Chapter 121: Earth

Chapter 121: Earth

When Chen Shijin confirmed to the security team outside, the leading military officer visibly displayed a look of astonishment.

However, he quickly regained his composure. He then looked earnestly at Chen Shijin while casting a glance at Lu Jun who stood behind him and spoke directly:

"...A truly unexpected miracle."

"Welcome both of you back home."

"However, considering your unique identities and the extraordinary events you've experienced, may I, on behalf of the National Security Agency, extend a special invitation for both of you to share your experiences during your year of disappearance with us?"

"Of course, this is not compulsory. If either of you does not wish to share or is unable to due to certain reasons, we will understand.

But currently, the nation is in a perilous period of strange invasions and turmoil. We are at a disadvantage, and our people are suffering. We eagerly anticipate strong assistance."

Chen Shijin's expression remained unchanged, but Lu Jun couldn't help but interject, "What do you mean by a period of strange invasions and turmoil? Are you telling me it's been raining red every day on Earth, and people have been disappearing?"

Upon finishing his sentence, he was startled again, "!! My God, where's my mom? Is she alright? And my aunt! What about my wandering uncle? And my grandma who always nags but falls in love with whoever speaks kindly to her?"

"Given that you've been monitoring my cousin's home, you should be well-informed about our family's situation, right?" Lu Jun fired off a barrage of questions, leaving Chen Shi Jin feeling exasperated.

However, the small team of security personnel on the other side appeared to relax slightly due to Lu Jun's loquaciousness and anxiety, as from their perspective, they couldn't determine whether these two individuals who had disappeared for a year and suddenly reappeared were friends or foes, or even if they were still recognizable as humans.

Perhaps, they were humans with indescribable qualities hidden beneath their exterior.

But Lu Jun's urgency in inquiring about his family and his seemingly unsteady demeanor resembled that of a normal person.

This was a stark contrast to the unnaturally quiet and silent Chen Shi Jin, who somehow gave them the creeps.

"The gentleman must be Mr. Lu Jun, correct? Please rest assured, your families have been taken care of. After the necessary verification and citizenship confirmation, we will inform them of your return."

"However, before that, we need both of your cooperations for the citizenship identification process. After all, you've been missing for a year, and Earth is now in peril. We can't jeopardize public safety."

The team leader said this while casting a keen glance at Chen Shi Jin.

In truth, with their capabilities and orders received, they could have forcibly taken Chen Shi Jin and Lu Jun for examination and interrogation. Yet, the moment the team leader laid eyes on Chen Shi Jin, he immediately dismissed the idea of using force.

As one of the nation's elite special forces, he sensed an immense and daunting aura lurking behind Chen Shi Jin the moment he laid eyes on him.

Despite the youth appearing utterly harmless, his intuition rarely betrayed him.

"Additionally, Mr. Chen, your parents are currently working as special advisors within the Security Bureau. If you're willing to come with us, you'll likely get to see them tonight."

Upon hearing this, Chen Shi Jin, who had maintained a stoic expression, lifted his eyelids.

"What kind of special advisors are they?"

Lu Jun widened his eyes behind his cousin. Weren't his aunt and uncle just wanderlust-filled travel buffs?

Captain Qi, leading the team, chuckled. "Advisors on special environments, territories, and non-natural energy fields."

"They possess an acute sensitivity to certain energies and are knowledgeable about unique areas. They're both incredible adventurers."

Chen Shi Jin smiled.

This indeed aligned with his parents' abilities and personalities.

When he laughed, the lingering tension in the air finally dissipated.

"Then let's go have a look."

"After all, we've been away for a year. We're also curious about what has happened on Earth."

Captain Qi smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.

"Please follow us."

Chen Shi and Lu Jun followed the safety squad downstairs. While descending, Lu Jun had intended to inquire about the state of the world and the nature of the bizarre invasion, but he quickly held his tongue. He realized that there was no need to ask— everything could be seen with his own eyes.

In just a year, this upscale residential complex in the central business district, which he once envied, had deteriorated to a point where elevators were inoperable and the buildings stood empty.

The stairwell of the emergency exit was layered with dust and scattered fragments of shattered glass and stone. As Chen Shi's apartment was on the top floor, it took them several minutes to descend. When they pushed open the safety door and emerged into the compound, Chen Shi and Lu Jun finally saw the house firsthand that had been ravaged by the red rain and lightning strikes a year prior.

The structure still bore an intricate pattern of seemingly indelible red dots across its exterior.

That was the proof of the crimson rain that once fell.

And the vestige of the unknown that once descended.

"…Good heavens. So it was like that."

Lü Jun couldn't help muttering. He and Liu Dake hadn't actually been caught in the crimson rain; it was only when the lightning struck Chen Shijin's floor-to-ceiling window that the red rain and the mysterious power drenched them.

A year ago, they had merely regarded the crimson rain as a somewhat peculiar natural phenomenon. But now, it appeared to be the invisible talons of monsters, bringing calamity wherever it touched down.

Looking at the still-vibrant red stains from the rain, Chen Shijin asked, "After that crimson rain, did it rain anywhere else?"

Lü Jun shuddered violently.

Captain Qi gave a wry smile. "You're sharp."

"Little Fang."

The soldier, whose name had been called, straightened up and promptly replied, "Reporting to Mr. Chen, the first 'red rainfall' occurred in Huaguo on October 12th of last year, within a five-kilometer radius of Jinchang City's central business district. The duration of the rain was twenty-seven minutes, and at the twenty-fourth minute, a crimson bolt of lightning tore through the sky, causing all residents of Tianchang Community Building One to vanish."

Three months later, red rain appeared once more in North Lake City, its scope expanding to a ten-kilometer area, lasting for a full hour. Red lightning struck at the 15th and 42nd minutes. This time, over three thousand people vanished."

"Two months after that, red rain fell for the third time in South Water City. When it began, the nation took emergency defensive measures, summoning all individuals within the affected areas to seek shelter in bomb shelters. However... The third shelter, which housed the largest number of people, vanished beneath the ground after being struck by a crimson bolt of lightning. Shelter Number Three was reduced to ruins, leaving only a massive chasm behind."

Liu Jun drew a sharp breath at this, while Chen Shijin's brows furrowed slightly.

Even though he still couldn't confirm if this was indeed the "Earth," such grim news stirred his emotions.

The soldier's voice softened as he continued:

"After that, red rain began to descend randomly on Huaguo once a month. Following each occurrence, many would go missing, with the difference lying solely in the duration and intensity of the rain, affecting the number of disappearances.

Since the first instance of red rain, forty thousand people have vanished from Huaguo... In just one year, forty thousand people have disappeared, resulting in nine uninhabited zones.

Now, the entire nation lives in fear of the arrival of red rain."

Chen Shijin sighed softly, remaining silent.

Liu Jun, on the other hand, couldn't help but ask, "What about abroad? Surely this isn't something exclusive to our country, right? How are our neighbors faring?"

The young soldier grinned upon hearing this question, "It's a global catastrophe. Red rain has fallen across the world, and following its descent, crimson lightning would split the skies or earth, taking groups of people with it."

"Though China is vast and has nine restricted zones, the population is largely concentrated, so life hasn't been significantly disrupted.

But our neighboring countries haven't been so fortunate. Over the past year, those with ill fortune have seen their entire nations transform into perilous no-go zones."

Liu Jun heaved a sigh of relief, only to feel a renewed sense of distress.

"A global catastrophe, indeed. It seems there's something gravely wrong with the Earth."

Previously, in the Heart of Eternity, they had pondered together what Earth might have become, and if there were others like them who had been seized by the Red Rain and exiled to this land.

Consequently, they concluded that there were bound to be more unfortunate Earthlings to follow, for the Exiled Land had existed for an untold number of years, and human traces had been documented for a thousand of those.

What made Lu Jun and the other young, newly arrived exiles hesitate to discuss further was the fact that as the Eternal Heart welcomed more and more refugees and acquired more information, especially the news revealed by some high-ranking exiles from White Moon City, it seemed that they might not have originated from the same "Earth."

Despite having entertained the speculation in their hearts, when the possibility of a "parallel world" actually presented itself before them, none dared to entertain the thought further.

For if worlds multiplied, it would only make it harder for them to find their true path home among so many.

As this thought crossed his mind, Lu Jun's gaze at the familiar city and hometown was tinged with bewilderment.

Was this place he yearned for truly his home? Or was it an evil, deceptive illusion created by the gods?

The car fell into an awkward silence.

Eventually, the soldier who had reported earlier couldn't contain his curiosity and asked, "May I ask, after you went missing, did you go to another place? What was it like there? And the people who disappeared with you... Are they all still alive?"

Chen Shijin and Lu Jun didn't respond immediately.

The young soldier, fearing he had overstepped, looked nervous and hastily explained, "Please don't be angry! If I've asked something I shouldn't, just ignore me! I, I, "

"Little Fang means no harm. His sister disappeared during the second Red Rain, along with him. She's the only family he has left," Captain Qi's low voice resonated in the car.

After a moment, a tinge of bitterness and pleading could be detected in his tone.

"It's ironic that every member of our squad has a close relative who vanished in the Crimson Rain. We could be considered the unluckiest family cluster within the entire security team."

Chen Shijin closed his eyes slightly.

Lu Jun drew a deep breath, his eyes reddening slightly.

He opened his mouth, finding it difficult to express himself.

He desperately wanted to assure these soldiers that their loved ones were safe and well in another world. But reality wasn't a fairy tale; there was no perfect ending where everyone lived happily ever after.

Finally, with a dry voice, he spoke amidst the silent anticipation in the car, "I'm truly sorry."

"Unfortunately, we're not heading to some idyllic utopia. To survive there, we'll have to fight with all our might and perhaps even resort to ruthless means."

The atmosphere inside the vehicle suddenly became heavy.

Lu Jun licked his dry lips and forced a bitter smile. "It's a land without sun, moon, stars, flowers, or trees – a dark place devoid of any adorable life.

There's only endless darkness there, alongside unimaginable monstrous creatures and deceptive illusions. It's a place with no hope or light…"

"A refuge for the displaced."

Thus, the ones you love and those who love you might be eternally laid to rest there.