Chapter 274: We’re Doing Pretty Well Over There!
Jiang Che returned to the area reserved for the Dark Forest buses; already, over a hundred buses stood ready, about to depart for various territories.
The people gathering around the buses were visibly excited—these were all the drivers selected for the task.
Not long ago, they had gone through training, but so far had only driven a short distance through the Dark Forest surrounding the territory.
Each bus could carry just two hundred people, ensuring that every transfer between territories wouldn’t disrupt each territory’s population balance.
Now, except for Leng Feng’s territory, the populations in other territories were already being kept at a relatively balanced state.
If population numbers suddenly exploded, it might tempt the Dark Forest to act recklessly.
These drivers were truly excited, though not because they expected to embezzle Energy Pearls.
It was simply that, here with Jiang Che, being able to go out freely and even earn some wages made them genuinely happy.
No other territory could offer them this.
Here, you wouldn’t get hurt, there were no weird surveillance devices, and you didn’t have territory-specific dangers.
On the contrary, this place was extremely safe.
The Lord wasn’t nearly as mentally unstable as they’d imagined, and the little leaders who usually issued commands were all quite approachable.
Maybe it was because everyone here took the initiative to work hard.
The work and living atmosphere were both harmonious and reliable.
All cities still had internet, and Jiang Che’s territory could connect online as well.
Online complaints about people’s living situations were dwindling; everyone was gradually accepting things as they were now.
They couldn’t help but want to brag to others about how good things were in their territory.
Before, whenever Leng Feng sent people over by name, the others mocked them, saying they were coming to Jiang Che’s territory to be his dogs.
They said they’d be tied with ropes, stationed around the territory, defending against dungeon invaders, and when no enemies came, just acting as gatekeepers.
It wasn’t just everyone else—these drivers used to think that way too.
At the time, many felt unhappy deep down, but didn’t say much.
After all, every territory had its downsides: endless suffering in some places, and here, dignity was worn down.
But when facing real danger, both could be abandoned.
It was only after arriving that they realized it wasn’t so. They wanted to show off, but Jiang Che had never given the order, so nobody dared say a word to outsiders about how happy they were now.
They just thought about driving to other cities, casually showing off: "Back in our place, things are pretty good!"
Online discussions about Jiang Che’s territory claimed that everyone who went there died.
No one had actually seen anyone who entered Jiang Che’s territory and then disappeared from public view.
Even if dissatisfied with the environment, people would usually complain online at least a little bit.
Jiang Che stepped into the crowd, "Not long ago, Leng Feng sent me a message. He said to prevent population confusion, everyone from each city needs an identity document. Since you’re headed out, we’ve prepared them for you."
As he spoke, Xiong Jie hurried over and handed everyone a magnetic card filled with their data.
"Now, each city also has new gate barriers. The card information is universal."
"Anyone getting on the bus needs to pay Energy Pearls as fare and swipe their card for identity verification," Xiong Jie said, carrying a facial recognition machine onto a bus.
"From now on, cities can no longer arbitrarily change their population numbers." Jiang Che said. This was what Leng Feng insisted: he could take as many people as he wanted into his territory, but he had to ensure other territories retained their population balance, so the Dark Forest wouldn’t target any particular place.
"It may take some time for the information to get published, but when you pick up people for the bus, make it clear—they have to return within seven days, or else they’ll be kicked out." Jiang Che watched as driver after driver received their identity card.
He looked at his now sizable territory and really wanted Ning to see it—see what he had accomplished so far.
All he wanted was to share everything he had with Ning.
"Let’s roll out. Everyone knows where they’re supposed to go, right?" Xiong Jie looked at the drivers before him, all ones he had trained.
"The timing for each stop has been calculated, so don’t go off route for anything else." Xiong Jie reminded them again and again.
"If you don’t come back in the set time, we’ll assume something happened to you." There was currently no way to communicate inside the Dark Forest, so they had to wait until drivers reached the destination to check in again.
"Right, even though you can’t change population numbers, if you have family, you can pick them up," Jiang Che added.
"There’s no limit on how many people each can bring."
"The first trip isn’t about making a profit—everyone, on this first run, just go pick up your families."
"Also ask the others working if anyone needs to pick up family—today everyone’s off, go with the bus to pick people up."
"There aren’t many buses now. If you can’t fit everyone this trip, wait for the next." Jiang Che finished speaking, and instantly the scene exploded into sky-piercing screams.
"What’s happening?"
"Why are they so excited?"
"Heh, who wouldn’t be excited at getting to go out for a bit—probably about to set off." Those busy constructing looked over to where the noise came from, sighing helplessly.
Driver survival had rank limitations, since they needed enough strength to keep passengers in check.
Some just wanted to do their own jobs well; they felt more suited for it.
Any job, as long as it’s done well, would earn plenty of Energy Pearls—Jiang Che had promised them that.
"Quick, quick!" While they were discussing matters at the project site, a figure in the distance tumbled over, shouting "quick!" again and again.
"What’s wrong?"
"Quick, quick..." The newcomer repeated, unable to say anything else.
"Dungeon’s gone?" Someone’s face changed—they’d finally secured a safe place, was danger coming?
"No, quick, today’s a day off, hurry!"
Jiang Che had just announced today as a holiday: "The bus is departing now, and anyone with family can go along to pick up their relatives!" The newcomer gulped air, finally finishing his message.
As soon as he finished speaking—
The tools dropped from everyone’s hands, and after a moment’s realization, they dashed toward the bus area at full speed.
On the way, they saw many others running just as eagerly.
"Wait up, wait up!" The messenger in the back called after them frantically.
"No need to rush, Lord said if you can’t get everyone on this trip, there’ll be another! Everyone’s family will be picked up!"