Chapter 122 - Earth (Part 1)

Despite having previously speculated about the possible fates of those who had vanished, the warriors in the vehicle fell into a long silence after hearing Lu Jun's response.

Exile Land.

A name that carried an ominous and despairing aura. Not to mention, it was a place devoid of light or vitality, filled with monstrous creatures that devoured humans.

They were well aware that three individuals—Chen Shi Jin, Lu Jun, and Liu Da Kai—had disappeared from Chen Shi Jin's house. However, only two returned a year later, implying a grim outcome.

Indeed, the red rain had brought a horrifying calamity, a challenge that humanity could not escape but must confront.

Realizing the gloomy atmosphere, Lu Jun quickly attempted to rectify his words, "Though that place is dark, perilous, swarming with monsters, and life is as disposable as an ant's..."

The warriors in the car exchanged looks.

Lu Jun hastened his pace, "But it doesn't mean certain death for humans! We can survive!"

As he spoke, he plucked a tea leaf from his head, holding it up to each astonished young warrior. "Look! This is my unique ability that awakened after I went to Exile Land! Green Tea Evolution! According to Bai Cao's appraisal, this tea leaf belongs to the Dongting Biluochun variety! It might not be classified as top-grade, but it's still a first-class tea!"

"Infuse with my tea leaves to shield from radiation, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, kill bacteria, alleviate inflammation, and slow aging! Trust me, it surpasses any tea on the market now!"

Upon finishing his words, he suddenly realized something, his eyes glowing with the prospect of wealth. "Bro! Oh my God, Bro! How could I not have thought of this? Once I return to Earth, selling my tea alone will make me a billionaire!"

"Hahaha, screw that gold mountain in your family! Now, a single strand of my hair could fetch tens of thousands!"

"If my tea truly possesses miraculous healing and anti-aging properties, hahaha! Heaven above, this fortune has finally come my way. I must sell each leaf for a hundred thousand! Then, how much would my entire head of green be worth—several billion?"

Chen Shijin rolled his eyes at his delirious cousin and shifted away disdainfully.

This was why one shouldn't be too strict with children, regardless of gender. This kid had probably been resenting his allowance and that gold mountain for years.

The other soldiers in the car watched Lu Jun's ecstatic state with initial shock, then gradually displayed empathy and composure. As outstanding combat elites of the nation, they had excellent mental resilience.

It wasn't uncommon for them, after enduring much hardship in their original world, to experience some instability upon returning home. They, too, suffered from post-war trauma after leaving the battlefield.

Completely understandable.

But soon, their expressions changed—

Due to Lu Jun activating his skill, "Tea Aroma Spreads."

As one of the core members who initially followed Chen Shijin and later joined the Eternal Heart, although Lu Jun didn't have the same fearsome reputation as his cousin in the Exiled Grounds, he had actively participated in various counterattacks and battles against the Devourers throughout the year.

Back in the Mobile Labyrinth, he understood that strength was paramount in the Exiled Grounds. Even if his cousin had turned back to save him, he couldn't always rely on Chen Shijin. Thus, he had worked tirelessly, managing to advance to Level 3 Traveler within a year.

This was already a remarkable pace.

At Level 3, "Tea Aroma Spreads" could envelop an area within a kilometer, preventing all life within from approaching or moving for at least three minutes.

Though it was a brief duration, three seconds can make all the difference in crucial moments, let alone three minutes.

Liu Jun's sudden use of his skill wasn't an attempt to intimidate; he simply wanted to test if he could employ his unique abilities on Earth.

Incidentally... he could also verify whether this truly was Earth.

As a result, the special skill "Tea Aroma Fills the Air" nearly caused the warrior driving the car to crash into a pillar.

The moment Liu Jun activated his skill, Chen Shijin narrowed his eyes. Three seconds later, he slapped Liu Jun on the back of his head.

"Halt."

Lü Jun shuddered and promptly ceased his skill execution. The vehicle, in the next instant, screeched to an abrupt halt.

Despite the bewitching tea fragrance lingering around their noses for only three seconds, it was enough to send a jolt of alarm through every National Security agent in the car, causing them to fix their gaze intently on Lü Jun.

Feeling as if he were being stared down by a pack of fierce wolves, Lü Jun broke into a cold sweat. Helplessly, he cried out, "Big Brother!"

When in need, call upon Cousin Brother – with him, there's no problem!

Chen Shijin sighed. "If you have any questions, direct them to the Security Bureau for further inquiries."

"I now believe it would be wise for you to report this to the higher-ups, with a particular focus on areas that have experienced the Red Rain in the past."

Captain Qi gave Lu Jun's tea blossom wreath a thoughtful glance before asking, "Mr. Chen is suggesting that others might return as well?"

Chen Shijin nodded.

"If Lu Jun's abilities can function here, then every individual who has returned from the Exiled Land is now a 'superhuman' in the eyes of this world's people."

"If the number of returnees isn't too high, the state can still manage. But if there are too many, and they're emotionally unstable..."

Before Chen Shijin could finish his sentence, all the communication devices carried by the soldiers in the vehicle beeped simultaneously.

Captain Qi's gaze sharpened. As he connected the call, he heard a soldier from the Security Bureau's information department speak with a mix of excitement and astonishment, "Captain Qi! Have you found any missing persons in Zone One? Where are you now? If possible, please head to the Security Bureau as soon as you can! Over sixteen thousand infrared sensors across the nation's nine restricted zones have just reacted simultaneously! We suspect – no, we've determined – that a massive number of missing individuals are returning!"

Captain Qi drew a sharp breath.

Recalling what Chen Shijin had just said and the eerie power Lu Jun possessed to control everyone, his expression turned grave and solemn. "Understood. We've picked up two key individuals and are en route to Chang City's Security Bureau. We expect to arrive in about half an hour..."

At that moment, Chen Shijin glanced out the window at the sky and spoke softly.

"There's no need for that much time."

Captain Qi was momentarily taken aback, but Lu Jun instantly sat up straight, his face flushed with fanatical adoration for his cousin.

"Brother! Are you going to showcase your miraculous powers?!"

Ignoring him, Chen Shi Jin promptly spoke, "Safe Zone Headquarters, teleportation."

When he mentioned "Safe Zone Headquarters," Captain Qi and the soldiers in the vehicle wore expressions of confusion and skepticism. However, upon hearing "teleportation," all the soldiers' faces drastically changed.

They contemplated a possibility that seemed utterly unbelievable.

But before their disbelief could sink in, they felt an invisible force tugging at their bodies. By the time they realized what was happening, they had already arrived at the headquarters of the National Security Agency – a top-secret location even Captain Qi only knew roughly where it was situated.

!!!

While Captain Qi and his seven team members were still reeling in shock, the alarm signaling an intrusion blared wildly throughout the agency's premises.

Within five seconds, Chen Shi Jin and his party of nine found themselves surrounded by layers of elite soldiers, all armed with guns and nuclear weapons. Even Captain Qi had to raise his hands in surrender, innocent as they were.

Internally, they were screaming profanities in sheer disbelief.

Ten minutes later, they were all escorted to a specially designed interrogation isolation area.

Liu Jun sat beside his cousin, slightly bewildered. "Bro, isn't this... a bit too much? Aren't we supposed to interrogate and verify step by step first?"

Chen Shijin sat comfortably in his chair, casually serving two cups of hot tea. He sipped slowly under the astonished gaze of the group of research elders opposite him. "If only a few of us returned, we could take our time. But with more people, the country needs to prepare earlier."

"It would waste so much time to leisurely interrogate and verify. It's better to lay everything out before them than let them test boundaries and underestimate those individuals."

"After all, any one of those people can cause tremendous disasters."

Liu Jun hummed in response but said nothing further.

Ten minutes later, Captain Qi had finished his report, and the door to the interrogation room opened. Leading the way was a middle-aged man with graying temples but a straight back, exuding an aura of authority.

"Gentlemen, apologies for the delay. Please follow me to the conference room for a discussion? We urgently need your assistance."

"I am Tu Weiguo, Minister of the National Special Security Department. I'm the lead in charge of the Red Rain invasion incident."

Chen Shijin looked at Minister Tu, whose firm expression was tempered by a gentle gaze. He nodded and stood up. "Nice to meet you. I'm Chen Shijin."

Five minutes later, they arrived at the first conference room of the Security Department. Dozens of people, both men and women of varying ages, were already seated inside. All of them regarded Chen Shijin with the same blend of solemnity and curiosity as he entered the room.

Minister Tu stepped to the front of the conference room, gave Chen Shijin a nod, and then immediately began, "We'll set aside other matters for now. Let's discuss the most pressing issue at hand."

With a wave of his hand, a laser screen behind him displayed a map of China in its entirety. On the image of the rooster-shaped country, nine distinct red dots were prominently marked.

Each red dot signifies a scarlet calamity.

Subsequently, the scene flickered, and the map of the rooster on the big screen was replaced by an intricate web of live surveillance videos.

Minister Tu tapped the screen twice, and over a dozen surveillance feeds instantly appeared.

On the screens were scenes of people, some dazed, some agitated, others shouting and gesticulating wildly, while some vanished without a word.

However, the final feed that was zoomed in on displayed a young man with a sinister expression, sneering coldly.

Lu Jun gasped, "This guy looks rather vicious."

"Mr. Chen, Mr. Lu, based on our surveillance records, within the half-hour since your first infrared alarm sounded, all nine restricted zones have had their infrared alarms triggered successively.

Approximately, eleven thousand individuals have reappeared in the restricted zone within the last half-hour," Minister Tu reported with a somber tone.

"And the infrared alerts are still sounding off, indicating that more people are entering the zone."

"Our pressing need is to understand the nature of the Exiled Land and, moreover, who these returning individuals are."

Lu Jun's expression shifted, revealing a hint of wariness beneath his solemnity.

But Chen Shijin's face remained unchanged, and his response was calm and steady: "Of course we are."

"Didn't we struggle and fight for survival in the Exiled Land solely for the chance to one day return to our homeland?"

"Our home nurtured and raised us like kin; I would give everything to protect it."

Minister Tu's expression froze for a moment, then he revealed a wry smile. "It was us who retreated first."

"Well, Mr. Chen, what method can we use to immediately contact these returning prodigals? As their homeland, we want them to feel the charm of home."

Chen Shijin blinked and took out his golden gemstone phone.

"Oh... Then let's just send a group text. Everyone has a phone these days."

Minister Tu: ...

All the formally seated people: ????

"If one message isn't enough, send a few more and bombard them! Tell them that we welcome them back home, that the country has prepared an excellent civil servant package with housing and food allowances, as well as a family care package awaiting their response."

"It would be best to include a special treatment for those with special abilities, with a daily salary of over ten thousand. I don't believe they won't respond."

Minister Tu: ...

Lyu Jun: ...

It always felt like Cousin was hinting at him.

And so, after a series of earthquakes and landslides in the land of exile, the exiles suddenly found themselves back on Earth. Amidst the initial shock and ecstasy, before they had a chance to contemplate their next move, the mobile phones they had kept for various reasons began to emit a barrage of frantic notifications.

The exiles first remained vigilant, and then each sought out a quiet spot to check their phones.

"Welcome home, wayfarers from the Exiled Lands! The Chinese government extends heartfelt greetings and congratulations on behalf of your loved ones and friends!"

By clicking on the link below, you can access the "Returnee Population Registry" for authentication. Upon doing so, you will receive a year's worth of missing person compensation and be able to check the latest information on your loved ones and acquaintances.

"Impressive that you all have returned from exile. Henceforth, the nation shall commence recruitment of exceptional talents for the defense of our homeland!"

Please access the Competency Statistics website through the link provided. Upon verification, you will be eligible to apply for the position of a National First-Class Civil Servant. Should you be successfully recruited, you will enjoy a daily salary of 10,000, a work schedule of four days on and three days off, and an annual vacation of two months, all part of the exclusive benefits package for this prestigious position.

Furthermore, a Grand Civil Servant, through acts of unwavering patriotism in defense of the nation, may be honored with the title of National Guardian Hero, with benefits extended to their family.

"Return, Red Rainfall! Both nation and people beckon your presence!"

Observing the continuous emergence of the national amnesty messages, most of the exiles felt somewhat bewildered. However, at least for the moment, their previously heightened sense of vigilance and unease began to gradually subside in light of these messages.

And a profound longing for home and loved ones rose within me.

Ding-dong.

The phone vibrated twice more.

"Gourmet Cuisine at its Finest! A Grand Banquet fit for an Emperor! Unlimited daily buffet in the Exclusive Civil Servant Canteen! #Pictures#Pictures#Pictures#Pictures#"

"Nine hundred ninety-nine cuts in one stroke! Come play Lazy Moon and indulge in the fun! Click to auto-redirect and seize the massive discounts in our Blade Battle event!"

All exiles from Hua Guo: "……………"