Taking advantage of the last few minutes before full charge, Cheng Ye quickly walked toward the restroom beside the rest hall.

He turned on the tap and cupped the cold water in his hands, splashing it onto his face with a "whoosh."

The tap water after the great temperature drop carried bone-chilling coldness, probably only a few degrees.

Like countless fine needles gently pricking his skin, it instantly dispersed the remaining drowsiness. Even the aching in his temples lessened considerably, and his whole person immediately became refreshed and energetic.

"After practicing martial arts, my energy recovery speed is getting faster and faster."

Cheng Ye looked up at the mirror covered with a thin layer of frost, his fingertips brushing past the corner of his eye. "I only slept less than four hours last night, yet it's more effective than sleeping seven or eight hours before crossing over."

The figure in the mirror still had slightly bloodshot eyes, but there was hardly any fatigue visible on his face. His jawline was taut and firm, and the sharpness in his brow remained.

This was the benefit of deep sleep.

Unlike modern society, where many people slept enough hours but still woke up groggy, their minds disturbed by fragmented dreams.

"It should also be the enhancement brought by the Wild Grass Physique."

Cheng Ye tugged at the corner of his mouth in the mirror, secretly delighted in his heart.

The enhancement brought by the Lv3 physique talent was simply beyond imagination. Not only did his strength increase and reactions become faster, with improved energy absorption efficiency, even his sleep efficiency had doubled, as if his body had been adjusted to high-efficiency operation mode.

He really didn't know if he would even save on sleep when he searched for Lv5 or even higher-level physique talents in the future.

Just like those special mutant beasts, who could restore physical strength and energy just by basking in the sun!

When he returned to the bus after washing his face, it was exactly seven o'clock.

After the charging pile stopped, he summoned the pendant, and the battery level in the upper right corner of the panel was restored to 100% again.

"I still need to wait for the factory on the pedestrian street to be built and use my own power lines to feel at ease. Otherwise, coming to charge every day makes me nervous, afraid of being caught red-handed with no explanation."

Cheng Ye returned the charging gun to its position, his fingertips sliding across the charging pile's operation screen, looking at the jumping degree records on it. He couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

Two charges in one night, with a total input of over seven hundred degrees. This was definitely the most satisfying charge since crossing over.

However, in terms of risk, it was much smaller than charging at home or stealing electricity elsewhere before.

Previously, if someone discovered him, he had no power to explain.

Now it was different. As long as he wasn't discovered on the spot during the investigation, even if someone questioned the charging degrees from last night afterward, he could push the blame onto the Void Mist.

As for strict investigation, it wasn't necessary. Seven hundred degrees of electricity wasn't much.

Construction vehicles routinely had large 500-degree batteries, and working around the clock all day, consuming over a thousand degrees was common.

As long as he didn't come to charge seven hundred degrees every day, even if the backend occasionally captured anomalies, it was impossible for them to summon him for strict examination.

Most likely, the investigation would fizzle out.

There was a small probability they would ask him briefly, and having an explanation that could muddle through would suffice.

Moreover, this was a matter of timing. Investigating the problems here would definitely take considerable time.

By the time the entire process was completed, his strength and position might have risen another level.

At that time, let alone seven hundred degrees of electricity, even more would be easier to explain.

"Sir, you're awake!"

Hearing the commotion, Big Dragon suddenly poked his head out. Seeing Cheng Ye standing by the charging pile, he immediately fumbled to pat several young men beside him.

Everyone sprang up like springs. In just over ten seconds, they stood straight with clear eyes, showing no trace of the confusion of just waking up.

Cheng Ye nodded approvingly.

Indeed, they were from the pioneering corps. Even after being discharged for so many years, their reaction speed and discipline hadn't deteriorated.

"I need to go on duty at South Station later, and I don't have time to handle these matters."

Cheng Ye took out Uncle Dong's shop key from his backpack.

He didn't have time to go back and move the salted fish and rice flour inside, but fortunately, Big Dragon could do it for him.

Big Dragon immediately took the key, "Your orders!"

"Find someone to waterproof the shop first." Cheng Ye pointed at the supplies piled beside the vehicle, explaining clearly and methodically, "Go directly to Engineer Liu. Tell him it's my instruction to bring the construction team there today. Focus on the basement and ensure it won't flood even in heavy rain. Don't skimp on materials, put everything on my account."

"Clear out the garbage inside and tear down all the broken cabinets."

He paused and added, "Have the workers record the interior first, then find new materials to build a new set of cabinets later. Try to preserve the shop's original layout, I have use for it."

"Also, these salted fish, rice, flour, and oil should be temporarily stored in the community. After the waterproofing is done, you can find someone to move them in."

Cheng Ye thought for a moment, "It should be finished by this afternoon. I'll come check tonight."

"Don't worry, sir!"

Big Dragon thumped his chest loudly, "I can't help you with other things, but please rest assured about these small matters. I guarantee I'll handle everything properly for you without any problems!"

Unexpectedly, Master Zhang nearby also came over after hearing this, "Inspector Cheng, I'm familiar with cabinets. I used to work in a carpentry team. After we clear the garbage, I'll draw a blueprint first. I guarantee it'll be identical to the original, and even sturdier!"

"That's good. With your help, I'm truly relieved."

Cheng Ye was satisfied in his heart.

A good man needs three helpers. Having reliable people under his command who could do solid work made things much smoother.

Now he only had trustworthy personnel in the buffer zone.

In the future, like Li Changfeng at B4 District, he would need to gradually cultivate his own confidants within the inspection station. Otherwise, having to personally run around for every big and small matter would leave no energy to ponder more important things.

"I'm leaving first."

Cheng Ye picked up his backpack, not letting Master Zhang and the others prepare to drive him to South Station.

First, the salted fish tied to the car roof would be too conspicuous parading through the streets in broad daylight.

Second, quickly transferring this pile of supplies to a safe place was the real priority. The Works Department parking lot had many people with keen eyes, and if busybodies started gossiping, it would be annoying.

Besides, the Works Department was right next to South Station. Turning left out the door, the bus stop was just a few steps away.

Standing at the platform waiting for just a few minutes, a dirty bus came swaying over.

The door opened with a "creak," and Cheng Ye stepped up and took out his defense pass to check the time.

Seven-fifteen.

Rushing over now would definitely make him late.

According to the inspection station's rules, being late would result in salary deduction, and without evaluation forms in hand, he might be singled out for this matter.

However, things were different now. All nine evaluation forms were already in hand, and small matters like being late or leaving early wouldn't affect anything, as long as it wasn't too outrageous.

Besides, last night's trip to Xinghuo had kept him busy all night, which could be considered justified. Lei Hu would probably understand even if he knew.

When the bus swayed to South Station, it was already seven-forty, with only twenty minutes left before opening.

Due to the presence of Void Mist, the number of people leaving the city today was noticeably fewer than yesterday, but there was still a long queue at the inspection station entrance.

Moreover, there was an obvious change. These scavengers preparing to leave the city almost all carried military backpacks, and many had over ten bags of nutritional paste hanging from the outside of their packs, clearly planning for a long "distant journey."

"Are they planning to go out and try their luck with fog passages?"

Cheng Ye understood in his heart.

In the unknown brought by Void Mist, there were always people who felt opportunities were hidden, but this speed still exceeded his expectations.

In his opinion, scavengers would need at least three to five days of preparation and sufficient psychological conditioning before daring to step out of the sanctuary city.

But these people had made their decision in just one night, showing courage far greater than he had imagined.

"I hope nothing special infected entities emerge from the fog passages."

Cheng Ye muttered under his breath. Just as he was about to swipe his defense pass to open the isolation door, he turned his head and his gaze suddenly fixed on a scavenger queuing to leave the city.

Was it an illusion?

He frowned, inconspicuously put down his backpack, and placed his right hand on the Wild Bull combat pistol at his waist.

The guards at the entrance noticed his vigilant appearance and immediately had two people quickly walk over.

"Inspector Cheng?"

"Go stop that person and make him turn around to face me."

Cheng Ye raised his hand to point at a scavenger in the crowd carrying a deep gray patched backpack, his expression grave.

Without seeing the person's face, that backpack gave him a strong sense of familiarity.

And his memory was remarkably good, almost immediately finding the source of this backpack.

Last night at Xinghuo, the man at the inspection station entrance who had shown him greedy looks was carrying this exact style of backpack, and even the position of the worn patches on the side seemed identical.

"Yes?" The guard dared not neglect, his face instantly becoming serious.

"I don't know, call for people."

Cheng Ye shook his head lightly, but in such matters, it was better to believe it existed than not. Absolutely couldn't be careless.

The guard immediately understood. One person turned and ran to call for help.

Moments later, four guards rushed over quickly. In the distance, four more people in the guardhouse raised their guns, black muzzles aimed at the queue direction, instantly making the atmosphere tense.

"You, stop! Yes, you, still walking forward!"

One guard shouted sternly. The queuing scavengers were so frightened they quickly scattered to both sides, leaving only the named man stunned in place, as if under a binding spell.

"Turn around! Were you just trying to sneak out using someone else's identity?"

The guard deliberately made up an excuse, using a stern tone to force the man to turn around.

Cheng Ye's hand was already gripping the gun handle. As long as he confirmed this was last night's man, he would pull the trigger without hesitation.

But it wasn't him!

The one who turned around was a dark-complexioned middle-aged man with eyes full of confusion, no greed or sinister look, only bewilderment at being suddenly targeted.

"Sir, sir..."

The man's voice trembled, his palms sweaty, unconsciously wiping them on his pants legs. The backpack straps slid down from his shoulders a bit.

The guard kept a cold face, not immediately asking Cheng Ye if he had mistaken the person, but first led the man out of the queue.

After bringing the person to a corner isolation room, one guard quickly walked back to Cheng Ye's side, "Inspector Cheng, what do you need us to do?"

"Hmm."

Cheng Ye pondered briefly, "Go bring his backpack over to me and see what's inside."

"Yes!"

Perhaps it wasn't the same person, but Cheng Ye chose to trust his intuition and his memory.

The guard quickly opened the backpack and dumped everything inside onto the metal table in the isolation room: over ten bags of nutritional paste, four bottles of water, a roll of wire rope, two boxes of bullets, and a folding entrenching tool, all standard scavenger equipment with no abnormalities.

Could there really be such coincidences in this world?

"Go ask him where this backpack came from, specific enough to have corroborating witnesses."

"Yes."

This kind of identity verification naturally didn't require Inspector Cheng Ye to handle personally.

Moments later, the squad leader came out to report, "Inspector Cheng, he says this backpack was picked up from Old Hu's secondhand stall at West Market eight months ago. The stall owner is called Old Hu and is still setting up there."

"Secondhand goods from eight months ago?"

Cheng Ye fell into contemplation, unconsciously opening his personal panel to glance at it.

Status normal, no infection.

Could it really be that last night's mention by Li Changfeng of the missing mother source infected entity from C35 District had made him paranoid?

Cheng Ye rubbed his temples and made a decision, "Tell him this backpack will be confiscated by the inspection station. In the future, we'll give him a brand new military backpack. Send him to a separate isolation chamber for 7 days of observation, paying double the normal daily wage as isolation compensation."

Actually, the most direct method would be to use the pendant's search function to scan the man's status.

However, based solely on a somewhat similar backpack, without other more substantial evidence, it wasn't urgent enough for that.

Moreover, Liu Kun might come in the morning, so it was best to keep the 100% charge value to deal with that.

Upon hearing about double wages and a new backpack, plus having a separate isolation room to stay in, the man's face instantly changed from tension to excitement, repeatedly expressing thanks.

"Pull up information on that stall owner called Old Hu from West Market and ask about the specific situation."

"Also, watch him closely and don't let him contact other people."

After Cheng Ye finished his instructions, he swiped open the isolation door and entered the work area, but didn't immediately go to Zone B for duty.

Instead, he sat down on a roadside bench and placed the backpack covered by an isolation bag on his lap, studying it carefully.

How strange. Looking at it this way, he suddenly discovered something wrong.

The main fabric of the backpack was indeed old and faded, with frayed edges, clearly having been used for a long time.

But these patches were unusually new, especially the stitching thread, which still had bright colors not yet stained by dust. At first glance, they had clearly been sewn on recently.

Cheng Ye's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly stood up and rushed out of the work area to find the guard from earlier, "Go ask him when these patches on the backpack were sewn."

The guard dared not delay and immediately ran to the isolation room. Moments later, he returned to report, "Inspector Cheng, he says they were sewn this morning before leaving home."

"This morning?"

Cheng Ye's scalp instantly went numb, goosebumps erupting all over his body, his hair standing on end.

Compared to this backpack being the same one from last night, an even worse result seemed to have emerged.

"The person hasn't been sent away yet?"

"No, no, still in the isolation room being questioned."

"I want to personally examine him, quickly!"

When Cheng Ye rushed into the isolation room, the man was sitting on a metal chair, saying something to the guard.

Seeing Cheng Ye suddenly burst in, the excitement on his face instantly faded, his eyes flickering as he unconsciously shrank back, showing obvious nervousness.

"What's your name?"

"Zhang, Zhang Daniu."

Almost the instant Zhang Daniu spoke, the compatibility rate immediately jumped out in the upper right corner of the panel.

Without even needing to ask questions, it directly soared to 78%.

In the searchable range below, besides intelligence and items, fortunately, Lv1 skills were available.

Cheng Ye didn't hesitate and directly pressed search.

There was absolutely no way such coincidences existed in the world.

Compared to this backpack being the same one from last night's man, the newly sewn patches being completely identical to the old patches seen last night was even more spine-chilling.

Examining infected entities required being meticulous as a needle, hearing thunder in silence.

Moreover, the manual clearly stated that details determined success or failure.

Cheng Ye was clear that if it were someone else, even if they had been taken to Xinghuo Inspection Station by Li Changfeng to see that suspicious man, they probably wouldn't remember the backpack's style.

Even if they remembered the style, they might not happen to encounter someone carrying the same style backpack at Happiness City's inspection station.

Such a coincidence delivered right before his eyes, if he still couldn't realize something was wrong, this inspector position would truly be wasted.

In an instant, Cheng Ye somewhat dared not imagine what the result would be for the buffer zone if the mother source infected entity that destroyed C35 had come through last night's fog passage, or if it wasn't C35's mother source but some other infection source that had come to Happiness City through the fog passage.

Being continuously impacted twice in a short period, what would happen to the buffer zone?

However, after the characters flashed and lines of information popped up, the unexpected result made Cheng Ye somewhat stunned.

Hmm, surprisingly no infection?

[Zhang Daniu]

[Lv1 Skills]: Camel Endurance, Basic Wilderness Survival, Basic Shooting, Basic Shelter Construction

Zhang Daniu having only four skills wasn't strange, he was just an ordinary scavenger.

Cheng Ye's gaze fixed on the area after the name. Based on previous experience, as long as there were no special prompts here, it meant the person wasn't infected.

Wait.

A thought suddenly flashed through his mind. After clicking to collect the only valuable Camel Endurance skill.

Cheng Ye asked in a deep voice, "Who sewed the patches on this backpack for you?"

"It was my wife."

Sure enough, he had scanned the wrong target!

Cheng Ye's heart sank, and his questioning pace quickened, "Where is your wife?"

"At, at home. She's at home waiting for me to return."

"Go! According to the address he gives, immediately bring his wife to the isolation chamber. Maintain distance throughout, no physical contact allowed!"

"Yes!"

The guard didn't ask why and immediately ran off.

Cheng Ye grabbed the backpack covered by the isolation bag and headed straight for the station chief's office building.

If Zhang Daniu's wife was infected while he himself wasn't infected.

This undoubtedly meant the infection source hadn't spread yet, and there was still a chance for source tracing and isolation to find the problem.

However, this matter had exceeded the handling authority of a trainee inspector and must be reported immediately.

"I need to see Station Chief Lei, urgent official business."

Arriving downstairs at the station chief's building.

After the guard reported, he went straight up the stairs to the fifth floor. Lei Hu was already waiting in his office.

He had thought Cheng Ye was coming to explain about being late, but seeing the isolation bag tightly clutched in his hand, Lei Hu paused, "What's wrong?"

"Station Chief Lei, it's like this..."

Cheng Ye didn't hide anything and recounted in detail the suspicious man he saw at Xinghuo last night, the backpack details, the coincidence of encountering Zhang Daniu this morning, and the abnormality of the patches.

"You're saying this backpack is identical to the one you saw at Xinghuo... exactly the same?"

Lei Hu took the isolation bag, put on gloves to examine it carefully, his expression gradually becoming grave, "I understand. You go back to your duty post first. I'll immediately contact Station Chief Ding to send the backpack's pictures and details for comparison, and verify the mother source information from C35 District."

"What about Zhang Daniu's wife..."

"Don't worry, the inspection station has complete response protocols for such matters."

Lei Hu deliberately kept his voice steady, "Don't be anxious. From its establishment to today, Happiness City has dealt with over a hundred mother source infected entities. We can handle this level of trouble."

"Moreover, the more times like this, the more we inspectors need to remain calm. If you panic, those under you will lose their nerve even more. I'll notify you immediately when there are results. Carry out your duty with peace of mind."

"Understood!"

Cheng Ye responded and left the office, feeling slightly relieved.

What he was most worried about was Lei Hu thinking he was making a mountain out of a molehill or being paranoid, since this matter sounded too bizarre.

Based solely on backpack patches, he had drawn connections to mother source infected entities.

But obviously, his worry was unnecessary. Lei Hu's reaction was more cautious and swift than he had expected.

During the last substitute starfish mother source invasion, until the mother source was completely eliminated, ordinary people in Happiness City remained completely unaware.

This kind of "silent defense" obviously had a complete mature response mechanism behind it.

This time, even if a mother source really had drilled in through fog passages, Happiness City presumably had sufficient means to locate, isolate, and eliminate it.

Clocking in, passing through the isolation passage filled with disinfectant spray, Cheng Ye sat behind the inspection desk in Quarantine Zone B.

Although his expression remained calm without any visible panic, his mind was like grass blown by wind, thoughts flying everywhere.

"A scale of tens of millions is too conspicuous. Happiness City, with a population of barely one million, attracts mother source infected entity invasions, let alone Xinghuo?"

"Xinghuo Sanctuary City is probably the real nest of poison!"

Cheng Ye's eyes darkened.

The mother source that destroyed C35 was probably just the tip of the iceberg. As Li Changfeng said, perhaps when the two were talking in the air, a mother source infected entity was standing somewhere watching them.

Just temporarily dormant, not yet time to erupt.

This fog passage was like a coin.

After connecting to Xinghuo Sanctuary City, the "front side" indeed brought tangible benefits to Happiness City.

Many supplies that would only arrive through merchant caravans in autumn were quickly transferred through fog passages, not only saving countless manpower and material resources but also indirectly reducing the price Happiness City needed to pay for these supplies.

It even gave him the opportunity to access source track technology, search for many good things, and accumulate enough food for winter in advance.

But the threats brought by the reverse side couldn't be ignored.

The fog passage spanning two cities directly connected Happiness City to the most dangerous places in the wasteland.

Many troubles that Xinghuo could handle might become disasters when they came to Happiness City.

But... if you wanted the benefits, you naturally had to bear the risks!

"I hope my discovery is just a false alarm, or just an easily resolved infected entity."

"If another infection source more powerful than the substitute starfish comes, who would dare to come to Happiness City?"

Cheng Ye took a deep breath and forced himself to put away his chaotic thoughts, entering duty mode.

However, throughout the entire morning, he had some difficulty concentrating.

When his gaze swept over queuing scavengers, he would unconsciously pay attention to their backpack styles.

Hearing words like Xinghuo, fog passages, or infection sources would make his nerves inexplicably tense.

Fortunately, today was no longer peak period. The scavengers entering and leaving were nearly half fewer than yesterday, so work pressure wasn't great.

The entire South Station was quiet and peaceful, with no gunfire, harmonious as if it had returned to normal daily conditions.

Just after twelve o'clock, Wang Kang came early to take over.

"Brother Cheng, are you not feeling well? You look really pale."

"Oh, I was busy all night last night and didn't sleep for several hours. I might be tired."

Cheng Ye forced a smile to cover it up and, like yesterday, gave his duty position to Wang Kang while he moved a stool to sit beside him.

Time passed minute by minute until three o'clock in the afternoon.

Ding.

The defense pass notification suddenly rang. Cheng Ye almost reflexively grabbed the device.

The screen lit up, but the sender wasn't Lei Hu, it was Jiang Chuan!

The message was very short, just a few words:

"Confirmed. Call back for contact."

With a whoosh, Cheng Ye stood up directly, frightening two scavengers who were being examined by Wang Kang into shuddering.

"It's nothing, I'm going to the restroom in back."

Opening the isolation door, Cheng Ye hurriedly entered the restroom and repeatedly splashed cold water on his face.

Only after the burning anxiety subsided slightly did he wipe his cheeks with his sleeve and quickly walk to the innermost stall, locking the door behind him.

He dialed the number, and the other side quickly answered.

"Is it C35?"

"No, don't scare yourself."

Jiang Chuan's voice came through the receiver, with no discernible emotional fluctuation.

"It's a deceased Wish-Guarding Transcendent!"

[NEXT CHAPTER]