutrient injection with you, okay?"

Qu Jianlei was slightly speechless, is this your understanding of "equal split"?

However, considering this guy did take risks, he was too lazy to fuss, "Alright... give me the nutrient injections."

Seeing his extended hand, Morrison hesitated for a moment, "Can I continue to borrow that gun?"

Qu Jianlei glanced at him in surprise, "Didn’t you say it wasn’t useful?"

Morrison gave a sheepish smile, "Well... it’s somewhat useful. Yesterday, it helped me talk with Old Cripple, that’s a factor too."

Qu Jianlei recalled his conversation with Sister Fat, "Having a gun might get you killed faster, even if it’s a broken gun, you understand?"

"I understand," Morrison nodded, "but I still like the feeling of having a gun."

"Then buy it," Qu Jianlei answered without hesitation, "two tubes of Nutrient Injection will do."

This Gauss Gun had a damaged barrel, with no repair value, but the dismantled parts could be used on other guns.

"I’m only borrowing!" Morrison stated bluntly, "With two tubes of Nutrient Injection, I can live two more days, why buy it?"

Alright, he knows how to borrow a chicken to lay eggs, Qu Jianlei rolled his eyes and handed over the gun.

Essentially, he’s not stingy, it’s just that these years of living in the Wasteland have been too harsh, forcing him to be petty.

Over the next two days, Morrison stayed with Qu Jianlei, even continuing to help push the tricycle.

It’s just that it became paid work, and he earned one-third of the freight fee.

The money was hard to earn, but Morrison’s main income didn’t come from this. He considered "taking advantage" his main job.

One must admit, this guy had a knack for petty theft, taking only worthless things and doing it with great discretion.

As a result, people couldn’t be bothered to quibble with him, at most just saying, "Don’t touch that!"

In the end, it was Dr. Sai putting too much pressure on everyone.

Many parties would rather give up the convenient public trucks and rent a tricycle once or twice to keep a good relationship with Qu Jianlei.

By comparison, Morrison skimming a little was a minor issue.

On the third day, someone came to find Qu Jianlei to discuss whether it was time to go to the Hongsi Settlement to demand the Antidote?

The first to come was a filthy woman, followed by a short and strong man.

Qu Jianlei was also thinking about this, so they agreed to travel overnight to Hongsi that night.

Twenty Scavengers had experienced the event, but now, more than forty were heading to Hongsi.

The good stuff from the landfill still fetched a good price only at the Settlement.

The group hired three trucks, barely fitting the people and goods they needed to take.

Qu Jianlei only brought along two guns, one long and one short, and a long and a Short Blade each.

He left the tricycle to Morrison, and the other weapons were placed with Sister Fat for consignment sale — couldn’t bring it all out.

The Settlement was over two hundred kilometers from the landfill. The dilapidated trucks ran through the wasteland all night, arriving at dawn.

The Settlement was quite large, with the walled area about ten square kilometers. Inside, it was rumored to have over fifty thousand people.

Qu Jianlei had once calculated, five thousand people per square kilometer... could even leave a bit of land to grow crops.

Unfortunately, the survivors outside weren’t qualified to settle in, and even temporary entry to the city required a substantial deposit.

There were many temporary houses outside the city, over ten thousand, looking densely packed.

Qu Jianlei and the others came to the small southern city gate, seeking the one-eyed small leader from last time.

The small leader’s name was Tuzov, and upon asking around, they found out he was even an Imperial Guard squad leader.

Tuzov wasn’t on duty, and upon hearing that it was the survivors coming, he delayed for over two hours before arriving.

He was accompanied by eight or nine people, forming a standard combat squad.

Upon seeing everyone, his first question was, "Any news on the Mecha?"

It was frustrating because everyone was concerned about the Antidote, but he cared about news.

No one answered his question, the last incident was still fresh in their minds, some people really killed without blinking an eye.

Everyone turned their eyes towards Qu Jianlei.

Qu Jianlei couldn’t shirk it, his status had visibly improved these days, and with gains come responsibilities.

He stepped forward and answered earnestly, "Lord Tuzov, we’ve been diligently searching, but unfortunately, we have no news yet."

Tuzov squinted his one eye and spoke menacingly, "No news, what are you here for?"

Qu Jianlei felt a bit helpless, "Sir, we need to be alive to gather news, the dead can’t do anything."

Tuzov was somewhat polite to him last time, but this time his temper wasn’t good. He asked coldly, "Is that a complaint I hear?"

Qu Jianlei lowered his eyelids and replied honestly, "I wouldn’t dare."

It’s not that there was no complaint, but he didn’t dare. To put it another way... his social skills were really lacking.

Tuzov’s hand was already on the Laser Gun at his waist, but the next moment, he thought of something.

So, he looked at the others, "This fool has grievances, aside from him, who else has complaints?"

"No one," everyone shook their heads one after another. Sha Qu was excused because he’s a fool; they didn’t want to dodge bullets.

"Bastards, not a single honest word out of you," Tuzov cursed, "Is the idiot the only one who can speak the truth?"

Still, no one responded. Go ahead and swear, we’ll just pretend we didn’t hear it, as long as you give the Antidote.

Seeing no response, Tuzov grew even more irritated, "You cowards even want the Antidote... The Antidote isn’t free!"

(During the new book period, seeking all forms of support.)