Chapter 224: Dual Missions and Welcoming Guests
by xennovel“Mr. Lone Soldier is a reliable person…”
The meeting hadn’t adjourned yet. Everyone in the office watched Lu Xin through a blurry screen.
Because special approval was required for any visual recording or even sketches of Doll, there were no cameras in her safe house. However, since Mr. Lone Soldier’s interaction with Doll was critical now, they had activated thermal imagers to observe from outside, allowing them to roughly discern their movements within the room.
Thus, when they saw Lu Xin lying on the sofa, surprised expressions flickered across their faces. After a moment of silence, Professor Chen chuckled and offered his evaluation: “I was a little worried, but now, I believe he’s completely trustworthy.”
The meeting room remained quiet; no one responded immediately.
Professor Chen looked surprised. “What’s wrong with all of you?”
“Heh heh…”
Mo Yi, wearing the wig, let out a laugh. “As a staff member, I admire Mr. Lone Soldier’s dedication. But as a man…”
“Swish—”
Instantly, countless eyes in the meeting room turned towards him.
Among them were the female occultist and Professor Chen’s icy gaze.
Mo Yi quickly ducked his head, adjusted his wig with a hand, and lowered his gaze, not daring to speak further.
“There’s something we need to pay attention to.”
Mr. Su glanced at Mo Yi, a faint smile touching his lips before vanishing. He spoke seriously, “While Doll is certainly our main concern, we must also consider Mr. Lone Soldier’s emotional state. From the looks of it, the two of them can guide each other in a beneficial direction.”
“What I least want to see is losing this beneficial situation.”
…
Professor Chen nodded. “Mr. Lone Soldier hasn’t made many requests. What’s this about that stepmother?”
Chen Jing’s voice came through the speakerphone: “It relates to a previous case Mr. Lone Soldier handled involving a Dream Weaver-type Ability User. It’s mostly complete, and the perpetrator is under control, but there are still some unresolved points.”
“Mr. Lone Soldier has shown a habit of wanting to see tasks through to completion, so it’s normal for him to still be concerned about this mission.”
…
“If that’s the case, then there’s no harm in assigning it to him.”
Professor Bai added, “Mr. Lone Soldier has a high mission completion evaluation. Doll has also demonstrated good obedience and execution ability in multiple special pollution incidents. Aside from her concerning growth potential, in terms of stability and kindness, she is one of the most reassuring Ability Users in Qinggang, perhaps even the entire Alliance, regarding the balance between ability strength and loss-of-control risk.”
“So, letting them handle such a task together isn’t a big problem. In fact, it makes observing them more convenient.”
Professor Chen nodded slightly. “Agreed.”
“If it’s a Dream Weaver-type, shouldn’t the Special Cleaning Department’s Dream Weaver or Watchdog handle the capture?”
Minister Shen frowned slightly, voicing a different opinion.
“Hehe, Old Shen, don’t worry. I have other arrangements.”
Mr. Su, at the head of the table, smiled at Minister Shen before looking at the others and announcing his decision:
“The Level 1 Alert is temporarily lifted.”
“Additionally, Old Chen’s observation request is approved. A dedicated working group can be established.”
He smiled at Professor Chen. “Feel free to pick whomever you deem suitable. However, those not chosen won’t be idle either. This Advanced Talent Training Conference concerns the future direction of Qinggang’s development; no one can afford to be complacent. Furthermore, there’s something even more important: the expert team from the Sea Country should arrive in Qinggang by noon tomorrow.”
“Swish—”
Everyone at the conference table looked towards Mr. Su, their faces showing surprise.
Clearly, not everyone in the office knew about the impending arrival of the Sea Country expert team.
“For confidentiality reasons, we didn’t announce this earlier. But in truth, this advanced talent conference is, to some extent, being held to interface with the Sea Country’s expert team. They are bringing research materials concerning S-level Ability Users.”
Mr. Su explained with a smile, “And the person leading the team is none other than the Sea Country’s First Old Captain.”
“Whether it’s his status, the data they’ve promised to share with us, or the Sea Country’s willingness to establish friendly contact with Qinggang and share research on mental alterations—all these warrant Qinggang engaging with the utmost sincerity…”
He paused slightly before continuing, “…and caution.”
…
Engaging with sincerity and caution seemed contradictory, yet Mr. Su stated it very naturally.
The others listened just as naturally.
Meeting everyone’s gaze, Mr. Su smiled faintly. “But we cannot refuse such a request for exchange.”
“Friends are coming from the sea. We must guard against potential ill intentions, but we must also welcome their information exchange and cooperation.”
“Therefore, my suggestion is to temporarily reassign Watchdog and several B-level or higher Ability Users from the Special Cleaning Department to accompany this expert team. Additionally, Old Shen, your side needs to be prepared. We need to be ready to subdue them at any moment.”
“After all, in our era, when entertaining friends, one must raise a glass to toast them with one hand… and keep a gun aimed at them with the other.”
…
Minister Shen nodded. “Understood.”
…
…
“Beep beep…”
The notification sound from the tablet in his backpack startled Lu Xin, who hadn’t really fallen asleep anyway.
He took out the tablet, and his spirits immediately lifted upon seeing the message.
“After deliberation, approval has been granted for Mr. Lone Soldier to conduct two missions concurrently. Primary Mission: Accompany Doll and engage in interaction.”
“Secondary Mission: Investigate Ms. Lu Weiwei’s wishing incident.”
“Key Point: During mission execution, Doll’s emotional well-being must be prioritized. Doll’s protocols must not be violated…”
…
“Huh? The interrogation results are already in?”
Lu Xin was slightly surprised. He quickly sat up and began reading intently.
He wasn’t surprised that the Special Cleaning Department would ask him to take Doll along on the mission.
When reviewing the materials earlier, Chen Jing had already told him that Doll herself was a very reliable Ability User.
Her title as Qinggang City’s guardian wasn’t just for show.
In the Special Cleaning Department’s current records, Doll ranked first in both the number of completed missions and their completion rate.
…Which meant she had actually saved up quite a bit of money.
Snapping back from his momentary distraction, Lu Xin began carefully reading the interrogation materials attached to the approval document.
“Wishing incident?”
These materials included the complete interrogation footage of Lu Weiwei… also known as Xiao Yuan’s stepmother.
However, for efficiency, Lu Xin first opened the summary of her interrogation.
The summary concisely reported the process and outcome of the entire interrogation:
Apparently, when this Ms. Lu was brought to the City Defense Department’s interrogation room, she was extremely cooperative. Without even needing necessary psychological guidance or intimidation, she eagerly confessed everything she had done and encountered.
She admitted to causing Xiao Yuan’s nightmares.
But she was indeed not an Ability User.