82: Section 82

“Didn't you say you wouldn't have to go to the Hall of Dawn anymore? I thought you had everything sorted out.”

“Only temporarily.” Jing Nan looked at Jing Yuan and said, “I've only zeroed in on Melissa, but I don't have any evidence yet. So I want you to help me investigate her.”

“How should I investigate?”

“You should be very familiar with Charles's methods of controlling people! I suspect the reason Melissa follows Charles's orders is that he has something on her. Perhaps we can start by looking into that leverage.”

“Us?” Jing Yuan smiled and asked, “So, are we allies now?”

“Are you willing?” Jing Nan looked at Jing Yuan.

Jing Yuan nodded and said, “No problem.”

“Then I'll leave this matter to you.”

“You're welcome.”

Jing Nan pointed behind her and said, “I'll get busy now. If you find any clues, come directly to my residence to find me! The Navigation Control Room and the Research Department are crowded, and Charles might have spies everywhere.”

“Understood.”

Having finished speaking, Jing Nan turned and prepared to leave.

“Wait a moment.” Jing Yuan suddenly called out to Jing Nan. Since they had run into each other, perhaps he could ask her for help with his own small matter.

“Could you do me a favor?”

“Tell me.”

“I heard the Research Department has high-level 3d printers. Could I borrow one for a few days?”

Jing Nan asked doubtfully, “The high-level 3d printers are used to create precision parts. These parts are mostly used in gravity bodies, production equipment, and weapons. Why do you need to borrow one?”

“Uh...” Jing Yuan hesitated, “To print some small gadgets?”

Jing Nan realized Jing Yuan didn't want to elaborate and didn't press him. “If you don't want to say, never mind. Come find me at the Research Department later!”

“Go to the Research Department?”

“A 3d printer is not a small item; you can only use it at the Research Department.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Jing Nan nodded, turned, and departed... Inside the Armament Preparation Depot, the atmosphere was bustling.

Instructor Elon brought another batch of newcomers over.

He was about to embark on the Far-Away Journey.

This was his last batch of students. He wanted to personally see them join the team, so the City Lord gave special permission for them to join the Wasteland Hunters without taking the assessment.

The Wasteland Hunters were short on manpower recently, so the new Team Members joining was timely.

When Jing Yuan arrived at the Armament Preparation Depot, he happened to see Instructor Elon calling Mark up to spar with him.

“Have you forgotten the last time I beat the crap out of you, then beat you into the crap?”

Instructor Elon used provocation on Mark, and everyone looked on as if watching a show.

Mark wasn't provoked into going up; he simply wanted to accompany Instructor Elon.

After all, these were the only people close to him on the Lighthouse.

Mark and Elon fought on the ring, and the surrounding people immediately gathered to watch.

Jing Yuan was among them.

Laughter filled the Wasteland Hunters' area—a rare moment of relaxation.

Elon and Mark sparred for a while, Elon gave Mark a beating, and then he made an excuse to leave.

It was at this moment that Mark learned from Ran Bing that Instructor Elon was about to embark on the Far-Away Journey.

The master and apprentice stood by the corridor and talked for a long time.

Only after they finished talking did Jing Yuan walk over to find Instructor Elon.

“Teacher Elon.”

“Jing Yuan.” Elon looked at Jing Yuan, a satisfied expression appearing in his eyes.

Elon was very surprised by Jing Yuan's rise, but he didn't reject this surprise.

This was the apocalypse; the more powerful warriors there were, the better.

“Teacher, those two sneaky moves you used on Mark just now during your spar—you wanted to remind him, right?”

Elon chuckled, patted Jing Yuan's shoulder, and said, “Good kid. He didn't see it, but you did.”

“Teacher, you know Mark's personality. You need to be more direct!”

“Sigh!” Elon shook his head and said, “Some things, he must realize on his own.”

Jing Yuan looked at Elon. This elder had indeed foreseen a great deal.

For Mark, explaining it clearly wouldn't help; he needed to understand it himself.

“Don't worry, he still has us by his side!”

Elon patted Jing Yuan and smiled, “Good kid!”

The two men smiled faintly and fell silent for a moment.

“But I must also remind you, that boy Charles is not easy to deal with. When it comes to manipulating people, he's no worse than his father. But in terms of long-term planning, he doesn't think as far ahead as his father. You must be careful when dealing with him.”

Chapter 84: She Has a Dust Citizen Son

Elon's words made Jing Yuan see this white-haired old man in a new light.

He wasn't the harmless old man he appeared to be on The Surface.

He knew everything.

“Yes, this student understands.”

“With you helping Mark, I feel relieved. I can go on the Far-Away Journey with peace of mind.”

Jing Yuan looked at Elon. This elder knew everything, so did he know about the Hall of Dawn?

Jing Yuan didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, “Teacher Elon, the Hall of Dawn is nominally under your management. How much do you know about Director Melissa?”

Elon felt very strange. “Why are you asking about this?”

Jing Yuan said, “Teacher, the Hall of Dawn may have become a tool for certain people to seize power. I want to gather some information from you.”

Elon thought for a moment and guessed the gist of it.

Elon said, “The Hall of Dawn is part of the Integrated Breeding and Education System. After I retired from the Wasteland Hunters, I was mainly responsible for managing Education. Because my rank is relatively high, I nominally served as the Supervisor for both Breeding and Education after the previous Supervisor stepped down. However, Melissa and those who manage Breeding have biological backgrounds; they are professionals, so I basically left the management of the Breeding section to them.”

“What do you think of Melissa as a person?”

“She is conscientious and responsible in her work, and hasn't made any mistakes over the years.” Elon looked at Jing Yuan and asked, “What? Do you suspect she's compromised?”

Jing Yuan nodded, then asked, “Does this Melissa have any weakness that could be exploited?”

“You suspect she's being controlled, and through her, the Hall of Dawn's Breeding section is being controlled?”

“Yes!”

Elon shook his head and laughed, which made Jing Yuan feel confused.

However, Elon quickly calmed down. After all, he was about to embark on the Far-Away Journey, and whatever happened on the Lighthouse would no longer concern him.

“Regarding Melissa, I have indeed heard some things about her. She has a son, who is a Dust Citizen. If she has a weakness, it must be her son.”

Upon hearing this, Jing Yuan realized he was right to ask Instructor Elon. With one question, the clue was revealed.

It was just a pity that Elon was about to embark on the Far-Away Journey; otherwise, future matters would be much easier with his advice.

However, the Far-Away Journey is one of the three great laws and cannot be changed now.

Moreover, it was Mark witnessing Elon's Far-Away Journey that triggered his questioning of the three great laws.

Thinking of this, Jing Yuan couldn't help but whisper, “Teacher, I regret that you must go on the Far-Away Journey, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. We encountered humans on The Surface last time, and The Surface is not uninhabitable. Furthermore, they seem to be observing us. When you descend to The Surface, find a chance to make contact with them; there's still a possibility of survival.”

Elon was completely shocked by Jing Yuan's words.

Even he found it hard to believe that humans were still living on The Surface today.

After finishing his conversation with Elon, Jing Yuan went to the Lower Citizen District.

In the Lower Citizen District, besides 4277, Jing Yuan knew several other Dust Citizens whom he had met when they followed him to The Surface for missions.

“3855!” Jing Yuan called out to a young Dust Citizen.

Dust Citizen 3855 saw it was Vice-Captain Jing Yuan and ran over, smiling: “Vice-Captain Jing Yuan! Why are you here?”

“I came to ask for a favor!”

“How can a big shot like you need my help?”

Jing Yuan smiled, “Don't say that. This favor can only be done by you. The Lighthouse Management Department arranges for Dust Citizens to clean the Upper Citizens' residences. I want you to help me find out which Dust Citizen is assigned to clean the residence of Director Melissa of the Hall of Dawn.”