Chapter 20: Searching for the Source

“The intersection point?”

Hearing their words Lu Xin felt a slight jolt and asked, “How long will that take?”

Corporal Han Bing considered for a moment over the channel before replying, “We can’t be sure yet!”

Lu Xin understood the problem she mentioned.

The population within the High-wall Cities nowadays, especially in a Satellite City serving as a buffer for the Main City, was incredibly complex. Who knew how many hadn’t lived there long, hadn’t obtained permanent residency yet, or were even there secretly? Not everyone’s identity could be quickly verified. Moreover, public facilities like surveillance cameras weren’t widespread in the Satellite City.

This wasn’t the Main City. Outside of important areas like the Administration Hall and the Logistics Department, cameras either weren’t installed or were already damaged.

Lu Xin had no doubt about the Special Action Team’s efficiency and resources.

But under these circumstances trying to trace the routes of these individuals before their deaths and find an intersection point in a short time was inherently difficult.

He hesitated for a moment then asked, “Is there a faster way?”

After a slight pause he explained, “After all, tomorrow is the eighth day. It’s very likely someone else will be infected!”

A brief silence fell over the channel after his words.

The three members of the Investigation Team also cast complicated glances toward Lu Xin.

They understood Lu Xin’s worry.

If the pattern of those seeking revenge on Qin Ran held—one person on the first day, two on the second, four on the fourth—then tomorrow there should be eight people seeking revenge. It might not even wait until tomorrow; theoretically, after midnight tonight eight new ‘Avengers’ could appear.

That meant eight more innocent victims.

Such concern was perfectly normal it just felt somewhat surprising coming from Lu Xin.

“I agree with Lu Xin’s assessment!”

After a moment Chen Jing’s voice came through the channel: “It’s not about whether we save people or not. The work we do is always about saving people. As long as we can eliminate the pollution source we indirectly save many lives. That can’t be the focus of our work!”

“The focus of our work and our highest priority is always eliminating the pollution source! Always!”

“I agree with his opinion because efficiency is crucial when dealing with mental pollution sources!”

“Thoroughly investigating the routes of all the infected individuals before they were contaminated and comparing them would take too long!”

“During that time the pollution source could very well undergo unexpected mutations…”

“…”

After a brief pause she continued, “Based on the current information since all the infected ‘Avengers’ claim to seek revenge on Qin Ran and Cui Wang was the first ‘Avenger’ it means Cui Wang must have some connection to the pollution source. Even if no suspicious points were found at the locations where he was killed or his body was dumped, we can’t rule out the possibility that the true pollution source is nearby. In fact the probability is high!”

“Let’s first assume the pollution source is in that area and proceed with the analysis!”

“That abandoned industrial zone has no residents and very little foot traffic. Therefore the focus shouldn’t be on where the intersection point *is*…”

“We should focus on where, in the vicinity of that area, is *more likely* to become an intersection point!”

“…”

Hearing this Lu Xin’s eyes lit up slightly.

Chen Jing’s analysis was somewhat unexpected but he liked her decisiveness.

“Yes!”

Han Bing’s voice disappeared from the channel for a moment replaced by the sound of papers rustling, seemingly consulting maps and data. After a while her voice returned: “There are approximately four places near the abandoned industrial zone in South City that could potentially form population intersection points!”

“First is the fertilizer plant to the southwest. About two hundred workers are employed there. Usually they commute via shuttle bus but we can’t rule out employees walking home alone possibly passing near the abandoned industrial zone; second about three kilometers west of the abandoned industry is a large garbage dump which often attracts some vagrants and beggars scavenging through the trash…”

“Additionally according to the data some criminals also choose that area for transactions!”

“…”

Lu Xin instinctively glanced towards Qin Ran.

Qin Ran couldn’t hear the voices from the channel and was squatting to the side smoking. He looked bewildered by Lu Xin’s stare.

Just then Chen Jing made her decision: “Send these locations to the Investigation Team!”

“Beep beep…”

Soon faint light glowed on the black screens attached to the arms of the three armed Investigation Team members.

Lu Xin leaned closer to look and saw complex maps and symbols displayed.

He had to study it carefully to recognize it as a map of the entire South City area of Second Satellite City with several red dots marked on it.

“It sent that over already?”

“This technology is amazing…”

He mentally clicked his tongue. “But didn’t the Director say this kind of tech was common before the Red Moon incident?”

“You can now proceed to investigate each location one by one!”

Chen Jing’s voice sounded in the channel as if explaining to Lu Xin, “Mental pollution might seem chaotic and disorderly but as long as it exists it follows certain patterns and possesses specific characteristics. Once we summarize these patterns and characteristics we can eliminate it with minimal cost. A certain professor once said that in the face of such madness reason is humanity’s only advantage!”

Lu Xin listened deeply impressed. “Who was that professor?”

Chen Jing paused for a moment then said, “Your focus is misplaced!”

Lu Xin blushed and mumbled, “Oh.”

…

…

“Go straight then turn left!”

The Jeep drove slowly through the desolate factory district of South City. Night had long fallen shrouding the surroundings in deep darkness. Only a red moon hung in the sky casting crimson moonlight over the deathly silent chaotic city.

As the Jeep’s headlights tore through the dark red night illuminating the roadside weeds and broken pavement Lu Xin and the others reached the edge of South City nearing the High Wall. Like every High-wall City the closer one got to the High Wall the more desolate and sparsely populated it became. Apart from the City Patrol soldiers standing guard in watchtowers spaced every three kilometers not another soul could be seen.

This was also the last location Lu Xin and the team needed to investigate.

Contrary to what Lu Xin had imagined the pollution investigation seemed less thrilling and more tedious than expected. At each location they would stop use instruments for careful detection confirm everything was clear multiple times then move on to the next spot.

During the checks everyone’s nerves were taut; only once back in the car could they relax slightly.

Soon the vehicle entered the fourth suspicious location marked on the map. It was a half-finished construction site where one could even see building foundations laid long ago now overgrown with weeds.

Han Bing’s quiet explanation came over the channel: After the situation within the High Walls stabilized there was a period of rapid population growth. The Administration Hall considered renovating this area classifying it as a mixed residential-industrial zone. Unfortunately the Technology Church paid a visit causing severe population loss in Satellite City No. 4. Surplus population moved there and this place was abandoned.

In fact the entire South City area of Second Satellite City was now considered reserve land awaiting development.

It was said the Administration Hall’s biggest dream was to have more people fill up these places.

…

…

As the Jeep’s headlights pierced the darkness ahead they soon illuminated a shimmering surface.

Lu Xin and the others got out of the car only to find it was actually a pond.

It must have originally been a large pit but being low-lying it had collected rainwater becoming what looked like a sizable wild lake. Beside the lake knee-high weeds grew and a path barely visible unless you looked closely ran past the water’s edge extending towards the city proper.

The moment he stepped out of the car Lu Xin sensed something was wrong.

His sister who had disappeared somewhere while he was in the car now appeared by the lakeside.

She was squatting in the tall weeds by the shore her eyes gleaming as she stared intently into the water.

Hearing Lu Xin get out of the car she suddenly turned her head and said excitedly, “Brother there’s something fun here…”

“Something fun?”

Lu Xin’s heart tightened slightly and he quickly walked over.

He knew his sister’s sense of aesthetics differed from others so the ‘fun thing’ she mentioned…