Cloud Leopard Changyuan, Ding Yishan's Surprise!

The yellow flag was displayed, and the checkpoint's blockade was lifted five minutes later, with control returned to the Inspector.

Cheng Ye first opened the isolation gate, letting the Four Brothers, eager for treatment, pass through. He then picked up his Defense Communicator and made a call.

"Sister Luo, don't worry, my shift here is going smoothly, nothing has happened."

"Yes, Station Chief He had a little accident, so I have to be on duty here until tonight before I can go back."

Upon hearing that He Fei had an accident, Luo Xiaoxue was greatly alarmed.

He was an Inspector senior to Liu Bi and Cheng Long, so how could he have an accident out of the blue?

"Be extra careful. Since new Hydrophilic Infected have appeared, the manual I gave you might not be useful anymore. Be extremely cautious!"

"Don't worry, the Quarantine Zone A I'm in charge of is specifically for inspecting vehicles. We only had one car this morning. At this rate, we might not even get another one by tonight."

Of course, Cheng Ye wouldn't mention that he had just arrived at the checkpoint, discovered an Unknown Infected, and even fought it.

The situation was volatile now, and no one could predict what would happen the next second. It was better to talk in person when he got back tonight to avoid worrying Luo Xiaoxue.

The Defense Communicator call ended.

Cheng Ye wanted to find someone to inquire about the Central Checkpoint, but unfortunately, he wasn't Liu Bi. For the past two months, he had been solely focused on the Inspector's assessment and hadn't built any reliable connections.

"To get by in the checkpoint, you need your own people, confidants."

Glancing at Raven and Owl sitting outside the isolation gate, Cheng Ye felt that these two were quite suitable for cultivation. They were efficient in their work and understood the situation within the checkpoint.

It was a pity that he hadn't established himself yet, and cultivating confidants felt like a castle in the air.

"I'll just make a name for myself during this shift. After I complete my first external assignment, I might be able to start developing my own people. After all, if I want to climb higher in the future, I'll need their support."

Although the Quick Checkpoint was fraught with danger, it was a shortcut to earning merits.

And most importantly, there were Charging Piles here, which could quickly replenish energy and accumulate Search opportunities.

In just half a day, Cheng Ye changed his mind and was somewhat unwilling to go back to inspecting Refugees.

That job was too troublesome, requiring repeated questioning and probing.

Even if he learned from Garcia and extorted money by charging city entry fees, he wouldn't earn much in a day.

But at the Quick Checkpoint, the very first person he inspected gave him a huge sum of 600 Happiness Coins, and an extra piece of Meteorite Iron.

"The ancients truly did not deceive me; the greater the danger, the greater the reward."

Glancing at the crowded Zone B and the now-empty Zone A, Cheng Ye calmed himself down.

Central Main Checkpoint.

The temperature climbed to its peak, the sunlight scorching the ground, causing heat to rise in waves.

Refugees standing before the checkpoint peered curiously inside.

Behind the inspection area, the quarantine zone was packed with people, nearly a thousand individuals crowded together. Most were guards armed with live ammunition, the scene looking extremely unusual.

In the center, surrounded by the crowd, was a corpse drained of blood and flesh. Its skin clung tightly to its bones, curled on the ground like shriveled tree bark.

"Investigate, we must investigate thoroughly!"

Ding Yishan stared at the corpse for a long time, his face twitching uncontrollably. Finally, with a grim expression, he stood up abruptly.

He Fei's death, in truth, didn't need investigation. Just looking at the state of the body made it clear it was an accident.

Normally, as the duty station master, he shouldn't have gone to inspect the quarantine zone. But a heavy rain the previous night had flooded the area, and He Fei, for some unknown reason, insisted on going to comfort the refugees.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the quarantine zone, he encountered a Hydrophilic Infected, a New Infection Source not present in the database.

The moment they met, the Infected latched onto him. In less than ten seconds, it had sucked He Fei dry, leaving him a human husk.

The death was utterly absurd!

Who could believe that a Veteran, who had worked at checkpoints for over twenty years and killed countless Infected, would meet such a ridiculous end?

Ding Yishan couldn't help but think of himself.

Now, New Type Infected were continuously swarming towards Xingfu City. Even the duty station master had not been spared.

Did this mean that he, the Chief Station Master, could also lose his life here at any moment?

"From today onwards, the central checkpoint's inspection intensity will be raised to Level Four. Any abnormal data found will result in immediate quarantine! Apart from guards, no one is allowed to enter the quarantine zone!"

"The North South Sub Checkpoint's inspection intensity will be raised to Level Three. Any two or more sets of abnormal data will be placed in Isolation Pods. Any illegal release is strictly prohibited!"

Ding Yishan ordered in a deep voice.

The inspection intensity levels at the checkpoint ranged from one to five, with one being the lowest and five the highest.

Based on past experience, only the most dangerous Winter would see the intensity raised to Level Three or above. Summer usually transitioned between Level One and Two.

Yet now, in the height of summer, they were directly initiating Level Four intensity. The surrounding guards and Inspectors felt their hearts sink.

"Furthermore, starting today, the checkpoint will begin implementing the Wartime Reward System. Merit will be accumulated based on the number of inspections and Infected killed. I will apply to Director Liu of the City Defense Department to simultaneously activate the Internal Treasury Reward."

"The more you do, the more you get; the more you kill, the more you take. I don't want anyone eating the checkpoint's food for nothing without doing any work, understand?"

"Yes!"

The people around responded in unison.

The stifling atmosphere suddenly eased, and many people's eyes lit up with eagerness.

Merit rewards were usually only activated when an Infected Tide passed through, and no one expected He Fei's death to unexpectedly bring this about.

This was a tremendous stroke of luck; there were so many good things that could be redeemed with Merit.

Especially for the ordinary Guards at the checkpoint, if they could achieve great Merit, they would have a chance to be promoted to Inspector, achieving a meteoric rise.

Who wouldn't be tempted by such a prospect?

"Halin, organize a study session. All Inspectors on duty right now must immediately re-learn the response procedures for Hydrophilic Infected. Set up an assessment. Those who fail three times will have their rank directly demoted by one level. Those who fail five times must undertake Field Missions of difficulty four or higher!"

"Understood."

After issuing a string of orders, ensuring the entire checkpoint would be fully mobilized.

Ding Yishan finally left, panting heavily, like a ravenous wolf that failed to find prey.

"Sir, you've been angered today. This is not good for your recovery."

As he walked out of the crowd, the middle-aged man who had been following Ding Yishan closely hurried to catch up, lowering his voice to advise.

"Achuan, you've followed me for nearly twenty years. We practically worked together to get this Station Chief position. How can you not understand what I'm angry about?"

Ding Yishan sighed imperceptibly and said in a deep voice, "It's not even winter yet. With the death of that idiot He Fei, we're being forced into a potential early war between the East and West Factions."

"I deliberately tested Halin just now. Although he backed down, who can say he won't back down again later?"

Achuan was silent for a moment. "Sir, if the West Faction uses Station Chief He's death and the vacant Station Chief seat to exert high pressure, I can deal with Halin and forcibly buy us some buffer period between the East and West Factions."

Ding Yishan's steps suddenly stopped. His throat bobbed as he wanted to say something, but in the end, he could only manage a strained smile and patted Achuan's shoulder.

"Let's go back first. The current situation doesn't require you to sacrifice your life. Moreover, if this precedent is set, there will be no room for maneuver left between the East and West Factions."

Station Chief Office.

Located behind the Central Checkpoint, it was a three-story pavilion separate from the main station.

The decor was not modern but resembled an Old Era teahouse.

The first floor was Ding Yishan's daily office, the second floor served as a reception lounge for Inspectors within the station, and the third floor was his private forbidden area for "setting up games."

At this moment, Ding Yishan went straight to the third floor and pushed open the door to the room near the stairs.

The interior was simply decorated, with a mahjong table in the corner and a common tea set for the Guangdong region in the center.

Ding Yishan slowly prepared the tea, washing the leaves. Before the tea aroma could fully develop, the door was gently pushed open by Achuan, and four people walked in one after another.

"Come, have a seat."

Ding Yishan gestured, leading the four to the tea table and getting straight to the point:

"He Fei is dead. As the Duty Station Chief, who do you think can take his place in the station?"

The four's breathing quickened, and they exchanged glances, seeing the ambition in each other's eyes.

Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, Yun, Chang, Yuan.

Within the Dongren Faction of the checkpoint, these were the six individuals qualified to be Duty Station Chief.

If Cheng Long hadn't met with an accident, Ding Yishan wouldn't need to ask; the answer would have been clear.

But there were no "ifs."

"I specifically didn't call Lei Hu over because I wanted to hear the thoughts of you four."

Lei Hu was the Duty Station Chief of the South Checkpoint.

Ding Yishan's fingertips traced the rim of his teacup. "Whatever you have to say, just tell me now."

After a long pause.

The four stood up and retreated along the path they had come.

Ding Yishan's gaze was complex. Only when Achuan saw them out and pushed the door open did he sigh.

"Achuan, what do you think of these four?"

Achuan shook his head. "Sir, I'm not sure about this kind of matter..."

"You don't need to hold back. There are no outsiders here, and besides, you might be promoted to Inspector yourself in the future. It's time you learned about the intricacies of this place."

"Then..." Achuan paused for a moment before speaking gravely, "In terms of ability, all of them are far inferior to Cheng Long. Zhou Changhai and Qiao Yuan are ruthless, but they lack ferocity. They wouldn't be able to command respect if they sat there. Shao Yunfei and Lin Bao are indeed brave, but their methods are too crude. Even if they were promoted, they wouldn't be able to help you, sir, or stabilize the situation in the station."

"So... it's difficult!"

Ding Yishan gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Truly, the tables have turned. When Cheng Long was here, we Dongren could always suppress the Xiren. I never expected that after he left, the situation would collapse to this extent."

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something. "What about that kid Cheng Long left behind? What was his name again, Cheng Ye?"

"Did he go to the Quick Checkpoint today? How did it go?"

"I'll go ask the people downstairs. There should be news back by now."

Achuan hurried downstairs and quickly returned with a tablet, his expression somewhat strange.

"What is it?"

"Sir, Cheng Ye went to the North Station."

"Hm?" Ding Yishan's eye twitched violently, the teacup sloshing a ripple of water at his fingertips. "Who gave him the guts to go to North Station?"

"Sir, it's hard to explain in a few words. You'll understand once you watch this."

Achuan handed over the tablet, which displayed two not-very-clear videos.

"This is... him messing with that group of kids?"

Ding Yishan finished speaking, then suddenly remembered that Cheng Ye seemed to be around the same age, even younger and more naive than these kids. It wasn't entirely unexpected for him to act out.

However, everything that happened next made his expression turn strange.

"These methods..."

Ding Yishan narrowed his eyes, feeling quite surprised.

Compared to the pale, frail, scholar-like young man in his memory, the youth in the video was spirited and exuded a powerful aura that felt unfamiliar.

Scrolling to the second video, he saw Cheng Ye kick away the Owl, brandish the flamethrower without fear, and finally, as the Guards arrived, calmly pull the Owl away and retreat.

Ding Yishan's expression grew even stranger, and he even rewound this segment three times.

"A new Infection Source?"

"Yes. Researcher 'Qin Feng' has already provided the basic data. The Infected database has no match."

"How did he discover this person was infected?"

"I don't know. Should I notify him and have him write a report after work?" Achuan honestly shook his head.

Killing was easy; finding Infected was difficult.

Based on what Cheng Ye displayed in the video, not to mention him, even many Inspectors couldn't do it.

"Hmm..."

Ding Yishan hesitated for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile. "Forget it. Given the current situation, it's best to pay less attention to him. After all, this is on Xiren's turf. Doing too much or too little would be wrong."

"However... this kid did give me a surprise."

He thought about how he had previously planned to cause some trouble for Cheng Ye so that Achuan could step in.

Ding Yishan pondered for a moment, his face showing no discernible emotion. "That old guy Towns has principles. He's from the same generation as Cheng Wu and should look out for him. We don't need to interfere. When we switch to South Station next week, you can find an opportunity to meet him on my behalf and test his background first."

"Understood!"

Ps: 3.6k words delivered. I earnestly request all esteemed readers not to put this book on hold. The competition on Qidian is truly fierce right now. Recommendation slots are based purely on data, and this book, "Inspector," simply cannot compare to those sensationalist novels. We urgently need the support of all esteemed readers!

Ps2: During the new book period, we are restricted to two updates per day. However, each of my chapters has over 3,000 words. Since the book was released, my average daily word count has been 6.8k, which is more than some books with three updates. This is all to fight for a recommendation slot. Please, I beg you! Lend me your strength!