Just as the group gradually grew larger, the gray "snowflakes" in the air fell more heavily, and the surrounding temperature followed suit and dropped.
A few people couldn’t help but wrap their clothes tighter, shivering slightly from the cold.
Someone took a step forward first, and the others followed suit.
They vaguely felt that being closer to the man at the front, who was emitting a golden glow all over, allowed them to feel a slight warmth.
Thus, the people in the back unconsciously pushed forward a little.
But they thought of Fang Cheng’s intimidating presence and dared not get too close, only maintaining a not-too-far, not-too-near distance to follow.
When a dozen people gathered together, the noise grew, and whispers began to rise.
"Damn, this ghost place is really cold, should’ve worn more clothes..."
"With your build, you still dare to hang around Night City? An old man hanging himself, tired of living?"
"Who’s that big guy in the front? Such an aura... really frightening."
"Who knows, Night City is full of hidden talents, best not to pry into other’s business..."
In the crowd, the conversation between a middle-aged fat man and his companions was the loudest.
"Mr. Yuan, where exactly is Night City? Why is it so dark everywhere, like a ghostly realm?"
A young man couldn’t help but ask.
"Almost there, just up ahead."
The middle-aged fat man impatiently barked:
"We’ll be there once we cross the Netherworld River, for now just stick close, don’t damn get lost, and if those hungry ghosts drag you away, don’t expect me to save you!"
He warned a few times, then instructed:
"Remember, once we reach Night City, listen more and talk less, follow my lead, because no one in there is kindhearted!"
"Hey, Mr. Yuan, we’re not kindhearted either."
A defiant young man beside him chuckled and retorted.
Another one nonchalantly said:
"What’s there to be afraid of, it’s not like anyone dies here anyway."
The middle-aged fat man suddenly stopped walking, turned around, glaring at them with his small eyes:
"You can try it! Anyone disobedient can refund and scram now!"
He said this loudly enough that everyone around turned to look.
The two youths immediately lost their momentum when yelled at.
A companion nearby quickly pulled them aside, apologizing to the fat man:
"Don’t be mad, Mr. Yuan, it’s their first time here, they don’t know the rules, they don’t know the rules..."
Evidently, most of this group were newcomers here for the first time.
At this moment, Fang Cheng, who was leading at the front, suddenly stopped.
As he stopped, the dozen people behind him instinctively halted in their tracks as well.
The previously noisy discussions disappeared instantly, and everyone’s gaze focused on his back.
Fang Cheng turned around, his eyes sweeping over the crowd.
"I need a guide to take me to Night City."
His voice was calm, yet it clearly reached each person’s ears.
"Who is familiar with the way?"
The group behind exchanged looks, suddenly speechless.
After a while, the middle-aged fat man, who had just been reprimanding the newcomers, immediately put on a flattering smile. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ N0veI.Fiɾe.net
He jogged forward, nodding and bowing:
"Master, let me, let me! I am Yuan Datou, very familiar with this place, wherever you want to go, I’ll guide you."
His quick change from haughtiness to humility left his newcomers dumbfounded.
The middle-aged fat man, however, seemed not to care, as if serving the strong was a matter of course, a glorious thing.
As for Yuan Datou, it was clearly not his real name, just a codename for navigating this place.
With this experienced guide leading, the group progressed much faster.
"Master, is this your first time in Night City? What are you planning to do?"
While Yuan Datou led the way at the front, he tentatively started a conversation:
"I also have some connections in this Night City, whether you want to gather information, acquire some special equipment, or need someone to smooth relations and solve problems, you can find me."
"Don’t be fooled by my plumpness, I run errands efficiently and my prices are fair."
Fang Cheng didn’t respond to him.
Yuan Datou immediately tactfully shut his mouth, not daring to ask more, only leading the way with more diligence.
Walking forward for who knows how long, the city ruins along the road gradually disappeared, and the relentless hungry ghosts vanished.
The surrounding landscape began to open up, like a desolate wilderness.
Faintly, the sound of water could be heard.
Fang Cheng looked into the distance, a black river spanning wide, concealing the other side, blocking the path forward.
The sound from the river was the rumble of waves crashing against rocks.
"Master, there’s the ferry up ahead,"
Yuan Datou pointed to a vast area of reeds by the river: "We have to take a boat across."
The group passed through the reeds and came to the riverbank.
The so-called ferry was actually very rudimentary, just an old jetty made of black wood extending into the river.
On the jetty stood seven or eight people, each silently staring at the river, as if waiting for something.
Not long after, a giant sailboat silently emerged from the fog.
A lantern emitting a ghastly white light hung at the bow, appearing particularly eerie in the thick fog.
The group stepped onto the creaking gangplank, boarding the boat one after another.
The deck was damp, exuding a smell of river water and decaying wood.
The cabin was pitch-dark, and no one dared to enter, everyone stayed on the deck.
Without anyone steering, the sailboat adjusted its direction on its own, slowly departing from the ferry, plunging into the denser fog.