People always thought they could survive the apocalypse just by clinging to the government's thigh. They never realized that someone else was carrying the weight for them. When survival became the only thing that mattered, humanity squeezed out every possible method they could think of. If someone lived comfortably, it only meant somebody else had already held up the sky for them.
Thinking back on her previous life, Jing Shu had survived until the apocalypse's tenth year. If the government hadn't existed, China's survival rate would've been far lower.
"Alright, that's all for now. No need to walk us out. We've got other things to do. I'll leave this lab to you. If anything comes up, you can contact me anytime."
She still said all the polite lines, but she wasn't in the mood to keep exploring. This place definitely had more secrets buried under it. She could also understand why Song Bin had turned pale the moment he arrived. The people here weren't exactly normal.
Jing Shu had seen something burning in their eyes.
It wasn't passion for life or material gain. It was a fanatic obsession with the unknown. In that state, their need for ordinary comforts had dropped to almost nothing, so much so that they even used themselves as test subjects.
Jing Shu rarely felt awe toward anything, yet somehow, the Imperial Capital's biological research lab became one of the few things she couldn't look at casually. These people were simply different.
"Alright, let's move on."
Nothing in this lab could stop her pace. She was only staying in the Imperial Capital for a few days, and she felt time pressing against her. So the moment she finished signing the agreement, she urged Song Bin to take her to the next stop.
She didn't idle on the road either. She started harvesting a batch of seasoning plants that had ripened inside her space, and the durians she'd been waiting for had finally matured too. She quickly stored everything away, already imagining the taste. A thought flickered in her mind.
Something that couldn't be shown openly before might finally be allowed to surface when she got back.
Only a few years had passed since the apocalypse began, yet the hundreds of kilos of seasoning she'd bought long ago were almost gone. She had planted another batch before coming to the capital.
Now, whenever she had time, she fussed over the crops in her space. She wanted to stockpile more before the migration, so she planted a large quantity this time, especially Sichuan pepper.
Wind oil essence and floral water were running low, and Sichuan pepper was an excellent insect repellent. It worked well mixed with rice and flour, and in traditional medicine, it warmed the stomach and relieved pain, killed parasites, treated rashes, and more.
Most importantly, during migration, corpse-eating insects would be everywhere. She needed to save her wind oil essence. Until she figured out how to make more, she could at least scatter Sichuan pepper all over the RV.
She remembered the look the shop assistant gave her when she bought two whole cases of wind oil essence. If only she'd bought more back then.
And since she'd planned to prepare a big batch of braised goods, her stock of braising spices was almost empty too. For the migration, she'd need a lot, so planting star anise and cinnamon bark was a must.
"Miss Jing, we're here." Song Bin's tone was respectful. Outside of Jun Shao, no one else ever earned this attitude from him.
Everything Jing Shu had done these past few days made it impossible for people not to feel a sense of awe toward her.
She nodded and followed him to the Imperial Capital's infamous black market, both of them carrying large cases.
Since they were already in the Imperial Capital, how could they not visit a place filled with danger and excitement? Besides, in the apocalypse, nothing mattered more than supplies. There was nothing left in Wu City that caught her eye. In the capital, she was sure she'd find better things.
It wasn't just curiosity. Jing Shu wanted to see if she could pick up anything she desperately needed. For some reason, the moment she heard there were rare treasures or end-times specialties, she became excited.
But getting into the black market wasn't easy. Because a lot of the items traded there couldn't appear in public and for several other reasons, the black market enforced a strict membership system.
Only members themselves, or people vouched for by members, were allowed inside. And the members were ranked.
"Ahem. Miss Jing, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Fan Jianqiang, a Silver-level member of the black market. He can bring in two guests, which means he can take us inside." Song Bin spoke politely.
He added with a smile to the arrogant-looking young man, "We're the ones recommended by Jun Shao."
Fan Jianqiang lifted his chin and said with a hint of pride, "Yeah yeah, I got it. Just stay behind me later. Don't ask for prices at random and don't try to trade cheap stuff. If my points drop, I'll fall back to Bronze. Do you know how much I had to spend to get Silver? If not for Jun Shao, I…"
He tightened his heavy coat, kept grumbling, adjusted his scarf, yawned, and kept reminding them, "Stay close."
Honestly. Did they not know he had face blindness? If they wandered too far, he'd never find them again. What a hassle. And they couldn't exactly hold hands with him either.
"Black coat, black coat," he muttered, memorizing their simple features since both wore black coats. One man, one woman. What a headache.
Song Bin smiled awkwardly. This was normal for the capital.
Jing Shu shrugged and motioned him to follow. "Feels like this black market has too many rules. Is it really that strict? And this whole membership system, is it just a way to push consumption? Also, it kinda feels like everyone here is an insider?"
Song Bin gave her a discreet thumbs up and whispered, "You're spot on. Food's running short, and anyone who still has the leisure to trade for other supplies is someone in the circle. Calling it a black market isn't accurate. It's more like a 'VIP playground' that everyone upstairs quietly approves of. And yes, the rules are indeed designed to push spending. In a way, it speeds up the circulation of goods."
Jing Shu let out a soft sound and frowned, lost in thought.
Song Bin fell silent too. They followed Fan Jianqiang until they passed the verification and entered the Imperial Capital's black market.
More accurately, it was an underground night market.
The place looked like a tomb. The underground walls were all built with solid stone blocks.
Fan Jianqiang bent over slightly as he led them with a flashlight. The downward passage sloped several stories deep. They constantly had to duck or step over ancient stone steps, and the arch above them was carved with detailed patterns.
A tomb. It was definitely a tomb for someone important. Jing Shu was certain of it.