"What the chapter name said is this story's most important tool, as well as the role in the future. First of all, it provides the background and clear explanation. From the next chapter, Xu Le's true life begins.
I am currently at Wuhan Hotel, tired from writing a chapter. I just got renewed, which is perfect timing for the ranking list, haha. This week's new book list depends on everyone's recommendation tickets. Thank you to those old friends recommended by Sanjiang. Your support is greatly appreciated. I will be traveling tomorrow, and I'm not sure when I'll arrive in Daqing. I will write as soon as possible, but I can't set a specific time. Please forgive me for any inconvenience."
"What is this?"
The mine car gradually slows down as it slides down the gallery, producing a soft ding-dong sound that emphasizes Xu Le's trembling voice. Even someone with steady hands would feel the vibrations. Xu Le feels the smooth bracelet on his left wrist and has a faint idea of what it might be, but he can't believe it.
Feng Yu doesn't reply.
Suddenly, the metal bracelet, 0.7 cm thick, slides like liquid mercury when Xu Le touches it with his finger or abdomen!
The metal surface reveals extremely thin traces that split open, revealing a complex and intricate structure inside the bracelet. In the cavity of the bracelet, three thin metal wires, as thin as strands of hair, connect a number of faintly bright metal grains that are not clearly visible.
These eye-catching stars are strung together, resembling the traced lines of starlight in an ultra-realistic oil painting.
In the dim glimmer of the mine tunnel, Xu Le's eyes widen as he stares, unblinking, at his own wrist as if he's seeing a deity or a monster that doesn't exist in the world. These metal lines are incredibly thin, and the vibrations from the mine car are strong. Xu Le is worried that these delicate strands will be shaken off at any moment. The faintly bright metal grains are tiny and seemingly weightless, and they could be blown away by the eerie wind in the tunnel at any moment, leaving no trace behind.
In the eyes of others, these metal lines and small faintly bright metal grains may seem like delicate and brittle handicrafts, but Xu Le, who has studied machine repair with Feng Yu for four years, possesses an innate sensitivity to the crystallization of all human-machine civilizations. His eyes can discern the surface of a metal grain that should be invisible to the naked eye, and it stirs something deep within him It is beautiful, like the flowing lines of artwork, formed by an extremely marvelous arrangement around a crystal core. Although Xu Le doesn't know how these things come together in such a small space, or how they function, it's clear that they are connected to the secret relationship that Feng Yu mentioned earlier.
Camouflage chip? Can it see through all the camouflage chips using the brilliance of the First Charter's mathematics model?
A chill runs down Xu Le's spine because he knows that deep within his cervical vertebrae lies a similar chip, accompanying him for 17 years. More specifically, every citizen of the Federation has such a chip in their body. Furthermore, for countless years, no one has been able to replicate this type of chip, and no one has dared to attempt to remove the chip, unless they have decided to flee to their hometown and never return to the Federation.
But now, on the young man's wrist, there is a bracelet that conceals a perfectly camouflaging chip! The significance of this representation overwhelms Xu Le, and he can't fully comprehend it amidst the powerful emotions.
But he knows that a chip represents a brand-new life. He also recalls the boss's words about those who can study the camouflage chip and put it into practice being certain to receive the highest honor in federal science—the Nebula Prize.
Of course, if there really are scientists in the Federation studying such things, before winning the Nebula Prize, they will undoubtedly be sentenced to life imprisonment by the federal government. Nevertheless, Xu Le is still shocked. What kind of knowledge requires such strength to contend against the brilliance of the most powerful charter of the federal civilization?
As Xu Le gazes at Feng Yu, who appears somewhat exhausted and aged, he opens his mouth to speak but remains speechless. His life has never been so shaken, perhaps not since the loud explosion twelve years ago.
In the midst of this shock, Xu Le inadvertently overlooks another remarkable feature of the bracelet—the process of fingerprint verification and opening that is completed in an instant. It is not an especially difficult task, but the fact that it is done so quickly on a bracelet of such thickness and thinness says a lot.
"I told you that this is my gift to you." Feng Yu seems unaware of the controversy and turmoil that will arise in the Federation when it becomes known, and says, "If you don't want it, wait until I am imprisoned for several years due to my connections. Find a time and space, remove the chip in your neck, and exchange it for the one in the bracelet. The materials and operating procedures are displayed on the screen. You should be able to do it with your skills; it shouldn't be too difficult."
At this point, the mine car has stopped at a junction in the mine tunnel. Xu Le's trembling finger instinctively moves to the position where the bracelet fastens, and in his subconscious, he considers discarding the bracelet out of fear or returning it to Feng Yu. However, he discovers that he cannot discard the bracelet. Its perfectly round body has no visible opening or seam that can be pulled apart, just like something he has worn since childhood.
"You... you... you should use it, otherwise... you may... die. You should... use it." Xu Le looks at Boss Feng Yu's graying hair and stammers, "I... if I'm imprisoned for several years... you might die at most."
"You foolish boy, I've already explained the reason," Feng Yu looks at the bewildered face of the youngster and says, "Besides, this thing can only be used by one person. Don't ask for my reasons, and in the future, don't try to save someone else's life with these chips. Go... change your identity, go to the Capital Star Circle, and live a brand-new life. Achieve your life's ideals using another method."
Another identity? Another life? Xu Le suddenly falls into a daze. The boss's words, the icy cold touch of the metal on his wrist, remind him that even when his life seemed hopeless, another door suddenly opened before him. But behind that door... will it truly lead to an ideal life?
And what about the boss?
"I'm giving you a small gift and a few words of advice," Feng Yu gazes into Xu Le's eyes without showing any emotions and says, "These words might be useful to you after you go to the Capital Star Circle."
Xu Le, in his state of frustration, continues to listen subconsciously.
"Your furrowed brow is too sharp, too rigid. It's not good. You're pressing down on your vision, causing anxiety. If you can, change it."
"Among the stars, there is no creator to worship for their brilliance. The safest place is the most dangerous, but you can only believe these words three times."
"After today, forget about me and everything that has happened in the past four years. Bury it. Don't expect justice or rewards. Don't seek revenge; it's a futile endeavor. I am not your father, and I didn't save you out of some great intention... I'm just someone who is far removed from your life, someone who eats meat while preaching vegetarianism."
"I know you are curious about the explosion and the charge I faced in the war years ago. You want me to be innocent, but I can't say that I am. I can tell you, though, that you will soon know what the explosion was like."
"These are my words." Feng Yu, with his gray hair, suddenly appears luminous in the dark mine tunnel. His true age is finally revealed, and he takes out a cigarette from his pocket, lights it, takes a satisfying drag, and blows smoke toward Xu Le's face. He continues, "The time is drawing near, and they will draw near too. You can also leave."
Xu Le has been listening all along, and he feels a deep sorrow rising within him, piercing his skull with excruciating pain. His voice is hoarse, as if filled with hope, as he says, "You must stay alive."
"I will definitely stay alive. Fathers live forever." Feng Yu suddenly reveals an extremely smug expression on his face as he looks at the bracelet on Xu Le's wrist and says, "Are you going to stay with me?"
After saying these words, Feng Yu, the top federal traitor and the ordinary machine repair master from Area Eastwood, kicks Xu Le and sends the bewildered youngster rolling into the nearby sewer. The gallery swallows him up.