The Last 299 Days of Humanity

Just as Shengtian was using the "Tiemofu" clone to stir up a media storm around the world, plunging Dadian Jinghua into an unprecedented passive and chaotic situation, a retaliatory strike against Shengtian's core was also quietly brewing in the shadows.

Dadian is like a venomous snake, coiling in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike a fatal blow.

They are by no means ordinary people who will sit idly by and wait for their doom. Although they suffered an irreparable defeat in this battle of public opinion, they must make Sheng Tian pay for it with the iron-fisted rules of the shadow world.

To reverse the disadvantage, they must strike at the enemy's vitals and implement the oldest and most effective tactic: a decapitation strike. And this vitals, in their view, are the core of Shengtian's intelligence and strategy—Yu Qing, Chang Sheng, and his most capable henchmen.

However, Yu Qing was currently almost entirely holed up in one of Shengtian's fortresses, and Chang Sheng was also rarely seen. They couldn't find an opportunity to strike, no matter how hard they tried. So they set their sights on someone who was relatively easier to deal with.

As Yu Qing's most trusted assistant and the president's biological daughter, Ya Shi also controls Sheng Tian's crucial information network and covert operations. She is a walking treasure trove of secrets, naturally making her a highly valuable target that Da Dian Jing Hua must eliminate.

She has a fatal flaw: she likes to assert her power in everything. Even if there are orders that can be quickly issued through encrypted channels, she still has to go to the scene herself to give instructions.

On a seemingly ordinary evening, with the skyline tinged orange by the setting sun, Yashi travels to a secret liaison point on the edge of Changjin to handle the surging, overwhelming flow of information and follow-up arrangements caused by the "clone" incident.

This trip was supposed to be highly confidential and equipped with strict security measures. Two ordinary-looking black amphibious vehicles, one in front and one behind, sandwiched the mobile fortress she was riding in.

However, Dadian Elite utilized their deepest, dormant assets—like a submarine submerged at the bottom of the sea—to meticulously plan a flawless "accident."

The gears of the trap began to mesh silently as Ya Shi's convoy entered a sparsely populated industrial area road filled with abandoned factories and rusted pipes.

First, the regional communication signal mysteriously weakened to a dead silence. It was not a violent blockade, but rather a mimicking of a chain reaction caused by the bursting of an old underground pipe. Even the traffic lights were paralyzed at the same time, and several "humanoid figures" wearing reflective vests, whose identities were hard to discern, guided vehicles to detour.

Immediately afterwards, several disguised unmanned engineering vehicles—a water truck and an open self-propelled container loaded with unidentified scrap—worked with astonishing coordination, as if they had rehearsed countless times, to create a complex, seemingly accidental chain collision.

They cleverly, almost artistically, completely separated the main carriage that Ya Shi was riding in from the guard vehicles in front and behind.

The impact was dull and brief. Before the guards could fully react, an invisible force—a high-intensity directional electromagnetic pulse—slammed down like a heavy hammer.

Instantly, the advanced electronic systems of all vehicles within a one-kilometer radius were paralyzed; engines shut down, doors locked, and communication device screens went completely black.

The deathly silence lasted less than five seconds. Well-trained attackers, dressed in dark combat uniforms and wearing holographic camouflage masks, silently emerged from the windows of abandoned factories and the shadows of alleyways, moving with the speed of cheetahs and with meticulous coordination.

They precisely shattered the bulletproof glass with a window breaker, releasing non-lethal stun gas, and subdued the limited resistance inside the vehicle, whose weapons were rendered ineffective by the electromagnetic pulse, in a very short time.

Ya only had time to feel a sharp pain at the back of her neck before her vision blurred rapidly. Before she completely lost consciousness, she felt herself being dragged out of the carriage by a powerful force.

The attackers tightly wrapped the struggling Ya Shi in a specially made black shielding cloth that could block all biological and tracking signals, and like handling a valuable but dangerous item, quickly stuffed her into one of the dozen or so identical self-propelled cargo boxes that were already waiting by the roadside and were slowly moving along a predetermined route.

The cargo door closed silently, and these cold metal blocks immediately merged into the intricate network of factory roads, like water droplets merging into the ocean, disappearing without a trace in an instant.

The entire operation took no more than three minutes, and was swift and efficient. Apart from the wreckage of the car accident and the unconscious guards, there were almost no clear clues left behind, as if Ya Shi had been swallowed up by space itself.

When Yu Qing and Chang Sheng received urgent, encrypted reports almost simultaneously that Ya Shi had lost contact and that their escort convoy had been attacked "accidentally," a chilling coldness instantly seeped into their bones.

On the large screen in the command center, the signal point representing the convoy's last position had gone dark.

Chang Sheng slammed his fist on the control panel, his knuckles turning white. "Activate the highest level of emergency response! Mobilize all resources, seal off the relevant areas, and track all suspicious signals! Especially the routes of those self-propelled cargo containers!"

But those who knew him well could hear the immense anxiety and impending fury suppressed beneath his roar. He understood better than anyone how important Ya Shi was to Sheng Tian, ​​not only as his intelligence core but also as his most beloved daughter.

He knew very well what she would face if she fell into the hands of Dadian Jinghua. Dadian Jinghua possessed sophisticated and ruthless memory extraction technology, and Tie Mofu's clone was a living, chilling example of what would happen.

Given that the enemy is likely targeting the core memories, the Shengtian leadership has already taken precautions.

All managers who have access to top-secret information are equipped with a final protection measure for extreme circumstances, codenamed "Forget River," an AB-type memory erasure agent, on a strictly voluntary basis.

Drug A is a highly effective neuroactive compound sealed in specially designed microcapsules that require a certain biting force to break, and is usually embedded in the fillings of the molars.

Once the pill is bitten open and swallowed, it takes effect quickly, effectively and irreversibly erasing long-term memories from the brain within a precious twenty minutes, ultimately leaving the user in a near-"blank" state, thus building the last barrier to protect company secrets.

This is a form of ultimate protection that involves mutual destruction, a choice more cruel than death.

Drug B is the only antidote to drug A. It is stored in a tiny, slow-release patch under the fingernail and requires the user to suck on the fingernail to activate its release.

If drug B is inhaled within the 20-minute window after taking drug A, the toxicity of drug A can be effectively neutralized, preventing the memory erasure process from occurring.

The very existence of this device is a heavy psychological barrier. It means that, when faced with the worst-case scenario, the person involved needs the determination to make a painful sacrifice, but also needs to retain a sliver of hope for rescue.

Yu Qing could only clench his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. He stared intently at the preliminary tracking report on the screen, which was darting around like a headless fly, and silently prayed:

When Prayer Aya is attacked, she is clear-headed enough that if she realizes the enemy is trying to extract her memories, she will bite down on the "bitter fruit" hidden in her teeth.

Since memory extraction rarely requires an hour of preparatory time, she has enough time to stop them.

But he prayed even more that Shengtian could find her before the death-like countdown ended—in those precious twenty minutes—so that she could have the chance to suck her nails and revitalize that tiny spark of life.

But this hope is so slim: the professionalism and ruthlessness of Da Dian Jing Hua would leave no obvious traces for them; and whether Ya Shi could successfully take the drug while being subdued instantly, or even while she was in a coma, is also unknown.

Time has become the cruelest executioner.

Time ticked by, each second like a red-hot branding iron, searing the hearts of everyone on the Shengtian emergency response team. Inside the command center, the air was so heavy it seemed to drip water; the only sounds were the clatter of keyboards, urgent commands, and the faint hum of instruments.

Shengtian's entire intelligence network and tracking system were operating at unprecedented efficiency, with data flowing like a raging river, attempting to capture any clues about the whereabouts of those ghostly self-propelled boxes and Ya Shi from this vast and chaotic ocean of information.

Yu Qing sat in the center, his face ashen, his eyes fixed on the constantly refreshing yet chaotic stream of information on the screen, trying to decipher the code of fate.

He knew this was not only a race against time, but also a direct confrontation with Dadian Jinghua's ruthless methods and efficient operations. At this moment, his mind was racing, trying to figure out how to use Tie Mofu to exchange Ya Shi for him as quickly as possible. Morally, he had to do it. But this would have extremely unfavorable consequences for Sheng Tian.

There's a high probability that Ya Shi, whom they've exchanged for, will be a cripple. And after handing Tie Mofu over to Da Dian's people, they'll use him to their advantage, accusing Sheng Tian globally of inhumanely torturing him and altering his memories…

What would Chang Sheng choose? After all, Ya Shi was his daughter. If it were anyone else, Chang Sheng certainly wouldn't make such a losing deal. Should he act more compassionate and offer the suggestion first? Or should he pretend to be a little oblivious...?

Meanwhile, in a secret facility hidden dozens of meters underground, with walls covered in sound-absorbing material, Ya Shi is slowly waking up from a drug-induced coma.

The stinging pain in the back of her neck was still clear. She found herself imprisoned in a cold, bone-chilling metal device, similar to a dental operating chair. Her wrists and ankles were firmly locked with tough straps, and even her head was fixed in place.

She could only stare at the monotonous metal wall and the dim, will-o'-the-wisp-like overhead light. The air was thick with the mixed smells of disinfectant and corroded metal. She immediately tried to move her body, but only felt the restraints tighten even more.

Almost instinctively, the tip of her tongue carefully pressed against that particular back molar, confirming that the tiny capsule containing destruction and hope was still there.

Once she discovers that the person who has reached the point is preparing to use those gleaming memory probes, she cannot hesitate for a moment and must decisively bite into that deadly pill.

If the other party succeeds, not only will Sheng Tian's secrets accumulated over many years be instantly exposed, plunging Sheng Tian into an irrecoverable passive situation, but Sheng Tian himself will also lose everything as "Ya Shi," becoming an empty shell, and may even be unable to control his basic physiological functions...

The thought of the "extinction in the sense of existence" that she might face, which was even more terrifying than death, sent a chill down her spine and strengthened her resolve—better to die a glorious death than live a shameful life.

At the same time, her fingers curled up extremely slightly within the limits allowed by the restraints, her fingertips struggling to touch the almost imperceptible tiny bump under her nails—that was the B-drug patch, her only hope of returning to herself from the other side of the "River of Oblivion," the thin thread connecting life and death, wholeness and brokenness.

A faint, non-self-generated breathing sound began to mingle in the cold air, along with the almost inaudible friction sound of the surveillance camera rotating.

In a hidden corner, a red dot flickers in and out of sight. A brutal battle of wits, will, and time is about to unfold silently in this absolutely isolated space. An unseen adversary observes from the shadows, awaiting the perfect opening to break through.

Dak's people didn't act immediately, likely assessing which method would yield the greatest benefit. Clearly, getting Yashi to voluntarily reveal everything she knew was better than extracting key fragments through memory extraction. The prerequisite was breaking down Yashi's psychological defenses.

Ya Shi is young and inexperienced, and she is enthusiastic and loves to show off. If she is given enough temptation and also experiences the pain of torture, perhaps she can be persuaded to cooperate with Da Dian.

In the darkness, a gentle yet magnetic male voice broke the suffocating silence through a hidden speaker: "Miss Yashi, it's a pleasure to meet you. We know you're awake. Don't be nervous, we just want to talk to you."

Ya closed her eyes tightly, trying to block out the sound, but her tongue involuntarily pressed against her molar again. The hard feel of the A-drug capsule was the only reality.

“You are very young, Miss Ya Shi,” the voice continued, with a hint of regret, “possessing an enviable status and future. Why ruin everything for Yu Qing and Chang Sheng’s ambitions? The process of memory extraction… is extremely painful and irreversible.”

No matter how much you resist, we will eventually get what we want, but you will no longer be yourself.

Suddenly, the metal wall opposite became transparent, revealing the scene in the next room—a person also bound to a chair, suffering inhuman drug torture, his body convulsing violently, emitting suppressed, inhuman wails.

The scene lasted only ten seconds before the wall returned to its original state, but the horrific sight and sound were deeply etched into Ya Shi's mind. Her heart pounded, and cold sweat instantly soaked her back.

"This is the consequence of choosing resistance." The voice remained calm, yet it was filled with a chilling threat. "But cooperation offers a completely different path."

We at Dadian Elite appreciate talent, especially someone as young and promising as you. If you're willing to share what you know about Shengtian's core intelligence network, the backup plan for 'Tiemofu,' and Yu Qing and Chang Sheng's contingency plans... we can grant you your freedom immediately.

Not only that, we can also offer you a new identity, perhaps even a high-ranking executive at Dadian, or a fortune enough to live a life of luxury anywhere, and… security. You can escape these conflicts and enjoy the life you deserve.”

These words pierced Ya Shi's ears like a spell. She was truly tired of living in constant fear, and she had longed for the peace and quiet of ordinary life. For a fleeting moment, a hint of hesitation crossed her mind: perhaps... cooperation was the wiser choice?

Since Sheng Tian might not be able to rescue her in time anyway, why endure physical pain and even become an idiot? Her breathing quickened slightly, and a trace of struggle appeared in her eyes.

The interrogator, noticing this subtle change, became even more seductive: "Think about it, Miss Ya Shi. Does your father, Chang Sheng, really care about you? He's put you in such a dangerous situation."

As for Yu Qing, he's probably weighing whether exchanging 'Timofu' for you is 'worth it'. In their eyes, you might just be a valuable tool.

These words were like a needle, piercing the softest and most vulnerable part of Ya Shi's heart. She remembered her father's stern gaze, and Yu Qing's calm demeanor, always prioritizing the greater good... The seed of doubt was quietly planted.

The thought of surrendering seemed to grow stronger, in order to survive, in order to achieve a possible "better" future...

However, just as her willpower was about to crumble, other images flashed before her eyes: her father, Yu Qing, and the disdainful looks of her colleagues… What would these people face if she betrayed them? Could Da Dian Jing Hua's promises really be trusted?
I'm afraid that once I lose my value, my fate will be even worse than that of the person next door.

More importantly, if she compromises, she will forever lose the identity of "Yashi" and become a shameful traitor. What difference is there between that kind of spiritual annihilation and being erased from one's memory? It's even more unbearable!

A brief moment of wavering was replaced by a stronger resolve. She realized this was a ruse by the enemy to break her will. She could not let them succeed.

At this point, the voice lost its patience, taking on a cold glint: "It seems you need a more direct reminder. Prepare the neural stimulation probe. Let's see if your will is stronger, or if your nervous system is more honest."

A mechanical whirring sound came from the wall, and two gleaming mechanical arms with tiny electrodes at their tips extended out and slowly approached her temples.

There's no time to hesitate any longer!

A resolute glint flashed in Ya Shi's eyes. All fear and hesitation were cast aside in that instant. With all her might, she suddenly used the strength of her tongue and molars—

"Click."

A very faint, almost inaudible sound rang out. She resolutely bit open the capsule containing the "Forgetful River" drug. An indescribably bitter liquid instantly surged into her throat and was swallowed.

The countdown has begun.

Her last sensation was her fingertips instinctively and desperately curling up, trying to touch the tiny bump under her nail—that last hope—before her consciousness was enveloped by a sweeping fog…

Can Yu Qing and Sheng Tian create a miracle before the ticking countdown ends, snatching Ya Shi and the secret in her mind that concerns Sheng Tian's survival from the devil's grasp? A tremendous suspense hangs overhead like the Sword of Damocles, chillingly insidious. (End of Chapter)