Chapter 389: Unraveling the Truth

“Then, of course, the next step is to analyze the logic chain within it and find the pollution source.”

The researcher paused for a moment, then said, “Right now, both you and the phenomena we just witnessed indicate that these people are clearly dead. Yet, they don’t know they’re dead and continue moving, even working, as if they were alive.”

“This absurd phenomenon reveals at least two problems.”

“First, they’ve forgotten the fact that they’re dead, including the circumstances of their deaths.”

“Second, their perception, or rather, their way of thinking, has been distorted. That’s why they can’t see their own wounds or the wounds of others. They can’t smell the scent of their own blood and accept this horrifying state as normal.”

“They’re missing that piece of logical thinking.”

“It’s like they forgot food should be cooked, so they accept raw meat as normal.”

…

The researcher diligently explained everything he understood and knew to Lu Xin.

Judging by his analysis and thought process, he seemed highly knowledgeable and quick-witted:

“Since their thinking is flawed, we can guide them to discover this flaw and subsequently, the truth.”

“You can think of it this way: the state caused by this pollution maintains behavior resembling normal people as much as possible, despite missing certain logic. If it’s not disrupted or influenced by outsiders, this logic might persist for a long time.”

“Like those colleagues at the observation post. They’re reportedly already decaying, yet they still believe they’re alive.”

“If no one ever reminds them, will they just keep working like this, never realizing they’re dead until their bodies completely decay, crumble, and turn to dust… In fact, I suspect their memories and logical judgment must already have issues. The interruption and damage to their physiological functions would surely affect their minds.”

After finishing his analysis, he stated his conclusion:

“Therefore, to investigate this pollution, we must find a way to break their logic chain. By observing their reactions when they discover the truth of their death, a gap appears in their thinking. Their minds will also be stimulated, leading to new changes.”

“This opportunity might allow us to find the true root of the problem.”

…

Lu Xin listened quietly, many thoughts running through his mind.

He knew very well that the person on the other end of the walkie-talkie might already be compromised.

But the researcher himself clearly hadn’t realized anything was wrong with him and was still doing his best to help.

The first thing Lu Xin needed to figure out was whether the researcher was already affected by death and providing incorrect information.

It seemed entirely possible.

However, his rational tone lacked any deliberate concealment or fabrication.

Did that mean he, like these armed soldiers, was genuinely focused on his work?

Hearing the final suggestion, Lu Xin suddenly hesitated:

“After I tell them… will they immediately… die?”

As soon as he asked, Lu Xin himself felt the question seemed somewhat absurd.

But the researcher quickly understood Lu Xin’s thoughts, replying softly, “They’re already dead, Mr. Lone Soldier.”

“Their continued existence due to some form of pollution is also a kind of exploitation, a deception.”

“Letting them remain deceived, continuing to ‘live,’ goes against their true nature.”

The researcher’s voice was low, “Besides, finding the pollution logic, cleaning up the source, or even just grasping more about their reactions upon learning the truth of their death and recording it—that’s what we should be doing right now!”

“Mm.”

Lu Xin nodded slightly. “I haven’t asked your name yet,” he said softly.

“Huh?”

The researcher paused, then chuckled. “Mr. Lone Soldier, you’re too kind. My surname is Wang, given name Song. I’m one of Professor Chen’s students.”

“Alright.”

Lu Xin nodded gently again. “Professor Wang Song, how do you determine if someone is dead?”

“Haha, don’t call me Professor. I haven’t reached that level yet.”

Researcher Wang Song smiled and continued, “There are many ways. The difference between the living and the dead is quite significant.”

“Checking if the pupils are dilated or if the heartbeat has stopped goes without saying. Medically, the cessation of brainwave activity is usually the standard criterion. For convenience, checking the pulse or skin temperature also works…”

“Oh, right. You can also tell by the skin and muscles.”

“Haha, did you know? After death, muscles relax, and wrinkles on the face disappear.”

…

Researcher Wang Song spoke easily, even enthusiastically. You could tell he had a bit of a dry sense of humor.

Reaching the end, he remembered something else and added a warning, “But Mr. Lone Soldier, you must be careful.”

Lu Xin nodded lightly. “Careful of what?”

Researcher Wang Song took a breath. Lu Xin heard a ‘hissing’ sound.

The sound was incredibly strange, like a punctured tire leaking air.

This researcher was right; determining if someone was dead was indeed very simple. Just hearing his deep breath, Lu Xin could tell his neck was leaking air—the sound of air rushing into the wound.

“Be careful of the emotional shift in that instant.”

Researcher Wang Song lowered his voice, “Pointing out someone’s mistake often makes them feel their dignity has been offended, leading to strong resistance. We often call it ‘flying into a rage out of shame’.”

“Extrapolating from that, I imagine when we break the news that someone is already dead, they’ll have a similar, perhaps even more intense, frenzied reaction.”

“After all…”

“What in this world could be crueler than pointing out someone is already dead?”

…

Lu Xin listened quietly to the seemingly chatty researcher’s rambling without interrupting.

Only after he finished did Lu Xin say softly, “I understand, Researcher Wang Song. Now, I need your cooperation.”

Researcher Wang Song hastily replied, “Just tell me what you need, Mr. Lone Soldier.”

Lu Xin nodded, keeping his tone as steady as possible: “First, report your current position to me.”

“Second, you must stay put. Don’t… don’t wander around. Wait for my signal.”

…

“Oh, oh, that kind of thing? Don’t worry, I will. We get plenty of training for this kind of work.”

The person on the other end seemed to have an epiphany, agreeing with a laugh before adding, “But please be careful!”

Lu Xin listened silently, head slightly bowed. “Thank you!”

After pondering for a moment, he got up and walked towards the tent at the observation post.

…

He didn’t tell Wang Song and the others about their condition over the walkie-talkie because he himself didn’t know what changes would occur when these dead individuals realized their own deaths.

If telling them the truth caused them to panic and scatter, it could potentially lead to the unknown pollution spreading.

So, he could only temporarily deceive them, letting them wait in place with hope.

What he needed to do now was find the answer as quickly as possible.

At this moment, the seven staff members at the observation post… or rather, six and a half, as one didn’t even have legs and was squatting on the ground, moving with his hands… saw Lu Xin approach. They subconsciously cleared a path for him, watching nervously as he walked past them and entered their tent.

Even now, their gazes towards Lu Xin were filled with tension and confusion.

Lu Xin signaled that he needed to say something confidential. They cooperated immediately, stepping back a few paces from the tent.

Lu Xin gently covered his nose and walked over to the communication device.

The observation post needed to contact headquarters every three hours, so connecting was easy.

Lu Xin pressed a button coated with some unknown fluid. A voice quickly came through the walkie-talkie:

“This is the Qinggang Highway 85 Observation Project Command Post. Go ahead.”

Lu Xin said, “This is Lone Soldier.”

The liaison on the other end audibly relaxed. “Mr. Lone Soldier, what’s the current situation?”

Lu Xin spoke softly, “Confirmed the situation at the observation post matches the report. Additionally, upon arrival, we discovered that the twelve members of the advance team from the first Information Gathering Team to contact the post have also been affected by this pollution.”

“Upon discovering this, I chose to stay behind. Researcher Wang Song, the pilot, and the assistant who arrived with me immediately chose to leave. During this time, they had no direct contact with the contaminated individuals at the observation post or in the advance team.”

“However, during our previous communication, I detected something unusual and suspect Researcher Wang Song may also be contaminated.”

“They haven’t rendezvoused with the main Information Gathering Team yet, meaning the main team should still be safe. But under these circumstances, I’m unsure what might happen next. Therefore, I hope the higher-ups notify them immediately and issue a warning.”

“Researcher Wang Song is currently in a small town about thirty li from the observation post. However, I don’t recommend sending personnel to contact them now. After all, this pollution is too… uncertain. We can’t be sure if those who make contact will also become contaminated.”

…

“…Understood.”

The reply from the other side was simple, just slightly trembling.

The unknown pollution was spreading, yet contact was risky, creating an indescribably oppressive feeling.

“I will notify the superiors immediately.”

After a moment of silence, the person on the other end asked softly, “Mr. Lone Soldier, what are you planning to do now?”

Lu Xin asked quietly, “Has the information department found any valuable clues regarding this type of pollution incident?”

“Not yet.”

The voice on the other end sounded somewhat dejected. “We have too little relevant information right now. The Information Analysis Department personnel are searching through various materials, but no one has proposed any valuable suggestions yet. Also, regarding the anomaly in Songshan Town that you reported earlier, Mr. Lone Soldier, we’ve already dispatched two investigation teams. Judging by the time, they probably haven’t arrived yet.”

“Let me know if you find any valuable information.”

Lu Xin said softly, “I’m preparing to conduct further investigation. I’ll inform you once I have more data.”

The person on the other end seemed to guess what Lu Xin intended to do; their voice trembled slightly.

After a pause, they said softly, “Mr. Lone Soldier, please prioritize your safety.”

“I know.”

Lu Xin nodded gently. “After all, this is my job. I’ll do it well.”

After ending the call, Lu Xin walked out of the tent.

The night wind blew, dispersing the heavy stench of decay, and Lu Xin’s mind cleared slightly.

Looking up, he saw everyone watching him.

The seven staff members from the observation post stood to the left. On their rotten, swollen faces, one could vaguely discern expressions of worry, fear, even near collapse.

Even if they hadn’t realized their own problem, they knew something was wrong from the reactions of the advance team and Lu Xin.

Meanwhile, the advance team had moved closer, forming a line to the right.

Perhaps worried about Lu Xin, they were all clutching their guns.

Right now, they were wary of the people in the observation post, not realizing they themselves had become the same.

…

“‘The first step is sample collection, to determine if they are contaminated or if we have the problem.'”

Lu Xin thought that collection was actually unnecessary now.

The purpose of collection was to confirm if they were dead, but Lu Xin knew clearly that everything around him was the truth. He hadn’t just seen it; he had shaken hands with one of them. That damp, sticky, cold touch couldn’t be faked.

And the second step required was…

Lu Xin fell silent for a moment before looking up at these people.

They all wore expressions of terror and anticipation, as if waiting for Lu Xin to give them an answer.

They’re all very serious, responsible people.

They followed all work protocols carefully, yet something still went wrong.

Meeting their gazes, Lu Xin felt he should do something for them.

But… they were already dead. What could he possibly do for dead people?

…

After pondering for a moment, he finally raised his head.

Lu Xin forced the gentlest smile he could manage in his life and said softly, “Before taking this job, perhaps you already knew it’s the most dangerous job in the world. You could be contaminated anytime, anywhere.”

“Some contamination can go completely unnoticed.”

“So, before I proceed with the next step, I need to ask you one question.”

He looked left, then right.

He spoke softly, “If—and I mean if—you were all to be sacrificed in this mission…”

“Then, what last words would you most want me to carry back for you?”