Chapter 2701: Chapter 1827: Delayed Plan
In Duanmu Huai’s view, as long as they haven’t been infiltrated and corrupted, it’s already a blessing.
One of the young men walked over tremblingly. Duanmu Huai guessed it might not be because of his duty, but more likely because he’s not popular among his colleagues, forcing him to take on the task of "welcoming" them.
"I am Judge Cole, belonging to the policing department."
The young fellow in front of him spoke with a tense voice. He didn’t dare to stare at Duanmu Huai, nor did he dare to look at Mary and Mianmu Zuoniao, so he had to look at the wall beside him as if the marks on it were some kind of famous painting.
"We received a report ten minutes ago saying that an industrial accident happened at the starch processing plant in District 326, requiring immediate handling."
"Industrial accident."
Duanmu Huai slightly curled his lips. This was really a very ambiguous term.
"What happened next? Did you find anything upon coming here?"
"No...no, Great Judge."
Cole carefully weighed every word, afraid that Duanmu Huai might take out a gun and shoot him in the head (he should be grateful, Duanmu Huai wasn’t very good with guns).
"When we arrived, there was only a group of workers gathered here, and we dispersed them to protect the scene. Then we received a notice to wait for your arrival, Sir."
"Did anyone touch the body?"
"Not after we came, no."
The young man shook his head.
"Do you know that Gear Boy?"
"He is the Technology Priest responsible for the main Contemplator. We’ve met a few times, but not familiar."
"Hmm."
Duanmu Huai nodded and then walked over to the body, staring at the Mechanical Priest before him. The latter was already thoroughly done for, with a data cable still connected to the Contemplator, though that wasn’t the focus.
Duanmu Huai reached out his hand, inserted it into the Mechanical Priest’s body, and turned it over. Then he switched on a spotlight, closely examining the corpse. In the mechanical-infused and almost completely transformed body’s gaps, Duanmu Huai saw several tumor-like things. He squinted his eyes and pondered for a moment. Then he stood up and looked around at the workers.
"Who among you is familiar with that Gear Boy?"
Facing Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, the crowd buzzed for a moment, and then a middle-aged man stepped out—though judging by his muttering while covering his butt, it seemed he had been kicked out.
"You are?"
"Respected Great Judge, I am a servant of Tech Priest Fas."
The man trembled a bit but obediently answered.
"I mainly handle some basic work, after all, wiping the Contemplator with balm, lighting incense, and such... please understand, I really know nothing..."
"You don’t need to explain. I have some questions for you."
Duanmu Huai waved his hand.
"In your interactions with him, have you noticed anything unusual?"
"...Sorry, Sir, to be honest, all Gear Boys seem quite strange to us. He would always mutter things that’re incomprehensible... I truly couldn’t understand."
"Have you ever smelled anything from him?"
"Oil? Or incense? About those things..."
The man thought for a moment.
"Sometimes there’s a bad stench, but you know, Sir, I’m not sure if it came from him..."
"...Which area of the Hive City does this starch mainly supply?"
"From District 326 to 489."
"Bring me a bowl of that stuff."
Duanmu Huai said, pointing towards a cauldron-like thing resembling a witch’s brew.
"Just from inside there."
Although unsure of what Duanmu Huai intended, the man dutifully took a bowl from the tap under the cauldron and handed it over—although, upon closer inspection, it seemed sanitary and healthy, causing Mary to turn her head away.
Duanmu Huai extended a hand, dipped a bit, and tasted it, smacking his lips thoughtfully before squinting at Cole beside him.
"Come over here."
"Yes, Sir."
"Do you all eat this stuff?"
"Um... most people do eat it this way."
"There hasn’t been any outbreak of disease or epidemic here, right?"
"Indeed, Sir."
Upon this topic, Cole immediately stood up straight.
"It’s said that this is because once a revered Saint visited here and saw people living in poverty. He prayed for the Emperor’s blessing, and since then, no one here has fallen ill."
"Well, it’s so clean and hygienic."
Duanmu Huai casually handed the bowl to Cole and patted his shoulder.
"Where is this Gear Boy affiliated?"
"You mean the Mechanical Church? It’s located in District 329..."
"Thank you; I’ll leave this to you then."
Duanmu Huai nodded to him amiably, then turned and left, subsequently activating the communication terminal and connecting to Lumiaire.
"Have you found anything on your end?"
"So far, there’s nothing particularly noteworthy."
Lumiaire’s voice came through.
"Murders, accidents, riots, all data is below average, no anomalies found."
"So on-site investigation is crucial; I’ve discovered something on my end."
Duanmu Huai chuckled.
"I’ve found signs that a Gear Boy has been corrupted. From now on, lock down all passageways in the Hive City Uptown until we find the culprit. Is this communication network encrypted?"
"Of course, Great Judge, if anyone attempts to eavesdrop, I’ll detect it immediately."
"That’s good... By the way, what is this Hive City mainly responsible for?"
"It’s an industrial Hive City, primarily supplying weapons and materials to the nearby Star Territory. Because it’s in a remote Star Sector, the shipping volume isn’t very large, only supplying itself and the adjacent Star Sectors’ weapons and materials."
Here, Lumiaire paused for a moment.
"But according to records, the output here has been unstable for a long time."
"What does the Emperor say about this?"
"There’s nothing I can do, Great Judge."
The Emperor’s voice sounded again.
"Those Mechanical Priests always have various excuses. I would like to complete the glorious mission given by the Empire as soon as possible, but they always put off with all kinds of technical reasons... You know when it comes to this, even I am powerless."
That’s indeed the case.
Duanmu Huai nodded, knowing how easy it is for insiders to fool outsiders—even more than programmers and the likes when you don’t understand technology, whatever they say is what it is.
And the status of oil men is certainly higher than programmers.
"Then consider it as doing a favor; I’ll urge them for you."
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