{Translator note: David_Catalyst where are you, you used to be the first person to read and comment immediately I post a chapter. Hope you are all right.
Also my uploads will be shorter for this novel. I`m working on my new novel "The Quantum Path to Immortality(Spoiler: by chapter 27 he becomes a ***. Haha read to find out)"}
Phoenix News: In response to the University of Tokyo's accusation that the Marching Ant Group is behind the 'Satan' virus, Huaxia's official authorities held a press conference. Officials stated that personnel would be dispatched to investigate and verify the claims, affirming that the Marching Ant Group is a law-abiding enterprise. They urged all parties not to draw conclusions before the facts are confirmed, warning against making baseless accusations.
Global Network News: Large-scale protests have erupted across the island nation, demanding that the government impose sanctions on the Marching Ant Group.
Sina News: The official Marching Ant Group has issued a statement denying any involvement in the 'Satan' virus incident. "The Marching Ant Group was unaware of the virus and has not participated in any cyberattacks," the announcement read. "We will actively cooperate with all investigations. Truth speaks for itself.
Our security team is currently working around the clock to find a solution to remove the 'Satan' virus. We ask the public not to spread rumors before the facts are clear. The Marching Ant Group was both shocked and angered by the University of Tokyo's insinuations, and we fail to understand the motive behind such speculative remarks. The Group reserves the right to pursue legal action.
Effective immediately, the Marching Ant Group and all subsidiaries will cease cooperation with the University of Tokyo. We will no longer provide any products or services to the university, which is now permanently blacklisted by the Group."
The situation continued to escalate across the globe. Every party involved was scrambling to benefit from the chaos.
Online, controversy flared up after the University of Tokyo's team publicly hinted that the Marching Ant Group was behind the 'Satan' virus.
"Where there's smoke, there's fire."
"Garbage company, garbage Marching Ants. No bottom line—just money-hungry scum. Let them go bankrupt already."
"When the Termite system launched, they got hit with the Clown Virus. Now Satan shows up? You expect me to believe this isn't connected? If Marching Ant is innocent, I'll livestream myself eating a USB stick."
"If you love your country, you should support the Marching Ant Group. Even if they did do it, they did it beautifully."
"Now that they're under fire, suddenly they want to sanction others? Looks like it actually hurt. This trash company should just get out of Huaxia."
"That loser Chen Mo probably spent all his money on that mansion wedding and needs more cash to refill his piggy bank. (lol)"
"We don't trust our own authorities, but we'll believe the island nation? This is peak mob mentality. Once proper internet laws come into effect, we need to crack down on these rumor-mongering agents."
Slander, speculation, and incitement spread like wildfire. Driven by trolls and provocateurs, the internet was practically flooded with anti-Marching Ant sentiment. The company's supporters were vastly outnumbered.
"It's finally here."
In the president's office at Marching Ant Headquarters, Zhao Min stood by the window with a blank expression.
That bucket of dirty water had been dumped right on their heads. She had known the pie that fell from the sky wasn't going to taste sweet.
"President, there's a group of protesters and reporters gathered outside," Lanxi said as she entered, her face full of concern.
Zhao Min looked down from the window, seeing the crowd below holding banners and surrounded by journalists with cameras.
The SWAT team stationed nearby had already arrived to maintain order and keep the peace.
"Garbage company! You took my money—you'll get your karma!"
"No morals! Filthy corporate leeches!"
"They sold their souls for profit. They should just die already!"
"Reporters, get this on camera! I invested in that island and lost everything because of the virus they unleashed! Investigate this company—arrest them!"
Even as some of the protesters were dragged into police cars, they kept screaming into the cameras.
"This crowd of thoughtless people are always being used," Zhao Min muttered, shaking her head and stepping away from the window.
"They think taking money to cause trouble is worth it because the punishment for defamation and spreading rumors is too light," she said coldly. "They dare to come to our doorstep and raise hell. Since they're here, let's make it worth their while. Tell the legal department to report them all. Track down every rumor and sue them—no settlements. Demand full compensation and bankrupt them."
Marching Ant had been too tolerant of online defamation and cyberbullying. These trolls had only become bolder over time. Unless they were taught a painful lesson, the smear campaigns and media manipulation would only worsen.
"Some reporters are requesting an interview," Lanxi added.
"No," Zhao Min said flatly.
It was pointless. People who believed them wouldn't need convincing. People who didn't would just accuse them of a cover-up. No matter how much you explained, the trolls would twist your words. There was no reasoning with a mob.
After Lanxi left, Zhao Min took a deep breath and regained her calm.
A season of chaos had begun.
The outside world had finally found an excuse to target them—and no one was going to let that opportunity slip away.
Chen Mo hadn't contacted her once. Not a single phone call.
His silence was a message in itself: he wasn't going to get involved. This was her battlefield.
She had already retaliated against the University of Tokyo. But beyond targeting a foreign institution, there was little else she could do—for now.
Washington D.C., White House – United States
President Trump flipped through documents in the Oval Office. Over the past few days, the domestic situation in the U.S. had worsened. In this age of digital dependency, a virus like 'Satan' shook the very foundation of the internet. No one was immune.
The virus had already spread through U.S. networks. Unless they were using the Termite system, any connected computer was vulnerable.
This forced countless individuals and businesses to turn to the Marching Ant Group's systems for protection.
The crisis had allowed Marching Ant to take over a huge portion of the corporate office market in America.
And that threatened the major U.S. tech conglomerates—Apple, Umbrella, Microsoft. The powers behind them were pressuring the administration to stop Marching Ant's growing influence.
"Mr. President, here are the documents you requested," said an aide, placing a folder on Trump's desk.
"Thanks," Trump muttered, picking it up.
The aide hesitated. "Sir, are we really going through with sanctions against the Marching Ant Group?"
Even he found the idea insane.
The Termite system was currently the last safeguard for online security. Even if the University of Tokyo hinted that Marching Ant was responsible for the virus, no hard evidence had been produced. Not even the island nation had officially sanctioned the company.
If the Marching Ant Group decided to retaliate—say, by shutting down the Termite system—the U.S. would be left completely vulnerable.
"They're spreading computer viruses and working hand-in-glove with Huaxia officials. That's a direct threat to American national security," Trump said. "We can't allow our companies to rely on foreign systems."
After a long pause, he signed the order.
Then he opened Twitter and typed:
"Anything that threatens America's security must stay far away."