Chapter 119: The Business Trip Application
Chapter 119: The Business Trip Application
Lu Xin received Han Bing’s call in the afternoon of the next day.
By this time, he had already returned to the Guard Bureau.
The Guard Bureau was still sparsely manned; almost every Police Officer was out running about.
On his way back to the Guard Bureau, Lu Xin could see that many broadcasts, the displays on building facades, and some circulating propaganda vehicles were continuously reporting on the “food poisoning” incident that had greatly impacted the Satellite City.
It was reportedly caused by someone illegally gathering and consuming contaminated poisonous mushrooms from The Wilderness.
The Administrative Hall had now opened four medical zones to provide free centralized treatment and isolation for the affected populace.
In the news, the broadcaster declared with a stern expression, “We still have a long way to go to genuinely and effectively enhance the rich material life for the people of Qinggang City. Some individuals, ignoring regulations and refusing to work diligently, instead sought free resources from beyond The Wilderness. This is the primary cause of this dreadful incident. It has been reported that the Administrative Hall will severely punish and bring Judgment upon those involved.”
Additionally, some elderly women wearing red armbands were shouting through loudspeakers, “Those growing vegetables on rooftops, pay attention…”
“Clear them out centrally; you’ll be fined if caught…”
“…”
Lu Xin had previously wondered how the Administrative Hall would handle such a severe outbreak of Special Contamination—whether they would tell the public the truth about the Psychic Contamination Incident, as it couldn’t easily be hidden—but it seemed his thinking had been overly simplistic.
The Administrative Hall’s approach turned out to be surprisingly straightforward and, crucially, highly effective.
Many follow-up tasks undoubtedly remained, but the overall atmosphere was noticeably stabilizing.
……
……
“The City Defense Department and the Special Contamination handling division are both very experienced in dealing with such matters,” Han Bing explained softly to Lu Xin over the phone. “We experienced similar situations when the Church of Technology visited Satellite City No. 4. However, this incident, both in scale and the losses incurred, was much smaller than that one.”
“What I need to inform you of now concerns the aftermath arrangements for this Special Contamination Incident.”
“The attack by the Ability Users from Outside the City has been designated the 8.18 Assault Incident.”
“The two types of contamination sources that erupted during this incident have been designated Special Contamination Incident 093, codename ‘Red Rose,’ and Special Contamination Incident 094, codename ‘The Weeping Crowd’. It has now been confirmed that both incidents were instigated by Ability Users, not occurring naturally. According to current detection data, both Special Contamination Incidents have been resolved.”
“……”
Lu Xin listened quietly. “And then?”
“And then, there’s the matter of handling those Ability Users from Outside the City,” Han Bing replied gently. “When they seized the painting and broke out of the Highwall City, reconnaissance personnel on patrol Outside the City pursued them. However, due to the chaos within the city diverting most efforts, prompt additional reinforcements couldn’t be dispatched. Currently, both recon personnel tracking them have lost contact and are suspected to have fallen victim to the enemy.”
“Now, Headquarters has dispatched three B-rank Special Dispatch Teams to track them.”
“But… it seems…”
She paused subtly.
Lu Xin understood what she implied and didn’t interrupt, continuing to listen quietly.
“Regardless of whether they are successfully tracked down, the City Defense Department has decided to issue a Bounty for them,”
Han Bing said calmly, getting to the key point. “Attacks against the Highwall City are unacceptable to Qinggang and to The Alliance. Therefore, the City Defense Department is preparing a portrait of an Ability User named Qin Ran, along with descriptions of their abilities, to issue a Bounty across The Alliance. A high reward is offered to harness the power of all Alliance Ability Users in capturing them.”
Lu Xin was silent for a moment before suddenly asking, “How much Bounty?”
Han Bing seemed slightly surprised. “The specific Bounty notice hasn’t been released yet, but initial estimates suggest it will exceed three million.”
“Three million?”
Lu Xin was genuinely surprised.
“Yes,” Han Bing answered clearly and softly. “This figure is based on a comprehensive assessment of their ability levels, suspected backing organizations, and the damage they inflicted on Satellite City No.2. Similar bounties and pursuits within The Alliance are common.”
“Usually, the specific number itself is less important. It primarily signifies a stance:”
“Below 10,000 typically means minor offenses, indicating someone violated Highwall City law.”
“Above 10,000 but below 100,000 signifies the Highwall City is unwelcoming towards them.”
“Above 100,000 but below 1,000,000 indicates the Highwall City is both angry and serious about the matter.”
“Above 1,000,000 represents… they’ve crossed the Highwall City’s absolute red line. Their lives will absolutely be demanded!”
Han Bing paused slightly, then added, “…Of course, the Bounty can’t be set arbitrarily high. Previously, there were cases where individuals attracted by enormous rewards deliberately manipulated others into committing major crimes just to collect the Bounty… Such things cannot become a business.”
“…”
“I see there’s so much nuance involved,”
Lu Xin thought silently after a pause. “Though, a million really is quite high…”
After explaining this, Han Bing continued, “Additionally, there’s the matter of the compensation for Mr. Lone Soldier. For resolving the Wanzhong Plaza incident during the previous large-scale sudden Contamination Incident, Mr. Lone Soldier will be remunerated based on the rate for handling a secondary Source of Contamination. The handling of the Special Contamination Source codenamed 094 will be remunerated at the tertiary level, plus other applicable payments…”
She seemed aware of Lu Xin’s personality and was noticeably more detailed when discussing these matters. Her tone was also relatively relaxed.
“These aren’t important,” Lu Xin interrupted her suddenly, speaking softly.
“Oh?” Han Bing sounded perhaps a little surprised that Mr. Lone Soldier considered these things unimportant? Her voice even held a trace of tension. “If you have other suggestions, Mr. Lone Soldier, please tell me.”
“No, nothing else…” Lu Xin quickly clarified. “It’s mainly that I’m in a hurry to attend to something else right now and don’t have time to carefully review the accounts. To avoid any potential omissions… I think it’s better to tally everything together after I return.”
“Something else?” Han Bing relaxed slightly but became curious. “What is it?”
“It’s a small matter,” Lu Xin said lightly. “You mentioned their tracking efforts, those searches, aren’t going easily, right? But those people caused so much trouble within the city; they can’t just get away with it. So, I want to submit an application to Headquarters…”
“For a business trip…”
“……”
Han Bing listened, sounding puzzled, “You’re going…?”
“To find those people. To bring them back, or make them pay.”
Lu Xin said with a light laugh. “After all, they caused such huge problems, killed so many people. People like them should face consequences, shouldn’t they?”
“……”
Silence fell from Han Bing’s end of the phone.
One could almost feel her shock and tension through the receiver.
Lu Xin’s tone, so casual and simple, made it all the more surreal to her.
“M-Mr. Lone Soldier…”
When she spoke again, Han Bing’s voice was stammering slightly. “T-Tracking down this Knights Order is a highly intricate task, typically handled specifically by the City Defense Department. Moreover, The Wilderness presents numerous dangers. Support and technological assistance from inside the Highwall City would be difficult to provide reliably. Mr. Lone Soldier, the level of difficulty involved is somewhat…” She trailed off, implying it was daunting.
“It’s alright,” Lu Xin sensed her reservations and reassured her softly. “I don’t need support. As long as Headquarters grants approval, that’s sufficient.”
This statement seemed to surprise Han Bing even more. “Y-You… You plan to track them down on your own alone?”
“Not exactly alone,” Lu Xin shook his head and replied lightly, a faint smile in his voice. “I’m not alone.”