Chapter 1657: Chapter 1657

1657: Chapter 1653: Rise 1657: Chapter 1653: Rise Miss Olga got off the car much earlier than Lu Ping’an, she had too many secrets and needed to go directly to Wanjing.

As for Lu Ping’an, he simply handed over the documents and files to the accompanying team and continued down south to return to the Ancient City Directly-Governed City in Changping State.

On the road, nothing unexpected happened.

The only thing worth mentioning, perhaps, was that with the economic and political status of Ancient City rising, Eastern Country’s railway network’s main line also reached Ancient City, saving Lu Ping’an a lot of effort.

That kind of travel involving two hours of bus hustle, over ten hours on a train, then transferring to another bus and to a truck…

Such journeys, which were the norm on another world line’s last century, were also a reality most Easterners had to face in this world line.

“…But, it’s not all bad news.”

As soon as Lu Ping’an got off the train, he saw a row of more than a dozen vehicles not far away…

With Lu Ping’an’s current status, it was inevitable that he would be mobbed by the station as soon as his itinerary was confirmed.

But Lu Ping’an already started smiling…

Not because of the greeters themselves, but because of those at least four or five categories of “vehicles”.

The solar-powered extraordinary engine plant-like cars, Saphire people’s traditional land arks, and the “New Era Electric Cars” heavily promoted by Lu Ping’an himself…

Although regrettably, it seems time his investment is doomed to lose, looking at the mid to long term it appears to be a loss-making deal.

The future dominant electric cars of Lu Ping’an’s world line could indeed not compete with these extraordinary technologies.

“…Looks like the orders are good?”

Lu Ping’an closed the door, checked the newly updated interior, and nodded in satisfaction.

Now, he was unavoidably fully bound with Ancient City…

Such a humanized top combat power is quite a rare treasure for any city.

“I heard it’s not bad, recently several car companies have d money to our Bureau of Anomaly Management and Special Service Team.

We’ve updated our equipment and hired more people, otherwise, I wouldn’t have the time to come pick you up.”

Since Xia Qin came, which car Lu Ping’an would take didn’t even need to be mentioned.

But her firm grip on the steering wheel made Lu Ping’an inexplicably a bit annoyed.

“…Don’t be so defensive, after all these years, you still don’t trust me?

I’m no longer that naive kid who only knows how to hit the gas pedal.”

“Heh, are you hinting that you not only slam the gas pedal to the floor but also use flame throwers and Tamer abilities to boost the car’s speed?”

Since there’s no trust, then there’s no need for more words, Lu Ping’an immediately turned his head to look out of the window…

But from beginning to end, Lu Ping’an did not deny Xia Qin’s speculation.

Indeed, he was quite interested in this locally produced new car that seemed to combine the Saphire people’s anti-gravity sailing technology, his own company’s bio-ship technology, and the solar engine.

It must be thrilling to speed along.

“Tch, got on the wrong car.”

Though Lu Ping’an complained, he did not jump out of the car.

After all, Xia Qin was driving very fast…

Sirens wailing, she turned the new car into a land airship.

Lu Ping’an, who rolled down the window to let the wind blow on his face, was somewhat happy.

It’s still Xia Qin who understood him, knowing that even if he doesn’t hold the steering wheel, enjoying such an indirect thrill is pretty good too.

If he were to drive, it might only take a few minutes before there’s no follow-up, not as lasting as now.

“Heh, sister Xia has also learned to be flexible, now using sirens to clear the way.

Before, you always emphasized that only official matters could…

wait, where are we going?

This is not the direction to the Bureau of Anomaly Management, right?”

Lu Ping’an faintly felt something was off.

Xia Qin wouldn’t be dragging him directly to a hotel, right?

It’s a bit strange to run towards it, even though there’s a house at home…

Looking at the nearby Silver Star Hotel, he felt increasingly that something was amiss.

Since when did Director Xia get into playing romantic?

But soon, he knew he had hoped for too much.

“A few Rule-level visitors have come, not registering or reporting is one thing, but staying in the hotel without paying…”

With Xia Qin being so agitated, Lu Ping’an’s hopes completely shattered.

“…I knew it wouldn’t be that good, catching me to work as soon as I’m back?”

Lu Ping’an sighed, growing more helpless.

He knew that Xia Qin smiling at him along the way was most likely up to no good.

“Alright, how cooked?”

As she spoke, she furiously honked the horn, demanding that the cars in front make way.

The aggravated guy in front abruptly turned around, about to explode in road rage…

only to be met with a middle finger and a furious glare from a policewoman, which instantly forced a smile from him as he broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly made room.

“What did they do to tick you off?”

Lu Ping’an used a certain tone, knowing that these people must have some ability to infuriate Xia Qin, whose temperament had improved over the years.

But in all likelihood, things hadn’t gone too far, as otherwise, even if Lu Ping’an hadn’t returned, Xia Qin would have gone herself, sword in hand, ready for a desperate fight…

A high-tier professional’s destructive skirmish is too terrifying.

Unless absolutely necessary, they wouldn’t battle within the city, for regardless of who wins or loses, it would result in at least a national-level wanted order.

“They stripped the young police officer I sent over and hung him naked on the hotel wall…

plus a few unscrupulous tabloids, they really dare anything for traffic.”

Now, Lu Ping’an understood.

The Special Service Team of the Ancient City had lost face, which meant the Bureau of Anomaly Management had lost face, which in turn meant the Ancient City had lost face…

Xia Qin didn’t really care about her own reputation, but in this age, the dignity and image of an official law enforcement were equivalent to the public’s confidence in security, which could significantly lower the crime rate.

This kind of humiliation to the police could lead to a spike in local crime rates if not handled properly.

“Alright, fully cooked skewers, skewered and hung up at Ancient City Square?”

“That would affect the city’s appearance too much, there’s heavy foot traffic there…

hang them at the city garbage disposal station’s machinery instead.

The scenery and odor there are quite fitting,”

And so, what had to happen, happened.

Xia Qin was confident in winning, but if it really came down to a fight to the death, the city would suffer huge losses due to the immense destructiveness of high-tier professionals.

But then, Lu Ping’an arrived…

Within tens of minutes, atop the garbage disposal factory in the city’s Second Development Zone, high on the tower, hung several men, stripped of even their underwear.

And below, a bunch of journalists were eagerly snapping photos, while special agents were kindly warning them not to forget about Musk, that certain areas couldn’t be reported on; as for their faces, they were already pummeled beyond recognition.

Lu Ping’an didn’t join in below; he didn’t like the smell there, and Xia Qin had already gone home to shower, given that tonight, she had to properly thank Lu Ping’an…

Lu somehow felt that she was just looking for an excuse, but he wasn’t foolish enough to point it out.

“Looks like, there are quite a lot of them indeed…”

Lu Ping’an was a bit surprised, only fully realizing the scope when he activated his Eye of Truth; within this small Ancient City, there were at least seven to eight rule-level combat powers present.

Out of these, he only knew of four reliable ones.

“After all, the Ancient City is now essentially the State capital, so you know…”

The logic is simple: if Strongmen are looking for a place to live, they naturally head to the most prosperous areas.

They had moved to Changping before, and now naturally gravitated to the more developed Ancient City, rich with extraordinary resources.

Clearly, their arrival now had some connection to the war situation…

some were here to strengthen themselves, some to band together, and some to sell their combat power.

As the storm approached, people started to mobilize.

Today, thanks to the efforts of Lu Ping’an and the previous generation of local managers, the Ancient City has indeed developed quite well, and is destined to become the core of Ben state in the foreseeable future.

The reason is quite simple and pure: this is a super-large “automobile” production base.

With projects underway, naturally there’s a need for people and recruitment…

The skilled workers here have been engaged for many years and have used up their potential with job rotations and overtime.

Nowadays, with the completion and rise of the Seventh Development Zone, there is a large population of industrial workers and engineers, including a significant proportion of extraordinary Craftsmen.

And these are the most valuable treasures of the Ancient City…

“The local military-industrial projects have also taken shape; after all, workers and basic engineers can be recruited at any time.

It’s said that the higher-ups are quite satisfied with us and are planning to increase investment with the addition of two more shipyards and orders for more than ten vessels.”

The erstwhile bloated population density, along with the gradual training of industry, has now become the cornerstone for the development of middle-high tier human resources here, and importantly, they are capable of undertaking the large wartime orders soon to be released by the Eastern Country.

“The rise of the Ancient City starts today…”