C6 A Trace of Hesitation

The woman lapsed into silence. Moments later, she exhaled deeply and retracted her dagger, tucking it back against her calf.

"Alright, perhaps I went a bit too far."

With those words, she helped Chen Cheng to his feet, though she left the ropes binding him intact.

"Believe me, it was all in good faith."

Noticing the woman's softened demeanor, Chen Cheng began to bluster.

"Good faith?"

"Yes, like when I rescued you from near starvation. If I were to speak out of turn today, our future could be grim."

Chen Cheng's voice took on a mysterious inflection, leaving much to the imagination.

"Really?"

Her tone carried a hint of scorn, yet her eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt.

"Perhaps we could collaborate. I've only just arrived here."

He paused, searching for the right words. "It's a long story, to be honest."

"Let's just say I'm in need of a guide, and for that service, I'm willing to offer you a handsome fee."

Chen Cheng's delivery was calm and measured, as he dangled the proverbial carrot.

"Oh! Is that so? You must have quite the influential backing."

The woman arched an eyebrow, seemingly lost in contemplation.

In a world overrun with peril, slavery, exploitation, conflict, zombies, and mutated creatures, where order was a distant memory, only those with formidable strength could avoid such a fate.

"My strength is modest. All I ask is that you help me gather some necessities and assist in selling off some surplus goods, like the food you've just finished."

Chen Cheng was careful with his words, wary of giving himself away. Mystery was his ally, allowing him to speak as he pleased.

At the mention of food, the woman's stomach audibly protested once more. She quickly blushed, embarrassed by the sound.

Chen Cheng offered a knowing smile but remained silent, aware that he had navigated this challenge successfully.

"This region holds little for you to covet. Calcheth is the only place of any note nearby, but even it has nothing exceptional."

"By the way, my dear, may I inquire as to your name?"

Chen Cheng asked with a smile, "Zhou Xuqing?"

Zhou Xuqing arched an eyebrow and let a sly smile play across her lips. "What is it you want? Enslavement? Just a heads-up, if you try to deceive me, you'll find my gun aimed squarely at your head."

"Hahaha! Miss Zhou Xuqing, you're overthinking it," Chen Cheng chuckled. "If I were willing to use this food to save you, why would I lie? But don't worry about it too much. If there's something I need, I'll let you know when the time comes."

"Fine. As long as it doesn't cross my red lines, I'm open to your offer of employment," Zhou Xuqing replied, eyeing Chen Cheng warily.

"Then here's to a fruitful collaboration..." Chen Cheng began.

"Hold on, shouldn't we discuss my compensation first?" Zhou Xuqing cut in.

"Of course, but shouldn't you untie me first? I did save your life, after all. It seems only fair to show a little goodwill," he hinted, noting the tightness of the ropes that left his limbs nearly numb.

"Uh, my apologies," Zhou Xuqing said, scratching her head with a hint of embarrassment. But her demeanor quickly hardened as she untied the ropes and leaned in close, her tone firm, "I don't want batteries, nutrients, or crystal nuclei. I'll take five cans a month, and you're covering all my expenses."

"It's a deal," Chen Cheng agreed readily, which seemed to take the usually fierce Zhou Xuqing off guard.

She wasn't one to play the saint, but she found herself oddly deferential in front of him. "Alright, from now on, I've got your back. Just give me the word when you need something done, as long as it doesn't test my limits," she said, her voice tinged with a touch of awkwardness.

"Thanks. Now, let's head to Calcheth," Chen Cheng said, stretching and beginning to gather his gear.

"Sure, but it's a bit of a journey. Do you have a car?" Zhou Xuqing asked.

"Nope," Chen Cheng replied with a shrug of resignation.

"Well then, you can ride with me. But you're footing the bill for the battery use," she declared.

"No problem. By the way, did you take out those people outside?" Chen Cheng inquired nonchalantly.

"Hmph! Traffickers are the worst, I absolutely despise them."

While saying this, he settled in beside her and began cleaning his sniper rifle.

"This woman seems tough as nails! So many have fallen by her hand."

Chen Cheng felt a shiver of fear. Had he suggested enslaving her, his head might have already been blown off.

The pickup truck raced down the increasingly barren road. If Chen Cheng hadn't known about the severe desertification and the harshness of the post-apocalyptic world, he might have thought Zhou Xuqing was leading him straight into a desert.

"We'll reach Calcheth soon after we pass those ruins," Zhou Xuqing said, pointing to the emerging wreckage ahead.

Chen Cheng followed her pointing finger and saw the remnants of buildings that once made up city walls.

Approaching closer, the pockmarked walls and the dark red stains told of the fierce battles that had once raged here.

"Don't dwell on it. This was once a thriving human settlement, but it fell victim to a zombie horde and mutated creatures. The older folks say it used to be a safe, yellow zone..."

Zhou Xuqing offered an explanation upon noticing Chen Cheng's interest.

Only after hearing her rundown did Chen Cheng learn that some of Calcheth's current power holders were survivors from this place.

"Why didn't they rebuild it then?"

Peering through the crumbled walls, he saw numerous structures, most swallowed by the encroaching sands.

"Rebuild? Ha!" Zhou Xuqing shot Chen Cheng a look and elaborated, "Do you have any idea how much labor and resources that would take? Besides, this place was overrun by mutants; once Calcheth was established, it was abandoned.

"And since the mutants vanished, anything of value here has already been transported to Calcheth."

Chen Cheng watched in silence, offering no reply.

The pickup didn't venture into the ruins but instead skirted swiftly around the perimeter of the walls.

Three hours later.

Chen Cheng noticed odd structures appearing before them. People in ragged clothes bustled among the buildings, giving the area a bustling vibe. To Chen Cheng, it felt like he had stumbled upon a shantytown.

Humans are inherently social creatures. As Chen Cheng saw the growing crowds around him, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Numerous convoys were also making their way in the same direction.

Zhou Xuqing had no intention of stopping; instead, he kept driving along the road.

Vendors lined the roadside, hawking their wares to the countless hungry souls who cast longing glances at the passing cars.

Some women resorted to flirtation, attempting to draw the attention of those inside the vehicles. In this post-apocalyptic world, anyone with a car was considered wealthy. This belief, however, was confined to those less fortunate, who lacked the means to better their situation. They clung to the hope of encountering kind souls willing to spare a bit of food.

Suddenly, a desperate cry caught Chen Cheng's attention. A gaunt woman, emanating an air of death, screamed, "Please, give me something to eat, I... I'm dying."

She lunged at an approaching SUV.

But the SUV didn't slow down. With a thunderous "Bang!" the woman was struck and sent flying. The vehicle mercilessly rolled over her, her blood and flesh scattering across the pavement.

Yet, this gruesome scene stirred no reaction from the onlookers, as if such brutality had become the norm.

As Chen Cheng's pickup truck drove past the mangled body, he could see that the remains had blended with the sand, indistinguishable from any other creature that had met its end in this harsh new world.

"People are as disposable as weeds. Are lives truly so valueless in this apocalyptic age?" Chen Cheng pondered. "It seems that morality and law have vanished, and if they exist, they're dictated by power. The law of the jungle reigns supreme in this unforgiving era."

The sights around him continued to challenge and reshape his perception of this world.

Despite being a man of the modern era, not particularly known for high ideals or virtue, Chen Cheng found the brutality he witnessed unbearable.

Beyond the sprawling slums, a towering city wall came into view.

After paying the entrance fee, he saw various buildings of different heights behind the wall, forming the central hub of the human settlement.

"The entrance tax is on your tab. Make sure to pay me back later," Zhou Xuqing remarked, casting a glance at Chen Cheng before pulling the car into a parking space.

As soon as they stepped out of the car, a swarm of children descended upon them, clamoring, "Pick me, I'll only ask for 100 points," and "Choose me, I'm just 98 points."

"..."

"This is our turf. Scram, or you'll regret it!"

A somewhat taller child bellowed at the others, causing the group to scatter instantly.

"Same old, same old."

Zhou Xuqing appeared to recognize the child.

"The boss has upped the ante. It's 150 points from now on, but for you, I'll take just 130."

The child clearly held Zhou Xuqing in high regard.

"Alright, let's stick to 150 points. I can't shortchange you 20 points—what would you eat? Curse these greedy nobles."

Zhou Xuqing muttered a curse toward the town center.

"Thanks, Sis."

The boy was visibly thrilled.

Chen Cheng kept quiet, observing the scene that reminded him of paying for parking.

Humans are inherently social creatures. Over time, society emerges as a manifestation of civilization.

Yet, this society was profoundly distorted.

If one word could encapsulate Calcheth, it would be 'stunted.'

You might spot mercenaries idly puffing cigarettes at the job board, rifles slung over their waists, or hear vendors vociferously hawking their wares.

Gaunt men and women were a common sight, hustling to scrape by.

The majority of the women, scantily clad, scrutinized the throngs of people, seeking potential clients.

Groups of soldiers, outfitted with mechanical limbs, patrolled the streets in formation.

"The laws of Calcheth are straightforward: murder and theft are met with execution by gunfire, failure to pay taxes results in expulsion, and malicious injury incurs punishment," Zhou Xuqing briefed.

Chen Cheng nodded, taking it all in without a word.