Chapter 853: The Altar of Sacrifice

The current mission has only two tasks left.

One is to return these rescued children to their guardians.

The other is to investigate the series of assassinations in this area—to find more evidence, more IDs, and uncover their methods.

The task of returning the children has been assigned to Number Fourteen, while Number Five and Number Eight will handle the investigation.

Number Three, with hands tucked in his pockets, stood off to the side, exuding cool nonchalance.

Sister and Little Nineteen were tasked with playing around.

……

……

Lu Xin was actually quite curious about Number Fourteen’s ability, especially since when he asked Number Three how they always knew his situation and managed to arrive just in time to save him, the taciturn Number Three only gave a slight nod to Number Fourteen.

In other words, Number Fourteen brought them here.

How could someone, even from different parts of High-wall City, be gathered in an instant to his perilous side?

With that thought in mind, Lu Xin watched Number Fourteen. He then saw him waddling over with a cheerful smile to the group of confused, frightened children. Suddenly, Number Fourteen pulled a goofy face at them, causing a group of kids to burst into tears—except for one child clutching half an apple, who just stared in amazement, rather than crying, even smiling broadly.

Number Fourteen snatched the apple from him and devoured it in two quick bites.

Only then did that child begin to cry.

Beaming with delight, Number Fourteen affectionately patted the children’s heads before heading to the side. He rummaged on the ground for a while and, satisfied, picked up a slightly elongated stone slab and sat down on a gentle slope with it balanced across his knees.

Then, his chubby fingers began tapping on it.

“What on earth is he doing?”

Lu Xin, who had been watching intently, grew momentarily speechless.

Number Three answered succinctly, “He’s sending emails to these children’s guardians.”

“?”

Lu Xin observed Number Fourteen’s actions and posture, and it did indeed seem that way.

But the key question was……

“What exactly is his ability?”

“……”

“Connection.”

Number Three shot Lu Xin a look and replied coolly, “That damn Fat Man can traverse different mental powers, sensing their differences and using his ability to bind them together. This way, he creates a channel for communication and perception. Like earlier, making those children cry was meant to trigger a surge in their mental energy.”

“When their emotions run high, he collects samples of their mental power, then uses them as a focal point to locate those who are worried about them, establishing a mental connection. That’s how the adults end up coming to find them.”

“……”

“That’s pretty amazing…”

Listening to Number Three’s explanation, Lu Xin couldn’t help but marvel.

After a brief pause, he suddenly asked Number Three, “So what about you all?”

Right now, he was truly curious about the abilities of Number Three, Number Five, and the still missing Number Twelve.

In his memory, the children at the Orphanage each had their own quirks, but their abilities were never clear.

It was like Number Three draping a dead pig over himself as if it were a garment, suddenly transforming into a dashing figure. Or like Number Five binding himself to the incredibly powerful body of a burly man to gain immense strength. These methods were as perplexing as they were astounding—but they derived their power from the ‘Force of Life’ rather than their innate capabilities.

Just like himself—his ability came from an original contamination.

But he was merely an ordinary person.

“Ha…”

Yet when Lu Xin inquired, Number Three only responded with a cool chuckle, “There’s really no such thing as an ability that can’t work.”

“It’s just that each of us bears our own unique curse…”

“……”

“Nowadays, Number Three really has taken on a showy airs…”

Lu Xin inwardly grumbled about Number Three, thinking, we’re old classmates—why is he putting on airs now?

Suddenly, something occurred to him and he quickly asked Number Three, “So, are you planning to head back to Qinggang with me?”

Number Three replied nonchalantly, “Of course. I said I’d help you…”

While saying that, his eyes darted toward Lu Xin’s watch.

Lu Xin hurriedly reminded him, “Did you get the Administration Hall to approve your leave?”

“?”

Number Three paused for a moment, his typically cool face suddenly blank, “Uh-oh…”

“I only got leave from my Wife…”

“……”

He quickly dashed off to one side, pulled out the latest satellite phone, and began dialing.

“Ugh…”

Lu Xin wanted to say something to him, but held back.

It was the middle of the night—waking up the boss to ask for leave was hardly a good idea.

But…

Never mind, he thought. Number Three’s an adult; surely he knows better by now.

“Ha…”

……

……

Meanwhile, as Lu Xin and Number Three conversed, Number Five and Number Eight had already been surveying the area around where Lu Xin had been targeted and the surrounding Forbidden zone. Soon, Number Five seemed to have discovered something and signaled Lu Xin from afar.

“Hey, they’ve found the secret they use against you.”

At that moment, Number Five was controlling that burly man, holding his arms up in a defiant pose. “I told you—your Number Five Sister is a pro now. Besides the very elite few around the world, hardly anyone can outsmart me. And as for the new drug I’m developing, it’ll undoubtedly be top-notch. Number Nine, aren’t you going to consider throwing me a few billion?”

“Think it over, think it over…”

Lu Xin replied, a bit panicked, as he crouched to examine the fragments Number Five had collected.

Casually, he asked, “Number Five, did you manage to get your college diploma yet?”

“……”

Number Five was clearly taken aback, “What the heck is that supposed to mean?”

Lu Xin felt reassured and began to closely study the charred pieces.

They were all twisted fragments of parts found in these ruins—scorched to the point of color change, slightly deformed, yet still showing intricate patterns and mysterious designs, much like circuit boards.

“Put them together and take a look.”

Number Five stepped forward and bent down. Despite the burly man’s thick fingers, they were remarkably nimble.

He quickly swept the fragments into a circle.

Lu Xin looked again and was momentarily stunned. Although the pieces couldn’t be perfectly reassembled, it was clear that their original form was a series of interlocking metal rings—with precise gears meshing together and numerous complex circuits and chips arranged in a nested structure.

“This is…”

“A Mysterious Power Composite Exchange Device…”

Number Five stared deeply at the fragments, his tone gaining a mysterious edge, “You might also call it…”

“A technologically advanced, high-precision Divine Altar.”

She then looked up at Lu Xin and said, “Those who want your life have been using this exchange device to sacrifice the mental power of Forbidden Zone Creatures to the Original, trading it for the Original Force, which affects you…”

“An altar?”

Lu Xin’s expression changed to one of surprise at that word.

“Exactly. It’s an altar.”

Number Five, who seemed well-versed in this kind of thing, lowered her voice, “Even before the Red Moon Incident, when the Original’s gaze began to pierce reality, many mysterious organizations had recovered various ancient sacrificial methods from old texts to please the Gods and exchange for their power to achieve their goals and desires…”

“Ha! At that time, some mysterious organizations even harbored world domination ambitions thanks to the revival of these altar functions.”

“But they clearly underestimated the research teams’ abilities back then.”

“Their use of the altar was crude and inefficient. Initially, they could monopolize these mysterious powers because mainstream researchers scoffed at their rituals. However, as more researchers turned their attention to these ancient altars and ceremonies, many of the underlying principles were deciphered, leading to the development of new altars.”

“From then on, more efficient and precise divine power exchange ceremonies emerged—so much so that they culminated in a report.”

“That report is from the Pre-Civilization Era on the Study of God’s Power.”

“In other words, it was the predecessor of the ‘Black Box Codex’ popular in Chaos Zone.”

“……”

Lu Xin listened intently to Number Five’s explanation, and memories of his time in Flame City came rushing back.

Flame City—in those days, they were building Hell.

And a significant portion of that force was siphoned from Number Two.

Was their method also an exchange?

“The Original Force is not so easily traded.”

At that moment, Number Five sighed deeply and continued,

“All the top researchers and mysterious organizations knew this well.”

“The Original had been dormant in the Abyss but continued to remain active.”

“No one can truly control the Original. Only the overly arrogant mistakenly believe they can. Still, its power isn’t entirely inaccessible—for instance, through sacrificial methods, you can fairly exchange a portion of it for your own use.”

“But such dealings are dangerous and extremely prone to spiraling out of control. Many have died without even understanding what happened.”

“That’s why few dare to research this force.”

“Those who get involved often end up dying even faster.”

“Especially the Black Spade Office. As far as I know, they were vehemently opposed to such sacrifices in the past.”

“That they would set up an ambush like this for you shows just how desperate they are.”

“……”

Listening to Number Five now, Lu Xin felt many of his doubts finally being answered.

Yet, he grew curious and couldn’t help but ask, “Why do you know so much about this?”

“Because…”

A mysterious smile flickered across Number Five’s face as she replied, “I’ve been studying these things all along.”

“?”

Lu Xin was taken aback, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Number Five in confusion.

Wasn’t she just saying that her main research was on a drug of major significance and influence on society?

“Besides, who do you think I learned this from?”

At that point, Number Five’s tone turned cryptic. Glancing around and then toward Number Fourteen, she lowered her voice and said, “The Black Spade Office has already blocked all external views on this matter to kill you. With their blockade still in place, I can safely reveal something about the Old Director…”

Her voice grew heavy as she added, “You asked me once about the Old Director’s insane plan.”

“All I can tell you is what I’ve discovered…”

“The altar!”

“For so many years, the Old Director has been secretly building some gigantic altar like nothing we’ve ever seen…”

“Whether it’s the one constructed by the Black Spade Office or the ones I’ve studied,”

“they pale in comparison to what the Old Director is crafting.”

“The Black Spade Office’s sacrifice is nothing more than a small Forbidden Zone Creature.”

“Even the upper limit of what I’ve worked out is, in theory, only enough to sacrifice an entire High-wall City…”

“……”

“But…being able to sacrifice a whole High-wall City is still ‘just’ that?”

Lu Xin felt a sudden jolt of alarm as he looked at Number Five’s somewhat dejected face, feeling a twinge of worry.

“And the Old Director…”

“If I had to describe him, I’d say he’s building something…”

Number Five’s eyes softened as she continued, “…capable of sacrificing half the world.”

“……”

Whoosh!

Lu Xin’s face paled dramatically.

He strained to imagine what could possibly have the power to sacrifice half the world.

But the unmistakable fear on Number Five’s face deeply affected him.

After a long moment, he managed to regain his composure and asked nervously, “Then what exactly is he planning to do?”

The sacrifice is meant to exchange for the Original Force.

And that force is used to achieve his own ends.

Lu Xin couldn’t help but wonder: after spending his life building such a device, what was the Old Director’s true goal?

What could he possibly be aiming for?

“I don’t know. The Old Director is extremely cautious about this—he won’t let anyone catch a glimpse.”

Number Five shook her head and murmured, “During the time I followed him, I learned that besides building this altar, he cared deeply about only two things—one was about you, and the other, rather strangely…”

She paused to reflect before lowering her voice, “It’s something codenamed ‘Möbius,’ the Ultimate Logic Chain.”

……

“An altar capable of sacrificing the lives of half the world…”

“The Ultimate Logic Chain codenamed ‘Möbius’…”

“And my seven trials…”

Lu Xin’s heart began to race with excitement.

It seemed he suddenly understood much more about the Old Director.

Yet, even with all these gathered fragments, it still wasn’t enough to deduce the Old Director’s true objective.

What exactly was he planning…

The more Lu Xin pondered the matter, the more his head began to throb.

“After all, he’s the Old Director—who can know what’s going on in his head?”

At that point, Number Five added with palpable emotion, “If I had to say, maybe only Number Seven, who’s always been at his side, could know a bit of his secrets. I may have come off as too clever in front of him, so he let me go early. Although he didn’t threaten me at the time, I could sense the danger in his eyes.”

Before he could express any worries, Number Five let out a soft sigh, and her face grew strangely drawn.

Her attempt to maintain a calm veneer couldn’t hide her underlying fear.

“Our Old Director is something you cannot describe to others…”

“When you’re with him, you can feel an obsessive…”

She hesitated, as if searching for the right words, and after a moment added,

“Passion!”

“……”

“Yes, pure passion.”

Number Five reiterated as if to reassure herself that she’d put it correctly.

“Number Nine, I don’t know what the Old Director’s ultimate plan is, but I’m truly scared…”

At that moment, with no one else around, the proud, cold expression on Number Five’s face was replaced by one of trembling, almost uncontrollable fear on her once delicate features carved on a hunchbacked frame.

“Because his obsessive passion for certain things means he’s doomed to be indifferent to everything and everyone else.”

“Take us, for example…”

“It’s like we’re being slaughtered, skinned, and laid out on an altar, ready for exchange…”

“…like sacrificial lambs!”

……

……

That heartfelt remark from Number Five sent a deep chill down Lu Xin’s spine.

He wanted to comfort her, but when he opened his mouth, he found his throat parched and he couldn’t speak.

The two exchanged glances and fell into a long, heavy silence.

It would have been fine if they hadn’t touched on the Old Director’s motives—now both felt an unbearable weight.

It was a complex feeling indeed.

They both sensed a heavy, dangerous presence drawing nearer—right by their side.

Yet they couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was.

“I’ve discovered something very serious,”

Just then, amid the overwhelming pressure, Number Eight walked over with a grave expression.

Both Lu Xin and Number Five were startled and quickly turned to look at him.

While Number Five had been examining the area around where Lu Xin was attacked, Number Eight had managed to inspect the entire Forbidden zone. Now that Number Five had uncovered such an important clue and analyzed the assassination logic of the Black Spade Office, Number Eight…

“The security measures around this Forbidden zone have been extremely lax in many areas.”

Number Eight pulled out his notebook, which was filled with dense notes, and stated grimly, “I can confirm that several locations have shoddy construction, and in some areas the alarm systems are downright unreasonable…”

“Their lackadaisical attitude—how can we ensure nothing goes wrong within the zone?”

“……”

Both Lu Xin and Number Five were dumbfounded.

After a long moment, Lu Xin mumbled, “So what do you plan to do?”

“Naturally, we intend to find the high-ups at the Soda City Administration Hall and file a formal complaint in their name.”

Number Eight said firmly, “How can we stand by and do nothing about this?”

Lu Xin and Number Five exchanged helpless glances.

Ah, Number Eight really is something else…

Despite his imposing stature, his impact was even less than that of Sister and Little Nineteen.

At least they managed not to add to the chaos…

……

……

Gurgle…

At that very moment, high above in the distance, the sound of rapidly spinning helicopter rotors filled the air.

Everyone tensed up, squinting as two helicopters rapidly approached. As they got closer, they began descending and eventually hovered about fifty meters away. People began hurrying out of the cabins—it looked like professional soldiers. Lu Xin recognized their shoulder patches and felt slightly relieved; they were clearly arranged by Qinggang.

“Mr. Lone Soldier…”

One of them called out urgently, “I’m Captain Zhouquan, of the Qinggang Secret Security Team.”

“May I ask… are you alright?”

“……”

Lu Xin noticed the anxious looks on their faces and furrowed his brow.

It was obvious they were tense, bearing signs of recent combat with hastily bandaged injuries and a lingering scent of gunpowder. Though he didn’t know exactly what had happened, he could vaguely grasp why they had arrived.

“I’m fine.”

Lu Xin smiled and said, “I almost got myself killed.”

“But luckily, some of my classmates saved me.”

“……”

That remark made the Captain break out in a cold sweat, his limbs slightly fidgety.

“Mr. Lone Soldier, I’m truly sorry…”

“We received false information. A critical component in an otherwise foolproof plan went disastrously wrong, leading us astray. After fighting fiercely, four of our team members… sigh. Regardless, it was our mistake. Mr. Lone Soldier, I don’t dare to expect your forgiveness—it’s entirely on us.”

As he spoke, his tone shifted from anxiety to helpless resignation.

As a professional security officer, he understood all too well.

Even if they were deliberately misled away from their true target, the major oversight in their operations had already been made.

But seeing him so tense, Lu Xin offered a small smile, “It’s not your fault.”

“Actually, I had suspected something…”

After a brief pause, he turned to Number Five, his expression growing dark as he said:

“Both to the security team and to you: although we have no concrete evidence, those assassins just now seemed to know too much about me.

And what they did during the operation was utterly beyond all limits.”

“We just made our biggest decision yet. Before proceeding any further, we must set our minds at ease.”

“So I think it’s time to return to Qinggang and investigate what’s really going on.”

“……”

After a brief silence, he murmured, “I need to understand what’s happening here.”

“Luckily, I’m meticulous—I’ve already planted a spy among the assassins to gather evidence for me.”

“So…”

“……”

At that point, a rare flash of resolute determination and a chilling cold swept into Lu Xin’s eyes:

“If someone truly carried this out, we’ll definitely track them down…”