Chapter 412: Revelry and Purge
When the Black Epaulets had just washed out the two transport planes, Xu Huo's car and flight instrument had also revealed their location. However, Butterfly Lady used a prop to cover the car again in time. By then, the speedboat team had already passed, and the Black Epaulets were busy dealing with the remaining people, seemingly too occupied to bother with scattered individuals.
"Those players are no match for the Black Epaulets." Xu Huo started the car, lifted off from the sea surface, and quickly flew toward the harbor. From a distance, he could see several tower-like instruments erected in the sea—these were the temporal-spatial prop restriction instruments. He didn't know if they had always been set up underwater or if they had been prepared in advance for this trap.
But today, he had witnessed the formidable strength of the Black Epaulets, the Enforcement Department independent of the 011 District Government and not under the jurisdiction of the City Hall.
"You have some connection with that Ran Ying?" Butterfly Lady suddenly asked.
"Not really."
"You could make one," Butterfly Lady said. "It's unlikely we'll get the exact delivery time for the military supplies from Duke Tal's side. You can work on Ran Ying; the Enforcement Department has more reliable sources of information."
Xu Huo turned his head to glance at her. "Do you think she would tell someone she's only known for a few days such important information?"
"Won't know until you try," Butterfly Lady raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you a smart person?"
"No need for sleeping together; I'm afraid I'd die without knowing how." Xu Huo paused, then asked, "Now can you tell me why you're so sure the shipment today wouldn't be weapons?"
Butterfly Lady didn't hide it this time. "Because of the special nature of weapon transport. Some weapons can't be stored in container props or space props and need to be carried directly. Carrying weapons on a train makes it easy to expose the target, so they have to use special props to cross space."
"Crossing space has specific limitations?" Xu Huo followed up.
"Of course it does. Otherwise, wouldn't players be able to cross space freely?"
"Can you cross from a copy world into the real world?" Xu Huo asked again.
Butterfly Lady looked him over. "Yes, but such space-crossing props are expensive, few in number, have extremely limited uses, and cause certain harm to the player's body, so they can't be used frequently."
"That's why time is needed." Xu Huo pondered. If that were the case, even the leak of information from Rongxin Group could be false. The real weapon trade location might not even be in the district where the base was located.
"What are you thinking?" Butterfly Lady asked.
"Let's see the news tomorrow."
When they reached the shore, the entire base city was already under lockdown. A lockdown meant that everyone, including players, had to stay at their current location when the lockdown notice was issued, or violent measures would be taken.
With Butterfly Lady's help, Xu Huo bypassed the monitoring instruments and returned safely to Rose Castle.
After getting out of the car, she pried off a circular instrument stuck to the outside of the car and tossed it to him. "Anti-surveillance instrument. A gift for you. It'll make it easier for you to do things sneakily in the future."
"Thank you." Xu Huo smiled at her.
Butterfly Lady turned her head away. "The matter isn't finished yet. I'm waiting for your good news."
The entire base city was restless that night. Technology was too advanced; many people had flight instruments and immediately uploaded scattered clips to the internet. The Enforcement Department seemed to be deliberately allowing it, not actively destroying the flight instruments or controlling the speech.
As a result, after a night of fermentation, the Black Epaulets became the hottest topic of discussion.
The White Epaulets and Black Epaulets of the Enforcement Department had different responsibilities. Although both were responsible for handling emergencies, roughly speaking, one worked the day shift and the other the night shift. The White Epaulets had more dealings with the City Hall, while the Black Epaulets were more independent, especially the hardliners led by Ran Ying, who frequently clashed with the City Hall.
The two shoulder badges also didn't get along. So when the Black Epaulets were praised by citizens for their combat videos, the White Epaulets became the target of criticism. Some people even posted the White Epaulets' dirty laundry online, such as accepting bribes, getting beaten in one-on-one fights with Black Epaulets, and frequenting entertainment venues instead of doing their jobs.
The efficiency of the 011 District Government was undeniable. The City Hall issued a notice the next morning commending the Black Epaulets and directly rewarded them with one of the intact transport planes they had brought back. Additionally, Ran Ying, as the team leader, received a medal, and all Black Epaulets had their benefits increased.
Furthermore, Rongxin Group also came forward to thank the Black Epaulets, promising to send a batch of supplies to them and provide employment opportunities for the families of Black Epaulets.
As for the players who were captured or killed, no one cared. The entire city was immersed in the joy and pride of having their heroes protect them. Businesses held promotional events, actors performed relay shows, and the whole city fell into revelry.
Beyond these superficial things, the City Hall was not idle. Last night, they had locked down the lower city to hunt down players, killing them on the spot if they resisted, regardless of whether they were involved in the robbery of Rongxin Group.
While the base city was celebrating, the lower city was being purged.
Xu Huo took the time to go outside the lower city and take a look. Many bodies were being dragged out, piled on the ground, and transported away by trucks. Among them, he saw two children who had asked him for candy before.
The lower city was shrouded in terror and gloom. Just one street away, residents near the main city area had taken to the streets to celebrate.
It wasn't until evening that the City Hall's troops withdrew from the lower city. By then, the lower city was deathly silent. The usual street punks and children running around were nowhere to be seen.
Xu Huo entered the lower city and soon found the small courtyard where he had seen Deng Xuan before. The prop protection was gone now, the courtyard gate was shattered, and there were bloodstains everywhere.
He glanced at it and left, arriving at an alley with an apricot tree. He checked house by house and finally found two children trembling inside a cabinet in a dilapidated little house at the end of the alley.
As soon as he opened the cabinet door, the little boy holding a small knife stabbed at him. Xu Huo pressed down on his head. "Don't you recognize me?"
"Clown!" the little boy said warily.
"Where are your parents?" The one crying inside the cabinet was the child who had run back to pick up candy. He sat there wiping his tears. "They were all taken away. Big brother said they're all going to die."
There was blood inside the house, and the smell of fresh blood hadn't dissipated yet. Xu Huo asked them, "Do you have any relatives or friends?"
"No!" the little boy choked back tears. "Our relatives died long ago. Dad's friends won't take care of us!"
Xu Huo was silent for two seconds, then gave them some water and food. The two children pounced on it, stuffing it into their mouths. The boy mumbled, "Uncle, are you a player? Can you turn me into a player too? I don't want to die..."
"It's too early to become a player now," Xu Huo said. "Tomorrow, go to the welfare home. They'll send you to school. Worry about the rest when you grow up."
(Chapter End)