Chapter 100: Mist

Chen Ling then went around to the other factories. The situation there was similar to the steel mill: most were shut down and unable to operate. Chen Ling didn't waste any more time; he returned directly to the factory complex entrance, ready to report the matter to Han Meng.

“You haven't left yet?” Chen Ling asked, surprised to see the rickshaw puller still waiting for him. The man grinned, “Since you’ve come all this way, you’ll certainly need to go back. Instead of pulling an empty rickshaw back, I might as well wait here for you and earn a little extra.”

The man, it must be said, was quite shrewd. Chen Ling didn't stand on ceremony; he got straight into the rickshaw, paid the fare, and the man quickly pulled him back.

“Officer, I heard many people in the factory area lost their jobs?” the rickshaw puller asked.“It’s only a temporary shutdown.”“Why would they shut down such a perfectly good operation?”“I don’t know.”“With so many people out of work, they won’t all start pulling rickshaws, will they?” the man joked. “It’s already hard enough for me to earn a few pennies; it wouldn't do if everyone started competing for fares…”

Chen Ling didn't answer, as it was ultimately Aurora City's doing, and he didn't know what those people in the city were thinking.

Seeing that Chen Ling was unwilling to say more, the man didn't press him and naturally changed the topic. “My wife works at the textile factory; she’s been there for over twenty years, staring at needles and threads all day, almost blinding herself… It’s probably for the best that they shut down. Now she can stay home safely and take care of the child. With my physique, I can manage a few extra trips a day to support them.” The man grinned, sweat beading on his dark skin, mingling with the mist and making his thin clothes cling to him.

Chen Ling glanced at him, then, as if thinking of something, lowered his gaze to his fingertips, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Is this fog getting heavier?” Chen Ling suddenly asked.“Yes, it was just a light mist this morning, but now it’s almost impossible to see the road… Everything’s damp and uncomfortable,” the man complained, wiping his face with a towel.

Chen Ling’s brow furrowed deeper.

“A little faster,” Chen Ling urged.“Officer, I’m already pulling this rickshaw as fast as I can; it’s very tiring…”“Another twenty copper coins.”“Right away, Officer!”

The man’s spirits lifted. He took a deep breath and began to sprint, pulling the rickshaw with all his might. The rickshaw moved through the dense fog, weaving through the streets. Before long, the familiar glass dome gradually came into view in Chen Ling’s sight… It was the District Three Enforcer Headquarters, Chen Ling’s destination.

Before the rickshaw came to a complete stop, Chen Ling swiftly leaped out and pushed open the headquarters’ door, amidst the man’s heavy breathing.

In the spacious hall, two figures in black trench coats stood beneath the glass dome, looking up at the misty exterior with grave expressions. They heard Chen Ling push open the door and turned simultaneously.

“Any findings?” Han Meng asked.“It’s Aurora City,” Chen Ling repeated truthfully, relaying what the factory managers had said. “Aurora City has transferred all raw materials and finished products, leading to a complete shutdown of the entire factory complex. Many factory directors have even been reassigned…”

Han Meng didn't seem particularly surprised by the answer. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded. “The entire factory complex is under Aurora City’s control; without their approval, the factories wouldn’t dare to shut down… I’ve already sent an inquiry to Aurora City, but I haven’t received a reply yet.”

“Is something wrong?” Chen Ling asked gravely. “This fog… seems a bit off.”“You’ve noticed it too.”“Heavy rain, heavy snow—both previous celestial phenomena led to a Gray World convergence… Today’s fog also appeared too suddenly; it’s hard not to make a connection.”“That’s exactly what concerns me,” Han Meng said, looking up at the glass dome shrouded in mist, seeing only a grayish-white expanse, like having fallen into a turbulent sea of fog. “However, so far, nothing unusual has occurred… And the situation in other districts is unclear.”

“Regardless, under these unusual celestial phenomena, it’s best we remain constantly vigilant,” Xi Renjie, standing nearby, added. This Xi Renjie was the only surviving Two-Mark Enforcer after Han Meng’s purge of District Three; Chen Ling had also seen him speak on stage when he was officially promoted to Enforcer.

“Both the previous heavy rain and heavy snow lasted for several days, and I’m afraid this time won’t be short either,” Han Meng said slowly. “I’ve already ordered all Enforcers to add an extra round of patrols daily. You two should also conduct a few more patrols in the next couple of days, and remain constantly on alert.”“Understood,” Chen Ling nodded.

Han Meng took a palm-sized device from his pocket and handed it to Chen Ling. “The temporary communication system has been activated. Keep this on you at all times, and report to me immediately if you find anything amiss.”Chen Ling examined the device, a flash of surprise in his eyes… He had seen this object before; the two Enforcers had used it to call for backup when they broke into his home to fight the red paper monster. At the time, Chen Ling hadn't thought much of it, but now, it seemed out of place for this era.“What’s the range of this thing?”“Its communication relies on the Aurora Lord’s domain, so under the Aurora, it can connect on the same frequency.”So it wasn't technology, but a domain… Chen Ling put away the communicator and nodded.

Chen Ling and Xi Renjie left the headquarters. After a brief discussion, they went their separate ways to patrol the East and West districts, respectively. Han Meng, meanwhile, remained alone to guard the Enforcer Headquarters. As the Chief Enforcer of District Three and its strongest combatant, he needed to remain at the district’s center at all times.

His black trench coat moved through the dense fog, where visibility had dropped to ten meters. Chen Ling patrolled the streets, unable to discern faces from a distance. Perhaps due to the factory shutdowns, there weren't many pedestrians on the road; after all, without urgent matters, few would choose to go out in such heavy fog. The damp streets were uncommonly quiet, and as Chen Ling walked through them, it felt like he was moving through another world. He didn’t know if this dense fog signaled another Gray World descent, nor which district would be unlucky enough to be enveloped by it… But he hoped that unlucky one wouldn't be him.

Suddenly, Chen Ling stopped. He stood by a puddle at the street corner. Unbeknownst to him, the water stains in the puddle had formed two lines of text:Audience Anticipation 5Current Anticipation: 39

Chen Ling’s heart sank. Damn it, he'd been affected!