Volume One Mutation Chapter 51 Signs

Amidst the encircling mountains stood a colossal dome of specially crafted glass, looming like an inverted bowl, providing impeccable protection for the human settlement beneath. Between the peaks, rows of modern residential buildings rose and fell with the landscape, arranged with careful order. All the familiar facilities of human civilization were present here, and lush green vegetation—so rare in the post-apocalyptic world—flourished everywhere. Directly beneath the central glass dome stretched a sprawling park. The architecture of humankind melded seamlessly with the verdant mountains and flowing waters, composing a scene of natural harmony.

Not only had the hearts of the surrounding mountains been hollowed out, but the earth below had also been excavated to depths of several hundred meters. Unlike the constructions above, the subterranean structures were built of special materials—earthquake-resistant, extraordinarily tough, poured together with steel and concrete. This lowest level became the final bastion of Safety Zone One; in times of crisis, all would be evacuated here, away from the surface.

Within the largest of these mountain caverns lay the greatest remaining military base in China. Here, over ten thousand soldiers stood guard, and vast stores of powerful weaponry were amassed—enough, it was no exaggeration to say, to sustain an international war.

It was here, too, that Jiang Wen, the instigator of the G15 missile incident, was stationed.

Inside a modest office, a middle-aged man with temples already frosted with gray sat at his desk, his brow tightly furrowed as he pored over a document on the tabletop.

Knock, knock, knock!

The door was struck three times.

"Come in!" He recognized the knock—his secretary. Three raps meant urgent business to report; for casual visits or less pressing matters, the custom was only two.

A bespectacled man entered.

"Commander, the Chairman has called an emergency meeting for tonight. All are required to attend."

"Heh, an emergency meeting? I wager it’s nothing but an impeachment for me, Jiang Wen!" He rubbed his aching brow, letting out a cold laugh.

"Sir, will you be attending?" The secretary seemed not to hear his words, continuing calmly.

"Of course I’ll go. With such a grand spectacle arranged, how could the protagonist be absent?"

"For safety’s sake, I suggest you bring Xiao Li and the others along," the secretary replied, adjusting his glasses.

Jiang Wen shot him a glance. "If I bring them, won’t that only prove I have a guilty conscience?"

"Sir, why don’t you simply tell them the truth? As I understand it, none of our people will be in charge of security at tonight’s meeting," the secretary said gravely.

"What truth? That man is already dead! If I tell them there’s a traitor in our ranks, do you think they’ll believe me?" Jiang Wen snorted. "That would only alert the enemy and throw everyone into panic. In times like these, any chaos would only give those plotting in the shadows the chance to exploit it."

"What are these people after, anyway? Surely they’re not truly planning rebellion? The world outside is already in turmoil—what would they stand to gain?" The secretary mused aloud.

Jiang Wen thought for a moment, then said helplessly, "Never underestimate human desire. In troubled times, there are always those who chase impossible dreams. The trouble is, these people are hidden too deep. If I had more time, I’d root them out myself. If I’m right, after tonight’s meeting they’ll restrict my freedom and cut me off from the outside world. Xiao Liu, if I don’t return tonight, go to the Second Commander. In these uncertain times, he’s the only one I truly trust!"

"You suspect the First Commander?!" At this, Xiao Liu’s face drained of color.

"Nonsense! Being too clever can be a curse. I said the Second Commander is most trustworthy, not that the First Commander is suspect, do you understand?" Jiang Wen said harshly.

"I understand—you think someone close to the First Commander…" Xiao Liu caught on immediately; he hadn’t achieved his position by being slow-witted.

"Exactly. That’s why I must attend tonight and play the part to the end." Jiang Wen lit a cigarette and took a drag. "Once I’m detained, someone will take my place. You need to work with the Commander and keep a close eye on that person and those around him. Until that traitor is rooted out, I can’t rest easy!"

The secretary understood the gravity of the situation. "Understood. I will relay your words to the Second Commander."

"Good. That person exploited a loophole and hacked into our military network. We would never have noticed him, but he took his own life—proof that this underground organization is deliberately sowing internal chaos. The more they try to disrupt us, the more we must hold firm." Jiang Wen snuffed out his cigarette. "No one but the Second Commander can know of this! And when you go to him, do so in secret. If word gets out that you’ve met, anyone with such knowledge could become the fuse that exposes them. Be very careful."

"And your family?"

"For security’s sake, don’t tell them anything. Go now—I’ve already told them I’ll be home for dinner tonight."

The secretary acknowledged the order and left.

After he was gone, Jiang Wen glanced again at the file on his desk. There, a photo showed Liu Cong splitting a hundred-meter-long beast with a single sword stroke.

"Thank goodness for you. If G15 comes to harm because of me, I couldn’t forgive myself, let alone face anyone else."

All this while, everyone believed the missile incident was orchestrated by Jiang Wen. With the safety of thousands of G15 soldiers at stake, even his own guards now looked at him differently—their old respect replaced by suspicion. His reputation had suffered a grievous blow, and yet he had no way to prove his innocence, condemned by all without recourse.

"I will find you out!" Jiang Wen ground out through clenched teeth.

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At the very heart of Safety Base One stood a cluster of umbrella-shaped buildings, the political center of the government, guarded with the utmost vigilance.

Within these structures were residential quarters, homes to senior officials.

In the courtyard of Building One, within a pavilion, two elderly men sat across from each other, playing chess as they talked.

"Lao Li, what’s your take on Jiang Wen’s situation?" one asked.

Had Liu Cong been present, he would have immediately recognized the speaker as his own superior, the Second Commander.

"Hmph, I knew you weren’t here just for a game," the other elder replied, his tone brusque but not truly angry, dropping a piece onto the board. "You’re here to plead his case, aren’t you?"

"Ah, my knight!" The Second Commander sighed over the chessboard. "Jiang Wen has served the nation with unwavering loyalty for years. He would never do such a thing without cause—there must be another explanation."

"To be honest, I don’t believe Jiang Wen would commit such an act, either. But if he can’t explain himself, we can’t absolve him of responsibility. So many are watching—G15 and the public deserve an answer."

"I just find it odd. With Jiang Wen’s character, he’d never act this way. The missiles were deployed ahead of time, yet weren’t launched at the crucial moment. Something’s not right here."

"Enough. Whether it was negligence or a failure of oversight, we’ll put Jiang Wen’s matter aside for now. Tonight, he’ll have a chance to explain himself. By the way, have you heard some of the rumors circulating among our ranks lately?" The First Commander sipped his tea.

The Second Commander paused with a chess piece in hand. "You’ve heard them, too? I don’t believe them."

"Nor do I. But at a time like this, after such a blunder, with not a word of explanation from Jiang Wen—how can people not suspect him?" The First Commander’s tone grew heated. "Regardless of whether there’s any truth to talk of rebellion, now that the rumor is out, we must get to the bottom of it! Not only must we trace its origin, but we must thoroughly investigate Jiang Wen as well!"

The Second Commander sighed. "Let’s hope this doesn’t spiral out of control."

"Enough of that. Let’s talk about Liu Cong! You’ve had the closest dealings with him—what’s your assessment?"

The Second Commander pondered a moment. "From our investigations, this young man comes from a police family. He made no major mistakes during his schooling; his record is spotless. But one of my subordinates received word that someone knew him, so I had him questioned closely. Only then did we uncover a few details of his daily life."