Chapter 22: Draining the Lake

Today was certainly an eye-opener for Lu Xin.

He just stood there watching. In less than half an hour the rumble of engines filled the air as large trucks rolled into the desolate factory area one after another. Some set up temporary lighting equipment some carried water pumps and others pulled bundles of plastic pipes. Then teams of personnel in protective suits disembarked moving quickly to set up the pumps and extend the pipes into the lake.

Meanwhile on another side seven or eight teams were already digging trenches with iron shovels to divert the water.

They had clearly calculated the best route planning to channel the lake water into another nearby low-lying area.

Further away military vehicles arrived forming a perimeter line. Fully armed soldiers used the vehicles as cover sealing off the entire area. What was once a desolate abandoned factory quickly became bustling with activity.

“Thump thump thump…”

Dozens of pumps worked simultaneously and the water level in the small lake dropped rapidly.

Watching this massive operation Lu Xin and Qin Ran couldn’t help but swallow hard. “Impressive!”

“Handling mental pollution incidents is inherently dangerous work,” Chen Jing explained calmly over the comms.

“One misstep not only puts yourself at risk but could trigger a catastrophe of unimaginable scale. That’s why we always follow two principles in our work: First use material resources whenever possible!”

“Second if firepower can solve it use firepower!”

…

Hearing this Lu Xin took a moment before replying with awe, “The power of the collective…”

…

“That’s about enough. Support teams withdraw. Investigation Team begin work. Prepare for fire cover on standby!”

When the water level had dropped by more than half Chen Jing issued another command.

All support personnel immediately retreated towards the distance leaving their vehicles behind. Some even dropped their shovels.

Instantly the entire area was left with only Lu Xin Qin Ran the three Investigation Team members and Sister.

The only difference was the addition of rows of armed cordons in the distance and pairs of curious yet vigilant eyes watching them.

“After the lake is drained you are the ones who need to conduct the investigation!”

Chen Jing’s voice came through the headset, “We still can’t be certain whether this pollution source is highly contagious or not.”

“Although current data suggests low contagion is more likely these bizarre incidents often involve unpredictable sudden changes. We must be cautious. If it’s low pollution that’s manageable but encountering a highly contagious source… sending too many people close could provide it with more hosts creating an even greater disaster!”

Listening to her explanation Lu Xin suddenly understood.

Those armed personnel outside weren’t just guarding against potential mental monsters from the lake bottom.

They were also watching him and the Investigation Team members.

If he or any of the team became contaminated they wouldn’t hesitate to gun them down.

“Now I get why the pay is so high…”

He muttered softly.

Chen Jing heard him over the channel and chuckled unexpectedly, “Your work attitude is quite good. I’ll help you apply for an extra bonus!”

Lu Xin’s mood instantly brightened considerably.

…

…

Soon the lake water was almost completely drained. Under the pale harsh lights the muddy bottom was visible along with scattered small puddles. Numerous fish and shrimp struggled flapping their gills desperately jumping in the mud.

“Alright let’s go!”

The Investigation Team members put on their helmets then looked towards Lu Xin expectantly.

“I don’t need one!”

Lu Xin waved his hand.

Chen Jing had told him before that one advantage of being a Mentally Altered Person was being less susceptible to pollution. Besides that reason he also felt he could see the true forms of these mental monsters. Wearing a helmet would obstruct his vision making it harder to spot the monsters and dodge their attacks.

Of course he had his reasons but this action seemed even more mysterious in the eyes of the Investigation Team.

“So this is an Altered Person?”

They thought inwardly.

Although as Investigation Team members they knew Qinggang City had a few Ability Users this was their first time cooperating with one.

Long ago especially before Mentally Altered Persons were discovered and recruited…

Investigating mental pollution incidents often meant sacrificing their own lives…

…

…

Setting up the monitor and raising their firearms Lu Xin and the Investigation Team members slowly walked onto the muddy lakebed.

Under the lights the silver monitor glowed with a steady reassuring green light.

They cautiously advanced probing step by step. To them it looked like a systematic progression but in Lu Xin’s eyes Sister was already darting across the mud. Her speed was incredible flitting here and there. Under the moonlight her small figure cast a faint blurry shadow leaving no trace on even the softest mud.

Finally seeming to have confirmed something she suddenly stopped raised her small hand and pointed towards a spot in the center of the lake.

Lu Xin pretended not to see Sister but intentionally guided the Investigation Team members towards the lake’s center.

From a distance they could already see a small puddle right in the middle of the lakebed.

Sister stood about seven or eight meters away from the puddle pointing.

Lu Xin and the team slowly approached. Suddenly the light on the monitor turned red.

At the same time an extremely faint voice whispered, “Qin Ran… you killed me…”

“What was that sound?”

Lu Xin and the three Investigation Team members froze abruptly.

In that instant they felt their hair stand on end.

The faint voice continued barely audible, “Qin Ran you killed me… I want you to pay with your life…”

“It… it… it’s…”

As the voice echoed one of the Investigation Team members suddenly cried out in a trembling voice pointing somewhere.

Everyone followed his gaze. There on the mud lay a palm-sized crucian carp. It was gasping desperately opening and closing its mouth on the wet mud and from its mouth came that tiny voice.

“Qin Ran you killed me…”

The harsh light from the floodlights on the bank shone on the fish making it look pale and eerie.

Its pair of pitch-black eyes stared fixedly towards Qin Ran on the bank as it shouted with all its might.

Whether it was an illusion or reality at that moment the red moon in the sky seemed particularly bright.

Its dark red light bathed everyone.

Suddenly another voice joined in shouting along with the first, “Qin Ran killed me… Pay with your life…”

Lu Xin and the others quickly scanned their surroundings following the sound to another fish struggling in the mud.

“Qin Ran it was you who killed me…”

“I had no quarrel with you why did you kill me…”

Soon a third voice joined in overlapping with the others.

Then a fourth then a fifth a sixth…

More and more fish began to open their mouths their voices layering upon each other growing louder and louder. Eventually the sound became deafening piercingly sharp and increasingly synchronized. Lu Xin and the others felt like they were witnessing an utterly insane scene:

Beneath the red moon all the fish were screaming desperately emitting a headache-inducing shriek:

“Qin Ran killed me! A life for a life…”

“Qin Ran killed me! A life for a life…”

“Qin Ran killed me! A life for a life…”