Chapter 277: An Unsettling Disconnect

What could possibly cause a person’s head and body to hate each other, to reach such an incompatible state?

Lu Xin mulled over the question silently but couldn’t find any leads.

Although he’d gone through a phase of systematic training, Lu Xin knew his understanding of mental pollution was still lacking. More often than not he judged pollution simply by looking directly at it to draw conclusions.

That approach was somewhat unprofessional.

Now facing the worried and concerned gazes of Old Zhou and his nephew he pondered for a moment before deciding to tell the truth:

“I can confirm there’s definitely something wrong with her but I can’t pinpoint what the problem is yet.”

Seeing the obvious confusion in their eyes, Lu Xin paused and tried to explain, “There are many ways pollution can manifest. While I’m quite professional I’m not the *most* professional. Usually when I deal with a pollution source I just directly…”

“Directly handle it…”

“Your boss’s situation might require someone more specialized to investigate…”

“You know Qinggang, right?”

“Qinggang has many specialists like that. Maybe you could try taking her there to have a look.”

A friendly smile appeared on his face as he spoke, “I can introduce you to a few acquaintances.”

…

Since he couldn’t figure it out himself offering them another suggestion fulfilled his duty.

“Well…”

But hearing Lu Xin seemingly wash his hands of the matter Old Zhou and Little Zhou grew tense.

“Going all the way to Qinggang… when would that even be…”

“How about Brother Lu you take another look?”

Little Zhou asked unwillingly, “Maybe you weren’t looking closely enough just now?”

Lu Xin carefully recalled his observation then shook his head, “I looked very carefully…”

“This…”

Old Zhou also hastily added, “It’s best if you look again…”

Seeing their anxious and concerned expressions Lu Xin could sense their desperate hope. The uncle and nephew were likely clinging to him like drowning men clutching at straws. They must have been pushed to the brink by their boss’s changes completely clueless about what was happening. Seeing that he had some connection to handling such matters they had placed great expectations on him.

But he really hadn’t seen anything useful…

Besides he was quite busy. His original plan was to just take a look resolve the issue if there was one or buy some gas and clean water from them if not then continue on his way. This situation where he saw a problem but didn’t know what it was, was unexpected.

Amidst Lu Xin’s hesitation the uncle and nephew exchanged a look seemingly making a big decision.

Old Zhou said seriously, “Little brother don’t worry. We won’t let you work for nothing.”

“Huh?”

Lu Xin glanced at him curiously.

Old Zhou steeled himself slapped his chest firmly and pointed at the large truck beside them, “Little brother we folks who run routes in the wasteland are honest people. We don’t let others help for free. You put in some extra effort take a look at our boss. Regardless of whether you can fix her or not we’ll cover your gas food and drink for the whole journey. Also if you can really cure our boss…”

His face radiated generosity as he suddenly raised a hand pointing nearby, “See this big truck?”

Lu Xin felt a surge of excitement and nodded.

A big truck like that must be carrying valuable stuff…

Things that weren’t valuable wouldn’t be worth transporting so painstakingly.

Old Zhou looked serious, “Inside this truck there’s a lot of stuff we gathered while scavenging…”

“When we get back to Central City and sell it you get one-third!”

…

Lu Xin was momentarily stunned.

After a while he looked at the uncle and nephew, “You… you’re being this generous?”

Old Zhou and Little Zhou both looked a bit embarrassed.

Little Zhou glanced at Old Zhou, “Uncle you’re being too stingy. If he can cure the boss I don’t want my share.”

Old Zhou’s face flushed and he quickly said, “Little brother don’t mind him… How about half for you?”

“Huh?”

Lu Xin was taken aback, “Really that’s too much…”

“Too much?”

Old Zhou glanced at Lu Xin’s motorcycle. Little Zhou remembered the cigarettes Lu Xin smoked and the lighter he used. The shame on their faces deepened. Little Zhou nudged his uncle and Old Zhou grit his teeth hard, “All of it for you! All of it! Is that okay?”

…

Lu Xin fell silent for a moment.

In terms of pure income it might not actually be that much.

After all back in Qinggang handling something like this would net him tens of thousands at least!

But the wasteland wasn’t Qinggang…

It wasn’t easy for them to make money running this route.

Although they were willing to give him the scavenged goods they had gathered those things by driving that beat-up little truck rattling through who knows how many villages. Little Zhou was even counting on them to marry Juanzi back home…

This uncle and nephew were actually willing to give him everything?

Right now their boss didn’t even know they had sought his help.

Every penny spent would essentially come out of their own pockets.

…

“Your boss doesn’t even know you came to me for help to treat her illness…”

Lu Xin frowned slightly, “What’s more if she finds out you think she’s sick and asked me to treat her she might get angry or upset. So you spend your own money and might not even get any thanks… Why… why exactly are you doing this?”

…

Old Zhou and his nephew seemed bewildered by Lu Xin’s question.

They didn’t seem to expect Lu Xin to ponder such a question at this moment.

After a moment Little Zhou answered softly, “Because… our boss is a good person…”

Old Zhou nodded in agreement then added awkwardly, “Besides she’s getting on in years and her back really can’t take it anymore…”

“Alright…”

Lu Xin seemed to be trying hard to understand nodding slowly.

After a while he looked up his expression more serious, “I can give this matter a try.”

“However I won’t take all your stuff. That’s too greedy.”

“So let’s stick to what you first said… just give me half.”

“But even if I can’t fix it in the end you’ll still cover gas water and food. That’s settled right?”

…

Hearing this Old Zhou and Little Zhou were overjoyed and excited punching each other forcefully.

Only Little Zhou looked a bit confused, “Didn’t you say one-third at first?”

Lu Xin pretended not to hear.

…

“I need to make a call first get some more information.”

Now that he had formally agreed to accept payment this matter was different from before.

Lu Xin decided to treat it seriously.

Considering the clients’ request Lu Xin couldn’t use his most proficient method: walking up to the boss and asking if something was wrong… After all Lu Xin had read a lot of materials on mental illnesses. They clearly stated that when dealing with patients with mental illnesses one needed patience and tact avoiding overly direct methods to prevent agitating them.

…Thinking about how he was now trying to treat a mental patient Lu Xin felt something was off. After thinking for a bit he realized: he himself was suspected of having multiple split personalities and yet here he was treating someone else. How interesting.

After informing Old Zhou and Little Zhou he rummaged through his motorcycle’s storage case for a while retrieving a small pot-lid-shaped simple signal transceiver. He went to the edge of the service area followed the instruction manual for a bit and waited until the green light lit up. Letting out a long sigh of relief he quickly grabbed the satellite phone found a number and dialed.

“Beep…”

The phone only rang once with a long tone before being picked up. Han Bing sounded pleasantly surprised, “Mr. Lone Soldier good evening…”

Hearing Han Bing’s voice amidst this unfamiliar convoy in the wasteland Lu Xin felt his mood lift as well.

He quickly smiled and said, “Hello hello… How have you been lately?”

…

Han Bing paused for a moment then chuckled, “Very well thank you. Just a little worried about you…”

“I didn’t expect Mr. Lone Soldier to call me so soon. Did something happen?”

…

“Well I did run into a few things…”

Lu Xin chuckled, “I encountered a dancing village where there were two pitiful women… also ran into a Ghost Wall which was quite fun… helped out two guys along the way they drive a truck. When I first met them they even had underwear pulled over their heads…”

He recounted everything he had encountered making Han Bing exclaim:

“Mr. Lone Soldier has had such an eventful journey in just one day?”

…

Only then did Lu Xin realize it hadn’t even been a full day since he left the city?

“Alright I’m out of bed now…”

There was some rustling on Han Bing’s end then she chuckled, “Does Mr. Lone Soldier have a question?”

“Well…”

Seeing that she had figured out his intention Lu Xin smiled somewhat sheepishly, “Actually it’s nothing major. It’s just that I took on a private commission but during the work I realized my professional foundation is still weak. So I wanted to ask you for a small favor.”

…

In Qinggang City there was a newly established emergency information processing office.

The office was filled with rows upon rows of computer display screens numerous data points floated and changed constantly on them.

On the wall hung a brand-new banner: The nuclear weapon could detonate at any moment! We are saving the world!

…

The moment Lu Xin’s call came in the entire office instantly burst into activity.

“All departments report preparation status…”

“Information Analysis Department is in position…”

“Remote Support Team is ready for immediate deployment…”

“Contact established with the Central City office…”

“Remote standard missile…”

“Missile is not needed for now. Why are you so worked up?”

…

Soon amidst the bustle Han Bing’s voice echoed in the office, “Requesting relevant personnel conduct rapid analysis: What kind of pollution state could create a condition where a person’s brain and body are uncoordinated or even hostile towards each other?”

“Addendum: Affected individual confirmed no obvious signs of pollution state.”

“Addendum: Affected individual’s mental radiation is extremely low within normal human standards.”

…

“Mr. Lone Soldier I just looked through the information…”

After listening to Lu Xin’s description Han Bing’s soft gentle voice quickly sounded again:

“There are actually many types of pollution or ability influences that could cause the state you described.”

“However cases that are also difficult to detect and have periodic onset are quite rare.”

“I suspect this person might have encountered an influence-type ability or pollution source.”

“Pollution states that are easier to detect often exhibit abnormal mental radiation.”

“Those capable of causing such situations usually belong to the distortion and dominator groups.”

“The influence group however often affects targets through suggestion hypnosis or even surgery.”

“This influence is further divided into deep and light influence. Light influence often causes obvious confusion in the affected person making it relatively easy to observe. Deep influence however might only target the subconscious showing absolutely no signs.”

“Therefore I suggest Mr. Lone Soldier investigate in this direction.”

…

“That’s great…”

Han Bing’s answer immediately invigorated Lu Xin. Having guidance from a professional really made a difference.

“So what aspects should I pay attention to in the follow-up investigation?”

“First are there any signs of fragmentation in her consciousness? Second is there any obvious slowness in her physical coordination? Third does her mental radiation fluctuate abnormally under specific conditions? Fourth is she showing obvious signs of mental exhaustion?”

…

After Han Bing meticulously explained each point Lu Xin finally felt slightly relieved.

“Okay thank you for your help so late at night. I feel really bad about bothering you…”

“Mr. Lone Soldier if you say that I’ll get upset. I’m really happy to receive your call…”

“No no although I also enjoy chatting with you I really did disturb you…”

“How can something you enjoy be called a disturbance? I also love hearing about Mr. Lone Soldier’s encounters during your journey…”

…

When the call ended amidst warm greetings the entire information liaison office let out a collective sigh of relief.

An announcement echoed through the office: “Attention: Temporary liaison mission level downgraded to C-class.”

“…Personnel preparing to come in for overtime can return home.”

…

Lu Xin walked back towards the tent a smile on his face he hadn’t even noticed. Little Zhou poked his head out of the tent curiosity written all over his face along with unconcealed envy, “Brother Lu you even carry a phone with you when you go out?”

“Yeah.”

Lu Xin answered proudly putting the phone and signal transceiver back into the case.

He was in a particularly good mood. This was the feeling of having backing.

Besides Han Bing really knew a lot.