Chapter 687: Chapter 442 Border Sightings_2

“No, sir.”

The woman hurriedly looked up and said.

“Then go ahead and take the glass, my subordinate’s hand is getting sore from holding it.”

Chen Lun gestured with his hand.

Xing’er looked at his smile, and her wheat-colored cheeks involuntarily turned red; then she carefully took the glass cup.

“Thank you.”

“It seems that you actually had many opportunities to continue your development in Gem State, but you gave them up. Why?”

Chen Lun put away the papers and handed them to Floey behind him.

“Sir, this place is too backward. I wanted to come back to help, to make it as prosperous as those big cities…”

Xing’er nodded, then smiled bitterly and shook her head.

“But I overestimated my own abilities. Many of the local companies don’t value me, and the knowledge I learned at Cypress Leaf Academy is also hard to put to use.”

Chen Lun shook his head quietly.

Cases like Xing’er’s were countless in both Wasteland State and Insect State. It’s not a lack of talent, but rather a combination of geographic location, economic environment, and infrastructure that led to this situation.

Many colleges and universities in the large cities train students according to the needs of the industrial system, which is unsuited for more backward areas.

So “college graduates” like Xing’er ended up wandering the streets, taking odd jobs.

At this moment, the carriage passed through a spacious road, the flat houses on both sides gradually disappeared, replaced by huge dilapidated warehouses, with doors that were almost always open, and many pushcarts and stalls set up at the entrances, where men wrapped in turbans and draped in cloaks gathered.

Chen Lun noticed the change outside the window and asked curiously,

“What is this place?”

Xing’er followed his gaze and glanced out the window, explaining,

“The arms market. Most second-hand and even older firearms can be bought here at a cheap price… In addition, there are various kinds of military supplies and bombs.”

Seeing Chen Lun’s interested expression, she continued,

“Behind those warehouses, there are usually private clinics, but most doctors are part-timers hired by the owners, basically without medical licenses. They take care of some trauma surgeries and sell addictive stimulants… These things are very popular in Vulture City.”

Chen Lun nodded, understanding.

“Is it because of the looting?”

“Yes, sir.”

Xing’er seemed surprised, not expecting the other person to be so aware of the true reason.

“Because Vulture City is on the border, even with the presence of the Imperial Army, there are still some criminals from the Anlong United Kingdom that slip through, committing looting and various other atrocities… Here, almost every household owns more than one firearm, even though they struggle with basic needs.”

As she spoke, her face displayed a mixture of anger, sadness, and distress.

Chen Lun sighed inwardly.

He was already aware of the basic situation at the border from the intelligence dossiers, but this was different from discovering it firsthand.

‘This is the rotting corner of the Empire… Vulture City is even more chaotic and backward than remote areas like Emerald Town, and why would the elites of the big cities care about such a place.’

In addition to the proliferation of weapons and rampant illegal drugs, human trafficking is also rampant here, with many local women and children often disappearing without a trace, either being sold to neighboring countries or falling into the hands of some domestic elites, becoming their playthings.

The Empire Border could be described as an area of extreme chaos, not because the official forces couldn’t handle it, but because they didn’t want to. Notably, a third of the transcendent individuals and factions on the Empire’s wanted list came from the border areas.

Chen Lun fell silent, his gaze passing through the window, watching the scenery along the way.

He noticed that at this very moment, many players, as well as military-personnel, had arrived, their figures appearing on street corners and in various storefronts.

“What time is it?”

Chen Lun suddenly asked.

Morey, who was beside him, raised his hand, looked at his watch, and whispered,

“Sir Jack, it’s now one-twenty in the afternoon.”

“Let’s go have a meal first, and then gather the people afterward.”

Chen Lun nodded and said.

He immediately followed up by asking Xing’er about the renowned local hotels, who hastily listed several locations along with their signature dishes and descriptions of the ambiance.

“Let’s head to Yobani Grand Hotel.”

Chen Lun chose one of them and instructed Xing’er to relay the specific directions to Golov, who was driving the carriage.

A moment later, Xing’er returned to the carriage and cautiously hinted,

“Sir, the Yobani Grand Hotel is a property of the ‘Bloodhand Gang.'”

“I know,”

Chen Lun said with a smile.

Xing’er looked surprised.

The “Bloodhand Gang” she mentioned was a local criminal organization primarily dealing in arms trade, but what she didn’t know was that there was a Transcendent force behind the Bloodhand Gang.

Chen Lun was precisely planning to contact this local snake to scout for some deeper intelligence.

Half an hour later.

The carriage struggled over the rough streets and finally arrived at the entrance of a four-story hotel building, painted with a faint yellow powder, with the name “Yobani” written in large letters on the sign.

Chen Lun, leaning on his Silver Staff, alighted from the carriage.

Floey and other team executives followed closely, with two more carriages stopping behind them, from which Frey and Akebin’s subordinates stepped off.

“There are quite a few Transcendents inside, about thirty or so, and several others scattered around, roughly seven or eight,”

Floey said softly to Chen Lun, shielding him from the harsh sun rays with an intricately carved, dark purple parasol.

Chen Lun nodded without speaking.

He knew better than Floey that these Transcendents were partly players, partly locals, and partly enforcers of the Bloodhand Gang.

“Miss Xing’er, thank you for your hard work along the way. Please join us for a meal, it’s on me.”

Chen Lun turned and spoke to their guide.

Shocked by the offer, she repeatedly declined graciously.

She had thoroughly enjoyed the orange juice during the ride and was already very satisfied, let alone daring to step into that hotel.

Seeing her reaction, Chen Lun didn’t press further and instructed Golov to give her an extra five Gold Pounds as a tip, and called a local carriage to send her away.

Xing’er departed with profuse thanks, and Chen Lun promptly beckoned his subordinates to follow him into the hotel entrance.

“All units, pay attention, another group of unfamiliar outsiders has entered the hotel, they all appear to be Transcendents!”

The two burly men at the door changed expression upon seeing Chen Lun and his group and quickly pulled out their walkie-talkies to communicate.

The reason for their significant reaction was naturally that Chen Lun and his companions’ outfit and demeanor were extraordinary, indicating that they were not ordinary people. And that unfathomable Transcendent aura, like an instinctive reverence from nature, made those “security” members break out in a cold sweat.

Shortly thereafter, dozens of gang members in short shirts and headscarves entered the hotel, standing on both sides of the lobby, apparently to deal with any unexpected occurrences.

Chen Lun was fully aware of this, but he acted as if he saw nothing, leading his subordinates to find two large tables in a corner of the lobby.

A waiter came over quickly, but Chen Lun passed the menu to Floey and the others, while he surveyed the hotel environment.

Although this was the “Grand Hotel” as described by Xing’er, in terms of layout and decoration, it was clearly unable to compare with those inland, at best equivalent to the standard of a typical Amber City hotel.

There weren’t many diners, as only some members of the upper class from Vulture City could afford to dine here. Chen Lun noticed that several tables of guests by the railing on the second floor were Transcendent players.

These players were not focused on their food but looked around inquisitively and unabashedly cast their scout, appearing both curious and excited.

Soon, one of the tables of players turned their gaze towards Chen Lun, and the next second, as if they had discovered something thrilling, they burst into excited gestures, drawing the attention of those nearby.

“Holy shit! It’s Jack…”

The voice trailed off, but it was clear that Chen Lun was recognized.

“Leader, it’s the Undead Foreigners,”

Golov whispered.

Chen Lun nodded, signaling that it was of no concern.

After the waiter brought the serving cart over, he gestured for his subordinates to start their meal and then issued a summons through the “Pale Mark” to Polaris and other high-level players.

“All Foreign Warriors who have arrived in Wasteland State City, please gather at ‘Yobani Grand Hotel’ within an hour.”