Chapter 204 - 127: The Storm

Chapter 204: Chapter 127: The Storm

Returning to Jiang City, Xu Mo looked at the streets, which were not only recovering but thriving thanks to the promise of a bountiful harvest. Yet, the shadow of unease in his heart had not lifted. He knew that beneath this superficial peace lurked a massive crisis—one that threatened the lives of a million people and the very survival of Jiang City.

The deep-seated fear in the eyes of the old farmer by the wheat fields was not misplaced.

How could Jiang City’s leadership, with their vast command structure, professional research institutions, and military might, possibly be unaware of a disaster that even an old man who’d worked the land his entire life could foresee?

The real questions were: what kind of solution had they prepared? And how confident were they that it would work?

This wasn’t merely a technical or military problem; it was a profoundly heavy political and ethical dilemma.

Attacking the massive flock roosting in the Red Star Industrial Zone might provoke them, triggering a fiercer retaliation or even an early strike on the wheat fields. But if they did nothing and waited for the harvest, the sky-blotting flock would simply arrive for the feast, and the consequences would be just as unthinkable.

It was a classic dilemma, like dealing with a time bomb: trying to defuse it might cause it to detonate prematurely, but leaving it alone meant it could go off at the worst possible moment.

All Xu Mo could do was watch and wait, all while continuing to strengthen himself to deal with any eventuality.

Days passed, but daily life in Jiang City seemed largely unchanged by the distant threat. The streets remained bustling, markets operated as usual, and the radio, along with glad tidings of the harvest, began to broadcast news of successful tests on new devices. There were also routine announcements reminding residents to reinforce their doors and windows and to stock up on essential supplies.

The only noticeable change, perhaps, was the increasingly frequent roar of engines in the sky. Fighter jets, reconnaissance planes, and even larger bombers began to streak across the heavens with greater regularity, flying toward the Red Star Industrial Zone and returning with various payloads. It showed that Jiang City wasn’t simply waiting for disaster to strike; they were continuously monitoring and assessing the movements of that "black crown." This brought Xu Mo some measure of relief. ’Intelligence is the foundation of action.’

That afternoon, Xu Mo was training in his small courtyard, feeling the faint warmth and power that came from the circulation of vital energy through his Iron Bone Realm body.

From the radio set up under the eaves, the announcer’s voice came through, higher and more formal than usual, filled with a distinct sense of official ceremony:

"We now interrupt your broadcast for an important announcement: This morning, a delegation from our fraternal counterpart, the Rock Shelter, successfully arrived in Jiang City and held cordial and friendly talks with the primary leadership of the Management Committee. Both parties engaged in a deep exchange of views on issues of mutual interest, including the current post-apocalyptic survival environment, regional security cooperation, and the exchange of resources and technology. The Management Committee expressed high praise for the significant achievements made by the Rock Shelter in restoring production, maintaining order, and exploring its periphery since its integration into the Jiang City system..."

The broadcast was filled with diplomatic platitudes and mutual affirmations. Xu Mo paused his exercises, listening intently. ’So, the people from Rock Shelter are here,’ he thought. He recalled the earlier radio preview; it seemed the visit was proceeding as planned. ’I wonder if there’s any substance behind all this talk, anything about how to deal with our common threat? Rock Shelter is in a different region. Perhaps they’ve seen or experienced things we haven’t.’

Not long after the broadcast ended, Xu Mo keenly perceived that the drone of aircraft engines overhead had grown more intense. Looking up, he spotted at least three separate formations of planes heading toward the Red Star Industrial Zone in the span of a single afternoon. He recognized some of the fighter jet models, but there were also larger, slower bombers. They appeared to be conducting tactical drills or familiarizing themselves with flight routes.

’Their movements are becoming more obvious,’ Xu Mo mused.

The arrival of the Rock Shelter’s delegation might have been a coincidence, or it might have catalyzed a decision that was already in motion.

Two more peaceful dawns came and went. Then, Xu Mo was jolted awake by an unusual, continuous roar of aircraft engines. The sound came from multiple directions, but all routes seemed to converge on the Red Star Industrial Zone.

Hearing the incessant roar, Xu Mo knew at once that this day would be different.

Sure enough, during the routine morning broadcast, the announcer’s tone was unprecedentedly solemn and urgent as they repeatedly played a critical announcement:

"Attention all residents of Jiang City! Attention all residents of Jiang City! This is a critical operational announcement: To eliminate a potential threat and ensure the food security of our shelter and the safety of its people, the Jiang City Defense Force will, today, execute a limited-scope clearance and strike operation against the mutant bird nests in the Red Star Industrial Zone!"

"I repeat, we will be conducting a clearance and strike operation against the bird nests in the Red Star Industrial Zone!"

"This operation may provoke a reaction from the flock. We cannot rule out the possibility of individual birds or small clusters fleeing toward Jiang City or attempting to retaliate. Therefore, effective immediately, the entire city is entering a temporary state of high alert!"

"All residents are required to do the following: One, do not go outside unless absolutely necessary! Two, secure all doors and windows. Residents of high-rise buildings must check that their protective screens are firmly in place! Three, stay away from windows, balconies, and other exposed locations! Four, follow the orders of regional security personnel and patrolling soldiers! Five, keep your radios tuned to the designated channel for further instructions!"

"During and for some time after the operation, you may hear explosions, feel tremors, or witness unusual aerial phenomena. Do not panic. Remain calm and have faith in our defense forces! We repeat..."