Chapter 60: Windfall Riches, Debts? Don’t Know Her!

“Though Bloodthirsty Rats are rampant in neighboring provinces, climate and terrain keep them rare in Shi Province. Even the few that slip through don’t survive the cold winters.”“Their individual combat strength is weak, unable to beat even an ant-wolf one-on-one.”

“The real threat is their ‘Bloodthirsty Plague’ pathogen, a unique supernatural curse!”

For known infection sources, the cleanup team should suffice, not requiring Qin Feng’s involvement.

But hearing of four Bloodthirsty Rat sources, Qin Feng was shocked enough to come check.

“Supernatural curse? Does that mean any attack causes infection?”

Cheng Ye, startled, pressed for details.

The inspector handbook only mentioned Bloodthirsty Rats without detailing infection channels.

If a sneak attack turned you into a rat monster, its danger rivaled the Stand-In Starfish.

“Not quite. Not all supernatural curses are that potent,” Qin Feng said, chuckling and shaking his head. “Bloodthirsty Rats spread the plague through bites, but healthy humans’ immunity can neutralize the curse entering the body.”

“Only one scenario leads to infection.”

He paused, tone serious. “If scavengers eat the flesh of mutant beasts killed in fights among infected ones, human immunity fails, allowing the curse to take hold!”

“I see,” Cheng Ye said, relieved.

Such strict infection conditions meant few would recklessly eat dead mutant beast flesh.

“I’ll take the infection sources. These common types don’t need extra verification. Contribution points settled on-site.”

“How many points each?”

“Not much, 5 points each. But since you caught them on duty, you get a 30% checkpoint subsidy. I’ll buy them at 7 points each.”

Hearing Bloodthirsty Rats were only worth 5 points, Cheng Ye felt a bit disappointed. Four combined didn’t match a Deathwhisper Tentacle’s reward.

He’d forgotten the rapid checkpoint’s subsidy, catching infected on duty earned an extra 30%.

30% of 5 points was 1.5, but Qin Feng rounded it to 2.

“Thanks,” Cheng Ye said, nodding. He was strapped for cash.

Qin Feng waved it off, glancing at the tattered cloth on Cheng Ye’s leg. “It’s all checkpoint funds, no need to thank me. You’re owed this. In my three years on duty, I’ve never seen a trainee inspector like you, rooting out infected every few days.”

“Get some gear with that money. If an outbreak hits, you’re on your own.”

He meant the Stand-In Starfish.

If inspectors knew, the research institute tackling its cure had surely notified all researchers.

“It’s only because the warehouse is overflowing that I had to screen,” Cheng Ye said.

“Tch, no need to explain to me. I’m just a cleanup crew member. On duty, I call you ‘sir,’” Qin Feng said.

His authority seemed high, taking Cheng Ye’s badge, he issued the payment without going through Happiness Bank.

A total of 28 contribution points hit his account, plumping his empty wallet.

“Sweet!”

It was a money-making day. Watching Qin Feng leave, Cheng Ye returned to the interrogation site, thrilled.

Flying Bird Caravan: 34 points. Bloodthirsty Rats: 28 points. Total: 62 points.

With the Corrupt Vine’s 60 points, he was close to the 150-point reimbursement cap.

“Since Lewis was infected, rest assured, he doesn’t count toward release quotas.”

“Continue.”

Nick, shaken, gradually recovered after the delay.

His new opponent was the one who exposed Lewis’s lie.

They accused each other but found no flaws. The 37 observers listened intently, eager to spot errors, but found none and gave up.

“Alright, you both pass. Pack up and head home,” Cheng Ye said, clapping first. Owl and Raven exchanged glances, joining in.

The surrounding guards smiled, clapping louder, making the two feel like returning heroes.

Pretty prestigious?

Stepping out of the cage, warm sunlight hit them.

Their lingering resentment faded, and they turned to Cheng Ye, bowing deeply.

“You’re a great inspector.”

“May God bless you!”

With that, they left under staff guidance, their backs radiating relief.

The 37 others watched with burning envy, wishing to take their place.

“Continue!”

Group one’s first was dead.

Group two’s last and group three’s third were released.

Next up,  group one’s second versus group two’s second-to-last, entering the cage to debate.

With a precedent, the caged observers focused harder, nitpicking fiercely.

But unless someone was contaminated, even contradictory statements didn’t trigger mutation.

After heated debate, group one’s second lost, unable to justify his story.

The victorious second-to-last strutted out like a triumphant general.

“Wonderful!” Cheng Ye clapped, others following.

Even those in the cages joined in.

The 200-plus still in the warehouse, expecting gunshots, were disappointed, cursing loudly.

But after cursing, many regretted it, fearing reports from others.

They secretly hoped their names would be on Cheng Ye’s next release list.

“This Inspector Cheng’s professional skills are top-notch. Truly a Happiness City inspector!” someone muttered, sparking silent agreement.

When Cheng Ye first entered the warehouse, he swiftly led a team to pinpoint three infected.

From detection to resolution, it was seamless, with zero collateral damage.

Compared to yesterday’s “half-baked” effort, the gap was stark.

Screenings continued wave after wave.

By noon, as release slots dwindled, another infected was caught by the crowd’s sharp eyes.

Pop, pop, pop.

A burst of gunfire shattered the calm, earning cheers from those used to applause.

Some clung to the bars, faces drunk with delight.

Compared to damned applause, gunfire made their confinement feel worthwhile.

But what shocked Cheng Ye was this, not only did the warehouse crowd cheer, but the person debating the infected in the cage also jumped and danced in ecstasy.

Even those in the other four cages were excited, showing relieved smiles!

Someone died, freeing a slot, didn’t that mean they had a chance to leave?

The cleanup team arrived quickly.

Not Qin Feng this time, but North Checkpoint’s crew.

True to their rugged style, they came with shovels and hooks, swaggering over.

Seeing Cheng Ye, the lead captain reined in his casual demeanor, showing respect.

“Inspector Cheng, we’re the cleanup squad for Areas A and B.”

“Erling Wallace,” he introduced, wiping his rough hand on his uniform before shaking Cheng Ye’s.

“Captain Wallace, this infection source is…?”

The infected was exposed for, a landlubber pretending to be a water monkey.

Unable to swim, he claimed to have swum from Linjiang, only to flail comically on the ground like a dog paddle.

After two strokes, he hissed, body convulsing like a snake pinched at its weak point.

“Hidden Ice Snake, a special water-dwelling infection source,” Wallace identified, voice tinged with regret. “It spreads through wounds, with a long latency, weak lethality, and low infectivity. If caught early, the buffer zone has plenty of treatments.”

“It’s treatable?”

“Of course! If every infection was fatal, humanity would’ve gone extinct long ago!”

As Wallace spoke, a cleanup member entered the cage, pulling a small ice-blue snake from the infected’s navel.

About an arm’s length, its scales glinted coldly in the sunlight, body slick like a water balloon.

“This one’s probably worthless, right?” Cheng Ye probed.

Treatable infections were likely the lowest tier.

“Sir, you’re wrong there,” Wallace said, grinning. “These are hot commodities. Infection sources grant abilities. To crack those, you start with non-lethal, curable ones.”

“This Hidden Ice Snake is worth at least this much.”

“How much?”

Seeing Wallace hold up a hand, Cheng Ye guessed, “5 points?”

“50 to start, and this one’s in great condition. Might fetch more!”

What?!

50?

Cheng Ye was stunned, his gaze on the ice-blue snake growing heated.

Were contribution points at the rapid checkpoint this easy to earn?

No wonder no one wanted the safer central checkpoint. The risk gap paled against the reward gap.

Central checkpoint? Debts? Never heard of them!

He’d only been at the rapid checkpoint a few days.

Counting the first day as two, just three workdays total.

“62 points, plus this 50, and 60 from the Corrupt Vine…”

“172 points, and done already?”