Wasteland Border Inspector

Chapter 215 Money Decides the Fate, Wang Kang Unleashes His Power!
5:20 a.m.

A faint glimmer of light had appeared on the horizon, like a thin veil shrouding the dark night.

Blue Zone Camp.

Unit 3.

Li Jie rolled over on the hard bed, trying to find a more comfortable position, but accidentally kicked the arm of the person next to him, who then punched him mercilessly.

This startled him awake. He sat bolt upright, his mind clearing almost instantly: "Holy crap, I was sleeping so comfortably, what the hell was that time?"

He hurriedly turned to look at the window on the left side of the apartment. The night outside had faded considerably, and the hazy light of dawn was gradually seeping in.

What alarmed him even more was the eerie silence around him; even the usual cadence of breathing had vanished, as if everyone had disappeared.

"Oh my God."

Li Jie scrambled to his feet and glanced at the area where the team members were sleeping.
Sure enough, there was no one there.

It seems that it wasn't an infection or an impending threat, but rather that he had simply overslept.

Just as I breathed a sigh of relief, I was gripped by an even greater panic.

Everyone else must have gone out on duty, and I'm still sleeping!

If Prosecutor Cheng were to investigate this matter afterward, wouldn't he be skinned alive and made an example of?
Thinking of this, Li Jie could no longer sit still. He hurriedly put on his coat, not even buttoning it up properly, and rushed out the door.

But as soon as they stepped out of the apartment building, they didn't see Cheng Ye resting against the wall as they had expected. Instead, they saw Wang Kang sitting in the open space between the three apartment buildings, leaning against the temporary guardrail, with a calm expression.

"Prosecutor Wang?" Li Jie's voice was a little hoarse, and he subconsciously clenched the hem of his clothes. "I...I overslept. I'm so sorry, I'll go make up for my shift right away."

"fine."

Wang Kang raised his head, a slight smile seemingly playing at the corners of his mouth beneath his mask. His tone was calm. "Everyone was exhausted yesterday, I understand. It's normal to need more sleep. Have you had enough sleep now?"

"Enough! Enough!" Li Jie nodded hurriedly, but couldn't help cursing his father in his heart.

Why did he choose this name in the first place? It sounds like "understanding". When Prosecutor Wang said "understanding" just now, he almost thought it was a sarcastic question, and his heart skipped a beat.

"That's enough. I happen to have a task for you." Wang Kang straightened up, his tone still calm.

"Please give your orders! I guarantee I'll complete them!" Li Jie immediately stood up straight, looking ready to be called upon at any moment.

“If any residents get up later, tell them not to come out for the time being. Today’s assessment doesn’t start until 8 a.m., and anyone who comes out before then will be considered in violation of the rules.”

"Oh? That's strict?"

Li Jie scratched his head, a little puzzled, as he hadn't been told the assessment was postponed last night, but he immediately agreed, "Okay, Inspector Wang, don't worry, I'll definitely keep a close eye on it!"

He could sense that Wang Kang's emotions seemed a bit off, but he didn't dare to ask too many questions and could only keep his doubts to himself.

The two stood in the courtyard for more than ten minutes. As the sky grew brighter, residents began to rub their eyes and come out of their apartments.

Li Jie quickly stepped forward to explain. Upon hearing that "the assessment starts at eight o'clock, and you can go back to catch up on your sleep now," everyone was both surprised and delighted. They hurriedly turned around and went back to their rooms. Yesterday, the adults had exerted almost all their strength to build the apartment building and the security fence, and they were already exhausted with sore backs.

Now that I can sleep a little longer, I can get enough rest so I won't be too tired to run if I encounter danger.

Time passed by, and Li Jie went back and forth explaining to one group of residents after another. His mouth was so dry that he couldn't help but feel a little envious when he saw others going back to sleep.

But every time he saw Wang Kang still sitting there without moving, he immediately calmed down. He had been lazy last night, but if he performed better now, he could make up for it.

But as the clock slowly struck 6:30, and dawn was almost breaking, Li Jie's doubts grew stronger:

Why haven't Prosecutor Cheng and the young men who went out on duty last night returned yet?

According to the previously designated patrol route, it should take at most half an hour to circle around Dabo Town. An hour and a half has already passed. Even if there were some minor issues, they should be back by now.
Just as he was starting to overthink, Wang Kang seemed to read his mind and spoke up, "Don't worry. Prosecutor Cheng took Huang Liang and the others out to collect the results of the first day's assessment. Our Blue Zone had an advantage in progress yesterday, so there won't be any problems."

"Oh! Oh right! I knew it!" Li Jie quickly scratched his head and smiled, suppressing all the worries and doubts in his heart. He was secretly relieved that he was just going to collect the results and that nothing bad had happened.

However, this quiet did not last long. Before seven o'clock, noisy voices came from the direction of the red zone, breaking the peace of the morning.

Wang Kang's previously calm expression suddenly changed, and his fingers instinctively tightened their grip on the weapon at his waist.

But the next second, a calm face flashed through his mind, along with countless chaotic thoughts.

If Brother Cheng were here, would he panic?
No, he definitely won't.

The thought had barely formed in his mind when the panic in his heart vanished instantly. He calmly stood up and waved to Li Jie: "Keep an eye on the camp and the apartment buildings. Don't let anyone out. The assessment is important. I'm going to check out the situation in the red zone!"

"Don't worry, Prosecutor Wang! With me here, no one will be able to step out of the building!" Li Jie patted his chest and assured him, his eyes full of seriousness.

Wang Kang said no more, turned around and walked quickly out of the alley next to the supermarket, but as soon as he looked up at the red zone, his expression turned completely somber.

people.

so many people!
It wasn't just one or two people arguing as expected, but a dense crowd, nearly a hundred people, all gathered in front of the granary, noisily surrounding one person, Rokuk!
Even though Wang Kang suppressed the urge to go forward, he only stood at a distance and listened for a few words.

The crowd's condemnations rose and fell like rolling thunder, but he quickly figured out the reason.

“Prosecutor Luo! My son went out on duty last night and hasn’t come back yet! Even if he’s dead, you should at least let me see his body!” A middle-aged man’s eyes were red, and his voice was full of grief and indignation.

“Yes, Prosecutor Luo! All the missing people are from our Xiaoxiangfeng community! You said they went back to Happiness City? How is that possible? Their luggage and supplies are still here, where could they have gone?”

"And what about the source and infected person from last night? They still haven't given us an explanation! We're willing to participate in the assessment with you, but we're not stupid! Staying here is just waiting to die. What do you all think, should we keep waiting?"

"Wait my ass! No one in the Blue Zone next door has died, but five people have died in our Red Zone, and dozens more are missing! Whoever wants to stay in this lousy place can stay!" someone shouted emotionally, instantly igniting the anger of those around him.

Some even shouted, "Prosecutor Luo, why don't we just give up? As the old saying goes, 'A step ahead leads to another step ahead.' The Blue Zone has such a big advantage now, we can't catch up at all! You go back to Xingfu City and continue to be your prosecutor, and we'll follow Prosecutor Cheng to build Dabo Town. Isn't that a good thing? Everyone agrees, right?"

"That's right! We're here to build, not to fight the source of infection! If Happiness City wants to eliminate the source of infection, send a legion! What's the point of sending us ordinary people to our deaths here!"

"."

One sentence for you, one sentence for me.

Without a firm grasp of the family's capabilities, they rashly chose the same family organization.

The clamor grew louder and louder. Rococo stood in the center of the crowd, his face ashen, explaining again and again, but his voice was drowned out by the noisy condemnation and had no effect whatsoever.

Moreover, he had to cover his mouth and cough every now and then, and the rusty iron color on his face became even more intense, and even his breathing became a little rapid.

Fortunately, he was standing sideways in the shadows, wearing a wig that had been prepared beforehand, which covered his unusually bald head, so no one noticed anything amiss for the time being.

But Wang Kang could see clearly that if things continued like this, the powder keg in the Red Zone would be ignited sooner or later.

"How to do how to do?"

"What would Cheng-ge do if he were here?"

"I'm just a trainee prosecutor. I don't have the ability to persuade so many people; they don't even know me. My dad is just an ordinary fourth-term prosecutor, and my grandfather..."

Wang Kang's heart trembled, and his legs felt as heavy as lead, making it impossible for him to lift them.

He had never faced such a scene before, because just as Cheng Ye had said, the people in the community respected him from the bottom of their hearts, even when they argued with him.

But these homeless people are different. They have grievances to vent, survival needs to be met, and the right to know to fight for. They will not easily back down because of the identity of the "prosecutor". They will only do what is right and what is right.
Suddenly, Wang Kang shuddered, and a series of images involuntarily flashed through his mind.

That was yesterday, no, the day before yesterday.

While other groups had already made their moves in the task assessment, Cheng Ye remained calm and told him:

"Remember this: whether it's the wasteland or the old era, money is the foundation of everything!"

money.
money!
Money tied down the community, making even the notorious "poisonous dragon" who had crippled thousands of people obedient.

Could that money keep these migrants in line and make them cooperate with the assessment?

Once he understood this, the hesitation on Wang Kang's face vanished instantly, and his trembling back straightened abruptly.

Yes, even though I'm just a trainee prosecutor, I'm rich—it's all thanks to my dad!

They're just some homeless people. I can give them what they want; I have money!
He silently repeated this to himself, quickened his pace, and unknowingly arrived at the granary in the red zone.

Many people noticed him, but after realizing it wasn't Cheng Ye, they turned back to continue denouncing Rokuk, even deliberately raising their voices and becoming increasingly agitated, as if trying to "show their stance" in front of this Prosecutor Wang.

Rokuk also caught a glimpse of Wang Kang approaching out of the corner of his eye, but he felt no sense of relief whatsoever.

Not every intern can be like Cheng Ye, who, despite being called an intern, is doing the work of a third-term trainee!

Not everyone can be like Cheng Ye, who was born surrounded by an invisible halo of family background.

Not everyone can be called a genius like Cheng Ye, or have that terrifying appeal.

Can Wang Kang do it?
The answer is obviously yes.
"What's all the noise about? Don't people want to get any sleep this early in the morning?"

He lifted his mask, stepped into the crowd, and his armored hand grabbed the most arrogant young man. The young man instinctively tried to struggle, but when he met the suppressed anger in Wang Kang's eyes, his body went limp.

"Prosecutor Wang?" The young man's voice trembled, but his eyes darted around quickly, trying to find a way to back down. "I...I wanted to persuade Prosecutor Luo to surrender! Prosecutor Wang, I've wanted to join your and Prosecutor Cheng's team from the very beginning. I was just..."

"I know!" Wang Kang released his hand, his tone softening slightly.

The arena had fallen completely silent, and they dared to shout their condemnation at Rocco.

It's because of his performance from yesterday to today; this prosecutor in his third term has simply given up.

From the response to the thornbird attack to the chaos in the construction plan, and then to his absence during the water extraction and infection outbreak, he was nowhere to be seen throughout the entire process.

In contrast, Cheng Ye always took the lead. Compared to Cheng Ye, everyone felt that the titles of "third term" and "intern" were completely reversed. Some even secretly speculated that Rokuk was a relative and could not be considered a legitimate prosecutor in Happiness City.

Cheng Ye, however, is different. He is the grandson of Cheng Wu, the first station chief, and his actions and abilities match their imagination of the "prosecutor of Happiness City".

With this understanding, even though Wang Kang was also a trainee prosecutor, no one dared to act recklessly.

No one could figure out where this Prosecutor Wang came from, let alone whether he had the same real power as Cheng Ye. They could only subconsciously equate him with Cheng Ye and dared not provoke him easily.

"The missing people have all been taken away by the assessment and supervision team!"

Wang Kang took a step forward, his voice loud and clear, making sure everyone could hear him, "You don't need to ask about the specific reasons. The assessment must continue. If anyone violates the rules and is taken away, don't blame us inspectors for being ruthless. That's the discipline of the supervisory team, and no one is exempt."

"What? They were taken away?"

"Why was my son taken away? He didn't break any rules!"

"Impossible, everyone in our little Chanel-loving community is very well-behaved."

As soon as the murmurs began, Wang Kang suddenly raised his voice and shouted to silence them: "I told you not to make a fuss! Still making a fuss? Did I say that being taken away meant being punished?"

The crowd fell silent instantly, and all eyes were on him.

"We didn't draw any questions on the first day of the assessment, so we could see the quality of the residents on both sides!"

Wang Kang slowed his speech, but with an undeniable confidence, "I can tell you clearly that those who are taken away will not only have their compensation doubled, but will also receive an additional bonus!"

Extra rewards?

The quiet crowd erupted in uproar again, but no one dared to raise their voices in protest.
Especially those who had caused the most trouble before, a burning light flashed in their eyes, and their breathing became a little rapid.

"As you all know, the basic reward for this assessment is one hundred Happiness Coins," Wang Kang continued, pausing deliberately. "Now I can tell you that everyone taken away by the inspection team will receive two hundred Happiness Coins!"

What, two hundred?

Wow.

This time, the crowd was in an uproar. Even those who had been watching inside the granary rushed out to peek and peer around.

Two hundred happiness coins, and if the whole family is taken away, you can get eight hundred on the spot!
What are you waiting for? Take me away now!

It's a win-win situation: you can earn a high reward and leave the dangerous place of Big Wave Town!
"Start arguing again? Have I finished talking?"

Wang Kang frowned and glanced at the several restless young men in the front row.

The men were intimidated by the coldness in his eyes. They immediately stopped what they were doing, forced a smile, took two steps back, and dared not utter another word.

Once the room quieted down again, Wang Kang said, word by word, "Those who are taken away will receive double the reward."

His gaze swept over the expectant faces of the crowd, and he threw out an even bigger bargaining chip:

"Those who are willing to stay and continue to participate in the assessment will receive double the compensation!"

Before he could even finish speaking, he continued in rapid succession, "In addition to the basic compensation, starting today, those who are not taken away after each day's assessment will receive an extra 50 Happiness Coins as a danger fund. This is a reward for facing the risks head-on and an encouragement for your cooperation in the assessment."

"After the entire assessment is over, we will select outstanding performers to receive special rewards: the top prize is an independent apartment plus 1000 Happiness Coins, and even the lowest perfect attendance prize is 20 Happiness Coins. As long as you persevere to the end, everyone can get one. But if you make noise and disrupt the order like you did just now, then sorry, you won't get a single penny!"

"There's also a team bonus! The better your red zone performs as a whole, the more money each person will receive!"

As he spoke, he took another step forward, his voice suddenly rising, "Happiness City has plenty of money, and I, Wang Kang, can afford it too, but what about you? Ask yourselves, what is it that you came to Happiness City, to Dabo Town, for!"

thump.

These words struck like a morning bell and an evening drum, resonating deeply in everyone's hearts.

The previously confused and bewildered look in his eyes instantly brightened, and all his dissatisfaction and anxiety were dispelled by the word "money".

Rokuk remained silent, astonished. He watched as Wang Kang pointed towards the granary, and the crowd that had been clamoring for an explanation spontaneously turned back.

The previous demands to "see the body" and "have the right to know" have all disappeared.

All the noise, explanations, and order seem to become irrelevant in the face of tangible benefits.

"Today's assessment will be postponed. The specific time has not been determined yet. It may be 8 o'clock, or it may be 12 o'clock like yesterday."

Wang Kang watched as everyone retreated towards the granary, his tone becoming more reprimanding, "You don't appreciate the rest time we give you, you insist on making a scene, aren't you just throwing money away?"

money.

money!
The crowd kept repeating this one word, their eyes seemingly bewitched, as they all returned to the innermost corner of the granary to find a place to lie down and catch up on sleep.

Even the few people who had just started the trouble, and those who wanted to say something, were held down tightly by the people around them.

If anyone tries to cause trouble at this point, they will be cutting off everyone's source of income, and no one will agree to that!
In the blink of an eye, only Wang Kang and Luo Kuke remained in front of the once chaotic granary, and the morning breeze made it seem rather quiet.

“Inspector Wang!” Rococo said, his voice hoarse, like rusty iron rubbing together.

Not to mention Garcia, even he himself had previously refused to address the young boy in front of him as a prosecutor.

But now, after seeing it all.

He suddenly felt like he was falling behind, just like those old Deng from the Great Development period at the checkpoint.

He usually appears incredibly wise, but when it comes to crucial moments, he starts to lose his mind and act foolishly.

"I'm such an idiot!" Rococo cursed himself inwardly.

But then he let out a long sigh, his gaze drifting into the distance, lost in thought.

After a while.

He composed himself and said softly, "Today, I'll trouble you to be in charge of the assessment. I'll go into the water to find the pollutant and contain it."

Unexpectedly, Wang Kang immediately shook his head, his tone carrying an unquestionable command: "No, you stay put."

"Then..." Rokuk hesitated, his gaze sweeping towards the direction out of town, his expression full of bitterness.

He really wanted to say that the person who left would most likely never come back.

Next, it is very likely that Happiness City will send waves of people in to try to provide support.

If the pollutants are indeed as he suspects, and of high value.

But he couldn't bring himself to say it, because the look in the eyes of the person who left last night made him feel that talking about him behind his back was an insult.

"You're in Phase III, you're only in Phase III, you don't have the ability to handle it yet."

Wang Kang spoke very seriously, as if he had completely forgotten that he was still a trainee prosecutor and the difference in their ranks.

"Brother Cheng will come back. He...he won't abandon me, he won't abandon everyone here."

"Is that so?" Rokuk responded, unconsciously raising his hand to wipe the sweat from his brow.

But when he looked up again, he saw that Wang Kang's expression was frozen, and he was completely still.

etc.
In an instant, Roku felt a chill run through his body, and subconsciously thought that Wang Kang might have said something wrong, and that he had been hit by the mental pollution again.

But he paused, and when he looked up at the sunlight, he saw the eyeballs in the eye sockets on that frozen face.

But the look in his eyes didn't freeze; instead, it became vivid, and a few tears slowly welled up.

Is it
Rococo suddenly turned his head and looked in the direction the sun was rising.

On the only main road leading into Dabo Town, a huge two-box truck had appeared out of nowhere.

The truck looked as if it had been "squeezed" out of thin air, with faint traces of spatial distortion still visible at the rear, not fully manifested.

But through the driver's side window, you can clearly see a young man leaning out and waving, with that familiar, reassuring smile on his face.

Even the sun behind him seemed to dim at this moment!
　P.S.: Double update of 1.2 words delivered! From tomorrow until the 7th of next month, there will be double votes. Please give me some votes! I will try my best to update!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)