By dawn, whether they were onlookers waiting on the airship at the site or personnel from various institutions in the country who had received the news, they were almost certain—within the nuclear radiation zone, it might really be possible to avoid the doomsday demons’ invasion from underground.
However, more confirmation was still needed.
But now, many countries on the continent were in a state of anarchy. Faced with the sudden massive explosion, not everyone understood what it meant.
The atmosphere of panic added even deeper despair to the world on the eve of the apocalypse.
— “Ordinary citizens unable to reach the seawater-flooded areas, please prepare your daily necessities, head to the nearest explosion site in an orderly manner, and wait for our personnel’s arrangements.“
Listening to these voices that occasionally auto-switched through the radio from station to station, people had no idea what to do.
But they were still grateful, as being able to hear the radio was already a stroke of luck.
“That kind of explosion zone can protect us?“
“But how do we get there? The roads are no longer safe.“
“Anyway, it’s a new possibility! We’re all going to die anyway, might as well give it a try.“
For ordinary people, this information was just a chaos of truths and falsehoods, leaving them unable to discern reality.
Now, there was no authoritative institution capable of organizing people’s movements. Yet amid the stiff, paralyzed gatherings, a few who had grasped the latest information still tried to spread the word.
……
As he reads the report, the Prime Minister of Steffin realizes: the airships of the World Ark have already exerted influence over public opinion in the cities of nations worldwide to such an enormous degree.
“It has basically become synonymous with authority. ” The person opposite the desk reported, standing upright and straight.
A man dressed in a well-tailored, vintage aristocratic outfit, standing by the office, smiled as he looked at a book and spoke, addressing the aide presenting the report to the Prime Minister.
“In just a few short days, the World Ark reported on a train crossing the sea to another continent. The organization witnessed the Tirivian machine functioning normally on that continent. High-level officials from several nations gave speeches on it. And the day before yesterday, it provided a close, first-person perspective of witnessing a nuclear-level detonation site. “
“Indeed, the things they have done are too numerous and too concentrated. ” The Prime Minister leaned back in his chair.
The military-uniformed man opposite said, “So, Mr. Prime Minister. If we were to establish our own fleet of airships, we could only broadcast domestically at best, and the most crucial point is… “
“What is it? “
The man with an aristocratic demeanor smiled, looking at Prime Minister Stephin, who was staring back at the first man.
“It’s that we simply don’t have a radio signal distribution technology with that kind of range. And right now, there is also no suitable environment for researching and developing this technology. “
The answer was self-evident. Even if they could mobilize more airships, they could not replicate a propaganda organization.
The Prime Minister tapped his fingers on the desk. “In the end, we still have to rely on them to broadcast the existence of the refuge areas. “
Letting such an opportunity slip away to the Fogfolk, the Prime Minister lamented that sometimes, even as the master of a nation, there were things he could not accomplish immediately. The immortality and unfettered nature of the Fogfolk allowed them to cast aside everything to complete a certain task.
Fortunately, there was still time. He silently pondered to himself about how he could mobilize more resources after the apocalypse to create something that would make the people remember him forever.
Therefore, the propaganda for this shelter mobilization was better left to these foreign guests.
……
The safety of nuclear radiation had been confirmed.
Groups of people were organized, heading towards the pockmarked radiation-spread zones on the earth.
Understanding of nuclear radiation had become a mainstream concern for people around the world.
Half-life, instantaneous dose rate, sievert, background radiation differences… a series of terms appeared in newspapers, radio stations, and the propaganda from airships casting shadows over the cities, appearing in people’s conversations more frequently than everyday topics.
In this state, the chaos in the world actually lessened somewhat. Leaders of some nations that had originally disappeared began to emerge sporadically again.
Those bearing titles like Secretary of State, Senior Councilor, and City Governor began, in the name of their nations, to advocate that people wait outside these devilishly dormant regions according to the plans.
Wrapped in blankets, sheets, and clothes, people gazed in fear from afar at those ring-shaped, barren basin areas filled with deathly silence.
“Will we really get sick after we go in? ” Under the dark clouds, the little boy hiding in the woman’s arms looked up and asked.
“We will get sick, but everyone will. It’s no big deal. Compared to pain and illness, being able to survive is the best outcome. “
Many people felt some resistance in their hearts, but there was no way out. They hoped for a better choice, but everyone knew there were only fifteen days left. That kind of thing was basically impossible. Just having this scorched earth that even demons feared to approach was already a miracle.
Suddenly, some chanting reached the boy’s ears. The people sitting on the ground around him turned to look at the back of a middle school teacher standing on higher ground.
The person with hands clasped behind his back chanted loudly to the earth: “It is the devil’s grave, but also the cradle of hope. It is both the seed of fear and an irresistible seduction… “
……
“One hundred and three cities in total. “
The people in the room were talking to each other. Yang Zicang looked at the atlas in his hands and listened to their conversations.
On every page of this atlas was a photograph of the land after a nuclear explosion. He had never seen so many nuclear bomb craters before. They were like the craters on the moon or Mars, yet not quite so desolate. The city ruins along the edges and the traces of extinguished life made them feel even more chilling than the lonely ring mountains of the universe.
“Only half a month left. Some of the candidates recommended by the scientists have already come out. “
One person said, “To avoid too much interference from the times, I think we should wait until after the disaster is over to truly begin implementing this plan. “
In the apocalypse, the selected scientists are the easiest to be taken away by Ironvine all at once through various accidents.
So even now, the various “Fog Men ” are keeping their chosen individuals, selected from the vast ocean of scholars and researchers, in strict confidentiality, memorized only within their minds.
Because even if they are protected aboard an airship, with everyone’s constant attention, an accident could still truly arise from the inside. A single weak spark or electric arc could cause these giant balloons, lifted into the sky by hydrogen and helium, to burn and crash to the ground within seconds.
“If we are to start before that, we need to draft a detailed, foolproof plan. “
Everyone looked towards Yang Zicang.
“President Yang, can that train of yours transport the people we have selected to the edge of this era’s continent? “
Ning Jiajia and her team were still at sea. It’s like how people easily remember the world’s tallest peak, but only a few who pay particular attention will specifically look up the second-highest. The first action that created a new Track of Fate, drawing global attention, wouldn’t be as effective if simply replicated a second time.
“If we rely on the train to transfer these people out to sea, then after the apocalypse, when they return to the continent, will their research be constantly targeted? “
People looked around at each other; indeed, no one could be certain.
Yang Zicang put down the atlas in his hands and said, “My suggestion is: first, determine a ‘Silent Protocol’ for the personnel lists and technological objectives conference, and do not officially launch this plan until the world has passed through the apocalypse. “
Surrounded by dozens of people, they pondered for a moment, then all nodded in unison.
……
The heavy night wind howled, sweeping across the empty tarmac. Yang Zicang, in a thin trench coat and a naval officer’s cap, steadily descended the gangway of an aircraft covered in rivets. Zhao Anlong, following closely behind, also wore a peaked cap and a mask. Their silhouettes emerged before the eyes of those waiting.
A young man in his twenties stepped forward and said softly, “Welcome, both of you. May I ask if you require protective suits to be prepared? “
Yang Zicang looked at the ordinary-dressed man before him and listened to the ticking sound of temporal dislocation beginning to appear in his mind. The other person was a fellow countryman wearing the ear shells of a local. He spoke with a hint of admiration:
“No need. We will destroy these clothes on our way back. “
The young man nodded in understanding and turned to lead the way. The three of them crossed the edge of the flat square and entered a building that looked like an ordinary, old factory dormitory.
After entering, they passed through two concealed doors and walked along a long, frozen tunnel, until a brightly lit underground hall gradually appeared before the three of them.
The surrounding walls were covered with objects made of a material resembling reflective plastic. Upon entering the room, Yang Zicang and Zhao Anlong immediately sensed that such protection was likely of little use against radiation.
“Welcome, gentlemen. ” The twenty or so people in the room erupted in warm applause.
Some wore ordinary clothes, while others wore protective suits resembling those of astronauts, complete with glass visors and helmets. This was because they were in the Golden Shell heritage site, which emitted nuclear radiation incessantly—a decommissioned experimental zone that had once suffered a nuclear leak.
“Thank you.” Yang Zicang looked toward the few elderly individuals among them who wore protective suits. “You must be the founders of the Golden Shell.“
Zhao Anlong stepped forward with a brisk, determined gait to scrutinize the faces beneath the helmets, his expression shifting to one of surprise. They appeared very old, yet they remained vigorous and full of spirit.
The elderly men let out faint smiles. “We have survived to this day thanks to the persistent care and nurturing by Ms. Zhao Man and her friends.“
After getting acquainted with one another, a middle-aged man whose face seemed both serious and subtly cordial said:
“I am the organizer of this meeting, but not the one who initiated it.“
His gaze gently fell upon Yang Zicang for a moment before shifting away to the others in the room.
“Whoever takes up the role of initiator, the pioneer of a plan, will inevitably attract the keen attention of our times.“
Yang Zicang listened in silence to the words of the man who dared to bear the burden of that attention in his stead regarding the coming undertakings.
“Therefore, I have taken the liberty of filling in to organize the preliminary phase of this mission. My alias is Jin Baiyun.“
In the preceding night, Yang Zicang had received an invitation from the organizers of the Golden Shell heritage.
That was a seemingly ordinary and mediocre hometown fellow from the Mist State, always hidden in the shadows. After stating his intentions, he handed over the invitation for this meeting — the six elders of the Golden Cup Legacy greatly admired his actions and the objectives of the upcoming operation.
However, his declaration had drawn too much attention. Although it was a necessary step, if it continued this way, it would inevitably stir up a great deal of trouble.
So the other party suggested that the process of this operation needed to be modified.
All in order to bear the burden of the curse of fate’s misfortune for Yang Zicang!
And the six elderly men before him, relying on their years of research and experience in nurturing and evading the Science Demon, intended to be the vanguard team for this operation.
This was the reason for the birth of the “Six-Man Council. “
These few days were a brief period of epochal change, and no one knew what transformations might occur. The six of them sensed that they had already drawn the attention of the era and had received investment from the Blazing Light. They thought it better to push forward one last thrust in these final moments.
Even if it meant dying as bait, they would have done so willingly.
Such resolve moved Yang Zicang and led him to deep reflection.
The organizer said: “I hope that this action plan we undertake for exploration, comparable to a Scientific Vein, will also be like them—aimed not only at the operations on this Epoch Land but at the entire new Track of Fate. “
“But if you all see our meeting again on the next continent, the object of our research will no longer be radio and Tesla coils. Instead, it will be how to build houses without using stone and earth, how to create agricultural tools without iron. Do you understand what I mean? Ladies and gentlemen. “
The object of research…!
That was it! The surrounding Fogfolk all stiffened slightly. They glanced, with implicit meanings in their eyes, at Yang Zicang and Zhao Anlong, who had arrived last, lingering on Yang Zicang for an extra two seconds.
Feeling the sweep of these gazes, Yang Zicang knew that even the Fogfolk who were not by Shi Defen’s side were already aware of his bold declarations.
A veteran scientist from the bygone era pointed to the six rooms around them and said:
“We have studied some of the confidentiality procedures from the Science Heritage Preparatory Committees of the various nations. Therefore, each of us will conduct independent research on our own respective technological thread of the ‘Alternate Path,’ without interfering with one another. “
“This is a small insight we’ve gained over the years. ” said another. “Because our initial team was far larger than the scale we have now. “
The surrounding Fogfolk were all visibly moved.
Several who had arrived yesterday or during the day whispered a few words. They looked up, their gazes shifting back and forth between Jin Baiyun and Yang Zicang. One, as if trying to smooth things over, cleared his throat, moistened his throat, and spoke up with a suggestion:
“Mr. Jin, since we have Chairman Yang here, whom we all, the esteemed Jinbei scientists, admire most, why not have him designate an operational code name for this mission of ours? “
Jin Baiyun glanced at Yang Zicang and nodded. “That would be the best. “
Yang Zicang gave a faint smile.
“I know. In fact, this might be our last chance to conduct research. What follows will be the Agricultural Era. If we attempt our current scientific investigations back then, all fundamental equipment will likely turn into nightmares. “
Everyone nodded. After all, the Secret Box of the Scientific Vein, once sent to the next Great Age of the continent, would only become silent buoys and seeds, drifting through the era, biding their time. For the time being, they could not manifest as the soil for the birth of science.
And the action plan proposed by Chairman Yang, on the other hand, was precisely the bayonet aimed at cutting open a new scientific path for the era.
_”Since our goal is to create technology that does not belong to this age…
_”…In this imprisoned era, where everything man-made will become corrupted nightmares, to rewind the spring of science and let it march forward, how about we name our group’s overall plan for this session of the Six-Person Council…
“‘Unveiling the Future.’ “
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