Classic of Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 20: The Classic of Mountains and Rivers

Qianlong robots are divided into three major categories.

The first category, Class A robots, are combat robots that perform various combat missions, including fighting, gunfights, urban warfare, wilderness warfare, and so on. Their shells are incredibly hard, and they are implanted with the best combat neurons. They may not be humanoid, but they are formidable in combat. Of course, this formidable nature is relative to ordinary people. In the face of gene masters, the robots' reactions are ultimately a bit slow, and their materials are not particularly sturdy. Therefore, they are currently only used in conventional combat and cannot be elevated to high-level combat.

The second category, Class B robots, are like Xiao Luo. They know all sorts of knowledge, can cook, do laundry, make soup, and are proficient in everything from playing the zither and chess to calligraphy and painting. They are excellent servant templates. In special circumstances, they will also shield their masters from gunfire—note, this shielding is very proper.

The third category of robots is Class C, which performs special tasks. The tasks are singular, and the functions are singular. For example, there are diving robots, and there are mine-sweeping robots…

The Qianlong dictionary actually does not have a fourth category, Class E robots. The representative brand of Class E robots is "Catwoman." Solving people's entertainment and physiological problems falls within the scope of commodities; one can order them online, and anyone can buy them.

Qianlong does not produce them specifically.

This is because the people at Qianlong have largely transcended base desires.

However, if someone truly still harbors such base desires and insists on modifying their personal attendants for such purposes, it would be a very simple minor surgery for the engineers. Dig a hole, add some gel, implant some neurons, and insert some "hmm-hmm" sounds into the voice system, and voilà! What's the big deal?

Your application would likely be approved.

It's just that, among the many people at 101, no one has actually submitted such an application. Everyone has some self-respect…

Lin Xiaosu looked at the censored images in the void and then at Xiao Luo's innocent eyes before him. He felt a bit embarrassed and decided to leave and continue reading at the library.

At midnight, Lin Xiaosu, holding a book, was lost in thought.

This book was called The Classic of Mountains and Rivers. It recorded various ancient myths and strange beasts, detailing 360 kinds of wondrous objects and 360 kinds of strange beasts.

Section seventy-eight of The Classic of Mountains and Rivers describes a large bird called "Kong Gu." This bird is a hundredzhang long, with a wingspan of three hundredzhang. It has three-fingered talons capable of splitting mountains and rocks, and three scales on its forehead, which are bright red in color…

The book was clearly very old, with yellowed pages and thread-bound binding. The handwriting inside was not printed, not even movable type, but was written by hand.

Judging solely by its content, it was undoubtedly a myth.

However, a scene flashed in Lin Xiaosu's mind, filling him with immense dread…

It was the second time he had stayed overnight at Willow Forest Temple. On Astrological Shift Day, through the Sky Window, he had seen a scene: a giant bird soaring over mountains and rivers, flying towards that ancient stone monument. This bird was incomparably massive, and the three bright red scales on its forehead were so striking…

"Didn't you want to add some functions for Xiao Luo? Why didn't you submit an application? If you dare to apply, I actually dare to approve it!" a voice called out, accompanied by a faint fragrance.

Lin Xiaosu almost jumped up. "Damn it! Is there any privacy left? How do you know this?"

Behind him was Chang Ye. Chang Ye chuckled softly, "Don't you know these robots are networked? As long as my authority is higher than yours, I know whatever you do with her."

Lin Xiaosu leaned his head back. "I'm truly fortunate to be a gentleman, otherwise, my embarrassment would have been broadcast directly to Qianlong headquarters!"

"A gentleman who still inquires about ultimate functions? Chang Ye snickered, "What are you doing? Hmm, reading a mythology book. Not bad, you know how to balance work and rest…"

"What do you think of this mythology book?" A glint flashed in Lin Xiaosu's eyes.

"How else can you view mythology books? I admire the author's bizarre imagination, but this story is too fragmented; it doesn't even qualify as a story." Chang Ye had naturally also read the book.

"Is it possible… that it's not actually a mythology book?" Lin Xiaosu said.

"Not a mythology book? Then what is it?" Chang Ye asked.

"For example… a real record from a parallel world."

Chang Ye stared at him for a long time, then suddenly broke into a smile. "You're too late. If you had come ten years earlier, you might have found someone who could have engaged in endless vivid discussions with you on this topic. Unfortunately, he is no longer here."

"Who?"

"A blind old Daoist priest. He lived here for ten years and left this book. I met him when I first joined Qianlong. He would grab me and start talking, saying things that were truly wild and unrestrained. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to chat with him, so I couldn't enter the world he spoke of…"

"What was his name?"

"His surname was Lu. I truly don't know his given name. He was invited by Xinyue's grandfather. He wasn't part of Qianlong himself."

Surname Lu!

Lu Yun?!

Lin Xiaosu's heart leaped. "Can I meet Xinyue's grandfather?"

Chang Ye sighed softly. "You're too late again! You're eight years too late this time!"

Eight years ago, for the "Trojan Horse Plan," he traveled to Europa State to "assist" the enemy nation in improving its gene project, leading their gene project astray. After being discovered by the enemy, they beheaded him and sent his head back to his hometown…

When he left Qianlong, he couldn't rest assured about Xinyue, who was only ten years old, and entrusted the organization to take care of this martyr's orphan, and also entrusted Chang Ye to look after her.

This was why Xinyue grew up at Qianlong.

This was why she and Chang Ye were like siblings.

Speaking of the head that traveled across the ocean to return to its homeland, Chang Ye became a little somber. Being at Qianlong, she had seen many comrades sacrifice themselves, but every time she saw a new sacrifice, she would also grieve…

"Traveling to a foreign country to execute a top-secret plan, only for the head to return home, body and head separated. It can only be said that the generations of Qianlong people are truly admirable!" Lin Xiaosu said. "Did you find out the fundamental purpose of the Daoist priest surnamed Lu coming to Qianlong?"

"I vaguely heard a saying, called a warning, but what kind of warning it was, I don't know."

A warning!

Lin Xiaosu's heart churned like a stormy sea.

He knew!

Everything was clear now!

Daoist Master Lu Yun was walking the same path he had once walked. He believed the Archaic Great World would descend. At Willow Forest Temple, he told his second uncle. However, telling his second uncle was useless! His second uncle was an ordinary person. Even if he believed him, what good would it do?

Thus, he found the most powerful organization in this world, Qianlong.

He warned Qianlong!

Hoping to gain Qianlong's attention and thus deploy countermeasures in advance.

He didn't know if Qianlong had taken him seriously.

He also didn't know if Qianlong had a plan to deal with it.

But this Daoist Lu had done everything he should have done…

"Where else would he go?" Lin Xiaosu asked. "Don't you have a system that can find people all over the world? Can you track him down?"

"I've already told you, this system has a major prerequisite for finding people: they must either be registered, have a signal source on them, or have appeared under a camera. As for him, he has never appeared since leaving Qianlong. Oh, right, before he left, he left a parting message… 'Evils hide overseas, natives are restless in the earth's core, the ancient era seeks to break free and reappear. Where will this generation's civilization end up?'"

"'Evils hide overseas, natives are restless in the earth's core, the ancient era seeks to break free and reappear… How do you interpret this?'"

Chang Ye said, "I understand 'Evils hide overseas.' Most Western countries are infiltrated by the Hydra. They claim to be beacons of humanity, yet their actions are worse than bandits. They are rotten from top to bottom, and this generation's civilization is indeed under great threat. But no one knows what 'natives' and 'ancient era' refer to…"

Suddenly, her voice stopped abruptly.

Because a tall figure appeared at the entrance of the library.

The person strode in, exuding a strong aura of killing intent, and walked directly towards Lin Xiaosu.

Lin Xiaosu looked up and met his gaze. As their eyes met, Lin Xiaosu had a feeling that this person must have killed many people because of the killing intent emanating from him. This feeling was somewhat mystical…

"This is Qianlong Number 88!" Chang Ye said.

Lin Xiaosu stood up and scratched his head, "Do I need to pay my respects?"

Number 88's cold and serious expression was dispelled by his words. A smile appeared on his face. "You are not yet an official member of Qianlong, so there's no need to pay respects. Sit down, I have something to tell you."

He sat down, and Lin Xiaosu casually poured a cup of tea and handed it to him.

Number 88 took it and placed it on the table. "Lin Xiaosu, Chang Ye and I have both seen your performance. As examiners, we have unanimously agreed that you have passed the assessment and become a reserve member. I am here today for two reasons. First, to tell you the basic rules for reserve members…"

He raised his hand and handed Lin Xiaosu a tablet.

Five large characters appeared on the tablet: Reserve Member Charter.

Reserve members are in a trial period for the Qianlong gold medal.

Each person is given 100 initial points. Points will be awarded for meritorious deeds, and points will be deducted for violations of Qianlong regulations.

The Qianlong regulations were also displayed in full, totaling three hundred and twenty-seven articles.

Lin Xiaosu quickly flipped through them and looked up. "What is the second reason?"

"The second reason is about an emergent incident that you can participate in…"

Chang Ye looked up. "What emergent incident?"

Number 88 said, "Yesterday, Number 325 sent a message from Laoshan, stating that he had made some significant discoveries. And today… today is the agreed-upon time, but no message has been received. We suspect something has happened to him."

"He is the most meticulous person and has never broken his word," Chang Ye said, greatly alarmed.