Dudian dragged his body back to the residential area. He spent five copper coins to hire a carriage near the high wall, which directly took him to the front of Linkang Street. It was too late today, and he didn't have time to buy sulfur and saltpeter. Moreover, he would go for the Scavengers' training camp in a few days. Judging from the confidentiality level of this organization, the things he brought there would most likely be strictly inspected.
Although in this world, people only knew how to use sulfur for making dyes and pesticides, it was still considered a low-toxic and dangerous item.
Mr. and Mrs. Jula were obviously anxious from waiting. When they saw Dudian come back, they visibly relaxed. The next moment, they smelled a strong stench coming towards them. Gray frowned and distanced himself, saying, "What's that strange smell on you? Why are you so dirty?"
Dudian coughed lightly and said, "I fell down in the slum area."
"Why are you still asking? Hurry up and take a wash. I'll heat up some water for you," Jula pinched her nose and ran to the kitchen.
Dudian entered the bathroom and put the super chip into the gap in the floor beside him. After a while, Jula brought a basin of warm water. "You need a good wash. Do you want me to help you?"
"No need," Dudian quickly refused.
"All right, then take your time and wash thoroughly," Jula put the water on the floor and turned to leave.
Dudian looked at the small basin of water and smiled bitterly in his heart. He suddenly missed the shower in the old days. Unfortunately, in this world, the radiation in the water couldn't be completely filtered, at least not in the residential area. This made him eager to step into the commercial district as soon as possible.
...
...
Three days later.
A tall carriage galloped to the door of Mr. and Mrs. Jula's house. The horse pulling the carriage was extremely strong, about two meters tall. It was 披着 (wearing) a finely crafted armor, and its black fur was mixed with some brown hair, looking like a hybrid breed.
A young man in standard soft armor got off the carriage. He was thin and his stance was as straight as a spear. He looked at the house number and stepped forward to knock on the door.
Mr. and Mrs. Jula and Dudian, who were having breakfast, had already seen this carriage through the window. They both thought in their hearts that it had finally come. Jula immediately went to open the door and said warmly, "Please come in."
The young man in standard soft armor saw that she seemed to know his purpose, but he still showed his identification badge, which was a medal with crossed swords, representing the identity of a "guard". He didn't enter the house and said, "No, I'm short on time. I'm here to take your child to the military training ground in the commercial district. I'm sure you've already received the notice from above. So, get ready. I'm in a hurry."
Jula didn't expect him to be in such a hurry and quickly asked, "Excuse me, officer, how long will the child's military training last?"
The young man in standard soft armor said calmly, "The training period is three years. During these three years, there will be one day of leave each month, allowing him to come back and reunite with you. However, my advice is to take a good rest during the leave or supplement some knowledge. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to last for three years."
Jula's face changed. "It's so hard? What will happen if he's eliminated?"
"Don't worry. Even if he's eliminated, he can still get a small position," the young man in standard soft armor said indifferently.
Hearing their conversation, Gray felt relieved. Then he turned around and saw Dudian, who was still eating unhurriedly. He was stunned and said, "Why don't you hurry up and get ready? Don't keep this officer waiting."
Dudian sighed. He hated being interrupted during a meal the most. In the past, he would have lost his temper already. Looking at Gray's glaring eyes, he could only put down the vegetable roll, clap his hands, and go back to his room. He put the two sets of changed clothes that he had already folded into a linen backpack. Of course, the most important thing was his super chip, which he had already put into the pocket of one of the sets of changed clothes.
After getting ready, Dudian put on his backpack and came to the door. He looked up at the young man in standard soft armor and said, "Let's go."
There was a look of reluctance in Jula's eyes. She said, "Do you have everything with you? Clothes, cups for washing..."
"It's all packed," Dudian waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to worry.
"Be careful when you get there. Don't fight with other children. Just be patient with everything."
Dudian felt a warmth in his heart. Although he still held a grudge about being sold to the Ivy family last time, he could also see that Jula was truly sincere towards him. If he had to blame someone, it was just that some feelings couldn't withstand reality after all. However, after all, it was an adoption relationship, and he was already very grateful.
"I will. You also take care of yourself. The temperature is high during the 'Black Death Season'. Open the windows more for ventilation and don't catch the plague," Dudian instructed.
Jula was an emotional person. Thinking that she didn't know how long it would be before she could see Dudian again after this separation, tears welled up in her eyes.
"Let's go," the young man in standard soft armor turned around and jumped onto the carriage, showing no intention of helping Dudian carry his backpack at all.
Dudian climbed onto the carriage. Looking at Jula and Gray at the door, he waved his hand. There was also a faint sense of reluctance in his heart, but soon, this trace of emotion was suppressed deep in his heart. He clenched his hand around the backpack, his gaze turned cold, and his soft heart became cold, hard, and strong.
...
...
The carriage galloped. After entering the commercial district, it turned through more than a dozen streets and gradually entered a remote and less populated street. After continuing to move forward for a while, a huge high wall blocked the way in front of the carriage. The young man in standard soft armor flicked the reins, and the carriage moved close to the high wall. Before long, they came to an open gate. The gate was locked by a huge iron gate. There were two sculptures of warriors holding a sword and a knife respectively on both sides of the gate, and two characters were engraved below.
"Loyalty" and "Guardianship"!
"Get off the carriage!" the young man in standard soft armor shouted in a low voice.
Dudian jumped off the carriage and quietly observed the new surroundings.
"Follow me," the young man in standard soft armor glanced at him, released the reins, not afraid that the carriage would run away, and led the way in front, entering through a small door next to the huge iron gate.
Behind this gate was a huge drill ground. The young man in standard soft armor took Dudian to a remote small spire behind the drill ground. As soon as they arrived, they heard a low sobbing sound.
The young man in standard soft armor frowned and pushed open the wooden door. In the hall of the spire, there were seven or eight children of Dudian's age standing there. At the moment, a curly-haired little girl was hugging her knees and squatting on the ground crying. Several boys beside her were at a loss and looked embarrassed.
The young man in standard soft armor's face turned cold and he said, "What's going on?"
One of the boys was startled. When he saw the young man in standard soft armor, he quickly said, "M-Minnie said she misses home."
The young man in standard soft armor said indifferently, "Is that so?" He stepped forward in front of the little girl and ordered, "I'll give you two seconds to stop crying and stand up!"
The little girl was timid. Hearing his cold words, she stopped crying in fear and stood up tremblingly, but tears still welled up in her eyes.