Evening was drawing near. Su Chen and Yan Ruoruo left the members-only restaurant and immediately headed for a well-reputed Messenger Intelligence House diagonally across the main street.
While eating earlier, they had managed to pick up this key piece of information from the conversations of those around them.
’Messenger Intelligence House.’
It sold two main things. The first was detailed geographical information about the areas inside and outside the city, with all relevant monsters and resource points marked. The second was acting as a broker, helping people make connections to obtain important and valuable resources for surviving the apocalypse.
The shop’s owner was quite clever, carving out a new niche for themselves.
The vast majority of exchanges focused on the business of trading essences, battling it out in a red ocean.
This shop, however, dealt in the business of intelligence.
"For just two essences, you can obtain a detailed map of the southern hills region, plus a complimentary guide to all official and private shops in the city’s Rune Core district. Spend one more essence to unlock the premium map package, and for the next week, you can exchange your old map for the latest version for free."
Outside the shop, a loudspeaker repeatedly broadcast the message.
"I’ll take a map."
Su Chen bought the premium package without hesitation. Yan Ruoruo, standing beside him, immediately took out the payment from her quiver. She knew the man at her side didn’t have many low-grade Runes or essences.
Real-time updates were clearly necessary. On the nearby streets alone, two new private shops were already undergoing rapid renovation.
The shop names were already posted. One was ’Rebirth: I’m Opening a Monster Barbecue Restaurant in the Apocalypse.’ Absurdly, it had even announced that it would soon offer delivery, with a service area tentatively covering the city center and the border of the three southern towns.
The other, converted from an old bookstore, was the ’All-Knowing Intelligence House’—clearly a direct competitor to this messenger shop.
"You’re a lucky man, sir."
The clerk handed Su Chen two map folios, one large and one small. It was impossible not to be envious of a man who had a great beauty paying for him.
Su Chen spread open the map of the southern hills outside the city. A quick glance confirmed that all the resource points were clearly marked: water sources, ore veins, Red Millet farmlands, and the major monster territories were all noted in detail.
To achieve such a detailed and accurate map, the shop’s staff had naturally contracted a flock of Shadow Crows and Wind Eagles.
But that wasn’t all. The shop also raised a large flock of Pigeons, employing a High-Star Summoning Element professional to communicate with the animals and press them into service.
That was how the Messenger Intelligence House got its name.
"If I wanted information on Oran City’s Teleportation Gates, could you provide it?" Su Chen asked suddenly, folding the map.
The clerk’s expression shifted. He carefully sized up the man before him, and only after sensing an extraordinary aura of Power did he extend his right hand, inviting him into an inner room.
In a VIP room converted from a conference hall, a male manager approached them and got straight to the point. "We had a flock of Pigeons that flew toward two forest regions and never returned. While it’s not definitive proof of a Teleportation Gate, it’s a strong indicator."
"How much?" Su Chen asked bluntly.
The man shook his head with a small laugh. "This matter concerns the war between the Twin Cities. The stakes are too high. How could we possibly profit from it? We understand the gravity of the situation."
In fact, the Messenger House had just dispatched someone to inform the Investigation Legion, allowing them to make their own judgment based on this intelligence.
Then, Manager Zhang drew two large circles on the map of the hills. One was Qingxi Stream, and the other was a region of the hills not yet officially named, which they had tentatively dubbed Mist Gorge.
If the map’s scale was correct, even the closer of the two was at least 160 kilometers away.
"Good. Thank you." Su Chen hadn’t expected this bonus.
"I’ll give you one more piece of outdated intelligence for free: the Teleportation Gate at Dragon’s Fang Valley has been confirmed destroyed," Manager Zhang added.
As a businessman, he was keen on befriending powerful unaffiliated individuals. In this day and age, anyone inquiring about Teleportation Gates was worth building a connection with.
Hearing this, Su Chen realized that this Messenger Intelligence House was truly resourceful. Their Pigeons were clearly more than just ordinary birds.
"I was aware of that," he said, then turned and left.
Manager Zhang’s mouth fell slightly agape. He stared at the departing figure, lost in thought, wondering if his own speculation was correct.
... 6:30 p.m. The afterglow of sunset lingered. A magnificent crimson rippled across the horizon. As evening approached, birds instinctively returned to their nests.
"Tonight is finally back to normal."
Su Chen noted the temperature. The biting cold wind of the past two days was finally gone.
For their nighttime operation, they had perfect timing, a favorable location, and unity of purpose—all the conditions were right.
It had to be said, the world’s will in this Age of Magic was truly malicious. Not only did it fan the flames by providing the stage for conflict, but it also left everyone with more than enough time to slaughter each other.
There was no time to waste. Su Chen and Yan Ruoruo spent two essences at the official Supply Station, buying plenty of drinking water, dry rations, a tent, and two sleeping bags.
Of course, even though the extreme cold was gone, the temperature difference between day and night was still significant. Ruoruo made sure to buy an extra women’s down jacket and a small heater from a nearby Rune Store.
With all preparations complete, the two of them quickly exited the city gate, officially crossing the borderlands and venturing into the forest.
They weren’t the only ones. Up ahead in the woods, they could see many other figures heading out.
Someone drove a magically modified all-terrain vehicle, while others simply rode on various monsters. There were people on Unicorns, on Wind Wolves, and even on a giant Roc.
This gave Su Chen a sudden idea. Using Aurora Flash for long-distance flight would undoubtedly consume too much mana, and he couldn’t possibly cover the entire journey that way.

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