Chapter 105 - 90: Fencing the Loot

Chapter 105: Chapter 90: Fencing the Loot

A middle-aged man with a red armband and a stern expression walked over, tapping the wooden board in his hand. "New here? Stall fee. One Contribution Point a day. Twenty for the month—it’s a good deal."

Xu Mo sighed. ’This base really charges for everything.’ He had no choice but to pick out a rifle round in good condition from the loose ammo he planned to sell and hand it over.

The man with the red armband took the bullet and handed over a plastic tag with a number on it. "Hold onto this. It’s your stall number." With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and continued his patrol.

After paying the "protection fee," Xu Mo’s stall was officially open for business.

As expected, the hunting rifle became his main attraction. A steady stream of people gathered around, looking it over and asking questions.

"Hey man, how much is this gun?"

"What’s the price on the rifle? Taking trades?"

"Selling the scope separately?"

Xu Mo had already gotten a general idea of market prices from his stroll yesterday and the intelligence handbook. Civilian hunting rifles like this one weren’t as powerful or accurate as standard-issue weapons, but they were still a hot commodity among survivors. Depending on condition and accessories, the price usually fluctuated between eight hundred and one thousand Contribution Points. Based on the condition of his rifle, he set the price at nine hundred.

As soon as he announced the price, most of the onlookers clicked their tongues, shook their heads, and walked away.

The purchasing power of Contribution Points wasn’t low. A multigrain steamed bun and a bowl of vegetable soup with visible oil flecks cost only 0.5 Contribution Points, and 1 Contribution Point was enough for a filling meal with meat.

For the vast majority of ordinary Scavengers and survivors struggling to make ends meet, nine hundred Contribution Points was undoubtedly a huge sum that would take a long time to save up.

A few people who looked relatively well-off proposed bartering with bullets or other supplies, but Xu Mo refused them all. He stated clearly, "Contribution Points only."

Xu Mo’s tone was flat as he said this, but it inadvertently revealed a key piece of information—he wasn’t short on ammo.

In the apocalypse, anyone who dared to say they "weren’t short on ammo" was either bluffing or truly had the resources to back it up. And when these words came from a man carrying an AK-47, a pistol, and an extremely eye-catching AWM sniper rifle, the claim and its implications were astonishingly credible.

An AWM was no run-of-the-mill item, and its dedicated .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition was even scarcer. A person who could afford to maintain such a weapon and claim not to be short on ammo immediately attracted the attention of certain observant individuals lurking in the market’s shadows.

Xu Mo’s enhanced perception was quite sharp, and he clearly caught several probing, assessing gazes from different directions. His expression remained impassive, however. He was well aware that flaunting such valuables was a dangerous game, but he also knew that inside the Sixth Forward Base—especially in this crowded marketplace—no one would dare to make a move on him in broad daylight.

As for what might happen after leaving the base, he was heading to Jiang City anyway. That was the Jiang City Shelter, where security would be even better. And even if some blind fool did try something on the road, he, Xu Mo, was no pushover.

Although he couldn’t sell the rifle right away, his other miscellaneous items sold quite well.

The few extra pieces of tactical gear, loose ammo, and unneeded food and supplies gradually earned Xu Mo a good number of Contribution Points. The number on his Identity Card was finally no longer zero, which made him feel much more secure.

As noon approached, Xu Mo was about to pack up his stall and get something to eat when three people walked straight toward him.

In the lead was a woman of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight. She had a sharp, short haircut. While her features weren’t exceptionally beautiful, she had sharp eyes and a capable, heroic air about her that rivaled any man’s.

She wore an old set of combat fatigues that were faded but clean, and her steps were steady in her military boots. Two men followed her. One was tall and powerfully built, silent and reserved, his eyes scanning the surroundings like a hawk. The other was leaner, with a smile that seemed easygoing but was actually shrewd. The way the three of them moved had an indescribable coordination and discipline, giving off the impression of battle-hardened veterans.

The short-haired woman’s gaze landed directly on the hunting rifle in good condition, priced at nine hundred Contribution Points.

"This gun. May I take a look?" Her voice was crisp and business-like.

Xu Mo gestured for her to go ahead.

The woman picked up the rifle, her movements incredibly skilled. She removed the magazine, worked the bolt, inspected the rifling, and checked the inside of the barrel for wear. She then mounted and unmounted the scope. The entire inspection was fluid and seamless, demonstrating a level of professionalism that far surpassed the other survivors who had merely asked for the price.

A moment later, the woman set the gun down and looked at Xu Mo. "It’s in good condition and well-maintained. We’ll take it for nine hundred Contribution Points." She agreed to the price without any nonsense.

Xu Mo glanced at her, then at her two obviously tough companions behind her. He knew he’d run into an expert, and likely someone who wasn’t short on cash. The price was within his expectations.

"Alright," Xu Mo nodded.

"Deal," the short-haired woman said crisply. She immediately took out her own Identity Card. "Transfer."

Xu Mo also took out his Identity Card. The two of them used a simple transaction terminal provided by the market, and the nine hundred Contribution Points were transferred instantly. Watching the updated number on his Identity Card, Xu Mo felt a sense of relief.

The transaction complete, the short-haired woman picked up the rifle, gave Xu Mo a slight nod, and then turned and left with her people. Their departure was clean and decisive, without a single wasted motion.

Once they were a good distance away, a neighboring stall owner who seemed to know them leaned over and whispered to Xu Mo, "Buddy, you got lucky. That was Xu Lingwei, the vice-captain of the Wildfire Squad, doing some procurement herself. Their squad is one of the top-ranked Scavenger Squads in Base Six. They’re powerful, have a great reputation—you made a good sale there, kid."

’Wildfire Squad? Xu Lingwei?’ Xu Mo committed the names to memory. A squad that could so readily spend nearly a thousand Contribution Points on a weapon clearly had impressive strength and financial backing.

His main objective accomplished, Xu Mo didn’t linger. He quickly sold off the few remaining miscellaneous items, packed up his things, and left the market.

Back at the vehicle rest area, Wang Qi immediately came up to greet him, his face relaxed with the satisfaction of a completed task. "Xu, you’re back! The car’s all fixed. The glass is new, and I had the mechanic check the oil and tires for you too. Everything’s fine!"

Xu Mo walked over to the car. The once-empty frame of the front windshield was now fitted with a pane of slightly thick but clear reinforced glass, nearly identical to the original. He also noticed the seat back with the bullet hole had been replaced. ’A thank-you for the extra canned food,’ he figured. He nodded, satisfied. "Good work."

"Not at all! Happy to do it!" Wang Qi waved his hands dismissively.

"It’s just..." Wang Qi began, then hesitated, glancing at the repaired car.

Xu Mo glanced at him, his gaze calm as he waited for him to continue.

Wang Qi’s heart tightened under his gaze, and he quickly explained, "Xu, don’t get the wrong idea! I don’t mean anything by it. I just wanted to remind you that this base is full of all sorts of people. Someone like you... you might attract the attention of some unsavory types. They won’t dare cause trouble inside the base, but if you leave, you should probably watch your back."

"Hm? Got it, thanks." Xu Mo figured Wang Qi’s warning was prompted by seeing him wander around with all his gear, so he nodded in thanks.

Seeing that Xu Mo seemed to have things under control, Wang Qi said no more and tactfully stepped away.

Xu Mo inspected the vehicle, and after confirming there were no issues, he returned to the Anxin Inn to stay the night.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, as soon as the sky was bright, Xu Mo checked out, got into his newly repaired SUV, and drove toward the main road leading to the core district of Jiang City.

The Sixth Forward Base gradually shrank behind him, eventually disappearing into the rising dust.