Dark clouds hung low, and figures hurried by.

As the only workers’ compound far from the main district, the Fertilizer Plant Workers’ Compound exuded a solitude that clashed with the buffer zone’s usual bustle.

For many, the reason to settle here was simple and straightforward.

Space.

Unlike the cramped Sunrise Electronics Factory Workers’ Compound where Cheng Ye lived, with its single rooms of just over ten square meters, fine for one person but instantly crowded for a family, the Fertilizer Plant Workers’ Compound offered more.

Built around a decade into the old era, it consisted of standard apartment buildings.

Some units, once used as employee dormitories, spanned about forty square meters, compact yet practical.

Others, allocated to veteran factory workers as a perk, reached nearly sixty square meters.

As one of the most senior inspectors at the checkpoint, Liu Bi had chosen to settle his family here, not only for the comfort of his wife and daughter but also for an additional reason.

Here, far from the main district’s clamor, they were also distanced from certain risks.

If an infected tide broke out, the distance from the main district to the outskirts would serve as a buffer, buying precious time to escape.

It was, in essence, a buffer within the buffer zone.

“Yes, yes, I understand. I’ll head out as soon as possible.”

Hanging up the defense comm, Liu Bi stood by the living room window, his grim expression blending almost seamlessly with the lead-gray clouds outside.

“What’s wrong? They’re not making you go on an external mission in this weather, are they?”

A voice came from the master bedroom, followed by the soft creak of a wooden sliding door.

A middle-aged woman in pale blue loungewear stepped out, her fluffy curls loosely tied up, faint lines at the corners of her eyes creasing with worry.

Luo Xiaoxue, Liu Bi’s wife.

The two were childhood sweethearts, supporting each other through life, and now parents to a daughter.

“Station Chief Ding called,” Liu Bi said, turning his head, forcing a smile that looked worse than a grimace. “The rain won’t stop, and the hydroelectric power station is struggling. I’ve got to guide the inner city’s emergency team to support the engineers.”

“Inner city emergency team?” Luo Xiaoxue frowned. “The power station is only eighty kilometers from Happiness City. You could walk there blindfolded. Why does an inspector need to guide them?”

“I can’t figure out what the higher-ups are thinking either, but the station chief already agreed, so I have to go whether I like it or not.”

Liu Bi let out a sigh.

It was a tumultuous time. Not only had infection sources been unusually active since the start of the year, but natural disasters were relentless, constantly testing the resilience of every sanctuary city.

Take Yun City’s Yueye Sanctuary, for example: with a population of over four hundred thousand, it had nearly been overrun by an infected tide, according to reports.

“That road to the power station has been cleared countless times over the years. Ordinary dangers aren’t a problem, but this time, the tricky part is that water-loving infected are targeting the station. I’ll likely have to stay there for a while, guarding until the situation is fully under control.”

“But if I leave, there’ll be no one to look after Cheng Ye. That kid’s stubborn, with great comprehension and talent, but he’s just taken on the inspector role and is about to face his first external duty. I can’t help but worry.”

“Cheng Ye.”

Luo Xiaoxue pursed her lips.

Cheng Long and Liu Bi were brothers-in-arms, and with Cheng Long entrusting his son to Liu Bi, the latter took the responsibility to heart.

Especially since yesterday, when Liu Bi, in a rare moment, brought out his prized liquor for a couple of drinks.

Though she hadn’t asked why, she could guess it was because the past two months of training Cheng Ye had shown promising results.

“Don’t worry too much. Maybe you’ll only be gone a few days, and…”

Her words were cut off.

The defense comm in Liu Bi’s hand buzzed.

“It’s Cheng Ye.”

Making a shushing gesture, Liu Bi walked to the window, his mind in turmoil.

Setting aside the upcoming training plans, he had promised to accompany Cheng Ye on his first external duty.

Now, with this emergency summons, it was hard to say if their schedules would align.

The sound of rain mixed with static crackled through the defense comm. Clearing his throat, Cheng Ye said, “Ahem, Big B, not interrupting your morning training, am I?”

“No,” Liu Bi replied, instinctively straightening his back, his voice low. “I’ve got something to…”

“I’ve got…”

Both voices erupted simultaneously through the comm, only to stop abruptly.

The atmosphere grew heavy until Cheng Ye broke the silence with a light chuckle. “Big B, can I go first?”

“Go ahead.”

“Lend me some contribution points. I’ll pay you back later.”

“What for?”

“To buy some weapons and gear. I can’t keep using the training knife forever. I need a proper melee weapon.”

“Buying gear?”

Liu Bi frowned. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. You only made a bit of progress yesterday, and now you’re rushing? The training knife is called that for a reason: it prevents bad habits. Switching to standard weapons too soon could ruin your foundation, and fixing that later is tough.”

“Come on, it’s the situation forcing my hand.”

On the other end, Cheng Ye sighed. “Old Ding called earlier, reassigning me to the north and south gates to lay low for a bit. At the rapid inspection posts, without a proper weapon, I might not survive an encounter with an infected.”

“What?”

Liu Bi’s shout echoed through the room like thunder.

“Old Ding said…”

Quickly repeating the contents of Ding Yishan’s call, Cheng Ye paused.

“I’m guessing Old Ding didn’t call you to send you on an external mission, did he?”

“I’ll talk to him. Either I go and you stay, or I stay and go with you.”

Liu Bi was straightforward, not one for scheming, but that didn’t mean he was naive.

Cheng Ye had laid bare the core of the conversation. If Liu Bi couldn’t understand it, how could he have survived this long in the cutthroat wasteland?

“Don’t be rash, Big B. Listen to me.”

Confirming his suspicions, Cheng Ye grew calmer. “The station chief assigned you to a mission for the inner city. You can’t push it off, and you shouldn’t.”

“Going to the north and south gates lets me avoid some of the Western faction’s targeting. As for the risks, didn’t you say before? An inspector’s prestige in the buffer zone isn’t earned by standing at the main gate looking tough. It’s at the north and south gates’ defense lines. If the infected want to get in, they’ll have to step over our bodies first. That respect is earned with our lives.”

“I know the dangers of the rapid inspection posts. If I can’t even handle this, I probably won’t survive external duties either.”

His clear, logical persuasion came through the comm. Liu Bi’s hand trembled as he gripped the device, his heart sinking.

In that moment, he wished Cheng Ye weren’t so mature, that he’d act childish and beg him to stay and protect him. Then, no matter what, even if it meant quitting the inspector team, Liu Bi would stay.

But Cheng Ye’s words were laced with clarity and resolve, leaving no room for argument.

“Big B, we’re not the type to get all sentimental. Let’s not drag this out.”

“You go handle your external mission. Let’s not meet up for a while. That’ll draw less attention from the Western faction.”

Cheng Ye continued, explaining that from the moment Ding Yishan made his move, he knew he had to face this alone.

Even if Liu Bi found an excuse to stay, there would surely be other schemes waiting.

Better to act decisively, pretend to be oblivious, and use the Civilization Collector to find a way to break through.

“You thought this through before calling me, didn’t you?”

Liu Bi sighed. “You could’ve asked me to stay. I owe that to your father.”

“He’s him, and I’m me. What you owe him, I owe you.”

“Alright, if that’s how you feel, I respect your decision.”

Liu Bi gritted his teeth.

“I’m heading out for the external mission soon, so I won’t have time to handle the paperwork. I’ll have your sister-in-law arrange for 100 contribution points to be sent to you by tomorrow morning at the latest.”

“Got it.”

“I’ve told you some things about your father before. The rest, I planned to tell you after your first external duty. Listen up: more than half the people at the checkpoint owe him favors. Getting them to fully repay that debt is tough, but some are willing to offer a partial return.”

“For the north and south gate rotations, each gate is five days. For your first shift, make sure you pick the south gate.”

“The south gate is held by our Eastern faction. I’ll make arrangements so no one gives you trouble. They’ll do everything they can to keep you safe and help you through the toughest early days.”

“But the north gate is controlled by the Western faction. My influence doesn’t reach there. The only reliable contact I have is someone whose father was saved by your grandfather, and who was saved by your father himself. At a critical moment, he could save your life.”

“With the endless rain, water-loving infected are swarming toward our Chuan City. It’s unclear if they’ll hit the checkpoint, but you need to stay vigilant. I’ll compile a list of specific threats to watch out for before I leave and have your sister-in-law deliver it to you.”

“As for weapons, in a rapid inspection outbreak, firearms are often useless except for intimidation. In the heat of the moment, melee weapons are the best choice. You need distance to fire back, so don’t go for anything too long. Short knives or axes are often better for survival than long spears or swords.”

From the looming threats and dangers to weapon choices and combat details, Liu Bi laid out everything meticulously, like a father about to embark on a long journey.

At the end, he made Cheng Ye repeat it all back.

Only after confirming that Cheng Ye had memorized everything did he take a deep breath and say, almost word by word, “Stay alive. You have to stay alive.”

“Of course. Don’t worry, I’m tough as nails. I’ll be waiting for you to come back and join me for my external duty.”

Laughter came through the comm before it disconnected.

But the shadow weighing on Liu Bi’s heart lingered.

A thunderclap roared, rattling the windowpanes.

A blinding white flash of lightning tore through the heavy clouds, briefly illuminating the world and Liu Bi’s face.

Half anger, half helplessness.

Happiness City, a massive sanctuary among the wasteland’s finest.

If even inspectors had to fight to survive here, what chance did ordinary people have?