Rapid Quarantine, East-West Faction Dispute!

The other party to the call request was none other than the station chief, Ding Yishan!

Cheng Ye was genuinely surprised.

In the more than two months since he transmigrated to the Wasteland world, he had never met this mysterious station chief.

Searching the original host's memories, he had only met the station chief once, when he came out of the Inner City. At that time, Ding Yishan had personally welcomed him and specifically instructed everyone to treat him well, nurture him, and ensure that Cheng Long would not worry about him.

Why is he calling me?

Cheng Ye subconsciously began to think frantically, but his hands moved quickly, pressing the answer button.

"Hey, Xiao Cheng, it's me, Director Ding!"

A kind voice came from the Defense Communicator, "I hope I didn't disturb your sleep so early?"

"Good morning, Director Ding!" Cheng Ye's voice rose slightly. He moved to the window, looked downstairs, and continued with a perfectly timed laugh, "It rained so heavily last night that I couldn't sleep in the latter half of the night, so I thought I'd go out and see if I could help. I just got back and was washing up to get ready for work."

"Ah, you young man truly carry on your father's spirit. You'll undoubtedly be the model of hard work and dedication for the station in the future. It seems destiny has chosen you."

A hearty laugh came from the other end of the Defense Communicator. "It's good for young people to endure hardship. It's a good thing. I was just thinking about how to talk to you, and now it's convenient."

"Please speak, Director. I'm listening."

"It's like this."

Ding Yishan's initial speaking speed was slow, as kind as the eighty-year-old grandpas Cheng Ye often saw at the village entrance when he returned to his hometown.

But when it came to business, his speed immediately returned to normal, carrying a hint of a station chief's authority.

As a graduate student from a top university, Cheng Ye's mind had long been trained to subconsciously filter out useless information.

Summarizing the core points Ding Yishan had made in three minutes, there were actually only a few sentences.

Garcia was beaten by Liu Bi and sent for First Aid. The West Faction was very displeased, but they had no grounds to complain since they were in the wrong first.

The West Faction would definitely target him, the probationary Inspector, from now on, in all aspects of his work and life.

As the station chief, and as Cheng Long's comrade, I'm pulling you out to Lie Low for a while.

"Director, you always think of everything for me. It's truly... alas, my father's dying words were that Director Ding is a rare kind and honest person in this world. He told me to seek your advice whenever I couldn't make a decision. I'm useless. I always cause trouble for the station."

As he spoke, Cheng Ye's voice choked up slightly.

On the other end of the Defense Communicator, the voice that had been authoritative just a moment ago immediately softened. "Xiao Cheng, Uncle Ding has failed you. Your father entrusted you to me, and I couldn't even protect you from this little storm."

"Don't worry. After your first external assignment, I'll transfer you back. Let's see who dares to talk nonsense then!"

"Director, please don't say that."

One sentence from you, one from me.

Two minutes later, the Defense Communicator hung up. Cheng Ye, who had been sobbing moments before, instantly dropped all pretense, his expression turning grave.

Just from these few minutes of observation, the emotional intelligence of Director Ding was more than enough to get by in the Wasteland. Even in modern times, with his top-tier Tai Chi pulling and acting skills, he could have thrived in an Iron Rice Bowl.

Could it be that Director Ding, like his Previous Body, was another "Old Era" human whose genes hadn't mutated in a combat direction?

"But... transferring me from the main gate epidemic investigation post to the Rapid Epidemic Investigation Post, is that meant to let me Lie Low?"

Cheng Ye couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

The Quarantine Buffer Zone currently had three checkpoints. Besides the main gate investigation, there were the North and South Gates for rapid epidemic investigation.

The former investigated incoming survivors, while the latter two were exclusively for authorized personnel, such as reconnaissance personnel on missions, Sentinels clearing nearby Infected, and permitted Scavengers.

At first glance, the former seemed riskier, as survivors came from all corners of the Wasteland, and the probability of encountering Infected was much higher.

However, based on Cheng Ye's understanding and the reality he felt, the conclusion was the exact opposite!

At the main gate investigation, although they faced incoming survivors, refugees, and the displaced, these individuals were confined in iron cages. Even if infected, their means of attack were largely neutralized.

Furthermore, behind each conveyor belt, guard posts maintained a vigilant team of eight, armed and protecting the Inspectors. If any anomaly occurred, the investigated person would be immediately executed without mercy.

Therefore, even though the probability of encountering Infected was much higher than at the North and South Gates, the annual sacrifice rate remained consistently below 5%.

The Rapid Epidemic Investigation Post was the complete opposite. There were no iron cages, nor were there armed guard teams.

Inspectors had to search individuals face-to-face, up close. Even if an infection was confirmed, they could only rely on nearby patrolling security teams.

But the protection of these guards was actually a false premise.

Because if Ding Yishan arranged it even slightly, the guards who were supposed to provide armed support would leisurely set up small stools and watch him fight the Infected from up close.

He wouldn't be shot in the back before the outcome was decided, but if he were contaminated by the source of infection, he would definitely receive a few "Peanuts" within two seconds and be physically exorcised.

"The annual sacrifice rate at the Rapid Epidemic Investigation Post has never been below 30%. Let alone trainee Inspectors, even formal first and second-tier Inspectors often made careless mistakes and lost their lives."

Cheng Ye's thoughts raced, and he instantly understood the deeper reasons behind this change in the situation.

Since Xingfu City established the Quarantine Buffer Zone, the scale of the checkpoints had continuously expanded. Now, including guards, staff, and Sentinels, the personnel exceeded two thousand.

However, there had only ever been one hundred and fifty Inspectors, and the quota had never increased.

Currently, there were only two channels to become an Inspector.

First, the Hereditary System, where a son inherited his father's position.

Second, the Electoral System. When an Inspector had no descendants to pass the position to, the Station Chief would select one person from those who had made significant contributions to the checkpoint.

This deformed and unreasonable system, from its roots, determined that the quality of personnel in the East and West Factions might have significant differences at certain stages.

For example, before Cheng Long's accidental death, his combat power was 10. After Cheng Ye took over, his combat power plummeted to 1, yet he still occupied a position. Naturally, the overall strength of the East Faction's Inspectors would decline significantly.

Another example: after a normal succession, the growth rate of the New Generation in the West Faction was faster than that of the East Faction, which would also lead to the gradual decline of the East Faction and the loss of its dominance over the Checkpoints.

"First, I ordered Brother B to beat Garcia to the point of needing First Aid. As long as Garcia doesn't die, he will always occupy one Inspector spot for the West Faction, preventing a replacement."

"Then, using the excuse of having me come to the Rapid Epidemic Investigation Post, he silenced the West Faction and paved the way for the East Faction's subsequent plan. If anything were to happen to me, since I have no descendants, he could select a General based on merit to fill the vacancy and supplement the overall strength of the East Faction's Inspectors."

"Well played, Ding Yishan, a fine scheme of using a borrowed knife to kill and killing two birds with one stone!"

A great sense of urgency rose in Cheng Ye's heart.

The things his Previous Body did in the Inner City naturally did not escape Ding Yishan's sight.

In his eyes, Cheng Ye's Points probably hadn't even reached the lowest of 3. Within the East Faction, any move he made would put him in a passive position.

Although Garcia was also young and unreliable in personality, he had already trained for two years as an Inspector, undertaking more than ten external missions of varying degrees, possessing rich survival and combat experience.

In the West Faction, he was at least a '5', or even a '6'. When present, he might not have a significant impact on the situation, but his absence would make many moves very difficult to execute smoothly.

Now, a small card was colliding with a big card. If both cards could be "detonated" as planned.

For the East Faction, it would absolutely be a great thing.

"If it were Brother B, he probably would have been tricked into thinking he was just Lying Low."

"No, Brother B, this Killer Star, probably wouldn't be able to go to the Rapid Epidemic Investigation Post in this lifetime."

Rapid Epidemic Investigation Inspectors held power that was as terrifying as the danger.

As long as they deemed you an Infected, they could kill you with one blow. Afterwards, if they found out they were wrong, a Self-Criticism would suffice.

If Liu Bi were assigned there, within a few days, there would be heads rolling.

"Damn it, I didn't expect to be forced into the East-West Factional Dispute before even overcoming the difficulty of external missions."

"But in the end, it's 'innocent possession of a treasure brings about calamity'. Because my strength is too weak, and I can't hold onto this Iron Rice Bowl, others naturally covet and scheme against me."

"If I had Brother B's strength, whether it was factional disputes or rapid epidemic investigations, why would I fear such trouble?"

If it were last night, Cheng Ye might have hesitated, might have been afraid.

But at this moment, the fine rain outside was like silk, patting the glass. The damp moisture seeped into the room through the cracks, carrying the scent of the earth.

Sniffing the earthy smell, a strange calmness suddenly surged in his heart, spreading through his nerves and gradually transforming into wisps of determination.

Basic exertion brought him experience and skill, allowing him to barely touch the lowest threshold for going on external missions.

Limited by the weakest link in the 'Bucket Theory'—his stamina—the damage he could inflict was still limited.

Now, after a night had passed.

Fingertips tracing the newly formed tendon lines on his forearm, Cheng Ye could clearly sense the dormant explosive power within his muscle groups.

Everything was different now!

His muscle groups, having undergone special training for Muscle Memory, had filled his weakest short board, greatly increasing his overall strength!

Although there was still a world of difference compared to Brother B, that Humanoid Weapon, if he were to take another hit with 40% of last night's force, he wouldn't be sent flying back without any ability to retaliate.

"Right now, it's both a danger and an opportunity."

"If I can prove my worth and return to the card table, I can immediately secure the position of Inspector!"

Cheng Ye raised his right hand and flipped it slightly.

The pendant plugged into the power socket flickered slightly, then suddenly appeared in his palm, its outline visible.

Having used up his two search opportunities on Chu Yunfeng yesterday, a night of experimentation allowed him to roughly grasp the rules for replenishing the Civilization Collector's Charge Value.

The level 1 search of the Civilization Collector required 100 kWh of electricity per Charge Value, a significant decrease from the previous 2000 kWh activation requirement.

More crucially, the control over the Physical Pendant's form had undergone a qualitative change.

Now, as long as it was within ten meters, Cheng Ye could use his Thought to switch it Between Virtual and Real. And no matter where the pendant was within range, with a single thought, it could instantly return to his palm.

This point alone made charging much simpler.

As long as the heavy rain didn't stop and the Hydroelectric Station's power supply was abundant, even with just a 2.5 square millimeter socket, he could replenish nearly fifty kWh of electricity daily.

Calculated, it would only take two to three days to accumulate one search opportunity.

"Just looking at the search isn't enough. The weapons and equipment I bought for fieldwork before will have to be prepared in advance."

"The Contribution Points I have on hand will definitely be tight, but if I can get some from Brother B, it should solve the immediate problem."

"However, since Ding Yishan arranged for me to go to the North-South Checkpoint, he must have anticipated Brother B's intervention, so I'm afraid..."

Cheng Ye's eyes flickered. He picked up the Defense Communicator and dialed Liu Bi's number.

ps: Another 6K word update today. A newbie is begging, please follow, collect, and vote for the monthly ticket~