"Quad Logistics is one of the largest freight companies in the northern city, mainly dealing with cargo transportation between satellite cities. Sometimes they even take assignments involving transportation to the main city and other cities with high walls. Their boss is a woman with the surname Chen, who, I've heard, has expanded her business significantly. Their operations aren't limited to just the surrounding satellite cities; they even have connections within the main city!"<br><br>"Brother Luke, are we sure... we want to approach them?"<br><br>To everyone's surprise, with the permission of Luke Sin, Luke Chang gratefully joined this project. He knew that, given his own qualifications, even though he had caught the eye of the director's daughter, it was still incredibly difficult to stay in this company without any achievements, especially after he attempted to take Luke Sin's job and ended up widely disliked in the office. Therefore, he showed great enthusiasm towards this job.<br><br>For the entire company, this was also a crucial business deal.<br><br>Their company was a small trading company primarily engaged in commerce between satellite cities. However, this particular task assigned to Luke Sin was related to the main city, and having business dealings with the main city was the dream of all companies.<br><br>Thus, not only did he quickly organize the materials for Luke Sin, but he also decided early on to accompany him for a site visit.<br><br>Only when they set out did it become three people.<br><br>Princess Sunny also joined them, seemingly worried that Luke Sin would deliberately ostracize her boyfriend at work.<br><br>But Luke Sin didn’t mind; after all, Princess Sunny had a car.<br><br>"Quad Logistics might not be as simple as it seems on the surface..."<br><br>Listening to Luke Chang's report, Luke Sin pondered. Although the modern society had solved most food-related issues due to the discovery of wild grain and partial industrial revival, rebuilding the former industrial system was still a long way off. <br><br>One particularly significant challenge was transportation.<br><br>Outside the tall walls, roads were severely damaged and full of obstacles. Besides, countless crazed individuals, persistently eluding all efforts of clearing, roamed outside, alongside plundering nomads and cavalry bands, and many unpredictable dangers. Thus, those daring enough to undertake transportation beyond the city walls were invariably tough, resourceful, and capable...<br><br>Especially with the additional information from Jane Chen, he gained insights on many undisclosed aspects.<br><br>Like the woman surnamed Chen, who was merely a puppet figure for Quad Logistics.<br><br>The real owner was a man named Ryan Quinn, a Wilderness Native. <br><br>However, since wilderness natives couldn't acquire formal status before residing in the Walled City for three years and couldn't register companies or attend school before living there for ten years, he had put forth his lover as a front. And Quad Logistics’ operations might not just be straightforward cargo transportation!<br><br>Individuals born in the wilderness can't be simple, much less honest!<br><br>…<br><br>…<br><br>"Let's deal with them; after all, few dare to accept transportation tasks outside the city."<br><br>Luke Sin didn't explain much. For their company, it was indeed a business opportunity. <br><br>But for his other job, probing Ryan Quinn to find any potential issues was the primary goal.<br><br>Princess Sunny, driving in front, rolled her eyes through the rear-view mirror.<br><br>She thought Luke Sin was showing off a bit too much in front of her boyfriend. <br><br>But having been rebuked by the supervisor yesterday, she dared not say much now. <br><br>The car soon reached Quad Logistics in the northern city, facing a massive factory setting. Most buildings had been demolished, replaced by neat cement roads. In the large yard, a lineup of pickups armored with thick iron plates and even spikes stood. All vehicles were uniformly filthy, like colossal beasts matted with moss and mud.<br><br>After a phone call arranged earlier, upon seeing Luke Sin and others arrive, a young man with half-shaved hair, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, and wearing slippers, approached them. He gestured them to follow by waving his thin, almost skeletal arm.<br><br>As they walked, cold gazes frequently appraised them from the sidelines.<br><br>Amongst these people were brash youngsters, as well as rather seasoned and robust men.<br><br>"You guys head inside and negotiate with the manager first."<br><br>Reaching the office entrance, Luke Sin smilingly reassured Luke Chang and Princess Sunny, "I'll be outside, looking at their trucks."<br><br>Luke Chang and Princess Sunny hesitated, but Sunny tugged Luke Chang, and the two promptly entered.<br><br>Before finalizing the contract, checking out the vehicles used for hauling was a requisite. Moreover, if the details were settled by Luke Chang, it would stand out as a commendable work performance. Hence, Princess Sunny readily discerned the matter’s priorities.<br><br>Once they went inside, Luke Sin leisurely ambled around outside.<br><br>While the information from Jane Chen linked seven to eight murder cases with this company, it wasn't confirmed as a Psychic Contamination Case. After all, for them, fatalities in disputes or shadowy businesses were quite common, and for the Walled City, such cases were merely trivial, to a degree that they were deemed unworthy of attention...<br><br>What he needed now was to ascertain the truth of the matter.<br><br>Thus, his initial step was to roam the company to see if any peculiar scenarios akin to those in the previous café incident emerged.<br><br>"The ones operating externally are certainly rugged..."<br><br>Luke Sin mused as he wandered, examining a few trucks carefully.<br><br>These trucks bore traces of varying types—some seemed dented by stones, others appeared slashed by blades. On closer inspection, some vehicles had dark red stains on their tires or undercarriages, uncertain whether they were blood.<br><br>In truth, Luke Sin was by no means an expert in such matters.<br><br>Yet, he felt an obligation to exhibit a level of professional demeanor.<br><br>So he scrutinized everything thoroughly, pondering what aspects might warrant suspicion.<br><br>"Hey, what are you doing?"<br><br>"Don't hit anyone..."<br><br>"If you keep hitting, I’ll report to the Guard Station..."<br><br>"…"<br><br>As he looked around, a burst of anguished wailing erupted from the row of cabins serving as offices ahead.<br><br>He quickly walked towards the noise, witnessing a few delinquent youths encircling Luke Chang, kicking him, and hurling abuse: "Is this how you do business? We risk our lives with our heads on the line out there just to let you lowball us? Stop playing the cultured man nonsense—I'll toss you out for those maniacs to gobble up!"<br><br>Luke Chang cradled his head, pleading desperately. Meanwhile, Princess Sunny screamed from the sidelines but dared not intervene.<br><br>"What happened?"<br><br>Luke Sin hastened over, shifting his backpack to his chest.<br><br>Princess Sunny tearfully complained, "We just thought their quote was too high, tried to negotiate down, and they began hitting us! Plus, there are so many discrepancies in their accounts; we can't collaborate with them. Cooperating would be an absolute nightmare..."<br><br>Before she could finish, a woman lunged forward and yanked her hair, forcefully slapping her.<br><br>"Bitch, who’s inconsistent, huh?"<br><br>"Weren't you the ones whining non-stop? Why wouldn't I hit you?"<br><br>"Say it, why did I hit you?"<br><br>Princess Sunny's face swollen from slapping, she dared not speak, sobbing quietly.<br><br>Witnessing her getting hit, Luke Sin withdrew the hand that had been reaching into his backpack, reflexively slowing his footsteps.<br><br>"We deeply apologize, truly sorry..."<br><br>He ambled leisurely, offering repeated apologies, "What suddenly escalated this to a fight?"<br><br>"No need for your bullshit..."<br><br>A bare-chested man with a scar on his face squinted at Luke Sin dismissively, "Are you the one in charge?"<br><br>"You introduced yourself as Manager Luke over the phone? Fine, I'm talking to you. You called about needing vehicles; I've prepared the cars and arranged the drivers. Now you're backing out—is that jerking us around? Everyone's struggling to get by; a little give from you and from us keeps things afloat. But if you refuse to give, don't blame us for being rude!"<br><br>"…"<br><br>"Big Brother is right."<br><br>Luke Sin replied amiably, "Perhaps we can discuss this further?"<br><br>Considering Luke Chang and Princess Sunny's predicament, Luke Sin wasn't too surprised.<br><br>Their company operated as a small trading firm in a satellite city, primarily managing non-strategic material transfers between satellite cities. Their boss had connections in the Material Management Department, allowing special permits and minor leverage. Hence, logistics companies generally catered to them, sometimes even offering considerable kickbacks.<br><br>Plunging unprepared into dealings, they likely didn’t expect Quad Logistics to be an entirely different beast.<br><br>The specific reason they got into a scrum wasn't entirely clear, but a clash of irreconcilable attitudes popping up was only natural.<br><br>"Discuss?"<br><br>The scarred man sneered, spitting on the ground, "Everyone’s surviving—who has time for chit-chat?"<br><br>Luke Sin looked somewhat troubled, "Then what would you suggest?"<br><br>The scarred man retorted, "Sign the contract, pay, and get moving, making it easier for everyone!"<br><br>Luke Sin fell silent for a moment before asserting, "I can't let the contract pass just like this."<br><br>The scarred man chuckled, "This young manager sure has a sturdy noggin…”<br><br>By then, the surrounding individuals nonchalantly encroached, with half-smiles, enclosing Luke Sin in their midst.<br><br>Seeing this, Luke Sin hesitated slightly but then suddenly pulled a gun out from his backpack and aimed it at them.<br><br>"A gun?"<br><br>The group was momentarily stunned.<br><br>Even Luke Chang, sprawled out, too afraid to rise, and Princess Sunny, her hair gripped, gawked at him.<br><br>Nobody anticipated Luke Sin would draw a gun.<br><br>"He actually has a gun..."<br><br>"Haha..."<br><br>"…"<br><br>Unexpectedly, a bout of laughter erupted.<br><br>These men’s expressions turned jeering, even the woman clutching Princess Sunny’s hair showed disdain. Others discreetly pulled out pointed rods or readied hammers and axes of sorts.<br><br>"Who would’ve thought, someone inside the wall carries a gun..."<br><br>"Hehe, little brother, is that gun bona fide or not?"<br><br>"…"<br><br>A band of them chortled, inching closer. A lean, capable young man grasping a rusty knife eyed Luke Sin.<br><br>When nobody noticed, he dashed forward from behind Luke Sin, his eyes glinting maliciously.<br><br>He entertained cruel calculations in his mind, recognizing the foremost importance for a street delinquent: seizing opportunities for leadership enhancement, though not easily found. Outside the life-risking big plays, it all boiled down to who’s bolder, acting faster. The current oblivious fool was doomed, if he could stab him down, he could certainly feast on meat tonight...<br><br>Yet before he could swing his knife, Luke Sin, seemingly unprepared, abruptly spun around.<br><br>Holding the gun, he fired without hesitation.<br><br>"Bang!"<br><br>The young man's agonizing scream echoed as he skidded two meters away, blood gushing from his left thigh.<br><br>Luke Sin's first attempt using a gun revealed his lacking marksmanship.<br><br>Nonetheless, the gunshot left those around astounded, prompting an immediate scattering backward.<br><br>Silence reigned instantly; all jeers and taunts vanished utterly. Only the young man shot, clutching his leg, rolled on the ground with pig-like squeals, evidently infused with tears.<br><br>Everyone's gaze on Luke Sin warped to contesting madness. Who anticipated a genuine gun?<br><br>Even less, someone actually daring to fire?<br><br>This was within the Walled City, not outside—would the Guard Station let this slide?<br><br>Wilderness’ seasoned fighters exhibited brute grit, yet weren't reckless to death; conversely, they feared mortality more.<br><br>In contrast, the city's young thugs acted impulsively, even engaging irrationally, which was why Luke Sin targeted him first.<br><br>After dealing with the man, Luke Sin promptly redirected the gun toward a middle-aged woman in the crowd.<br><br>"Don't push it!"<br><br>"You’ve all seen it; my gun is indeed serious...")
