New Mexico, Colonia City Airport.

Fang Zhen, Li Zoyi, and Ke Liangjie disembarked from the plane.

The place wasn't too far from Houston. The flight took less than two hours, and by the time they arrived, night had already fallen.

The airport was located northwest of Colonia, still dozens of kilometers from the city proper. Ke Liangjie had made arrangements; as soon as they landed, he rented an American muscle car and they set off into the night.

Driving at night, especially in a place like Colonia—surrounded by a desolate desert that looked perfect for a wilderness ambush—required some nerve.

This was especially true for an outsider like Fang Zhen on his first trip to Colonia; it took real courage.

Most people in this situation, unless they were fearless out of sheer ignorance, would have started to worry by now.

Fang Zhen, however, seemed quite at ease.

"I didn't realize you were so brave," Li Zoyi, who was sitting in the back seat, suddenly said.

Fang Zhen, in the passenger seat, glanced back at Li Zoyi.

"Most people would get the creeps in a situation like this. The fact that you dared to come with us alone... I don't know whether to call you brave or reckless."

"But either way is fine. I don't like timid men, so you're my type," Li Zoyi said, her attitude seemingly a little more relaxed than before.

Fang Zhen smiled silently without replying.

At that moment, the phone Ke Liangjie had placed on the dashboard vibrated.

Ke Liangjie, steering with one hand, picked up the phone and glanced at it.

"The seller replied. We're going straight to the transaction to pick up the goods."

"We're going off-road. Hold on tight."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ke Liangjie cranked the steering wheel, turning off the highway and heading into the wilderness.

As Fang Zhen watched the desert scenery illuminated by the headlights—the weeds, the arid shrubs, the scattered cacti—he wondered what kind of connections Ke Liangjie was using.

'Ke Liangjie hadn't said who the seller was, but I have a pretty good idea.'

'It's most likely a Mexican cartel.'

'New Mexico was named that for a reason—it borders Mexico. And when I looked up Colonia City before coming, I learned the region has the longest border with Mexico in the entire US.'

'A border that long is impossible to fully secure. If you really want to cross, there are plenty of ways.'

'Besides, a place like New Mexico is pretty surreal. Or rather, America itself is surreal enough.'

'On one hand, the US is indeed the world's most economically and technologically advanced nation, with the strongest military. Though many people and countries despise it, its power is objectively and universally recognized as number one.'

'But on the other hand, the country is also home to many primitive and backward places.'

'What many people don't know is that America is actually the country with the most serfs under the control of human trafficking and de facto slavery—or, to be cautious, let's say one of the most.'

'Every year, between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States, ending up in sectors like commerce, hospitality, tourism, and agriculture.'

'Domestically, while the US Constitution seems to champion liberty and democracy, in practice, numerous groups within the country—operating under the guise of religious sects or other organizations—round up the homeless and other forgotten members of society under the pretext of 'aid.' They then organize them into so-called 'communities,' 'communes,' or 'congregations' and force them into unpaid labor.'

'These incidents are not isolated cases.'

'And here in New Mexico, in Colonia, there are supposedly even Chinese gangs, mainly involved in activities like growing 'leaf.''

'Due to its geography, Colonia is also home to numerous transnational criminal organizations. It's truly a lawless place.'

Fang Zhen was aware of all this.

He wasn't too worried, though.

'All fear stems from a lack of firepower.' There was some truth to that saying.

'If I were to go all out, I wouldn't have to fear any of the monsters and demons around here.'

'After all, when has the Great Saint ever been afraid of monsters?'

The car slowed down and gradually came to a stop.

Fang Zhen surveyed his surroundings.

They were at the edge of a wooden cabin built in the middle of the desert wilderness.

The cabin was quite large, though a bit old. He had no idea why it was built out here in the desert. He could also see an abandoned well and what looked like livestock fencing.

Ke Liangjie took out the key and got out of the car. Fang Zhen followed.

Ke Liangjie checked his phone and said, "Wait five minutes."

This Ke Liangjie was a man of few words, as if every one was precious. He hadn't said more than five sentences the entire trip.

Fang Zhen didn't plan on asking, either.

It wasn't that he was the type to trust anyone; he just didn't care. Prying for details wouldn't make a difference to him.

Li Zoyi also got out of the car and walked over. "When the deal goes down, try not to say much besides what's necessary to pay them. The more you talk, the more likely something goes wrong."

"These guys are ruthless. Don't talk too much and cause any trouble."

"Also, have the money ready. The price we agreed on is forty-five thousand US dollars, but they might raise it on the spot. Are you prepared for that?"

"The money isn't an issue," Fang Zhen replied.

Li Zoyi nodded and didn't press the matter.

After four or five minutes, Fang Zhen saw a pair of headlights in the distance as a vehicle drove toward them.

Ke Liangjie, as if suddenly remembering something, walked over to the muscle car, opened the trunk, and pulled out two revolvers. He handed one to Fang Zhen.

Fang Zhen took the gun.

As he tucked his revolver into the back of his waistband, under his shirt, Ke Liangjie said, "For self-defense."

Fang Zhen swung open the cylinder and checked. It was fully loaded with six live rounds.

'Looks like Ke Liangjie's local contact is a pro,' Fang Zhen thought. 'They even prepared the 'truth' for us.'

"Alright." Fang Zhen tucked the pistol into the back of his waistband.