Wasteland Border Inspector

Chapter 112 Rainy Season, Drastic Temperature Drop, but Warm Hearts!
A light rain was falling, pattering down and splashing on the ground, making a soft, rustling sound.

People are coming and going in the quarantine area.

Most of them were guards changing shifts and workers clearing the water, hurrying through the rain.

After several heavy rains, the rainy season, which belongs to Happiness City and Shi Province, has finally arrived.

According to past records, this rain will last from at least mid-July to early August, a period of almost half a month.

When the rain completely stops and the weather clears up again, the bountiful autumn will slowly begin, following the tail end of summer.

It was past seven o'clock at night.

The high-mast light in the center of the checkpoint turned on right on time.

Like a lighthouse, its warm yellow light pierced through the pervasive fog, casting a hazy glow on the damp ground.

A fine mist hung in the air, blurring the outline of the isolation net.

At first glance, the whole scene appears dreamlike, yet it also exudes a chill unique to the area after a rain.

At this point, although the checkpoint was still open, there were hardly any people in quarantine zone B.

As is customary, scavengers generally do not return at this time; they must arrive at the checkpoint by 6 p.m. at the latest.

After all, the danger level in the wilderness increases dramatically at night. Both mutated beasts and infected creatures are more active in the dark. Coupled with the double effect of rain, rushing on is tantamount to courting death.

Only in areas A and D were there a few scattered people entering.

Most of them were caravans that went out in the morning, or sentries who were ordered to explore the area of ​​the fog.

The daytime hustle and bustle was gone, and the sound of gunfire could no longer be heard. The entire checkpoint gradually sank into a tranquility unique to the rainy night.

Quarantine Zone B.

A corner of the inspection area.

Cheng Ye had Hu Lu bring over a deck chair, which he leaned against the edge of the safety net.

At first, he kept his eyes wide open, watching Wang Kang's movements, worried that the kid wouldn't be able to handle it.

After observing for a while, it was found that Wang Kang's movements were still a bit clumsy, but his logic was clear.

He inspected, questioned, and guided people with remarkable skill, displaying the demeanor of someone just starting out on duty.

In addition, the number of people in Zone B is decreasing, and more than ten minutes have passed without seeing a single person.

Cheng Ye was completely relieved. He leaned back comfortably in the recliner and dozed off.

But as he slept, the last sliver of dim light still lingered on the horizon, and raindrops fell like silver threads in the twilight.

When I woke up, it was completely dark all around.

The rain has mostly stopped, with only a few scattered water droplets falling down the eaves, corners of walls, and fences.

The warm yellow light was blurred by the fog, barely enough to make out the inspection passage; beyond that, there was only a vast expanse of white fog.

"Xiaokang, what time is it?"

"Hey, Brother Cheng, you're awake?" Wang Kang was writing something in his notebook when he heard the voice and quickly turned around, still holding his pen. "It'll be nine o'clock in five minutes."

"Why is it so cold?"

Cheng Ye sat up slightly and stretched his body a couple of times before realizing that he was covered with a thick coat.

It's a duty jacket worn at the checkpoint.

Normally, no one would wear this thing because the bright "检" (inspection) character hanging on the back is too conspicuous.

Subconsciously pulling open a corner of his coat, Cheng Ye couldn't help but shiver. He felt a chill instantly creep up his neck, sending shivers down his spine.

After learning martial arts, the speed of qi and blood circulation increases, and martial artists become more sensitive to changes in their surroundings.

In the past, Cheng Ye would have a faint feeling when the temperature rose by two or three degrees.

Now, the temperature has dropped by at least ten degrees, or even more, to make him feel noticeably cold and uncomfortable.

"The temperature has dropped. The authorities issued a notice saying that it was due to the fog."

"Is it?"

Cheng Ye frowned, sat up, put on his coat, and walked around the field a few times to warm up.

Once a warm current rises from the dantian and spreads throughout the body, driving away the cold.

He pulled out his defense communication device to check the latest news.

I started sleeping around 7:15, and it's just past 9 o'clock now. I've slept for an hour and a half.

There are a bunch of unread messages on the defense communication platform, including public warnings and group messages from checkpoints.

There were also three missed calls.

One is naturally Luo Xiaoxue, the other is an unknown number, and there's also a public account for checkpoints.

Is the unknown number belonging to Brother B?
Cheng Ye dialed the number back, but received a message saying he didn't have permission.

"Hmm, looks like I missed Brother B's call while I was sleeping."

For security reasons, the Defense Connect device is in silent mode by default. Unless you tap the sound three times in a row after verifying your identity and unlocking, it won't make a sound even if the sky falls.

Moreover, this notification only lasts for a maximum of eight hours, after which it will automatically return to silent mode.

However, Cheng Ye wasn't too worried about missing Liu Bi's call. He figured that as long as Liu Bi could get the necessary permissions, he would call back tonight or tomorrow.

"Hey, Sister Luo, I was so sleepy I dozed off and didn't see the phone."

"You finally answered!"

Luo Xiaoxue's voice carried a hint of urgency, "Remember to turn on notifications when you sleep next time. Luckily, I had Station Master Lei's number saved and confirmed with him. You almost scared me to death!"

"I was too sleepy at the time, so I dozed off. Don't worry, the checkpoint is very safe. What? A suspected source material emerged from the fog hole of the hydroelectric power station?"

A bombshell announcement came through the microphone.

Cheng Ye suddenly stood up, gripping the defense communication device tightly, his voice trembling as he subconsciously lowered his voice, "Is Brother B alright?"

"It's alright. There are already superhumans guarding the hydroelectric power station. They are also old people who came from the checkpoint."

"Is it Reagan Carl?"

"You know?" Luo Xiaoxue pondered for a moment, "Your brother B called back, but you probably didn't answer. This time, the fog affected a very large area, almost half of Shijiazhuang Province was covered!"

"Half of Shijiazhuang?"

Cheng Ye couldn't help but gasp.

The area of ​​the province of Stone does not follow the old pattern of Earth. During the Neogene period, the indigenous people of Stone Province annexed many surrounding territories during their pioneering work, resulting in a total area of ​​55 square kilometers.

Half of Shih province, doesn't that mean it's about the same as Guangxi province?

"Well, based on the information reported from Sha Province, it can be basically confirmed that this is a special mobile supernatural curse. The super sanctuary city over there has tried various methods to dispel the fog, but to no avail. They can only wait for the fog to dissipate automatically. Your brother B doesn't know the specifics either. Once the higher-ups have sorted it out, they should send it to you."

Luo Xiaoxue finished speaking in one breath, her tone becoming serious, "The suspected source of the infection at the hydroelectric power station is still being searched. Although it is highly unlikely to leave the industrial area, you must be on high alert while guarding the checkpoint. The frequency of infected individuals will definitely increase dramatically in the next few days!"

"I know, Sister Luo, you have to be careful too. Fog holes appear randomly!"

"Well, it seems the higher-ups want to build several centralized refuge points in the buffer zone. I'll see if things get really bad and then take Yi Yi to a refuge point to hide for a while."

"Alright, let me know if you have any arrangements, and I'll get some people to help you out."

After the information was synchronized, neither of them felt like chatting anymore. The only sound on the phone was their breathing, which carried a heavy sense of worry.

"Hang up. Contact me if anything comes up."

"Ok!"

The phone hangs up.

Cheng Ye stood there, clutching the defense communication device, his brows furrowed and his knuckles turning white.

Despite his low voice, Wang Kang, sitting behind the table, still caught a few words and his face turned pale.

"Brother Cheng, there's another one."

"Shh, that's not true. Just pretend you don't know anything."

Cheng Ye turned around and shook his head slightly. "Instead of worrying about the industrial zone's influx of people, we should worry about the checkpoints opening up a fog tunnel and one of them jumping out. In the current situation, half of Shijiazhuang Province is trapped inside. To put it bluntly, it's a gamble. No matter where you stay, you can't escape."

Even if they packed up and ran away right now, it would be impossible to escape this area on foot before the fog cleared.

As for driving away, the thought was immediately extinguished by Cheng Ye.

The cars in Happiness City are all battery-powered, with a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers, and they can only run on the wasteland thanks to solar power.

But now that the fog is thick, the efficiency of the solar panels is less than one-tenth of what it usually is. If we really drive out into the wilderness, it will be difficult to replenish the range of 200 kilometers in a day. If we get stuck in the fog, it will be very dangerous if we encounter anything.

Wang Kang's lips moved, but he didn't say anything.

He just stared at the thick fog in the distance, muttering to himself, "A gamble."

Once outside the inner city, the harsh reality repeatedly shattered our expectations.

Looking back now, the fact that they've managed to live to this day safely is nothing short of a gamble.

But is it really true that human power cannot overcome nature?

What if he and Cheng Ye encounter Mother Source or Extraordinary Beings while on duty?
Are we just supposed to sit here and wait to die in endless despair and fear?
Wang Kang was left sitting behind the table in a daze, while Cheng Ye called back the checkpoint's official WeChat account.

To his surprise, Lei Hu seemed to know that he had bought salted fish from the caravan and received a cow as a share. He asked if he had a place to store the fish and offered to arrange for the large gold-plated van at the checkpoint to deliver it back to him.

“I contacted a bus that I know. Could you please inform the Public Works Department so that it would be convenient for him to come and pick up his things?”

"No problem, Inspector Cheng, just give us the license plate number and we'll contact the Public Works Department to coordinate immediately."

Just right.

Cheng Ye remembered Master Zhang's license plate number, but didn't know his full name or his mobile phone number. With the checkpoint coordinating things, it saved a lot of trouble.

The call wasn't disconnected, and the operator on the other end arranged everything in less than half a minute.

"Due to special circumstances, we have applied for the right to use this bus for you for the next half month. If you do not need it, it will continue to run on the normal route. If you do need it, you can contact the bus driver, Zhang Yong, directly. Mr. Zhang will drive over to serve you immediately."

Zhang Yong?

Cheng Ye silently repeated the name to himself, then said, "Okay, thank you."

"You're welcome."

The operator's voice was sincere: "During the fog, the duty inspectors are fighting on the front lines for the well-being of Happiness City. We will do our best to solve any problems you may have."

Cheng Ye hung up the phone, somewhat surprised, but quickly figured out the source of the privilege.

Just as the operator said, during the days when the buffer zone was shrouded in fog, those of them who were guarding the front line were undoubtedly one of the most dangerous groups in the next two weeks.

Some privileges serve as both appeasement and necessary safeguards.

"It would be great if I could get permission to charge the phone, but unfortunately I can't explain why I need to charge it."

Cheng Ye looked up and saw the lamplight blurred in the fog, like a piece of butter soaked in water.

He moved the recliner closer to the light, steadied himself, and then opened the Defense Communicator again, swiping his finger across the screen.

Quickly skip over the repetitive warning messages; most of them are just repetitive weather reports, environmental warnings, and changes in resource allocation points, with nothing new.

It is worth noting that there are three public announcements and one internal notice that is only visible to personnel on duty at the checkpoint.

Temperature alert regarding the impact of fog:
Due to persistent fog, temperatures in the area have dropped to 3-15℃. Residents are advised to dress warmly and take precautions against the cold. Several temporary medical stations have been set up in the buffer zone; residents can obtain fever reducers, cold medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other epidemic prevention supplies by presenting valid identification.

Notice regarding adjustments to checkpoint operating hours:
Due to fog, the checkpoint's operating hours will be adjusted to 7:00 AM to 20:00 PM daily starting tomorrow. Residents are advised to plan their travel accordingly and return before 20:00 PM to avoid being unable to enter.

[Announcement Regarding the Wilderness 'Fog Hole' Phenomenon:]
Exploration revealed that due to the influence of fog, a unique 'fog hole' phenomenon randomly appears in the wilderness area. These are mostly cloud-like spheres with a diameter of 1-3 meters. When organisms touch them, they briefly form a passageway, allowing them to reach unknown locations thousands to tens of thousands of kilometers away.

To ensure city safety, the Blood Dragon Legion will implement a 24/7 patrol and blockade mechanism, strictly prohibiting any resident from venturing into unknown areas via the fog cave. A solemn reminder: crossing the fog cave carries full personal risk, and once the fog cave disappears, those who cross it will be permanently unable to return to Happiness City. Please make your decision carefully.

[Checkpoint Upgrade Control Notice:]

Effective immediately, all checkpoints will be upgraded to Level 4 inspection standards. Any resident confirmed to have traveled through the fog cave with abnormal data will be subject to isolation. A distinguishing feature is a cloud-like mark appearing on the arm of the person who has traversed the fog cave; this mark will last for at least 72 hours.

All inspectors are urged to exercise caution, as those who pass through the fog cave may be carrying a large number of unknown sources of infection.

Currently, temporary isolation wards are being set up along the Happiness Defense Line at the checkpoint. All inspection procedures must be strictly followed, and any form of unauthorized passage is strictly prohibited.

"The temperature has indeed dropped significantly."

Cheng Ye exhaled a puff of white breath. He remembered that when he checked the weather forecast at noon, the temperature was reported as 21 to 29 degrees Celsius.

I never expected that my temperature would drop so drastically after just a few hours of sleep.

The lowest temperature dropped by a full 18 degrees, and the highest temperature also dropped by 14 degrees.

Fortunately, crops cannot be grown in Happiness City or even the entire Shi Province, otherwise, with this round of temperature drops, the autumn harvest would probably be completely ruined in the fields.

Regarding the adjustment of the checkpoint's operating hours and the subsequent two announcements prohibiting residents from going to the fog cave.

This was entirely within Cheng Ye's expectations.

During the day, when facing the fog cave, you can at least make out what kind of monsters rush out of it.

If an inspector is on duty until 11 p.m. and stumbles into a foggy tunnel in the dark, he's in big trouble.

Now, adjusting it to 8 o'clock will be just before it gets completely dark.

It allows people enough time to return while also reducing the risks for those on duty, making it a prudent compromise.

As for prohibiting residents from going to the fog cave, it can only be described as a reminder of the risks associated with the fog cave.

If the Blood Dragon Legion could truly monitor all the fog caves around the clock and lock down every spatial rift, there would be no need to issue such an announcement; they could simply send troops to garrison them.

Since there was a warning, and it was even pointed out that the disappearance of the fog cave might mean that there was no way to return, it means that the coverage area of ​​the fog was too large, and the legion's forces were simply not enough. They could only rely on rules and warnings to restrain them.

Fog holes, by their very nature, are characterized by their random and unpredictable appearance.

It might appear at the checkpoint today, or drift to some part of the inner city tomorrow; no one can say for sure where it will pop up next.

In such situations, there will always be people who take the risk.

Bet your life!

Let's gamble!
For those scavengers who are not afraid of danger and constantly teeter on the edge of life and death, as long as one person brings back something rare from the other side of the fog cave, it will be a great relief.

Within half a day, a second and a third person will actively seek out the fog cave and crawl inside.

This is human nature; it's impossible to resist.

Unless the Happiness City leadership is determined to lock all residents in the buffer zone and not allow them to take a single step outside.

But that's impossible. Even when the wave of infections came, the higher authorities didn't lock down the movement of people.

It's even less likely that a fog would make people stay at home and be afraid to go out.

Of course, the checkpoints will be tough.

"But this is also convenient. Since passing through the fog cave will leave a mark, it won't be too difficult to check it."

"Moreover, the level four intensity also saves a lot of trouble. If there are any abnormal data, just take them all to quarantine. It saves us the trouble of talking."

From the initial requirement for everyone to undergo testing, to now operating according to regulations.

Cheng Ye only took a week to become familiar with and adapt to the routine.

It's not that he's become lax about his job, but rather that special times call for special methods.

In the current foggy weather, any chance of taking a chance could lead to disaster.

If we encounter a highly lurking source of infection, it could potentially destroy the entire City of Happiness.

The best approach is to isolate the risks at their source.

"Xiaokang, I have to go ahead and take the salted fish and beef back. I also need to go to the Public Works Department to discuss the construction plan for the pedestrian street with Mr. Liu. I estimate I won't be able to finish my work until you're done."

Cheng Ye stood up and put the defense communication device into his pocket.

Wang Kang subconsciously turned his head, forcing a smile, not because he was about to leave, but because he was still worried about the dangers posed by the fog cave.

Cheng Ye, seeing this, softened his voice, "Don't worry, even if a mother infected person comes, I have a way to make him sit down, which will at least buy us some time to escape."

"I believe in Brother Cheng."

Wang Kang nodded blankly, but his smile was even more stiff than before.

Clearly, he didn't take that sentence to heart.

"Brother Cheng, you can go now. No one should come to Area B tonight. We'll be on duty at 7 a.m. tomorrow. We can't afford to not get enough rest."

"Okay, call me if you need anything."

Cheng Ye agreed and turned to walk out of the inspection area.

I've been busy since I got up this morning, but thankfully I took a nap on the recliner just now and regained some energy. Otherwise, even with the increased energy from practicing martial arts, I wouldn't be able to keep going.

Upon entering the quarantine area, a wave of cold swept over me, truly giving the impression that winter was approaching.

Cheng Ye subconsciously wrapped his coat tighter, called over a few staff members and guards on duty in the public area, and asked them to help carry the salted fish and beef to the checkpoint entrance.

"Dalong, you can come over now. I'll be waiting for you at the checkpoint."

"Okay, we'll wait in Mr. Zhang's car."

The cold wind was biting, making people's hands and feet feel icy.

By the time the operator finished coordinating, Mr. Zhang's bus had already headed towards the south checkpoint.

Within two or three minutes, two dim yellow headlights pierced the thick fog, and bus number '86' slowly came to a stop in front of the checkpoint.

The car door opened with a "whoosh," and Da Long led seven strong young men out in single file, each carrying an empty snakeskin bag. Without saying a word, they rolled up their sleeves and started working.

"Be careful, these salted fish have very sharp mouthparts, don't get scratched."

Da Long was bending down to pick up a bundle of salted fish when he heard this. He looked up and grinned, "Don't worry, sir. We've seen plenty of swordfish when we were with the army. We've even eaten fresh ones before."

"Fresh?"

Cheng Ye raised an eyebrow. "You guys have been to Hai Province before?"

“That’s right.” Da Long said, but his hands were working at a fast pace. “It was more than ten years ago. Back then, I was in the pioneering corps. I helped the team build the dock, and later I went on a long journey with a supply ship. The destination was Hai Province.”

"How much would this fresh swordfish be worth in Hai Province?"

"Back then, it wasn't worth much. These fish were everywhere along the coastline. You could catch as many as you wanted with your net. The only problem was that they were a hassle to prepare. You had to break their mouthparts before you could cook them. I never thought that after I returned to Happiness City, I would never have seen them again in all these years."

If you bring worthless items to Happiness City, you can sell a ton for 240 points.
Cheng Ye nodded thoughtfully. It seemed that this was another tactic used by Happiness City to attract caravans.

By acquiring cheap goods from coastal cities at resource premiums, caravans could both replenish food reserves and make a profit, thus maintaining the chain of inter-regional trade in this chaotic world.

Otherwise, if prices plummet, caravans will not only fail to make money on a single trip but will also incur losses, and they might disappear completely next time.

This is good enough as it is now. With a truckload or two of food as a safety net, we can make a profit no matter how much we bring.

Miscellaneous items like the third cart of the Hongshan caravan are an option after a minimum guarantee; whether you make a profit or a loss, it won't significantly affect the caravan's overall revenue.

Two and a half tons of dried fish in total.

Because the seeds were thoroughly dried, the grains were compacted, and the filling was careful, all 85 burlap sacks were filled.

Da Long and two young men nimbly climbed onto the roof of the car, while the four men below stood in a row, aiming for the perfect angle to toss them up.

These buses were originally converted from truck chassis, so they can be converted into cargo trucks at any time in case of danger.

Nearly fifty bags of dried fish were laid out on the roof of the truck, tied together with thick nylon rope in a cross shape, and the edges were covered with anti-slip netting, so that the truck would not shake no matter how much it bumped around.

The remaining thirty-odd bags were stuffed into the back of the carriage, squeezed together with the half-eaten Yaksha cow wrapped in a waterproof tarpaulin, just filling the back half of the carriage.

"Master Zhang, I'm so sorry."

Cheng Ye smiled sheepishly, a fishy smell lingering in his nostrils. "This dried fish smells strong; I'm afraid you'll have to wash the car properly when we get back."

“Prosecutor Cheng, please don’t say that. It’s my honor to lend you a hand. Besides, the Public Works Department has already instructed me that I will be your personal driver for the next two weeks. Wherever you want to go, just say the word. My defense communication number is 317550. Please write it down and call me anytime.”

Zhang Yong quickly waved his hand, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes crinkling together.

From an ordinary bus driver to a prosecutor and then to the Tianyuan community, the other drivers who drive with him these days are incredibly envious.

Not to mention, Cheng Ye had no airs at all and was even more amiable than the junior leaders of the Public Works Department.

"Okay, then I'm welcome."

Cheng Ye pulled up his contacts and saved the number. Everyone boarded the bus one after another, crowding at the front.

We sat close together, each of us radiating heat, which instantly dissipated much of the chill in the carriage.

"Master Zhang, let's go to the Public Works Department first. I need to discuss the construction of the pedestrian street with Mr. Liu."

"okay!"

Mr. Zhang shifted gears and stepped on the gas, and the bus slowly drove away from the checkpoint.

The guards on duty at the gate couldn't help but peek over, their eyes filled with amazement.

They've been stationed here for years, and everyone knows that prosecutors hold a high position. When it comes to getting things done, there are plenty of people eager to lend a hand.

But I've never actually seen any prosecutor do that; most are just mavericks.

This is the first time I've seen someone like Cheng Ye. Judging from the respect in the eyes of Da Long and the others, he's just as imposing as the station chief!

The car drove forward for a while.

Cheng Ye sat by the window, where a layer of white mist had condensed on the glass. He scratched a piece with his finger and looked at the receding misty scenery outside.

The tent camp, which was vibrant during the day, shrinks into gray shadows in the cold fog at night, like grave mounds rooted in the wilderness, devoid of shouts and cooking smoke; even the sound of the wind whistling through the canvas is deathly still.

After driving a little further, the outline of the shantytown began to emerge from the fog.

The low, mud-brick houses were crammed together, with only a few lights on in the windows, and the whole area was eerily quiet.

There was no more noise or commotion, and no more chaos that couldn't be suppressed!

The vast buffer zone became desolate again in just one day, with an inexplicable sense of oppression hanging in the air, even more deserted than after the last wave of infections.

"Was it always like this in winter?"

“It’s much quieter in winter than it is now,” Da Long immediately chimed in. “That’s because everyone is afraid of encountering fog caves and dangers when they go out. It’s not that the weather is too cold. In fact, this temperature is just right for working during the day. It’s neither too hot nor too cold, much better than sweating in the summer!”

"Well"

Cheng Ye didn't reply, he just stared out the window.

Only after leaving the shantytown and entering the edge of the city did he speak:

"Dalong, go find some pots and stew some salted fish and beef for us. Tonight, I'll treat everyone to a meat dish so you won't have come all this way for nothing."

"My lord, I can't accept this!"

Da Long quickly waved his hand, his dark face flushing red. "If you have any orders, we'd be happy to run ourselves ragged. How could we give in?"

Before he could finish speaking, Cheng Ye glanced at him, his eyes lacking authority but carrying a gentleness that left no room for argument.

Da Long awkwardly shut his mouth, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up, and he felt sweet inside.

Working under Cheng Ye was completely different from following orders in the Production and Construction Corps.

Everyone could clearly sense that although Cheng Ye was ordering them around, they were all equal in terms of personality and he did not treat them as tools.

The carriage fell silent for a moment, no one uttered a sound. The young men looked at each other, their eyes lighting up.

This level of respect exists in a wasteland where human life is worth less than grass.

Perhaps in some people's eyes it is worthless, not enough to buy bullets or fill their stomachs.

But perhaps, it is more precious than anything else!
　P.S.: There'll be another chapter later. My toothache is gone, hahaha. Starting today, I'll be back to double updates!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)