Chapter 3100: Glass People
Ding Xiang's tense expression relaxed slightly. "Hearing you say that is actually quite comforting."
Xu Huo looked at her. "When you one day reach a high position in the district government, you won't be alone anymore."
Ding Xiang had indeed entertained the thought of resigning earlier, and in a moment of impulse, had even told Yi Lan about it. Now that she had calmed down, she found her own behavior somewhat ridiculous, but she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she said, "Mental Super Evolvers are really something, being able to see right through people's thoughts. How do you do it? The people in the district government are far inferior to you."
"Keep learning," Xu Huo replied simply.
Ding Xiang smiled. "Smart people always comfort those who aren't so smart like this."
If learning more could solve everything, there wouldn't be so many difficult problems in the world.
"My family has worked in the government for five generations. The first was a clerk, but quit halfway through. Then came an Archon's secretary, which also fell through within two years. After that were maintenance workers, field agents, and the Enforcement Team. By the time it got to my sister and cousin in the Inspection Department, I was also in the Inspection Department."
"The highest achiever among us made it to Archon's secretary. Probably because none of us were good at dealing with people, generation after generation failed to accumulate any connections, let alone the kind that could send people into the district government one after another."
"I was able to join the Inspection Department not because I was exceptionally capable, but because they were expanding recruitment, and the person who hired me appreciated simple-minded people."
"I know I don't think things through thoroughly enough, and I can't adapt quickly. I'm self-aware. But I'm still very happy. Since my ancestors couldn't do well in other departments, joining the Inspection Department, which abhors evil as a deadly enemy, should be fine. The corruption of government insiders has a much greater impact than a single player committing a crime. This way, I can achieve my aspirations without having to beat around the bush with others. It's a win-win."
"I knew about the Challenge Island mission before I came. The Inspection Department sent many people. I've also wondered—since the department was basically certain that Challenge Island was using players for entertainment by killing them, why didn't they just forcefully attack the island and then gather evidence?"
"It wouldn't be procedurally legal, but you could bypass the procedures with a little maneuvering..."
She paused there, as if ashamed that she had considered using such dishonorable methods, straying from her original principles. But she quickly adjusted herself. "I never expected the result to be like this. I can understand that interests move people's hearts, but for the Inspection Department to use such a roundabout way to sacrifice so many lives just for this—I don't think it's worth it. Those who died should have played their part in more suitable places, not die namelessly in a place like this for the sake of some greedy people."
"It's not entirely nameless," Xu Huo interjected.
Ding Xiang turned to look at him.
"With Challenge Island destroyed, the Inspection Department will soon take over formally, and they'll also take their own people back for a grand burial," Xu Huo said. Even if they couldn't find the bodies, they could make cenotaphs. They would definitely have names and receive commendations.
Ding Xiang opened her mouth but couldn't speak for a moment.
She believed that many people who landed on the island shared the same realization as her—no matter what they did, the final outcome seemed to be dying in the line of duty and receiving posthumous commendations. That was also part of what they pursued. But now that this result had come, it didn't feel right in her heart.
"The 025 District Government should be sending talent to the Game Government," Xu Huo said, changing the subject quickly and asking without any pretense.
Ding Xiang hesitated for a moment but finally said, "It seems that those who truly touch the core all come from Non-Ticket Districts. Although people from other wormhole points also appear to hold important positions, they are actually considered peripheral personnel."
"District 025 also holds selection exams every year, but in the past few years, the Inspection Department hasn't lost anyone, which means none of them were selected."
"Although I don't know what their selection criteria are, I heard from a senior that the Game Government has a layer of genetic screening. You have to meet a certain standard to be truly selected. Otherwise, no matter how outstanding you are, it won't work."
Xu Huo nodded. This was the kind of speculation and information that only someone close to the screening process could make and capture.
"Have you heard of the Field Clan?"
"This clan is very famous," Ding Xiang said. "I heard they originally migrated from a later wormhole point. Because their strength improved further, some of them migrated to an A-level wormhole point. Among their descendants, Carmen Field is also a famous figure. He caused quite a stir before, and it seems a few Super Players died."
"After that, some members of the Field Clan were exiled."
"But I guess this clan has no chance of entering a Non-Ticket District."
"Why do you say that?" Xu Huo pressed.
"When I was undergoing training, the District Archon invited someone from a Non-Ticket District. I don't know what his identity was, but he was clearly different from people from other A-level wormhole points. He didn't have much living aura."
"But he wasn't a modified human either. He was just different from ordinary people like us."
"Carmen Field dared to challenge the game order. He definitely wasn't that kind of person."
"Even the coldest person has emotions," Xu Huo said. "They just express them differently."
Ding Xiang wasn't really sure; she was just sharing her observations and feelings. "I think they're like glass people."
"They seem to have no thoughts, but at the same time, they seem to be able to contain any thought."
"Like people who have lived for a very long time?" Xu Huo suddenly asked.
Ding Xiang was a bit surprised. "That's close. But I've seen many old people who have lived to be two hundred years old, and they are different from them."
This might involve some genetic issues... Xu Huo pondered. From everything he knew, Dr. Wu should be the closest person to the Non-Ticket District of an A-level wormhole point. Based on what he saw in Pumpkin City, he also had some indescribable relationship with the game, but the images he left behind were very normal.
At least he wasn't the type of person Ding Xiang described.
Thinking of this, he suddenly smiled. "Maybe the people from the Non-Ticket Districts have genetic mutations."
Ding Xiang's expression froze, then she seriously considered it and nodded. "The theory of genetics has been confirmed from many aspects in A-level wormhole points. If it weren't to avoid some sudden genetic diseases, the district governments would probably conduct genetic screening without restraint."
"I was joking," Xu Huo said, glancing at her.
Ding Xiang froze again. "You don't look like you're joking."
"That's my shortcoming," Xu Huo said. "I might lack the genes for joking."
Ding Xiang was now sure he was joking. She took out a Return Ticket and a miniature terminal and handed them to him. "The Return Ticket's location is my safe house. Use this terminal to enter and exit. If you encounter danger, you can go in and hide. In five days, I will apply for the safe house to be scrapped. By then, it will be demolished and rebuilt, and all traces will be erased."
Xu Huo took them calmly and then said, "I'd like to ask you for a small favor."