Long Ming walked up to the checkpoint and saw that a long line had already formed.
He promptly found a queue with comparatively fewer people and joined it.
Time passed, second by second.
Soon, it was Long Ming’s turn. A woman in a blue uniform, with long black hair and a tear mole at the corner of her eye, asked with a smile,
“Sir, please present your identification. Inspector No. 472, Tang Ying, at your service.”
“Here.”
Long Ming took his ID out of his pocket and handed it over.
Tang Ying accepted it and carefully compared it against Long Ming’s appearance. Then she placed the ID on a portable device and checked his application information.
“Mr. Long Ming, may I ask why you are going to the upper district?”
“To see a doctor at the First Central Hospital.”
“How long do you plan to stay in the upper district?”
“If all goes well, I’ll be back this afternoon.”
“Very well. Your application is valid for twenty-four hours. Please keep an eye on the time to avoid unnecessary trouble caused by overstaying.”
“Mm.”
Long Ming took back the ID Tang Ying handed him, passed through the checkpoint, crossed the high wall, and arrived at the base of the upper district.
Elevators fitted with transparent glass and gray lifting platforms came into view.
Long Ming looked at the elevators and lifting platforms, a complicated expression appearing on his face.
But he quickly came back to himself and stepped onto a nearby lifting platform.
Since the glass elevators were reserved exclusively for upper citizens, he could only ride the lifting platform fitted with guardrails.
Although the lifting platform had a lower safety rating, because it was open-air, it actually allowed one to better appreciate the breathtaking scenery.
Clack!
With a slight tremor, the lifting platform began to rise slowly.
A breeze swept past. Long Ming raised his head and gazed into the distance, and the entire lower district entered his sight.
The vast lower district was packed with countless buildings.
The buildings were crammed tightly together, dark alleys everywhere. The streets were full of pedestrians, presenting a different sort of prosperity.
In addition, one could see square-shaped glass structures in the lower district, encircling the central area to form a massive ring-shaped belt.
These square glass buildings were cultivation chambers, specially used to produce all kinds of grain crops.
Because of the pollution, all wild plants and animals, as well as marine life, had pollution values exceeding the standard. If one ate them, one’s body would be contaminated, so all food had to be specially purified and cultivated.
Of course, the upper district also had cultivation chambers, and they were even more advanced than those in the lower district. Their main structures were made of metal, and inside they included everything from soilless cultivation to artificial synthesis.
Ding—
With a crisp notification sound, the lifting platform reached the upper district and came to a stop.
Long Ming stepped off the platform. What greeted him were buildings constructed from beige stone, filled with Gothic artistic style. Silver-white streetlamps stood on both sides of the road, with beautiful red floral knots hanging from them.
In the commercial street in the distance, one high-end shop after another was open for business. Behind transparent display windows were all kinds of luxury clothing, accessories, and other goods.
Some elegantly dressed noblewomen were strolling through the streets with children in tow, and cheerful laughter could be heard from time to time.
Long Ming looked at the familiar street scene, his expression growing increasingly silent.
In truth, Long Ming had once lived in the upper district as well. However, due to a genetic defect passed down through his family, his father had died very early, and his mother had followed soon after, wasting away in sorrow. In the end, he was left all alone.
In order to treat his illness, he had no choice but to sell off his property and household possessions, moving to the lower district to rent a place.
It could be said that fortune and misfortune always came hand in hand.
But he soon adjusted his mood and hurried toward the First Central Hospital.
Shanchengshan City Lord’s Manor.
Heavy velvet curtains blocked out the sunlight.
In the dim room, heavy breathing and the operating noise of medical equipment sounded from time to time.
On a luxurious bed of gold silk lay an elderly man wearing a black robe threaded with gold. His face was sallow, the deep hollows of his eyes tinged dark blue. He wore a breathing mask over his mouth, and an IV drip was inserted into his hand.
Beside the bed stood a young man in a white shirt, black suit, and purple tie. His black side-swept bangs covered his left eye. He was handsome in appearance, refined and gentle in bearing.
The elderly man before him was none other than Qian Luo, the City Lord of Shanchengshan, while the young man beside him was his son, Qian Ying.
Buzz—
At that moment, the phone in Qian Ying’s pocket vibrated.
He took out the phone and lowered his head to glance at it, then put it away again.
Just then, City Lord Qian Luo slowly opened his eyes and asked in a low voice,
“What is it?”
“Father, Deputy City Lord Xiao Ning has arrived.”
Qian Ying explained respectfully.
“Help me up.”
City Lord Qian Luo spoke in a hoarse voice.
Qian Ying hurriedly reached out, removed the breathing mask Qian Luo was wearing, and pulled out the needle from his hand.
He supported Qian Luo as they left the bedroom and entered the study outside. They walked to the redwood desk in the center, where Qian Luo sat down.
Knock, knock—
At that moment, a series of knocks sounded at the door.
“Come in.”
Qian Luo slowly raised his head and spoke. His voice was not loud, but it was filled with authority.
Creak.
The door was pushed open.
A middle-aged man walked in, wearing a blue robe. He had broad shoulders and a sturdy back, dark brown skin, a sharp and handsome face with a bit of stubble, and eyes as keen as an eagle’s.
“Cough, cough. Xiao Ning, you’re here.”
Qian Luo coughed lightly, raised his head to look at Xiao Ning, and said hoarsely.
“Mm. City Lord, is your health any better?”
“At this age, there is no better or worse. How are the matters I entrusted to you?”
“Please rest assured, City Lord. All experts and elite personnel are already prepared. This is the list.”
Xiao Ning handed a thick document to Qian Luo.
“You’ve worked hard. This operation concerns the future of Shanchengshan. Not the slightest mistake can be tolerated.”
Qian Luo accepted the document and lowered his head to flip through it.
“It is what I should do.”
In the face of City Lord Qian Luo’s praise, Deputy City Lord Xiao Ning’s expression was extremely modest.
Knock, knock—
At that moment, another series of knocks sounded at the door.
“Come in.”
Xiao Ning immediately spoke.
A man in black armor, moving with practiced efficiency, hurried in.
Seeing that City Lord Qian Luo was lowering his head and looking through the document, he walked to Deputy City Lord Xiao Ning’s side and whispered a few words into his ear.
After Deputy City Lord Xiao Ning heard him, his brows knitted tightly together. Then he raised a hand and waved, signaling for the man to withdraw.
Qian Luo did not raise his head and continued flipping through the document, but he asked hoarsely,
“Xiao Ning, what happened?”
“Just a minor matter.”
Deputy City Lord Xiao Ning replied respectfully.
“What minor matter? Tell me.”
City Lord Qian Luo raised his head and looked intently at Xiao Ning.
“It’s like this. I just received news that Star Tower City and the City of Sin have made some moves. According to information sent back by our spies, they seem to be preparing to open themselves to the general populace.”
Deputy City Lord Xiao Ning said with a solemn expression.