Upon hearing the news that Lei Jijian had confirmed for me, I suddenly realized that ever since I entered the shallow layer, I had been surrounded by this green substance!
This is too similar.
Similar to this green slime or powder are the bindings or restraints that are tied to or restrained inside the clothes and around the blood vessels of every night worker here.
Previously, Lao Liu told me that those of them working on the lower levels often experience a lack of energy at night due to the intense workload.
The most obvious manifestation is dozing off or making mistakes.
If that's the case, then the losses they bring won't just be their own.
If the problem occurs at the post office, the mail might be delivered to the wrong address. If it's delivered to the wrong destination, that's not so bad.
However, if it is sent to the wrong realms of Yin and Yang, then it is not simply a matter of finding it back.
For someone in his profession, as a driver, a lack of concentration can be extremely dangerous and could even cost him his life.
It is precisely for this reason that the relevant departments at the grassroots level, as official entities, will equip them with some of these energy transmission tubes.
There was originally a bag for carrying this tube as an extra purpose.
However, this group of people was already exhausted enough, and carrying those bags would only add to their burden.
Naturally, over time, people stopped carrying bags around and started having these tubes implanted directly into their bodies.
It could be the cuff, the collar, or even inside his body.
As for driver Lao Liu, his blood vessel is connected to both the vehicle and his own arm.
Every time you turn the steering wheel or step on the brake, you draw some ability from this tube, more or less, during each moment of concentration.
Because Lao Liu's work hours are relatively long, but it's not a high-intensity job, he chose a thinner tube, and the liquid on Lao Liu's body is a lighter color.
In other words, although both are green, Lao Liu's is a healthier light green.
The sanitation worker I saw before, or the stains left at the post office entrance, were almost all a disgusting green.
Both the sight and the smell made me feel nauseous.
My mind suddenly clicked. If that's the case, then Old Liu, the driver, should naturally know something about this liquid, right?
I called out to Lao Liu and pointed to the rows of openings behind us.
The sunroof of this taxi is riddled with scratches.
In fact, if no one knew what happened today, this would clearly be a car with a serious problem.
In other words, if he were to pick up more passengers, they would probably turn around and look for other vehicles when they see this opening.
The car was still bumping along in the fog. Old Liu glanced at it but didn't answer.
And he was focused on driving, but his brows were furrowed and I could see that his hands on the steering wheel were trembling.
No doubt about it. The woman's wailing just now was so pitiful, like a thorn that wouldn't go away.
As I stared at the deep scratches on the roof of the car, the green powder mixed with metal shavings, my bewilderment grew stronger.
From the post office until now, this green stuff has been constantly present—the cleaner, Old Liu's pipes, the liquid on the drunkard, and the slime on his claws just now—all reveal the importance of this green energy.
Moreover, even though Lao Liu has explained it very clearly, I still feel that the energy it contains is definitely more than that.
What exactly are they?
“Master Liu,” I cleared my throat, trying to keep my voice steady, “you’ve been working in these shallow layers for so long, have you ever seen this green powder and slime before? What exactly is it?”
Old Liu was taken aback, as if he hadn't expected me to ask that.
That's true. I've always told him to just fulfill his responsibilities as a driver.
After all, we don't need to ask him anything else; we just need to get to our destination.
Old Liu wiped his sweat with one hand and looked out at the white mist outside the window.
"To be honest, I don't know much about this either..."
All I know is that, aside from its most basic supplementary function, this thing... is incredibly sinister.
Older drivers say this powder or residue is like 'superficial blood'—it can nourish things, but it can also harm them.
At this moment, Lao Liu's expression was very solemn.
"Raise something? Harm something?" Yiyi came closer, looking puzzled and still fearful from the impact of that claw.
What do you mean?
"that is……"
Old Liu smacked his lips, as if he was thinking about how to explain it clearly.
"If this powder gets on a living person, it will cause them to become confused to some extent over time."
It's like being possessed; even some of their sensory abilities are diminished.
That slime is even more potent; it can corrode most things.
I've heard it can even absorb the life force of living people, using it as nourishment for those 'things'.
"He said, pointing to his cuff, "The tube under my uniform contains this stuff, but it's diluted and not as strong."
After a long period of struggle within my body, this substance has gradually transformed into nutrients for my body.
It's just used... just to maintain some 'vitality'.
A thought struck me—
Maintaining vitality?
Do people in the shallow layer live on this green liquid?
Old Liu clearly told me before that this was just an amplifying agent.
When did it become the most basic form of social security?
If that's the case, then the authorities definitely know something about it.
Even though this is a shallow area, and there aren't any rules or regulations here, it's definitely under someone's control.
We can't just let them develop like this, or this place will become that kind of paradise.
"Does this thing have anything to do with the relevant departments here?"
I pressed for details.
Old Liu suddenly shuddered, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and became quite agitated.
Even the sight of him gripping the steering wheel made me tremble even more.
"Don't talk nonsense! Why bring up those bastards!"
Old Liu's voice was the kind I had never heard before.
His voice changed tone, and after a while he lowered his voice, as if he were being mysterious.
"Even the older folks avoid mentioning these guys. Those bastards, they've planted a lot of whistles, even some inanimate objects that can hear them..."
You can hear it? What kind of absurd thing is this?
As I pondered this, I became quite unsettled.
If everything has already been arranged, then I think I understand why Lao Liu hasn't revealed some key information for so long.
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