Chapter 98: Beneath the Weeping Wall

“Mr. Lone Soldier, can you see anything?”

Han Bing’s tense question came through the channel.

It seemed that not only people like Mr. Xu knew Lu Xin could see mental monsters and specifically sought him out, but Headquarters’ records had also implicitly acknowledged this ability, using it as a reference point.

But Lu Xin could only shake his head right now. “No.”

A faint sigh escaped Han Bing, almost imperceptible, as if she’d expected that answer.

After a slight pause, she spoke softly, “I’ve requested backup from the Main City’s A-rank special detachment team!”

“Requests have also gone out to the City Patrol Armies in Satellite Cities One, Three, Four, and Five!”

“But… Mr. Lone Soldier, special pollution incidents have also occurred in other satellite cities, even the Main City, so…”

“Their support… might not arrive in time…”

…

Han Bing relayed the arrangements made by Qinggang City’s upper echelons. It didn’t offer much practical help, merely informing Lu Xin of the situation.

Normally, she would analyze the available data and information, offering suggestions for Lu Xin to consider.

This time, however, she said nothing. The truth was, she no longer knew what to do.

“Could we get that… little girl, Doll, over here?”

A possibility suddenly occurred to Lu Xin, and he asked in a low voice.

He’d recently witnessed Doll’s terrifying influence over polluted individuals.

Faced with such large numbers, perhaps only she could resolve this.

…

…

“We haven’t received confirmation that Doll is available for support yet.”

“Besides, until we understand the logic chain of this mysterious incident, bringing Doll here isn’t advisable…”

Han Bing seemed to guess Lu Xin’s thoughts and added softly, “Doll herself has a powerful, uncontrollable influence. If she came here and clashed with the unknown influence affecting these people, it could trigger unforeseen consequences we can’t predict. That’s why investigating the logic chain of this mysterious event is our top priority right now!”

Lu Xin understood her point, but it felt like they were back at square one, stuck.

They had no idea how to even begin investigating…

So, after a moment’s thought, he quietly made a decision and started walking forward slowly.

“What are you doing?”

Gecko was startled when he saw Lu Xin move.

“Mr. Lone Soldier, do you have a plan?”

Han Bing, likely hearing Gecko through the headset, quickly asked through the channel.

Lu Xin paused briefly. “I’m going to investigate.”

“Investigate?”

Han Bing sounded taken aback.

“Yeah…”

Lu Xin replied softly, “We can’t just stand here watching…”

“Brother, that’s dangerous…”

Watching Lu Xin head down, Gecko instinctively took a couple of steps forward before stopping himself.

Even for an Ability User, entering a mysterious and unknown group affected by pollution was extremely dangerous.

Mental Alteration Ability Users possess higher psychic power than normal people, making them more sensitive to mental pollution sources. Their ‘Abilities’ also give them a better chance of handling or surviving encounters with mental monsters or other mutations.

But Ability Users feared pollution just the same.

Especially when facing pollution sources with much higher psychic power than their own; the risk of losing control was significantly greater.

“According to current eyewitness estimates, the number of polluted individuals beneath the South City High Wall has reached nearly two thousand. This is an unprecedented level of pollution, suggesting that if a pollution source exists, its psychic power could be unimaginably high.”

“Mr. Lone Soldier, we currently don’t understand the method of pollution.”

“Therefore, if you go in there, you’ll also face unknown dangers…”

…

Han Bing didn’t try to persuade him or offer advice over the channel, but her worry was evident in her voice.

“It’s fine. After all, this is what I get paid for.”

Lu Xin replied softly, then grabbed a rope and slowly rappelled down the High Wall.

As he descended, he glanced at the worried Gecko and gave him a small smile.

But inwardly, he thought, ‘Judging by work ethic, I’ll definitely get promoted faster than Gecko…’

“Brother, you’re being silly again…”

As Lu Xin slid down, his Sister crouched on the high-rise building, looking down at him.

Backlit, her face was obscured, only revealing two somewhat resentful eyes beneath cascading black hair.

Lu Xin just smiled back at her and pulled a piece of black candy from his pocket.

He knew now it was chocolate.

“Tricking me again…”

The Sister grumbled unhappily but still suddenly leaped down from the wall, landing lightly on Lu Xin’s back. Her small hands wrapped around his neck, feeling cool, but somehow making Lu Xin feel more agile and sure-footed. His heart settled considerably.

“Aiya, I’m so tired today. You have to carry me…”

After turning around, Lu Xin quietly agreed, “Okay.”

“And a piece of chocolate won’t cut it anymore. You need to get me a toy…”

Lu Xin chuckled, “Okay.”

The Sister added, “Not the Screaming Chicken…”

Lu Xin hesitated, trying to persuade her, “The Screaming Chicken is fun…”

“You can keep it and play with it yourself…”

…

Amidst their whispered conversation, audible only to each other, Lu Xin moved deeper into the crowd beneath the wall.

He slowly observed the people weeping below the wall. They spanned all ages: retired old men, young girls who looked like students, young men from the factories, restaurant waiters, even well-dressed individuals with gold-rimmed glasses and women with delicate makeup, seemingly ready for a night out.

A thousand different faces, yet now they shared only one expression: weeping.

Silent as statues, they stood beneath the wall, gazing up at it, tears streaming silently down their faces.

Lu Xin moved closer, hoping to see if he could spot any mental monsters on them, like with Mr. Xu’s daughter, Xu Xiao Xiao. Initially, he couldn’t see one on her, but after restraining her, it became visible.

“It’s quiet. I can only hear faint breathing, some seem breathless.”

“I can sense they’re alive, but they make no unnecessary movements.”

“Now, I’m going to reach out and touch one of them to observe their reaction…”

…

Lu Xin kept his voice low, relaying his findings to Han Bing over the channel as he slowly extended his hand.

Han Bing sounded tense, managing only the simplest word: “…Careful!”

Lu Xin nodded, realizing she’d spoken, and replied softly, “Okay.”

His hand then reached an old man, waving gently in front of his eyes.

The old man didn’t blink, but his eyes trembled slightly, shifting focus from the High Wall to Lu Xin.

He just stared intently, eyes slanted, unmoving.