Chapter 516: Contaminated City

Within an hour, all four had finished bathing, changed into fresh clothes, and gathered in Gecko’s room.

Strangely, the shower seemed to leave them all a bit off-kilter.

Han Bing’s face flushed, still clearly embarrassed.

Gecko, visibly frightened with a pale look, remained uneasy despite Lu Xin’s reassuring smile.

Lu Xin was deep in thought about what he had sensed moments earlier.

Red Serpent, appearing paranoid, said, “During my shower, I felt as if something was roaming around my room… Later, I noticed marks on my bed where something had apparently sat. Even my snacks seemed to have been tampered with, but after a thorough check, I found nothing. I’m not sure if it was a hallucination…”

The group searched Red Serpent’s room but discovered nothing out of the ordinary.

Perhaps the overwhelming pressure in this warped city had simply made us all jumpy?

They soon accepted that explanation and all but forgot about it.

Yet, in that mood, Han Bing was the first to suggest, “How about we go out for a bite and scope out the city?”

All four agreed, each gathering their belongings before heading out.

Passing through the corridor, they noticed a woman in a robe lying as a corpse—seemingly forgotten. They had notified the front desk an hour earlier, yet no one had come to remove her.

There was nothing they could do; Gecko, judging her too frail, snatched a blanket from a neighboring room to cover her.

Once they reached the lobby, the frantic front desk girl, who had been gyrating wildly to the music, had vanished.

Only blasting, ear-piercing music filled the empty space.

……

“After changing, I reconnected with our prior contact in Heichao City,” someone stated.

Fresh from the bath and now looking revitalized in new clothes, Han Bing walked beside Lu Xin. Effortlessly stylish, she shone brightly, and perhaps to break the awkward silence, she steered the conversation toward work.

“Still no connection?”

Lu Xin turned and asked softly.

“I did get through,” Han Bing replied unexpectedly.

She continued, “They said everything is proceeding as planned—they’re waiting for us at the Administration Hall.”

“Hmm?”

Gecko, Red Serpent, and Lu Xin all looked over, puzzled.

They had avoided contacting Heichao City’s Administration Hall because their usual contact had run into issues.

So, since contact was finally made…

“But precisely because we made contact, I’m even more worried…”

Han Bing looked up at Lu Xin and said, “Their response was so normal. When I asked why we hadn’t heard from them earlier, they only mentioned a work oversight and begged our forgiveness, urging us to hurry to Heichao City to help.”

“The more normal they sound, the more suspicious I become,” Lu Xin remarked.

“Because I know that regardless of this city’s state—its order, the Administration Hall’s efficiency—they never take special contamination lightly. A help request would never be issued carelessly. Even if there were an oversight, it would be a major blunder, not just brushed over lightly…”

“……”

After saying so in one breath, she nodded and added, “So, I don’t recommend we make contact now.”

“At the very least, we should first conduct a preliminary investigation to understand the situation before reaching out.”

“……”

Everyone, including Lu Xin, agreed with her decision.

In many ways, their training as intel specialists even surpassed that of the Ability Users.

The group left the hotel and strolled along the neon-lit street. Even if the hotel had revealed the city’s diseased side due to contamination, the street still buzzed with life, passion, and prosperity.

It was almost excessively lively.

The street teemed with people, as if the entire city had spilled out.

Some thronged roadside casinos, others packed into bars, and many simply gathered on the main street—drinking heavily, eyes bloodshot, and some even caressing waitresses in a brazen manner.

“Beep beep……”

That was the sound of rogue drivers clashing with oncoming vehicles, horns blaring fiercely as they rammed into each other’s fronts.

Lu Xin looked up at the city, sensing an undercurrent of mental pressure.

He wasn’t sure if someone had set up a contamination field here, but it was clear that the populace was affected by the taint—and a large gathering of such people could create a field-like effect.

Even if it wasn’t a formal field, the chaotic, decaying atmosphere carried a significant impact.

Sometimes, a city’s very aura could influence everyone, much like contamination.

“Let’s grab a bite and devise a plan,” Han Bing suggested.

Following her lead, they headed to a restaurant not far from the hotel.

Outside, tents were set up and tables arranged in disarray. Every table was packed with people stuffing food into their mouths and gulping down drink after drink, their expressions excited, eyes bloodshot.

“Some of these folks probably haven’t slept in a week, and even those who have are gravely sleep-deprived. I doubt their chef can whip up anything good, so we should opt for sealed, packaged food,” Han Bing noted.

Ever meticulous, she had them reserve only one table and order a few items.

After a half-hour wait, a lethargic waiter finally brought over a bucket of wine and several plates of food, carelessly tossing them onto the table.

None of it was what they had ordered.

They said nothing, simply taking out their canned goods and sealed sausages.

This behavior was odd in such a setting, yet no one around seemed to notice.

Only Gecko had ordered a beer, but upon sniffing it, he immediately discarded it.

“It’s spoiled. I wonder how these people even manage to drink it,” he commented.

Han Bing explained, “Prolonged sleep deprivation dulls your taste; you can’t really tell what you’re eating or drinking.”

“Look at them—they’re eating and drinking purely for the thrill.”

“When people are utterly exhausted, they sometimes become unusually exhilarated.”

“……”

It was clear Han Bing had done her homework.

Lu Xin even thought that, as an ordinary person, she performed her duties more professionally than many Ability Users.

Nodding, he asked, “Since we can’t directly contact their Administration Hall, how should we proceed with our investigation?”

“I’ve been pondering that as well,” she replied earnestly.

After a moment of thought, Han Bing said:

“The biggest issue is that we’re not sure whether the problems in this city stem from a Pollution Source, certain Mental Monsters, or Ability Users. But if it’s the latter two, they must already have the means to control the city.”

“If I wanted to control a city, the very first step would be to seize the Administration Hall.”

“That’s why I advise against direct contact—it’s the riskiest area. If something goes awry, we could be walking right into a trap. Even if nothing happens, they might feed us false information to mislead our investigation. Plus, I don’t recommend revealing our identity just yet.”

“After all, if they hold the Administration Hall, they could mobilize the entire city against us.”

“Of course…”

She suddenly smiled at Lu Xin and added, “With Mr. Lone Soldier around, even facing an entire city might not mean defeat.”

“But we’re here to clean up the contamination, so we must minimize casualties…”

“……”

The few around them fell into a heavy silence.

It was like seeing three Ability Users surrounding an ordinary person—a scene reminiscent of underachievers crowding around a top student.

“That makes a lot of sense…”

Munching on instant noodles, Gecko asked earnestly, “But if we avoid the Administration Hall, how do we investigate when we’re new in such a massive city?”

Han Bing turned to Lu Xin and asked, “Did Mr. Lone Soldier notice anything?”

Lu Xin shook his head in response to her concerned gaze, saying, “Nothing.”

After a moment’s thought, he added, “I believe I can only perceive mental entities that have their own will—ones not hidden inside someone. But not seeing anything doesn’t mean the contamination field isn’t there. When we were near Happy Town, we were all within a field. I didn’t see any Mental Monsters then, but I could feel the invisible pollution everywhere…”

“A field…”

Han Bing’s expression grew solemn as she said, “Before I came here, Professor Bai personally briefed me: field-type contamination is the most fearsome. Take the Doll, for example; if she were to fully master the power of the Mental Overlord, she could detect and track down any Ability Users or contamination the moment they entered Qinggang.”

“We must determine if our presence has already been detected,” she continued seriously.

“If we’ve been exposed, then all our efforts to stay hidden are futile.”

“……”

Her words left Gecko and Red Serpent momentarily dumbfounded, a silent apprehension dawning on them.

Could one really be detected the moment they step into a city?

Though they were Ability Users, such a frightening ability seemed almost unreal.

Lu Xin noticed Han Bing’s earnest demeanor, finding it rather endearing, and smiled while shaking his head:

“I doubt it. I don’t feel like anyone’s watching me right now.”

“Besides, what Professor Bai described is theoretically possible. In reality, a city is too vast—with countless mental forces mingling chaotically. Most Mental Overlords wouldn’t achieve such precision…”

“……”

He casually shared his understanding, giving Han Bing an impromptu crash course.

Unexpectedly, Han Bing, Gecko, and Red Serpent all lifted their heads in astonishment.

Gecko even gulped audibly.

Noticing their odd looks, Lu Xin patted his face and asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”

In a low, mysterious tone, Gecko said, “Captain… with your knowledge of the Mental Overlord, are you implying that…”

“…Are you saying you’ve already surpassed the Mental Overlord?”

“…”

“?”

Lu Xin was taken aback for a moment before laughing, “What are you talking about…”

Yet, he suddenly felt a vague confusion—had he subconsciously let those words slip?

He recalled he’d never received such training before…

Seeing Lu Xin lost in thought, Han Bing quickly recovered with a quiet laugh, “That’s good then.”

“Since we haven’t been detected yet, we can finally devise a proper investigation plan…”

“……”

Silence fell over the table as everyone awaited Han Bing’s proposal for a viable plan.

Outside, the street resounded with jeers, clinking glasses, loud slaps, and even the sounds of drunken vomiting—an entire city cloaked in a flamboyant, heightened mood, as if a vibrant towel were draped over its secrets.

Amidst the bustling city, a subtle smile appeared on Lu Xin’s lips—his calm exterior belying the pressure he felt, even more intense than that experienced by Gecko or Han Bing.

It was a strange feeling—he’d never cared for the city’s aura, but now that he sensed a trembling force within it, his impression darkened.

He even felt that the city harbored a soul he despised.

In this place, he couldn’t breathe freely.

Anxiety, irritation, a sense of suffocation—the strain on his spirit was overwhelming.

Suddenly, he felt an urge to storm into Heichao City’s heart and root out that despised force.

But he restrained himself.

Han Bing was right—we were here to clean up the contamination, not to wipe out the city’s inhabitants.

Cleaning a city’s contamination isn’t the same as eliminating its people—even though, in essence, they’re not that different…

……

In that brief silence, a girl of about fourteen or fifteen emerged, holding the hand of a boy around five or six. With a large wooden guitar on her back and a slight, timid frame, she made her way toward the group of drinkers.

She cautiously approached a table and said, “Big brother, would you like to request a song?”

The guests at that table, visibly impatient, bellowed, “Get lost!”

Undeterred, she moved to another table and whispered, “Big brother, would you like a song? Two dollars a song.”

The guests there, already quite tipsy and smiling, replied, “Sing something for us…”

The girl’s face lit up with delight as she quickly seated the young boy beside her, picked up her guitar, and gently strummed.

The clear, melodious notes spread like rippling water, and the girl began to sing softly:

“On the banyan tree by the pond,
Cicadas call out the song of summer;
On the swing at the playground,
Only a butterfly lingers…”

“……”

“……”

At the moment her song began, Lu Xin snapped out of his oppressive mood and turned, a spark of curiosity in his eyes.

The girl’s voice, pure and clear like that of a young maiden, formed a stark contrast with the noisy street—even the surrounding clamor seemed to quieten.

After finishing her song, she set her guitar down and bowed gracefully toward the table, saying, “Thank you, big brother.”

Playfully, the guests replied, “Thank me for what?”

The girl paused, then murmured softly,

“Money?”

The guests burst into laughter, “Who said you’d get money? Now, get lost!”

Startled, the girl took two hesitant steps back. Behind her, a boy of about six or seven clutched her hand, and together they retreated a few paces, timidly scanning until they reached a group of well-dressed men.

“Big brother, would you like a song? Two dollars a song…”

The girl, still holding her guitar, whispered, “Can I pay first?”

“Sing?”

A man, who had been facing away, turned around, glanced them up and down, and playfully asked, “Where are your parents?”

The girl replied, “My parents haven’t come home yet. There’s nothing to eat…”

The man, admiring her shy demeanor, handed a grilled sausage to the boy.

The boy looked up at the girl; though she hesitated, she didn’t stop him. He grabbed the sausage and ate it hungrily. The girl curtsied slightly and said, “Thank you, big brother. May I sing for you?”

The man reached into his pocket, producing a ten-dollar bill with a grin, “You can sing—if you sing what I like. This ten is all yours.”

“……”

“Thank you, big brother. Thank you…”

The girl gazed at the bill, her expression brightening as she eagerly nodded, “Big brother, I can sing several songs.”

She counted on her fingers, listing the songs she knew.

The man laughed, “That’s not enough. You need to sing something risqué…”

While saying that, he patted his thigh and added, “And you must sing while sitting here.”

Startled, the girl took two steps back and whispered, “I can’t do that.”

“Everyone on this street can, so why not you?”

The man’s interest peaked; his bloodshot eyes scanned her and said, “Come over and sing. I’ll give you twenty.”

Frightened, the girl clutched the boy’s hand and began to retreat, preparing to leave.

“Leave?”

Suddenly, the man’s temper flared. He leapt up, grabbed the girl’s braid, and pulled her over to his table. His eyes, filled with bloodshot fury and his muscles twitching, his face hardened as he growled, “I told you to sing—didn’t I? Don’t you know I love a good song?”

Terrified, the girl screamed while clutching her hair.

“Sister, sister…”

The boy, equally frightened, dashed forward and clung to the girl’s leg, crying.

The other guests at the table erupted into raucous laughter, some even clapping, as if the scene were highly entertaining.

“Old Hua, how did you come to favor plain soup?”

“Old Hua, why didn’t I know you liked songs so much?”

“……”

“Too rowdy, too rowdy…”

Wearing a shirt, the man pinned the girl down on the table before turning to his companions with a laugh:

“You have no idea—I’ve been so fired up lately I can’t even sleep…”

“I’m exhausted, and women have lost all their charm…”

His face twisted in a mix of confusion and torment, swinging from pain to manic frenzy, “That’s why I need to vent…”

“Only after venting and calming down can I finally sleep…”

“Ha ha, this little one is good. I love her voice…”

“……”

“Let go of her, sister…”

The boy, crying, lunged at the man called Old Hua, biting at him.

But Old Hua kicked the boy aside, flipping him to the ground. He then grabbed a cup of water and poured it over the girl’s head, laughing maniacally:

“Sing or not?”

“If you don’t sing, I’ll make you sing in a different way…”