Wasteland Border Inspector - Chapter 819

Chapter 819: Chapter 269: Core Authority, a Wave of Fiefdoms!

“Let’s go. I’ve acquired these inside the city, but compared to what I want… this is still far from enough!”

…

Three days later.

September 5th.

A cargo truck slowly approached the front of the Big Egg Research Institute.

But this time, it wasn’t Shi Xu who greeted Cheng Ye as usual, but a team of fully armed guards.

“Inspector Cheng, please get off the vehicle for a body search and wear the special equipment we’ve prepared for inspectors.”

The guard’s attitude took a sharp turn compared to before, showing obvious wariness.

Cheng Ye nodded and stepped out of the vehicle, and eight guards immediately surrounded him.

Various instruments cycled through their checks, even spraying him with special liquid on his skin and clothes.

Various detection instruments scanned repeatedly, even spraying special liquid on his skin and clothing, meticulously leaving no detail overlooked.

The entire process lasted a full five minutes, until all steps were confirmed correct, and the tense expressions on the guards’ faces slightly eased.

“Sorry, because…” the guard captain was about to explain but was interrupted by Cheng Ye.

“I understand.” Cheng Ye slightly nodded, “The actions of Inspector Zhou Changhai have severely damaged the image of inspectors. It’s responsible for everyone to raise their vigilance.”

Seeing this, the guard captain said no more, took a black box from beside him.

Opening the box, the “special equipment” inside turned out to be a pair of jet-black shackles and handcuffs.

Not a criminal, yet worse than a criminal.

After the escape incident erupted, in just three days, the reputation of inspectors plummeted.

So much so that even though Cheng Ye has the authority to enter the research institute, he is still subjected to such restrictions.

“Apologies!”

The captain picked up the shackles and handcuffs, fastening them onto Cheng Ye’s legs and hands one by one.

Until the equipment emitted a confirming “beep,” the guards then quickly retreated to the sides of the road like a tide ebbing away.

The chains were exceptionally heavy, estimated to weigh around a hundred kilograms.

Strangely enough, after wearing them, Cheng Ye entirely lost sensation of the Shrinking Earth Giant Louse within the Spiritual Body Space, feeling only a faint connection to Flame.

A method to restrict the Extraordinary?

Cheng Ye felt a bit surprised but didn’t dwell on it much, getting back into the vehicle to drive to the Big Egg’s entrance.

When the car stopped in front of the café, Shi Xu hurriedly came up looking flustered. Seeing the shackles and handcuffs on Cheng Ye, he froze instantly.

After four or five seconds, he reacted and quickly said, “Inspector Cheng, this…”

“I understand, and you understand too, don’t you?” Cheng Ye spoke lightly.

“…”

Shi Xu paused, ultimately sighing deeply and shaking his head without saying more.

He gestured behind him, and immediately staff moved forward to help unload the optical equipment from the vehicle.

Taking advantage of this gap, Cheng Ye walked to the side and asked curiously, “I wonder how Zhou Changhai managed to take away a Level 5 researcher? You all have to report to the authorities when leaving the city, right?”

“This… is a long story.”

Shi Xu’s face darkened, leaning against a pillar as he softly spoke, “Zhou Changhai’s father and Researcher Zhang Shun were life-and-death brothers. Back then… oh well, reminiscing those old events is meaningless now.”

He paused, then continued, “Zhou Changhai used this friendship, saying he wanted Researcher Zhang Shun to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Wenlu County to support him. Researcher Zhang Shun agreed, and the exit request was even personally approved by Director Yu Erlan, who considered letting Researcher Zhang Shun take the opportunity to have a few days of vacation to relax.”

Cheng Ye couldn’t help but be taken aback, “Just that simple?”

“Sigh, it’s precisely because it’s too simple, that’s why it can succeed.”

Shi Xu sighed again, looking sincerely at Cheng Ye, “If Inspector Cheng discovered a rune elsewhere and wanted me to help, I would also agree without hesitation, even if there’s a chance you might want to escape and take me along.”

“Heh, hehe.” Cheng Ye chuckled dryly twice, pretending not to understand.

He dared not engage with such talk, considering the “glorious history” of the Cheng Family laid out there; even a joke can easily be taken seriously.

“What about the investigation into the Starship, any leads at the research institute?” Cheng Ye pursued.

“That’s not within our responsibilities.” Shi Xu shook his head, “The Happiness Corps has a dedicated investigation department analyzing it, but the situation is complex. It seems the Starship has mastered some strange technology, appearing to utilize Fog Cave for traversal. All traces and tracks completely vanished in Wenlu County and only reappeared seven hundred kilometers away, heading straight in the direction of Sea Province.”

“Fog Cave…”

Cheng Ye whispered these two words.

This thing is almost equivalent to a portal. If the Starship truly mastered it, who could possibly stop them?

“Inspector Cheng, whether as a friend or a researcher, I advise you not to get involved in these matters.” Shi Xu expressed concern, “Right now, clearing your own name is most important. The troubles left by your father and grandfather are just temporarily shelved. Because of their significant contributions, you’re not implicated, but their influence hasn’t completely vanished. As long as you do something out of line, it could easily be pinned on you with wild accusations.”

“I understand, no worries.” Cheng Ye nodded in agreement.

Once all equipment was transferred, led by Shi Xu, he dragged the heavy chains and proceeded inside the research institute.

Seemingly to spare his dignity, the entire route to the containment unit on basement level two was deserted.

Until the doorway of the containment unit, Yu Erlan suddenly emerged from the side.

She was no longer wearing the researcher uniform from that day, but had changed into a tailored black shirt and fitted jeans, casually tucking the cuffs into black Martin boots. Her purple long hair matched her attire, making her look increasingly aloof and mysterious, unapproachable.