Chapter Forty-Two: Destroy the Computer! Destroy the Television!

Certainly not going to say so much!

“No! I won’t!” Yin Gang shouted, clutching his computer as he jumped out the window.

“Don’t!” Wan Ke reacted too late, rushing forward to save Yin Gang.

Fortunately, he managed to grab an edge of his clothing.

“Sir, please don’t be so agitated. We’re only carrying out our orders!”

“Carrying out orders? Why must you destroy my computer? Why! I won’t allow it!” Yin Gang glared at Wan Ke, his eyes ablaze with fury.

Now Yin Gang was suspended high above the ground, still clutching his computer tightly, refusing to let go for even a moment.

Wan Ke felt himself losing his grip—this man weighed nearly two hundred pounds, and he was still holding onto his computer! If he didn't pull him up quickly, Wan Ke feared he might fall along with the man!

“Sir! Please, stop struggling! Let me help you up!” Wan Ke realized that insisting he abandon the computer would only provoke resistance.

Yet Yin Gang shouted, “Get away! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning—you want to save me, then find some way to destroy my computer!”

“I won’t let you succeed! Let go of me! Without my computer, I’d rather die!” After cursing, Yin Gang began swinging wildly, trying to break free from Wan Ke’s grasp.

Wan Ke knew his duty as a soldier—to never give up on a civilian’s life. Thankfully, his comrades arrived just in time, grabbing hold of him.

“Stop this! Come up quickly!” Wan Ke’s veins bulged, his face flushed.

“No! I won’t!” Yin Gang kept struggling, even reaching out to pry Wan Ke’s fingers loose.

At that moment, the computer slipped from Yin Gang’s arms and plummeted to the ground below.

“No!” Yin Gang screamed, and Wan Ke’s attention was drawn toward the falling device.

Yin Gang then pried Wan Ke’s hands apart, plunging toward the earth.

Blood sprayed everywhere, flecking the onlookers.

“Someone’s dead!”

“Someone’s dead!”

…

The crowd fled in terror.

Wan Ke was stunned—he had never expected someone would risk everything for a computer.

Chu Xiao received the news and was equally shocked.

It was beyond his imagination that someone would sacrifice their precious life for a computer.

If nothing is done, panic will surely ensue.

Number One stood nearby, his brows furrowed in worry. He understood the gravity of the situation.

“Bring in those responsible at the scene!” Number One spoke in a deep voice.

“Yes, sir!” Ji Kaicheng saluted crisply and departed.

A quarter hour later, Wan Ke was brought in by Ji Kaicheng.

Though Wan Ke was a soldier and had seen death before, he hadn’t expected that despite his efforts to save a life, he would fail.

“Sit down! Have some tea!” Number One noticed Wan Ke’s distress. He knew what a blow this was to a soldier’s heart.

Chu Xiao fixed his gaze on Wan Ke, saying nothing.

“It’s all my fault! I failed to save him!” Wan Ke dropped to his knees with a thud—he dared not sit down, fully aware of the magnitude of the disaster he had caused.

The state was trying its utmost to suppress the incident, but it still dominated the headlines. Some even uploaded videos.

Headline—“Kyushu Soldiers Drive Civilian to Death, All for Completing Their Mission!”

Number One lifted Wan Ke up. “It’s not your fault! Get up! I have more to say.”

Wan Ke did not move, feeling his own dereliction deeply.

Number One sighed. “I watched the video—I saw you doing your best to save him. This isn’t your fault!”

“It’s our own lack of foresight.”

Wan Ke looked at Number One in surprise.

“Thank you, Commander!” Wan Ke cried out gratefully, tears welling in his eyes.

Chu Xiao watched coldly from the side, as if none of it concerned him.

“That’s enough!” Chu Xiao refused to waste any more time. “Let’s focus on finding a solution!”

“I believe we should host a live broadcast, so everyone can see and understand, and express our gratitude.” Chu Xiao, in truth, had already made up his mind.

“Furthermore, if anyone else attempts suicide, let them take their computers and leave the city!” Chu Xiao would not allow all of Kyushu to be buried with these individuals.

If someone insists on keeping their computer, let them live and die with it as they please!

Number One did not object; it was the best option available.

Wan Ke looked at Chu Xiao, full of astonishment.

This youth before him, though barely more than a teenager, already possessed such decisive judgment—he radiated an imperial air!

“Spread the word—tomorrow at eight in the morning, the broadcast begins! Everyone must watch! To ensure no one misses it, audio broadcasts are necessary as well!” Chu Xiao considered every angle, every possibility.

Number One said nothing—the youth before him had worked too long under the pressure of the Lord of the Underworld!

He withheld news of the Lord of the Underworld’s movements to lighten Chu Xiao’s burden.

At this moment, Chu Xiao’s entire being radiated one word—tension!

January 24th, 7:00 a.m. Thirty-six days remain until the Lord of the Underworld awakens!

The broadcast began.

Chu Xiao wasted no words, launching straight into the topic.

“I am Chu Xiao. I have something to say: when a great enemy is at our gates, I hope all will refrain from foolish actions!”

“Yesterday, as you all know, a man chose death over surrendering his computer. Our staff pleaded with him, tried desperately to save him, yet he insisted on jumping off the building for his computer.”

“The nation is in crisis. Only thirty-six days remain until disaster strikes. Everyone is urgently engaged in the movement of ‘National Mass Production!’ If you insist on keeping your computer, you destroy the hard work of everyone—what right do you have?”

“I hope, in the face of the apocalypse, all will unite and stand together against our enemy!”

“If you refuse to cooperate, then take your computers, televisions, and so forth, leave the city, and find your own shelter!”

Chu Xiao’s final words were nearly shouted. He could not understand how, with disaster looming, people could still care only for themselves!

Number One watched Chu Xiao’s broadcast backstage, his brows knitted.

Though only in his early twenties, Chu Xiao now carried the aura of a man in his forties or fifties. The fierce determination in his eyes was not something ordinary people possessed!

“I, Chu Xiao, have said my piece. Think it over for yourselves!” Chu Xiao slammed the microphone to the ground and strode out of the studio without a backward glance.

Wang Lulu watched Chu Xiao’s broadcast, tears streaming down her face.

“How did you become like this?”

“I will find you! I will not give up on you!” Her gentle voice carried unprecedented resolve.

The people, upon seeing the broadcast, were stunned.

Kyushu would no longer cherish every individual life, but rather the lives of the majority.

Chu Xiao returned to his room, calmed himself briefly, and then decided to join Wan Ke in carrying out their duties.