novelraw Chapter 89: Artificial Souls - (16)
Chapter 89: Artificial Souls - (16)
“Captain Yu.”
“What’s up? Go ahead.”
“It’s nothing, but our choice of transportation for this undercover mission surprised me a bit.”
“What’s wrong with taking the electric railcar? It’s fast, convenient, and saves fuel costs.”
“For such an important mission, relying on public transportation just feels odd.”
Kui Xin walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Yu Liang through the long corridor, heading towards the elevator to descend.
She had changed into regular clothing, underneath which she wore a snug bulletproof vest. A gun was holstered at her lower back, ammunition magazines were wrapped around her abdomen, and a folding knife was concealed within her sleeve. Her ear housed a discreet headset, while the buttons on her clothes served as miniature cameras and scanners.
“We can’t use the floating police cars; we’d be detected immediately,” Yu Liang said. Unless we use them, disguised vehicles cannot fly in the city and must stay on the ground. You’re aware of Black Sea City’s traffic conditions—it’s congested. Driving on the ground would take us at least two hours—too much time wasted! Overall, taking the electric railcar is still more comfortable.”
Kui Xin responded, “In case of any unforeseen circumstances, without transportation, we won’t be able to withdraw.”
Yu Liang confidently bit down on his cigarette and said, “There are two motorbikes near the black market streets, purposely placed there. If we encounter trouble, we can use those for withdrawal. Before heading to the black market, we’ll first scout out the area.”“Then that should be no problem.” Kui Xin felt reassured. “What is our mission objective this time? Species or Variant Blood individuals?”
“Neither,” Yu Liang replied gravely. “It’s buyers and sellers.”
Kui Xin turned her head, awaiting Yu Liang to continue.
“Haven’t I told you before? This substance, Divine Blood, once circulated in the black market. After our crackdowns, its circulation decreased, but it still persists,” Yu Liang explained. “Alien Creatures rarely come ashore from the sea, and Variants tend to hide themselves well. Most of the time, our targets are ‘buyers’ and ‘sellers.'”
“If they’re buyers, it suggests that they may either believe in the ancient god or wish to become Variant Blood users, making them destabilizing factors. If they’re sellers, it indicates that they inherently have unclear connections with the secret cult. Divine Blood is obtained from alien creatures and requires purification. To acquire Divine Blood, one must possess the capability to kill these alien creatures as well as specialized equipment for blood refinement,” Kui Xin explained. “With Divine Blood circulating in the black market, there must be certain significant forces fueling its trade.”
“That’s correct,” Yu Liang said. “By capturing the buyers and sellers of Divine Blood, we can follow leads and uncover more individuals involved. However, Kui Xin, remembers not to act impulsively. Even if you encounter the traders and witness their transactions firsthand, you cannot immediately apprehend them. You need to report this matter first and obtain approval from your superiors.”
“But what if the traders escape while waiting for approval?” Kui Xin asked. “Should we just let them get away?”
“Yes,” Yu Liang replied firmly. “Without prior approval, that’s all you can do.”
“Why?” Kui Xin turned her head, looking directly into Yu Liang’s eyes.
Yu Liang said, “The elevator has arrived.”
With a ding, the elevator doors opened. Kui Xin and Yu Liang entered, standing within the compartment.
She delved deeper, asking, “Why is the approval process so stringent? When executing other missions related to species, the procedures were not as rigorous as they are now.”
Yu Liang bit down on his cigarette and said, “Hmm. That’s precisely what I intend for you to witness today.” He patted Kui Xin’s shoulder. “Here’s some advice: be adaptable, not rigid. There are times when it’s necessary to feign ignorance; just follow what I’ve taught you. This is my first time serving as an instructor, and I’m keen on doing this job well. You need to learn diligently.”
Kui Xin withdrew her gaze. “Alright, I’m not inflexible, Captain Yu.”
“Ah, I appreciate smart individuals,” Yu Liang remarked.
The reason for such strict approval processes likely involves the Investigation Department and the financial elites’ influence.
Adam had revealed that Ball Python was an informant for the Investigation Department and that it was Ball Python who placed the red Hidden Thread Insects on Thorny Rose. The Hidden Thread Insect is a parasitic alien creature, and Ball Python alone would lack the capability to cultivate such organisms; someone must have supplied them to him.
During Shu Xuyao’s training sessions with Kui Xin, he clearly showcased various research findings on alien creatures. He mentioned that the Investigation Department collaborates extensively with numerous laboratories and research institutes affiliated with the Federation and financial elites. These institutions share common research topics—the alien species themselves.
The official organizations and tycoons of the Second World have conducted exceptionally deep research on alien creatures. It’s highly likely that they also possess methods to purify Divine Blood. The Divine Blood circulating in the black markets may well be intricately connected to these Federation tycoons.
The Investigation Department’s stringent adherence to arrest procedures reminded Kui Xin of the term—apprehension.
What were they afraid of, making them hesitant to act boldly? If indeed the buyers and sellers were linked to the Federation’s tycoons, it could explain their restrained approach.
As for Yu Liang, he was fully aware of why the Investigation Department had to proceed this way, so he advised Kui Xin to feign ignorance and play along, complimenting her as a clever person.
Within the Investigation Department, everyone wore two faces, with the false one always displayed outwardly.
Without careful discernment of ambiguous statements and hidden rules, one could easily suffer significant setbacks.
“In the black market, people often disguise their appearances,” Yu Liang said. “Our target today is a seller who has been peddling Divine Blood for quite some time and has interacted with several buyers. Our agents noticed him and intentionally posed as potential Divine Blood purchasers to lure him in; tonight, we’ll reel him in.”
“Does he have any distinctive features?” Kui Xin asked.
“He disguises himself when buying and selling goods,” Yu Liang said. “Our informant will lure him out and make contact; he’s expected to appear at the market today. If everything goes smoothly, a tracking device will be attached to him, giving us an opportunity to apprehend him. Based on intelligence, this individual is highly likely to be affiliated with the secret cult, which fervently seeks to expand its followers.”
The elevator reached the first floor, and Kui Xin and Yu Liang proceeded to the waiting area for transportation. After a short while, an electric railcar arrived. They boarded silently, taking their seats as they awaited their arrival at their destination.
“At which stop do we get off?” Kui Xin asked.
“Hualong Avenue,” Yu Liang replied slowly.
“The city center?” Kui Xin queried.
“Yes, the city center,” Yu Liang confirmed.
Kui Xin fell silent, aware that the electric railcar was not an ideal place for conversation.
She felt quite puzzled. Shouldn’t the black market operate in more hidden and chaotic locations instead? To boldly establish it in the city center suggested that the forces supporting the black market were far greater than she had imagined.
Upon reaching their destination, Yu Liang lowered his voice and said, “The location of the black market isn’t fixed; you need connections to gain entry. This time, it just so happens to be situated in the city center. On the surface, it appears to be a normal trading place, but it’s actually very discreet. Only by finding the right method can you access the deeper underground marketplace. Our final destination is Building 069.”
They navigated through the crowd in the city center, first heading to scout the area where their motorbikes were parked.
The motorbikes were stored in an underground parking lot, fully fueled and ready for use at any moment.
“Do you see that side door?” Yu Liang pointed towards a fire exit several dozen meters away. “The black market we’re going to is connected to that fire exit, but the fire exit is one-way only. We can’t enter from here; we must go in through the black market’s main entrance. In case of any unexpected incidents, we’ll burst out through the fire exit, reach this spot, and escape on our bikes.”
Kui Xin tilted her head, observing the surroundings. “This parking lot has quite a few luxury cars.”
“That’s because many participants in the black market transactions have similar plans, thinking they too might need to make a quick getaway,” Yu Liang explained.
“Even big shots with high-end vehicles attend the black market?” Kui Xin asked.
“Correct,” Yu Liang said. “Some things, it’s enough to understand internally. When taking action, be as cautious as possible and avoid making too much noise; otherwise, it’ll be difficult to handle the aftermath.”
Kui Xin silently nodded in acknowledgment.
After scouting the location, they arrived at the skyscraper’s entrance.
A red carpet lay before the building’s doors, with people bustling in and out. Individuals dressed in various styles were present—some selling jade ornaments, others offering antique vases, and even some trading vintage record players. It appeared to be a thriving trade center overall.
The attendant standing beside the red carpet noticed Yu Liang and Kui Xin approaching and promptly said, “Please show your passes.”
Yu Liang pulled out a gold card from his chest pocket and waved it in front of the attendant. The attendant immediately responded, “Welcome, please proceed inside.”
“It’s all a facade,” Yu Liang whispered to Kui Xin, lips barely moving. “It looks normal, but everything here is just for show. The marketplace we’re entering is underground.”
Kui Xin subtly nodded, keeping vigilant and observant of her surroundings.
The exhibition hall on the first floor was crowded, leading to inevitable jostling. She tried to relax her shoulders, suppressing the urge to instinctively reach for her gun at the back of her waist, so as not to appear constantly ready to lash out violently.
They traversed through one stall after another in the marketplace until they reached the elevator area.
In the elevator lobby stood a smiling attendant who said, “The first to sixth floors are for antiques, the seventh to twelfth floors are for machinery, and above that is the technology exhibition hall. May I ask where you two would like to go?”
“Golden roses bloom in the wilderness.” Yu Liang recited an enigmatic line of poetry.
Maintaining his smile, the attendant discreetly pulled out a scanner and swept it over Yu Liang and Kui Xin’s bodies. However, they had already equipped themselves with high-tech shielding devices, so the scanning instrument did not trigger any alarms.
After completing the scan, the attendant pressed the button for the fifth underground level. As the elevator descended, he remarked, “I wish both of you success in finding your desired items.”
Once they reached the fifth underground level, another attendant greeted them, holding a tray with masks on it. “For your privacy and security, please wear these masks.”
These masks held hidden features, including built-in vocal modulators.
To think this black market was so well-prepared… murmuring inwardly, Kui Xin picked up a mask and placed it over her face.
Once they donned their masks, the attendant said, “Exhibition halls 1 and 2 are free trading areas, and Hall 3 is the auction room. Would you like me to guide you there?”
“No need.” Yu Liang led Kui Xin further inside.
Kui Xin adjusted her clothing as button-sized cameras and scanners analyzed everyone’s physical characteristics and recorded them.
Adam whispered, “Target spotted in the two o’clock direction.”
Peering from behind her mask, Kui Xin noticed a suspicious figure darting into the nearby men’s restroom.
Inside the restroom, the seller under surveillance by Kui Xin and her companions sat on the toilet lid, his leg shaking uncontrollably. He carefully tore off a transparent sticker from beneath his clothing, nearly cursing aloud, “Damn! When did they attach this tracking device?!”
Terrified, he hastily pulled out a small mirror from his pocket to examine himself. “Change your face; quickly change it—there’s still time!”