Chapter 103 - 89: Intelligence

Chapter 103: Chapter 89: Intelligence

In the early days of the apocalypse, the Jiang City Shelter had swept through Cyan Pine Ridge Town and its surroundings with overwhelming force, combing through the area meticulously. Anything useful that could be moved was taken, and anyone alive and willing to go was evacuated. What remained was an empty shell, stripped of all value.

"I don’t know whether to call it good luck or bad luck..." Xu Mo muttered, leaning back in his chair.

’It was bad luck because he’d landed in a wasteland completely picked clean of resources, starting the game on hell mode where every step was a struggle. On the other hand, maybe it was good luck. Because the military had "cleaned up" the area, any powerful early-stage mutants or large-scale bandit groups had likely been wiped out in the process. This meant that during his weakest phase, he hadn’t encountered any threats he couldn’t handle.’

’Also, it was precisely because the road to Jiang City had been somewhat "cleared out" during those early operations that he hadn’t run into many organized survivor groups or massive zombie hordes on his journey. He had mostly contended with the natural environment and newly emerged mutated creatures.’

Xu Mo continued reading. The second section was about the power structure within Jiang City.

"Within Jiang City, power is highly centralized in the ’Management Committee,’ composed of former high-level officials and some technical experts. Subordinate agencies include the City Defense Army, the Internal Affairs Team, the Resources Department, and the Technology Department. There are no independent factions capable of rivaling the city’s authority."

"The so-called ’major factions’ are, in reality, larger civilian groups that exist and operate within the shelter’s framework with implicit approval. They mainly include: The Hunter’s Guild: A loose alliance of independent survivors, mercenaries, and Scavengers. It’s responsible for posting and accepting missions not mandated by the shelter, such as hunting specific mutants, exploring unknown areas, and collecting rare materials. It serves as a vital platform for civilian information exchange and the flow of goods. Its membership is complex, with people of all stripes."

"The Worker Association: A gathering of various skilled workers, engineers, and weapon modification specialists. They possess significant manufacturing and repair capabilities and cooperate closely with both the shelter’s internal departments and the Hunter’s Guild. Their status is somewhat detached, and they typically avoid being drawn into conflicts."

"The Commerce Alliance: Controls most of the unofficial commercial activities within the base, from street stalls to the black market; their shadow looms over everything. They are well-informed and hold considerable sway, but they are in competition with Jiang City’s Resources Department."

"The Brotherhood (Existence Unconfirmed): A rumored underground organization that operates in secret. They are said to engage in shady dealings such as smuggling contraband, selling intelligence, and carrying out assassinations. Jiang City has launched multiple crackdowns, but they persist like weeds. Warning: Unless absolutely necessary, do not get involved with them."

Reading this, Xu Mo gained a clearer understanding of the internal dynamics of Jiang City. It was a classic "strong trunk, weak branches" structure. The so-called factions were more like vines with different functions, all clinging to the great tree that was the Jiang City Shelter. They might have their own petty schemes, but they would never dare to shake the tree’s foundation. This put Xu Mo’s mind at ease somewhat. At least on the surface, order was maintained.

Next, Xu Mo came to the part he cared about most—the section on Superpower Users.

"After the apocalypse, some human individuals began to exhibit abilities surpassing those of ordinary people. These individuals are known as Superpower Users:"

"Superpower Awakened: An extremely small number of individuals who, under stimulation from unknown factors (possibly related to viruses, radiation, mental trauma, etc.), suddenly awaken a supernatural ability. The methods and conditions for awakening are unknown and appear to be highly random. The types of Superpowers are numerous, with currently recorded ones including:

"Elemental System: The ability to control elements such as fire, frost, lightning, and earth. They have strong offensive capabilities and wide applicability, making them the main force among Superpower Users.

Enhancement System: One or more physical attributes—such as strength, speed, defense, or senses—far exceed human norms, sometimes even leading to mutations that make them resemble humanoid beasts.

Spiritual System: Involves telepathy, psychic assaults, illusion creation, memory reading, etc. Their abilities are uncanny and difficult to guard against, making them extremely rare.

Special System: Includes healing, spatial manipulation, shapeshifting, and other peculiar abilities that defy categorization. They are of extremely high value and are typically under heavy protection."

Important Note: The total number of Superpower Users is extremely small, fewer than one in ten thousand. Furthermore, their abilities are typically weak in the initial stages of awakening and require time to develop and grow. At present, over eighty percent of all registered Superpower Users have been absorbed, recruited, and protected by the Jiang City Shelter, for which they now work. Unaffiliated Superpower Users at large are either in deep hiding or have attached themselves to one of the larger civilian groups."

Xu Mo carefully read the descriptions of Superpower Users, his mind racing. ’Elemental System, Enhancement System, Spiritual System, Special System... this world has truly become a bizarre and fantastical place. My Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Cross Training clearly falls into the category of Ancient Martial Cultivation, and it seems to be a rather orthodox and profound External Refining Dharma Gate. The defense and strength granted by the Cowhide Realm already surpass the initial abilities of an ordinary Enhancement Ability User.’

’Is awakening a Superpower completely random?’ Xu Mo mused. ’This implies an uncertainty in gaining power, which is also a potential source of chaos. The Jiang City Shelter’s aggressive recruitment of Superpower Users is likely both a way to bolster its own strength and a method of control.’

’Furthermore, recalling the tight security and heavy firepower he’d seen at the Sixth Forward Base, Xu Mo became even more convinced of his assessment: unless an individual’s power reached an unimaginable level, it was still insignificant in the face of an organized military force with heavy weaponry.’

’At this stage, the value of both Superpower Users and people like him with Horizontal Training was primarily demonstrated in small-scale conflicts and special missions.’

’However, passing myself off as an Enhancement Ability User is a good option,’ Xu Mo mused.

’The comprehensive physical boost from the Cowhide Realm perfectly matches the description of the Enhancement System. It’s a great way to explain my superhuman strength and defense, and it will keep me from revealing the origins of my Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Cross Training Cultivation Technique too early.’

The latter part of the intelligence packet detailed the types, habits, and weaknesses of common local mutated creatures, including the mutated wolves and rats he had already encountered, as well as preliminary data on several aquatic mutants. It also described some of the base’s unwritten rules, such as which areas to avoid going to alone at night, what to watch out for when dealing with different groups, and how to tell if a black market broker was reliable.

The "tip" included at the end on how to "quickly earn Contribution Points" directed Xu Mo to an exploration mission posted by the Hunter’s Guild. The target was an industrial zone northwest of the base, recently exposed as floodwaters receded. It was rumored that untouched machine parts or chemical materials might still be there. The pay was considerable, but the mission came with a warning: the area was suspected to contain a nest of a new type of mutant, making the risk extremely high.

Closing the manual, Xu Mo let out a soft breath. ’Were those seven bullets worth it?’ he thought. In terms of sheer information, they had certainly given him a multi-faceted understanding of Jiang City, filling in many of his knowledge gaps. Although some of the intel felt like filler, the sections on the power structure, the Superpower User systems, and the unwritten internal rules were undoubtedly invaluable.

’I didn’t lose out, but I didn’t exactly come out ahead, either,’ Xu Mo judged. ’At least now I have a clear direction.’

After stowing the manual, Xu Mo lay down on the bed. He sorted through the information in his mind: He was a Cultivator practicing the unique heritage of the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Cross Training. If he were ever exposed, he could pass himself off as an "Enhancement Ability User."

He was in a system where the Jiang City Shelter held absolute power. The civilian factions had deep, tangled roots but were ultimately constrained. Superpower Users existed but were under tight government control.

To survive here, his short-term goal was to earn Contribution Points to cover his living expenses. If he kept trading bullets for Contribution Points, he might attract unwanted attention, which he didn’t need.

Right now, he was only at the Sixth Forward Base, on the outskirts of Jiang City. He hadn’t even reached the city proper. The city itself would surely have even stricter controls, and it was also more likely to hold deeper information about all kinds of supernatural powers.

His next step was to use the rules and resources here to establish a foothold and improve his strength as quickly as possible.

Through the window, he could faintly hear the footsteps of a passing patrol and the scattered noise from a distant market. It added a touch of humanity to the apocalyptic night, while also serving as a reminder to Xu Mo that, even inside this last bastion of mankind, things were far from peaceful.