Chapter 43: Monsters in Qinggang
Chapter 43: Monsters in Qinggang
“In any case, if he truly managed to tug at your wig without you noticing at all, it not only proves his remarkable Psychic Magnitude, but also demonstrates his exceptional control in the delicate application of Telekinetic Power. This…”
“Such a Psychic Magnitude is truly high, certainly exceeding four hundred, possibly even…”
In a previous Guard Bureau meeting, when someone reasonably speculated that Lu Xin’s Psychic Magnitude surpassed three hundred, it drew gasps of surprise. Yet now, more than half the people in this Office wore expressions of excitement.
“Could he possibly exceed five hundred?”
“Regardless, it’s extraordinarily high. With this baseline Psychic Magnitude, wouldn’t one or two enhancements…”
“…push him straight into the Second Stage?”
…
…
Amidst the surrounding astonishment, Chen Jing silently noted this in her file before looking up. “And the others?”
At her inquiry, several other professors shared their views.
Some expressed admiration for Lu Xin’s innate talent.
Others affirmed his stable control while using abilities.
A few voiced regret over his refusal to use firearms.
Finally, all eyes turned to a middle-aged woman with permed hair and notable poise.
Throughout the entire assessment, she hadn’t participated or even approached Lu Xin.
In temperament, she also seemed somewhat distinct from the other professors and Researchers.
While those professors radiated fervor, she remained composed…
“I specialize in Crimson Moon esotericism!”
Noticing the collective gaze, she spoke softly. “My purpose here was to verify one fact: both Dr. Zhou Qin’s dialogue and Professor Chen’s observations suggest he genuinely possesses an invisible ‘family member’ beside him. To some extent, this indeed resembles Multiple Personality Disorder.”
She paused briefly. “But I came to confirm… what if it’s not dissociation?”
“What if he truly has unseen Spiritual Entities near him, granting him abilities?”
…
These words gave the other professors and Researchers pause.
As researchers who trusted facts and data, many felt fundamentally at odds with this woman.
She resembled an Oracle more than a scientific Researcher!
The self-styled Esoteric Specialist retrieved a small black box-like instrument from her person and placed it on the table. Its sensitivity gauge was already set to maximum.
“…I’ve been conducting scans to detect the presence of another Spiritual Entity nearby. I deployed ten such instruments here, positioned at various angles and locations.”
“Regrettably, even using the Lunar Eclipse Research Institute’s most advanced detectors at peak sensitivity, I captured no Mental Energy Fluctuation inconsistent with his personal actions. Logically, if other Spiritual Entities existed near him—no matter how synchronized their actions—we should observe some irregular trace…”
“Moreover, he himself admitted his ‘family’ isn’t entirely obedient!”
She concluded with mild disappointment. “Thus, I must concede those ‘family members’ are products of his delusion.”
The surrounding professors collectively released a soft breath.
The curly-haired specialist added, “Though in fairness, the instruments might simply lack sufficient sensitivity…”
As she spoke, she lightly licked her lips, eyes brightening, her entire demeanor seeming younger.
“What if we could dissect his brain…”
…
Other professors’ expressions turned peculiar.
Professor Chen rapped the table. “Another issue: the Dreamweaver’s death.”
He looked toward the psychologist.
The psychologist shook her head. “Professor Bai listed this among questions we mustn’t ask directly. Still, I had a contingency: I placed the Dreamweaver’s photo behind me, where his sightline would catch it. Had he encountered the man, telltale reactions would emerge. He showed only utter unfamiliarity.”
…
“So, current findings confirm…”
The bald Professor Chen summarized: “Immense potential, sound worldviews, clear cognition… and a clear case of dissociation?”
Around the table, heads nodded in agreement.
“But doesn’t this imply a measurable degree of danger?”
“Certainly, he’s dangerous without doubt…”
Professor Chen then turned his gaze fully toward Chen Jing.
…
…
While they debated, Chen Jing had transcribed every comment. Seeing their attention shift to her, she closed the file. Rotating a black ballpoint pen absently, she deliberated before stating:
“The core question remains: What are your recommendations regarding his enrollment?”
The professors exchanged glances. Professor Chen was first to raise his hand. “Approve!”
Others followed:
“Approve!”
“Approve!”
“Pending!”
“With such potential, he absolutely must be enrolled!”
“Strongly approve!”
The last was the female Esoteric Specialist, who raised her hand unhurriedly.
“I also recommend assigning him frequent missions to facilitate data collection.”
This instantly drew a chorus of “Approve!” and “Support!”
“…Initially?”
The speed of this verdict startled Chen Jing.
Based on prior analysis of Lu Xin, she’d anticipated most six professors recommending enrollment, yet hadn’t expected near-unanimity. The lone “pending” vote stemmed solely from needing time to analyze Lu Xin’s blood sample.
Moreover, under Qinggang City’s regulations, three affirmative results sufficed for a decision—let alone five approves.
(Professor Bai, the seventh seat, had endorsed from the outset.)
“Chen Jing, wonder why we support enrollment despite his anomalies?”
Seeming to read her perplexity, Professor Chen smiled. “Most of us witnessed the horrors of the Crimson Moon Incident, endured the confusion of rebuilding civilization, and felt helpless when Psychic Contamination Incidents first emerged. Thus we learned: hiding from these twisted, aberrant threats solves nothing.”
“Confront them directly. Understand them. Then utilize them. That is the true solution.”
“And this youth—inherently good, supremely gifted, yet exhibiting inexplicable states?”
“I ask you: who better to study?”
“…Ah.”
Chen Jing suddenly understood. Observing the nearly bald professors, even the two women—the Esoteric Specialist and psychologist—sharing this expectant, borderline fanatical gleam, she felt resignation settle in.
“No wonder even Mental Aberrants call them monsters…”