Han Yuxin paused, then nodded:
"Of course I know it well. I'm originally from Jincheng and have lived there for over twenty years. There isn't a street or alley I haven't explored."
Lin Feng recalled the location Ding Chenghai mentioned:
"Do you know Laoshan Park?"
Han Yuxin raised an eyebrow:
"That's on the outskirts across the river. Not many go there except for outings. It's now a military zone, with a nuclear war shelter from decades ago, stocked with weapons for a division."
"Though old, it's just what the state guard needs urgently..."
Lin Feng shrugged:
"We're not going inside Laoshan, just to a research facility on the edge for a secret trade with a friend from the institute."
Han Yuxin nodded with a serious expression:
"No problem, I'll lead the way."
"I just returned from Jincheng. From the service area to Laoshan is over 300 kilometers, about a three-hour drive."
Lin Feng checked the time, 10:30 AM:
"Plenty of time. Unload the cargo first, and I'll give you the next batch of live insects."
"After lunch, we'll leave at one."
"For now, let's get busy. We'll discuss details on the road."
Shen Jie and his team, exhausted from their intense battle, unloaded the truck's fresh meat and steel under Han Yuxin's guidance, then transferred ten live Black Spinal Bugs from the trunk to the truck.
After a quick meal of canned food, they returned to the hotel to rest.
During lunch, Lin Feng said to Han Yuxin:
"You did well this time. You should kill a Black Spinal Bug and complete your Tier 1 awakening. Just being a regular enhancer isn't enough."
Han Yuxin beamed with joy.
Princess Betty had urged her to keep one of the five Black Spinal Bugs sold last time, to awaken after killing it, with the nobles covering the cost.
But to avoid raising Lin Feng's suspicion, Han Yuxin planned to wait for the right moment to seek his permission first.
Unexpectedly, Lin Feng offered her a free choice from the new batch.
After lunch, as Han Yuxin helped Chen Yanyan clean up and prepared to kill a Black Spinal Bug in the truck...
Lin Feng stopped her:
"Those are your goods. Pick one from the trunk."
Confused, Han Yuxin followed Chen Yanyan to the vehicle's trunk. Inside, among the bound live insects, she saw not only fierce Black Spinal Bugs but also the green flying insects she had only heard about.
Lin Feng's prowess was constantly challenging Han Yuxin's understanding.
Still, she didn't understand why she had to choose from here:
"Aren't these for trade and Hu Fei's stock?"
Lin Feng replied matter-of-factly:
"You were sent by Hu Fei, so we'll deduct it from him. Ten for you, fourteen for him."
"Five for the institute trade. The last one is your reward."
"When your influence grows, find a chance to confront Hu Fei and start integrating with our reserve plans."
"Remember, food is crucial, followed by steel. I can transform it with my ability into powerful weapons..."
As he spoke, Lin Feng reached into the trunk, touching a square meter, five-millimeter thick steel plate. In the next moment, it transformed into a sleek, gleaming handgun before the two women's eyes.
A replica, it functioned within a hundred meters of the original but, as an Lv9 divine pistol with machine gun power and infinite ammo, was a low-tier artifact!
Chen Yanyan was accustomed to Lin Feng's miraculous abilities, but for Han Yuxin, it was her first glimpse of such a wonder!
Previously, she assumed Lin Feng's ability was just superpowered bullets. Seeing the handgun materialize and Lin Feng using it to obliterate a tree a hundred meters away...
Han Yuxin realized Lin Feng's strength matched his long-held ambitions!
No wonder he collected steel plates; in his hands, they bypassed complex forging processes to become lethal weapons.
"I understand. Besides food, I'll gather as much steel as possible."
Han Yuxin then turned to the live Black Spinal Bug, eagerly raising her long knife and plunging it into the weak spot behind its eyes.
There lay the Black Spinal Bug's brain, the only one-hit-kill point.
After several stabs, the Black Spinal Bug, left with only a few dozen health points, died, and its contained energy flowed into Han Yuxin.
With that done, Lin Feng notified Hu Fei to send someone for today's live insects.
When another truck arrived, taking away nine Black Spinal Bugs under Han Yuxin's instruction, Lin Feng noted the time and ordered departure.
Chen Yanyan drove, Lin Feng kept watch, and Han Yuxin navigated from the back seat.
The Lv16 Flying Wing Vehicle smoothly left the service area.
Heading northwest for the first time.
Passing desolate towns and litter-strewn roads, the post-apocalyptic desolation emerged once humanity fled.
Lin Feng recalled a stubborn girl's expression, wondering if she had found her family.
While the navigation still worked, Han Yuxin pulled out a prepared map, explaining to Lin Feng:
"We gathered geological maps. If we are to battle the insects, it's best set beyond the Two Lakes, on the Wuling and Tianxia mountain sides."
"With altitudes over 2,000 meters, the terrain is rugged, all hills and stone mountains, making it hard for insects to dig nests. They'll have to cross overland."
"Plus, the mountains have many old air raid shelters and underground facilities, perfect for storing supplies."
"Three hundred kilometers northwest lies the Zhongyuan west exit, Wulao Pass..."
"Even if we can't hold, we can retreat to the rear."
Lin Feng nodded. The Wuling Mountains lay west of Yunmengze, separated from Jiangnan by Huizhou and Yuzhang, spanning 800 kilometers...
Both states bisected by the Yangtze River. If Wu City's defense falls, the insect empress could quickly invade via waterways.
Without effective resistance, within a year, the entire plain below 1,000 meters elevation would fall to the insects.
Time was running short for humanity.
And for Lin Feng as well.
After confirming the battle site, the Flying Wing Vehicle exited the highway, entering Jincheng.
To avoid crowded city areas and unnecessary attention from the vehicle's unique appearance, Han Yuxin directed Chen Yanyan onto an inconspicuous road.
Crossing the southern river bridge, they entered the opposite district.
From the bridge, they could see unceasing riverboats transporting Jincheng's heavy industry: steel plants and other weapon factories, including lathes and materials.
These were the true objectives of the Wu City defense.
The once-majestic view now seemed desolate and resigned under the setting sun.
Crossing the Yangtze, the distant, dim Laoshan loomed ahead.
Lin Feng called Ding Chenghai:
"Hey, I'm almost there."
"Where's the exact trade location?"
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