Chapter 596: Chapter 596

You might think that clinging to the Township Government’s support could help you survive the apocalypse. In reality, some are carrying burdens so that others may live, using every possible method to ensure survival. For some to live easily, others must hold up the sky for them.

Consider this: Jing Shu survived into the tenth year of the apocalypse. Without the Township Government, Huaxia’s survival rate wouldn’t have been so high.

"Let’s leave it at that. No need to see us out; we still have other matters to attend to. I’m entrusting the lab to you, and you can contact me anytime if there’s any news," she said.

Though it was customary to exchange pleasantries, Jing Shu wasn’t in the mood to tour this lab, which might hold more secrets. She also partly understood why Song Bin turned pale as soon as he arrived; the people here were indeed not normal.

Jing Shu saw fanaticism in their eyes—not for life or material possessions, but for the unknown in their research. In this fanatical state, their demand for material necessities had dwindled to almost Zero, to the point where they even used themselves as test subjects.

Jing Shu rarely revered anything, but for some reason, the Imperial Capital’s Biological Research Laboratory was one such object of awe. These were a different breed of people.

"Alright, let’s move on to the next location," she said.

Jing Shu’s progress couldn’t be halted by the lab. In fact, she was only in the Imperial Capital for a few days, so her schedule was tight. Therefore, after completing the contract signing, she had Song Bin hurriedly take her to the next location.

On the way, Jing Shu was far from idle. She began harvesting a batch of mature spices from her dimensional space. Her long-anticipated durians had finally ripened, so she quickly stored them away, allowing herself a secret taste. A thought faintly crossed her mind:

Some things that couldn’t be openly transported before might actually pass through smoothly this time on the way back.

Only a few years had passed since the apocalypse began, yet the hundreds of pounds of spices she had originally bought were being used up quickly. So, Jing Shu had started planting them before coming to the Imperial Capital.

Now, whenever she had time, Jing Shu would tend to the things in her dimensional space. Since she planned to stockpile more goods before migrating again, she had planted a large quantity of spices, especially Sichuan peppercorns.

Her Wind Oil Essence and floral water supplies were running low. Sichuan peppercorns, however, served as an excellent insect repellent. Using them to repel insects and storing them with rice and flour was an effective method. In traditional Chinese medicine, Sichuan peppercorns can warm the core, relieve pain, kill parasites, and stop itching. They are also used for cold abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, parasitic abdominal pain, roundworm disease, and externally for eczema and itching.

Most importantly, during the upcoming migration, with the rampant spread of rotten corpse insects, conserving Wind Oil Essence would be crucial. Since she didn’t know how to produce Wind Oil Essence herself, it would make sense to place more Sichuan peppercorns all around the recreational vehicle during the journey.

Jing Shu recalled the salesperson’s expression when she had originally bought two boxes of Wind Oil Essence. Sigh, I was too naive back then; I should have bought several more boxes, she thought.

Next, because she needed to prepare many braised dishes, her stock of braising spices was also critically low. To prepare for the migration, Jing Shu planned to braise even more food, making the cultivation of spices like star anise and cinnamon indispensable.

"Miss Jing, we’ve arrived," Song Bin said respectfully. Aside from Young Master Jun, no one else could elicit such a respectful demeanor from him.

Indeed, Jing Shu’s actions over the past few days were truly inspiring admiration.

Jing Shu nodded and followed Song Bin to the Imperial Capital’s legendary Black Market, each of them carrying a large case.

Now that I’m in the Imperial Capital, how can I not visit some exciting and adventurous places? Besides, in the apocalypse, the most important things are various supplies. There wasn’t much in Wu City that caught my eye anymore. Surely, there must be plenty of good things in the Imperial Capital.

It wasn’t just about broadening her horizons; Jing Shu also wanted to see if she could find anything else she needed. For some reason, whenever there was talk of novelties or top-notch items from the apocalypse, Jing Shu would get very excited.

However, entering the Black Market wasn’t so easy. Because the market often dealt in items not meant for public knowledge, and due to various other considerations, the Black Market had implemented a strict membership system.

Only members themselves, or individuals vouched for by a member, could bring people into the Black Market to trade. Furthermore, membership was tiered. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝕟𝕖𝕥

"Ahem, Miss Jing, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Fan Jianqiang, a silver member of the Black Market. He can vouch for two people to enter the Black Market for trading, so he can take us in to look around," Song Bin explained.

Then, smiling, he said to the rather arrogant-looking young man, "We were introduced by Young Master Jun."

Fan Jianqiang lifted his chin haughtily. "Alright, alright, I know. In a bit, just follow behind me. Don’t go asking prices or exchanging things randomly, and don’t trade for anything too cheap. Otherwise, if my points get too low, I could drop to bronze! Seriously, if I come here and don’t meet the minimum spend, they’ll deduct points... Do you know how much I had to trade to reach silver? If it weren’t for Young Master Jun, I..."

Fan Jianqiang clutched his heavy cotton coat tighter, muttering for a good while. He readjusted his scarf, yawned, and then, looking back from time to time, he admonished, "Make sure to keep up." Don’t get lost.

Honestly, doesn’t that guy realize I’m face-blind? If they wander too far off, how am I supposed to find them? Ugh, what a pain these daily hassles are! And it’s not like we can just hold hands...

Black coats, black coats. Both of them, a man and a woman, were wearing black coats. Fan Jianqiang committed their features to memory; this was truly a major inconvenience for him.

Song Bin smiled awkwardly; this was just how things were in the Imperial Capital.

Jing Shu shrugged, signaling Song Bin to keep up. "It’s just that the requirements for this Black Market seem a bit excessive, don’t they? Is it really that strict? And this membership system... it feels like it’s designed to stimulate consumption, doesn’t it? Plus, it seems like it’s all insiders?"

Song Bin quietly gave a thumbs-up, then whispered, "Miss Jing, you’ve guessed correctly. Nowadays, with food so scarce, those who still have the leisure to exchange other supplies are all people within certain circles. So, calling it a Black Market is less accurate than calling it an ’elite circle’ that’s tacitly acknowledged by those above. Moreover, the primary rule is indeed to stimulate consumption—in a sense, to accelerate its circulation."

Jing Shu uttered an "Oh," frowned, and fell silent, apparently lost in thought.

Song Bin naturally said no more. The two of them closely followed Fan Jianqiang. After their identities were verified, they arrived at the Imperial Capital’s ’Black Market’.

It would be more accurate to call it an underground night market.

This place was more like a tomb; the entire underground structure was built from sturdy stone.

Fan Jianqiang, hunched over and holding a flashlight, led the way through the tunnel. The path sloped downward, descending at least several stories. They occasionally had to bend and lift their legs to navigate the steps, and the stone arches above these steps bore clear patterns.

It’s a tomb! The burial site of some important figure! Jing Shu was certain.