Yu Jing said calmly, "We’ve currently found a few, but conducting large-scale verification is troublesome, it requires abilities to test each one. These parts have been modified by ability users; the purpose is to pass off shoddy goods as quality, but the actual strength is substandard."

Nonsense gestured for the exchanger to close the window, turning the space inside into an enclosed office cubicle.

Lin Jin sensed something was off, silently listening at the side with the Little Box in hand.

The usually mild-mannered Nonsense unbuttoned the top of his collar and exhaled, "We’ve been conned."

Yu Jing’s almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly, "What do you mean?"

"Recently, all departments have been giving me feedback that the items exchanged in Xinma County have issues." As Nonsense spoke, he picked up a bone from beside the exchanger and handed it to Yu Jing.

Feeling the Pan Energy fluctuations coming from it, Yu Jing frowned and said,

"A Tier One Evolution Beast’s bone?" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Nonsense shook his head, flipping the bone over to reveal a pit that had been carved out.

"It’s actually a combination of non-tier bones and Tier One. Wan Xing’s side extracted many times without getting the desired materials; only after careful inspection did we find out this bone had been tampered with."

"Who?"

Yu Jing’s voice turned cold.

"Besides the Xinma Gang, everyone we’ve traded with in Xinma County, more or less, tried to cheat us. Some didn’t manage to, but it’s not for lack of trying."

Little Box said nervously, "I just received a lot of clothing packets... Such a big issue, we should quickly inform the conductor!"

Hearing Little Box’s words, Nonsense acted as if he hadn’t heard.

Lin Jin squeezed his little girlfriend’s fingers, signaling her to stop talking.

As the chief of logistics, Nonsense had many ways to contact the conductor, but since he didn’t bring it up, it was clear he had another solution.

Yu Jing pondered for a moment, then looked Nonsense in the eye, "What do you plan to do?"

"Handle it the conductor’s way."

Nonsense adjusted his glasses and turned to Lin Jin, "I’m afraid I might have to trouble you all."

Lin Jin immediately understood what "the conductor’s way" meant, and a cold light flickered in his eyes, "I kill, you file the paperwork."

Yu Jing said lightly, "According to the new rules, when the conductor isn’t here, any external expedition requires at least the agreement of three department heads and the highest-ranking officer of the corps. It seems you don’t have time for that, I’ll go coordinate."

Nonsense smiled gently, "Please be quick, I need to compile the report before the conductor gets back."

...

Little Box, feeling dizzy and confused, was dragged away by Lin Jin. Though she’d seen and heard everything, she couldn’t understand the riddles they were speaking in.

"What’s the conductor’s way?"

Little Box suddenly asked.

Lin Jin pinched her nose, "If everything goes smoothly tonight, I’ll have dinner with you. If it’s too late, don’t wait for me. I’m in a hurry now, I’ll tell you tomorrow."

Pushing Little Box back upstairs, Lin Jin took off his regular trench coat and hung it on the side.

He donned various protective gear, finally put on an oversized tactical trench coat, grabbed the backpack by the wall, and headed for the garage.

Upon entering, he saw Lu Xiao sitting in a military off-road vehicle, playing with two silver Ming Lions.

"Lin Zi, you’re here?"

Lin Jin nodded at the group, scanning the room until he spotted his silent superior in the corner.

"Major, Deputy Officer Lin Jin reporting."

Yu Yue seemed to feel his gaze, looked up, the drooping corners of her eyes carrying an inexplicable sharpness.

"Target photos have been sent to you, the mission’s objective: Recoup the train’s losses. Four groups in total: Tong Zizhan, Lu Xiao, Qu Hang, Yu Yue; I’m the chief commander. Each group will carry two non-commissioned officer teams. Act separately, signal every twenty minutes, be back on the train by seven!"

"Yes!"

The group roared in acceptance.

Car doors slammed open, four off-road vehicles roared to the ground.

The eight newly prepared civilian SUVs by the logistics team followed closely behind.

...

Within Xinma County.

Due to long-term activities by three convoys and two gathering places, the core area had been cleared of zombies.

The small county housed over 8,000 people, a fraction being original residents, and most having fled from Zhijin City. Because of the recent "base city plan," the population doubled nearly overnight, peaking at around 20,000.

The dense population brought copious resources.

As long as people live, there’s a need to exchange.

Food, clean water, weapons, ammo... even a pack of tissues, a clean pair of underwear, or someone else’s wife — all have trade value.

But the most sought-after goods now undoubtedly came from the mysterious armored train.

Compared to the Black Kite’s bulk transactions, the train offered a diverse array of goods and didn’t restrict trades with individuals, injecting fresh vitality into Xinma County’s small market.

Moreover, the Neutral Town catered to bulk transactions with factions; casual Scavengers risked death for a chance. Most wouldn’t leave familiar places until they ran out of options.

A closed commercial street had sprouted, centered around the Xinma Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine gathering place.

On either side of the street weren’t open-door shops, but rather specially modified ground-floor shops, one window used for business; outside the window were crisscrossing iron bars, and inside was pitch black.

Haphazard setups had nothing outside.

Better ones encircled themselves with iron bars, allowing guests to choose escape or temporary refuge by shutting the iron door if danger arose.

This tiny enclosure could save you from water and fire, but don’t worry about how the water and fire arose.

In this short time, Su Huan had already seen two blatant extortions.

Yet nobody dared touch him.

But Su Huan knew this wasn’t due to the two fully armed soldiers behind him or the ice-cold secretary beside him.

The one truly intimidating these desperate Scavengers was Wen Biao, nodding and bowing before him.

Though Wen Biao was trying hard to contain his fawning smile, his body bowed unconsciously.

"This hospital is Xinma County’s largest camp; they have over 3,000 people, and boasting doctors and equipment, they fight fearlessly. Their leader is Dai Xing, also called Dai Biaozi, and I’m known as one of Xinma Double Biao along with him."

Wen Biao said with a hint of pride.

"Doctors?"

Su Huan scrutinized the six-story building before him, its red letters missing a few, leaving only the words "Equine Hospital."

Inset into the building was the word "Inpatient Department."

From this angle, at least three buildings were visible within the hospital grounds, demonstrating its impressive scale.

Without being told, the secretary knew the conductor’s intent, marking the location on the tablet.

"There’s a deep-fried skewer stand ahead..."

Su Huan’s attention soon shifted to the aroma of oil on the street.

"Allow me to remind you, sir, you still need to find the Xinma Automotive Engineering Vocational School."

Shu Wei coldly remarked.

Wen Biao immediately continued, "Engineer Ma is Xinma County’s second gathering place, not far from Equine Hospital, just across this street. It used to be a straight path, but now those students have blocked it, so you’ll have to detour."

Su Huan approached the small stall, and those originally whispering and watching him immediately stood up warily, their eyes glancing over him.

He’d long noticed these people.

Not only did he see clearly, but he also heard clearly.

Apart from what’s openly visible, the entire Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital above was watching him, including these side street alleys.

To say the least, there were six to seven hundred of them.

Wen Biao’s sinister eyes swept over the crowd, "Standing there, mourning for your father? Tell Dai Biaozi if he doesn’t want to die, get far away."

"Why do all the names sound so rustic? Can’t you come up with something more impressive?"

Su Huan asked curiously as he moved forward.

"It has to be recognized by others, though. A flashy name means nothing if no one understands who you are. That group of kids at Engineer Ma initially wanted to name theirs something dragon or phoenix-related, but no one paid attention, so they’re just called Engineer Ma now. It’s been said too often to change, and you’ve seen Equine Hospital; their sign does look like that!"

Wen Biao turned his head, his shoulders slumping, and explained with a chuckle.