The impact brought by the Void Mist ultimately couldn’t continue in this season.

Two o’clock in the afternoon.

The snow had completely stopped. Although the temperature hadn’t yet risen, sunlight had already penetrated the clouds, scattering specks of light on the ground.

Cheng Ye, after double-checking the answer sheet filled to the brim, handed it to Jiang Chuan, stood up, and stretched lazily.

No one expected that after crossing into the Wasteland, there would be a day to use such examination skills.

Indeed, knowledge changes destiny. This answer sheet should give him some extra credit based on the previous foundation.

Of course, the current situation for him was like a temporary holiday.

He didn’t need to be on duty at the inspection station, nor did he have to participate in the upcoming examination process.

Because from the third round of the examination, the content shifted to on-site contracting preparations, involving a series of tedious fundamental tasks like recruitment of refugees, resource application, and allocation coordination.

And these could only be started after obtaining the contracting qualification.

"From the third round onwards, every segment will have positional rewards, as per the method you mentioned that day, Inspector Cheng."

Jiang Chuan took the answer sheet, carefully folded it, sealed it in a manila envelope, and then cautiously placed it into his backpack. "But the specific implementation rules still need to be understood after you obtain the contracting qualification."

As he spoke, his eyes carried an indescribable sense of wonder.

Though people shouldn’t be compared, Cheng Ye, so young, not only outstanding in martial arts talent but also so knowledgeable.

This already basically indicates that as long as no accidents happen, the current Intern Inspector is sure to become a mainstay of the inspection station in the future.

"Alright, it’s really troublesome for you to accompany me out this time." Cheng Ye patted the battle armor on his body. The metal plates made a slight clattering sound. "Just send the catch to the Celestial Essence Community for me later. I’m going to take a shower and catch up on sleep. My whole body feels like it’s falling apart."

The battle armor had been worn for a whole day. In the Wilderness, the tension made him unaware of fatigue. But now back in a safe environment, he gradually felt the aching muscles under the armor, even his shoulders were a bit stiff.

He must adjust his state to the best before the contracting officially begins.

What’s more, this Wilderness journey brought Cheng Ye many new ideas, including some gear for exploration, survival items, and most importantly... a vehicle.

The round trip to Dapo Town is 120 kilometers. He can’t rely solely on walking or hitchhiking. He must secure a dedicated vehicle before contracting, otherwise, subsequent exploration and construction will be affected.

"No problem, I’ll arrange for a guard to deliver it to you."

Jiang Chuan nodded and watched Cheng Ye turn to the bus stop.

It was apparent that Cheng Ye’s steps were light, clearly having genuinely relaxed.

Only when the shadow of the bus completely disappeared at the end of the sight, Jiang Chuan withdrew his gaze, heavy with thoughts, and walked towards another pickup parked inside the inspection station.

Cheng Ye was on leave, but he, this clerk, had to continue being busy.

Sitting in the car, Jiang Chuan shook his head with a wry smile, a thought flashing through his mind: the last proper rest seemed to have been seven or eight years ago?

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to find a partner as Cheng Ye suggested, but there really was no opportunity, no time.

As Ding Yishan’s clerk, as long as Station Chief Ding didn’t take a day off, he couldn’t take one either. How could he be idle?

The pickup drove all the way into the Central Inspection Station. Jiang Chuan parked, pulled the sealed manila envelope from his backpack, and walked straight to the station chief’s building.

"Is the station chief inside? Are there any guests?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"No guests, the station chief has been in the office." The guard shook his head and stepped aside.

"Thanks for the hard work!"

Jiang Chuan nodded and walked up the stairs to the third floor.

At the office door, he raised his hand to knock. Before he could knock a second time, the door was pulled open from inside, revealing a familiar, youthful, and pretty face.

The woman was about 1.7 meters tall, her long legs particularly eye-catching. Even wearing loose jeans couldn’t hide their straightness and length.

But she wore a black vest on top, clearly inappropriate for the weather, showing off her streamlined arms, a sardonic smile hanging from the corners of her mouth, her eyes full of mischief.

"Yo, back already?"

She looked Jiang Chuan up and down, her tone teasing. "Spending the first night outside with the Intern Inspector from the station, Jiang Chuan, you’re something. Already ’mentoring newcomers’ now?"

Facing this teasing, Jiang Chuan remained expressionless, as if he hadn’t heard it, stepping forward to walk through the opened door gap.

But just as he set out, the woman suddenly kicked at his calf, the move swift and aggressive, with a hint of malice.

Thump.

Jiang Chuan reacted quickly. As his face subtly changed, his body instinctively shifted half an inch to the side.

But it was a bit late. Their shinbones collided solidly, producing a deep, buzzing sound.

Almost at the moment of collision, a barely noticeable blue arc flashed across Jiang Chuan’s body, while a faint red arc lit up on the woman’s body, like a thin veil outside her skin, vanishing in an instant.

"Mu Shuang, this is the Central Inspection Station, not your Hundred Ghosts Gang territory. I’m not interested in kidding around with you here." Jiang Chuan frowned, his voice becoming serious.

"Hey, how come you’ve grown older yet still lack manners?"

Mu Shuang chuckled softly, retracting her leg, not feeling she was overstepping. "Now I’m the one assisting Station Chief Ding. By the rules, to enter the station chief’s office, let me search you first to ensure no weapons or threatening items are carried in."