Chapter 2
Chapter 2: Upper District
Long Ming walked to the checkpoint and saw that a long line had already formed.
He chose the line with fewer people and waited as the seconds ticked by.
Soon it was his turn. A woman in a Blue Tier uniform with long black hair and a tiny beauty mark at the corner of her eye smiled and asked: “Mr., please show your ID. Inspector No. 472, Tang Ying, at your service.”
He handed over his ID, saying: “Here.”
Tang Ying compared his face with the photo, then set the card on a handheld device to look up his application. She asked: “Mr. Long Ming, why are you going to the Upper District?”
He answered: “To see a doctor at First Central Hospital.”
She asked: “How long do you plan to stay in the Upper District?”
He said: “If all goes well, I’ll be back this afternoon.”
She nodded and reminded him: “Your pass is valid for 24 hours. Please watch the time so you don’t run into trouble.”
He replied: “Got it.”
Taking back his ID, Long Ming passed the checkpoint and went beneath the high wall to the base of the Upper District.
Elevators enclosed in clear glass and several gray lift platforms came into view.
He looked at the elevators and platforms with a complicated expression, then gathered himself and stepped onto the nearest platform.
Because the glass elevators were for Upper Citizens only, he could only take the open platform with guardrails.
The platform was less safe than the enclosed elevators, but because it was open-air, the view was even better.
Click! With a slight shudder, the platform began to rise.
A light breeze passed. Long Ming lifted his head and looked far into the distance; the entire Lower District spread out below him.
The huge Lower District was packed with countless buildings.
They stood very close together, with dim alleys everywhere and streets full of people, a different kind of busy life.
He could also see square, glass buildings that formed a ring around the Central Zone, creating a wide belt.
Those square glass buildings were cultivation chambers used to produce staple crops.
Because of pollution, contamination in all wild plants, animals, and sea life was above the limit. Eating them would contaminate your body, so all food had to be grown cleanly in controlled chambers.
The Upper District had cultivation chambers too, even more advanced than those below. They were built mainly of metal, and inside there were both hydroponic systems and artificial synthesis.
Ding. With a clear chime, the platform reached the Upper District and stopped.
Long Ming stepped off and saw rows of buildings made of ivory-colored stone with a Gothic style. Silver-white streetlamps stood on both sides of the road, each hung with a pretty red flower knot.
In the distant shopping streets, high-end stores were open. Behind glass windows sat fancy clothes, jewelry, and other luxury goods.
Well-dressed ladies walked with children, and cheerful laughter floated on the air.
Looking at the familiar streets, Long Ming grew quieter.
He had once lived in the Upper District. But because of a hereditary genetic defect, his father died young, and his mother soon passed away in grief, leaving him alone.
To treat his illness, he had been forced to sell the house and family belongings, then move to the Lower District and rent.
It was a mix of blessing and misfortune.
He adjusted his mood and headed for First Central Hospital.
Mountain City, City Lord’s Manor.
Heavy velvet curtains blocked out the sun.
In the dim room, the sounds of heavy breathing and medical machines came and went.
On a luxurious bed with gold-thread embroidery lay an old man in a black robe trimmed with gold. His face was sallow, his eye sockets were deeply sunken with dark shadows, a respirator mask covered his mouth, and an IV drip hung from his hand.
At the bedside stood a young man in a white shirt and black suit with a purple tie. A sweep of black bangs covered his left eye. He was handsome, polite, and refined.
The old man was Mountain City’s City Lord, Qian Luo. The young man was his son, Qian Ying.
Buzz. Qian Ying’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out, glanced at the screen, then put it away.
City Lord Qian Luo slowly opened his eyes and asked in a low voice: “What is it?”
Qian Ying answered respectfully: “Father, Vice City Lord Xiao Ning has arrived.”
Qian Luo rasped: “Help me up.”
Qian Ying quickly removed the respirator mask and disconnected the IV, then supported Qian Luo out of the bedroom and into the study. He helped him sit at the center rosewood desk.
Knock knock.
“Come in,” Qian Luo said, lifting his head. His voice was not loud, but it carried authority.
Creak. The door opened.
A middle-aged man in a Blue Tier robe walked in. He had broad shoulders, dark brown skin, a strong face with a bit of stubble, and eyes sharp as an eagle’s.
Qian Luo coughed lightly, looked up at him, and said hoarsely: “Xiao Ning, you’re here.”
Xiao Ning bowed slightly and asked: “City Lord, are you feeling any better?”
“At my age, there is no better or worse,” Qian Luo said. “How is the task I gave you?”
“Please rest easy, City Lord,” Xiao Ning reported. “All experts and elite personnel are ready. Here is the list.”
“You’ve worked hard,” Qian Luo said as he took the thick file and began to read. “This operation concerns Mountain City’s future. We cannot afford even the smallest mistake.”
“This is what I should do,” Vice City Lord Xiao Ning replied humbly.
Knock knock.
“Come in,” Xiao Ning called.
A man in black armor hurried in, moving with crisp discipline. Seeing the City Lord reading, he stepped to Xiao Ning’s side and whispered a few words.
Xiao Ning’s brows tightened. He waved the man away.
Without looking up, Qian Luo kept turning pages and asked in a husky voice: “Xiao Ning, what happened?”
“It is only a small matter,” Xiao Ning said respectfully.
“What small matter? Tell me,” the City Lord said, eyes bright.
Xiao Ning answered gravely: “I just received word that Star Tower City and Sin City are making moves. According to our spies, they seem ready to open to ordinary citizens.”