“The Old Task Force” didn't directly head to the Wasteland No. 13 ruins to investigate the Holm Reproductive Medical Center because some preliminary preparations needed to be made.

On the one hand, their planned route was to enter from the cave in the North Shore Mountains where white giant wolves roamed. After all, the destination was heavily guarded by the "First City" army, leaving only that one blank area. However, "The Old Task Force" had previously exposed their identity as ruin hunters. The "First City" was investigating the missions they had participated in. Jiang Baimian wasn't sure if this powerful force had followed the clues to discover this secret passage and put it under surveillance.

At the time, the lone hunters who had explored the Wasteland No. 13 ruins with "The Old Task Force" were either dead or gone. Jiang Baimian wasn't worried that the "First City" would obtain relevant information from them. However, in addition to these people, "The Old Task Force" had also hired guides, which meant there was a possibility of leaks.

If such a thing had really happened, "The Old Task Force" would have to find another way to enter the Wasteland No. 13 ruins.

Therefore, Jiang Baimian hoped to confirm this issue from multiple sources and didn't want to walk into a trap.

She had already learned from Kanna, the owner of the swearing parrot, through the company, that the "Order of the Hands" of the "First City" had indeed wanted to investigate the missions taken by "The Old Task Force" in depth. However, a series of events, including the far-reaching turmoil, had occurred here later, and the corresponding investigation had come to an end.

On the other hand, the Wasteland No. 13 ruins were a very dangerous place, and Genawe was suspected of having a "Source Brain" backup. "The Old Task Force" had to be fully prepared, adjust their state, and initially resolve the hidden dangers before going there.

The jeep drove for more than ten minutes and stopped in front of a three-story, earthy-yellow building.

This was the Ugo Hotel, which Jiang Baimian and others were very familiar with.

The hotel's business seemed to have become very bad. When "The Old Task Force" walked into the lobby, there was only the slightly haggard, dark-skinned, golden-haired, and well-groomed owner, Ugo, inside.

He was burying his head in sorting things out. His face was pale, and his hair was wet, as if he had just experienced a torment.

Shang Jianyao excitedly walked over and said in a "suppressed" voice:

"You're abusing yourself again?

"Did you feel the 'True Self' this time?"

Ugo looked up at him and said calmly:

"My feelings cannot be shared with those who have not experienced them."

"Oh, oh..." Shang Jianyao looked eager to try.

Ugo turned his gaze to Xue Shiyue and Qian Bai:

"How many rooms do you want?"

"We're not staying at the hotel this time." Jiang Baimian smiled.

Ugo wiped the sweat from his forehead with a rag:

"Then what are you here for?"

Bai Chen looked around subconsciously. Jiang Baimian smiled and replied:

"I want to inquire about something from the General."

The General refers to General Focas, the most senior and prestigious general in the "First City," who is in a semi-retired state and only in charge of part of the city defense army.

He converted to February's High Authority "Dawn" and is a high-level member of the "True Self Church," while the hotel owner, Ugo, also belongs to this sect.

Ugo glanced at Long Yuehong, Genawe, and others, and said in a flat tone:

"The city defense army is no longer under the General."

"Is he completely retired?" Shang Jianyao asked curiously.

Ugo shook his head:

"The new Chief Executive, Marshal Gaius, attaches great importance to the General and has invited him to return to active duty and replace him as the commander of the Eastern Legion.

"The General left a week ago and is not in the city."

Gaius is very skilled... Upon hearing this, Jiang Baimian's first reaction was to sigh inwardly.

As the new Chief Executive and military commander who rose to power through turmoil, Gaius must control the city defense army to feel at ease.

However, Focas, who previously commanded the city defense army, had seniority, prestige, and background, and was not so easy to deal with. A little carelessness might trigger another turmoil.

Faced with this situation, Gaius chose to retreat in order to advance, praising Focas even higher, giving him more power, and letting him take over his direct line, the Eastern Legion.

In this way, Focas naturally couldn't stay in the position of the main officer of the city defense army, and the Eastern Legion had been painstakingly managed by Gaius for many years, and it was impossible for them not to listen to his orders just because they changed a legion commander.

At the same time, Gaius also indirectly showed goodwill to the "True Self Church" behind Focas, as well as February's High Authority "Dawn," which the "True Self Church" believes in, which can be described as killing multiple birds with one stone.

The art of the deal... Just as Jiang Baimian had this thought, Shang Jianyao blurted out with regret and heartache:

"He still owes us a celebration banquet!"

He just ran away like that!

Ugo's expression changed slightly. Jiang Baimian quickly coughed and said:

"The things we want to inquire about don't require the General to be in the city, nor does he need to be in charge of the city defense army. As long as he uses his connections a little, he can solve our problems."

Ugo returned to his indifferent appearance, as if someone was hanging himself in front of him and he wouldn't be moved:

"What can you offer to impress the General?"

What can we offer to impress him? I haven't said that I was tricked by your General last time and ran directly into Asouss and Christina, almost killing Xiao Hong! Jiang Baimian had waves in her heart, but her face was full of smiles:

"We plan to go to the Wasteland No. 13 ruins and want to know if there are any safe routes to enter.

"Haven't you always wanted to get the information that Olei hid in that secret laboratory? If we have any gains, we will share them with you afterward."

Hehe, we will only go to the Holm Reproductive Medical Center and it is impossible to have any gains in this regard. Naturally, we will not be able to share it at that time, which cannot be regarded as a breach of our promise... At this moment, Shang Jianyao's narrative of his actions on that "cruise ship" flashed through Jiang Baimian's mind - in order to realistically restore the scene, he made a face and made a "bleh" sound.

Ugo digested Jiang Baimian's words:

"I can help you convey the message, but I can't give you a promise."

Jiang Baimian gave an "um" sound:

"If there is no safe enough route, then please ask the General to provide the guard situation on each channel of the Wasteland No. 13 ruins. We will find a way ourselves."

She didn't mention the channel in the North Shore Mountains, but sought confirmation in a euphemistic way, so as not to make Focas and the "First" City military system originally did not know this information, and therefore grasped it, causing trouble.

--If the guard situation provided by Focas does not include information on the North Shore Mountains, then combined with Kanna's feedback, "The Old Task Force" can initially confirm that the channel is safe.

"Okay." Ugo agreed. "How will I contact you later?"

"We will visit you regularly." Jiang Baimian chose the safest way and did not even leave a telegraph frequency.

As for how long the regular period is, of course, it is up to "The Old Task Force" to decide. Anyway, Ugo is in his hotel most of the time.

Seeing that Ugo had no objection, Shang Jianyao changed the subject:

"Your business here is getting so bad, what's the problem?"

Ugo glanced at him:

"Many bottom-level citizens have joined the army and are receiving training. The number of ruin hunters in the First City and the surrounding areas has dropped sharply."

Speaking of this, Ugo seemed to remember something:

"Last year, when you were still in the First City, an Awakened jumped from a helicopter and fell to his death. Did you do it?"

The owner of that "virtual world"? Jiang Baimian hadn't decided whether to answer when Shang Jianyao patted his chest and said with a proud face:

"Yes, I did it!"

Ugo rarely showed a puzzled expression, looking up and down at this guy.

He didn't know the actual situation, but only knew that General Focas was quite concerned about this matter.

After chatting for a while about the changes in the situation in the city, "The Old Task Force" left the hotel and returned to the street.

After getting into the jeep, Shang Jianyao muttered to himself:

"The commercial environment in the First City has deteriorated a lot. I wonder how Suna and their fast food restaurant are doing now..."

Suna... Long Yuehong was stunned for a moment before remembering that she was the woman from the Ashlands that his team had rescued from the "Wolf Den."

Jiang Baimian nodded slightly and said:

"Turn over there and take a look, then put on a disguise and go to the Hunter's Guild to further confirm the current situation in the First City through the published missions."

Bai Chen did not object and drove the jeep towards the port.

Because it was daytime, there were not many pedestrians in the Qing Olive District. "The Old Task Force" arrived at the port in no time.

Seeing the ships coming and going, the many sailors, and the many materials being transported to the warehouse, Jiang Baimian immediately had a good idea of the situation of Suna and their fast food restaurant.

--The "First City," which is about to be opened up, is frantically hoarding materials. The port is exceptionally prosperous, and the sailors are enough to support the business of the fast food restaurant.

As Jiang Baimian expected, on the ground floor of the building where the "Wolf Den" was originally located, Suna and others were still busy, with smiles on their faces.

"When the 'First City' officially begins to expand, the situation here will most likely change a lot, and their business may not be able to continue." Jiang Baimian retracted her gaze and sighed. "Let's find an opportunity to remind them and let them prepare early."

"Okay." Bai Chen was the first to respond.

For some reason, Long Yuehong thought of the wilderness wanderer settlement that was slaughtered by the "Heartless."

Stability in the Ashlands is always so fragile.

The longer people live in such an environment, the more numb they become, and in the end, they have to believe in a High Authority and place their spiritual sustenance on it.

…………

After detouring to the Hunter's Guild in the First City, the disguised "Old Task Force" split into two teams and entered the hall.

With a sweep of her eyes, Jiang Baimian saw a familiar face.

It was Odick, the ruin hunter who had cooperated with them before.