D-Class Special Pollution Source-041

"You can call me Captain from now on."

Chen Jing seemed to have been waiting beside the phone the whole time. She answered every call quickly, and her replies were concise: "What did you discover?"

"There is something strange. He's like this..."

Lu Xin hurriedly recounted everything he had heard from Qin Ran, leaving nothing out.

This was his first mission, so he spoke very seriously. He was also worried that if he left anything out, his pay would be docked.

"You actually found something this quickly?"

Chen Jing was clearly surprised, but she still quickly replied in a calm voice, "You did very well. We can confirm that this is also a Mental Pollution incident. I'll organize the Pollution Investigation Team to follow up immediately... By the way, where are you now?"

"Sifang Transportation Company... the back courtyard..."

Lu Xin reported his location, then carefully asked, "What should I do now?"

"Wait there."

Chen Jing said, "A three-person team will be there soon to meet up with you. Follow them in the investigation. They're all experienced veterans, but you need to remember that you're the Mental Mutant. Sometimes, their experience won't give them any advantage over your instincts. So in future investigations, you should be the primary decision-maker. When the time comes, they'll follow your orders."

"For now, though, considering your lack of experience, I'll lead this investigation."

"Over the radio."

"..."

Chen Jing hung up decisively, leaving Lu Xin alone to mutter, "What about the payment..."

Sister had climbed onto the nearby garage out of boredom and was crouching there, watching the moon.

Qin Ran's fear and uncontrollable curiosity had yet to fade. He took a few steps toward Lu Xin, then didn't dare get too close. He instinctively felt intimidated by Lu Xin now, but didn't want to show it, so he kept his distance and pretended to be calm. "You... what are you planning to do?"

Lu Xin didn't want him to realize he was a newcomer either, so he also pretended to be composed. "Wait for now."

And so the two of them stood there stupidly for ten minutes.

Just as the atmosphere became so awkward that neither of them knew how to break it, the urgent screech of brakes suddenly rang out. A black jeep sped into the company grounds. Its heavy, sturdy body carried a hard, cold air. After charging in, it swiftly spun halfway around on the plaza. Then the doors opened, and three fully armed personnel jumped out.

The brave employees of the company didn't dare make a sound.

One of the armed personnel then strode up to Lu Xin, gripped the gun against his chest, and stood at attention.

"Mr. Lu Xin, the Special Pollution Investigation Team stationed in City No. 2 has come to meet you under Colonel Chen's orders!"

"..."

Lu Xin instinctively stood at attention too, inwardly crying out, They actually called me 'Mr.'...

So formal.

He hurriedly smiled and explained, "Just call me Little Lu..."

The other person remained expressionless. "Yes, Mr. Lu Xin!"

The several armed personnel sent by Chen Jing acted just as decisively as their appearances suggested. After meeting up with Lu Xin, two of them quickly returned to the vehicle. After a flurry of operations, they installed several complex and intricate precision instruments on the roof. The devices were covered in what looked like numerous tentacles and gave off an instinctively intimidating air.

Then Cheng Hui, the squad leader among the armed personnel, handed Lu Xin a black box.

Lu Xin maintained a calm expression and steady movements, trying to avoid looking like a novice. When he opened the case, he saw a headset with an ear hook lying in a depression in the black foam. Looking up, he saw that every one of the armed personnel was wearing the same device. Without needing anyone to teach him, he picked it up and put it on.

Then he waited for a moment, genuinely unsure what he was supposed to do next.

The armed personnel said nothing. He stepped forward, pressed a button for Lu Xin, then silently backed away.

An electronic female voice immediately sounded through the headset.

"Investigation team channel connected..."

"Information Analysis Team channel connected..."

"Coordinator channel connected..."

"..."

Lu Xin gratefully glanced at the armed personnel.

"Lu Xin, an external member of the Action Investigation Team, repeat your previous investigation results!"

After three consecutive groups of signals connected, Chen Jing's voice sounded through the headset. It was crisp and cold.

Lu Xin knew this was an important moment at work and didn't dare be careless. He repeated everything he had just reported to Chen Jing. She didn't interrupt him, instead listening to the entire report again before calmly speaking once more. "Information Analysis Team!"

"Hello, Mr. Lu Xin. I'm Corporal Han Bing of the Information Analysis Team. My team and I will provide you with information support."

The voice that sounded again was somewhat sweet and soft, but her speech was exceptionally clear and organized:

"First, the information regarding this incident:

Provisional designation: D-class special pollution source - 041

Target level: Undetermined

Infection level: Suspected low

Threat level: Suspected low

Related personnel: Qin Ran of Sifang Transportation Company, Qinggang Satellite City No. 2

"..."

"Based on Mr. Lu Xin's report, this is very likely a new type of Mental Pollution incident that has not previously been recorded. The recommended targeted measures are as follows: First, immediately conduct an investigation, locate the Pollution Source, and carry out cleanup operations."

"Second, directly imprison the related person, Qin Ran, and wait for the polluted party to come to him. Observe the subsequent changes and collect clues."

"If necessary, Qin Ran may be handed over to them to be killed, thereby severing their chain of logic!"

"..."

"Huh?"

Listening to the voice coming through the channel, Lu Xin froze.

This was his first time encountering such an operation, and his reaction was a little slow.

For example, he hadn't expected that when facing so many Avengers, handing someone over to be killed by them would actually be considered an option.

"This is your first time participating in a formal investigation, and it's also an opportunity to learn."

Chen Jing's voice came through the headset. "From now on, every time you go into the field, there will be a designated Information Analysis Team serving as your technical support. They'll help you analyze information, provide materials, offer operational advice, and so on. You should get used to this model as quickly as possible."

Lu Xin immediately understood that Chen Jing was teaching him. He hurriedly nodded. "Okay!"

Only then did Chen Jing explain, "Sometimes, first attempting to satisfy a Pollution Source's specific needs is also an effective way to weaken the intensity of its mental fluctuations, search for clues, and even carry out cleanup. There have even been cases in the past where a Pollution Source disappeared on its own after its characteristic needs were satisfied. However, there is insufficient information on the 041 pollution incident, so we won't adopt that measure for now."

"My recommendation is to immediately begin the investigation, locate the Pollution Source, and carry out cleanup."

"..."

Corporal Han Bing's voice immediately rang out:

"Then the investigation's top priority should be Qin Ran's first murder site—the place where he disposed of the body!"