Chapter 66 – Body Checkpoint

Because when fighting zombies, one might not even notice being scratched or bitten, and there had been cases of people only mutating after returning to the base, this checkpoint was set up.

If uninjured, one could directly enter the base. If injured, they had to stay in quarantine for 24 hours, and only after confirming no mutation could they enter.

Every seemingly unreasonable rule was established because it had once truly happened.

Chu Jiangyue had stayed at the B City Safe Base in her previous life, so she was mentally prepared for this rule.

But for Shen Zhigui and the others, this was their first time here. When they heard there was a body check, their expressions turned unpleasant.

“How about we send a message to Captain Song, let him come and take us in?”

Shen Zhigui felt it was fine for men to be checked, but for Chu Jiangyue, a young woman, it didn’t seem very appropriate.

“It’s fine. Men and women are checked separately. A woman will check me.”

The base wouldn’t have made such a regulation without considering that.

“Alright, but if anything happens, just call out to us.”

Seeing Chu Jiangyue didn’t mind, Shen Zhigui didn’t press the matter.

Chu Jiangyue handed over a few ears of corn in place of two catties of rice to the guards, then went into the inspection room.

As for Shen Zhigui’s group, all their supplies were kept in Jiang He’s spatial ability, and he handed them over collectively.

The inspector was a middle-aged woman. When she saw Chu Jiangyue walk in, her expression flickered with surprise.

At this stage of the apocalypse, someone like Chu Jiangyue—spotless and clean—was rare.

Even more so, she was a woman.

But upon seeing her flawless face, the middle-aged woman seemed to understand.

After all, to survive, many women in the base attached themselves to ability users. But even those women didn’t look as clean and tidy as Chu Jiangyue.

“Take off your clothes, I need to check your whole body.”

The middle-aged woman held this post because she had a son who was an awakened ability user with decent strength.

Seeing Chu Jiangyue reminded her of those women trying to cling to her son, and her attitude naturally worsened.

A vine coiled out from Chu Jiangyue’s palm, looping around the woman without touching her. One thought from Chu Jiangyue and the vine could have bound her tight.

“Auntie, I think it’d be better if you restrained your attitude, don’t you agree?”

No matter the time, in the face of absolute strength, all schemes were paper tigers.

Completely undressing was out of the question—taking off the outer layer would suffice.

The woman hadn’t expected Chu Jiangyue to be a wood-type ability user.

Currently, the base was actively recruiting wood-types, and her attitude instantly shifted 180 degrees.

“I was just joking. Why so serious? No need to take it all off, just remove the outer coat so I can confirm there are no wounds.”

Originally, she wanted to cause trouble over the inspection.

But Chu Jiangyue had always stayed at Jianglin Hotel, and even when she went out, she hadn’t encountered dangerous fights. She bore no hidden injuries.

Even if the woman wanted to nitpick, she had no excuse. And forcing trouble while facing Chu Jiangyue’s vine whip was not wise.

Thus, Chu Jiangyue smoothly passed the body checkpoint.

After her, Shen Zhigui’s group also came out one after another.

“Where to now?”

They had only come along to accompany Chu Jiangyue. Since she hadn’t said what she planned to do at the base, Shen Zhigui asked.

“Let’s find Captain Song.”

She wanted more people to register as guests at Jianglin Hotel. She couldn’t accomplish that alone.

Song Chengjun, as the commander of the B City Safe Base patrol squad, had a certain amount of influence.

Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui’s group were all ability users, and strong ones at that.

As soon as they entered the base, many noticed and reported it.

A squad that strong—if they could be recruited—would be a guaranteed gain.

But some who had stayed at Jianglin Hotel before recognized them and spread the word.

Eventually, the news reached Song Chengjun.

Hearing that Chu Jiangyue and the others had come to the base, his expression was surprised.

Hadn’t Boss Chu always stayed in Jianglin Hotel?

And Shen Zhigui’s group never showed interest in developing toward the base either.

He hadn’t expected that after his unsuccessful invitations before, they would end up walking to his doorstep.

“Where are they now? Take me to them.”

Since they had come to his territory, he had to play host.

“When we saw them, they were in the trading market. Not sure if they’re still there.”

Meanwhile, Chu Jiangyue didn’t rush to find Song Chengjun—she took her time looking around the base.

Eventually, she strolled into the trading area.

Soon enough, Song Chengjun arrived with his men. Sure enough, he spotted Chu Jiangyue at a jade stall, examining items.

Shen Zhigui’s group stood behind her like bodyguards attending a young lady.

“Boss Chu, Mr. Shen… it’s been a while.”

Song Chengjun approached and greeted them.

“Captain Song, you came. I was just planning to go find you.”

Chu Jiangyue set down the jade she was holding, her eyes lighting up.

This was the key figure who could help her complete her task.

“You came to the base, so of course I had to come greet you. Boss Chu, interested in jade?”

Seeing how carefully she was selecting, Song assumed she liked jade.

“Not really. This stall has raw stones. First time I’ve seen them, so I was curious.”

She wasn’t very interested in things that couldn’t be eaten or worn.

But the stall owner didn’t look too happy about her browsing.

Chu Jiangyue took out an ear of corn from her system backpack. “Here, so you won’t say I only looked without buying. This corn—can I trade it for those finished bracelets?”

Besides raw stones, the stall also had finished jewelry. Chu Jiangyue was only interested in a few jade bangles.

“Of course! Take whatever you like.”

She handed him the corn and stored all the bracelets into her backpack.

After a moment’s thought, she asked the little fox to make some flyers and handed one to the stall owner.

“Take this. You can go to Jianglin Hotel. With these goods, you might be able to exchange them for a few gold coins.”

High-quality jade could fetch a decent price, and the stall had many fine pieces.

But since he already traded away his corn, if he went to the hotel later and felt he’d lost out—well, that wasn’t her problem.