The sun gradually set in the west, and the horizon was golden-red. In the grayish-black wilderness, trees occasionally appeared, standing tall.
Long Yuehong looked at the few figures heading north and asked in confusion, “Why are some Ruin Hunters traveling purely on foot? Won’t they be unable to keep up with the previous batch of people?”
Ever since they separated from Wu Shoushi and the others and headed to Blackrat Town, they encountered several groups of Ruin Hunters heading north of Yuelu Station.
Some of these hunters had driven modified vehicles, some used motorcycles that constantly roared, some relied on bicycles, and others rode domesticated horses. Although there were all kinds of strange vehicles, they had some form of transportation.
Bai Chen—who was driving—glanced at them and simply said, “They’re all here to pick up the leftovers.”
“What do you mean?” asked Long Yuehong.
In the passenger seat, Jiang Baimian carried out maintenance on her pistol. Without raising her head, she said, “They are deliberately walking because they do not wish to be the first to reach the city ruins. This way, the Ruin Hunters ahead can help them take the wrong steps and eliminate many dangers.
“Although this will also result in them losing the right to obtain first-hand information and the right to choose precious resources, it’s safer. As long as they don’t go too deep into the city center, they have a high chance of surviving. After all, it’s such a large city. Even if a large faction’s unit is ahead, they won’t be able to clear out everything in the periphery at once and guard all the roads leading to it.”
Long Yuehong came to a realization before having new questions. “But they won’t be able to carry much with them. Just carrying things on their shoulders will limit how much they can carry. It’s better not to go.”
Jiang Baimian looked up and chuckled. “From the looks of it, you really don’t have any concept of city ruins. There are many old vehicles and all kinds of spare parts there. As long as you know how to repair them, you can ‘prepare’ new transportation devices over there. Heh heh, that itself is one of the harvests.
“Actually, compared to the people who drive over by themselves, they will end up harvesting more—a lot more.”
Long Yuehong thought about it and realized that it was true.
Previously, Wu Shoushi’s Ruin Hunter team had a total of four people. They had driven a gray SUV. After they reached the city ruin after avoiding or resolving any danger, they could at most obtain three cars and four vehicles worth of supplies. Any more and they would not be able to take the spoils away.
If the four Ruin Hunters purely walked over on foot with their tents and weapons on their backs, they could at most obtain four cars and four vehicles worth of supplies.
Shang Jianyao thought for a moment and muttered to himself, “Isn’t the main point of driving to save time traveling and maintaining stamina?”
Jiang Baimian holstered the United 202 pistol back on her belt and pointed at the group of people in the distance. “Yes. Hence, this group of people will definitely have to rest for more than a day when they arrive at Yuelu Station. In any case, they don’t have to be in a rush.”
She then looked around. “It’s almost evening. It looks like we won’t be able to reach Blackrat Town today. Let’s find a spot like a hillock to camp at. We can leave at dawn.”
“Alright.”
“Alright.”
Shang Jianyao, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen replied one after another.
They found a small mound in the grayish-black wilderness before long, and they set up a tent with its back facing the wind.
Jiang Baimian looked at the bonfire and clapped her hands. Her eyes darted about slightly. “Shang Jianyao, Long Yuehong, your mission in the afternoon hasn’t been completed yet!”
“Huh?” Long Yuehong was a little confused. It took him a few seconds to remember that he hadn’t finished the mission in the steelworks factory ruins—find food with his own abilities and draw a layout of the steelworks factory ruins.
Long Yuehong quickly defended himself. “But our expedition was interrupted by Jingfa. We can’t return now, and we have to go to Blackrat Town.”
Shang Jianyao—who was beside him—didn’t say anything and only smiled at Jiang Baimian as if he understood that his team leader was ‘deliberately looking for trouble.’
Jiang Baimian looked around and smiled. “Therefore, I have to give you a different mission that you can complete now.”
She then looked down at the black electronic watch on her wrist. “Complete a hunt before dark. There’s no restriction on the prey’s size.”
With that said, she looked up and ordered Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong, “Show me the parts of the map that you have finished drawing.”
Shang Jianyao immediately handed over the piece of paper that only had the hospital and radio station area drawn on it.
Jiang Baimian took it and unfolded it. Her expression immediately turned a little strange. “Why did you label a bathroom? It can’t be used again.”
Team Leader, what you said is very strange... Long Yuehong didn’t dare voice out his thoughts.
Shang Jianyao replied seriously, “Being detailed and realistic are my requirements for drawing a map.”
“You’ve previously drawn a map?” Jiang Baimian was a little curious.
“No.” Shang Jianyao shook his head frankly.
“Then why the...” Jiang Baimian swallowed her last word and waved her hand. “Start your hunting.”
Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong did not waste any time. They carried their assault rifles and walked to the top of the small mound to look around.
The weeds in the wilderness gently swayed amidst the evening wind, bouncing off the light from the grayish-black soil and various rocks.
Only a few dozen trees could be seen at first glance, much less active animals. This meant that Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong couldn’t even find a target.
“Which way?” Long Yuehong asked habitually.
Shang Jianyao looked at the stream around the mound. “Follow it and find the river. There should be fish there.”
“That’s right.” Long Yuehong’s expression relaxed. Long Yuehong then hesitated before saying, “But is this considered hunting?”
“Considering the goal, it definitely counts,” Shang Jianyao replied casually. “The only problem is how far we have to go to find fish.”
“...Why don’t we hunt other animals while we’re at it?” Long Yuehong suddenly had a strange thought. “Shang Jianyao, do you think you can use your Inference Clowning ability to lure prey over?”
Shang Jianyao sized up Long Yuehong. “First, you have to make them understand me. Second, you have to make them stop and listen to me.”
“...That’s true.” Long Yuehong opened his mouth as if he wanted to ask something, but he didn’t say anything in the end. He thought for a moment and said, “We can’t hunt blindly. Let’s consult Bai Chen first.”
“Alright.” Shang Jianyao didn’t mind. He turned around and walked toward the jeep, which was near the bonfire.
Long Yuehong stared at his back and fell silent for two seconds before gently sighing.
After approaching the jeep, Shang Jianyao asked frankly, “Bai Chen, where will there be prey nearby?”
Bai Chen pointed at the sparse trees. “You can head there to take a look. There should be rabbits. You have to pay attention when distinguishing footprints and feces...”
She briefly talked about the trick to hunting rabbits before saying, “If you were an ordinary person, I would suggest setting up traps and using tools. However, you have a certain level of marksmanship. You just need to maintain your calm and not panic.”