Chapter 688: An Ominous Encounter

“A person who can neither be photographed nor drawn?”

Hearing Han Bing’s words, Lu Xin suddenly felt a bad premonition.

Moreover, this individual had shown up right next to the original location of the Red Moon Orphanage and had even contacted Teacher Xiao Lu, which inexplicably tightened his chest.

Although, based on Han Bing’s account, Qinggang had already been keeping an eye on him and he hadn’t done anything dangerous to Teacher Xiao Lu or the children, Lu Xin quickly made up his mind.

“I’m heading back immediately!”

“……”

Han Bing paused briefly, seemingly gathering others’ opinions over the phone before asking directly:

“Alright, how many days until you’re back in Qinggang?”

Lu Xin mentally calculated the time and replied, “At most two days.”

Han Bing immediately grasped how anxious Lu Xin was, as this was the fastest route from Flame to Qinggang.

She agreed, though not without a warning: “Stay safe.”

“Don’t worry, Doll is keeping a close watch on him.”

“……”

After hanging up, Lu Xin couldn’t shake off his unease—something about this case felt off.

Who exactly is this person, and why come to the Red Moon Orphanage?

Why did he seek a meeting with him?

Moreover, although Han Bing’s narration made it seem that Qinggang had reacted swiftly,

a closer reflection revealed that Qinggang’s response had some odd nuances.

It’s as if this person, who can’t be photographed or sketched, somehow didn’t have his appearance described verbally by Qinggang.

Why was his name never mentioned?

And given Qinggang’s typically professional approach, they should have known not to let an unverified stranger meet with the orphanage. Yet, when he met Teacher Xiao Lu, no one tried to stop it.

Teacher Xiao Lu’s behavior was peculiar too; she is known to be very cautious.

But she actively chose to meet this man…

Does that mean Teacher Xiao Lu knew him, or had she been subconsciously influenced?

With these uncertainties swirling in his mind, Lu Xin ended the call and immediately contacted Xia Chong to inform him of his return to Qinggang. This sudden change of plans also left Xia Chong, who was busy handling matters related to Flame, slightly perplexed.

However, she didn’t press further and said, “Handle your business; I’ve got everything covered here.”

Her prompt assurance made one wonder if she had already received a hint from the scalpel.

“Then please leverage your connections to arrange for a helicopter. As for the expenses…”

“…I’ll cover them all.”

“……”

Worried, Lu Xin didn’t consider anything else.

He had planned to drive his own car back, but now he had to opt for a faster mode of transport.

As for his car, he could have someone deliver it back later.

Noticing Lu Xin’s anxiety, Xia Chong quickly made arrangements. Two hours later, Lu Xin was aboard a helicopter emblazoned with the Flame insignia. The craft would stop at several resupply points before escorting him back to Qinggang and returning.

After the Red Moon incident, this was going to be a troublesome trip…

Especially since the route had to cross the borders between Flame City and the Alliance, though for the Research Institute that wasn’t much of an issue.

When the helicopter rumbled out of Flame City’s steel forest, Lu Xin glanced back.

This city—the most prosperous he’d ever seen—looked pristine and modern under the sun, brimming with technological brilliance, much like when he had arrived, though the daylight made everything clearer compared to night.

At this moment, Number Two might still be lurking in some corner of the city.

Or perhaps by now, he had once again involuntarily slipped into his Nightmare of God.

Lu Xin had vowed to return someday to fetch him.

He carried deep longing and guilt for every child in the orphanage and was determined to help them as much as he could.

But what about the others?

Could it be that the one who came to visit him in Qinggang was also a child from the orphanage?

“Phew…”

Lu Xin exhaled deeply, although he couldn’t calm his pounding heart or the lingering tension.

……

……

Lu Xin had promised Han Bing that he would be back in Qinggang within two days.

But in reality, barring any mishaps during the resupply stops, it took just a little over a day.

He had been in touch with Qinggang via radio during the trip, so the helicopter bearing the Flame insignia flew straight into Second Satellite City and landed on the Security Hall’s rooftop, where many awaited him.

Chen Jing and Han Bing both wore crisp uniforms, and a team armed with special weapons guarded the area.

“Insufficient preparations with the materials.”

Chen Jing handed Lu Xin a file as he disembarked, saying, “There seems to be a strange mental field surrounding this man.”

“Our observations and inquiries were strongly interfered with.”

“Of the scarce materials, some appear to be from what he allowed us to observe and record, while others came from Doll.”

“……”

Lu Xin took the file and saw that the text was indeed sparse, roughly in line with what Han Bing had told him over the phone. The other part was Doll’s evaluation, which was precise yet surprisingly simple:

“Dangerous!”

“……”

This was someone who even in Qinggang made Doll feel threatened.

“Sorry for the trouble.”

Lu Xin sighed lightly and said, “I’ll meet him and find out.”

Although no further intel had come in, the lack of new warnings suggested that the situation hadn’t worsened.

In fact, that was a good sign.

His vehicle had long been prepared. Lu Xin, Chen Jing, and Han Bing rode in one car, accompanied by three teams in protective suits. They swiftly navigated through the streets and alleys of Second Satellite City, heading for the villa Lu Xin had purchased earlier.

Even before reaching the villa, Lu Xin could sense an oppressive atmosphere.

Although the streets appeared clear with few figures and the shops were locked, he could feel an intense concentration of mental power—a measure taken by Qinggang to seal off the area against any mishaps.

Even though there were no obvious warning signs at the intersections or armed guards on display,

any ordinary person entering this zone would feel uncomfortable and instinctively steer clear.

As Lu Xin’s car moved along the deserted street toward the villa, he noticed a three-story building next door. On its balcony, Doll had leaned out gently. After seeming to compose herself, she floated over to him.

Lu Xin got out of the car, regaining his composure, somewhat surprised.

He realized that this was the real Doll, not just an image woven by her mental power.

“Doll thinks this man is dangerous. If he stays too close, she can’t guarantee she’ll be able to stop him from doing something at any moment.”

As Chen Jing stepped out, she explained quietly, “That’s why she arrived here early—to keep an eye on the orphanage for you.”

Lu Xin, still a bit astonished, glanced up at Doll.

She was wearing a black-and-white European-style court dress with delicate lace trailing down.

Silently hovering about twenty centimeters above the ground, she looked at him with a delighted smile.

“Thank you.”

Lu Xin slowed his pace slightly, pulling a tightly sealed plastic bag from a black bag.

Inside were several red spheres. After a brief hesitation, he handed them to Doll, saying:

“I had these packed for you from the seven-star luxury hotel’s buffet in Flame City…”

“These little spheres might look like fruit, but they’re made of goose liver. They’re exceptionally delicious—try one…”

“……”

Both Chen Jing and Han Bing were momentarily stunned.

Watching Lu Xin’s earnest expression, their emotions were mixed.

A Single Soldier actually brought a gift for Doll?

That in itself was surprising, but what was even more astonishing was…

…that this gift had been packed from a city thousands of miles away?

…Could it be leftovers?

……

Immediately, Doll’s face lit up with surprise as she clutched the plastic bag tightly in her hand.

“You all wait outside for a moment. I’ll be there soon!”

Lu Xin exhaled and nodded to them before glancing toward the orphanage.

Chen Jing gave a slight nod and pointed subtly at his glasses.

It was her way of saying that if any issues arose, they should communicate via their channel promptly.

……

……

Stepping into the villa, Lu Xin immediately felt an odd sensation—although the courtyard was immaculate, not a soul was in sight.

He calmed his nerves and walked forward slowly.

He passed overturned rocking horses, balls, and beanbags scattered around before reaching the villa’s entrance.

As he neared the building, a peculiar mental force caught his attention. It was stable and didn’t affect the surroundings, merely present for clear perception.

It was as if a distorted force field had been activated, but without warping anything.

Then, from behind, a small white dot quickly approached, trotting over before grasping his hand.

That icy small hand surprised Lu Xin. He turned to look at his sister.

He recalled this was the first time she had appeared at the orphanage.

Previously, neither she nor Mom and Father had ever shown up here.

Not wanting to ask too many questions, Lu Xin briskly made his way through the lobby and soon reached two rooms on the ground floor.

After moving in, Teacher Xiao Lu had divided the orphanage children into two classes to facilitate different lessons. Now, the small class stood empty while the large class area buzzed faintly with mental energy, drawing a crowd.

Lu Xin reached the large class’s door and noticed that the classroom door was open.

All the children sat quietly, and on the podium, a man clad in a shirt and slacks gave a lecture.

“Judgment is both the trial and the verdict.”

“In ancient Western teachings, judgment is the power of the gods.”

“And before the Red Moon incident, judgment was the key to maintaining societal stability…”

“……”

He spoke earnestly, looking every bit the true teacher.

When Lu Xin appeared at the classroom door, the teacher paused momentarily, glanced over, and smiled at him.

Then, with a gesture for Lu Xin to wait until the lesson ended before catching up, he signaled him to hold on.