Chapter 112: Who Will Bear Responsibility

“Support team in position!”

Once the oversized human-faced monster was confirmed eliminated, Han Bing’s voice promptly echoed through the comm channel.

Clearly, amid the many questions swirling in their minds, bringing order to the chaotic battlefield beneath the Southern Wall was the paramount priority.

By now, more and more survivors were regaining consciousness. Staring at the densely packed corpses strewn around them, bewildered to find themselves here, they were being engulfed by escalating panic – some wailed hysterically, others bolted aimlessly.

Letting them run wild now was undoubtedly extremely dangerous.

Even with the psychic entity dealt with, any latent risks on these individuals still needed to be contained. After all, they had all previously been under the control of that “little boy’s crying” sound, and the extent of residual damage remained unknown. Therefore, as per Qinggang City’s Special Pollution Cleanup Department regulations, everyone had to be quarantined, observed, and isolated until fully cleared as uncontaminated.

This process demanded utmost rigor and meticulousness; not a single link in the chain could afford a mistake.

Fortunately, Lu Xin himself didn’t have to handle this part.

…

“Everyone, please stay calm!”

“You’ve just experienced a large-scale food poisoning incident. Medical personnel are being dispatched from the Main City right now.”

“Everyone control your emotions. Stay where you are. Do not run!”

“If you run off now, the medical teams won’t find you for triage later, and you’ll bear the consequences yourself…”

“Friendly reminder: Seeking treatment at the hospital yourself will cost you at least a few hundred dollars, you know…”

“…”

The amplified voice boomed through the area, emanating from the two arriving City Patrol Army squads.

Given their limited numbers, controlling such a large, panicked crowd was impossible alone, but they had received clear instructions.

The loudspeaker tactic proved surprisingly effective.

People were still crying, frantically questioning those nearby, but far fewer were running around now.

“Whose idea was this trick…”

Lu Xin sat on a rock by the pit, finding the method utterly wicked.

He scanned the surroundings. As the two City Patrol squads entered, order visibly improved. Soon, vehicles approached from the distance. Then, overhead, an ear-splitting roar grew – helicopter rotor blades. Three blinding searchlights stabbed down from above as helicopters landed nearby. Support Team members clad in thick protective suits poured out.

Currently, the sheer volume of contamination incidents in Satellite City No.2 had stretched Support Team resources to the breaking point. It was clear these reinforcements had raced over from other satellite cities, and their numbers were insufficient. Judging by their equipment and actions, however, they remained highly professional.

Every time Lu Xin saw Support Teams deploy, a peculiar sense of security washed over him.

This time was no exception. His tightly clenched heart finally loosened its grip.

He pulled out a crumpled cigarette, carefully straightening it against his leg. He then produced the Zippo lighter gifted by Manager Liu (the fat one) from the Main City consultancy firm. Slowly, he lit the cigarette and exhaled a long plume of smoke.

“Is everything handled now?”

His earpiece crushed, Lu Xin now contacted Han Bing via satellite phone.

Han Bing’s voice also held noticeable relief, softer now: “Pretty much. Intel from other sectors indicates the four major Special Contamination outbreaks within Satellite City No.2 are fully contained. Support Teams are now securing each site. Investigation Teams from every satellite city have also been mobilized to conduct rigorous screenings.”

“While large-scale contaminations like this are rare, we’ve drilled extensively for various scenarios. Plus, significant reinforcements, including personnel from the other four satellite cities and even the Main City, will arrive soon. Dealing with the aftermath will be manageable under these circumstances.”

“…”

Lu Xin gave a slight nod. He pinched out the cigarette after just a couple of drags and returned it to the packet.

Glancing around, he saw the Support Team members, upon entering, had cordoned off a significant area with security tape. This barrier separated the terrified survivors from the heaped corpses on the other side. On the survivor side, personnel with megaphones deliberately steered the crowd’s attention elsewhere.

On the side of the dead, others moved among the bodies. They checked for any signs of life while calling out updates on walkie-talkies.

Lu Xin caught words like “trucks,” “forklifts.” A shudder ran through him.

He found himself instinctively avoiding looking at the sea of corpses; the sheer number was momentarily staggering.

Had he succeeded…?

After all, he’d saved over half of them.

But the half that died?

They lay utterly still, devoid of life, like so many discarded mannequins.

The sight instantly stabbed at his eyes, causing sharp pain.

If this many lay dead beneath the High Wall alone, what about the other spontaneously erupted contamination zones? Those killed by the effects of the “rose,” those who perished in the ensuing turmoil, even those caught and obliterated by the heavy weaponry when Qin Ran’s group seized the oil painting… just how many were gone?

…

“So, any leads yet?”

Lu Xin took a deep breath, his voice low over the phone to Han Bing. “How did all this chaos start?”

“Dedicated investigators are on it, but their report isn’t ready yet!”

Han Bing’s voice also dropped slightly. “However, based on current intelligence, this is undeniably linked to the Church of Technology and the Knights Order from outside the city. Apart from them stealing that mysterious oil painting, we still don’t understand their other objectives. But it’s certain: seizing the painting wasn’t their sole purpose. They must have had another goal…”

“…and it’s likely they achieved it!”

“…”

“So they caused all these deaths just for some goal of theirs?”

Lu Xin rubbed his face. “What will Headquarters do about this?”

“Our primary mandate in the Special Contaminant Cleanup Division is the neutralization of contamination. That task is now complete.”

Han Bing replied gently. “Formulating countermeasures against the Knights Order now falls to the City Defense Department. I only know they’ve deployed specialized trackers. Apparently, they are already on the Knights’ trail. Reports should follow soon.”

“Rest assured, Mr. Lone Soldier. You’ll be the first to know when we have news. This weighs heavily upon us all.” She paused, an unusually grave note entering her voice. “Ultimately, someone must be held accountable for the lives lost in this chaos!”

“Right…”

Lu Xin turned his gaze towards Outside the City, his expression oddly placid.

Beside him, Little Sister also looked towards Outside the City. Her eyes faintly gleaming, lost in unspoken thoughts.

Mother’s whereabouts were currently unknown.

After a moment, Lu Xin’s voice finally broke the silence. “So many deaths… must be paid for…”

He stared towards Outside the City, his calmness eerily profound. It wasn’t conversational agreement; it was a statement of imminent fact:

“It doesn’t matter who they are. It doesn’t matter where they came from… or where they run.”

“…”

Han Bing fell completely silent.

It was that very calm in Lu Xin’s voice that sent a frisson of worry through her.

“Nicely put…”

Soft clapping sounded beside Lu Xin. Mother’s smile was exquisite, mesmerizing.

“But once you finish work this time, come home early, alright…?”

Her voice light, almost laughing, she addressed him: “Your Father is furious. Terribly furious.”

“I believe it’s time we convened a Family Meeting.”