Chapter 145: Come Out, Backward Mountain Folk

Bian Changxi only took on this mission as a side task, since among the locations Gu Pei had provided her—places suitable for gathering supplies—one of them was at the steel wholesale center.

After looking over the detailed information, she remembered that place well.

There was a large wholesale market there, with a wide variety of goods; steel was just one of many items available. In fact, from the very beginning, that location had been one of the base’s targets for looting. But it had been delayed for several reasons: first, it was a bit far; second, there were other resource-rich spots closer to the base; and third, in the early days of the base, manpower was needed everywhere, so it got put off.

Of the locations Gu Pei gave her, this one was the farthest, but not necessarily the most dangerous. According to Bian Changxi’s memories from her previous life, the base had taken this place with little cost—there was just so much stuff that it took several days of back-and-forth trips with vehicles to transport everything, causing quite a stir.

When Bian Changxi arrived at the base’s west gate, the plaza was already crowded. People had formed into small teams—some standing quietly together, clearly established groups or those whose numbers were already set; others were still calling out, recruiting members like vendors hawking their wares—those were temporary teams still looking for people.

“Hey, we need an attacker—fire element preferred, ice second, wind and earth also welcome!”

“Looking for a wood-type, a healer!”

“Need someone with long legs…”

“Anyone tough and durable…”

Calls like these rang out one after another—a unique scene that played out every morning at all four gates of the base.

Since much of the base’s organization was inspired by novels and games, people had gotten into the habit of borrowing terms and customs from them. For example, a clothing factory would be called a “tailor shop” regardless of whether it made or sold clothes; a shop selling knives and protective gear was a “weapon shop.” New arrivals who staked out a plot of land to build their own shelter would call it a “newbie village.” When exhausted, people would say, “I’m out of HP,” or “my ability power is depleted,” as if their “mana” had run dry.

There were countless such examples—it was a way of making light of hardship, a bit of self-mockery that people genuinely enjoyed.

Recruiting teammates at the plaza before a mission—wasn’t that just like something out of a VR novel? At first, people felt awkward imitating it, but over time, it became second nature.

Bian Changxi walked over slowly. Some particularly enthusiastic recruiters tried to pull her into their teams, but she shook her head and declined, making her way to the end of the line. Up ahead, people were already being checked at the gate. The checks for leaving the base were fairly relaxed, so it would soon be her turn. But as she looked ahead, her expression suddenly changed.

What the hell—was that damn device out again?

At the gate, there was a security checkpoint device that everyone had to pass through, connected to a monitor where staff maintained order.

Damn, how could she have forgotten about this?

That security gate was a newly developed device for detecting spatial abilities, simply called the “Space Detector,” or jokingly, the “Demon-Revealing Mirror.” It could detect whether someone was a spatial-type ability user and whether they had items stored in their space, and how much. The device Gu Pei had brought back earlier was a prototype of this, and reportedly had a lot of bugs. She hadn’t expected a new generation of the Space Detector to be developed so quickly.

Just her luck—this was the bane of all spatial-type users, and Bian Changxi absolutely couldn’t go near it. She’d already revealed herself as a dual wood and spatial-type, but her spatial ability was something this crude device couldn’t detect. Normally, this would be a great cover—perfect for hiding her true strength. But in this situation, it would only expose that her spatial ability couldn’t be detected, which would bring trouble.

A miscalculation, definitely a miscalculation.

Without a word, Bian Changxi quietly stepped out of the line and turned to leave, nearly bumping into someone.

“Why aren’t you lining up?” a clear, deep voice asked. Bian Changxi looked up in surprise. “Gu Xu?”

Gu Xu was dressed in black combat gear, looking sharp and capable. Just standing there, he had a presence that drew every eye, even more so with a small, snow-white kitten perched on his shoulder. He looked down at her and said, “Surprised? My schedule matches yours today. Let’s go together.”

“Schedule? Route?” Bian Changxi instinctively looked behind him—there was no one else. “What’s this about?” Just then, the kitten leapt into her arms, and she held it, looking at Gu Xu in confusion.

“Official business,” Gu Xu said, pulling her back toward the line. “We’ve pretty much wrapped up things inside the base. The next step is to go out on missions. The organization sent me as a scout to check things out.”

Bian Changxi rolled her eyes inwardly. Organization? Isn’t that just you assigning yourself?

“You’re going to the wholesale center too?”

“It’s a good choice.”

“Oh, then your organization’s leader doesn’t have the best judgment,” she muttered. That place was far and not ideal for large teams’ daily operations. She frowned at the checkpoint ahead. “I forgot something. I need to go back and get it…”

Meeting Gu Xu’s calm, steady gaze, she suddenly fell silent. After a moment’s hesitation, she whispered, “I can’t go through the Space Detector.”

Gu Xu didn’t ask why. He glanced up and smiled faintly. “That’s easy to handle.”

When it was their turn, the staff member reached out. “Please pass through the Space Detector.”

Gu Xu produced his ID card. “I’m Gu Xu from Jiangcheng. According to regulations, I’m exempt from this check.”

Where there are people, there are privileges. As a leader, Gu Xu naturally had certain privileges. People of his rank rarely left the base, and certainly wouldn’t go out alone, blending in with the crowd. Would they really be expected to pass through that narrow gate under the watchful eyes of their subordinates, exposed to unknown scanning rays?

That would be a loss of face.

Not just the Space Detector—many current and future technologies targeting individuals would come with exemptions for people like him.

The staff clearly recognized Gu Xu, and was startled to see him. He quickly scanned the card and returned it with both hands, respectfully. “Captain Gu, you’re exempt from the check, but the lady with you…”

Gu Xu just lifted his eyes and smiled slightly. The staff member shivered. “You may both proceed. Safe travels.”

And just like that, the two of them walked out. Bian Changxi shook her head and sighed, “Privilege really is handy.”

“What’s really handy is strength,” Gu Xu replied.

She thought about it and had to agree. Thinking of her own predicament, she sidled up to him. “So, Captain Gu, since you’re so powerful, I’ll have to pass through that detector alone in the future. Can you help me find a permanent solution?”

Gu Xu glanced at her but didn’t answer. “Where’s your car? Planning to walk?”

Bian Changxi was a bit disappointed and looked around.

Just outside the base was a wide, flat plaza. Along the wall, survivors camped out in the open—some in ragged clothes, skin and bones, looking pitiful. Bian Changxi had been one of them in her previous life. She looked for a moment, feeling a pang of sympathy, and pointed at the cement road ahead. “Let’s go get the car over there.”

She noticed a large area near the wall where a group of people had gathered. There were tents made of cloth, shacks built from planks, houses of stacked bricks, and little rooms made from foam boards. Though the shapes and colors varied, together they formed a self-sufficient little community.

Men gathered in front of the houses, talking in small groups. Women cooked and washed, while children were sent out to dig and search for things—Bian Changxi could tell at a glance they were looking for food.

Unfortunately, there was little but withered grass roots on the ground. The ragged children, finding nothing else, dug up the roots.

“Look, there’s a dandelion here!”

The children gathered excitedly. The lucky one carefully dug up the plant and carried it back like a treasure, while the others looked on enviously.

Someone shouted, “Hey, there’s a sneaker here!”

“See if you can find the other one!”

Bian Changxi frowned. “They’re the group from the mountains.”

Too poor to have any resources or skills to rely on, these thousands had been refused entry into the base.

Gu Xu looked over as well and sighed. “On their first day here, they had a run-in with the base.”

Bian Changxi understood immediately. They’d probably gotten into trouble because they didn’t understand the rules and waited too long during registration, offending someone with real power.

That’s why so many survivors were kept outside the gates without complaint—at worst, they’d just have to wait a few days if they followed the rules. But if they resisted, they’d end up like these mountain folk, never allowed in.

Not getting in meant no protection from the walls and soldiers, meant facing danger every night, meant being isolated and shunned—even if people felt sorry for them, no one would risk getting close to those the base had abandoned.

“But they might not be stuck like this for much longer,” Gu Xu said. “They’ve produced a third-tier ice-type.”

As he spoke, a group of men emerged from the settlement, all laborers—some shirtless in the heat, carrying nothing but a bundle wrapped in cloth or a snakeskin bag, wearing worn-out shoes or even straw sandals, old hats on their heads or backs, heading straight toward Gu Xu and Bian Changxi. They looked every bit the migrant workers.

A tall, imposing man in clean clothes was speaking to the leader of the “migrant workers”: “…As long as you complete this mission, with your abilities, Daishan, it’ll be much easier for your people to get into the base. I’ll help you with the paperwork—soon, you’ll all have bright, sturdy homes of your own.”

“Thank you so much, Brother Bao. I, Daishan, will never forget your kindness,” the man replied, visibly moved.

Thanks to soi for a pink ticket!

Thanks to yuan5153 for a pink ticket!