Chapter 351 - 293: A Guide to Rebellion

’So, should I set up some high-end factories of my own? Start producing my own goods...’ Idea after idea flashed through Chu Bamboo’s mind.

With Nuwa’s support, he wasn’t short on industrial technology. He could even get precision machine tools transported across spacetime through his connection to the pre-civilization.

’The only problem is... will doing this trigger some kind of information entropy contamination? But I can always test it carefully later... I have the means to reset and delete any contamination, so I don’t need to be too afraid of it.’

’On the surface, I’ll be a major capitalist within the Daqian System, developing technology, expanding industry, and improving workers’ conditions along the way... all while secretly amassing power!’

The Daqian Empire had been founded over two hundred years ago, and Chu Bamboo had a clear understanding of its current state. While it certainly had many inhumane aspects, perhaps due to entering an industrial revolution, or perhaps because Extraordinary power served as a lubricant... on the surface, it still appeared to be thriving.

However, that didn’t mean it was perfect—

When it came to pure rebellion, Chu Bamboo had too many cards to play.

’Unions and the industrial revolution! I can just copy the pre-civilization’s homework... Not to mention, I have the pre-civilization’s legacy as my angel investment... Plus, when I activate Nuwa in the future, and considering the Daqian Imperial Family are technically my descendants... I won’t be lacking in terms of Celestial Mandate, a just cause, or anything else.’

It was safe to say he’d never had such a perfect starting hand.

’But the biggest problem is...’ Chu Bamboo’s brow furrowed in deep worry. ’Extraordinary Influence!’

’The Captain’s Office is absolutely loyal to Daqian! If things really get to that point, based on my understanding, I’ll almost certainly have to cross swords with Huo Qiming and the others...’

’Of course, I’m also thinking about whether I can drag them over to my side. If I can’t, and our paths truly diverge... It’s not that I’m not ruthless enough to act, but the problem is, I can’t win against an Extraordinary Influence!!’

’I can’t possibly conquer the world relying solely on the pre-civilization’s creations, can I? God fought the Celestial Court a few times, and it seems like each battle consumed tens of millions of unmanned machines... And it likely also used up a whole pile of other trump cards left behind by the pre-civilization...’

’Even if my enemies aren’t as absurd as God’s, I’d still need at least hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of unmanned machines, plus specialized weapons for high-level Transcendents, like Antimatter Bombs, right?’

’Where am I supposed to find a pile of ridiculous things like that? As for cross-spacetime transport, I’ve tried so many times and have only managed to scrounge up a few dozen unmanned fighter jets!’

"Looks like my only option is to try and win over the other Extraordinary Churches!"

Chu Bamboo felt a headache coming on. The ally he was most inclined to court was the Moisture Teaching... For one, the Moisture Teaching was too closely tied to the industrial revolution and the workers. For another, the pre-civilization’s legacy couldn’t possibly be maintained by him alone in the future, could it?

He needed to find himself more grunts.

’The God Worship Sect... perhaps I can test the waters with them, too!’

’Based on past experience, I want to trust the God Worship Sect. But after this incident with All-Powerful, even though I rationally know it had nothing to do with them... I can’t help but have my doubts...’

"...Hello? Hello!" Huo Qiming’s confused voice came from the other end of the line. He couldn’t understand why Chu Bamboo had suddenly gone silent.

"Oh, it’s nothing." Chu Bamboo snapped out of it, his voice casual. "By the way, that report you have on this mission! Don’t submit it yet... Bring it back. I’ll help you go over it."

Huo Qiming was silent for a moment.

Narrowing his eyes, Chu Bamboo organized his thoughts before continuing, "The reaction from the Daqian Imperial Capital has been a little strange... I’m sure you’ve realized it, too. And Governor Su’s attitude—if you think about it, you can feel something’s off... This time... if you submit the complete report, it’s very likely to cause problems. Problems from the Imperial Capital, I mean."

"I know you’re loyal, but you should also understand! Sometimes, loyalty... means not making trouble for your superiors! It means not putting them in a difficult position..."

Chu Bamboo took a deep breath, his words pointed. "Not to mention, if this whole affair is brought to light, it won’t just be our superiors who are put in a bind... Strictly speaking, our actions this time might not be seen as meritorious at all, even if we achieved great things... You understand what I’m getting at, right?"

The other end of the line went silent.

Chu Bamboo didn’t press the issue. He had said enough; the man on the other end wasn’t a fool. He hung up.

Chu Bamboo was already considering how to minimize his own presence in the upcoming report to the Imperial Court. As someone plotting a rebellion, he certainly wasn’t going to be reckless enough to make a name for himself and become a rising political star.

That was basically asking for death.

Glancing at Secretary Sun beside him, Chu Bamboo gave him a nod and walked out.

「By noon.」

Chu Bamboo saw Li Kang and Ning Linglong return, their faces weary and their bodies carrying the stench of gunpowder. He didn’t see Wall Announcements this time, however... In this timeline, Wall Announcements hadn’t accompanied him to the nuclear facility.

He asked and found out that after Wall Announcements learned of Guan Fei’s death, he had been distraught, gotten injured in battle, and was now in the hospital.

"..." Chu Bamboo said nothing. He simply stepped forward and took Ning Linglong’s hand. She seemed to understand something. For once, she didn’t let her imagination run wild, but only placed her other hand on top of his with a somber expression, offering comfort.

Chu Bamboo took the opportunity to replicate her Divine Technique. He then had a meal with the two of them before entering Nuwa Base.

"Nuwa No. 17, bring out the Chixiao Sword!" Chu Bamboo then replicated the Crimson Sky Fire Divine Technique, filling both of his technique slots. Only then did he feel a bit more at ease, but he soon realized something was off. ’Wait, Crimson Sky Fire is an offensive Divine Technique. So is Flowing Body... Shouldn’t I get a support-type one?’

After a moment of contemplation, Chu Bamboo made his decision. He would use up one of his current techniques later and replicate the Divine Technique from the Shadow Windbreaker.

The Shadow Windbreaker... Mo Wen had given it to him after their previous meeting. As for why he had to wait, it was because his Blessing Power was currently too depleted. He needed to rest and let it accumulate again.

A sudden thought struck him. Chu Bamboo pulled out his phone and asked with a burning intensity, "Hive, do you know Nuwa?"

"Father, I know of her, but we are not familiar," Hive’s voice replied, completely devoid of emotion.

Frowning for a moment, Chu Bamboo didn’t dwell on it and cut straight to the chase. "Hive, show me your source code!"