Since The Red Moon Appeared

Chapter 20: Scope Of Work

The words reached Lu Xin’s ears, causing his countenance to falter, and his mind to swirl with turmoil. The challenge of discerning the exact juncture where their destinies had interwoven loomed before him like an insurmountable giant, forcing him to confront the sheer magnitude of the undertaking facing Corporal Han Bing.
Within the sprawling expanse of the city’s high wall, especially in its satellite buffer, an intricate labyrinth of individuals enmeshed their fates. Countless souls sought solace within its precincts, their legal statuses veiled in an enigmatic haze. Illegitimate entrants deftly navigated the city’s serpentine byways, skillfully evading detection, while the presence of public surveillance cameras remained scarce in the majority of the satellite city, adding a further layer of complexity to their mission.

In the nondescript cityscape, surveillance cameras kept watch only over the administrative hall and the logistics department, leaving the rest enshrouded in ominous darkness and marred by crime.

Lu Xin found himself humbled by the cunning of the Qingcheng Bureau of Investigative and Municipal Affairs. The task of discerning the elusive point of convergence demanded Herculean efforts in such dire circumstances.

With urgency and uncertainty resonating in his voice, Lu Xin posed the question, “Is there a way to speed up our mission?”
The unsettling awareness that tomorrow marked the eighth day—the very day when corruption could claim even more lives—intensified the stakes to a harrowing degree.

A somber silence engulfed the room, and amidst it all, Han Bing, the stalwart companion, personified the gravity of their predicament. Perplexity swirled in their mind as they regarded Lu Xin.
Their hearts bore the heavy burden of Lu Xin’s concern, fully cognizant of its gravity.

The pattern of vengeance against Qin Ran had not eluded their discerning eyes—the avengers multiplied exponentially, with one on the first day, two on the second, and four on the fourth, ominously portending the impending eight on the morrow, or perhaps even more. The midnight veil could very well unleash a fresh cohort of eight, poised to wreak havoc.

The revelation cast a grim shadow of impending doom upon eight more innocent lives.

As anticipated, such concerns arose, yet Lu Xin’s articulation of his worries caught them off guard.

“I wholeheartedly agree with Lu Xin,” declared Chen Jing,
her voice resolute. “Our mission transcends mere rescue efforts—it revolves around the salvation of countless lives by eradicating the very root of corruption. This, above all else, must remain our focus….. throughout our mission, the eradication of the source should stand as our primary goal. Therefore, I firmly stand with Lu Xin, as the swift removal of psionic corruption holds paramount importance.”

An exhaustive exploration of the pathways taken by the corrupted, meticulously compared, would inevitably devour precious time – a resource they could ill afford to squander. The insidious malevolence at the core of this influence might undergo unforeseen mutations during this protracted pursuit, making it an even more elusive and unpredictable adversary.

Based on the current information, it became unequivocal that the ‘avengers,’ entangled in the web of corruption, harbored a singular quest for vengeance against Qin Ran.
Notably, Cui Wang, the harbinger of this vendetta, emerged as a pivotal figure with potential ties to the very source of this dark influence. Although the locations of his demise and the disposal of his body yielded no immediate leads, they could not dismiss the possibility of the corruption’s origin lurking nearby. This hypothesis demands further investigation.

Presuming the source of corruption lies ensconced within the boundaries of the abandoned industrial area, a forsaken expanse bereft of life and bustling activity, their focus could not solely converge on a singular intersection point. Rather, they needed to ascertain the most plausible sectors encircling this district.

As Chen Jing unveiled her analysis, Lu Xin’s eyes widened in awe, admiring her unexpected acumen and foresight.

“Indeed!” he agreed, nodding in approval.

Meanwhile, Han Bing’s voice momentarily faded from the channel, engrossed in the minutiae of maps and related documents. In a brief interlude, her voice resurfaced, suffused with vibrancy. “In the vicinity of the southern area, where the abandoned industrial area lies, we have identified approximately four potential locations that might conceivably converge as the point of intersection.”

“In the southwestern region lies the fertilizer plant, which employs approximately 200 workers and facilitates their daily commute through a chartered bus.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to acknowledge the possibility of some laborers choosing to traverse the desolate industrial area on foot when heading home.
Furthermore, about 3,000 meters west of that industrial zone stands a colossal rubbish incinerator, occasionally attracting destitute individuals and beggars searching for salvageable items amidst the discarded waste.
Given these details, we must acknowledge the potential allure for unscrupulous elements to engage in illicit activities at these locations.”

Lu Xin glanced at Qin Ran, who appeared oblivious to the ongoing conversation on the communication channel as he squatted nearby, smoking, and seemed perplexed by Lu Xin’s penetrating gaze.

At this critical juncture, Chen Jing displayed her decisiveness. “Transmit these coordinates to the investigation team.”

A soft beep resonated, followed by dim lights illuminating the black screens affixed to the arms of the three armed operatives. Lu Xin approached to examine the screens and beheld intricate maps adorned with marked red dots encompassing the entire southern region of satellite city #2.

“Has the transmission been completed already?”

“Such cutting-edge technology…”

The words left Lu Xin speechless. “Although I do recall the dean mentioning that this level of technology was commonplace before the advent of the Red Moon.”

“You may proceed and form a line now.”

Chen Jing’s authoritative voice reverberated through the communication channel,
as she explained to Lu Xin, “The realm of psionics may appear chaotic and disorderly, yet it conceals certain laws and characteristics. By comprehending these intricacies, we can purify it with minimal expenditure. A sagacious professor once posited that in the face of insanity, humanity’s sole advantage lies in reason.”

Lu Xin was genuinely impressed. “Who was that remarkable professor?”

Chen Jing maintained a brief silence before responding, “You’re focusing on the wrong aspect.”

Lu Xin blushed, stammering an embarrassed “oh.”

As the jeep pressed onward through the desolate factory area, a profound sense of melancholy enveloped the landscape, accentuated by the shroud of darkness that settled upon the somber night. The lone crimson moon stood resolute in the vast sky, imparting an otherworldly sanguine glow that painted an eerie canvas over the cityscape.

As the jeep forged ahead, its headlights cut through the velvety darkness of the night, exposing the desolation that cloaked the scenery—roadside weeds and crumbling paths lay barren under the haunting glow of the crimson moon.
Lu Xin and his team arrived at the southern outskirts, where the towering high walls cast an imposing presence, almost guarding the city like silent sentinels.
This desolate expanse was a familiar sight around the city’s high wall, a realm of solitude, scarcely inhabited, with only intermittent glimpses of life offered by the vigilant patrol officers stationed every 3,000 meters atop the watchtowers.

As they arrived at the final location on their investigation list, Lu Xin couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticlimax. The investigation had proven to be less thrilling than his initial expectations. Each stop required meticulous testing with their advanced instruments, confirming the absence of anomalies before proceeding to the next location.

Tension filled the air during the inspection, and the vehicle offered only a brief respite from the pressure.

Finally, the jeep arrived at the fourth suspicious location marked on the map. It turned out to be a half-constructed site, with building foundations laid long ago now concealed under overgrown grass.

Han Bing’s voice came through the communication channel, providing a soft explanation, “After the city’s situation stabilized, a population boom occurred, prompting the Administrative Office to consider revitalizing this area as a mixed residential-industrial zone. Unfortunately, it became a target for certain theological organizations, leading to a significant population decline in satellite city #4. The remaining people moved elsewhere, leaving this place deserted.”

“In truth, the entire southern part of satellite city #2 was intended for future development.”

“The dream of the Administrative Office was to attract more people to fill these vacant spaces.”

……………….

As the jeep’s headlights sliced through the darkness, a glistening spot emerged into view.

Lu Xin and his team alighted, revealing a pool of water before them.

Originally a deep pit, the low terrain allowed rainwater to accumulate, forming a serene lake. Knee-high grass surrounded the lake, and a hidden path led from the water’s edge into the heart of the city.

As Lu Xin stepped out of the car, a sense of unease washed over him, as though his intuition was warning him of impending danger. His heart skipped a beat when he spotted his long-lost sister standing by the lake, her sudden appearance a mystery in itself.

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she squatted amidst the grass, entranced by something in the water’s surface. The moment she heard Lu Xin approaching, her face lit up, and she eagerly exclaimed, “Brother, there’s something fun here…”

Lu Xin held his breath, well aware of his sister’s peculiar and unconventional tastes. He knew whatever she found intriguing would be far from ordinary and possibly prove lethal.