The System Arrived Four Years Early, but the Anomaly Is Still a Juvenile - Chapter 128

The moment he deployed the Invisible Anomalous Domain, Shen Ge raised his other hand, attempting for the first time to use the power of two anomalous domains simultaneously—

No Exit Anomalous Domain!

He tried to use No Exit’s severing ability to “bisect” the parent organism the instant it fell. However, the two domains collided, and Invisible proved superior, bursting through the anomalous space formed by No Exit and rapidly burying half of the parent’s body underground.

“Was it because Invisible was strengthened once?” Shen Ge had no time to ponder. This one-second test had consumed a significant amount of his mental energy. He quickly sucked on an energy canister and retreated.

The next second, the parent organism burrowed out of the ground, shedding more worms that instantly covered the area, crawling toward Shen Ge.

Just as Shen Ge prepared to evade, the worms exploded like firecrackers with a series of pop-pop-pops. Green liquid splashed onto Shen Ge’s feet, immediately bubbling and corroding like acid.

The energy of his armor plummeted, indicating the terrifying corrosive power of this green foam, rivaling even the stomach acid of the Anomalous Stomach.

Shen Ge quickly aimed the freezing device at his feet, spraying them. Once frozen, he peeled off the affected material. Meanwhile, another wave of anomalous worms surged toward him.

Sucking on the energy canister, Shen Ge again employed “No Exit Anomalous Domain” to block the exploding worms. Then, leveraging his anomalous skin boots, he leaped behind the parent organism and continued roasting the worms with black fire from his anomalous armguard.

Every time the parent was ignited, it shed worms. Combined with the worms released for attack, the parent was shrinking with each engagement.

Originally over five meters tall, it was now less than two meters.

Suddenly, the parent’s “head” split open like a flower blossom, separating into four tentacles, while the inner “head” resembled the maw of a man-eating flower.

Within the maw was a pale, terrifying ghostly face. Just as Shen Ge felt this face looked familiar, it shot out from the man-eating flower’s mouth, lunging at him.

Shen Ge raised his hands, now sheathed in the anomalous gloves, and grabbed the elongated neck of the ghostly face. He exerted force, attempting to wrench it out from the parent’s body.

Unexpectedly, the parent’s strength was greater. It instead pulled Shen Ge toward it.

Perhaps the parent merely wanted to break free, but Shen Ge wore the anomalous gloves “Unyielding.” As long as Shen Ge didn’t let go, the ghostly face couldn’t escape.

During this tug-of-war, the anomalous worms on the ground crawled over, exploding in a series of pops. But the corrosive liquid was blocked by the No Exit Domain.

Then, Shen Ge remembered where he’d seen this face before—wasn’t this the face that extended from the anomalous taxi driver’s mouth?
The “neck” gripped by Shen Ge suddenly shot out sharp, needle-like spikes. They looked extremely piercing, but the armor neutralized the attack.

Seeing this, Shen Ge drew his butcher’s cleaver, shaving off the spikes like deboning, then chopped down on the “neck.” The blade sank an inch deep!
Having experience dealing with a similar anomaly before, Shen Ge knew its weakness was being “vulnerable to fire internally.” He simply gave up resistance, allowing himself to be “pulled” toward the parent.

Then, while holding onto the ghostly face with one hand, he shoved a messy assortment of items—Molotovs, grenades, shrapnel—into the man-eating flower’s mouth.

The parent’s several tentacles opportunistically wrapped around various parts of Shen Ge’s body, seemingly trying to tear him apart. Simultaneously, the ghostly face opened its bloody maw to bite his head.

Shen Ge thrust his right arm into the ghostly face’s mouth, materializing the anomalous shield inside it, filling the entire mouth. His left hand wielded the butcher’s cleaver, hacking at the tentacles. But because he released the ghostly face, the parent immediately tried to retract its head, unknowingly playing right into Shen Ge’s hands.

The instant the ghostly face retracted into the man-eating flower, Shen Ge activated the flamethrower on his anomalous armguard, channeling black fire into its mouth.

Whoosh!
The Molotov ignited, flames instantly shooting out from the man-eating flower’s mouth. The parent tried to close it, but the grenade exploded first, the blast force blowing the closing tentacles apart again.

The parent, having been drained of much of its energy by Shen Ge and now suffering internal devastation, was at its end. Shen Ge continued using the No Exit Domain to block worm explosions, supplementing with black fire from his armguard and his cleaver in a mobile battle. In less than five minutes, he completely killed the parent organism.

[Host’s awe-inspiring might and peerless valor, single-handedly slaying a Tier 3 anomaly. Reward: System Points x300, Random F-grade Supplies x1.]

[Sell Tier 3 anomaly corpse? Price: 1500 System Points.]

Shen Ge had already accumulated several F-grade supplies he hadn’t retrieved. But with over a dozen energy canisters left, 2 mental apples, and plenty of other medicine, he wasn’t in a hurry.

He allocated the previously drawn 29% free attribute points to Mental Energy, ate a mental apple, and instantly restored his mental energy to full.

Then, he dealt with the Tier 1 anomalies previously buried using “Collapse,” tossed a few Molotovs to ignite the piled-up corpses nearby, and walked out of the park.

Killing the parent and clearing the surrounding Tier 1 anomalies netted him nearly 3000 system points. At this rate, his Mental Energy would soon break through 600% and advance.

Since treating the system shop as a “supply store,” his main goal was killing anomalies for points to draw free attribute points. Trait Equipment was just a welcome surprise.

As the saying goes, no hope, no disappointment. This made drawing much more comfortable. Drawing system points was profit, drawing other weapons/equipment/supplies was break-even, drawing Trait Equipment meant the system was crying from loss.

According to the system’s explanation, raising his rating unlocked more functions and permissions. While Tier 1 and 2 didn’t see huge functional changes besides the system shop, even just for that 1 Trait Strengthening Point, striving to improve his rating was worth it.

“Investigator Shen!” Fang Mingyue came running from afar, several guns still slung on her.

“All the external parasitized hosts are dealt with?” Shen Ge asked.

Fang Mingyue nodded: “All dealt with… Investigator Shen, the parent organism?”

“Also dealt with.”

“As expected of Investigator Shen, to solve a Tier 3 anomaly so easily! Truly, there’s nothing you can’t do!” Fang Mingyue said excitedly.

“Uh, it wasn’t actually that easy,” Shen Ge said.

“Mm, I understand.” Fang Mingyue glanced at Shen Ge, completely unharmed, not even a hair out of place, and immediately understood Investigator Shen was being modest.

Shen Ge: ?
You understand again?
“Investigator Shen, what do we do next?” Fang Mingyue asked.

Shen Ge said: “With the parent dead, the anomalous space is dissolved. Naturally, we continue toward Headquarters. But there are likely still parasitized hosts hiding in the surrounding buildings. I need you to return to the blockade line, report the situation, and have the military sent in for a carpet search to wipe out all parasitized hosts.”

“Okay, I’ll head to the blockade line immediately, then catch up with you at Headquarters, Investigator Shen,” Fang Mingyue said.

From previous observations, even if the causing parasitic anomaly disappeared, the parasitized hosts wouldn’t recover. Essentially, from the moment of parasitism, the parasite became an independent anomaly.

Shen Ge could roughly guess the reason for this large-scale parasitism. The Twelve Branches released this parent organism into the park, where it parasitized many animals.

These animals, infected with parasites, either corrupted or were catalyzed into mutation by the Twelve Branches, spreading through the locked-down zone.

Once contaminated with these parasites, one would gradually turn into the monsters seen before.

“It’s still unclear if ingestion is necessary for infection or just contact is enough. The entering military must take protective measures. If this spreads within the ranks, it’ll be a disaster. Also, capture some specimens for researchers to quickly find the cause of infection. This kind of large-scale parasitic event… as long as the Twelve Branches exist, it won’t stop,” Shen Ge instructed.

“Yes! I guarantee completion of the mission!” Fang Mingyue stood straight and saluted Shen Ge, as if receiving a world-saving task from a superior.

“It’s in your hands.”

“Yes!”

Watching the highly motivated Fang Mingyue, Shen Ge added a few more words, emphasizing the severity of the parasitic event and his suspicions about the Twelve Branches and the parasitic anomalies. Then they parted ways. Shen Ge drove the tank toward Headquarters, while Fang Mingyue returned to the blockade line.

Fang Mingyue memorized every word Shen Ge said. Upon returning to the blockade line, she first contacted the temporary command post and reported the situation regarding the hundreds of thousands of parasitized hosts.

Headquarters, upon hearing the terrifying casualty number, immediately took it seriously, coordinating with Fang Mingyue to dispatch protective gear and other equipment.

Now that the overlapping anomalous space was broken, helicopters, drones, and other aircraft could enter the blocked area normally, no need to worry about losing contact mid-flight or crashing into invisible barriers.

Thus, Headquarters first sent aerial units for reconnaissance, then appointed Fang Mingyue as commander, also dispatching several anomaly investigators for support. They led soldiers in protective gear into the blocked area first. Subsequently, they arranged for combat vehicles, tanks, etc., to clear a path and proceed to the blocked area to support Fang Mingyue and others.

However, the road conditions within the blocked area were too complex. Even without the overlapping anomalous space, clearing a path for combat vehicles and tanks wasn’t easy. So, the main force of this cleansing operation was still infantry and drones.

After Fang Mingyue’s advance team entered the blocked area, they discovered the parasitic situation was far more severe than imagined.

Animals from the park, infected with parasites, spread the parasites further while searching for lifeforms in the Haicheng District, leading to rapid proliferation.

Human parasitism occurred not only from consuming infected animals but also had a high chance from mere contact, e.g., parasites entering through wounds, nose, ears, etc. Even without wounds, parasites could bite their way in.

Once inside a victim’s body, unless Shen Ge was present to use his “Invisible Anomalous Domain” ability to swiftly extract the parasite, it would burrow into the abdomen and hide among the internal organs within seconds.

As the parasite began consuming the victim’s organs, it would split, reproduce, and rapidly fuse with the victim, turning them into an anomaly.

If not for Shen Ge’s emphasis on protective measures, the military entering directly would likely have been parasitized and wiped out. Even if not as terrifying as virus spread in a biohazard scenario, coupled with low-tier anomalies spreading parasites, wiping out a regiment would be simple.

While Fang Mingyue’s team cleansed the parasitized hosts, the second wave of support anomaly investigators and troops from various branches arrived at the East District temporary command post.

Though the East District was only three streets away from Haicheng District, after Haicheng District was fully locked down under the pretext of a “military exercise,” pedestrians living normal lives could still be seen on the streets.

Even though rumors related to anomalies were circulating online, not everyone had the means or ability to receive information promptly.

Thus, there were even normally operating shops and pedestrians on the road.

However, regional evacuation operations were quietly underway. The higher-ups intended to evacuate people to safe zones “temporarily,” as much as possible without alarming the citizens or disrupting normal life.

This “non-alarming” approach wasn’t difficult, as people in the Great Heavenly Dynasty would never dream of armed conflict occurring in Dajing City.

…

…

27 hours until the international anomaly organization’s entry.

Screech.

With a jarring screech of brakes, a line of black cars pulled over. A long-haired beauty in a brown trench coat and sunglasses got out of the first car, immediately drawing the attention of many passersby.

“Pedestrians still present a kilometer outside the blocked area? Typical Headquarters style. Information control and preventing panic always trump citizen safety. Even at a time like this, they still want to suppress anomaly incidents. What a bunch of stubborn old fools,” the sunglasses woman coldly.

“Headquarters after all, public opinion always outweighs everything. If it weren’t for that… Minister, you wouldn’t have left Headquarters back then, right?” said another fully armed soldier getting out of the car. It was Wang Han from Rong City Branch, known as the “King of Tactless Remarks.”

“Minister Deng, the temporary command post is this way.” A Headquarters staff member ran over, pointing to a nearby four-story building.

If the staff hadn’t identified it as the temporary command post, its upscale exterior decoration might have been mistaken for a high-end café.

Anomaly investigators and elite soldiers from various branches arriving for support got out of their vehicles. Their expressions turned subtly complex upon seeing the luxurious “temporary command post.”

Guided by staff, the group entered the temporary command post.

The first floor was filled with fully armed soldiers on alert. Internal Affairs staff were coordinating everywhere, collecting intel and feedback from within the blocked area.

The second floor was the command center, divided into ten sectors. Each command team was responsible for a sector, implementing point control.

However, due to the previous overlapping anomalous space affecting the blocked area, six or seven of the ten sectors were inactive, leaving most people with little to do.

Deng Yuqi stood before a half-open sliding door, her face darkening upon seeing this scene. BANG! She kicked the door open: “Should I get each of you a cup of coffee and a cigar? If you have nothing to do, grab a warning sign and go stand guard at the blockade! Don’t just sit here occupying space without contributing a fart)!”

Hearing Deng Yuqi’s scolding, some quickly and silently pushed their coffee cups to a corner, awkwardly operating instruments and computers, trying to receive information from the blocked area.

“Who’s making a racket in the command center? No…” A grey-haired man stood up, swearing toward the door.

But he only got half the curse out before the second half choked in his throat.

“Old fool, if you’re useless, sit down.” Deng Yuqi had always disliked certain old-timers who were all talk and no action. Her dictionary at Headquarters never included “respecting elders.”

An elderly voice sounded in the room: “Isn’t this Little Seven? My, it’s been years. You’ve changed so much.”

Deng Yuqi looked toward the voice. A white-haired man, at least in his seventies or eighties, sat there waving at her. Though advanced in age, he seemed very spirited. Even sitting in a backed chair, he maintained an upright posture.

“Minister Fang?” Deng Yuqi’s expression stiffened, becoming respectful. She walked toward the old man while casting icy glances around the room.

“What a bunch of trash. Incapable of solving this anomaly incident, so they trouble Minister Fang. When the Anomaly General Staff was formed, wasn’t it said Minister Fang was too advanced in age and needed rest? I’m embarrassed for you!” Deng Yuqi spared Headquarters no face, directly tearing off their fig leaf and ranting.

Minister Fang was Headquarters’ first Minister. As Minister, he not only commanded operations but also always fought on the front lines against anomalies.

Deng Yuqi’s operational style was greatly influenced by Minister Fang.

Later, when Headquarters expanded and formed the General Staff, Minister Fang was nearly seventy. Headquarters used his advanced age and the need for him to enjoy his retirement to persuade him to step down.

Unexpectedly, during this Dajing anomaly disaster, they had brought Minister Fang back.

Minister Fang waved his hand with a laugh: “Now, now, Little Seven, you can’t say that. It’s my honor that this old man can still be of use to the country.”

“Minister Fang, veterans of your generation should be enjoying your retirement peacefully. Having to call you back for every anomaly disaster only shows us younger generations are failing, disappointing you!” Deng Yuqi semi-crouched beside Minister Fang’s chair, sighing.

Minister Fang patted Deng Yuqi’s hand, saying earnestly: “Little Seven, you’re excellent in every way, except this habit of taking everything upon yourself is not good. Try sharing the burden. Don’t crush yourself. You’re still young. Leave charging into battle to us old folks. As long as we haven’t fallen, it’s not your turn yet, understand?”

“Minister Fang.” When Deng Yuqi joined the Special Response Department, it was under Minister Fang’s leadership. Back then, not to mention anomaly disasters, even people affected by anomaly incidents were few.

Of course, the frequency of anomaly events was one aspect, but another was Minister Fang’s decisive and swift actions.

Frankly, Deng Yuqi couldn’t bring herself to let these retired old heroes pick up weapons again and stand in front of them younger generation.

Then, the person in charge from Headquarters and the General Staff came out. Along with the arriving support personnel, they entered the conference room to brief everyone on the current situation in the blocked area.

“After Investigator Fang brought back intel on the parasitized hosts, we’ve formed three teams: aerial units leading the way, infantry cleansing, mobile units providing rear support. Combat vehicles and tanks have also entered the blocked area. Currently, the anomaly situation in Sectors 1 to 3 is under control.”

“Sectors 4 to 10 still have overlapping anomalous spaces present. Signals are jammed; we temporarily cannot receive information from inside. However, we’ve dispatched communications units into Sector 3 to set up the latest anti-anomaly signal stations. Tested and improved after the last Yuzhou incident, they can ensure signal reception within ordinary anomalous spaces. Once the signal stations are successfully set up, we can deploy anomaly investigators to advance into Sector 4.”

“Any intel on the Twelve Branches?” asked an anomaly investigator from Qianzhou Branch who had come for support. Their branch had clashed with the Twelve Branches before and also suspected this anomaly disaster was related to them.

“Yes! We received a report of an explosion at a factory in the Jingshi Mountain area on West Fifth Ring Road. Investigators sent found a destroyed site resembling a teleportation device, along with three blown-up corpses. The identities of the deceased are still under investigation.”

“Ten hours ago, after the first combat vehicle units entered the blocked area, we urgently dispatched vehicles and tanks from surrounding bases into the city. But the ‘‘ military vehicle storage factory reported that during inventory, they discovered a missing ‘ type’ riot control vehicle and a Type 99A main battle tank… Reviewing surveillance showed no exit footage. Preliminary suspicion points to the Twelve Branches.”

“Five hours ago, Investigator Fang’s cleansing team was attacked by a mercenary squad. The leader wore a black hoodie with a hood, matching the characteristics of Twelve Branches members. Investigator Fang’s team ultimately repelled this squad.”

“Two hours ago, soldiers in Sector 3 heard a huge noise from Sector 4. Visual inspection suggests the West Circle Hospital complex building collapsed. It’s unclear if it was related to an explosion.”
…

After the overlapping anomalous spaces in the first three sectors were resolved, communications restored. Headquarters dispatched numerous drones into the blocked area, gathering a great deal of intelligence.

Just as this intelligence officer was briefing everyone on the collected intel related to the Twelve Branches, a soldier entered the conference room.

“Report! Latest news, the anomalous space in Sector 4 has been broken!”

The Headquarters official was overjoyed: “Excellent! We’ve successfully reclaimed another sector! Do we know who did it?”

“Defense team captain Zhang Wei from Sector 2 blockade line said the intel came from an investigator surnamed Shen, apparently from Rong City Branch,” the soldier said.

This statement made everyone’s eyes instantly swivel toward Deng Yuqi.

“Ahem, Minister Deng, your member has performed a great service this time,” the official said awkwardly, offering congratulations while inwardly cursing that it had to be the She-devil’s subordinate.

Sure enough, the next second, Deng Yuqi sneered with disdain: “Save the flattery. Think more about how to solve this anomaly disaster. Every time something happens, Headquarters is like a decoration, only asking other branches for help. Who’s supposed to be the headquarters here anyway?”

Deng Yuqi’s blunt, face-slapping words immediately changed the expressions of many officials. One said angrily: “Minister Deng, during the previous Yuzhou incident, Headquarters provided support to Rong City Branch, elevating it to one of the top three branches nationally. Aren’t you biting the hand that feeds you?”

“Oh? What support did you provide?” Deng Yuqi raised an eyebrow.

That person said angrily: “Three pieces of anomalous energy equipment—Anomalous Stomach, Anomalous Leather Shoes, Anomalous Leather Armor. Isn’t that Headquarters’ support?”

Deng Yuqi said coldly: “First, the three pieces of anomalous energy equipment you provided were support for the entire team. Second, I give you three pieces of anomalous energy equipment; can you build a top-three branch? Our branch’s achievements today are due to my members’ competence. Don’t you dare try to take credit. And as for biting the hand that feeds, I’m nowhere near you old folks at Headquarters!”

BANG!
The old man at the head of the table slammed the table, roaring angrily: “Silence!”

” Do you know any other words besides those two? Old Man Deng, no one beats you at biting the hand that feeds. If you want to compare volume, find some like-minded people and howl in a room together. This is a conference room; check your personal emotions at the door. Besides, when you invited me here, didn’t you have some mental preparation?” Deng Yuqi seemed determined to infuriate people, making the old man glare furiously.

This old man was Headquarters’ third Minister, also a decisive tough character who preferred action over words. Generally, no one dared talk back to him.

Deng Yuqi was clearly an exception.

And she adopted an attitude of either fire me or get to the point, completely disregarding the old man.

“The soldiers are striving in the blocked area; us old folks can’t idle either,” Minister Fang interjected, breaking the silence.

Deng Yuqi echoed: “Minister Fang is right. Since an anomaly investigator has already broken through Sector 4, our target should be reclaiming the remaining six sectors. How many anomaly investigators and elite soldiers are on standby? What about other units?”

A Headquarters responsible person briefly outlined the currently mobilizable forces.

After some discussion, it was decided to form assault teams primarily composed of anomaly investigators and elite soldiers for breakthroughs from various sectors, with other forces providing support.

The Headquarters Minister said: “Lit… ahem, Minister Deng Yuqi, what’s the situation with your Investigator Shen? Having broken Sector 4, he’s presumably heading toward Sector 5. Sectors 5 and 6 are where Headquarters is located, also the most severely affected areas. Can you brief us on Investigator Shen’s situation? We need to arrange personnel to coor…”

“What does our Investigator Shen’s situation have to do with you? I’d thank you if you didn’t send people to hinder him, and you want to arrange coordination? You have such good intentions? What, taken a liking to our member? Want to poach him to Headquarters? Then abandon him when he’s no longer useful?” Deng Yuqi said without any courtesy.

“How dare you speak like that!” the Headquarters Minister roared.

Deng Yuqi slapped the table and stood up: “This old lady speaks exactly like this. If you’re dissatisfied, hold it in, or else remove me from my post.”

“…”

Deng Yuqi’s words left the conference room utterly silent. Both sides were formidable figures no one dared provoke. No one dared interrupt at this moment.

Finally, Minister Fang stepped in as peacemaker. He ultimately joined Deng Yuqi’s team, choosing to enter from the most dangerous Sector 7, striking straight at the heart of Sector 6—

Headquarters Research Institute.

After leaving the conference room, while Minister Fang went to prepare equipment, Wang Han and a few others stood with Feng Chengxiu. Wang Han couldn’t help but ask quietly: “At first, I thought the Minister was being influenced by Old Shen, speaking sarcastically and determined to infuriate people. But now it seems… not that simple? Captain Feng, you came with the Minister from Headquarters. Do you know some inside story?”

Feng Chengxiu scolded: ” Stop inquiring about things you shouldn’t.”

“Exactly, you talk too much,” Ma Chao chimed in.

Wang Han muttered: “As if you’re not curious?”

They were curious, but didn’t dare ask.

Ma Chao was about to rant when he saw Deng Yuqi, standing ahead, turn around and say: “I warn you, stay far away from these old folks at Headquarters. During operations, if you hear any commands issued by them bypassing me, you can ignore them directly. I’ll bear the consequences. These old guys have no other skills; selling out teammates is their specialty.”

“Ah?” Except for Feng Chengxiu, Wang Han and the others were stunned.

Deng Yuqi said seriously: “Ah what ah? Do as I say. Remember, during operations, if I’m not participating, ignore any commands those old folks issue midway. Execute the original mission. Understood?”

Everyone, surprised by Deng Yuqi’s seriousness, immediately stood straight under her aura, responding respectfully and earnestly: “Yes! Minister!”

Deng Yuqi nodded and went to the equipment room to find Minister Fang, leaving Wang Han and the others standing there bewildered. They exchanged glances, sensing something was off.

“Don’t look at me… This matter… Actually, well, telling you isn’t a big deal; it’s not exactly a secret at Headquarters anyway. During an operation years ago, an anomaly investigation team was trapped. Nearby investigators wanted to support, but higher-ups ordered them to prioritize the mission. The mission was completed, but the trapped team was wiped out,” Feng Chengxiu sighed.

Wang Han said weakly: “From a military standpoint, seems … prioritizing the mission, seems… not entirely unreasonable… right?”

Ma Chao rolled his eyes at Wang Han, really wanting to make complaints that his sense of self-preservation was quite high.

Feng Chengxiu retorted: “What if the sacrificed were your parents, and the person issuing the ‘continue the mission’ order was your grandfather? And… according to post-operation analysis, two of the three teams preparing to support could have participated in the rescue without affecting the final mission outcome.”

“…This.” Wang Han was immediately speechless.

In fact, Feng Chengxiu only mentioned one instance where Headquarters’ actions were barely justifiable. There were many other shady operations not fit for casual discussion.

In Headquarters’ eyes, they were more like expendable pawns, then grandiosely crowned with the hat of “sacrificing the small for the greater good.”

However, Special Response Department soldiers were also human. Facing danger, they might sacrifice themselves without hesitation, but if it were their loved ones…

In the equipment room, Minister Fang looked at the familiar anomalous energy equipment before him, stroking a black-bladed zhanmadao (horse-chopping saber),sighing emotionally: “Ah, old friend, I didn’t expect we’d fight side-by-side again.”

An equipment recorder nearby said: “Minister Fang, these two are the only anomalous energy equipment we could recall. The rest are either with investigators currently fighting in the blocked area, or… were left at the Headquarters Research Institute. The Minister said if you have any other requirements…”

“No need, this is fine.” Minister Fang picked up the zhanmadao and swung it. His somewhat stooped figure seemed to gain more spirit.

“Minister Fang, firearms side…”

The equipment recorder was about to arrange firearms for Minister Fang, but Minister Fang waved his hand: “No need. I’m not accustomed to using guns against anomalies; a blade is enough. This is fine, this is fine. Little Seven, let’s set off!”

“Yes, Minister Fang.” Deng Yuqi, standing at the door, responded. She didn’t step forward to carry the equipment for Minister Fang, as that would be an insult to the old hero.

Headquarters assigned Deng Yuqi a riot control vehicle. When they got in, they noticed the pedestrians on the street were fewer than before, many shops were closed, but there were many more soldiers patrolling.

Deng Yuqi scoffed at Headquarters’ methods of evacuating to seal information, prevent panic from anomaly incidents. It was only because the situation in the blocked area was now controlled. If it weren’t, and a few anomalies broke out, how many people on these streets would survive?

Deng Yuqi even suspected the initial disaster severity in the blocked area wasn’t this bad; it was this so-called gradual evacuation plan that escalated into an anomaly disaster!

In the vehicle, Minister Fang didn’t discuss the Dajing anomaly disaster with Deng Yuqi. Instead, he asked about her personal life, like… if she had a significant other.

Upon receiving Deng Yuqi’s “not yet” answer, Minister Fang said earnestly with a sigh: “Little Seven, that won’t do. You’re almost thirty; you need to find someone soon. Don’t put all your energy into work. People need to relax appropriately, understand?”

Deng Yuqi: … Weren’t you saying I was still young just now? Why does it sound like I’m already past my prime?

“…” Minister Fang’s words made everyone in the vehicle’s expressions turn strange.

Haicheng District was severely affected. Headquarters was overrun and retreated to this temporary command post. The entire Special Response Department was in chaos. Was this really the time for this topic?

Clearly, Minister Fang didn’t care about that. He just wanted these young ones to relax and not be nervous before entering the battlefield.

So he simply chatted about daily life, doing the “urging marriage” thing. After asking Deng Yuqi, he asked Feng Chengxiu, apparently knowing him too.

“Little Feng, you’re much older than Little Seven. You can’t delay anymore. After this, I’ll have the department help you find…”

Feng Chengxiu’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. Driving awkwardly, he nearly floored the accelerator. Just as he was about to explain, Wang Han cut in first: “Hey, Minister Fang, no need to worry about our Captain Feng. He’s very popular in our branch. There’s especially this one anomaly investigator who matches him in every way. That young lady really likes…”

“Wang Han! Seems the special training didn’t teach you a lesson, huh?” Feng Chengxiu barked.

Wang Han immediately backed down: “Sorry, Captain Feng. I’ll shut up.”

Minister Fang laughed heartily: “Is that so? Didn’t expect you to be doing well, Little Feng. I’ll visit your branch later and help you evaluate. Little Wang, since Little Feng is so popular in your branch, what about Little Seven? Little Seven has excellent conditions; why no significant other yet?”

“Minister Fang! We’re about to enter the blocked area. Is this really the time?” Deng Yuqi said helplessly.

Minister Fang laughed: “Finding a partner is a major life event; what’s inappropriate? Little Wang, speak boldly. With me here, Little Seven won’t dare do anything to you.”

“This… cough. Our Minister, well… cough… it’s mainly that her conditions are too good; no one is worthy of her, haha. Oh, there are worthy ones, but unfortunately, they have girlfrie…” Wang Han was rambling when Deng Yuqi kicked his knee. He promptly shut up.

Deng Yuqi said coldly: “Captain Feng, Wang Han’s jaw seem quite good. Have him hold a three-jin dumbbell in his mouth during training when we return.”

“Yes! Guarantee completion of the mission!” Feng Chengxiu responded.

Minister Fang, seeing Wang Han’s pleading look, laughed heartily: “Haha, ah, youth is wonderful. Speaking of which, our little girl always speaks highly of your Rong City Branch. Last time she returned, she mentioned several times wanting to go to your branch for training. Little Seven, can you arrange that? Let her go learn something?”

“Sure thing, leave it to me,” Deng Yuqi agreed readily.

Minister Fang said emotionally: “Returning to Headquarters this time and hearing you young people successfully holding up the Special Response Department comforts me. This world ultimately belongs to you young people and relies on you to protect it! Us old folks can’t do much for you anymore.”

“Minister Fang, don’t say that.”

“Yeah, Minister Fang, you’re still old but vigorous. Your majestic presence holding that zhanmadao earlier was your  undiminished from years past,” Wang Han said.

Minister Fang laughed loudly: “Haha! You kid sure know how to talk. As if you saw me back then.”

“…”

Minister Fang, with undermining like that, we can’t have a proper conversation.

“Speaking of which, I’ve heard about someone from your branch several times these past two days at the command center… that… that… Investigator Shen, right? The meeting just now said he single-handedly solved Sector 4’s problem. Is he a newcomer in your branch?” Minister Fang asked.

Mentioning Shen Ge, Wang Han immediately launched into boast mode, from Shen Ge first joining the branch to single-handedly resolving the Yuzhou incident (with embellishments), sounding like a storyteller.

“Uh, I remember our little girl said the Yuzhou incident was solved by an elite team Little Seven formed? How did it become Investigator Shen’s solo effort…” Minister Fang asked puzzled.

Oops, slipped up!
Wang Han immediately slapped his own mouth a few times upon hearing this.

Fortunately, Deng Yuqi didn’t react much, clearly not needing to hide things from Minister Fang like from Headquarters. Wang Han breathed a sigh of relief.

Minister Fang seemed very interested in Shen Ge and continued asking about him. Meanwhile, the “all-powerful” Investigator Shen everyone was talking about was currently at the “Yuanming District Caribbean Sauna”… getting a foot soak.

Shen Ge soaked his feet, held a bowl of instant noodles, and was video calling Cheng Shengnan on his phone.

“You… actually have the mood to get a foot soak?” Cheng Shengnan’s expression was somewhat subtly complex.

“Please, I’m washing away the grime trod upon in this world, scrubbing away the edges and misfortunes worn down by time. This is no ordinary foot soak.”

“Quite smooth with words. Must have frequented foot soak places often?” Cheng Shengnan said with a deadpan expression.

Shen Ge laughed, slurping some noodles: “Haha, just kidding. I just resolved Sector 4’s blockade; the signal restored, so I’m reporting I’m safe. As for the foot wash, I accidentally got hit by the corrosive acid from a parasitic anomaly earlier. After using medicine, I saw hot water here, so took the opportunity to soak.”

“Are your feet okay?” Cheng Shengnan asked with concern.

Shen Ge lifted his feet, giving a full-angle view with the phone: “Perfectly fine, don’t worry. I’m equipped with high-tech stuff, even recovery items. Not even a scar, won’t leave a mark.”

“I read the reports; the situation there doesn’t look good. Even the Minister went for support. You must be careful,” Cheng Shengnan urged.

“The Minister came too?”

“Mm, and Elite Team 1. The Minister said she was worried you were in action and didn’t contact you. If I heard from you, I should tell you. She’s also entering the blocked area. If you encounter any problems, you can contact her directly. Oh, right. She said to focus on your own mission. If higher-ups issue any commands during the mission, you can ignore them directly. She’ll bear all consequences.” Cheng Shengnan said.

Shen Ge nodded upon hearing this: “I understand.”

“Be careful. I’ll wait for you to return.” Cheng Shengnan said.

Shen Ge nodded, hung up, and put away the phone. After finishing the instant noodles, he geared up, left the “Caribbean Sauna,” and headed for Sector 5.

In the distance, the “Fifth Ring Overpass” at the Sector 5 border had largely collapsed. Destroyed cars and charred frames were everywhere.

Besides some charred corpses, there were many severed limbs and bloodstains on the ground around, as if a massacre had occurred here.