Chapter 508: Unforeseen Decisions in Qinggang

Qinggang is truly brimming with talent nowadays…

Lu Xin marveled aloud while glancing at the little monster, causing it to scurry immediately beside Chen Jing.

In truth, Lu Xin was merely reflecting on life’s unpredictability. This little fellow had once run with his underworld relatives, engaging in plenty of shady deeds—whether deliberately or not. And now? He’s managed to reinvent himself as a public servant…

Shaking his head, he resumed perusing the documents.

This thick stack of files clearly shows that Qinggang’s talent pool has been growing, with a variety of eccentric Ability Users emerging.

This is likely due to several factors. First, ever since the Special Cleaning Department was established, Qinggang has been relentlessly scouting and monitoring Ability Users. Initially, some were wary and distrustful, preferring to blend into the crowd.

But gradually, after the Qinggang Cleanup Department resolved several major crises without tarnishing its reputation, these Ability Users started moving closer to them.

Of course, there’s an even bigger reason. Under constant surveillance by the Special Cleaning Department, living a law-abiding life while being barred from exploiting one’s abilities for personal gain becomes so unbearable that joining them is the more attractive option.

At least there’s a salary to be collected…

As for those Ability Users with oversized ambitions who dare defy the Special Cleaning Department…

The smart ones, upon witnessing Qinggang handle even massive Pollution Incidents, quickly dismissed such notions.

The less clever? They either end up stuck in laboratory research or are buried altogether…

…

…

After leafing through the files several times, Lu Xin felt dizzy from all the names and documents, yet couldn’t single anyone out.

He wasn’t accustomed to interacting with strangers; he always preferred working with familiar faces.

Noticing his discomfort, Chen Jing smiled and said, “There’s an art to picking team members. You have to consider your own shortcomings during a mission and identify whose abilities can best complement you…”

Hearing that, Lu Xin simply set the files aside.

Chen Jing had expected him to say something, but after a long pause, he remained silent.

Puzzled, she asked, “What’s the matter?”

After a moment’s thought, Lu Xin admitted earnestly, “Frankly, I don’t feel that anyone’s ability can truly help me…”

…

Chen Jing was about to protest but then fell silent.

After a long pause, she retrieved the documents and said, “If that’s the case, just prepare yourself and inform your vice-captain. After all, taking on this mission ultimately depends on his own willingness. I hope you can convince him…”

“I’ll discuss the candidates with Han Bing thoroughly. The mission is set for early tomorrow.”

“If there’s anything to prepare, just let Han Bing know.”

…

“Alright.”

Lu Xin felt relieved to have dodged a potential headache and replied with a smile.

Deep down, he was confident that with Han Bing and Gecko on his side, this trip wouldn’t be a problem.

Though he pitied poor Gecko, who—barely after the negotiations ended—had to embark on a business trip…

…

…

Meanwhile, as Chen Jing and Han Bing finalized the support mission roster for Lu Xin, Happy Town witnessed Gecko, dressed in a sharp suit and exuding a serious, dignified air, sitting upright on a stool. He handed a set of documents to the Queen seated opposite and said gravely, “Your Majesty, this is the absolute bottom line from Qinggang…”

“Please give it careful consideration!”

…

Gecko was seated in a dilapidated villa.

Rubble and broken walls surrounded him, a sight hardly befitting the Queen’s status.

But nothing could be done; the attack by the Technology Church had nearly razed Happy Town, leaving even the Queen’s villa looking as if it had been blasted by a bomb. Qinggang’s Support Team had, out of goodwill, helped repair and rebuild Happy Town’s houses, even tending to her beloved flower field by replanting numerous blooms.

Yet the Queen remained wary, refusing to let them approach her villa.

The support personnel, intimidated by her, naturally kept their distance when she forbade it.

Only Gecko, who had to be nearby and often come and go, bore the brunt…

The Queen sprawled across from Gecko, her body nearly two meters in length.

Her delicate face was accentuated by a pair of large, moist eyes.

But below her lower abdomen lay a belly as huge as that of an ant queen.

After listening to Gecko, the Queen blinked, delaying her reply as she slowly nibbled on a chocolate bar handed to her.

Crack, crack.

The crisp sounds echoed like the crunching of bones.

During this, Gecko kept his gaze fixed on his own nose and heart, stubbornly refusing to meet the Queen’s eyes.

“Tea…”

After a while, the Queen softly spoke in a gentle, eerie tone, her voice trembling in an almost unearthly manner.

Behind Gecko, two slow, expressionless figures shuffled over, each wobbling with every step. One of them clumsily carried a trembling tea bowl that, with a clatter, was set before Gecko. The bowl nearly toppled, spilling half of the tea.

That wasn’t the issue though; the tea was red and oddly viscous.

“Thank you…”

Gecko replied respectfully, “I’m not thirsty.”

The Queen silently observed him, blinking as a peculiar white membrane flickered beneath her eyelids.

“Hoo…”

From behind came a strange, wheezing sound, reminiscent of an old mechanical organ.

It felt as though a chilling gaze was fixed on him from behind…

…

…

Gecko was nearly in tears, too frightened to turn and look at the two attendants bearing tea.

Meanwhile, the Queen’s body was gradually reverting to its former size, and her abilities were slowly returning.

Just a week ago, she had acquired the power to summon the dead.

So now, every time she came for negotiations, she found herself surrounded by a horde of the dead. While Gecko didn’t fear a sudden bite on his neck, the occasional chunk of flesh falling before him was almost too much to bear…

“Your… Your Majesty…”

Relying on his Spider-type ability to maintain impeccable control over his body, Gecko managed to sound as composed as possible despite a slight tremor in his voice: “Maybe we should just sign these terms? It would put everyone’s mind at ease, don’t you think?”

The Queen remained silent, snapping off a piece of her chocolate bar, her gaze turning chilling.

“I actually understand…”

Gecko quickly interjected, his expression as serious as ever: “I know these terms might seem hard to swallow. Look at the material support clause—on the surface, it appears Qinggang is generously offering endless food and drinks. But someone as remarkable as you wouldn’t settle for free handouts. Besides, what if Qinggang tampered with the food?”

The Queen continued to gaze at him with distant eyes.

Gecko continued in a somber tone, “And regarding the Abyss Rift data monitoring clause—you must regularly report on the Rift’s data. Given your status, how could you possibly be expected to handle such tedious work?”

“But the most frustrating part is that you refuse to let us deploy observation personnel…”

…

The Queen appeared visibly uncomfortable, her body trembling slightly.

Her enormous belly slowly slid over the gravel, emitting a strangely grating sound.

Cold sweat trickled down Gecko’s forehead as he stated firmly, “I must emphasize: our cooperation between Qinggang and Happy Town is founded on equality, freedom, and mutual respect. I’m someone who always considers others, so any concerns you have, I’ll make sure are taken back for reconsideration…”

The Queen remained silent as the atmosphere grew oppressively heavy.

Ding-ling…

Suddenly, the phone in Gecko’s pocket rang.

The abrupt ring startled him, making every hair on his body stand on end. He grabbed the phone as if it were burning and, without even glancing at it, roared, “Either you show up or shut up—always nagging as if I don’t need time to think!”

“Eh?”

On the other end, Lu Xin’s curious voice emerged, “Gecko, is that you?”

“Are you busy right now?”

…

“Ah…”

At the sound of that exceptionally courteous voice, Gecko froze for a moment before his usually tense expression burst into one of near tears as he shouted, “Captain… is that you? Please help me, Captain…”

“Help you?”

Lu Xin was mildly taken aback, “Wasn’t the negotiation going well?”

“Is the Queen about to turn hostile?”

…

“This…”

At those words, Gecko immediately glanced at the Queen.

He was indeed terrified, but whether the Queen would really flip out…

In that brief moment, he turned his head and was left utterly dumbfounded.

Across from the half-destroyed marble coffee table, the Queen sat peacefully and quietly.

Her upper body had straightened, her hands neatly clasped in front of her lower belly, and on the coffee table, Qinggang’s drafted safety agreement was visibly marked with several scratches—evidence that the Queen had carefully rewritten parts after smudging her tea.

“!”

“?”

Gecko was completely stunned.

What kind of bizarre turn is this?

“Are you in any real danger? Can you hold out for ten hours?”

“If it gets dangerous, I can contact my superior and come rescue you immediately…”

Over the phone, Lu Xin continued to inquire in a calm, friendly tone that was truly reassuring.

“No need…”

Regaining his composure, Gecko quickly assured, “I should be safe for now.”

“Captain, that’s all for now. From today on, you’re officially my captain.”

“I’ve got all outing expenses covered…”

…

“Heh, no need for that. As long as your mission goes smoothly…”

Lu Xin on the other end sighed in relief and chuckled, “I was just waiting for you to return. How about joining me on a mission?”

“No problem…”

Gecko replied casually, then suddenly queried, “What mission?”

“It’s nothing major.”

Lu Xin explained with a smile, “A massive Pollution Incident has struck Heichao City—completely wiping out their forces.”

“The Special Cleaning Department has ordered me to bring a few people over to handle it, and I immediately thought of you.”

“Don’t worry; this mission shouldn’t be too difficult—perhaps just a bit more intense than that pollution in Sea Country…”

“We leave tomorrow. You won’t say no, will you?”

I recommend a book titled ‘The Lord of the Nine Stars’ by Yu. Needless to say, it’s well known by everyone.