49 Apocalypse Rules

Chapter 288: Chapter 268: Human Federation General Assembly (2)

Having now relocated to the Tropical Continent, Sakura Prayer’s national strength had drastically declined. It would be impossible for them to recover their former power without at least twenty years of stable development.

This was also why some extremists within the country chose to end their own lives. This immense decline meant they would never see Sakura Prayer become the world’s number one power in their lifetimes. Utterly broken, they chose to depart from this world along with their old homeland.

However, to everyone’s surprise, Sisiya Country also had no rocket launch plans this time.

The bald commissioner from Sisiya hemmed and hawed. "We currently have more important matters to deal with domestically, so we don’t plan on launching a rocket to Terra this year."

’More important matters...’

Mary and Gao Liangwei exchanged a look. Though they said nothing, they both had a vague idea of what was going on.

’It’s probably related to the internal power struggles within Sisiya Country.’

Gao Liangwei, in particular, knew a bit more. After that girl from Sisiya with a special status named Yelena came to North Star and joined the academy, the government had specifically notified the Strategy Research Room to provide her with special care.

"So, does that mean only our two countries, Soloma and North Star, plan to launch manned rockets this year?"

"That may be so, but I have a proposal," said the commissioner from Sakura Prayer. "I believe we should embrace the Human Federation’s spirit of sharing. Although we cannot launch a manned rocket, we can provide well-trained astronauts to travel to Terra on your two countries’ rockets."

As soon as he said this, the other commissioners chimed in with their agreement.

They couldn’t produce a safe and qualified manned rocket this year, but providing a few astronauts was no problem.

Mary’s expression showed her displeasure at this, but Gao Liangwei said, "Our government already had this in mind. We plan to form a Human Federation immigration team to go to Terra Star."

"That’s wonderful!"

"We will definitely cooperate fully and send our nation’s best astronauts to participate."

"North Star has shown the responsibility and spirit of a great nation. It’s truly admirable!"

The commissioners lavished him with praise, which made Mary feel a bit awkward. She quickly added, "Soloma’s rocket will of course also welcome astronauts from Human Federation member states, but they will have to pass a personnel selection process."

"Commissioner Mary, for this Terra immigration attempt, I believe our two countries’ space agencies should cooperate fully. There is no, nor should there be, any room for selfish motives."

"Yes, I know."

The purpose of this space immigration test wasn’t to grab territory, but to find more space and possibilities for humanity’s survival.

Therefore, this meeting had to establish the charter. If the immigration test was successful, Terra Star would be considered a candidate for humanity’s second home. All people of Celestial Water Star would have a claim to it; it would not become the territory of a single nation.

"Regarding the selection of astronauts for the rocket, a final decision should be made as soon as possible by the end of this month. Emergency joint training will begin in early December."

As the current year’s chairman of the Human Federation, Gao Liangwei kept a firm grip on the meeting’s progress. After finishing the discussion on the space immigration test, he immediately moved on to the second focus of the meeting.

"Regarding the situation in Fahe Country, based on intelligence from multiple sources, we now have some leads."

Gao Liangwei projected some images and video footage onto the large screen in the conference room.

The footage mostly showed Fahe People gathering to sing hymns, huddling around bonfires to read the previously announced Apocalypse Rules line by line, and wearing clothing patterned with symbols of the Fire Thief—black cylinders and multiple mechanical arms. It depicted all sorts of rituals worshipping the Fire Thief.

Judging by the camera angles, most of the footage was from satellites, but a few clips were close-up, first-person views, secretly recorded by dispatched agents.

"As mentioned in the last meeting, Fahe Country has now completely fallen and has become the main base of the Fire Worship Cult," Gao Liangwei said, referring to the images on the big screen.

"In addition to Fahe’s own citizens, many who believe in the Fire Thief from other countries and regions have been drawn there, gathering in the capital, Liluo’an City."

Mary added, "According to intelligence from Soloma, many believers show signs of what appears to be brainwashing. We can tentatively conclude it’s the work of that Ascender with Mind Control abilities."

At the mention of this person, the expressions of the commissioners present all became grim.

Before this, who could have imagined that Fahe, a great world power, would fall to such a state, completely thrown into chaos and collapsed by an Ascender of unknown identity?

Of course, this was related to Fahe’s own mismanagement, as well as the fact that they had been hit by the incredibly destructive earthquake Rule.

And then there was that Ascender; the Mind Control ability they possessed was just too insidious.

As long as they remain hidden, manipulating others from the shadows to do their bidding, they can accomplish their malevolent goals and sow chaos without any personal risk.

"Fahe is now very dangerous for us in Soloma," Mary said grimly. "Their fanatical cultists will spill over into our country and cause harm. This problem must be resolved as soon as possible."

The commissioner from Sisiya said with a hint of coldness, "Wipe them out? Solve it from a distance with guided weapons."

"But how can we distinguish between the fanatical believers who truly worship the Fire Thief and those who are under Mind Control? The latter are innocent, aren’t they?"

"If we really can’t tell them apart, then we can’t afford to worry about who’s innocent and who’s not."

Gao Liangwei said, "Indiscriminate killing is absolutely forbidden. I propose that our Human Federation nations dispatch elite Ascenders to form a joint task force. They will enter Fahe, find the main culprit and their accomplices, and eliminate them."

"I think that’s feasible."

"Agreed."

The other commissioners had no objections. No one could afford to sit on the sidelines with this issue, because if it wasn’t handled properly, all their nations would eventually face the impact and threat of fanatical Fire Thief believers.

After the meeting, on his way back in the car, Gao Liangwei received the files sent by Li Meng.

He checked it on his laptop. The file detailed everything related to Guan Tong in the Yunhua kidnapping case.

The file recorded that Guan Tong himself was not kidnapped, but a friend of his named Xu Xiaotian was taken by a local gang.

Afterward, Guan Tong promptly reported the crime and accompanied Li Meng’s team to the gang’s hideout. He ultimately knocked out and subdued the gang’s leader, Shen Zuohu, who was on the verge of escaping.

Gao Liangwei was already surprised reading this. He continued reading, trying to find any record of how Guan Tong subdued Shen Zuohu, but the file did not contain such details.

Furthermore, since Shen Zuohu had already been executed, it was impossible to interrogate him again.

After finishing the file, Gao Liangwei pondered.

’Back then, the Fire Thief had only just appeared, and every Ascender was still very weak. For Guan Tong, a student, to be able to subdue a vicious gang leader and later kill a wild boar single-handedly—this meant his combat prowess was considerable from the very start.’

’Considering all these unusual circumstances, this Guan Tong was undoubtedly someone worth making contact with.’

Gao Liangwei picked up his phone and made a call. "Prepare to make contact with the target."

After a moment of silence, the person on the other end replied awkwardly, "I’m sorry, Director. The target... We’ve lost the target’s location."

"What?"

"After leaving the academy, the target entered an enclosed building and never came out. We sent someone to check and found he was long gone... The target must have left using a teleportation item. We’ve been looking for him this whole time, but we haven’t been able to find him."

"...So you’re saying you were discovered? Otherwise, why would he waste a high-value teleportation item to move?"

"We were very careful. We didn’t use any Psychic Power-related items; we relied entirely on experienced agents for physical surveillance. If the subject hasn’t received counter-surveillance training, he shouldn’t have noticed."

"Director, what should we do now? Should we continue the search?"

Gao Liangwei considered for a moment, then said, "Forget it. He must have noticed something, so he won’t be easily tracked by you again. However, you can keep a close watch on the movements of a related individual, Xu Xiaotian. He is the target’s friend and might contact or meet with the target."

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