Chapter 606: Chapter 211: Ten Thousand Laws Heaven Conch, Ten Thousand Orders Land Conch!
Every autumn, Inspectors of Firewood can apply for a training expedition, to follow a caravan and see different Wasteland landscapes in other Shelter Cities.
However, this training is completely different from Happiness City’s fieldwork. Not only is there no pay, but they also have to bear the security responsibilities of the caravan and even self-fund a part of it. Few people have ever been willing to go.
But this year, the early opening of the training applications piqued Li Changfeng’s curiosity.
With a slight movement of his finger, he opened the application details. The moment he saw the destination, he couldn’t help but sit up in surprise:
"What the...? Seriously? This year we can go to Happiness City?"
...
Stone Province.
Dapo Town.
Is a Destruction Level infection tide heading towards Happiness City?
Cheng Ye was suddenly stunned. His first reaction was disbelief, but when he met the undeniable solemnity in Elder Qian’s eyes, he silently swallowed back the doubt that was about to be voiced.
The Elders had no reason to lie, at least not about the life-and-death situation of Happiness City.
But.
Back when he first saw information about the Destruction Level infection tides in the Survival Library.
He thought that Happiness City’s strength was too weak, unable to withstand even a Destruction Level, let alone a Destruction Level, like an ant trying to stop a car. So, he decided to quickly accumulate strength, so that when real danger came, he could have the confidence to escape from Happiness City and find another way to survive in the Wasteland.
But as he gradually touched upon the deeper foundations of Happiness City, dipping his head below the water’s surface to see the unknown side of this giant entity.
Only then did he realize that the goal of escape he set back then was indeed somewhat naive.
And now, having personally experienced the crisis of Dapo Town, and witnessing the outbreak of a Destruction Level infection source beside him, Cheng Ye suddenly realized one thing:
The Destruction Level infection tide is indeed terrifying.
Just like Silver City back then, a Shelter City several times the size of Happiness City, right in the path of the infection tide, even though they mobilized the entire city’s power to resist it, they ultimately couldn’t stop it, and the whole city became part of the Wasteland.
But in comparison, at least the infection tide can be traced, its path can be predicted in advance, allowing the Shelter City time to relocate its citizens and gather core resources, with a chance to escape.
Yet, those high-risk infection sources slumbering underground, who knows when they’ll awaken, or those Immortal Objects hidden in the Wasteland that even detectors can’t find?
Without any warning, they could transform from calm to catastrophic disaster in just a second.
These unseen threats are what truly endanger individuals!
A hundred times more terrifying than any so-called infection tide!
Yet even though Elder Qian spoke of the "Destruction Level infection tide," his face remained unperturbed, his tone as calm as if he were saying, "Drink two more bags of Nutrient Paste tomorrow," completely devoid of any tension regarding the impending life-or-death situation for Happiness City.
"The first four Destruction Level infection tides all came from the Black Zone, and the fifth will be no exception."
As Cheng Ye snapped out of his daze, Elder Qian slowed his speech, deliberately leaving room for thought, "The Fire Alliance has detected abnormal activities in the Black Zone. This winter, they will start from ’Source Black W-1’ and head straight towards ’Source Black M2’, and coincidentally, our Happiness City lies right on the line connecting these two Black Zones."
"If we can detect it in advance, can’t we find a way to lure them to change their route?" Cheng Ye couldn’t help but ask.
The ability to accurately predict the infection tide’s path once again exceeded Cheng Ye’s imagination of the Fire Alliance’s power.
After a moment’s thought, it made sense. While slumbering infection sources are elusive, a catastrophic event of this size would make significant movements. If they couldn’t even monitor this much, it would indeed be unreasonable.
"Of course, we can lead them away, but which way do you think we should divert them?"
Elder Qian chuckled, with a hint of implication in his words, "The Shelter Cities on other routes won’t sit idly by if the infection tide is redirected towards them. If a Shelter City redirected an infection tide towards Happiness City, what do you think we should do? Furthermore, redirecting millions of infected in a new direction is no trivial task. Who do you think should bear this responsibility?"
He paused, adding, "Don’t worry too much, the infection tide won’t come this year. They only move in the winter, absorbing infection sources and infected bodies along the way to grow larger. According to predictions, they will reach the vicinity of Happiness City in the third winter, with an intensity second only to the second Destruction Level infection tide that destroyed Silver City back then."
As his words fell.
Elder Qian was somewhat surprised to find that after hearing the threat level and arrival time of the infection tide, Cheng Ye’s face showed no signs of fluctuation, but rather completely calmed down.
Is it possible that he hasn’t developed a sense of belonging to Happiness City and plans to leave when the infection tide arrives in three years?
Or perhaps the crisis in Dapo Town hasn’t been resolved, leaving him without the mind to consider matters three years ahead?
Or... does he have other plans?
"As expected of an elder of the Idealist Faction, even his style of action carries a strong idealistic flavor!"
Cheng Ye thought to himself, feeling somewhat wistful.
The role of an Inspector in Happiness City is certainly prestigious, but that’s only for those living in the Buffer Zone.
At the higher levels, to the Elders, an Intern Inspector obviously doesn’t qualify to know so much important information.
Whether it’s the inner workings of Source Introduction Technology, the core of Firewood Track Mountain, or the heavy news of the Destruction Level infection tide.
Yet Elder Qian chose to reveal all this, clearly understanding his choice, and granting the highest respect to a wise person.
In essence, it was a real opportunity to choose.
When he began to inquire, the choice to enter Dapo Town and contain the fragments of Immortal Objects had already been made.
Otherwise, he would have simply refused since knowing less makes it easier to extricate oneself from the vortex of this crisis.
"Cheng Wu’s grandson is more promising than I thought. Why haven’t I heard anyone mention him before?"
The silent Elder Zeng suddenly interjected with a hint of reluctant acknowledgment in his tone, then snorted, "Stop dawdling around with meaningless talk, daylight is almost here. He’s not stupid; just state your terms. Our Happiness City certainly has enough to offer incentives. Whatever he wants, just give it. If not, take money from me."
"Businessmen talk money, we only talk emotions, right?"
Elder Qian smiled and looked over, not waiting for Cheng Ye to respond, and continued, "First, the twenty thousand Contribution Points I previously invested in you were used well and reasonably. If you complete this task, I’ll add an additional fifty thousand Points to that investment, and I can assure you, this time there will be no additional conditions. You won’t even have to go to the Public Works Bureau to withdraw it; I’ll deposit it into a public account managed by you. You can allocate it however you want... even if you use it for yourself."
"Second, concerning the affected Dapo Town, even if we contain the fragments of the Immortal Objects, it must be sealed off as a high-risk area for fifty years under the Fire Alliance’s common treaties. However, I can apply for the lifting of the ban on behalf of Happiness City and grant Dapo Town a one-time addition of 1000 Infrastructure Points in the name of the Elder Council. Furthermore, the Public Works Bureau will cooperate by investing 300 Points annually, continuing for ten years, which amounts to a total investment equivalent to four hundred thousand Contribution Points for Dapo Town."
"Third, I guarantee you in my capacity as an Elder of Happiness City, as long as you do not betray Happiness City, the inspection station of Dapo Town will only be under your management from now on. You can appoint personnel for related governmental affairs in the town, and Happiness City will not intervene. Anyone who dares to interfere, I’ll eliminate them for you."
"Fourth, as an Elder of Happiness City, I guarantee that the equipment for your mission will be outfitted with Happiness City’s top-level protective gear to maximize your safety and ensure you complete the mission smoothly."
With that, Elder Qian’s tone suddenly became heavy, cutting to the chase: "In this era, there’s never a shortage of people willing to risk their lives to rise above others. But you need to understand that even with these assurances, the probability of successfully containing the fragments of the Immortal Objects is still only 2%."
"So, Intern Inspector Cheng Ye, tell me, what is your choice?"
...
