Did You Destroy the World Today?
Chapter 38: Physical Location

Xu Jin wanted the Zhurong Mars rover, but he ultimately failed to bring it back himself.  

So the moment the rover landed, he immediately sprang into action.  

His objective was clear—to get his hands on that rover.  

But this created two additional problems for Lin Xu.  

First, if Xu Jin could mobilize so many armed personnel, with casualties reaching thousands, just how large had the Planetary Reincarnation organization grown by 2036? And how high was his position within it?  

Second, what was so special about this rover that he'd pay such an exorbitant price to obtain it?  

The first question could still be somewhat explained. After all, the development speed of a mysterious organization with religious attributes could indeed be astonishing.  

Needless to say, how many years did it take for that mustachioed man to build the Third Reich?  

With proper operations and full commitment, mobilizing tens of thousands of armed personnel wasn't completely implausible.  

The key point was—why did he absolutely need to obtain that rover personally?  

As a genuine second-generation researcher with proper credentials, surely he understood this equipment would create greater value under state control with national resources mobilized?  

No matter how capable an individual or large an organization, could they possibly surpass an entire nation?  

Only two explanations existed.  

Either he'd truly degenerated into a complete self-serving individual.  

Or he possessed some absolutely non-disclosable secret, forcing him to take extreme measures to protect it.  

Setting aside the first possibility, if there was a secret...what could it be?  

Seriously, was there any secret bigger than the bracelet on his own wrist?  

He hadn't immediately cooperated with authorities because he needed time to plan and probe.  

Once conditions matured and he had sufficient bargaining chips to protect his interests, he wouldn't resist collaboration.  

Unable to figure it out, Lin Xu searched for information using keywords "Planetary Reincarnation, Zhurong rover, Naibk." As Skull Head had said, records of that incident were nearly completely sealed—only vague traces remained on public platforms.  

Further investigation seemed impossible. To uncover the Zhurong rover's secrets...  

He'd probably have to follow Xu Jin's approach—try obtaining that rover personally.  

"Where is the Zhurong Mars rover currently stored?" Lin Xu asked again.  

Results appeared immediately.  

"After recovery, the Zhurong Mars rover was briefly stored at the China Academy of Space Technology before being transferred to the Key Laboratory of Particle Astrophysics at the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences."  

"Subsequently, the rover was placed under sealed preservation."  

Sealed preservation—this was crucial information.  

The Zhurong rover was China's first Mars lander. Normally, such historically significant equipment would be displayed in museums for public education if successfully returned.  

Yet it was sealed away.  

Clearly, something extraordinary had happened to this rover.  

He had to find it!  

But the Particle Astrophysics Lab was in the capital!  

Each Bracelet World session lasted only one hour—what could he possibly accomplish?  

Another dead end.  

Lin Xu checked the holographic projection—only 20 minutes remained until the apocalypse.  

No time. Absolutely no time.  

But—  

Wait.  

He still had one bargaining chip left.  

Jiang Xingye!  

On Mars, she was the only person he knew who might have answers!  

She could contact him—he could contact her too!  

Lin Xu's spirits lifted instantly.  

Jiang Xingye had issued her warning by hijacking all holographic projectors citywide, using shocking video signals to grab attention.  

If he could figure out how she did it, reverse-tracking might establish communication!  

But how did she do it?  

He didn't know—but Skull Head certainly would!  

Steadying himself, Lin Xu turned to Skull Head:  

"I have a question."  

"Suppose I needed to synchronously control all holographic projectors citywide—how would I do it?"  

"Huh?" Skull Head blinked. "Going that big?"  

"Don't tell me you went through all this trouble just to make some outrageous romantic confession?"  

"...Do you think I'm as love-obsessed as you?" Lin Xu said exasperatedly.  

"This is a technical discussion—just give me the technical answer!"  

"Fine, fine..." After brief consideration, Skull Head replied:  

"Actually not that hard. Most IoT devices connect via cellular networks. Though the tech's evolved, the basics aren't much different from old-school radio comms."  

"You'd need a powerful enough signal emitter."  

"Using an emitter with high-computing modulators, you could continuously broadcast electromagnetic signals to hijack IoT channels, decode them, bypass firewalls, and interfere with video output."  

"Simple process—basically hacking in."  

"The real challenge? Finding a citywide-range signal emitter."  

"That requires insane power output—doubt Jinling City even has such equipment..."  

"Doesn't matter if we can't find one," Lin Xu waved.  

"Just tell me—if we receive such signals, can we reverse-track and establish communication?"  

"Of course not," Skull Head shook his head decisively.  

"Full-channel broadcast signals are like river water—receivers only get the 'water.'"  

"You can't tell where the river originates or how many tributaries exist."  

"Without tracing sources, putting a boat downstream won't make it float upstream."  

"Though there is a solution," he continued.  

"Release countless boats to fill the entire river—mimic the emitter with full-channel broadcasting."  

"But full-channel broadcasting requires both authorization and power capacity."  

"Which brings us full circle—we lack such high-power equipment."  

"What about source tracing?" Lin Xu pressed. "How difficult?"  

"Very," Skull Head frowned.  

"Success rates depend on many factors with considerable randomness..."  

"Wait, hold up."  

"Are you saying we'll actually receive such signals??"  

"Who's sending them? What's happening?"  

"...Not your concern," Lin Xu's expression darkened.  

"Here's the deal—in 19 minutes, we'll receive such signals."  

"They'll hijack all holographic screens citywide—exactly as I described."  

"I need you to trace the signal, identify its source."  

"Once you locate the main channel, immediately establish contact and transmit my message!"  

"Dead serious?!" Skull Head gaped.  

"What catastrophe requires this?!"  

"The apocalypse is coming," Lin Xu stared into his eyes.  

"No jokes this time."  

"That signal will deliver doomsday warnings. Fifteen seconds after we receive it, the apocalypse hits—destroying human civilization."  

"You'll have precisely 15 seconds for tracing."  

"Those 15 seconds determine humanity's survival. Don't waste them—understood?!"  

Lin Xu's grave expression made Skull Head's jaw drop.  

"Buddy...you sane?"  

"You serious?"  

"Twelve minutes left."  

Lin Xu ignored the question.  

"Prepare now. You'll soon see the truth!"  

Dragging Skull Head along, they returned to their vehicle where Skull Head contacted technical support while briefing them.  

Everyone eyed Lin Xu like he was insane, but professionalism prevailed—they prepared everything per his orders as the paying client.  

"All receivers online. Frequency hopping disabled. Firewalls down."  

"If what you said happens, we'll detect it immediately."  

"But seriously—"  

"Quiet." Lin Xu cut him off.  

"Thirty seconds remain."  

The countdown began.  

Silence filled the vehicle.  

20 seconds.  

Skull Head fidgeted nervously.  

10 seconds.  

"Final countdown—get ready!" Lin Xu announced.  

Everyone stiffened reflexively.  

Then—  

Jiang Xingye's face suddenly appeared on monitors!  

"RUN!"  

"Lin Xu! Hurry—"  

"Initiate trace!" Lin Xu commanded.  

The tech team sprang into action.  

A new countdown began.  

"12 seconds!" Lin Xu shouted.  

"Can't acquire channel!"  

"8 seconds!"  

"Trying!"  

"5 seconds!"  

"Quantum encryption detected! Can't break through!"  

"Too late!" Lin Xu yelled desperately.  

"RTK locate the physical source!"  

"Purple Mountain Observatory!" Skull Head cried out.  

Then—white light flashed.  

The apocalypse arrived.  

Lin Xu's mind turned chaotic.  

Through fading consciousness, he felt someone tackle him, screaming in his ear:  

"THE APOCALYPSE IS FUCKING REAL!!"  

"THEN WHAT ABOUT MY WIFE?!?!"