Chapter 89: Urgent Response
by xennovel“Wuwuwu…”
Lu Xin tore through the city on his motorcycle like a madman.
In his hands the motorcycle became the most agile tool imaginable.
He paid no mind to the road conditions ahead. Whether weaving through chaotic traffic or navigating blocked main roads he pushed his speed to the absolute limit. One moment he was speeding over countless car roofs the next leaping high off an overpass.
When the motorcycle couldn’t get through or a detour would take too long he’d even yank the handlebars. The wheels seemed magnetized letting him ride almost vertically up walls for quite a distance before returning to the ground.
He crossed the chaotic city at this breakneck speed.
He witnessed countless scenes of madness. People desperately clung to their lovers kissing as if trying to merge into one oblivious to the crashing vehicles and panicked crowds around them.
He saw a group of young girls with bloodshot eyes dressed in skimpy clothes frantically chasing a bald middle-aged man.
He saw someone standing lost and terrified amidst the chaos shouting a name unsure where to even begin searching.
He also saw a woman with a red armband shouting into a megaphone urging the panicked crowds to take shelter behind the rolling shutter door behind her.
He saw fully armed soldiers rapidly setting up barricades at major intersections even as crazed vehicles nearly crashed into them.
Even Lu Xin rushing over on his motorcycle was stopped by a squad of soldiers countless guns pointed straight at him.
Lu Xin could have forced his way through but instead he pulled his ID from his pocket and held it high.
The squad leader saw the ID immediately tensed up saluted Lu Xin and shouted “Where are you headed?”
“The Security Hall!”
Lu Xin answered urgently. Without waiting for the captain to have the barricade moved he gunned the engine and jumped over it.
Behind him the captain’s voice boomed “Attention all intersections behind us! A member of the Special Action Team in black combat gear on a motorcycle… license plate… is heading to the Security Hall! Let him pass all checkpoints no inspection needed…”
…
…
The intersections ahead cleared up somewhat. A few checkpoints had already moved their barricades upon seeing Lu Xin approach.
Though at Lu Xin’s speed sometimes he blasted through before they even had a chance to move.
Maintaining this pace Lu Xin finally sped near the Security Hall. But he didn’t enter it instead racing towards an apartment building about three hundred meters west of the Hall.
This was the new location of the Red Moon Orphanage.
From a distance he saw a line of armed soldiers standing downstairs.
Lu Xin’s heart leaped into his throat. Had he arrived too late?
The motorcycle sped forward sliding to a stop. Lu Xin jumped off and strode quickly towards the building entrance.
Just then three armed soldiers approached him. “Mr. Lone Soldier.”
Lu Xin paused recognizing them as the Investigation Team he had worked with before.
Leading them was the bearded team leader Cheng Hui followed by the other two members—the shy young man and the serious slightly overweight one.
From their expressions it seemed they had been expecting him.
He asked urgently “Upstairs?”
“Everyone’s upstairs safe and sound!”
Cheng Hui immediately replied “The chaos in the city hasn’t affected them.”
Lu Xin felt a wave of relief wash over him as if a heavy stone had dropped from his heart.
Then a touch of surprise surfaced. “You guys are…”
“Colonel Chen ordered us to come here immediately for protection if chaos erupted in the city!”
Cheng Hui explained “The reason they moved here is also because our Investigation Team’s headquarters is right next door.”
…
…
Lu Xin paused again suddenly understanding many things.
No wonder Chen Jing had ordered the orphanage to move directly. No wonder she’d been so willing to collect his rent.
And no wonder she hadn’t even asked where he was going when he rushed over earlier.
At the same time a strange emotion welled up inside him.
When he heard the chaos had engulfed the entire satellite city he’d become incredibly anxious worried specifically about this place.
His anxiety or rather panic would be infinitely magnified amidst the chaos which was why he’d rushed over regardless of everything upon hearing the city was in turmoil. But now discovering that his worries had been anticipated and properly addressed by others a long-forgotten sense of peace and relief settled within him.
It was an almost indescribable feeling of security.
…
…
Though emotions churned within him Lu Xin’s face remained calm. He subconsciously looked around for his sister.
After looking around he spotted his sister squatting across the road rolling her eyes at him.
“Mr. Lone Soldier this is for you…”
Just then Cheng Hui handed Lu Xin a black box.
The box was open revealing a headset a wireless micro-camera and a portable mental assessment device.
Lu Xin understood this must also be part of Chen Jing’s prior arrangements. He nodded took the headset and put it on.
“Information Analysis Team is ready Mr. Lone Soldier?”
The moment the headset activated Han Bing’s soft yet slightly tense voice sounded.
“Lone Soldier ready.”
Lu Xin replied softly turning around.
“Excellent Mr. Lone Soldier please report your status…”
Han Bing’s voice held an unconcealed happiness and relief as she spoke quickly.
“My status?”
Lu Xin’s thoughts stirred slightly. He said “Right now I feel… very relieved…”
“No!”
Han Bing cut him off “Your physical condition! Are you injured? Can you carry out a cleanup mission?”
“Oh…”
Lu Xin blushed slightly and quickly replied “My left leg has a minor injury but it’s already healing. It won’t affect me much.”
“That’s great…”
Han Bing’s voice immediately followed “We’ve received reports that at least four large-scale Pollution Sources have appeared simultaneously in the Second Satellite City. There are also disturbances elsewhere the situation is unclear. Additionally the First and Fifth Satellite Cities show signs of suspected Mental Pollution Source outbreaks. Headquarters has dispatched a Special Task Force to the Second Satellite City where the situation is most critical. Our job is to stabilize the situation here by any means necessary.”
“Understood. What do you need me to do now?”
Lu Xin started walking forward clipping the micro-camera to his chest and putting the assessment device in his pocket his steps growing lighter.
“Proceed immediately to South China Mall and resolve the mental pollution incident spreading there…”
“Okay!”
Lu Xin agreed. Just then the young soldier helped him lift his fallen motorcycle.
But Lu Xin just waved his hand dismissively and crossed the road.
He pulled out a beautifully wrapped piece of precious candy he had secretly stashed away and generously tossed it towards his sister.
His sister jumped up happily reaching out to catch the candy mid-air.
As she caught the candy Lu Xin grabbed her other hand.
The next moment his figure seemed to distort.
He scrambled up the building across the street at an eerie speed reaching the rooftop and vanishing into the darkness.
At this moment Lu Xin felt completely at ease.
…
…
Since Chen Jing helped protect the people he wanted to protect then of course he had to protect the people she wanted to protect.