Chapter 98 - Understanding The Situation

Chapter 98: Understanding the Situation

Shang Jianyao couldnt see the gentleness that was originally on Shen Dus face. His face had warped like that of a crazy beast.

His eyes didnt have any sign of rationality. They werent even as clear as some animals eyes.

The abnormally turbid and dense blood vessels seemed to come from the depths of everyones nightmares.

Shen Du struggled with all his might. Even though his hands were handcuffed, and he was being controlled by two muscular young men, he still gave off the feeling that he could escape from the restraints at any moment and hunt the living beings around him.

This was an ability he never had in the past.

Amidst a low and hoarse roar, Shen Du was taken away step by step.

The childs heart-wrenching cries sounded behind him. Daddy, Daddy

Faced with such a scene, everyone who witnessed all of this remained silent. They were terrified, flustered, and sad.

Shen Du was finally brought out of the Rec Center, leaving behind only a series of echoing roars.

Shang Jianyao expressionlessly watched all of this before suddenly turning around and walking in the direction he had come from.

Thats Uncle Shen, right? He actually contracted the Heartless disease Long Yuehong was also affected by this matter. He stared in the direction Shen Du had disappeared in and subconsciously sighed at Shang Jianyao.

It was only at this moment that he realized that Shang Jianyao was not beside him. Hey! Hey, where are you going?

Shang Jianyao ignored Long Yueyue and turned into the path leading to the fourth elevator lobby. He walked at a moderate pace as if he had suddenly thought of something else to do.

He soon returned to the 647th floor and entered Room 14the Old Task Forces assigned room.

Jiang Baimian had yet to leave. She was still operating the only computer there and typing away on the keyboard.

Sensing his arrival, Jiang Baimian looked up and asked, Whats wrong? Did you forget something?

Shang Jianyao walked to her table and stated in a low voice, Shen Du contracted the Heartless disease.

Jiang Baimian was stunned for two seconds before she recalled who Shen Du was. The middle-aged man who brought you into the Life Ritual parish?

Shang Jianyao nodded heavily.

Jiang Baimian frowned. Was he very scared and terrified after he learned of Wang Yafeis sudden death?

He also felt a little confused. Shang Jianyao confirmed Jiang Baimians guess by giving more details.

Jiang Baimian nodded thoughtfully. You suspect that Shen Du suddenly contracted the Heartless disease because he wanted to report the parish?

Yes. Shang Jianyao didnt deny it.

Jiang Baimian tersely acknowledged it. Did you return here to remind me not to rashly investigate in the near future in case I become a Heartless too?

As if he didnt hear Jiang Baimians question, Shang Jianyao suddenly said, First-generation Heartless have a terrible image.

Thats true. Its tragic to become a Heartless like this. Jiang Baimian understood what he meant and nodded slightly. Dont worry. Im most wary of being discovered by the parish. The investigation I plan on conducting now is mainly to search for clues from public information. Yes, dont worry. I wont use my connections to gain access to the surveillance cameras for the time being. Ill wait a little longer until they no longer care about this incident.

Shang Jianyao replied simply, Alright.

With that said, Shang Jianyao prepared to turn around and return to the 495th floor.

Jiang Baimian stopped him and thoughtfully said, Dont be depressed. Although this matter is a tragedy, it gives me considerable confidence. The more they do, the more traces and flaws they leave behind. This makes it easier to catch their mistakes

She paused and continued with a serious expression, Actually, I dont really believe that Shen Du suddenly contracted the Heartless disease because he wanted to report the Life Ritual parish. Youve also heard Newspoint and know that the company has recently discovered several Heartless infections. Having one more case is considered normal.

Over the years, although humans had yet to discover the Heartless diseases pathology and infection patterns, they had at least concluded some of the phenomena.

One of them was: As long as the Heartless disease appeared, it wouldnt be isolated to a single case. Within a certain range and a certain period of time, there would definitely be several or even more cases. Most of these cases did not intersect.

Fortunately, the Heartless disease only appeared once in a long time after each outbreak. Otherwise, humanity would have long collapsed.

It was like a humans shadow. It was unknown where it hid at night, but it would naturally appear at dawn.

Its even more coincidental than us encountering Qiao Chu, Shang Jianyao commented.

Jiang Baimian nodded slightly and said, If it werent a coincidence, the meaning behind this matter would be extraordinary. Could it be that the Life Ritual parish has already grasped all of the Heartless diseases secrets and can use it to deal with the enemy?

How did they know that Shen Du was going to betray them? How did they make the Heartless disease coincidentally erupt before Shen Du reported them?

Why didnt any accidents happen when you told me about the matter?

Whats the difference?

Without waiting for Shang Jianyaos response, Jiang Baimian exhaled and said, These are all questions that require thought. They might contain the most important clues. You and I should take the time to think about it.

Go back. Dont take the initiative to ask about such matters, much less carry out an investigation. Just show appropriate curiosity.

Upon seeing that Shang Jianyaos expression remained serious, Jiang Baimian smiled and said, Dont be too afraid of them. If they can casually infect someone with the Heartless disease, they wouldve long eliminated all the board members and replaced them with their own people.

We would also most likely be sincerely praising the Arbiter of Fates tolerance and not be vexed about such matters.

Shang Jianyao nodded. Take your time. Theres no rush.

Shouldnt I be the one telling you that? Jiang Baimian waved her hand. Go back and have a good rest. The parish will likely inform you of a gathering soon.

Upon seeing that Shang Jianyao was a little confused, she smiled and sighed. Since this has happened to Shen Du, the parishs higher-ups should be able to figure out that they have to convene the parishioners as soon as possible as long as they havent sacrificed their brains to the Arbiter of Fate. They have to unify the parishioners thoughts at the gathering. Be it intimidation or appeasement, they cant let the situation continue developing this way.

If more than ten to twenty Heartless cases appear at once, we dont need to make a report. The company will deploy elite troops for the most thorough investigation.

Shang Jianyao quietly listened before suddenly saying, Team Leader, I want to sing a song for you.

No thanks. You can sing after this matter is settled. Jiang Baimian smoothly continued, I know you want to praise me.

Shang Jianyao didnt say anything else. He turned around and walked out of Room 14 before taking the elevator back to the 495th floor.

At this moment, many employees were gathered inside and around the Rec Center. They discussed the matter in groups of three to five.

To many people, this was like a long-forgotten nightmare rearing its head again. They couldnt help but feel fear and panic.

The current rate of contracting the Heartless disease was very low. Many young people mightve faced infected people two or three times in the past few years, and sometimes not a single one. They had mostly heard of the cases.

The shadow that had always loomed over humans appeared again.

Shang Jianyao was in no rush to return home. He first walked into the Rec Center and found Long Yuehongas expected.

He was chatting with Yang Zhenyuan in a corner.

Where did you go? questioned Long Yuehong curiously when he saw Shang Jianyao walking over.

I forgot something. Shang Jianyao casually found an excuse.

Oh, I see. Long Yuehong expressed his understanding.

Shang Jianyao sat down as if he wanted to prove that he was not anxious. He looked at Yang Zhenyuan and asked with a smile, Didnt you move to the 569th floor?

Yang Zhenyuans wife, Zhou Qi, was ten years older than him. She once had a husband and was assigned a room. Therefore, after the two of them were successfully matched together, Yang Zhenyuan directly lost the right to be assigned a room and could only move to Zhou Qis apartment on the 569th floor.

Cant I come back to visit my parents? Yang Zhenyuan replied with a smile.

Shang Jianyao sized him up. Your wife has taught you well.

Huh? Yang Zhenyuans fair and clean face inexplicably flushed red.

Long Yuehong helped translate. He means that youre much more cheerful than before.

A little. I guess Im more confident. Yang Zhenyuan scratched his head.

After chatting about Yang Zhenyuans work at the research institute, Shang Jianyao turned to Long Yuehong. What happened to Uncle Shen?

Long Yuehong had already heard the gossip and sighed. They said that something was wrong with Uncle Shen last night and that he looked distracted. Sigh, if I had gotten him to see a doctor earlier, he mightve been fine.

If hes already infected with the Heartless disease, early treatment would be useless as well. Yang Zhenyuan worked at a certain biological research institute that was more focused on medical matters. But due to his profession, he was mostly in charge of the electronic equipment inside.

Long Yuehong sighed again. Thats right How tragic. Uncle Shens child is still so young

Shang Jianyao fell silent for a few seconds before asking, When did Uncle Shen fall ill? Who was the first to see it?

Long Yuehong pointed outside. Uncle Shen became ill in the Order Supervisory Room beside us. He didnt manage to say a word after entering when his illness acted up. Phew, its a good thing it happened there. They quickly restrained Uncle Shen. Otherwise, people probably wouldve been injured.

Order Supervisory Department Shang Jianyao repeated. How many people were there back then?

About three or four? Its definitely impossible for two people to subdue a Heartless, guessed Long Yuehong.

Shang Jianyao didnt hide his curiosity as he asked about the various details. He gained a preliminary impression of the entire matter:

After dinner, Shen Du paced around the Rec Centers entrance for a while. He had a dazed expression, and his expression was nasty. About ten minutes later, he began walking to the Order Supervisory Room beside him. Moments after he enteredperhaps less than a minutesounds of fighting and roars erupted from inside

At that time, it was the peak of after-meal leisure time. Many people had witnessed the corresponding situation.

They chatted until 7:40 p.m. Shang Jianyao bade farewell to Long Yuehong, Yang Zhenyuan, and Zhou Qiwho had come to look for her husband. He left the Rec Center and walked home.

As he approached Zone B, Room 196, he first swept his gaze below the door.

There was a simple baby drawing drawn with white chalk. This meant that the Life Ritual parish had a gathering at 5:30 a.m. the next day.

On the 647th floor, Jiang Baimian packed her things and entered an elevator in a remote corner.

She swiped her electronic card and pressed 349.