Chapter 203: Chapter 203: This should be the 3rd floor, right? (Seeking full subscription)
By this time, Lu Luo had decided not to hide his information-gathering capabilities anymore. On a larger scale, the humans in East Ring needed a safe and stable living environment. On a smaller scale, he also needed to find a solution to Lu Yu’s Netherflame Mark. So, just as Yang Liya said, they needed to work together sincerely and wholeheartedly.
"There have been a total of 351 Outburst incidents, among which there are 17 with a confirmed Netherflame sign. These include the East Ring University library ghost event, the East Ring University canteen spoiled food event..." Lu Luo listed all 17 incidents, as the three team leaders listened quietly, waiting for his conclusion.
"Although there are many Exotic Species incidents during the East Ring chaos, I feel that these 17 incidents are what’s truly important. From these 17 incidents, I have identified three potential threats. Now we can talk about the three critical points of these events, which is also the purpose of my visit."
"Three critical points?" Yang Liya mused. She had already guessed some of what Lu Luo was going to discuss, although her thoughts were not completely clear yet.
"Speak of your findings specifically. If they’re reasonable, the Safety Bureau will fully support your plan and take action."
Yang Liya’s attitude made Lu Luo feel somewhat conflicted. This might be why Ludie, despite clearly knowing that he was being monitored and controlled, still allowed him to meet with Yang Liya. Although Yang Liya might have the responsibility to monitor Ludie, she was indeed working for the entirety of East Ring at the moment. She had the power and the executive ability, and it was likely that her actions played a significant role in preventing the total collapse of East Ring amidst the turbulence. Therefore, in both emotion and reasoning, Lu Luo should not hold anything back at this time.
"You probably have already thought of the first threat."
"Don’t beat around the bush."
"Alright then, the first threat is the end-stage polluters of this East Ring unrest."
"Polluters?"
"For example, the readers in the East Ring University library contaminated by a witch spirit, and the gluttons in the East Ring University cafeteria contaminated by spoiled food. Both groups are those I encountered and had some contact with. Their situation is peculiar; they are truly contaminated by Exotic Species, but no mutation has occurred. You have already isolated them all, haven’t you?"
Yang Liya nodded, but found it strange that Lu Luo was emphasizing this point.
"Yes, such isolation is very necessary, as they pose a certain risk. You aren’t going to express some different opinion on this matter, are you?"
Lu Luo shook his head hastily. "Of course not. I fully agree with your practice of isolating these people, and I know this is a routine matter within the wall. However, it seems you have overlooked one issue: the purpose of your isolation."
"The purpose of isolation? Of course, it is to prevent the outbreak of a virus or mutation; isolating them is essential to ensure the safety of the public."
Lu Luo tapped the desk, signifying agreement with Yang Liya’s statement. "This is the first critical point I wanted to discuss. There are a total of 17 Netherflame incidents. All 17 incidents occurred in densely populated areas. As a result, you have quarantined nearly 13,500 polluters. You said it yourself: isolation can prevent virus transmission and mutation into Exotic Species, thus ensuring public safety. But have you considered, with East Ring’s current manpower, if these 13,500 people were to inevitably mutate and all become Exotic Species at the same moment, could the existing 36 Hunter teams, along with all the guards in East Ring, handle such an event?"
Yang Liya initially wanted to question how 13,500 people could all mutate, especially at the exact same moment. However, upon seeing Lu Luo’s serious and stern expression, she couldn’t bring herself to say it. As she pondered the issue carefully, a chill ran down her spine. She picked up the phone for the third time.
"This is Yang Liya from East Ring. I’d like to request support from North Ring. I need a large number of guards and Hunters. Use the special application channel. No need for a formal report. If any problems arise, I will take full personal responsibility."
Once again, Lu Luo had persuaded her, and once again, she chose to trust him. Although it was their first time working together, Lu Luo’s conclusions were logical, well-founded, and held a significant degree of possibility. Yang Liya was a true native of East Ring’s Fourth Ring; she couldn’t risk the lives of her people.
After hanging up the phone, Yang Liya nodded at Lu Luo. "Continue! What’s the second risk?"
In fact, while Lu Luo was persuading Yang Liya, her seriousness and responsibility had also moved him to some extent. This sense of being moved was mutual.
"The second risk is that these 17 Netherflame mutants have caused many special cases of damage. For example, the Netherflame of Liu Yuan at the university cafeteria injured my sister, Lu Yu."
"And then? What kind of outcome can Netherflame damage lead to?"
"Right now, I don’t know. But according to my memory of the effects of Netherflame, if it burns a weaker Transcendent, that Transcendent is bound to die, with almost no exceptions. If that Transcendent doesn’t die, it’s very likely not because the Netherflame isn’t powerful enough, but because its master doesn’t want her to die."
Lu Luo’s expression was somewhat cold, and Yang Liya frowned and nodded in agreement.
"Are you saying that those who’ve been burned by Netherflame may seem fine but actually possess the potential to mutate?"
"Yes, those who have been scorched by Netherflame, like those end-stage polluters, all have the potential to mutate. Moreover, most of them haven’t been quarantined and are just resting in hospitals now. If they start having problems and mutate on a large scale, that will likewise be an issue the current Hunters cannot resolve."
Yang Liya was about to suggest sending more staff to quarantine these people as well, but she quickly realized something was amiss. "But the number of people burned by Netherflame cannot be tallied, because some injured by it won’t even report it."
"That’s right. So resolving this risk will need to be linked to the solution for the third risk."
"What’s the third risk?"
"The third risk involves the individuals themselves in these 17 Netherflame incidents. For instance, the chef Liu Yuan, whom I killed in the East Ring University cafeteria—his mutation was the kind controlled by Netherflame. He retained enough rationality but was in a form of Exotic Species that burned life itself. I’ve looked through the investigation report you all compiled just now, and Liu Yuan underwent enormous changes during this time. For example, his appearance became more attractive. As an old chef, in the days before he tampered with the food, his culinary skills had significantly improved on their own, earning him extensive praise. These incidents all point to one fact: these mutants caused by Netherflame became excellent in a short period. Their intelligence and appearance all noticeably improved. If you include mutation, their combat abilities also greatly increased."
Yang Liya could understand the first two risks, but this third one puzzled her.
"All 17 should have been dealt with, right? If I remember correctly."
"It’s true the 17 have been dealt with, but Captain Yang, you seem to have subconsciously ignored something – how did they become excellent? How did they become Exotic Species? Is there any connection between becoming excellent and becoming Exotic Species?"
"Are you suggesting there’s another source to this?"
"That’s correct!"
Luo Sen shifted slightly to one side. Despite his continued stoic facade, the expectant look in his eyes was unmistakable. Lu Luo always felt it was out of character for this stoic man to show such an expression, so he couldn’t help but look a few extra times.
"Why are you looking at me?"
Hey! Am I not allowed to look now?!
Lu Luo withdrew his gaze and began to continue his narrative.
"First of all, the mutated Exotic Species were too dangerous to be left alone, so all 17 of these people were killed. That’s pretty normal. After the 17 Netherflame mutants were killed, the Netherflame Species was dead. Many people would fall into a pattern of inertial thinking, believing that the source had been dealt with. They subconsciously neglect the very crucial point of how they turned into Netherflame mutants. How they became Netherflame mutants is the most important aspect of the whole affair."
"Cut the crap. Have you found anything?"
"Yes, I carefully compared all the data and your reports. In these 17 incidents, aside from one place that wasn’t particularly noticeable, there were almost no absolute commonalities."
"One place that wasn’t particularly noticeable?"
"Yeah, this inconspicuous place is the only commonality in these 17 incidents. All of the parties involved were men."
Men... that could be considered a suspicious point, she supposed. Yang Liya hesitated for a moment.
"So, what about them being men?"
"Captain Yang, it seems you’ve forgotten one of the Alliance’s most basic points—there are many more women than men. In the context where women outnumber men, the fact that not a single one of the 17 incidents involves a woman is itself a very strange matter."
"Hmm, go on."
"Moreover, there’s another suspicious point: among them, the parties involved in five incidents had solicited prostitution in the recent past. This is known; whether the others have solicited prostitution is currently unclear."
"Men, five cases of soliciting prostitution? Are you saying it’s related to the prostitutes they solicited?"
"Yes, soliciting prostitutes isn’t really a serious matter in itself, but it becomes a bit strange at this juncture. Usually, to address their physiological needs, they would go to brothels or bathhouses. Soliciting prostitutes directly, as opposed to visiting established places, has always been considered riskier and less common. That there were five men soliciting prostitutes among the same 17 at the time is even stranger."
Yang Liya, after all, was an experienced hand at cases and immediately grasped Lu Luo’s point. For the fourth time, she picked up the phone and gave a direct order.
"Check the solicitation information for these people involved in the 17 Netherflame incidents, the specific circumstances. Most importantly, you need to find a way to locate the women they solicited!"
Lu Luo nodded. Although he wouldn’t call Yang Liya a friend, it was comfortable to work with someone smart and efficient.
"Any other findings?"
"That’s all."
Lu Luo had no intention of leaving the Security Bureau just yet. The Security Bureau was now the intelligence center of the entire East Ring. His goal to save Lu Yu wasn’t just about sitting by her side waiting for her to mutate, then disabling her. It was about finding a way to locate the Nightmare Demon or its messenger, so as to completely eliminate the threat of Netherflame.
"Other findings will need to be confirmed once you bring these people in," Lu Luo said. "For now, let’s just wait a while."
Yang Liya nodded. After looking at Lu Luo for a few minutes, she suddenly asked, "Interested in joining Hunter Squad 2?"
They’re moving on to recruitment so quickly? Does she consider Ludie invisible? When will Ludie be able to stand up?
"Huh?"
"Huh what? I’m asking if you’re interested in joining Hunter Squad 2. I can grant you authority second only to mine, provide you with manpower, and guide you in your cultivation. However, in terms of position, you still have to start from the bottom, as it’s the rule of Squad 2."
"But I’ve started my own studio..."
"I know about your studio, but those things aren’t important. Lu Luo, I’ve investigated you, but you still haven’t figured out what your biggest weakness is."
"My biggest weakness?"
"Your biggest weakness is that you don’t have a powerful identity of your own, an identity that allows you to be fearless. Even though you have Ludie backing you, Ludie himself is actually in a precarious state. One of my responsibilities is to regulate Ludie. What you need is your own power, not reliance on others."
Why do I feel like what she’s saying makes some sense? No, not just some sense, but a lot of sense.
Alright, Lu Luo felt the same way, but he didn’t agree immediately. Instead, he turned to look at Ludie, who had been silent the whole time. Ludie actually nodded at him, gesturing for him to agree.
This made Lu Luo even more embarrassed! He found it difficult to make a decision about this matter on the spot.
"Sorry, Captain Yang, I need to think about this. I can’t give you an answer right away."
"Fine, I’ll give you three days to think it over. The offer remains unchanged, but it’s void after that time has passed."
Yang Liya still maintained her attitude, and Lu Luo nodded slightly.
"I’ll consider it carefully."
...
In the hospital, Lu Yu lay quietly on the hospital bed. Lu Luo had left, Qi Xinzhu had left, and Gu Fangyi said he would protect her, but she didn’t know where he was at this time.
"Is he a sniper? Maybe he’s watching over me from somewhere right now?" she wondered.
Lu Yu was somewhat sleepless because her arm was faintly hurting, right where it had been scorched by the purple flame.
She lifted her arm and suddenly discovered that the scar underneath her sleeve was emitting a faint purple light. In daylight, this purple light wouldn’t have been noticeable, but now it was the deepest night. The purple light on her arm was as conspicuous as fireflies in the dark.
"What is this thing!"
Lu Yu noticed that the purple light on her arm was slowly gathering together, writhing like a bunch of earthworms. Gradually, it formed a triangular-shaped purple mark. As the mark lit up, Lu Yu’s eyes also glowed with the same color.
Qi Xinzhu, who’d been staying in the room next door, suddenly awoke! She felt the disturbance of Dark Energy coming from Lu Yu’s room.
"Has a mutation really started? The matter Lu Luo explained..."
...
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!
"Who’s there?"
Lu Yu lowered her sleeve, sat up from the bed feeling a bit strange, and walked towards the window. She casually looked out but saw nobody. Strange.
Lu Yu pouted, and just as she returned to her bed to lie down...
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK! KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!
The urgent knocking at the window repeated, and Lu Yu sat up again, somewhat impatiently. But at this moment, she paused slightly, because she suddenly remembered something odd.
"Isn’t this... the third floor?"