Chapter 161: Return and Rewards

Many mysterious and unknown changes swept across the Wasteland following the Red Moon incident.

The madmen who once nearly brought human civilization and order crashing down turned out to be only a small fraction of the danger. Once people recovered from their initial terror and began to understand the madmen’s traits, they discovered…

…that these madmen were, after all, just madmen!

Instead, the greatest dangers in the Wasteland became the inexplicable phenomena—the ‘Red Moon Aberrations’ previously confined to ghost stories—and the strange forbidden zones whose existence was uncertain and workings remained a mystery.

Ultimately, this sense of danger stemmed from the sheer vastness of the Wasteland compared to humanity’s limited ability to explore it.

Regardless, the first rule of traveling the Wasteland is constant vigilance.

Of course, that applies under normal circumstances…

But for Lu Xin and Gecko, traveling through the Wasteland under the escort of three special combat teams, a reserve army, and two helicopters overhead? Vigilance wasn’t even a concern. They could easily sleep in the car without any problems…

And Lu Xin did just that, enjoying a pleasant nap in the car.

The matter with the Knight Orders was settled. The stolen item had been recovered, and Father had already vented his fury.

This left Lu Xin feeling more relaxed than ever before.

…

…

Perhaps Gecko missed home too, eager to return to Qinggang City.

They spent only a day and a half on the road, arriving before the gates of the Second Satellite City in the early hours of the third day.

The City Patrol Army atop the High Wall had been notified in advance. As the ‘steel monster’—their vehicle—appeared within the range of the searchlights before the west gate, the steel drawbridge was already slowly lowering. Someone was waiting on the other side.

Chen Jing stood there in a tailored military uniform that accentuated her already slender figure, adding an air of sharp competence. She possessed a beauty so striking it was almost intimidating, making both Gecko and Lu Xin only dare to steal glances.

“Four days, thirteen hours, and fifty-four minutes from departure to return!”

Watching Lu Xin step out of the vehicle, Chen Jing glanced at her wristwatch. Her expression remained sharp and professional, but a hint of a smile touched her lips. “Less than half the time you estimated. I imagine when this news reaches those professors, they’ll start pulling each other’s hair again arguing over what level to classify you.”

“So brutal…”

Lu Xin pictured the professors’ hairlines and immediately grasped the brutality of their debates.

“Alright, report mission progress!”

After that brief moment of levity, Chen Jing’s expression turned serious. Face set, she asked formally.

Lu Xin had thought about cracking a joke, but seeing her switch so completely into leader mode, he instinctively straightened up. “The Knight Orders group that infiltrated the city had seven members: three Ability Users, four Mercenaries. All three Ability Users have been neutralized. Two eliminated, the third should already be in custody here?”

“Three of the four Mercenaries are dead…”

“The painting they stole has been recovered. We also confiscated five motorcycles…”

“…”

Chen Jing’s brow furrowed slightly. “Are you certain those two Ability Users are dead?”

“Certain.”

Lu Xin nodded. “Completely gone. Not a trace left.”

Chen Jing raised an eyebrow slightly.

Lu Xin considered this. He knew she, and the Special Cleaning Department behind her, would be very interested in the mission details.

He had already mentally rehearsed his report several times on the way back.

He began slowly, “Of the three Ability Users, one was Puppet-type. I caught up… in Blackwater Town…”

Chen Jing interrupted, “Go back and rest first.”

Lu Xin paused, surprised. “Huh?”

Seeing Lu Xin’s surprise, Chen Jing smiled. “The mission debriefing isn’t urgent. The fact that you returned—returned safely—is already an excellent outcome. Rest for two days. There will be a formal opportunity for the report later.”

Lu Xin was a bit taken aback. He hadn’t expected Chen Jing to be so readily trusting.

It was a small thing, this trust, but it felt surprisingly good.

“Well, well, is this still our Colonel Chen, the one who values work above all else?”

From another vehicle, Gecko emerged, dragging the mercenary he’d captured alive. He called out with a grin, “Got the live one right here! Hey, let me tell you, there were seven Knight Orders guys. Lu Xin handled three, and I took care of four all by myself, even captured one alive! So my contribution’s pretty big, Section Chief Chen. About that Linda matter…”

“I’ll inform her,” Chen Jing said, turning to Gecko, a faint smile still playing on her lips. “Just wait a couple of days.”

“Wait two days?”

Gecko clearly faltered. “You haven’t told her yet?”

“We weren’t sure if telling her would be necessary.”

Chen Jing added with a smile, “You making it back alive was somewhat unexpected for us too.”

Gecko: “…”

A smile flickered across his face, then vanished. After a moment, he suddenly shivered.

“Alright.”

Chen Jing accepted the silver briefcase from Lu Xin. “Vehicles are arranged to take you back,” she told both Lu Xin and Gecko. “I will personally escort the recovered items to the Research Institute. Material requisitions and cleanup will be handled by designated personnel.”

“You both have three days’ leave. You can use the time to think about how to write your mission reports.”

“Keep your phones on. We’ll notify you if anything comes up.”

“…”

Seeing she had arranged everything with her usual efficiency, Lu Xin and Gecko could only reply in unison, “Yes!”

“Good.”

Chen Jing produced a pair of handcuffs and secured the silver briefcase to her own wrist. Escorted by two squads clad in black protective suits, she entered a vehicle and departed decisively.

Other personnel approached, reapplied handcuffs and leg shackles to Gecko’s captive, asked Lu Xin and Gecko if they’d left anything behind in the ‘steel monster’, and then drove the large vehicle away.

Lu Xin and Gecko both felt the pressure instantly lift off their shoulders.

Sitting in the waiting jeep, they exchanged glances and simultaneously let out long sighs of relief.

“Mr. Lone Soldier, Mr. Gecko, where to?”

The driver was the same bald man, his expression as impassive as ever.

Listening now, however, his tone seemed a touch more respectful than before.

“Blue Ocean…”

Gecko immediately yelled, “This whole trip scared the hell out of me! I need to unwind…”

Lu Xin shot Gecko a surprised glance.

Gecko faltered for a second, then broke into a wide grin. “Brother Lu, you’re not coming? After all that pressure? What if you lose control later because you didn’t unwind? Don’t worry! You took care of me this whole trip, tonight’s on me…”

Lu Xin’s expression flickered; he was clearly tempted.

But after considering it seriously for a moment, he just smiled and shook his head. “Take him there first.”

…

…

Forty minutes later, the jeep pulled up in front of the old apartment building.

Lu Xin got out and thanked the driver.

A faint smile lingered on his face as he remembered the speed with which Gecko had dashed into the Blue Ocean.

It was clear Gecko really enjoyed… that sort of thing.

Still, after such a tense and dangerous mission, having a hobby like that to unwind wasn’t such a bad idea. Recalling the battles and mysteries encountered since leaving the city four days ago…

…he couldn’t help but shiver slightly. *So dangerous!* he thought.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t like Gecko. His ways of relieving stress were different.

Gecko could blow off steam that way, but it didn’t really work for him.

It wasn’t even about who was paying. Regardless of who treated, Lu Xin felt a pang of… reluctance about the expense.

Best to head upstairs and have dinner with his family first.

This was the longest he’d been away from his family in recent years.

Although Father’s behavior during their last parting had strained family ties, making Lu Xin realize that even upon returning home, the atmosphere might not be as warm and welcoming as it used to be…

…

…

With a silent sigh no one could hear, Lu Xin started towards the dark, imposing old apartment building.

Just as he was about to step inside, his satellite phone suddenly rang.

“Mr. Lone Soldier, I heard you’re back…”

It was Han Bing calling. Her voice was as soft and pleasant as ever.

“Yes. You heard already?”

Lu Xin paused outside the apartment building, smiling as he spoke.

“I knew the moment you returned. Figured you’d be wrapping things up soon, so I decided to call.”

Han Bing added cheerfully, “Congratulations, you did exceptionally well on this mission.”

“Not at all…”

Lu Xin replied quickly with a modest smile, sitting down on the nearby steps. “I just did my best.”

“If everyone was willing to do their best, our city’s development would surely improve greatly…”

Han Bing chuckled, insisting on praising him, then continued, “Also, while you were away, I organized and summarized your previous mission reports and payments. It’s all ready for your confirmation. The total payment should be…”

“Hold on…”

Lu Xin quickly stopped her. He took out a half-smoked cigar and slowly lit it. “Let’s go through them one by one.”

“Okay…”

Han Bing seemed to catch his meaning instantly and let out a happy laugh.

Then, her voice on the other end turned very professional. Slowly, she began, “Mr. Lone Soldier, for reporting the painting hidden by the Xu father and daughter—an action commendable by the Special Cleaning Department—there is a reward of 10,000…”

“For preventing the spread of polluted individuals at Wanzhong Mall during the Rose incident, the reward is 100,000.”

“For dealing with the Mental Pollution Bomb under the South Wall of the Second Satellite City, assessed as a Level 2 hazard, the reward is 300,000…”

“For your training at the Security Hall, the daily stipend is two hundred. That’s for seven days so far…”

“…”

Listening to Han Bing list his accomplishments one by one, along with the corresponding rewards.

Lu Xin sat on the steps, holding the phone, a wide, happy smile spreading across his face.