Chapter 378: Club Dealings
by xennovel“Two million for information about the Technology Church?”
“And we don’t even know if it’ll be useful?”
For the first time Lu Xin looked at Chen Jing with unconcealed suspicion. *Has the Team Leader lost her mind?*
Meeting Lu Xin’s gaze Chen Jing sighed softly and explained patiently:
“The Technology Church has always been a terrifying and mysterious organization.”
“Their appearances in the north have caused chaos several times. Even the mental pollution bombs used in the attack on Qinggang were their handiwork. No one knows what those madmen will do once they make a move. You can never be too careful.”
Then she looked deeply at Lu Xin again and said:
“Being invited to join the Research Institute’s club is a good thing for both you and Qinggang.”
“The Research Institute has always had many secrets and the information they possess far surpasses what the Special Cleaning Department in a high-wall city has access to.”
“Expanding our information sources through them will give us a significant advantage.”
It was rare for Chen Jing to explain things so patiently.
Lu Xin really didn’t want to argue with his leader but couldn’t help saying, “But I…”
Chen Jing smiled and promised, “All expenses will be reimbursed!”
Lu Xin’s mood instantly brightened. “Should’ve said so earlier!”
He then handed over the communicator saying, “There isn’t enough loose change in this communicator…”
Even if he converted all his credit points to cash it would only amount to a hundred thousand.
Chen Jing took the communicator operated it a few times and said, “This software mimics social media from the Civilization Era. Each one is linked to the Central Bank system in the Central City. Actually a lot of technology within the high-wall cities can do this now.”
“It’s just that due to the severe damage to the network infrastructure such social software isn’t very useful.”
“But since the Research Institute bothered to create this thing it means they’re very confident in its confidentiality and security. Of course another reason might be that the Institute itself wanted to set up such a platform to control everything themselves.”
She frowned slightly as she spoke handing the communicator back to Lu Xin. “You can use my account for now there’s still some money in it.”
“After returning to Qinggang I’ll arrange for someone to help you apply for a Central City account and approve a batch of funds for purchasing information. You can keep an eye on this platform’s information from time to time. If you feel something is useful find me and I’ll help you apply.”
“Oh okay.”
Lu Xin agreed readily asking directly, “Then couldn’t I just give this communicator directly to you?”
Chen Jing paused looked deeply at Lu Xin and suddenly smiled.
She reached out took Lu Xin’s hand and pressed the communicator back into it saying, “The Research Institute invited you to join this club for their own reasons. Just keep this communicator you don’t need to give it to me. When you return to Qinggang don’t mention this again.”
“As for Qinggang we already have our own information transmission system between high-wall cities you don’t need to worry.”
“…
Only after hearing this did Lu Xin nod in agreement.
Nearby Gecko who was licking an envelope shut preparing to stuff his love letter inside watched them talk his eyes glazed over again.
Having received the leader’s assurance Lu Xin finally felt completely relieved.
He confidently clicked on the profile picture named ‘Dracula’ opening a private chat dialog box.
He sent a message: “I’ll take it.”
Then added another line: “No bargaining.”
In the private chat the other person replied noticeably faster: “Change your name first.”
Lu Xin was a bit surprised: “?”
Dracula: “Didn’t you see we all have three-character names? Please stick to the format thank you.”
Lu Xin backed out scrolled through the list and found it was true.
Scarecrow Red Dancing Shoes Clockwork Orange Night Watchman Mechanic there was even one called Blood Drops.
All uniformly three characters.
But scanning to the end Lu Xin suddenly paused again and sent another message to Dracula: “Isn’t there one with more characters?”
He saw a name: “I’mTheHandsomestNotThreeWords”.
Dracula: “He refuses to change it.”
Lu Xin: “Then I won’t change mine either.”
Dracula: “He’s the notorious idiot of the club!”
Lu Xin: “…”
Lu Xin: “Which high-wall city are you from? What’s your real name?”
Dracula: “First rule of communication in the club don’t go snooping unless the other person volunteers the information!”
Lu Xin stared intently at his profile picture memorizing this person.
Then he typed a reply: “Sorry I’m new I don’t know the rules.”
Dracula: “Do you want the information or not?”
Lu Xin: “Yes.”
And immediately transferred two million to his account.
He didn’t know how much money was in Chen Jing’s account but the two million transferred smoothly.
Able to mobilize two million at any time…
Lu Xin’s respect for Chen Jing unconsciously rose another level.
…
Dracula: “Hahaha I like newcomers like you. If only there were more.”
He then sent over a compressed file.
Seeing his reply an uneasy feeling rose in Lu Xin’s heart. He quickly handed the communicator to Chen Jing.
Chen Jing took the communicator decompressed the file and frowned slightly reading: “Technology Church’s Calamity Archbishop appeared in Water Bay City conducted technology preaching. Three hours later the Technology Church’s Archbishop and half of Water Bay City’s residents disappeared. Water Bay City became an empty city.”
“What’s confirmed is that besides the Calamity Archbishop he was accompanied by three Knights…”
“Objective: Unclear”
“Destination: Unknown”
“…”
“…
She frowned as she finished reading.
Lu Xin quickly asked with concern, “Was it worth it?”
Chen Jing shook her head slightly. “From a value perspective of course not. But this is something we definitely needed to do.”
Lu Xin immediately understood. As he took back the communicator he saw Dracula posting a second advertisement in the chat room: “Information on the Technology Church you all know how important it is. Someone just paid two million. Interested parties private message!”
Lu Xin replied below: “Latest news on the Technology Church one million interested parties private message!”
Night Owl: “?”
Blood Drops: “?”
Dracula: “What the hell are you doing?”
Lu Xin: “One million is too expensive make it five hundred thousand!”
Instantly several private messages popped up: “Five hundred thousand is nothing might as well take a look!”
“Send me a copy!”
“Transfer: Five hundred thousand!”
“Transfer: Five hundred thousand. Note: I’m not interested in the info mainly want to see you and Dracula fight…”
“…
Lu Xin collected the transfers one by one and forwarded the materials.
There was even one person who hadn’t transferred yet but Lu Xin sent the materials first anyway.
The person seemed surprised accepted the materials directly then transferred the money to Lu Xin.
Dracula’s profile picture flashed frantically messages pouring in: “What are you doing? What’s the meaning of this?”
“You joined the club and don’t even understand the basic rules?”
“Are you planning to be excluded from our information network?”
“…
Lu Xin replied embarrassedly: “Sorry I’m new I don’t know the rules.”
Dracula: “[Angry] [Angry] [Angry] [Knife]”
Lu Xin: “[Smile] [Smile] [Smile] [Coffee]”
…
“What’s making you so happy?”
Chen Jing noticed the smile on Lu Xin’s face and asked smilingly, “Getting along with people in the club?”
“Yes.”
Lu Xin grinned. “I’ve already made friends with several people and I’m particularly close with one of them.”
Chen Jing glanced at him. “Still be careful don’t get cheated.”
Lu Xin nodded. “Mm.”
The helicopter departed from the Central City at 8 AM landed at two locations for transfers and by late afternoon it was already over Qinggang. Seemingly considering Lu Xin Chen Jing first had the helicopter land on the roof of the Security Hall in the Second Satellite City. After dropping Lu Xin off she made a ‘call me’ gesture then had the helicopter take off again heading towards the Main City.
“Back already?”
Lu Xin shouldered his backpack and took a deep breath of Qinggang’s humid sea breeze.
The motorcycle couldn’t be transported directly by helicopter so he had to wait a few days. He first stayed at the Security Hall. At the insistent request of the female officer who happened to be on duty he reluctantly stayed for dinner at the Security Hall before leaving.
He took the subway rattling his way home. In the empty car compartment his face reflected on the glass.
Lu Xin looked at his reflection in the glass window and suddenly tilted his head a few times.
His neck cracked.
Then he offered a smile to his reflection in the window.
But perhaps because the window was too blurry or due to the lighting in the car compartment his reflection didn’t seem to smile back.
“Time to go home and hold another family meeting…”
Lu Xin thought.
…
…
At the same time Chen Jing had arrived at the Special Cleaning Department Headquarters. Minister Shen Professor Bai and others were already seated waiting.
They had all come in person not using remote communication devices.
“Three things!”
Chen Jing looked at the serious-faced gentlemen pushed several files she had just copied in front of them and said gravely, “First the Moon Eclipse Research Institute has publicly revealed the secret of the ‘Abyss’. This has prompted cleanup operations in the S-level forbidden zones around major high-wall cities. According to their data the cleanup of S-level forbidden zones has reached a critical stage.”
“In other words we must now prepare to directly face the Queen of Happy Town.”
“…
Mr. Su and Professor Bai exchanged glances. Including Professor Chen and the others nearby their expressions turned grim and they nodded slightly.
They had come precisely because they knew about this.
“Second!”
Chen Jing took a deep breath. “Single Soldier received an invitation from the Research Institute to join the High-Level Talent Club. Additionally it can be confirmed that the Research Institute has identified Single Soldier’s identity and likely knows more about him than we do. But they have chosen not to be hostile.”
Minister Shen immediately frowned slightly glancing towards Professor Bai.
Professor Bai nodded gently. “That’s expected. The Research Institute generally dislikes using force.”
Mr. Su nodded slightly tapping his knuckles on the long table. “And the third thing?”
“It’s about Single Soldier!”
Chen Jing took another deep breath. “Confirmed by the Research Institute Single Soldier is not a Second Stage Ability User. He is a stable Third Stage.”
“Swish!”
The meeting room instantly fell silent.
After composing herself Chen Jing slowly asked, “So are we preparing to recruit him into the Heaven’s Kingdom Plan?”