254: Chapter 251: Calming the Chaos, Transactions, Research Progressing Steadily, What Was Forgotten?

Zhang Mu wasn't quite sure if the sense of urgency in the Queen's heart was surging.

After all, although he was a magician, magicians couldn't eavesdrop on others' inner thoughts.

However, there was one thing he could be sure of.

After being scared by him like that, the Queen would surely make exchanging resources and vigorously developing technology her top priority.

As long as Ying Country focused on this, building a spaceship to go to the moon for mining was destined.

The list Zhang Mu gave the Queen contained items that could be exchanged, all of which were carefully selected.

They were mostly things that would yield the greatest value in aviation; moreover, there was the bargaining power to appraise the kingdom's resources, which could be used to guide the direction, so there was no need to worry about the Queen going astray.

Feeling at ease, he left the palace, headed straight for the skies above NH, opened "The World" light gate, and went in.

He stayed inside for a day, found that no one had caused any trouble, came out again, and took out his phone to search for information about the Queen.

He estimated that once the Queen got his wand, she would never miss this excellent opportunity to calm the chaos and establish her international prestige.

He typed the keywords "Queen of Ying Country" into the search bar, and a large number of videos posted within the last 24 hours refreshed below, proving his prediction was correct.

He clicked on the one with the highest view count.

It was only five minutes long; perhaps the editing was too rushed, or the video materials found were too trivial and fragmented, as the uploader only included a few static images of the Queen holding the wand.

The sequence of events was clarified through the uploader's narration.

Around noon yesterday, the Queen urgently called a press conference; that is to say, as soon as Zhang Mu left, she rushed to the hall and issued relevant orders from the car on the way there.

Reporters rushed to the scene, only to find that the Queen, who had hurried them, didn't start the conference in a frantic rush.

Instead, she waited for the broadcast station's signal to connect before gracefully standing up from behind the long table and detonating the atmosphere of the venue with a single sentence.

"The calamity will not land or approach within a certain range of any country's territorial waters; those who are wandering can return home with peace of mind."

Amidst the continuous flashes of cameras, a foreign reporter asked if the Queen could be responsible for her statement.

Anyone who had followed the recent great battle was well aware of the Mountain Rock Giant's destructive power.

If everyone believed her and returned to the coast, and the Mountain Rock Giant suddenly came ashore, everyone knew how heavy the casualties would be.

Facing the doubt, the Queen didn't respond directly; she scanned everyone in the hall from left to right, asking who else held the same question in their hearts.

Soon, about ninety percent of the reporters on the scene raised their hands, indicating they also wanted to know if the Queen could take responsibility for her words, or rather, why others should believe her.

The Queen smiled and pulled out a straight round wooden stick from the cuff of her formal gown, turning her body left and right to generously display it to everyone.

It was a natural wood color, about the length of a forearm. Several winding line patterns were carved on its surface, and it looked exceptionally smooth and shiny, as if it were frequently played with.

It looked very ordinary, but the moment the Queen revealed it, all the reporters in the room bounced off their chairs, their gazes like wild wolves that hadn't eaten for three days, staring fixedly at the wooden stick.

Looking at their predatory stance, if the Queen hadn't foresightedly deployed a circle of Soldiers around the stone platform, they might have dropped their cameras and rushed forward.

She stood on the stage, calmly holding the wand for them to examine closely, and didn't rush them.

After a long time, a reporter finally regained their senses and asked hesitantly: "It can't be wrong, I watch it for several hours almost every day, the patterns are exactly the same.

But it should be in Mr. Dumbledore's hands, why would... is this... a model?"

"Lumos." The Queen didn't have the patience to continue dawdling and crisply recited the spell Zhang Mu had dictated to her.

A weak white light emanated from the tip of the wand; its brightness wasn't even as good as a light bulb, yet everyone present involuntarily leaned back strategically.

The real deal!

In fact, from the moment the Queen first took out the wand, they were all convinced it was the genuine article.

No one dared to use a fake to impersonate a magician's item; it would lead to death, even for a Queen.

The reason there was still hesitation was that they subconsciously felt that the weapons used by "experts" were not ordinary items, held special significance, and would not easily leave their side.

This bit of doubt vanished completely after the Queen controlled the wand to emit light.

"Your Majesty, what is the reason Mr. Dumbledore gave it to you?"

"To quell the negative impact caused by the Mountain Rock Giant." The Queen lowered the wand. "It doesn't have the power to defeat the Mountain Rock Giant, but it represents Mr. Dumbledore's attitude.

He will not allow the calamity to harm humanity, and the Mountain Gate of China will soon capture the calamity."

After speaking, the Queen turned and walked straight into the side door.

There were many things to be busy with, trading with Hogwarts and replacing the King's scepter.

Sorting through her thoughts, she quickened her pace.

She left the seat so decisively that the reporters who were still hoping to see the wand's power were left itching with curiosity but had no choice but to get up and leave, rushing back to their companies to write their articles and publish the detailed process of the press conference.

No need to fear the calamity, Mr. Dumbledore will take action.

The news spread extremely fast.

Coupled with the fact that various countries were having a headache over SL and ordered their domestic media to fully cooperate with the publicity, it spread across The World in just ten hours.

Subsequently, various countries were surprised to find that the citizens they couldn't appease no matter what they did, all happily went home after seeing the news.

According to interviews with reporters on the scene, people stated that with Mr. Dumbledore and the Mountain Gate present, the bad guys wouldn't have the courage to come ashore.

Although they didn't understand where their confidence came from, as long as production and stability could be restored, it didn't matter.

Having solved the troubles within their borders, the various countries couldn't stay idle and immediately formed diplomatic delegations to go to China and Ying Country respectively to seek protection.

Ordinary people only knew that the Mountain Rock Giant appeared in China, then crossed the ocean to Ying Country, and was defeated by Dumbledore and fled.

They naturally had no channel to know the news of the total annihilation of the America Joint Fleet, but the various countries knew it clearly.

Even if they were all tied together, they wouldn't be a match for that fleet, let alone resisting the Mountain Rock Giant that easily destroyed the fleet.

In a situation where they were powerless to resist, asking for others' help was the only way.

Knowing that the SL had been settled, Zhang Mu put his phone back and wondered when he should take a trip to America to trick them into going to the moon for mining as well.

It was just that time wasn't very plentiful right now.

Moreover, very little effort had been put into America; to promote them to catch up with the pace of China and Ying Country, it would probably take some doing.

He would discuss it another day.

Feeling a bit of a headache, Zhang Mu set the matter aside for now, deactivated the Shadow Technique to reveal himself, and walked grandly into the cave base.

The security measures inside and outside the cave were extremely comprehensive and meticulous, but no defenses were set against Zhang Mu.

No one thought Immortal Xu would steal secrets; besides, the things were given by him, so why would he steal them back? Was he that bored?

So Zhang Mu walked with his hands behind his back, through the silver-white corridor, up the spiral staircase, all the way to the laboratory door at the very top.

He didn't see the three Academicians; they must be busy inside.

The Director and Ye Ming were at the door, one standing with hands in pockets, the other leaning against the wall.

They heard the faint footsteps at the end of the corridor and looked toward the stairs.

"Oh—" The Director stood up straight. "Immortal Xu, why are you here? And you walked here."

Accustomed to Immortal Xu's elusive nature, he was a bit unaccustomed to him suddenly appearing like a normal person walking.

"I had nothing to do."

Arriving in front of them, Zhang Mu smiled warmly: "Are things going smoothly?"

"Progress is good." Ye Ming nodded, then said, "Senior Brother Zhou is quite enthusiastic; you can ask him if you encounter any problems."

Hearing this, Zhang Mu felt relieved and started chatting with the two casually.

But after chatting for a while, noticing the Director's eyes always secretly wandering over him, he asked curiously: "What is it, sir?"

Knowing his prying had been discovered, he gave a few awkward laughs: "Hahaha... well, Immortal Xu, every time you've acted, you've used Luo Xiling's moon bright sword.

Do you have your own weapon?"

Under the illusion, Zhang Mu frowned in confusion; what did he want to do?

"Naturally, I do."

"You never use it; is there some taboo? Like it must see blood once it's drawn?"

"..." Silent for a few seconds, he was a bit speechless. "Where did that come from?"

"Uh, hahaha... well, didn't the magician from Hogwarts give the Queen of Ying Country a wand? So..."

So that's how it was.

Zhang Mu found it a bit funny: "Sir, for those of the Mountain Gate, weapons are merely external possessions.

If we're talking about a similar proof of identity, my Senior Brother rests above everyone's heads all day long."

The Director's eyes lit up; true, how could a measly wand be as domineering as the Kunpeng?

His mind cleared, he laughed loudly and invited Zhang Mu to have a meal in the cafeteria.

Thinking of taking the opportunity to find out exactly what stage the research had reached, he didn't refuse and walked with the two toward the cafeteria located in the middle of the base's floor structure.

The Director thought about finding time to get close to the Kunpeng; once they became familiar, maybe it could take him for a ride.

Whoa, how majestic would that be?

Probably imagining himself with hands behind his back, standing on the Kunpeng's back crossing the Divine Land, with all living beings below looking up in awe, he couldn't help but feel light-headed, and his pace quickened.

Zhang Mu and Ye Ming maintained a normal walking speed and fell behind him.

"Immortal Xu." Looking at the Director's back ahead, Ye Ming said in a low voice, "I have some private matters I hope Immortal Xu can help with."

"What is it?"

"The junior brother I mentioned to you, do you remember him?"

"Indeed."

"You told me he passed away abroad. Was his body... cremated?"

"Yes."

"Then... where was he buried?"

His footsteps paused for a moment, then he continued moving forward, Zhang Mu's gaze looking ahead.

Does he... intend to bring my ashes back?

Where am I going to get ashes for him? I can't just steal someone else's; that would be too unethical.

His mind raced as he said, "It's not hard to find, but the person is gone; what's the point?"

Smiling, Ye Ming slowly narrated: "Zhang... his full name is Zhang Mu.

That guy Zhang Mu actually had quite a lot of schemes. He couldn't help it; after all, he grew up in an orphanage and had no relatives after coming out. If he wasn't careful, he'd easily suffer losses.

But Immortal Xu, he wasn't a bad person.

I met him in a snack street near the university.

That day, someone was caught stealing a girl's things and started waving a knife around, trying to disperse the crowd and escape.

I saw it and rushed over to kick him down, but before I could get there, a figure flew out and knocked the thief unconscious with a kick.

Wow, I really admired him.

Later, I helped testify for his heroic act. We went to make a statement together, and while chatting outside the door, I found out he was my junior and an orphan.

I didn't have many friends either. I thought he was a good guy, so I often invited him for meals, and over time we became close."

Ye Ming suddenly stopped and turned to look at Immortal Xu: "He often held his rice bowl and told me that the orphanage director who raised him was a very kind old lady.

When he became successful, he wanted to go back and take care of her in her old age.

After knowing Zhang Mu fell ill and went missing, I find the way to that orphanage to help him take care of the director, but she had already passed away.

So Immortal Xu, I hope to bring Zhang Mu back and bury him next to the director... why are you leaving?"

Before he could finish, Immortal Xu's figure suddenly vanished like a bursting bubble.

Dazed for a while, Ye Ming couldn't think of why, so he could only speculate that Immortal Xu had urgent business.

"I'll ask Immortal Xu again next time we meet." Sighing, he quickly caught up with the Director.

But Zhang Mu, who had suddenly disappeared, didn't have urgent business as he thought.

Activating the Shadow Technique and rising into the high sky, he sped toward Su City with all his might.

Orphanage? What orphanage? What director grandma?

Why can't I remember? Where are my memories? Where are my memories from before I was eleven?!

Zhang Mu's pupils shook violently. He took out a magic potion and bit open the bottle, ignoring the liquid mixed with glass shards as he poured it frantically into his mouth.

As the potion took effect, the surging magic power made his speed soar again. Half an hour later, he arrived above his rented room.

Looking down at the rented room close at hand, his gaze flickered uncertainly.

Since he faked his death, he hadn't returned to this room, but the rent had been paid for six months, so the landlord shouldn't have rented it out yet.

Gritting his teeth, he lowered his altitude, passed through the roof, and entered the house vertically.

Standing in the living room, he looked around.

The house had been vacant for several months; the floor tiles, sofa, and coffee table were all covered in a thick layer of dust.

He checked the door; besides the utility bills posted on the main door, there was nothing else.

Returning to the living room, Zhang Mu looked at the closed bedroom door, but his feet wouldn't move.

Senior Brother couldn't have lied to "Immortal Xu," but if he wasn't lying, why don't I have any memory of it?

What exactly is going on?

Standing in the living room for a long time, he took a deep breath and strode into the bedroom.

Like the outside, the bedding and floor were covered in dust.

Zhang Mu walked around the foot of the bed toward the desk under the window, leaving a trail of footprints in the dust.

He pulled open the drawer; inside were only a few supermarket membership cards. His personal belongings had been packed away long ago.

Right, personal belongings!

With trembling hands, he took out the long-unused wallet from his inventory, took another breath, and slowly opened it.

There were a few banknotes in the inner pocket; he took them out and flipped them over to check carefully, but there were no special marks or numbers on the surface.

His gaze turned to the business card holder.

There were three layers in total, each stuffed with something.

At the top was his ID card, which was useless now; he pulled it out and threw it on the desk.

In the middle was a bank card, containing his savings before starting the game; also useless, he threw it aside.

At the very bottom, there seemed to be a photo, mostly wrapped in the pocket.

Pinching the exposed edge, he slowly pulled it out.

It was indeed a photo, a picture of two people.

On the left was Zhang Mu as a child, and on the right was a white-haired old lady with a soft smile on her face.