Mo Chuan found it increasingly unbelievable the further he wandered through the outer city.
Begging scattered everywhere, pickpockets lurking in the shadows, impoverished people with vacant eyes, the dying slumped amongst refuse piles…
For some reason, having or not having abilities seemed to make little difference here. Everyone was merely surviving, waiting to die.
Mo Chuan frowned, exchanging glances with He Lanxin and Zhang Hanshan, who were accompanying him. Clearly, they had noticed the same issue.
Mo Chuan also observed that there were always one or two individuals on the streets who were slightly better dressed but visibly more robust than ordinary people, patrolling the area. Initially, Mo Chuan assumed they were plainclothes police or other official personnel. However, as he brushed past one, he overheard them discussing where they would go for debauchery and decadent living that night.
These individuals… were local gangsters.
In that instant, Mo Chuan felt that the city of Yumen was far more complex than he had ever imagined.
“Mo Chuan, focus on what we need to do and don't get involved in other people’s business,” He Lanxin said softly, seemingly sensing Mo Chuan’s thoughts. “The military holds power here; even the He and Zhang families might not be able to afford to offend them.”
Mo Chuan nodded, saying nothing.
When he had first transmigrated here, Mo Chuan had thought the world was not too different from his previous life’s country. At most, it was affected by the spiritual energy resurgence, leading to many peculiar problems, but the overall structure remained similar—basically akin to the 1970s to 1990s of his past life.
But now, it seemed Mo Chuan had been too naive.
Judging by these "people" who lived day by day amidst darkness and filth, this country definitely had major issues. While his past life’s country might have had pockets of poverty, it would never have reached this state.
Zhang Hanshan, having studied relevant logistical data beforehand, led them directly through the local black market, but they failed to find what they were looking for—the psionic signal device.
“These things are controlled by the military after all… We came to the black market hoping to get lucky and find some second-hand ones,” Zhang Hanshan said, rubbing his forehead helplessly. “But clearly, our luck isn't good today.”
“If it doesn’t work out, we’ll just have to buy the official magnetic energy devices…” He Lanxin’s delicate brows furrowed. However, being unfamiliar with the area, she had no better ideas.
Mo Chuan followed them back, deep in thought, offering no opinions along the way.
The three of them also decided against buying food or water here—it was better to purchase such items from official sources, ensuring hygiene and safety.
On their way back, Mo Chuan and his companions even witnessed Qian Xiao in a dispute with several men with fierce expressions. They had no interest in the specifics and no intention of helping Qian Xiao, proceeding directly towards the inner city gate.
“You’re all university students, aren’t you? Here to explore ruins?” Just as the three reached the city gate, a scrawny man with disheveled clothes but bright, sharp eyes emerged from a side path.
Mo Chuan looked up at his words, then glanced back at Zhang Hanshan, who shook his head, indicating they should hear the man out first.
“That’s right. I know you’re all looking for psionic signal devices to stay in contact, and I can help you with that,” the man said, rubbing his hands together with a slightly high-pitched voice.
“Are you a corpse retriever?” Zhang Hanshan asked, frowning, as if recalling something.
“Uh…” The lean man hesitated for a moment, then his eyes darted, and he said, “Since you’re a discerning person, let’s talk in detail.” With that, he turned and walked into an alley, gesturing for them to follow.
“Old Zhang, what’s going on?” Mo Chuan asked Zhang Hanshan, completely bewildered throughout the encounter. He Lanxin also looked at Zhang Hanshan, awaiting his explanation.
“Corpse retrievers are one of the Eight Trades, doing jobs that deal with the dead,” Zhang Hanshan said with a slight frown. “Corpse retrievers are found in places prone to accidents, and their skills vary greatly depending on their environment.”
“Here, many corpse retrievers venture into the sand sea to retrieve bodies of those who perished in the desert, while also salvaging useful equipment from them to repair and resell.”
“It can be said that most contraband and controlled items traded in the black market are handled by corpse retrievers, but I really can’t figure out what this particular one is after…”
“Let’s take a look. After all, these devices are important for survival in the desert,” Zhang Hanshan said, following the corpse retriever into the alley. “Even if something happens, who else can resolve our situation instantly?”
Mo Chuan and He Lanxin exchanged glances and finally entered the alley.
A few minutes later, the corpse retriever led them into a dimly lit room. He took out matches from his right pocket and lit the oil lamp on the table. He then arranged three devices he had in his embrace on the wooden table: “This one had insufficient psionic crystals, so a medium-grade psionic crystal was replaced; this one had a damaged communication contact board, so a silicon synthetic board was substituted; and this last one has an internal signal contact issue. It produces some static when used but doesn't affect its functionality.”
“Let me test the last one,” Zhang Hanshan said, crossing his arms.
While Zhang Hanshan haggled with the corpse retriever, Mo Chuan’s eyes continuously scanned the room—it was clearly a rented room. Behind the corpse retriever, there were numerous tools like vises, wrenches, and screwdrivers, obviously used for repairing these faulty devices.
However… why did it feel strange?
As Mo Chuan pondered this, he observed the corpse retriever again. The man was tirelessly explaining and negotiating with Zhang Hanshan, pointing at the devices on the table with his right hand while supporting the table with his left, his knuckles appearing somewhat pale from the force.
What was going wrong?
Mo Chuan felt that the problem was right before him, all around him, yet he couldn’t pinpoint it.
“Alright! 2,650 yuan. I’ll let you have it, young man. Cash, paid in full, upfront.” The corpse retriever pushed the devices towards Zhang Hanshan and accepted the cash, expertly counting it.
“Okay, thank you, boss. Let’s part ways on good terms,” Zhang Hanshan said, bowing slightly to the corpse retriever before turning to leave with Mo Chuan and He Lanxin.
As Mo Chuan and his companions exited the alley, the corpse retriever watched them go, a sinister smile gradually spreading across his face. He let out a few cold chuckles, ripped off the human-skin mask he was wearing, then pulled out a withered corpse from under the workbench and left the room through the back door.
…
(PS: Did you figure out what was wrong? I think I was quite obvious with my hints doge)