Chapter 1968: Ordinary People Are Not Completely Unaware
The Rebel Army had managed to develop in the East District under the tight surveillance of Agor Corporation and had even devised such a meticulous communication system. This showed that the Rebel Army was not lacking in capable people. The loss of control among East District players was not an isolated incident, and those who had been rooted in the East District for so long could not possibly be unaware of it. Moreover, with mutant plants capable of sensing spiritual power planted all over the East District, the Rebel Army could more or less piece together some truth.
Even if they did not know the exact reasons for the high efficiency and madness of East District players, they could still discern their flaws from this state. Compared to the vague spiritual stimulation Xu Huo mentioned, the Rebel Army might have already conducted specialized tests.
Therefore, in terms of major information, there was no completely impenetrable information barrier between the Rebel Army, the East District, and players from other zones.
The Rebel Army naturally thanked him for his goodwill and promised that if he could help, they would ensure he obtained the "White Blood" afterward.
At this point, Xu Huo had lost much interest in the Rebel Army's arrangements. They had not set their sights on the Agor headquarters, and the so-called "White Blood" had become bait for both sides. The Rebel Army's true goal did not lie there.
However, the East District did indeed have methods to make players stronger, and that was what the Rebel Army was really looking for.
Xu Huo paused briefly, and at that moment, Bai Kou sent him something.
A brand-new pass.
He looked at the attached instructions. This pass had been upgraded. It did not contain any identity information, but when used, the upgraded program would counter the main control system and grant him high-level authority, meaning ordinary people would not have the power to verify his identity.
Xu Huo put away the pass and left the game hall. He found a random restaurant to eat, then took a car back to Sister Yan's place.
Sister Yan had the morning shift today. When he returned, she was waiting alone at home. Seeing him return safely, she let out a sigh of relief and handed him an identity document. "This is your fake identity. The person on it has already passed away. You'll need to change your mask."
This time, the Rebel Army was generous, providing a high-quality facial sculpting prop that could perfectly mimic real human skin, better evading the inspections of flying vehicles.
"I went to the hospital today," Xu Huo voluntarily disclosed his whereabouts and added, "But the hospital's director and doctors have already been captured by the Rebel Army. Did you do that?"
Sister Yan had also heard about this. After the disappearances, the other medical staff at the hospital were very panicked, spreading the news among themselves until patients saw it, and the information spread. Since it only involved the Rebel Army, the Message Collection Terminal did not censor the information. Instead, it seemed to want to use this incident to condemn the Rebel Army.
However, Sister Yan truly did not know. Information among the lower ranks of the Rebel Army was not shared, and their superiors had not given them new instructions, so they could only stay put and not respond to the matter.
"Anyway, it's not the first time the East District has framed us," Sister Yan said. "One day, everyone will understand us."
The anniversary celebration was imminent. Sister Yan and other Rebel Army members were not as calm as they appeared. The closer it got, the more it felt like a storm was brewing. Hadn't they noticed that players from other zones had been causing more trouble lately?
"It's best to stay here for the next few days to avoid running into danger outside," Sister Yan advised with good intentions.
"Thank you," Xu Huo said stubbornly. "I know what I'm doing."
Seeing this, Sister Yan was helpless and urged, "Nothing in the world happens overnight. Have a little patience."
Xu Huo nodded, then asked, "Sister Yan, if the East and West Districts were to merge, what do you think Jade Spring City would become?"
Sister Yan seemed not to have thought about this question before. She paused for a moment before answering, "At least it would be better than now. Otherwise, wouldn't all our efforts be in vain?"
"Can it really be better than now?" Xu Huo hesitated but still spoke up. "Although Agor Corporation is secretly controlling the number of newborns, I think the people of the East District are still living decently. Do you know how many people are in the West District? If the East and West Districts merge, how would those people be settled?"
"If the Rebel Army replaces Agor Corporation, with limited resources, would things stay the same?"
"I haven't thought that far ahead," Sister Yan shook her head. "But I know that living in poverty is fine, but we absolutely cannot live like lambs waiting for slaughter. No matter how bad Jade Spring City is, it's still a matter for the people of Jade Spring City themselves. Arguments and fights are okay; there will always be a day when life gets better."
"It's different with outsiders. Look at where we live now—even the land and air belong to Agor Corporation."
"I don't know what it will be like after the Rebel Army drives out Agor Corporation, but if things continue like this, I'm afraid even our bodies will become Agor Corporation's property."
Xu Huo seemed convinced and added, "Will the people of the East District be willing? They don't know anything."
"Do you think ordinary people at the bottom of society are completely unaware?" Sister Yan looked at him with a serious expression. "I am an ordinary person."
Whether it was controlling the number of newborns or tampering with players, both were undermining the roots of Jade Spring City. Agor Corporation might one day take its technology and leave, but the people of Jade Spring City still had to survive.
"That's right!" Xu Huo clenched his fists involuntarily. "The place belongs to the people of Jade Spring City—we must take it back!"
Sister Yan smiled with relief.
As dusk approached, Xu Huo bid farewell to Sister Yan and left alone.
The Rebel Army sent someone to follow him for a while, but that person was called away midway.
Xu Huo went to meet up with Old Zhou and Qiao Qiao.
They had already locked down nine companions. These nine people agreed to act with them and were reluctant to directly confront East District players.
"Some came and went in the middle," Old Zhou briefed Xu Huo. The players who left had their own goals and were unwilling to follow others' wishes. Even if they cooperated, it would likely cause trouble, so it was better to go their separate ways.
"We've identified six locations," Qiao Qiao said, opening a map and pointing out places marked based on clues provided by different players. "These six locations are likely secret sites that Agor does not publicly disclose. It's unclear what they do, but according to Lin Cao, this water filtration company might be manufacturing potions."
"Agor has over twenty potion manufacturing companies on the surface, but this one using a water filtration company as a cover is definitely suspicious."
"There's also another place," he pointed to a facility on the east side of the city. "This one is guarded by East District players, and its name is replaced by an address."
"I went to check it out nearby. There are at least twenty to thirty players visible," said a player in a black jacket.
"Are there many more places like this?" Xu Huo asked.
(Chapter End)