Chapter Sixty-One: Unity!

It is not enough to merely have a concept; it must be manufactured, tested through a series of experiments, and finally mass-produced before it can be used in real combat.

At this moment, Chu Xiao had come up with an even better idea.

"I have a good idea! Listen to me first!" Chu Xiao had pondered for a long time before deciding to speak.

Harris, the representative from the American research team, was visibly displeased upon hearing this.

"We don’t have time! What ideas could you possibly have? You’re not even a weapons specialist!" Harris, a recipient of the Nobel Prize in this field, considered himself persuasive in such matters.

The researchers from Kyushu looked at him with clear distaste.

It must be said that people like Harris—arrogant and disrespectful toward Chu Xiao—were truly repulsive. If it weren’t for his status as a researcher, they would have longed to throw him out and give him a beating.

"Fine, but let me finish, alright? I may not be a researcher, but I understand these things."

"In my previous life, I experienced a war just like this one and know how terrifying the Lord of the Underworld is! It’s absolutely not as easy as it seems! I believe you all have started to realize this."

"I’ve dismantled all sorts of machines from the Underworld. When it comes to weapons used in war, I am no less experienced than any of you!"

"So, can you listen to me now?" Chu Xiao spoke every word with calm authority.

His outburst stunned everyone into silence.

Harris opened his mouth, but in the end, said nothing.

For although Harris specialized in weapons research, he had never set foot on the battlefield and could not meet the demands of war, nor could he create weapons suited to the current situation.

"I say, we don’t need to urgently develop such a weapon! What we should focus on is the head: how to evenly disperse the beam is the most important thing! Understand?"

"This research is relatively simple and can save a lot of time, and production will be fast."

"Divide the internal laser cannon into several lines, directing the beams separately. It doesn’t have to be a new weapon; even components will suffice!"

Chu Xiao’s plan was undoubtedly superior.

Compared to inventing a new weapon, it was much more efficient.

"Is there anyone who disagrees? If so, raise your hand!" Chu Xiao asked cleverly.

Everyone looked at each other, but not a single hand was raised.

Harris had wanted to raise his hand, but seeing that no one else did, he forced himself to stay still.

In Kyushu, they could only listen to the Kyushu people now.

Chu Xiao quickly set a clear target; all that remained was for the researchers to execute it.

The production of weapon components proceeded swiftly. The fiber optics of the transmission laser cannon were split into several strands, each fitted with apertures pointing in different directions, and a few manual control devices were added—success seemed within reach.

Only testing and production remained.

Yet during the experiment, something unexpected occurred.

A loud explosion erupted, but it was not the laser cannon’s projectile—it was the cannon itself.

That’s right! The laser cannon itself had exploded!

There was one casualty.

Chu Xiao hurried outside, only to find debris scattered everywhere and a body blown to pieces.

"Protective suits! Why weren’t they wearing protective suits? Why?" Chu Xiao shouted. Failed experiments were normal, but casualties were not. Why had the victim not worn a protective suit?

If he had, he might have been thrown by the blast, but his life would not have been in danger, nor would his body have been so horribly destroyed.

At that moment, Ren Boyuan stepped forward. "It was Harris who said there was no need for suits. The experimenter was also an American researcher."

"We tried to stop them, but he wouldn’t listen."

Ren Boyuan’s words were true; anyone asked would have said the same.

Harris’s face had turned a sickly shade. He had thought his design was flawless, but now it was clear there was a major problem.

"So what if it was me? I didn’t expect the laser cannon to explode. I think Mr. Chu’s suggestion was the problem!" Harris refused to acknowledge his own mistake, instead blaming others.

Fortunately, the casualty was an American. Had it been a Kyushu researcher, Harris would have been torn apart by the Kyushu team.

"You should leave. I don’t think Kyushu can accommodate you any longer," Chu Xiao declared. He believed keeping Harris around would only spell trouble for Kyushu.

Harris sneered. "You say I should leave, and I must leave? Why? Just because you’re a reincarnator?"

"Now there’s a treaty between America and Kyushu. I came at your invitation, and now you want to expel me? Why?"

"Am I, Harris, some pet you can summon and dismiss at will?" Harris almost shouted the words.

Chu Xiao frowned. "No. It’s simply that you no longer belong here."

"And who do you think you are? I want to see the Chief! Now! I want to see the Chief!" Harris demanded.

Just as Chu Xiao was feeling troubled, a deep voice rang out behind him, "If you wish to see me, you must still leave! Kyushu does not need such an uncooperative ally. Please leave at once!" The Chief’s words were polite enough.

"And furthermore, never look down on any Kyushu citizen. If the casualty today had been one of ours, your life would have paid for it! Also, Chu Xiao’s word carries the same weight as mine!" With these final words, the Chief left Harris with no dignity.

Seeing this, Harris could only snort coldly and turn away.

Behind him, cheers erupted!

"Wonderful! He’s finally gone!"

"Wow! Ah! He’s finally gone!"

"So excited!"

...

"Enough! Get back to work, and take care of the remains—find a place to bury them," Chu Xiao quickly put a stop to their celebration. Time was precious.

No one could say when the Lord of the Underworld’s army would return, but it likely wouldn’t be long.

"Yes, General Chu!"

Everyone saluted and returned to their tasks.

Work resumed, efficient and orderly. The cause of the explosion was quickly summarized: the force distributed among the fiber optics was uneven, with one bearing too much load, thus causing the explosion.

The priority now was to ensure the force was evenly distributed among each fiber optic so the cannon wouldn’t explode.

Greater control over force was essential.