68: information

Just as Lu Jianchuan was feeling restless due to the news of his colleagues' disappearance, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the armband on his left wrist, the phone in his pocket vibrated with that unique, slight tremor.

He immediately walked to a deserted corner and took out his phone. On the screen, that starry sky avatar flickered once more.

.: Finally finished. Lu Jianchuan's brow furrowed slightly as his fingertips quickly typed a reply.

Lu Jianchuan: Finished what?

.: Regarding the issue of your clothes being destroyed when you transform. I've optimized the armor's biomass processing protocol.

Lu Jianchuan: What do you mean?

.: Simply put, from now on, when you activate the armor, it will automatically scan and record the physical structure of your current clothing. During the transformation process, the original clothing will be decomposed into basic biological Units, and its structural information will be temporarily stored within the armor matrix.

Lu Jianchuan looked at this line of text, somewhat incredulous.

Lu Jianchuan: So... I don't have to take my clothes off in advance anymore?

.: Theoretically, yes. When the transformation is deactivated, the armor will use the stored information, environmental matter, and its own biomass to reconstruct a set of clothing for you with an identical appearance.

.: However, please note: this is not true matter reconstruction, but a high-precision biomass simulation. It may not perfectly replicate all details, such as certain special tags, complex metal accessories, or pre-existing non-fibrous stains on the clothing. The tactile feel may also differ slightly from real fabric.

.: Nevertheless, for daily wear and to avoid suspicion, it is more than sufficient. This should save you quite a bit of trouble.

Lu Jianchuan looked at the message, a surge of emotion in his heart. This truly solved a major problem that had plagued him for a long time. He subconsciously looked down at the crisp police uniform he was wearing.

Lu Jianchuan: ...Thank you. This is very useful.

The Forger: You're welcome. This is merely an adaptive optimization based on the existing architecture. Focus on the crisis you're facing.

The messages ended there. Lu Jianchuan took a deep breath, suppressing his roiling emotions. He turned and walked toward those few colleagues from the criminal investigation team who were still discussing in low voices.

"Brother Wang," Lu Jianchuan walked up to the most senior detective, his tone carrying just the right amount of concern and initiative, "Brother Liu and Brother Zhou... is there any further news? What are the station's arrangements now? If manpower is needed to search the mountains, I'm available anytime."

Detective Wang looked up at this young colleague who, despite his good abilities, was still a newcomer. He patted Lu Jianchuan on the shoulder, his tone reassuring but firm: "Xiao Lu, we understand your intentions, and we thank you on behalf of Old Liu and the others. However, the situation with this case is unclear. Even Old Liu and his partner got caught in it; it's too dangerous. The higher-ups have already decided that a more experienced strike team, equipped with more professional search-and-rescue and communication gear, will be going in next. As for you, just focus on handling your current work."

This outcome was within Lu Jianchuan's expectations. He allowed a timely expression of disappointment and helplessness to show on his face, nodding: "I understand, Brother Wang. It's just... I can't stop worrying. Brother Liu and Brother Zhou are both good men..." He paused, his tone becoming more earnest, "Could you... tell me a bit about the specifics? At least let me know where they were and why they went missing? Otherwise, I'll be so restless I won't be able to get anything done."

Detective Wang looked at the genuine concern on Lu Jianchuan's face. After a moment's hesitation, he lowered his voice and said, "Fine, but don't spread this around, we don't want to cause a panic. The streamer who went missing was last located in the area of the Northern Foothills of West Mountain. In the background of the stream, an entrance to an abandoned mine could be seen; it looked quite old. Old Liu and the others were following that lead."

He sighed, his brow furrowing deeper: "Sigh, it's quite eerie when you think about it. That mountain area was already on this year's list for spring forest fire prevention and geological hazard inspections. A routine inspection was supposed to be organized in a few days. Who would have thought that before the inspection even started, things would go wrong one after another... Now, I'm afraid the routine inspection will have to turn into an armed search and rescue."

Lu Jianchuan listened intently, firmly memorizing the key information: "Northern Foothills of West Mountain," "Abandoned Mine," and "Routine Inspection."

"I see. Thanks, Brother Wang." He thanked him again, asked no more questions, and silently returned to his workstation.

He sat in his chair, his gaze seemingly fixed on the documents before him, but his mind had already flown to that West Mountain shrouded in mist. He had been reasonably rejected through official channels, but that didn't mean he couldn't investigate in his own way.

The day's shift ended in an atmosphere of surface calm and underlying currents. Lu Jianchuan finished his handover, changed into his civilian clothes, and rode his motorcycle back to his rented room.

He needed to prepare. He changed into dark clothing more suitable for mountain movement and packed necessary equipment and high-energy food. Just as he finished packing and picked up his keys to head out to the West Mountain area that was weighing on his mind, his phone rang.

He thought it was another message from "The Forger," but when he took it out, the word "Mom" was flashing on the screen.

He took a deep breath, adjusted his emotions, and pressed the answer button.

"Hello, Mom."

"Xiao Chuan!" His mother's familiar, slightly reproachful voice immediately came through the receiver, with the faint sound of a television in the background. "You child, have you forgotten your parents again? If we didn't call you, were you planning to go half a year without letting us know you're safe?"

Lu Jianchuan tucked his keys into his pocket while wedging the phone between his shoulder and cheek. He pushed open the door and walked out, keeping his tone as light as possible: "Of course not, Mom. I've just been busy with work. I just finished a case and was about to take a break and call you guys."

"You always use work as an excuse!" His mother grumbled, though her concern far outweighed the blame. "How's the eating? Are you eating on time? I saw the weather forecast saying it's going to get cold again over there. Have you taken out your thick quilt? Don't catch a cold..."

"I've eaten, I've eaten. Everything's fine, Mom, don't worry." Lu Jianchuan walked quickly down the stairs and blended into the bustling evening streets, his mother's nagging in his ear alongside the distant city noise.

At this point, the voice on the other end changed to his father's. His tone was much more composed, but the worry was equally palpable: "Xiao Chuan, your mother is right. No matter how busy work is, you have to look after your health. Remember to call home often."

His father paused, his voice lowering slightly with a trace of imperceptible heaviness: "Also... about Li Ming's matter, we... we've all heard. Sigh, such a good person, gone just like that... You..."

His father didn't finish, but that hesitant worry and reminder pricked Lu Jianchuan like an invisible needle. He knew what his parents were worried about; they were afraid he would get too involved, afraid he would follow in Uncle Li's footsteps.

Lu Jianchuan stopped in his tracks by the roadside, watching the endless stream of headlights. His tone became incredibly serious and firm: "Dad, Mom, don't worry. I've kept Uncle Li's matter... in my heart. I promise you, I will be more careful and won't act recklessly. The leaders and colleagues at the station take good care of me. I'm really doing well here."

He tried to make his voice sound full of strength and confidence: "You two take care of yourselves at home. Don't be too frugal; eat and drink well. Everything is fine on my end, really, don't worry about me."

The other end was silent for a few seconds before it seemed his mother took the phone back, her voice slightly choked: "Good, good... as long as you're okay. You're all alone over there, you must be careful... do you hear me?"

"I hear you, Mom. Don't worry."

After a few more reminders to stay healthy and eat on time, the call—spanning distance and filled with familial love—finally ended.

Lu Jianchuan put down his phone and stood there for a moment, the cool evening breeze brushing against his cheeks. His parents' worry made his heart heavy, but that unreserved love and concern also gave him an indescribable strength.

He clenched his fist, his gaze becoming firm once more. He had to go—to find out the truth about his colleagues' disappearance, and so that his parents far away would not have to shed more sorrowful tears for him in the future.

He no longer hesitated and set off, walking quickly toward the West District. Night was quietly falling.