Wasteland Border Inspector

Chapter 227 A Night of Peace, the Prosecutor's Responsibility!
boom!
Boom!

A muffled rumble of thunder rolled in from afar, and streaks of lightning flashed across the horizon, briefly illuminating the dark night sky before quickly disappearing into the clouds.

As night falls, the town of Dabo sheds its daytime hustle and bustle and falls into a peaceful tranquility once more.

However, this tranquility has completely different meanings for different people in the town.

For the patrol team members responsible for security, and for the inspectors who need to actively step out of the town, screen for sources of infection in the surrounding area, and even step into the bottom of the Baishui River to collect the magical creatures.

The wilderness is incredibly dangerous and deadly.

Every step could lead to an ambush by the source of infection, and one could perish at any moment in some inconspicuous corner, or fall victim to bizarre contamination beyond one's comprehension, without even a chance to call for help.

But for residents who only need to move within a fixed area.

The wilderness is also safe.

All dangers seemed irrelevant to them. They worked from sunrise to sunset, clearing abandoned houses and building temporary facilities, and rested at sunset, returning to their warm homes to temporarily put their minds at ease.

There's no need to confront the ferocious crab-men, nor to consider risks beyond our comprehension.

As long as the sky doesn't fall and the inspectors at the forefront don't collapse, all dangers remain within a controllable range.

Inside the small space at the top of the watchtower.

Despite being utterly exhausted, Cheng Ye unexpectedly fell into an incredibly deep dream.

In his dream, he was no longer the Happiness City Inspector who was always at the forefront of battle. He no longer had the collector or his supernatural abilities; he was just an ordinary person living on the endless ice plains.

Just as dawn was breaking and the sun had not yet pierced through the thick clouds, he had to follow the dark mass of people toward the frozen river to mine a white stone called "extreme cold mineral".

The stone looks no different from ordinary albino rocks, but if you accidentally touch your skin, it will instantly leave a scalding burn mark, making you gasp in pain.

However, the foreman's gun was pointed at a high platform not far away, so no one dared to slack off.

Cheng Ye gripped the cold iron pickaxe and pounded it against the frozen, hard ground. He even had to take a sip of water while the foreman turned his back, gulping down two mouthfuls of the icy river water.

They worked from sunrise to sunset, their faces stinging from the cold wind, their fingers numb from the cold. Finally, the supervisor waved his hand, signaling everyone to stop and line up to calculate the weight of the ore.

Just as it was about to be Cheng Ye's turn, a blinding, intense white light suddenly flashed across the sky above.

The light was so bright that it was blinding. Then, like a harbinger of a nuclear explosion, he watched as the figures queuing in front of him instantly vaporized in the white light, leaving not a trace of ash.

Moreover, what should have been a fleeting moment seemed to him as slow as if it had frozen, and the details of each figure disappearing were terrifyingly clear.

"Ah, no!"

Just as the white light was about to spread in front of him, Cheng Ye suddenly cried out in alarm and sat up straight uncontrollably.

Just then, a flash of lightning streaked across the distant horizon, and the pale light shone through the gaps in the watchtower, making him subconsciously think that the white light was right in front of him, and his heart suddenly clenched.

boom!
Until a dull rumble of thunder followed, booming in my ears.

Cheng Ye was stunned for a moment before his stiff body slowly relaxed, and his tense nerves gradually eased.

It was just a dream.
He raised his hand, instinctively wanting to touch the cold sweat on his forehead, but instead touched a thick helmet.

Press the switch on the mask, and with a click, the mask slowly retracts.

I took several deep breaths of the damp air and slowly exhaled, repeating this several times until I finally expelled the suffocating sense of deathly silence from my dream.

Is this an effect of spiritual pollution?

Cheng Ye recalled the scene in his dream clearly in his mind.

A white ice field, an extremely cold mine gleaming with cold light, and workers vaporized by the white light.

Even the burning sensation of the extremely cold mineral touching the skin was incredibly realistic; just thinking about it makes my arm itch slightly.

Could it be that the superhuman from Antarctica turned into a "bomb" before he died, blowing everyone around him to death?
Hard to say.

After human history was sealed away, even he, as an inspector, did not have the authority to trace those concealed past events.

It seems that only by climbing higher and reaching a higher rank can one be qualified to know what really happened in the extraordinary era.

Cheng Ye closed his eyes and mentally reviewed the feelings and details of his dream several times to make sure he hadn't missed anything before he stood up, leaning on the wooden railing.

The watchtower built by Sun Dazheng and his men was indeed sturdy, constructed entirely of hardwood, and stood thirteen meters tall.

The wooden pillar at the bottom is as thick as a bowl and is deeply embedded in the ground.

The outer layer is made of three layers of thick wooden planks interlocked, and the tower gradually narrows as it goes up. Every three meters, there is a horizontal wooden ring beam, which can distribute the weight and make it easier to climb up and down.

The observation deck at the top is surrounded by a wooden railing about half a person's height, and is reinforced by wooden pillars at the four corners. Standing here, one can see clearly any activity within miles.

Even without the protective fire of the heart, the sense of security he felt in this closed yet secure watchtower allowed him to sleep soundly.

"what time is it?"

Cheng Ye touched the defense communication device placed to the side, and was somewhat surprised when the screen lit up.

It's only a little past eleven o'clock.

In total, I only slept for a little over four hours, which was far from enough to replenish the mental and physical exhaustion from days of running around, but the dizzying fatigue from before had disappeared.

In the wilderness where the crisis has not yet been resolved, such a rest is definitely a luxury.

He walked to the searchlight, pressed the switch, and slowly turned the beam toward the river.

The river was so calm that there wasn't a ripple, and the pebbles on the bank were clearly visible. There was no sign of the crab people coming ashore.

Looking up at the sky again, the clouds weren't too thick, and a few faint stars could even be seen through the gaps in the clouds, so there was no need to worry about a downpour.

The unexpected tranquility left him momentarily unsure whether there would be any risks later that night.

"Did the crabman not come ashore tonight because I severely damaged the Magic Eye Sponge, causing it to lose four-fifths of its tentacles and retract? Or did the petrifying curses I released at the end take effect?" Cheng Ye felt slightly relieved.

Right now, there's no need to worry about not having the Heart-Protecting Fire equipment or not seeing the crab people standing in a row along the riverbank.

Based on the intelligence provided by the checkpoint, and through his exploration during the day, and by deliberately being subjected to mental contamination, he has been able to understand the core logic of mental contamination:

This thing is essentially a means for a celestial being to protect itself, rather than to actively harm humans, infected individuals, or sources of infection within its domain.

It will crudely divide the communication channels into multiple "communication channels" just like a signal tower.

For example, the Human Channel.

For example, the Infected Body Channel.

Before the cognitive barrier is broken, the different channels are completely "isolated," meaning that humans cannot see the infected, and the infected cannot perceive humans, let alone communicate with them.

Currently, there appear to be only two ways to overcome cognitive barriers:

The first method, like Rocco and Garcia, involves first connecting to the human channel, then forcibly switching to the infected's channel through parasitism. This allows for simultaneous access to the cognition of two channels, freeing one from the influence of unseen obstacles.

Rokuk survived last night's contamination wave because the targeted contamination wave only broke out on the human channel, and he switched to the infected channel in time, thus avoiding the shockwave.

The second type is when mental pollution enters its second stage, which is when the channel becomes completely chaotic.

One second they might be on the human channel, the next second they might automatically switch to the infected channel, and the next second they might switch back, with no pattern whatsoever.

Moreover, the spiritual pollution of this celestial object is different from that of the wish-granting transcendent. Its ultimate goal is not control, but to destroy the cognition of all living beings and turn them into primitive vassals without self-awareness.

To put it simply, it's a "battery" that provides life energy for celestial beings.

In theory, as long as the Conch's domain expands, the Crabman will not easily come ashore to kill unless he actively provokes the Magic Eye Sponge.

According to the "logic" of the immortals, as long as they stay in the domain for a sufficient amount of time, the humans in Dabo Town will automatically lose their consciousness, voluntarily consume the poison crystals, and become new infected beings, without the crab people having to do anything.

Humanity needs to contain the conch shell before this "cognitive collapse" occurs in order to completely eliminate the effects of mental pollution.

Thinking of this, Cheng Ye sank into the spirit space and took another look.

Perhaps influenced by the flames, the giant lice was also fast asleep inside the space.

Even without the protection of the Heartfire, after becoming an infected person, he can still gain knowledge from two channels.

You can see both humans and crab people, and you won't be affected by pollution.

"The fact that no monsters attacked the city is a blessing in disguise."

Cheng Ye scanned the watchtower carefully a few more times before letting out a long sigh of relief and closing the mask.

According to previous meteorological data, the rain belt has gradually shifted out of the Xingfu City area, and there will no longer be the kind of torrential rain and overcast skies that lasted for several days.

The area around Chuan City is about to enter the season of clear, crisp autumn weather, and light, intermittent rain like this is normal.

However, the impression left by the previous torrential rain was too deep.

As a result, Cheng Ye had a constant, inexplicable premonition that a major disaster was about to occur, accompanied by extreme weather.

As soon as Cheng Ye stepped down from the watchtower and stood still, he saw Wang Kang leading his patrol team back from the alley next to the supermarket.

The team members carried standard-issue knives and moved slowly, clearly afraid of disturbing the resting residents.

"Brother Cheng, the searchlight on the tower just moved. Were you using it?"

"Okay." Cheng Ye nodded and instructed the patrol team, "Two of you go up to relieve them and keep an eye on the riverbank. If anything unusual happens, sound the whistle immediately."

After the two men went up the tower, he and Wang Kang sat down on the stone steps to the side.

"Why didn't you sleep a little longer? It looks like it won't rain tonight, so we can breathe a sigh of relief for now," Wang Kang said, noticing the faint dark circles under his eyes.

"I'll wake up and wait until I'm sure there's no danger before I catch up on sleep."

Cheng Ye took out several bags of blue nutrient solution from his backpack, handed one to Wang Kang, and then twisted open the bag and gulped it down his throat.

Drinking this stuff in the buffer zone feels bland and tasteless, but its convenience becomes apparent when you're in the wilderness.

No need to cook in a pot, no need to waste time preparing ingredients, just tear it open when you're hungry to replenish your energy, saving you so much trouble.

After finishing the nutritional drink, Cheng Ye noticed that Wang Kang's eyes were flickering, as if he wanted to say something but didn't speak.

He didn't press further, but said softly, "Don't rush. Everyone has been busy all day. I'll go check on the residents and say a few words while I'm at it."

“Okay!” Wang Kang nodded immediately.

Cheng Ye got up, fastened his armor, and walked towards the outermost residential unit, number one.

Most of the residents here are couples, while the beds in the corners are given to young adults.

It was late at night. Standing outside the door, I could faintly hear the even breathing inside, which sounded like someone was deep in sleep.

But as soon as he gently pushed open the door and tiptoed in, about 30% of the people in the room woke up, looking warily toward the door, their hands instinctively reaching for the tools beside their pillows.

Only when they saw that it was Cheng Ye, wearing protective armor, standing at the door, did they breathe a sigh of relief, sit up straight, and show kind smiles on their faces.

As they got up, the others who had been disturbed also woke up one after another. Seeing Cheng Ye at the door and Wang Kang guarding outside, the two rather large figures instantly calmed the atmosphere in the room. In wilderness pioneering, the worst thing is not having a capable leader to handle things. When people's hearts are in disarray, the danger will multiply, which is why many small settlements collapse so easily.

If the first lord dies unexpectedly and the successor is unable to maintain order, someone will immediately pack up and leave.

Once a person leaves, the source of infection can easily become active, and the remaining people will have to bear a greater risk of exposure.

Although he had only been in Dabo Town for two days, Cheng Ye's "labels" had already won over everyone.

It wasn't just because of his status as a prosecutor, his distinguished family background, his exceptional combat skills and judgment, but also because he always took the lead and remained calm and composed in the face of adversity, which made everyone subconsciously feel "safe following him."

"Don't panic, everyone. Just keep lying down."

Cheng Ye raised his hand and pressed down lightly, then simply opened his mask, revealing his face.

He could clearly sense that everyone was in a state of high tension; otherwise, they wouldn't be able to maintain such a high level of alertness after just falling asleep following a busy day.

Since that's the case, we need to find a way to help them relax and delay the outbreak of mental pollution.

Moreover, he is now half infected, and without the psychological burden he had before, he doesn't care about being exposed to everyone.

"Everyone did a very solid job today, and I'm very pleased to see that."

Cheng Ye's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears: "I can feel that you're not treating this place as a temporary mission point, but rather as your own home, and you're protecting it."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his tone firm: "As the inspector in charge of this area, and the one who brought you to Dabo Town, I assure you that I will do everything in my power to protect you, to prevent the source of infection from breaking in, to prevent the infected from launching sneak attacks, and to ensure that everyone is safe and sound."

"If there is danger, I will definitely keep it out of the door!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the room nodded vigorously, their fatigue fading and a genuine sense of peace finally appearing on their faces.

Cheng Ye felt a slight sense of relief. It seemed that a stable order could indeed counteract the spiritual pollution caused by the immortal objects.

If people's hearts are thrown into chaos first, I'm afraid that even tonight, someone will succumb to the pressure and break down into a state of cognitive confusion, not even tomorrow.

"I will still lead the patrol tonight to ensure everyone can get a good night's sleep."

"After this assessment is over, I assure every family that you will all be assigned a private room. This is a benefit for the first generation of pioneers and a reward for your hard work these past few days!"

Wow!
The words fell.

The room, which had been filled with the faint sound of breathing, was suddenly filled with a suppressed commotion. Someone was so excited that they almost clapped, but when they saw Cheng Ye make a "shh" gesture, they quickly reached out and pressed their companions down, obediently stopping their movements.

Everyone's breathing became heavy, and their eyes brightened, as if they had found a clear direction.

"Alright, everyone, go to sleep. We have to keep working early tomorrow morning."

Cheng Ye said with a smile, "We haven't decided who's ahead of the Red Zone yet. Once the assessment is over, we'll have plenty of time to celebrate."

After speaking, under the watchful eyes of hundreds of people, he gently bent down and left Unit 1.

A cool night breeze blew in his face. Cheng Ye closed his mask again and turned to walk towards Units 2 and 3, which were not far away.

The process remains the same: first, quietly enter the room to observe the residents' reactions, then reassure them with a few words, and finally promise them a private room.

Compared to the couples and young adults in Unit 1, the family structures in Units 2 and 3 are significantly more stable.

When he entered, less than 10% of the people were awakened. After he made the promise, most of the adults just showed a relieved smile and remained calm without much fluctuation. Only the children could not contain their excitement and had to be gently held down by their parents to quiet down.

"I never imagined that prioritizing family would have such advantages."

As Cheng Ye walked out of Unit 3, he couldn't help but sigh.

He initially chose to prioritize accepting family residents for the long-term stability of Dabo Town, but unexpectedly, he inadvertently selected the group most resistant to the spiritual pollution of the immortals.

With family ties and emotional bonds, people's minds become more steadfast and less easily disturbed by external influences.

Moreover, Rokuk later followed his example and selected a similar population profile, which undoubtedly bought the two of them more time to contain the fairy and deal with the Demon Eye Sponge.

"The intelligence from the checkpoint says that it generally takes 24 to 72 hours for a person to enter a cognitive burst state. So, that leaves two days and two nights."

After inspecting all the residential units, Cheng Ye gestured for Wang Kang to follow him, and the two quickly walked toward the truck parked in the open space.

Opening the back door and seeing the laboratory inside, Wang Kang wasn't particularly surprised.

As soon as the door was closed, a look of nervous excitement mixed with anticipation appeared on his face. "Brother Cheng, have we been infected?!"

"What, are you happy?" Cheng Ye was stunned for a moment, and swallowed back the explanation that was about to come out.

In fact, there are still benign sources of infection inside the truck. Although it is not an A- level infection, but only the most common D level infection, it can still help Wang Kang overcome mental pollution and cognitive impairment.

He didn't want to drag Wang Kang into the vortex of immortals unless absolutely necessary.

Although both of them held the title of trainee prosecutor, his skills had already surpassed those of Rokuk, a third-term prosecutor who was not good at real combat. Wang Kang, on the other hand, was a genuine trainee, and even he had to be careful when encountering a lone crabman.

"No, no, I was just curious. You and Rokuk seemed so nervous."

Wang Kang quickly waved his hand and sat down on the alloy stool next to him. His tone became serious. "I know I can't be of much help. I can only try my best to keep the residents of the town calm and not cause you any trouble. But Brother Cheng, if there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate to ask."

"You've already done me the biggest favor by keeping the residents calm."

Cheng Ye nodded slightly, turned around and pointed to the testing instrument next to him, tapping the control screen a few times with his fingertips.

Soon, a tested Magic Eye Sponge Tentacle popped out of the instrument and landed in the transparent containment chamber.

"This is the source of infection we are facing."

"Is there something?" Wang Kang leaned closer, pressed his face against the containment pod, and examined it closely, his eyes full of doubt.

"It's simple for you to see it, but you'll have to take some risks. Are you willing?" Cheng Ye thought for a moment and then gave the choice to Wang Kang.

"What's the risk?"

"Actively parasitize the source of infection."

"Will I die?" Wang Kang was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously asked.

"Of course not, it just means I might have to go to the hospital for a while and undergo purification treatment, like I did before."

“Then let’s go.” Wang Kang looked up at Cheng Ye with a determined look, almost without hesitation. “Brother Cheng, I’m also a prosecutor. I can’t keep hiding in the back.”

"Moderately prosperous".

"Ok?"

“You’ve really grown!” Cheng Ye smiled and shook his head, then got up and pressed the other side of the instrument.

laugh.

A sound of cold air being released rang out, and a palm-sized containment box popped out, much smaller than the box that contained the Shrinking Giant Flea.

Through the glass compartment of the box, you can see a "block of iron" slowly wriggling inside.

It's somewhat similar to the Source Core Flesh Iron used by Rokuk, but the abilities are different. Source Core Flesh Iron can temporarily iron up the body to increase combat power, but this one doesn't have an attack bonus.

Even so, Wang Kang still couldn't see the iron block inside. Under Cheng Ye's guidance, he could only place his right hand close to the sensor area of ​​the containment box.

The box trembled slightly, and the iron block inside instantly adhered to the glass wall, merging with Wang Kang's palm.

Followed by.

An invisible wave flashed by, and Wang Kang's legs suddenly began to tremble violently. The next second, he knelt on the ground, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

The trembling gradually stopped after two or three minutes.

He removed his mask, panting heavily, but his face flushed an unnatural red, and his eyes gained a clearer look.

"This"

"A Class D benign infection source, Wanbu Tie. During the infection period, you will gain almost unlimited stamina. Well, as long as your body has not completely collapsed, you will not feel tired."

Cheng Ye explained, "Of course, removing it is also very simple. After returning to the buffer zone, the medical center can manually remove it. The cost is that you may be weak for a period of time. The more extra energy you use, the longer the period of weakness will be."

This was the source of infection he specifically chose for Wang Kang, with the main strategy being to run away if he couldn't win.

Without any offensive bonuses, it can survive on its abundant stamina. Even if it can't beat the clumsy crabman, it can hold out until reinforcements arrive.

"Unlimited stamina?"

Wang Kang was stunned for a moment, then immediately stood up from the ground, hopped around a few times, and waved his arms vigorously. His eyes lit up instantly. "I really don't feel tired anymore! I walked all day on patrol, and my legs were so sore, but now I don't feel anything at all!"

As he spoke, he suddenly looked at Cheng Ye, his eyes full of anticipation, his tone tinged with excitement: "Brother Cheng, can't we just stay in this infected state forever? This feeling of not having to rest and not getting tired no matter how much we move is just too great!"

Well, he wants to keep this infection, which most people would avoid at all costs.

Seeing his completely unafraid-of-infection demeanor, Cheng Ye was both amused and exasperated.

Perhaps because he was a "soldier" he had personally trained, this kid also had a strong obsession with the power that could protect him and enhance his strength.

"What are you thinking? Relying on the power of the infected is a dead end."

Cheng Ye chuckled softly, his tone carrying a hint of admonition, "The power gained from the source of infection is only temporary, and it will slowly erode the body; in the long run, it will lead to certain death."

"If you really want to become stronger, then follow Director Miao to practice the basics. Only by cultivating step by step like him can you step onto the path of true transcendence. That is what truly belongs to you."

"Hey, Brother Cheng, you're right!"

Wang Kang immediately nodded, putting that unrealistic idea out of his mind, and turned his gaze to the containment pod next to him, which contained sponge tentacles.

This time, his eyes were no longer blank; he could clearly see what was inside the cabin and couldn't help but frown: "Ah, I can finally see it! These are the tentacles of the Magic Eye Sponge? Damn, how come there are eyes on top of it? That's disgusting!"

Cheng Ye was pondering whether to take this opportunity to go over the scale and risks of the Magic Eye Sponge with Wang Kang again when a soft knock came from the truck's door.

Roco's voice came from outside: "Prosecutor Cheng, it's me."

"What's wrong?" Cheng Ye reached out and pressed the hatch opening button, and the hatch slowly lifted upwards.

"I've had the patrolmen keep an eye on your area. Call me immediately if you wake up; we're going to do it again tonight."

He paused mid-sentence when he saw Wang Kang standing beside him, his eyes showing a hint of hesitation.

"Prosecutor Luo, I've been infected too!" Wang Kang immediately stepped forward, his tone tinged with excitement. "Now I can see the source of the infection and understand what you're saying, so you don't need to hide anything from me!"

This sudden excitement about "infection" left Rokuk momentarily speechless.

He had seen too many people panic after being infected, but Wang Kang was the first one who actively accepted it and even found it novel.

Well, to be honest, Cheng Ye is the first one.

But he didn't dwell on it too much. He quickly came to his senses and looked at Cheng Ye: "So, are we going to go into the water again tonight? Or should we just stay by the river?"

"Let's stay here. We won't go down unless they come ashore!"

(End of this chapter)