novelraw Chapter 67 Initial Understanding
Chapter 67 Initial Understanding
Whether it was a coincidence or the survivor migration wave had reached its peak, Xu Mo found himself encountering survivors much more frequently in the days that followed.
Almost every one or two days, Xu Mo would encounter groups of survivors struggling towards Jiangcheng near the shelter, either through observation or by meeting them directly.
What surprised Xu Mo the most was that once a convoy consisting of three modified off-road vehicles and a medium-sized truck drove into Qingsongling Town and stopped in the relatively open square area in the center of the town, seemingly intending to make temporary repairs.
This really surprised Xu Mo. After all, being able to maintain the operation of a caravan in the eternal night and extreme environment represents considerable strength and resource reserves.
When encountering these survivors, Xu Mo usually chooses to engage in limited communication unless the other party shows obvious hostility. He needs information, needs to understand what is happening in the outside world, and needs to verify some of his guesses.
Xu Mo usually maintains a safe distance and shows sufficient vigilance, but will also respond to some basic inquiries.
Through these sporadic encounters, Xu Mo witnessed the diverse lives of the survivors of the apocalypse, whose circumstances varied greatly.
Some survivor squads were in extremely dire condition. They were dressed in rags, barely able to cover themselves with only thin, tattered clothing in the frigid temperatures.
Moreover, these people shared another common trait: they were often emaciated with sallow complexions and sunken eyes, walking with a faltering gait, as if a gust of wind could knock them over. They carried pitifully little supplies, perhaps only a tattered backpack containing a meager amount of food and provisions. Their weapons were even more rudimentary, mostly sharpened steel bars, crudely made wooden spears, or even just bricks and stones they had picked up at random.
Xu Mo found it hard to imagine what kind of willpower and luck they had relied on to traverse the dangerous ruins and wilderness and walk all the way here. Every time he saw such a group, Xu Mo could more deeply appreciate the cruel reality of the apocalypse.
Other survivors appeared much "well-off," wearing relatively thick and complete winter clothing, though similarly weathered, but at least functional. They carried bulging packs and even used sleds or simple carts to transport supplies. Even more striking was that some of them were equipped with firearms—ranging from old hunting rifles and shotguns to standard pistols and rifles. Although the models and conditions varied, this undoubtedly greatly enhanced their self-defense capabilities.
The survivors' eyes, though equally wary, held less of the numb despair and more of a careful assessment of the road ahead. These groups were either from small shelters where organizations still existed and had some reserves, or they were "veterans" who had struggled through the apocalypse and accumulated considerable experience and resources.
In Xu Mo's interactions with these survivors, the questions they raised often focused on several aspects:
"Friend, do you know the shortest and safest way to get to the Jiangcheng Shelter?"
"Brother, do you have any extra supplies? We can trade!" Trade requests were very common. Since most of the supplies had been transferred to Xu Mo's private space, he didn't have much left to trade, so he was quite restrained.
Xu Mo usually exchanges small amounts of canned goods, compressed biscuits, a few batteries, or some common medicines with the other party based on their needs and his own judgment, in exchange for small items that he might need, or simply for information.
"Hey buddy, you're pretty strong by yourself. Want to come with us to Jiangcheng? We can look out for each other." Team invitations came up frequently. Without exception, Xu Mo politely and firmly declined, usually giving reasons like "I have something to take care of right now" or "I'm used to doing things alone."
After several transactions, Xu Mo believed that the most valuable thing he had gained was a national map that, although old and somewhat damaged, covered a very wide area.
This map seemed to open a window for him to peek into this strange world. Through the markings on the map, combined with the intentional and unintentional indirect inquiries from the survivors, Xu Mo finally gained a relatively clear outline of the world he was in: This was a vast country called "Xia Kingdom," with a vast territory covering tens of millions of square kilometers and a population of billions before the apocalypse. Its level of technological civilization was almost the same as that of Earth before his transmigration, having also experienced the information age and the Industrial Revolution, and possessing highly developed urban clusters and infrastructure.
More importantly, Xu Mo learned from some seemingly knowledgeable survivors that after the apocalypse, the Xia Kingdom quickly activated its emergency plan, establishing multiple large shelters using existing military bases, strategic reserves, and large underground facilities. Besides the "Jiangcheng Shelter" he already knew about, other well-known names circulated among the survivors:
Dragon City Shelter: It is said to be located in a strategic location in the north, built on a massive underground fortification complex, and is known for its sturdiness and strict order.
Spark Shelter: Rumored to be located somewhere on the western plateau, it possesses unique geographical advantages and scientific research capabilities.
Dawn Sanctuary: Located in the southeastern coastal region, it is said to be attempting to maintain some industrial production and to try to make contact with any possible forces overseas.
Steel Barrier: A northern industrial city transformed from a fortified town, renowned for its formidable defenses and preserved heavy industrial capabilities.
Deep Blue Shelter: Rumors circulate that a large marine or amphibious shelter has been established on an island or peninsula in the southern coast.
Base Zero: The name carries a hint of mystery. Survivors have mentioned that it may be located deep in the remote mountains of the West, but little is known about its specifics.
These names, like stars in the darkness, outline the skeletal remains of the Xia Kingdom's civilization after the disaster.
After interacting with a wide variety of survivors, Xu Mo began to notice a phenomenon, or rather, an atmosphere. These survivors, whether pitiful or relatively wealthy, maintained a degree of wariness when interacting with him, this unfamiliar and seemingly powerful lone wolf. However, most adhered to an underlying, simple "rule of exchange," and the pervasive, hysterical darkness, betrayal, and survival-of-the-fittest mentality he had previously encountered in some post-apocalyptic novels did not materialize. Everyone seemed… inclined to accept and uphold a basic order, at least on the surface.
Once, after trading some batteries with a team of survivors who were in relatively good condition, Xu Mo couldn't help but share this observation: "It seems like everyone is quite reasonable, not as chaotic as I imagined."
Upon hearing his words, the middle-aged captain opposite him, who was counting the batteries, paused for a moment, raised his eyelids to glance at Xu Mo, and a complex, bitter smile appeared on his face. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he only shook his head, letting out an almost inaudible sigh, without offering any explanation.
This reaction stirred something within Xu Mo. He realized that perhaps there was no darkness at all, but rather some force or environment had filtered out or suppressed the extreme chaos and disorder? Or perhaps, those who were able to embark on this migration route and successfully reach this point were inherently more inclined towards cooperation and order?
There must be a deeper reason behind this that Xu Mo doesn't understand. The survivor captain's unfinished words and bitter smile seemed to be hinting at an iceberg hidden beneath the surface.