Apocalyptic Mechanist Section 18

Chapter 19: Intelligence from Sin City

Their gazes met, and a smile spread across Guilliman's face as he stepped forward.

"Thank you sincerely for bringing Xiao Xi back. Starfire Camp will never forget this kindness. If you ever need anything within my capabilities, I will spare no effort to assist!"

Jiang Xiao nodded slightly.

"You're too kind. I believe any human would step in to help a fellow countryman's child in distress."

Whether it was genuine or not, hearing these words greatly improved Guilliman's impression of him.

"Excellent, excellent! If all humans were like you, sir, the Interstellar Alliance would have nothing to fear about humanity's place in the galaxy. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Robert Guilliman, Chief Instructor of the Spark Gang, and I also manage Starfire Camp."

Spark Gang, Starfire Camp… The core forces of the Pan-Human faction on Prison Star?

Jiang Xiao mused internally, his expression no longer tense.

He replied, "Jiang Xiao, a wanderer."

Guilliman glanced at the crowd still immersed in their joyous reunion and immediately made an inviting gesture. "Mr. Jiang, please come with me."

Seeing this, Jiang Xiao pondered for a moment and followed.

The two walked through the crowd, met with thanks and cheers, and arrived at the large tent in the center of the camp. Guilliman signaled the guards to step aside and personally lifted the tent flap.

The interior of the tent was simply furnished, with a rectangular metal table, a few chairs, and several boxes of ammunition and weapons piled in a corner.

"Please, have a seat." Guilliman poured two cups of purple liquid and pushed one towards Jiang Xiao. "A specialty of Prison Star, it has the effect of replenishing a small amount of Source Energy. Of course, it can't compare to the specially made liquors sold outside."

"Outside" naturally referred to the Galaxy.

"Since you returned to Starfire Camp with Xiao Xi, Mr. Jiang, you must have something on your mind?"

Guilliman got straight to the point, without any unnecessary words.

Jiang Xiao was not surprised. He put down his cup and said earnestly, "I want to enter Sin City, but I have no connections. I thought I'd take this opportunity to see if the Spark Gang has any way to help, and perhaps gather some intelligence on the situation in Sin City."

Based on the fragmented information he'd gleaned from the network terminal, Sin City wasn't a place you could just enter. To reside there long-term, one needed at least a basic form of identification!

This identification had to be issued either by the Sin City Council or by a gang recognized by the Council. There was no other way.

Naturally, Sin City had black market channels for obtaining such certifications, but the effort and cost involved would be substantial. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many wanderers outside the city.

Compared to that, Starfire Camp would be much more convenient.

Given that he had brought Xiao Xi back, they probably wouldn't ask for much in return.

He couldn't help it; he was broke.

Guilliman understood and readily agreed. "No problem. Coincidentally, the Spark Gang will be sending someone to the camp in the next couple of days. You can just go with her then. I'll explain the specifics to her."

In the Interstellar Common Tongue, the syllables for "she," "he," and "it" were slightly different, making them easy to distinguish.

"Then I'll be imposing on you for these few days."

"It's nothing. Compared to Xiao Xi's safety, it's a minor matter. As for the situation in Sin City, you don't really need to ask specifically. Once you enter, you'll be able to sense it easily." Guilliman shook his head.

"In summary, the Black Mech Gang and the Sin City Council are in a standoff. The former is powerful and well-funded, while the latter has the numbers. Gangs like the Viper Gang and the Blade Armor Gang are all lackeys of the Sin City Council.

These two factions frequently clash in Sin City and the wilderness, and most other conflicts revolve around them. It's not that complicated.

If you want to talk about complexity, perhaps the Pan-Human faction is one. The Sin City Council has always wanted to eradicate the Spark Gang and the Pan-Human population, ultimately due to conflicts of interest."

What interests were worth fighting over on Prison Star?

Jiang Xiao caught the key point. It seemed the Spark Gang was more than just a simple organization.

"When you enter Sin City, it's best not to reveal your human identity in areas with many aliens, especially for a Tier 1 martial artist like yourself, Mr. Jiang." Guilliman's expression turned serious.

"I understand."

Jiang Xiao's expression was calm, showing no unusual signs.

A city where twenty million prisoners and criminals gathered, with the core governing body being hostile to humans. If he were an ordinary Tier 1 human martial artist, he would indeed have to tread carefully.

Too bad he was in Class Two during high school…

A perfect hunting ground. As long as I'm careful, I should be able to rapidly increase my Spirit Energy and Source Energy Intensity. Of course, I'll need to see the actual situation firsthand.

Seeing Jiang Xiao lost in thought, Guilliman said, "In that case, Mr. Jiang, you should stay at the camp for these next couple of days. Although Blackstone Settlement is under the camp's control, there are still alien activities there."

Jiang Xiao did not refuse.

"Alright, I'll trouble you then."

Dusk.

As the great sun gradually sank below the horizon, the orange sunset completely engulfed the rift valley.

A bonfire was lit in the open space in front of the camp.

Jiang Xiao sat on top of an armored jeep, calculating some data, pondering what kind of metal could replace FT Alloy for making bullets. The bullets for the X-21 sniper rifle couldn't be just any kind; otherwise, even with Origin Data overclocked, the lethality would drop significantly.

Finding no solution, Jiang Xiao looked up at the lively camp.

Unlike the chaotic disarray of the Rosaka Settlement, Starfire Camp had a very lively atmosphere. People were unloading dried meat and canned food from large vehicles to heat up, and a few children were earnestly practicing with wooden swords under the guidance of a martial artist.

Two men, seemingly mechanics, were squatting in front of a vehicle, tinkering with it. The dong dong dong sounds mixed with the wind.

It was like a thriving survivor camp in the wasteland.

This sparked a hint of confusion in Jiang Xiao's heart.

The Pan-Humans of Starfire Camp didn't seem like typical criminals. Their demeanor and actions lacked any trace of rudeness or brutality, their speech was clear, and their collective cultural level was quite high.

"Brother Xiao~" Xiao Xi's voice drifted up from below. Jiang Xiao looked down.

The young girl was holding a metal lunchbox, stretching on her tiptoes to hand it to him. "This is the meat Mom and the aunties stewed."

Jiang Xiao glanced towards the campfire and saw a gentle, beautiful woman watching him. As Jiang Xiao looked over, she bowed deeply.

Turning back, he saw Xiao Xi's bright, shining eyes staring intently at him. Jiang Xiao smiled, "Then I'll accept it."

He took the metal box and opened it, a rich aroma wafting out.

Seeing Jiang Xiao accept it, Xiao Xi immediately bounced happily and ran back to her mother.

He devoured the food in the box in a few bites. It wasn't particularly delicious, and it certainly wasn't enough to fill him up, but he felt quite satisfied.

Human-style food he hadn't tasted in a long time.

If this weren't Prison Star, perhaps this kind of life wouldn't be bad?

"Mr. Jiang." A voice called out from behind him.

A young man with ear coverings, carrying a sniper rifle, walked over and handed him half a bottle of an unknown liquor. His words were full of gratitude, and he seemed a bit embarrassed. "I'm Al, a camp guard. I didn't get a chance to thank you back then. The tracker in Xiao Xi's hairpin was made by me."

Jiang Xiao recalled for a moment and smiled, "I thought an Alien put it there and casually tossed it. You did well, it was quite hidden. If I wasn't particularly sensitive to such things, I really wouldn't have noticed."

"Thank you. I have to stand guard, so I won't bother you." The young man was a bit shy. He took a sip of the liquor and hurried away.

Smiling, Jiang Xiao withdrew his gaze and looked towards the distant setting sun.

He would rest well for the next couple of days.

Time passed, and the peaceful life soon ended.

Noon on the third day.

Jiang Xiao, who was skillfully disassembling a handgun, suddenly heard Guilliman's call.

"Mr. Jiang, the Spark Gang people have arrived. They'll be returning in an hour, please prepare yourself."

His spirits lifted, and he quickly reassembled the scattered handgun parts.

Finally, Sin City!

Chapter 20: Jiang Xiao's Strange Competitive Spirit

In the center of the camp.

A Ling, clad in a black robe, listened intently to Guilliman's instructions, nodding slightly from time to time.

"Don't worry, Instructor. I will definitely make the arrangements properly."

A Ling said very seriously.

She was very grateful to this Mr. Jiang, whom she had never met.

The children in the camp were like younger siblings to her, ones she had watched grow up. She had been frantic when she learned Xiao Xi had been kidnapped a couple of days ago.

After handling the gang's affairs, she had rushed back, only to learn en route that Xiao Xi had returned safely.

Since she had already traveled a considerable distance and also wanted to see the camp again, she didn't return to Sin City. She never expected to be able to help Xiao Xi's savior.

However, she was a bit hesitant. According to Guilliman, Mr. Jiang was only a Tier 1 Elite, with a small chance of being Tier 1 Peak.

Under normal circumstances, someone with this strength could live quite comfortably in Sin City. The problem was, those were normal circumstances.

A Tier 1 Pan-Human martial artist going to Sin City would most likely be aggressively targeted by the enforcers of various gangs, especially the Viper Gang. They wouldn't stand by and watch a human martial artist live openly in Sin City.

For the Pan-Humans, the areas outside Sin City were far safer than inside!

If it weren't for the resources, the Spark Gang wouldn't have left the camp to enter Sin City.

The environment in Sin City was becoming increasingly harsh. The tension between the Black Mech Gang and the Sin City Council was escalating, and at the same time, the latter's suppression of the Pan-Humans was intensifying.

The most critical issue was that the Spark Gang's strongest fighter's whereabouts were currently unknown. The situation for the Pan-Humans could be described as dire.

I wonder where that god of slaughter went after leaving the Old Capital.

"Mr. Jiang, allow me to introduce Xi Ling. She is the internal affairs officer of the Spark Gang. She will be taking you to the Old Capital next, and she will also handle your identity verification."

Guilliman's voice roused Xi Ling, who had been lost in thought.

Xi Ling looked up and saw a seemingly sunny young man approaching quickly with a brilliant smile.

His refreshing demeanor and youthful appearance caused Xi Ling a moment of disorientation.

He's this young??