The first shot rang out in the night.
The synthetic humans didn’t attack the defensive wall immediately. Shu Jun led the interception team to target the factories outside the city first. Zhu Sheng completely sealed off the city, and there were no workers left in the factories, only the sound of operating machinery.
Facing the steel jungle, Shu Jun was the first to act—a more exaggerated hurricane than before, comparable to an explosion. In an instant, there wasn’t a single intact window left in the vast factory area. When the wind subsided a bit, Chai Xuyang took over the relay. Dust madly poured into the building through the broken windows, and the surrounding machinery soon began to emit smoke.
Players with close-range control over water, rocks, and metal quickly mobilized, making the damp factory area incredibly dry. The intricate structures inside the machinery were forcibly distorted. Within an hour, the factory area was engulfed in flames, and thick smoke billowed into the sky.
Shu Jun carefully adjusted the wind direction, and the spread of the fire was as fast as lightning. The players who controlled the earth and stones had preemptively protected the factories with biohazard risks, preventing the players from harming themselves in the process. The air around Y City became scorching hot and murky, with sparks occasionally cutting through the night. The sky was tinted grayish red by the flames, making the surroundings of Y City even brighter than in daylight.
As Shu Jun had guessed, not a single team emerged from Y City to protect the factories. The human military forces were stationed on the other side of the defensive wall, witnessing the destruction of the industrial area that had developed over several decades.
Zhu Sheng had completely abandoned the maintenance of the surrounding areas and was determined to protect Y City itself.
This was good. Shu Jun didn’t need to pretend to be a “monster” in front of ordinary players and cause unnecessary panic. Apart from the high-level personnel who knew Shu Jun’s situation, most players treated those scenes as special effects.
The smoke was thick, and if it weren’t for Shu Jun’s ability to control the wind and water, as well as the presence of many players with similar abilities, the high temperature and dense smoke alone would have forced the players to retreat. In such an environment, human reconnaissance machinery couldn’t get anywhere near, giving the players much more freedom to act.
“The focus is on the factories that produce food and purify water,” Shu Jun calmly instructed. “Check the underground areas to ensure that nothing is missed. Destroy any transportation or purifiers you come across.”
“Yes!”
People left the center of the fire and began to search for any remaining targets in the area. Chai Xuyang didn’t immediately walk away. He stood on the charred ground wearing thick protective clothing, gazing blankly at the sparks floating in the air.
“Feeling a bit more at ease?” Shu Jun kicked aside a burnt piece of metal by his feet.
“Not really. I feel somewhat conflicted after actually taking action.” Chai Xuyang didn’t look at Shu Jun; his gaze was fixed on the direction of Y City. “To be honest, there are times when I still think about going back home, thinking about the captain calling for a post-match review… Now, fighting against Y City feels like popping a soap bubble.”
“I apologize on behalf of Lao Hu for what he said before.”
“There’s no need for an apology. I also feel sorry for our comrade who was killed for no reason.” Chai Xuyang waved his hand, and the sand tapped against the charred surface of the machinery. “Since there aren’t many people around, Shu Jun, I’ll ask you directly. Your battle plan has always kept you separated from the rest—why? Don’t you want others to know your situation?”
“Take a guess.”
Chai Xuyang rolled his eyes. “The Blackbirds didn’t have this mysterious style before, did they?”
“To you all, I’m also a ‘monster’. Not everyone may accept my true situation, including you,” Shu Jun responded succinctly. “Although I don’t agree with Luo Duan’s approach of cutting off your retreat directly, some of his thoughts are valid. At this point, if our own people can’t unite, then we’re truly done for.”
Breathing heavily and struggling, Chai Xuyang’s breath felt burdened amidst the crackling sounds of the fire.
“I will lead you to victory, and that’s enough.” Shu Jun pulled down his mask, revealing a brilliant smile. “Xiao Chai, Groundwater and Blackbirds are old rivals. You should know that I won’t boast about this matter.”
Chai Xuyang sighed heavily, turned away, and continued destroying the surviving machinery that still emitted electric sparks. After a while, he muttered a few words in a sullen tone.
“I trust in your abilities, that’s for sure. It’s just that when you brought us to the cultivation stronghold last time, all the players were experienced ones. Seeing you in that state caught us off guard for quite a while. If everyone sees you like that, even after the war ends, you might not be accepted. It would be better to work on this aspect earlier, like boiling a frog in warm water*…”
*Idiom refers to a strategy where changes or negative situations are implemented gradually or subtly, so as not to alarm or raise resistance in the beginning.
“Thank you for your concern.” Shu Jun’s smile became even more radiant. “I will consider it.”
According to Chai Xuyang’s perspective, he might just had survived his erosion and experienced a mutation in his abilities. Even if players may feel fearful they would still consider him a member of the synthetic humans, but once he revealed his true power, he was destined to disappear in this war, whether viewed from the perspective of humans or the interests of the synthetics.
But that was fine.
Y City, Command Center.
Even though Yi Ning was in the city center, he could still see the glow of the fire outside the city. Y City was surrounded by a reddish-gray light, and the air seemed to have heated up. With the facilities around the city destroyed like this, the signals transmitted to the settlements were likely to be affected.
…If there were any survivors left in the settlements.
There was still a slight erosion contamination around the city. Those factory areas represented the hopes built by generations of settlement residents and Y City citizens, with their blood, sweat, and hard work. The factories had stood for a hundred years without falling, but now they were destroyed in a single night. Even if they won the war, the reconstruction work alone would be enough to wear down the human population.
At that time, Zhu Sheng’s praised “player system optimization” might be more easily passed through. However, the destruction of the settlements was imminent, and he had to first ensure everyone’s survival before considering the potential treatment issues in the future…
As Yi Ning thought about this, he paused for a moment. He sat silently in his chair for a while before finally turning on the camera device and began delivering the speech according to the script given to him by Zhu Sheng.
“In recent times, there have been frequent acts of resistance from the synthetic humans, but there is no need to panic. Most of them have been contaminated by the Erosion Swamps and are now on their last legs. It is recommended that during this period…”
Yi Ning gritted his teeth before continuing with the rest of his words.
“It is recommended that during this period, you do not leave your homes and stay away from the settlements. Once the situation with the synthetic humans stabilizes, we will send specialized teams to bring everyone into the city. The current acts of resistance from the synthetic humans are still under control, so please remain calm.”
No, these were all lies. The settlements that needed to be rescued had already been determined. Zhu Sheng just wanted to keep these people stable and prevent too much panic from spreading, causing internal chaos in Y City.
But he had to continue reading.
“Finally, regarding this election. I understand everyone’s support for me, but given the current circumstances, I hope you can set aside your biases and choose Marshal Zhu Yanchen, who has more tactical experience. In the face of this calamity, I will serve as Marshal Zhu’s deputy and provide the settlements with the utmost protection. As a war-time figure, three years later, I will once again participate in the leadership election…”
As he reached the later part, Yi Ning’s vocal cords trembled mechanically, ensuring that the words wouldn’t leave a trace in his mind.
This was necessary, he repeated to himself. This was necessary. It was the only way to ensure the survival of the settlements as much as possible. Besides this, he couldn’t do anything else. Just like at this moment, facing the burning fire around him, he could only mechanically read a speech prepared by someone else from a cold, lifeless device.
Yi Ning’s young assistant stood at the corner, clenching his fists tightly, with bloodshot eyes.
In another room of the same building, the atmosphere was completely different.
“You’re going to the front lines?” Xia Liang, dressed as an old man, asked skeptically. She crossed her arms and scrutinized Zhu Yanchen from top to bottom. “Oh, so you’ve finally come to your senses and decided to personally win some favor?”
“If you go, you may not understand Shu Jun’s intentions. We have collaborated for a long time, and we can devise the most reasonable tactics together. Even if we need to calculate Sigma, I don’t want any soldier to die just for the sake of a show.”
“Tsk, my teeth hurt just listening to you. Fine, I have the chip anyway, so I’ll take charge of the defense in the city center. But let me make it clear, the work on ‘Xia Liang’s’ side is not finished yet, and I’ll have to command in the identity of ‘Dong Lao’. My time is quite tight…”
“So?”
“So, I don’t want to manage the Fourth Squadron anymore!” Xia Liang’s voice became sharp. “Ai Xiaoxiao is doing a good job as the team captain. Why do I have to report to her? They only recognize their own people, and I’m just a clueless person who dropped from the sky.”
“They are merchants, and their main battlefield is not in Y City. They may not be familiar with the customs of the three major families. This group of people doesn’t like being controlled and rejects the three major families, which is why we have Ai Xiaoxiao. This group of people has big ambitions and is used to stirring up trouble, which is why we have you. Why did you suddenly bring this up? Did something go wrong with your meeting with Ai Xiaoxiao?”
“No, it’s nothing. Just complaining about having too much work,” Xia Liang muttered. “When it comes to fighting, why bother with the Old Fourth? It would be better to gather together for shelter.”
“Oh, you’re worried about them,” Zhu Yanchen said casually.
“…You’re thinking too much.”
“If you’re not concerned, it will only take a short time for you to point out the issues in the reports. Unfortunately, the activities of the Old Fourth are necessary. The lockdown in the city will only become tighter. Many things that cannot be traded openly will have to be handled by the Old Fourth.”
Xia Liang tightened her hood. “Alright, I’ll keep an eye on them.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“…Zhu Yanchen.”
“Hmm?”
“Over these years, as your subordinate, I am aware of your abilities. There is something I must say here—given the current situation, it’s only a matter of time before you become the leader. And for Shu Jun to protect the synthetic humans, he must win this war.”
“I know.”
“Even if the synthetic humans manage to avoid blaming ordinary people, they will definitely hold a grudge against the three major families, especially the Zhu family, which has been responsible for the player system. It’s impossible for them not to take action. In the current situation, it’s highly unlikely that they will be willing to shake hands and make peace with humans.”
“I know.”
“…When it comes to that point, how do you plan to end it?”
Zhu Yanchen glanced at Xia Liang but didn’t answer.
Xia Liang sighed as if having a headache, covering her face with one hand. “Fine, I understand. It’s another matter that needs to be kept secret, right? I won’t say anything else. I just hope that you won’t do anything foolish that sacrifices my happiness and the happiness of millions of families.”
“I won’t.”
After speaking, Zhu Yanchen lowered his head again and looked at the documents in front of him. However, Xia Liang’s words seemed to sting him. Marshal Zhu furrowed his brow. His gaze became unsteady, and he appeared noticeably distracted.
“I hope you say those words to Shu Jun instead.”
The first shot rang out in the night.
The synthetic humans didn’t attack the defensive wall immediately. Shu Jun led the interception team to target the factories outside the city first. Zhu Sheng completely sealed off the city, and there were no workers left in the factories, only the sound of operating machinery.
Facing the steel jungle, Shu Jun was the first to act—a more exaggerated hurricane than before, comparable to an explosion. In an instant, there wasn’t a single intact window left in the vast factory area. When the wind subsided a bit, Chai Xuyang took over the relay. Dust madly poured into the building through the broken windows, and the surrounding machinery soon began to emit smoke.
Players with close-range control over water, rocks, and metal quickly mobilized, making the damp factory area incredibly dry. The intricate structures inside the machinery were forcibly distorted. Within an hour, the factory area was engulfed in flames, and thick smoke billowed into the sky.
Shu Jun carefully adjusted the wind direction, and the spread of the fire was as fast as lightning. The players who controlled the earth and stones had preemptively protected the factories with biohazard risks, preventing the players from harming themselves in the process. The air around Y City became scorching hot and murky, with sparks occasionally cutting through the night. The sky was tinted grayish red by the flames, making the surroundings of Y City even brighter than in daylight.
As Shu Jun had guessed, not a single team emerged from Y City to protect the factories. The human military forces were stationed on the other side of the defensive wall, witnessing the destruction of the industrial area that had developed over several decades.
Zhu Sheng had completely abandoned the maintenance of the surrounding areas and was determined to protect Y City itself.
This was good. Shu Jun didn’t need to pretend to be a “monster” in front of ordinary players and cause unnecessary panic. Apart from the high-level personnel who knew Shu Jun’s situation, most players treated those scenes as special effects.
The smoke was thick, and if it weren’t for Shu Jun’s ability to control the wind and water, as well as the presence of many players with similar abilities, the high temperature and dense smoke alone would have forced the players to retreat. In such an environment, human reconnaissance machinery couldn’t get anywhere near, giving the players much more freedom to act.
“The focus is on the factories that produce food and purify water,” Shu Jun calmly instructed. “Check the underground areas to ensure that nothing is missed. Destroy any transportation or purifiers you come across.”
“Yes!”
People left the center of the fire and began to search for any remaining targets in the area. Chai Xuyang didn’t immediately walk away. He stood on the charred ground wearing thick protective clothing, gazing blankly at the sparks floating in the air.
“Feeling a bit more at ease?” Shu Jun kicked aside a burnt piece of metal by his feet.
“Not really. I feel somewhat conflicted after actually taking action.” Chai Xuyang didn’t look at Shu Jun; his gaze was fixed on the direction of Y City. “To be honest, there are times when I still think about going back home, thinking about the captain calling for a post-match review… Now, fighting against Y City feels like popping a soap bubble.”
“I apologize on behalf of Lao Hu for what he said before.”
“There’s no need for an apology. I also feel sorry for our comrade who was killed for no reason.” Chai Xuyang waved his hand, and the sand tapped against the charred surface of the machinery. “Since there aren’t many people around, Shu Jun, I’ll ask you directly. Your battle plan has always kept you separated from the rest—why? Don’t you want others to know your situation?”
“Take a guess.”
Chai Xuyang rolled his eyes. “The Blackbirds didn’t have this mysterious style before, did they?”
“To you all, I’m also a ‘monster’. Not everyone may accept my true situation, including you,” Shu Jun responded succinctly. “Although I don’t agree with Luo Duan’s approach of cutting off your retreat directly, some of his thoughts are valid. At this point, if our own people can’t unite, then we’re truly done for.”
Breathing heavily and struggling, Chai Xuyang’s breath felt burdened amidst the crackling sounds of the fire.
“I will lead you to victory, and that’s enough.” Shu Jun pulled down his mask, revealing a brilliant smile. “Xiao Chai, Groundwater and Blackbirds are old rivals. You should know that I won’t boast about this matter.”
Chai Xuyang sighed heavily, turned away, and continued destroying the surviving machinery that still emitted electric sparks. After a while, he muttered a few words in a sullen tone.
“I trust in your abilities, that’s for sure. It’s just that when you brought us to the cultivation stronghold last time, all the players were experienced ones. Seeing you in that state caught us off guard for quite a while. If everyone sees you like that, even after the war ends, you might not be accepted. It would be better to work on this aspect earlier, like boiling a frog in warm water*…”
*Idiom refers to a strategy where changes or negative situations are implemented gradually or subtly, so as not to alarm or raise resistance in the beginning.
“Thank you for your concern.” Shu Jun’s smile became even more radiant. “I will consider it.”
According to Chai Xuyang’s perspective, he might just had survived his erosion and experienced a mutation in his abilities. Even if players may feel fearful they would still consider him a member of the synthetic humans, but once he revealed his true power, he was destined to disappear in this war, whether viewed from the perspective of humans or the interests of the synthetics.
But that was fine.
Y City, Command Center.
Even though Yi Ning was in the city center, he could still see the glow of the fire outside the city. Y City was surrounded by a reddish-gray light, and the air seemed to have heated up. With the facilities around the city destroyed like this, the signals transmitted to the settlements were likely to be affected.
…If there were any survivors left in the settlements.
There was still a slight erosion contamination around the city. Those factory areas represented the hopes built by generations of settlement residents and Y City citizens, with their blood, sweat, and hard work. The factories had stood for a hundred years without falling, but now they were destroyed in a single night. Even if they won the war, the reconstruction work alone would be enough to wear down the human population.
At that time, Zhu Sheng’s praised “player system optimization” might be more easily passed through. However, the destruction of the settlements was imminent, and he had to first ensure everyone’s survival before considering the potential treatment issues in the future…
As Yi Ning thought about this, he paused for a moment. He sat silently in his chair for a while before finally turning on the camera device and began delivering the speech according to the script given to him by Zhu Sheng.
“In recent times, there have been frequent acts of resistance from the synthetic humans, but there is no need to panic. Most of them have been contaminated by the Erosion Swamps and are now on their last legs. It is recommended that during this period…”
Yi Ning gritted his teeth before continuing with the rest of his words.
“It is recommended that during this period, you do not leave your homes and stay away from the settlements. Once the situation with the synthetic humans stabilizes, we will send specialized teams to bring everyone into the city. The current acts of resistance from the synthetic humans are still under control, so please remain calm.”
No, these were all lies. The settlements that needed to be rescued had already been determined. Zhu Sheng just wanted to keep these people stable and prevent too much panic from spreading, causing internal chaos in Y City.
But he had to continue reading.
“Finally, regarding this election. I understand everyone’s support for me, but given the current circumstances, I hope you can set aside your biases and choose Marshal Zhu Yanchen, who has more tactical experience. In the face of this calamity, I will serve as Marshal Zhu’s deputy and provide the settlements with the utmost protection. As a war-time figure, three years later, I will once again participate in the leadership election…”
As he reached the later part, Yi Ning’s vocal cords trembled mechanically, ensuring that the words wouldn’t leave a trace in his mind.
This was necessary, he repeated to himself. This was necessary. It was the only way to ensure the survival of the settlements as much as possible. Besides this, he couldn’t do anything else. Just like at this moment, facing the burning fire around him, he could only mechanically read a speech prepared by someone else from a cold, lifeless device.
Yi Ning’s young assistant stood at the corner, clenching his fists tightly, with bloodshot eyes.
In another room of the same building, the atmosphere was completely different.
“You’re going to the front lines?” Xia Liang, dressed as an old man, asked skeptically. She crossed her arms and scrutinized Zhu Yanchen from top to bottom. “Oh, so you’ve finally come to your senses and decided to personally win some favor?”
“If you go, you may not understand Shu Jun’s intentions. We have collaborated for a long time, and we can devise the most reasonable tactics together. Even if we need to calculate Sigma, I don’t want any soldier to die just for the sake of a show.”
“Tsk, my teeth hurt just listening to you. Fine, I have the chip anyway, so I’ll take charge of the defense in the city center. But let me make it clear, the work on ‘Xia Liang’s’ side is not finished yet, and I’ll have to command in the identity of ‘Dong Lao’. My time is quite tight…”
“So?”
“So, I don’t want to manage the Fourth Squadron anymore!” Xia Liang’s voice became sharp. “Ai Xiaoxiao is doing a good job as the team captain. Why do I have to report to her? They only recognize their own people, and I’m just a clueless person who dropped from the sky.”
“They are merchants, and their main battlefield is not in Y City. They may not be familiar with the customs of the three major families. This group of people doesn’t like being controlled and rejects the three major families, which is why we have Ai Xiaoxiao. This group of people has big ambitions and is used to stirring up trouble, which is why we have you. Why did you suddenly bring this up? Did something go wrong with your meeting with Ai Xiaoxiao?”
“No, it’s nothing. Just complaining about having too much work,” Xia Liang muttered. “When it comes to fighting, why bother with the Old Fourth? It would be better to gather together for shelter.”
“Oh, you’re worried about them,” Zhu Yanchen said casually.
“…You’re thinking too much.”
“If you’re not concerned, it will only take a short time for you to point out the issues in the reports. Unfortunately, the activities of the Old Fourth are necessary. The lockdown in the city will only become tighter. Many things that cannot be traded openly will have to be handled by the Old Fourth.”
Xia Liang tightened her hood. “Alright, I’ll keep an eye on them.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“…Zhu Yanchen.”
“Hmm?”
“Over these years, as your subordinate, I am aware of your abilities. There is something I must say here—given the current situation, it’s only a matter of time before you become the leader. And for Shu Jun to protect the synthetic humans, he must win this war.”
“I know.”
“Even if the synthetic humans manage to avoid blaming ordinary people, they will definitely hold a grudge against the three major families, especially the Zhu family, which has been responsible for the player system. It’s impossible for them not to take action. In the current situation, it’s highly unlikely that they will be willing to shake hands and make peace with humans.”
“I know.”
“…When it comes to that point, how do you plan to end it?”
Zhu Yanchen glanced at Xia Liang but didn’t answer.
Xia Liang sighed as if having a headache, covering her face with one hand. “Fine, I understand. It’s another matter that needs to be kept secret, right? I won’t say anything else. I just hope that you won’t do anything foolish that sacrifices my happiness and the happiness of millions of families.”
“I won’t.”
After speaking, Zhu Yanchen lowered his head again and looked at the documents in front of him. However, Xia Liang’s words seemed to sting him. Marshal Zhu furrowed his brow. His gaze became unsteady, and he appeared noticeably distracted.
“I hope you say those words to Shu Jun instead.”
