Did You Destroy the World Today?
Chapter 13: Heavenly Fire, Mars Across the Shore

"Name?"

"Lin Xu."

"Age?"

"Forty... forty-four?"

"You don't even remember your own age?"

The man sitting across from Lin Xu frowned slightly, suspicion flashing in his eyes.

"At my age, it's normal to forget some things, isn't it?"

"Normal? Being so confused you can't recall your own age is normal?"

The man's tone turned severe. Lin Xu flexed his wrists slightly, making the silver handcuffs jingle.

"It's 2045 - shouldn't all this basic information be available with an iris scan? Why waste time asking?"

"You're right."

The man chuckled.

"Indeed, no need to waste time."

"Then let's be frank."

"What's your relationship with Jiang Xingye?"

Jiang Xingye...

Just as he'd expected. The first substantive question was about Jiang Xingye.

Clearly, in their eyes, Jiang Xingye's importance, priority - or perhaps "danger level" - far surpassed that rogue mercenary team that never should have appeared near Tianqiong Technology's campus.

They couldn't even be bothered to ask where he'd found those mercenaries, or why he'd gathered so many.

Jiang Xingye... just what have you done?

Lin Xu glanced at the antique clock on the interrogation room wall - an anachronism in this era - sighed, then answered:

"Sir, if I said we have no relationship at all, would you believe me?"

"No relationship at all?"

The man's expression turned mocking.

"I suggest you think carefully before answering."

"...I've already thought carefully."

Lin Xu shrugged.

"We were just former colleagues, ordinary friends. In fact, we haven't been in contact for years."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have been stupid enough to search for her records at the company, and certainly wouldn't have gotten caught and dragged here for interrogation."

"Honestly, I'd like to know - did she break some heavenly law, or did I? Just asking about someone warrants sending troops to arrest me?"

"Don't try to fish for information."

The man looked at Lin Xu with amused absurdity.

"You've been trying to extract information from me since you sat down."

"What I'm curious about is how you can be so bold."

"Do you know where this is? This isn't some ordinary police station or national security office - this is the Maritime Security Bureau!"

"You're not unfamiliar with the MSB, are you? Your work history shows you've dealt with us before, just not directly with this department."

"But you should understand our methods and principles, shouldn't you?"

"...Not really."

Lin Xu shook his head.

"Like I said, I'm getting old. I've forgotten many things."

"Stop asking about my relationship with Jiang Xingye. In my memory, we were just ordinary colleagues and friends."

"If you want information from me, you'll need to ask more specific questions."

Lin Xu's words carried subtle manipulation.

He'd already realized extracting information from this professional interrogator was impossible.

This was no small fry - he wouldn't foolishly reveal unknown intel to a "suspect" like him.

The man was excessively cautious, excessively rational.

He wouldn't make mistakes.

But he also couldn't avoid making mistakes.

Because in reality, all the information he possessed was completely unknown to Lin Xu.

Whatever question he asked, Lin Xu could gain free intelligence.

It was a win either way.

Seeing Lin Xu's "fully cooperative" expression, the man's gaze shifted several times before finally speaking:

"If you want communication, I suggest complete honesty."

"Stop telling me you 'have no relationship with Jiang Xingye,' alright? She's your ex-wife. You dare say you're unrelated?"

"......"

Lin Xu was stunned.

What the hell?

In this world, I married Jiang Xingye?

Not just married - already divorced?

What kind of painless second marriage questline is this??

Lin Xu stared incredulously at the man, who returned an equally shocked look.

"Wait, you really don't remember??"

"The emotional monitoring system shows 89% credibility. Even a genius actor couldn't control microexpressions to that degree."

"Have you lost your memory? Since when?"

"...You're asking an amnesiac when their amnesia started??"

Lin Xu gaped.

"That's an exceptionally stupid question, sir??"

The man showed a hint of awkwardness, seeming to realize his reflexive question was indeed foolish.

After a brief pause, as if receiving some instruction, he abruptly changed topics:

"Do you know about the Planetary Reincarnation organization?"

"I don't. What kind of organization is that?"

Lin Xu had been waiting for this question. His expression was utterly genuine, his curiosity and confusion completely unfeigned.

----This wasn't acting. It was real.

Seeing this, the man's frown deepened.

He was nearly certain Lin Xu had genuinely lost some memories. After brief consultation with superiors, he answered:

"Planetary Reincarnation is designated a terrorist organization by multiple nations, and classified as a cult in our country."

"Their core belief is that all cosmic entities exist through 'life reincarnation,' including stars themselves."

"Their most famous doctrine is 'Heavenly fire, Mars across the shore.'"

"Does any of this ring a bell?"

"...No."

Lin Xu shook his head blankly.

Of course he had no memory - he'd only heard the term "Planetary Reincarnation" today!

The interrogator grew visibly unsettled by his reaction.

"...Brainwave scans check out..."

"You truly have no memory of Planetary Reincarnation? Or Jiang Xingye?"

"Then why were you looking for her? And why gather all those mercenaries?"

"...If I knew, would I call it amnesia?"

"I only vaguely remember Jiang Xingye saying the apocalypse was coming, so I hired mercenaries to help me... steal rockets from Tianqiong Technology."

Lin Xu's half-truths sounded unbelievable even to himself.

Yet the man seemed to take it seriously.

"Steal rockets??"

The man's eyes sharpened instantly.

He'd caught a critical lead and pressed urgently:

"Steal rockets to go where?"

Before Lin Xu could answer, the man raised his voice:

"Don't think! Say the first thing that comes to mind!"

"...Mars?"

Lin Xu had never experienced this interrogation style. He blurted out the first answer that flashed through his mind.

Hearing this, the man exhaled deeply.

"You were likely exploited by Planetary Reincarnation."

"This aligns... mostly with our intelligence."

"While we can't fully clear you, current evidence suggests... you were probably a pawn."

"Your memories were likely erased by them, using some exceptionally cruel method."

"That's why you've forgotten so much about them."

"Regardless, you're also a victim."

"You'll remain in our custody."

"We'll protect your safety, and hope you'll cooperate with our investigation."

"Those doomsday fanatics pose tremendous societal danger. If we can eliminate them all..."

"Sir, wait."

Lin Xu interrupted rapidly:

"I don't know what Planetary Reincarnation is, but I'm absolutely certain the apocalypse is real!"

"We're running out of time... please tell me, where is Jiang Xingye now?"

The man's face filled with pity.

He asked Lin Xu:

"How long did they say until doomsday?"

"Ten seconds."

Lin Xu answered without hesitation.

"In ten seconds, the apocalypse arrives!"

"You'll die within twenty seconds after it hits!"

"Use these final moments to give me the answer!"

"Now!"

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

Silence.

Then blinding light flooded the interrogation room.

The apocalypse had come!

Lin Xu felt his life draining rapidly.

His vision failed, leaving him unaware of the man's expression.

He could only scream hoarsely:

"The apocalypse is here!"

"Where's Jiang Xingye? Tell me!"

No answer came.

Lin Xu clung to consciousness by sheer will.

As his awareness teetered on the edge of darkness, he suddenly heard a raspy, fading voice that had also burned through its last reserves of life:

"Mars!"

"Mars!"