CHAPTER 646: CHAPTER 314: AKSE!

He responded while driving, "No, we met along the way."

A burst of dazzling light came from ahead as the two off-road vehicles approached the city outskirts. Numerous observers with binoculars focused on them. Looking around, dried and dead zombie corpses were scattered everywhere outside Akse City. Some convoy camps were stationed at outer gas stations or motels, while most moved directly into the city, stationed along various streets.

The vehicles rolled over the sand and gravel, entering the cracked town roads. Survivors with guns guarded the roadsides and some rooftops, casting glances their way. These convoys gathered from different places, with no communication between them; as seasoned travelers, just a glance at the vehicles revealed the style of a convoy. Obviously, Lin Xian’s two off-road vehicles were not their primary escape vehicles but were used for reconnaissance.

This was common; many cautious convoys would scout ahead before the main one arrived. Places like Akse were currently a mix of different groups, used as a temporary stopover or to gather information, without any lively scenes.

Following Ning Jing’s vehicle through twists and turns, Lin Xian finally found the Black Rose Bar next to an old marketplace. The street was lined with many parked vehicles. If not for the bar’s old sign covered with yellow sand, the surrounding decay, and the vehicles newly modded for the apocalypse, one might think this was a crowded pre-apocalyptic street.

Alongside the parked vehicles on the street were many fully armed survivors, hailing from different convoys. As Lin Xian and others got out of their vehicles, they attracted a lot of attention because they looked too young. Their appearances didn’t seem like they survived months of apocalypse, as suspicious glances frequently came their way.

"Is this a real bar or just a front? I feel out of place here..." Qian Deli looked at the bar entrance, where people constantly came and went, with a strange expression.

Monica raised her face, observing the surroundings from under her sunglasses: "It does feel strange. I’m curious about what happens here at night."

"You’ll know once we go in," Ning Jing said.

As Lin Xian and the others approached, two large men wearing power armor stood at the bar entrance, raising their hands to block the way. One of them pointed to Xiao Qing in the group.

"Sorry, no weapons allowed."

Among them, only Xiao Qing held a gun blade, leading to the blockade.

Xiao Qing glanced at Ning Jing, then said directly, "I’ll watch the car."

Having said that, she turned and went back to the car.

"That’s fine," Ning Jing nodded, and the two men immediately let them pass.

Upon entering the Black Rose Bar, the scene suddenly brightened. Unlike the sand-covered and rundown sign outside, the interior was surprisingly cleaned up from its abandoned state. The scent of alcohol mixed with the traveler’s dust hit instantly. Inside, dim lights illuminated, filling booths and the bar, with two men wearing sunglasses bartending and several beautiful women serving.

But from their attire, it was evident they were playing roles temporarily, and the patrons each sat quietly with a purpose, drinking the limited variety of alcohol.

As Lin Xian marveled at Hu Lushou’s inexplicable operation, a tattoo-faced waitress approached, her eyes filled with an expression that fighting zombies was easier than this work, spoke impatiently to them.

"Gentlemen, this way please."

She then led Lin Xian and his group further inside.

Following the waitress, Lin Xian observed his surroundings and felt glances on them. He then noticed an unusual gaze and turned to see a youth wearing a sand-proof mask alone in a corner, motionlessly watching him. The narrow eyes were sharp and indifferent.

Lin Xian particularly noted the youth, dressed as a sand traveler with a pack beside him and nothing else.

Besides, Lin Xian also sensed a few hostile gazes, but they withdrew when he looked over.

The waitress led Lin Xian and his group to an inner booth and tossed a card on the table, listing three drinks.

Whiskey, Rum, Brandy.

"We’re not here to drink," Lin Xian stated plainly, "I’m looking for your boss."

The waitress glanced around the bar and told Lin Xian, "None of them are here to drink."

"Then what’s with this?" KIKI asked.

"If I’m not mistaken, these drinks signify different things," Monica picked up the card and calmly said to the waitress, "Purchase resources, buy information, passage fee?"

The waitress glanced at her, "Yes."

Ning Jing looked puzzled, "You really charge a passage fee?"

"It doesn’t matter, pay or don’t, it’s up to you," the waitress spoke candidly, "If you’re strong enough, you don’t need to consider it."

Qian Deli chuckled at this, and smiled softly at the group, "As expected, the radio was just fearmongering."

Lin Xian understood and pointed directly at the Whiskey.