Li Shuo's voice paused, like the silence before a heavy hammer fell:
"According to the wartime emergency regulations and crimes against humanity clauses of the Lower City United Charter! Zhou Rui is sentenced to... permanent expulsion! Execute immediately!"
"Expulsion?"
"Not an execution?"
Muffled exclamations and confused murmurs echoed throughout the conference room. Many people's eyes were filled with anger, believing that this punishment was too lenient.
Zhou Rui suddenly raised his head, and a trace of disbelief and... a hint of luck that he had survived the disaster flashed across his pale face?
Li Shuo's gaze, like a cold blade, finally fell on Zhou Rui's face. He added clearly, word by word:
"Deportation location - the core radiation zone of the 'Forgotten Sand Sea'. Give him one day's rations and a bottle of water. Let him use his 'efficiency' to 'optimize' his survival against the radiation and mutant beasts of the wasteland."
The conference room instantly fell silent! Then, a suppressed, yet immensely pleasurable, inhalation erupted!
The core radiation zone of the Forgotten Sand Sea! That's a forbidden zone for life! A day's rations and water? This is more cruel than outright execution! It's a true exile of despair!
The trace of luck on Zhou Rui's face instantly solidified, turning into extreme fear and grayness! He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out, and his body trembled violently like a sieve.
Two security guards stepped forward with expressionless faces, lifted up the limp Zhou Rui, and dragged him out of the meeting room like a dead dog. The heavy door slowly closed behind him, isolating him from his despairing gaze and the last lingering shadow of the old era.
In the conference room, the heavy atmosphere had not dissipated, but there was an added solemnity and determination after the purge.
Li Shuo's gaze swept across everyone, finally landing on Dr. Qin. His voice was filled with unquestionable determination:
"Dr. Qin, activate the 'Ark' project. The future of the downtown area cannot rely solely on swords and guns. We need light, hope, and... a new home!"
Dr. Qin nodded heavily, his eyes gleaming with excitement and a sense of mission.
The central square of Xiacheng District.
The setting sun painted the sky a magnificent golden-red. The square was packed. Having experienced the baptism of plague, the pain of betrayal, and the trials of war, the survivors gathered here, their faces etched with fatigue, their eyes burning with an unprecedented light of hope.
In the center of the square, on a makeshift platform, a massive holographic projection system was activated. The projection clearly showed the outline of a massive, silvery bird-like structure nestled in a distant mountainous landscape—the Ark! Clear coordinates and navigation routes were marked alongside it.
Dr. Qin stood in the center of the podium, his graying hair fluttering in the evening breeze. He held a symbolic activation device in his hand, and his voice, conveying excitement and solemnity, echoed clearly throughout the square through the loudspeaker:
"...My compatriots! We have walked through the ruins! We have defeated the plague! We have eradicated the cancer of betrayal! Now, we have found the direction of hope!" He pointed to the giant projection of the Ark. "'Ark'! The final spark left to us by the old world! It preserves knowledge, technology, and... all the possibilities for rebuilding civilization! It is our new home!"
The crowd erupted in deafening cheers! The sound surged into the sky!
"Launch Project Ark! We must pool all our strength! We need the best engineers! The bravest explorers! The most steadfast defenders!" Dr. Qin's voice was filled with power. "This is more than just a migration! This is the rebirth of Downtown! This is the future we create together! Are you... willing to join us on this journey, carrying hope with you?"
"willing--!"
"willing--!!"
"willing--!!!"
The response was like a tsunami, surging like a tidal wave! Countless arms were raised high, pointing to the sky, to the setting sun that symbolized infinite possibilities, and also to the silver ark in the projection that carried the future!
Lu Chenseng and Wen Shifei stood at the edge of the platform, bathed in the golden afterglow. Lu Chenseng's face still looked sickly, but he stood straight. Wen Shifei snuggled up to him, a warm smile on her face. Their hands were still tightly clasped.
Li Shuo stood beside Dr. Qin, like a giant rock guarding hope. He looked at the excited crowd below, at Lu Chentang and Wen Shifei bathed in golden light, at the ark in the projection that symbolized the future. He slowly raised his giant hand, pointing to the western sky dyed red by the sunset glow, and issued a declaration that resounded like a bell throughout the heavens and earth:
"Target—Ark!"
"Set off--!!!"
The golden sunset stretched everyone's figures far, far away, merging them into a radiant light that symbolized an endless future. Atop the ruins, the newborn light finally found its solid foundation and direction.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com