Cataclysm King

Chapter 229 Xie Guozhong’s defection

On the dirt slope outside Shangbang Prison, in the asphalt-like darkness, a disgraced figure emerged from the hole.

The prison's barrier can trap those miners, but it cannot trap top powerhouses like Gong Wu.

The old man has been in the mine for many years, and it can be said that he knows the secrets in the mine better than anyone else.

It also includes the flaws in the barrier.

Then he pointed out such a way for Ji Xun.

Find the weak point in the barrier, break through the rock formation, and dig a hole to reach the ground.

Ji Xun moved his body and his joints made a clicking sound.

The muscles all over his body ached so much that he grinned and couldn't help but complain: "Oh my, the old man's tricks are really dirty."

In the past two days, in order to learn the [Ba Fist], I received a lot of beatings.

That kind of qigong master beating people is not ordinary physical damage, but also erosion at the level of laws, and mysterious attacks at the level of fighting spirit.

The pain is felt in the body, nerves and consciousness, and lasts for a long time.

Ordinary medicines for this kind of injury have no alleviating effect at all.

What's more, as the old man said, only by being beaten can the body form muscle memory. This is a required course for fighters.

Ji Xun also thinks it makes sense.

Besides, he was reluctant to use the few life-saving potions, so he just let his body hurt.

But it's worth it.

Complaints are complaints, and he had a look of accomplishment on his face.

I stayed in Shangbang Prison for more than two months. Not only did I learn the follow-up to the secret method of "Gluttony", I also experienced a real qualitative change in my martial arts.

There is also a pile of [Crystals of Fighting Spirit] in the package, and some ancient secrets have been glimpsed.
The harvest has far exceeded expectations.

Thinking of this, he took out his steam motorcycle and drove towards the lower city of Sinless City while puffing out white gas.

Not long after, Ji Xun arrived outside the city of Innocence.

However, from a distance, looking at the bright lights on the city wall and the busy construction site, he was slightly surprised and thought to himself: "Hey, I haven't been back in the past two months. Has Innocence City changed so much?"

Because the former Innocence City was full of exiled criminals, although the number of people was large, it was not enough to fill this ancient ruins, and even less than half of the area used for the city's buildings was used.

For example, near the outermost city wall, there used to be an uninhabited ruins with no lights at all.

At least that was the case when Ji Xun left last time.

But when I come back now, I see that everything has changed a lot.

On those incomplete city walls, thousands of workers controlled mechanical skeletons and various large cranes to transport rocks up to repair the incomplete city walls.

There is also a huge alloy gate at the city gate, and vehicles transporting supplies come in and out, forming a long queue.

A busy scene.

Today's Innocence City is like an antique dug out of the ground, restored and cleaned to look brand new.

Ji Xun murmured in his heart: "If the content on the stone tablet is deciphered correctly, the Innocence City 3000 years ago was called 'Xinhuo City'?"

The scene in front of me is a bit like a fire burning from the ashes.

He looked at the prosperous and lively scene in front of him and felt very good.

Innocence City is becoming more and more prosperous, which means that the development of the Old Continent is also a general trend.

Seeing the city glowing with vitality in front of you, it seems as if history is shining into reality, which always makes people feel an inexplicable sense of expectation.

After seeing the scenery at the peak of Ka Master from the old senior, Ji Xun became more and more excited about the ancient civilization relics in the old continent.

Those secrets and treasures buried in history are waiting for people to discover them little by little.

With thoughts in his mind, Ji Xun rode his motorcycle to an uninhabited section of the city wall without leaving the gate, and easily climbed up with his wolf claws.

After entering the city, it was pretty much what he had expected.

The city is much livelier than it was two months ago.

The ruins were once full of bustling scenes, and the city was brightly lit.

The major families of the Federation poured a lot of new blood into this city, including hunters, mercenaries, businessmen, speculators and ordinary people.

A new city is full of opportunities, attracting people from all walks of life to dig for money.

Ji Xun was riding a motorcycle and speeding along the street.

The previously potholed roads have now been mostly repaired, and lane lines have also been painted.

Thousands of years ago, Innocence City was a huge city with a two-way eight-lane main road running through the entire city.

There is a constant flow of steam vehicles of all kinds on the streets.

The once disorderly and chaotic Innocence City has also faintly transformed into a well-organized super new city.

Not long after, Ji Xun arrived at Downing Street.

It is connected to the Nugget Pier in the old continent and is still the most prosperous place in Innocence City.

Ji Xun parked the car on the side of the road.

There were a lot of pedestrians as expected.

But he was immediately attracted by the quality of the mechanical equipment on the hunters on the street.

“Can this level of mechanical equipment be produced in large quantities?”

Ji Xun also had thoughts in his eyes.

Mechanical arms, mechanical exoskeletons, and various steam spray guns, hooks, and individual boilers. The technological content of the mechanical equipment worn by hunters far exceeds that of two months ago.

He had spent some time in Dong Qi's machinery workshop before and had a lot of understanding of the steam machinery of this era.

That's why I'm amazed.

In the past, the steam machinery that low-level hunters could use was basically purely mechanical equipment.

Crude, fragile, and of little power.

For example, some engraved spells have special effects on enchanting machines, which have always been exclusive to noble legions before.

Not only are the materials expensive, but the technology is also a strategic secret and will not be spread to the public.

But right now, the mechanical equipment worn by hunters on the streets is almost all enchanted equipment.

There are also all kinds of weird black technologies.

Being able to be used by low-level hunters means that this level of mechanical equipment can already be produced.

Not seen for two months.

Ji Xun felt like he was in another world.

Many of the topics discussed by pedestrians on the road are also related to machinery.

"The mechanical equipment of Cao's Chamber of Commerce is really powerful. The old spray gun before can kill a late-stage Katu monster, which is pretty good. Now my 'Thunder Cannon R3 spray gun' can kill a first-order disaster! Hahaha. From now on, I, a card disciple, can also explore advanced extra-dimensional spaces."

"Yes, the quality of the military industry is indeed good! In the past, the military machinery and equipment of the federal nobles only had this power. I didn't expect that we ordinary hunters could buy it with money."

"Not only is it easy to use, but the price is also cheap. I heard that all members of Lao Liu's 'Baohu Group' have been replaced by mechanical equipment, and now they are sweeping across the old continent and making a fortune."

"Tsk tsk. Mechanical equipment has become a legion, and combat power is truly terrifying. With these mechanical equipment, a child can have the combat power of a card disciple, or even a formal card master. I really can't imagine the future."

"Yes, times are changing. In the future, mechanics will definitely be the most popular civilian occupation. I have to say that the Old Continent is a damn good place too!"

"."

Ji Xun listened to a few words selectively and roughly understood what happened.

After walking a few steps, the tavern in the best location of Downing Street had some mechanical equipment for display in the window.

There are complete sets of mechanical battle armor, as well as some individual equipment and components, giving it a strong sense of black technology.

Ji Xun also stopped and looked at it for a while.

The materials and workmanship are all top quality.

I took a look at the factory nameplate and saw that they were all produced by the Cao family of the Lord's Mansion.

The onlookers were also very interested in these mechanical samples and pointed at them.

"Hey, tell me, if the Cao family doesn't use such a good thing for their own army, why would they sell it?"

"If the Cao family doesn't sell it, there are others. It's not just the Cao family who discovered mechanical remains in the Old Continent, and all kinds of new drawings are still coming out. Now mass production and occupying the market is the wisest decision. . Don’t look at how cheap these mechanical equipment are. Look at which hunter on the street doesn’t bring a few pieces with him? The profit is frighteningly high. I estimate that the machinery industry may be the most profitable business in the entire federation now."

"What good thing are we buying? My old uncle just came back from Devil's Crossing. It is said that the Cao family's army is now equipped with a large number of mechanical swords that can threaten high-level card masters."

"I heard that the new city built by the Cao family in Devil's Crossing also sells more advanced mechanical equipment. Do you want to go and take a look? It is said that as long as you join the Cao family's hunter group, you can also get free equipment for recruits."

"Go! Let's form a group and count me in!"

"."

The hunters in front of the display window all seemed ready to make a move.

Many people are going to the Old World immediately.

Ji Xun looked at it and smiled in his heart.

This "free routine" works well no matter where you go.

This will attract a large number of hunters to open up wasteland in Devil's Crossing.

It seems that some equipment is given away for free, but once the mechanical equipment is mass-produced, the cost will become lower and lower, and it will not actually cost much.

Moreover, the blueprints, materials, and ancient relics produced by the hunters will eventually fall into the hands of the Cao family.

What's more, as long as we can attract people to the new city, food, clothing, housing and transportation will all be money.

The more people there are, the more prosperity there is.

The benefits gained by the Cao family will also snowball.

The new city has also been revitalized.

From this point, it can be seen that the Cao family does have experts in planning.

Ji Xun also remembered that he attended the Cao family's machinery launch conference a few months ago.

Since then, the Cao family has actually been developing its presence in the machinery field.

After Ji Xun met Catalina, he experienced the brutal competition for heirs within the top nobles.

He also had a changed view of the nobility.

In the eyes of the people at the bottom, the federal aristocrats are a group of fat men and arrogant ladies who only know how to have fun.

But this is not the case.

In that kind of wealthy environment, there may be some dandies.

But if the family does not decline, there must be capable people.

In particular, the five major federal congressman families can last for 200 years without any fuel-saving lamp.

Cao Yu, whom Ji Xun killed before, was only a branch of the great councilor Cao family.

Now with this layout, we can see some of the Cao family's background.

Today's federation has a pattern of strong powers competing for hegemony, with no center.

As the only innocent city connected to the old continent, it has now become the focus of all eyes of the entire federation.

The current Innocence City is truly the gaming ground for those top dignitaries.

Ji Xun raised the corners of his mouth slightly when he thought of this.

He looked forward to this excitement.

It's like a spotlight has been turned on, a huge stage has been set up, and the actors have appeared.

A wonderful drama has begun.

The changes in Innocence City were so great that Ji Xun wandered around the streets for a while and realized that his news was too late.

I planned to sit in a tavern and find out what happened recently.

13 Downing Street, The Old Gun Tavern.

This is one of the pubs that Ji Xun is accustomed to visiting.

The qualifications are old enough, the background is solid enough, and the information channels are stable.

After two months of absence, the number of customers increased dramatically and the old tavern was renovated.

Not only did a new area with a two-story steel structure be installed, but a larger musket sculpture made of brass was built at the entrance of the store.

Ji Xun walked in among the crowd, originally looking for a corner to drink.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered, he was immediately attracted by the wanted notice on the notice board and couldn't move his feet.

Ji Xun himself, an S-class wanted criminal with a bounty of hundreds of millions, has also fallen from the C position on the bounty list because he has not shown his face for several months.

Put on some new faces that have been popular recently.

The rewards may not all be higher than his, but the crimes committed are not small.Ji Xun originally just glanced at it.

But when he saw a familiar face appearing in a row of wanted posters with a bounty of over [-] million, his eyes suddenly shrank.

The red letter stamp on Bureau

"Lao Xie is actually wanted? Or is it a wanted order issued by Bureau X headquarters?"

Ji Xun also felt incredible when he saw the familiar bearded face.

He is very familiar with Xie Guozhong and knows the guy's character very well.

Being a field agent was not only his job, but he also felt like he belonged to Bureau X.

But what's going on now? This kind of ace agent has defected and is wanted?
Under the reward order, a row of small letters read the charges: "S-class wanted criminal. On April 4.15th, he stole important research information from Bureau Later, he went crazy and massacred the city, killing more than a thousand civilians in the town. His crimes were extremely heinous. Now, an urgent reward is being offered, regardless of life or death! The characteristics are as follows. "

When Ji Xun saw this, he became more and more confused: "Massacre the city?"

His first reaction was: Impossible!

Xie Guozhong's character is definitely the most upright guy Ji Xun thinks he has ever seen.

Although he looks sloppy and unruly, this guy is a genuine fifth-level card master of the [Order] path.

That man would never be able to do such a thing as massacre civilians.

But since it was written on the wanted order, the massacre in the town should have really happened.

Ji Xun's eyes turned and he immediately thought: "Being framed? Contaminated? Or some other reason?"

He thought of what Xie Guozhong said when he saw him for the last time.

That old friend wanted to investigate the changes that occurred at the top level of Bureau X.

If you guessed correctly, the problem may lie here.

Seeing the wanted notice, Ji Xun's thoughts were racing, and he suddenly thought of something. He thought in his mind: "If it's April 4.27th, it should be ten days ago. Counting the time, maybe Lao Xie has come to Innocence City?"

To say where in the entire Federation is the most suitable place for wanted criminals to take refuge now, it is definitely Innocence City and the Old Continent.

Moreover, Ji Xun always felt that Lao Xie's defection from Bureau X had hidden secrets involving the Old Continent.

Thinking of this, he immediately turned around and left the tavern, heading towards the Hunters Guild.

Not long after, Ji Xun left an encrypted message for Xie Guozhong at the Hunter Guild.

After all, they are friends of life and death.

No matter what happened to that old friend, he felt that as long as he could help a little bit, he would do it.

After placing the reward, Ji Xun returned to the Old Gun Tavern.

This is the place where we agreed to meet.

Wanted by his old employer X Bureau, Xie Guozhong can now basically be regarded as a "betrayer".

Ji Xun felt that his old friend was really in Innocence City and needed help, so he must be in need of someone who could help him.

After asking the intelligence dealer about the latest news, Ji Xun sat in the corner of the second floor of the tavern, eating the new dishes in the tavern and waiting.

After Ji Xun advanced to the third level [Dragon Catcher], he obtained a professional entry of "Giant Food".

His appetite now is as good as that of a dragon. When he is hungry, he can eat a large table and digest it quickly.

The nutrition of food is very important to his current body. The amount of food eaten even affects the growth of physical attributes. The bigger the better.

A huge amount of food intake can also speed up the recovery of injuries to a certain extent.

There are many benefits.

Ji Xun was eating like this while observing the people coming and going in the tavern.

The tavern was a favorite hangout for spies and intelligence informants of all kinds.

Ji Xun took a moment to observe and immediately discovered that there were many eye-catching guys in the tavern.

Not only can it be observed from the details of clothing and demeanor, but also "Qi".

This is also an incidental professional ability for practicing the 52 Demonic Forbidden Technique "Gluttony".

Ji Xun could see out-of-control extraordinary characteristics in dead people before, but now, he can see the "qi" in living people.

As the palace elder said, all living beings have Qi.

Even if the power of the spell was not leaked, he could still see the "qi" rising from everyone's bodies, swaying like flames.

If you are strong, your Qi will be as strong as a bonfire.

If you are weak, your Qi will be as weak as a candle flame.

If you don't encounter a master who can control Qi very well, most people can tell their strength and weakness almost at a glance.

Coupled with the werewolf's sense of smell and observation, you can almost tell the difference.

For example, the girl in the bunny suit, Ji Xun thought she should be an assassin card master, with a cold and sharp Qi, and her demeanor and demeanor matched her;

There is also the mustached businessman in the corner. He has a strong aura and looks like a second-level melee card master. He has the smell of human blood on his body and his eyes are cautious. He may be the murderous fugitive from out of town just now;

In addition, the man in the peaked hat who was hanging out on the dance floor was probably a professional thief.
Different people have different Qi.

Just like a human face.

Ji Xun had seen him once, and even if he was disguised, he could still recognize him somewhat.

It's a whole new experience.

It seems like a new world of senses has been opened, allowing you to observe from another angle.

Perceiving carefully is also practicing this new skill.

There were no living people in the mine before, but now the streets are full of people when they come out.

These are all wandering "qi" in groups.

After practicing more, my proficiency on the panel gradually increased.

The efficiency of identification has also increased.

Looking at the passerby whose secret he had discovered, Ji Xun couldn't help but sigh at the magic of this ability: "Qigong is really mysterious. No wonder the old man could immediately sense whatever he was thinking before. 'Qi Machine Sense' is really outrageous."

Just scratching the surface, it already feels amazing.

This is more direct than vision, hearing, and smell.

There are many card masters who can disguise themselves, transform themselves, and eliminate their presence.

But those who can control their qi are very rare.

Without Gong Wu's guidance, Ji Xun felt that he might not be able to touch the mystery of Qigong even if he spent dozens of times more time.

Even if you are really lucky and get various qigong masters’ exclusive books and skill cards, you may have to take many detours and you may not be able to find the right direction.

Very fortunate.

There was a mixed crowd in the tavern, and it was not surprising that there were all kinds of strange people.

Especially in the current bustling environment of Innocence City, spies from all major forces are hiding in the city.

Ji Xun just observed and identified some special people and didn't pay much attention to them.

He sat in the pub for several hours.

The agreed meeting time has almost passed.

Originally thinking that he might not be able to wait for anyone anymore, Ji Xun was ready to leave.

Check back tomorrow.

But at this time, a strong man in a windbreaker suddenly walked into the tavern, and then walked straight up to the second floor.

As soon as this man entered the door, Ji Xun had actually noticed him.

The Qi movement is very stable, either a master who can control Qi, or an ordinary drinker.

His attire was a dirty street workman's uniform, he smelled of alcohol, and he walked very naturally, leaving no trace of anything inconsistent with his identity.

If it were somewhere else, Ji Xun would definitely ignore the man in the trench coat.

But now Ji Xun is here to wait for someone.

So he would instinctively bring anyone into his old friend, thinking: "If it is Lao Xie, as a professional agent, he should be able to achieve this level of perfect disguise, right?"

However, this idea just emerged.

Ji Xun was surprised to find that the man in the trench coat who was still on the stairs just now cleverly avoided the eyes of the people around him and then appeared at the screen less than two meters away from his position.

This position is very clever, just so that no one can see him.

But Ji Xun could see it.

When Ji Xun saw this position, he immediately became alert.

Apparently the man in the trench coat didn't recognize Ji Xun in disguise and didn't speak.

Ji Xun took the initiative and muttered tentatively: "Today's wine is really bad."

This is the agreed secret code for communication.

He thought that even if Lao Xie couldn't come in person, if someone else came to bring the letter, they could still connect safely.

After all, both parties are wanted criminals now, so they cannot afford to be careless.

As soon as these words came out, the man in windbreaker was obviously shocked. He was obviously surprised that Ji Xun could disguise himself to this extent: "Ji Xun?"

Ji Xun also looked at this unfamiliar face with a sallow complexion, "Lao Xie?"

Both have perfect disguises.

But that's not the point.

Xie Guozhong knew his situation very well. After confirming his identity, he said directly without saying a word: "I'm in a lot of trouble now. But I can't die now. I have something crucial in my hand."

He knew that Ji Xun wanted to help since he posted the encrypted information.

He really needs help too!
So I spoke directly.

When Ji Xun heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief and thought to himself, "You're not crazy."

When he saw the reward order before, he was worried that Xie Guozhong might have something wrong with him, which was why he massacred the city.

But now that they met, he was immediately sure that he was the old friend he knew before him.

Just not crazy.

Xie Guozhong also guessed what he was thinking, but he had no time to explain and continued: "You have to think about it. If you take it, you may be in big trouble or even life-threatening."

Ji Xun knew that this must be a big trouble, but he didn't think about it at all.

He also knew that the situation did not allow for nagging. He didn't even ask what the thing was and chose to trust it absolutely: "Give it to me."

Xie Guozhong also breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, after seeing the reward, he knew what Ji Xun would choose.

In fact, from the first time they met, he knew that if he became a friend, he would be worthy of trust.

He spoke very quickly: "I have found someone who can handle this thing, but that person hasn't replied yet. You can keep it for me first. Only you can keep this thing. My friend. Sorry, I It’s not that I can’t believe you. It’s just that this thing involves the secret of the catastrophe. Even mentioning related words may cause unpredictable contamination risks.”

Cataclysm?
When Ji Xun heard this, he suddenly thought of what he had seen on the stone tablet before.

Xie Guozhong returned to Bureau X this time to investigate what happened.

Ji Xun still didn't hesitate and took it directly: "Well, I will try my best to keep it."

Xie Guozhong looked at the box in his arms with a complicated expression.

This matter is very complicated.

But it was too late to explain.

He said quickly: "Remember, in case I don't come back to you. You can't give this to anyone. Now except that person, I can't think of anyone who can handle it. Oh, by the way, if you can get in touch, please give it to me." Give it to him. If that doesn't work, take it to any secret place in the Old World and bury it. Don't let anyone find it."

Ji Xun nodded and asked, "To whom?"

Xie Guozhong: “The leader of the Thirteen Knights—Light Chaser!”

Ji Xun asked again: "Jia Yu?"

Let yourself contact him, probably because Chujiu is a member of the Thirteen Knights.

Hearing this, Xie Guozhong was slightly surprised: "You know?"

Ji Xun nodded, "Yeah."

There was no time to explain the previous experience.

Xie Guozhong breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that he knew the Light Chaser, and continued: "There has been a big change within X Bureau. I can't trust anyone in the past. I can only ask you."

Before he could say more, he said urgently: "I must have been noticed when I showed up. I will lead the people away first, and you can find an opportunity to leave."

Ji Xun nodded: "Yes."

When I looked again, the man in the trench coat had disappeared.

(End of this chapter)