Resurrection Empire-Chapter 889 - 341: A Failed Brainwashing, Part 3

"Ultimately, this system completely blocks the upward mobility for almost everyone, resulting in numerous injustices. The system has castrated the knowledge and thoughts of the wasteland people, yet it has become an absolute protection umbrella for the citizen class. From birth, the wasteland people live in despair. But are wasteland people really without value? I was once a wasteland person myself, but now I can even make deals with the Association. The entire Association is counting on me. However, had my luck been slightly worse, I wouldn't have survived to reach Starfire Town."

"So, if I had truly died, my potential and the strength behind me, which could propel the Source Star civilization forward, would have vanished into the Void. Luck determines too many things. The skill of being born is luck, survival also relies on luck, the way to acquire knowledge depends on luck, hunting Ruined Beasts and safely returning is also a matter of luck... everything relies on luck. But this luck isn't fair."

"Lastly, let me tell you one more thing."

Ren Zhong reproduced his discussions with Sun Miao about telomeres, human lifespan, and the Anti-aging Potion, and with Ma Xiaocheng about universal constants, and gave conclusions.

"Firstly, the normal human lifespan is actually far beyond forty to fifty years. Secondly, your brains have always been exploited, your lives have become consumables, intended to calculate these universal constants, not only wasteland people are enslaved."

"Thirdly, all brains taken away by Hunters are used similarly. Fourthly, the Association controls the economy's Source, the so-called Anti-aging Potion is just another means of exploitation. Such means are rampant and pervasive."

"Fifthly, I can responsibly say, in the entire Source Star civilization, only nine frozen Elders are considered real people. Other people, including you and me, are essentially livestock. Sixthly, as long as the 'Net' exists, this system is unbreakable. Seventhly, the 'Net' has completely disappeared."

Hua Yuelan swallowed nervously and cautiously asked, "So, Ren Zhong, what do you really want to do?"

"I want to reshape this world. Not change, but reshape. I don't trust the Empire. I believe if Source Star humans head to the Empire in their current state, the ultimate outcome should be like this... The nine families enjoy all glory and wealth, smoothly integrating into the Empire to become new elites. As for others, regardless of citizen grade, what awaits us will be eternal enslavement. You must know, in the Empire, there is more than just the 'Net'. The 'Net' is merely dog food casually tossed to us by the Empire."

Huo Donghua was more composed, "But Ren Zhong, the strength you hold is still very weak. I don't see any hope for success."

Ren Zhong: "If we demand complete assurance before doing anything, the ultimate fate waiting for Source Star humans must be a dead end. There's no reform without risk in this world. Since you dared to tread the boundaries of Source Star laws, it proves you have the courage to push forward. I am not yet strong, but it doesn't mean I'll always be weak; hence, I need more helpers, hence, I need you."

"Most importantly, is that we have no choice. So, is it better to be a coward with the entire Source Star civilization, watching wasteland people suffer eternal enslavement and die miserably, or to put everything aside and fight once, to see how far we can go?"

"Finally, I emphasize again, I dare to tell you these things because I absolutely trust you. Now, I offer you two choices: reject me and report me to the Association, or live the life you want. Alternatively, join me. I guarantee even if you reject me, I will let you go now and will not pursue."

After Ren Zhong finished, no one in the room responded.

This is human nature.

Though he says he won't pursue, having struggled to survive, who would gamble on him keeping his word or not?

At this moment, unexpectedly, Hua Yuelan slowly stood up, "Sorry, your ambition is too great, I... I don't want to join for now."

Everyone was astonished, turning to look at Hua Yuelan.

Ren Zhong smiled slightly, "Okay. It's not far from here to your hometown Denghai City, there's a single-person Flying Device at the back of the Airship, do you know how to use it?"

Hua Yuelan: "I know how."

Ren Zhong took a fingerprint key from the box nearby, unlocked it, and tossed the key to Hua Yuelan.

At the same time, Ren Zhong pointed to the box, "There are twenty keys here in total. Each of you has one."

Hua Yuelan took the key, looked deeply at Ren Zhong, and turned to leave the conference room.

Five minutes later, a single-person Flying Device appeared outside the conference room window, Hua Yuelan waved to everyone inside the window from the transparent cockpit, then abruptly redirected towards Denghai City.

Seeing Hua Yuelan really left, Qian Wangshen, Huo Donghua, and others stood up.

Huo Donghua said, "Ren Zhong, I don't want to reject you, but I need to think again. I also want to leave first. My home is also in Denghai City."

Pa.

Ren Zhong tossed another key.

Not long after, only Ren Zhong remained in the conference room.

More than ten single-seat Airships dispersed in all directions.

Ou Youning, responsible for logistics, ran over with a face blackened, "Boss, this... aren't you afraid of being backstabbed?"

Ren Zhong laughed heartily, "You don't understand."

These people are truly talented; even if they don't depend on Ren Zhong, as long as they live, they'll fare better than most.

Moreover, these people, being able to afford the Second Prison's accommodation fee, undoubtedly control vast resources behind them. Only Hua Yuelan is an exception.

To truly gain these people's loyalty, naturally requires going through their tests first.

Ren Zhong has already shown the utmost sincerity and trust. What they need to do now is merely to verify whether Ren Zhong is truly consistent inside and out.

As for Hua Yuelan, she is actually Ren Zhong's "decoy".

Sure enough, half an hour later, as time approached half-past ten at night, Ren Zhong received electromagnetic communication from Huo Donghua, "Ren Zhong, we've changed our minds. Our coordinates are... can you redirect the Airship to pick us up?"

Ren Zhong snapped his fingers and looked at Ou Youning beside him.

Ou Youning immediately gave a thumbs up, "Boss, impressive!"

Ren Zhong grinned.

Actually, he's somewhat ashamed.

He is not equal to those genuine thinkers, unable to evoke awakening with just a few words.

Furthermore, Huo Donghua and the others grew up within the existing social architecture of Source Star, their understanding is deeply ingrained, making it hard to change quickly.

Thus, regardless of any ideology he imparts to them, the effect isn't as substantial as offering such trust that stakes life.

In conclusion, from now on, they are no longer concerned with whether Ren Zhong's ideas are correct, or the goal achievable, but solely with Ren Zhong himself.

Ren Zhong's indoctrination can be considered a failure, but not entirely unsuccessful.