CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39: ENTERING THE SETTLEMENT

Qu Jianlei’s chosen burial site was a bit tricky; it looked ideal for burial, but the ground was... rather solid.

Eleven corpses take up considerable space, and they can’t be buried too shallowly.

It took the three strong men an entire day to barely dig an appropriate pit.

They tossed the bodies in, covered them, and then packed the dirt down tightly, which took quite a bit longer.

After finishing the work, everyone decided to rest nearby, eat something, and get some sleep.

Qu Jianlei, in a rare moment, made a large pot of meat noodle soup; even untied the woman’s hands while eating.

The small group formed by the three Hunters didn’t seize the opportunity to attack; the whole process was peaceful.

The woman ate happily and even asked, "Black Heaven, is the food you mentioned always this good?"

Clearly, with Flower Scorpion’s circumstances, having such a meal wasn’t easy.

Qu Jianlei responded nonchalantly, "I just enjoy culinary pleasures."

There are still conditions, the woman couldn’t help but think to herself.

Her partner, however, gave her a questioning look: Really not attacking?

Flower Scorpion rolled her eyes: Stop being naive... If they dare untie me, there’s a reason, right?

Clearly, you can earn through trading, why stir up trouble? Think life is too peaceful?

On the other side, Xiao Jing whispered to Qu Jianlei, "Will these people leak secrets?"

He had a vague suspicion that Brother Black Heaven was hiding something significant.

Now, his life and honor were tied to Brother Black Heaven, and he had to consider the boss’s interests.

Qu Jianlei slurped some noodles and swallowed them, "I’ve got it under control... Want some chili?"

There were no chilies in the Wasteland, but there were some spicy seasonings without side effects, quite good.

After eating, he tied up Flower Scorpion again, but this time with her hands in front.

This way, she could sleep well; having hands tied behind didn’t allow for proper sleep.

Camping out, it’s routine to have night watch, not much else to say.

Early the next morning, they got up and continued on the road until evening when they finally reached a supply station.

This supply station unexpectedly had a repair shop, and the owner was brought out by a rider.

The owner inspected the two vehicles and said he could take the job, but he needed to bring equipment and materials over.

In the Wasteland, there’s really no large equipment outside, for patching, small equipment suffices.

Qu Jianlei paid no attention to their negotiations, leaving it entirely up to the three of them.

However, he did put a hood and a mask on the hairless creature to prevent recognition.

Xiao Jing didn’t mind this at all, and was rather excited, "If you give me a Short Dagger, I could be considered an adventurer, right?"

Indeed, with many mutants in the Wasteland, there were actually adventurers with such body shapes.

Qu Jianlei gave him a look and casually handed him a Short Dagger, "Yours, don’t lose it."

The resources he owned were accessible to the hairless creature, using them temporarily didn’t matter.

But now, handing it over solemnly made it different.

Xiao Jing held the Short Dagger lovingly, wrapping the handle with hemp rope meticulously.

Before long, the repair shop owner returned, this time with a truck resembling a tractor.

The truck was loaded with various parts and materials, cutting and welding tools, batteries, and more.

He mainly modified the convertible light truck and the motorcycle Qu Jianlei had kept as a spare.

As for the truck and the two motorcycles Qu Jianlei wanted to sell, Flower Scorpion said there was no rush, she could repair them later.

During this time, that motorcycle rider left, claiming he needed to get goods for trading.

Qu Jianlei didn’t object, just watched him leave indifferently.

In the Wasteland, you can’t avoid taking risks, and at least for him now, he didn’t have the ability to completely avoid them.

He figured they likely wouldn’t try anything stupid.

Even like this, he leaned against the modified motorcycle, ready to react at any moment.

No unexpected events occurred, and two days later, the rider returned with large bundles.

There weren’t many Nutrient Injections, but plenty of food, at least two hundred pounds, some water, and ammo, two Energy Blocks.

There was no fuel; Hunters rarely stored such supplies, and being next to a supply station made refueling easy.

There were twelve Hongwu silver coins and some Silver Horns.

However, Qu Jianlei didn’t take the Silver Horns, he wasn’t so petty.

When the rider arrived, the vehicles were just about repaired.

Qu Jianlei greeted them, loaded the supplies onto the vehicle, and drove off in the convertible light truck.

Flower Scorpion and her companions looked at each other, the rider couldn’t help but say, "Just like that?"

Flower Scorpion shook her head slightly, speaking earnestly, "On this land, you really can’t underestimate anyone."

The repair shop owner was inspecting the two motorcycles and curiously asked, "Got the short end of the stick?"

The rider casually replied, "Not really, just didn’t earn much."

The other added, "Just coming back alive this time was truly no easy feat..."

The three of them transported two motorbikes to the supply station and let the owner continue the repairs.

They, however, drove the truck straight to Hongwu Settlement.

In the truck, they had the Fallen’s body as evidence, as well as three mutilated corpses. If they didn’t register soon, it would start to rot.

On the way to the settlement, the rider said, "The other side seems to have... something shady going on?"

"This matter should not be mentioned again," Flower Scorpion said calmly, "just pretend we didn’t see them the second time."

"Didn’t see them the second time?" the rider was shocked, "So, it was the three of us who took down those seven Fallen?"

"Of course," Flower Scorpion replied indifferently, "otherwise, why do you think they left the truck for us? It’s evidence!"

Another person mused, "So to take all the credit, we need to conceal their tracks?"

The rider was surprised, "Did that Black Heaven guy think that far ahead?"

Flower Scorpion sighed, "Don’t think all adventurers are just about fighting."

At the same time, Qu Jianlei was driving a light truck in a big circle, also heading straight for Hongwu Settlement.

To avoid suspicion, he deliberately chose the city gate in the opposite direction.

When entering the city, the light truck was stopped by guards, "Documents!"

In this situation, if no documents can be shown, at the very least, a harsh beating would ensue, losing goods would be normal.

Maomao displayed the Silver Token, "We’re here on business."

The two guards exchanged a glance, one reached out to grab the token, "Let me see!"

Qu Jianlei’s laser pistol was already pointed at his forehead, "What are you doing?"

The guard’s body stiffened, his mouth still stubborn, "Isn’t it normal to check documents?"

Maomao raised his hand, also showing a short dagger, asking coldly, "Do you believe no one will care if I kill you?"

He understood the significance of the Silver Token better than Qu Jianlei; his harsh words in a child’s voice seemed odd.

The guard didn’t dare to gamble, the two looked somewhat like wilderness wanderers, but...what if they weren’t?

Anyone daring to treat guards like this surely understands the ropes.

He resisted the anxiety in his heart, responded coldly, "I must check thoroughly, right?"

Maomao snorted, "Did you see clearly how my dagger is wrapped?"

The guard indeed looked at the dagger, frowning, "Peace Knot?"

The dagger wrapped in hemp rope was to prevent slipping when stained with blood; the wrapping method was generally as simple as possible.

Only those living in the settlement with nothing better to do would carefully ponder how to wrap it.

The Peace Knot is not more reliable than other methods, and wrapping it is exceedingly troublesome.

But it has a good meaning, representing blessing.

The guard roughly knew how the Peace Knot was wrapped, but his own dagger didn’t have it - it wasn’t necessary.

Recognizing the Peace Knot now, he understood this little guy must have some background.

So there was no need to look at the token further, but he still said, "Other documents."

Xiao Jing replied crisply, "We’re just here on business, you don’t need to see other documents!"

Whether there are any other documents is none of your business, just recognize this Silver Token.

The guard straightened his neck, "No other documents, the car and hot weapons can’t enter!"

Xiao Jing earnestly argued, "Motorbikes can enter!"

The settlement indeed was wary of outsiders, limiting vehicles and hot weapons into the city was normal.

The guard was a bit troublesome; otherwise, those with a Silver Token were highly esteemed, capable of swaying the rules a bit.

But he insisted, can’t say he was wrong.

Fortunately, he did find a parking spot for them, saying, "Free for three days."

These rules are strict; he dared not mess around.

Xiao Jing fiercely said, "If anything goes wrong with what’s on the car, you know the consequences!"

The guard remained expressionless, acting as if he didn’t hear it.

Qu Jianlei was silent throughout, looking like Xiao Jing’s bodyguard.

After removing the spare motorcycle, they covered the truck bed with a tarp.

Just about to enter the city, the guard stopped them again, "Take off the scarves for inspection, to see if you’re wanted."

Xiao Jing angrily retorted, "Are you looking for trouble?"

Seeing his aggressive demeanor, the guard became more certain these two had some backing.

But he righteously answered, "It’s the rule, if you have documents, negotiation isn’t impossible."

Qu Jianlei and Xiao Jing had no temper left, could only remove their scarves for inspection.

Two eyebrowless folks? The guard was slightly surprised.

But he didn’t care much, assuming they had a similar mutation or shared an experience.

A careful look confirmed they didn’t match any wanted list; he didn’t pry further, "Okay, you can go."

The motorcycle roared to life, they entered the city.

Qu Jianlei sighed inwardly: It feels like this trip might not go smoothly.