Chapter 22: The Future of the Bunker, Wen Xishu

To plan ahead and do what one’s superiors desire before they even ask—this is Sha Ruijing’s philosophy for survival.

Do not be fooled by his current position as a mere interviewer. For someone who rarely climbs the towers, relies solely on his administrative competence within the bunker, and comes from a background of poverty, Sha Ruijing’s career trajectory is nothing short of miraculous.

He is simply too adept at reading the room.

As an interviewer for a subordinate department of the Bunker Security Bureau, responsible for vetting and determining the tower affiliations of others, Sha Ruijing maintains excellent relationships with every one of his colleagues.

But his greatest strength is his ability to seize an opportunity.

Not long ago, Sha Ruijing signed a non-disclosure agreement that made his heart race. Shortly after, he began interviewing the young man mentioned in that very agreement.

At the same time, his superior’s superior—Officer Liu Jinsen of the Second Bureau—actually stepped forward and instructed him to answer the boy’s questions as thoroughly as possible.

Anyone else might have thought, "Why go through all this trouble for a death-row inmate who is about to die in the Weird Tower?"

But not Sha Ruijing.

This interviewer, who had impressed Wen Xishu upon their very first meeting, had his own schemes brewing.

If Wen Xishu died, then so be it.

But if Wen Xishu survived, did that not imply that the bunker was about to witness a collision between major power players?

If he deployed certain measures in advance, could he not seize the initiative and play a crucial role at the right moment?

So, Sha Ruijing began to ponder: if this person, whom Officer Liu had specifically asked him to look after, survived the Weird Tower, should he not publicize his achievements?

After all, surviving does not necessarily cancel out a death sentence. The atrocities committed by the Wen family were so horrifying that, to offset them, one would likely need to bring back a wealth of resources.

That would be difficult.

If there were no resources… then how would Officer Liu protect Wen Xishu?

Public opinion, of course. No matter what, those who explore the Weird Tower have made a contribution to the bunker.

Therefore, the story must be exaggerated; the propaganda must be perfect.

Sha Ruijing once said that it is fine to do good deeds without leaving one's name, but one must keep a diary, and that diary must be exposed.

He firmly believes that even the finest wine suffers if the alley is too deep, and even the best books fail if they don't get votes.

Thus, Sha Ruijing reached out to some of his friends in the bunker.

These friends were not "regular troops" like those in the Media Bureau; they rarely had work that could reach the mainstream or reporting rights for major news.

But these people knew how to spin a yarn. Their gossip and rumors were more sensational than anyone else’s.

So, after Wen Xishu left the bunker to enter the Third Tower, Sha Ruijing immediately began to worry about the leadership's concerns and solve their problems before they even arose.

He found these storytellers and drafted three versions.

The versions were as follows:

If Wen Xishu returned alive but with few resources, they would focus on highlighting his poverty, his hardships, and his selflessness—emphasizing that while the material haul was small, his spirit was invaluable.

Even if his strength was meager, he had still thrown himself into the fray regardless of the danger.

The second version, to be used if Wen Xishu brought back a decent amount of resources, would build upon the first by adding an emphasis on his talent—propagandizing the boy as a genius who had achieved such feats on his very first exploration of the Weird Tower.

The third version was the most extravagant.

Sha Ruijing felt he would never need the third version, but he planned for it anyway.

That was for the scenario where Wen Xishu brought back truly abundant resources.

The truth was, Wen Xishu achieved exactly that, far exceeding everyone’s expectations—even surpassing Sha Ruijing’s third version in reality.

This version of the propaganda was aimed at godhood.

The Saint of the Bunker, the Future of the Bunker, the Pillar of the Bunker.

Single-handedly turning the tide and saving everyone.

Even Sha Ruijing thought it was utter nonsense, but he had planned for it.

As it turned out, the plan was put to use.

The moment the gossip-mongers contacted Sha Ruijing to report that a hospital had appeared in the lower levels, along with massive amounts of supplies—and that it was a Level 6 hospital—Sha Ruijing was just as stunned as Liu Jinsen had been.

But his reaction was faster than Liu’s, and even faster than the high-level meeting rooms, for he did not need to deliberate with a group of people with complex agendas.

So, while the bunker’s leadership was still debating, Sha Ruijing’s third version of the propaganda had already begun.

Otherwise, why would the crowds rushing into the hospital be shouting:

"This was brought back by someone named Wen Xishu! My God! This is a Level 6 hospital!"

"We’re saved! We’re saved!"

"Wen Xishu, Wen Xishu! He brought back a Level 6 hospital! Quick! Go call the Health Bureau!"

Soon after, these people were driven out of the hospital.

But Sha Ruijing’s propaganda had only just begun.

Although the appearance of a Level 6 structure was unexpected, the rumor-spreaders he had hired were professionals.

Adapting to the situation and rewriting copy in a heartbeat was second nature to them.

When the official propaganda vehicles arrived late, and when Liu Jinsen began making his way to the Third Tower Academy…

When the upper echelons were still discussing whether to keep a portion of the medicine or station guards around the Level 6 hospital to turn it into a facility for the nobility…

Sha Ruijing’s team was already weaving their narrative.

To achieve the peak of extravagance, the lead writer responsible for marketing Wen Xishu was said to be of the Wodao Asian lineage.

Though it was an annoying race, they were experts at dramatic, over-the-top flair.

In an era where the high-level officials were cold and indifferent, where the upper layers disregarded the lives of those at the bottom, and in an age where the Great Devouring was approaching while Albert Napolitano was already growing old…

He, Wen Xishu, had burst onto the scene.

Every time a great catastrophe approaches, a genius descends. Every turning point in an era requires a genius to arrive.

Wen Xishu, the driver of the era, the Fierce Tiger of the Weird Tower, the Destroyer Dragon of the Weird Tower, a dual manifestation of dragon and tiger, the Shura feared by all the ghosts of the Weird Tower, had walked out from hell.

Wen Xishu was described as something legendary.

Of course, they did not forget to publicize his moral character. Phrases about realizing the value of life and acting for the sake of all beings in the bunker were written in abundance by Sha Ruijing.

The credibility of this news was not high; the people at the bottom were not fools.

But when combined with the Level 6 facility and the vast resources, all attributed to Wen Xishu, it became a different story.

Suddenly, on the second level of the bunker, everyone was discussing Wen Xishu.

Some said they had seen him as a child, a boy whose eyes glowed.

Others claimed he was the reincarnation of Albert Napolitano.

Still others swore they had once seen Xun Hui sparring with Wen Xishu in the Slaughter Tower, where Wen Xishu had won by half a move.

All of this fermented within just a few hours.

Of course, there was one thing Sha Ruijing did not do.

He did not attempt to whitewash the Wen family.

He knew very well that protecting Wen Xishu was not the same as overturning the verdict on the Wen family.

If he were held accountable for exaggerating Wen Xishu’s deeds, Officer Liu would protect him, and it might even earn him some favor in the officer’s eyes.

But to whitewash the Wen family? That would be a guaranteed death sentence.

In short, under Sha Ruijing’s orchestration, by the time the high-level officials finally decided to claim credit for Wen Xishu’s work and began to save lives…

The image of Saint Wen had already been established.

Public memory can be manipulated, but at the very least, at the height of that fever pitch…

No one could suppress that tidal wave.

"We want to see Wen Xishu! We want to thank Wen Xishu!"

Such cries rose one after another.

Even the doctors distributing the medicine were asked by patients: "Can I thank Wen Xishu in person?"

This would soon feed back to the higher-ups, which would certainly help in the conclusion of Wen Xishu’s interrogation.

Listening to the roar of the crowd, Sha Ruijing, hidden in the shadows, suddenly felt the urge to hum a few bars: Who says those who stand outside the three towers cannot be heroes?

Far away on the fourth level, Wen Xishu, undergoing interrogation, did not yet know he was becoming famous.

If he did know, he would surely be grateful for Sha Ruijing’s help, but… such help alone was not enough.

The person who could truly decide his fate had yet to appear.