Su Wan opened her eyes and saw Iron Bone and his men lifting the last gene-modified organism onto the vehicle.
The biting chill in the air was growing more intense, and fine ice crystals swirled in the wind, stinging like needles against her face.
The Cold Wave was almost here.
“You all head back to Terminal Station first,” Su Wan said, her voice calm.
“Lock these people in the third basement level of the eastern sector of the main building. Once they’re secured, increase the guard. No one is allowed near them without my order.”
Iron Bone paused for a moment. “The eastern sector... a third basement level?”
The Terminal Station building actually had a basement?
Su Wan didn't explain; she simply waved her hand. “Go.”
Iron Bone didn't dare ask more. He turned and hopped into the passenger seat. The vehicles started up, crushing gravel and rubble as they drove toward Terminal Station.
Su Wan didn't waste any time either, turning and sprinting toward Panshi City.
The cold wind howled in her ears as fine ice crystals pelted her face. Su Wan narrowed her eyes, her Level 4 Early Stage physical stats exploding to their limit in this moment.
She thought as she ran.
Pei Su would likely receive word soon.
Ten Level 3 Late Stage gene-modified organisms had lost contact, and Shen Han had not returned from her pursuit.
He would surely be furious—and surely terrified!
Pei Su didn't know that Terminal Station possessed Rule Power. He didn't know that Shen Han had been suppressed by a domain, or that the gene-modified organisms had been taken down by the bracelet.
All he knew was that not a single person he sent out had returned.
Pei Su couldn't gauge her depth or the depth of Terminal Station’s power. Therefore, for a short time, he wouldn't dare act recklessly again.
What she needed to do now was take advantage of Pei Su's hesitation and the fact that the Cold Wave hadn't fully descended to get Chen Shijie, Lei Lie, and the others out of the Inner City!
And most importantly, she had to deal with the commoners.
Those in the Outer City who couldn't get into public shelters, who couldn't afford heating supplies, and who were about to freeze to death in the Cold Wave—
If she could bring them back to Terminal Station, the progress of her Main Quest would leap forward significantly!
Su Wan closed her eyes and contacted Feng Mu through her consciousness.
“Feng Mu.”
“Master,” Feng Mu’s consciousness responded immediately, respectful and steady.
“How many vacancies are left in the Outer City’s public shelters?”
Feng Mu was silent for a moment, seemingly checking data, before answering, “Master, all seventeen public shelters are at full capacity. There isn't a single spot left.”
“How many commoners are left who couldn't get in?”
“Roughly five or six thousand people...” Feng Mu’s voice sounded a bit tight.
Su Wan was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.
“How many vehicles does the City Defense Force have available right now?”
Feng Mu answered quickly, “On the Outer City branch side, we have fifteen transport trucks, six armored personnel carriers, and some small command and communications vehicles.”
“Send them all out,” Su Wan’s voice was calm and certain.
“Go to every street, every alley, and every corner of the Outer City. Pick up every commoner still on the streets, still in their homes, or still without a place to go.”
“Take as many as you can!”
Feng Mu’s breath hitched slightly. “Master, where should I take them?”
“Terminal Station!”
“Yes, Master.” Feng Mu’s voice regained its steadiness. His Master’s orders required no questioning, only execution. “I’ll arrange it immediately.”
“Also—” Su Wan paused. “At the city gate, arrange for reliable people. Do not block any commoners who wish to leave the Outer City.”
“As long as those commoners are willing to go to Terminal Station, let them go.”
“Do not set up any obstacles.”
“Understood.”
Su Wan realized that entering the Inner City to bring out Chen Shijie, Lei Lie, and the others might be too much for her to handle alone. She might be stretched too thin.
So, she instructed Feng Mu to find an excuse to enter the Inner City after everything was arranged and wait for her near the Research Institute’s Outer City liaison office.
With Feng Mu’s status, entering the Inner City was no problem at all.
Feng Mu’s efficiency was even greater than Su Wan had anticipated.
By the time she stepped onto the Outer City’s main road, over a dozen trucks were already parked along the street.
The grey-green vehicle bodies were sprayed with the City Defense Force insignia. The tailgates had been lowered, revealing the empty cargo beds.
The headlights were on, illuminating the street ahead with a brilliant white glare.
The commoners, huddled at the base of walls and wrapped in tattered cotton coats, looked up one after another at the commotion.
Confusion flashed in their eyes as they saw the trucks.
Then, a young City Defense Force officer jumped down from the lead truck and shouted at the top of his lungs:
“Attention, everyone! The City Defense Force is under orders to evacuate commoners! If you need a place to go, get on the trucks now!”
“No charge! No ID required! Nothing is needed!”
“As long as you can walk and move, get over here!”
As his voice fell, the street went silent for a heartbeat.
Then, the commoners huddled by walls, hiding in alleys, or peeking out of dilapidated shacks erupted like ignited gunpowder.
“What? No charge?”
“The City Defense Force is showing mercy? They’re not going to drag us off to be test subjects, are they?”
“Who cares! Even being a test subject is better than freezing to death!”
“Quick, help my mother! Let’s get on the truck!”
The crowd surged toward the trucks like a tide, pushing and shoving, everyone fighting for a spot.
Some people fell, and those behind them didn't even stop to help.
Some had their bundles knocked away but didn't dare turn back to pick them up.
Others clutched their children and squeezed forward desperately, the children’s cries drowned out by the cacophony of voices.
The City Defense Force soldiers stood by the trucks maintaining order, though some were clearly just going through the motions.
The young officer climbed onto the roof of the driver’s cabin, pulled a pistol from his waist, and fired three shots into the sky.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
The gunshots cracked through the cold wind, and the crowd instantly went silent.
Everyone looked up at the officer standing on the roof, their eyes filled with terror.
“Line up! One by one!” The officer’s voice echoed in the wind, cold and firm.
“Anyone who keeps pushing won't be getting on at all!”
“The elderly, women, and children first! Able-bodied men to the back!”
“If anyone dares to steal someone else’s spot, I’ll blow their head off!”
The crowd boarding the trucks finally regained some semblance of order.
“Well done.”
Su Wan didn't stop. She watched the commoners scramble onto the trucks before continuing toward the city gate.
Arriving at the gate, she activated Shadow Stealth, her form vanishing from the sight of the city guards.
No one noticed her entering the Inner City.
Su Wan sprinted along the Inner City streets toward the Research Institute.
Inner City, Deep Blue Research Institute’s Outer City liaison office.
Su Wan’s figure emerged from the shadows of the liaison office’s backyard.
She leaned against the cold wall and extended her mental power like an invisible net, covering the entire building.
Soon, Su Wan located Lei Lie and Scarface.
Rate on N.U.
