Chapter 455 - 292: Two Solutions to the Problem (2)
In this latest confrontation, it seemed entities on the level of major corporations were completely unqualified to be the ones calling the shots.
As Lin Qi asked his question, he turned his head and gave Liu Xuan a couple of small nods, a small gesture of reassurance.
Baili Xueyuan didn’t withhold any information. "From the looks of it, there are limitations," she replied. "Otherwise, the infection wouldn’t be confined to the employees of two companies—it would have already covered the entire city."
Her answer put Lin Qi’s mind at ease, if only slightly.
Things hadn’t reached the worst-case scenario yet.
’In Lin Qi’s mind, this so-called new type of cyber psychosis was fundamentally a precursor to turning into a Zombie.’
’If there were no limits, it would mean an apocalyptic crisis capable of sweeping across the entire Cyber World wasn’t far off.’
"What do you need me to do?" Lin Qi asked Baili Xueyuan after a moment of consideration.
Baili Xueyuan didn’t answer immediately. Her gaze flickered toward Liu Xuan before she finally spoke. "I can’t tell you anything that involves core secrets, but you need to know this: if this new type of cyber psychosis breaks out completely—an outbreak on this scale—it will lead to very... unpleasant consequences. The entirety of Red Fruit City might be locked down and face a purge."
Baili Xueyuan placed heavy emphasis on the word "purge."
That was clearly not a good thing.
Washing with water is one kind of cleaning. Purging with high-powered weaponry is another, more common, solution.
’Lin Qi had a feeling Baili Xueyuan was referring to the latter.’
Liu Xuan clearly understood Baili Xueyuan’s meaning as well. If things came to that, it was questionable whether Red Fruit City would even remain on the map of the Asian Administrative Region.
Baili Xueyuan continued, looking at Liu Xuan. "There are currently two plans to prevent a full-blown outbreak of this new cyber psychosis. The first requires the support of the Liu Clan. Otherwise, we won’t proceed."
Hearing this, Lin Qi had a bad feeling.
And just as he’d expected, Baili Xueyuan’s next statement plunged everyone present into a deathly silence.
"We’ve compiled a list. It involves a total of 6,331 people: 1,312 employees from United Pharmaceutical and 5,019 from Liu’s Heavy Industries. We need you, under the authority of both United Pharmaceutical and Liu’s Heavy Industries, to gather everyone on this list at their respective company headquarters when we make our move. We will then execute a mass purge."
"Furthermore, United Pharmaceutical and Liu’s Heavy Industries will need to take full responsibility for this entire matter."
"The promise we can make is this: if United Pharmaceutical and Liu’s Heavy Industries can successfully enforce a media blackout, you will not face accountability from the Big Business Alliance or the Eastern Alliance."
"If the news leaks, you will only have to face public pressure. You won’t suffer any actual loss of profit, nor will you be held accountable by the two alliances."
’No wonder Baili Xueyuan said this plan required the Liu Clan’s support. The Assassin Alliance wouldn’t be taking responsibility for it.’
The approach of this plan was simple.
Since people were the problem, the solution was to eliminate all of them before the problem could erupt.
’Lin Qi’s understanding was simple: physically destroy them before they could transform into Zombies...’
Sacrifice over six thousand people or let their home base of Red Fruit City be destroyed? From a corporate standpoint, it wasn’t even a choice.
And Liu Xuan, as someone from the corporate class of Tiansheng Company, would certainly not feel any guilt over such a choice.
She was only thinking of the company’s profits and losses.
"Only a little over six thousand people?"
The blue light in Liu Xuan’s left eye didn’t so much as flicker. Her emotions were completely stable.
’It was just over six thousand people. Lin Qi wasn’t one of them. Compared to the survival of the company and Red Fruit City, she didn’t feel the price was steep at all.’
Upon hearing Liu Xuan’s response, none of them—not Baili Xueyuan, Lin Qi, Lin Xin, Doctor Lin, or even Sister Li—showed any change in expression.
It was the expected outcome.
Though Lin Qi, Lin Xin, and Doctor Lin felt a stir of emotion, it wasn’t enough to make them show it.
Perhaps they felt it was a pity, but more than that, they felt relief.
’My family isn’t among those being sacrificed.’
Baili Xueyuan replied calmly, "We can’t rule out the possibility of the number increasing, but the total will most likely not exceed 12,332—the total number of employees at United Pharmaceutical and Liu’s Heavy Industries. All currently discovered cases of the new cyber psychosis have come from these two companies."
From Baili Xueyuan’s perspective, this number of sacrifices was also acceptable.
It was far better than having the Big Business Alliance step in and purge all of Red Fruit City.
Liu Xuan nodded slightly. "The Liu Clan can agree to this, but I’m curious about the other plan."
’Thinking from a purely profit-driven perspective, sacrificing the majority of the company’s employees would bring operations to a standstill for a long time.’
’But employees could be hired again. The whole process would just mean losing some Credit Points.’
"The second plan," Baili Xueyuan said, "is the main reason I’m here."
Baili Xueyuan’s gaze locked back onto Lin Qi.
If it were only about the first plan, Baili Xueyuan wouldn’t have needed to speak with Liu Xuan at all; she could have just gone directly to Liu Xingyuan.
After all, United Pharmaceutical’s employee count was less than twenty percent of the Liu Clan’s. Liu’s Heavy Industries was the main party in this operation.
The moment Liu Xuan saw Baili Xueyuan’s gaze shift, the blue light in her left eye flared brightly. She spoke at once, "I think the first plan is fine. United Pharmaceutical and Liu’s Heavy Industries can bear all responsibility."
"Public opinion has never been a factor that dictates corporate decisions," Liu Xuan said urgently.
’She was starting to have regrets. She no longer wanted to hear about Baili Xueyuan’s second plan.’
Lin Qi, seeing Baili Xueyuan’s gaze, had a completely different reaction from Liu Xuan.
’No matter what the plan was, Lin Qi wanted to know.’
’It might bring him closer to new intelligence, perhaps even more news about the Blood Moon in the Cyber World.’
Baili Xueyuan ignored Liu Xuan’s reaction. She looked straight at Lin Qi and said, "This second plan is something I need to discuss with you alone."
’A private conversation again...’
’Lin Qi felt a little resigned; he had a vague idea of what was going on.’
’It seemed his claim yesterday about being a "Tier One Wizard" hadn’t convinced Baili Xueyuan at all.’
’Using the key piece of information that he was a Wizard Professional, she must have dug up more intel.’
Lin Qi nodded. "Alright. Let’s talk downstairs."
The moment Lin Qi spoke, Lin Xin quickly interjected, "I want to listen, too!"
Baili Xueyuan placed a hand on Lin Xin’s shoulder, rejecting her proposal. "Children shouldn’t pry into adult matters."
Baili Xueyuan clearly didn’t want Lin Xin getting too deeply involved.
Liu Xuan stood up, grabbed Lin Qi’s arm, and shook her head slightly. "I think the first plan is fine. It’s a very cost-effective deal."
Lin Qi reached out and patted her arm. "I’m just going to hear her out first."
With that, Lin Qi stopped hesitating and walked directly toward the stairs.
Liu Xuan wanted to say more, but Lin Xin, who had just been rebuffed by Baili Xueyuan, came to her side and offered some comfort.
’Based on what Lin Xin knew of her teacher and her own brother, once those two made a decision, no one else could persuade them otherwise.’
’All they could do was let it happen.’
The light in Liu Xuan’s left eye flared again, but she sat back down.
A faint look of unease crept onto her face.
...
「In the basement workshop.」
Less than half a day later, he was meeting here again with the Tier Four powerhouse, Baili Xueyuan.
Lin Qi was more relaxed than he had been yesterday, taking a seat as soon as he entered the workshop.
Baili Xueyuan, however, remained standing opposite him. An intriguing look on her face, she asked, "Don’t you have any questions?"
Lin Qi had been waiting for Baili Xueyuan to explain the so-called second plan, but instead, he was met with this question.
After a brief pause, Lin Qi asked, "I’m a little curious. When did you arrive at the Prosthetic Clinic?"
Lin Qi had asked a question that seemed completely unrelated to the matter at hand.