308: Chapter 308 The Best Way Out

Facing the heart-piercing and merciless ridicule from Chinese netizens.

All the foreign keyboard warriors who were previously screaming and jumping around frantically on major social media platforms were now unable to type a single word.

They... were truly afraid.

As "keyboard warriors" who constantly monitored China's developments, they had spent a lot of time cramming on Chinese cultural background and mythology in order to "know themselves and know their enemy."

They didn't know until they checked; once they did, these foreigners nearly popped their eyes out in shock.

Things like Kuafu Chasing the Sun, Jingwei Filling the Sea, Houyi Shooting Down the Suns...

Things like Rebirth from a Drop of Blood, Manifesting Heaven and Earth, Plucking Stars with One Hand...

Those descriptions of destroying the heavens and extinguishing the earth, reshaping mountains and rivers—just reading the text was enough to make them feel their scalps tingle, used as they were to superheroes fighting minor monsters and smashing cars in cities.

In the past, they could have scoffed at it, dismissing it as nothing more than ignorant fantasy.

But now, when Lin Yuan, a monster who could use sci-fi movies as real-world product manuals, truly existed in this world...

Looking back at those magnificent and terrifying myths, they only felt a chill shoot straight from the soles of their feet to the tops of their heads!

As the saying goes, the end of science is theology!

What if...

What if that man had a whim tomorrow and posted an update saying he was interested in things from the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" or "Investiture of the Gods"...

The consequences would be unimaginable!

At the thought of that scene, the netizens on The Other Side of the Ocean had their last shred of courage to argue completely vanish.

"Forget it, stop talking, I surrender."

"I'm tired, just destroy everything; this isn't even a contest on the same dimension."

"We can't win, we absolutely can't win. We're still arguing about comic book copyrights, while they're probably already researching how to create gods."

Accompanied by these pessimistic remarks of complete surrender, this global cyberwar that was supposed to be a collision between Mars and Earth declared the total defeat of The Other Side of the Ocean in an extremely comical way.

...

And just as the noise on the internet was gradually subsiding.

In the real world, undercurrents that would truly determine the future direction were surging wildly in the core conference rooms of global power centers.

Northern Continent Federation, Supreme Security Council.

Around the large oval conference table sat a dozen men and women with heavy, composed auras.

On the central projector, the test video released by the Chinese military was playing on a loop.

"Everyone, have you all seen it clearly?"

The Speaker, sitting at the head of the table with graying hair, broke the silence with a hoarse voice.

"I believe you have all read the analysis report provided by the intelligence department overnight."

"Let everyone express their own opinions."

An old man in a crisp military uniform, with stars shining on his shoulders, spoke first.

"Sir!"

"I propose uniting with The Other Side of the Ocean and other allies to impose the highest level of technological blockade and economic sanctions on China!"

"At the same time, we must find every possible way, even by unscrupulous means, to obtain samples and core technical data of this Super Soldier Serum. We absolutely cannot let China be the only one to possess it!"

However, his impassioned proposal did not receive the expected support.

Most of the people present just looked at him with eyes that seemed to be looking at a madman, or even an idiot.

A Chief of Staff with an elegant demeanor sighed and slowly stood up.

"Unite with The Other Side of the Ocean to sanction China?"

"Your Excellency, have you been in the office for too long, to the point where you don't even realize the world outside has changed?"

"The leaders on The Other Side of the Ocean resigned under pressure from home and abroad shortly after the appearance of the Chinese south heaven gate!"

"Their country is currently in chaos, with economic recession and public protests; they can barely take care of themselves. Do you still expect them to take the lead on this?"

The Chief of Staff paused.

"Even taking a step back, assuming we wanted to sanction China, may I ask, what are we prepared to use to sanction them?"

"The technological advantages we once prided ourselves on—chips, semiconductors, and high-end manufacturing—have long been shattered by that unreasonable Photolithography Machine of theirs. Now, it is we who are begging them to export high-end chips to us!"

"They also have inexhaustible Controlled Nuclear Fusion energy, and a massive, self-sufficient internal circulation market has fully formed. What can we use to choke them?"

"With our environmental protection concepts?"

"As for your idea of obtaining the technology by any means necessary..."

The Chief of Staff raised his hand, pointed at the thick ceiling above, and said in a haunting tone.

"Have you forgotten what kind of massive weapon is currently hanging in the sky over China?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the conference room held their breath.

The image of those dozen or so Xuan Nv Aerospace Fighter, descending like heavenly gods, couldn't help but appear in their minds.

In the face of such power, any conspiracy or trick seemed pale and ridiculous.

The old man, previously so impassioned, turned pale and then flushed, finally slumping into his seat, muttering weakly:

"Then... are we just going to watch helplessly?"

"What else?"

The Chief of Staff spread his hands.

"When the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up."

"China has created the Super Soldier Serum; it should be The Other Side of the Ocean that is worried, not us."

"In the past, the boss of the world was The Other Side of the Ocean. We had to pay them high 'protection fees' every year, and we were even harvested by them at will."

"Now, it's just that we have a new boss who is more powerful and more focused on win-win cooperation."

"Anyway, the position of world hegemon was never our turn before, and it likely won't be in the future. So why should we join in the clamor?"

"There is no irreconcilable core conflict of interest between China and us. On the contrary, their massive industrial system even needs our minerals and energy."

"We just need to continue doing our business peacefully; isn't that good?"

Once this pragmatic speech, which could be called "The Study of Great Power Lying Flat," was delivered, a low murmur of agreement echoed throughout the conference room.

Indeed!

What were they rushing for?

"Well said!"

Another high-ranking official in charge of economic affairs slapped the table in deep agreement.

"Let The Other Side of the Ocean hit the south wall themselves! We'll just watch the show!"

"In fact... we could even take the initiative to lean towards China! Since they need resources, we could completely use our mineral resources to exchange for some... Life Sciences technological products!"

"Even if we only get some weakened versions of the Super Soldier Serum, that would still count as a surprise!"

This proposal made everyone's eyes light up instantly.

If you can't beat them, join them; that is the wisest choice.

However, just when everyone had found a safe way out and their tense nerves had relaxed slightly.

The Chief of Staff standing at the table did not sit down.

He pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, looked around at everyone, took a deep breath, and said.

"Everyone, leaning towards China is indeed our best way out at the moment."

"But I want to remind everyone of one thing..."

"Do not focus your attention solely on this batch of Super Soldier Serum."