Wasteland Border Inspector

Chapter 295: Cheng Long's Legacy, Life Restarted!

The Liu family had lived here for as long as the buffer zone had existed.Counting from Liu Bi's father's generation, more than thirty years had passed. Their residence had been relocated several times due to the changing situations at the Inspection Station.

It wasn't until the twenty-fourth year of the New Era that they settled in the Chemical Factory Community, where they stayed for a full eleven years.

Liu Bi was a nostalgic man. Since he could remember, he rarely threw away any miscellaneous items.

The slightly more important items were kept at home, while the rest, saved purely for sentimental value, were piled up in an abandoned underground garage in the community.

This community was built in the fifth year after the millennium. It still used old-fashioned detached garages, designed and built independently, unlike modern residential buildings that integrated garages into the basement levels.

After greeting the ten helpers from the community and directing them inside to pack, Liu Bi pulled out a heavy set of brass keys from under his bed and led Cheng Ye down the slope behind the residential area.

A massive alloy rolling door blocked the garage entrance. Scrawled across it in crooked red paint was a warning: "Highly Toxic Inside, Prone to Collapse, Do Not Enter."

"Is it really toxic?" Cheng Ye asked, looking down at his feet. The moss had grown half a finger thick, feeling slick and spongy underfoot, like stepping on an old carpet.

"There used to be, but it's long gone now." Normally, Liu Bi might have cracked a joke or two, but his mood was visibly low right now. He didn't even have the heart to explain the garage's history.

Seeing this, Cheng Ye knew better than to offer empty comfort and simply followed in silence.

Once Liu Bi unlocked the latches around the rolling door, he pointed to the left side. "Give me a hand. This door is incredibly heavy. Brother Long had someone custom-make it. I've also stored some of the things he couldn't bear to throw away over the years in here."

Cheng Ye stepped into position, hooked his fingers into the gap at the bottom of the rolling door, and lifted with a slight exertion of force.

Good heavens, the weight was absolutely absurd. He estimated it to be upwards of two tons.

Gritting their teeth, the two men gathered all their strength and barely managed to lift the rolling door halfway open.

Liu Bi signaled for Cheng Ye to hold the door steady while he shouldered one corner of the panel, turning sideways to slowly edge his way inside.

"I'll count to three, and we'll drop it together."

"Alright!"

"Three, two, one!"

As the words fell, both men released their grip simultaneously. The rolling door crashed to the ground with a heavy thud, but it didn't produce the deafening boom they expected.

It turned out that a special layer of yellow shock-absorbing material lined the bottom seam, forcefully absorbing all the impact.

"This door only keeps honest men out; it can't stop a determined thief. If an Infection Tide really broke out in the Chemical Factory Community, I told Sister Luo to quickly bring people in here to hide. After all, there isn't anything valuable inside anyway."

Liu Bi let out a heavy breath, fumbling in the dark to press a button on the wall.

Buzz—

Following the soft hum of warming electrical currents, the lights inside the garage gradually began to flicker on.

It wasn't a blinding white glare, but rather old fluorescent tubes arranged along the ceiling, emitting a dim yellow halo. Like a candle flame shrouded in a thin layer of dust, the light lazily filled the space.

At first glance, the place was far more spacious than imagined. Rather than a garage, it would be more accurate to call it an abandoned warehouse.

The walls were bare concrete, covered in scratches of varying depths. Dark water stains seeped through in some areas, looking remarkably like dried blood streaks.

The air was thick with a damp, musty odor mixed with the sharp tang of motor oil, intertwined with an indescribable scent of rust. Drawing a breath felt slightly chilling and choked the lungs.

Liu Bi pressed a few more buttons in succession. Two wall-mounted ventilation fans whirred to life, their rhythmic buzzing working to dispel the stagnant air inside the garage.

Cheng Ye's gaze swept the surroundings. The corners were piled high with all sorts of miscellaneous items, cluttered to the point of nearly reaching the ceiling.

Stacked in the left corner were several piles of damaged cardboard boxes, the tape on the outside long turned yellow and brittle. Some boxes had caved in under the weight, revealing fragmented objects wrapped in waterproof bags inside.

Even more surprising were the rusted wrenches, hammers with broken handles, and a heap of unidentifiable mechanical parts that Liu Bi had carefully hoarded, all blanketed beneath a thick layer of dust.

There were even a few rusty bicycles with twisted handlebars and sagging chains. The tires had long since gone flat, and the dust gathered on the seats was thick enough to leave clear handprints.

The items in the right corner were even more chaotic: bundles of old water pipes, dismantled wooden door frames, a few unopened bags of cement, and several overturned iron barrels... Countless objects brimming with the passage of time sat heaped together, reflecting the history of Happiness City.

Click.

With another soft click, the spotlight in the center of the warehouse suddenly flared to life. The beam precisely illuminated the massive beast parked in the middle of the floor.

It was tightly draped in a dark gray canvas tarp, coated with a thin layer of dust. Yet, even the tarp couldn't conceal the gargantuan outline beneath.

Its chassis was clearly exceptionally long, and its width far exceeded that of a regular car. The canvas bulged outward, its edges drooping naturally along the vehicle's contours, faintly tracing the curve of the hood and the prominent outlines along its sides. It looked as if a battering ram was attached to the front.

Looking toward the rear, the tail end—not fully covered by the canvas—revealed a dark metallic shell underneath, gleaming with a cold, unforgiving luster under the lights.

It sat there silently, like a slumbering behemoth. Even hidden beneath the fabric, it exuded an indescribable sense of oppression that stood in stark contrast to the surrounding clutter.

Was this the Armored Vehicle that Cheng Long had left behind?

Cheng Ye couldn't help but step forward. He had to admit, just by its sheer size alone, this vehicle was far more imposing than his off-road truck—it was roughly twice as large.

Liu Bi watched quietly from the side. Noticing Cheng Ye glance back, he offered an encouraging look.

Cheng Ye took a deep breath, grabbed a corner of the canvas, and gently pulled it to the side.

The fabric rubbing against the metal shell produced a soft rustling sound. Dust cascaded down with the movement of the tarp, kicking up a fine, hazy mist under the dim light.

As the canvas was gradually pulled away, the massive beast beneath finally revealed its true form.

This wasn't an armored vehicle in the conventional sense; it was more like a meticulously modified heavy-duty off-road monster!

The entire body was forged from matte black alloy plating without any superfluous paint jobs. Only from certain angles could one spot two massive, watermarked anti-counterfeiting letters printed onto it: "GL."

"Is this entire vehicle made out of Isolation Alloy?"

Cheng Ye was stunned. To forge an entire vehicle using the astronomically expensive Isolation Alloy—what kind of terrifying investment was this?

Its height far exceeded two meters, and its width was even more exaggerated. The wheels were a good twice the size of regular off-road tires, featuring thick, deep, and razor-sharp treads that looked capable of effortlessly crushing any obstacle.

A metal battering ram was indeed built into the front. The massive bumper was also forged from Isolation Alloy, complete with several thick anti-collision beams welded onto it. He could even spot a concealed towing hook nestled at the nose.

Broad metallic side steps lined the vehicle's flanks. The windows were astonishingly small, fitted with pitch-black bulletproof glass that made it entirely impossible to see the interior from the outside.

The roof lacked any extra frills, save for a row of high-power searchlights mounted at the front. The light casings were fashioned from heavy metal, radiating a rugged and sturdy industrial vibe.

The rear profile was equally broad. A spare tire hung on the bumper, identical in size to the ones on the chassis, flanked by several bolted-down metal toolboxes. Unfortunately, the markings on the boxes had nearly faded away entirely under the erosion of time.

Cheng Ye slowly circled the vehicle, unable to resist running a hand along its side. The cold, unyielding touch of the metal traveled up his fingertips, causing a wave of uncontrollable excitement to surge in his chest.

Driving a beast like this out there—now that would be truly imposing!

With such a monster at his disposal, he could weave through an Infection Tide with ease, coming and going as he pleased!

"Brother Long spent a fortune building this during the Great Expansion Period."

Liu Bi walked over, producing another key in his hand. His tone carried a hint of nostalgia. "The original plan was to make trips between the front lines and Happiness City faster and safer. But no one expected that era to end overnight, so this vehicle ended up sitting idle ever since."

"In the early years, we'd occasionally take it out for a sweep or two during the winter. Later on, we just left it in the Inspection Station's garage, where it gathered dust for years. I eventually brought it back here and performed maintenance on it every year or so, keeping it from falling entirely into ruin."

He handed the key over. "Want to give it a try?"

Cheng Ye nodded. He took the key, revealed the keyhole on the driver's side door, and slid it in.

With two gentle twists, the door popped open with a distinct clack. It actually featured a double latch mechanism paired with reinforced hinges—security maxed out to the absolute limit!

Following the momentum, he pulled it outward. The heavy door swung open slowly with a deep, resonating groan, the hinges turning smoothly without the slightest sign of looseness or squeaking.

Liu Bi had evidently been incredibly meticulous with the upkeep. Despite being parked in this dark, sunless garage year-round, the interior still smelled faintly of fresh lubricating oil, completely free of any musty or rusted stench.

Every visible surface inside the cabin was upholstered in a dark crimson leather-like material. It felt warm and thick to the touch, chasing away the frigid chill of the metallic exterior.

The dashboard in front was a single, seamless piece of stamped metal plating. Devoid of any flashy screens, it simply featured neat rows of physical buttons. The caps were engraved with crisp, clear symbols, making everything easily identifiable at a glance.

The steering wheel was particularly thick and robust, wrapped in an outer layer of non-slip rubber. There were no complex multi-function buttons in the center—only a simple metallic emblem embedded within:

A massive character for "Dragon"!

Its strokes were bold and vigorous, radiating an undeniable aura of dominance.

"To prevent battery explosions and fires, the vehicle's critical wiring and energy storage compartments are all wrapped in Flame Deer hide. Even if you were sitting on a raging bonfire, it wouldn't burn through that layer."

Liu Bi leaned his head inside and pointed at the dark crimson leather, offering an explanation. "However, after they built it, they realized it was just too heavy. Considering that a fully charged first-generation battery could only run for a hundred and fifty kilometers, the endurance was completely inadequate. In the end, they just converted it into a gas guzzler."

"Fuel is a rare commodity in Happiness City, strictly classified as a strategic resource. But there are still battery slots reserved internally. If you ever wanted to convert it into a hybrid or purely electric vehicle down the line, modifying it would be a breeze."

Energy and propulsion was indeed a massive headache.

Even if they swapped in Happiness City's most advanced third-generation batteries, it might still struggle to drive this four-to-five-ton behemoth over long distances.

But Cheng Ye's mind wasn't on power supply at all. His eyes darted across the control panel, finally landing on a button labeled machine gun. "And this is?"

"Get in the backseat and try it out," Liu Bi said, a faint smile finally breaking through on his face.

The Armored Vehicle featured an eight-seat layout in a 6+2 configuration. The interior was incredibly spacious, especially the independent operating station deliberately placed in the middle. Four-point seatbelts were firmly anchored to the metallic framework, making it blindingly obvious that this seat was designed purely for combat.

Cheng Ye opened the rear door and climbed inside. Liu Bi reached over and pressed the machine gun button.

Click.

No response.

"Oh, forgot to turn on the power. Let me hook up the battery." Liu Bi slapped his forehead, quickly dragging an extension cord from the corner of the warehouse. He popped the hood and bypassed the internal battery, hooking it up directly to an external power supply.

With the power connected, Liu Bi pushed the button once more.

This time, the distinct hum of hydraulic actuators echoed from the roof, and two heavy metal plating panels slowly folded open to either side.

Gleaming with a cold, metallic luster, two folding Vulcan miniguns ascended smoothly into position. Like a lurking beast baring its fangs, the barrels pointed straight ahead, exuding an intimidating ferocity.

Simultaneously, the floorboard right in front of Cheng Ye suddenly bulged upward. Two metal grips sheathed in non-slip rubber snapped into place, followed by a helmet-like observation apparatus that descended slowly from the ceiling.

He instinctively leaned his head into the device. Two crisp aiming reticles immediately lit up before his eyes. The real-time camera feed from both heavy machine guns was projected directly onto the lenses, offering a wide, flawlessly aligned field of vision.

When he grabbed the grips and gave them a slight turn, the machine guns on the roof swiveled in perfect synchronization to match the angle. The response was incredibly precise.

"I can fire without sticking my body outside?" Cheng Ye's eyes were filled with absolute awe.

"Of course. This vehicle is a mobile sanctuary." Liu Bi clicked his tongue, his tone laced with pride. "Even the automatic reloading mechanism is rigged from inside. There's absolutely zero need to expose yourself. So, we're taking this bad boy on the field mission?"

"We're flexing that hard?" Cheng Ye was slightly taken aback. If they could drive this monstrosity out into the Wilderness, they would undoubtedly be the most dazzling presence on the road.

If they ran into regular Infected Bodies or Infection Sources, they could literally just run them over without wasting any effort trying to engage them.

And any malicious Hunters in the Wilderness would probably spot this heavily armed titan and detour three miles around it, terrified of provoking such a beast.

"What about fuel..."

"There's still plenty stocked up in the Inspection Station's warehouse. Normally, your average inspector couldn't request it for a field mission, but didn't Station Master Ding promise that you could dictate your own terms for this assignment? Requesting some fuel shouldn't be a problem."

Liu Bi brushed off the concern. "As long as it can get us to Guang Province, the trading firms over there have resupply channels. Refueling will be much easier then."

Cheng Ye's eyes lit up. "Then we're driving it out today?"

Liu Bi nodded. "If you want to, absolutely. I still have a good amount of fuel saved up right here—enough to run it for two or three hundred kilometers."

Hell yes!

This was basically trading a slingshot for a cannon—upgrading directly from a basic off-road truck to a mobile fortress!

Even though he already possessed Transcendent Power, the prospect of piloting this pinnacle of industrial engineering still made Cheng Ye unable to suppress the thrill bubbling in his chest.

While Liu Bi was busy refueling the vehicle, Cheng Ye dug the user manual out from the glovebox.

[Fierce Dragon] was the codename for this Armored Vehicle.

Since private individuals weren't allowed to own such heavily armed vehicles within Happiness City, it had always been registered under the Inspection Station's name. Any usage required prior authorization and reporting.

Cheng Ye held his Defense Terminal against the sensor chip on the manual. The screen instantly jumped to the vehicle dispatch application interface.

He casually filled out the reason as a field mission, and barely a minute later, the application was approved.

The only conditions were that it could only be driven out of the buffer zone after 7:00 PM, lingering within the city limits was strictly forbidden, and it had to exit via the nearest checkpoint, North Station.

Flipping to the later pages of the manual, he found the vehicle's detailed specifications:

Length: 6.8 meters. Width: 2.9 meters. Height: 2.37 meters. The wheelbase reached an exaggerated 4.5 meters.

Thanks to the use of lightweight Isolation Alloy, the curb weight of the unladen vehicle was only 4.7 tons. The military-grade reinforced chassis utilized a double-layer alloy beam structure, granting it a maximum loaded weight of up to 13.5 tons.

Its powertrain perfectly matched its massive size. Equipped with a 3.0T twin-turbo diesel engine, it boasted a maximum output of 320 horsepower and a peak torque of a whopping 980 Nm.

Paired with the low fuel consumption characteristics of a diesel engine, the oversized 260-liter fuel tank provided a comprehensive cruising range of up to 950 kilometers.

As for the dense jargon further down regarding its four-wheel-drive technology, off-road configuration, differential locks, and electronic front and rear axle locking mechanisms, Cheng Ye didn't quite understand it all. But he was absolutely certain that this vehicle's ability to navigate the Wilderness would far eclipse any standard caravan truck.

Its defensive capabilities were even more hardcore. The body was clad in 27-millimeter-thick Isolation Alloy plating, while the windows consisted of three-layer composite bulletproof glass. The hull could entirely ignore point-blank fire from 7.62-millimeter caliber bullets, and each individual layer of the windows could withstand the impact of over three hundred concentrated rounds.

The special all-terrain tires were even more absurd; even if blown out, the vehicle could still travel for nearly a hundred kilometers at speeds of up to 80 km/h.

Furthermore, the cabin featured a rudimentary radar system that provided basic fire control assistance for the Vulcan miniguns. Combined with the mine-deploying mechanism mounted on the rear, a sudden phrase popped into Cheng Ye's mind.

A mobile home.

And this wasn't the sort of 'mobile home' modern eco-friendly commercials peddled, boasting about cramming a fridge, a sofa, and a big-screen TV into a minivan. This was a true sanctuary designed to survive and conquer the wasteland!

No wonder Liu Bi believed this vehicle could charge right through the horde when the Decoy Starfish Disaster broke out.

If you handed an ordinary person an Armored Vehicle like this, they would probably eat, sleep, and relieve themselves inside, absolutely refusing to step out of it.

After reviewing the Fierce Dragon's specs, Cheng Ye took another stroll around the warehouse.

Many of the miscellaneous items still bore the logos of large and small factories from the founding days of Happiness City, making him feel a deep sense of novelty.

Perhaps not even the founders of those factories would have intentionally preserved these relics.

"There's some stuff Brother Long left behind over there. You can take a look," Liu Bi said as he dragged a maintenance trolley over to perform a basic tune-up on the vehicle. Seeing Cheng Ye's interest in the clutter, he pointed to another pile of objects in the corner.

Cheng Ye walked over in the indicated direction, squatted down, and rummaged through the pile for a while.

It was indeed all scattered odds and ends. When Cheng Long lived at the Inspection Station, he would hand over any useless items for Liu Bi to dispose of. Liu Bi had simply brought them all back to the warehouse and stored them carefully. He hadn't even thrown away a few torn calendars, which still bore faint traces of Cheng Long's handwriting.

Unfortunately, before Cheng Long departed, he hadn't managed to leave a single valuable clue or piece of guidance for his predecessor.

Hoping to stumble across highly valuable treasures here was nothing more than a fool's dream.

Still, Cheng Ye maintained his patience. He pulled out every single object within the clutter that could possibly carry written information, hoping he might uncover the true origins of the Collector from them.

By the time Liu Bi finished inspecting the undercarriage and replacing all the fluids, the two didn't immediately set off. Instead, they worked together to shut the garage door tight before heading back to the community.

When they reached the fifth floor, all the household necessities had been fully packed away.

There was quite a lot to bring. If it weren't for the fact that the beds were too heavy to disassemble and move, looking at Sister Luo's stance, she would have preferred to uproot and transport the entire house.

"Sister Luo, you really don't plan on ever coming back here, do you?" Cheng Ye teased with a smile.

"I've wanted to thoroughly clear out this house for ages, but your Brother B always stopped me, insisting on piling up his 'treasures' everywhere," Luo Xiaoxue complained with a grin. "Now that we've packed everything up, if we ever do come back, it'll be the perfect excuse to buy new things."

Liu Bi pretended not to understand, giving a goofy chuckle. "I'll go apply with the Inspection Station and request a small truck to haul the stuff."

By the time the truck arrived, it was just past 6:00 PM.

As they were preparing to load their belongings onto the vehicle, Jiang Chuan arrived in a pickup truck, bringing all the documents Cheng Ye had requested.

True to his word, the five-hundred-page compiled dossiers were stacked into over twenty neat piles. Totaling nearly ten thousand pages, even skimming through them would take three to five days.

"Station Master Halin personally selected these and had them organized chronologically," Jiang Chuan relayed. "He asked me to tell you: Learning has no limits. An Inspector's job is thirty percent improvisation and seventy percent relying on experience. And rich experience naturally demands a massive foundation of intelligence to support it."

"The last legion reform took place in the year 27. You can start with the documents from after that year, but if you want to thoroughly grasp all the shifts and changes, it would be best to read through and summarize every single volume."

After saying that, he scratched his head and added, "If you manage to read all these and submit a satisfactory consolidated intelligence report, this intelligence request will be completely free of charge. However, if you skip the summary phase, you'll have to pay eight thousand Contribution Points."

"What?" Cheng Ye's hands paused mid-motion. "They charge points for intelligence?"

"Yes. Any intelligence brought back by an Inspector holds value and can be traded in for Contribution Points from the station. Conversely, requisitioning existing intelligence requires Contribution Points as payment."

Seeing Cheng Ye's surprise, Jiang Chuan blinked. "Have you still not activated the Contribution Function on your advanced Defense Terminal?"

"Not yet, I've been far too busy lately. Besides, the download on the Defense Terminal isn't finished either. It theoretically should have taken 144 hours—six days—to complete, but the network speed in Dabo Town was so abysmal that it only hit 75% yesterday..."

As Cheng Ye spoke, he pulled out his Defense Terminal to check the progress.

To his surprise, after spending just half a day in the buffer zone, the progress bar had skyrocketed, already hitting 86%. Of course, this was mainly because he had prioritized downloading the Research Institute's scientific research modules.

Tracking Yu Yong's progress was a far more pressing matter than unlocking the Inspection Station's internal clearance levels.

"Alright, if I manage to finish reading it, I'll definitely submit a report." Cheng Ye smoothly changed the subject. "Jiang Chuan, I need to bother you with one more thing later."

"Just name it."

"Could you help me apply for some vegetables from the Inspection Station? Li Matai mentioned that the station opened up an experimental farming plot."

Cheng Ye raised an eyebrow. "I don't need much. I want to cook a family reunion feast tonight to celebrate the move, so just bring enough for one meal."

Oh.

"You got it. I'll have someone bring them over right away." Jiang Chuan immediately caught on and picked up his Defense Terminal to make a call.

Growing vegetables was easy; the hard part was acquiring the seeds.

Happiness City simply didn't possess a dedicated seed bank. Whatever seeds were currently available were just a meager stockpile salvaged from the greenhouses in the Inner City.

The Inspection Station had already begun experimental cultivation and was compiling planting manuals for various crops. They planned to distribute these to the inspectors of the satellite towns to promote widespread farming.

Half an hour later, a Large Golden Cup van pulled up. Two people hopped out, dragging two massive woven nylon sacks filled with vegetables.

"This much?" Cheng Ye was genuinely taken aback as he untied the sacks.

They had only been cultivating crops for just over a month, yet the variety of vegetables inside was surprisingly rich. There was Indian lettuce, radishes, water spinach, cucumbers, celery, garlic, eggplants... The two sacks were packed to the brim.

"It's really not that much. The experimental plot was established over in the Leaping Wilderness. They have over three acres of land dedicated to cultivation tests, and they send back a full truck of vegetables every single day." Jiang Chuan smacked his lips, then asked, "Do you need any seasonings? I can request those from the Inspection Station as well."

"No need, I have plenty stocked in my grocery store."

Cheng Ye did some quick mental math and decided to hitch a ride in the Large Golden Cup back to his shop to clear out his warehouse.

The rice, flour, and various seasonings he had brought back from Torch, along with several boxes of canned goods and salted fish he had traded for... He might as well pack them all up and haul them to Dabo Town while they were moving.

By the time everything was fully packed and sorted, it was past 7:00 PM—finally reaching the authorized time to take the vehicle out.

The rolling door of the underground garage was completely lifted. The engine of the "Fierce Dragon" Armored Vehicle let out a deafening roar as it slowly rumbled forward.

Under the cover of darkness, not many people in the Chemical Factory Community noticed the behemoth. However, the dozen or so residents who had helped them move, including Li Matai, were absolutely dumbfounded.

Tens of thousands of Contribution Points were utterly insignificant in the face of this Armored Vehicle.

Just the cost of its materials alone likely exceeded two hundred thousand Contribution Points.

When Cheng Long had claimed he had "no money" back in the day, he was never actually broke. He had simply converted all his wealth into hardcore, practical assets like this one.

"Thank you for your hard work. Everyone, head back and get some rest." After dismissing the community residents, Cheng Ye made a call to Mu Shuang, who was still at the South Station, and arranged to rendezvous at the North Station. Following that, the group piled into the vehicles one by one.

Cheng Ye had initially planned to let Liu Bi drive, but Liu Bi subtly gestured with his eyes for Cheng Ye to take the driver's seat.

"Alright!" Cheng Ye nodded. Stepping on the broad metal pedal, he hauled himself up into the cabin.

The rear doors swung open, and Li Matai, Luo Xiaoxue, Liu Yi, and Liu Bi climbed into their respective seats. Even fully loaded, the interior was overwhelmingly spacious, leaving more than enough room for Liu Yi to dart around gleefully.

"Sit tight, we're heading out!" Cheng Ye called out with a grin. The Armored Vehicle slowly rolled out of the community, the small transport truck trailing closely behind.

Sitting in the driver's seat, his line of sight was absurdly high.

However, having previously experienced the towering perspective of transforming into a giant beast, Cheng Ye didn't feel unaccustomed at all. Instead, a profound sense of security and control washed over him.

Even as they drove out of the North Station and merged into the vast Wilderness, that feeling didn't fade—it only grew more intense.

"Yiyi, do you see that? This is the outside world!"

Cheng Ye rolled down his window halfway. The little girl clung to the frame, gazing foolishly at the boundless Wilderness, her tiny mouth hanging open in sheer amazement.

In her small world, there was still no real distinction between the city and the Wilderness. She couldn't comprehend the true dangers involved in stepping beyond the high walls behind them.

But that was precisely the purpose behind humanity's struggle—to bring an end to the Wasteland Era, burying all its dangers in the past.

To allow future generations to step out of the high walls unburdened, so they could witness what the world was truly meant to look like!

After linking up with Mu Shuang's pickup truck, the three vehicles formed a single-file line and hit the national highway.

Luo Xiaoxue stared out the window as well, her eyes slightly glazed over. "Come to think of it, I haven't set foot outside the buffer zone in nearly six years. Has the outside really changed this much?"

The chaotic, desolate Wilderness from her memories was nowhere to be found. The neat and brightly lit streetlamps lining the road offered an immense sense of reassurance.

Even though the pitch-black Chuan City Ruins in the distance were as terrifying as ever, driving down this paved highway made it difficult to truly feel their oppressive weight.

Savoring the fresh, crisp scent unique to the wild plains, along with the faint, almost illusory feeling of freedom, the lingering worry on Luo Xiaoxue's face dissipated entirely. Her mind finally felt clear and untethered.

"Sister Luo, this is just the beginning. By next year, the changes will be even more massive!"

Cheng Ye added another sentence, "In the past, we were merely witnesses to the era. Now, we are its pioneers."

Pioneers?

Luo Xiaoxue carefully savored that word, her eyes gradually brightening.

Liu Bi caught a glimpse of her expression in the rearview mirror and shook his head slightly, but he chose not to say a word.

He had caught the underlying meaning in Cheng Ye's words: he wanted Luo Xiaoxue to step beyond her role as a mere housewife, to rejoin the workforce and realize her true value.

If they were still living in the buffer zone, Liu Bi might have hesitated or flat-out refused.

But here in the satellite town, on their own turf, it would be just like managing their own family business. Giving Luo Xiaoxue some meaningful work and freeing her from the monotonous grind of endless chores might genuinely be an excellent idea.

The convoy cruised past an intersection and made a turn, merging onto the county road leading toward Wenlu County.

By the time the Dabo Inspection Station finally appeared in sight, there was still no trace of the typical apocalyptic rot and ruin of the Wilderness. Instead, the area radiated a vibrant, thriving Vitality.

Luo Kuke stood in front of the inspection zone. Spotting this majestic Armored Vehicle rumbling toward him, he hurriedly reached for his megaphone to shout a challenge.

But as the driver's side window slowly rolled down and Cheng Ye poked his head out to wave, Luo Kuke rubbed his eyes. The sheer shock on his face instantly melted into utter bewilderment.

"Inspector Cheng, where on earth did you get your hands on this beauty? It's downright majestic!"

"My father left it for me," Cheng Ye replied with a chuckle.

"Inspector Cheng Long?" Luo Kuke experienced a sudden dawn of realization. A deeply envious look immediately surfaced on his face. His gaze shifted toward the back seats, landing on Luo Xiaoxue and Liu Yi. "And these must be Inspector Liu's wife and daughter?"

"Hello, Inspector Luo Kuke." Luo Xiaoxue gracefully reached for the handle to step out and offer a proper greeting, but Luo Kuke hastily stopped her with a laugh. "Go on in, go on in. It's gotten so late, I genuinely thought you folks weren't coming back today."

"Nothing bad happened in town today, right?"

"No, not at all. With everything lit up this bright, what could possibly happen?"

Luo Kuke couldn't help but chuckle. "When Inspector Wang came by to drop off dinner this evening, he mentioned that the residents were all volunteering to work overtime on the construction. Everyone's enthusiasm is off the charts."

Cheng Ye followed his gaze toward the back. Normally, Dabo Town would have been pitch black at this hour. Yet right now, the area was ablaze with lights, illuminating the surrounding Wilderness and even reflecting off the Inspection Station.

He gave a slight nod and slowly drove through the checkpoint.

In that instant, crossing from darkness into the radiant light, an inexplicable sense of grounded security surged in his chest.

When the Armored Vehicle pulled into the center of town, it naturally caused a massive commotion.

The residents swarmed over, their eyes filled with intense curiosity and deep reverence. Cheng Ye smiled and offered a few reassuring words, telling them to carry on with their tasks. Without needing further instruction, the crowd dispersed, enthusiastically diving back into construction.

Witnessing this exact scene, Luo Xiaoxue finally realized the profound truth: the world really had changed.

The descendant Cheng Long left behind—her "little brother"—had unknowingly, rapidly grown from a Trainee Inspector who needed to borrow a measly hundred Contribution Points, into a pillar capable of independently commanding an entire satellite town.

"Brother Bi! Sister Luo! Inspector Cheng!" Once the crowd cleared, Niu Fu practically jogged over, a broad, honest grin plastered on his face. "The beds have all been installed. You guys can move in straight away."

"Oh? That fast?" Liu Bi gave a nod of approval.

Even though he had been arrested yesterday, the tasks he had delegated to Niu Fu hadn't been delayed in the slightest.

The lively group headed up to the trading post. Reaching the third floor, they found Wang Kang still tidying up alongside a few workers.

The third floor originally had five rooms. Luo Kuke, Wang Kang, and Cheng Ye each occupied one, leaving two empty.

Now, Liu Bi had taken one of the vacancies. The final room had been partitioned, half converted into a kitchen and half into a dining room.

Pushing the door open to their new room, they saw the floor mats had been replaced with a sturdy wooden bed. A wooden tea table sat beside it, while a folding screen elegantly separated the workspace from the living area.

Niu Fu had even considerately assembled a simple bookshelf, meticulously organizing all the previously scattered books into perfect rows.

The chaotic clutter of the past was gone, replaced by a neat and tidy layout that made the room brim with the warm essence of everyday life.

"Come on, let's start cooking!"

Cheng Ye bounded down to the second floor and grabbed Lin Xu.

With two massive sacks of fresh vegetables and the salted fish they had brought along, there was more than enough to whip up an incredibly lavish feast.

Braised eggplant with salted fish, garlic Indian lettuce, cold cherry radish salad, steamed tofu with salted fish, stir-fried water spinach, celery fried with pork... Dish after dish, complete with vibrant colors, mouth-watering aromas, and delicious flavors, was served to the table.

While the stir-frying was in full swing, Cheng Ye untied the flour sack and began kneading a massive ball of dough.

After all, a proper reunion feast required dumplings.

The amaranth they brought along was perfect for the job. Mixed with minced pork, chopped ginger, scallions, and a dash of soy sauce and sesame oil, the filling was perfectly savory, bursting with the refreshing crispness of the vegetables. The rich aroma went straight to the nose.

Luo Xiaoxue was quite skilled at making dumplings herself, but watching Cheng Ye flawlessly knead the dough, roll out the wrappers, and mix the filling in one seamless, effortless motion left her somewhat dazed.

"I learned a long time ago. I just never had the ingredients to practice," Cheng Ye explained with a smile.

The physical buffs granted by his Transcendent constitution truly made these domestic chores exceptionally easy. Even though he hadn't cooked much since heading off to college, his culinary skills hadn't rusted one bit.

Just as a massive plate of dumplings was dropped into the boiling pot, Luo Kuke shut the doors to the Inspection Station and hurried over to join them.

Liu Bi hauled out a fine bottle of liquor he had been carefully hoarding, unscrewed the cap, and placed it right in the center of the table. Li Matai, a natural at livening up the mood, effortlessly set the tempo with a few well-timed jokes. The group fell into lively chatter, filling the room with raucous laughter.

Only Liu Yi continued running frantically around the kitchen. One moment she was tugging at bright green vegetable leaves, and the next she was patting a round, plump eggplant. Like a wild little foal that had slipped its reins, she was far too excited to stop.

"Here we go, dumplings are ready!"

The savory dumplings were practically steaming. Cheng Ye hauled over a massive tray carrying individual bowls stacked high with dumplings.

He had to admit, this was absolutely the most extravagant meal he had eaten since his transmigration!

Twelve hot dishes, a massive platter of aromatic dumplings, and two bowls of appetizing soup. Several cans of fruit were even stacked on one side of the table. The steaming heat of the food wafted through the room, aggressively stirring everyone's appetites.

"Come on, raise your glasses!"

Liu Bi had always been straightforward and decisive. Seeing that everyone was present, he instantly signaled for the table to raise their cups.

"The first toast—congratulations to Cheng Ye for officially completing his probationary period and becoming a First-Stage Inspector!"

"Cheers!"

Aside from Liu Yi, who was clutching her can of yellow peaches, everyone drained their glasses in a single gulp. They smacked their lips and set down their cups, their faces flush with deep satisfaction.

Niu Fu immediately stepped forward to refill the glasses. As the second round was raised, Cheng Ye stood up. "The second toast—may Dabo Town and East Peace Town grow more prosperous by the day, and become the crowning jewels among all satellite towns!"

"Cheers!"

Another round was chugged down. Liu Yi, still cradling her can of peaches, took a long sip of the sweet syrup. Her eyes curved into tiny crescents of pure happiness.

As the third glass was poured, Cheng Ye paused. His gaze slowly swept across every face seated around the table.

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, "The third toast—I hope that no matter what we face in the future, we all manage to live well, and witness the true dawn of tomorrow together!"

"Cheers!"

Downing three consecutive glasses of strong liquor, Cheng Ye finally sat back down.

He looked at the feast spread across the table, and then at the lively, raucous people surrounding him.

Liu Bi's family of three, Luo Kuke, Wang Kang, Li Matai, Lin Xu, Niu Fu...

Suddenly, he felt as if his entire life really had been restarted.

More than the mere satisfaction of a full stomach, these friends who fought by his side and shared his ideals—these family members who would always stand behind him, offering unwavering support—were what truly deserved to be cherished.

It made him understand that he had never been fighting for some vague, ethereal future, nor was his struggle a lonely, solitary charge. He fought to protect the profound warmth and powerful bonds sitting right in front of him.

"Huh? Big Brother Cheng Ye, why are you crying?" Liu Yi stood on her stool, pointing a chubby little finger at his face in pure, innocent curiosity.

"Am I?" Cheng Ye reached up to wipe the corner of his eye. "The liquor is just too spicy. I'm not used to it."

"Really?"

Liu Yi's eyes went wide. Brimming with curiosity, she leaned over the table, dipped her tiny finger into a spilled drop of liquor, and quickly popped it into her mouth for a lick.

In the very next second, her little brows scrunched tightly together, and she shrieked loudly, "So spicy, so spicy! Yiyi's eyes are going to cry too!"

Her words caused the entire room to erupt into uproarious laughter. The warm lamplight washed over everyone's faces, drifting out of the room along with the evening breeze.

It drifted across Dabo Town's tranquil night sky, carrying toward the seemingly bright horizon. Click.

The screen of the advanced Defense Terminal flickered, and a slightly grainy photograph was instantly immortalized.

Surrounded by the cheering crowd, Cheng Ye sat at the head of the table, smiling brightly. Under the warm glow of the lights, his youthful face, almost incongruous with the harsh world around them, appeared extraordinarily gentle.