Chapter 280 - 124: Blades Revealed, the Landscape Shifts!

Sure, here is the translation:

"Old Ding, what’s something that absolutely..."

"Ha, who gave you the qualification to call me Old Ding?"

Ding Yishan sneered, directly interrupting the other party, "Chu Hong, you have three minutes, get over here to see me."

He paused, his tone carrying an undeniable pressure: "Let me hear that title from your mouth again, and you won’t need to stay in Happiness City, pack up your things and go accompany the Hundred Ghosts Gang in the Wilderness."

?

In the office behind the high wall, a tall man holding a teacup abruptly stood up, the composure on his face shattered instantly.

Did he take gunpowder? When did Ding Yishan ever speak to him in this tone?

Chu Hong tightened his grip on the microphone, his chest heaving twice, ultimately not daring to retort.

Having power and not using it, and pretending to have power and failing, are two different things.

And Ding Yishan, clearly represents the former.

Even if the inspection station is now in decline, if he seriously speaks, let alone throwing him out, he could throw everyone in the office out without issue.

"Understood." Chu Hong’s voice lowered, suppressing a fiery anger, "Station Chief Ding, I’ll be right there!"

After hanging up the phone, the captain of the guard standing by the car had sweaty palms.

He discreetly glanced at Ding Yishan in the car window. Station Chief Ding, who was usually amiable, maintained his previous pose, calmly gazing ahead, but that invisible pressure made even his breathing lighter.

Under the city gate, Chu Hong jogged over, a sturdy middle-aged man.

Jiang Chuan sat in the driver’s seat, his hands off the steering wheel, his gaze sharp.

Though not an Extraordinary, Chu Hong was entrusted with guarding responsibilities and was not an ordinary person.

Like him, they couldn’t withstand Extraordinary pollution but survived by luck, retaining some special abilities as Half-Step Extraordinary.

"Station Chief Ding..." Chu Hong barely opened his mouth before being interrupted by Ding Yishan.

"Grant Jiang Chuan unlimited access permissions, also for this car."

Ding Yishan’s gaze didn’t settle on him, still focused on the road behind the gate, "I might have frequent meetings in the Inner City soon, let’s not go through this every time."

"This..." Chu Hong’s expression changed several times, his temple vein pulsing, "By the rules, unlimited permissions require at least Deputy City Lord..."

"I’ll give you one chance to call." Ding Yishan spoke lightly, with no hint of negotiation in his tone.

"..." Chu Hong’s face changed, staring at Ding Yishan’s calm profile, mentally cursing everything he could think of, but ultimately restrained himself.

He moved aside, took out the Defense Communication, and dialed a number.

The call connected quickly, and Chu Hong whispered a few words, as concise as a weather report.

Returning after hanging up, his face was now plastered with a smile of servitude, "Yes, Station Chief Ding! Rest assured, I’ll arrange Jiang Chuan’s permissions immediately, register the car for exempt passage too. Any needs you have, just call me directly to instruct, I’ll ensure everything’s taken care of!"

"Drive."

Ding Yishan continued to look ahead, without even a blink in response to the attentiveness.

Jiang Chuan took a deep breath and pressed the accelerator.

The pickup truck slowly slid into the city gate tunnel until it completely disappeared, only then did Chu Hong’s smile drop, his face darkening to the point of dripping water.

In the duration of a phone call, he did not receive any information, just four words: Carry out everything.

That’s interesting, is Happiness City’s situation changing drastically?

Or...

He instinctively looked towards the direction outside the city, where the outline of ruins could be faintly seen in the grey, misty rain.

Though he didn’t know the news about the Wanderers and those tens of thousands of Migrants for now, a cold shiver inexplicably ran down Chu Hong’s neck, vaguely being forewarned.

This is... a storm is coming!

...

The pickup truck drove into the square meeting venue.

As Jiang Chuan parked the car steadily and prepared to open the door to escort Ding Yishan inside, his shoulder was unexpectedly held down by a warm hand.

"Chuan, later go buy something for me, some fruit will do, it’s pretty rare now."

Saying this, he couldn’t help but pull a grin, remembering something: "Also, go to the institute to find Old Zhang. He’s hiding plenty of books on Guardian Extraordinary and Source Rail technology, use my name to borrow what you can, bring them all out for Cheng Ye."

"Sir..." Jiang Chuan’s eyes suddenly lit up.

"Don’t overthink it."

Ding Yishan, reading his thoughts, smiled, shaking his head, "The inspection station tests never targeted anyone. When I first entered, I was more miserable than him now. To bear the flag, one must take the steps, pass through these checkpoints to truly stand firm."

He spoke, opened the car door, stepping onto the wet cement ground, his voice carried through the half-open car window, "As for Cheng Long’s grudges, as of today, they’re cleared!"

"Yes!"

Jiang Chuan’s heart shook, quickly straightening his back, showing a respectful expression.

Influenced by the Wanderer’s power, Ding Yishan seemed to suddenly return to over a decade ago.

The decisiveness, the strength, even the sharpness in his speech restored the edge of his past.

Both familiar and unfamiliar.

Until Ding Yishan’s figure disappeared behind the meeting hall doors, Jiang Chuan couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

Too fast.

Since Liu Bi left, it’s been just over half a month, yet Cheng Ye has already proved his worth with strength.

Indeed, a series of events, especially the Wanderers, brought an excellent opportunity.

But lacking true skills, how many Intern Inspectors could seize such a chance?

Restarting the vehicle, the pickup truck slowly drove out of the venue.

In the rearview mirror, that square building grew smaller.

Jiang Chuan’s grip on the steering wheel suddenly tightened, a moment of disorientation, with a strange thought popping up.

Perhaps after today’s meeting, many things in Happiness City... might never be the same again!

...