Chapter 206 - 127: Storm

Chapter 206: Chapter 127: Storm

The voice on the broadcast paused, as if to let its audience digest the horrifying tactical description, then continued, its tone taking on an almost ruthless precision:

"The effects of the fuel-air explosion are devastating: a terrifying fireball exceeding twenty-five hundred degrees Celsius that ignites in an instant and burns for several seconds. Not only does it instantly carbonize all organic matter within its radius, its thermal radiation can also inflict severe burns on lifeforms at a greater distance. For creatures of flesh and feather like the birds, this is nothing short of incineration."

"Then there’s the high-velocity, devastatingly powerful shockwave. The overpressure wave from a fuel-air explosion is more sustained and far-reaching than one from a conventional explosive of equivalent yield. It can easily shatter the sturdy bones and internal organs of large birds, tearing through dense flocks in the sky like an autumn wind scattering fallen leaves."

"Furthermore, the explosion consumes a massive amount of oxygen in an extremely short period, creating a temporary, oxygen-deprived vacuum around the epicenter. Even if any birds are lucky enough to escape being burned or blasted to death, they will suffocate within seconds."

The broadcast relayed a short description, seemingly sent back by a field correspondent, which the announcer read out, his voice unable to hide the shock: "Observation units report that at the moment of attack, several huge, blindingly bright orange-red fireballs erupted over the Red Star Industrial Zone—miniature suns with an estimated diameter of over a hundred meters that continued to expand. And then..."

Xu Mo pictured the scene in his mind: the dense, dark mass of the nest that blotted out the sky, suddenly engulfed and incinerated by an even more ferocious and violent "man-made sun." It was yet another soul-chillingly terrifying tableau to add to the apocalyptic collection.

The voice on the broadcast continued, shifting to a tone of strategic assessment: "Jiang City adopted the ’Ruined Burnt Nest’ plan based on several key considerations. First, its massive kill zone can effectively cover the three-dimensional space of the bird colony and its complex nest structure, achieving area clearance. Second, its composite kill mechanism—a triple threat of high temperature, shockwave, and suffocation—is extremely efficient against living creatures without heavy protection. Third, and this is a crucial point, the collateral damage is relatively controllable. The target was an industrial ruin, already devoid of our personnel, overrun by zombies, and completely occupied by the birds, thus avoiding harm to innocent civilians or important facilities."

"The ensuing fires from the explosion will continue to burn, completely incinerating the nest’s foundation and making it impossible for the birds to return and rebuild anytime soon. At the same time, the high heat and shockwaves will also inflict significant casualties on the remaining zombies in the ruins. Killing two birds with one stone, so to speak."

Hearing this, Xu Mo nodded slightly.

Jiang City’s plan had clearly been well thought out. They were using the industrial ruins as an "operating table" to excise the cancerous tumor of the bird flock with an extreme, yet relatively clean, method.

This operation would demonstrate their military might, solve the imminent threat to their food supply, clear out the remaining zombies, and avoid dangerous aerial combat or low-altitude bombing over their own controlled territories or farmlands.

"However," the voice on the broadcast grew grim, "we must inform all residents of the truth: the bird flock is extremely large and not entirely concentrated in one area. Although this strike is expected to eliminate a majority of their numbers and their core nest, a significant number of birds will inevitably survive. Spurred on by the destruction of their nest and the mass death of their kind, these survivors are highly likely to enter a frenzied state."

"This is why the air raid sirens are currently sounding. We expect the first wave to reach Jiang City’s outer air defense perimeter within the next forty to fifty minutes. Please, trust in our air defense systems, maintain order, and do not panic or venture outside."

The broadcast began to loop instructions on taking shelter and messages of reassurance.

Xu Mo turned down the volume and walked to the window to look outside. The sky was shrouded in a strange, grayish-yellow hue, and the streets below were dead silent.

"Fuel-air bombs, thermobaric explosions..." Xu Mo repeated the words in a low voice. He had previously guessed they might need to use nuclear weapons. Now, it seemed he had underestimated humanity’s creativity and brutal efficiency in the realm of conventional warfare. ’Nuking it is probably the first idea a layman like me would have, not a professional.’

Then he thought about the Rock Shelter delegation’s visit at this exact moment...

A flash of understanding crossed Xu Mo’s eyes.

’Flexing their muscles?’ Xu Mo was almost certain. In the apocalypse, strength was the ultimate currency—the key to forging alliances, winning negotiations, and even ensuring the loyalty of one’s own subsidiary branches.

To launch such a massive and shockingly effective clearing operation while the Rock Delegation was present... its political significance and deterrent intent were likely no less important than its military objectives.

This was a clear and unmistakable demonstration to their allies, their potential enemies, and even more so, to their own million-strong populace: Jiang City had the determination and the capability to identify a threat, formulate a strategy, and deploy overwhelming force to eliminate it. Even if deploying that force meant having to immediately deal with the ensuing retaliation.

"Killing multiple birds with one stone... heh, literally." A smirk tugged at the corner of Xu Mo’s mouth. The games and calculations of the higher-ups always manifested in such ways.

However, whether this "flexing" would be successful ultimately depended on whether Jiang City could withstand the coming onslaught of the enraged bird flock. Whether the mutated birds that escaped would become an even more troublesome menace—the current air raid siren was the most direct test of that. Xu Mo stared at the sky outside, which was gradually being filled with the shadows of birds. He knew this "show of strength" for the Rock Delegation was now facing its truest stress test.

He cast his gaze toward the ever-darkening sky, like the final calm before the storm.

The first wave of survivors, the frenzied "avengers," would be here any moment.