This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 275: The Renowned "Death Legion

Chapter 275: Chapter 275: The Renowned "Death Legion

Outside Changjiu Farm.

Twenty or so people and six double-headed cows loaded with goods were stopped.

The leader seemed to be a Merchant, followed by a few Mercenaries, and the rest, shackled at hands and feet, were likely Slaves.

Staring blankly at everything before him, Sun Shiqi’s eyes were filled with bewilderment; he almost thought he was hallucinating.

"Is this... ’North Suburb’?"

A man-high wooden fence twined with barbed wire stood in front of tidy brick-and-wood houses and bustling streets, children playing, vendors selling goods, and elderly farmers heading to the fields.

Most local Residents wore jackets made from Hyena skin, but with the recent warmer weather, many had wrapped their jackets around their waists, and some wealthier individuals had switched to cloth garments.

Looking further afield, large concrete walls and watchtowers loomed, atop which soldiers in black uniforms and carrying rifles stood.

Gazing at the thriving small town, Sun Shiqi took out his map and repeatedly confirmed that he hadn’t taken a wrong turn.

Yet, this made it even harder for him to believe his own eyes.

"How strange..."

Sun Shiqi continually muttered to himself.

"How did such a large Survivor Settlement suddenly appear from nowhere?"

Before last winter, he had visited this place twice.

Back then, he was a poor Merchant, leading a double-headed cow through the Wasteland, making a small fortune by trading with the Blue Jacket group in the park.

Having earned his capital, he seized the historical opportunity presented by the ongoing turmoil in the River Valley Province. He sold Slaves from Red River Town to the Brocade River Province in the south, then bought grain and double-headed cows from the farmers there, and slowly started scaling up his business by transporting them back to Garbage City and Red River Town.

Recently, as the Slave Owners of Red River Town and their regular customers took arms against each other on the garbage heap, Sun Shiqi, just back from Brocade River Province, immediately smelled a business opportunity. Without a second thought, he exchanged his grain and excess livestock for Slaves and ore, planning to acquire some "good stuff" in Giant Stone City.

However, what puzzled Sun Shiqi was that he remembered this place being uninhabited wildland last year, filled with weeds and shrubs crowding the dirt slopes and mud pits, with the road out of town being home to a gang of ruthless murderers. Where did this village with a population in the thousands and endless fields come from?

Two guards with rifles stood by the village entrance.

Sun Shiqi stared blankly at them, and the guards, noticing his gaze, looked straight back at him.

The Mercenary beside Sun Shiqi coughed softly and whispered a reminder.

"Boss, it’s better not to stare at them too long... I’m worried we won’t be able to protect you."

They were only four people.

They could never stand a chance against these men.

Snapping back to reality, Sun Shiqi quickly realized his gaffe and hurriedly put on an apologetic smile, stepping forward to clear up the misunderstanding.

"Friends, we are Merchants from Red River Town, may I ask... where is this?"

"Changjiu Farm."

The on-duty guard pointed proficiently at the sign hanging over the entrance, as if he had answered this question countless times.

"This is the West Gate, the local Residents live in the village over here. You Merchants should go to the North Gate next door, where there is a trade station and lodgings."

Sun Shiqi thanked him and quickly led his team away from there, retracing part of their way back and then heading to the North Gate they were meant to visit.

Compared to the village they saw earlier, this place was even more astonishing.

Not only were the streets wider, but the identical roads were also paved with concrete, and several recently built lodges, pubs, and staging posts lined the streets, all very professionally constructed.

Sun Shiqi headed to the lodge closest to the trade station.

The place was large enough, with a barn in the backyard for tethering livestock, and especially the few individuals lingering at the entrance, clearly out of place with their surroundings, were obviously Merchants here to do business just like him.

The sign at the entrance of the inn was sloppily written with the characters for "Highway," probably implying it was a highway inn.

The waiter at the entrance saw a group of people approaching and enthusiastically led their Double-headed Cow into the barn.

"Are you guests here to dine or to stay?"

"To stay."

Sun Shiqi gave the young man a dinar as a tip, instructed the Mercenaries to watch over the goods in the barn until his return, and then he entered the inn alone.

The interior of the inn looked as spacious as the outside, with wooden stairs and floors that still carried the scent of the forest. A few rows of wooden tables were set up on the first floor, the kitchen was bustling with noise, and a few guests were sitting in a corner eating noodles, which smelled quite appealing.

The old man behind the counter lifted his eyes, squeezing out a comforting smile from his wrinkled face.

"Welcome, guests from afar, are you here to stay or to dine?"

Sun Shiqi stared at him for a while, a look of surprise suddenly appearing in his eyes.

"You are... Hooke from Highway Town?!"

The old man looked at him in surprise.

"You know me?"

Sun Shiqi laughed and said, "Of course I know you, have you forgotten? Last year, I even bought resin from you here... But how come you’ve started a shop here? Where are your tribespeople?"

"The inn is a joint venture by the people from our town. You’re talking about the Cam Tree... I really miss it." His cloudy eyes filled with nostalgia, but letting old Hooke plant trees would definitely not be something he’d do.

The Cam Trees had already been transplanted to the planting area in the west, and a few young fellows from the original town were helping him take care of them.

He had opened this inn in partnership with Night Owl and his own father. Normally, Night Owl would also be here, but the young man couldn’t stay put and had insisted on joining the army; he seemed to have been recently assigned to duty in Far Creek Town.

Sun Shiqi looked around, feeling that the environment was quite nice, and the fact that he knew the person running the inn—although it seemed the old man didn’t remember him at all.

"Let’s stay for one night... How do I pay?"

"One night is 10 Silver Coins, meals are extra."

"Silver Coins?" Sun Shiqi paused, "Can’t I pay with dinars or CR?"

"That’s also possible, but you’ll need to go to a trade post or bank to exchange them for Silver Coins. From here to Far Creek Town is all under the dominion of the esteemed Manager; we wouldn’t want to offend him. Having a shop here is a grace from him, not to mention he is our benefactor."

Seeing Sun Shiqi’s embarrassment, old Hooke smiled and said, "You don’t need to rush with the payment, just settle the bill when you leave."

The Changjiu Farm had been open to the public for less than a month, so naturally, there wouldn’t be any guests carrying Silver Coins.

A kilogram of Double-headed Cow meat goes for 7 to 8 Silver Coins, and one cow weighs at least 1200 kilograms; whether selling to the farms or the slaughterhouse, they could exchange for quite a bit of money.

Hooke was not worried about their ability to pay. If they really couldn’t pay, he could always help them find a buyer.

Sun Shiqi glanced at the menu on the counter and got a sense of the prices here.

"I’ll take five rooms."

Old Hooke, flipping through the ledger, glanced outside.

"Five rooms? Don’t you have over forty people out there?"

Sun Shiqi casually responded.

"Those are my slaves."

"Slaves, ah... they indeed wouldn’t be suitable for staying inside the inn," old Hooke noted a few connected room numbers in the ledger, "Your rooms are at the very end of the hallway on the second floor. Let me give you a heads up, the ’North Suburb’ has a prohibition on slavery."

Sun Shiqi was taken aback for a moment, his expression immediately tensed.

"Prohibition of slavery? Wait... how come I haven’t heard of this?"

If slavery was prohibited here, he might have to make some adjustments to his itinerary.

"It’s quite normal that you haven’t heard of it, considering this is your first time here. The territories managed by the Blue Jackets tend to have some odd regulations. But there’s no need to be too nervous; here, it’s only forbidden for slaves to linger, illegal detention, violence, and illegal human trafficking. Have you noticed the trade station next door? You can store your slaves there, with a charge of 5 silver coins per person per day, no contact allowed during storage, and you can take them with you when you leave."

"Of course, I’d recommend that you sell your slaves directly to the trade station; they offer a fair price and won’t push you to sell if you don’t want to. However, I must warn you that slavery isn’t acknowledged here, only ’limited ownership’ is recognized. So, it’s best not to parade your slaves on the streets, nor try to enter the city with them, and definitely don’t whip or beat them with rods. If the guards see that, they won’t just fine you; they might also lock you up for a couple of days."

The slaves purchased by the trade station are sent to a prisoner-of-war camp to be supervised for a while. However, their status isn’t that of prisoners-of-war, but rather ’surveilled persons’.

Once they earn enough money through labor to buy back their freedom, learn at least one skill to make a living, and can proficiently recite the basic laws, they will soon regain their status as free citizens, and might even be assigned to factories or allocated land.

This usually doesn’t take long.

It might take about three to four months, or at most a year.

Old Hooke isn’t sure why the Manager insists on such a complex procedure, but upon reflection, he thinks it’s quite smart.

Most of the merchants on the Wasteland have engaged in the slave trade at some point; a complete prohibition is impractical as people could simply choose not to come here. Simply releasing the slaves upon purchase might lead some to exploit loopholes in the system, such as selling themselves, or their spouses or children.

By loosening without blocking and seeking common ground while preserving differences, centralized supervision serves as a reasonable compromise that at least prevents merchants with slaves from bypassing this place.

Hearing the term ’Manager’ before, Sun Shiqi felt puzzled, and hearing Blue Jacket this time only solidified his suspicions.

With a tone of disbelief, he asked.

"This place... belongs to Shelter No. 404?"

"Of course," Old Hooke tossed the key on the counter and gave him a curious look, "It seems you really haven’t been around this area for a long time."

After handing over the key, Old Hooke advised him to avoid entering the city for a few days as a Tide was breaking out.

When Sun Shiqi entered earlier, he had indeed heard from a few other merchants that the roads in Qingquan City were not easy these days.

Standing at the back door, Sun Shiqi saw his mercenary talking to a merchant.

Noticing his boss, the mercenary quickly pointed at him.

"Our boss is over there, you should talk to him, I can’t make decisions."

Before Sun Shiqi could speak, the merchant approached him with a friendly smile.

"Hello! My name is Zhou Nan, a merchant from Town Of Hope."

There are countless places named Hope, Dawn, Beautiful, Tomorrow on the Wasteland; just hearing this name, Sun Shiqi had no idea where he came from.

But judging by his attire and accent, probably south of Brocade River.

"Sun Shiqi, from the east ... What’s up?" Sun Shiqi looked at him and said.

Zhou Nan continued.

"We are planning to go to Giant Stone City, but a Tide is currently breaking out there. I’ve got six guards, and including the two friends I just recruited, we can make up fifteen people. We plan to stick together to go there. If you’re also planning on heading that way, we could join forces."

Sun Shiqi asked.

"When are you leaving?"

Zhou Nan replied.

"In three days, or maybe earlier if we gather enough people."

Sun Shiqi thought for a moment and didn’t immediately agree.

The situation in the north suburbs of Qingquan City was beyond his expectation. Though the population here was not as large as in Giant Stone City, not as bustling either, the potential displayed here was surprising.

For a merchant, where to make a fortune mattered less.

He decided to explore here a bit first before deciding whether or not to continue to Giant Stone City.

He was here to purchase weapons.

If he could buy what he wanted here, why bother walking an extra twenty kilometers?

Moreover, it involved risking the Tide.

"I plan to take a look before deciding."

The Merchant’s reaction to his response was not surprising; the Merchant named Zhou Nan simply shrugged helplessly.

"Alright, friend, I’ll probably be around for the next three days. If you’re interested, you can find me at the inn next door... just ask for me by name."

Sun Shiqi nodded.

"Alright, I’m staying at the Highway Inn, we can have dinner together tonight."

After saying goodbye,

Sun Shiqi did not waste any time here.

He tossed the key to the longest-serving Mercenary, instructing him to take some worthless packages to the room, and then he took the remaining men and goods to the trade station next door.

This trade station, like the inn on the adjacent street, had just opened recently.

A few residents from the shelters were also here, curiously peeking around and wearing their VMs, talking to people in ways that were utterly confusing.

Sun Shiqi could recognize them instantly—they were the same people from the park, their gestures and actions seemingly cast from the same mold.

Although they did not speak the same language, the locals respected them, and those in the Blue Jackets were polite, although some seemed a bit dull.

Not wasting any time on those with whom he could not communicate, Sun Shiqi went straight to the stall closest to the entrance.

The trader on duty here was a pretty young girl—Sun Shiqi preferred dealing with the young rather than with old-timers weathered by life.

First, it was pleasing to the eye, and second, easier to deceive.

Stopping in front of the stall, Sun Shiqi whistled at the girl in front of him.

"I’ve got a batch of goods here, but I’d like to see what you have first."

The trader looked up at him.

"From Red River Town?"

Sun Shiqi showed a fleeting look of surprise.

"Yes, how did you know?"

The trader smiled slightly.

"Just a guess. The Slave behind you must surely not be your own catch."

Sun Shiqi coughed twice.

"How could it be..."

Realizing her joke might not be very amusing, the trader did not waste any more words and skillfully passed over a tablet.

"You are here to buy weapons, right? Everything is on here. I solemnly recommend the LD-47 Assault Rifle for only 200 Silver Coins. It’s quite handy whether in jungles, deserts, or swamps. The 7X50mm full-power cartridge provides firepower comparable to a machine gun; even the Death Claw would turn away... But I recommend both parties take a step back."

"Additionally, we offer stronger, lighter KV-1 Exoskeletons, 20mm Light Cavalry Gun from the 81 Steel Factory, and 88mm mortars from Goblin Technology. For major clients, we also provide ’Death Scream’ rockets and larger caliber 37mm Heavy Cavalry Guns."

Browsing the tablet, Sun Shiqi casually asked, "How does one become a major client of yours?"

The trader smiled.

"Have 1 million Silver Coins in the bank, and they’ll give you a black VM that stores and recognizes your identity information. As long as you wear it, and are in a place with a signal, you can use it to make payments."

It sounded somewhat like a bank card from Giant Stone City.

Sun Shiqi quickly ran through the list of goods and silently did the math in his head.

"The price of a slave was around 1000 silver coins, while an LD-47 only needed 200 silver coins, and a 7mm bullet cost 1 silver coin.

This meant that one slave could be exchanged for at least five assault rifles!

However, at Giant Stone City, although the weapons were also cheap, costing only 150 game currency for a Male Bee Assault Rifle, the price of a slave was equally low. According to his past experience, one slave could at most be exchanged for two or maybe three guns.

Ore was the same.

The 2 tons of copper ore and the various sacks of sulfur, tin, nickel, tungsten, molybdenum, and other rare ores would, at most, fetch 2000-3000 game currency at Giant Stone City.

But here, they could be exchanged for at least 8000 silver coins!

Having made this calculation, Sun Shiqi held his breath for a moment; his eyes almost turned the color of silver coins... even though he had never seen what a silver coin looked like.

’I have twenty slaves here as well as cargo filled with six Double-headed Cows,’ he proposed, ’name your price.’

The trader asked with a smile.

’The cows are for sale as well?’

Sun Shiqi hurriedly said.

’That’s not for sale.’

That was a joke.

Would he sell the cows and then carry the cargo back on his two legs?

Though the price they offered was indeed tempting.

Standing in front of the stall, the trader quickly summoned two employees from the trade station who took the slaves’ temperatures, checked their teeth, fingers, and toes, and weighed them.

The goods were treated similarly; after a careful examination and weighing, the trader handed him a list with a quotation.

It totaled 29724 silver coins, surprisingly a thousand more than what Sun Shiqi had estimated himself, giving him a significant delight for quite a while.

’I need a hundred rifles and nine thousand bullets, and the rest can be settled in silver coins...’ after handing back the tablet to the trader, Sun Shiqi, eyes glowing with anticipation, said, ’How soon can I see the goods I want?’

Delivering this batch of weapons, capable of arming a hundred-men team, to Red River Town, would undoubtedly make the slave owners there treat him as a benefactor!

He couldn’t wait to make another run!

’By tomorrow evening at the latest, and possibly by morning if it’s quick,’ the trader looked regretfully at the Double-headed Cows behind him before adding, ’Actually sir, since you’re from Red River Town, you might consider our "Electric donkey."’

Sun Shiqi paused then asked.

’Electric donkey? What’s that?’

The trader explained with a slight smile, ’Produced in the North Suburb Industrial Zone, it’s a light truck with a nominal load of 1.8 tons, practically it can handle two or three times that much without any trouble. It can even cross ditches one meter wide easily with rubber tracks on. It’s only 50,000 silver coins, great value for its price. Although it can’t enter urban areas, it’s very convenient for running in the wilderness, it’s what we use too.’

’Fifty thousand?!’ Sun Shiqi’s eyes widened, ’I don’t have that kind of money.’

Fifty slaves for a truck?

And that’s supposed to be a bargain??

The trader said smilingly.

’Right now, there’s a ten percent discount, and if you sell those six Double-headed Cows, you should have enough.’

The ores at Red River Town were cheaper than slaves, with Blue Note’s starting at a ton, and most of the cost was in transport.

If he could transport goods by truck, dealing in ores could be more profitable than dealing in slaves!

And without the risk of riots...

However, Sun Shiqi was still sober, he couldn’t spend all his possessions on a vehicle; after all, he was a merchant, not a coachman.

Moreover, the truck probably consumed a lot of electricity right?

He didn’t know the cost of electricity here, but it wasn’t cheap in Red River Town.

’Maybe next time... I need to keep some money for business.’

The trader appeared slightly disappointed but didn’t say much and handed over seven 100 Yuan Bills and twenty-four silver coins.

’This is your 724 silver coins in change, please check... Regarding the truck, it was just a suggestion, the choice is yours.’

What a pity.

The highest profit was from selling trucks.

A single Electric Donkey’s cost was said to be not even twelve thousand, the steel body and wooden cargo box were cheap, half the cost was in the battery and motor.

If she could sell one, the commission would be two months’ basic salary.

Sun Shiqi pocketed the money and was about to leave when suddenly, a disturbance erupted outside the trading station; two groups of mercenaries were arguing.

Both sides had about ten people, cursing harshly, their faces red and necks bulging, even rolling up their sleeves, looking ready to start a fight.

Listening to their argument, it seemed to be about some personal grudges from outside.

Such incidents were common.

Each served their master, and perhaps yesterday they were drinking and boasting together, and tomorrow they would meet in combat in some corner of the Wasteland.

Most often, after the commission was over, it would be treated as if nothing had happened, but it was inevitable that some would fight for fallen comrades or honor.

The triggering factor might just be a look or a taunt.

These people were still rational, despite their noisy bluster that seemed ready for a physical fight, but no one had drawn a gun.

Yet, it was hard to say if they could stay that way.

The four mercenaries brought by Sun Shiqi consciously stood in front of their employer, not due to professional integrity but because only by safely returning him to Red River Town could they receive the rest of the money from the company.

’...Another fight, is it? This is the second this month.’

The young girl standing behind the stall didn’t seem worried about any trouble occurring; her habitual composure made Sun Shiqi take another look at her.

’How do you usually handle this?’

The trader calmly said.

’If someone draws a gun, they’re in big trouble, if it’s just a brawl, the guards will put them in jail to cool off for a couple of days, then fine them.’

’What if they can’t pay?’

’Since there’s plenty of work here—brickyard, cement factory, even the mill or the neighboring farms—there’s always something they can do.’

Sun Shiqi suddenly found the young girl quite interesting.

’What’s your name?’

’Frost River.’

’Frost River, huh? That’s a nice name... When do you get off work? You told me so much; I’d like to take you out for a meal.’

Frost River said smilingly.

’Bribery can also land you in there, you know, starting at three years.’

Sun Shiqi gave a wry smile.

’I guess I’ll pass then.’

He admitted that he was interested in further interaction, although not necessarily to get a discount, but at least to pick up some information that ordinary people might not know."

Doing business, eh?

Profit lies in the disparity of information.

However, her attitude made it clear that she wasn’t interested in him, and she had keenly sensed his underlying motives.

Frankly, such professional integrity was surprising.

Remembering the innkeeper’s attitude, Sun Shiqi silently noted a clue.

The manager of Shelter No. 404 held immense control here; local residents genuinely respected and appreciated him, upheld his laws, and took pride in maintaining order.

Barring any significant issues, this control was likely to last at least ten years, possibly twenty, until this generation aged and their children grew up.

Frankly, Sun Shiqi wasn’t too surprised by these people’s attitudes and actions.

The rise and fall of any survivor settlement often started gloriously, even somewhere as godforsaken as Red River Town didn’t become a paradise for slave owners overnight.

What really shocked him was that a man... probably named Chu Guang, had achieved all this in just six months.

Even if the shelter stored a vast amount of knowledge and talent, accomplishing this feat was no small task.

Especially in the tumultuous River Valley Province...

He truly wanted to meet him.

Sun Shiqi suddenly recalled their last meeting, when the man had traded him a can of ants and a few bags of game currency for jerky.

How could someone turn such pitiful assets into a thriving survivor settlement?

He even wanted to become the man’s disciple if possible.

But he knew, given his current situation, he might not be able to meet him again...

The dispute at the trading post caught the guards’ attention; five guards dressed in black military uniforms approached, carrying batons, seemingly intending to warn these reckless provocateurs.

However, those mercenaries, perhaps confident in their numbers, didn’t take the guards seriously. What they failed to notice was the residents in blue jackets, their eyes gleaming as they watched.

Their expressions and demeanor suggested they weren’t just spectating.

It was almost as if they were encouraging them to start a fight.

The tension at the scene escalated, and just as the mercenaries seemed ready to brawl, traders inside the trading post began to steer clear.

However, just then, a group of soldiers, donned in grey coats and steel helmets, suddenly walked in from outside the trading post.

Automatic rifles slung over their backs, engineer shovels and bayonets covered in alarming streaks of blood hung at their waists, faces obscured by gas masks.

Their formidable presence instantly subdued the atmosphere.

It was in that moment, Sun Shiqi suddenly had a thought.

The munitions he had bought were worth it!

"Heroes are back!" Standing behind a stall, Frost River’s eyes sparkled with admiration as Sun Shiqi saw a glimmer of worship in the young girl’s eyes.

"...Heroes?"

"Yes!" Frost River nodded emphatically without offering an explanation.

Nearby, the previously noisy mercenaries fell silent at once, their eyes now wary as they watched the group, as docile as sheep.

The mercenary standing next to Sun Shiqi, upon seeing the group in grey coats, also showed a hint of trepidation, his expression growing increasingly solemn.

"...Death Legion."

Sun Shiqi was stunned.

Although aware this was no group to trifle with, it was his first time hearing the name.

"...Death Legion?"

"You just returned from the south to Red River Town, so you might not know..." another mercenary whispered softly, "these guys beat the Chewing Bone Tribe near Deer Head Mountain so bad, they cried for their mothers."

"I saw it with my own eyes, I was there during that battle..." a bearded mercenary nodded, his eyes filled with awe as he spoke, "Twenty of them chased over a hundred Looters all over the hills; that shrill whistle pursued them into the woods, and according to those captured Looters, fighting them was like a nightmare..."

"I heard they are all Awakeners!"

"They’re all tough as nails!"

"Didn’t realize the Death Legion originated from here..."

Watching the little girl’s eyes sparkle and then looking at the imposing group of soldiers nearby, Sun Shiqi couldn’t help but swallow.

"How did they get back?"

His neighboring mercenary whispered.

"Perhaps it’s because of the Tide."

"...Seems like something big is about to happen."

Reaching the rowdy group, Edge Shoveling removed his gas mask and stared at one man, speaking in imperfect United Human language.

"Heard there’s trouble here? Is it you?"

About twenty mercenaries shook their heads in unison, the two who were the most aggressive sheepishly grinned and hooked their arms around each other, pretending to be on friendly terms.

"We were just playing around."

"Old friends catching up..."

Their arms were still forcefully entwined.

Holding their batons, the guards smirked at the troublemakers.

"Catching up? How about changing locations?"

"There’s plenty of room at the guard station."

The two mercenaries weren’t intimidated by the batons.

However, the group in grey coats beside them was too formidable to ignore, and the blood on their shovels didn’t seem to be from beasts...

At that moment, their boss finally rushed over from the inn, attempting to intercede on their behalf, but the guards didn’t bother to look his way.

According to the public security regulations, causing unrest would lead to being taken for registration and documentation; it was routine procedure.

First offense warranted a warning: either spend a day detained or pay a fine of 10 Silver Coins; a second offense meant ten days in the cell and a 100 Silver Coin fine.

Despite their great reluctance, the two instigators had no choice but to accompany the guards.

A notification of task completion flashed on the VM.

Just getting back, he had snagged an experience pack and had even shown off a bit, leaving Edge Shoveling feeling quite pleased.

However, this good mood didn’t last long.

A greeting from an old friend came from the side.

Battlefield Atmosphere Group: "Fuck, Edge?"

Night Ten: "Huh?! You made it back alive?"

-

(Thanks to "Qu Lin", "Yi Qianbei", and the leader of "Sesame Paste" for their rewards!)