About fifteen or sixteen years old, still with a touch of innocence between his brows, but his eyes carried a deep sense of weariness.
"I already know about the Ying Family’s arrangements. No problem, we’ll endure the grievances for now. The more we’re oppressed, the more we swallow our pride, the more they’ll look down on us."
The boy, who bore a seven or eight-tenths resemblance to Qin Yixiong, spoke with an air of maturity beyond his years.
"Understood, Ancestor."
Qin Renying bowed his head, showing great respect.
The Inspection Department launched a massive operation, with bulletproof assault vehicles united in action, driving in a grand procession towards the outskirts of the main city.
The so-called "outskirts" referred to areas that were once polluted.
The huge explosion at the military factory in Dangyang East Suburb had a wide-reaching impact. Besides Old Factory Street, Tai’an’s outer ring also suffered considerable pollution. As the environment gradually deteriorated, the residents slowly moved away, making the place abandoned.
Dozens of assault vehicles lined up in formation, leading the way. The TV station dispatched a helicopter to follow and broadcast live.
This was itself an event aimed at enhancing the image and prestige of the Inspection Department. Chen Ruofu led the team personally, with the Operations Department fully armed, surrounding the main traffic routes outside the restricted area.
They then dispatched inspection squads of five people each, exploring the interior according to pre-arranged routes to eliminate targets.
Qin Shi, wearing an anti-stabbing suit and bulletproof vest, sat in the leading assault vehicle. He glanced at his other "companions" in the back of the car: a middle-aged man who looked like a gang boss, with a dragon tattoo from neck to shoulder; a young man who seemed reluctant to speak; a white-haired guy with an arrogant face; and a man with thin-framed glasses who seemed honest and unassuming.
Qin De, Zheng Que, Jiang Zaiyue, and the last one he didn’t know, only that he was called "Old Wang," specially arranged by the Inspection Department as a guide.
"Three wolves openly marked, noted down. As for Old Wang, hard to say for now, but we must stay alert."
Qin Shi quietly activated his predatory skills, marking Qin De, Zheng Que, and Jiang Zaiyue, the white-haired one.
Of all people, why pretend to be He Lanchan?
The demeanors were too different, not even close to the ruined version.
"Hey kid, you’re so young and already have a temporary certificate from the Inspection Department. Really impressive."
Qin De proactively tried to make friends, habitually wanting to light a cigarette if not for being in the assault vehicle.
"I’m with a security company. Every year I respond to the sword-polishing operation to help eliminate crime."
Qin Shi replied with a shy smile:
"I’m here to learn as assigned by my teacher."
Qin De pretended to be surprised:
"Which school are you from?"
"New Number One High School, Senior Year 3. I happened to meet the qualifications to assist, so the teacher called me over to gain experience and broaden my horizons."
Jiang Zaiyue glanced askance at Qin Shi, noticing the boy’s nervous appearance like a bookworm, and smirked.
These students who study hard to get into college are just delicate flowers grown in greenhouses.
Each one is labeled a genius, intimidating.
When it comes to a real fight, they’re too weak to withstand a blow!
The tires rubbed against the road, stopping in a weed-covered wasteland. The car’s iron door opened, and Qin Shi and the others stepped out one by one.
They gazed at the distant well-equipped yet deserted cold town, while Old Wang, looking like an office worker, was the first to spread out a paper map:
"Everyone, we follow the marked Route No. 3, roughly a ten-kilometer journey. Along the way, there are two mid-sized crime hideouts, the ’Blood Axe Gang’ and the ’Wild Wolf Gang’, which must be destroyed. There are also some optional targets..."
Before Old Wang finished speaking, Jiang Zaiyue rudely snatched the map, glanced at it, remembered the route, and said:
"I’m short on time, so if no one objects, I’ll go ahead. Meet at the end point."
Jiang Zaiyue shot a cold glance at Qin Shi before striding away, quickly disappearing from sight.
Appropriately embarrassed as the designated guide of the Inspection Department, Old Wang said:
"The sword-polishing operation has no strict regulations that auxiliary personnel must stick with the team."
Eighty points of Life Force, so what?
Qin De cursed in his heart, but outwardly tried to smooth things over:
"That brother is highly skilled and bold. We should stick together! I heard that the restricted area is occupied by many fierce criminals, each with dozens of lives on their hands. We’ll be safer together! What do you think, Old Zheng?"
Zheng Que simply agreed:
Qin Shi maintained his guise as a shy student. For now, he had no impressive combat achievements to his name.
Pretending to be weak to lower their guard worked well.
"I’ll follow Brother De’s lead."
He looked at Qin De with trust.
"Don’t worry, Brother Qin, as long as I’m here, you won’t have any accidents!"
Qin De said heartily, thumping his chest.
After a brief discussion, they decided to let Qin De lead, with Zheng Que bringing up the rear. The weakest, Old Wang and Qin Shi, would stay in the middle, pushing towards the inner restricted area.
Outside, assault vehicles and the fire points set up by the Inspection Department provided support and backup. They could withdraw at any time if things didn’t go well.
The operations department personnel in the car smoked, watching the group gradually swallowed by the abandoned town.
"Who do you think will perform best in this sword-polishing operation?"
A tall young man in a bulletproof vest, holding an energy gun, asked.
"Probably Old Yuan’s Team No. 1. He’s preparing to apply for a second-rank certificate. Successfully completing this will surely get his application approved."
The military uniformed driver replied.
"Old Yuan is indeed impressive. He’s a master with sixty-seven points, almost crossing the threshold. Plus, he personally recruited a shield hand, a breacher, and a medic, fully equipped."
The tall young man nodded, about to discuss his team’s performance when he suddenly saw a government car with a black-on-white license plate speeding towards them.