Chapter 747: Shattered Roads, Hidden Secrets

Because of the earlier confrontation, the entire wasteland now appeared riddled with pits, as if several layers of road had been torn away.

Judging by the road conditions and traces, it truly seems as if two high-tech, heavy-firepower forces clashed, leaving these marks behind.

Few could have imagined that this place had indeed been ravaged by two warring forces.

However, one side fielded only a single ability user codenamed “Single Soldier.”

Of course, a codename aside, having one individual represent an entire army is arguably reasonable, isn’t it?

For instance, Vice-captain Gecko naturally accepted the arrangement with Lu Xin’s family.

Not only did he drive the truck steadily along the rugged road, but he also bantered cheerfully with Lu Xin’s family.

The atmosphere was remarkably congenial…

So congenial that while he was animatedly chatting with the unseen family, he drove the truck nonchalantly to the base of Lu Xin’s family’s old building. As he was about to leave, the family, somewhat reluctant, invited him upstairs.

Nevertheless, Gecko declined, saying he didn’t want to disturb Lu Xin’s family, and left with the kids.

“Take it easy…”

Lu Xin’s family stood before the old building, watching as Gecko’s figure disappeared behind a corner of the wall.

……

……

“Whew…”

Just as Gecko turned the corner, he gasped sharply, nearly collapsing to the ground.

“Tiger Bro, what happened to you?”

The kid looked at Gecko with admiration and helped him up.

“That was terrifying…”

Gecko patted his chest gently, his face ashen, and said, “The Captain’s power is growing more formidable. Back when I shared a vehicle with him, I always felt like there were several people inside — someone smiling slyly as if plotting to use you as cannon fodder, someone else clearly discontent, always scheming to chop you into pieces, and worst of all, someone treating you like a toy…”

“Can you imagine the feeling of wanting to escape even while sitting in a car?”

……

The kid briefly recalled how he had felt sitting in the truck bed, though he found it hard to truly understand.

Curiously, he asked, “How about now?”

“Much better now…”

Gecko replied, “I now know there’s no escaping.”

“Once you accept your fate, you find a certain calm…”

……

……

The kid looked on intently; though he didn’t fully grasp it, he was deeply moved.

“Tiger Bro, you’re incredible. No wonder folks in the Special Cleaning Department say the most important figures in Qinggang are: first, Professor Bai, head of the Special Pollution Cleanup Department; second, Minister Shen of the City Defense Department; and third, the Vice-captain of the Single Soldier team.”

……

“Thankfully, thankfully…”

Gecko modestly waved his hand and said, “Someone has to do the job.”

“Besides, after all this hard work, I’m about to become a Level 6 Special Talent in Qinggang…”

A smile crept onto his face as he added, “Linda is finally going to marry me…”

……

“And once I level up to Level 3, I won’t even have to attend classes, right?”

The kid looked equally delighted.

“Not just that!”

Gecko patted his shoulder and laughed, “Based on this mission, you could jump straight to Level 4—heck, you could even become a principal…”

“Tiger Bro, you’re amazing…”

“Rest assured, if you stick with our Single Soldier team, you’ll get there too…”

……

The two chatted happily, high-fiving under the glow of the Red Moon as they celebrated.

Yet, unbeknownst to them, nearby another creature—a little monster sprouting a few tentacles—was growing.

As Gecko and the kid jubilantly celebrated, the little monster joined in, waving its tentacles and dancing.

But when Gecko and the kid began excitedly discussing how to claim credit for the mission, the little monster suddenly seemed to realize something. It stood dumbfounded for a while, its waving tentacles drooping weakly, filled with both dejection and grievance.

……

……

“Next time, you have to be even more welcoming—invite him over for a visit…”

When Lu Xin and his family entered the old building, they laughed and discussed their satisfaction with Gecko.

Yet, once inside, Lu Xin’s smile slowly faded as he glanced back silently.

Outside the old building, the Red Moon still hung heavy over the city. Streetlights glowed dimly, and most surrounding buildings were dark. The world remained quiet and lonely, yet now carried a hint of mystery and danger.

“This time, completing the mission feels somewhat different from before…”

Lu Xin paused in the corridor on the first floor, fell silent for a moment, then said softly.

“Is it because of those prying eyes, or the death of the Sword Bearer?”

Mom, seemingly understanding his mood, stepped gently into the old building and then turned to ask softly.

“Maybe a bit of both…”

Lu Xin pondered earnestly and murmured, “The death of the Sword Bearer and those prying eyes seem like different matters, yet they’re somehow connected. What unsettles me most is that in the process, some of my forgotten secrets were observed by those eyes—secrets even I don’t understand, yet have been stolen by someone…”

The atmosphere inside the old building grew slightly oppressive.

From judging himself to making peace with himself, even summoning a gaze from the throne to eliminate the Sword Bearer…

Lu Xin felt as though his secrets were being seen through.

What he hated most was that these secrets were even beyond his own comprehension.

But just now, out in the wasteland, he couldn’t even discuss these matters with his family.

Only when back in the old building could he safely talk about these issues without being pried upon.

“I definitely feel that way.”

Mom nodded gently and smiled, “But don’t worry; if they’re hiding in the dark, that means they’re afraid.”

“And since we can detect them early, we can make some arrangements.”

……

Lu Xin nodded with a smile and asked, “What’s your next plan?”

“Get ready to visit my dear little sister’s home.”

Mom smiled, “Of course, when relatives meet, comparisons are inevitable.”

“So we need to prepare a bit more; going empty-handed just won’t do…”

……

Lu Xin listened silently and then nodded with a smile.

He cherished the feeling of coordinating with his mom with just a glance.

“What about you?”

Noticing Lu Xin’s reluctance to go upstairs, Mom curiously inquired.

“I’ve decided to reclaim the memories of the past three years.”

Lu Xin smiled and said, “This time, it must be the Old Director’s trial, right?”

“I’m quite curious why, after this trial, he didn’t send over the report card.”

“But as always, after every trial, he never fails to reward me. This time, as I judged myself, I walked through my old memories and noticed some shadows I hadn’t seen before.”

“So I suppose it’s time to try and retrieve the memories I lost.”

“Be careful.”

Mom nodded with a smile and slowly headed upstairs.

Lu Xin let out a quiet sigh, exited the old building, got on the truck, and slowly drove toward the Orphanage.

Some matters are meant to be concluded, and some need to be clarified.

……

……

“Lu Xin, are you alright?”

As the truck had just entered Red Moon Elementary School and hadn’t yet parked precisely by the wall, Teacher Xiao Lu stepped out to greet him.

Her face showed both concern and tension, and seeing Lu Xin emerge from the truck put her at ease.

In the glow of the Red Moon, her expression appeared mysterious, but on closer inspection it radiated warmth.

That look reminded Lu Xin of how she appeared when they reunited three years later in his memories.

Strong, passionate, and cheerful.

Yet Lu Xin understood her current mental state.

After all, her spirit, like everyone else’s in Qinggang, was like this now.

The power of the Fantasy King had turned all of Second Satellite City into a realm of kindness and warmth.

However, this state of mind would soon vanish and return to normal.

Teacher Xiao Lu was no exception.

At that moment, she couldn’t recall the lifelong guilt from her childhood arrogance at the Orphanage.

She only knew that Number Eight had arrived in Qinggang, bringing a terrifying pollution, and then Lu Xin had ventured out alone beyond the city to protect himself and the children of the Orphanage. Now, having just dealt with that dreadful monster, he had rushed back from the wasteland…

She would slowly recall the past and the details of this incident.

Perhaps the guilt would once again grow in her heart, but this time the pollution had been avoided.

Overwhelming guilt can shroud a person’s heart, and so can other intense emotions.

When these feelings run high, they can even drive someone to do terrible things.

But once you endure this period, even if you’re affected later, it won’t be as severe.

……

……

“I’m fine…”

Lu Xin spoke to Teacher Xiao Lu with the same courtesy as before.

While answering to put her at ease, he looked up and cast a glance at Number Eight on the steps of the Teaching Building. Most of Number Eight’s body was hidden in the darkness of the building, yet he radiated a palpable sense of dejection and bewilderment.

“I’m hungry. Want to go grab a bite with me?”

Lu Xin looked at Number Eight, paused for a moment, then said, “You too.”

“Me?”

Facing Lu Xin’s gaze, the Old Security Guard—clutching his double-barreled shotgun behind a window on the east side of the Teaching Building’s first floor—looked on in surprise.

Behind the window under the night lamp, a flash of fear crossed his eyes.

“Yes.”

Lu Xin smiled at him and said, “Some things need to be said clearly.”

The Old Security Guard fell silent for a moment, then returned to the Security Booth and locked up his shotgun.

Then, he donned his jacket, put on a cap, and quietly followed Lu Xin.

Although his body trembled slightly, his steps remained determined.

Lu Xin simply watched him, then casually placed his hands in his pockets and led the way.

That night felt endless, but without resolving these issues, he could never rest easy.

……

……

Meanwhile, in Qinggang Main City, Doll sat on a rooftop, resting her chin on her hand and smiling as she looked toward Second City.

She was waiting for Lu Xin to finish up and come find her.

Recommended: Platinum God’s new book “Sweeping the Horizon” – a strange beginning with excellent quality, well worth a read.