Did the world end today?

Chapter 137 A
Lin Xu quickly gained Bai Mo's trust, and then the two of them took Qi Yuan onto the landing ship and began the orbital descent.

Shen Li had also been persuaded by Bai Mo. While waiting for the Vermilion Bird One to change course and for the landing ship to complete its self-check, he had already sent over all the documents that Lin Xu needed and granted Lin Xu access to the online library of this world.

Lin Xu skillfully put on the helmet and transferred the data to the screen in front of him. While searching for the keyword "World War III," he asked Bai Mo:

Do you recall any signs or landmark events that signaled the outbreak of World War III?

While performing the spaceship's self-check, Bai Mo answered:

"Yes, or you could say no."

"Because there are too many."

"I don't know how many times I've felt that the world has been on the verge of war."

"There's even a saying circulating online that when quantum computers are first invented in 2029, even if they're just prototypes, they'll already have a significant impact."

"That year, all nuclear weapons in the world were fully unlocked."

"With just one simple command, the world will be destroyed immediately."

"But in the end, war did not break out—it seems that all countries chose to exercise restraint at the last moment."

Remain restrained at the last moment?
Are you kidding me?
Lin Xu simply did not believe in such a thing. The reason was simple: the state is not a personalized entity, but a complex collective of decision-makers.

Although such decision-making may sometimes appear irrational, and even in cases such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, it may demonstrate a certain so-called "humanity."

But in fact, it's because the situation wasn't completely out of control.

With the advent of quantum computing technology, the situation has completely spiraled out of control.

Those countries have no reason, nor should they, exercise restraint.

There must be someone who, with some special reason or a stronger interest, has contained this war.

At this moment, the orbital altitude of Zhuque-1 was continuously decreasing, while Lin Xu was quickly searching for all the major events of 2029.

"In January, the Western European Union held its second summit to discuss the security situation and determine a policy to address the changing security situation in the Middle East and North Africa."

"In February, the Western Alliance conducted joint naval exercises, organizing the largest carrier battle group exercise in history."

"In March, China's sixth aircraft carrier was launched."

"In April, quantum computing technology suffered a large-scale leak."

"In May, a standoff occurred at sea."

"Peace talks in June."

After reviewing the key timelines, Lin Xu had a hundred questions swirling in his mind.

The progress was too fast, and the situation developed too quickly.

However, at the same time, its ending seemed too rushed.

He further searched for information before and after the public release of quantum computing technology, but the information was too complex and the vast amount of text made it impossible for him to find any useful clues.

"wrong."

Lin Xu suddenly spoke.

At this moment, the landing craft had already separated from the Vermilion Bird One. Under the powerful acceleration, Lin Xu gritted his teeth and said:

"I should go directly to the work records of the Ministry of State Security or the Coast Guard! Or the discussion records of the State Council Research Institute!"

"It's in the document Shen Li gave you!"

Bai Mo, fully focused on operating the landing craft, casually replied:
"I remember a report called 'Research on the Radiation Effects and Security Impact of Quantum Computing Technology'."

"You should find what you're looking for inside!"

"understand!"

Lin Xu quickly searched, and the report popped up immediately.

This is an extremely long report, but fortunately, the hundreds of pages of the report are meticulously categorized.

What Lin Xu was looking for was in a category named "Characteristics of Changes in the Security Situation and Landmark Events"!
While this information may not be as accurate as the key points summarized by Zhou Yue after reviewing history, Lin Xu is at least 100% certain that nothing in it will be omitted.

Zhou Yue probably doesn't know that this country's obsession with "archiving and storing" is no less than the well-worn obsession with insufficient firepower!
As the altitude continued to drop, Lin Xu tried his best to control his consciousness and stay as clear-headed as possible.

He quickly flipped through the report, and soon a line of small print caught his eye.

"In June 2025, Dr. Amir Kalamlou, the principal investigator of the EQuS project at MIT’s Center for Quantum Engineering, was assassinated."

MIT Center for Quantum Engineering.

EQuS project.

These two keywords immediately reminded Lin Xu of the information provided by Zhou Yue.

He clicked on the entry, and the properly archived electronic document immediately redirected to the event details page. After a quick glance, Lin Xu discovered a key clue.

Dr. Amir Kalamlou was killed after he proposed the theory that entangled quantum mechanics would annihilate randomness.

Even the timing matched exactly what Zhou Yue had said!
But that's not the point.

The most crucial issue is that the EQuS project, which Amir Kalamlou is in charge of, is itself geared towards classical computing. In other words, if he can continue down the path of "randomness elimination," he could very well develop true quantum computing technology in a very short time!
But he died.

The cause of death was the classic "car accident".

Lin Xu's heart skipped a beat.

Did we do it?
No, that's not it.

The files clearly state that the assassination was organized by an armed group within the United States.

Are you kidding me?
Kill your own people?
Are we giving up quantum supremacy?

Lin Xu didn't look closely. He returned to the "Landmark Events" page and immediately noticed that similar assassination attempts had occurred more than once!
Moreover, it's not just assassinations; the "resistance" to the development of quantum computing technology is constantly increasing.

As the country with the fastest development and most solid technological accumulation in quantum computing technology outside of China, the United States' quantum computing research seems to be bewitched, hitting walls again and again.

"An anti-quantum radiation movement has swept across the United States, leading to large-scale protests and demonstrations. The MIT Quantum Engineering Center was also attacked and vandalized."

"The Vatican Pope has condemned the US quantum mechanics research, saying it is blaspheming God's authority."

Goodness, it's gotten to this level?

Lin Xu frowned deeply.

In contrast, China's "landmark events" mainly come from abroad: either international pressure or threats of force.

Judging from the overall picture, the US seems to have abandoned quantum computing technology while simultaneously doing everything in its power to prevent other countries from developing it.

What do they want to do?
Lin Xu frowned deeply, and at that moment, Bai Mo suddenly issued a warning:

"Entering a 400km circular orbit!"

"Prepare for landing!"

"understand!"

"Roger that!"

Lin Xu and Qi Yuan answered at the same time, and with a huge push, Lin Xu's vision went completely black again.

But this time, he did not completely faint.

He was still constantly recalling what he had seen in the report.

First of all, Zhou Yue's judgment came true.

The characteristic of "entangled quantum pairs eliminating randomness" will be discovered by scientific research organizations in various countries in the near future.

However, after this characteristic was discovered, different countries and organizations chose drastically different paths.

China is fully committed to developing quantum computing, while the United States, which is almost identical to China in terms of technological accumulation and research progress, is essentially crippling itself.

What exactly caused the two sides to make such drastically different choices?

Is it an internal division within the US?
What is the root cause of the division?

Lin Xu simply does not believe that politicians would make such a choice for reasons other than "interests".

Therefore, it is conceivable that this interest must be large enough that they would be willing to give up "national hegemony".

only
"Divine authority".

Therefore, the key moment in organizing a war is not the moment of confronting hegemony, but the moment of "realizing divine right"?
Lin Xu suddenly felt that he smelled a conspiracy.

Zhou Yue once said that as long as we follow his path step by step, we can avoid a world war and achieve a peaceful outcome.

But did he really just want to avoid a world war?
Or does he want to replicate what he did in this bracelet world in that real world?
We must not compromise with him under any circumstances.

Regardless, write this report down first; you might need it later!

Lin Xu's brain was racing, trying to cram information into his head.

He almost forgot that he was still inside the landing ship.

At that moment, a violent tremor suddenly came from beneath him.

This time, Bai Mo landed the landing craft on an open area less than 100 meters from the launch pad.

"Disembark! Prepare to board!"

"understand!"

Lin Xu followed closely behind the two, cocking his rifle.

"Cheer up, get ready to go in."

Qi Yuan gave a reminder, and Lin Xu nodded. The two entered the airlock one after the other. Then, following the standard procedure, they opened door number two, threw out a stun grenade, and rushed in!
This time, Lin Xu had completely memorized the enemy's defensive positions.

He was even faster than Qi Yuan.

After firing the first shot, without waiting, he immediately pulled the muzzle to the side.

In the three steps of observation, aiming, and firing, if the observation step is omitted, the difference between the attacking and defending sides will disappear.

The battle turned into a pure contest of speed, and Lin Xu's speed was not much slower than that of the enemies inside the gate!

Gunfire erupted, then quickly subsided.

Upon entering the fortification, Qi Yuan immediately tried to rush underground, but Lin Xu grabbed him and said:
"Don't worry, it's too late anyway."

"Put on their bulletproof vests!"

"clear."

The three of them spent half a minute changing into their bulletproof vests, and then went underground.

Qi Yuan still charged ahead, but this time, the high-strength bulletproof vest protected him from the deadly bullets.

Jiang Xingye still did not survive.

These armed men gave no chance; as soon as gunfire rang out outside, they immediately began killing.

Lin Xu carefully turned over Jiang Xingye's body; her hand was hidden underneath.

This time, only two fingers were broken.

One short and one long.

"A."

Bai Mo spoke up:

"This is the wound code, the letter A."

Did you make any agreement with her?

What does A represent?

"I do not know."

Lin Xu shook his head and replied:
"But at least, my judgment has been proven correct."

"That's how she's conveying her message."

"We're very close."

As Lin Xu finished speaking, Qi Yuan suddenly spoke up:

"We are indeed very close."

"Speak! Who sent you?!"

(End of this chapter)