Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Cooling Down, Buying Slaves, Fearless People

“Exhaust Wind Combat Suit lv7, White Quality”

“Basic Attributes: Defense 20, Durability 10/10; can be upgraded by consuming 1 Life Value”

“Extra Attributes:

Photovoltaic Panels: Restored to optimal condition, enhanced power generation efficiency, no current energy reserves, one year of remaining lifespan

Cooling Fan: Enhanced wind power, significantly improved cooling effect, equipped with switch gear for speed adjustment”

“Evaluation: The exhaust wind combat suit is operational, but it can only be used in sunlight; can install storage batteries to expand its applicability; overall, it can reduce surface temperature by 8°”

After upgrading, a switch device appeared on the vent fan at the waist, with two speed settings.

Much more convenient than before.

At maximum speed, it even feels a bit cold. Sweat evaporates and absorbs heat, taking away a large amount of surface heat, dropping body temperature sharply, making hair stand on end.

Under the self-regulation of Enhanced People, as long as there isn’t intense exercise, the body temperature in the Wilderness is around thirty-four or thirty-five degrees, with not too much sweating.

But once engaged in combat or long-distance raids, the surge of blood causes body temperature to rise quickly, even sweating profusely still keeps it at thirty-seven or thirty-eight degrees, equivalent to a slight fever state.

Continuing, it would rise to thirty-nine or even above forty degrees, not only leading to heat stroke, heat exhaustion, etc., in severe cases, it might directly lead to a coma.

And the exhaust wind combat suit can effectively lower body temperature, especially crucial for the trunk area where blood flows through the vital organs.

Lowering it by eight degrees means thirty-degree blood flows into the limbs and brain, keeping them cooled.

With this outfit, and keeping a water supply for energy, Lin Feng can run over ten kilometers at a stretch.

Unlike before, when hunting Rock-Horned Horses, they had to ambush weakened ones and chase them in three relay stages, each person only running a kilometer or two before getting too heat-exhausted to continue.

“Nice suit, the price at Dawn Store isn’t low, right?”

After Li Hu mentioned the destination, he noticed the camo combat suit Lin Feng was wearing, which emitted a few buzzing sounds, revealing a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Lin Feng shook his head and explained:

“I couldn’t afford a new one, it’s all cobbled together from scavenged junk I stitched together myself.”

“It’s barely usable, but it’s part of the preparation for this wolf hunt.”

After saying that, Lin Feng turned his head to look outside.

Through the observation and ventilation holes in the metal carriage, he saw one familiar iron cage after another.

Not far away was the Slave Market during the Holy Spring Gathering, located at the outskirts behind Oasis Town.

Those slave masters connect carts loaded with low iron cages in series.

Above the residential storefront at the front, there were large photovoltaic panels installed to power the front-end cart.

The most valuable among the slaves are young women and men, next are children, and finally, the elderly.

The “elderly” here doesn’t refer to actual age but Wasteland Age.

The shorter the time since awakening from the Wasteland, and the less sun exposure, the more expensive they are.

White skin is the most costly, yellow follows, black…

The rarer something is, the more valuable it is.

For example, when Lin Feng first emerged, with his pale skin and tender flesh, he could fetch a high price.

Even if they couldn’t find a buyer immediately, he qualified to lie comfortably under the photovoltaic paneled shade.

He had water to drink and grass roots to chew, and didn’t have to travel.

Just as Ah Lian said, it was indeed much better than back in Chen Shanshan’s group.

The slave master would even treat his wounds and inflammation with expensive medicines to ensure a healthy recovery.

As for those in the dog cages behind, the second-class goods, they were just cheap bulk for face value.

The tricycle, guided by Li Hu, slowly stopped in a parking area under photovoltaic panels of a slave store, with its welded hook securely latching onto the bumper.

As soon as Li Hu got off the vehicle, the slave-holding boss, dressed in a leather jacket and jeans, approached with a big smile:

“By the looks of it, Brother Hu is on for a big operation, right?”

“How many do you need this time?”

Li Hu looked distressed, turning his marked face to show his new vicious scar:

“I’m at a big loss, lost all but my underwear.”

“Just pick something cheap, but in a slightly better condition—at least able to walk.”

Hearing Li Hu’s needs, the cowboy boss nodded, put on a cowboy hat, and then poured a cup of pale yellow fruit juice drink for each of the four present.

Lin Feng took a sip.

The drink poured from the barrel emitted a faint sweet-sour scent, a familiar taste—it was Sea Buckthorn Fruit Juice diluted with water.

Just like what Boss Huang had offered before.

Back then, it was to celebrate eating wolf meat, and Old Huang was willing to give each person less than a half glass.

But the generosity of the cowboy blue here only reflects how profitable the slave business truly is.

Far wealthier than ordinary Permanent Residents running inns, grocery stores, and bathhouses in Fifth Village.

Likely the most profitable business outside of the Four Major Villages and the Guild.

Led by the cowboy boss, the group arrived at trailers in the rear, selecting the slaves Li Hu required.

Apart from the premium goods locked under the photovoltaic panels at the storefront, there were seven trailers in total behind, each cage containing ten to fifteen inferior slaves.

They crowded in five to six square meters of iron cages, less than one and a half meters high—barely enough space for standing, impossible to stand straight.

At this moment, they were like wilted weeds under the sun, leaning against the cage walls, piled on top of each other, eyes closed, barely alive.

There were nearly a hundred people in the seven iron cages.

Due to Li Hu’s purchasing requirements, the cowboy boss led everyone straight to the last train car.

“These are all cheap goods, only five kilograms of jerky each, a loss really, considering the costs of feeding and watering them along the way.”

Pointing at the last three cars, the cowboy boss drew the whip from his waist and cracked it on the iron cage, producing a crisp, snapping sound.

The slaves inside, who were unconscious, seemed to have a stress reaction and immediately woke up and gradually stood up, squatting in a row before everyone, on display.

Li Hu walked up slowly, skillfully raising his hand to reach inside the cage, selecting and inspecting the goods.

The rough, powerful hand grasped the slave’s jaw, pried open their mouth to check the condition of their teeth and tongue, to determine their state.

This required some skill, to pick out those among the half-dead slaves before him, those who could recover and walk a few kilometers just from giving them some water.

Most of them had deteriorated to a dying state, with their physique and functions already collapsed.

Such slaves were commonly known as sick dogs.

They basically only held the value of being fed to keep other living slaves alive.

Buying them was just money wasted.

In the cages of the front few cars, there were still slaves in better condition, able to open their eyes, speak, and with clear logical thinking.

But they were expensive, starting from ten kilograms of dehydrated jerky.

Equivalent to half a month’s rations.

Now, Li Hu could no longer afford such mid-level goods.

After picking for a long time, he only found two that were acceptable. To speed up the selection process, Li Hu poured the remaining half of the sweet fruit juice from his cup onto the wooden board of another cage.

The dripping sound and sweet aroma were like a dinner bell, awakening the half-dazed lower-class goods. They turned and lay on the ground, scrambling and shoving to suck at the remnants of the juice with their mouths.

Li Hu cracked a cold smile, quickly identifying those eagerly licking among them.

“Hey, hey, that’s cheating!”

“No discounts on these!”

The cowboy boss laughed as he walked up.

Li Hu shrugged, pointing at the three iron cages:

“Him, him, and that one, that one.”

“Six per, thirty points, right?”

Saying this, Li Hu took out his Hunter’s card and handed it to the cowboy boss:

“Didn’t bring any jerky, just swipe the points.”

The boss received the ID card, opened the cage, picked out Li Hu’s selections, released their ankle chains, shackled ropes around their necks, and dragged them forward.

Behind them, Lin Feng and the other two watched this scene silently.

Lin Feng was observing, Liu Mingfei was used to it, only Chen Shanshan couldn’t bear to watch and turned her back to the cages.

Until, as they were about to leave, a somewhat familiar voice suddenly came from within the iron cage.

“Ca… Captain…”

A haggard-looking man was seen struggling to stand leaning against the cage wall, stretching out his bent, hunchbacked hand.

Lin Feng turned back to glance, it seemed that back when following Qi Mountain away, he had seen him among that group.

A few members encountered in the previous Holy Spring opportunity were already nowhere to be seen, the nearby shops were the same. It was estimated they hadn’t pulled through.

The man before him was the “last seedling”.

Hearing the call, Chen Shanshan instinctively paused.

This man left a deep impression on her; he was a Level 5 Mid-stage Enhanced Human, not weak in strength, usually silent and solitary, not getting involved with Qi Mountain’s group.

Last time, he chose to leave just to try and make a break for it, but ended up being controlled by Qi Mountain and others, sold here.

Seeing Chen Shanshan approaching, his dry throat emitted a whimpering, hoarse sound:

“Ca… Captain…”

Chen Shanshan sighed quietly:

“We’re not here to save people.”

“Staying here, you can live a few more days…”

The man nodded slightly:

“I, I kn… ow…”

As he spoke, he looked towards the cup in the hands of the three.

Lin Feng and Chen Shanshan had already finished theirs; only the habitually frugal Liu Mingfei had a little left in his cup.

Liu Mingfei, speechless, handed over the cup.

Under the envious gaze of the other slaves, the man sipped the drink slowly, licking his lips, with an incredibly determined look in his eyes, he spoke:

“Take me… with you…”

“I’m not afraid of dying.”

“I want revenge!”

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