Xiaoqi started the car and drove off with Long Ming, heading toward a distant overpass.
"Where are we going to buy supplies?"
Long Ming asked, a little curious.
"We’re going to the Gumei Planting Area in the center to get them. Have you never been?"
"No, the most I’ve done is pass by it. The planting areas are protected zones. You can’t get close without a special permit."
"Perfect. I’ll take you to have a look this time."
Xiaoqi replied, in a good mood.
"Mm."
Long Ming nodded slightly, gazing at the streets below the bridge. Crowds of protestors were everywhere.
"By the way, Long Ming, this recent turmoil... it hasn’t affected you, has it?"
Xiaoqi continued to ask.
"I’m fine."
"If you need any help, you can come to us."
"Okay. Oh, right, do you guys know why Mountain City Mountain implemented such drastic regulations?"
"We’re really not sure about that. We’re still completely in the dark."
"I see."
Long Ming slowly fell into deep thought.
...
✦ ✦ ✦
「The City Lord’s Mansion, Mountain City Mountain.」
Inside the luxurious hall, administrative officials in various uniforms paced back and forth like ants on a hot pan.
"Where is the City Lord?"
"Why hasn’t he come out yet?"
"Did you report our presence or not?"
...
The crowd of officials all questioned a sharp, capable-looking woman with fair skin, ear-length hair, and a white blouse.
"Sirs, I have already reported it. But whether or not the City Lord will see you is not something I can decide."
Su Wanqiu tried to placate the numerous officials, looking troubled.
’After all, I’m just a secretary. I can’t make the decision.’
"Then please trouble yourself to go again."
The crowd urged her on.
"That’s... not a good idea. Everyone, please just wait a little longer."
Su Wanqiu replied helplessly.
"Sigh!"
Everyone sighed in unison.
「In a dimly lit room.」
City Lord Qian Luo lay in bed. Hearing the noisy clamor from outside, he slowly opened his eyes and coughed repeatedly.
COUGH COUGH~
"Father, have some water."
Qian Ying quickly brought over a glass of warm water.
Qian Luo took a sip of the warm water and spoke in a hoarse voice.
"What’s happening? Why is it so noisy outside?"
"It’s nothing, Father. The officials outside are here about the new regulations. This major policy shift has had a huge impact on Mountain City Mountain, and many citizens are protesting strongly. The officials can’t handle the pressure, so they want to see you."
Qian Ying quietly explained the situation to his father.
Hearing this, Qian Luo’s aged face grew even more weary. He then said hoarsely,
"Tell them to endure it a little longer. The situation will eventually improve."
"I understand."
Qian Ying quickly replied.
Just then, City Lord Qian Luo forced himself to rally his spirits, looking at Qian Ying to ask,
"Fourth Brother, how is the matter of the Genetic Potion coming along? Have you found it?"
"Father, we’ve found many Genetic Potions, and Dr. Qi Yan is leading a team to analyze them. However, we haven’t yet found one that is compatible with you. But we have collected a lot of genetic materials. If all else fails, we plan to create one ourselves."
Qian Ying explained the situation to City Lord Qian Luo, his expression tense.
"Sigh... I don’t know if I can hold on that long."
Qian Luo sighed, his expression desolate as he lamented.
"Father, your body can definitely hold on! You must not give up. Mountain City Mountain still needs you. All the citizens believe in you. If you’re gone, everything will be over!"
Qian Ying said, his expression changing slightly.
’In truth, Qian Ying knew that the seemingly prosperous Mountain City Mountain was, just like his father’s body, already beyond saving and could face its demise at any moment.’
’Once his father died, none of the four brothers would submit to another.’
’And each of the four brothers controlled a legion, with the eldest being the most powerful.’
’Even if he inherited their father’s Praetorian Guard, the other three would not yield. It would lead to a bloody battle.’
’No matter who won in the end, Mountain City Mountain would suffer a devastating blow. And when that time came, the two vicious tigers waiting outside would certainly not let them off the hook.’
’Therefore, City Lord Qian Luo absolutely could not die. As long as he was alive, he could still keep everyone in check.’
"I understand. Go and handle things. I need to rest for a while."
City Lord Qian Luo replied wearily.
"Yes, Father."
Qian Ying then respectfully withdrew.
...
「The Lower City District of Mountain City Mountain.」
A small pink sedan drove toward a block-shaped glass building.
Just then, ten soldiers in bulletproof vests and holding automatic rifles held up their hands, signaling the car to stop.
Xiaoqi immediately stopped the car.
The leader, a strong, dark-skinned, middle-aged man, stepped forward and said,
"This is a restricted area ahead. Please present your ID card and application form."
"Here."
Xiaoqi deftly handed over her ID card and documents.
"Proceed."
The captain verified the documents and then waved them through.
Xiaoqi drove unimpeded to the entrance of the Gumei Planting Area and then stopped.
Long Ming and the others got out of the car.
Just then, a short, bald uncle in black work clothes walked over with a broad smile on his face.
"Excuse me, which of you is Miss Qi?"
"I am. You must be Manager Gou?"
Xiaoqi replied enthusiastically.
"That’s right. Please, follow me."
Manager Gou then gestured for Xiaoqi and the others to follow him toward the planting area’s main gate.
Following behind Xiaoqi, Long Ming observed the security checkpoint at the entrance. All restricted weapons were forbidden, and carrying any contraband would trigger an alarm. Moreover, the guards on duty here were all armed with live ammunition.
’This alone showed that the security was exceptionally tight.’
Soon, they passed through security smoothly and entered the planting area.
Long Ming scanned the interior of the planting area. He saw that it was filled with rows of block-shaped, transparent glass structures.
Inside the glass houses, various fruits and vegetables were being grown.
He could see staff members holding clipboards, recording the cultivation status in different sections.
At that moment, Manager Gou was also enthusiastically giving an introduction to Xiaoqi and her group.
"Don’t look down on this planting area just because it’s in the Lower City District. Much of our equipment is newly imported, and the technology we use is similar to the planting areas in the Upper City District. The quality of our produce is absolutely top-notch..."
Xiaoqi and the others listened intently.
As Long Ming listened to Manager Gou’s introduction, his brow furrowed deeper, and the doubt in his heart grew stronger.
’In fact, a question had been bothering him for a long time. He couldn’t figure it out back when he was a student at Mountain City Mountain’s First Advanced Academy.’
’He had secretly calculated the output of Mountain City Mountain’s planting areas and discovered that the food produced by all of them combined was only enough to meet the needs of one-tenth of the city’s entire population.’
’In reality, the food from these planting areas was supplied exclusively to the Upper City District. The entire food supply for the people of the Lower City District didn’t come from their own cultivation at all—it was all provided through quotas set by Mountain City Mountain.’