After stocking up at the maximum level, all the handsome men in the apocalypse are looking for suppo

Chapter 117 The Second Contact with the Black Market
Xiao Ran entered the black market, where the air was filled with the smells of diesel fuel, rot, and cheap cigarettes.

Unlike his hasty probing a few days ago, this time he no longer concealed his purpose.

He needed supplies, information, and, most importantly, proof of himself. He went straight to the merchant he had met before, a middle-aged man known as "Old Crow."

Old Crow was short and stout, always wearing a greasy leather jacket, his face weathered and calculating.

"Hey, Xiao Ran, I didn't expect to see you again so soon." Old Crow grinned, revealing a few yellow teeth.

Several thugs surrounded him, silently staring at Xiao Ran. "Looks like you're quite satisfied with my goods."

"Whether I am satisfied or not is not important; the key is whether my needs can be met."

Xiao Ran's voice was cold and hard, tinged with impatience. "I need more virus sample supplies, and..." He paused, his eyes sweeping over the surroundings, "...information about sample storage and the patterns of spread."

Old Crow's smile froze. He had originally thought this special forces soldier was only interested in enhancing his strength, but he hadn't expected him to become interested in the virus itself.

"Are you sure you really want to know this? This is no joke. Knowing too much can sometimes be a burden."

"I don't need to listen to your advice," Xiao Ran said coldly.

"I will bear my own risks. You should still remember what I brought, right?"

Old Crow waved his hand, and several thugs immediately brought out a pile of weapons and ammunition, as well as some commonly used medical supplies.

The supplies Xiao Ran brought earlier were enough for Lao Ya to make a profit.

But for Xiao Ran, these things were merely bargaining chips.

“These are just the first batch,” the crow said slowly. “Regarding the information you want, I have an encrypted map here with a special coordinate point marked on it. That place is very likely to contain extended information about the virus sample, but going there will come at a price. The risk is very high, so be prepared.”

Xiao Ran's eyes lit up slightly. "What's the price?"

“I need you to provide information about the abandoned laboratory,” the crow countered.

"You've been following Su Wanqing, so you should know something about that lab, right? About the formulas they're researching, about those mutated samples..."

Xiao Ran frowned. Su Wanqing had been withholding information from him regarding the abandoned laboratory.

She only told him some basic information, and remained tight-lipped about the details of the laboratory's interior.

But he knew that Su Wanqing must have her reasons for doing this.

"All I can provide is some basic geographical location information; I know nothing else."

Xiao Ran said, "Furthermore, I need your detailed guidance. Where are the coordinates on this map? What equipment is needed? What potential dangers are there?"

The crow narrowed its eyes. "Deciphering the map will take time and requires special tools. I have a decoder here, but it will cost some credits. As for the coordinates, they are located in an abandoned mine on the outskirts of the city, where a group of mutated creatures are entrenched, and they are quite powerful. You will need to prepare sufficient weapons and enough patience."

Xiao Ran fell silent. He knew that Lao Ya was asking for an exorbitant price, but he had no room for negotiation.

Time was of the essence; he needed to obtain this information as quickly as possible. He took out some remaining weapons and ammunition from his backpack and handed them to Old Crow.

"Is this enough?"

The crow took the weapon, examined it carefully, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Almost done. I'll let you know as soon as my decoder finishes decrypting."

The crow turned and left, leaving Xiao Ran standing alone. He took out the map and began to study it carefully.

The coordinates on the map are marked with a special symbol, which looks quite mysterious.

He tried to crack the code, but made no progress. He vaguely sensed that this coordinate point was somehow connected to the environment of the sample area.

He recalled the location of the abandoned laboratory and the surrounding terrain. Suddenly, he realized that the abandoned mining area where this coordinate point was located was not far from the area where Su Wanqing and the others were active.

It's even possible that the place is located in the heart of Su Wanqing's leader's territory.

A disturbing thought surfaced in his mind: Did Su Wanqing already know these coordinates?

Did she deliberately lure him here to use him to obtain sample information?

Xiao Ran shook his head, trying to dispel these unnecessary suspicions.

The most important thing now is to find the weaknesses in the samples and stop the spread of the virus.

He cannot be swayed by personal emotions; he must remain clear-headed and make the right judgments.

Just as he was deep in thought, the crow returned. He held a decoder in his hand and handed it to Xiao Ran.

"Decoding complete. The coordinates have been decrypted. Take a close look."

Xiao Ran took the decoder and, following Lao Ya's instructions, zoomed in on the map.

A 3D model appeared on the map, showing the topography of the abandoned mining area.

He studied the map carefully and discovered a huge underground space inside the mining area, which appeared to be an abandoned arms factory.

"After the map was partially decrypted, it was revealed that a special signal frequency existed near the storage area of ​​the virus sample."

The crow said, "That frequency is linked to the movement patterns of the evolved zombies. It seems that someone is using this frequency to control the zombies' actions."

Xiao Ran frowned. "Who?"

“I don’t know,” the crow shook its head. “But I’m certain this is not a natural phenomenon.”

Someone is using virus samples to conduct some kind of experiment, or rather... some kind of control.

“Control?” Xiao Ran repeated the word in a low voice. He vaguely sensed that the black market merchant seemed to know some inside information, but he was deliberately concealing it.

“Businessmen don’t like getting involved in too much trouble.” Old Crow seemed to have seen through Xiao Ran’s doubts.

That's all I can tell you. As for the truth you want to know, you'll have to find it for yourself.

He paused, then continued, "I advise you not to act rashly. The area related to the sample is currently very dangerous, teeming with mutated creatures and unknown traps. It would be best to go there with your team."

Xiao Ran ignored Lao Ya's suggestion. He knew that Su Wanqing and Lin Che would never trust him.

He must solve this problem on his own.

"Thank you for the information," Xiao Ran said. "I understand."

He turned and walked towards the exit of the black market. His heart was filled with anxiety and unease.

He knew that a dangerous adventure awaited him.

“Remember, do not approach the sample area rashly,” the crow’s voice sounded behind him.

“There is a huge crisis hidden there; if you are not careful, you will be doomed.”

Xiao Ran did not answer. He quickened his pace and disappeared into the darkness of the black market.

He knew he needed to find the weaknesses in the samples as soon as possible to stop the spread of the virus.

He was willing to pay any price to achieve this goal.