Survival in this desolate, barren world came down to one thing above all else: food.
From what Lu Bai had seen so far, there were no medium- or large-sized animals. The city and its surroundings could support, at most, a hundred or two people.
How could they possibly feed thousands?
And there was no sign of anyone growing crops. Was it that climate change had made the crops from the pre-Shelter era impossible to grow, or was there some other reason?
Lu Bai tucked these questions away and quietly followed Huo Yao to an office.
It was clear that Brother Biao, as everyone called him, held a high position in this settlement. Two burly men in vests stood guard outside his door.
Huo Yao greeted the guards familiarly, then explained why he was there.
"Then take this kid and wait here a while, Huo Yao. I'll go report to Brother Biao."
One of the burly men gave Lu Bai a scrutinizing look, then turned and pushed open the office door.
A moment later, he came back out and pointed at Lu Bai. "Come with me. Huo Yao, you can go get back to whatever you were doing."
With the burly man leading the way, Lu Bai entered the office and finally met the man everyone called Brother Biao.
The nickname might bring to mind a hulking, tattoo-covered gang boss.
But in reality, Brother Biao was a rather thin, middle-aged man.
His clothes were neat, and he wore a pair of black-framed glasses that gave him a scholarly air. He didn't seem threatening at all.
Anyone who saw him would have taken him for an intellectual.
"A Zang, you can go. Don't worry about me."
Brother Biao waved the burly man away.
A Zang hesitated, but didn't defy his orders. He