Fate's Choice: Livestream at the Start Summoning Billions of Ravens

On the large bed in the master bedroom, Mirror No. 1 remained silent for two seconds.

Then, a tone of voice, a mixture of confusion upon waking and displeasure at being disturbed, came from the phone's receiver.

"What do you mean? I just fell asleep, Director Chen, it's 12:30 in the morning."

This flawless performance perfectly replicated Jiang Ming's relaxed and carefree demeanor when he's not working.

Chen Jianguo on the other end of the phone didn't seem to care about this attitude; his breathing remained rapid and heavy, revealing extreme emotional repression.

"At exactly twelve o'clock in Shanghai, at the Oriental Pearl Tower, a figure in white appeared and left the words 'Drinking Alone Under the Moon' in the air with sword energy. Then, he cleaved the Huangpu River in two with a single sword strike, causing floods and widespread panic. The entire Bund is now paralyzed."

Chen Jianguo described this earth-shattering event in the most concise language.

"And you, Consultant Jiang, announced a period of silence after the Yuzhang First Snow incident. Why did another 'god' appear as soon as you went into seclusion?"

The questioning tone was undisguised.

"Wait a moment."

Mirror1 took the phone away from its ear and pressed the speakerphone button.

He sat up, swiped his personal phone with his other hand, and opened the Douyin platform, which was already overwhelmed with countless push notifications.

The first thing that catches the eye is the pinned topic #ShanghaiSwordImmortal#.

He clicked on the 4K ultra-high-definition video shot by a drone.

Clad in white, he stood aloof from the sky.

The sword energy was like a dragon, tearing apart rivers and lakes.

Even a mirror image of a doll with pre-defined behavioral logic would instinctively let out a deliberately controlled, yet still audible, gasp of shock upon seeing a scene that far surpasses "Dead Trees Come Back to Life" and "First Snow in Yuzhang," presented purely with a violent aesthetic.

This reaction was clearly transmitted to Chen Jianguo's ears via the encrypted line.

"I just saw..."

Mirror 1's tone changed completely; the previous languor vanished without a trace, leaving only solemnity.

"This is not me."

On the other end of the phone, Chen Jianguo fell into a brief silence, seemingly analyzing the truth or falsehood of the statement.

How can I trust you?

Mirror 1 emitted a slight nasal sound, which sounded like a disdainful sneer.

Why would I lie to you?

"Director Chen, let's be logical. If I want to organize a snowfall that covers the entire city in Yuzhang, I need to give seven days' notice in advance, and I also need to report to you, the head of the Ninth Bureau, in advance to obtain official approval."

"Now, in Shanghai, in Lujiazui, at the heart of the global financial center, to orchestrate such a terrifying event that could trigger a financial tsunami or even an international dispute... would I do it quietly and without leaving any way out?"

"Director Chen, do you think I'm that stupid?"

This series of rhetorical questions hits the nail on the head.

Yes, based on Jiang Ming's previous display of intelligence and style of doing things, he is a shrewd strategist who plans step by step. He will maximize his abilities within the framework tacitly approved by the authorities, although we don't know what he's after.

But it's unlikely that Jiang Ming would do something that borders on terrorism and completely puts himself on the opposite side of the country.

Chen Jianguo's breathing became a little more steady on the other end of the phone.

A few seconds later, he spoke.

"I apologize, Consultant Jiang, I was being presumptuous."

"I'm sorry to have disturbed your rest."

After saying that, Chen Jianguo didn't give Mirror 1 any more chance to speak and hung up the phone directly.

Beep...beep...beep...

Hearing the busy tone on his phone, Mirror 1 calmly placed the encrypted phone back on the bedside table.

mission completed.

However, almost at the same moment he put down his phone.

His personal cell phone started vibrating incessantly.

The words "Zhao Lin" were displayed on the screen.

Mirror 1 swipes to answer the call.

"Jiang Ming! Oh my god!!"

"Shanghai! Did you do what happened in Shanghai? Have you started a new scheme again? The company's board of directors is in an uproar! Everyone's asking me! You…"

Zhao Lin spoke so fast she almost bit her tongue.

As Jiang Ming's sole liaison with the Douyin platform, the pressure she endured was unimaginable to outsiders.

In the past few minutes, her phone has been bombarded with calls from the company's board of directors, public relations department, legal department, and even inquiries from higher levels.

Everyone wants to know one thing.

Is the "Sword Immortal" who split the Huangpu River in two with a single sword strike the same person as their S++-level strategic partner, the "Crow God"?

"Calm down, Zhao Lin."

Mirror 1 interrupted her rambling.

"I was just woken up by an official call and just finished watching the video. The scene was indeed exaggerated, but... it really wasn't me."

Mirror 1 adjusted its tone again, conveying a sense of helplessness when facing "one of its own" and a hint of frustration at having its plans disrupted.

"Also, I'm still on vacation in my hometown of Yuzhang, I haven't gone anywhere else."

"As for that so-called 'Sword Immortal'..."

Mirror 1 paused, then continued in a tone that was a mixture of shock, scrutiny, and strong dissatisfaction.

"All I can say is that this guy who suddenly appeared and stole my thunder really annoyed me."

This statement perfectly matches the most likely reaction of "Raven God" as the only transcendent being when he sees another transcendent being appear.

Zhao Lin fell silent instantly, seemingly processing the information.

"It really wasn't you?"

"Of course not."

"I understand..." Zhao Lin let out a long sigh of relief. "I'll report to the board of directors immediately, but Jiang Ming... what exactly is wrong with this world?"

Mirror 1 did not answer her philosophical question, but simply hung up the phone calmly.

……

Ninth Inning, Command Center.

Chen Jianguo hung up the phone, leaned against the cold command platform, and fell into deeper thought.

As a smart man who has already established a preliminary cooperative relationship with the authorities and enjoys the various conveniences brought about by official endorsement, Jiang Ming has no reason to lie about such a matter.

So, this means...

The worst has happened.

Chen Jianguo suddenly raised his head and looked again at the main screen, at the image repeatedly played by the military drone.

"If it weren't for A-001..."

"So, this is A-002?"

An unprecedented pressure weighed heavily on his shoulders.

One Jiang Ming has already caused the entire state apparatus to adjust.

Now, there is another, even more destructive, and completely unknown entity.

Chen Jianguo turned around and grabbed another red secure telephone on the command platform.

His actions were no longer hesitant.

"Initiate a 'cooperative inquiry' into target A-001."

"Send someone to Yuzhang immediately!"

"Please ask him to assist us in analyzing this newly emerged... 'A-002' as a 'special advisor' for the Ninth Bureau."