Love and passion, cutting up the wasteland.

A sudden rainstorm came pouring down.

It made everyone panic.

They had just stepped onto the opened waterway and had not taken a few steps forward when a hole appeared in the dark clouds in the sky. Rain poured down on the earth, and all the water in the pools rose at a speed visible to the naked eye.

And the dam collapsed.

The clear and turbid water sources were completely mixed together.

Regardless of each other.

In fact, they were not unprepared for the sudden rain, but they saw Shi Cha's caravan successfully swim across the river, so they had a lucky mentality.

I'm worried about missing this opportunity.

Fear of being left behind.

When the water is full, it overflows.

The depression lagoon starts from the center, and the accumulated lake water gushes out and spreads to the entire area.

Like a wave.

All the swimmers who were still halfway across the river were swept away, and the thousands of lakes that were originally arranged in an orderly manner turned into a vast ocean.

The center of the depression lagoon is a large swamp, which is also the lowest point in the entire area. The so-called lake town is located here.

It rained heavily and the water level rose. Logically, this is the place most affected by the tide.

But the entire town of the depression lagoon was built on an elevated platform, and its foundation was the oil production platform that was once made of steel. Even after years of wind and frost, it was only rusted on the surface. The thick support that was driven into the ground did not move at all under the impact of the wind and waves and the lake water.

Like a standing giant.

"...Huh." The tech hunter stationed at the lookout drank a glass of strong liquor to warm himself up and exhaled, "Mr. Wolf's prediction was indeed correct. It will rain again in the depression lagoon. Do we need to raise the platform?"

Wolfe is the chief mechanic stationed at the Depression Lagoon. He is best at predicting weather changes and the movement of wild animals, and is highly respected by everyone in the lake town.

Of course, as a mechanic, his actual main job is to interpret the excavated ancient relics and documents, but for technology hunters, the former is more directly related to their lives and tasks, and attracts more attention.

"No need, we just need to release the floodwater." A companion beside him was monitoring the water level, "Notify the higher-ups, get ready... Wait!"

He suddenly stopped and shone the light into the turbulent lake.

at the same time.

The lake town has no city walls, nor does it need them, but the harpoon turrets arranged on the entire platform are automatically aimed towards the outside.

They are rare twin-turrets that can fire two spear-like shells at once, or they can fire alternately to increase arrow density and reduce cooldown.

Hit by a hail of arrows.

It's no longer a question of shooting into a sieve.

Any person or army would be beaten to pieces and buried in the lake, which was sometimes calm and sometimes turbulent.

But, when the light shines on the lake.

The Tech Hunter saw it clearly.

"Fuck...how did they get here?"

Floating on the lake was Lu Meng's caravan. They were supported by the swimming of the pack animals connected to each other with iron chains, so they were not washed away by the wind and waves.

The castaways grabbed the long rope at the end in horror.

Apparently, by the time they were halfway there, the rain had already poured down, but high tide takes time after all: in this precious moment, only this caravan arrived at the Lake Town platform first.

On the other side, Shi Cha had already raised the common banner for caravan liaisons.

"Let them come up quickly." The technology hunters were also extremely surprised.

In the past, they would clear the way when they went out and guide these caravans to come to Lake Town to trade.

This time, due to orders from above, the technology hunters have not been on any missions outside for a long time, and trade is out of the question.

did not expect.

There was actually a caravan that braved the wind and waves and swam across the river. I don't know whether to say that they were skilled and brave or simply had good luck.

And at this time.

Bo, who had swam to clear a path earlier, had disappeared without a trace for some reason.

In the Depression Lagoon Town, a floating bridge was lowered from the platform, which served as a temporary pier.

Shi Cha rode on a camel and stepped onto the platform, all wet and shivering.

Among the entire caravan.

He was probably the weakest one, and it was very difficult for him to endure the wind and rain along the way.

But after all, he was a person who could lead a team to trade personally, and he had a strong will. Shi Cha quickly pulled himself together and stepped forward to negotiate with the technology hunters who came to support him.

"The guild's third-level charter?" The leading tech hunter raised his eyebrows.

Although the third-level franchisees are not the top core of the merchant guild, in the eyes of the outside world, being able to reach this level is already quite difficult and rare.

After seeing Shi Cha provide evidence, these technology hunters couldn't help but look up to him.

"Yes, I have been to the Depression Lagoon before, I wonder if there are any friends I know here..." Shi Cha called him brother, but at the same time he was complaining in his heart: This is nothing, if you knew that among the people behind us, there is a group of second-level franchised merchants, that would be truly amazing.

Unfortunately, according to the order of the great leader, they had to hide their whereabouts on this trip. Shi Cha was also very tactful and arranged identities for each member in his own caravan, so that they could withstand inspection, but they could not borrow the other party's power and status.

"Boss Shi's business is growing bigger and bigger," said a tech hunter who seemed to be familiar with him in the team. He counted the number of pack animals and said, "It's getting late. This is not the place to chat. Let's go into the city first. We will entertain you..."

The rain was pouring down, and every drop hit people's bodies, causing a stabbing pain.

It is not convenient to check in the heavy rain, and the other party is a member of the Merchant Guild with a high status, so we have to give him face no matter what.

"and many more!"

But just as these outpost tech hunters were preparing to do their routine, a stern shout came from behind them: "Everyone, stay!"

The tech hunter from before turned around and looked, his casual attitude instantly disappearing.

He stood up straight: "Yes!"

The Tech Hunters were a loose organization, but in this lagoon, there were two groups of people you had to obey - one of them was the newcomers, the city lord's personal guards, the law enforcement team affiliated with the Lord Watcher.

They may not be excellent hunters, but they are definitely the most powerful armed force here. They are usually responsible for enforcing discipline and maintaining order, and they are the ones who supervise the existence of ordinary technology hunters.

"Merchant Guild?" The uniforms of the law enforcement hunters are different from those of ordinary members. Their raincoats are pure white instead of camouflage. This is because these people do not need to go out for adventures or duties like ordinary members.

The leader pushed aside the sentries who were originally responsible for the inspection and looked at the caravan: "Where are you coming from? Where are you going? Have you passed by... the black scratch?"

The series of questions made Shi Cha a little confused, but before he could answer, he heard the law enforcement leader continue the conversation: "Forget it, lock him up and ask him everything will be clear."

"take away!"

"Wait, brothers..." The one who stopped the law enforcement team was none other than the technology hunter who was in charge of the investigation before, "Isn't this a bad idea?" Their depression lagoon has attracted many merchants to trade because of its safety. Logistics turnover and import and export tariffs are also a source of income for the development of this town.

The caravan before them was of considerable status, and they had braved the wind and rain to reach the platform with much difficulty.

There has never been a precedent in Lake Town where people were detained and interrogated so harshly. The technology hunters knew that even they themselves might not end up well if they fell into the hands of the law enforcement team, let alone this group of outsiders.

The leader of the law enforcement hunters forced him back with just a glance, and then slowly said: "This is a special period... Everyone knows it."

"If everyone is involved, don't blame me for not warning you."

The sentry's face turned pale.

I unconsciously gave way.

Su Cheng sensed the oppressive and changing atmosphere, and slowly placed his hand on the handle of the machete behind him.

But even he didn't know what the point of drawing his sword was at this moment - there were at least a dozen people with his strength in this depression lagoon, not counting those who were out on missions.

In addition, even the most ordinary technology hunter can exert combat power equivalent to that of generals in other armies.

Not to mention the city defense facilities here, and the depression lagoon itself as the base of the southern technology hunters, its representative and symbolic significance.

Fight it with force.

It is undoubtedly a stupid idea.

Because the gap was too huge, Su Cheng never thought of taking the new leader into consideration from the beginning.

In his opinion, no matter how many people were added, the balance could not be turned. The warrior's subconscious action now was simply because he did not want to sit there and wait to be slaughtered.

Shi Cha was a little flustered.

He keenly noticed the key words in the other party's words...black scratches?
What does this have to do with the black scratches?
As a caravan departing from the North Union City, they did pass through the Black Scratch, but because they were well prepared, they did not consume any supplies, and they also hired warriors so they no longer needed to seek protection from technology hunters... He didn't even enter the city.

But listen to the other party.

These law enforcement teams seem to be looking for people coming from the black scratch.

And very concerned.

Even fear.

Just as the law enforcement team surrounded them and were about to take action under the blockade of the harpoon turret, Shi Cha suddenly remembered something and shouted, "Wait a minute, we haven't been to the Black Scratch... We came from the Land of Flash!"

"...Flash Land?"

In the past trading routes, the Flash Grassland was indeed a favorite transit station for the merchant guild. If one chose to go south through here, it would indeed be far away from the Black Scratch Town in the east.

There can be no intersection.

However, when they heard Shi Cha say this place name, both the tough law enforcement team and the Sentinel Technology Hunter who had spoken for them before, had a strange expression on their faces at the same time.

It was as if this word, although different from the black scratch, was a taboo on another level.

"...No matter where you come from, we'll know everything once we take you back." After a moment of hesitation, the law enforcement hunter still wanted to take action.

"You mean, you're from Shem?" another voice in the crowd interrupted him, "From the grassland that experienced the beast disaster?"

The law enforcement hunter's expression changed: "Lu Dai, why are you here to join in the fun!"

The newcomer was unlike the other members of the Tech Hunters who were all wearing raincoats. She was wearing a bachelor's uniform and holding an umbrella. She poked her head out from under the water curtain, revealing her small head and delicate face.

She is a female apprentice.

"I'm not trying to join in the fun." Lu Dai tilted his head, his pigtails drooping, "They said they were from Shem... This is impossible, unless the teacher is wrong."

"But, teacher, he never makes mistakes."

"In that case, then you move aside."

The law enforcement hunter watched the female apprentice gradually walk towards the caravan. He himself was holding a crossbow in his hand and had a strong physique, but he seemed afraid to step forward to stop her.

Just because Lu Dai was a mechanic's apprentice.

As I just said, there are two types of people in the Depression Lagoon that you must never offend.

One is their law enforcement team.

The second is the mechanic here.

They usually remain aloof and unconcerned with worldly affairs, but if a conflict really arises, even violent armed forces like law enforcement teams dare not argue or offend them.

"No, in that case, I will take them away and leave it to the teacher to decide. He will definitely be interested." Lu Dai looked at the beasts of burden that emerged from the water like a curious little girl, but her eyes accurately scanned the biological characteristics used to identify the species of the tribe. "These are the camels raised by the White Eyebrow Clan. I heard that they never take them away... You really may be from Shandi."

In the team, the animal trainer Kone couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat when he heard this.

It was the first time he had seen someone who was not from a wandering tribe and was not a beast trainer, who could identify the herds of Shem so quickly and even describe the tribe that raised them so clearly.

"Anyway, come with me." Lu Dai waved her hand and walked towards the city. The members of the law enforcement team were divided into two rows by the rain from her umbrella, but she didn't seem to care about their opinions, as if her arbitrary decision was natural.

The lead law enforcement hunter had his finger on the trigger, but then let it go.

Couldn't stop it.

If you want to know why, the teacher the other party was talking about was Wolfe.

Chief mechanic at the Swale Lagoon.

Although Lu Dai had not yet gone to the end of the world for further studies, he was his most favorite disciple.

On the other hand, Shi Cha was overjoyed by this sudden change and turn.

The decision made by the Grand Commander was indeed correct... Now it seems that if the two sides merge together, they are not protecting each other, but themselves.

If he hadn't met the Grand Commander.

Just tell the truth.

At this moment, they were detained indiscriminately by the law enforcement team of the Depression Lagoon.

……

……

"After so many years," Bo stroked the rusty walls and fences, "there are still loopholes in their patrols here."

Behind her was Chad, and the two had just crawled out of a hidden pipe after diving.

"After all, this place wasn't originally intended to be a military fortress." A familiar voice sounded from the front. "With the abandonment of the drilling and the death of the old workers, no one wants to remember or mention many places, right?"

The young man with white hair and long clothes looked at them.

Lu Meng has been waiting for a long time.

(End of this chapter)