Chapter 63: Qinggang on Alert

Sitting in the passenger seat, Lu Xin relaxed and slowly mulled things over.

The incident in Satellite City No. 4 four years ago had been huge. Even he, just an ordinary office worker back then, had heard about it.

At that time, the High-wall City was experiencing rapid development. New generations were born and raised within its walls, while more and more wasteland refugees, drawn by the stability and abundant food, flocked to join. This influx created immense population pressure, leading to numerous construction projects being planned.

But it was also then that the Technology Church missionaries suddenly appeared. Dressed in mysterious white cloaks and wielding dazzling high-tech devices beyond imagination, they descended upon the people of Qinggang City, preaching their doctrine.

Countless residents of Qinggang City, captivated by their mystery and the promise of a “Pure Land,” pledged themselves to the “Technology God.”

That single event reportedly took away over seventy percent of the residents from Satellite City No. 4…

Later, to fill the void left in Satellite City No. 4, many people were relocated there. This, in turn, resulted in numerous vacant houses and abandoned factories and buildings in the Second Satellite City and others. In a way, the Technology Church’s visit inadvertently solved the population growth problem that had troubled many in Qinggang City.

As an ordinary person, Lu Xin only knew this much about the event.

It seemed so simple: the Technology Church arrived, then left with their followers.

But now, having experienced so much, he knew the reality must have been far more intense than he’d imagined.

Chen Jing’s tone alone made that clear.

She spoke of it as a disaster for Qinggang City.

…

…

“So, who’s behind this latest incident?”

Staring at the stark white road illuminated by the headlights, Lu Xin felt a slight unease and asked instinctively.

“There are many possibilities.”

Chen Jing focused on driving. “Outside the High Wall, there are numerous unresolved issues left over from the cataclysm years ago. No one has all the answers. Besides the heavily polluted individuals who’ve lost their minds—what ordinary people call ‘madmen’—there are also many human organizations. Just as we in the High-wall City can identify, recruit, and guide Mentally Altered Persons, they might be able to do the same!”

“And when it comes to using and developing abilities, they are often far more reckless and uninhibited!”

…

Listening to Chen Jing, Lu Xin suddenly felt a strange twinge.

Although her voice remained calm and forceful…

Lu Xin sensed an undercurrent of weariness and disappointment he’d never detected in her before.

*Sigh…*

Chen Jing seemed to sense the shift in her own tone as well. She quickly composed herself, adding, “But regardless, Qinggang City isn’t made of paper. Anyone thinking of targeting us better be prepared to pay the price!”

Her voice regained its usual sharp, cool efficiency. “As the defending party, we must consider every possibility. The fact that they targeted you first suggests they have motives we don’t understand. It’s even possible that other Ability Users within the High-wall City have also been targeted…”

“You need to be extra careful during this time!”

…

Lu Xin could only nod. “Okay!”

Chen Jing continued, seemingly thinking aloud, “Also, since they appeared near the orphanage, we can’t rule out the possibility that they know about your connection to it, or perhaps the orphanage itself was their target.”

“Either way, there’s a chance they might try to harm the orphanage to affect you!”

“To be safe, the people at the orphanage need to be moved somewhere more secure, away from the High Wall.”

…

Lu Xin’s eyes widened slightly at her words.

He hadn’t fully considered what would happen to him if something happened to the orphanage…

…He’d probably be furious!

His earlier decision to shoot the “Mentally modified person” stemmed partly from this underlying fear.

But personally, he didn’t have a good solution to this problem.

Should he just do nothing else and stand guard at the orphanage all day?

After all, it was just a vague possibility, and perhaps not even a very high one…

It was more likely they were after him directly. Staying near the orphanage might just endanger them further.

But Chen Jing, with just a few words, had proposed a solution.

He thought for a moment, then nodded seriously. “I’ll convince Teacher Xiao Lu!”

He wasn’t sure how he’d explain it to Teacher Xiao Lu yet, but thinking about it, it probably wouldn’t be too difficult…

Sister Xiao Lu trusted him a lot.

Although moving again and finding a new place would be quite troublesome.

“Explain what?”

Hearing this, Chen Jing frowned slightly. “Don’t waste your energy on such minor details.”

As she spoke, one hand on the steering wheel, she picked up the satellite phone with the other and dialed. “Immediately arrange all necessary procedures. Under the pretext of demolition and reconstruction, forcibly relocate all residents in the C3 Area, east side of the Second Satellite City, to the A4 Area. Pay special attention to a place called Red Moon Elementary School and arrange a good location for them…”

“Rent?”

“Of course, charge rent. Follow standard procedures for everything!”

…

Lu Xin listened, his eyes widening slightly. His mood soared, then dipped a little.

It would have been nice if they didn’t have to pay rent…

…

…

“Go on in!”

After Chen Jing made the arrangements, the Jeep pulled up in front of the Second Satellite City’s Security Hall. She had Lu Xin wait in the fourth-floor meeting room while she went out to handle some reports and decisions, quickly returning with a file.

“I’ve received approval from Headquarters. We’ll proceed with preparations on two fronts.”

Chen Jing pushed one part of the file towards Lu Xin. “First, we’ll mobilize the outposts outside the city and reserve military personnel to conduct strict inspections of all residential settlements and black markets within a hundred miles of the High-wall City. These places largely depend on our city’s resources but refuse to truly join us. They are also the most likely places to harbor hidden dangers!”

“Whether someone is truly targeting the High-wall City or not, our actions will send them a message: one, we’ve noticed them, and two, we’re taking this matter seriously… If this forces them to back down, that would be the best outcome!”

…

“The second matter concerns you!”

“Effective immediately, we will conduct an in-depth investigation and cleanup of Special Pollution Sources. All Special Action Team members must cancel their leave and be on standby… that includes you. If necessary, you can take a temporary leave from your company!”

…

“Understood!”

Although Lu Xin cared about his job at the business company, he understood the priorities.

Then, adopting a learning attitude, he asked, “Why do we need an in-depth… investigation for pollution inside the city too?”

He had assumed that since the threat came from outside the city, measures would only be needed externally.

Chen Jing answered calmly, “Because I’m worried someone might use a Special Pollution Incident to create chaos within the High-wall City.”

“It’s happened before!”

…

While Chen Jing explained the mission arrangements to Lu Xin in the office, the Security Hall outside bustled with activity.

Only Chen Jing knew that upon her arrival, she had immediately initiated investigations into not just two, but three matters.

The third was to expedite the investigation into all details and archives related to the former Red Moon Orphanage.

She couldn’t dismiss the possibility: were the people from outside the city targeting the orphanage all along?

A mysterious explosion and a single operative with immense potential…

The Red Moon Orphanage back then either had no issues, or it had potentially massive ones!”