Game: Civilization Paradise

Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Upper City District

Long Ming walked to the inspection checkpoint, only to see a long line had already formed.

He found a relatively shorter line and got in.

Time passed, second by second. Soon, it was Long Ming’s turn. A woman in a blue uniform, with long black hair and a beauty mark by the corner of her eye, asked with a smile.

"Sir, please present your identification. Inspector number 472, Tang Ying, at your service."

"Here."

Long Ming took his ID from his pocket and handed it over.

Tang Ying took the ID and carefully checked it against Long Ming’s face, then placed it on a portable device to look up his application information.

"Mr. Long Ming, may I ask why you are going to the Upper City District?"

"To see a doctor at the First Central Hospital."

"How long do you plan to stay in the Upper City District?"

"If all goes well, I’ll be back this afternoon."

"Alright. Your permit is valid for 24 hours. Please be mindful of the time to avoid any unnecessary trouble from overstaying."

"Understood."

Long Ming took the ID that Tang Ying handed back, passed through the checkpoint, and entered the high-walled area at the base of the Upper City District.

Elevators with transparent glass walls and gray lifting platforms came into view.

Long Ming gazed at these elevators and lifting platforms, a complicated expression on his face.

However, he quickly snapped out of it and walked onto a nearby lifting platform.

Since the glass elevators were for the exclusive use of Upper City residents, he could only take a lifting platform, which was fitted with safety railings.

Although the lifting platforms were less safe, their open-air design offered a better view of the magnificent scenery.

CLANK!

With a slight shudder, the lifting platform began to slowly ascend.

A gentle breeze blew past. Long Ming looked up and gazed into the distance, the entire Lower City District coming into view.

The vast Lower City District was densely packed with countless buildings.

The buildings were crammed together, creating a maze of dim alleyways. The streets, teeming with pedestrians, displayed a different kind of prosperity.

In addition, one could see square, glass-like buildings in the Lower City District, arranged in a circle around the central area to form a massive ring.

These square glass buildings were cultivation chambers, used specifically for producing various food crops.

Due to the pollution, all wild animals, plants, and marine life had contamination levels that exceeded safe limits. Consuming any of them would lead to physical contamination, so all food had to be specially grown in a pure environment.

Of course, the Upper City District also had cultivation chambers, and they were more advanced than those in the Lower City District. Their main structures were built with metal, and they utilized everything from hydroponics to artificial synthesis.

DING!

Accompanied by a crisp chime, the lifting platform arrived at the Upper City District and came to a stop.

Long Ming stepped off the platform and was greeted by the sight of buildings constructed from off-white stone in a Gothic architectural style. Silvery-white lampposts lined both sides of the road, adorned with beautiful red floral knots.

In the distance, a commercial street was lined with high-end shops, their transparent display windows showcasing all sorts of luxury clothing, accessories, and other goods.

Well-dressed ladies of wealth led their children as they shopped, their cheerful laughter echoing from time to time.

Long Ming gazed at the familiar streetscape, his expression growing more and more somber.

The truth was, Long Ming had also lived in the Upper City District before. However, due to a hereditary genetic defect, his father had passed away early, and his mother had followed soon after, dying of grief and leaving him all alone.

To pay for his own treatment, he had no choice but to sell off his family’s property and belongings, moving to the Lower City District to live in a rented home.

It could be said that fortune and misfortune are two sides of the same coin.

However, he quickly composed himself and hurried toward the First Central Hospital.

...

「Mountain City Mountain, City Lord’s Mansion.」

Heavy velvet curtains blocked out the sunlight.

In the dim room, the sound of labored breathing and the hum of medical equipment could be heard from time to time.

On a luxurious, gold-threaded bed lay an old man. He was dressed in a black, gold-threaded robe, his face was sallow, and the sunken hollows of his eyes were bluish-black. He wore an oxygen mask and had an IV drip in his hand.

Waiting by the bedside was a handsome and refined young man. He wore a white shirt, a black suit, and a purple tie, his black, side-swept bangs covering his left eye.

This old man was none other than the City Lord of Mountain City Mountain, Qian Luo. The young man beside him was his son, Qian Ying.

BZZZ~

Just then, the phone in Qian Ying’s pocket vibrated.

He took out his phone, glanced down at it, then quickly put it away.

At that moment, City Lord Qian Luo slowly opened his eyes and asked in a low voice.

"What is it?"

"Father, Vice City Lord Xiao Ning is here."

Qian Ying explained respectfully.

"Help me up."

City Lord Qian Luo said, his voice hoarse.

Qian Ying quickly reached out, removed Qian Luo’s oxygen mask, and pulled out the IV needle from his hand.

He helped Qian Luo get up and leave the bedroom. They went to the study outside, where Qian Luo sat down at the large mahogany desk in the center of the room.

KNOCK KNOCK.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Qian Luo slowly raised his head and spoke. His voice was not loud, but it was filled with authority.

CREAK.

The door was then pushed open.

A middle-aged man walked in. He wore a blue robe and had a broad back and shoulders, dark brown skin, and handsome, well-defined features. He had a hint of stubble, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s.

"Cough, cough... Xiao Ning. You’re here."

Qian Luo coughed lightly, looking up at Xiao Ning and speaking in a hoarse voice.

"Yes, My Lord. Are you feeling any better?"

"At my age, there’s no such thing as better or worse. How are the matters I entrusted to you progressing?"

"My Lord, rest assured. All the experts and elite personnel are ready. This is the list."

Xiao Ning handed a very thick file to Qian Luo.

"You’ve worked hard. This operation concerns the future of Mountain City Mountain. We can’t afford a single mistake."

Qian Luo took the file and began to flip through it.

"It is my duty."

In the face of City Lord Qian Luo’s praise, Vice City Lord Xiao Ning’s expression was exceedingly humble. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

KNOCK KNOCK.

Just then, another knock sounded at the door. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

"Come in," Xiao Ning called out.

At that, a man in black armor with a brisk and efficient demeanor walked in hurriedly.

Seeing that City Lord Qian Luo was looking down and flipping through the file, he walked over to Vice City Lord Xiao Ning’s side and whispered a few words in his ear.

After hearing him out, Vice City Lord Xiao Ning’s brow furrowed. He then raised a hand and waved the man away.

Without looking up, Qian Luo continued to read the file, but he asked in his hoarse voice.

"Xiao Ning, what happened?"

"It’s just a small matter."

Vice City Lord Xiao Ning replied respectfully.

"What small matter? Tell me."

City Lord Qian Luo looked up, his gaze burning as it fixed on Xiao Ning.

"It’s like this. I just received word that Star Tower City and Sinful City are making a move. According to intelligence from our spies, it seems they’re preparing to open up to the general public."

Vice City Lord Xiao Ning said with a grave expression.