Chapter 828: The Rising Tide of Qinggang

A fax from the Moon Eclipse Research Institute has just arrived.

Outside Qinggang City.

In a remarkably short time, vast complexes and security measures have been erected. A huge workforce from the wastelands—along with elderly locals selling vegetables—has been gathered, hinting at the budding emergence of a specialized mental health research base resembling Satellite City Seven.

Inside the central building, Chen Jing herself carried the newly received file and knocked on Professor Bai’s office door.

Mr. Su, along with the thick-haired Dr. Mo and others, had long been waiting there.

There were also several screens showing Minister Shen of the City Defense Department and a few other gentlemen, all looking worried.

Everyone in Qinggang is taking the faxed file—announced earlier by phone from the Moon Eclipse Research Institute—very seriously.

This is because the research base in Qinggang now wields enormous influence.

Not to mention the research funding received, the attracted research teams are already on an astonishing scale.

Although the time has been short and only a few core secrets have been extracted from the Sword-Bearer’s Mind Palace.

Every professional sees the enormous potential in this project—a final-level Mind Palace that can be studied at will, as precious as an ancient nation suddenly acquiring an alien spaceship.

Deriving advanced technology solely by research is extremely difficult.

But by analyzing the current models and prototypes to extract and apply advanced techniques…

The results are entirely different.

One approach is like a toddler taking its first wobbly steps, while another rockets ahead as if powered by a real rocket…

Thus, in a very short time, Qinggang’s influence has erupted alarmingly. Both its hard and soft power are rapidly rising, even to the point that Qinggang itself feels a twinge of unease.

After all, expanding the scale and influence of this research base means Qinggang is seizing the initiative!

With High-wall City Twelve from the Alliance, the Chaos Zone, and the Southern Technology Church all as rivals vying to dominate this land, everyone is merely waiting for the situation—and the mental landscape—to stabilize.

Until then, the accumulation of strength by various factions remains the most critical factor.

Qinggang is undoubtedly leading the charge.

Ever since the success of the Heaven’s Kingdom Plan, development has leaped forward.

Especially with the establishment of this research base, Qinggang has cemented its foundation of absolute advantage.

This is the initiative.

In fact, this initiative could even be seen as having been snatched from the Moon Eclipse Research Institute, challenging its dominant position.

The Moon Eclipse Research Institute is not a government entity—this has been reiterated repeatedly.

However, before proceeding, Qinggang couldn’t help but worry about provoking objections from the Moon Eclipse Research Institute.

Yet neither Qinggang nor other factions eager for a good show expected the Institute to take such an unexpectedly tolerant stance toward Qinggang’s progress.

Even when the Moon Eclipse team visited, they simply conducted their research diligently, paying every penny without fail.

This tolerance astonished many.

But only Qinggang understands that there are still aspects to worry about.

For instance, the Moon Eclipse Research Institute’s tolerant—and even cooperative—attitude regarding issues of this research base.

Yet secretly, they whisked away a Single Soldier, saying he was needed for an investigation.

Qinggang has no idea what this investigation entails, and bound by the agreement, they can only wait patiently.

Now, the Single Soldier has returned, but he appears visibly down and is not communicating.

Thus, they can only piece together subtle details to speculate about what truly happened.

First, the fact that the Single Soldier returned successfully and in stable condition suggests the mission went fairly well.

Second, the old building once even disappeared for a period, indicating a fierce confrontation during the mission.

It was so intense that the Single Soldier had to call in the old building to resolve the issue.

So, who exactly were they up against?

And what was the outcome of that confrontation?

……

……

These unresolved questions nearly drove the men of the Qinggang Cleanup Department insane, yet they had no way to ask Lu Xin.

Fortunately, a call from the Research Institute arrived, announcing that the investigation had been a success.

Moreover, they planned to fax the detailed report of this mission to Qinggang.

At that moment, Chen Jing clutched the fax documents tightly in her arms.

Professor Bai got up, took the documents from Chen Jing, quickly unsealed them, and flipped through the pages.

His expression immediately turned grave.

Those around him grew worried—Minister Shen on the screen even craned his neck instinctively for a glimpse.

But after a brief look, Professor Bai swiftly shut the documents.

His face showed neither joy nor concern—only a slight hint of bewilderment.

“Old Bai, what did it say inside?”

Mr. Su generously passed his freshly poured glass of whiskey to Professor Bai, asking with concern.

“The detailed report is about the Genesis Hard Drive and the Unique Consciousness. Although much of it is speculative and needs specialist analysis, what worries me is another matter mentioned in the fax from the Moon Eclipse Research Institute.”

Instinctively, Professor Bai picked up the whiskey, glanced at it, and then pushed it back to Mr. Su, saying, “Add ice!”

“Oh, sure!”

Mr. Su complied, adding ice into the glass.

Amid everyone’s worried glances, Professor Bai slowly announced, “The First Researcher has appeared…”

“First Researcher?”

Everyone was shocked; although Chen Jing remained relatively composed, a few of the men on the screen paled noticeably.

“The notorious mastermind behind the Red Moon incident?”

……

“Yes.”

Professor Bai nodded slowly and said, “How the Red Moon incident happened remains a mystery, but it is essentially linked to the experiments of this generation. The fax from the Moon Eclipse Research Institute didn’t provide specifics; it merely stated that they stand opposed to the First Researcher and have already initiated a confrontation.”

“The confrontation left the First Researcher severely wounded, and the Moon Eclipse Research Institute also suffered considerable losses.”

“Now, with the First Researcher’s trump card discarded and the Moon Eclipse Research Institute’s strategy exposed, I fear…”

“…a huge upheaval is imminent…”

……

“This…”

As everyone listened to Professor Bai, a subtle fear began creeping into their hearts.

Has the First Researcher Institute really clashed head-on with the Moon Eclipse Research Institute?

Does this mean that the once-stable situation under the Red Moon is about to plunge back into chaos?

It’s hard to describe—a growing anxiety that a sense of security is quietly unraveling.

A resigned acknowledgment that this day was inevitable.

“So…”

After a moment of silence, Minister Shen suddenly asked, “Does the Moon Eclipse Research Institute want our help?”

“No…”

Professor Bai shook his head, appearing puzzled. “The fax didn’t mention that; instead, it encouraged Qinggang’s research. He seems rather optimistic. But…” Pausing, he added in a low voice, “When I studied at the Research Institute, I met Director Xue Jia—a man of great honor. Compared to other researchers, his advantage…”

After a moment of reflection, he continued, “…is not that pronounced.”

“He excels in management, preferring to cloak his true intentions in lengthy reports…”

“So, what he told us about the current situation isn’t really a plea for help…”

……

As he spoke, he pondered before gradually solidifying his thoughts, his tone turning serious:

“Rather, he’s urging us to prepare mentally.”

After a deep breath, he murmured, “The Third Researcher and the forces of the High-wall Cities behind us are about to take center stage.”

……

……

“Ah, this…”

Listening to Professor Bai, everyone suddenly felt a surge of anxiety.

Logically, the major High-wall Cities should have already taken center stage.

After all, no one from the High-wall Cities has ever truly evaded the continuous mental pollution—they have always confronted it, despite a few major blunders along the way. But now, with the Moon Eclipse Research Institute urging everyone to brace themselves, what exactly does that imply?

As the mental satellite research base develops, Qinggang’s strength is skyrocketing.

Yet, the more they learn, the more anxious they become.

In this world, with the Red Moon hanging high, countless oddities are emerging—too many things beyond their control.

These are all unpredictable variables, so numerous that even a normal person feels deeply unsettled.

Just like the Single Soldier.

The importance of the Single Soldier to Qinggang is self-evident.

Yet Qinggang remains unaware of what has befallen him or what level of power he now possesses…

The moment he returned, he went straight back into the old building, and the Doll followed—never emerging for an entire day.

Facing so many instabilities and immeasurable uncertainties, what is Qinggang to do?

……

……

“We don’t have to do anything.”

At that moment, as everyone’s worries mounted, Professor Bai pondered slowly before replying in a low voice.

“Hmm?”

Everyone was taken aback by his response.

Especially Mr. Su, who thought, if this old man speaks any more ambiguously, I’ll strangle him…

Fortunately, this time Professor Bai’s tone was serious, as if he had carefully pondered his words, and he continued:

“In other words, we simply need to stick to our original plan.”

“You’re right; our world now teems with too many unpredictable variables.”

“There are monsters that can see through one’s heart, individuals wielding nearly divine power, and countless unruly madmen…”

“In their presence, even the subtlest intentions are exposed, and every scheme can backfire…”

“So if someday Qinggang truly takes center stage…”

“Then my advice is to do nothing at all…”

“We must simply follow our hearts and take the stage with integrity.”

“Our actions must withstand scrutiny and trials to potentially win their support…”

“It’s as simple as that.”

……

Everyone present was moved by Professor Bai’s words and fell into deep contemplation.

“Of course…”

At that point, Professor Bai couldn’t help but add, “We still need to check on the Single Soldier…”

“He and the young ones—the Single Soldier and the Doll—have been in that strange place for a whole day. It would be terrible if something happened…”

……

……

“Quick! The order’s come—charge, charge, charge!”

Half a minute later, beneath the old building at Lu Xin’s Home, the fully armed Qinggang Special Forces—Doll Nanny Team—having even prepped demolition experts and rocket-propelled grenades, finally received permission from the Special Cleaning Department to move upstairs, sparking a burst of excitement.

One by one, robust women in protective suits swiftly grabbed their custom-made firearms.

“Second and third squads, hold position; first squad, follow me—charge…”

……

Captain Wu of the Nanny Team strode out of the command vehicle, took a deep breath, grabbed her custom firearm, and led her team boldly down the old corridor—a surge of determination akin to charging into a hail of bullets.

“Hee hee…”

“Phew…”

The moment they entered the corridor, strange mental forces suddenly enveloped them.

It was as if countless unseen entities had taken flight.

They giggled—whether out of curiosity or mischief.

These mysterious forces swirled among the Nanny Team members in heavy protective suits, making them feel uneasy as if being gently touched or feeling a cold breath grazes their necks—even through the thick fabric.

Every step filled them with trepidation.

Climbing each floor demanded tremendous courage.

Yet, as the Nanny Team murmured, “They’re one of us,” they couldn’t help but think of the pitiable Doll.

They pushed through time and again until they reached the fourth floor.

Fortunately, the oddities in this building appeared driven by curiosity and caused no genuine harm.

When this daredevil nanny squad finally reached the door of Room 401, they exhaled deeply, hearing the oppressive sound of air rushing through their throats, and then mustered every ounce of courage to knock gently.

Creak…

The door, left ajar, opened with a soft creak upon being knocked.

Bright light suddenly illuminated the Nanny Team’s faces, and they could clearly see the scene inside.

Their expressions froze in mild astonishment.

……

……

The room, though old, was impeccably clean and bathed in warm light.

At the moment the door opened, a few shadows—perhaps mere illusions—darted into the corners.

Inside, facing away from the door, Lu Xin sat on the sofa with a cup of hot tea on the coffee table beside him.

On the TV across the room, a comprehensive news program from the High-wall City Alliance was airing.

In the adjacent kitchen, a pot of soup simmered, releasing steamy puffs.

The Doll, wearing an apron and holding a feather duster, was diligently cleaning the dust off the wall.

Noticing the Nanny Team’s arrival, both she and Lu Xin turned at the same time, their expressions puzzled.

……

……

“This…”

The unexpectedly warm scene left the Nanny Team momentarily speechless, unsure of what to say.

After a while, one timidly pointed at the soup pot and remarked, “It looks like the soup is burning…”