Chapter Twenty: The Flame of Truth
The news of the explosion at the new energy factory quickly spread worldwide. Media outlets questioned the technical safety of Shen Group, with some calling for a complete halt and inspection of the Zero Carbon City project. A storm of public opinion swept across the globe.
Xu Yunchuan chose not to remain at headquarters but personally rushed to the accident site. He understood that this incident was not only a test of technical safety but also a conspiracy against Shen Group.
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At the accident site
The explosion occurred in the Paso Industrial Park in South America, a critical node in the supply chain of the Zero Carbon City project. Upon arrival, Xu Yunchuan saw a scene of devastation; thick smoke still billowed, and the air was heavy with the pungent smell of burnt tar.
Government officials and investigative teams had already moved in. Hundreds of workers were forced to halt operations, suffering severe losses.
“Mr. Xu, the investigation team suspects a failure in our battery storage system triggered the explosion,” the on-site leader said with a look of guilt.
“All our batteries have undergone stringent safety tests; spontaneous combustion is impossible,” Xu Yunchuan said, his gaze piercing. “I want to see all surveillance footage and technical records.”
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Flaws and doubts
While reviewing the site data, Xu Yunchuan discovered a critical vulnerability: the explosion’s epicenter was not the battery storage system but the control chip system connected to the batteries.
“This was sabotage,” Xu Yunchuan said, pointing at a set of tampered control data. “Someone implanted malicious code in the system, deliberately causing the explosion.”
Zhao Ming asked during a video conference, “But who has such access? Our system isn’t open.”
“The issue likely lies within the supply chain,” Xu Yunchuan replied coldly. “Our control chips come from a third-party company; they had the opportunity to embed vulnerabilities during production.”
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Control chip supplier
The control chips were supplied by a company called LightningTech, which held a significant position in the global supply chain. However, upon investigation, Xu Yunchuan found that LightningTech had been acquired a week before the incident by an investment firm named Green Capital.
“Green Capital…” Shen Qingwan said over the phone, “there are remnants of the Deep Blue Alliance behind this company.”
“They’re still trying to turn the tables,” Xu Yunchuan’s eyes darkened. “They staged this accident to cover their technological failures and suppress our market credibility.”
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“But now the question is, how do we prove they tampered with the system?” Zhao Ming asked.
“We need evidence,” Xu Yunchuan answered. “I will personally investigate LightningTech.”
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Disguised infiltration
To avoid drawing Green Capital’s attention, Xu Yunchuan assumed the identity of a procurement manager from a new energy company and visited LightningTech for a so-called supplier inspection.
Inside the factory, Xu Yunchuan discovered that the production batch of the accident-related chips had long been destroyed, and all system records had been altered.
“It seems they were prepared to erase all evidence,” Ling Yun whispered.
However, in an abandoned storage room, Xu Yunchuan found some forgotten backup drives. They quickly smuggled the drives out and returned to a secure location to decrypt the data.
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Key evidence
After decrypting, a segment of the control chip’s source code appeared on the screen.
“This is a deliberately embedded self-destruct program,” Zhao Ming said during a remote meeting. “Once certain conditions are met, the program activates and destabilizes the battery modules.”
“They’re playing with fire,” Xu Yunchuan murmured. “They’re not just sabotaging our technology; they’re undermining humanity’s trust in new energy.”
Just as they prepared to hand over the evidence to an international investigation agency, the backup data on the drives was suddenly destroyed remotely.
“Someone’s monitoring us!” Ling Yun’s face paled. “They know we have the evidence.”
“Quick, activate the backup system and upload the data to the cloud,” Xu Yunchuan ordered.
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Pursuit and escape
As they prepared to flee, a group of masked men suddenly surrounded their hideout. Gunshots shattered the silent night.
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“Move! Evacuate through the back exit!” Ling Yun led the cover, while Xu Yunchuan clutched the backup drives and darted through a narrow alley.
During the frantic chase, Ling Yun was shot and fell, but with his last strength, he drew the attackers away, buying Xu Yunchuan precious time.
“Ling Yun!” Xu Yunchuan shouted back, but Ling Yun only smiled faintly before disappearing into the darkness.
Bloodied and furious, Xu Yunchuan escaped successfully and uploaded the backup data to a secure cloud.
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Truth revealed
After the data was transmitted to the international investigation agency, a globally broadcast press conference was swiftly organized.
“After investigation, we have determined that the explosion at Paso Industrial Park was not a technical failure but an act of sabotage,” the international investigator announced, presenting all the evidence on camera. “The criminals implanted malicious code, causing a disaster that could have been prevented.”
Meanwhile, the masterminds behind Green Capital were exposed, and their ties to the remnants of the Deep Blue Alliance were fully uncovered. Several high-ranking officials were arrested, and those responsible at LightningTech were indicted.
Public opinion took a complete turn. Shen Group emerged from the shadows and regained global market trust.
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Return and reconstruction
Days later, Xu Yunchuan stood at the reconstruction site of Paso Industrial Park, watching the busy workers and restarted equipment with mixed emotions.
“Ling Yun’s sacrifice was not in vain,” Shen Qingwan said softly beside him.
“Yes,” Xu Yunchuan’s eyes shone with determination. “We cannot let down anyone who has devoted themselves to this cause.”
“The third phase of the Zero Carbon City project has already begun; our future is unstoppable,” Shen Qingwan smiled.
“We’ve won this battle, but the road ahead is still long,” Xu Yunchuan said firmly, gazing toward the horizon, where a brand-new dawn awaited.