Chapter 438: The Effect Precedes the Rule

Chapter 438 -393: The Effect Precedes the Rule

Strategy Research Room.

Half an hour after receiving the intel on the hidden rule, Gao Liangwei summoned Li Meng and Zhang Minglu to his office.

When they arrived, they found a middle-aged man in a blue military uniform with a satellite insignia on his shoulder in the office with Gao Liangwei.

Both of them were quite surprised to see him.

“Looks like I don’t need to make an introduction. You both know Director Chen,” Gao Liangwei said.

Of course they did. Not long ago, they had watched a press conference he hosted—Chen Shi, Director of the North Star Aerospace Agency.

Chen Shi stood up and extended a hand. “Section Chief Li, Dr. Zhang, Major General Gao has told me about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

They each shook his hand, and then the three of them sat down.

Gao Liangwei said, “Director Chen’s visit is related to the current rule.”

“That’s right. It’s for the sake of our fallen astronauts,” Chen Shi said. “We haven’t publicly disclosed the truth behind their deaths for fear of causing a panic.”

Li Meng’s curiosity was piqued. “What is the truth? Could it be related to the current rule?”

Space colonization is one of humanity’s two paths to the future, a matter of tremendous importance. Its abrupt and ambiguous conclusion this time around was baffling not only to the public but also to many government officials.

“I’m afraid so,” Chen Shi said, his expression grim. “Our astronauts entered a peculiar stress-induced state after being subjected to a powerful, unknown psychic stimulus. They died a few days after this state began. Once Rule Seventeen was announced, we concluded that they had been affected by the rule.”

“Director Chen, are you suggesting the astronauts died from the Crimson Fear?” Zhang Minglu asked in astonishment. “How is that possible? The rule hadn’t even been announced when they died!”

‘How could an unannounced rule affect people ahead of schedule?’

“But the incident happened on Terra Star, and not long after, that crimson power that plunges people into fear descended upon the planet in the form of a rule. Don’t tell me that’s a coincidence,” Chen Shi said.

…

Zhang Minglu didn’t think it was a coincidence, either. ‘But for a rule to have an effect before it’s even announced… That’s never happened before.’

“Could this be the reason?” Li Meng offered a theory. “The Fire Thief had already formulated the rule and set things up on Terra Star ahead of time. Perhaps the Fire Thief never anticipated that humans would launch a manned rocket to land there, and the astronauts simply stumbled into it, causing them to be harmed by that crimson power prematurely?”

Chen Shi’s expression was grave. “This is precisely what I must ask you, and the Strategy Research Room, to investigate. If we can’t find the cause, the space colonization program will be indefinitely postponed—humanity currently lacks the ability to land on any planet other than Terra Star.”

Zhang Minglu and Li Meng exchanged a look. They knew this was a matter of great importance.

If the hope of space colonization were to be shattered, it would be a devastating blow to humanity, causing countless people to lose hope.

Gao Liangwei then made a commitment. “Director Chen, rest assured. The Strategy Research Room will do everything in its power to uncover the truth. To do that, we’ll need all the relevant data.”

“I’ve brought it with me.”

Chen Shi stood up, took a data card from his pocket, and placed it on the table.

“Well then, I’ll be on my way. I’ll be waiting for news at the Agency.”

After Chen Shi left, Gao Liangwei picked up the data card and examined it.

Zhang Minglu said, “If Section Chief Li’s theory is correct, it adds a new dimension to our understanding of the Fire Thief… The ability to deploy its power before a rule is announced—that’s a critical piece of intel.”

“Indeed,” Li Meng agreed. “It means the Fire Thief isn’t omnipotent. If it didn’t know humans would launch a manned rocket to Terra Star, then it can’t predict what actions humanity will take in the future.”

“Nothing in the universe is omnipotent,” Gao Liangwei said. “Perhaps that theory Guan Tong mentioned back at the academy is correct—the mysterious Fire Thief might just be an exceptionally powerful Ascender, incapable of predicting the future.”

…

Even after enduring nearly twenty Apocalypse Rules, humanity still knew very little about the Fire Thief.

It was impossible to make any definitive conclusions about its true nature.

“Alright, let’s discuss the new intel,” Gao Liangwei said, changing the subject. “We must explore the unknown aspects of this crimson power.”

“Yes,” Zhang Minglu immediately agreed. “We cannot miss any opportunity to learn more of the truth.”

This principle had already been demonstrated during the arrival of the Alien Intelligence; humanity had to ask critical questions to secure a better chance of survival, even at the risk of many being devoured.

“How should we proceed, specifically? Any ideas?”

“Based on the available data, we have to rule out ordinary people first,” Li Meng said. “Their Psychic Resistance is poor. Even indirect exposure to the crimson will severely affect them in a very short time. The mission to explore this unknown can only be entrusted to Ascenders.”

“And it would be best to use Ascenders who have psychic abilities or items,” Zhang Minglu added. “Their Psychic Power is stronger than that of a typical Ascender, which will allow them to minimize the effects of the Crimson Fear.”

“Let’s proceed with that plan, then,” Gao Liangwei decided. “Select suitable candidates from the Ascender database, then recruit volunteers from that pool by offering a substantial reward.”

“Understood.”

“Also, regarding the joint operation against the Fire Worship Cult. The Human Federation has made its decision. The operation will take place late this month, near the end of the rule’s period. This is for the safety of the personnel involved… We want them to move out only after we have a clear understanding of the rule’s crisis.

“Besides, it gives the team some time to build cohesion. Section Chief Li, you’re the coordinating commander for the North Star Sub-Team, so I need you to give this your full attention.”

Li Meng said, “I understand, sir. I’ve already contacted the members of the sub-team and arranged for us to meet tomorrow to get acquainted.”

Hearing this, Zhang Minglu asked, “Did Guan Tong agree?”

“He agreed.”

“That’s Section Chief Li for you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because Guan Tong has never been a fan of meeting in person,” Zhang Minglu explained with a wry smile. “It’s not easy to get a face-to-face meeting with him.”

Li Meng recalled his experience in Yunhua and chuckled. “Back when a thug impersonated a Sheriff and knocked on his door, he left home to stay in a hotel that very night. I could tell even then the kid was extremely cautious.”

“He’ll be the core of the team on this mission, our main fighting force, so you need to communicate with him often. By the way, what’s the status of that suicide case he’s investigating?”

“There’s something off about that case, but right now there’s no conclusive evidence that the Sakura Prayer Ascender named Suzuki was murdered,” Zhang Minglu said. “I imagine he’ll continue to investigate.”

“If it was murder, the implications would be extremely serious.”

The two men understood the implication behind Gao Liangwei’s words.

Someone murdering an Ascender undergoing treatment in a rehabilitation center would be a grave blow to the government’s authority. Whoever the individual or organization responsible was, they would have to be dealt with swiftly and decisively once identified.

…

“Bai, you’re back!”

That afternoon, after receiving orders to return from the allied front to Pinglu Base, Bai Xuewu saw Chen Na waiting to greet her the moment she walked through the main gate.

It had been a while, and Bai Xuewu had missed the girl she thought of as a little sister. She took Chen Na’s hand and smiled. “Na, how have you been?”

“I’m okay! How about you, Bai? You were on the front lines for so long. You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

“Heh… Don’t underestimate me. It’s not so easy for those Parasites to lay a scratch on me.”

Bai Xuewu wasn’t just bragging. She had fought countless battles with Parasites since going to the front but had never once been injured.

This was partly due to the power of her Snow White Traceless mecha and partly due to her own caution. She always withdrew from the battlefield before her Psychic Power dropped below 10%, never letting herself get caught in a situation where she couldn’t pilot her mecha.

“Hee hee, you’re so amazing, Bai. And this time, I get to fight too!”

“Mm.”

Bai Xuewu already knew that Chen Na was also part of the team for this mission.

Entering Fahe, a place completely controlled by the Fire Worship Cult, was a far more dangerous prospect than battling Parasites on the front lines.

This was because most Parasites were transformed from ordinary people, and soldiers could inflict serious damage on them with modern weaponry alone.

The Fire Worship Cult, on the other hand, was a different story. While its lowest-level Apostle Group was comprised of ordinary people, the upper ranks—the Priests, Bishops, and the Pope—were undoubtedly all Ascenders.

And that was precisely why Chen Na was needed.

The previous decapitation strike in Soloma had failed because they had mistaken the target, eliminating a puppet instead of the true leader.

To find the true leader, Chen Na’s [Perception Realm] was key. She could sense the strength of individuals’ Psychic Power within a certain radius. As long as she could find the one with the strongest Psychic Power, that person—regardless of their official title—was most likely the one in control of the Fire Worship Cult. And even if they weren’t the leader, they would be the leader’s most formidable enforcer.

“When the time comes, you stick right by my side, understand?” Bai Xuewu said, rubbing Chen Na’s cheek. “As the strongest person on the team, I’ll protect you.”

Chen Na was about to nod in agreement but then remembered something and muttered under her breath, “The strongest person on the team is probably…”

“What was that?”

“Nothing, nothing!” Chen Na shook her head and pushed Bai Xuewu forward. “You must be tired from your trip, Bai. Go get something to eat and rest!”

“Alright, alright.”

As the two walked through the corridors of the base, they soon ran into a red-haired young man in his early twenties.

The young man’s eyes lit up upon seeing Bai Xuewu. He strode forward and called out, “Old Bai! You’re back!”

Bai Xuewu’s eye twitched at the sight of him. She fought back the urge to slap him across the face. “How many times have I told you not to call me that!”

Chen Na, who was with Bai Xuewu, stared at the young man for a few seconds before a look of recognition crossed her face. “You’re… Fire God!”

In the program *Decisive Ascender*, the most famous and popular contestant was Bai Xuewu. The runner-up in popularity was the young man standing before them, Yang Ran.

Yang Ran possessed the ability to manipulate fire, and among the show’s contestants, his combat power was second only to Bai Xuewu’s.

However, he had a flamboyant personality, had deliberately dyed his hair red, and gave himself the nickname “Fire God,” much to the annoyance of many viewers.

Yang Ran burst out laughing. “That’s right, that’s right! I am the Fire God! HAHAHA!”

“Giving yourself a nickname like that. You really have no shame,” Bai Xuewu said coldly.

“What’s there to be ashamed of? Who’s better with fire than me? If I’m not the Fire God, then who is! Oh yeah, Old Bai, we’ll have to work together closely on this trip to Fahe!”

“What?!” Bai Xuewu was so shocked she forgot all about how Yang Ran had addressed her. “You’re on the team, too?”

“Yeah. Dr. Zhang came to talk to me, said my combat skills could be useful. The moment I heard we’d be taking on Cultists, I agreed immediately. This is a fight for all humanity!”

…

Bai Xuewu was speechless. She really did not want to go into battle with a guy like this.

“I have to go pick up my gear. See you tomorrow!”

Yang Ran waved goodbye and left. Bai Xuewu heaved a deep sigh, then leaned down to warn Chen Na, “Na, remember this: when we get to Fahe, stay far away from him. The range on his flames is too wide, and he doesn’t distinguish between friend and foe. He’ll end up hurting a teammate.”