Enforcer Manual
Chapter 319: A Hidden Paradise_1

Chapter 319: Chapter 319: A Hidden Paradise_1

Song Lan had used intimidation tactics, which had a splendid effect on the timid "mouse."

His identity as an Esinvig Army cadre had allowed him to successfully avoid the Cavalry conducting searches on the streets. Since Esinvig’s arrival, every city had been in a state of high alert, with people retreating to their homes, more than half of the shops closed, and fewer pedestrians on the streets than patrolling Cavalry.

In such a situation, obtaining a map of the routes was not an easy feat.

"I didn’t expect him to actually get the map for you."

Outside the city, because of the oversized mutant creatures, Lu Xiang had to lie down and bring her head close to the map that was still smaller than her paw.

This map was drawn internally by the Cavalry. It not only showed the layout of the entire underground shelter but also marked the locations of the checkpoints and the armories.

After seeing this map, Lu Xiang realized that not only the residents of the Neutral Country were tense; even the Cavalry’s spirits were on edge as if they had been preparing for a certain war from long ago.

"The upper and lower areas form a spiral shape, ultimately converging towards the Capital City where the Aljom Army is located. That must be where the real core of energy lies."

Song Lan marveled at the grandeur of the underground shelter. He found it hard to imagine how long it took for the people of this nation to carve out this pathway that seemed to lead straight to the heart of the earth.

This was no longer just a refuge; it was the entire nation moved underground.

He also realized that, given the Neutral Country’s isolation, at least one generation born here must have lived underground their whole lives, never even having seen what the Sun looked like.

Obtaining a pass from the upper areas to the lower areas was extremely difficult. Similarly, for those born in the lower areas, returning to the surface was just as difficult.

In Lu Xiang’s words, this was also part of the secrecy measures.

To prevent residents of the lower areas from taking news back to the surface, she found it hard to imagine just how strict a nation’s intelligence department had to be to enforce such comprehensive information blockades.

"Look at this."

Lu Xiang pointed to a piece of implied information contained in the map, "They’ve established a closed network in the lower areas, which they call the ’Oldnet.’"

No wonder there was no information about the lower areas on the network above ground. "The Oldnet must be under strict surveillance by the intelligence department. Any inappropriate comments published would be immediately visited by the intelligence department’s operatives."

This map even demarcated certain areas within some cities, deliberately concentrating residents who were under their suspicion in those zones.

"The ’mouse’ said the last time he saw the teacher was three days ago. Based on the train’s speed, she should have been sent to prison by now."

For a spy who was trapped in the enemy’s stronghold and had her identity exposed, what could have happened in these three days?

Song Lan considered this issue from a rational and objective point of view and suddenly felt that the teacher’s current situation might be quite dire. He had previously watched a few undercover detective film and TV works due to some accidental, mysterious, and irresistible factors.

"Don’t panic yet, think positive, maybe your teacher arranged some fallbacks."

Song Lan hastily said, after all, ever since he heard about the teacher from the "mouse," he had always felt something was not quite right. "Claiming to be from the Esinvig Army would be seen through right away, that doesn’t seem like something a Spy Master would do."

And in fact, the teacher had been exposed before being sent to the lower area, so there was no question of infiltration.

"Now that we have the map, we better set off as soon as possible."

.....................

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

A grand performance had just concluded. It was a retro-style stage play, now almost extinct in any country. Some people erected museums for them, collecting those things dug out from the war remains, but even doing so couldn’t prevent them from being completely discontinued.

But in this city, one could see authentic drama, song and dance, and other performances every day.

Not only were there performances, but this palatial theater also retained its pre-war appearance, requiring tickets to be checked at the door instead of a quick swipe with a smartphone over a scanner.

Aishi was still immersed in the atmosphere of peace and prosperity, but as someone who had never been exposed to drama, she actually couldn’t make out any substantive content.

Only after the audience had left the theater did he notice that the only thing left in the compartment was a floor full of empty vodka bottles.

Esinvig’s face was flushed red, and his neck thick, looking as if he was somewhat confused.

Aishi’s expression stiffened as she rebuked, "Didn’t we say no heavy drinking was allowed!"

"How can this be called heavy, heavy drinking?"

Esinvig couldn’t speak fluently. After a long pause, he finally said, "Oh, right, this is called having a little tipple!"

At that, Aishi’s teeth grinded with a crunching sound, wishing she could grab an empty bottle and whack it on the back of Esinvig’s head to help him sober up.

"This is normal."

Aljom, likewise, had drunk a few bottles of vodka but seemed much more composed than Esinvig. He lit a cigar, savoring the aftertaste of the drama, "These bottles of vodka were produced using pre-war standards, not comparable to the machine-made products outside; everything here maintains the pre-war ambiance."

This was the most pride-worthy aspect of the Fourth Neutral Country.

Though its citizens had changed and most of its residents had been replaced, unlike those places obliterated by nuclear bombs, they were never wiped out in the war but continued until today through a plan known as the shelter strategy.

These were the streets and alleys he knew well, unchanged for decades.

"Indeed, it’s good, much better than the alcohol you guys usually get."

The dazed Esinvig immediately joined Aljom’s camp, criticizing his own officers for not being able to procure quality goods normally.

"The vodka is good, and the drama performance is also a real eye-opener."

Esinvig didn’t skimp on the praise, and then suddenly, he changed the subject, "But the view from above is not bad either. You’ve been here for such a long time, it’s also time to go up and take a look, I will personally treat you when the time comes..."

Before he could finish, he simply bowed his head and fell asleep.

However, with that one statement, the atmosphere in the compartment immediately dropped to a freezing point.

Aishi noticed a change in the complexion of the director of the intelligence department, as well as Aljom, who remained silent but whose face clearly darkened.

See, this is the danger of heavy drinking!

Just now, their boss, in front of others, had mentioned a topic that was absolutely forbidden in this country.

"I apologize, our boss loves to spout nonsense when he’s drunk."

Aishi had no choice but to break the silence and apologize, "We’ve been advising him not to drink so much."

Aljom merely gave a slight nod, leaning back in his chair, enjoying the taste of his cigar.

This seemed to stabilize his mood somewhat.

After a long while, he finally said, "Understandable, but we are different from you; in this country, no one wants to live on the surface."