The problem followed.

If the family acquired unprecedented development in a certain city, should they abandon resources they can't take with them and continue wandering, or should they settle down with peace of mind?

[Is it still called a wanderer if you settle in a city?]

John recalled what Talia had said.

Cabinet raised his chin, the metal mask pointed at the TV—the news on gang wars was being broadcast, with the conflicts led by Owl Town Gang and Black Gold Gang still expanding, just last night the death toll surpassed a hundred, setting a new record, the congressmen and the ECPD director faced off remotely.

"Gang power is native to the city, if the wanderers stop moving, it means they have to compete with the local snakes, and negotiations always go hand in hand with bloodshed and sacrifice."

What John heard referred to an incident where Nando's tribe back in the day clashed with the biggest gang in the United States, and internally, ideals of [settlement] and [migration] contradicted each other.

The settlement faction wanted to seize survival resources.

The migration faction was unwilling to sacrifice too many people.

"Which side was Nando on?"

"As far as I know, he was in the settlement faction. Nando's wife died from childbirth during the migration, I've seen that girl, really pitiful, the wind and sand and the weariness of travel weren't as romantic as imagined."

In the post-war period, all major companies needed to develop as well, job opportunities between cities decreased year by year.

Nando believed that they should stop moving.

But for some people, the towering buildings and flashy nightlife felt like a cage, negotiating and compromising with the companies in the city was just as uncomfortable as reconciling with an enemy.

Nando wasn't the leader back then.

The [tribe] he belonged to was composed of over a dozen [families], and in order to seize resources, erupted in a quite bloody war with a northern gang back in 75.

"Many people died."

In desperation, Nando gathered the remnants and formed the Damascus Family, becoming the leader.

"When reviewing after the event, they discovered betrayal."

"What happened?"

"Only Nando knows the truth, but afterward, whether facing the arbitration from the Seven Tribes or the questioning from the survivors, he didn't say who or which people it was..."

Cabinet, smoking, stared into the mist, gently reminding John as if mumbling.

"Nando is a traditional leader; the Wanderers' Seven Tribes want to nominate him as the tribe's leader and absorb a few families wandering outside."

But Cabinet said this might not be a good thing.

Nando is part of the settlement faction.

Those families without current affiliation are part of the migration faction, coupled with the current situation in Damascus' Eden City, just dealing with the emotions from all sides is already overwhelming.

"First, I'm reminding you, gaining Nando's friendship is worthwhile; it would be beneficial to have more interaction with Damascus Camp in the future. Secondly, I need your help; I got word that the Rift Party has two wanderer members held captive, if you're on your way to take out old Du, can you rescue them by the way?"

"You could have just said you needed me to rescue someone; what about the payment?"

John continued crossing his arms.

"Ask Damascus Camp for payment. I only heard the intel and asked you to do a favor conveniently."

Cabinet frowned, placed his boots on the table, took a hearty drag from his e-cigarette through the metal mask, then narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"You seem a bit displeased?"

"They say you're actually quite badass."

"Yeah, I told you when we first met — the best second-hand supplier on Oil Barrel Street."

Cabinet patted his collar, stained with sweat.

"Did you think I was joking?"

"..."

John was momentarily speechless, then shifted to press Cabinet about the high-spec weaponry.

The guy combed his purple hair and laughed.

"Hahaha, the Eden City regulations? These things have been nearly violated by the major companies; honestly, they're not even as nice as reminders about illegal dream hacking."

All major companies have the capability to smuggle high-spec arms, or how else would Plato's Warehouse have Big Ghost Mecha?

The ECPD can even deploy in Power Armor when on duty, not to mention SAT and the company weapon labs.

"They're so nervous because something crossed the Border Wall without alerting any company; this is a premeditated, non-municipal terror act."

"So you... did you really manage to get tanks!? Did Du Remon buy arms, order them from you?"

More than the conspiracy of big companies, John was clearly more interested in Cabinet's real skills.

Cabinet shook his head in denial.

"I'm not a professional arms dealer, dude. It has nothing to do with me that Raqi Industry's transport ship got hijacked, who smuggled those deadly things across the border, who sold them in the city, it's not my business..."

"Then why did you call me here?"

John felt a bit like his time was wasted.

Cabinet looked at him meaningfully.

"But it's related to you, John. You see, it's those people preparing to sell high-spec weapons."

"What do you mean?"

John asked.

Cabinet sucked on his e-cigarette, the respirator whirred loudly.

"I wasn't able to find out their details, their hacking skills are impressive, freely navigating through the Border Wall and the municipal network up until now, even the big shots of Eden City are clueless..."

"What's it got to do with me?"

"Firstly, they're dangerous, secondly, according to my investigation results... they're looking for you, John."

Cabinet wore a smile, his eyes complex, as if wanting to glean some information from John's expression.

John's face showed genuine bafflement.

Cabinet shook his head, giving up, shrugging his shoulders.

"I'm preparing to leave Eden City temporarily, mainly to seek refuge. According to some unreliable rumors, there are three war-grade weapons in the city, confirmed to have successfully traded, specific sellers unknown."

He sighed deeply.

"If a nuclear bomb goes off, we're completely screwed~"

Cabinet suddenly remembered something, and said to John again.

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