BXBX NOVEL Chapter 222 - 222 Factory
“Star River Manufacturing Factory?”
Qin Lang turns to look at Pei Yue, revealing a questioning expression on his face.
“Mmhm, it was a light industry factory in Miredi City more than a decade ago,” Pei Yue nods, evidently very knowledgeable about the situation, “When the Star River Manufacturing Factory was operating, many toys and daily necessities in Miredi City were produced there.”
“If that’s the case, the Star River Manufacturing Factory should have been doing pretty well. Why was it abandoned?” Qin Lang asks curiously.
“I’m not sure about that,” Pei Yue shakes her head, “Zhou Xinghe, the boss of the Star River Manufacturing Factory, moved his entire family away from Miredi City after the factory was abandoned, and the reasons for the abandonment are varied and numerous.”
Qin Lang nods thoughtfully.
A factory that was mysteriously abandoned years ago, a mysterious force erupting without a clear explanation, it looks like everything is shrouded in a dense fog of mystery.
“We’re almost there,” Pei Yue’s footsteps slow slightly, pointing ahead at a solitary, abandoned factory looming in the distance.
They’re still quite a distance away from the factory, and there are no other buildings in the vicinity, making the factory seem all the more conspicuous.
Its faded and dilapidated outer wall bears visible traces of rust on the exposed metal.
Discarded, broken parts buried under a thick layer of dust are barely visible across the ground.
Only the dilapidated sign hanging high on the factory building remains upright despite the onslaught of wind and weather.
Star River Manufacturing Factory.
Upon seeing the five big characters on the signage, Qin Lang realizes that they have arrived at their destination.
The scattered, unowned Star Power intensifies subtly around them.
“Let’s go, we…” Pei Yue starts to lead Qin Lang directly inside, but abruptly swallows her words.
A little ways off, two young men emerge from another street.
The one in front is dressed in the same uniform as Pei Yue with a similar badge pinned to his chest. Upon noticing Pei Yue, he waves his hand and ambles over.
The young man following him is dressed in casual attire and does not appear to be a part of the Spirit Chef Association. He looks around with interest, his handsome face brimming with curiosity.
” Pei Yue! How’s your exploration going? Have you found anything?
Once the two young men approach, the one in the lead starts to inquire.
“We haven’t discovered anything so far,” Pei Yue shakes her head, then starts to introduce Qin Lang, “This is my colleague Zhang Chuan, he’s also part of the Public Security Management Department.”
“This is Qin Lang. He accidentally wandered into the sealed area and absorbed the Star Power here, hence he can’t leave. Since he’s willing to assist us with the investigation, I’ve brought him along.”
“So you’re also a stray wanderer?” The young man behind them chuckles and walks over to Qin Lang, slapping his shoulder lightly, “And here I thought I was the only one!”
“This is Qi Xian,” Zhang Chuan introduces him, “He’s also an accidental entrant, and he’s now assisting with the investigation.”
“I had no other choice, only by having you guys complete your investigation swiftly can I leave this place,” Qi Xian shrugs helplessly, gives Qin Lang a wink, and says, “Right?”
“Yes,” Qin Lang agrees, yet a peculiar feeling nudges at his mind.
This Qi Xian seems pretty forward and familiar.
At Qi Xian’s complaints, a flicker of embarrassment crosses both Zhang Chuan and Pei Yue’s eyes.
After all, the Association holds a certain level of responsibility for the fact that people have accidentally wandered into the sealed area.
“On the way here, I discovered some clues,” Zhang Chuan quickly shifts the topic, looking towards Pei Yue.
“What clues?” Instantly, Pei Yue’s interest is piqued, and she starts asking urgently.
“On the road I took here, I found some abnormal traces. From my preliminary judgement, they are likely caused by a large number of people evacuating and it happened within the past couple of days,” Zhang Chuan says solemnly, “This indicates that there’s a high possibility that this anomaly was man-made.” “I was right there, near the traces and almost got arrested by Zhang Chuan as a suspect,” Qi Xian quips softly to Qin Lang, “Talk about being wronged, I was just a little curious and took a closer look.”
“That’s rough,” Qin Lang offers him a sympathetic glance.
Ignoring the two assistants’ murmurs, the discussion between Zhang Chuan and Pei Yue continues.
“A man-made anomaly… people evacuating…” Pei Yue’s expression grows increasingly serious, “This doesn’t seem like the work of a lone criminal. Was it a crime organization?”
“I believe so,” Zhang Chuan nods solemnly, “And I already have a potential suspect in mind.”
Hearing this, Qi Xian and Qin Lang, who are currently engaged in a quiet conversation, immediately fall silent.
Pei Yue also has a look of anticipation on her face.
“I believe, it’s the work of the Star Hunters,” Zhang Chuan states each word clearly.
Without waiting for anyone to respond, he begins to assemble his rationale.
“Not too long ago, the Star Hunters made an appearance at the Youth Training Competition in Bai Lu Mountain City, which suggests that there’s a high probability the Star Hunters are currently operating within the Tianhua State.
“The anomaly that occurred here is related to Unowned Star Power, and whenever we mention Unowned Star Power, the first thing that comes to mind is the Starstone – and the Starstone is… ”
“The Star Hunters’ target!” Pei Yue interjects without hesitation, her face fully resolute, “I believe your speculation is likely correct!”
Listening to the analytical reasoning of the two Public Security Management personnel, Qi Xian, standing next to Qin Lang, subtly twitches the corner of his lips.
Meanwhile, Qin Lang slips into deep contemplation.
Simply going by Zhang Chuan’s reasoning, the Star Hunters are indeed under great suspicion.
However… he has personally witnessed the Star Hunters in action.
There was one small detail that Qin Lang didn’t realize until much later.
After the audience had been successfully cleared from the scene, the Star Hunters’ attacks notably intensified, gradually extending to the now vacant audience seats.
They could have opted to give it their all right from the start and form a more formidable resistance against Zhou Tianhao and Xu Qingmo’s combined forces. But they didn’t.
Clearly, they didn’t want to involve innocent bystanders, which aligns with the rumors Qin Lang has heard about the Star Hunters organization.
However, the current situation is evidently affecting innocent individuals – those spiritually possessed chefs who have lost their rationality due to agitation.
Moreover, the overwhelming Star Power has forced all the residents of this entire area to relocate temporarily, which doesn’t align with the Star Hunters’ typical modus operandi.
Star Hunters is a criminal organization and cannot be judged by ordinary means.
However, he just had this feeling.
This incident might not necessarily be the work of the Star Hunters.
Since these are merely insights and he has no substantiating evidence, Qin Lang stays silent for the moment.
“Let’s go, let’s check out the Star River Manufacturing Factory.” Zhang Chuan turns his gaze towards the factory, “If everything goes as expected, that should be where the source is.”
“So, there are bound to be new clues at Star River Manufacturing Factory.
The quartet quickly approach the factory’s front gate.
The gate is padlocked, but the rust-eaten lock is hardly a hindrance to their entry.
After forcing the lock, Qin Lang and the others step into the factory, met by the stench of rust.
A beautifully constructed black mask is painted on the dilapidated and patchy walls.
Quick access: [Monthly Pass][Recommendation Ticket]