Chapter 27: Undercurrents
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The third phase of the Zero-Carbon City project is advancing steadily across the globe, and the influence of the New Energy Alliance continues to grow. On the surface, everything seems to be moving in a positive direction. However, a massive power failure caused by a technical vulnerability serves as a wake-up call, reminding everyone that the enemy has never given up and that hidden threats still persist.
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The Calm After the Storm
In the early morning, sunlight spills through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the office, creating a quiet and warm atmosphere.
Xu Yunchuan stands by the window, holding a cup of hot tea, his gaze fixed on the distant city skyline. There is no joy of victory on his face; instead, it is clouded with a sense of gravity.
Shen Qingwan enters the room, holding a file with a solemn expression.
"Yunchuan, this is the report on last night's cyberattack. Although we managed to prevent further damage, the system still harbors several security risks. Moreover, this was no ordinary technical glitch—it was a backdoor program deliberately planted by someone."
Xu Yunchuan sets down his tea and takes the file, his gaze sharp. "They are still looking for a breakthrough, and it is possible they have already planted someone inside our organization."
"Zhao Ming is conducting an internal investigation, but it will take time," Shen Qingwan sighs.
"Time... is exactly the resource we are most short of," Xu Yunchuan says quietly.
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Divergence in the New Energy Alliance
That afternoon, an emergency meeting of the New Energy Alliance is held, bringing together representatives from new energy enterprises across multiple nations.
A European representative takes the initiative to attack: "The recent system failures have already caused widespread economic losses, and the confidence of market investors is rapidly eroding. If we cannot guarantee system security, the third phase cannot continue."
Another North American representative sneers, "Perhaps the Zero-Carbon City project itself has insurmountable flaws?"
The conference room erupts into noise and skepticism.
Xu Yunchuan stands up, his gaze sweeping across the room with intensity. "Everyone, we are currently at our most vulnerable point. The Abyss Consortium wants nothing more than to see us suspicious and doubting one another. If we cannot remain united, we will undoubtedly lose this war."
He pauses for a moment before continuing. "The Zero-Carbon City project is viable, and our technology is secure. But the enemy has infiltrated our systems; they are attempting to destroy the foundation of our trust."
Zhao Ming takes over: "We have initiated a comprehensive technical audit and have simultaneously strengthened our global technical security network. I assure you all that the problem will be resolved soon."
An Asian representative stands up and says, "The Shen Group has done everything it possibly could. Now, what we need is trust and support."
The meeting ultimately reaches a consensus: the New Energy Alliance will fully support the third phase of the Zero-Carbon City project while strengthening the global cybersecurity defense system to prevent similar attacks.
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Fragments of a Conspiracy
Late at night, Zhao Ming arrives at Xu Yunchuan's office, his face pale, holding a USB drive.
"Yunchuan, we found an encrypted communication log in our internal system. It was transmitted from our main control server. The data is small, but highly encrypted."
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Xu Yunchuan frowns. "Can it be decrypted?"
Zhao Ming nods and inserts the USB drive into the computer.
A decrypted video appears on the screen—
A masked figure sits in a dimly lit room, with a constantly flickering technical interface in the background.
"Xu Yunchuan, you are clever, but this game is not over yet. You cannot protect the heart of the Zero-Carbon City. We have delved deep into your system; every step you take is under our control."
The screen flickers a few times before plunging into darkness.
Xu Yunchuan watches the screen for a long moment before saying coldly, "They have already embedded themselves into our core systems."
Zhao Ming adds, "And this data was transmitted from our European branch."
"Europe... It seems our enemy has shifted the battlefield there."
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To Europe
The next morning, Xu Yunchuan, Zhao Ming, and Shen Qingwan board a private jet bound for Europe.
"The system core of the European branch is controlled by the Pax Technology Center, which is the first technical hub we established overseas," Zhao Ming explains.
"That is likely where the problem lies," Xu Yunchuan nods.
"But since the enemy chose to strike in Europe, they must have prepared," Shen Qingwan warns.
"Regardless, we must extract this 'malignant tumor,' or the future of the Zero-Carbon City will be destroyed in an instant," Xu Yunchuan says with firm resolve.
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Pax Technology Center
The Pax Technology Center is located in the suburbs of Frankfurt, Germany. It is a vital technical hub for the Shen Group in Europe and an essential support point for the third phase of the Zero-Carbon City.
Just as they step off the plane, the director of the technology center, Link, rushes to greet them. "Mr. Xu, you’ve finally arrived! Our system has been unstable lately. The technical department has been working overtime to investigate, but we haven't been able to find the cause."
"Take me to the control room," Xu Yunchuan says directly.
In the control room, a massive technical interface displays a constant stream of complex data.
Zhao Ming frowns, pointing to a string of code on the screen. "This is an encrypted external connection port. Such a connection should not exist in a normal system."
"Trace the location of this port," Xu Yunchuan orders.
The technician's fingers fly across the keyboard. A few minutes later, a set of coordinates appears on the screen—
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Zurich, Switzerland.
"This is an external server. They are using this node to relay data," Zhao Ming analyzes.
"Prepare for action immediately; we are going to Zurich," Xu Yunchuan says coldly.
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The Shadow Emerges
In a secret location in Zurich, inside an ordinary-looking commercial building, a group of technicians in black suits are busy working around massive server screens.
Their leader, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, wears a faint sneer.
"Xu Yunchuan, you are finally going to find this place."
On the screen, a real-time system monitoring display shows the Shen Group's network defenses gradually eroding.
"However, you are still one step too late."
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Epilogue: A New Battlefield
On the plane, Xu Yunchuan gazes at the clouds outside the window, his eyes cold.
"The enemy has exposed their node, but this is only the beginning."
Shen Qingwan says softly, "This time, we must eradicate them completely."
Zhao Ming looks at the coordinates on the computer screen, his expression serious. "They are no longer hiding. This technical war is about to reach its boiling point."
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Next Chapter Preview
The technical battle in Zurich erupts in full force.
Kane's next plan gradually comes to light.
Xu Yunchuan's technical showdown with the Abyss Consortium is imminent!