Chapter 100

In Shang Jianyao's eyes, Shen Du's face no longer bore the traces of his former refinement, twisted as if he were a mad beast.

His eyes held no trace of reason, not even the clarity of an animal's gaze.

That abnormal turbidity and the dense web of bloodshot veins seemed to come from the depths of everyone's nightmares.

Shen Du struggled with all his might, even though his hands were handcuffed behind his back and he was controlled by two robust young men, still giving off the impression that he could break free from his cage at any moment and hunt the surrounding creatures.

This was a capability he did not possess in the past.

With a low, hoarse roar, Shen Du was led away step by step, leaving behind the heart-wrenching cries of a child.

"Dad, Dad..."

In such a scene, everyone who witnessed it remained silent, filled with fear, panic, and sorrow.

Finally, Shen Du was taken away from the "Activity Center" area, leaving behind a lingering echo of his roars.

Shang Jianyao watched without expression, then abruptly turned and walked back in the direction he came from.

"Was that Uncle Shen? He, actually got 'Heartless Disease'..." Long Yuehong, also affected by the incident, gazed in the direction Shen Du had disappeared and subconsciously sighed to Shang Jianyao.

It was only then that he realized Shang Jianyao was no longer beside him.

"Hey, hey, where are you going?"

Shang Jianyao ignored him and turned into the path leading to the fourth elevator area.

He walked neither fast nor slow, as if he had just thought of something else to do.

Soon, he returned to the 647th floor and entered Room 14, which was assigned to the "Old Adjustment Team."

Jiang Baimian had not returned yet; she was still operating the only computer, typing away loudly.

"What's wrong? Did you forget something?" Sensing someone had entered, Jiang Baimian looked up and asked.

Shang Jianyao walked to her desk and said in a low voice:

"Shen Du has 'Heartless Disease.'"

Jiang Baimian was stunned for two seconds, then recalled who Shen Du was:

"That uncle who brought you into the 'Life Sacrifice' cult?"

Shang Jianyao nodded heavily.

Jiang Baimian's brows furrowed into a peak:

"Did he become very afraid and anxious after learning about Wang Yafei's sudden death?"

"More like bewildered." Shang Jianyao confirmed Jiang Baimian's guess with a supplement.

Jiang Baimian nodded thoughtfully:

"Do you suspect that Shen Du suddenly contracted 'Heartless Disease' because he wanted to report the cult?"

"Yes." Shang Jianyao did not deny it.

Jiang Baimian hummed:

"Did you come back here to warn me not to investigate rashly, so I don't become a 'Heartless One' too?"

"The first generation 'Heartless Ones' have a very bad reputation." Shang Jianyao seemed to ignore Jiang Baimian's question and abruptly said this.

"True, becoming such a 'Heartless One' is truly tragic." Jiang Baimian understood his meaning and nodded lightly, "Don't worry, I'm most cautious about being detected by the cult. My current plan is to look for clues in public information. Yes, don't worry, I won't go looking at surveillance for now. I'll wait, wait until they no longer care about this matter."

Shang Jianyao responded briefly:

"Okay."

After saying this, he prepared to turn and return to the 495th floor.

Jiang Baimian called him back, thinking:

"Don't be disheartened. Although this is a tragedy, it gives me some confidence.

"The more they do, the more traces and loopholes they leave, making it easier to catch them..."

She paused, her expression serious:

"Actually, I don't quite believe that Shen Du suddenly got 'Heartless Disease' because he wanted to report the 'Life Sacrifice' cult.

"You heard the news at the hour, knowing that the company has recently discovered several cases of 'Heartless Disease.' One more case is normal."

Over the years, although humans have not yet found the mechanism and transmission patterns of 'Heartless Disease,' they have at least summarized some phenomena.

One of these is:

Whenever 'Heartless Disease' appears, it won't be just one case. Within a certain range and time frame, several or even more cases will inevitably break out, and most of these cases have no intersection.

Fortunately, after 'Heartless Disease' breaks out once, it takes a long time to reappear; otherwise, humans would have collapsed long ago.

It's like a shadow that hides somewhere in the night, and when the sky brightens, it naturally appears.

"Even more coincidental than when we met Qiao Chu." Shang Jianyao commented.

Jiang Baimian nodded lightly:

"If it's not a coincidence, then the significance of this matter is extraordinary.

"Does the 'Life Sacrifice' cult already know all the secrets of 'Heartless Disease' and can use it to deal with enemies?

"How did they know Shen Du was going to betray them? How did they make 'Heartless Disease' break out just before Shen Du reported them?

"Why did nothing happen when you told me about it?

"What's the difference?"

Without waiting for Shang Jianyao to answer, Jiang Baimian sighed:

"These are questions that need to be thought about, and they may contain the most important clues.

"During this time, both you and I should think carefully.

"Go back, don't ask too many questions, just show appropriate curiosity, and don't start an investigation."

Seeing Shang Jianyao's still serious expression, Jiang Baimian smiled slightly:

"Don't be too afraid of them.

"If they could easily make someone contract 'Heartless Disease,' they would have eliminated all the board members long ago and replaced them with their own people.

"And we are now sincerely praising the tolerance of the Fate, without worrying about such matters."

Shang Jianyao nodded:

"Take it slow, don't rush."

"Shouldn't I be the one saying this to you?" Jiang Baimian waved her hand, "Go back, rest well, the cult should be notifying the gathering soon."

Seeing Shang Jianyao's puzzled look, she smiled and sighed:

"Since this incident with Shen Du, the cult's higher-ups, as long as they haven't sacrificed their brains to the Fate, should realize that they need to quickly gather the believers to unify their thoughts, whether through intimidation or reassurance, to prevent the situation from continuing to develop.

"If there were suddenly ten or twenty cases of 'Heartless Disease,' the company would mobilize its best forces for a thorough investigation without us reporting it."

Shang Jianyao listened quietly and suddenly said:

"Team Leader, I want to sing a song for you."

"No need, let's wait until we solve this matter to sing." Jiang Baimian smoothly replied, "I know, you want to praise me."

Shang Jianyao didn't say more, turned, and walked out of Room 14, taking the elevator back to the 495th floor.

At this time, many employees were gathered inside and around the "Activity Center," discussing the incident in small groups.

For many, it was like a long-forgotten nightmare had returned, leaving them no choice but to feel fear and panic.

The current incidence of 'Heartless Disease' is very low, and many young people may have only faced a few cases of infection over the years, or even none, mostly just hearing about it.

This shadow that has always loomed over humanity has reappeared.

Shang Jianyao didn't rush home but first entered the "Activity Center," finding Long Yuehong as expected.

He was chatting with Yang Zhenyuan in a corner.

"Where did you go just now?" Long Yuehong asked, puzzled, when he saw Shang Jianyao approach.

"I forgot something." Shang Jianyao casually found an excuse.

"Oh, I see." Long Yuehong showed understanding.

Shang Jianyao sat down, as if to prove he wasn't in a hurry, and looked at Yang Zhenyuan, smiling and asked:

"Aren't you living on the 569th floor now?"

Yang Zhenyuan's wife, Zhou Qi, is ten years older than him and had a previous husband, so she was allocated a house. After they were matched, Yang Zhenyuan lost his housing eligibility and had to move to Zhou Qi's home on the 569th floor.

"Can't I come back to visit my parents?" Yang Zhenyuan responded with a smile.

Shang Jianyao looked him up and down:

"Your wife has really trained you well."

"Ah?" Yang Zhenyuan's pale face inexplicably turned red.

Long Yuehong helped translate:

"He means you are much more outgoing than before."

"A bit... more confident." Yang Zhenyuan raised his hand to scratch his head.

After chatting about Yang Zhenyuan's work at the research institute, Shang Jianyao turned to Long Yuehong:

"What's really going on with Uncle Shen?"

Long Yuehong had already heard the gossip and sighed:

"They say Uncle Shen was a bit off last night, looking distracted.

"Ah, if he had gone to see a doctor earlier, maybe nothing would have happened."

"If he was already infected with 'Heartless Disease,' early treatment wouldn't have helped." Yang Zhenyuan worked at a biological research institute, which was more medical, but due to his expertise, he mainly handled the electronic equipment.

Long Yuehong sighed again:

"Yes...

"Poor Uncle Shen, his child is so young..."

Shang Jianyao was silent for a few seconds, then asked:

"When did Uncle Shen fall ill? Who saw him first?"

Long Yuehong pointed outside:

"Uncle Shen fell ill in the adjacent 'Order Supervision Room.' He just went in, didn't even speak, and then fell ill. Phew, it's a good thing it happened there; they quickly controlled Uncle Shen, or there might have been more injuries."

"Order Supervision Room..." Shang Jianyao repeated, "How many people were there at the time?"

"Three or four? To subdue a 'Heartless One,' two people definitely wouldn't be enough." Long Yuehong guessed.

Shang Jianyao openly asked about various details, forming a preliminary impression of the entire incident:

After dinner, Shen Du lingered at the "Activity Center" entrance, looking dazed and pale.

About ten minutes later, he started walking towards the adjacent "Order Supervision Room." As soon as he entered, within just a few dozen seconds, the room erupted with sounds of fighting and roaring...

At that time, it was the peak of post-dinner leisure, and many people witnessed the situation.

Chatting until around 7:40, Shang Jianyao bid farewell to Long Yuehong, Yang Zhenyuan, and Zhou Qi, who had come to find her husband, and left the "Activity Center," heading home.

Approaching B Area 196, he first glanced at the bottom of the door.

There, a simple baby figure was drawn with white chalk.

This indicated that at 5:30 AM the next morning, the "Life Sacrifice" cult would have a gathering.

...

On the 647th floor, Jiang Baimian packed up her things and entered a secluded elevator.

She swiped her electronic card and pressed the number "349" that appeared.

PS: First update, seeking monthly votes~