"Have we arrived yet? I'm really looking forward to it~"
On the way to Tie Chuan, Ah Qing, sitting in the passenger seat, cradled a small fox, occasionally glancing at the car's built-in map display.
"There's still about ten kilometers to go. Don't rush; I'm going to flip off the slow-moving truck ahead of us."
Momo glanced at the navigation screen, said, and then flipped off the slowly moving delivery truck in front with a middle finger.
As a seasoned driver, Momo was well-versed in the unwritten rules of traffic congestion and alternate merging.
When driving in congested traffic, within five minutes, if you don't inquire about the health of surrounding drivers' parents, they'll definitely be asking about your birthplace.
Momo's personality wasn't passive; she proactively sent an exploratory signal to the cut-in driver's birthplace.
Gradually leaving the busy morning peak city district behind, they arrived at the suburban road leading towards the former ceramic factory.
Upon entering the fork in the road, a metal anti-ram barricade suddenly appeared, and a security guard, holding a thermal mug, stepped out of the pavilion.
"What are you here for? The road ahead is the ceramic factory's internal road..."
The security guard tapped on the car window, although he had already seen Master Fuli in the passenger seat, he still asked.
"We're changing cars, handing over our phones, and touring the factory," Ansheng replied to the security guard inquiring about the password.
The Dragon Man Ruins is a military restricted area; anyone entering or exiting needs the corresponding password, otherwise, they'd face warnings from the checkpoint warriors, while hidden sentries would simultaneously raise their weapons.
"Alright."
After completing the password verification, handing over the phones, the security guard gestured towards the forest, an off-road vehicle emerged, carrying Master Fuli and the group inside.
"Master Fuli!"
At the second checkpoint, the chubby Monkey King, already waiting here, waved to Master Fuli, smiling and asking, "Has everyone had breakfast yet? The cafeteria is still serving breakfast."
"No need, just take us directly to the ruins museum," Ansheng told the Monkey King.
Ah Qing and the others were slightly tense, looking at the towering metal high tower, with a large water tank-like round sphere on top catching their attention. Upon entering the second checkpoint, what came into view were fully armed soldiers, accompanied by mechanical dogs or tracked robots, patrolling around.
Containers were placed orderly like bunkers in the open space; behind each metal box, thick cables extended into the ground.
Arriving at the entrance of the Dragon Man Ruins, two mechanical dogs comparable to large stone lions crouched at the door, and the metallic twin-cylinder objects on their backs were particularly striking.
"Is that... a rocket launcher?"
Tang You was astonished, turning to the little fox perched on Ah Qing's shoulder.
"You mean on the big dogs? Probably not, I think they previously said it was a small ground-based missile," Ansheng glanced at the two dogs, shaking his head, unconcerned.
"Awesome." Tang You couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
This work environment is practically paradise; if not for the heavy and oppressive atmosphere here, Tang You would have asked whether the Dragon Man Ruins were hiring.
Wages aside, as long as I can touch those metal babies every day, it's all worth it, it's so trendy.
"The atmosphere here is so oppressive..."
Ah Qing could sense the soldiers' solemn expressions and vigilant gazes all around, as if they were in a dangerous place, feeling a sense of cautious progress.
"Feeling oppressed? Once inside, your feelings will refresh,"
Ansheng cast a sidelong glance at Ah Qing, with a quirky expression on his little face.
Ah Qing's feeling wasn't entirely wrong.
However, Ah Qing made a slight miscalculation; the atmosphere here, like guarding against thieves at every step, wasn't aimed at possible enemies, but rather the spirit beasts here.
The main force monitoring the Dragon Man Ruins, apart from missile-type major weapons, the real main force is the Woodcutter team.
"Awooo—"
A loud howl echoed, as a snow-white wolf cub ran down the ruins road, full of excitement, chasing a fully brown-furred ibex ahead.
"You little beast, stop! That's your colleague!" A boy followed closely behind the wolf cub, with a face of despair crying out loudly.
However, the excited White Wolf temporarily ignored his partner's shout.
Rest assured, we're all colleagues, how could I possibly harm the ibex's body?
I just want to tackle it, once I catch it, I'll let go.
"Awoo!" The delighted White Wolf leapt forward, but completely overlooked the human-like slyness on the face of the ibex in front, it slightly raised its butt.
"No—" The White Wolf's partner was filled with horror.
"Ow!"
The moment White Wolf pounced on the ibex's butt, an explosive grassy-toned warm stream surged from the ibex's rear, directly engulfing White Wolf's face.
"???"
The White Wolf, with a messy face sprayed by the fart, stared in shock at the escaping ibex, gagging violently.
Having witnessed the chase, Ansheng and Ah Qing stood silently and speechlessly in place.
"Here's... my workplace,"
Ansheng raised his hand, pointing to the wolf cub rolling frantically on the lawn, using grass to wipe his face, letting out a mournful wail.
"Most of the time, I persuade fights; however, White Wolf and the ibex aren't Chang'an Spirit Beast..."
"Even if I try to mediate, they might not listen."
The White Wolf, ibex, and brown bear spirit beasts were support forces from a neighboring province.
Earlier, when escorting the corpse, Ansheng had a brief encounter with them, but didn't chat much before hurriedly leaving the Dragon Man Ruins.
"Practically demonic..." Momo snapped back, looked at the ibex climbing the building wall, chuckling weirdly, then glanced at the White Wolf and remarked.
The ibex clearly plotted this deliberate revenge, otherwise, it wouldn't be able to spray the White Wolf so precisely.
"...Xiaolan, why don't I adopt you?" Ah Qing's mouth twitched slightly, suggesting to Ansheng.
Teaching at the Security Bureau, these are truly grueling jobs.
Ah Qing felt she could still try harder, extend her live-streaming time, and accept more endorsements, ensuring she and Huhu wouldn't starve.
"Cough cough....."
The Monkey King, awkwardly coughing twice, temporarily interrupted Ah Qing's persuasion, saying, "Master Fuli, Professor Wu is waiting at the door for you."
Master Fuli and partners arrived to tour the laboratory, only to stumble upon two troublesome furballs attacking each other, this matter was really tricky for the Monkey King to explain to Ah Qing.
"Ah Qing, don't worry, I'm very clever—usually not participating in group fights...."
Ansheng chuckled, signaling for Ah Qing to follow the Monkey King inside the laboratory for the tour, while he needed to discuss matters with the Security Bureau's higher-ups.
"Then... make sure to pay attention to hygiene, and try to refrain from touching the ground if you can ride on someone..."
Ah Qing placed Xiaolan at the door, admonishing him to mind personal hygiene before leaving unwillingly.
"Alright....."
Ansheng squatted and waved goodbye to Ah Qing, turned, and entered the passage leading to the ruins. Professor Wu, as the Monkey King mentioned, was already waiting at the entrance.
Currently, the Dragon Man Ruins are distinctly tiered, with strengths and abilities categorizing their roles, each performing their duties.
Professor Wu and Professor Bai preside over the entrance, responsible for safeguarding Li Wenkang and the life sciences research team inside.
"Where's Old Li?"
After accepting a soda from Professor Wu, Ansheng radiated with confidence and said:
"I've prepared my rebuttal, next up, I'll jump on the table and start with this: Who agrees or opposes what Old Li just said, stand up and speak!"
"Anyone opposing will stand in the lab's center, or I will transport them there for free!"