"Although the Bloodthirsty Rats have already spread disastrously in the surrounding provinces and cities, due to climate and terrain restrictions, they rarely intrude into our Stone Province. Even if occasionally some do, they don't survive the cold winter."

"These creatures have extremely weak combat power on their own, unable even to defeat the Ant Wolf in a one-on-one battle."

"The real threat is the 'Bloodthirsty Plague' pathogen they carry, which is a special Extraordinary Curse!"

The known infection source shouldn't need Qin Feng to take action; the cleanup team from the inspection station should be enough.

But upon hearing that there were four Bloodthirsty Rat infection sources, Qin Feng was quite shocked and came specifically to inspect the situation.

"Extraordinary Curse, doesn't that mean being attacked can lead to infection?"

Cheng Ye was startled and quickly asked.

The information about Bloodthirsty Rats is only mentioned in the Inspector's handbook, with no detailed description of the infection pathways.

If a surprise attack can turn you into a rat monster, the threat wouldn't be less than that of a Stand-In Starfish.

"Not necessarily; not all Extraordinary Curses are that powerful."

Qin Feng shook his head with a smile, "Although Bloodthirsty Rats spread the Bloodthirsty Plague through bites, as long as humans aren't in a weak or sick state, their immune system can completely kill the curse entering the body."

"There's only one condition under which infection occurs."

He paused, speaking solemnly, "If scavengers mistakenly consume the blood and flesh of a deceased Mutant Beast killed in mutual slaughter, the human immune system will fail, leading to curse infection!"

"I see..."

Cheng Ye breathed a sigh of relief.

The infection condition is too harsh; generally, people wouldn't be bold enough to consume the blood and flesh of a deceased Mutant Beast.

"I'll take away the infection source. For such common types, there's no need for extra verification. Contribution Points will be settled with you on the spot."

"How many points for each?"

"Not much, 5 points each. However, since you discovered them during duty, you can get a 30% subsidy from the inspection station. I'll recover them at 7 points each."

Upon hearing that each Bloodthirsty Rat was only worth 5 points, Cheng Ye couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed, as the total couldn't even match the Contribution Points reward for one Death Language Tentacle.

But he had forgotten about the subsidy from the quick station; as long as you identify an infected body during duty through inspection, you can get an additional 30% reward.

30% of 5 points is 1.5 points, yet Qin Feng was willing to round it up to 2 points.

"Thanks."

Cheng Ye nodded in gratitude, as he was short on money at the moment.

Qin Feng waved his hand, noticing the exposed torn cloth on Cheng Ye's calf, "This is public expense from your inspection station, nothing to thank for. This is what you deserve. I've been on duty for three years, and for the first time, an Intern Inspector like you keeps identifying infected bodies every few days."

"If you have money, quickly buy some gear. You... might have to rely on luck once an outbreak occurs."

Naturally referring to the Stand-In Starfish.

Inspectors are aware, as the research institute working on its elimination method has surely informed all researchers by now.

"The isolation chambers are full; that's why I had to conduct inspections."

"Tsk tsk, no need to explain to me; I'm just a cleanup team member. During duty, I even have to address you as 'Sir'."

Qin Feng's authority seemed substantial.

After taking Cheng Ye's badge, he managed to distribute the salary without going through Happiness Bank.

A total of 28 Contribution Points were credited, instantly inflating Cheng Ye's slim wallet.

"Awesome!"

Today was truly a day of fortune; watching Qin Feng leave, Cheng Ye returned happily to the interrogation site.

Flying Bird Merchant Team 34 points, Bloodthirsty Rats 28 points, adding up to 62 points.

Adding the 60 points from the Rotting Vine settlement, it's almost nearing the highest reimbursement standard of 150 points.

"Since Lewis is an infected body, everyone can rest assured he's not counted towards the departure quota."

"Continue."

Nick was frightened, but after this delay, he gradually recovered.

The one confronting him was the person who earlier exposed Lewis's flaw.

Both accused each other but couldn't trap each other, while the surrounding 37 people listened intently, eager to find some loopholes but in the end, found none and had to give up.

"Alright, you two are cleared, go pack your things and prepare to go home."

Cheng Ye smiled and led the applause, Owl and Raven exchanged a glance and immediately followed suit.

The surrounding guards also smiled, clapping one louder than the other, making the two look like heroes returning home.

Quite admirable?

Walking out of the isolation cage, the bright sunshine fell warmly on them.

The trace of resentment in their hearts dissipated for no reason, and they both turned to Cheng Ye, bowing deeply.

"You are a great Inspector."

"May God bless you!"

After these words, they left under the guidance of the staff, their silhouettes reflecting relieve.

Instantly arousing envy in the remaining 37 people's eyes, wishing to replace them immediately.

"Continue!"

The first from Group One died.

The last from Group Two, the third from Group Three left.

The next pairing was the second from Group One against the second-to-last from Group Two, who entered the isolation cage for debate.

With precedent, the people in the surrounding cages focused even more, madly nitpicking.

But unfortunately, as long as the individuals weren't polluted, even if there were occasional contradictions in speech, no mutation phenomenon would occur.

After an intense debate, the second from Group One was defeated due to being unable to justify themselves.

The second-to-last victor strutted out of the isolation cage like a victorious general, head high.

"Wonderful!"

Cheng Ye applauded, and the crowd followed suit.

Even the others in the isolation cage joined in with a round of applause.

The more than two hundred people waiting for the sound of gunfire in the isolation chamber were suddenly disappointed, and curses erupted one after another.

Yet after cursing for a while, many felt secretly regretful, afraid of being overheard and reported.

Secretly hoping, hoping that their names would be on Cheng Ye's next release list.

"This Inspector Cheng, his professional ability is truly strong, worthy of being our Happiness City's inspector!"

Someone mumbled softly, drawing silent agreement from those around.

After all, when Cheng Ye first entered the isolation chamber, without saying a word, he precisely led the team to identify three infected bodies.

From discovery to resolution, it was executed in one swift move, many hadn't even reacted before the fight was over, with zero collateral damage throughout.

Compared to yesterday's "bungler," the difference was all too obvious.

...

Wave after wave of screenings continued.

At noon, as the number of departure slots dwindled, another infected body was identified by the keen eyes of the "crowd."

Rat-a-tat-tat.

The rapid gunfire pierced the dullness, eliciting cheers from those in the isolation chamber who were used to applauding.

Many clung to the bars, a look of rapture on their faces.

After all, compared to the damned applause, this gunfire made them feel that being trapped here had some significance.

Yet what surprised Cheng Ye immensely was this.

It was one thing for those in the isolation chamber to cheer, but even those confronting the infected body inside the cage jumped and leaped, overwhelmed with joy.

Even those in the other four cages were somewhat excited, wearing relieved smiles!

Someone had died, opening up a spot, didn't this mean they had a chance to leave?

The cleanup crew rushed over.

This time it was not Qin Feng, but the North Inspection Station's cleanup crew.

Indeed, keeping to their usual plain style, they came swaggering with shovels over their shoulders and hooks in their hands.

Not until they saw Cheng Ye did the leader collect his casual demeanor and show a hint of respect.

"Inspector Cheng, we are the cleanup squad responsible for Zone A and B."

"Erin Wallace," he introduced himself, rubbing his rough palms on his uniform before shaking hands with Cheng Ye.

"Captain Wallace, do we know what this source of infection is?"

The infected body that got pulled out died from: a landlubber pretending to be a Water Monkey.

Clearly unable to swim, stubbornly claiming to have swum over from Lin River, caught in the act trying to demonstrate a swimming stroke, performing a comical dog paddle on the ground.

After just two strokes, it started flicking its tongue, convulsing uncontrollably, like a water snake being pinched at its weak spot.

"Hidden Ice Snake, a special source of infection that hides in water."

Wallace instantly recognized the infection source, his tone full of regret, "This infection source needs to create external injuries to spread, has an extremely long incubation period, and its lethality and infectiousness are pathetically weak. If we could catch it early and be aware sooner, our Buffer Zone has plenty of ways to treat it."

"Can it still be treated?"

"Of course it can, if every infection source led to death, humanity would have gone extinct by now!"

Before Wallace finished speaking, cleanup crew members had already stepped into the cage, extracting an icy blue small snake from the infected body's belly button.

About as long as a forearm, its scales gleamed coldly in the sunlight, with a body slippery like 'Water Baby.'

"This shouldn't be worth much, right?" Cheng Ye probed.

A treatable infected body seemed like it should belong to the least valuable category.

"Sir, you guessed wrong there."

Wallace chuckled, "This type of infected body is actually in high demand because, you see, an infection source can grant humans superpowers. To decode this ability, surely one must start with those types that don't immediately kill and can be cured."

"This Hidden Ice Snake is worth at least this much."

"How much?"

Watching Wallace make a five-fingered gesture, Cheng Ye ventured a guess:

"5 points?"

"50 at the minimum, and considering the quality of this one, it might even go up a bit!"

What!

How much?!

50?

Cheng Ye was momentarily dumbfounded, his gaze towards the icy blue little snake growing more heated.

So the contribution points at the Rapid Testing Station were this easy to earn?

No wonder one after another didn't want to go to the safer Central Inspection Station, the risk difference between the two was far less significant than the disparity in rewards.

What Central Inspection Station, what debts, totally unfamiliar!

Has it only been a few days since he came to the Rapid Testing Station?

The first day counted as two, considering he worked from morning till night, making it just three full working days at most.

"62 points, add 50 points, with 60 points from the Rotting Vine..."

"172 points, is... is this enough already?"

...

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.