Chapter 213: Journey to the Main City

“Brother Lu, do you want something to eat?”

“Brother Lu, would you like a drink? I have orange juice and hawthorn juice…”

“Brother Lu, should we have lunch on the train or after we get off?”

“…Brother Lu, do you want me to ask for that attendant’s number? You’ve been looking at him several times…”

“…”

On the high-speed train to the Main City, Vice President Xiao repeatedly asked.

Eventually, Lu Xin, clearly annoyed, said, “No, I don’t need anything.”

“Oh.”

After a moment, Vice President Xiao added, “Are you sure you don’t need me to do anything?”

Lu Xin sighed and said, “I need you to keep quiet for a bit.”

“Okay, okay…”

Vice President Xiao shrank back and obediently sat down.

Those watching Lu Xin couldn’t help but feel sorry for him—after all, he’s the leader. They thought one shouldn’t treat a leader that way…

After a brief pause, Lu Xin said softly, “Have you got everything ready?”

“Huh?”

Upon hearing that, Vice President Xiao became visibly animated, quickly nodding as he cast cautious glances around, and whispered in a confidential tone, “I’ve already put together the list of everyone who has had access to me since a month ago, just as you instructed.”

But you asked me to rally them all together, and that’s not an easy task. Some are in the Main City, others in Satellite City, and they’re from all walks of life. Still, I’ve devised a plan: I’ll use the opportunity of my upcoming studies at Qinggang University and, in my father’s name, invite everyone for a celebration. Most of them should come.

Lu Xin nodded and said, “Okay, for those in Satellite City—and anyone we might miss—hand me the list.”

He had already reviewed the list and confirmed that most of the individuals were in the Main City. After all, a month ago, Vice President Xiao had gone to the Main City to collect notices while his family spent a few days there—submitting applications to reside in the city and even meeting with major company clients. It was the perfect opportunity for him to meet them.

For any names that were omitted, he would pass them on to Han Bing to make the necessary arrangements, so nothing would be overlooked.

If it weren’t for the pressing schedule, Lu Xin would have made every effort to meet each person on the list.

But now, he could only focus on those with the greatest likelihood.

“When is it set for?”

After mentally reviewing every detail, Lu Xin turned to him and asked,

“It’s tomorrow night…”

Xiao Yuan, his throat visibly bobbing with nervous tension, said, “Don’t you think we should come up with a plan first? Should we get some weapons, and if necessary, call in a few helpers? I know a few monks from Zhan Shan Temple and even some street big brothers…”

“Sigh…”

Lu Xin sighed helplessly and said, “Can you act a bit more like a leader?”

“Uh, well…”

Vice President Xiao was taken aback—after all, it was the first time in his life someone had chided him for not having a leader’s presence…

When an employee criticizes his superior, something’s definitely amiss…

Once Vice President Xiao finally fell silent, Lu Xin closed his eyes to gather his thoughts.

It was evident that Vice President Xiao was truly on edge.

In fact, he found it rather odd that a Dream Weaver-type Ability User might be lurking near Xiao Yuan.

Firstly, that Dream Weaver-type didn’t exhibit the typical traits of an ability user in many ways.

Secondly, despite being in the Main City, it dares to harm others.

According to him, the Main City’s oversight in this area was much stricter than that of Satellite City. Back then, the “Ghost”—which could only survive in the minds of different people—was nearly undetectable; catching or even spotting it required immense effort. Yet when he attempted to enter the Main City, it was immediately noticed, and he fled back to the Second Satellite City in fright.

The Main City’s regulation of ability users was undoubtedly much harsher than that in Satellite City.

How could a monster like that be hidden here?

…

…

Amid the rumble of the train and Xiao Yuan’s incessant chatter, the train slowly approached the Main City.

First came a towering platform entrance, resembling a monster swallowing train after train.

The platform at the Main City was unlike anything in Satellite City.

Five Satellite Cities circled the Main City, all linked by an intricate high-speed train network. However, there were only two entrances to the Main City—trains from each Satellite City would converge at the West Platform before entering the city.

“Brother Lu, I’ve arranged for a vehicle to pick you up. Are you sure you don’t need me to book a hotel for you?”

At this moment, Xiao Yuan’s behavior was more akin to that of an overly attentive secretary than a considerate leader.

“No, thanks—I’ve got someone coming for me.”

He grabbed his backpack in advance, smiling as he said to him,

“Alright… fine!”

Xiao Yuan swallowed nervously, unsure of what to say.

From the moment they talked about entering the Main City, he’d been worried, knowing how hard it was to secure a pass.

Yet he hadn’t expected that Lu Xin not only possessed a pass to the Main City, but also managed to bypass the Second Satellite City’s security by flashing his ID via a special military channel—while he himself had waited in line for ages to board.

Who on earth is this guy…?

Especially when he remembered seeing Lu Xin’s pay slip, which made him feel uneasy.

Someone like him, who had worked for his own company for more than three years—never late, never leaving early, a model employee on numerous occasions…

Yet his salary was only a thousand?

It made him question whether his own company was just too exploitative.

…

…

Once the crowd had surged into the station, Lu Xin and Xiao Yuan arrived at a passage near the station entrance. There stood an iron gate, its white paint chipped and peeling away to reveal rust beneath.

Sprayed horizontally across the gate were the words: “Entrance Passage.”

Vertically, two sets of words were sprayed: “No Loud Talking” and “Observe Order.”

On either side, armed soldiers stood guard, motionless. Their eyes, hidden behind protective masks, scanned the crowd coldly.

The number of people on the platform kept rising, with new passengers continuously disembarking from the train.

However, the iron gate stayed firmly closed—only opening when enough people had gathered.

About five minutes later, when hundreds had gathered on the platform, a green light started flashing on the gate.

“Tss!”

With a heavy whoosh, the gate trembled slightly and was gradually lifted.

The crowded throng immediately surged into the passage.

Lu Xin gripped the strap of his bag tighter as he followed the crowd into the passage.

Inside, he was curious: with so many people streaming into the passage, how would the Main City screen them? Could there be someone like that Ghost-type Ability User among them?

Normally, the larger the crowd, the easier it is for ability users to cause some commotion.

And a station is, without a doubt, the prime spot for herding large crowds.

However, once he entered the passage, Lu Xin’s nerves eased somewhat.

Because the instant he stepped into the passage, he felt a set of unusual gazes on him.

Curious, he scanned his surroundings and noticed that the wall adjacent to the passage was adorned with plenty of graffiti.

It resembled street artists’ graffiti, with bright colors and exaggerated shapes.

Some of the spray paintings were artistically rendered letters or fonts; others formed bizarre, anthropomorphic animal figures; some showed clowns dressed in red and green with exaggerated grins; and a few featured vividly colored snakes with tongues flicking out.

There were also images of dancing women, their skirts raised in a lively manner, with striking red shoes.

The kaleidoscopic graffiti softened the oddness of the scrutinizing stares, and with the snakes cleverly hidden within, it formed a unique artistic vibe that surprisingly put people at ease; the overall design was remarkably ingenious.

…

…

“So that’s how the Special Cleaning Department monitors those entering the Main City—almost like a security check?”

Lu Xin mused internally, “Is this due to some kind of ability or a special sensing device?”