Chapter 1251: Hostage

His expression froze.

"The mid-level Awakened One in a white uniform hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke uncertainly:"

"I'm not really sure of the exact reason either."

"But they're all our fellow countrymen; now it's getting harder and harder to survive outside—we can't just stand by and watch them die, can we..."

"And don't look down on the survivors outside!"

"Don't think most of them are just ordinary people or low-level; the fact that they've survived out there till now means they each have some skills—if nothing else, their survival experience far surpasses yours!"

After he finished speaking, the white-uniformed Awakened One glanced at the subordinates present; he noticed that, as soon as his words were out, everyone's eyes flashed with disbelief.

Looking at these people, who were either family of Awakened Ones or the leftovers from the selection, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

These kids have been holed up in Long An, thinking the outside is easy to get by in?!

Never mind anything else—those survivors who can make it through a war zone, or even several, are no pushovers; even the weakest among them are fearless, their vitality as tenacious as cockroaches, willing to do anything to stay alive.

With a little training and nourishment, they'd make the finest troops.

Don't be fooled by the low proportion of Awakened Ones outside and their generally weak strength; I know full well that Long An's high Awakened One ratio is purely because they enjoy the best treatment.

If we threw this lot out there, they might not even measure up to those outsiders.

Otherwise, why would Lord Lin An be thinking about drilling troops, and why would Minister Jing Tian be leading his unit out every day?

Everyone can feel it: the people of Long An are being overprotected.

"Boss, we got it."

"But I heard yesterday that the Intelligence Division detected a large group of survivors heading our way; rumor has it they might have some trouble, like they've been infected with a meme or something..."

"I heard from my brother that after a mass starvation of survivors, all sorts of special events tend to pop up."

"Should we also consider that possibility?"

"With so many dead around, could there be trouble?"

Hearing his subordinate boast about the insider info he knew, the white-uniformed Awakened One blinked slightly, then nodded.

Well, he didn't know that either.

But I've indeed heard a few comrades say that the ones who first pushed to take in survivors were the very top brass.

Maybe those big shots know more reasons than we do.

"First..."

"Beep, detected a peak Second Level Awakened One approaching, count: 2"

"Beep, detected an elementary Second Level Awakened One approaching, count:...."

Before the mid-level called "boss" could say anything else, the alert tone for a C‑level warning suddenly sounded.

At the city gate, an Awakened One in a suit was leading a convoy, greeting the city guards with practiced ease.

"Peak Second Level?"

In the monitoring room, the white‑uniformed mid‑level stood behind the crowd, a flicker of wariness and oddness crossing his eyes.

Though such strength counts for nothing in Long An, after Lord Lin An left, a peak Second Level has become worth noting.

An Awakened One of this level didn't even join the combat tournament?

Or is he waiting to enter the trial?

"Stop them! Check them thoroughly!"

"Letting someone of this level in—if they cause trouble, it'll be a headache!"

As a military man, the middle‑aged officer gave a decisive order, signaling to raise alertness and quickly pulling up the other party's data.

He had no impression of this person, yet for some reason the stranger seemed familiar with his subordinates.

Two peak Second Level Awakened Ones gathering together? Instantly he felt a faint unease.

However, the young officer in charge of inspection saw the arrivals and his eyes lit up at once, as if realizing his boss was being wary; he turned his head with a carefree grin and said casually:

"Boss, it's fine!"

"I know this guy! He used to be the head of a small faction, always wanted to join our Long An."

"He just wanted an inner‑city slot, but Minister Jing Tian and the others never came back, so no one approved it, and it's been dragging on."

"This guy's good at pulling strings! A few days ago he even helped our supply team kill a mutant!"

Having dispelled his boss's doubts, the young officer finished explaining and immediately signaled to open the gate.

The young officer was also well known to him; after they'd met by chance last time, the other knew he was in charge of inspection and hadn't stopped sending gifts. In his eyes, this peak Second Level's flattery was truly welcome.

Hearing his subordinate's explanation, the middle‑aged officer in charge of the whole department hesitated a moment, but ultimately didn't stop him.

The young officer's brother serves in the Long An military and this time accompanied Lord Lin An to the combat tournament; for this somewhat frivolous subordinate, he didn't want to ruin his face.

Moreover... wanting to join Long An? That should be fine.

This is Long An—believe me, no one would dare cause trouble here.

"Just let them in?"

He gave a cold snort.

Zhao Mei observed the patrol teams along the way without changing expression, a hint of contempt flickering in the depths of her eyes, as if looking down on Long An's defenses.

Noticing Zhao Mei's contempt, the old rascal who brought her in sighed helplessly.

"It's not that simple."

"We can get in this easily only because I'd already pulled the strings beforehand."

"To be honest, I really did want to join Long An—I even handed over my ability data. Otherwise you'd think they'd be that careless?"

"And..."

The suited young man silently pointed at the distant supply depot, a flash of wariness in his eyes.

"There's a permanent Second Level squad stationed there, led by three peak Second Level Awakened Ones; any situation and we'll be surrounded within three minutes at most."

"This is still the outer city! If it were the inner city, drones would follow you 24/7! If you dare to act, just wait to be turned into a hornet's nest!"

"I also only agreed to cooperate with you after learning that the high-level members of Faction: Long An have been out these past few days!"

"If we get there and find people still there, don't blame me for giving up!"

"Stay alert and cautious."

"Unlike Zhao Mei's carefree attitude, the old duck, after speaking in a low voice, walked behind her, as if thinking about how to escape later."

"Alright, look at how scared you are."

"What about the Second Level squad!? We two are Second Level peaks, can't we still kill them?"

"After setting fire, looting goods and fleeing, do they still dare to chase us?"

"They licked the corner of their mouth."

"Zhao Mei greedily inhaled a mouthful of spiritual energy from the air, the heat in her heart almost making her feel restless."

"So rich!"

"This is Faction: Long An!?"

"As if thinking of something, she couldn't help but look again at the distant spirit-energy tower."

"Want to pull off a big job?"

"What's stealing food compared to that! I feel there's Equipment there!"

"We've looted everything! After finishing, we enter the trial; coming out will be Third Level! By then, even if Lin An comes, we won't be afraid!"

"They're all Third Level! Even if we can't beat him, running away should be no problem, right?"

"Hearing Zhao Mei's growing greed, the old duck hesitated for a moment, and a flash of desire also crossed their eyes."

"He knows which place Zhao Mei is talking about."

"Before, in order to join Faction: Long An, he had seriously studied the internal situation of Faction: Long An."

"Near that spirit-energy tower is the place where Equipment is stored; it's said that.. there are hundreds of Equipment there! All used to reward members of Faction: Long An!"

"Want to pull off a big job?"

"Although Zhao Mei seems a bit stupid in his view, her strength is nevertheless genuine."

"Third Level..."

"In an instant, the usually extremely cautious man in a suit also couldn't help but his breathing became rapid."

"He doesn't dare to go to the competition, but he wants to become Third Level."

"Third Level, what an addictive power..."

"I'll take six, you take four!"

"If the guards really can't hold, you go in front, and I'll accompany you on the job."

"With that thought, the old duck's heart hardened, and a fierce look flashed in their eyes. If we rob both ends, the route will have to change."

"As for how to escape.. his eyes darted, and he couldn't help but look at the children playing inside the outer city. He indeed knew, having heard that even schools have been built inside Faction: Long An."

"If they get blocked.. he actually knows how to take hostages!"

"Beside the outer city boulevard, there are swings."

"A girl in a white dress looked dubiously at the distant man in a suit who was smiling at her."

"By her side, a little girl in a red skirt gazed expressionlessly at the sky."