Chapter 22

Lu Xin remained calm. He walked toward the lake and squatted down slowly. In other people’s eyes, he had simply gone to the lakeside, gazing at the lake while being absorbed in his own thoughts. What people didn’t know was that he was actually whispering to his sister.

“What’s in there?”

Lu Xin lowered his voice and asked, looking at the lake surface.

The lake looked eerily quiet under the red moon.

“I don’t know. But I have a feeling that there’s a toy which I won’t get bored with for a long while…”

His sister licked her lips as she said in an excited tone with her eyes glued to the lake.

It seems we’ve found it…

Lu Xin thought to himself. He then shot a glance at the other three members of the investigation team.

At that time, the investigation team, led by Cheng Hui, had started to examine the area based on their usual routine, starting from the lakeside. They were very experienced with this kind of work, and Cheng Hui was a competent leader in delegating tasks too. Besides, Cheng Hui and the other team members could complete the basic detection work well. They didn’t need any help from Lu Xin.

In fact, they were wary of Lu Xin.

After all, he was “that kind of person” they had been hearing about!

Therefore, they would subconsciously avoid seeking Lu Xin’s help.

Lu Xin had no intention to remind them, either. He wanted to wait until they were done examining the narrow road and the surroundings.

…

Since they had already investigated the first three locations, it was very likely that they would find what they had been looking for here. Therefore, the investigation team was extra careful when they swept the devices across every inch of the ground near the narrow road.

“No psyche residues found on the road surface.”

After the two team members were done, they returned to the jeep and reported, sounding disappointed.

“Understood.”

A trace of worry flashed across Cheng Hui’s eyes, whose face was hidden behind the glass face shield. He shot a glance at the lake. If there were no traces along the road and in the grass around it, their last chance lay in the lake, which they had not investigated yet. The source of corruption was most probably there.

Lu Xin lowered his voice and asked his sister, “Can you use your abilities underwater?”

The girl could hardly suppress her excitement. “I haven’t tried. But I want to try…”

“That’s my brave sister…”

Lu Xin patted his sister’s head affectionately. Then, he stood up and returned to the investigation team. “Have you examined the whole place?”

The three members of the team immediately straightened their backs and nodded.

Lu Xin nodded in acknowledgment. Then, he asked, “Is it possible to use the devices underwater?”

He studied the devices. Although Chen Jing had briefed him, Lu Xin still couldn’t understand how they worked. Actually, he was curious about one thing. His sister was only five meters away at the lakeside, but none of the devices picked up any abnormal signals. Could it be that his sister wasn’t part of the psyche powers detectable by those devices?

But his sister couldn’t have possibly split from his body, could she?

The mustached team leader Cheng Hui hesitated for a while and told Lu Xin the truth. “The devices can possibly function underwater for a short period of time. But the thing is, our protection garments… aren’t waterproof.”

Lu Xin nodded. He understood what he meant.

It was totally different to conduct investigations underwater and on the land.

The main concern now was not whether the detectors could work underwater, but rather, whether it was safe for them to venture into the water.

It would be very inconvenient for them to go into the lake with their protection garments. Without the protection, however, they wouldn’t dare to even go near the source of corruption.

However, the team was highly disciplined. Lu Xin believed that they would still venture underwater if Chen Jing ordered. To them, taking risks was part of their duty.

He pondered for a while and smiled. “If that’s the case, I’ll go down and take a look. You guys wait here.”

“What?”

They looked at him, surprised.

Although they were inside the high wall, it was an abandoned industrial area, a complete wasteland. The only source of light was the narrow stream from the jeeps’ headlights. Besides, something scary and creepy was probably lurking at the bottom of the lake. They would have had a better chance of survival if they encountered it on the land, but luck wouldn’t be on their side underwater…

Lu Xin was skinny, but he was surprisingly brave.

Moreover, the other three members of the team were obviously afraid. Was that why he had decided to take the risk by himself?

“I mean, someone has to go.”

Lu Xin smiled. Then, he swung his arms and kicked his legs as a simple warm-up.

He had always been very serious about his work.

In fact, he was the nominal team leader for this mission, in charge of the investigation. It was only because of his lack of experience that Chen Jing had taken over his role and made some decisions for him. It was also a chance to train him. However, he had done nothing but watch all along as the other members worked.

At this moment, those three young fighters were obviously afraid. Without confidence and courage, going underwater would prove to be an almost impossible task for them. Hence, it was time for Lu Xin, the true core member, to do his job.

After all, Lu Xin had earned his reward banner with sheer hard work. He knew that well.

One must be serious about their work if they were aiming for a promotion or a pay raise!

Certainly, though, he still couldn’t understand why he had almost been fired by the director even with his reward banner…

…

“Are you certain that the other locations are clear?”

When Lu Xin had made up his mind and was ready to show others what he’d got, Chen Jing asked over the radio.

“Yes.”

The other three team members straightened their backs at once. The team leader replied, “The only place unchecked is this lake.”

Chen Jing asked again, “Are you sure that this is the last possible place?”

Han Bing, the information analyst, answered via the radio, “Yes.”

Chen Jing paused for a second and said, “Then, it does appear that it’s highly likely that the source of the corruption lies in this lake.”

Lu Xin said, “Please allow me to go underwater. I understand that this mission is dangerous.”

The other three members of the team looked at Lu Xin with gratitude.

They would never suggest Lu Xin go into the water for them, but Lu Xin proposed it himself. That was very thoughtful of him.

Over the radio, even Chen Jing and Han Bing hesitated for a brief moment.

“You must know the high risks that come with going underwater…” Chen Jing said after a moment of silence.

Lu Xin nodded. When he had removed his jacket and was ready to walk into the lake, Chen Jing said, “There’s another risk-free option.”

Lu Xin was stunned. “Huh?”

Chen Jing’s words were firm. “Call the Special Assistance Team now. Order them to be at the location in 30 minutes!

“Pump the lake dry and carry on with the investigation!”