"Is this... the true strength of Happiness City?"

Cheng Ye stared at the rolling text on Defense Communication, utterly shocked!

Though he had raised his expectations for Happiness City several times over the past few days, this moment marked the first time he truly understood the foundation that allowed Happiness City to reign over Stone Province and become a Super Shelter City.

The Stand-In Starfish, capable of easily destroying a Medium-sized Shelter City, was classified as merely A-level despite its full spread, instead of a more severe S-level.

What was the reason?

It turned out it wasn't just the Extraordinary Powerhouses of the Inner City; it was the pre-established protective network.

Barriers segment the city areas like a chessboard, locking down the movement paths of the Infected Body, preventing concentrated attacks on any one region.

The Happiness Defense Line is the iron net barrier at the Buffer Zone's outermost perimeter, where 150 armored vehicles can be deployed 200 meters apart, not to mention the minefields buried outside the city.

The defense is to prevent opportunistic attacks by Mutant Beasts, Infected Bodies, and others amidst an internal outbreak.

The combination of the Medical Ark, Energy Fortress, and Celestial Net Barrier blocks all potential accidents caused by the infection outbreak.

As for Hedgehog Air Defense, just hearing the name made Cheng Ye's scalp tingle.

Sky, outskirts, inner areas.

The deployment felt more like preparing for an internal coup than responding to the Infected Body.

Moreover, this was only the B-level defense mode. What about A-level, S-level?

He suddenly realized that Happiness City's tolerance for internal party factional infighting in the Inner City represented the strength to shelter generations.

"Inspector Cheng?"

Seeing Cheng Ye frozen, his facial expressions shifting between solemnity, surprise, and shock.

Miao Yang's heart skipped a beat, realizing something was off, connecting this to the Buffer Zone's changes over the past two days.

Could it be...

"Director Miao, give me the identification badge."

"Alright."

Miao Yang hastily pulled out the badge, and Cheng Ye swiped it on his Defense Communication.

Ding.

Miao Yang's Defense Communication immediately received a prompt.

Upon checking, the veteran, who crawled through the infection outbreak for over a decade, his face turned gloomy.

"Inspector Cheng, I... I'm afraid I have to leave. My wife and kids are still at home."

Miao Yang's voice trembled, veins bulging on the hand clutching the Defense Communication.

"Go, go, go, let's go together."

Without hesitation, Cheng Ye grabbed the backpack from the floor and they rushed to the door.

Once outside the venue, he glanced at Defense Communication, and the screen showed it just past six o'clock.

According to Happiness City's predicted outbreak time, the infection outbreak would arrive at 11:41 in the heavy rain!

The first wave of information now only lifted restrictions around inspectors and critical positions, clearly showing Happiness City's staged information release.

Cheng Ye knew that as time ticked closer to the outbreak point, the second and third wave warnings would explode like thunder, dragging the entire city into the real storm center.

"Inspector Cheng, my bus is here..."

Before he could finish, Cheng Ye shoved him through the back door: "Go quickly, don't dawdle!"

In such a catastrophic moment, knowing the news ten minutes earlier could mean the difference between life and death.

And knowing five hours in advance greatly increased the chance of survival.

The bus slowly departed in the strong wind.

Through the blurred window, Cheng Ye could still clearly see the surging emotions in Miao Yang's eyes.

Eight parts gratitude, two parts relief.

Perhaps at this moment, he was deeply thankful for that afternoon four days ago when he nervously asked, "Can I really do it?"

"Master Tian, I'm at the training ground station, come at full speed."

"What are the blasted Public Works Bureau's rules, let them come find me if there's any issue!"

"Hurry up, there's no time to waste!"

Over a dozen kilometers away.

Master Tian, still waiting for all five passengers, had his expression change abruptly, walked straight to the back door and told the two newly boarded passengers, "Sirs, the bus is wrapping up early, please take the next one."

"Wrapping up?"

Confusion on their faces as they exited through the back door, barely stable on their feet.

Behind them, the bus shot off like a raging beast, tires screeching fiercely on the ground with an ear-piercing howl.

What?!

Can a bus be driven like this?

Turns out, there's never been a slow bus, just drivers too scared to step on the gas.

The route usually taking over 20 minutes was now covered in less than 4 minutes, screeching to a halt in front of Cheng Ye.

"Take me back to the main city, then go home."

"Also, give me the identification badge."

In the Buffer Zone, every resident with an official job also had a corresponding identification badge.

Taking Master Tian's badge for a scan, Defense Communication chimed again.

"Shit!"

Master Tian glanced and was startled nearly biting his tongue, "It's going to break out tonight?"

"Hurry up, you have five hours to be prepared at home."

No need to urge, Master Tian immediately floored the pedal, and off they sped.

"Inspector Cheng, thank you!!!"

Unlike before, this thanks carried much more.

"Don't thank me, just survive and repay the favor."

Noting Master Tian's complex tone, Cheng Ye nonchalantly replied and quickly called Luo Xiaoxue.

After a busy signal for over ten seconds, the line finally connected.

"Sister Luo?"

"Cheng Ye, I got the notice, it's safe at home. Take care of yourself."

"Okay, call me if anything comes up."

"Alright!"

Before the infection outbreak erupts, perhaps there were still countless words of instruction to be exchanged.

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