Armed Train in the Apocalypse

Ahead lies a colossal financial skyscraper, its glass curtain walls covered in unknown mutated vines. The road passes through the basement of the skyscraper, which resembles a giant banana split open, with each floor transformed into a vertical farm that conveniently blocks the wind and sand blowing in from outside.

As the vehicle passed through the building, the wind and sand indeed weakened significantly.

On the right side of the road, a train like a city wall stretches horizontally, with factories operating 24/7 nestled below the train.

Compared to the flimsy tin houses before the apocalypse, all factories have added extensive defensive facilities, resembling menacing little fortresses, presenting outsiders with a grand shock of rebuilding civilization.

Mr. Shu remained silent for a while before sighing quietly.

Zhong You said blandly, ”The armed trains have become an irreversible force.”

Only the driver seemed puzzled by the two men’s remarks. What’s there to marvel at about such common sights?

If a force like Black Kite or Deep Blue Data were building a city, it would not only be faster but filled with a sense of advanced technology.

Perhaps sensing the driver’s skepticism, Mr. Shu calmly said, ”The reason you find it commonplace is because you’ve always lived under the shelter of civilization, mostly carrying out internal tasks. Without venturing out, you have no idea what these scenes signify.”

Zhong You did not speak but nodded in agreement.

He’s been wandering the wilderness for a while, well aware of the grim state outside.

Even those individual scavengers, let alone small convoys, are merely surviving in the ruins of the old civilization, facing death without evolution.

The simple law of the jungle does not guide complex human society at all.

The fact that armed trains could safely undertake infrastructure projects in Zhijin first indicates their formidable military and effective governance, which is the fundamental essence.

”Without order, there is no civilization.”

Zhong You concluded.

Mr. Shu was slightly surprised at his rapid growth.

In the driver’s heart, however, he was dismissive. Although the train might have defeated Black Kite once, Black Kite’s preserved pre-apocalypse technology and systems remain a source of his internal pride.

He inherently despised brigands like the armed trains.

This sentiment is common among most in the large factions.

They have fundamentally separated themselves from the post-apocalyptic scavengers.

Much like ”nationals” versus ”wildlings” from millennia ago, or ”civilized” versus ”tribal” people centuries back.

The former could even hunt the latter like beasts and livestock without guilt.

That’s the gap of civilization.

”Turn more around the city; you might not see them once their process is complete.”

Mr. Shu said.

The driver was dismissive internally but still turned the steering.

Zhong You, beside him, commented blandly, ”We have plenty of time to look later.”

Mr. Shu suddenly had a bad feeling.

...

As the door was pushed open, a young man sat behind a massive desk, with the cuffs of his black shirt rolled up to his elbows, revealing his sturdy forearms. His shoulders were broad, forming a defined outline under the fabric, and his long hair was casually tied at the back, while several strands dangled at the neck, the tips slightly curled.

His left hand rested on the desk as he casually spun a pen with the right. Upon hearing the door’s noise, he didn’t raise his head but lazily lifted his eyelids.

First, he was startled, then his lips curled in a wild grin.

The entire No. 1 carriage was filled with the loud laughter of the conductor Zhang Yang, making others’ hearts tremble.

Su Huan had been worried about resources, and upon waking his eyes met the Money God! Who wouldn’t be delighted by that?

Yet Mr. Shu felt uncomfortable, standing stiffly with an expression like his pet bird had pecked his eye, staring at the two people hanging high above.

Zhong You and Shu Wei.

The former had no guilt about selling Mr. Tree.

The latter showed no excitement upon seeing their father in such a situation.

They resembled two ice sculptures.

Su Huan stood up, grinning at Zhong You, ”If you’re here, there’s no need to bring such heavy gifts.”

Zhong You pursed his lips silently, actually he hadn’t planned for this either...

Su Huan turned his gaze to Mr. Shu, ”Long time no see, Mr. Shu. Visiting your daughter?”

Mr. Shu sighed, ”I had a feeling I’d meet you, but not like this.”

Su Huan smiled gently, ”All good, all good, have some tea.”

”He doesn’t drink tea.”

Shu Wei said blandly.

”Then coffee.”

”He looks down on your coffee.”

Su Huan’s playful gaze danced over the father and daughter, it seemed like they didn’t get along well.

”Then let’s just chat, what method does Mr. Shu plan to use to sponsor us this time?”

...

The driver and escort guards were left outside the train for free action. As newly promoted Tier One Special Service, they’ve never dealt with the train, thus arrogantly scanning the bustling crowd.

”The square ahead looks quite lively, want to take a walk?”

The captain of the guard suggested.

The driver hesitated for a moment, but since Mr. Shu left no orders to wait for him, he nodded decisively.

”After driving for several days, a stroll sounds good.”

...

Chenxi Square.

Although the day was late, Chenxi Square was still brightly lit; as the largest market within hundreds of kilometers, it attracted vast crowds—residents just off work, incoming scavengers, hidden identity cartels, countless small convoy leaders.

Every moment brings massive profits to the train, making a shutdown impossible.

All shops selling external goods operate 24/7.

A woman carrying a giant axe roamed the street barefoot, wearing an ill-fitting red knitted sweater on top and black suit pants below, looking quite bizarre.

But amid the crowd, she was just normal.

Every street was filled with scavengers with guns and knives, even bullets were sold by the basketful at street shops, making carrying an axe trivial.

The only reason she might get a second glance is that she was female.

Pity her face was too dirty, like a giant birthmark, blurring beauty and ugliness in a flash.

The woman suddenly halted by a butcher shop, gazing at the fresh red meat salivatingly, her eyes glimmering.

”Smells pretty good,” she said.

The butcher stood up, ”Thirty points per kilo, can be traded for bullets. Other goods must be exchanged for points at the window next to City Hall.”

The woman paused, then fumbled up and down for a while, earnestly asking, ”Can clothes be traded for money?”

The butcher remained patient, hearing this type of question hundreds of times a day, and explained, ”Clean clothes are tradeable, but their value is low. Check with the folks over there for specifics.”

”Enough for meat?”

[Running short on time, still lacking 300 words, let me substitute...]

[Brothers reading here, you may wait a few minutes then refresh.]

[Fertile Soil Heart]

”Dark red swollen bumps on dark red tubers, buried nearly half a meter deep, pulsates like a heart. Over two-meter tall vine leaves above ground; vine wrapping force is low, but leaves are highly toxic. Be cautious not to damage the tuber, and tightly tie breaks with rope, low danger level.”

[Sweet and Spicy Scallion]

”A single-stalk grass about 1.2 meters high, produces white, onion-sized fruits at the tip, layers show varying colors upon cutting, displays nebulous glow at night. Typically grows in clusters; harvest whole, possible presence of Evolution Beasts or other mutant plants nearby, danger level random.”

[Coarse Powder Grass]

”Three meters tall green grass clusters, leafless, tinged with pale gold. Each stalk is about 2mm in diameter, breaks with no moisture, feels dry and astringent. Only harvest two meters from the root, very low danger level.”

[Iron Wire Grass] Trip Grass, durable, abundant, material for glass making

[Iron-Eating Tree] Produces ironwood, grows to 100 meters, mobile