Chapter 525: The Enigma of the Ghost Building

No wonder the order in Tianhe Security’s territory has been so chaotic lately. Even Yin Mao’s operations have finally gained momentum.

It also explains why Captain Xu Kun seems so fierce on the surface yet weak at heart, completely at a loss when facing Group Leader’s threats.

And it’s no surprise that such a massive organization as Tianhe Security still has to pay a high price to recruit low-level operatives for that mission…

A single sentence from Xu Kun explained many of the inexplicable problems.

……

Lu Xin exchanged a glance with Han Bing and noticed that the little girl had become pensive, likely realizing the issue herself.

Meanwhile, Group Leader, perhaps uncertain of what to believe, began methodically cross-examining Xu Kun from different angles. It seemed he was checking whether Xu Kun was lying. However, Lu Xin and Han Bing already understood that Xu Kun hadn’t been untruthful in this matter.

Each of them had their own way of gauging the truth.

Han Bing relied on her interrogation experience and deductive reasoning, while Lu Xin trusted his intuition to discern what was genuine.

As Group Leader continued his questioning, Lu Xin shot a subtle look in Han Bing’s direction.

The two of them moved to the window, away from the others. Lu Xin opened the window to let in some fresh air before lighting a cigarette.

Originally, he hadn’t planned on smoking in front of Han Bing. But since Group Leader hadn’t put down his cigar since entering the room, there was no point in holding back anymore. He simply lit one up to help clear his thoughts.

“Half a month ago during that mission, Sun Heizi and many others like him began suffering severe insomnia. Some eventually went mad, and some even died. It was after that mission that the higher-ups at Tianhe Security held a meeting in Building Nine and never emerged afterward. Since then, the organization has been leaderless and gradually descended into chaos…”

Han Bing continued, organizing her thoughts as she spoke, “Also, it’s clear that among Tianhe Security’s staff—even extending to their families—many began experiencing insomnia around that time, which explains the sudden obsession with Black Grass.”

Lu Xin nodded quietly. These were obvious details that Han Bing was expected to pick up on.

After all, he had noticed them too.

“But aside from all that, a few discrepancies remain…”

Lost in thought, Han Bing added, “For instance, what exactly was the mission Tianhe Security undertook back then?”

“Why did Xu Kun claim that the higher-ups instructed him to recruit people whose lives were considered worthless? What kind of mission requires expendable lives?”

“And how is it that all these so-called worthless lives returned unscathed?”

“And most importantly…”

She paused briefly before speaking softly, “The higher-ups entered Building Nine for a meeting and never came out…”

“Were they hiding from some catastrophe inside, or… had they already died?”

“…”

Lu Xin couldn’t help but cast a sidelong glance at Han Bing. The little girl really did think things through in great detail.

He hadn’t delved this deeply into the issues himself.

“At least a few points can be confirmed now.”

Han Bing snapped her fingers softly and continued, “Considering the timeline, Xu Kun participated in that mission with the others. This means that he might have been one of the first exposed to that insomnia-inducing pollution source. Yet while the others deteriorated to the point where, even if they survived, their mental state completely collapsed, Xu Kun still appears relatively normal.”

“He must have used some method to delay his insomnia.”

“Furthermore, although he has a family within Tianhe Security, according to Group Leader’s subordinates he’s been lingering outside for quite some time, not even returning home. Yet when Group Leader brings up his family, he becomes strangely concerned, indicating that he isn’t completely heartless.”

“Does this imply that he’s now afraid to see his family?”

“And if he is avoiding them, then the reason must be…”

Han Bing’s eyes lit up slightly as she ventured, “…he fears his current condition might infect his family?”

“…”

At that moment, Lu Xin looked slightly dumbfounded. After a pause, he responded as if he had long suspected it…

This little girl is impressive—she really thinks things through deeply.

Having settled these questions between themselves in whispered tones, the two returned.

By then, Group Leader had already confirmed Xu Kun’s statements from several perspectives and was frowning, seemingly deliberating what to do with him.

Xu Kun, meanwhile, slumped to the ground, occasionally sneaking glances at them.

In a hushed tone, Han Bing relayed the two key issues she had deduced to Group Leader.

Enraged upon hearing this, Group Leader swung his cane and struck Xu Kun across the face, shouting:

“You damn liar!”

“When you were out on that mission, did the higher-ups only tell you to gather men? No instructions to prepare anything?”

“And when you returned, all you did was distribute money—nothing else happened? Didn’t you notice that something was different after coming back?”

“…”

Xu Kun’s forehead was soon bleeding from Group Leader’s blows, and he let out a pitiful, agonized scream.

Originally, as a rigorously trained private security guard with exceptional mental toughness, he would have been able to withstand Group Leader’s onslaught for longer. But his prolonged insomnia had already taken its toll, leaving his mind in ruins.

Moreover, he knew all too well that the man before him, Group Leader, was notorious for his policy of obliterating entire families. There was no other way to put it.

When Group Leader hit on the most critical point, Xu Kun, both shocked and terrified, cried out loudly:

“Group Leader, it’s not—it’s not that I’m unwilling to tell the truth…”

“It’s just that you didn’t ask about these few details earlier…”

“Before we went on that mission, the higher-ups did make some preparations for us. They provided us with new weapons and even had us wear some strange outfits that looked like protective suits, complete with glass helmets and the like…”

“That night, nothing unusual happened…”

“But the next day, I discovered that my glass helmet had developed some cracks.”

“It was as if something had struck it—yet, these reinforced glass helmets are supposed to be incredibly sturdy. A bullet might leave just a tiny white spot, but here it was, silently cracking apart on my head…”

“I… I honestly thought I had seen a ghost!”

“…”

The more he spoke, the paler his face became, as if recalling some harrowing terror. “After we returned, maybe because of the shock, I started having terrible sleep problems. Just when I was about to doze off, I’d always hear some noises…”

Even his body began to twitch uncontrollably, reflecting the overwhelming fear he felt.

“It was… utterly strange…”

“It sounded like scales rubbing together…”

“Very faint, but unnervingly clear. The moment I closed my eyes, that sound would come rushing in…”

“…”

Without warning, an eerie silence enveloped the room.

Everyone listened intently, feeling inexplicably uneasy as a chill crept up their spines.

Particularly, those under Group Leader’s command showed signs of confusion on their faces.

Some even murmured, “Strange… I think I heard it too…”

Lu Xin, ever alert, picked up on the murmur and wondered, “Could this be a common trait among those suffering from insomnia?”

……

……

“That sound is so terrifying—it nearly drives a person mad…”

“If it happened only occasionally, it might be bearable…”

Xu Kun, seemingly in a daze, weakly admitted, “But I kept hearing it. I couldn’t bring myself to sleep. Fortunately, I was in relatively good shape and could go several days without sleep. But what shocked me was that at first, I was the only one who heard it. Then… my wife and kids started hearing it too…”

“I was terrified and immediately fled from home, worried they’d suffer as I did…”

“I’ve been waiting for the higher-ups to give an explanation, but they still remain holed up in that building…”

“…”

No one needed further proof. Everyone knew Xu Kun was speaking the truth. If he were lying, he could have fabricated words, but the terror and torment he described were beyond invention.

“There’s one more issue…”

Just then, Han Bing suddenly looked at Xu Kun and quietly asked, “Why do you call that Building Nine the ‘Ghost Building’?”

“I…”

Xu Kun hesitated as he met Han Bing’s gaze. Group Leader, however, demanded an answer.

Group Leader glared coldly at him and slowly raised his cane.

Xu Kun scrambled to reply, “I—I was just passing on what my colleague said. Before the higher-ups entered the Ghost Building, they had stationed a few trusted aides to handle security, keeping people out and away. Those aides weren’t part of the mission when we left the city… Their subordinates mentioned that the building had become… really strange…”

“Anyone approaching it felt as if something was watching them from within…”

“Some even said that the building would… would eat people. There were even guards who got devoured by accident…”

“…”

The room once again fell into an oppressive silence.

Group Leader’s expression shifted several times as he listened. Suddenly, he swung his cane once more and barked, “Are you telling ghost stories in the middle of the night?!”

Xu Kun immediately clutched his head and screamed, “I’m telling the truth—really, it’s all true…”

……

……

“He must be honest.”

Han Bing and Lu Xin exchanged a glance, their conclusion clear.

“In that case, everything makes sense. If we can figure out what’s inside that Ghost Building, many questions will be answered.”

Han Bing pondered seriously, “I’ll draft a plan as soon as possible…”

Seeing Han Bing’s face reveal a trace of exhaustion, yet her determined effort to help, Lu Xin couldn’t help but smile and said, “You’ve done well enough already. Don’t shoulder this burden alone.”

He nodded gently at her and added, “Leave this matter to me.”

“…”

Slightly surprised, Han Bing asked, “So how does Mr. Lone Soldier plan to handle it?”

Lu Xin grinned, “Of course, we’re just going to pay them a visit.”

“?”

reflexively, Han Bing shook her head, “No, no, that’s too dangerous…”

Lu Xin paused for a moment before laughing as he looked at the slightly confused little girl, finding her endearing.

“Then whose danger are you referring to?”