Pei Su’s voice was steady and fluent, every word a carefully rehearsed line.
“After some planning and deployment, this shelter has been successfully taken over by the City Defense Force.”
Zhao Wuji looked astonished. “A vagrant shelter?”
“Yes,” Pei Su nodded. “With the cooperation of various forces, the Director of the Research Institute, the Boss of Panshi Company, and I have successfully integrated Terminal Station.”
“Now, Terminal Station has become a branch under the City Defense Force, falling under our direct jurisdiction.”
Hearing this, a cooperative flash of surprise crossed Zhao Wuji’s eyes.
His gaze slowly swept over the faces of Pei Su and the other two, as if gauging the truth of their words.
After a moment, he spoke, “Commander Pei, you have never cared much for the affairs of the Ruin Zone. Why the sudden interest this time?”
Pei Su smiled slightly. “Lord City Lord, you might not be aware, but the scale of this shelter is quite substantial. The number of vagrants there is nearly ten thousand.”
“Now that it has been absorbed by the City Defense Force, it can be considered Panshi City’s greatest achievement of the year.”
“I thought that such a joyous occasion should be witnessed by the Lord City Lord yourself.”
“I have the audacity to invite the Lord City Lord to visit Terminal Station in person, to see the contribution the City Defense Force has made to Panshi City.”
As Pei Su finished speaking, the Director of the Deep Blue Research Institute also stepped forward and cupped his hands.
“Lord City Lord, Commander Pei speaks the truth.”
“That place, Terminal Station, is indeed quite unique. I am certain you will find it interesting once you see it with your own eyes.”
The Boss of Panshi Company also nodded in agreement. “Indeed, City Lord. It’s rare for Panshi City to have such a major development. It would be a real pity if you didn’t go see it.”
Zhao Wuji’s gaze swept back and forth across the three of them.
The Director rarely involved himself in the affairs of the City Defense Force, yet this time he had voluntarily come along.
The Boss of Panshi Company was also someone who never visited unless he had a specific reason, yet today he stood here speaking on Pei Su’s behalf.
This kind of lineup was indeed rare.
“Interesting...” The corners of Zhao Wuji’s mouth curled slightly into a meaningful smile.
“Since you all put it that way, I shall go take a look.”
Pei Su felt a wave of relief in his heart, but his face remained perfectly neutral. “The Lord City Lord’s willingness to go is truly the good fortune of our Panshi City.”
Zhao Wuji stood up, took a thick dark gray coat from the hanger, draped it over his shoulders, and picked up a black cane from beside him.
“Let’s go.”
Meanwhile, back on Su Wan’s side.
Once Pei Su had finalized the plan, Su Wan returned to Terminal Station with Han Meng and the others.
Immediately afterward, she set all the preparations in motion.
Pei Su’s communicator rang at the agreed-upon time.
“Master, we have departed. We are expected to arrive at Terminal Station in an hour.”
“Good.” Su Wan stood by the window on the third floor, her gaze falling upon the path that was the only way to the Ruin Zone. A smile slowly played upon her lips.
“Everything is ready.”
In front of the main building’s entrance, the members of the Order Maintenance Team stood in neat ranks, dressed in the uniforms of the City Defense Force.
The robots had also paused their daily tasks and were gathered in the lobby, looking fully prepared and waiting.
All the tenants cooperatively formed neat lines, standing in quiet anticipation.
The entire Terminal Station looked exceptionally orderly, creating a perfect illusion of having been “absorbed by the City Defense Force.”
Su Wan saw Pei Su’s convoy faintly appearing at the edge of the ruins.
She questioned the system.
“System, can the Rule Power of Terminal Station be detected by a Level 5 Ability User?”
【Analyzing... Analysis complete.】
【Rule Power belongs to the system’s bottom-level authority and normally cannot be perceived by any Ability User.】
【However, the host’s current strength is at Level 4 Mid Stage, and the system authority level is linked to the host’s strength.】
【A Level 5 Ability User has begun to dabble in the power of the rule level. If they maintain high vigilance and actively probe, there is a certain probability they might perceive the existence of the Rule Power.】
【Recommendation: To ensure absolute safety, the host may temporarily disable the Rule Power of Terminal Station and reactivate it once the target enters the coverage area.】
【During the period of deactivation, Terminal Station’s Absolute Safety Zone, Absolute Access Authority, and Domain Sovereignty will be temporarily disabled.】
【Confirm deactivation?】
They only had this one chance to take down Zhao Wuji.
Therefore, there could not be the slightest error.
Su Wan did not hesitate and chose to disable it.
【Rule Power disabled. Terminal Station’s current state: Normal Building.】
【Host, please note that during this period, Terminal Station will not provide any domain protection.】
Su Wan went downstairs and stood in front of the main building’s entrance. Dressed in the military uniform of the City Defense Force’s Vice Commander, she looked heroic and formidable.
Han Meng, Liu Ying, and Bai Shumo were scattered among the crowd, each maintaining a silent vigil.
Feng Mu and Iron Bone led the soldiers of the City Defense Force, lining up on both sides of the entrance to form a welcoming corridor.
Just then, the convoy carrying Zhao Wuji appeared in the Ruin Zone.
Three matte black military armored vehicles lined up, rolling over the un-melted snow in the ruins and coming to a steady halt outside the entrance of Terminal Station.
The door of the leading vehicle opened, and Pei Su jumped out first. He turned and walked over to the second vehicle, pulling the door open.
Zhao Wuji stepped out of the vehicle, a corner of his thick dark gray coat fluttering in the cold wind as he tapped his black cane on the snowy ground.
His gaze slowly swept over Terminal Station’s buildings—the gray-white main building, the orderly side wings, the sentries on the perimeter wall, and the robots at the entrance. He inspected every detail carefully.
“Commander Pei, this place... is actually larger than I imagined!”
Pei Su smiled slightly and bowed.
“Please come inside, Lord City Lord. I will guide you through the various facilities of Terminal Station one by one.”
Zhao Wuji nodded and stepped toward the entrance.
His pace was neither fast nor slow, his cane tapping rhythmically against the stone slabs.
One step, two steps...
Zhao Wuji’s footsteps suddenly came to a halt.
His body tensed slightly, and his fingers gripping the black cane tightened abruptly.
His half-closed eyes flew completely open in that instant, a sharp, piercing glint flashing deep within his pupils.
His gaze fell upon the seemingly ordinary stone slabs inside the entrance, then slowly drifted upward, sweeping past the main building’s doors, the corridor, the lobby, and finally landing on Su Wan’s face.
Su Wan’s heart sank, but her expression remained completely unbothered as she maintained her respectful smile.
Zhao Wuji did not take a third step.
He stood before the threshold, tilting his head slightly to look at the main building of Terminal Station, still wearing a smile.
“Commander Pei, this place is indeed quite nice!”
“I don’t think there’s any need to go inside. I have always been highly satisfied with your capabilities.”
As Zhao Wuji spoke, he turned around, clearly having no intention of entering Terminal Station.
Pei Su’s brow twitched slightly, but he showed no other sign of emotion.
He took half a step forward, his voice gentle yet respectful.
“Lord City Lord, what I meant was... since you have already reached the entrance, you might as well take a look inside.”
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