Chapter Fifty-Seven: A Terrifying Demand

Very soon, Zhang Desen successfully opened the helmet of the strange figure. Once the helmet was removed, Zhang Desen immediately saw that beneath it was indeed a Khor, one of the terrifying people. Using his portable tools to test for signs of life, he confirmed that the Khor was dead. Without wasting a moment, Zhang Desen extracted the chips and other components from inside the helmet, intending to decode them later with the computer onboard the lifeboat back at the trading house, in hopes of quickly locating the coordinates. He also hid the Khor's corpse as swiftly as possible—there might be a need for it later, and he had to prevent other Khors from reclaiming it.

Next, Zhang Desen examined the Dust Mage, who lay collapsed on the ground. He discovered that the mage had been injured by a small dose of radiation. Zhang Desen glanced at the two cylindrical weapons he held, noting that one of them had been damaged. After a careful assessment, he concluded that the Khor, in his haste, had forgotten to increase the power setting, so the Dust Mage had not suffered too severe an attack—a bit of medicine and some rest would suffice for recovery.

Zhang Desen swiftly administered treatment to the Dust Mage. Once everything was taken care of, he gathered the collected items and hurried back toward the trading house.

On his way back, Zhang Desen heard heavy footsteps moving toward the west of the city—most likely the remaining humanoids had received some kind of order and were rushing in that direction. But he had no time to worry about that now. All he could think of was returning to the trading house as quickly as possible to regroup with Li Longfang and the others, scan the nearby airspace with radar, and discuss their next move. The Khors’ change in plans suggested they were running out of patience, and with uncertainty looming, Zhang Desen knew he could not afford further delay.

It was just past the second watch when Zhang Desen finally reached the trading house and knocked on the door. Zhao Chengming, who answered, immediately said, “Oh, Brother Desen, you’re back! Come in quickly—Li Longfang was so worried you hadn’t returned by the second watch, he was about to take his own life…”

Zhang Desen was startled. “What? That fool! Take me to him at once.”

He rushed inside and found Li Longfang, who, upon seeing Zhang Desen, burst into tears of relief. “Master, you’re back! If you hadn’t returned, I would have followed you. Thank goodness you’re safe—don’t scare me like that again!”

Seeing Li Longfang like this, Zhang Desen felt both moved and helpless, at a loss for words. But before he could say anything, a tremendous tremor shook the earth—even the building quaked. Everyone was startled and deeply uneasy. Zhang Desen immediately called out, “Everyone, stay calm and orderly!”

He left Zhao Chengming in charge of maintaining order and, taking Li Longfang with him, hurried toward the lifeboat. However, Zhang Desen did not immediately install the recovered chips into the main computer of the lifeboat, fearing unforeseen complications. Instead, he retrieved a small laptop from the lifeboat’s safe—the equipment had been prepared precisely for multiverse travel, so it had all the necessary functions.

When the tremors suddenly ceased, Zhang Desen checked the radar and saw that the large spaceship was still nearby, now descending slowly in the Cangshan area. Though puzzled, he surmised the tremors had likely been caused by the ship’s engines. To determine why the ship hadn’t left, he decided to analyze the recovered chips.

Since the lifeboat’s electronic systems no longer detected the destabilizing wavelength that had made it impossible to stand, Zhang Desen turned off the signal jamming device. Sure enough, both he and Li Longfang could stand steadily; relieved, he re-established contact between the lifeboat and the drone. He immediately operated the drone, aiming its camera toward the western part of the city. With preparations complete, Zhang Desen began decoding the chip.

He booted up the laptop and inserted the chip. To prevent any viruses or unexpected issues, this laptop was kept entirely separate from the lifeboat’s other systems. As he translated and interpreted the chip’s contents, both Zhang Desen and Li Longfang, who stood by his side watching, grew increasingly grave.

Li Longfang was the first to speak: “Master… Desen, are they really planning to take control of the Southern Dian Kingdom tonight?”

Zhang Desen replied, “That’s what it says here.”

Li Longfang, puzzled, asked, “But are they sure they understand humans well enough?”

Zhang Desen gave a cold laugh. “You see, it says here that the reason these creatures are moving so soon tonight is to create chaos in advance, so that, under cover of confusion, they can infiltrate the palace of the Southern Dian Kingdom as easily as during peacetime, completely control the royal family, and, using clones created from the specimens they previously captured, solidify their hold on the kingdom—then move on to the next phase of their plan.”

He let out a breath of relief and continued, “Fortunately, their focus is solely on the Southern Dian Kingdom—there’s no mention of other regions, so at least our rear is secure for now.”

Li Longfang, now nervous, said, “This is bad. By the way, Desen, what are these clones?”

Zhang Desen explained the concept of cloning to him. In essence, cloning refers to the process of reproducing an organism asexually, producing genetically identical offspring or groups via somatic cells. It is a biological technique in which an individual or a population with exactly the same genes as the original is created. A clone, therefore, is a human created by this method.

Li Longfang, still somewhat bewildered, said, “Master… Desen, I don’t quite understand.”

Zhang Desen replied, “Simply put, if someone takes a drop of your blood, a strand of your hair, or any part of your body containing your DNA, they can use it to create another you.”

Li Longfang asked, “What about DNA? What is that?”

Zhang Desen felt exasperated by the communication barrier brought about by their different eras, but he explained, “Don’t worry about the details. All you need to know is that they use a part of you to create another you. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a complex organic compound found in the cell nucleus as a component of chromosomes—it stores genetic information.”

Li Longfang responded, “Ah, I think I understand, though some of it is still unclear…”

Zhang Desen interrupted, “No need to dwell on it. The main point is that the Khors have turned every person they abducted into many copies, possibly enhanced with genetic weaponry, making them incredibly powerful. They now possess an unlimited army and are attempting to control every aspect of the Southern Dian Kingdom to achieve their hidden purposes. That’s all you need to know.”

Li Longfang said, “Though I don’t understand everything, I do understand the concept of an unlimited army. That puts us at a terrible disadvantage! Desen, even if they failed to control the royal family tonight, they might try again, and when we go after them, it will be that much harder—their forces will be vast. We must come up with a strategy!”

Zhang Desen agreed, “You’re right. That’s exactly what’s troubling me.”

But before they could discuss further, a tremendous, intermittent sound echoed from afar—“Woo… Oh… Oh”—growing louder and fainter by turns. Zhang Desen and Li Longfang quickly turned to the radar and drone feed, where they saw the massive spaceship drawing once again toward the city’s western sector.

The colossal sound made Zhang Desen feel as if he’d stepped into a movie scene, for the ship’s horn was reminiscent of the Martian assembly call in the foreign film “War of the Worlds,” though this ship’s tone was more steady.

Suddenly, a booming broadcast rang out, and everyone listened intently to the message, eager to know what their adversaries had to say. The broadcast declared:

“Ignorant humans, you do not realize what you are facing. The members who fell from the unidentified spacecraft months ago are hiding among you, while we have been wasting our efforts elsewhere all this time. Well, very well. Since we have met tonight, listen closely. Our power is beyond your comprehension and utterly invincible. Do not think that one chance victory means anything. You have half a month to hand over those members, or you will suffer disasters beyond your imagination—none of you will be spared.

Do not believe that this outsider among you can oppose us. No matter what he does, he is but one person, and he cannot replicate the advanced technology he brought. However formidable he may be, he cannot stand against the mighty force and advanced science of the Aolmei Empire, whose history is far longer than yours.

If you submit to our Aolmei Empire and serve as the eternal slaves of higher intelligence, you may survive. The best among you may even become pets, living a life free from want. So, lower beings, make your wisest choice. Fortune lies not in resistance, but in submission. Remember this well.

We will depart for now. When we return, we expect your most prudent answer.”

As soon as the broadcast ended, the spaceship ceased transmission and began preparations to depart.