Chapter 73: The Current Situation

Chapter 73: The Current Situation

The room was directly across from Zhou Xue's.

After completing the check-in procedures, Chen Shouyi opened the door to his room.

As the long-unseen electric lights flickered to life inside, he couldn’t help but feel as though he had returned to the civilized world.

He sighed inwardly for a while before setting down his luggage.

Though the room was small, it had all the essentials. Aside from a television, there was also a desktop computer.

Suddenly in no hurry to go out for lunch, he immediately grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.

There was no signal whatsoever.

He felt a slight disappointment, though it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

Whether it was satellite broadcasting or cable TV, both relied on satellite signals—the former received via satellite dishes, while the latter modulated the signals through ground-based stations before transmitting them via fiber optics.

Both required satellites.

And now, with all satellites out of contact, television was naturally unavailable.

Next, he turned on the computer.

After several dozen seconds, the startup screen appeared. Seeing the internet connection icon, Chen Shouyi finally let out a sigh of relief—at least the computer here could still go online.

The desktop was connected via fiber optics, which transmitted optical signals.

Though both were forms of electromagnetic waves, light had a much shorter wavelength compared to radio waves or radar waves, and its energy level was far higher.

He quickly opened a news webpage:

"Science is the practical method for understanding the world. No matter how the future unfolds, science will never become obsolete. We hope all researchers will prepare for both possibilities to face new circumstances and new challenges..."

"The Strategic Missile Forces successfully detonated a three-megaton hydrogen bomb within a massive spatial gateway. Reports indicate that the bomb was deployed from high altitude by a newly developed nuclear-powered giant steam airship and triggered mechanically via timed potential energy. This successful detonation marks our nation’s establishment of strategic deterrence against the Otherworld."

"The Middle East has descended into chaos, causing a massive shock to global oil prices, which have begun to skyrocket. Zhao Zhongjian, Director of the National Petroleum Strategic Reserve Center, stated in an interview: 'Current fuel reserves are sufficient. Even if all oil supplies were cut off, we could sustain the entire Great Xia Nation for a full year. Moreover, as one of the world’s major oil producers, our petroleum security remains well within safe thresholds, making it unnecessary to tap into strategic reserves at this time.'"

"The Ministry of Public Security warns: Crack down harshly on cult activities. Be vigilant against all groups that spread cult ideologies under the guise of healing or warding off evil..."

...

Every piece of news seemed to carry an oppressive sense of impending turmoil.

Chen Shouyi’s heart grew heavy as he read.

He stood up and walked to the window, pulling open the curtains. Watching the bustling streets below, the endless flow of pedestrians, he felt an eerie sense of calm before the storm.

It was a pity. Even with the strength of a Martial Artist, in the tide of this era, he was nothing more than an insignificant individual, powerless to do anything but drift along.

He stood there lost in thought for a long while before finally collecting himself.

Feeling the gnawing hunger in his stomach, he checked the time and realized it was already past one o’clock.

He stepped out of his room.

Knocking on Zhou Xue’s door across the hall, he asked:

"Want to grab lunch together?"

"I’ve already eaten!" came Zhou Xue’s reply after a pause.

What a thoroughly unlikable girl.

If she weren't the landlady's daughter, Chen Shouyi would have long since stopped paying her any attention.

Of course, this had absolutely nothing to do with whether she was pretty or not.

Chen Shouyi closed the door and left, carrying his briefcase.

There happened to be a buffet nearby, so he walked in.

His appetite was enormous these days, and with his staggering daily exercise routine, his food consumption was nearly five or six times that of an average person. Eating at home was fine, but dining out often drew strange looks.

By comparison, eating at a buffet attracted far less attention.

...

Ningzhou Third Category Investigation Bureau.

"The situation in the Ningzhou region is dire right now. Issues have emerged in Dongning City and Puyan District—especially Dongning City, where a cult's blood sacrifice incident occurred. We still haven’t determined how many people are involved. The pressure on us is immense. If we don’t resolve this soon, headquarters might send people over, and then we’ll be on the defensive," said a formidable middle-aged man, walking briskly with a grave expression.

Suddenly, he turned to a lean young man beside him. "That Dongning-Pingqiu Highway Midnight Murder Case you’re investigating—does it have any connection to the cult?"

"According to information from the Dongning branch, we’ve found some leads.

"Victim one, Qian Huajian—registered Martial Artist, member of the Dongning Martial Artists Association, local Public Security Bureau safety consultant, with department-level benefits.

"Victim two, Jiang Wenyong—registered Martial Artist Apprentice, security captain at Dongning Brilliance Club. His fingerprints were found on the gun, and he was the one carrying it during the incident.

"Victim three, Cai Sheng—registered Martial Artist Apprentice, training instructor.

"Victim four...

"We’ve investigated their close friends and relatives but found no prior connections between them. There’s also no record of this operation."

"So, their organization is highly disciplined. It’s almost certainly them, isn’t it?" the middle-aged man asked, tilting his head.

"For now, it’s just suspicion. We still need more evidence."

"We don’t need evidence—that’s the police’s job. Immediately detain their families and follow that lead. I refuse to believe their organization is so airtight that they’ve left no trace."

"By the way, what about that other Martial Artist? Any leads?" the middle-aged man suddenly remembered.

"Not yet. There are a few suspects, but all have alibis."

The middle-aged man thought for a moment. "Never mind, drop it. They only killed cultists anyway—no big deal. That Martial Artist probably just didn’t want trouble."

...

Full and satisfied, Chen Shouyi returned to his room.

After carefully checking for surveillance, he took out Shell Woman, who was still fast asleep.

"My Big gem!" she blurted out as soon as the tape was removed from her mouth.

"What’s the rush?" Chen Shouyi snapped irritably.

As he spoke, he pulled the crystal ball from his backpack and shoved it into her arms with a bit of force.

She toppled onto the bed from the impact but didn’t seem to care.

Rubbing her face against it and planting a few kisses, she giggled foolishly before carefully placing the gem in front of her.

The crystal ball was several times larger than her body, but fortunately, she was naturally strong, and with Earth's lower gravity, lifting it was effortless.

She amused herself for a long while before finally turning her attention to Chen Shouyi.

"Giant, what are you doing?"

Chen Shouyi was sitting in front of the computer, still browsing the latest news, and replied absentmindedly, "Nothing much."

Shell Woman stared at the screen, a flicker of recognition crossing her face. She set down the crystal ball, scurried to the foot of the bed on her tiny legs, and after watching for a while, suddenly asked suspiciously, "Giant, is Bei Qi inside there?"

Chen Shouyi was taken aback. He hadn’t expected her to still remember the cartoon after all this time.

Without thinking, he said, "I’ll show you later!"

Shell Woman immediately became ecstatic. "Great Giant, has Bei Qi returned? Has Bei Qi really come back?"

"Stop shouting. Just wait a bit—"

"No! I don’t want to wait! Bei Qi, Bei Qi, I want Bei Qi! I want Bei Qi right now!"

Damn, she’s so impatient!

Annoyed beyond measure, Chen Shouyi slammed the mouse in frustration. With no other choice, he closed the webpage and searched for the cartoon. Luckily, it was still available. He randomly clicked on an episode.

As soon as the familiar sound played, Chen Shouyi got up from the computer desk and glanced back.

There, Shell Woman was already sitting quietly and properly on the bed.