Chapter 108: 104. Remote Duel: Tsuchibashi Yu Is Still Too Green

The next day, the Kinko Bridge incident made the TBS television news.

The host opened by stating that Kinko Bridge’s electronic brain was written by Nobel Prize-level geniuses and was absolutely stable and secure.

Then the footage switched to street interviews.

Citizens shown in the interview clips all expressed trust in TPC’s regard for life and technological standards, and regarded Kinko Bridge as a formidable weapon.

Next, various experts debunked rumors such as “Kinko Bridge harbors massive hidden dangers.”

Finally, the anchor added that soon the Cabinet and TPC would release an authoritative report reaffirming the feasibility of the Kinko Bridge project.

“Don’t forget, the Pedan aliens were defeated by us Earthlings. Cracking Kinko Bridge is child’s play for humanity.”

The news ended with the host’s “joking” remark.

Clarifying facts, public support, expert debunking, government endorsement.

After Tsuchibashi Yu’s well-rehearsed moves, public opinion began to shift noticeably.

Now they just needed to wait for the authoritative report to be released—everything would then be settled.

Qi Ming commented after watching: “This news segment was well-structured for guidance.”

Shoxing Tuan asked Qi Ming what he planned to do—would he once again unleash a bloody massacre?

Qi Ming: “I’m not a violent man. Only in certain situations is violence the best solution. I’m not just about fighting and killing.”

He summoned Emi and asked her to investigate who authored the report.

“It’s Dr. Kōbu. He’s a world-class expert in this field.”

Emi delivered impressively—not only did she obtain the author’s identity, she even secured a draft of the report.

Qi Ming nodded: “Good. Then we target him and overturn this report.”

He contacted Dr. Yabui, who helped him confirm Dr. Kōbu’s whereabouts, then asked him to accompany him.

After a swift series of arrangements, Qi Ming prepared to depart. Shoxing Tuan, uneasy, insisted Emi go with him.

On the way, Emi asked Qi Ming how he planned to proceed—intimidation or bribery?

“Neither. I plan to ‘save him.’”

“Earlier, in a psychiatric hospital in England, I learned a ‘formula.’ If executed properly, any report can be overturned.”

Emi: “?”

Psychiatric hospital… isn’t that just a mental asylum?

Is this safe? Are you going to use methods taught by a mental patient to overturn a renowned doctor’s report?

Qi Ming explained calmly: “First, try to scare off the report’s author.”

“Hint that the project carries massive hidden risks, and suggest he wait until more comprehensive, long-term investigations yield results.”

“Then, let everyone pick holes.”

“No matter how detailed the report, it must have overlooked some issues. Exploit those, and its conclusions will be questioned.”

“If that fails, smear the author. In logic, this is called an ‘ad hominem fallacy.’”

“To succeed, focus on the issue, not the person. To sabotage, focus on the person, not the issue.”

“There’s also a method to appease conservatives, but its effectiveness is uncertain—best avoided if possible…”

Qi Ming spouted a long list, leaving Emi stunned.

Could this be taught by a mental patient?

Emi: “Who on earth taught you this method?”

Qi Ming: “His name is Humphrey Appleby. He was once Britain’s Cabinet Secretary. After retirement, he developed mental issues and was sent to a hospital by his son and daughter-in-law.”

(Most readers have probably seen this image—the one on the right is Humphrey.)

…………………………

Soon, Qi Ming and Emi arrived at the address provided by Dr. Yabui—a high-end restaurant.

They found Dr. Kōbu chatting merrily with Dr. Yabui at a window seat and walked over directly.

“Dr. Yabui, what a coincidence—you’re here too. Are you Dr. Kōbu? An honor to meet you.” Qi Ming feigned surprise.

Dr. Kōbu’s eyes lit up upon seeing Qi Ming: “I’ve seen you on the news—you’re Qi Ming from the Victory Team. You’re even handsomer in person.”

He then turned to Emi: “May I ask who this is… your girlfriend?”

Qi Ming: “This is Emi, my steadfast support, reliable teammate, my good brother.”

Emi: “?”

Good brother? What’s that supposed to mean?

Dr. Yabui said since they were all here, they should eat together, and stood up to order more dishes.

With that, he left Qi Ming and Dr. Kōbu alone.

Qi Ming sat down calmly across from Dr. Kōbu: “I’ve read your report on Kinko Bridge. With this, your name will go down in history.”

Dr. Kōbu still didn’t sense anything amiss: “With Kinko Bridge, your defensive capabilities will greatly improve.”

Qi Ming gave a low chuckle: “But what if the report is wrong…”

Dr. Kōbu: “Wrong?”

Qi Ming smiled slyly: “If the repaired and modified Kinko Bridge isn’t as safe as you claim, Doctor, your career and reputation…” He paused. “Doctor, you truly have courage.”

Dr. Kōbu dismissed it: “All standardized tests and data show Kinko Bridge has no issues.”

Qi Ming kept his tone neutral and cold: “Standardized tests, I see… heh.”

Dr. Kōbu finally sensed something was off: “Do you think our tests are flawed, Officer Qi Ming?”

Qi Ming: “Though I’m no expert in this field, reports from the U.S. suggest some critical issues remain unresolved.”

“Some evidence lacks persuasiveness. Some conclusions are questioned. Some data can be interpreted differently.”

“Long-term, in-depth research might yield different findings.”

Dr. Kōbu assumed Qi Ming was an insider—he couldn’t believe such deep understanding came from someone so young.

Meanwhile, Emi, seated beside Qi Ming, thought: …This sounds exactly like Qi Ming’s [Let everyone pick holes]?

Dr. Kōbu prepared to discuss further, but Qi Ming continued: “If the report is wrong, even if problems arise ten years later, the media will immediately dig up your report.”

Dr. Kōbu frowned deeply.

Qi Ming lowered his voice: “If Kinko Bridge goes rogue, Japan will be the first to suffer destruction. If it’s discovered you once consulted for a multinational corporation…”

Dr. Kōbu grew anxious: “That was ten years ago!”

Emi quietly corrected: “Precisely, eight years and nine months.”

This must be Qi Ming’s [Smear the author]…

Qi Ming pressed on: “You know how terrifying the media can be—they exaggerate and fabricate.”

“Even if the problem isn’t yours—if a space alien secretly infiltrated Kinko Bridge and altered its programming causing a meltdown—TPC will still blame you to cover up the scandal.”

“At that point, magazines and self-media outlets will go berserk.”

“They’ll headline things like ‘Families of Kinko Bridge Report Victims Destroyed’… the fallout would be enormous.”

(End of Chapter)