The modern world is like a sieve (9): 

The whole world found it unbelievable, and the people of Huaguo themselves were pretty baffled.

They woke up one morning to find that foreign countries had been overrun by countless strange supernatural creatures, with foreigners everywhere suffering miserably.

Thinking this news was too absurd, they assumed it must be a rumor. Everyone went to work or to school as usual.

But then their friends from country XX called, asking why there hadn’t been any battles with non-human creatures in Huaguo.

Huaguo people: ???

What, today isn’t April Fools’ Day, so why is everyone around the world suddenly teaming up to pull a prank like this?

Demons? Necromancers? Dragons??

Are you kidding me???

Just as they were thinking that, their foreign friend quickly sent over a huge batch of videos, all showing battles around the world between locals and otherworldly beings.

Below the videos was a world map, marking how many monsters appeared in which countries and which areas had already been occupied.

Everywhere with strange creatures was covered in red, indicating danger.

But on the massive world map, Huaguo’s territory remained clean and untouched, with not a single change.

Huaguo people: “…………”

“So, what’s going on in Huaguo? Why has the whole world fallen while only your country is completely safe?” the foreign friends asked, filled with disbelief and even a bit of accusation.

The Huaguo people were confused: “You ask me? I don’t know either…”

Foreign friend: “I don’t care, I’m coming to Huaguo, I can’t stay here another day!!”

Huaguo people, bewildered: “Oh… if you want to come, just come.”

Foreigners, already searching for tickets online: “Shit! All flights to Huaguo are sold out, the earliest tickets are two months away!! Two months later everyone will be dead, what’s the point of going then?!”

Huaguo people, puzzled: “Seriously? Is it really that exaggerated…”

Foreign friend, shouting: “Yes it is!!!!!! You spoiled brat who doesn’t know how lucky you are!!!!!”

Huaguo people: “…………”

After hanging up, the Huaguo man went online to check the latest international news.

Discussion online about the matter was skyrocketing. Many people abroad started livestreaming, showing the chaos outside.

Countless people watched strange otherworldly creatures appear, their skin crawling with goosebumps: “Holy crap, that’s terrifying.”

“Is it really that bad abroad??? Why don’t we have it here??”

“Are you stupid?? You think that’s a good thing? You’re actually wishing for Huaguo to be the same???”

“Uh… everyone, I have a bold idea…”

“Actually, me too…”

“Could it be that the massive evacuation of overseas Chinese a month ago was because our government foresaw this happening, warned us about the danger abroad, and urged everyone to return home quickly?”

“Holy crap, I just got back two days ago, and the place I used to live in has already been devoured by demons. Holy crap holy crap holy crap.”

“So it was the government taking action in advance, eliminating supernatural threats inside the country, otherwise why would nothing happen here?”

“I even fought with my mom before, saying she was forcing me to return because of those baseless rumors, accusing her of holding me back and ruining my life. She cried from the stress. Now how am I supposed to apologize to her? I just realized it’s because she loves me and worried for me that she pushed me so hard to come back… I regret it so much…”

“Holy crap! Look what I just found?!”

One netizen posted the widely circulated world map, labeling the few remaining white regions as specific countries, then compared them to the list of nations that had recently visited Huaguo in the past month. Shocked, they said: “None of the countries that visited us have these strange creatures appearing!!”

“?!? Ahhhhh I’m going crazy!!!”

“Wait… could it be that those creatures were actually released by our country? I’ve already seen similar claims online…”

“Shit! They encounter trouble, and then blame the only country that didn’t. What kind of twisted logic is that??”

“And maybe it’s not that Huaguo never had problems. Maybe we discovered them, but solved them perfectly, which is why everything looks so calm. If this really was our doing, why would our diplomats a month ago warn them to prepare? They never believed us, mocked us instead, treating us like fools, arrogantly thinking nothing could ever happen to their country. And now that disaster has struck and they can’t control the situation, they throw the blame on us, saying we’re the source, saying we’re the culprits. What kind of reasoning is that??”

“Enough with the wild guesses. The officials said there will be a live broadcast at 8 a.m. to answer questions. It’s almost 8, just wait in the livestream room.”

Seeing that comment, countless people clicked into the livestream.

The chat was flooded with messages, the popularity skyrocketing to the top trending topic domestically, and soon spreading abroad.

Foreign netizens, unable to understand Huaguo’s language, angrily cursed in the chat until moderators banned them, after which they begged their compatriots who understood a little Chinese to livestream translations.

When it hit 8 a.m. Huaguo time, nearly everyone online around the world was watching Huaguo’s official broadcast, eyes glued to the screen.

The screen lit up, showing more than a dozen extraordinary beings in strange clothing and forms. Unprepared, the viewers trembled in shock, gasping involuntarily.

The Huaguo audience remained the calmest.

Aside from a few nervously asking “Did our officials get taken over by this group?”, most quickly noticed the calm demeanor of the leaders, felt amazed, and patiently waited for the spokesperson to speak.

The first to speak wasn’t the middle-aged officials in black suits, but a young officer with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, no older than his early twenties.

Judging by the nameplate on his desk, he was called Chu Feng.

Chu Feng spoke calmly into the microphone: “I am Chu Feng, director of the Bureau of Transcender Management.”

“Six months ago, we discovered the first intelligent lifeform from another world, and established this bureau.”

“At present, our country has already welcomed fourteen guests from other worlds, who are sitting beside me.”

The camera swept over the visitors, prompting netizens to gasp in awe.

“They’re so good-looking!”

“Wait, that angel guy looks familiar?!”

“Hold up, isn’t that the Shaolin monk who went viral? Weren’t people saying it was for a TV drama? I’ve been waiting for that show to air!!”

“No way? Is that an elf?! That little green bird-like thing must be an elf!!”

Chu Feng’s composure calmed the viewers, who began to reveal their usual goofy nature.

Foreign viewers, however, were furious: “Huaguo has become traitors to Blue Star! They’re living in harmony with these demons!!”

“Are you insane?! Why haven’t you killed them yet?!”

“No wonder nothing happened in Huaguo. They’ve already become slaves to the monsters. I almost thought of fleeing there—crazy! I need to cancel my ticket right away!”

Chu Feng ignored foreign reactions, his voice steady: “Huaguo is a peace-loving nation. Upon discovering these visitors from another world, we immediately engaged in friendly and equal communication.”

“These otherworldly guests responded in kind, and soon became our friends.”

Foreign netizens, hearing the translated phrase “immediately engaged in friendly communication,” felt uneasy.

They recalled how their own countries reacted—arrogance, disdain, assuming they could easily subdue the beings, only to realize too late they were powerless to fight back…

Thinking back to Chu Feng’s calm tone, it felt like being lightly slapped across the face. They wanted to retaliate but had no words.

Before they could recover and start typing insults about Huaguo being naive and doomed to destruction, Chu Feng’s next words hit them like a flurry of slaps.

“They have provided us with inspiration and assistance. For example, this wood-element elf has played a crucial role in our agricultural research, helping us overcome countless technological challenges.”

The camera showed the little creature, who blushed shyly, hiding behind a cup and letting out cute squeaks.

Behind her, the big screen showed footage of her working with researchers at the Agricultural Academy—seeds sprouting rapidly under her touch, scholars rushing forward to observe, taking notes on the fast-growing plants.

One elder thanked her warmly. Delighted by these plant-loving humans, she nestled in their palms, rubbing affectionately, then accepted a honey candy they offered.

In return, she held a flower seed in her hand, which instantly bloomed into a beautiful flower that she gifted back.

The atmosphere was harmonious and heartwarming.

Foreign netizens, choking on their own ridicule: “…………”

Meanwhile, domestic netizens, thrilled: “Ahhhh she’s so cute!!!”

“Where did this little cutie come from!! Mommy loves you!!”

“Reminds me of a foreign video I saw—same kind of elf but water-element. Over there, it fought humans fiercely, flooding cities. But here, everything’s peaceful, harmonious, and loving…”

“So it’s about how you treat them. If that country had been willing to communicate, things wouldn’t have turned out this way. With a water elf, they’d never have to worry about water supply or quality again.”

“Hahaha, wasn’t there news that M-country captured a demon and dragged it into a lab? Chu Feng’s opening statement was basically mocking those countries that rely on force and shady tactics. Now look who’s paying the price?”

Chu Feng’s words stirred heated debate worldwide. He knew foreigners would be furious, but so what? He went on, listing the breakthroughs Huaguo achieved in the past two months with the wood elf’s help—delighting domestic audiences and making foreign critics seethe.

Now they had to admit Huaguo’s government wasn’t controlled by the beings. If it were, why would the elf tirelessly help humans with plant research for months? There was no reason for that!

Chu Feng then introduced the next visitor. The camera focused on a figure with coiled long hair and an aura of authority: “This is Emperor Zhou Shihuang, the founding emperor of Huaguo’s history. He has provided us with a wealth of reliable historical information.”

The Huaguo netizens, who had just been dreaming about someday achieving freedom of fruit and herbs, froze instantly.

“Zhou… Zhou First Emperor?! Damn, after thousands of years I’m actually seeing Zhou First Emperor alive?! This isn’t a dream, right?!”

“Wait, so the sudden change to our country’s history textbooks earlier—was it because of this???”

“Oh my god!! Mom, come quickly, the First Emperor is here!!!”

No matter how shocking it was that Zhou First Emperor spoke with a heavy local accent, the scene was still surreal.

On the big screen at the press conference, they played footage of Zhou First Emperor joining the Transmigration Bureau, discussing history and culture with numerous scholars, and providing precious historical and cultural records to Huaguo. The two sides got along very harmoniously.

Many foreigners were very displeased, believing that Huaguo was placing these transmigrators on too high a pedestal, indirectly lowering humanity’s status, and acting shamefully servile in pursuit of benefits.

In their eyes, as long as someone was not their own kind, they should be exterminated, subdued, and enslaved. Ideally, every transmigrator arriving on Blue Star should surrender immediately, wait to be killed by humans, and before death be sent to research labs to be made into specimens and data sets for humanity. That, to them, was the perfect script.

The scenes of Huaguo coexisting peacefully with elves appeared especially jarring, and the fact that they even carefully served an ordinary ancient man just to discuss history with him was seen as utterly absurd.

“Huaguo is always like this. Even though they’re strong enough, they always pretend to be weak, hypocritically offering aid to small nations to win their favor.”

“If I were Huaguo’s leader, I’d have controlled these transmigrators right away, shown them humanity’s military might, and made sure they never dared to resist.”

“Huaguo people aren’t even afraid. Instead, they’re flooding livestreams with praise for their government. They have no independent thought at all, completely brainwashed by officials.”

Foreign netizens ridiculed Huaguo’s approach in livestreams, mocking Huaguo’s people.

But some viewers remained clear-headed. In the bullet comments, someone coldly said: “Huaguo does not worship vague gods or Buddhas, but venerates the ancestors who laid the foundation of their civilization. This is common knowledge. Even if Zhou First Emperor now looks like an ordinary man, even if his vast armies are no longer by his side, his greatness is in no way diminished. Precisely because Huaguo people respect him, grateful for the achievements of this emperor thousands of years ago, they still treat him with reverence today. That only shows how moving Huaguo’s moral character is. And yet you call this foolish. Since when did selfish exploitation become something to boast about with pride?”

“You call kindness weakness, humility hypocrisy, and peace incompetence. That’s your ‘smart’ worldview? And yet your so-called cleverness has left everyone unable to work, afraid to go outside, hiding on the internet venting impotent rage.”

“Huaguo has already shown us the best answer, yet you still mock them as stupid, thinking their actions are those of fools. It’s like a group of students who scored zero mocking the one student who scored full marks. No wonder you failed, your intelligence just isn’t enough.”

These remarks struck a nerve among foreign netizens who were trying to deceive themselves. Deep down, they knew Huaguo’s approach was worth learning from, and sooner or later governments that had already suffered enough losses would have to compromise and follow suit. But they still wanted to sneer a little, to prove they weren’t inferior to Huaguo.

Now that this last fig leaf had been torn away, exposing their foolishness and ugliness in public, they could only become furious and even more resentful toward the one party that hadn’t suffered. Even though Huaguo had given kind reminders long ago, and even provided solutions at the very first sign of disaster, they still harbored hatred toward Huaguo.

Especially now, as Chu Feng continued introducing the transmigrators and explaining the benefits they had brought to Huaguo, their anger grew.

A martial arts hero in a green outfit, who had once briefly gone viral on Huaguo’s internet, appeared again in public after many days.

Chu Feng introduced: “This is Ruan Bowen, Ruan the Hero. After arriving on Blue Star, he taught us several martial arts techniques. After thorough testing by many of our soldiers, we confirmed these practices greatly benefit the human body—strengthening health, extending life, and for some talented individuals, even cultivating internal energy.”

Behind him, the screen showed footage of the hero shattering a tree trunk at least twenty centimeters thick with a single punch, then leaping straight up to the height of four or five stories. Netizens collectively gasped in awe.

Huaguo citizens felt their blood boil with excitement.

“So if we learn these techniques, one day we’ll be able to practice martial arts too, even leap across rooftops?!”

“Ahhh!!! My martial arts dream is finally coming true!!!!”

“I’m so emotional, is this real? This is pure happiness!!!”

“Huaguo is mighty!!!”

Foreign netizens were struck dumb with jealousy. Their livestreams went silent, everyone turning green with envy, on the verge of suffocation.

Many even had one thought flash in their minds:

—Damn it, why wasn’t I born Huaguo?!

As more transmigrators were introduced, when it came to the archangel, Chu Feng explained: “Angels can see into human souls and judge whether someone is kind and friendly toward them. Because we discovered him in time and made contact, he immediately joined us after seeing our soldiers.”

The footage showed the angel being welcomed into the unit by soldiers dressed up as anime characters, with no resistance at all.

Huaguo netizens: “Ahhh so our soldiers’ souls are so pure even an angel recognizes them!!”

“I’m about to be completely drowned by my pride!!!”

“This is too amazing!!”

Foreign netizens, seeing this content favoring Huaguo, instantly went silent, pretending they neither saw nor heard anything.

But Chu Feng insisted on stripping away their last pretense, calmly continuing: “According to the angel, the demon that appeared in Country M comes from the same world. The demon can also see human souls and judge whether someone is evil or harbors malice.”

“An angel grows stronger through human kindness. Conversely, a demon grows stronger through human evil.”

“Being able to devour half a city in one gulp, that demon must have accumulated enormous energy in that month. Seems he was quite fond of that place, hm.”

His final cold laugh hit like a critical strike, making people in Country M reel with dizziness.

They couldn’t help but wonder what exactly the demon had experienced in that one month, what kind of environment could allow him to gain so much power so quickly, until even the armies that could easily suppress him before were devoured in an instant!

On the side, Zhou Song’s lips twitched as he glanced at Chu Feng, thinking this man’s blunt temper really hadn’t changed.

Even if everyone in the world thought the same, you shouldn’t say it out loud so directly!

Although, even saying it aloud wouldn’t matter.

Because—

“The angel says demons cannot die. They only grow weak or strong, never completely destroyed. And the angel’s power is the only thing that can perfectly restrain a demon—only he can seal them.”

Chu Feng’s calm words made many in Country M grind their teeth in frustration: “Before the demon grows too strong to handle, our Huaguo is willing to offer some help.”

Of course, it would not be free.

After all, when Huaguo issued its early warning, the loudest mockers had been these very people.

Now they regretted it and wanted Huaguo’s help—surely they couldn’t come empty-handed.

Country M netizens, hearing this, didn’t care if this was the “hypocrisy” they had accused Huaguo of earlier. Once the benefit was for them, no one refused. They swarmed online, tagging their officials, demanding they seek Huaguo’s help.

As for their leaders, their expressions must have been ugly, their pride wounded. But that was no concern of Huaguo.

Keep grinding your teeth and resisting, and the demon will only become harder to handle.

Bow your heads and request help, and it would be a public admission that Country M couldn’t solve its own problem and had to beg Huaguo. Where would that leave the “world police” and Blue Star’s only superpower?

Chu Feng ignored their inner struggles. After finishing, he shifted the topic to Si Qi.

“Next, this is a member of our Transmigration Bureau, the one who provided the greatest assistance to Huaguo in dealing with this global crisis.”

“He is Si Qi, Immortal Venerable Si.”