Apocalypse Chapter 59: Coup

Chapter 59: Coup

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

When Jiang Rong returned home, he saw Little Fairy pressed against the courtyard wall, its round body resembling a deflated balloon, looking somewhat shriveled. Jiang Rong was startled, “Little Fairy, what happened?!”

Little Fairy weakly shook the small balls on its body and greeted, “Master Jiang…”

Jiang Rong quickly walked to Little Fairy’s side, reaching out to touch its dark green skin. The texture of the skin seemed fine, as sturdy as ever. Worriedly, he asked, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Little Fairy grunted twice, “There’s a problem…”

It wasn’t until Jiang Rong entered Little Fairy’s consciousness that he understood why Little Fairy had ended up in this state. Little Fairy had encountered a big problem: all its surrounding peers could move and act, except for itself. 

Jiang Rong and Jiang Xiaoheng, not to mention, they could sing and dance, often disappearing as soon as the car started. Lele and Junjun could also run freely, especially Little Guaiguai, often accompanying Master Jiang on missions. It was fantastic to go on missions, not only to accompany Master Jiang but also to see beautiful scenery and encounter various animals like those in cartoons.

Everyone was a mutant plant, why could others roam freely while it could only stand still like a fool?

It also wanted to go out with Master Jiang, to see the blue sky, white clouds, and other small animals outside. But with its large body, how could it move around?

Little Fairy moved its body with a sense of melancholy, sighing heavily, “Ah…”

Jiang Rong didn’t know how to comfort Little Fairy. If it were as small as before, he could have put it in a flowerpot and taken it everywhere. But with its current size… it far exceeded the carrying capacity of a heavy-duty truck. Not to mention a heavy-duty truck, it might not even be liftable by a crane.

Little Fairy sighed softly, “Master Jiang… there’s a problem…”

Previously, Little Fairy had always thought that being large was its advantage, but now its greatest advantage had become a limitation. How could it accompany Master Jiang everywhere like Little Guaiguai? This was a serious problem.

***

In the next half month, Jiang Rong and his team were busy from dawn till dusk every day. During this time, there was significant progress in the base’s infrastructure: the production line of Lean Solar Electronics reopened, and the first batch of solar panels would soon be put into production after the Great Crisis. With these solar panels, the electricity pressure in the base would be greatly relieved. It was estimated that by October, eighty percent of the people in the base would have access to electricity.

In addition, the construction of warehouses had also begun. Since Li Bin and his team joined the base, the surveying and mapping work had accelerated several times. In just half a month, the blueprint for the warehouse had been finalized. The experience and courage of senior engineers were far beyond comparison with the students. After Li Bin and his team surveyed the area, they decided to hollow out the surrounding mountains and build the warehouse inside. This way, the warehouse built would be several times larger than originally planned, and with the mountain as cover, it would be more concealed.

Of course, Li Bin and his team didn’t take it for granted before the blueprint appeared on Jiang Rong’s desk. They had already submitted a budget plan, and according to the budget, the materials currently found in the base could fully support the construction of the warehouse. If they acted quickly, military vehicles could drive into the warehouse before the Chinese New Year.

In just a few days, the espers had built a wide road leading to the mountain hollow, and a large number of engineering vehicles were busy transporting materials in and out.

The pressure on Jiang Rong and his team did not decrease with the start of the project. On the contrary, the pressure on their shoulders grew heavier. September was approaching, and they had a lot to do.

During this month, they had to overhaul all the mountains and land in the base that could be cultivated. While the land was being prepared, they also had to find suitable seeds and seedlings. They missed the rice harvest, so they couldn’t miss the wheat planting. Time was life. If they were slow by a day, they would harvest less food, and the people in the base would go hungry…

All of this had nothing to do with Little Fairy. It was just an Eyries cactus that couldn’t move after losing the ability to animate. All it could do was watch Master Jiang and his companions come and go every day, and the only thing it could hear was the occasional words from Little Guaiguai. Little Fairy had been gloomy for nearly half a month, so depressed that it didn’t even bloom.

On the last day of August, after nightfall, Little Fairy, who had been lying listlessly on the courtyard wall for a long time, suddenly straightened up. It abruptly stood up, shaking the spikes on its body, making a hollow rustling sound. Little Fairy straightened its body, and the small ball on the east side of its sphere began to sway up and down.

After the black rain, the spikes on Little Fairy’s body had turned mottled black. As it shook, the black color on the spikes gathered towards the small ball on the east side.

The irregularly yellow spikes on the small ball turned into a regular black and yellow pattern, and spiral black stripes appeared on the sphere. The amplitude of the swaying of the small ball became larger and larger. With the last sway, the small ball, nearly a meter in diameter, separated from the mother body with a ‘pop’ and fell to the cement ground.

Falling from a height of over ten meters, the small ball didn’t shatter, but bounced twice solidly on the cement ground. The spikes propped up the small ball, and the dark green ball rolled on the ground, surprisingly fast. Little Fairy twisted its body and let out a joyful laugh, “Hahaha~”

Success! It finally learned how to move itself. From now on, it could also follow Master Jiang around like Little Guaiguai! This was thanks to Little Guaiguai. If it weren’t for Little Guaiguai’s guidance, it wouldn’t know how to control its obedient little ball. Little Fairy happily greeted its little companions, “Good! Good!”

Upon hearing Little Fairy’s voice, Little Guaiguai peeked out from the rooftop. Seeing the small ball on the ground, Little Guaiguai happily gestured a few hearts, “Let’s go?”

The small ball on the ground made a crisp sound as it rolled twice, “Let’s go!”

Little Fairy couldn’t wait to see Master Jiang’s Spark Base~

Perched in the courtyard, Junjun heard the rolling sound outside the courtyard wall. It climbed over the western side of the wall and joined the mutated plants that were taking a nighttime stroll. After staying at Jiang Rong’s house for so long, its bones were almost rusting. Now it had the chance to go out for a walk.

On the mountain road beside Lingshan Reservoir, Jiang Rong’s pets were happily running along the mountain road. Junjun and Little Guaiguai ran ahead. They had run on this mountain loop countless times, so they could find Jiang Rong’s house even with their eyes closed.

They stopped after running a distance, waiting for Little Fairy. As an Eyries cactus going out for the first time, everything seemed fresh to Little Fairy. When it saw bird nests on the roadside, it had to stop and take a look. When it encountered broken-down vehicles, it wanted to stay and take a look. Because of its special body, it would also be entangled by vines on the roadside. Whenever this happened, Little Guaiguai would extend its vines to rescue it.

The three little ones headed southwest, going to visit another mutated plant in the base: the old camphor tree. Usually, Little Guaiguai could reach the foot of the old camphor tree in half an hour, but today it took over an hour. Happiness was faster with companions, and Little Guaiguai felt happiest on the journey today.

Since the old camphor tree was transplanted to the mountain outside the resort, its days had become much more comfortable. With abundant water sources near the reservoir and friendly air, its roots were deeply embedded in the ground. It absorbed nutrients many times more than before on campus, and the entire tree became much more vibrant.

After more than a month in the base, the old camphor tree’s height had exceeded forty meters, becoming the most prominent presence in the entire southwest hills. The only thing it was not used to was that there were fewer students around it. Without the chattering students, the old camphor tree felt a bit lonely. But it was fortunate to have made new friends in Spark Base. Every night, the bloodthirsty vine Little Guaiguai would come to visit it.

When Little Guaiguai brought Little Fairy over, the old camphor tree, in human form, happily said, “Little Guaiguai, who is this?”

Little Guaiguai proudly shook its vine and pushed Little Fairy forward, “Little Fairy!”

The old camphor tree floated down from the treetops and bowed to Little Fairy, “So you are Little Fairy from the Jiang family. I’ve heard of you~”

Little Fairy shook its spikes, “Master Jiang!” 

Although it didn’t understand what “heard of you” meant, it knew Master Jiang. Little Fairy suddenly became more enthusiastic towards the old camphor tree.

At this moment, the grass rustled, and Junjun walked through the bushes with a domineering gait.

Little Guaiguai introduced, “Junjun…” 

Human language was very complicated, and Little Guaiguai had been trying hard to learn to speak recently. Perhaps because it was too small, its pronunciation was not as standard as the old camphor tree’s.

Junjun shook its tail and lay down on the ground, seemingly not very satisfied with Little Guaiguai’s introduction. The well-informed old camphor tree had long known Junjun’s identity. It bowed to Junjun, “So you are the mountain lord, please forgive my disrespect.”

Seeing that everyone had arrived, the old camphor tree smiled and rubbed its hands, “Shall we begin the lesson?”

If someone were to walk under the old camphor tree right now, they would be startled to the point of their heart skipping a beat. Hanging on the trunk of the old camphor tree is a small blackboard, and an elderly man, glowing with light, is holding a chalk and drawing on the blackboard. In front of the old man are two balls and a tiger crouching. As the old man teaches, the two balls try hard to pronounce, “Oh~”

The teaching time of the old camphor tree is only two hours, and by the time the class is over, it’s already late into the night. He smiles and asks, “Little Guaiguai, Little Fairy, Mountain Lord, did you all understand what I taught today?”

Little Guaiguai swings the vine, “Uh, oh.” 

Little Fairy hums twice, “Yi.” 

The Mountain Lord yawned and lay down.

The old camphor tree is satisfied, “Very good, practice more when you go back, we will continue the class tomorrow. Class is dismissed now!”

Upon hearing the words “dismissed”, Little Fairy can’t wait and rolls away, followed closely by Little Guaiguai. The old camphor tree watches the two balls roll far away with a wry smile, “You’re going the wrong way~”

The asphalt road of the resort is wide and spacious, and although many trees on both sides of the road have been damaged, there is more vegetation surviving here than elsewhere. In the late night, two rolling balls appear on the road, humming happily to the theme song of the Meow Meow Team.

Little Fairy is so happy that it feels like it’s about to fly, enjoying the feeling of being able to move freely. Tomorrow it will be able to go out with Master Jiang~

At this moment, the sound of a car engine comes from the winding mountain road. Taking a closer look, a row of military off-road vehicles is speeding towards them. Little Guaiguai, who often hangs around the base, is experienced. It stretches out a vine and pulls Little Fairy into the grass by the roadside.

There’s a slight “pop” sound from the grass, as if something has burst open. Soon after, the off-road vehicle whizzes past the two balls. After a while, a red vine extends from the bushes, carrying a fist-sized Eyries cactus.

Little Guaiguai coils its little friend in confusion. How did its little friend suddenly become so small? After shrinking, Little Fairy is not imposing at all. Its spikes have turned into soft fur, making it look like a strange toy.

Meanwhile, Little Fairy twists its body and rolls in the direction where the military vehicle is going: could it be Master Jiang inside the car, just like the one Master Jiang usually drives?

The military off-road vehicle slowly stops in front of a villa. The deputy opens the door, and several students get out of the car. The deputy says softly, “The Major is inside, you can go straight in.”

If Li Bin were here, he would recognize the leader of these students as one of the complainers he encountered under the window on the day he arrived at the base. The leader’s name is Dou Zhang, the chairman of the Student Union of D City Vocational and Technical College.

When Jiang Rong went to D University to pick up people, he also brought students from other schools in D City University Town. Dou Zhang is one of them. Dou Zhang awakened his gold-element ability, thinking that he could be highly valued in the base and could showcase his abilities.

However, after arriving at Spark Base, they were either assigned to weed or plow, or were asked to volunteer. After more than a month, they haven’t had a chance to showcase their abilities at all, and what’s even worse is that they have to witness the inequality among people.

But now, he has found someone who appreciates his abilities. It doesn’t matter if Jiang Rong and the others don’t understand, as long as Spark Base gets someone who does.

The first floor of the villa was brightly lit, and Xu Kaitai was sitting behind the desk with his legs crossed. Seeing Dou Zhang entering, Xu Kaitai shows a kind smile, “Xiao Dou, what brought you here so late?”

Dou Zhang quickly takes out several sheets of A4 paper from his briefcase, “General, take a look at the proclamation we wrote!”

Before entering Spark Base, Xu Kaitai was the commander of the garrison in City B, with five thousand soldiers under his command. After the Great Crisis, he was left with just over two thousand soldiers. At that time, in order to survive, he had no choice but to bow to Jiang Jinhua and transition from a commander to a company commander.

As the old saying goes, “As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood.” Identity is not important, as long as one can survive. In the future, when the time is right, one will surely have the last laugh.

Although Xu Kaitai’s military rank before didn’t reach that of a general, hearing Dou Zhang address him as such made him feel relieved both mentally and physically.

Xu Kaitai took the A4 paper and glanced at it, his smile gradually widening. “Jiang Rong’s Ten Sins? Hahaha!”

On the A4 paper were listed Jiang Rong’s “crimes”, with the first one being “playing favorites”. It stated that Jiang Rong gave important tasks to those around him, even to those who lacked the ability, allowing them to hold high positions.

Following that were Jiang Rong’s “arrogance”, “elimination of dissidents”, and “monopolization” of various kinds of evidence, with each “charge” clearly laid out. The person who wrote this proclamation had quite the literary flair, using many idioms and allusions.

Xu Kaitai chuckled, “Such a proclamation could be used in a war between two armies.”

Dou Zhang exclaimed indignantly, “General, you’re absolutely right. We are an army, a student army that strikes directly at Jiang Rong’s heart.” After a pause, he continued, “I have already united students from other colleges. On September 3rd, we will march and protest outside the Activity Center of Fishery Village Three. We will force Jiang Rong to step down and fight for our legitimate rights. Spark Base belongs to everyone. If we contribute labor, we should receive fair treatment. Is Jiang Rong acting like an emperor, favoring only his own? Others may fear him, but we don’t. We will expose him at his peak and make him lose face. He’ll behave himself in the future!”

Xu Kaitai’s smile grew deeper, “That’s a good idea, but I think it’s unnecessary.”

Dou Zhang was taken aback, “General, what do you mean?”

Xu Kaitai rested his chin on his hands, his eyes as sharp as eagles as he looked at Dou Zhang. “You’re still too naive. Making such a big fuss is like immature children playing with dolls. Remember, real changes in power don’t need a big commotion.”

Capturing the leader first, the current rulers of Spark Base are only two: Jiang Rong and Guan Shao, surrounded by only fifty or sixty espers. As long as these people are controlled, especially the espers around Jiang Rong, the power in Spark Base can be transferred. The people at the bottom never care about changes at the top; they just want to have food and shelter. For them, whether the one giving orders is Jiang Rong or Xu Kaitai makes little difference, as long as they can survive. Furthermore, Jiang Rong has only recently established the base and doesn’t have high prestige within it. If they act now, who will care who the former leader of the base was?

After Dou Zhang’s proclamation was rejected, he was a bit resentful. But hearing Xu Kaitai’s words, his eyes began to sparkle. “General, are you saying…”

Xu Kaitai nodded slightly, “This matter must be kept secret, not a word leaked. After it’s done, I’ll need you to do many things. Xiao Dou, you’re a student with vision and ambition, I admire you.”

Dou Zhang’s excitement flushed his cheeks. He stood straight, “Thank you, General! Dou Zhang will definitely not disappoint!”

As the sound of the engine faded away, Xu Kaitai asked the deputy in a low voice, “Is he gone?”

The deputy replied, “Yes, he left, looking very happy.”

Xu Kaitai’s smile turned sinister, “Just a bunch of hot-blooded students who haven’t tasted hardship. They talk about righteousness, human rights, and fairness, but what do they know about the harsh realities of the world? For now, we still need their support. After this matter is settled, we’ll find an opportunity…”

The deputy stood up straight, “Yes, sir!”

***

As dawn broke, Jiang Rong got up. After pulling open the curtains, his pupils suddenly contracted, “What’s this…?”

On the windowsill crouched a fist-sized Eyries cactus, covered with dark green patterns and a layer of black-yellow fluff. He had never seen an Eyries cactus with such a strange appearance before. Was this real or just an inanimate object?

The spikes moved, and twisted its body eagerly greeted him through the window, “Master Jiang! Master Jiang!”

Jiang Rong couldn’t believe it, “Little… Fairy?” 

No wonder he heard someone calling him in his daze; it wasn’t a dream after all.

Little Fairy, without a word, pulled off a small ball from its body. The ball had been quite large when it was on the main body, but now it had become so small. It seemed like Little Fairy had really made an effort to shrink just to sneak out!

This was the first time Little Fairy had shrunk into Jiang Rong’s palm. It happily rubbed against Jiang Rong, “Master Jiang~”

Being able to change size was really great. Now it could accompany Master Jiang like Little Guaiguai. Although its main body still couldn’t leave the yard, it was much better than standing alone outside waiting for everyone to come home.

***

There was a small flowerpot on the roof rack of the off-road vehicle, containing a unique-looking Eyries cactus. Chu Qiang was delighted to see this, “Xiao Jiang, why did you put such a toy on the roof? It doesn’t match your temperament. And you didn’t place it properly; putting it on the roof, won’t the soil spill out when you drive? Or should I ask Pan to reinforce the soil for you?”

Seeing Chu Qiang’s fingers about to touch Little Guaiguai’s soft fur, Jiang Rong reminded, “Don’t touch, it’s poisonous.”

As if to prove Jiang Rong’s words, Little Fairy hummed twice, “Prickly, prickly…” 

These black-yellow spikes were not to be messed with; they had grown after the Black Rain.

Once, Little Fairy had used these spikes to prick a mouse, causing the mouse to foam at the mouth and fall to the ground with just a scratch. This time, during the split, Little Fairy instinctively transferred these troublesome spikes to the small ball. When walking outside, you always needed some self-defense. Moreover, it had the important mission of protecting Master Jiang!

Chu Qiang quickly withdrew his hand, “Holy crap? Little Fairy? Why did you change like this?!”

Little Fairy proudly twisted its body, “Fairy~”

Little Guaiguai, floating by, enthusiastically praised, “Little Fairy~”

Chu Qiang was speechless. These days, even plants have become sentient beings. Don’t mess with what you can’t handle.

Seeing Daddy about to leave again, Jiang Xiaoheng hugged Jiang Rong’s thigh and pouted softly, “Daddy, when will you come back?”

Jiang Rong gently patted his son’s head, “Daddy is going outside the base to find seeds, and I’ll be back soon. You and your little brother must listen to Grandpa and Grandma, okay? Don’t wander around everywhere, understood?”

Jiang Xiaoheng buried his tender little face against Daddy’s chest, “Daddy, come back soon, okay? Be safe on the road and don’t eat anything from strangers.”

Jiang Rong kissed his son’s little face, “Okay.”

After setting his son down, Jiang Rong tousled Jiang Hao’s head, “Be good, Xiaohao.” Then, as he rose, he said to Uncle Chu and the others in a low voice, “Uncle, Auntie, I’m entrusting the two children to you.”

Uncle Chu chuckled, “Why is this child so clingy today? Don’t worry, we’ll be here today. Come back earlier, and we’ll cook your favorite dishes for you!”

***

The convoy of Jiang Rong’s group slowly headed towards the direction of the seed station in City D. Just half an hour after their vehicles left, hundreds of military vehicles rushed towards the Fisheries Brigade, armed soldiers quickly charging towards the office in the activity center. They knocked on the office door, forcing several clerks to kneel on the ground, “Don’t move!”

The people in the activity center had never seen such a scene before; the timid girls burst into tears. One girl cried and asked Lin Meng, “Mengmeng, what’s going on?”

Shouts came from among the soldiers, “Search! Find the family members of the espers!”

Lin Meng pursed her lips, “Don’t say anything, just kneel down properly.” 

She began to have a bad feeling; this situation resembled a military coup. Did these soldiers take advantage of Jiang Rong and his team leaving the base to seize power? This was bad. How should she inform Jiang Rong and the others of this news?

***

Half an hour after the convoy set off, they reached a newly constructed road. When the leading vehicle reached a gentle slope, there was a muffled “clunk” sound under the wheels.

“Boom!”

A violent explosion erupted from under the vehicle, and a towering flame and a deafening sound burst forth. In the dark gray smoke, several vehicles ahead slammed heavily into the dry fields at the roadside.

On the hill not far away, Xu Kaitai, lying prone, excitedly smashed the ground with his telescope. “Beautiful!”

What happened to the espers? He was an esper too, but he believed that even the most powerful esper currently wouldn’t be a match for explosions. Moreover, Jiang Rong was a wood-type esper, and Guan Shao hadn’t awakened his ability yet. How could they withstand such advanced tactics of earth and thunder?

Xu Kaitai grinned widely, “This is called ‘the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.’ Thank you for handing me this empire.”

 

 

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