…
“Sir, the banquet hall on the eighth floor is just up ahead.”
Six o’clock in the afternoon.
Tangyuan brought Jiang Zhixu and Qi Honglang to the eighth floor.
It must be mentioned that the method of traveling between “floors” in Rust Town is quite interesting—it relies on nearly vertical cableways.
However, there are no cabins on these cableways, only “foot pedals.”
The foot pedals are continuously rotated by the cableway mechanism. One must time their step onto a pedal, then grip the steel cable tightly with their hands to be carried to the floor above or below.
There are no safety measures during the journey. Letting go means a direct fall from dozens of meters high.
But Tangyuan said that in all his memory, no one has ever died from it…
Back to the matter at hand.
After bringing Jiang Zhixu and the others to the eighth floor, Tangyuan’s guide duties for the day were essentially complete.
He rubbed his hands together, looking at Jiang Zhixu expectantly.
Jiang Zhixu gave a light laugh, not keeping him waiting, and instructed Qi Honglang to settle the payment.
Qi Honglang fished out ten round gold coins from his pocket and pressed them into Tangyuan’s hand.
“Here!”
He stopped Tangyuan’s attempt to return a few coins. “The extra five are your tip. No need to refuse. Consider it an investment in a future legendary rover.”
The tip came from his own pocket, not the public funds. Otherwise, he wouldn’t dare use official money for gratuities.
Hearing this, Tangyuan looked pleadingly at Jiang Zhixu. Seeing Jiang Zhixu nod with a smile, he solemnly pocketed the coins and gave a deep bow.
“Thank you, sirs! May your Mobile City forever move forward!”
“Forever move forward”—this was the second time Jiang Zhixu had heard this blessing today.
The first was when the system blessed him after he changed his name.
It seemed this phrase might have become a widely circulated blessing in the Wasteland.
Thinking about it, it made sense.
When a city can no longer move, it signifies its march toward the grave.
“Forever move forward”—these simple four words truly were a beautiful wish.
Jiang Zhixu patted Tangyuan’s shoulder. “Keep striving, future rover.”
With that, he turned and walked toward the banquet hall.
The attendant at the door immediately bowed and stepped forward, pushing open the heavy metal door for him.
…
Upon entering, Jiang Zhixu realized that arriving half an hour early was already considered “late.”
Inside the banquet hall, around a large round table, the seven other Mobile City Lords besides himself were already seated, chatting in small groups.
Even though they all sat at the same table, the two Lords he had suggested inviting clearly didn’t fit into the circle. They sat awkwardly, looking quite out of place.
Fortunately, his arrival directly broke this subtle tension.
“City Lord Jiang, we meet again.”
Zhou Yi, City Lord of the “Elegy,” was the first to stand and approach with a smile.
As the first to know Jiang Zhixu, he took on the role of introducer, presenting the seated individuals.
“This is City Lord Lei Qing of the ‘Iron Guard.’ Most of Rust Town’s armed forces rely on City Lord Lei’s support,” Zhou Yi said, pointing to a silent, burly man built like an iron tower.
Lei Qing stood up politely, extending a rough hand to shake Jiang Zhixu’s.
“This is City Lord Qian Wansan of the ‘Treasure Gatherer,’ manager of Rust Town’s market. Well-connected and well-informed. Whatever you need, ask Boss Qian here; he likely has channels to get it.”
A slightly portly man with an honest-looking smile stood up, cupping his hands toward Jiang Zhixu modestly. “All City Lord Zhou’s praise. In truth, I rely on everyone here… especially Madam Ying’s support.”
He took over from Zhou Yi, proactively introducing the woman beside him to Jiang Zhixu.
Jiang Zhixu had initially thought she was someone’s family member, but that wasn’t the case.
He looked curiously at Madam Ying. The woman wore a veil, obscuring her face, but her figure suggested she was around thirty-four.
Qian Wansan smiled. “Madam Ying’s husband is a rover, so she holds considerable renown among the rover community. The intelligence and information they uncover… they often choose to sell first to Madam Ying.”
So, she handled intelligence.
Jiang Zhixu nodded thoughtfully, proactively shaking Madam Ying’s hand—a brief touch before parting.
“As for the last one…”
Qian Wansan drew out his tone, looking at the sole elder among the five.
The old man stood up himself. “Let me introduce myself. I am Meng Qingcang, City Lord of the ‘Vaulting Sky,’ and also the earliest founder of Rust Town, its current Town Chief.
“City Lord Jiang, I won’t bother with pleasantries like ‘long admired,’ but ever since Zhou Yi returned yesterday, I have been genuinely very curious about a talented young man like you!”
Meng Qingcang carried an “official air.”
Not bureaucratic, but rather the pragmatic aura of a grassroots cadre from the Old World.
Given that he had managed to establish a territory as large as Rust Town, his capabilities were undoubtedly not to be underestimated.
“Town Chief Meng, you flatter me.”
Jiang Zhixu replied with a faint smile.
Thus, the power structure of Rust Town became clear in his mind.
Among the five stationed cities: Zhou Yi handled industry, Lei Qing handled military affairs, Qian Wansan handled commerce and diplomacy, Madam Ying handled the intelligence network, and Meng Qingcang handled administration.
However, after their introductions were complete,
Jiang Zhixu proactively walked to the corner of the table where the City Lords of “Peaceful Dwelling” and “Red Rock” sat and greeted them.
Only after they responded with some surprise did he return to the seat clearly reserved for him and sit down.
This welcoming feast,
with the seven intentionally fostering goodwill and Jiang Zhixu happily reciprocating, proceeded very pleasantly.
After several rounds of drinks,
Jiang Zhixu did not continue their previous topics but asked:
“You all probably know by now that I just acquired the blueprints for a Tier-1 Thunder Cannon from the ‘Roar’ yesterday.”
As soon as he said this,
the five at the table exchanged glances, then all nodded.
Qian Wansan said with a beaming smile, “City Lord Zhou did mention it to us, though we didn’t know it was called a Thunder Cannon. Speaking of which, City Lord Jiang is truly this—”
He gave a thumbs-up. “Although I hadn’t heard of the ‘Roar’ before, since it possessed a Tier-1 cannon, its strength certainly couldn’t be underestimated. For City Lord Jiang to defeat them in battle is truly remarkable!”
“Just luck.”
Jiang Zhixu offered a modest reply, then stated his true intention. “So, I’d like to inquire about any leads on Thunder Ore veins. Does anyone have information?”
As soon as his words fell, a shocked voice came from the corner:
“You destroyed the ‘Roar’?!”