The arms dealers in the Evil Land will never miss an opportunity to do business. Some contraband items that can't be bought in the city can be acquired from them, though the price is undoubtedly much higher.
Although there's another Sunshine Motel further ahead, it has already been abandoned. It's used as a temporary base by military tech to protect company property along the route and also to search smuggling vehicles.
Heading up to the second floor and pushing open the bar door, the white-haired bartender and owner polishing glasses behind the counter heard a customer enter and asked without looking up.
"Hello, what would you like to drink?"
The place barely stretched twenty square metres, with five or six tables, liquor cabinets, and a bar counter. It felt cramped, and because it wasn't yet noon, aside from the waking travelers on the road, there weren't many people.
Lin Miao found a high stool in front of the bar and sat down.
"A bottle of whiskey, two glasses."
After saying this, he slapped a few bills on the table.
The bartender glanced at the money on the table. That over four hundred was enough to buy four bottles of alcohol. This place wasn't some high-end bar; they only sold cheap booze. So he said, "You've given too much, customer."
Though he said this, he still turned around and took a bottle from the liquor cabinet, sizing up this unfamiliar face. People from the Evil Land were regulars, and they should have seen him at least once or twice.
Lin Miao didn't intend to take back the money. Instead, he reached for the bottle, poured two glasses, and pushed one towards the bartender.
"First time out, a little offering. The extra is just a tip."
Tangkx had worked here a long time and had seen many such situations. He didn't take the money; he simply leaned slightly on the bar and asked.
"Thanks then. I wonder what you'd like to ask?"
"Here's the thing." Lin Miao took a drink and assumed a weary look. "In a few days, I've got a batch to ship out of town, but this damn Evil Land isn't peaceful. You know, Wanderers, Chaotic Blade Association, Night Wanderers—they'd even dare rob company goods. My small operation can't withstand the ruckus, so I wanted to ask if there's a safer route or if you could tell me the areas they usually hang around, so I can steer clear."
Tangkx understood as soon as Lin Miao said this.
The Chaotic Blade Association was notorious in the Evil Land. When regular folks encountered them, the best outcome was getting robbed clean—with bad luck, they'd die outside without anyone collecting the body. This stranger's inquiry was understandable.
Tangkx relaxed internally. It wasn't critical information; anyone who'd been in the Evil Land for a year or two would know it.
"As long as your vehicle doesn't bear the big company's logo, Adcardo won't pay attention to you. If danger arises, you could pay Wanderers for an escort for a distance. As for Night Wanderers... they mainly operate in the southern region of the Evil Land Highway. The Stone Ridge Mountain Tunnel is one of their rare northern havens. And further south along the highway, a few dozen kilometers, there's an abandoned factory. That's the Night Wanderers' major base outside of Night City."
The bartender's words piqued Lin Miao's interest. "Sounds like Adcardo isn't the barbarian abandoned by civilization as advertised in the city?"
Lin Miao's knowledge about Wanderers mostly stemmed from online sources and corporate promotions, which equated Wanderers with Wildman. The street vendor didn't much like discussing his past; Lin Miao hadn't pressed.
Upon hearing Lin Miao's remark, the bartender's tone grew slightly heavier. "Don't listen to those media blabber whatever. News corporations are a damn bunch of bastards who can't stand people doing well. They're in cahoots with the big companies. They talk without brains or proof; even if you place a rat in their sight, for money, they'd call it a duck."
"Most Wanderers simply don't enjoy living in company-controlled cities. They have their own rules. Those who don't follow are expelled to become part of the Chaotic Blade Association. The two have always been at odds."
Whoa... Lin Miao thought Wanderers and Night Wanderers were merely two separate gangs. He didn't expect this complex relationship.
This was getting interesting...
Lin Miao pulled out two more bills from his bag and placed them on the table.
"Then, could you tell me how I can hire Wanderers for help?"
Seeing the six hundred bills neatly on the table, the bartender couldn't keep it in. His hand swept across the table like a gust of wind, grabbing the notes in his hand.
This money almost matched his profits for a day. Folks in the Evil Land weren't that generous.
"You seem like a sensible, straightforward businessman. Here's what I'll do: I'll give you a contact method—Panam Palmer's. I'm an old friend of hers; just say Tangkx sent you for a job. As for the specifics of payment, you'll have to negotiate with her."
"Oh, by the way, she has quite a temper. Be mindful of your conversation style."