Chapter 225 - A People Await My Action, How Can I Remain Idle?

"Please, sir, teach me."Mike lowered his head, adopting the obedient posture of someone who listens intently, no matter the reprimand.If you're willing to strike, even scolding is deserved.After all, Jiang Xiaoci had once hinted that Mike needed to grow, implying that he was somewhat slow-witted. Now, facing the mightier Dongfang Zhiyuan, it was only natural that he would be scorned for his shortcomings.Mike understood that he was an ordinary person, not a prodigy, and it was no harm to be chastised by those far more capable."You're quite self-aware."Dongfang Zhiyuan chuckled softly, a smile of amusement playing on his lips. He didn't keep Mike in suspense but spoke in a calm, measured tone. "The so-called Ghost Fog City is simply the Mist of the Ghost Realm, a dwelling place for the spirits and demons."Lin Yue muttered from the side, "There really are ghosts?"Mike quickly shot her a glare. "Lin Yue, stop interrupting!""Ah, sorry, sorry!"Lin Yue immediately apologized, and Dongfang Zhiyuan paused, his gaze flicking over to Lin Yue before settling back on Mike."Why are you being so harsh on her?""..."Mike opened his mouth to explain, but Dongfang Zhiyuan gave a cold smile and patted his hand. "You owe her much, so don't be too hard on her. Your conscience may not forgive you.""Ugh!"Mike quickly pulled his hand back, wincing in pain.This old man was bizarre—he'd only tapped his hand, and it felt like his flesh was being torn apart.But when Mike looked down, his hand appeared perfectly fine. The pain, however, lingered."You're right, I'll be more careful next time."Mike kept his head lowered, avoiding eye contact. Dongfang Zhiyuan nodded approvingly."Go on," he said, continuing, "What Lin Yue said isn't entirely accurate. Yes, the Ghost Realm is home to many spirits and monsters, but the Ghost Fog City is different.""You mentioned that this 'end of days' revolves around the ghost city, but it's actually the mist that's the focus.""The Ghost Mist comes from the Ghost Realm, but it doesn't bring spirits with it. The mechanism test is just pulling random things from the vast multiverse.""The Ghost Mist is harmless to the powerful, but for humans on Earth, it poses a great danger—it can corrode the body and confuse the soul. Ordinary humans can hardly resist it."Dongfang Zhiyuan glanced out the window, speaking softly. "The mist covering an entire planet is much weaker, less potent, but still troublesome for you all.""So, if we stay indoors, won't we be able to survive this disaster?"Mike muttered to himself, glancing outside, then quickly fell silent.He realized he'd spoken out of turn.The old man probably wouldn't be pleased.But Dongfang Zhiyuan showed no sign of anger, instead asking, "If people stay indoors, how will they eat and drink?""Send someone to deliver supplies? Does that mean they'll have to venture into the mist?"Dongfang Zhiyuan's question lingered in the air. Mike, feeling lighter, lifted his head and answered, "What if we use machines? They don't have souls, so the mist's negative effects won't work on them.""No, it would make things worse."Dongfang Zhiyuan shook his head. "The side effects of the Ghost Mist aren't its biggest threat. They're just a secondary issue. The real danger is how the mist fosters the bizarre, and not all of these phenomena are actual ghosts.""It doesn't bring spirits because it doesn't need to. It's the essence of the Ghost Realm—like oxygen is for life on Earth.""As long as the mist is here, bizarre occurrences will happen everywhere on Earth. The planet has already faced two apocalyptic events. Over half the population is dead, and cities are filled with corpses."Dongfang Zhiyuan's sharp eyes locked onto Mike. "Where there are dead, the mist will nurture the bizarre, and these phenomena often possess extraordinary abilities—either tangible or intangible. No current human technology can evade or bypass them.""Sending machines to deliver supplies won't work. It's better to send people. At least they have some wits to avoid danger and seek out opportunities.""But if you send people out, the mist will erode their minds, and those who venture out may never return."Dongfang Zhiyuan's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "So, what will you do now?"The old man seemed almost to take pleasure in Mike's discomfort, glancing briefly at Jiang Xiaoci before his eyes met Mike's, silently stopping her from speaking."Using technology doesn't work, sending people doesn't work..."Mike furrowed his brows, his hands twisting together in frustration, silent as his thoughts raced.Given Dongfang Zhiyuan's status and strength, there was no reason he would lie to him. All this information was likely true.If technology couldn't work, then sending people was the only choice left. But ordinary survivors and soldiers wouldn't suffice. What about the Protectors? No, they might be physically powerful, but their minds were no stronger than others'.What about the mages? The ones who specialized in mental magic?No, no... the old man knows everything about me, so he likely knows my mage army, and if he hasn't mentioned them, it's probably because even the mages can't deal with it.This... it's hopeless. There's no way out!People can't go, machines can't be used, and we're all going to suffocate in the shelters?Functional survivors might still be able to use their abilities to get food, but combat-type talent holders will just starve to death!If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have set any thresholds. I should've made agreements with all the survivors sooner to ensure food supplies...Wait!Suddenly, a spark of realization flashed through Mike's mind. He raised his head to look at Dongfang Zhiyuan, speaking eagerly, "Mages can help! You were deliberately guiding me! I sent out Zheng Xingxing and Wang Shi earlier, and now with the mist thickening, they haven't died!""If they were in danger, with your dismissive attitude toward me, you'd probably use it to mock my stupidity, right?"Mike tested the waters with Dongfang Zhiyuan, who didn't show any anger but merely raised his chin in silent permission to continue."So, it seems... the mage army is indeed useful, and individuals like Squad Leader Wang, who possesses special mechanisms, would also have some protection in the mist.""Using them to deliver supplies would definitely be fine. At least it would ensure more people survive, and it shows I actually have a way to fight against the mist.""As long as I can ensure people stay alive and have a means to fight back, at least I can survive this apocalypse. The real question is, how many will die?"Mike's brow furrowed again. "But if the two thousand-strong tech army can't be used, coordinating and managing two cities will be a disaster."Just relying on the five thousand mages, it would be impossible to take care of both cities."Have you considered abandoning Xinchang?"Dongfang Zhiyuan spoke calmly. "With the strength of the Ghost Mist, you might not even be able to protect Jinling, and you're still considering protecting two cities full of ordinary people?""How can you know unless you try?"Mike shook his head, rejecting Dongfang Zhiyuan's suggestion. "With the mist spreading and the third wave of the apocalypse imminent, people in both cities are waiting for me to make a decision.""Many of them are ordinary people, some even holding back their functional talents to help others, with no way of defending themselves.""They're all waiting for me to save them. How can I not help them? If I were in their shoes, how desperate would I be if I couldn't wait for help?""Foolish!"Dongfang Zhiyuan's lips curled in a mocking grin. "You truly overestimate yourself, Mr. Su! Trying to save everyone you can only weakens your power and leads to more deaths!""This is the apocalypse, a test that can wipe out entire species! You still cling to your naïve dreams of saving the world, not understanding that in these dire times, you must use ruthless methods!"Dongfang Zhiyuan suddenly turned to Jiang Xiaoci. "What do you see in this man?"Jiang Xiaoci smiled but remained silent.Mike silently watched Dongfang Zhiyuan, waiting for the old man to finish his tirade before speaking slowly, "Sir, I am responsible for the safety of hundreds of thousands. If my thunderous methods fall on their heads, it will be an even greater disaster than the apocalypse.""I've considered becoming a leader who rises from a mountain of corpses, with ruthless tactics and a heart that doesn't flinch when taking lives.""But I don't have that kind of cruelty. My education has taught me that people come before everything.""Just like your appearance."Mike looked calmly at Dongfang Zhiyuan, speaking softly. "Your arrival has given me immense hope, but if you later tell me it's all a lie and shatter my hope... then what I'll feel the most isn't disappointment, but the despair of the people who will never see rescue.""The people are waiting for me. How can I do nothing?""Sharp-tongued."Dongfang Zhiyuan smiled. "You think I won't help you?""That's a possibility. After all, in your eyes, I'm a foolish, overly kind leader.""That's even more foolish."Dongfang Zhiyuan picked up his staff with a grin, asking casually, "Have you seen my mechanism data? Didn't it tell you about my origins?""Yes, I remember."Mike nodded, recalling the details. "It said you're a guiding star for humanity from another Earth world, known as the Eternal Lamp of Wisdom.""Do you understand what that means?""My understanding is that you led people from another world, and you're guarding them.""Ah, you're not stupid after all."Dongfang Zhiyuan's smile widened as he pointed at Mike. "Kid, I was once like you, with the foolish thought of saving everyone.""But I succeeded, and you haven't yet."Dongfang Zhiyuan's smile faded, and he grew serious. "I'm happy with what you've said. A leader who cannot feel the despair of their own people, relying on so-called cold-blooded methods, is nothing but a tyrant, not a true ruler!""So you still said that earlier!"Mike raised his voice, "Testing me, huh?""Can't I?"Dongfang Zhiyuan blinked, suddenly taking on a mischievous tone. "I told you, I'm here to have fun.""Then what about this Ghost Mist?"Mike slumped into the sofa, gesturing outside with a roll of his eyes. "I'm stupid, I can't handle this, but I still want to save people... Old man, you're awesome, please help me.""You really know how to work the situation, don't you?"Dongfang Zhiyuan's smile returned. "I never said I'd help you.""Then you're just playing me?"Mike's voice was full of frustration. "We've been at this for so long, and you're just messing with me... Can we at least show some real power? Time's ticking, and people are going to die if we keep waiting!""Why rush? It takes time for the bizarre to manifest. It doesn't just create trouble out of nowhere."Dongfang Zhiyuan tapped his staff, a brighter glow shimmering at the top. Mike's eyes widened.Was he about to unleash a skill? A big move?Dongfang Zhiyuan cleared his throat and glanced at Lin Yue. "It's time for dinner."Mike: "..."Still playing?Mike helplessly motioned to Lin Yue to fetch food.He now understood—the old man wasn't unwilling to help, but the mist wasn't an immediate threat yet.As long as people stayed inside, the situation could stabilize for now.Dongfang Zhiyuan, unlike other talents, had greater autonomy and wasn't someone Mike could control completely.With a man like him, all Mike could do was go along with his whims.What else could he do? After all, the old man had the skills, so he had the right to be a little temperamental.Lin Yue quickly set the table with an array of delicious dishes. Just as Dongfang Zhiyuan was about to sit down, Wang Daniu's loud voice echoed through the door."Report! All floors have been inspected!""All floors are normal, personnel accounted for, no abnormalities!""Good work."Mike responded, smiling as he poured wine for Dongfang Zhiyuan. "Sir, try this wine—it's Maotai, you might not find it where you're from."I need to treat this old man well. He knows too much about the mist and must have a way to counter it!For the safety of both cities, Mike was willing to bend over backwards."Mm."Dongfang Zhiyuan nodded, clearly enjoying himself as he awaited his wine. After a sip, he looked at Mike with a twinkle in his eye."Was the person outside wrong about something?""Wrong?"Mike blinked, noticing Wang Daniu standing dutifully outside the door.He glanced back at Dongfang Zhiyuan, who was smiling cryptically.Mike suddenly froze, a chill running down his spine. "Crap!""Did something go wrong inside the building? But Wang Daniu didn't notice it?"Dongfang Zhiyuan took another sip of wine, savoring it before answering with a casual, "Mm-hmm."