My Apocalypse Territory

Chapter 315: Chapter 312 Elk Pulling a Cart Chapter 315: Chapter 312 Elk Pulling a Cart “That’s a Mutated Elk; it doesn’t bite.”

The elk was covered in grayish-brown fur, and apart from being relatively large, it didn’t look frightening, and its aura was only at the second-tier Awakening level.

With such a level of mutated beast, he could fight hundreds alone.

However… Moustache didn’t dare to lay a hand on the elk owned by Green Shadow, fearing that selling the entire commerce wouldn’t even cover the expense if he indeed slaughtered hundreds.

“This type of Mutated Elk has a relatively mild temperament and strong body, specially trained by Green Shadow to pull carts… If it wasn’t for the fact that the trained Horned Deer aren’t sold to outsiders, your uncle would really like to buy a few.”

Every time Storm Commerce transported goods across regions, the danger was a secondary concern for Moustache; the main issue was always the high transportation costs.

The reason was that diesel was too expensive and its price was increasingly on the rise. In Heng City, there were severe restrictions on gasoline and diesel. If it weren’t for his prominent status in Heng City, obtaining diesel would be as difficult as reaching the heavens for an ordinary commander of a mercenary corps.

It seemed that Green Shadow had also taken precautions, starting to use commonly found mutated animals like elk for transporting goods.

Regrettably…

Although elk were generally mild, not everyone could train them. Moustache had tried, but a slight disturbance would send the elk into a panic, fleeing the scene.

He dared not use untrained elk for pulling carts.

In other places, he hadn’t seen mutated beasts being used in work or daily life… He had seen them fighting alongside mutant beasts, but those beasts, domesticated before the apocalypse, shared a strong bond with their owners; they did not harm their owners nor did they leave.

It was a low-probability event.

The tamed Horned Deer was leashed and connected to a four-wheeled carriage, and the carriage driver, wearing a thick sweater, leaned on the seatback, gazing in the direction of the parking lot.

Moustache waved to the driver.

The driver gave a gentle pat at the elk’s tail, and the majestic Mutated Elk picked up its pace, pulling the semi-trailer right up to them.

Seeing no danger, Hu happily hopped around the elk.

The tamed elk was exceptionally docile and unafraid of strangers, munching on the premium feed given by the driver during the stop.

Several large boxes were loaded onto the elk-branded transport vehicle, but Moustache and the others walked ahead to lead the way instead of riding.

The elk cart was not slow, traveling about twenty kilometers per hour… Any faster would be pointless, as the Sanctuary had many pedestrians, and even the elk cart exclusive lanes could not prevent accidents if traveled too speedily.

Soon, Moustache and his group arrived in front of a store in the commercial district.

“Little Hu, this is our commerce office stationed in Green Shadow. Later on, when you study at Extreme Martial Arts Hall and encounter any issues, you can come here to find your Uncle Qin.”

Moustache stepped over to the store’s landline and dialed the fixed line of Cloud Clothing Commerce.

“…Yes, let’s meet to discuss further, looking forward to a fruitful collaboration.”

…

In an upscale cafe in the commercial district.

Moustache didn’t bring anyone else apart from his nephew Lin Hu; they arrived in a private room.

Two people were already waiting inside, a fashionably dressed young woman, and an older woman in business attire, looking quite formal and serious.

Young woman He Qingqing stood up, extending her hand, “Chairman Jiang, welcome, we’ve been eagerly anticipating your arrival…”

“Delighted to meet you, Chairman He still so young and accomplished…”

“Section Chief Xu is also here; we are really relying on you this time…”

A round of business flattery ensued.

He truly was a man of great deeds, quickly getting to the point.

Moustache had brought five carts of goods this time, of which two carts were filled with White Furred Beast pelts. These were sold to Cloud Clothing Commerce at the previously agreed price… He didn’t take the opportunity to raise the price, for a merchant registered in Green Shadow, reputation is more important than immediate profit.

Moreover, the profit at the previously agreed price was already quite substantial.

The remaining three carts contained mostly Transcendent Minerals, which he planned to sell to the Green Shadow officials.

Just then…

Moustache looked toward a formally dressed young woman, an official from the Logistics Department was also present.

Her first business negotiation in Green Shadow was with him, competing with the people from Soulfire Mercenary Corps, and it had almost become a laughingstock.

Moustache remembered, back then, she was just an ordinary person, one without the qualifications for Awakening, but now, just upon entering and sensing her aura, she had reached Third-tier.

Third-tier strength wasn’t much, but that depended on whom you were comparing it with.

For someone of her talent, each level she rose required more resources than ordinary Awakeners, reaching third-tier had come at no small cost.

The salary of a Logistics Department official was far from sufficient.

This cost was covered by the Sanctuary, similar to various welfare protections before the apocalypse.

However,
She was merely a clerical officer!

While those like Section Chief Xu weren’t numerous in Green Shadow, they weren’t rare… Just how wealthy and powerful was the Green Shadow Sanctuary!

Moustache was even more determined to send his nephew to study at Extreme Martial Arts Hall.

The three were not dealing for the first time, and there wasn’t much room for squabbling in their trade, making the atmosphere familiar.

“Section Chief Xu, this is my nephew, Lin Hu. I’m thinking about having him stay and study at the Martial Arts Hall, I don’t know…”
The young lady named Xu frowned, “Membership at Extreme Martial Arts Hall is indeed manageable with money, but to become a real apprentice…”
She shook her head, “Everything must follow the rules of the Martial Arts Hall.”

Moustache nodded and responded, “Of course, we will definitely not break the rules of the Martial Arts Hall. My nephew is young, though, and he might need Section Chief Xu to help look after him.”

“Looking after him within the rules is no problem, but whether he can pass the Martial Arts Hall’s assessment and become a core apprentice depends on your nephew himself.”

She looked at the young boy, showing a hint of surprise, “How old is he? When did he become an Awakener?”

“He’s just over twelve years old, and awakened last month. This child has remarkable talent, I believe he can pass the apprentice’s assessment.”

Speaking of his nephew, Moustache was quite proud.

Research in the scientific community had found that the highest probability of Awakening occurred between the ages of eighteen and thirty, and the older one got after thirty, the harder it was to awaken. Similarly, perhaps due to incomplete development, the younger one was before adulthood, the harder it was to awaken.

Lin Hu awakened at the age of twelve, a clear sign of exceptional talent.

Aside from being slightly timid, his nephew was also very intelligent. Moustache was confident about Hu passing the apprentice assessment.

Even if he couldn’t, it didn’t matter; he wasn’t short on Source Crystals. Just by getting an advanced membership card and purchasing all the courses from the Martial Arts Hall Teachers, he believed his nephew could still learn quite a bit.

“I remember there are four teachers in total at the Martial Arts Hall. If Hu passes the assessment, under which teacher will he be placed? Do we choose or does the Martial Arts Hall Teacher decide?”

“Female apprentices are generally placed under Teacher Eileen, who specializes in firearm combat, and those adept with firearms often go to Teacher Shay. Given Hu’s current situation, he will most likely follow Teacher Luo or Teacher Kong.”

“Really, it’s all the same, all four teachers are very strong. Passing the apprentice assessment is like having one foot through the door of becoming a powerful figure.”