Kaidan Game Train: Abide Rule or Die!
Chapter 412: Revelry and Cleansing

Chapter 412: Chapter 412: Revelry and Cleansing

When the Black Epaulettes flushed out two transport planes a moment ago, Xu Huo’s car and flight instrument were also exposed, but Madame Butterfly immediately used an item to cover the vehicle again. By that time, the High-Speed Boat Squad had already passed, and the Black Epaulettes were busy dealing with the remaining people, apparently having no time to attend to the scattered few.

"Those players are no match for the Black Epaulettes." Xu Huo started the car, lifting off from the sea surface and flying quickly toward the harbor. He could see several towering instruments erected in the sea from afar—these were the Space-Time Prop Restriction Equipment. He wondered if they had always been set up beneath the sea, or if they had been prepared in advance for this trap.

However, today he had witnessed the formidable power of the Enforcement Department’s Black Epaulettes, independent of and not under the city hall’s jurisdiction of the Zone 011 Government.

"Do you have a connection with Ran Ying?" Madame Butterfly suddenly asked.

"Not really," he replied.

"You could have one," Madame Butterfly said, "Duke Tal might not have an exact time when the munitions will be delivered, but you can start with Ran Ying. The Enforcement Department has more abundant sources of information."

Xu Huo turned to look at her, "You think she would tell such important information to someone she’s only known for a few days?"

"Why not try?" Madame Butterfly raised an eyebrow, "Aren’t you a smart man?"

"Sleeping with her is unnecessary; I’m afraid of dying unknowingly." Xu Huo paused and then asked, "Can you tell me now why you’re sure that what’s being transported today isn’t weapons?"

Madame Butterfly didn’t hide anything this time, "Because of the special nature of weapons transportation, some weapons cannot be stored in container props or spatial artifacts and must be carried directly. Traveling with weapons by vehicle easily exposes the target, so it’s necessary to rely on special items to cross space."

"Are there specific restrictions on crossing space?" Xu Huo followed up.

"Of course, there are, or else couldn’t players cross space at will?"

"How about entering the real world from the duplicate world?" Xu Huo asked further.

Madame Butterfly sized him up, "It’s possible, but the items that allow crossing space are expensive and scarce, with extremely limited uses and certain harmful effects on the player’s body, so they cannot be used frequently."

"So time is needed." Xu Huo pondered—if that was the case, then even the Rongxin Group’s information leak could be false, and the actual weapons transaction location might not be in the division where Base City is located.

"What are you thinking?" Madame Butterfly inquired.

"Watch the news tomorrow."

As they reached the shore, the entire Base City had already been put under martial law, which meant that everyone, including players, had to stay at the place they were when the martial law notice was issued, or else violent measures would be taken.

With the help of Madame Butterfly, Xu Huo safely made it back to Rose Castle without any issues, bypassing the surveillance equipment along the way.

After getting out of the car, she took a circular device off the exterior of the vehicle and tossed it to him, "Anti-surveillance device, I’m giving it to you. It’ll make sneaking around easier in the future."

"Thanks," Xu Huo smiled at her.

Madame Butterfly turned away, "The job isn’t done yet, I’m waiting for the good news."

This night was restless for the entire Base City; technology had become too advanced, and many people owned flight devices. They immediately posted fragmented clips online, and it seemed that the Enforcement Department was also deliberately hands-off, not bothering to destroy these devices or control the discourse.

As a result, after fermenting overnight, the Black Epaulettes became the hottest topic of the moment.

The responsibilities of the Enforcement Department’s Bai Jianzhang and Black Epaulettes were different, although both were responsible for responding to emergencies, a clear distinction could be roughly drawn as one being the day shift and the other the night shift. Bai Jianzhang had more dealings with City Hall, while the Black Epaulettes were more independent, especially the hard-line faction led by Ran Ying, who frequently clashed with City Hall.

These two factions did not get along well, so while the Black Epaulettes were receiving praise from the citizens for their combat videos, the Bai Jianzhang became the target of criticism. There were even exposes of their dark history posted online, such as accepting bribes, getting beaten in fights with the Black Epaulettes, and frequenting inappropriate entertainment venues.

The efficiency of the Zone 011 Government could not be faulted; City Hall issued a notice the next morning praising the Black Epaulettes and directly awarded them a intact transport aircraft as a reward. Additionally, as the team leader, Ran Ying received a medal, and all Black Epaulettes’ compensation increased.

Furthermore, Rongxin Group also came forward to thank the Black Epaulettes, expressing their intention to give a batch of supplies to the Black Epaulettes and offer employment opportunities to their families.

As for those players who were captured or killed, nobody cared; everyone was immersed in the joy and pride that the heroes of their city had defended their happiness. Merchants ran promotions, actors took turns performing, and the entire city was swept up in celebration.

Beyond these superficial matters, City Hall was also busy: last night they had sealed off the Lower City district to hunt down players, killing on the spot anyone who resisted, regardless of whether they had anything to do with the robbery at Rongxin Group.

While Base City celebrated, the Lower City district was undergoing a cleansing.

Xu Huo found time to look towards the outskirts of the Lower City district. Inside, many bodies were being dragged out and piled up, then carted away by vehicles. Among them, he saw two children who had previously asked him for candy.

The Lower City district was shrouded in terror and gloom, yet a single street away, residents near the main city area were out on the streets celebrating.

It wasn’t until the evening that City Hall’s troops withdrew from the Lower City district. At that time, the Lower City district fell eerily quiet; the usual small-time street ruffians and frolicking kids were nowhere to be seen.

Xu Huo entered the Lower City district and quickly found the small courtyard he had seen Deng Xuan in before. By this time, the protective items were gone, the courtyard gate lay in ruins, and bloodstains were everywhere inside.

He glanced around and then left, moving to an alley lined with apricot trees, checking each home. Eventually, in a dilapidated little house at the end of the alley, he found two children shivering inside a cupboard.

As soon as he opened the cupboard door, a little boy holding Little Knife stabbed at him. Xu Huo held the boy’s head, "Don’t recognize me anymore?"

"Clown!" The little boy looked at him warily.

"Where are your parents?" The one crying in the cupboard was the child who ran back for the candy. He sat inside wiping his tears. "They were all taken away, big brother said they’re all going to die."

There were bloodstains in the room, and the scent of fresh blood had not yet dissipated. Xu Huo asked them, "Do you have any other relatives or friends?"

"No!" The little boy choked back tears, "All relatives died a long time ago, and dad’s friends won’t take care of us!"

Xu Huo was silent for two seconds. He brought some water and food for them. The children scrambled for it and shoved it into their mouths. The boy spoke unclearly as he ate, "Uncle, are you a player? Can you make me a player too? I don’t want to die..."

"It’s too early to be a player now," Xu Huo said. "Tomorrow you go to the welfare institution, they will send you to school, and we’ll talk about the rest when you grow up."