Chapter 001 Chapter 1
Why the Sentinel is So Sick
Text/Taohua An
Don't come near me, don't look at me, don't be curious about me.
You don't know that you are staring into the abyss. - Adapted from "Mad Men Say" by Mu Ge
* * *
"You are kidnapping!"
In the pitch-black bulletproof car, Xia Meng and her mentor Wang Xiangyi sat face to face, feeling somewhat awkward.
The car was actually quite spacious, but the atmosphere was a bit tense.
Because at this time, there were two burly men in black suits and sunglasses sitting on the left and right sides of the master and disciple, trapping them in the middle of the seats like four small mountains.
These people didn't say a word from beginning to end. They kept their faces stern and maintained the terrifying atmosphere of kidnapping in a very cold and aloof manner. They were very professional.
Xia Meng listened to her master cursing and complaining.
As a cannon fodder who was unlucky enough to be dragged along, she can only continue to maintain her weak, pitiful and helpless character.
Who could have imagined that life would be so full of twists and turns.
That morning, she and her mentor had just finished attending a forum meeting related to psychiatry. As soon as they stepped out of the conference center, they felt dizzy and lost consciousness.
I woke up in this high-speed moving car.
I don't know where to go.
I don’t know what these people’s purpose is.
Perhaps, they wanted to kidnap her master and ask his wife to pay a huge sum of money to redeem him?
That's not right.
Judging from her master's incorruptible behavior, he doesn't look like a wealthy man at all.
The robbery happened to her master. Do these people have poor eyesight or are they not skilled in their business?
Perhaps they were impressed by her master's professional ability and wanted to use his skills to do something illegal?
That's quite possible.
Her master is a big name in psychology after all, and a leading figure in the field of psychiatry in the capital.
...I just don't know what I want him to do.
Who should be asked to hypnotize some important figure to obtain state secrets?
Or are you brainwashing some top tycoons to get the code to wealth?
Ah, just thinking about it makes her excited!
She is about to witness the exciting scenes of Hollywood blockbusters with her own eyes!
"You'll know when you get there."
Perhaps they couldn't stand Wang Xiangyi's noise anymore, so one of them said something coldly.
Hearing this, Wang Xiangyi sneered.
Xia Meng glanced at her master, wondering if she should remind him:
The suits of these men had bulges under their armpits, and they were most likely armed with guns. If he, a weak scholar, fought them with his bare hands, he would probably suffer a loss.
Wang Xiangyi shouted at them angrily: "Don't think I don't know who you are! Aren't you just the Black Tower? Can the Black Tower do whatever it wants?"
Black Tower?
Xia Meng raised her eyes.
Black Tower, these two words seem to have only existed in rumors on the streets.
Legend has it that there is a rare and special kind of people in human society. They are called sentinels and guides.
Sentinel humans have awakened abilities due to chromosomal mutations.
The awakening period usually occurs between the ages of twelve and eighteen.
Before the awakening period, they are basically no different from ordinary humans.
After awakening, some of the genetic codes in their bodies will mutate and recombine.
Those who awaken as Sentinels will gradually possess five senses that are far more acute than those of ordinary people, as well as a well-developed and strong physical constitution;
Those who awaken as guides will develop a strong and stable mental force to soothe the sentinels' irritable emotions and negative states caused by strong sensory stimulation.
The "Black Tower" mentioned by Wang Xiangyi is a special agency responsible for managing sentinels and guides.
The Black Tower rarely appears in official news or social gossip, so ordinary people know very little about it and it is full of mystery.
The man in sunglasses said sternly, "This involves the secrets of the Black Tower. Please cooperate."
This is considered to be an acknowledgement of their origins.
It also successfully blocked Wang Xiangyi's cursing.
It really is the Black Tower.
Xia Meng sighed regretfully.
It turns out there's no state secret, nor is it some secret code to wealth. What a shame.
What could the Black Tower, which controls all outposts targeting humans, do by targeting these two ordinary people? What did they want to do?
Even if something big happens, it won’t be their turn to be looked for.
She adjusted her sitting position and changed into a comfortable and relaxed one.
Then he took out the thermos cup he had been holding all the way from his arms.
The cup lid was twisted, and there was a crisp sound of air, followed by the fresh aroma of tea and steam coming out.
Several people in the car looked over immediately.
Xia Meng turned the lid of the cup upside down and poured a cup of tea, taking a sip herself first. Then she remembered something and looked up at Wang Xiangyi and asked with a smile, "Master, would you like some tea?"
Wang Xiangyi: “…………Drink.”
She could actually laugh.
If an ordinary person was kidnapped, or kidnapped by "that black tower", it would be impossible for him to react like this.
Wang Xiangyi looked at her with some disappointment, not knowing whether she was bold or timid.
Sometimes he really felt that he had forgotten to accumulate virtue in his previous life, which was why he had to have an unfortunate disciple like Xia Meng in this life.
Other people's apprentices are diligent and studious, working tirelessly, getting up earlier than chickens, sleeping later than dogs, and working harder than donkeys;
The guy in his family is free and easy, always smiling, always listening with one ear and forgetting with the other, always flies low during exams, and is never caught working.
The hot tea went down his throat, and the warm and mellow tea aroma flowed down his throat, soothing Wang Xiangyi's displeasure by about 70%.
The car was running smoothly without any interference, and finally arrived at the destination after a while.
After stopping smoothly, the car door automatically opens outwards.
The cool breeze from outside blew in, instantly dispersing the heavy and stagnant air in the car.
Xia Meng stood up and got out of the car, looking up and forward.
What comes into view is a huge black tower that rises into the clouds.
The obelisk is in the shape of a square column, with lines that are narrow at the top and wide at the bottom extending straight to the sky. The top suddenly converges into a spire. The walls made of special materials absorb all external light, making this black tower look like a huge black sword silently pointing to the sky.
This is probably in the suburbs of the capital, and there are not many other buildings around.
The black tower stands here alone, like a giant sword standing in the wilderness, sealing the earth beneath its feet.
Someone was already waiting in front of the gate of the Black Tower.
The leader was a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a suit similar to the one in sunglasses, more like a uniform. On his left chest was a silver-black sword-shaped badge, exactly the same as the ones on the chests of the men in suits.
Previously, Xia Meng had never understood what the badge represented. It was only when she saw the black tower with her own eyes that she realized that the black sword on the badge was actually the black tower.
And Wang Xiangyi obviously knew it.
He even knew the middle-aged man.
Before the man came forward, Wang Xiangyi had already started firing back angrily, "Are you a bandit leader? I wouldn't refuse an appointment, so why do you have to resort to kidnapping?"
Middle-aged people look calm and gentle.
He accepted Wang Xiangyi's complaint with a smile and replied gently, "Dean Wang is so busy, I'm afraid I'll have to wait a week for you to make time. This matter is urgent, and there's no time to make an appointment with you. I have no choice but to use some special means to jump the queue."
Wang Xiangyi snorted twice and muttered in a low voice: "Zhou Pa Pi!"
His voice was so low that he almost cursed through his mouth.
Theoretically, only Xia Meng, who was following behind him, could hear it. When she heard the voice, she looked up and saw that the man smiled calmly and accepted this sarcastic nickname.
Xia Meng blinked.
Even from a distance of more than ten meters, he could hear it so clearly.
Is he a sentry?
So this is the sentinel.
The middle-aged man walked closer, smiled at Wang Xiangyi, then looked at Xia Meng and nodded humbly to her: "Hello, let me introduce myself, my surname is Zhou, and my name is Zhou Qi."
No wonder Lao Wang calls him Zhou Paopi.
Xia Meng smiled and replied crisply, "Hello, my name is Xia Meng. I'm Professor Wang's student."
Zhou Qi smiled again: "I know."
After saying that, he raised his hand politely towards Wang Xiangyi and said, "I'll explain it in detail on the way. Please follow me."
Xia Meng followed Wang Xiangyi towards the gate of the black tower.
After taking two steps, she subconsciously looked behind her.
The four men in sunglasses and the car that "kidnapped" them had disappeared quietly at some point, leaving no trace.
As I walked through the black glass door of the Black Tower, the cool air inside the building hit me.
There seemed to be something calming in the air.
Xia Meng looked up and found that the interior of the black tower was not much different from the service hall of an ordinary state agency.
The imposing background wall of the reception desk is over three stories high and is covered with expensive white marble tiles. A huge national emblem and a black tower logo are hung side by side on it, and the full name of the organization is written below: International Special Human and Superpower Management and Control Organization (Beijing Branch).
This is the legendary Black Tower.
The so-called "relevant departments" hidden under the surface.
Zhou Qi led them through the Black Tower lobby and into the elevator.
The completely transparent elevator ascended along its designated track. Xia Meng tilted her head, her curious gaze passing through the transparent wall and landing on the glass on the inner side of the tower in the distance. The special black glass stretched straight up to the top of the hundredth floor. On the smooth surface, a line of silvery-white text flowed like a galaxy:
Welcome to join the world of Black Tower, the future belongs to you!
These words are probably written for those who have just awakened to become sentinels or guides.
It seems to indicate that this tower hides a brand new and vast world that is completely different from the outside world.
Zhou Qi finally spoke at this time: "Actually, I suddenly asked you to come here today——"
Wang Xiangyi sneered and asked back, "Please? So polite?"
Zhou Qi pretended not to hear his sarcasm and continued, "...It's because there's a case that needs to be closed as soon as possible."
"It's a serial murder case. The case was initially handled by the public security department. After the suspect was arrested, the police confirmed her identity and discovered that she was a sentinel. So, they transferred both the suspect and the case to the Black Tower."
Wang Xiangyi asked, "Why are you looking for me for your Black Tower work?"
You hit the point.
Zhou Qi explained: "You should know the case handling process of the Black Tower Criminal Investigation Department. Before the investigation and evidence collection phase is completed and the suspect is transferred to the trial court, the Black Tower needs to conduct a judicial psychiatric evaluation."
Wang Xiangyi was annoyed: "Forensic appraisal? Then ask your people to do it! Why did you kidnap me? Don't you have anyone in the Black Tower?"
A trace of helplessness and embarrassment flashed across Zhou Qi's face, and he even seemed to be hesitant to speak.
These expressions are fleeting and disappear quickly.
He explained patiently, "Generally speaking, we in the Black Tower always ask the psychiatric department of the Guide Center to help issue psychiatric evaluation reports. However, recently... the Guide Center has been very busy, and the colleagues there are unable to spare the time. And ordinary psychiatrists are not capable of performing forensic psychiatric evaluations in sentry directions, nor do they have the qualifications. So... I have no choice but to resort to this last resort and force you to come here despite your busy schedule. I'm truly sorry."
The elevator fell silent.
Xia Meng looked up and saw her master's eyes were as sharp as knives, flying towards Zhou Qi's face.
She could almost hear the grumpy old man starting to curse silently again.
Despite the scolding, Wang Xiangyi finally nodded.
After all, he has come here, and it is reasonable for him to give Heita this face.
Wang Xiangyi: "But I have one condition."
Zhou Qi: "Please speak."
The grumpy old man gave him a blank look and said, "Next time, make an appointment through the proper channels! Don't try to kidnap me!"
Zhou Qi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: "Of course."
…
The elevator stopped at the 52nd floor.
The elevator door slid open.
What catches your eye are the four huge characters "Criminal Investigation Center" written on the foreground wall in the distance.
This is the criminal investigation department inside the Black Tower, which is roughly equivalent to the criminal investigation brigade of the public security department.
As soon as she stepped in here, Xia Meng immediately felt the busy and tense atmosphere here.
There were quite a few staff members coming and going in the hall. Looking around, they all seemed tall, strong and sturdy, walking briskly and gracefully. They were probably all sentinels.
People passing by them hurriedly nodded and saluted Zhou Qi.
"Director Zhou!"
"Hello, Director!"
Zhou Qi is one of the leaders of this criminal investigation center.
He nodded in response with a smile, and without stopping, he led Wang Xiangyi and Xia Meng into a corridor. After passing several doors, they finally stopped outside one marked "Inquiry Room No. 7".
After opening the door and going in, there is a monitoring room. The room is not big and has some monitoring equipment.
One wall of the room is double-sided glass, and the other side of the glass is the actual interrogation room.
There are already people sitting inside.
That person is the subject of today's judicial psychiatric evaluation.
Xia Meng's gaze passed through the thick glass and fell on the man.
She was a girl with a very cool and elegant temperament.
She shouldn't be very old, but she has a depth that goes beyond her age. She doesn't wear any makeup but her facial features are delicate and bright.
Those eyes were large and deep, staring straight at his handcuffed hands on the table, and his long nails were as red as blood.
There was no trace of remorse or fear on her beautiful face, and she even revealed a kind of complacent madness.
It looks like a red rose with blood-stained thorns, charming and dangerous.
Zhou Qi's voice rang in Xia Meng's ears at the same time: "Fan Xue, female, 19 years old, a D-class sentinel who has awakened for less than a year."
"Beginning a year ago, four or five murders with similar modus operandi occurred in various areas of Beijing. The police completed all preliminary investigations and evidence collection. After comparing her confession with other witnesses and evidence, they can basically confirm that she is the murderer."
Wang Xiangyi: "Confession? Has she confessed?"
Zhou Qi: "Yes."
In other words, this judicial psychiatric evaluation is just a formality.
All that is needed is a realistic diagnosis and assessment of whether this person's mental state is consistent with all the evidence currently presented.
A judicial psychiatric evaluation is equivalent to supporting evidence.
It's not difficult.
"Can."
Wang Xiangyi nodded, took the suspect information handed over by Zhou Qi, glanced at it carefully from top to bottom, and had a rough idea in his mind.
He handed the information to Xia Meng.
Xia Meng didn't reach out to take it immediately.
She was staring straight at the girl at this moment.
An indescribable feeling suddenly came over her.
It was like a thin mist that came from afar, covering the sky and swallowing her up in an instant.
In the fog, a voice filled with fear reached her mind.
Wang Xiangyi: "Xiao Xia?"
Xia Meng suddenly came back to her senses.
She blinked, raised her finger and pointed at the girl, asking doubtfully, "Did you hear what she just said?"
Wang Xiangyi: "What?"
Zhou Qi was bewildered: "Was there any sound just now?"
Didn’t you even hear it with the hearing ability of a sentry?
But she clearly heard it—
Xia Meng said hesitantly: "I heard her say - save me."
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