Chapter 278: Refusal to Carry Passengers
The people only remembered the policy issued earlier when they saw the fee clause.
Someone angrily asked, "No, man, the way this bus is made isn’t widespread, and you’re still charging admission? Are you afraid we’ll compete with you? Want to create a monopoly?"
Only when the crowd saw the bus did they suddenly realize and connect it with the rules announced by Leng Feng earlier, and they understood that these rules were aimed at Jiang Che.
After figuring all this out, people from various territories panicked; they could accept staying in a certain territory with no movement.
But they couldn’t accept being unable to move freely when a method of free transfer appeared.
Suddenly, the internet was filled with curses aimed at Jiang Che.
"Really, at this time, still trying to monopolize?"
"Compared to other Lords, his scope is really too narrow."
"With him, it’s truly humanity’s tragedy."
In an instant, Jiang Che became the target of everyone’s criticism.
Jiang Che didn’t look at the comments on his phone; he usually didn’t check these things.
At this moment, Jiang Che was sitting motionless on a large rock like a statue.
He gazed into the distance, his eyes empty, his mind drifting far away.
The people below quietly watched his back; no one spoke, and no one disturbed Jiang Che’s view.
Everyone quietly moved away, not wanting to disturb Jiang Che.
They found a spot to rest, sat cross-legged on the ground with their phones, waiting for the first batch of people to return before heading out themselves.
Their hearts were filled with anticipation, yearning for the moment it would be their turn.
Those who went out were doing live streams, and they could constantly watch the live stream.
They wanted to see how their family reacted, but as they surfed the internet, they noticed the online direction becoming strange.
Everyone was angrily condemning Jiang Che for not making the bus building method public, criticizing him for charging tickets, with intense rhetoric.
Sitting on the ground, they exchanged glances, amusement flashing in their eyes.
In today’s world, everyone is selfish, doing everything for their own benefit.
Their fingers danced quickly on the screen,
[So what? So what?]
[Hehe, so what if tickets are charged?]
[No, if I remember correctly, didn’t the immigrants recently ask if anyone wanted to come over, and everyone refused?]
[I’m a driver; I’m just squatting here. Anyone who dares curse my Lord won’t get on the bus in the future.]
[Everyone really hasn’t seen clearly. In the future, everyone will fight for their own territory.]
[Once the passage opens, with everyone being so far apart, maybe going to the Evil Spirit side is closer than going to your place.]
[I have a hunch; charging tickets isn’t unjust. Once the passage opens, the business will still need running. Even if the bus manufacturing method is given to you, can you ensure safe transit through the Dark Forest and Evil Spirit territory?]
The online masses hadn’t reacted yet before receiving a multitude of people’s counterattacks.
They knew that when discussing Jiang Che-related topics online, they would only get assent, never any rebuttal.
However, now there was a series of people defending Jiang Che, arguing online with those criticizing him.
Those sitting on the ground were staring at their phone screens intently, their fingers relentless.
Indeed, others were unclear, but they saw very well.
Jiang Che’s ticket charging, wasn’t it for their benefit as citizens?
He needed resources to develop the territory, and weren’t these energy balls given as rewards to everyone?
Now, they had unconsciously identified themselves as citizens of Jiang Che’s territory.
Xiong Jie watched the online debate, silent, finding a comment accusing them of wanting to monopolize the business.
This message was the highest praised one.
His online ID was his name, Xiong Jie.
"No man, you guys really want to snatch the business, huh?" he chuckled, "This is not only transportation service, but the fare also includes insurance and protection fees, right?"
He had already posted the relevant rules online; riding the bus entailed protection, and if accidents occurred, compensation would be given to their families.
[In today’s world, you treat it as business?] Xiong Jie’s words instantly made them annoyed to laughter.
While everyone was calling for protection of all humanity, Jiang Che seemed to have formed his small world, indifferent to how outsiders viewed it, or what outsiders felt.
Xiong Jie, seeing this, merely coldly sneered.
He had the person’s information.
With one hand, he entered the person’s information into the system, while the other began typing a reply. "Well said, in the future, you’ll be refused boarding."
Many watched him argue with the person, continuously refreshing the comments, hoping to find anything new.
But soon, Xiong Jie’s single sentence shut that person up instantly.
After the eerie arrival, everything had become real-name system.
Xiong Jie didn’t even need to input a real name, just a username, and the system would link the information together.
Leng Feng’s system was naturally the most comprehensive information database.
Seeing the words "refused boarding,"
The entire web fell silent; everyone frantically went to their previous comments, quickly clicking delete.
They feared Xiong Jie would track and enter their information into the system.
Those already registered plunged into darkness, seeing comments that had initially agreed swiftly become unsearchable, remaining ones showing ’This message cannot be found.’
He picked up his phone, wanting to smash it to the ground but restrained himself.
For now, resources are scarce; smashing a phone might mean truly not finding another one.
"I truly can’t believe this; not even one with backbone!"
He continually refreshed the web, seeing far fewer comments criticizing Jiang Che; each refresh, previous content disappeared.
With his toe, he could imagine people continuously deleting their published opinions.
He felt a bad premonition, "No, being refused boarding, could it end up being just me?"
But soon, looking at the clean internet, seeing not a single negative comment about Jiang Che,
He felt as though a large fist squeezed his chest, leaving him breathless.
His fingers hastily typed; he wanted more people to stand with him.
"Since there’s a way to travel freely in the Dark Forest, why not establish territory directly within the Dark Forest?"
But before sending, he saw Xiong Jie’s notice.
[Bus construction materials cannot be left in the Dark Forest long-term; they will be eroded and eventually swallowed by it, unsuitable for establishing territory and living.]