Chapter 849 - This Game Is Too Realistic

### Chapter 849: Countdown to War **Jingalon Port.** **Alliance Military Base.** Seated meticulously on a bench near a save point, Fang Chang flipped through the pages of the *Survivor Daily*. Due to work involving Baiyue Company, he had returned to Dawn City earlier this month. Subsequently, he traveled to Ideal City to handle affairs for Changyue Group. It wasn't until last night, after much traveling, that he finally returned to Jingalon Port. He had been keeping up with the situation in the Boro Province through forums and had even offered some of the newcomers involved in the event a few rudimentary suggestions. Still, to better understand the local situation, he took the advice of Governor’s Office Secretary Yuedu to buy a bound edition of the *Survivor Daily* from the newspaper agency. The *Survivor Daily* in this region, based on Dawn City's *Survivor Daily*, had devised its own innovative publishing method. With local breaking news constantly emerging, reprints occurred regularly, making it easy to miss crucial information if not followed closely. And in this bustling port of finance and trade, information equaled currency. Thus, at the readers' request, the *Survivor Daily* compiled headlines and special editions from each month into a comprehensive collection for enthusiasts to devour or collect. There were also "quarterly compendiums" and "annual compendiums," with the covers typically featuring the individuals influencing those periods the most. Dawn City, Boulder City, and other settlements swiftly adopted this publication style. Though Jingalon Port's *Survivor Daily* was an imitator of the former, the Alliance didn’t mind. After all, as leaders have said, even progress emerging from a decaying coffin is still progress. The quarterly compendium of Jingalon Port’s *Survivor Daily*, detailing the events of recent times, was what Fang Chang currently held in his hands. - **“Back from the Dead! Survivor of Church Massacre Returns to Xifan Port; Is Silver Moon Goddess Demonstrating Miracles?”** - **Abusek Publishes Public Statement, Claims He Authorized Anwo to Secretly Transfer Church Survivors, Announces Reform Shouldn't Be Bloodshed-Driven, Not Even with Velantean Blood.** - **Boro Representative Anwo Reveals Unknown Details of Xifan Port Massacre to Media! Orders for Civilian Massacre Came Directly from Janusz, Over Two Hundred Survivors in Limbo!** - **“Pangolin,” Envoy Representing Triumph City, Arrested by Southern Legion, Exposing Intense Internal Legion Factional Struggles!** - **Second Spark of Fire?! Xifan Port Massacre Recurs! Numerous Civilian Organizations, Including Family Association, Decimated by Legion; Numerous Alliance Individuals Expelled.** - **Xifan Port Government Issues Edict to Ban Family Association! Over 7,000 Members Arrested, Nearly 1,000 Executed!** - **Alliance Foreign Minister Cheng Yan Condemns Southern Legion’s Barbarism, Demands Immediate Cessation of Innocent Survivor Persecution!** - **Boro Upper Echelons Suspected Internal Strife?! “Leopard King” Negli Harshly Criticizes Abusek’s Appeasement, Allegedly Hands Xifan Survivors Over to Legion Executions!** - **Military Advice Popular?! Tensions in Heavens yet Again! Grassroots Officers Protest, Demanding Government to Abandon Xifan-Related Treaties, Complete Rupture!** - **Abusek Passively Responds to Grassroots Officer Demands, Expresses Boro’s Current Inability to Reclaim Xifan Port, Won’t Abandon Negotiations with Triumph City.** - **General Gulion Firmly Responds to Alliance Criticism, Declares Xifan Port a Gift from Empire to Legion, Alliance Has No Say, Continues Reinforcing Xifan Port Area!** - **Public Fury! Xifan Port Incident Hits Dawn City *Survivor Daily*!** - **Boulder City Workers Union Chairman/City Lord Lovett Vows Not to Abandon Suffering Workers, Boulder City to Support Xifan Port in Its Own Way!** - **Protests Erupt Across Jingalon Port, Tiger State, Leopard State, Mammonth State; Participants Mostly Young Workers, Officers, Students; Demand Government Declare War on Southern Legion.** - **Jingalon Port Craftsmen Denounce Federation for Weakness; Legion Provokes Repeatedly, Federation Douses Its Own People!** - **Family Association Flees to Boro for Asylum; President Zaid Gives Insightful Interview to This Paper’s Frontline Journalist about Unjust Treatment of Workers in Xifan Port.** - **Tough Guy or Coward? Xifan Port Demands Boro Extradite Family Association President Zaid, Abusek Refuses Firmly Yet Wary of Family Association!** - **Frontline Tensions Continue Rising, Southern Legion Deploys 902mm Howitzers!** - **Negotiation Success! Under Alliance Mediation, Boro Province States Sign Ceasefire Agreement!!** - **Gray Wolf Army Defeated, Former Members Roaming in West of Ma State.** - **Nearly 2,000 Officers from Mammonth State, Tiger State, Leopard State, Lowell State Head to Heavens! Boro Province United Front Initially Formed!** The final report was about the Emperor of Xilan, although it consisted of only a few words. - **“Death of Wudu.”** After finishing the newspaper, Fang Chang folded it and set it aside. At that moment, Old Bai, who had just concluded a lecture for the young officers in Jingalon Port, approached and sat beside Fang Chang with a smile. "You didn't say a word when you arrived? I thought you were still on the plane." Fang Chang chuckled softly. "I landed last night and then had meetings at the Governor's Office. Haven't had a moment to rest... I was planning to go offline and talk to you later, but since the save point is right here in the barracks, I thought I'd just come over." "Wait a moment for me." After saying this, Old Bai rose and went to the automated vending machine next to the save point, returning with two cans of coffee, one of which he handed to Fang Chang. Taking the coffee, Fang Chang pulled the tab, bringing it to his lips for a sip. "Thank you... By the way, there’s even a vending machine here." "Well, this save point has been here for almost two months," Old Bai remarked jokingly, "Speaking of which, how's the space elevator project going? Smooth progress?" Fang Chang replied casually. "It's going well. I don't know what happened, but the Academy suddenly changed their previously uncooperative stance and even offered to transfer the gravity well technology to us." Old Bai raised an eyebrow. "What's the catch?" Fang Chang nodded. "It's not cheap—there's a whole list of conditions longer than a corporate contract... In short, they're looking for a technology buy-in. Once the space elevator is complete, we need to build a colony ship for them, same specs as Ideal City's beached *Endurance*. In return, they'll return their shares." Old Bai chuckled wryly. "That's probably more expensive than the space elevator itself." He had seen the *Endurance*. Even the tallest buildings in Ideal City looked like toothpicks next to it. Fang Chang nodded. "It does seem that way, but there are benefits for us as well. If they want us to build the ship, they have to provide us with the relevant technology. They've been cataloging the technological legacies of the Prosperity Era for two centuries. That’s a treasure trove." Old Bai paused, rubbing his chin in thought. "Come to think of it, it's quite worth it." Fang Chang smiled slightly. "It's more than worth it... Our friends in Ideal City couldn't believe it. They spent over a century trying to pry open the Academy's lips, and we managed it in just a couple of years, and got so much out of them." "Ideal Group engineers are already thinking about how to apply anti-gravity technology to architecture, paving the way for new profit streams... Naturally, the same applies to us. We've got plenty of untouched fields where we can advance even faster." From his dealings with the Alliance's leaders, he was certain that the Chief never engaged in unprofitable ventures. The man surely foresaw this outcome from the start. Now the space elevator is transitioning from a non-profit research project into an international venture promising mutual benefits for all involved. Although most games grant NPCs with advantages for balance and gameplay, he couldn't help but admire Chuguang's methods. In both capability and vision, that person was unparalleled. "...There's not much to say about the space elevator; it's currently a matter for scholars and engineers. Our job is to create a stable environment for them to fully express their talents and ideas." "But the most pressing issue now is the situation in Boro Province. This land has already dragged in all the major survivor forces from the entire Zhongzhou continent." Fang Chang paused for a moment, sipped his coffee, and looked at Old Bai before continuing. "By the way, have they figured out the cause of Wudu's death?" The timing of his death was too coincidental, hard to believe it wasn't planned somehow. Old Bai's expression turned peculiar. "You might not believe this... he died of diabetes." "Dia... diabetes?" Fang Chang was taken aback, utterly perplexed. In reality, many incurable diseases can only be managed over time, but in the wasteland, they are mere trivialities, easily treatable with multiple solutions available. For instance, the simplest solution could be replacing malfunctioning body parts. If all else fails, a touch from Little Yu might even take a gamble on a glorious evolution. In this cyberpunk era surpassing 2077, it's inconceivable for Fang Chang that anyone would die from diabetes. Even if he didn't have Alliance healthcare, he surely wasn't lacking in funds! Old Bai’s expression was equally complex. "According to his medical records, a few months ago, he was taken to a hospital on the outskirts of Jingalon Port for an examination, during which they diagnosed him with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Doctors recommended an implant, but a group of Empire ministers together objected, opting for drug treatment instead." Pausing, Old Bai sighed and said: "You're not the only one surprised; I think those ministers had ulterior motives. They were sobbing crocodile tears, secretly hoping he'd die sooner rather than later." From the emperor’s or royal family's perspective, the Alliance, which had no interest in land, seemed more reliable than the Legion, even though their relations were closer with the Legion. However, from the ministers' perspective, it wasn't the same. The kingdom was never theirs to begin with, and working under different masters made little difference. That's the problem with feudal systems: a seemingly solid entity is actually sustained through internal strife between classes, rendering the Empire a behemoth with negative cohesion output. Now that Wudu was dead, Xilan had finally exhaled its last breath. "Let the local police handle Wudu's cause of death. There's little reason for us to get involved; it's meaningless. He couldn’t achieve much while alive, let alone after his death." Touching his nose, Fang Chang asked: "What about the Legion? They might have been the ones who did it, and I bet they heard the news before we did." Old Bai nodded, his expression serious. "Our intelligence aligns with your suspicions. The Legion announced the Emperor’s death almost immediately after Wudu died, while Prince Dilipe on the ship was still brainstorming ways to contain the news on board..." Fang Chang showed a wry smile. "What was he thinking?" It's like covering your ears so others can't hear—a foolish endeavor. Old Bai shook his head. "Who knows? Maybe Wudu told him something. Only he knows… Shortly afterward, Crown Prince Akbar, exiled to Xifan Port, declared his ascension to the throne and set the coronation ceremony for three days from now." Pausing, Old Bai continued: "Meanwhile, General Gulion, commander of the southern Legion’s operations in Boro Province, issued a final ultimatum to Mammoth Nation, demanding they withdraw from the northern three states and return illegally occupied territory within 72 hours." Fang Chang's eyes narrowed slightly. "If Rasheed accepts their demands, their next target will be Boro's Niu State." "Indeed," Old Bai nodded, "We’ve communicated with Rasheed... he’s quite reasonable, unlike Abusek. He never harbors any illusions about negotiating with the Legion." "Abusek is our biggest liability," Fang Chang's gaze fell on the newspaper beside him. "Unlike Rasheed, he lacks the courage to act ruthlessly or to relinquish power. His indecision is a major flaw." Old Bai sighed. "Vanus is also worried about him, but there’s little option. Not every card we hold can be an ace." "True enough... there are only seventy-two hours left before the war begins." Placing his coffee on the bench, Fang Chang picked up the newspaper again. "Fortunately, we’ve established a united front. The only remaining concern is if the southern Legion, under the guise of the Xilan Empire, declares war on Mammoth Nation. It’d be an internal imperial conflict, and a direct military intervention from us might undo what the Cohesive Entity has achieved." Not just the Cohesive Entity’s achievements – the Battle of the Setting Sun might have to be fought again. If this fire spreads, the entire Zhongzhou continent might be engulfed. Previously, the Alliance faced the eastern expansion faction of the Eastern Legion, weakened by the Great Rift. Now, they confront the united southern Legion. This issue is not just about the battlefield; the complexities extend far beyond it. Seeing Fang Chang deep in thought, Old Bai smiled. "Actually, you needn't worry about this. The Administrator called just yesterday regarding this matter." Fang Chang put down the newspaper, looking curiously at Old Bai. "What did he say over the phone?" Old Bai grinned. "He told us not to worry. After our foreign minister’s visit to Jingalon Port, introductions by Bannout facilitated negotiations with the Eastern Legion's capital, achieving certain results." "I'm not privy to the details, but the Eastern Legion explicitly stated they won't partake in any war initiated solely by the southern Legion. They wish to be treated as a 'separate entity,' not an offshoot of Triumph City or an ally of the southern Legion." Fang Chang was surprised but then asked: "What about Triumph City?" Old Bai continued: "Triumph City feels the same. They even wish we'd deliver a harsh lesson to the southern Legion, akin to the Great Rift's blow to the Eastern Legion. While they can't offer us extensive support, they assure that our cooperation won’t be disrupted, nor will the war escalate into a full-scale conflict. However, they hope we can minimize civilian casualties, keeping the conflict confined to our territories." "Based on these discussions, the Administrator issued new directives for the frontlines. Unless the southern Legion declares war on us directly, we won’t declare war either, maintaining equal military response strategies." Witnessing Fang Chang's surprise, Old Bai smiled widely. "If they invade Boro Province as mercenaries, assisting the pseudo-Xilan regime in their ambitions, then we'll scatter to the front lines, joining as volunteers!" … With Crown Prince Akbar's ascension and the southern Legion's ultimatum issued, the fuse on the powder keg of Boro Province was lit. The war between the Xilan Empire's exiled government and Mammoth Nation entered its final countdown. Both sides escalated their border preparations—on one side, Velantean "mercenaries"; on the other, Moon Tribe resistors and volunteers from the Alliance. Matters neither conspiratorial nor overtly treacherous would ultimately be resolved on the battlefield. Any astute observer could discern who each warring faction's backers were and what their objectives entailed. Even detecting such clues, people could merely hope that the catastrophe wouldn't spread more widely than necessary. On the ground, the War Atmosphere Group boarded a ship bound for Triumph City, with Penny accompanying him. Yarman fulfilled his promise, using his fleet to open a route from Xifan Port for survivors to seek refuge in the Sea's Edge Province. There, displaced Moon Tribe members, disbanded Expeditionary Forces, and other wasteland survivors would strive to build a new home upon barren land, save for hope. Simultaneously, thirty of the Legion's ten-thousand-strong divisions disembarked at Xifan Port, completing their pre-invasion preparations. The port was teeming with military personnel. Yet in distant Dawn City, just like the southern Legion's capital Avent, there was no sign of an impending war on the streets. This was precisely Chuguang's intent. Since the war wasn't escalating into an all-out conflict, there was no need for general mobilization. Moreover, the Alliance is no longer the struggling small organization that once teetered on the brink of destruction. There's a myriad of tasks that need attention, making it impractical to fully commit to every single issue. **Number One Conference Room, Alliance Headquarters.** Chuguang sat quietly at the conference table, passing time by browsing forums. He amused himself by reading behind-the-scenes discussions about his purported good looks, awaiting the start of the meeting. After about twenty minutes, he sighed lightly and addressed the holographic screen. "Not ready yet, Xiao Qi?" A soft blue holographic projection sprang from the side of the screen, and Xiao Qi looked at him apologetically. "Sorry, Master... The communication distance is just too vast, and the conditions in the Great Deserts are extremely unstable. Our lines are fine, but it seems like they haven't connected on their end." The Eastern Legion has done minimal development in the Great Deserts, almost none, merely setting up a few exploratory stations recently in the west. Thanks to this setup, both parties managed to establish "cross-regional" communications through Frontier City as a "signal relay station," in addition to deploying a few command vehicles and radio stations. Nonetheless, intermittent signal issues persist—as is the case now. "You don’t need to apologize for someone else's oversight. I'm just in the habit of nudging things along," Chuguang glanced at the time displayed on the screen. "It seems our friends aren’t particularly eager for this meeting. Perhaps rescheduling would be more appropriate." His time wasn’t infinite; he couldn’t afford to wait indefinitely. Just as Chuguang was about to rise and leave, the exclamation-marked communication icon on the holographic screen suddenly flickered with a signal. "Got it!" Xiao Qi's eyes lit up, and she promptly vanished from the screen. Simultaneously, a gentle blue light illuminated the front of the conference table, gradually revealing a fragmented holographic image emerging from the beam. “Ahem! Greetings for the first time, esteemed leader of the Alliance. Unfortunately, our communications officer encountered a sandstorm, so my apologies for keeping you waiting... I hope it wasn't too long.” Though the face before him was unremarkable, Chuguang wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with it. Over the past year, communication between the Eastern Legion and the Alliance hadn't been infrequent. He'd had various opportunities to come across it. However, this was the first face-to-face interaction. Putting away his holographic computer pen, Chuguang calmly regarded the man standing in the holographic beam, maintaining a composed and amiable smile. “Indeed, I have been waiting for quite a bit, but thankfully, it seems the wait was worthwhile.” Pausing briefly, he continued. "…It's a pleasure to meet you, Commander of the Eastern Legion, Mr. Salen." **To be continued.**