Chapter 78: Three-sided dynamics!

When the drone's camera zoomed in, dozens of survivors could be clearly seen working in the fields.

Their faces showed none of the numbness and despair common among apocalypse survivors; instead, they bore a... heartfelt, radiant smile.

It was a smile full of hope for the future!

"This... this...?!"

The footage sent back by the drone made Zhao Weiguo feel as if it were just before the apocalypse descended.

Dead silence.

Inside the command center, it was still dead silent.

The three of them had quickened breaths, yet their eyes flashed with utterly different lights.

In Zhao Weiguo's eyes were shock, excitement, and ecstasy at seeing the spark of human civilization continue!

Qian Wanjin's eyes showed undisguised greed!

He seemed to have seen countless riches—not, but something more precious than wealth, beckoning to him!

Sun Ba's eyes held a mix of jealousy and fervent possessiveness!

He could not tolerate the existence of such a "technological creation" beyond his comprehension!

He must obtain it!

Dissect it!

Control it!

"Chief Sun,

Zhao Weiguo spoke with difficulty, his voice hoarse,

"Your proposal just now, I think... can be put on hold for a while."

Sun Ba said nothing, merely nodding silently, his eyes fixed on the giant beast in the screen, the eyes behind his lenses flashing a terrifying light.

Qian Wanjin's voice grew sharp from excitement,

"We must spare no expense to figure out what this is!"

Zhao Weiguo and Sun Ba exchanged a glance, thereby agreeing to Qian Wanjin's proposal.

But who will go?

How will we go?

The three exchanged a glance, each seeing distrust in the others' eyes.

Finally, Zhao Weiguo broke the silence, taking a deep breath and speaking in a low voice:

"Since none of us three can fully trust each other, then... let each rely on their own abilities."

"Our three factions will each send a team."

"As for the end, whoever can make contact with the other side and gain the greatest benefit..."

He paused, a flash of stern light crossing his eyes.

"It will come down to whose methods are superior."

"Suchen Refuge" Supreme Command Center.

Zhao Weiguo remained alone in the vacant command center, without turning on the lights.

Only the holographic projection on the desk continued to play, untiringly, the scene inside Xuanwu City.

The green farmland, the curling cooking smoke, those faces beaming with hope...

Each image struck like a heavy hammer, pounding hard against his already iron-hard heart.

He slowly rose, walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, and lifted his gaze to the ground.

He could see no sky, only a defensive layer tens of meters thick, made of reinforced concrete and special alloy.

This solid barrier had once given him an unparalleled sense of security.

But now he felt, for the first time, a kind of... suffocation called a "cage."

"Could it be... that we've been wrong from the start?"

He muttered to himself, his voice full of confusion.

At the onset of the apocalypse, relying on his military background and thunderous methods, he swiftly integrated most of Suchen's official forces and built this impregnable underground refuge.

His creed was simple: build high walls, stockpile grain, and wait for order to be rebuilt.

He believed this was the only way to protect survivors and keep the spark of civilization alive.

But now, the appearance of that city on the back of the giant beast was like a loud slap, striking his face hard.

It turned out that, on this wasteland shrouded in death and despair, there truly were people who could live like "human beings."

"Perhaps... I should change my approach."

A flicker of struggle crossed Zhao Weiguo's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by an unprecedented resolve.

He turned and walked to his desk, picking up the red encrypted phone.

"Connect to the Security Department, have Zhou Bapi come see me immediately."

The "Zhou Bapi" he referred to is the head of the refuge's Security Department, a notorious figure known for his ruthlessness and crafty methods.

Zhao Weiguo decided that this contact mission must be entrusted to the person he trusts most and who will stop at nothing.

No matter what, he must strive to secure the greatest benefit for the over one hundred thousand survivors in Suchen Refuge!

Meanwhile, the Heavenly God Group refuge.

Unlike the austere atmosphere of Suchen Refuge, the air here is permeated with a sense of luxury.

The huge underground cavern was transformed into a splendid palace, scantily clad young women carrying silver trays laden with fine wine and delicacies shuttle across the floor paved with white marble, and on the surrounding walls hang several priceless masterpieces by renowned artists from before the apocalypse.

Qian Wanjin half-reclined on a huge sofa made of pure gold, two voluptuous women massaging his shoulders and legs, one on each side.

"That Sun Ba is nothing but a conceited scientific madman, not worth fearing. Our only true rival is Zhao Weiguo."

Before him stood a middle-aged man in a neat suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

He was Qian Wanjin's chief aide and the "brain" of the entire Heavenly God Group, known as Chen Bo, the "Smiling Tiger."

After returning, Qian Wanjin told Chen Bo the contents of the emergency meeting that had just ended.

Chen Bo pushed up his glasses, a glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes behind the lenses:

"What does the boss mean?"

"It's simple."

Qian Wanjin took a sip of red wine, greed gleaming in his eyes,

"Since it's each to their own ability, we have no need to be polite with them."

"Zhao Weiguo wants cooperation, for the greater good of humanity. Sun Ba wants research, a technological breakthrough. And I… I want it all!"

He suddenly sat up straight, erupting with an astonishing aura.

"Chen Bo, go handle three things right away."

"First, from the Vault, pick out the top-tier luxury goods—jewelry, fine wine, cigars… anything that was hard to buy even with money before the apocalypse, prepare a generous gift for each!"

"Second, from the Garden, select ten top-notch 'goods'. Remember, they must be the absolute best, absolutely 'clean', and absolutely obedient!"

"Third, let Yingzi personally lead the team. Tell him this mission must succeed, no failure allowed! By any means, he must secure control of that giant beast for me!"

Upon hearing the name Yingzi, Chen Bo's eyelid twitched imperceptibly.

Yingzi, the most mysterious and terrifying trump card of the Heavenly God Group.

No one knows where he comes from, only that whenever he acts, he never fails.

"Yes, boss."

Chen Bo nodded solemnly, his face grave.

"Go."

Qian Wanjin waved his hand, then reclined lazily back onto the sofa.

And what the Deep Blue Matrix seeks, as Qian Wanjin said, is a biological specimen of the Black Tortoise for research.

Three forces, three purposes.