The blockade at the checkpoint was lifted five minutes after the Yellow Flag was displayed, and control was returned to the Inspector.

Cheng Ye first opened the quarantine gate to let the four brothers in urgent need of treatment pass through, then picked up the Defense Communication to make a call.

"Sister Luo, don't worry, everything's steady on my end, nothing's happened."

"Yes, Station Chief He met with an accident, so I'll be on duty here until evening before I can return."

Upon hearing about He Fei's accident, Luo Xiaoxue was shocked.

He was an old Inspector, senior even to Liu Bi and Cheng Long, how could such an unexpected incident occur?

"Be extra careful, since a new Hydrophilic Infected Body has appeared, the manual I gave you might not be useful anymore. Make sure to be extremely cautious!"

"Don't worry, the quarantine Zone A I manage is specifically for checking vehicles. Only one car's come through all morning, and judging by the situation, we're unlikely to see another by evening."

Of course, Cheng Ye wouldn't mention that upon arriving at the checkpoint, he had discovered an unknown infected agent and had even engaged in a scuffle.

With the current turbulent situation, nobody can predict what might happen the next second, it's better to discuss matters face-to-face in the evening to avoid worrying Luo Xiaoxue.

The Defense Communication call ended.

Cheng Ye wanted to inquire about the news from the Central Inspection Station, but unfortunately, unlike Liu Bi, he hadn't built any reliable connections, having spent the past two months focused solely on the Inspector exams.

"To make it at the checkpoint, you need your own people, loyal confidants..."

Glancing at Raven and Owl sitting outside the quarantine gate, Cheng Ye felt they could both be cultivated; they were efficient in getting things done and could accurately assess the situation within the checkpoint.

But unfortunately, he hadn't yet secured his footing, and nurturing confidants seemed as elusive as castles in the air.

"This duty stint might get me acquainted with faces, perhaps after the first field mission, I can start thinking about developing my own circle. After all, climbing up will require their support."

The Rapid Inspection Station, though fraught with crises, is a shortcut to achieving merits.

Moreover, the key point is, it has charging stations that can quickly replenish the power needed for more search opportunities.

Just within half a day, Cheng Ye changed his mind, becoming reluctant to return to inspecting refugees.

That task was troublesome, involving a series of questioning and interrogation.

Even imitating Garcia's approach of extracting oil and water with entry fees yielded minimal gains after a day.

However, at the Rapid Inspection Station, the first person under inspection handed over a hefty 600 Happiness Coins along with a piece of Meteorite Iron.

"As the ancients said, the greater the danger, the greater the reward."

Looking at the crowded Zone B and the once again deserted Zone A, Cheng Ye calmed himself.

...

At the Central Main Inspection Station.

The temperature soared to its peak, the sunlight scorching the ground into sweltering steam.

The refugee standing before the checkpoint curiously peered inside.

Behind the inspection area, the quarantine zone was packed full of people, nearly a thousand clustered together in thick gatherings, most of whom were armed guards, creating an unusual spectacle.

Enclosed by the crowd was a dried corpse drained of blood and flesh, its skin clinging to the skeleton, resembling a shriveled piece of bark curled up on the ground.

"Investigate, a thorough investigation is necessary!"

Ding Yishan stared at the dried corpse for a long time, his face involuntarily twitching, finally standing up with a grim expression.

He Fei's death hardly required investigation; the death manner alone indicated it was an accident.

Normally, as the station chief on duty, he shouldn't have gone to inspect the quarantine zone. Yet last night's heavy rain led to water accumulation there, and who knows why He Fei decided to comfort the refugees.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the quarantine zone, he encountered a Hydrophilic Infected Body, a new infection source absent from the database.

Upon meeting, the infected body immediately latched onto him, and within a dozen or so seconds, He Fei was sucked into a human husk.

The death was utterly absurd!

Who could believe that a seasoned veteran, who spent over twenty years navigating the checkpoint, having killed countless infected bodies, could meet such an absurd demise?

Ding Yishan couldn't help but think of himself.

With new varieties of infected bodies continuously flooding into Happiness City, even the station chief couldn't escape.

Doesn't that suggest that even he, the main station chief, might lose his life here at any moment?

"Starting today, raise the inspection intensity at the Central Main Inspection Station to level four. Any abnormal data detected must be immediately quarantined! No one except guards is allowed into the quarantine zone!"

"Increase the inspection intensity at the North and South stations to level three. If more than two sets of abnormal data are found, lock them all in the quarantine chamber, any unauthorized releases are strictly prohibited!"

Ding Yishan ordered in a stern voice.

The inspection intensity at the checkpoints is divided into five levels, with level one being the lowest and level five the highest.

According to past experiences, only the most dangerous winter seasons would see the intensity raised above level three. During summer, it typically transitions between levels one and two.

But now, in the height of summer, the intensity was instantly raised to level four, causing a sinking feeling among the surrounding guards and inspectors.

"Additionally, from today, the checkpoint will implement a wartime reward system, where combat merits are accumulated based on the number of inspections and infected bodies killed. I will apply to Director Liu of the City Defense Bureau to simultaneously start internal rewards."

"The more you work, the more you earn; the more you kill, the more you gain. I don't wish to see anyone eating the checkpoint's food without doing their job, understand?"

"Yes!"

Everyone around responded in unison.

The previously oppressive atmosphere suddenly loosened, with many people's eyes gleaming with eager anticipation.

Wartime rewards are generally only activated during periods of infection tide passage; nobody expected He Fei's death would inadvertently lead to this.

This was an enormous benefit, as the good items that combat merits can be exchanged for are abundant.

Especially for the ordinary guards at the checkpoint, achieving great achievements might give them a chance to become inspectors, completing a meteoric rise.

Such allure, who could resist?

"Harlem, organize a study session. All inspectors who are not currently on duty must immediately review the Hydrophilic Infected Body handling procedures. Set up an assessment, failing three times results in a demotion by one rank; failing five times requires undertaking field tasks of difficulty level four and above!"

"Understood."

Issuing numerous directives in one go, ensuring the whole checkpoint would be fully mobilized.

Only then did Ding Yishan, panting heavily, leave, like a frenzied wolf unable to find its prey.

"Sir, your anger today is not good for your health recovery."

As he stepped out of the crowd, the middle-aged man accompanying Ding Yishan hurriedly caught up, advising quietly in a low voice.

"Chuan, you've been with me for nearly twenty years. This station chief position was almost jointly brought down by you and me. How could you not understand what angers me?"

Ding Yishan sighed imperceptibly and said in a deep voice, "Winter hasn't even arrived yet, and with He Fei's death, that fool, we're being forced into a situation where the East and West might start a war at any moment."

"I just deliberately tested Harlem. Although he backed down, who can really know if he'll back down again?"

Chuan stayed silent for a moment, "Sir, if the Western Faction takes advantage of Station Chief He's death and the vacant position of duty station chief to pressure us, I can take action against Harlem, forcefully securing a buffer period for the Eastern and Western factions."

Ding Yishan abruptly halted his steps, his Adam's apple bobbing as if to say something, but ultimately only a strained smile emerged, and he patted Chuan on the shoulder.

"Let's head back for now. The current situation isn't something you can trade your life for, and if we start this, the Eastern and Western factions will have no room for maneuver."

The Station Chief's Office.

Located behind the Central Inspection Station, it is a three-story pavilion independent of the station.

The decoration doesn't follow modern styles but rather resembles an old-time teahouse.

The first floor is where Ding Yishan usually works, the second floor serves as a reception area for inspectors within the station, and the third floor is his private "chessboard" sanctuary.

At this moment, Ding Yishan ascended directly to the third floor, opened the door, and entered the room near the stairs.

The decoration inside was very simple, with a mahjong table set in the corner and a common tea table from Guangdong in the center.

Unhurriedly, Ding Yishan washed the tea leaves, and before the aroma could be fully released, Chuan gently pushed open the door, permitting four people inside, one by one.

"Come, everyone sit."

Ding Yishan motioned with his hand, guiding the four to sit opposite the tea table, then straightforwardly asked:

"He Fei is dead, as for the position of duty station chief, whom do you think... in the station can take it?"

The breath of the four quickened slightly; they exchanged glances, seeing the same intensity in each other's eyes.

Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, Cloud, Long, Yuan.

The six people within the inspection station's Eastern People Faction qualified to ascend to duty station chief.

If Cheng Long had not met with an accident, Ding Yishan wouldn't even have needed to ask; the answer would've been clear.

Unfortunately, there are no 'ifs.'

"I purposely didn't call Lei Hu over because I want to hear what the four of you think."

Lei Hu, the duty station chief at the South Inspection Station.

Ding Yishan stroked the tea cup with his fingers, "If there's anything you want to say, just say it to me now."

...

After a while.

The four rose and retreated the way they came.

Ding Yishan's expression turned complicated until Chuan sent them off and came back in, prompting him to sigh.

"Chuan, what do you think of these four people?"

Chuan shook his head, "Sir, regarding such matters, I'm also..."

"You need not be concerned now, as there are no outsiders present, and besides, you might soon rise to inspector yourself; you should start acquainting yourself with these intricacies."

"In that case..." Chuan paused for a moment, then said deeply, "In terms of capability, none match Cheng Long. Zhou Changhai and Qiao Yuan have ruthless means but lack boldness; sitting in that position, they'd struggle to command respect. Shao Yunfei and Lin Bao are brave but too brusque; even if promoted, they wouldn't relieve your worries or stabilize the station's situation."

"Thus... it's difficult!"

Ding Yishan self-mockingly remarked, "Indeed, fortune's wheel keeps turning. When Cheng Long was around, our Eastern People always managed to suppress the Westerners, but who would've thought that once he was gone, the situation would deteriorate this way."

Then, he suddenly recalled something, "What about the young lad Cheng Long left behind? What's his name... Cheng Ye?"

"Did he go to the rapid inspection station today? How did it go?"

"I'll go ask around, there should be news by now."

Chuan quickly went downstairs and soon returned with a tablet, his expression somewhat peculiar.

"What is it?"

"Sir, Cheng Ye went to North Station."

"What?" Ding Yishan's eye twitched noticeably, the teacup in his finger spun a ripple, "Who gave him the audacity to go to North Station?"

"Sir, it's hard to explain in just a few words. You'll understand after watching this." Chuan handed over the tablet, showing two somewhat unclear video recordings.

"Did he... have a dispute with those kids?" Ding Yishan murmured, recalling that Cheng Ye seemed to be an even younger rookie than those kids, when they were capable of some unruly behavior.

However, what followed made his expression turn strange.

"These methods..."

Ding Yishan narrowed his eyes, genuinely surprised.

Compared to the memory of that pale, frail, scholarly-looking youth, the one in the video was full of life and exuded an impressive aura, surprisingly unfamiliar.

Switching to the second video, he saw Cheng Ye kick away Owl with one swift move, pick up a flamethrower without fear, and finally, as the guards arrived, calmly escort Owl away.

Ding Yishan's expression grew stranger, replaying that segment of the video thrice.

"A new source of infection?"

"Yes, the researcher 'Qin Feng' has already provided basic data, and there are no matches in the infections database."

"How did he discover this person was infected?"

"I don't know. Would you like me to notify him to write a report after work?" Chuan shook his head honestly.

Killing is simple, but finding infections is hard.

From what Cheng Ye exhibited merely in the videos, it wasn't something even many inspectors could do.

"Hmm..."

Ding Yishan hesitated for a while, then shook his head and gave a wry smile, "Forget it, given the current circumstances, it's best to pay less attention. After all, it's happening in Westerners' territory; neither doing too much nor too little would be right."

"However... this kid did give me quite the surprise."

Recalling the prior intention to orchestrate something 'accidental' for Cheng Ye so Chuan could replace him.

Ding Yishan pondered for a moment, his expression unreadable, "Towns, this old guy, is quite principled, being in the same generation as Cheng Wu, he should look after him, sparing us extra work. Next week, when he transitions to South Station, take the chance to meet him and probe his depths for me."

"Understood!"

...

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