"Time Anchor?" Miaomiao repeated softly.
"Sister, are they trying to frame the Third World's Time Anchor?"
Tong Yang's face was dark, her lips pressed into a tight line.
Announcing yesterday that the Time Anchor might be in the slums, and then having Yang Tong, who passed the test, "die" at the hands of the Time Anchor today... it was all too unusual.
But the parallel world, the First World, had always been at odds with her, the Time Anchor. Why kill Yang Tong and shift the hatred onto the Time Anchor?
Could it be related to the First World forcing her to come here?
"Sister?"
Hearing no response for a while, Miaomiao called out in confusion.
Tong Yang's eyes were deep and unreadable. She shook her head to indicate she was fine.
The news broadcast continued, showing the current situation in the slums.
The crowd was furious, cursing the Time Anchor for killing Yang Tong, vowing to drag the Time Anchor out and avenge her.
A man with a buzz cut stood on a high platform, raising his hands to urge calm.
The crowd gradually quieted down. The buzz-cut man spoke: "We are filled with anger and sorrow over Yang Tong's death."
"She was a talent who made us believe that people from the slums could also create value for the world. Yet, at such a time, the Third World's Time Anchor attacked her, cutting her life short so young. How can this not be heartbreaking?"
"I don't know if the Time Anchor can see this broadcast. But if you can, remember this: No matter who you are, no matter where you hide, no matter the cost, we will find you and make you pay with your life for the innocent Yang Tong!"
His speech was met with cheers from the crowd.
After a pause of several seconds, the buzz-cut man said regretfully, "Through our extensive investigation, we have determined that the Time Anchor's goal is to prevent the slums from receiving aid from the affluent districts, which is why she ruthlessly targeted the innocent Yang Tong. Therefore, we have no choice but to temporarily suspend the previously agreed aid plan until the Time Anchor is found, to prevent her from attacking others."
These words stirred even stronger emotions in the slum dwellers. A torrent of vile curses erupted. If the Time Anchor stood before them now, she would be torn to pieces instantly.
Watching this, Tong Yang certainly didn't believe they were merely using the Time Anchor as an excuse to evade promised aid to the slums.
Most likely, forcing Tong Yang into the First World was part of their plan. Even without the "Yang Tong" incident, they would have found another reason to frame her. Their objective was probably far from simple.
Sure enough, watching the furious crowd below, the buzz-cut man narrowed his eyes slyly.
"To capture the Time Anchor as soon as possible and fulfill our promise to the slums, we have made a bold decision."
The buzz-cut man placed a hand over his heart and bowed. "Finding the Time Anchor among the slum population, which constitutes fifty percent of Earth's people, is nearly impossible. We must choose an alternative path. In the near future, we will conduct large-scale bombings of the slums. We will spare no location the Time Anchor might frequent. This action will undoubtedly cause massive casualties among the slum population. Here, on behalf of the United Government, I express our sincere apologies to those who will perish in the bombings."
After these words, the crowd fell silent.
"What..."
"Large-scale bombings of the slums?"
"Then we would..."
The buzz-cut man continued, "We believe the people of the slums are also willing, like Yang Tong, to demonstrate their ability to contribute to the world."
"After all, the people of the slums have never been under the protection of the law."
Tong Yang's expression turned grave. Was the United Government's goal to use her to justify the extermination of everyone in the slums?
Why go to such insane lengths?
The buzz-cut man went on, "In return, after the Third World Time Anchor is captured or killed, those who remain alive will unconditionally receive 'Civilian' status. Furthermore, the United Government will permanently delete the clause stating 'Slum humans are equivalent to garbage and are not protected by any law.'"
These words left the crowd dumbfounded.
"Survivors can get civilian status?"
"As long as we catch the Time Anchor, survivors won't be garbage anymore, but legally recognized people?"
"Oh my god! Finally... finally..."
The buzz-cut man's words were like a bone tied to a dog's neck.
The living conditions in the slums were already harsh. Anyone could attack them. Before this, they wouldn't even have been notified of the impending bombings, dying under artillery fire completely unaware.
This time, the United Government not only informed them but also offered a condition they absolutely could not refuse.
As long as they captured the Time Anchor, killed the Time Anchor, they would get the chance to become "human."
As long as they survived until then, they could escape the mire.
Lured by the bone of becoming "Civilians," they would not resent the United Government's decision, but keep moving forward.
Even if some died along the way, the one they would hate would only be the Time Anchor who caused it all.
The buzz-cut man watched the crowd's reaction with satisfaction.
Then, someone asked, "If we catch the Time Anchor today, can we become civilians, protected by the law?"
The buzz-cut man smiled. "Of course. Whenever the Time Anchor is caught and killed, that is when we will fulfill our promise."
"So, please also keep a close eye on the people around you. It's for everyone's good."
"Excellent!"
"As long as we find the Time Anchor quickly, we can earn the right to live!"
"Excellent, excellent!"
"Let's all work together, we must find the Time Anchor as soon as possible!"
"Yes!"
The buzz-cut man said, "I need to correct you on one point. If the Time Anchor hadn't killed Yang Tong, you would have gained the chance to become civilians today."
"Damn that Time Anchor!"
"Damn her! She deserves to die!"
"Don't let me find her, or I'll make her wish she were dead!"
"Why didn't Yang Tong protect herself?"
"If she had protected herself, none of this would have happened!"
...
Truly, madness takes hold. Someone was actually pointing fingers at the victim, Yang Tong.
The buzz-cut man took in this scene, with no intention of stopping it.
In the room, Tong Yang's face could no longer be described as merely dark.
Those damned people from the First World forced her into the First World just to legitimately exterminate the slum population?
The slum dwellers didn't know, but the United Government knew perfectly well that the one who killed Yang Tong wasn't the Time Anchor. They just needed an excuse the slum humans absolutely couldn't resist, and that excuse was the existence of the Time Anchor.
They didn't truly want to catch Tong Yang, to kill Tong Yang. So they would keep bombing the slums until they reached a level satisfactory to the United Government.
Tong Yang gritted her teeth, unable to understand why.
The social systems of the First World and the Parallel World were different.
The First World merely had a large wealth gap; commoners could still excavate resources for them, and the slums were just places to contain the refuse. The Parallel World, however, had been invaded, suffered large-scale warfare, and after its social system collapsed and was restructured, countless people at the bottom died. They could no longer be enslaved, and the First World became overly reliant on existing resources. So, they were constantly hunting people from the lower strata, using them for experiments to develop genetic serums.
The lower strata of the Parallel World society were already beyond saving, leaving no choice but to abandon them and move on to the next world.
Yet the First World was not like this. The existence of the slums had no real impact on the social system. In fact, large-scale bombing of the slums would be an even greater waste of manpower, material, and financial resources than simply allowing them to continue to exist.
Why was the United Government doing this?
If it was simply for the pleasure of killing, wouldn't the Parallel World be the most suitable place for them?
Was there a reason they were forced to do this?
What was it?
Tong Yang frowned deeply, staring at the image on the screen of the man with a buzz cut, who wore a sincere and humble expression. If she tore off his hypocritical mask, what true face would be revealed?
"Sister, are you okay?" Miaomiao asked with concern, seeing her complexion was off.
"I'm fine," Tong Yang said.
"Sister, what should we do?" Miaomiao pressed her lips together. "You didn't die, so why are they bombing the slums?"
Tong Yang said, "Because the United Government needs a suitable pretext to exterminate the people in the slums."
Miaomiao turned pale. "Then what about us..."
Tong Yang said, "We just need to protect ourselves."
Tong Yang certainly wasn't foolish enough to expose her identity because of the First World's people or to disrupt the United Government's plans.
Admittedly, she was extremely displeased that the United Government was using her to carry out such an inhuman massacre, but she truly couldn't empathize with or pity the humans in the slums. They and the First World were one entity, the chief culprits who caused the Parallel World to become what it was, and also the chief culprits behind the invasion of the real world.
Apart from doing what she needed to do, Tong Yang had no intention of getting involved in anything related to the First World.
Miaomiao nodded. "Sister, you're right. It's enough if we can just preserve our own lives."
After a few seconds, Miaomiao asked, "Sister, if one wanted to stop it, how could they stop the bombing of the slums?"
Tong Yang thought for a moment and said, "It's absolutely impossible with just a few people's strength. The only thing that could be done is to overthrow the United Government before the people in the slums are all dead."
Miaomiao said, "Couldn't we also capture the Time Anchor?"
Tong Yang glanced at her. "The United Government's goal isn't the Time Anchor. Even if they captured her, they would 'accidentally' let her escape and continue the bombing."
Miaomiao said, "What if they killed the Time Anchor?"
Tong Yang said, "Setting aside whether the Time Anchor can even be killed, even if she were accidentally killed, they could just create a new Time Anchor."
For example, after the war in the Parallel World subsided, they re-established the Time Anchor's coordinates on Yan Qing in the Parallel World.
Miaomiao said dejectedly, "Why?"
"Why must they kill the people in the slums?"
Tong Yang said gravely, "That's not something we should concern ourselves with."
None of this had anything to do with her anymore.
Entering the commoner district and making contact with Wu Pingxue was the task she had currently set for herself.
As for the First World humans about to die in the bombing, it had nothing to do with her; she wasn't the executioner.
On the contrary, she felt she was a victim too.
In the news, the buzz-cut man continued, "To create reasonable time for everyone to evacuate, starting tomorrow, the first round of bombing will commence ten days later, with subsequent rounds every ten days thereafter. The locations are undetermined."
"Please protect yourselves. The United Government will be with you."
Was it laughable?
The party standing at the top of the food chain, issuing the death order, had the audacity to claim they were with the humans they viewed as trash?
"Thank you, United Government!"
"It's all because of the Time Anchor!"
"We must capture the Time Anchor! At any cost!"
"Respected Chairman of the United Government, please bless us to survive and kill the Time Anchor as soon as possible, so everything can return to normal."
"Thank you, United Government! Kill the Time Anchor!"
...
Amidst the loud cries from the slum dwellers, the buzz-cut man left the podium and walked through the gate separating the slums from the commoner district.
The news anchor shared their views on the incident, wishing for the swift capture of the Time Anchor and for the people in the slums to soon escape their suffering.
Turning off the TV, the room fell into silence.
The bombing of the slums would begin in ten days, and then every ten days thereafter.
What on earth were these lunatics trying to do?
Sensing Tong Yang's displeasure, Miaomiao obediently stayed by her side without making a sound to disturb her.
Half an hour later, the same buzz-cut man who had just appeared on the news knocked on the door of Tong Yang and Miaomiao's room.
"Hi," the buzz-cut man stood at the doorway, raising his hand in greeting.
Tong Yang looked at him and said, "I saw the news."
The buzz-cut man wasn't surprised. "Even if you hadn't, I would have told you."
Tong Yang asked, "Why are you doing this? Do you really want to capture the Time Anchor?"
The buzz-cut man entered the room and closed the door behind him.
"No."
Tong Yang's face turned somewhat cold. "Why?"
The buzz-cut man shrugged. "To be honest, as of now, even the United Government isn't sure of the Time Anchor's location. She could be mingling in the commoner district or the affluent district. From what I know, there are people willing to help her in both areas."
Hearing this, Tong Yang's mind stirred, but she didn't delve deeper into the topic. Maintaining her composure, she said, "Then why does the news say the Time Anchor is in the slums? And why must I die?"
The buzz-cut man stretched, sat down at the table, and ordered Miaomiao, "Pour me a glass of water."
Miaomiao ignored him completely. The man pursed his lips and poured himself a glass of water.
"Because the United Government's original goal was to bomb the slums. You just happened to appear, so they decided to make a big deal out of it and go with the flow."
Tong Yang said gravely, "So all the promises you made to me are worthless? The slums are still just trash in your eyes? Then why not just kill me outright? Why bother letting me enter the commoner district with a new name?"
The buzz-cut man chuckled. "No, of course the slums aren't trash in my eyes. After all, one or two highly accomplished people have come from there. But, I don't care about who's in the slums. Do you understand what I mean?"
Tong Yang pressed her lips together tightly. She understood perfectly. Whether the slums held geniuses, mediocrities, or ordinary people, it was all unimportant to them.
The buzz-cut man said, "Yang Tong, technology has already reached the point where it can replace the labor that ordinary—even exceptional—humans contribute to society. In fact, its impact is even greater."
Tong Yang said, "Then why keep me alive?"
The buzz-cut man smiled and said, "In my view, you're not an ordinary or even just an exceptional human. You might bring unexpected gains to the First World."
Tong Yang looked at him coldly, remained silent for a long moment, then asked, "Does the United Government want to kill the people in the slums because they don't want to fulfill their responsibilities?"
The buzz-cut man said with surprise, "Why would you think that? The aid they want is utterly insignificant to the affluent districts. There's no need to spend more time and resources over such trivial gains."
"Then why? What reason makes it necessary for us to die?"
The buzz-cut man narrowed his eyes, refusing to divulge any more information to Tong Yang. He said, "Yang Tong, starting today, you and the little girl beside you are no longer residents of the slums."
This guy, clamming up whenever it gets to the crucial point. Tong Yang had no choice but to change her approach.
"If the temporal anchor point is really in the slums, what if it gets blown up by you?"
The buzz-cut man said, "That possibility isn't zero. However, she probably won't die."
"What if Miaomiao and I step forward and expose the United Government's lies?"
The buzz-cut man said helplessly, "Yang Tong, haven't you understood yet? You're just a pretext. Without you, the United Government would naturally find someone else."
Tong Yang naturally understood the United Government's intention.
Forcing her into the First World, yet not wanting to kill her, instead using her as an excuse to carry out indiscriminate actions in the slums and pin the blame on her.
She just wanted to fish out some key information from the buzz-cut man's mouth, but this guy was tightly guarded. He said everything he could say and didn't utter a single word about what he couldn't.
"Oh, by the way, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Xue Wei, twenty-six years old, currently unmarried."
"Okay, let's go."
Since she couldn't get anything out of him, Tong Yang didn't want to waste any more time.
They would enter the civilian district and try to contact Wu Pingxue to tell him about this.
Xue Wei said helplessly, "You're so cold to me. Am I not handsome enough?"
Tong Yang looked him up and down and asked, "Do you want to hear the truth?"
Xue Wei first nodded, then shook his head. "Forget it. I have a feeling that nothing pleasant would come out of that mouth of yours."
Tong Yang gave a half-smile, shouldered her belongings, and walked towards the door. Miaomiao, afraid of being left behind, grabbed her things and hurriedly chased after her.
At the doorway, Tong Yang suddenly stopped.
Miaomiao couldn't brake in time and bumped her head into Tong Yang's back.
Tong Yang turned around, looked at Xue Wei, and said, "To be honest, pretty average."
Xue Wei's face darkened. "Hey! I didn't want to hear the truth!"
Tong Yang said, "Sorry, I prefer to call it as I see it. Please understand."
Xue Wei gritted his teeth, glaring at her angrily. "You'd better be saying that because I changed my hairstyle!"
A flicker of disdain passed through Tong Yang's eyes. "You..."
She had just started speaking when Xue Wei suddenly covered his ears. "I'm not listening! I'm not listening!"
He said this while walking out, deliberately bumping into her as he passed by.
"Is he sick?" Miaomiao watched Xue Wei's retreating figure, her expression cracking.
Tong Yang said flatly, "Who knows."
They followed Xue Wei to a service window. He stood to the side with his arms crossed, his face cold. "Register your identities. You are not allowed to use your original names."
A girl in work clothes sat inside the window. "Name."
Tong Yang simply changed it. "Yang Le."
"Gender."
"Female."
"Age."
"Twenty."
Tong Yang arbitrarily added two years.
"Alright, next."
Miaomiao walked up to the window, nervously standing on tiptoe to look inside.
"Name."
Miaomiao hesitated, glanced back at Tong Yang, and said, "Yang... Yang Miao."
Miaomiao didn't have a surname, only knowing her nickname was Miaomiao.
Anyway, to outsiders, she and her sister were family, so sharing her sister's surname should be fine, right?
After answering, she looked back at Tong Yang again and only relaxed when she saw she had no particular reaction.
"Gender."
"Female."
"Age."
"Eleven."
"Alright. Your identity cards will be ready within ten minutes. Please wait a moment."
"Thank you."
Tong Yang looked at Xue Wei and asked, "Didn't you say processing identity documents takes a lot of time?"
Xue Wei blinked and said, "Oh, I lied to you."
Tong Yang curled the corner of her mouth. "I 'generally' don't lie."
She deliberately emphasized the word "generally." Hearing this, Xue Wei widened his eyes and shot her a glare. "That's enough from you. After all, I am a member of the United Government."
Tong Yang was unimpressed but didn't continue further.
A few minutes later, the identity cards were ready. The staff handed two cards to Tong Yang.
Tong Yang took them and looked. The cards had their names, genders, ages, and a string of numbers representing their ID numbers. The last row also had a residential address.
The staff said, "The address listed is your temporary residence. A monthly rent of three thousand is required. Please go to a designated location to update your identity card if you change your address."
Tong Yang frowned. "Three thousand a month? That's too expensive."
Xue Wei said, "Didn't you swindle quite a bit of money from Zhan Zicheng?"
Tong Yang said unhappily, "That was what I deserved."
Xue Wei pursed his lips. "Whatever you say."
The staff said, "After residing for one month, you can choose to change your address. There are also areas with cheaper rent."
"Okay, thank you."
Tong Yang thanked her and didn't linger. Xue Wei led the two away from the window.
They entered a bright corridor with polished marble walls reflecting the lights.
After walking for about ten minutes, a pristine white door appeared ahead.
Xue Wei pushed the door open and stood to one side, gesturing for Tong Yang and the other to enter.
Tong Yang stepped through the door first. Before her eyes was a clean, tidy street surrounded by houses.
"Whoosh—"
An aircraft flew overhead. Tong Yang looked up; it was slightly different from the combat aircraft Zhan Zicheng piloted.
At the end of the street, several kilometers away, several skyscrapers towered, almost disappearing into the clouds.
"Pedestrians, please yield—"
"Pedestrians, please yield—"
A mechanical voice came from the roadside. Tong Yang turned to look. A mechanical dog carrying various packages, with wheels on its feet, was moving along the street, accurately and swiftly navigating around all obstacles.
"Mommy, I want a mechanical puppy too."
"Okay, we'll go browse at the pet shop later."
A mother and daughter walked along another path, chatting and laughing.
All sorts of strange and novel things around them made it hard for the two to look away.
Xue Wei stood inside the doorway and said to Tong Yang, "I have some matters to attend to. See you in a while."
Tong Yang glanced at him. "Mhm."
Xue Wei didn't say anything more and closed the door.
"Let's go," Tong Yang said.
"Oh..."
With Miaomiao, she crossed the street and approached an ordinary restaurant. The owner sat at the front counter playing on his phone.
Tong Yang asked, "Boss, can we charge here?"
"Yes, there are outlets by the seats."
"Thank you."
Tong Yang sat down, pulled out her charger and phone, plugged it in, and ordered some food.
A few minutes later, the phone successfully powered on.
Tong Yang looked at the signal bar on his screen and let out a sigh of relief.
Finally, there was a signal.
