Did You Destroy the World Today?
Chapter 45: I've Been to Mars Too??

This communication opportunity was incredibly precious. Lin Xu should have asked all the questions he wanted to know.  

But he didn't have time.  

Round-trip information transmission between Earth and Mars took 20 minutes, and the apocalypse was only 28 minutes away.  

Even if he successfully received Jiang Xingye's reply, the amount of information she could convey within the limited time would be minimal.  

Would he really waste his Bracelet World access by repeatedly breaking into Purple Mountain Observatory, going through battles again and again, just to ask questions and desperately memorize answers within mere minutes?  

The inefficiency was terrifyingly low.  

So the best solution was finding a contact closer to him.  

Establishing immediate contact upon entering Bracelet World.  

That was the most efficient communication method!  

Lin Xu refused to believe an organization as large as Planetary Reincarnation couldn't provide a trustworthy Earth-based contact.  

Though he couldn't immediately obtain more apocalypse information or learn what happened to the Zhurong rover this time, once the channel opened, acquiring information later would be simple.  

Plan successful√!  

Lin Xu collapsed painfully to the ground, attempting to stem his severed arm's bleeding, but the wound torn open by 8.6mm bullets was too massive.  

Even clenching his muscles and pressing his armpit couldn't slow the blood flow.  

Three minutes had passed.  

Jiang Xingye's reply would take at least 20 more minutes.  

Could he survive?  

Lin Xu pulled a tourniquet from his waist to tighten around his arm, but quickly realized his biggest problem wasn't physical.  

Shouts already came from outside.  

All nearby police and military forces had been mobilized—how long until they breached this place?  

This thought flashed through Lin Xu's mind.  

Next second.  

"Bzzzzzz—"  

A massive buzzing sound erupted.  

Again!  

That incapacitating weapon he'd experienced before!  

Damn it!  

So fast?!  

Lin Xu struggled, but willpower couldn't overcome such advanced weaponry.  

Convulsing on the ground, he saw lights flooding in from outside the observatory.  

Fully armed soldiers easily found Lin Xu collapsed before the main control console. The squad leader's eyes flashed with surprise upon seeing him.  

"You?!"  

Lin Xu gasped heavily.  

"You know me??"  

The leader didn't answer.  

"Medic, extract him!"  

"Keep him alive!"  

"Understood!"  

A medic swiftly approached and expertly bandaged Lin Xu's wounds after confirming he couldn't resist. An adrenaline shot brought full alertness.  

"I can't leave...I must stay!"  

"Give me 20 minutes—no, just 18!"  

"Something major is happening—I must understand what!"  

"Just 18 minutes! Ask anything here—I'll answer truthfully!"  

Lin Xu stalled desperately, but his captors weren't buying it.  

"You killed four people! And you dare bargain?!"  

The leader glared as Lin Xu desperately gripped the console's edge.  

"I had no choice! I was coerced!"  

His mind raced.  

"If I didn't break in, they'd kill all my friends and family!"  

"Please, 17 minutes—just 17 more minutes!"  

"Who threatened your family?" the leader demanded.  

"Planetary Reincarnation! They forced me!"  

Lin Xu played the victim convincingly. Seeing his genuine injuries, the leader hesitated slightly.  

Somewhat...believable?  

This severely wounded man hadn't fled.  

Did seem truly threatened?  

What if they forcibly removed him?  

Meeting Lin Xu's eyes, the leader asked:  

"If I insist on taking you away? What happens?"  

"Apocalypse!"  

Lin Xu rasped solemnly:  

"It will absolutely happen!"  

"...Take him!"  

At the order, impatient soldiers kicked Lin Xu, nearly knocking him unconscious and breaking his grip.  

When he recovered, zip-ties bound his limbs completely.  

"I'm not lying..."  

Lin Xu grimaced in pain.  

The rough restraints aggravated his wounds, making his whole body tremble.  

"15 more minutes—maybe less—we'll get the reply."  

"You can spare 15 minutes...give me this chance!"  

No one responded.  

Soon loaded into an armored vehicle, the leader looked down silently before asking incredulously:  

"How could you do this??"  

"You do know me?!"  

Lin Xu pressed.  

"...I've seen you before."  

The leader nodded slowly as the vehicle started.  

Through narrow windows, Lin Xu saw flashing lights outside. Attempting to rise earned him another kick.  

"Stay down!"  

"God damn it...whatever."  

Lin Xu sighed.  

"When did you see me? What was I like? What did I do?"  

The leader stared disbelievingly.  

"You don't remember?? Don't tell me you have amnesia?"  

"Unfortunately, yes."  

Lin Xu lay still, done resisting.  

He knew his options were extremely limited now.  

Next time then.  

Next time, he'd plan better—escape while maintaining contact with Jiang Xingye.  

Studying his expression, the leader looked puzzled.  

After brief silence, he said:  

"You should've stayed on Mars. Never returned."  

Instantly.  

Lin Xu's mind reeled as if struck.  

Me?  

Stay on Mars??  

When did I go to Mars?  

What happened these past twenty years??  

He gaped at the man, speechless.  

"When...when did I go to Mars??"  

The leader stayed silent.  

Lin Xu checked the man's watch.  

One minute left.  

"No time!"  

"Tell me—when? Why did I go??"  

"Figure it out yourself inside."  

The leader said coldly.  

"Fuck!"  

Lin Xu struggled up furiously.  

"40 seconds! The apocalypse comes!"  

"If you survive, tell me why I went to Mars!"  

"Remember! You must remember!"  

The leader looked startled.  

Then Jiang Xingye's voice suddenly broadcasted citywide through the windows:  

"Bai Mo!"  

"Find Bai Mo!"  

Lin Xu stared shocked outside.  

Jiang Xingye had anticipated his capture and used all city speakers!  

Lin Xu instantly calmed.  

Then white light flashed.  

Apocalypse arrived.  

Before losing consciousness, he saw the leader's lips moving rapidly.  

Words reached his ears:  

"You shouldn't have brought Zhurong back!!!"