Chapter 337, Bustling Market
The siblings passed the checkpoint, while the skeletal cavalry that had just fought the zombies returned from behind.
They walked past the SUV.
Blood dripped from their lances.
The siblings turned to look back, but no zombies were in sight.
The ground was littered with fallen corpses.
Such ferocious cavalry!
The siblings were in awe.
They didn't know why these skeletons could move, but it was clear they were far stronger than zombies.
A mere 12 skeleton cavalry had eradicated so many zombies.
It was almost terrifying.
...…
As the siblings stared at the skeletal cavalry,
the barricades were moved aside, and a survivor conducting the inspection said, "Drive straight ahead to find the trading post."
"Oh, thank you!"
Snapping out of their daze, the siblings drove their badly deformed SUV further inside.
The road ahead was clear.
Scrapped vehicles and debris were piled to the sides, and no zombies emerged.
They spotted patrolling survivors.
Some turned to glance in their direction.
It was clear that this area was fully controlled by survivors, with no zombie threats.
"Brother, are these moving skeletons some kind of ability?" the woman in the passenger seat suddenly asked.
Working alongside survivors,
the only explanation they could think of was some kind of ability.
"Probably. I've only heard about abilities on the radio. I've never seen them in action," the man driving replied.
The woman looked out the window at the skeletal patrol. "This ability is insane. Every skeleton is like a bodyguard."
The man sighed enviously, "Yeah! If only I had a Level 2 corpse core, I'd try to awaken an ability myself."
The woman immediately turned to him, her tone serious. "No! The success rate is so low. What if it's not your turn to be lucky? What would I do if you died?"
"If I could awaken a powerful ability, it'd be a game-changer. At the very least, I'd end up as a leader."
"Powerful ability, my foot. How many people even survive consuming corpse cores?"
"I'm just saying. Why are you yelling? Besides, zombies are only getting stronger. Eventually, we'll have to try corpse cores," the man said helplessly.
The SUV crept forward, and soon they saw tall walls ahead, with skeletal guards wielding firearms and even two machine guns aimed outward.
"Wow, this place isn't any worse than the military zones," the woman exclaimed.
From what they could see, this old factory refuge was on par with the military bases.
With a comparable supply of firearms and so many skeletons at their disposal, it might even surpass the military.
They'd never heard of the old factory refuge being this formidable before.
How did it suddenly rise to power?
"We're here. Stop speculating," the man said.
...…
Following instructions, they entered an open market courtyard.
At the entrance, a notice board displayed the value of various goods.
「10 grams of gold, exchange for 10 kilograms of grain」
「1 Level 1 corpse core, exchange for 50 kilograms of grain; exchange 5 or more for an extra 10 kilograms」
「1 Level 1 mutated corpse, exchange for 10 kilograms of grain」
「1 Level 2 corpse core, exchange for 100 kilograms of grain; exchange 3 or more for an extra 30 kilograms」
「1 Level 2 mutated corpse, exchange for 30 kilograms of grain」
「1 rifle, exchange for 15 kilograms of grain; 100 bullets, exchange for 10 kilograms of grain」
「1 heavy machine gun…」
「…」
「1 armored vehicle, exchange for 300 kilograms of grain」
「Special talent, 1 person can exchange for 100 kilograms of grain」
The notice board clearly listed all items that could be exchanged.
The siblings leaned forward, their eyes widening.
"Brother, they're really trading grain for gold! Have they been drinking polluted water? Are they crazy?"
By the time they reached the market gate, it was obvious there was no deception.
The listings were clearly meant for genuine exchanges.
"Don't talk nonsense. Even if you're crazy, they're not," the man said.
The woman chuckled. "I was just saying. It's good for us if they're trading. Their gun prices are so much lower than the military's. They even take armored vehicles and special talents. Do you think I count as a talent?"
"Being able to eat doesn't count as talent."
"Screw you!"
After checking the board, the SUV drove into the market area.
The siblings got out and approached a wooden table. "We're here to trade for grain."
"Did you check the notice board?" the staff member asked.
"Yes, we brought some gold jewelry," the man replied.
"Hand it over for weighing. If it checks out, you can collect your grain."
"Oh, okay!"
They opened the car door and handed over a small plastic bag filled with gold jewelry.
After weighing,
"It's 104 grams in total. Head over there to collect your grain."
"Got it!"
Driving to the collection point, they watched as two large sacks of flour were loaded into their back seat.
They swallowed hard.
They actually got the grain.
The grain warehouse was stocked full, with sacks piled high.
"Alright, you're good to go!"
After the transaction, the staff instructed them to leave.
"Oh, okay!" The man tried starting the car and awkwardly asked, "Can we get the car fixed here? It's having some issues."
"Head over there. Repairs will cost you," the staff replied.
"Uh…" Hearing about the fee, the siblings hesitated.
But the SUV's condition meant they wouldn't make it back without repairs.
Reluctantly, they drove to the repair station for some quick fixes.
After repairs, they paid with some of their grain.
The siblings drove back along the same route.
...…
On their way back,
they still couldn't believe what had just happened.
They had actually traded gold for grain.
Except for the zombie danger along the way, the whole process hadn't even taken twenty minutes.
"They have so much grain. But why would they want gold?" the woman wondered aloud.
The man speculated, "They say gold is for times of chaos. Maybe that's their thinking."
"That applies to chaotic times, not the apocalypse. With so many dead, what use is gold?"
"Then why do you think? Anyway, we got our grain, didn't we?"
"Yeah, but it still doesn't make sense."
They murmured to each other.
Suddenly, several vehicles approached from the opposite direction. The siblings immediately tensed, gripping their guns.
In the apocalypse, other survivors could be just as dangerous as zombies.
But the approaching vehicles passed by without stopping, honking once as they went.
"They're probably headed to trade for grain," the man guessed.
"Yeah, they're carrying more stuff than we are."
Just then, a military truck and two armored vehicles passed by.
All headed toward the old factory refuge.
"Even the military is coming."
"Yep."
The man squinted, watching the military vehicles in the rearview mirror before turning toward the military market.
"What are you doing?" the woman asked, frowning.
"While they're figuring out the market, we'll trade with the military for some heavy-duty gear, kill those mutant dogs at the intersection, and trade for more grain."
"You're using grain we just got for trading?"
"Thirty people in our shelter. How long will two sacks of grain last? Better to stock up on weapons now while others are still unsure. A few days from now, all the grain might be gone."
The woman hesitated but saw his point.
"Alright, but hurry. Once grain becomes abundant, the military might raise weapon prices."
"That's what I'm thinking too!"
...…
At the old factory, in the market reception room,
Qi Hancai entered and said, "Leader, Captain Yang is here."
Behind her was Captain Yang Long, accompanied by two soldiers in combat gear.
"Captain Yang, we meet again so soon," Wu Heng said, standing to greet him.
Yang Long smiled and replied, "Little brother, you really tricked me last time."
"Oh? Where is this coming from, Captain Yang?" Wu Heng gestured for him to sit.
"You never mentioned you were an ability user or that you had so much grain."