Chapter 868: The Assembly of the Tyrant Squad
by xennovelTyrant Squad’s preliminary gathering is complete. It’s time to get to work.
Lu Xin turned his head to see Professor Bai, Chen Jing, Mr. Su, and others boarding a vehicle headed to the Mental Power Research Base.
Centered around that base, research teams and lab personnel from across the world will convene to finalize the studies and modifications of the Mind Palace left by the Sword-Bearer, while also helping to integrate the Doll’s power.
The Mind Palace of the Sword-Bearer possesses unique traits that allow it to shape and summon its executors.
This has become the core of the plan.
Elsewhere, as this eerie descent occurs and monsters run rampant, all of Qinggang’s steel drawbridges swing wide open.
Drunkard, Watchdog, Luohan, and the Godly Woman, along with other Ability Users, each led their own convoy toward different directions in the wasteland.
They will head to various locations to find other Ability Users and the remaining pockets of resistance struggling against the apocalyptic scene in either settlements or within the High-wall City organizations, to help clean up the pollution and identify appropriate candidates to develop into Knights, further spreading their influence.
Only by doing so can they cast a net wide enough to protect the entire world.
Bolstered by the Doll’s granted Mental Power, each of their abilities and speeds received a massive boost.
Not only can they move at speeds beyond normal comprehension, but in their wake, any ordinary mental pollution is rendered harmless; it dissipates rapidly, or vanishes like smoke, incorporating the entire area into a protective field.
Likewise, if they encounter formidable pollution that the Doll’s power cannot eliminate or that requires significant effort,
they will immediately have Undercover Units send in a report, requesting the Tyrant Squad to deliver precise strikes.
Within Qinggang Cleanup Department, an Information Analysis Department was also established by Han Bing, Tie Cui, Professor Chen, and others. Their task is to quickly sort out the pollution’s logic chain and assess all reports received from the “Knights” to decide on the appropriate course of action.
Either by having the Doll concentrate a portion of its power to resolve it,
or having the Tyrant Squad eliminate it directly,
or, if within range, simply blasting it with a shot…
…
…
The mission to save the world had officially begun.
The gears of Qinggang were already turning.
Inside the Undercover Units, Squad Leader Red Hat clenched his fist with determination.
Along with his seven little subordinates, as Qinggang’s “Knights” set off in all directions, they began circling around the area.
Every time they completed a round around an open space, a mental vortex would appear.
Then, one by one, Undercover Units wearing black top hats emerged from the vortex.
They all removed their black hats in salute to Lu Xin and joined the Knights.
On this mission themed “Saving the World,” they were tasked with conveying information.
One after another, Undercover Units trailed behind the Knights into the distance; eventually, even Red Hat himself set out, following behind Drunkard.
Before departing, he turned back to glance at Lu Xin, puckering his lips to remind him not to forget the payment.
Lu Xin awkwardly turned away, pretending not to see.
Beside him, Gecko looked on in astonishment and whispered, “Captain, am I imagining things…?”
“What’s with that lecherous look in Red Hat’s eyes towards you?”
“…”
Lu Xin instantly felt even more embarrassed.
“Ahem…”
Clearing his throat and mustering a commanding air, he scanned his team and said seriously, “Once this net is cast, we’ll face resistance at any moment. That’s why we need to prepare ourselves without delay.”
The squad members exchanged glances before turning to Lu Xin simultaneously: “Prepare for what?”
“?”
Lu Xin was suddenly at a loss for words.
Right, prepare for what?
As their leader, he was expected to make some kind of speech before the mission began. But he wasn’t skilled with empty rhetoric—after all, he hadn’t been in a leadership role long enough to master it—so he figured he ought to at least get them ready…
But what exactly should they prepare for?
He felt a bit troubled, thinking there wasn’t much to prepare for…
Then, as he turned, he caught Gecko stretching his neck to look towards the Cleanup Department’s Information Analysis Division, and his mind began to churn.
He had it figured out.
Clearing his throat, he declared, “We need a means of transportation.”
“Something that can get us to our destination as soon as new information comes in.”
“…”
“Transportation…”
Instantly, the team members reacted. Some glanced toward the helicopter on the helipad, while others looked at Gecko’s Rolls-Royce.
After a moment of reflection, they all suddenly focused their gazes in one direction.
Every set of eyes turned toward the area beyond the High Wall.
…
…
Outside Qinggang’s High Wall, a Ghost Train joyfully raced among the major settlements.
No bizarre creature dared enter Qinggang directly. However, amid the countless strange manifestations of mental phenomena turned real, quite a few inadvertently appeared near the settlements outside Qinggang City. And since Qinggang was still in the process of responding and holding meetings to discuss these events, no strong special measures had yet been taken against these creatures.
On the return journey to Qinggang, Number Two and Gecko managed to instill a measure of fear in them.
Yet, some beings, still driven by instinct and oblivious to the danger, continued to merrily spread pollution.
For example, that very Ghost Train.
…
…
Descent Series No. 003 Pollution Source – Ghost Train
Its exterior spans roughly seven to ten train cars, entirely painted in black.
At the front are two headlights resembling red eyes, and the train’s body shows patches of rusty, old-fashioned wear.
Using the mental bonds between powers as its tracks, it travels among a number of settlements. Anyone illuminated by its two red lights at the front is instantly polluted; when the number reaches a certain threshold, the train sprouts an extra car.
Addendum: Within each car, ghost-like mental entities filled with torment press their pale cheeks against the windows.
All who catch the gaze of these ghosts feel an irresistible urge to board the train.
The Ghost Train moves between reality and the abyss, unbound by physical space, using mental power consumption as fuel.
The greater the consumption of mental power, the faster the train moves.
…
…
A minute later, Lu Xin listened as Number Fourteen, squinting his plump little eyes, quickly reported the Ghost Train’s specifications.
Then, another minute later, a report arrived from the Information Analysis Department led by Han Bing and Tie Cui. While Number Fourteen’s report was detailed and complete, the information from Han Bing and Tie Cui only roughly outlined the logic chain.
They only emphasized one point: anyone targeted by the train’s headlight becomes polluted—a fact that cost several intelligence agents their lives.
Even that piece of information was hard-won.
“Fourteen, why don’t you report to the Information Analysis Department…”
Lu Xin murmured appreciatively to Number Fourteen.
Number Fourteen was momentarily stunned and replied, “Does the Information Analysis Department even provide meals?”
Lu Xin shook his head, “Not only do they provide plenty, they even pay – over ten thousand a month.”
Number Fourteen’s eyes lit up with interest.
Lu Xin said no more at that moment.
After a moment’s contemplation, he fixed his gaze on the Ghost Train charging at a settlement over thirty kilometers outside High-wall City.
He let out a long sigh and then turned to remind his deputy, Gecko, to keep an eye on the team.
Meanwhile, from atop a high rooftop, Lu Xin stepped off and began a rapid descent.
But during his fall, his form trembled, and suddenly, he vanished.
Beneath the Red Moon, a strange mental fluctuation flashed by—as fleeting as a fish darting through water.
…
…
Strolling and snacking…
The Ghost Train was particularly delighted at this moment, laughing gleefully with a ‘wuhu’ sound.
The two red, gleaming headlights on its front fixed intently on every person frantically running in its path.
Even if some had already been affected by other forms of pollution, it didn’t care in the slightest.
Anyone caught in its gaze would freeze as if their soul had left their body.
Then the Ghost Train accelerated, barreling forward at a terrifying speed.
“Boom!”
When it collided with someone, that person would suddenly vanish from reality.
Inside the train car, however, there appeared a frightened little “ghost.”
This buffet-style, gleeful yet satisfying method of pollution made it seem to dash along even faster.
Everyone recognized its terror and did their best to avoid it.
Yet its eyes greedily tracked those panicked individuals, relishing the spectacle as if shopping in a free supermarket – until, all of a sudden, it sensed a peculiar touch, as though doused unexpectedly by a bucket of cold water.
Then, its headlights—or rather, the front lamp—abruptly locked onto a person.
A slender individual with hands tucked into his pockets stood directly on its “tracks” staring right back.
As the train accelerated toward him, he showed no fear; instead, he smiled.
The Ghost Train was instantly shocked, an intense resistance welling up within it.
But being a train, it couldn’t leave its tracks, so it continued its uncontrolled collision course.
“Die…”
An instinct—hardly complete—sparked its fury.
Since it couldn’t dodge, it accelerated to smash into and pollute this unknown entity.
Thus, it barreled forward, reaching speeds of 500km/s, like a rocket streaking along the ground.
Its eerie red glow bathed the shadowy figure on the tracks in stark clarity.
But just at the moment of contact, the person produced a hand from his pocket and extended it toward the train.
“Bang!”
An enormous force erupted at the moment the train’s head collided with that hand.
The massive train body was uplifted by the tremendous impact.
Layer upon layer of mental power surged from the man’s hand, spreading across the train’s body.
Like a cascade of water, the mental force swept through every car, shattering the glass windows and freeing the mental entities imprisoned within, who then released exclamations of contented joy.
Crash…
The train finally came to a halt, its body battered and the eerie red glow on the verge of extinguishing.
“Since you’ve been cruising around for so long, why not come with me and travel the world!”
Lu Xin twisted his wrist, admiring the Ghost Train as he tore a gash in its side and stepped aboard.
Strolling and snacking…
A minute later, the train arrived in front of Qinggang. Lu Xin stood at the head of the train, waving to everyone.
Transportation secured.
…
…
“You have to admit it – with a dedicated train, our operations just got a major upgrade.”
One by one, the team lined up to board the train, marveling at the upgrade, especially Number Eight, who lugged a suitcase.
He marveled, “Back in the day when we executed trials, we only had our two legs to get around.”
“Efficiency comes first.”
Lu Xin sat in the frontmost seat, feeling a bit uneasy as he patted the train’s body lightly.
Then, the scene inside the train began to change, transforming into a business-class layout.
The team was even happier. They each found their seats raptly, with some scrambling for window spots.
Only after everyone was on board did Gecko hurriedly approach Lu Xin, whispering, “Captain, trouble…”
Lu Xin paused, asking, “What’s wrong?”
“It’s about the team selection. Without me, it just doesn’t work – look at the people you’ve picked…”
Gecko said with worry, “The mission hasn’t even started, and someone has already defected…”
“You said there were twelve team members, but I can only count eleven…”
“?”
Lu Xin reacted and looked toward the back, where the obedient Mizang sat with four tentacles resting on his knees.
Unable to stop a grin, Lu Xin teased, “After sticking with Father all this time, are you still stuck in the first stage?”
“Yeah.”
Gecko retorted confidently, “Even after becoming the Great Ritualist, what’s there to improve?”
“…”
Lu Xin found himself speechless.
“Your Sister is waiting for you…”
Reluctantly, he pointed toward a forlorn girl looking at Gecko, thinking that Gecko always had good rapport with people…
“Hello, Sister. Wow, I had no idea you looked this beautiful in person…”
At the mention of his sister, Gecko immediately dashed over to Little Nineteen, eager to embrace her.
This startled obedient Little Nineteen into grabbing a dining knife.
Gecko cautiously stepped back and said earnestly, “Sis, I know you’re angry, but please hear me out…”
“Honestly, I prefer staying by your side. Remember our nights roaming the streets of Qinggang, upholding justice? Those were the days. Unfortunately, Uncle got involved… He never forced me, not at all. He just suddenly gave me a beautiful vision. For instance, I’m now considering a political marriage proposal to Qinggang, asking to marry Linda as my wife…”
“Have you ever thought about helping me kidnap Linda?”
“To be frank, the whole idea of a political marriage still doesn’t sit well with me…”
“…”
Lu Xin observed Gecko speaking animatedly while his sister sulked in the train, a mix of amusement and pity on his face.
He made no mention that Gecko had already mistaken her for someone else.
Besides, judging by her current level of anger, his political marriage plan was likely doomed…
…
…
Strolling and snacking…
The train slowly started moving. In its trial period, with no fixed destination and fresh psychological scars to heal, it chugged along like an elderly person, trembling as it navigated around the satellite cities encircled by High Walls near Qinggang.
When it reached a steel drawbridge beside Satellite City Three, it gradually came to a halt.
It awaited the vehicles from inside to unload supplies onto the train.
Some preparation work still needed to be done.
For instance, food, clear water, Gecko’s specialty produce, and even the magazines Gecko enjoyed for leisure.
The soldiers by the drawbridge stared at the train under the red moon, their expressions oddly somber.
This world had come to this.
So, a bizarre train appearing was only natural…
And if a train is commandeered by Qinggang’s Ability Users, that too is perfectly normal.
Yet, the people aboard the train were in no hurry. They simply settled comfortably into their seats.
On the roof and throughout the train, throngs of industrious Undercover Units wearing small black hats bustled about.
They moved along the aisles, some unloading supplies, others tidying up, and some even delivering bottles of water to passengers, all cheerfully without ever mentioning the pay.
After all, the Tyrant had promised that settlements would be calculated later.
Apart from those helping, an older Undercover Unit sat in a business-class seat next to Lu Xin, with an old typewriter set before him and sporting a pair of round reading glasses.
“Beep—”
“Beep—”
Just as the supplies were finished being unloaded and the train was about to depart, the older Undercover Unit’s typewriter started to click.
He slowly tapped twice, pulling out two sheets of blank paper and handing them to Lu Xin.
“Is this our assignment?”
Lu Xin glanced at the papers to find two sets of coordinates written on them.
Codename: Human-Face Bat Swarm
Level: Suspected City-Covering Pollution Source
Pollution Location: Mist Town
Mission Briefing: An unknown type of pollution source – a mass of black mist envelops Mist Town. Within it, the sound of claws scraping and bats chaotically screeching can be heard. Every so often, a human-faced bat roughly the size of an adult dog can be seen flying out of the mist. The mist moves slowly but exerts an abnormal attraction that compels those who hear its sounds to enter it urgently.
Issued by: Watchdog
…
…
Codename: Wriggling Meatball
Level: Suspected City-Covering Pollution Source
Pollution Location: Happy Town
Mission Briefing: Appearing as a massive, vivid red meatball, it is attempting to mutually pollute the Queen of Happy Town, posing a grave threat to her. The surface of the meatball can sprout a huge, toothy maw at any moment, exuding the alluring aroma of an elderly man. Most of Happy Town’s residents have already been devoured; the situation is dire.
Issued by: Drunkard
…
…
As Lu Xin studied the two briefs, the others leaned in as well.
“We’ve already encountered two troublesome pollution sources so soon?”
“Which one should we head for first?”
“…”
Amid the chattering of the team members, Lu Xin furrowed his brow in deep thought.
This was critical.
Being the first target for the Tyrant Squad’s cleanup, it was vital.
It was akin to a team-building exercise, so splitting up wasn’t an option.
Then, which one to tackle first?
…
…
After a brief moment of contemplation, Lu Xin stood and walked to an open window.
He confirmed the coordinates on the two sheets and chose the one encountered by Watchdog.
After a moment’s reflection, he abruptly lifted his head, his eyes flickering with black particles, releasing a vast burst of mental power.
The force was so strong that the entire train shuddered, and every gaze in the carriage turned toward him.
Then, on a mental level, Lu Xin sensed Watchdog’s location and saw that mass of black mist.
He raised his right hand in the shape of a handgun, aimed at that direction, and gently pressed the trigger.
“Bang!”
A surge of abnormal mental power coalesced at his fingertip.
It was a mass of violently trembling black particles, laden with indescribable mental force.
In an instant, it tore through layers of air, ripping through on a mental plane like a black sun speeding into the distance.
Wherever it passed, the air rippled, carving out a sharp spiral pattern.
It was like a bullet piercing gel—only far more powerful and destructive—before vanishing into the distance.
At that moment, goosebumps erupted on everyone; even the already listless train shuddered.
They waited silently for several seconds until suddenly the entire world seemed to quiver.
Dazed, they turned their heads. Though they saw nothing, it felt as if a massive mushroom cloud was rising at the horizon.
A faint, desperate roar that resembled the cry of some creature echoed in the distance.
“Phew…”
After that shot, Lu Xin focused intently, listened for a moment, and then nodded in satisfaction.
He tossed Watchdog’s report into a shredder and smiled at the team:
“Now there’s only one target left.”
“Let’s set off for Happy Town and clear our first objective.”
“…”
The Ghost Train cheerfully chugged forward, displaying none of the frailty of age, but rather youthful vigor.
Inside the train, the team fell silent as a sense of order settled over them.
…
…
Elsewhere, in Mist Town,
a tall Watchdog wrapped in a leather coat stared blankly at the town, now shrouded in black mist that intermittently emitted a bone-chilling screech.
He had been terrified by the hellish scene, even having drawn a deep breath in preparation for a life-or-death struggle with these bizarre creatures.
Then he saw a surge of black mental power fly from the horizon into the mist.
In the next moment, the mist violently contracted and then exploded.
The massive shockwave nearly scattered his mental power, and even the Red Moon dimmed at that instant.
After clutching his head for a long while, he finally dared to stand up.
Looking around, all traces of the bizarre mist and the clanging sounds of scraping claws had vanished.
Only the trembling residents of Mist Town and the shivering Red Moon remained in the sky.
After a prolonged silence, he could no longer hold it together and, with a quivering voice, shouted:
“Meh?”
“What the heck is going on?”