Forty-nine rules of the end times

Chapter 358 Investing in Yourself
From the moment the first apocalyptic rule was published, every rule and every country, regardless of how they responded, had both supporters and opponents.

Even in peacetime, a trivial matter can cause a lot of arguments, let alone in a post-apocalyptic world where every official decision can affect people's survival or death.

However, in most cases in the past, because the voices of support for a decision outweighed the voices of opposition, the voices of opposition would not last long and would naturally disappear.

This time is different.

Because these rules did not involve punishment or reward, people were able to observe the decisions and actions of the community from an detached perspective for the first time, thus generating many ideas and opinions.

On the Ascended Ones' Home forum, there are countless related discussion threads. After the People's Alliance published all the questions, the number of threads surged even further.

"After reading the questions raised by the People's Federation, I found that most of the answers were empty promises, none of which could be immediately converted into benefits!"

"Right now, the only thing that's confirmed to have practical value is the conversion of brainwave signals into digital signals, right? Judging from the official projected progress, this technology will take at least a year to be implemented."

"A year is too long! This isn't peacetime. Based on past experience, we could have gone through eight or nine rules in a year!"

"Yes, a year in the post-apocalyptic era isn't something you can wait for... Today is early February, and in two months, in April, it will be the second anniversary of the Fire Thief's arrival. It's only been two years, how many people are left on Tianshui Star? How many will be left in another year?"

"Time is indeed of the essence. Shouldn't the Human Alliance bring together experts and scholars from various countries for joint development? That would be faster."

"I think so too. Humanity is almost finished, is there any need for us to be wary of each other?"

"I mean, are you all so optimistic? Even if digital memory technology succeeds, won't humanity still be trapped on this planet? At that time, what difficulty will it be for the Fire Stealers to target us?"

"I agree with the comment above. I think the most urgent task for the Humanoids is to search for that special energy substance within this galaxy as soon as possible. This is related to whether humanity can break through the limitations of energy and materials and become interstellar life."

"Only those with the ability to travel between stars can do that. Do you think the Firebringers can control the entire universe? As for other ways to avoid disaster, they are all just treating the symptoms, not the root cause."

"Don't forget how many humans the Human Alliance has captured to be used as food. Today it's the Black Flag people, tomorrow it could be us! We must protest and demand that the Human Alliance make a commitment!"

“Ordinary people should also have the right to make decisions. If this rule were put to a public vote, I believe the option that would receive more votes would be ‘not to ask questions’ rather than ‘ask questions’!”

Guan Tong browsed the forum for a while, then put her phone away.

Today is February 2nd. After the rules were over, he and Shangyuan Zi came to the capital of Xisia and are now in the courtyard of a manor.

This estate is Yelena's private residence. There are not many staff members, but according to Yelena, everyone there has been taking care of her since she was a child and is trustworthy.

The butler who had greeted them earlier said that Yelena would be there in half an hour and asked them to sit and wait in the courtyard.

“This rule has caused a certain crisis of trust,” Guan Tong said. “Many people believe that the Human Consortium has captured many humans to act as parasites and feed them to the nanobot swarms.”

Unlike Guan Tong, who was killing time browsing forum information, Shang Yuanzi simply sat with her eyes closed. Upon hearing this, she opened her eyes and said, "Didn't we suspect before that many parasites were posting to muddy the waters?"

"They definitely posted it, but there's nothing the authorities can do about it, since they can't disprove it."

"The burden of proof lies with the person making the claim, and those who claim that humans have been captured in large numbers cannot provide any evidence."

Guan Tong shook his head slightly: "When emotions run high in these kinds of things, who cares about evidence? And people's perceptions aren't entirely unreasonable; they've put themselves in the shoes of the Black Flag citizens to some extent."

"Think about it, the Black Flag Kingdom was already miserable enough when it was taken over by a parasite and declared its occupation and establishment. If some of the humans who barely survived were then captured by the Allied Forces as parasites, it would be an absolutely horrific tragedy."

Shangyuan Zi nodded.

"What are you talking about?"

A cool voice came from above, and the two looked up to see Ye Lianka had arrived.

Her previously striking pale gold updo, which had left a deep impression on Guan Tong, was now cut into a short bob reaching her neck. Her previous aristocratic, luxurious velvet coat had been replaced by a well-tailored gray overcoat, over which she wore an elegant women's suit.

Compared to her time at the academy, Yelena now appears much more mature. Back then, she gave off the air of a noble princess, but now she exudes more of the aura of a young elite commonly found in political circles.

However, her appearance hadn't changed much; her amethyst eyes beneath her silver-white eyelashes were still as radiant as ever. But if you looked closely, you could see the weariness deep in her eyes.

"Ye Lianka, let me introduce you. This is Shangyuan Zi."

"Hello." Yelena extended her hand to Shang Yuanzi with a smile. "I am Yelena Konia."

"Hello, Shangyuan Zi."

Shangyuan Zi shook hands with her. Although Ye Lianka had already seen the scales on Shangyuan Zi's chin, she was still slightly taken aback when she saw the palm that was covered with scales.

However, she didn't hide her curiosity or pretend not to see it. Instead, she asked quite frankly, "Are these scales... due to my mental abilities?"

Shangyuan Zi nodded.

Seeing that she didn't talk much, Ye Lianka realized that she was an introverted person and turned to look at Guan Tong.

"Teacher, long time no see."

Shangyuan Zi was somewhat surprised to hear this title.

On the way here, Guan Tong told her how she met Ye Lianka, but she didn't expect that now that Ye Lianka had become a governor, she would still call him "teacher".

“Didn’t we meet at the museum last time?” Guan Tong said. “Besides, I’ve already left the academy, so just call me by my name.”

Yelena shook her head slightly: "The last time I saw the teacher at the museum, it was me after the props transformed, so it doesn't count. As for the way I address her, it's because the teacher taught me very useful knowledge, not because of an identity from the academy."

"...Do as you please. But you must be very busy these days, right? Over at the landing site..."

The attack by the Parasite Ascendants caused numerous casualties among the soldiers. Although Guan Tong wanted to protect them, she couldn't possibly care for so many people.

"Yes, I've taken care of the aftermath of the dead and wounded soldiers. I also want to thank you, teacher. Without you on the scene stopping those parasites, if they had been allowed to ask random questions, the soldiers on the entire landing site defense line, as well as the Sisian people in the nearby towns, could have suffered."

After Ye Lianka finished speaking, she stood solemnly in front of Guan Tong and then bowed deeply to him.

Guan Tong felt a little embarrassed by her actions: "There's no need for that. I can't go there without your permission, and it's only right that I do my best if something happens."

“No matter what, you’ve helped me so much, teacher,” Yelena said apologetically. “I really shouldn’t have made you sacrifice your time to stay in Sisia and help me.”

"No, I didn't have any plans anyway, so it's good to be able to help you."

Guan Tong originally had four debts to collect, and now he has collected three of them, with only one debt remaining from Lucifer.

But he had no idea where Lucifer was. Although Lucifer's base was in the Tulip Federation, it was uncertain whether he was even there.

Judging from Lucifer's previous act of traveling a long distance to the border of Northern Star to try to help Jiang Lanying escape, it's clear that this guy has likely been accepting various high-paying commissions. This is partly to earn high returns, and partly because he's a battle maniac, well aware that high-priced commissions mean high risks and opportunities to fight powerful opponents.

Guan Tong doesn't plan to blindly search for Lucifer until he finds out his whereabouts.

If he wasn't in a hurry to collect this debt, then he really didn't have anything else to do.

Perhaps finding a suitable candidate to expand his Origin Tracing Team, or returning to Pinglu to continue helping Shi Jingyi improve and learn her mental martial arts, are both options.

But now that Yelena really needs his help, he's naturally willing to stay for a while. Even without the previous agreement, he wouldn't refuse just out of friendship.

Yelena then had her housekeeper arrange accommodations for the two of them, and they stayed at her estate during their stay in Sisia.

After everything was settled, Yelena spoke privately with Guan Tong about the matter of guards.

This is also what Guan Tong is concerned about. To protect Ye Lianka's personal safety, he must first know where the threat comes from.

“If they were just normal opponents, I wouldn’t have invited the teacher,” Yelena said. “But I’ve received information from some sources that some people closely associated with Rijeka are secretly planning an armed rebellion.”

"You mean a military coup?"

"Yes."

Guan Tong hadn't expected the situation to be so serious.

He had thought that the threat Yelena was facing was just an assassination attempt by Rijeka's confidants, but now it seemed that it was far more complicated than that.

“These people are too closely connected to Rijeka to turn back. They know that I will deal with them once I am free, so they don’t want to sit idly by and wait to die.”

"Although I have succeeded to the position of consul, I do not have many troops at my disposal. Moreover, most of the casualties at the landing site were my personal guards. In order to ensure that the situation is under control, I can only send soldiers who are absolutely loyal to me to the scene. As a result, my military strength is very weak now, and the enemy may seize the opportunity to take action."

Yelena analyzed the situation calmly. Although she was young, she had a clear understanding of the dangerous vortex she was in.

Guan Tong asked, "Could they possibly launch a rebellion?"

“It’s unlikely that we will send troops,” Yelena said. “That would be very risky, and the Confederation of Peoples is very likely to get involved. Because at this time, any country that is fighting a civil war and causing a large loss of valuable people is not something the Confederation of Peoples wants to see.”

Guan Tong nodded in agreement.

She's right. Human resources are extremely precious now, and if a civil war breaks out at this time, the Federation of People's Associations will definitely intervene to mediate.

"What do you think they'll do? Send in a squad to assassinate them?"

“I can’t rule out that possibility, which is why I asked you to come, teacher. I feel very safe with you here.” Ye Lianka looked at Guan Tong, and then added, “It’s not because you are ‘Shadow,’ but because of trust.”

"I see."

Whoever chooses their bodyguards will value trust more than ability.

Of course, the best person is one who is both trustworthy and capable, but such a person is rare and hard to find. Even someone as high-ranking as Yelena only has one such person, Stoch.

Guan Tong's appearance is like a windfall for Ye Lianka.

To have a trustworthy individual who is also a world-class Ascensionist, even if it's only for a short period, is incredibly fortunate.

"If the teacher agrees, please be my driver and office security guard during this period. I will eliminate those unstable factors in the country as soon as possible."

"it is good."

"Teacher, is there anything your companion wants to do? Or any needs she may have? I can make arrangements."

“She probably doesn’t have any needs. She can do whatever she wants during this time.” Guan Tong knew that Shang Yuanzi wasn’t the type to make demands of Ye Lianka.

The two then discussed some details, after which Ye Lianka asked Guan Tong to rest early and left the room.

Guan Tong pondered for a moment and silently summoned the terminal panel.

Name: Guan Tong

Nickname: Shadow

[Title: Civilization Observer]

[Psychic Power: 978 (978) (13208)]

[Ascended Coins: 488520]

[Overall Bioinformatics Evaluation: Excellent]

The upper limit of mental power continues to steadily increase, but the reserve of mental power is about to fall below 10,000.

He used abilities such as Shadow, Small Space, and Shadow Domain in succession at the landing site, fighting against dozens of parasitic ascendants enhanced by spores. It was impossible to avoid massive consumption of his energy.

The amount of reserves he had converted over many days was still insufficient to offset the large amount used at the critical moment, let alone leave any surplus.

"If we continue with high-intensity combat and this kind of attrition continues, our reserves of mental energy will be depleted in no time... If we need external input, we may have to take a cooperative approach."

Guan Tong thought that if he wanted to obtain a large amount of reserve mental power in the short term, he would most likely have to cooperate with the Countermeasures Research Lab... Or should he just use currency to solve the problem?

Having millions of Ascension Coins lying untouched on the panel is certainly not a good thing. Guan Tong's previous idea was to use them to arm future members joining his brigade and strengthen their overall combat power.

However, after the guild was established, he traveled to different cities and talked with many ascendants, including in the tavern in the Icefield Town, listening to their conversations, and gradually came to understand something.

That is, those who set their sights on pursuing the truth are a minority, or even a very small minority.

Most people who aspire to advancement are thinking about becoming stronger, enjoying privileges, and joining official departments to gain a stable backing.

This made him change his mind: instead of keeping the Ascension Coins to invest in new members who might appear at any time, he might as well invest in himself first.

Guan Tong's way of investing in himself is naturally not by buying attack and defense items, as he doesn't need those things now.

The most direct and effective way for him to invest in himself is to spend money through commissions to have other ascendants transfer spiritual power to him, thereby rapidly increasing the amount of spiritual power he has accumulated.

(End of this chapter)