NOVEL SIMPLE CHAPTER 107
The strategic reserve warehouse lay hidden deep within Dragon Mountain. Its existence was known only to those in privileged positions, a secret concealed from the general public.
Originally, the warehouse had been sealed by a massive iron gate. However, when Gao Junyi, Bai Tianyu, and the rest of the team arrived, they found it forcefully pried open, revealing a dark tunnel within.
Two male survivors stood guard at the entrance, their expressions vigilant.
Upon seeing the newcomers, one of them hastily retreated into the tunnel while the other kept his distance, gesturing for them to halt.
Gao Junyi raised his hands in a placating gesture, signaling Bai Tianyu and the others to stop. He slowly approached the remaining guard, his tone gentle and conciliatory. "Friend, we come from the official shelter. We have no ill intentions and seek nothing from you. We simply wish to inquire if you need any assistance."
His soothing voice, friendly demeanor, and the ambiguity surrounding his official status helped to ease the guard's suspicion.
"Well," the man replied, visibly relaxing, "you'll have to wait until our Sister Rose arrives. Is that alright?"
Gao Junyi smiled and nodded. "Of course, we can wait here."
Five minutes later, a group of people emerged from the tunnel. At the forefront was a woman with short hair, her bearing confident and spirited.
The woman, likely in her late twenties, wore a sleeveless white vest and jeans that accentuated her curves.
What caught their attention even more was the tattoo on her arm—a sprawling design that appeared to cover most of her upper body. The exposed portion on her arm revealed a cluster of deep red roses, explaining the nickname "Sister Rose."
A realization dawned on Gao Junyi, and his smile widened. This woman was likely the leader of the group. Her confident demeanor suggested she was a powerful Awakened individual.
"Hello, hello," Gao Junyi greeted warmly, stepping forward. Before he could introduce himself, Sister Rose spoke, her voice clear and assertive. "I know you. You're Mayor Gao, aren't you?"
"Yes, yes, that's me," Gao Junyi confirmed, his smile widening. He had often appeared on local news broadcasts before the apocalypse, so it wasn't surprising that Sister Rose recognized him.
"So, you're all officials?" Sister Rose inquired, her arms crossed as she sized up Gao Junyi and the others behind him.
It was a somewhat impolite gesture, but Gao Junyi didn't take offense. As a seasoned politician, he knew the importance of maintaining composure and not letting pride get in the way.
"Yes, we are," he affirmed.
Sister Rose's expression turned serious as she gestured towards the warehouse behind her. "Theoretically speaking, this should be the country's strategic supplies reserve warehouse. Now that I've taken over this place, what's the official stance?"
Gao Junyi mirrored her serious tone. "According to the national emergency evacuation principle, there's nothing wrong with your actions. I can assure you on behalf of the officials: we're not here for the supplies inside."
Sister Rose's expression softened immediately. As a Level 4 Awakened herself, with nearly ten Level 2 and 3 Awakened under her command, securing food would be a constant struggle without this warehouse. Gao Junyi's words had effectively removed any potential conflict between their two groups. As long as her supplies weren't threatened, she acknowledged their official status.
However, an unspoken message hung in the air: If you touch my food, we'll have to settle this differently...
In short, the initial contact went surprisingly well. Sister Rose's demeanor shifted from wary to welcoming, and she extended an invitation with a smile, "Shall we come in and talk? By the way, you haven't had lunch yet, have you?"
Gao Junyi chuckled and patted his stomach. "We wouldn't want to impose," he replied, though his tone suggested otherwise.
The sheer scale of the strategic reserve warehouse was impressive. They walked nearly a hundred meters through the tunnel before reaching the heart of the facility.
Mindful of potential complications, Sister Rose didn't allow Gao Junyi and his team to see the stored supplies, aiming to avoid any unnecessary envy or trouble.
Instead, she led them directly to the cafeteria, which was brightly lit thanks to an independent power source. As Gao Junyi, Bai Tianyu, and the others took their seats, Sister Rose strategically positioned herself at the head of the table.
Gao Junyi, ever the skilled politician, took charge of setting a convivial atmosphere. Soon, the initial tension dissipated, replaced by a sense of camaraderie.
The dishes arrived promptly - steamed buns, wild vegetables, and some vacuum-sealed cooked food. In the post-apocalyptic world, this was considered a decent meal.
However, everyone refrained from indulging. An Awakened person's level could be easily gauged by their appetite, and with specific details of their arrangement yet to be discussed, it was prudent not to reveal their strength prematurely.
As they neared the end of the meal, Gao Junyi continued to skirt around the main topic, prompting Sister Rose to sigh gently. "Mayor Gao," she said, "I assume you've come here with a specific purpose. Let's not beat around the bush. I appreciate directness, and I hope you'll be straightforward with me."
Gao Junyi chuckled. "In that case, I'll be frank. I've come here because of someone."
Sister Rose's brow furrowed, her expression turning wary. "Who?"
From the corner of his eye, Gao Junyi noticed the residents accompanying her also exhibiting signs of nervousness. His heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his composure.
"Chang Yi," he revealed.
The tension in the room instantly dissipated. "Chang Yi? That lunatic isn't dead yet?"
A burly man spat on the ground in disgust, his disdain for Chang Yi evident.
Their reactions seemed genuine, and Gao Junyi quickly grasped the situation.
"Chang Yi, that madman, is indeed dead," he confirmed.
Sister Rose's eyes narrowed as Gao Junyi continued, "He attempted to take over our official shelter, but he was crushed to death by our strongest member." He gestured with his hand, mimicking a pinching motion. "It was like squishing an ant."
Before the residents of Dragon Mountain could react, Gao Junyi dropped another bombshell. "Oh, by the way, Chang Yi had already reached Level 5 at that time. Before his demise, he mentioned being guided to the Black Mist for advancement by an organization called the Dragon Mountain Hidden Cultivators Society. That's why we're here to investigate."
He paused, narrowing his eyes. "That's the purpose of our visit."
Gao Junyi was adept at wielding both soft and hard power. He had started with a gentle approach to lower their guard. After confirming their lack of sympathy for Chang Yi, he chose to reveal the truth, throwing in a subtle flex about Lu Ming's strength for good measure.
With this dual tactic, Gao Junyi had skillfully gained the upper hand in the conversation.
Duan Mei and the others were indeed taken aback. Chang Yi had indeed visited Dragon Mountain, and they were well aware of his exceptional abilities.
Even at Level 4, Chang Yi had been a formidable opponent. The memory of those power struggles sent shivers down their spines—one wrong move, and their haven could have been destroyed.
The fact that the officials had not only managed a Level 5 Chang Yi but also eliminated him was a testament to their power, one that Dragon Mountain couldn't challenge.
After a prolonged silence, Duan Mei finally spoke, her voice laced with resignation. "What do you want to know?"