Chapter 11

The intermittent distress signals that seemed to come from ancient times were like a huge rock thrown into stagnant water, which suddenly changed the atmosphere in the temporary command room.

"Pain? Damage?" Susie repeated the deciphered words in disbelief, her fingers moving rapidly on the console, trying to grasp more information. "It...it's not attacking us? Is it calling for help?"

Wen Ling immediately stepped forward, staring intently at the mournful rhythm of the signal on the screen. A flash of understanding and deeper worry flashed across his deep green eyes: "If its 'pollution' is an out-of-control defense mechanism, or in other words, the spread of its own 'pain'..."

"That doesn't change the fact that it's extremely dangerous." Miao Weizhen's cold voice interrupted him. His eyes were sharp as a knife, and he was not shaken by this sudden information. "No matter what its original intention was, it now poses a real threat to the port and Cangling Continent. We can't pin our hopes on the 'goodwill' of an incomprehensible existence."

He looked at Susie and said in an unquestionable tone, "Continue to analyze the signal and confirm its authenticity. At the same time, the plan to prepare the resonant generator remains unchanged. General Han, have you arranged the candidates?"

Han Zhong was about to respond when a commotion erupted outside. The captain of the guards, who had been assigned to block the entrance to District 9, rushed in with a scowl on his face. "Minister, Your Highness! The port... the port is full of miners and their families! They've heard from somewhere that they're sending in the assassination squadrons to die. They're agitated and demanding a halt!"

Miao Weizhen frowned slightly, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes: "How did the news leak out?"

Wen Ling immediately realized the seriousness of the problem. He looked at Miao Weizhen and said, "We can't provoke them any further. If the core can really communicate, we might have a chance to find a solution that satisfies both sides."

"Best of both worlds?" Miao Weizhen's voice was tinged with sarcasm. "Your Highness, which is easier to control: the people's panic or that energy core? Calming them takes time, but the core's awakening won't wait. Once it completely gets out of control, more than just a few people will die.

His logic remains cold and efficient, putting "cost" first.

"Give me some time," Wen Ling insisted, her eyes firm. "I'll go talk to them. Meanwhile, have Susie decipher the signal with all her might and try to find a way to communicate with the core. If...if communication fails, it won't be too late to execute your plan."

Miao Weizhen stared at Wen Ling, as if weighing his options. The noise outside was growing louder.

He finally said coldly: "I'll give you two hours. After two hours, if there is no progress, I will handle it my own way." This was both a concession to Wen Ling and an extreme pressure.

Wen Ling took a deep breath, turned around and strode towards the port gathering area. He had to calm the people and buy time for Susie.

Behind him, Miao Weizheng whispered a few words to Han Zhong, and Han Zhong took the order and left, obviously preparing to suppress the rebellion by force in case Wen Ling's appeasement failed.

At the same time, Miao Weizhen's gaze swept across the command room, his eyes icy. He was investigating who had leaked the information and where this undercurrent came from.

Susie, on the other hand, was completely absorbed in deciphering the signal, muttering to herself, "Pain... the core is damaged... needs repairing... This is like... a system error report? Could it really be... just a malfunctioning machine?"

When Wen Ling walked to the port gathering area, he saw a sea of ​​people in front of him.

The miners were wearing oil-stained work clothes, and their families - women, the elderly, and even some half-grown children - had faces filled with a mixture of fear, anger, and despair.

"We can't let people go to die!"

"You officials don't treat us as human beings at all!"

"Blow that damn thing up! We can't let it harm anyone anymore!"

The crowd was furious, the roar threatening to rip the harbor's roof off. Several agitated young people began pushing forward, attempting to breach the cordon. The guards nervously raised their riot shields, and a conflict threatened to erupt.

Wen Ling didn't use a megaphone. He took a deep breath and walked directly to the front of the crowd. His dazzling golden hair and outstanding appearance were like a beacon in the gloomy harbor, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

"I'm Wen Ling," his voice was clear and penetrating, drowning out the clamor. "Cang Lingzhou is the land my father left me, and it's also the home you depend on for survival."

The commotion in the crowd subsided a little, and countless eyes were focused on him, with doubt, expectation, and numbness.

"I understand your fear and anger," Wen Ling continued, his green eyes sweeping across the crowd, his gaze sincere and resolute. "No one should be sacrificed so easily. I assure you that we are looking for a way to resolve this crisis without sacrificing anyone."

"Liar! We heard the news that you have already chosen people to die!" a rough miner roared.

"That's the last option," Wen Ling said firmly, without evasion. "But it's definitely not the first choice. Our engineers are trying to communicate with the underground energy source. It may not be malicious, but just sending a painful signal. If we can repair it, perhaps we can not only resolve the crisis, but also bring new hope to Cang Lingzhou!"

"Communicating with that kind of monster? Your Highness, you are too naive!"

"It killed so many of us!"

The questioning voices were raised again.

"Precisely because it has demonstrated a power beyond our comprehension, we must not rashly provoke it!" Wen Ling raised her voice. "Believe in me, and believe in those who are striving to find the answers. Give me some time. If communication fails, if it is ultimately proven that it has only the will to destroy..."

He paused for a moment, his gaze becoming sharper, as if carrying the weight of the entire Cang Ling Continent.

"...Then, I, Wen Ling, swear in the name of the late Führer's son that I will personally lead the bravest warriors into the deepest depths and completely end this threat. Even if there is a sacrifice, it will not be just one of you."

These words were powerful, with unquestionable determination and an almost tragic commitment.

The crowd fell completely silent. They looked at the incredibly young, delicate-looking prince. It was hard to imagine him personally entering that land of death, but the resoluteness in his eyes made it impossible to doubt his sincerity.

A subtle trust began to replace anger and panic.

Meanwhile, in the command room, Susie slammed her hand on the table and excitedly shouted, "We've found it, Minister! Your Highness might be right! This signal pattern...it's not just a cry of pain, it seems to be repeating a specific 'repair protocol' instruction fragment. It really might just be...a broken super device."

Miao Weizhen stood behind her, looking at the clearer signal stream being analyzed on the screen, and a trace of real emotion finally appeared in his cold eyes.

"What is needed to 'fix' it?" Miao Weizhen asked, his tone still cautious.

"I'm not sure. There's no clear indication in the signal. But it definitely can't be solved by violence," Susie said excitedly. "We need to get closer to it and try to conduct a deeper data exchange. Maybe... maybe we don't have to sacrifice anyone."

Just then, Wen Ling walked in from outside, beads of sweat on his forehead, but his eyes were bright: "The people have been appeased for the time being. Susie, is there any progress?"

"Yes!" Susie quickly explained her new discovery.

Wen Ling looked at Miao Weizhen and said, "Commander Miao, the situation has changed. It now appears that the risks and uncertainties of forcible suppression are greater. I request permission to attempt contact."

Miao Weizhen remained silent, his gaze shifting between Wen Ling's resolute face and Susie's excited expression. The public outside had temporarily calmed down thanks to Wen Ling's promise, while scientific research within the organization pointed to new possibilities. His most efficient plan, "sacrifice one person to save the whole," no longer seemed so absolutely correct in the face of morality and new intelligence.

"...Okay." Finally, he compromised, but his eyes remained sharp. "Engineer Su, prepare the contact plan. General Han, organize an elite team to be responsible for escort and support. This time, I will lead the team myself."

He looked at Wen Ling and said with a warning tone: "Your Highness, you can choose to stay in the safe zone."

Wen Ling shook her head, her green eyes showing no sign of retreat. "I said it's my responsibility there. And if it can really communicate, my identity might play an unexpected role."

Miao Weizhen didn't try to persuade him any further, but just looked at him deeply.

The real test has just begun.