Chapter 71
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 71: A Mutually Beneficial Deal
Before returning, Luo Yu and the three of them had discussed their plans for after they got back. The first and most important step was to contact the personnel at the asexual reproduction laboratory that had been relocated to the Neutral Continent, to hand over the technical information they had brought back. They also aimed to re-establish contact with the Ponsuo Tribe within the effective period of the time channel. It would be best if researchers could consult Ji Shu directly on some specific reproductive technology issues, which would help speed up the development of the gene mutation drug.
At the same time, they needed to be cautious of the federal agents who were tracking the laboratory’s new location, to prevent the new lab from suffering another blow. Luo Yu believed that they couldn’t keep relying on avoidance and relocation, so it was better to create confusion within the Federation first, making them too preoccupied to pay attention to their side, thus buying more time for the laboratory.
As for who in the Federation was most concerned about the asexual reproduction research, Luo Yu had already figured it out during her work breaks at the Time Bureau. The clampdown and bombings within the Federation were orchestrated by one of the top financial families, the Euyun family. It had initially stemmed from an academic dispute and later involved some aspects of belief, which had led generations of their family to relentlessly pursue and eliminate this technology, even seeking to wipe it out entirely.
Luo Yu had considered taking direct action against the Euyun family, but that powerful financial family had extensive interests and connections, present in various industries. It was so large that she didn’t even know who to target first, so it was faster to start with the federal agents.
To achieve this, they couldn’t stay at the Space Administration any longer, so Luo Yu decided to resign from the Time Bureau along with Zhu Huai, leaving Ying Zhao behind to prepare for future expansions in time exploration. However, leaving the Space Administration smoothly wasn’t going to be easy, and that’s where Zhu Long’s involvement became necessary.
What Zhu Long needed to do, they had already speculated through Hu Jiao’s reports a few days ago. The Federation had repeatedly brought up the interstellar immigration plan over the years, intending to gain full control over the Space Administration to prepare for this plan, which had led to the sky curtain deployment fiasco. Fortunately, Zhu Long and the Special Operations Department responded quickly and managed to outsmart them.
But with the new Strategic Commander taking office, the plan would inevitably continue to advance. From Zhu Long’s perspective, if internal chaos occurred in the Federation, it would significantly alleviate the pressure on the Space Administration, aligning perfectly with what Luo Yu and the others aimed to achieve.
This was the “deal” that Luo Yu had mentioned, asking Zhu Long to help them leave the Space Administration and provide covert support in exchange for helping her deal with the Euyun family’s influence over the Space Administration.
Zhu Long looked at the three of them, then smiled slightly. “Alright, I have a feeling that the deal we’re about to discuss could be the same thing, so let me start.” She raised her hand and took a sip of her drink, then shifted the topic. “Do you know about an abandoned rocket base on East Island called the Noah Launch Site?”
Zhu Huai and Ying Zhao shook their heads in confusion, but Luo Yu exchanged glances with Hu Jiao. They had carried out a secret mission near the Noah Launch Site five years ago and were aware that it was a private rocket launch site, one of the many assets of the Euyun family. It was used for launching private rockets carrying communication and positioning satellites, but it had since become abandoned after the Space Administration took over global space operations and built dedicated launch sites.
"I was near there a few years ago," Luo Yu said. "It was overgrown with wild grass, and it looked like it had been abandoned for many years. Has it started up again recently?"
Zhu Long nodded. "Yes, the Federation is preparing the latest rocket launch plan there, carrying a large amount of technological data and rare earth mineral samples to go back to historical time periods to rebuild civilization."
“So they’ve given up on interstellar immigration and switched to historical time period immigration?” Zhu Huai frowned. “Why five hundred years ago? Why not go further back? Our historical live broadcasts are already reaching two thousand years ago.”
“The interstellar immigration plan has always been a cover. What they really want is historical time period immigration. The time channel for five hundred years ago is relatively stable, making it easy to transport goods repeatedly,” Zhu Long raised an eyebrow. “Plus, their civilization has undergone multiple changes and isn’t very ancient; five hundred years is quite far for them.”
Luo Yu thought for a moment, “So the historical broadcasts we’ve collected were actually a probe by the Federation? The organization that got caught was a diversion, right?”
Zhu Long nodded in appreciation. “The latest leads from the Special Operations Department also point to the Federation, even directly to the Euyun family. That’s why they chose the five hundred-year time frame; their family began to rise during that era.”
Zhu Huai shook her head in disbelief, "I had no idea there was so much behind this! I thought it would all stop with Fuxi, but who knew he would die so quickly?”
Zhu Long scoffed slightly, “You think Fuxi was a big deal? He was just a clown. The Special Operations Department is still investigating the cause of his death. It’s pretty much confirmed to be the work of federal agents. He had information that implicated the Euyun family, so once things were exposed, he was quickly silenced.”
Zhu Huai scratched her head, confused. “What is the Euyun family after, putting in so much effort? Don’t they already have everything they could want? What’s the point of all this?”
Hu Jiao sneered, “Huai, you’re always surfing the internet; haven’t you seen anything about them? The Euyun family has only had two girls born in the last twenty years. They’re desperate for a male heir and have tried many methods, from test tubes to gene screening, but they’ve ended up ruining themselves. There haven’t been any newborns in the last ten years, and they feel like God has abandoned them.”
This wasn’t a secret. In recent years, due to ongoing environmental pollution, the birth rate of children had drastically decreased, with a steep decline in the percentage of male births. Meanwhile, many of those male infants had various congenital abnormalities, not only suffering from intelligence and physical capacity defects but also lacking reproductive ability.
This made some decision-makers uneasy, and research funding for related issues kept increasing. For groups like the Euyun family, who considered themselves “messengers of God” and held strong beliefs, having a male heir was especially crucial. Consequently, they were immensely anxious about this issue, believing it signified the end of humanity. In their view, a world without men was unimaginable.
Luo Yu looked at Zhu Huai and Ying Zhao, who understood why this situation arose: a genetically irreversible decline set up by the creators. This rule had been established when the cycle began; restarting civilization in the past wouldn’t solve anything. It could only accelerate the demise of their time period, yet the people of this world remained oblivious and struggled in ways they believed were correct.
Zhu Huai rolled her eyes, “These malevolent old money should have gone extinct long ago. ‘Messengers of God’? More like ‘parasites of humanity’.”
“So they must not be allowed to escape. If such a top wealthy family flees, they’ll take along our dwindling resources and worsen environmental degradation, turning this world into a true hell,” Zhu Long poured herself more wine. “That’s what I want to discuss today. We need to deal with the Noah Launch Site as soon as possible, but we can’t openly strike."
At this point, Luo Yu understood. The reason the newly appointed Strategic Commander was still from the Euyun family was to maintain a facade of balance. The Euyun family still controlled most of the world’s energy industries, but in this power struggle, the Space Administration’s new federal seat had been restricted in power due to prior turmoil. This was likely a tacit agreement among all parties, so there couldn’t be any further visible conflicts, or things would spiral out of control.
Zhu Long took a sip of her drink and continued, “As for the historical broadcasts, once the Inspection Department organizes the evidence you all brought back, that’ll wrap things up. The former Strategic Commander died at the hands of the behind-the-scenes organization, so the Federation will self-punish, reducing the Bureau Office’s authority. However, regarding the future handling of the four of you, although it doesn’t involve legal accusations, it will still be fairly strict. I cannot go against the Bureau Office."
Luo Yu quickly replied, “I understand your meaning. I take responsibility for the oversight this time and will resign from the team. As for the Noah Launch Site plan, I can provide support, but I have other conditions.”
Zhu Long raised a finger and shook her head, “It’s not just support. That location is tricky, and everything else is already prepared; we’re just short an experienced bomber pilot.” She looked sharply at Luo Yu, “Once this matter is completed, we can discuss whether you want to return or go elsewhere.”
Luo Yu had anticipated this situation. Zhu Long was meticulous in detailing the events because she was currently the only optimal candidate.
At that moment, Zhu Huai said, “I will go with her. The time capsule was compromised due to the maintenance team’s negligence, so I bear some responsibility and will also resign from the team.”
Luo Yu glanced at her and Ying Zhao before turning back to Zhu Long. “We will both resign, but Ying Zhao will stay at the Time Bureau.”
Ying Zhao nodded, “I hope to remain at the Time Bureau to research expanding the time channels.”
Zhu Long readily agreed, “No problem. What are your conditions? Let’s discuss everything together so we can proceed without worries.”
Luo Yu thought for a moment, “We need some funding and international civilian status for the Neutral Continent.”
She stated the amount they needed, and Zhu Long frowned slightly. “That’s a considerable sum, but not a problem. As for the status, I’m afraid I can’t decide; I’ll have to confirm it.”
International civilian status on the Neutral Continent doesn’t belong to any country, and is not restricted by any national laws; it doesn’t carry any national duties and offers no national benefits. Only the highest global judicial authority can judge international civilians, an identity usually held by important individuals from global organizations.
Luo Yu leaned back and smiled at her, “I believe the Deputy Director of the Special Operations Department will have a way. You can talk to Yao Chi about this—this identity is very important for me.”
Zhu Long observed her for a moment, recalling what Yao Chi had mentioned to her before about the asexual reproduction laboratory being secretly rebuilt on the Neutral Continent, and the truth behind the deliberate bombing by the Northern Continent and the movements of relevant personnel.
She reached out with her drink and lightly clinked it against Luo Yu’s, producing a melodious sound, then tilted her head back to finish her drink and smiled at Luo Yu. “Alright, I’ll advocate for you.”
