Apocalypse Circular-Chapter 503 - 501 Life in the Inspection Department

Chapter 503: Chapter 501 Life in the Inspection Department

Afterward, the team leader continued to speak to Lu Luo.

"As for how to handle your situation, we are also seeking opinions from above, but so far, they have not expressed any. Without explicit orders, you can only stay here. I know you are not an ordinary person, but I do hope you won’t give us a hard time anymore. We are just doing our regular work, and we cannot disobey orders. If you want to make a scene, go make it with the higher-ups, not here, okay?"

The team leader spoke very sincerely, so much so that at one point, Lu Luo even felt that he was in the wrong.

"Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. I just failed to keep my temper in check just now. I also apologize to this lady."

Lu Luo bowed slightly. As a Transcendent, his apology obviously carried much more weight than that of a weaker person. The team leader had spoken reasonably and made it clear that they, too, were compelled by circumstances. If Lu Luo were to cause a scene at this point, it would seem quite tactless. Besides, there was no point in making trouble with these subordinates.

Wu Yi looked up at Lu Luo and, after biting her lip, finally spoke, "Well, what’s done is done. What else can I do? Since we’re going to be roommates from now on, and you’re so powerful, you’ve got to look out for me!"

"Ah? Um!"

Lu Luo didn’t know whether to consider her forward, but it seemed the two had reconciled.

"Okay, since there’s no issue now, let’s go back and rest," the team leader said. "As for Lu Luo, Yi will be resting here for a few days. If you have any questions, you can ask her, but only about the basic information of the Inspection Department."

"Alright, I understand. Thank you very much."

Lu Luo was truly grateful. At this moment, he indeed needed a source of information, and this woman before him would, more or less, provide some useful information.

「Back in the room.」

Wu Yi, rubbing her stomach, asked, "Hey, isn’t your name Lu Luo?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"Then why don’t you ask my name? After all, I’ll be your roommate for the coming period."

"Then... what is your name?"

"My name is Zhi Geyi."

"Zhi Geyi? Hmm, that’s a nice name," Lu Luo said disingenuously.

"Your insincere act is really annoying. If I could beat you, I would definitely punch you right now."

"Heh, is it that obvious?"

"Indeed, it’s very obvious."

After Wu Yi finished speaking, she went to the bathroom to wash up.

Lu Luo frowned slightly as he listened to the sound of the shower.

It was clear that living with a woman would be inconvenient. The Imperial Inspection Department must be aware of his situation; he had a wife and child. He also didn’t believe that such a large Inspection Department base would have no empty rooms or rooms for single men. Placing him here must be intentional.

As Lu Luo pondered, the sound of water stopped.

Wu Yi walked out of the bathroom naked. It wasn’t until she reached the window that she realized Lu Luo was looking at her.

"Damn it, what are you looking at?"

Lu Luo’s mouth twitched. I wasn’t looking, okay? She’s the one who walked out without any clothes!

"I wasn’t looking." He immediately turned his head away.

He didn’t want to explain too much about Wu Yi’s situation.

"Bullshit! Your eyes were glued to me just now! That’s going too far!"

Although Wu Yi said this, she didn’t seem intent on holding Lu Luo responsible.

This allowed Lu Luo to breathe a sigh of relief. This woman, though fierce, actually had a decent personality. What he disliked most were clingy women.

The RUSTLE of Wu Yi dressing came from beside him. These sounds somewhat annoyed Lu Luo, but he didn’t say much. After all, he was the outsider.

Once Wu Yi had dressed, she sat on her bed and began to mutter something.

Lu Luo listened briefly. Wu Yi appeared to have some fervent beliefs: hoping for reform in the Imperial, for the Imperial Family to make certain changes, and so on. Overall, she was somewhat similar to Wu Liji.

"An idealist, huh? Why are there so many idealists in the Imperial? Too well-fed and idle?"

These were Lu Luo’s genuine thoughts. He was an egoist. He could understand and even agree with the thoughts of such idealists, but he wouldn’t act the same way.

But ironically, if Wu Yi knew Lu Luo thought this, she probably would have coughed up blood by now. Her facade was very successful, but it seemed to have veered off its original course. All of this stemmed from Wu Liji’s misguided influence.

「The night passed without incident.」

The next morning, when Wu Yi woke up, she started playing with her smartphone on the bed. Aside from her considerable strength, her overall demeanor was that of a simple, ordinary woman. Her interactions with Lu Luo were few, and she used headphones while on her phone, so no sound escaped. This undoubtedly earned Lu Luo’s goodwill. Their relationship gradually became more harmonious. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

On the evening of the third day, Wu Yi, lying on her bed, suddenly asked, "Lu Luo, do you have any aspirations?"

"Uh, aspirations? Yeah, of course!"

Lu Luo hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided not to share his aspiration of marrying several women and fathering over twenty children. That was something he could discuss with people he knew well. He barely knew this woman; revealing it would be rather embarrassing.

"So you really do have aspirations! We’re the same; I have aspirations too!"

What? She’s like me? Does she also want to marry several partners and have over twenty children? Oh, wait! If she’s a woman, it would be several husbands, not wives. But as for having over twenty children, it seems she’d have to do that all by herself, since men can’t give birth.

Thinking this, Lu Luo looked at Wu Yi with a touch of sympathy.

To give birth to over twenty children alone... she’d probably be doing it until she’s sixty. This woman... can she even handle that?

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"No, I just think it’s great that you have aspirations. It’s admirable."

Admirable? Wu Yi just thought Lu Luo had found a kindred spirit he could talk to. She smiled inwardly, convinced: Lu Luo is an idealist too. Then the next step will be easy.

"Lu Luo, I’m willing to die for my aspirations, but I don’t know what to do. Can you help me?"

"This... that’s not really appropriate!"

Lu Luo was very resistant. His wives were all perfectly fine; this whole business of having children like that... he’d rather pass. Especially sharing a wife with several other men! He didn’t have any cuckold fantasies; he couldn’t accept that sort of thing.

"You don’t want to help me?"

"Mm, I don’t."

"I see. That was presumptuous of me."

Wu Yi also felt it was a bit rash of her to say such things now. She hadn’t known Lu Luo for long; it seemed she still needed to deepen their bond.

「A few more days passed peacefully.」

Lu Luo checked the time. Seventeen days had already passed. He hadn’t contacted his family in all that time; he wondered if they were worried. His absolute limit was thirty days. If the Inspection Department still hadn’t given him an answer or an assignment by then, he would have to resort to some form of protest.

However, things rarely unfolded as Lu Luo imagined.

On the eighteenth day, the captain from the Inspection Department—Zhang Zhe—suddenly appeared at their dormitory entrance.

"Lu Luo, hello."

"Hello. Is there something you need today?"

"Indeed. I, Zhang Zhe, formally representing the Imperial Inspection Department, am here to temporarily conscript you into my team for Mission 4931. You have the right to refuse, but refusal will cast a shadow over your future. Please give me your answer soon."

Zhang Zhe’s sudden invitation left Lu Luo somewhat astonished.

A temporary conscription? For someone like him, shouldn’t his background be considered problematic? The Inspection Department should have thoroughly investigated his background by now. He wondered if Zhang Changming’s previous protection had been effective. If it had, that was good. If not, his identity would become an obstacle.

Still, joining the Inspection Department was something he could accept. After all, this was his original plan: join the Imperial Inspection Department and use the Imperial’s power to fight the Angel Envoys! Hmm, although the method of joining was strange, everything was proceeding as he had anticipated.

"I’d like to ask, if I agree to the conscription, can I call my family?"

"That’s a simple request. Of course, you can."

Zhang Zhe’s clear answer brought a smile to Lu Luo’s hitherto gloomy face.

"Thank you. I’m willing to join."

"Very well. Prepare thoroughly today. Yi will tell you what to do next; just follow her instructions. Prepare to leave with us tomorrow."

"Alright!"

After Lu Luo nodded, Zhang Zhe didn’t leave but suddenly emphasized, "I want to remind you of something. Although you’re being temporarily conscripted and your strength is great—even greater than mine—I am still your superior officer in the team. When you reply to me, you are to say, ’Yes, Commander.’ Can you do that?"

Because Lu Luo was so strong, Zhang Zhe was very cautious as he said this. Such a requirement would be unacceptable to many powerful individuals. But Lu Luo was different. Having been educated in a past life, he naturally understood the importance of following orders. Besides, he wasn’t particularly worried about his own safety. He had far too many means of escape.

"Yes, Commander. I will obey orders."

"Good. I will come to pick you both up at 6 AM tomorrow to leave."

"Leave? May I ask, where is this mission?"

Zhang Zhe frowned slightly. Wu Yi, beside Lu Luo, tugged his arm and gently shook her head at him. "Any member of the Inspection Department is better off not asking about mission objectives; it’s against the rules. We just need to obey orders."

"Is that so..." Lu Luo nodded and didn’t press the issue further.

That night, Lu Luo fiddled with a bottle cap. The sudden conscription made him somewhat excited. Firstly, he had regained a measure of freedom. Secondly, it seemed he might have a chance to gradually integrate into the core departments of the Imperial. He no longer wanted to guess how the Imperial Family would deal with him next. The priority now was to handle his duties at the Inspection Department well.

"Hey, Zhi Geyi, what are typical missions like? Catching criminals or corrupt officials?"

When Lu Luo asked this, Wu Yi looked at him as if he were an idiot.

"Have you been reading too many novels or listening to too many street rumors? They don’t know shit about the Inspection Department; they just spread nonsense all day long."

"Elaborate?"

"Indeed, the Inspection Department is the largest purging force within the Imperial, but actually controlling those societies and criminals doesn’t require such immense power. Our main work still focuses on clearing out anomalies. The territories of the Imperial are vast, and the outer regions are continuously expanding. Of course, most of this work is done by ordinary soldiers and low-ranked Transcendents. But explorers inevitably encounter situations they can’t handle, like running into powerful anomalies. That’s when powerful Transcendents are needed. This is because the replacement cost of Transcendents is far lower than that of weapons and equipment. Transcendents, with just bonuses and salaries, can continuously eliminate high-level anomalies, whereas consumed weaponry is gone for good. So, high-level Transcendents are, in effect, a reusable military resource. Although our current mission wasn’t specified, I suspect it’s related to border expansion."

Wu Yi hadn’t gone into great detail, but Lu Luo had grasped the general idea.

"So, border expansion means dealing with anomalies encountered at the border?"

"More or less, yes."

"Exactly how vast are the territories of the Imperial?" Lu Luo wondered aloud.

"Very large, extremely so. But many areas are still uncultivated. Thus, the Imperial needs a massive population to fill these regions. With enough people, there will be enough Transcendents; with enough Transcendents, enough supreme experts will emerge. The Imperial went from an initial five Eighth Order experts to the current thirteen in just a thousand years. In that millennium, both the quantity and quality of top-tier experts have made a quantum leap. This is undoubtedly a sign of the Imperial’s powerful advancement. And the prerequisite for all of this is the Imperial’s continuously growing population."

Wu Yi’s explanation made Lu Luo see her in a new light. Such insight wasn’t mere political information but a strategic understanding that integrated history. If no one had taught her this and she had grasped it herself, then this Zhi Geyi was truly formidable!

"Zhi Geyi, you’re really amazing. I didn’t expect you to know so much."

As Lu Luo said this, Wu Yi suddenly realized she might have said too much. A normal member of the Inspection Department shouldn’t know all this!

"Er, I just heard it from others. How could a rookie like me come up with so much? I’m just parroting what I was told."

"Is that so? Then the person who originally thought of all this must be quite impressive!"

Hearing Lu Luo’s praise, Wu Yi felt quite pleased. After all, these insights were her own.

"Indeed," she said, "the person who came up with that is very formidable."

"So, what’s the current population of the Imperial?"

"The last officially announced figure was 700 million, but the actual population far exceeds that number."

"Far exceeds?"

"That’s right. The current population of the Imperial should be over one billion. One billion—what a staggering figure! With that many people, can you even imagine the number of Transcendents?"

One billion people... that doesn’t actually seem like that many... Lu Luo thought.