Chapter 910 - This Game Is Too Realistic

Chapter 910: The Union Isn’t a Wish-Granting Machine Chu Guang stayed in Weifu City for three whole days. Apart from the first day, when he listened to Li Jinrong's work report, he spent the remaining two days wandering around the settlement according to the "strategy guides" posted by players on the forum. Unlike the monotonous Qidian City, every district and even each street in this settlement is imbued with stories. Take Kun Town, for example. This street, spun from a whimsical idea of the players, has become the most bustling area in Weifu City. Especially after the lads from the 100th Mountain Division of the enterprise brought Brother Mosquito's Kun brand to Ideal City, the street has been filled with "players" from Ideal City. No one saw it coming, not even Brother Mosquito himself. Although his initial intent was to make a little profit while goofing around, he never anticipated that the complex game rules and the storytelling cards would unexpectedly become a sensation across Ideal City—at least catching the eye of some hobbyists. Delving into the deeper reasons, it might be inseparable from the vast and barren sea of digital data in Ideal City. The rapid exchange of information renders each fragmented piece of it meaningless, colorful yet hollow like a kaleidoscope. It is precisely because of this that, when they stepped away from the endpoint cloud’s information service and the speed of information exchange slowed, they rediscovered the joy of simplicity. In short, now, Kun Town in Weifu City, like its neighbor Qidian City, has become a spiritual home for another wave of Ideal City residents. Wandering around the town are quite a few backpackers who flew over from the East Coast to "pay homage." And because of these folks, this little town on the wasteland has unexpectedly shown signs of a "postmodern renaissance," birthing numerous creative art works. For instance, derivative works related to Kun cards and some independent pieces infused with players’ bizarre ideas. Ideal City’s residents brought not only the wild ideas from the endpoint cloud but also related technologies. For example, holographic projection technology that blurs the line between reality and illusion, and virtual reality technology for complete dream immersion. Although these art forms are a bit too advanced for the wasteland dwellers, they surprisingly resonate with players from another world. Moreover, Chu Guang heard that local life profession players, in cooperation with engineers from Ideal City, developed a unique system called "Super Dream." This system connects to the retinal nerves, stores captured visual signals within a chip, and reproduces them through special reading devices. This system significantly reduces the development cost of immersive virtual reality system visual works and games, enhancing the realism of the imagery—an achievement akin to the old era when people installed cameras on their phones. Creating virtual reality games and films used to be a privilege of professional directors, but now anyone can become a director; all it takes is installing a prosthetic device and inserting a chip to create your own work. Thanks to this invention, "Wasteland OL" further strengthened the "death playback" and "real-time recording" functions. Previously, these functions primarily relied on the head-mounted camera of an action recorder, which was not as convenient as the "Super Dream" system. As for related laws and regulations, the representative council will naturally discuss them as per practical needs. In the meantime, the players who developed the device also imposed some restrictions in accordance with the “Player Handbook,” such as restrictions on the distribution of restricted imagery and classification review standards. Besides the advances in arts and technology, the survivors in Weifu City also made remarkable progress in the economic and industrial realms. Neat and clean buildings sprout like bamboo shoots after spring rain, stretching along the straight streets, whereas two years ago, this place was a deserted wasteland. According to Li Jinrong's report, 170,000 wasteland dwellers have settled here. They include pioneers from Boulder City and Dawn City, wasteland dwellers roaming Jinchuan and Yue Ma provinces, and even folks from far-off Yun Jian province, the West Coast Welandts, and settlers from Wandering Swamp. Of particular note are the inhabitants of the marshlands, who brought with them resource exploration and extraction technologies passed down from the Scientific Committees, as well as scrap recycling techniques learned from scavenger groups in the northern Valley Province. With these technologies, they obtained loans from the Union's bank, established resource extraction companies, and tapped into pre-war city ruins to extract nutrients buried for two centuries, transforming them into industrial lifeblood transported via rail to the Union's industrial areas. Apart from resource utilization, the locals also wisely used the wind resources of Ten Peaks Mountain, erecting cylindrical windmills atop the cloud-reaching peaks. Notably, this is the handiwork of South Sea Union's North Island Heavy Industries. The survivors there excel in utilizing sustainable renewable energy, having honed this ability to perfection over a century. While the electricity generated from wind power isn't as massive or cheap as that from controllable fusion reactors, it suffices for Weifu City with its population of 170,000. They even export surplus electricity to Qidian City, exchanging it for agricultural products and light industrial consumer goods produced there. This is more economical than running a power line from Dawn City. Although controllable fusion is efficient, Helium-3 resources diminish with usage. Until lunar flights resume, the Union’s energy resources aren’t abundant enough to be squandered. Additionally, extending along the Wei River are ever-expanding farmlands, and zones burgeoning along highways and railroads. Many expeditionary troops from Polo Province chose to stay, and their extraordinary enthusiasm for the land somewhat accelerated Weifu City's expansion. In contrast, pioneers from Boulder City prefer living in crowded cities. Except for those with a mercenary background. In summary, the locals have found a development path suitable for them, balancing both internal and external growth, combining the strengths of the various peoples. And from Chu Guang's perspective, this is precisely what's most valuable. If time allows, he intends to stay a while longer, exploring all the fascinating things here. However, with ten other settlements awaiting his visit, those places he can't get to will have to be detailed by players keeping an eye on them for him. At Weifu City's train station. Bidding farewell to Li Jinrong and his team, Chu Guang settled in the waiting room beside the platform. Watching the bustling crowds outside the window, alongside the thriving settlement behind them, a smile of satisfaction spread across Chu Guang's face. "Weifu City will be a great model." Lu Bei queried in puzzlement. "A model?" "Yes," Chu Guang nodded with a carefree tone. "Long ago, I mentioned that barbarity cannot be simply obliterated by force; like grass sprouting after a spring breeze, they regrow even after being scorched by flames. However, just like outdated production methods, they will ultimately be replaced by more advanced ones, and our civilization was born in this process." "The point of pride is that we have already fostered the spark of civilization. The challenge lies merely in figuring out how to let it spontaneously spread further." "Weifu City set a great example in this regard. Wasteland travelers from all sides came here, witnessed our order and prosperity, and were drawn to it. Then, they took it back to their own lands... our ideal will, through the roads and railways they tread, continue to stretch into the distance, infusing new blood into this barren land, awakening the civilization dormant beneath the soil." Lu Bei scratched the back of his head. Chu Guang knew he didn't quite understand, but he wasn't bothered. After a gentle smile, he concluded the topic. "Next stop is Settlement No. 1... Oh, by the way, we’ll pass by the Eastern Legion's camp, right?" Finally reaching a topic he could engage with, Lu Bei promptly responded. "I have the security arrangements all set." Seeing the young man’s serious demeanor, Chu Guang chuckled and said, "I’m not worried about security, just thinking about whether there’s a chance to have a look." On the forum's official website, he frequently heard players saying that the high-noses there have been "corroded" into the shape of the Union, and he was always quite curious about what that so-called shape was like. Upon hearing this, Lu Bei appeared momentarily stunned, hesitating in expression as he replied. "Are you referring to the control area of the 37th Brigade?" Lu Bei hesitated. "But... that's not really our territory." "True..." Chu Guang nodded thoughtfully. "It might indeed be better to have Cheng Yan draft a formal diplomatic letter to Captain Bannote." As they were talking, the station's announcement suddenly came to life. "Dear passengers, we regret to inform you that due to a sudden incident on the lines in the Haiya Province, Train D97 made an emergency stop near the old site of Haibei City because of an accident. The railway line is currently suspended, and trips to Settlement No. 1 are temporarily frozen, with the recovery time yet to be determined..." "Personnel from the nearby outpost have been dispatched to investigate the incident. We ask for your patience, and we'll notify you as soon as the issue is resolved..." As the announcement echoed, the platform erupted in chaos. Especially among those headed to Settlement No. 1, their expressions shifted from shock to frustration. Crowds mobbed the service kiosk, congesting the already narrow windows, clamoring and raising voices. "What’s going on?" "What's the issue? I’m trying to stay calm... Can you at least tell me when services will resume?" "Damn it! I booked a ferry to North Island tonight, and now you say the train isn't running, with no fixed time for recovery?! Who's going to compensate for my loss?" "Refund!!" Overwhelmed by the torrent of inquiries, the service staff were at their wit's end. Clearly, the young woman at the window had no idea what had transpired either and had barely been informed before the rest of the passengers. Frankly speaking, neither did Lu Bei, who stood in the waiting room utterly baffled, until a soldier from the Guards sprinted in, saluted, and stood tensely beside Chu Guang and Lu Bei. "Sir! A train collision occurred 110 kilometers north of Settlement No. 1... According to the outpost report, the incident was caused by 120 survivors from Settlement No. 1 who attempted to intercept the passenger train. Although the conductor initiated emergency brakes, it wasn’t enough to stop the train short of crashing into the crowd... resulting in two fatalities and one severely injured." Lu Bei stared incredulously. "What was the local division doing, for such a big event to be discovered just now?" The soldier, head lowered, nervously explained. "...It happened on the wasteland and was too sudden." Lu Bei, exasperated, responded, "They must have come from the settlement, right? And not a word from them?" The soldier mumbled, trying to justify the situation, but Chu Guang raised his hand, interrupting the dialogue. "Enough, don't be too hard on him. Even I can’t know everything happening inside the settlement." The Guards' outpost at Settlement No. 1 had been established less than half a year ago, understandable that their intelligence gathering wasn’t up to speed. Moreover, a settlement entirely formed by immigrants had a high population turnover and a blurry separation between it and the wilderness, making preventative measures nearly impossible, particularly when the incident occurred in the wasteland. It was commendable that they were able to grasp the situation as quickly as they did, no need to be overly critical. Turning to the soldier, Chu Guang continued gently. "Raise your head, stand straight, and tell me what happened there. Is the situation under control, why did those people stop the train, and what were their exact intentions or demands?" Moved by Chu Guang's words, the soldier straightened up, continuing his report. "The accident occurred within the control zone of the 37th Regiment of the Eastern Legion. Centurion Anthony has managed to control the situation, turning over the arrested individuals to the station outpost..." "According to the investigation, those people were mostly survivors from Polo Province, many of whom have obtained an alliance citizenship, while the rest are under some form of probationary status. They requested to see you upon encountering the guards." Chu Guang paused in surprise. "…To see me?" The soldier nodded, his expression subtle. "Yes... they've been insisting on meeting the leader of the Union." ... Near the outpost by the old site of Haibei City, Centurion Anthony wiped his mouth after finishing a boxed meal from a Union brother, washing it down with a loud burp of beer. Sitting on the hood of a jeep, his Decurion looked towards him, somewhat exasperated. "Are we going to stay here longer?" Technically, after handing the "perpetrators" over to the Union guards, their involvement was over. Yet, Anthony seemed hooked on the spectacle, unwilling to leave, even shamelessly joining in for a meal. Listening to his subordinate, Anthony grinned nonchalantly. "Why rush back? Let's wait and see. Maybe we'll get to meet the Union’s leader." He had heard tales of that individual single-handedly taking down a Torch Church Pioneer clad in a biological power suit amidst a swarm of Batwing Men. His curiosity had always been piqued about what that person looked like, how many arms or heads did they have. But more than that, he was curious about how that person planned to handle this situation. These people were Union citizens, after all. And the most "loyal" supporters he has. As he mused, a pair of pale blue arcs flickered across the dusk-drenched sky in the distance. Anthony tossed the beer bottle aside, grabbed binoculars from the car door’s interior, and peered towards the likeliest plasma trail direction. Mere moments later, a look of excitement surfaced on his face. "They're here!" Shortly after he spoke, a "Viper" transport aircraft flew over from Ten Peaks Mountain’s direction, gently landing on the weed-covered wasteland. Anthony wasn’t the only one to notice the two arcs; Union guards at the outpost and the Polo people detained at the gate did too. Seeing Guards soldiers disembark from the transport craft, Valentino’s eyes, once downcast, revived with excitement seeing the blue exoskeleton suits. It's the administrator's men! It affirmed for them that their concerns mattered to the higher-ups! Ignoring the guards' reprimands, Valentino leapt up like a rabbit from the grass, sprinting towards the guards, eventually collapsing into a kneel before them. "Administrator Sir... Finally, you’ve arrived... We... we’ve been wronged." The atmosphere turned eerily silent. Garbed in their exoskeletons, the guards observed him with an icy gaze. Behind their dark visors, Valentino couldn’t perceive their expressions but could feel the coldness in their stare. Swallowing hard, he searched for the vibrant blue power armor, spotting only a man in civilian attire. That man bore a unique presence. Contrary to his imagined awe, it wasn't the expected majesty but a reassuring, convincingly powerful aura. "Tell me about this wrongful accusation." Valentino pressed his forehead to the earth, speaking in a tear-choked tone. "We simply sought a meeting with you but were treated like criminals by those Welandts... and these crude guards, brought to this place." With those words spoken, his gaze seethed with hatred towards the open-top jeep, specifically the man standing beside it. Chu Guang, standing unmoved, eyed the old man on the ground, not ordering him to stand as he would others. He understood. Others might bow from fear of power and authority, while this man did so from a genuine longing. Even lifting him by hand held no meaning and would only satisfy his pathetic desire. Once, Chu Guang couldn't understand such feelings, puzzled by why some people preferred living like animals, even in Qidian City. Now, this was vividly illustrated before him, and in an instant, clarity dawned. These individuals deeply wished for a divine emperor to resolve real-world conflicts on their behalf, even if such abilities defied physical laws and existed only in their imaginations. Their understanding of equality is to do whatever they please indiscriminately. When those who promised them equality fail to meet their desires, they blame their real-world woes on equality itself, believing that if equality is not absolute, then it is absolutely not equal. This can't be entirely blamed on them. Part of the issue lies with the people who brought them here, deceiving them with well-meaning lies, making them believe that the Union is a wish-granting machine and that they are akin to Santa Claus riding a reindeer bestowing gifts. Perhaps what they truly lack is not equality but rather the experience of having suffered enough from inequality. Chu Guang was silent for a moment, then looked at him and continued to speak. "Now that you've seen me, what exactly do you want to say?" Jeremiah held his breath with excitement, tears of gratitude streaming down his face, as his forehead nearly bled from pressing against the ground. Not only him, but the other Polo people sitting at the outpost’s gate mirrored his actions. They seemed like genuine pilgrims! After a harsh and arduous journey, they'd finally come face to face with the deity they revered in their hearts! That esteemed Administrator! "The survivors at Settlement No. 1 have been deceived by the Representatives; those officials collude with beasts in human skin for their personal gain, cunningly undermining the Union’s interests!" "But it's not too late. If you call out to rally us, we’ll stand behind you, all the Polo people you've rescued! I swear on my family name that we will forever remain loyal to you, including my children, my grandchildren... every generation of us!" "Only by dismantling those pests, throwing them into prison, and sentencing them to death can we end the era of wastelands and attain true equality! This is for all comrades in the Union. While there's still time..." The old man's voice broke as he wept, pressing his forehead firmly against the ground, a picture of unwavering loyalty. And the Polo people around him did the same. To follow this guy here, none of them seemed entirely sane. "You intercepted a train that couldn't be stopped, killed two innocents, and had another lose a limb... You claim it's for the Union's people. Putting aside the truth in your words, have you shed even a single tear for your compatriots?" "Don't preach to me about strangers thousands of kilometers away whose names you can't even recall. Look behind you at the tracks and remember those you could once see, those alive only hours ago." Hearing the calm, drifting voice, Jeremiah was stunned. He lifted his head, meeting eyes filled with pitiful empathy. This was supposed to be a moment of excitement for him. Yet, for reasons unknown, that compassion evoked a sense of unease. The pity wasn’t directed at him, but rather at something he possessed. It felt as if something valuable had fallen into mud, making everything else about him insignificant. He tried to argue, opening his mouth, but couldn’t utter a single word. Chu Guang's patience faded with the silence, losing interest in the old man's rationalizations. "It seems you've moved yourself to tears, though I can barely understand your words." "According to the Union’s laws, the organizer bears primary responsibility, while participants bear secondary responsibility. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t be the one to reiterate this, but I’ll make an exception for you now." "Even if you don’t care about the two deceased compatriots or the safety of everyone on that train, much less the law, since you're on Union territory, you must abide by its rules and face the consequences of your stupidity." "Save your words for the judge, and if you wish to kneel, then continue." As he finished, Chu Guang's form slowly began to flicker and dissolve into sparkling particles that scattered into the wind. It was a holographic projection. Even in the end, the esteemed leader didn't answer their prayers, not even deigning to see them in person. Despair filled Jeremiah's eyes, his expression devoid of life as if his soul had been emptied, truly lifeless. The nearby guards exchanged glances, at a loss for what to do next. This farce seemed over, but its aftereffects were likely far from concluded. The Guards completed their task and boarded the aircraft. With a pair of plasma streams erupting, the Viper transport ship flew back along its original course. "Get up, you've seen the Administrator. Though his words may have been harsh, take solace that he does care... unlike those high-noses, who would be much less courteous." The outpost head nudged Jeremiah with his leg. With that nudge, Jeremiah snapped back to reality, shifting from his previous bravado to appearing panic-stricken, like a defeated rooster. The Administrator did not require his loyalty. His attempts at goodwill for everyone ended with being branded a disruptor and a hopeless burden in the leader’s eyes. He had backed the wrong side. His steadfastness now seemed a joke. He seemed to realize where the issue lay or perhaps didn’t grasp it at all. What’s clear is that he was now afraid. Mere moments ago, he had regarded the law as nothing but paper. Yet now, he inquired about the Union's criminal law. "…What will happen to us?" Gazing at the trembling old man, the outpost head sighed. "I don't know; nothing quite like this has happened before..." Intercepting a train typically resulted in labor reform; causing death could lead to a death sentence or imprisonment... Yet here, the deaths involved weren’t from causing harm to the train’s passengers or security. They caused harm to themselves... He had never seen such a case before, likely creating a precedent since the inception of the railway for the Union. After a pause, the outpost head continued. "Nonetheless, there’s a loss of life and economic damage—it will result in a sentence, maybe a decade or more of imprisonment, or possibly expulsion... Ultimately, it remains for the judge to decide." "And if they can't?" he wondered, recalling the need for legislative bodies to discuss bizarre cases like this. As for dissolving Settlement No. 1’s representatives... What could have possessed this man? Those representatives spoke on their behalf, multiple times over. Anthony, by the jeep, lowered his binoculars, muttering. "So that’s what that guy looks like..." Aside from looking rather handsome, there wasn’t much else remarkable. Then again, for the leader of a group, appearance wasn’t of significance. What mattered was that the Administrator's words unexpectedly aligned with his sentiments. Perhaps, as a Welandt, his distaste wasn’t for those reeking of hardship but instead the ones claiming brotherhood while their hands stained with kin’s blood. Come to think of it, such individuals weren’t exclusive to the Polos; Welandts had their share too... the Blue Groundhogs showed foresight in this regard. At this realization, Anthony found himself envying those Groundhogs a little. Their leader was still active, occasionally appearing to speak, showcasing his presence. Yet, his most respected Marshal hadn’t been so alive for a long, long time... —To be continued.