Chapter 884

His gaze was dazed.

His gaze was dazed.

Everyone hearing Colonel Chu say the two simple words felt their scalps go numb.

Everyone listening to Colonel Chu's two simple words felt their scalps go numb.

Okay, it's simple again.

Translation: "Alright, it's very simple again." Or "Okay, it's very simple again." We'll do: "Alright, it's very simple again."

I don't know if it's just habit, but Chu An and Lin An both inexplicably prefer to use a single simple word, even though every problem they face is extremely difficult.

Translation: "I don't know if it's out of habit, but Chu An and Lin An inexplicably both like to use the word 'simple,' no matter how thorny the problem they face each time." Note there are two periods at end. We'll keep as is? We'll translate: "I don't know if it's out of habit, but Chu An and Lin An inexplicably both like to use the word 'simple,' no matter how thorny the problem they face each time.." Keep double period? Probably keep as is but we can keep one period. We'll keep as original punctuation? We'll just translate: "I don't know if it's out of habit, but Chu An and Lin An inexplicably both like to use the word 'simple,' no matter how thorny the problem they face each time." We'll not add extra.

Where is it simple..

Where is it simple..

No nonsense, Chu An directly extended two fingers.

Translation: "Without further ado, Chu An directly extended two fingers:" We'll do: "Without further ado, Chu An directly extended two fingers:"

"First."

Translation: "\"First. \"" Keep quotes.

"The first layer, namely the initial meme, is essentially just an illusion covering the white mist."

Translation: "\"The first layer, namely the initial meme, is essentially just an illusion covering the white mist. \"" We'll do: "\"The first layer, namely the initial meme, is essentially just an illusion covering the white mist. \""

"Just as I said, as long as we destroy all broadcast rooms, including any dissemination communication facilities, that will suffice."

Translation: "\"Just as I said, as long as we destroy all broadcast rooms, including any dissemination communication facilities, that will suffice. \"" We'll do: "\"Just as I said, as long as we destroy all broadcast rooms, including any dissemination communication facilities, that will suffice. \""

"We don't need to locate the first problematic broadcast station; destroying them all will naturally resolve all issues."

Translation: "\"We don't need to find where the first problematic broadcast station is; destroy them all, and all problems will naturally be resolved. \"" We'll do: "\"We don't need to find where the first problematic broadcast station is; destroy them all, and all problems will naturally be resolved. \""

As soon as he finished speaking, a former high-ranking officer of the Huanjiang Military Region quietly wanted to say something.

Translation: "Just as his words fell, a former high-ranking officer of the Huanjiang Military Region quietly wanted to say something:" We'll do: "Just as his words fell, a former high-ranking officer of the Huanjiang Military Region quietly wanted to say something:"

"But.."

Translation: "\"But.. \"" Keep double period? We'll do: "\"But.. \""

"Isn't the meme spread through thought?"

Translation: "\"Isn't the meme spread according to thought? \"" We'll do: "\"Isn't the meme spread according to thought? \""

"That illusion is clearly echoing endlessly within the white mist; even if we destroy all the facilities, the broadcast would likely persist for a long time, right?"

Translation: "\"That illusion is clearly echoing continuously within the white mist. Even if we destroy all the facilities, the broadcast will likely continue for a long time, right? \"" We'll do: "\"That illusion is clearly echoing continuously within the white mist. Even if we destroy all the facilities, the broadcast will likely continue for a long time, right? \""

"Let's not talk about whether we can destroy it..."

Translation: "\"Never mind whether we can destroy it... \""

"Even if we destroy it..."

Translation: "\"Even if we destroy it... \""

"Just as you said before, the white mist meme now has a dual effect."

Translation: "\"Just as you said before, the white mist meme has a dual effect. \"" We'll do: "\"Just as you said before, the white mist meme has a dual effect. \""

"Once we destroy the facilities that are its 'entity,' what if it instead merges into the white mist?"

Translation: "\"Once we destroy the facilities that are its 'main body,' wouldn't that cause it to merge into the white mist? What then? \"" We'll do: "\"Once we destroy the facilities that are its 'main body,' wouldn't that cause it to merge into the white mist? What then? \""

"What if someone enters it—could the meme possibly possess a human directly?!"

Translation: "\"What's more, if someone were to enter it, could the meme possibly possess a human directly?! \""

Since Chu An explained the principle of the white mist meme, the speaker couldn't help but think of many things.

Translation: "After Chu An explained the principle of the white mist meme, the Awakened One who spoke up couldn't help but think of many things." We'll do: "After Chu An explained the principle of the white mist meme, the Awakened One who spoke up couldn't help but think of many things."

Everyone listened and silently nodded in agreement.

Translation: "Everyone listening nodded inwardly." We'll do: "Everyone listening nodded inwardly."

That's right.

Translation: "That's right."

Once the meme's means of spread shifts from the broadcast in the white mist to mobile humans.

Translation: "Once the meme's means of spread shifts from the broadcast within the white mist to mobile humans," We'll do: "Once the meme's means of spread shifts from the broadcast within the white mist to mobile humans,"

Such an unrestricted meme would spread like a moving natural disaster.

Translation: "that unrestricted meme would spread like a moving natural disaster." We'll do: "that unrestricted meme would spread like a moving natural disaster."

Chu An smiled and raised his hand to press down.

Translation: "Chu An smiled and raised his hand to press down:" We'll do: "Chu An smiled and raised his hand to press down:"

"Being able to think of that is not bad."

Translation: "\"Being able to think of this is not bad. \"" We'll do: "\"Being able to think of this is not bad. \""

"Yes, after destroying the facilities, the meme will indeed merge into the white mist; that is the meme's second effect."

Translation: "\"Yes, after destroying the facilities, the meme will indeed merge into the white mist; that is the meme's second effect. \"" We'll do: "\"Yes, after destroying the facilities, the meme will indeed merge into the white mist; that is the meme's second effect. \""

"Just like that powerless broadcast station, clearly inoperable yet still able to transmit."

Translation: "\"Just like a broadcast station without power, clearly inoperative yet still able to transmit. \"" We'll do: "\"Just like a broadcast station without power, clearly inoperative yet still able to transmit. \""

"Once a person enters, it will indeed cause the situation you described."

Translation: "\"Once humans enter, it will indeed lead to the situation you described. \"" We'll do: "\"Once humans enter, it will indeed lead to the situation you described. \""

"But as long as we keep people away, there's no problem."

Translation: "\"But as long as we keep people away, there's no problem. \"" We'll do: "\"But as long as we keep people away, there's no problem. \""

"Keep people away?"

Translation: "\"Keep people away? \""

Jing Tian, responsible for most of the Long'an operations, furrowed his brow and couldn't help but picture the white mist's extent in his mind.

Translation: "Jing Tian, responsible for most of Long An's operations, frowned slightly and couldn't help but sketch the white mist's range in his mind:" We'll do: "Jing Tian, responsible for most of Long An's operations, frowned slightly and couldn't help but sketch the white mist's range in his mind:"

"Colonel Chu."

Translation: "\"Colonel Chu. \""

"Our Long'an people can stay away, but how can we guarantee others will?"

Translation: "\"Our Long An people can stay away, but how can we guarantee others will? \""

"Unless we destroy it and then deploy heavy troops around the white mist, warning outside survivors for 24 hours."

Translation: "\"Unless after destroying it we deploy heavy troops around the white mist and then warn outside survivors for 24 hours. \"" We'll do: "\"Unless after destroying it we deploy heavy troops around the white mist and then warn outside survivors for 24 hours. \""

"The difficulty is too great.."

Translation: "\"The difficulty is too great.. \""

"We don't know when the white mist will dissipate..."

Translation: "\"We don't know when the white mist will dissipate... \""

His gaze was solemn, even somewhat pessimistic:

Translation: "His gaze solemn, even somewhat pessimistic:" We'll do: "His gaze solemn, even somewhat pessimistic:"

"You know this. Actually, after the white mist phenomenon appeared, many outside survivors have speculated that the white mist zone might have a special mission, even a 'treasure'."

Translation: "\"You know this. Actually, after the white mist phenomenon appeared, many outside survivors have speculated that the white mist zone might have a special mission, even a 'treasure'. \""

"The more we warn and blockade, the more interested outside survivors become."

Translation: "\"The more we warn and blockade, the more interested outside survivors become. \""

"During this time, even though we've warned many times on the battle zone channel, there are still a few fearless individuals who break in."

Translation: "\"During this time, even though we've warned many times on the theater channel, there are always a few fearless individuals who rush in. \""

He sighed.

Translation: "He sighed."

The Huaxia war zone has too many people—you name it, we've got all kinds.

Translation: "There are too many people in the Huaxia theater, to the point of having all sorts of strange folks." We'll do: "There are too many people in the Huaxia theater, to the point of having all sorts of strange folks."

Reality is often stranger than film; sometimes those who love to court danger exceed even their own imagination.

Translation: "Reality is often stranger than film; sometimes those who love to court death can exceed their own imagination." We'll do: "Reality is often stranger than film; sometimes those who love to court death can exceed their own imagination."

Let's not talk about anything else; since Long'an base began recruiting survivors from outside.

Translation: "Nothing else said, since Long'an Base began recruiting survivors from the outside." We'll do: "Nothing else said, since Long'an Base began recruiting survivors from the outside."

Many awakened ones who saw the sandworms almost all developed the idea of capturing them as pets.

Translation: "Many Awakened Ones who saw the sand worm almost all conceived the idea of capturing it as a 'pet'." We'll do: "Many Awakened Ones who saw the sand worm almost all conceived the idea of capturing it as a 'pet'."

No matter how Long'an explains that sandworms are special—not every mutant beast or monster is that mindless, or "obedient"...

Translation: "No matter how Long An explains, explaining that the sand worm is special—not every mutant beast or monster is that brainless, or 'obedient'..." We'll do: "No matter how Long An explains, explaining that the sand worm is special—not every mutant beast or monster is that brainless, or 'obedient'..."

But still, large numbers of awakened ones, upon seeing similar mutant beasts, feel the urge to subdue them...

Translation: "Yet they cannot stop large numbers of Awakened Ones who, upon seeing similar mutant beasts, feel the urge to subdue them..." We'll do: "Yet they cannot stop large numbers of Awakened Ones who, upon seeing similar mutant beasts, feel the urge to subdue them..."

Even a few awakened ones with an affinity for animals sneak onto the worksite at night, trying to "lead away" the sandworms and flee.

Translation: "Even a few Awakened Ones with an affinity for animals sneaked onto the construction site at midnight, trying to 'lead away' the sand worm and flee." We'll do: "Even a few Awakened Ones with an affinity for animals sneaked onto the construction site at midnight, trying to 'lead away' the sand worm and flee."

Of course, the eventual outcome was simply giving the sandworms a late-night snack.

Translation: "Of course, the final outcome was simply giving the sand worm comrade a midnight snack." We'll do: "Of course, the final outcome was simply giving the sand worm comrade a midnight snack."

Meanwhile, several awakened ones with military backgrounds also voiced their opinions:

Translation: "On another side, several Awakened Ones with a military background also voiced their opinions:" We'll do: "On another side, several Awakened Ones with a military background also voiced their opinions:"

"Lord Chu An, I know you might not have finished speaking."

Translation: "\"Your Excellency Chu An, I know you might not have finished speaking. \"" We'll do: "\"Your Excellency Chu An, I know you might not have finished speaking. \""

"But even if we ignore everything else, just destroying all the buildings is already quite difficult."

Translation: "\"But even if we ignore everything else, just destroying all the buildings is already quite difficult.. \""

"The white mist has already covered part of the military region; who knows how many military structures are inside."

Translation: "\"The white mist has already covered part of the military region; who knows how many military structures are inside. \"" We'll do: "\"The white mist has already covered part of the military region; who knows how many military structures are inside. \""

He gave a wry smile.

Translation: "He gave a bitter laugh."

"13... no, it's actually 17 square kilometers. Without precision guidance, do you know how much explosives and missiles would be needed to cover this area?"

Translation: "\"13.. no, it's actually 17 square kilometers. Without precision guidance, do you know how much explosives and missiles would be needed to cover this area? \""

No need to explain further.

Translation: "No need to explain too much."

There's no way to send awakened ones in as human markers; to cover such a large area with artillery, we'd have to exhaust Long'an's resources...

Translation: "There's no way to arrange Awakened Ones to go in as human beacons; wanting to cover such a large area with artillery would require draining Long'an's reserves..." We'll do: "There's no way to arrange Awakened Ones to go in as human beacons; wanting to cover such a large area with artillery would require draining Long'an's reserves..."

It's simple, but the cost is too great...

Translation: "\"Simple is simple, it's just too costly... \""

Neither affirming nor denying, Chu An, as if he had already anticipated it, replied calmly:

These two problems can be solved with a single method.

He spoke, word by word:

"Do you remember I mentioned earlier that Long An needs to build a large reservoir as a precaution?"

"But relying solely on manpower and machinery, the speed is too slow..."

Huh?

Everyone was stunned, not knowing why Chu An would bring this up again, and what the reservoir had to do with solving the white mist meme.

"What do you mean?"

Chu An smiled lightly and continued speaking calmly:

"Use nuclear bombs."

"Use nuclear bombs to blanket the white mist area and build a reservoir at the blast's epicenter!"

"And in the process, destroy all buildings and all living beings!"

"After detonating the nuclear bombs, the mushroom cloud and thermal radiation will be visible to all nearby battle zones!"

"If one isn't enough, use two; if two aren't enough, use three..."

"I think any survivor who sees a nuclear blast would probably not dare to approach..."

Holy shit?

Stunned, everyone stared blankly at the calmly smiling Chu An, momentarily unable to speak from shock.

A gulp of saliva.

This idea is crazy, but it seems it might actually work...

"But dropping nuclear bombs on our own homeland!? Chu An, this is too crazy... What... what about the radiation?!!"

Stammering, An Jing Tian gulped, suddenly recalling the "materials" Chu An had acquired in his previous trade.

Good grief, it turns out Chu the pervert had long been prepared—was he planning to drop nukes at the slightest disagreement?

His expression unchanged, Chu An wore a smile and gave a bright grin:

"Spiritual-energy nuclear bombs—perfect for an experiment."

"So, I plan to drop several more..."

After sending away the dazed crowd, Chu An once again issued a brief command.

He recruited death-row inmates and Awakened Ones who violated base regulations, using them as living bait to drive them all into the white mist.

Meanwhile, in the rear, thousands of zombies had been lured there.

As for this approach, his explanation is also simple:

"The second problem with the white mist meme stems from the despair and twisted hatred of a man surnamed Chen."

"So let's think from a different angle."

"The best way to dispel his despair is neither to rescue him nor to reform him."

"In fact, even if we wanted to, we couldn't do it."

"The simplest method is to have these death-row inmates enter the broadcast station; during the thought fusion, let that mentally distorted man 'personally' see the final moment—that the door is burst open not by humans, but by a horde of zombies!"

"Cutting off his hope will actually make him less desperate."

"Even if he personally sees that the forces outside are truly a zombie army, he will instead feel relieved by his decision, reducing the suffering of his wife and children."

"Memes can deceive us; therefore, a meme born from fused, distorted human thought can naturally be deceived as well."

"Being 'human' means having weaknesses."

His expression was cold.

In the afternoon.

As he drove hundreds of death-row inmates into the white mist, An Jing Tian instinctively recalled Chu An's eyes.

From those eyes, he seemed to have understood Chu An.

Humans, incredibly fragile.