Chapter 34: The Inner Circle
Translator: Min
"Please display your ID, sir" It was the same routine check.
Below the towering concrete wall was a reinforced metal gate. The inner circle was
substantially more reinforced than the outer zone. Jiang Chen was fortunate enough to witness
the greatness of the city from within.
After he had paid a crystal for his trouble, he left all his weapons in the storage by the gate. The
guard at the examination station allowed him to pass.
In front of the gate was a spider tank with a triangular shaped cannon. The limbs of the vehicle
attached to tracks cast a fictional vibe. The occasional patrol team passed by was also equipped
with the most advanced work of the century; black carbon nano armor suits and fluid looking
rifles. Sun Jiao mentioned that the inner circle's soldiers were the Sixth Street core power. Most
were private soldiers who belonged to the rulers of the Sixth Street "Group of Ten Council."
Despite their advanced equipment, the soldiers that were a part of the outer circle were part of
the Sixth Street's public assets. Hence the nature between the two was entirely different.
The shocked Jiang Chen considered acquiring some of their equipment as he approached his
destination.
Along the way, Jiang Chen also saw some pedestrians. Only a unique group of people lived in the
inner circle of the Sixth Street; those included specialized technologists, wealthy mercenary
leaders, and investors who purchased assets within the area. It was known as the land of the
wealthy.
It is also worth mentioning that the mercenaries stationed in the Sixth Street acted differently
compared to the wandering half-mercenary half-bandits on the wasteland. The majority of
them defended the Sixth Street along with the soldiers in exchange for commissions. They
would also occasionally be sent to complete missions outside, or protect trade routes. The
mercenaries registered at the Sixth Street were trustworthy as they all paid a fee as a guarantee
for their services. When they no longer acted in the intention for their employer, not only does
the guarantor inside the inner circle receive imprisonment, the Sixth Street would send out
military power to eliminate the rebellious forces.
[Heaven Island Hotel, your comfortable home.]
Jiang Chen walked into a hotel that resembled a pre-war luxurious mansion. Since he was there
for business, he must also show the correct gestures. Jiang Chen paid for a five-day stay
without a blink of an eye. The total bill came out to be 50 crystals. The hotel owner immediately
demonstrated the attitude similar to worshipping God as he respectfully escorted him to his
room. Only the wealthy and the influential could afford a hotel like this; the hotel owner would
do anything to please them.
The high price of the hotel meant that people rarely stayed there.
Only renowned merchants or millionaires from other survivor camps, or even from outside of
Wanghai city would stay there. According to Sun Jiao, anyone who lived here would attract the
attention of the public.
Jiang Chen wanted that attention. How would he do business without it?
He was not afraid of the troubles that would ensue. The neutrality of the Sixth Street continued
for more than ten years. Their development was not the product of short-sighted growth
strategies.
Just this point alone was worth the recognition of the Sixth Street's policy. Ten capitalists
formed the "Group of Ten Council" who implemented the freedom of trade policy within the
walls. The balance of power allowed the strict enforcement of the policy to be enacted. No one
wanted to be the first to break the rule of the game. It would not be okay to kill your business
partner and ruin the deal for your neighbor.
However, privacy was less of an issue. As to what Jiang Chen expected, the moment he stepped
into the room, the hotel manager reported this wealthy customer to his boss.
<Picture:
Identification: Fish Bone Food Corporation Representative, Jiang Chen
Time of Stay: July 9th to 14th.>
Jiang Chen's information was presented in front of someone.
"Fish Bone Food Corporation? Jiang Chen? Very compelling." A middle-aged man with a bowl
cut leaned against the office chair. Under his thick eyebrows was a pair of hawk-sharp eyes.
"Do you want to get in contact with him, boss?" The assistant in uniform pushed up her glasses.
As Zhao Chenwu's assistant, she was not only critical to his work, she also acted at his
bodyguard and occasionally helped to alleviate his needs at times of desire.
Zhao Chenwu, Group of Ten Council Member. He controlled 13% of the military strength within
the inner circle. He was the owner of two firearm factories, one pharmaceutical company, along
with an array of fixed assets in the inner circle. He was also known as the president of the Sixth
Street's renowned Zhao Corporation.
"There is no rush, let's look at the situation more closely." A grin appeared on Zhao Chenwu's
face. He was uncertain about the intention of this young man.
Food Corporation? Where can you even find a piece of arable land on the wasteland? Even if it
were through soilless culture, the vegetable produced would be in odd shapes due to the
radiation, and it could even be poisonous. The soil culture also existed at the Sixth Street, but
most of the produce were not edible. The taste of the remainder produce was not fresh either.
Zhao Chenwu shook his head and placed this report away. He looked at the clock and felt a
sense of hunger. He asked his assistant, "Is lunch ready?"
"Yes, my boss. Do I need to confirm that today's lunch is curry chicken?" The assistant said in a
professional tone.
After she had received Zhao Chenwu's acknowledgment, she left the room. She then came back
momentarily with a plate of steamy curry chicken.
The unique aroma of curry chicken made Zhao Chenwu's saliva form at a rapid rate. Without
any consideration for his composure, he devoured the meal. The assistant also swallowed as she
saw how much her boss was enjoying the meal. She knew better that there was none for her.
The total cost of the curry chicken was 20 crystals, which was equivalent to two night of stay at
the hotel.
The price was not even the problem; it was the fact that you couldn't buy it with money.
The outer circle's exchange office purchased 20 cans weeks ago. They sold each can with a price
of 60 crystals to the influential individuals in the inner circle. Zhao Chenwu used his position as
the Group of Ten Council member to get his hands on one of them. The good thing was that the
office didn't auction the canned food or the price would be significantly higher.
He divided this one can into three separate servings to enjoy.
Zhao Chenwu investigated the whereabouts of the person who sold the cans. He heard that as
soon as they left the gate, the Hui Zhong mercenaries went after them. No one knew if they
were still dead or alive. When Zhao Chenwu heard this information, he was so angry that he
almost broke the table and cursed the generations of Hui Zhong Mercenaries. He almost sent
out his private forces to teach those fools a lesson. However, he resisted the temptation due to
his position of power as the mercenaries didn't break any rules within the Sixth Street. If he did
anything, he would have broken the rule of the game.
The last piece of the precious curry chicken went into his stomach as he savored the taste. He
shook head as he threw the fantasy about curry chicken into the back of his mind. Although he
was curious about the taste of sauteed beef his friend Sir Ding bought, he must have finished
already as well.
He had a business to run after all. The food was only a small part of his life. He took over a stack
of documents and began reading the operation status of his company.
At the same time, he glanced at the information relating to the hotel guest; he felt a sudden
familiarity with the name.
[Hmm, why is the name Jiang Chen so familiar? Where did I see it before?]
If Jiang Chen knew that the canned food he sold to the exchange office was split into three
servings by the big bosses within the inner circle, he would be hysterical.
Right now, Jiang Chen was pleasantly enjoying his stay.
He was the only one in the entire mansion. Despite the suppressed feeling cast by the radiation
cloud and ray of mutated sunshine, which made it difficult for him to enjoy the holiday, he was
quite satisfied by the facilities within the mansion.
Such as the relaxation chamber. When Jiang Chen lied inside, it felt as if his entire body was
covered in jelly.
The view was not as beautiful as the Sheraton in Sanya, but the technology sure made up for it.
[Why do we need nature when we have technology.]
Jiang Chen who stepped out of the relaxation chamber felt every pore on his body was
exfoliated. The cleanliness was substantially higher compared to taking a shower. It even
removed dust at the micro level.
[Should I bring one back?] Jiang Chen touched his chin as he thought about this question. He
absolutely loved this.
He casually grabbed a bathrobe to cover himself and ran to other amenities to enjoy them.
The ping pong robot was designed for wealthy people who had no opportunity to exercise. He
abandoned his racquet the second he realized he couldn't beat the robot.
He was interested in the full-sensory movie theater.
The 7 Dimensional movie, that theaters praised in the modern world, was nothing compared to
this.
He put on the helmet and strapped himself into the soft chair. The surreal feeling made it feel
as if it was the reality. He was shocked to find out that he was standing in the middle of New
York. Jiang Chen felt the breeze lightly caress across his face as he watched a battle between
cops and thugs. He could even experience everything through the protagonist's view. It was as
if he was fighting himself. He could feel the screeching bullet and experience the pain himself.
He just couldn't control the protagonist's movement.
The thrilled Jiang Chen left the theater and returned to his room.
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