Chapter 122 – Changes in the International Situation

In a single day in Ningnan, more than ten thousand people were killed or injured, and the economic losses were beyond measure.

Huaxia’s two consecutive press conferences, along with various speeches, triggered wave after wave of doubt and panic.

First, a video of a “large Xenospecies corpse in Ningnan” was suddenly revealed by a reporter during a press conference, causing massive chaos. The official in charge of speaking nearly slapped the table and rose to his feet in shock. After that came another press conference concerning the Xenospecies corpse, where a riot broke out because large numbers of citizens stormed the venue.

Everyone wanted to know what exactly was going on, and many others smugly believed they already knew what was going on.

But in reality, there was only one common fact that everyone understood clearly: this World had already changed.

Huaxia’s reaction had, in fact, already made people sense this… troops moving in at high speed, strict inspections, and the continuous disclosure of large stockpiles of supplies. From maintaining stability to imposing martial law, it had taken only a single day and night. That meant that at least in the eyes of the state machine, this was a prolonged war. The greatest trouble brought by the Xenospecies was that they were all hidden among the crowd, unknown in number and deeply concealed.

It was even possible that the pets beside people, the birds in the sky, had already transformed into Xenospecies.

Among the more than ten thousand dead and injured, quite a few had been Xenospecies uncovered during the riots, and those Xenospecies had also caused the military no small amount of damage.

But just when everyone thought the Ningnan Incident was already sensational enough, a certain country suddenly broke even more shocking news, news that seized the world’s attention in an instant.

“At ten o’clock this morning, local time, the prime minister met with Mr. X at his residence. Mr. X claims that he comes from distant outer space, and that the name of his race, translated into our Earth language, is Xenospecies. He stated that as a Xenospecies, he is very interested in humanity itself, especially human social systems and technological development, both of which he finds extremely astonishing.”

“During his meeting with the prime minister, he happily demonstrated all kinds of wondrous qualities possessed by the Xenospecies. He stated that human technology is, in their eyes, likewise filled with wonder, and that two different Wisdom Species can certainly communicate and exchange through more peaceful means…”

“This Wisdom Species is rather clever, but he stuffed himself into a human skin and claims he’s peaceful. Is he really not going to be exposed on the spot?” In a civilian residence, Ren Xiaoying lay sprawled on the sofa, watching the image on the computer as she spoke.

Very soon, she began talking to herself again. “Heh, what does that matter? As long as he gives some humans a reason to choose to believe him, that’s enough.” But as she spoke, a flash of coldness suddenly crossed her eyes. The computer screen in front of her popped with a sharp crack, throwing off a shower of sparks. Then black smoke rose, and the screen went dark.

Ren Xiaoying jumped down from the sofa and kicked aside a dried corpse lying by her foot with her bare foot. In a low voice, she said, “By comparison, the task on my side was completed terribly…”

Originally, manufacturing a Ningnan Incident could also be considered a brilliant achievement. But Lv Zifeng had exposed the Xenospecies corpses. By contrast, the military’s losses had been concealed, creating the illusion for the outside world that Xenospecies could not withstand a single blow. But what was the truth?

On the other hand, there was the disappearance of that other Wisdom Species.

They had clearly been so close. Why had it suddenly vanished?

This inexplicable failure made Ren Xiaoying’s pupils contract at once.

Bang, bang, bang!

A series of muffled sounds rang out one after another like firecrackers. The chandelier above her head, the television not far away, the desk lamp, and the glass window to one side all suddenly exploded in the same instant.

“It’s fine. I still have one last chance.” When Ren Xiaoying said this, a faint smile appeared on her face again. Her figure flickered, and in the next moment she was back on the sofa, hugging a throw pillow. At the same time, a music box shaped like a pair of crystal husband-and-wife figures appeared in her hands. She slowly wound it twice. As the crisp music rang out, Ren Xiaoying’s expression gradually became cheerful.

“Humans really are an interesting race…”

At the same time, at Su Lifeng’s home.

Su Lian also pressed the pause button at that very moment, then turned to look at Su Lifeng. “Ge, what do you think?”

“A small African country, even if it cooperates with the Xenospecies, shouldn’t be able to affect much, right?” Cheng Xiaomei was moving back and forth between the kitchen and the living room. Hearing this, she stopped and timidly added a sentence.

Su Lifeng thought for a moment, then said, “But it can influence the attitude of a group of people.”

“But didn’t our country release footage of the Xenospecies corpses? Even some surveillance videos of Xenospecies killing people in the street got leaked… Maybe the reason the internet and media weren’t completely blocked was because of this? And a lot of posts have also popped up promoting the danger of Xenospecies. They’re written with evidence and logic. You can tell at a glance they’re official pieces.” At this point, Su Lian silently clasped her hands together, pressed them under her chin, and lowered her head for a while before raising it again. “Even like this, will there still be people fantasizing about cooperating with Xenospecies?”

“Maybe. There are always people who won’t shed tears until they see the coffin. There are also people who’ll think cooperating with Xenospecies is fine as long as they’re not the ones getting hurt. There may even be people who want to profit from it…” When Su Lifeng said this, he naturally thought of Zhang Huazhu again.

Su Lian had clearly thought of that person too, and immediately furrowed her brow.

But then she narrowed her eyes slightly, grinning as she grabbed Su Lifeng’s arm and said, “Yushi-Jie went to Jiangnan Group. Maybe she’ll bring back some good news. She went alone without protection. Are you very worried?”

“A little,” Su Lifeng said, looking at her somewhat strangely before nodding.

“Hehe…” Su Lian immediately showed a crafty smile that said she understood everything.

Su Lifeng felt even more puzzled. He could not help reaching out to rub Su Lian’s head. “Did you go stupid?”

“… You hopeless nerd. No wonder you’re doomed to stay single forever!” Su Lian’s expression froze, and then she slapped Su Lifeng’s hand away in annoyance.

Cheng Xiaomei carried the food back to the table, her face slightly red as she coughed dryly. “Stop arguing. Come eat the dumplings.”

“Wait…” Su Lian glared at Su Lifeng again, then her expression suddenly changed. She turned back and clicked rapidly on the computer. “Looks like there’s news…”

“What news?” Su Lifeng’s heart stirred, and he quickly asked.

“Someone sent me a photo and asked if this was the place. If it is, he wants me to give him the reward… He also said he’s waiting online and it’s urgent. Ge, come look. Is this the place?” Su Lian said.

Su Lifeng leaned over. An enlarged photo appeared on the screen, but it had only captured the road sign.

“What does this mean?” Su Lifeng was excited for a moment, then frowned and asked.

“It means he wants to raise the price. Once I agree, he’ll use this photo to ask me for more money.” At this point, the corner of Su Lian’s mouth suddenly hooked upward. “But trying to jack up the price on the spot? Go try that stunt on someone else.”

As Su Lian operated the computer, Su Lifeng felt a little dazzled watching her. “What are you doing?”

“Negotiating the price with him, making him stay online, and finding his location while I’m at it. Since he wants to keep updating me with photos, he has to be in that place, right… Found him!” Very quickly, Su Lian pulled up a map.

On the map, a dot of light was blinking.

Su Lifeng looked at that place, and for some reason, his scalp went numb at once.

The ground collapse, and that hand, would appear there…