Fighting for Survival, Cheng Ye's Decision!

The clouds hung low, and figures hurried past.

As the only staff dormitory area far from the main urban district, the Chemical Plant Residential Area exuded a solitude that clashed with the buffer zone.

For many, the reason for choosing to live here was simple and direct.

Space.

Unlike the electronic factory dormitories where Cheng Ye lived in the main urban district, a single room of over ten square meters was fine for one person, but a family would immediately be cramped with nowhere to put their feet.

The Chemical Plant Staff Dormitory was built around the 10th year of the old era and was already in the standard apartment building format.

Some units, which had served as employee dormitories, were about forty square meters, compact and practical.

Some were allocated to old factory workers as preferential treatment, reaching nearly sixty square meters.

As one of the oldest members of the checkpoint staff, Liu Bi settled his family here. Besides being comfortable for his family of three, he also had other considerations.

Here, while being away from the hustle and bustle of the main urban district, he was also away from some of the risks.

Once an outbreak of infected hordes occurred, the distance between the main urban district and the suburbs would become a buffer zone that could buy precious escape time.

It was essentially a buffer zone within the buffer zone!

"Mm, mm, I understand. I'll leave as soon as possible."

After hanging up the Defense Communicator, Liu Bi stood by the living room window, his gloomy expression blending with the lead-gray clouds.

"What's wrong? Are they sending you out on an assignment even in this weather?"

A voice came from the master bedroom, and the wooden sliding door creaked softly.

A middle-aged woman in a light blue home dress peeked out, her fluffy curly hair casually tied up, the fine lines around her eyes creased with worry.

Luo Xiaoxue, Liu Bi's wife.

They had been childhood sweethearts, supporting each other since they were young, and now they had a daughter.

"Director Ding called."

Liu Bi turned his head, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace than a smile, "The rain is non-stop. The Hydroelectric Station might not hold up. I have to go with the Inner City emergency team to guide the engineers who are going to provide support."

"The Inner City emergency team?" Luo Xiaoxue frowned. "The Hydroelectric Station and Xingfu City are only eighty kilometers apart. You can walk there with your eyes closed. Why do you need an Inspector to lead the way?"

"I can't figure out the higher-ups' intentions either, but the Director has already agreed. I have to go even if I don't want to."

With that, Liu Bi sighed.

These were truly troubled times. Not only had the sources of infection across the regions been unusually active since the beginning of the year, but natural disasters had also followed one after another, continuously testing the capabilities of the various Sanctuary Cities.

Yeyue Shelter City, like Cloud City next door, has a population of over 400,000, but according to the news, it was almost breached by the infected tide.

"This road to the Hydroelectric Station has been cleared countless times over the years. Ordinary dangers are nothing to fear, but this time it's tricky because the Hydrophilic Infected have set their sights on the Hydroelectric Station. I'm afraid I'll have to stay there and guard for a while until the situation is completely under control before I can return."

"But if I leave, who will guide Cheng Ye? That child is stubborn, but has excellent comprehension and talent. He just took over the Inspector's duties and is about to go on an external mission again. I really can't rest easy about him."

"Cheng Ye."

Luo Xiaoxue pursed her lips.

Cheng Long and Liu Bi were brothers who had faced life and death together. Liu Bi naturally cared deeply about entrusting his child to someone else.

Especially when he returned yesterday, Liu Bi had, uncharacterically, brought out his treasured white wine for a couple of drinks.

Although she didn't ask the reason, she could guess that the results of Cheng Ye's special training over the past two months must have been good.

"Don't worry too much, maybe you'll only be gone a few days..."

Before he could finish speaking.

The Defense Communicator in Liu Bi's hand vibrated.

"It's Cheng Ye."

Making a shushing gesture, Liu Bi walked to the window, his heart in a turmoil.

Not to mention the upcoming special training plan, he had promised Cheng Ye that he would accompany him on his first external mission.

Now that he was being called away for an emergency, it was hard to say if their schedules would still align.

The sound of rain mixed with static crackled from the Defense Communicator. Cheng Ye cleared his throat and said, "Ahem, Brother B, I'm not disturbing your morning training, am I?"

"No," Liu Bi straightened his back subconsciously, his voice low and deep, "I have something to tell you."

"I have something to ask."

Two voices exploded simultaneously from both ends of the communicator, only to stop abruptly mid-air.

The atmosphere became a little heavy. Cheng Ye was the first to chuckle, "Brother B, shall I go first?"

"Mm."

"Lend me some Contribution Points, and I'll return them to you in a while."

"What for?"

"To buy some weapons and equipment. I can't just use a training short sword every day. I need a decent Melee Weapon."

"Buy equipment?"

Liu Bi frowned, "Don't aim too high. You only made some progress yesterday, and you're already impatient today? The training knife is called 'training' for a reason: it's hard to develop bad habits with it. If you switch to a standard weapon and ruin your foundation, it'll be very difficult to correct later."

"Ah, but the situation forces my hand!"

On the other end of the communicator, Cheng Ye sighed, "Old Ding called earlier and transferred me to the North South Gate to avoid the spotlight. If I don't have a suitable weapon at the rapid response post, I might not survive if I encounter an infected."

"What?"

Liu Bi exclaimed, his voice exploding like thunder in the room.

"Old Ding said..."

Cheng Ye repeated Ding Yishan's phone call content at an extremely fast pace, then slowly stopped.

"I'm guessing Old Ding didn't call you and transfer you to an external mission, did he?"

"I'll go talk to him. Either I go and you stay, or I stay and go with you."

Liu Bi was straightforward and didn't bother with schemes, but that didn't mean he was stupid.

Cheng Ye had already cut to the core of their conversation. If he still couldn't understand, how could he have survived in the cannibalistic Wasteland until today?

"Don't be rash, Brother B. Listen to me."

Having confirmed his guess, Cheng Ye became even calmer. "The station chief is sending you on a mission because it's a request from the Inner City. It can't be refused, and it won't be pushed aside."

"Going to the North South Stations will also help me avoid some of the West Faction's targeting. As for the potential danger... Didn't you say it yourself before? The Inspector Corps' prestige in the Buffer Zone isn't earned by standing around at the Main Gate, but on the defense lines of the North South Gates. If the infected want to get in, they'll have to step over our corpses. This respect was earned with our lives."

"I'm aware of the dangers of the rapid response post. If I can't even get past this hurdle, I probably wouldn't survive an external mission either."

The clear and logical persuasion came through the communicator. Liu Bi's hand, gripping the Defense Communicator, trembled slightly, his heart sinking to the bottom.

At this moment, how he wished Cheng Ye wasn't so mature. If he were a little more naive and begged him to stay and protect him, then no matter what, even if he quit the Inspector Corps, he would have stayed.

But Cheng Ye's words were filled with clarity and resolve, leaving him no room for rebuttal.

"Brother B, neither of us is the type to be indecisive. Let's not say any more."

"You... honestly go on the external mission. Let's not see each other again for a while. That way, people from the West Faction will pay less attention to me."

Cheng Ye continued to explain. From the moment Ding Yishan made his move, he knew this matter could only be resolved by himself.

Even if Liu Bi found an excuse to stay, other schemes would surely await.

It was better to be direct and pretend he knew nothing. This way, he could lie low and use the Collector to find an opportunity to break the deadlock.

"You already made up your mind before you called me?"

Liu Bi sighed, "You could have asked me to stay. I owe your father."

"He owes him, I owe you."

"Alright, since you've said so, I respect your decision."

Liu Bi gritted his teeth.

"I'm heading out for an external mission shortly and don't have time to file the paperwork. I'll have your sister-in-law arrange for someone to get you the 100 Contribution Points. It won't take longer than tomorrow morning."

"Understood."

"Regarding your father's affairs, I've told you some of it before. The rest I planned to tell you after my first external mission. Remember this: more than half the people at the checkpoint owe him a favor. It'll be difficult for you to collect on all of them now, but if you can get them to offer a discount, some will be willing."

"The North and South Stations rotate every five days per gate. For your first assignment, you must go to the South Station."

"Because the South Station is manned by our East Faction. I'll make arrangements, and no one will give you a hard time there. They will do their utmost to protect you and help you through the most difficult initial period."

"But the North Station is manned by the West Faction, and I can't interfere. The only person I can contact who is relatively trustworthy is someone whose father was saved by your Grandfather, and who was saved by your father. He can save your life in a critical moment."

"The heavy rain is incessant, and the Hydrophilic Infected are swarming towards Chuan City. It's uncertain if they'll attack the checkpoint, but you must be vigilant. I'll compile a list of specific threats before I leave and have your sister-in-law give it to you."

"As for weapons, if the Rapid Epidemic Check erupts into combat that requires firearms, ordinary guns won't suffice; their primary purpose is deterrence. In the heat of battle, Melee Weapons are still the best choice. Only by creating distance can you fire back. Therefore, I advise you not to be greedy for length. A short sabre or a short axe can often save your life more than a Long Spear or a Sabre."

"."

From the impending situation and dangers to weapon choices, combat details, and the threat of the infected...

Like an old father about to send his son on a long journey, Liu Bi made rapid arrangements, covering every detail.

Finally, he didn't forget to have Cheng Ye repeat everything.

Only after confirming Cheng Ye had memorized everything did he take a deep breath and say, almost word by word:

"Live. Remember, you must survive."

"Of course. Don't worry. You go on your mission with peace of mind. My life is tough. I'm still waiting for you to come back so we can go on external missions together."

Laughter echoed as the Defense Communicator hung up.

But the shadow weighing on Liu Bi's heart never dissipated.

BOOM.

Thunderclap shook the window frames, making them hum.

Immediately after, a blinding white lightning bolt tore through the heavy clouds, illuminating the world and Liu Bi's face in an instant.

Half anger, half helplessness.

The vast Xingfu City was already one of the top giant Sanctuary Cities in the Wasteland.

Here, even an Inspector had to fight for survival. How could ordinary people possibly live?

Another 3k words delivered, please vote and collect. Dear readers, please don't just save this book. It will die during the new book period, sob sob. Now that I'm on the recommendation list, I need active reading. Please click and read every day!