C25 (1/2)

The rain stopped on the second day, and we left early in the morning with our stuff. This time, we left in full strength, and other than Uncle Feng's Wang Casey and the four Dr Lee's people, everyone else made their moves.

Liu Guojun was right, the underground tunnel truly existed. It was similar to most unfathomable public works projects in that it was hidden behind a wall that had a few ”Dream of China, Dream of the Money Wave”, ”Beautiful Money Wave, Leisure Capital” and other similar slogans. Most of the roads had water that was above the knees, and the endless darkness inside made me think of something horrible. But that was all, there were no Zombie in it, and after an hour and a half of trepidation, we walked out of the tunnel.

”No zombies... There's no one here either. ” San Mao stuck his head out from the crack in the door and looked around, then opened the door and walked out.

This was the furthest place San Mao and I had been to in the past month since we had joined this team. The unfamiliar environment made me feel a little absent-minded, just like when I went to another city on a tour. The trees and buildings weren't much different from where I was originally standing, but there was a sense of distance that made me feel like I was a passerby.

This area was famous for being dirty and messy. Other than this mechanical and electrical market, there were also construction materials markets, steam distribution markets, and a few other professional markets. It was as if the civilization of the city had never been there before. The roads were narrow and run-down, the buildings were like blocks of random needles, randomly piled up, the sky was filled with cobwebs of wires, and sewage flowed beneath their feet. Before that, there were all sorts of small business people, workers, gangsters, prostitutes, thieves, drug dealers, professional gamblers, and so on. They lived by themselves in all kinds of markets during the day and disappeared at night into the cities and villages they rented. The people of this city and the city never remembered them except when they needed them, and all the glory of the city seemed to have nothing to do with them.

But now, this notorious place had become a centre of power. Even before we got close to the mechatronics market, we were overwhelmed by its momentum. There were several rows of iron rods outside the originally dirty and dilapidated gate. Some steel spikes were welded on top of the horses, making the gate look like a porcupine or hedgehog. The door was completely sealed, leaving only a row of holes about a man's height. On the eaves above the door, there were two machine guns surrounded by sand, forming a crossfire.

”Hey!” What are you guys doing? ” Just as we were staring blankly at this big hedgehog without knowing where to go, a man in camouflage clothes suddenly stood up from the roof and shouted at us.

”We are here to make a deal!” San Mao replied loudly.

”Come here!” said the hand on the roof.

We carefully passed through the row of iron spikes. I saw some spikes that had a dark red hue. I didn't know if it was rust or blood.

Just as he reached the door, a ladder was lowered from it.

”Put both your hands where I can see them, and slowly come up!” It was the same person who shouted at us, ”Don't make any extra movements, or the bullet won't grow any eyes!”

I looked up and saw two black gun muzzles pointed at us. I was flustered and turned to look at San Mao.

”Don't worry!” The people at the top seemed to know what we were thinking, ”As long as you don't move, nothing will happen to you!”

”Everyone is here!” I heard San Mao mutter softly before jumping up the ladder. I had no choice but to follow.