Wasteland: My Items Can Be Infinitely Upgraded-Chapter 295 - 163: Ma Chenfeng, Ben Niu Town, and the Recruitment of the Escort Team
Aside from the Wolf King’s body, it lacks significant exploration and development value, and the danger far exceeds other relics or restricted areas.
Therefore, there is no permanent development by first-rate forces or small and medium-sized settlements; usually, some Hunter Squads, travelers on the wasteland, or wandering forces will take the risk to try.
But the restricted mining area Ma Chenfeng mentioned clearly has tremendous mining value, as both the primary sulfur mine and some nitrate by-products are raw materials for the production of gunpowder and operation of industry.
The power of Ben Niu Town is evidently much stronger than Oasis Town.
Due to the radiation curse of the restricted area, only Evolvers can enter it, facing the risk of mutation and pollution, to mine resources.
Evolvers who still have breathing space in Oasis Town can only become miner slaves when they reach Ben Niu Town.
No wonder there are so many Wanderers on the wasteland. Large families like the Oasis Li Family treat foreign Evolvers they cultivate harshly, even if they have to complete tasks risking death, but at least their living conditions are extremely favorable, ranking high in several villages.
This is also thanks to the uniqueness of the Oasis Battleship, always maintained by reverse-feeding from the Holy City.
The consumption for supporting Oasis Upper Class, with just a little leakage, is enough to sustain tens of thousands of Deserters.
Other autonomous regions loyal to the Holy Spring Sect, after paying a "protection fee," must pass pressure down further to survive.
Hence, Tier One Evolvers become sacrifices, mass-produced industrially, sent to the restricted area to mine for Ben Niu Town’s wealth.
After confirming there were no issues with the other’s background and experience, Lin Feng immediately asked about another matter:
"So why do you want to offer it to me?"
"According to you, this shell might involve a Tier Three King. Before, the Salvation Army had a powerful Tier Two Late Stage Evolver, wouldn’t Leader Bai be more appropriate than me?"
The radiation of the shell in his hand is very weak. For a Tier Two Evolver like Lin Feng, if not brought close, it would be impossible to notice anything unusual; only by touching it can some clues be found.
If it weren’t for the Original Flesh of Zong Shiyue passing near the pile of miscellaneous items, sensing a slight fluctuation with above-Tier Three awareness, Lin Feng would have missed this thing.
Ma Chenfeng smiled slightly ingratiatingly:
"The Salvation Army once had forces led by a Tier Three King. Even though they are in decline now, they are still top-tier among Wanderers. How could they care for a small Mid-stage Evolver like me?"
"But you, sir, have just been promoted to Tier Two Evolver and are also a firearms Superpower User; the future is limitless. If I can follow you, while I may not achieve fame, at least I can live comfortably..."
As he spoke, Ma Chenfeng knelt directly on one knee, earnestly continuing:
"When you first arrived, you were only a Tier One Late Stage Evolver. In just a few days, you gained the appreciation of Leader Bai to become a Tier Two Powerhouse. Not only did your own strength greatly increase, but this trip underground was also full of harvest; at this moment, you urgently need manpower!"
"I am willing to swear to become a follower of you, sir, to bring the entire team as an Escort, serving you from now and always taking your lead!"
Lin Feng’s lips slightly curved upwards. Although he guessed the other’s intention, to be frank, it was not off-putting.
The so-called ’one achieves success, others rise with them’...
When you are strong enough, there will naturally be those who come to pledge allegiance and serve you.
Ma Chenfeng is a perceptive person willing to serve.
At this time, after unloading cargo, Chen Shanshan came over, frowning slightly at the man kneeling before her.
Regarding those who seek connections opportunistically, earning three-tenths of their expressed loyalty in reality is considered good; having wandered the wasteland for decades, becoming an experienced Wanderer, how could any be decent folk?
In the harsh environment of survival of the fittest, those who survive struggle amidst deceit and betrayal...
Loyalty is cheaper than toilet paper.
"We often need to enter the restricted area, and in the future will also hunt clan leader-level Desolate Beasts; each time will require facing the risk of death. Before you choose to swear allegiance, think clearly if you are willing to pay any cost for this..."
Chen Shanshan paused and, staring at Ma Chenfeng before her, spoke in a deep tone:
"Including life?"
Ma Chenfeng raised his head, seeing the small woman standing beside Lin Feng yet emitting a presence equal to his own, also a Mid-stage Evolver.
Beside her, Lin Feng also carried his powerful firearms around his waist.
Ma Chenfeng suddenly realized that the moment he agreed, in the future, should he display any hesitation or retreat, the dark gun barrel would be targeting the back of his head!
The others had already made it clear—they require true loyalty and only by risking one’s life to make contributions can one earn the corresponding reward.
Wishing to ride on the rise of Lin Feng and smoothly become a top wasteland person is absolutely impossible.
After much inner struggle, Ma Chenfeng took a deep breath:
"I am willing to use my life to pledge allegiance to Lord Lin!"
Lin Feng nodded, temporarily agreeing.
Ma Chenfeng has his own ambitions, which Lin Feng certainly understands, but without ambitious subordinates, they would only be contented with maintaining the status quo, capable of keeping steady but lacking initiative.
For example, Liu Mingfei and most ordinary humans become Evolvers, losing much survival pressure; they resist further challenges and adventures that might involve life risks, no longer as fearless as before.
And the ambition Ma Chenfeng exhibits is currently the quality most lacking among Lin Feng’s members.
Seeing Lin Feng nod, the man before him rejoiced:
"Sir, actually the Escort is..."
"Just call me captain." Lin Feng waved his hand to interrupt.
He did not like the term ’Sir’; it signifies a feudal and outdated distance rather than closeness.
Ma Chenfeng nodded and continued:
"Captain, actually, Escort Teams are quite common on the wasteland, especially among forces formed by Tier Two Evolvers."
"The Escort Team is equivalent to temporarily recruited subordinates; after several task tests, they can become regular members."
"Moreover, Escort members do not need to share the rewards and gains of missions; they just need Tier Two Powerhouses to provide food."
Lin Feng nodded, not particularly concerned about this:
"What’s the situation with your team, how many vehicles do you have?"
"I mean vehicles capable of transporting goods." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
Ma Chenfeng swallowed and thought before speaking:
"A total of seventeen members, four besides myself are Tier One Early Stage Evolvers, all trustworthy, the remaining twelve are Enhanced People."
"In terms of vehicles, there are five in total, three are transport vehicles, loaded with some supplies and water tanks."
"Another one is exclusively for accommodation, and the other is for off-road exploration and pursuit, very lightweight with low load capacity."
"The three transport vehicles have a total load capacity of fifteen tons; if the accommodation vehicle is modified, it can reach twenty tons, though it would be cramped, or require walking..."
Lin Feng nodded:
"That will suffice. All the miscellaneous items in the three transport trucks, including low-quality jerky and water buckets, must be thrown away; after returning to Oasis Town, I’ll give you two thousand points for transportation expenses to repurchase living supplies."
Hearing Lin Feng’s command, the somewhat dazed Ma Chenfeng immediately beamed, replying with a smile:
"Understood, captain, I’ll get to it!"
Once he walked away, Chen Shanshan was still a little uneasy. While helping Lin Feng remove his Power Armor, she analyzed aloud:
"If what he said is true, wouldn’t he want to use us to help him get revenge, to solve the troublesome problem of Ben Niu Town..."
"After all, the bounty order he carries is issued by Ben Niu Town."
Lin Feng shrugged:
"So what if it’s Ben Niu Town? Without a Tier Three King to guard it, at most it’s a second-tier force, even if they seek protection from the Church, they’re effectively an autonomous region."
"To the Church, its importance isn’t even one-tenth of Oasis Town; as long as the supply of resources is stable, they don’t care who governs Ben Niu Town..."
After speaking, Lin Feng stood up, patting his sweat-soaked clothes, and slowly said:
"Pack things up, send the Evolutionary Meat into the Rock Horse Battle Car, I’ll filter it."
"Let the Escort carry the refined Steel Wolf Bones and Wolf Hides into the transport trucks, it’s time to head back to Oasis Town!"
