Chapter 404: The Lower District
Chapter 404: The Lower District
As the car drove into the tunnel, the surroundings became monotonous. Chen Chuan and Old Zhan chatted intermittently, reminiscing about what they knew of the Lower District.
It was said that when Central City was constructed, the planning for both the Upper and Lower Districts began simultaneously. However, for unknown reasons, the construction of the Lower District did not proceed as planned and was eventually abandoned.
With the withdrawal of the last management team thirty years ago, the area has now become a gathering place for vagrants and gang members without identification.
The Lower District has a vast, compartmentalized area and a complex network of tunnel roads. These roads crisscross in all directions, connecting various regions, even reaching the Upper District. The population here is impossible to accurately estimate, but it may not be any less than that of the Upper District.
Due to being abandoned by the Central City management system, all sorts of experimental implants, prohibited drugs, and dangerous items flow into the area daily, making it a free testing ground for various companies.
It is also the place with the highest concentration of Esoteric Religion adherents and rebels, harboring a large number of illegal Esoteric Religion practitioners and heretics. There are even some unaffiliated resistance organizations hiding within, while numerous gang members engage in illicit activities.
For example, the various Esoteric Religion materials that Old Qi had purchased previously came from this place.
Many wanted fighters from the Upper District often hide here. Previously, the Bureau had considered sending invested trainees like them to the Lower District to capture criminals, but Ni Xianxi had scolded them for the idea.
When Wei Wusheng was on the run earlier, he was also suspected of hiding in the Lower District. Thus, the place always gives people the impression of chaos, disorder, and madness.
At this moment, the car jolted slightly, as if it had run over some pebbles, interrupting Chen Chuan's thoughts. He saw the vehicle turning into another downward-sloping tunnel.
After driving for about ten minutes, the space gradually became more open, and the ceiling seemed to be rising. Chen Chuan estimated that they had ascended to a height of twenty to thirty meters before it stopped.
Every so often, one could see a massive cylindrical glass dome leaning against the wall, containing dark green plants emitting a faint glow. There were also some on the ceiling, hanging like beams, providing ample light to this underground space.
However, in some places, the glass was already shattered, including the broken pillar bases and some metal support frames that had collapsed onto the road. Plants grew wildly from these spots, spreading onto the road and occupying the original space, causing scattered and flickering glows everywhere.
The glass domes on the ceiling were even more damaged, but they seemed to have formed their structure over time, with numerous vines hanging like a curtain of rain.
As a result, the car often had to navigate through the barely remaining gaps, and Chen Chuan noticed that one section of the road was directly above a collapsed pillar and plant-covered "bridge."
Using his Boundary Token, he identified the plants as Sun Vines, a product of the giant plant company from the Linax Federation. In addition to these, they had also collaborated with the Grand Shun Government to cultivate a large number of economic and food crops underground.
However, it seemed that the company later had a dispute with the Grand Shun Government and was eventually expelled. The plants they had planted and the facilities they had built were left unattended and unmaintained, resulting in the current dilapidated state.
Nevertheless, these plants continued to grow and adapt to the environment, providing a cheap source of light for the main areas of the Lower District.
Observing this layout, Chen Chuan felt that the Grand Shun Government had initially intended to create another defensive circle underground but later abandoned the plan for unknown reasons.
Old Zhan smiled as he noticed Chen Chuan staring at the plants, "These things are everywhere in the Lower District. You might find them novel at first, but you'll get tired of them after a while."
The car continued along the road, occasionally turning at intersections. Without a guide, it would be challenging to navigate the interconnected underground tunnels.
As they ventured deeper, Chen Chuan noticed that the Second Self above him exhibited signs of virtualization. In some places, the effect was subtle, while in others, it was more pronounced.
Old Zhan, whether through experience or some inside knowledge, always managed to avoid the areas with severe infestation.
"By the way," Old Zhan reached under his seat and tossed Chen Chuan an old Boundary Token. "Chen, use this inside. Yours is too eye-catching, and you won't receive any news from the Upper District once you're in the Lower District."
Chen Chuan had no intention of being different. Although he personally had no fear, he wasn't a local and didn't want to cause trouble for Old Zhan and his team. He promptly took the token and replaced his own.
Old Zhan nodded in approval, impressed by Chen Chuan's decisiveness.
Just then, the sound of vehicles came from another tunnel entrance, seemingly a convoy. Old Zhan's expression changed slightly, and he quickly changed direction, steering into a corner where intertwined vines made it difficult to see. He then sprayed something around, causing countless insects and small animals to scurry away.
After waiting for a while, one vehicle after another roared past the front road.
Chen Chuan took a glance and noticed a few people with hair styled like moss, dyed in various colors, making them easily recognizable. "The Moss Gang?" he asked.
After about ten seconds, the convoy finally passed.
Old Zhan started the car and resumed their journey. He explained, "They're from Venom Ant Express, and behind them is the Moss Gang's business. They've been eyeing this area recently, aiming to take over. They've been in frequent conflict with Roadway Logistics lately."
"Chen Chuan pondered for a moment. Behind every gang, there was more or less support from a company, and the Moss Gang was likely backed by the Green Source Ecology Corporation."
"This is a joint venture company. They usually keep a low profile, but they are actually very powerful. They don't seem to have much reputation domestically, but their business abroad is huge."
"The Handling Bureau has also been keeping a long-term eye on this company. They appear well-behaved on the surface, so they aren't on the top of the list."
After passing through this tunnel, the vehicle entered a spacious area resembling a marketplace. Most of the houses and sheds were built with concrete blocks and simple materials, creating a chaotic layout with intricate roads and bustling crowds.
In the middle of the widest road, both sides were filled with countless signs and billboards, some with holographic screens displaying various light sources like searchlights flashing back and forth in the sky. Occasionally, poorly made advertisements would pass by, emitting noisy sounds and blaring music.
Here, Chen Chuan also spotted a gas station and a hotel, and nearby was a second-hand car market where hundreds of old vehicles were densely parked in an open space.
At the four corners of the marketplace stood several metal watchtowers, with armed patrol teams walking back and forth. But upon seeing Old Zhan's car, they merely glanced at it casually.
After quickly driving out of this gathering area, the vehicle turned into another tunnel, passing through a small settlement along the way. After more than half an hour, they exited from a tunnel entrance. Old Zhan said, "We're here. The Roadway Logistics base is ahead. Mr. Yu and Lu Xiaoge have been staying there recently. We can relax now."
As he spoke, Old Zhan honked the horn a few times, and a few gunshots echoed in response from the other side. Several gunmen at the tunnel entrance immediately raised their guns, aiming at the sky.
Chen Chuan looked over and saw a long convoy parked along the tunnel wall, with an uncountable number of vehicles, seemingly stretching endlessly. Most of them appeared to be modified.
Occasionally, some helmet-wearing riders on two-wheeled motorcycles, carrying boxes and thick bags at the back of their bikes, would drive from one end, stop by the trucks, load goods, and then quickly drive out.
Despite the crowd, everything was orderly, with vehicles coming and going in an organized manner.
Under the command of a flag, Old Zhan parked the car in a specially reserved space. As the two of them got out of the car, a middle-aged man with a full beard and wearing work pants approached them.
With a beaming smile, he said, "Old Zhan, today isn't a day for restocking. What brings you here?" Then, looking at Chen Chuan, he asked, "Who is this young man?"
Old Zhan replied, "This is Chen Xiaoge, Mr. Yu's student and Lu Xiaoge's fellow disciple. He came here specifically to find Lu Xiaoge and Mr. Yu."
The bearded man immediately became enthusiastic, "Oh, he's Mr. Yu's student?" He called over a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy, "Xiao Dan, take this Chen Xiaoge to Lu Xiaoge."
"Okay."
Chen Chuan nodded at him and bid farewell to Old Zhan before following the boy.
At that moment, a young man with white hair, looking very energetic, rode a two-wheeled motorcycle to the side. He propped his foot on the ground and glanced at Chen Chuan as he left, saying, "Old Zhan, is that Mr. Yu's student? Hey, he looks pretty handsome, almost as good-looking as me."
The bearded man asked, "Old Zhan, tell me honestly, what's his background?"
Old Zhan replied, "He's truly Mr. Yu's student. Lu Xiaoge gave me the address. Otherwise, I wouldn't have brought him here."
The bearded man looked slightly serious, "He doesn't seem ordinary."
"A fighter, I think he's at least on par with Mr. Yu's level of fighters."
The white-haired young man's eyes lit up, "Then he's almost as good as Nan Jie?"
Old Zhan pondered, "I think he's even stronger."
The young man pouted, "That's not possible. Not even mentioning old-timers like Lao Bian, Nan Jie's skills are unmatched among her peers. This guy may be as handsome as me, but he's younger. How could he compare to Nan Jie?"
Old Zhan didn't argue but said to the bearded man, "The stronger he is, the better. I guess Lu Xiaoge asked him here to help us solve our problems."
At this moment, Chen Chuan, led by the boy, arrived at a modified camper van. On the side of the vehicle was a circle of palm-sized fine gears, resembling a fire ring—a trademark of Feng Hai Company.
Feng Hai Company was best known for manufacturing such medium and large vehicles, but these cars seemed to be old models.
After thanking the boy named Xiao Dan, Chen Chuan knocked on the van door.
"Who is it?" A familiar voice came from the speaker.
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Lu Xiaoge, it's me."
The van interior immediately echoed with footsteps that shook the vehicle walls. Then, the door was pulled open, and Lu Ke's figure appeared. He exclaimed with joy, "Chen Xiaoge!"
Chen Chuan raised his hand, and Lu Ke jumped out of the car, slapping him on the back and then gripping his hand tightly. He said excitedly, "Chen Xiaoge, we meet again!"
Chen Chuan sighed, "Yes, it's been more than a year. I noticed the scars on your face. They seem fresh. What happened?"
"Hey, it's nothing. I got into a fight. Come on, let's talk inside the car." Lu Ke waved his hand and then warmly invited Chen Chuan into the vehicle.
...
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(End of Chapter)
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