Wasteland Border Inspector-Chapter 290 - 127: Inspection Difficulties, Reunion with an Old Friend

Chapter 290: Chapter 127: Inspection Difficulties, Reunion with an Old Friend

Dong Xing had already put away his pistol, standing in a pool of blood that hadn’t been washed away by the rain, looking down at the four corpses at his feet with a complicated expression.

Their exposed skin was covered with a thin layer of bright yellow film, resembling the membranous wings of an insect, which was a solid indication they had been infected.

Were they the "geniuses" from former small surrounding settlements?

Or were they "Migrants" influenced by Wanderers, who have gradually arrived?

Two thoughts flashed in Cheng Ye’s mind.

Dong Xing sensed his gaze, looked up, and shook his head at him through the rain, his lips moving slightly.

By lip-reading, it was... Footwork Worm.

A special infection source that makes people forget fatigue and keep moving forward.

It wouldn’t exactly be considered malignant.

Because the way to eliminate a Footwork Worm is very simple. As long as the infected person continuously maintains the idea of needing to keep moving forward, for over half a month, the infection source will die out due to exhaustion from constant energy supply.

Because of this characteristic, many daring Migrants would actively seek to infect themselves with Footwork Worms when crossing the thousand-mile Wilderness, as collapsing on the way poses a significantly higher risk than losing control after infection.

But its fatal aspect is in "relaxation."

If something delays them midway and they stop, or they suddenly have the thought of finally arriving and relaxing, the latent worm source would erupt instantly.

Just like those four corpses now, if they hadn’t been killed, they would indiscriminately attack creatures until they succumbed to exhaustion and died.

When the cleanup team started to contain them, Dong Xing walked over and spoke quietly across the isolation net: "It’s a pity. They must have been Migrants intending to settle in Happiness City, but were unlucky and got infected by a Footwork Worm."

"When they were lining up in Zone C just now..."

Dong Xing’s voice carried a hint of fatigue and self-blame, "Alas, it’s my fault. Seeing them on the verge of collapse, I said something about reaching Happiness City and being at ease, reassured, going to settle down for a few days without worrying about anything..."

Before finishing his words, he hit the isolation net in frustration.

"It’s not your fault, don’t think like that."

Cheng Ye was momentarily stunned, trying to maintain a calm voice, "Even if their infection was not exposed, by asking about their route and time we could still deduce the anomaly, and they would still be sent for isolation observation, and the outcome might not be much better."

"Inspector Cheng, you don’t need to comfort me. I was a bit muddled."

Dong Xing pulled out a smile harder to bear than tears, "Those infected by Footwork Worm can actually still be saved in isolation. As long as we keep reminding them they haven’t reached their destination, keeping the thought of moving forward, even pacing back and forth in the room, they can make it through the month."

He paused, with a touch of bitterness in his voice, "Even after identifying Footwork Worms, Inspectors should help these people... It’s just that seeing them almost break down earlier, I was only thinking of comforting them and forgot the most critical step."

Cheng Ye fell silent.

This is the most grueling part of inspection work, both challenging and fundamental.

Not only do Inspectors need to identify infection sources meticulously to block risks outside the checkpoint, ensuring the safety of hundreds of thousands in the Buffer Zone.

But they also need to find a way to save those entwined with special infection sources, who still have a glimmer of hope.

Yet, it is extremely difficult.

The bizarre rules of special infection sources rely entirely on the experience of Inspectors to judge and guide.

Very few can cover all bases, even Cheng Ye doesn’t dare say he could have handled the situation better than Dong Xing just now.

Knowing the news about the Wanderers makes him more cautious of such situations, and he might have also directly opened fire.

"A set of modern analysis and detection tools like Firewood’s, scientific processes are still needed."

Cheng Ye silently watched the containment team place the four individuals in body bags to be carried away, thoughts weighed heavily in his mind.

"Otherwise, relying solely on Inspectors’ experience might eliminate not just infected bodies, but also those who could have survived."

Just like those four Migrants earlier, if there were record machines for them to upload their movements.

Data could be automatically analyzed backstage, providing judgment opinions, making it much easier for Inspectors.

Suddenly, Dong Xing’s voice came from beyond the isolation net: "Inspector Cheng, you’ve got someone coming."

"Oh, right."

Cheng Ye turned around, seeing a figure in the rain at the quarantine entrance, wearing a knee-length black raincoat, carrying two bulging waterproof bags on their shoulders, taking careful steps forward.

The rain hat was pulled low, nearly covering the entire face, with only the hem of the raincoat moving with the steps, splashing mud.

He returned to the inspection table and sat down, squinting slightly, his sight piercing through the rain curtain.

Generally speaking, solitary scavengers have an infection rate of over 80% in inspections.

Moreover, the infection sources they carry often aren’t the common continental variety, sometimes giving unexpected "surprises."

If it weren’t for Dong Xing’s earlier regrets, Cheng Ye would have already put his hand on the gun.

But now, his eyes slightly darkened, without making a move, constantly observing and analyzing.

Hm?

Cheng Ye’s brows suddenly furrowed.

How... does it seem somewhat familiar?

His memory has always been exceptional, often grasping general details after a single reading of literature.

Since arriving in this Wasteland World, whether due to a change in body or otherwise, his memory has inexplicably strengthened, which helped him recognize a backpack at a glance yesterday.

And now, the way this figure walks is very familiar, as if...

"Damn, why is it so much like the way I walk?"

As soon as the thought emerged, Cheng Ye was taken aback himself.

He stood up with a rustle, taking a few steps to the rain shelter edge, scrutinizing through the fine rain curtain.

Just at that moment, as the scavenger reached the entrance, seemingly sensing his gaze, paused slightly, then slowly raised their head, and lifted the low-pressed rain hat, revealing the face hidden underneath.

Almost instantly, the two of them were equally stunned.

Ah?

It’s Chu Yunfeng?

...