Chapter 386: The Smiling Town

How do you tell a group of colleagues they’re already dead when they don’t even realize it themselves…

It sounded like a simple question yet the weight of it settled heavily on everyone.

Sigh…

Chen Jing let out a slow breath. Her high heels clicked on the floor as she walked forward. ‘Alright let’s get to work.’

‘First search the database for similar cases among past special pollution incidents.’

‘Second analyze what type of pollution could create this situation.’

‘Third pull all their data reports from the last month. Compare them and see if we can find any leads.’

…

The staff members exchanged uncertain glances for a moment before quickly scattering.

Team leaders quickly began coordinating dividing tasks among their respective groups.

Lu Xin watched quietly. It was his first time witnessing the Special Cleaning Department headquarters in full swing. Efficiency was the overwhelming impression.

‘If this incident is classified as B-level special pollution.’

Chen Jing moved closer to Lu Xin whispering ‘But that classification is only based on the number of people affected and how far the pollution has spread. The actual danger is far greater. Plus its proximity to Happy Town could seriously impact our upcoming cleanup operation there. Treating this with S-level caution wouldn’t be overkill…’

Lu Xin nodded. ‘Understood.’

He really wanted to ask though—if it was this important would the payment reflect an S-level mission?

But he kept the thought to himself.

He wasn’t the same rookie who’d just joined the department anymore. He knew when to speak up and when to stay quiet.

‘Investigating this collecting samples running analyses and sealing off the observation post are all urgent priorities.’

Chen Jing looked up at Lu Xin. ‘But we don’t know the source of this special pollution or how it spreads. We haven’t even dared let the Information Gathering Team get too close. Some of the contaminated staff at the observation post—the living dead—are still in full protective gear. We have no idea if the suits even offer protection against this.’

‘So for now I’ve only ordered a lockdown. No other actions have been taken.’

…

Lu Xin nodded in agreement. Chen Jing had made the right call.

Truthfully his Director rarely seemed to make mistakes.

He’d already seen the Black Table’s handiwork back in Water Buffalo City which drove home the devastating potential of intense pollution.

Ordinary people stood no chance against that kind of contamination.

Even these professionally trained investigation team members in their protective suits were practically defenseless against a highly transmissible source like this.

When things got tense it was important to show initiative.

He stated firmly ‘I can leave immediately.’

Chen Jing’s expression softened a mix of relief appreciation and perhaps even a touch of gratitude.

She didn’t elaborate simply asking ‘Are you going alone or taking backup?’

Lu Xin thought for a moment.

The department had agreed to assign him four helpers for the S-level forbidden zone mission.

But that had only come up this morning. The helpers hadn’t finished their psychological conditioning or preparations yet and he had no idea how they’d mesh as a team. It felt too soon to bring them. Besides this was an unknown special pollution incident…

So he replied ‘Not this time. I’ll go alone for now.’

Chen Jing met his gaze. ‘I’ll arrange a helicopter immediately… Thank you for your hard work.’

She’d already said ‘thank you for your hard work’ twice now once on the phone and again just now. It seemed that constantly sending Lu Xin out on these missions even if it was by the book made her feel a little uneasy…

‘You’re the one who’s working hard.’

Lu Xin smiled sincerely. ‘I got a day or two off in between and even managed a nap this afternoon. But you haven’t seemed to rest at all since Central City… You’ve got dark circles under your eyes.’

…

Chen Jing studied Lu Xin for a long moment then suddenly chuckled putting on her sunglasses.

She patted his shoulder lightly. ‘Be careful out there.’

…

The Special Cleaning Department had its own helicopters ready for immediate takeoff.

Lu Xin wasn’t one to dither either. He hadn’t even unpacked the bag he’d brought from home in Second Satellite City grabbing it and boarding the waiting helicopter. Chen Jing had clearly outlined the support plan: the information analysis channel was linked to the headset built into his glasses. Any findings or hypotheses from headquarters would be relayed instantly.

Two other teams accompanied Lu Xin on the helicopter.

One was the biological information team carrying equipment for basic on-site analysis.

The other consisted of researchers effectively the mission’s analytical core.

As for himself Lu Xin figured his role was either mission lead or…

…Bodyguard?

…

The straight-line distance between Happy Town and Qinggang was over four hundred li.

Many roads along the way were in disrepair so driving would take roughly two days.

By helicopter the trip would only take a few hours.

Still for such a long flight safety protocols required a midway stop for refueling.

Lu Xin didn’t need to worry about the logistics though. Major settlements in the region fell under Qinggang’s sphere of influence. No matter the direction there were designated resupply points and security wasn’t usually a concern.

This mission involved his own colleagues and remained shrouded in mystery.

Consequently the mood in the helicopter was somber. No one spoke everyone silently reviewing case materials.

Lu Xin didn’t chat either using the quiet time and his current alertness to delve back into the ‘Seven Steps’ theory.

He was beginning to grasp its practical application.

Understanding the steps allowed one to pinpoint their own position within that framework.

By placing opponents within the same framework it became possible to assess relative strengths and make informed judgments.

Three hours later the helicopter descended landing in a small town.

It looked like a decent-sized secondary city likely reclaimed from an older town. While not as large as Blackwater Town its buildings were neat the streets well-lit suggesting it was well-maintained.

*Whump-whump-whump…*

The helicopter landed expertly on the town’s west side clearly a familiar stop.

A recent light rain left the surrounding roads damp reflecting the stark white streetlights crisscrossing the area.

‘Songshan Tower do you read?’

‘This is Qinggang investigation team helicopter requesting resupply.’

The pilot repeated the call into the walkie-talkie but received only static in reply.

Even after they touched down the area remained eerily still. No one emerged from the nearby buildings no response came.

‘Something’s not right…’

The pilot muttered turning back to Lu Xin. ‘Normally someone would be out here already.’

Lu Xin pulled his gaze away from his communicator scanning the surroundings.

Lights dotted the town but an unnatural silence hung in the air. Aside from the whining down of the helicopter’s rotors there wasn’t a sound. No movement no figures visible. It was as silent as the wasteland.

‘Did something happen here too?’

One of the researchers sharing the helicopter with Lu Xin looked up his gaze sweeping nervously across the town.

‘We made contact before departure…’

The pilot mumbled ‘What the hell is going on?’

‘Should we warn the other two choppers not to land yet?’

…

Lu Xin continued to survey the town.

Peering into the distance through the town’s scattered lights he thought he saw a faint distortion in the damp air. He couldn’t see any mental monsters directly but mental radiation potent enough to warp the air itself was a clear sign this town had a serious problem…

Normally he should take the lead investigate what was happening here.

‘Can you handle the refueling yourself?’

Lu Xin suddenly looked up asking the pilot.

‘Uh sure…’

The pilot hesitated giving Lu Xin a questioning look.

‘Let’s just refuel ourselves. No need to disturb anyone in town for now.’

Lu Xin said quietly.

He’d already spotted the fuel depot and pumps nearby.

In such a silent town the problem was practically screaming at them.

Lu Xin knew if he went looking he’d definitely find something.

But after careful consideration he reminded himself his priority was Happy Town and the observation post incident.

An Information Gathering Team was waiting for him there facing unknown dangers.

Wasting time here was clearly not an option.

Fortunately while there seemed to be mental radiation deeper in the town the area around the fuel depot appeared clear.

That suggested the danger whatever it was hadn’t spread this far yet.

So Lu Xin made his decision.

Refuel quickly and get out.

Once airborne they’d notify headquarters to send a dedicated team to investigate this town.

The pilot paused blinked in understanding then nodded quickly climbing out of the cockpit and calling others to help.

Lu Xin stayed in the cabin keeping watch while they worked ever vigilant of the surroundings.

Thankfully they finished refueling without incident. The other two helicopters landed refueled and took off again uneventfully.

As they ascended high above he looked down at the silent town below and felt a faint chill.

The arrangement of lights on the ground seemed to form a giant smile looking up at him silently laughing.

Its teeth stark white against the darkness.

‘This is getting interesting,’ Lu Xin thought quietly. ‘Definitely not just B-level anymore…’

He offered the smiling town below a small smile of his own.