The Skynet System

Early in the morning, the streets of Yong'an City were still damp; the watering truck had just passed through.

Uncle sat in the driver's seat, while Meng Chuan sat in the passenger seat, pondering his fist techniques.

Meng Yongzhi was the first to break the silence:

"Chuan, how have your training sessions with Teacher Luo been going lately?"

"Pretty well. I've learned a lot. Master Luo is not only strong, but also a very professional teacher."

Meng Yongzhi praised him:

"Right? Uncle never dreamed Master Luo would take you on as his personal disciple. But sometimes, when I see you training so hard you forget to eat and sleep, I think about it more carefully, and it feels like you've earned everything you've got. I guess Heaven rewards the diligent."

Hearing his uncle's praise, Meng Chuan didn't know what to say. He knew that his hard work had certainly played a key role, but without the panel and One Proof Eternal Proof, he could never have achieved his current opportunities and strength.

"Oh, right. Has Senior Bai contacted you lately?"

"Not yet. Teacher Luo asked about it for me a couple of days ago, but the assessment team still hasn't arrived. Don't worry yet, Uncle."

"Haha, I'm not worried. It's just that... I've already bragged about it, so if you hear anything, make sure to tell me right away."

Qindu Branch Bureau.

Meng Chuan and Meng Yongzhi parked the car at the entrance. As soon as they walked through the gate, someone came out to greet them.

A young policewoman with a confident bearing strode over, took Meng Chuan by the hand, and said warmly:

"You're Xiao Meng, right? Come with me. The Police Chief is waiting inside."

Meng Yongzhi went to chat with some of his former classmates from the police academy.

In the reception room, Meng Chuan saw that besides [Mountain Shaking Ape Jiu], there was also a young man in a white lab coat.

When he saw Meng Chuan arrive, Long Jiu said:

"Xiao Meng's here? Let me introduce you. This is Fang Jianxing, director of the Yong'an General Bureau's Technology Department. He heard our little hero was coming today, so he made a special trip over to meet you."

"Hello, Director Fang."

The young man in the lab coat stood up and held out his hand. Beneath his square-framed glasses, he wore a cheerful smile:

"Hi, Xiao Meng. No need to call me Director. It makes us sound like we're from different generations. I'm only a few years older than you. Just call me Brother Fang."

Only when Fang Jianxing stood up did Meng Chuan get a clear look at him. He was thin, and the veins on his outstretched right hand stood out conspicuously.

"Sure, Brother Fang."

After they shook hands, Long Jiu ushered them into their seats:

"Sit, sit. Xiao Meng, your Brother Fang studied abroad before coming back to China and joining the research and development of the national Skynet project. We're all big, muscle-bound guys who only know how to put our backs into things; your Brother Fang is the brains of the operation. Learn from him."

Meng Chuan smiled and nodded, but thought to himself:

"Skynet... Does it have something to do with Tong Family Alley that night?"

Teacher Luo had told him that because Skynet had malfunctioned near Tong Family Alley and failed to detect the Heavenly Demon Force Field in time, the tragedy had occurred.

Fang Jianxing smiled and waved his hand:

"Don't give me too much credit, Police Chief Long. I only took part in researching Skynet; I wasn't in charge. You're flattering me. We can learn from each other."

"Brother Fang, that's still impressive. By the way, Police Chief Long, was it Skynet that let Teacher Luo rush over and save me back then?"

When Meng Chuan brought up the Tong Family Alley incident, Long Jiu's expression darkened. After a moment of silence, he said quietly:

"That's right. At the time, our Skynet system detected an abnormal fluctuation in the magnetic field and determined that a Heavenly Demon had appeared.

"Then, after analyzing the big data, it confirmed the victim's identity. Since Master Luo was fast, we notified him to go save you."

"Your will was strong enough to withstand the Heavenly Demon's first wave of attack and hold out until Master Luo arrived. Not only did you save yourself, you also avenged everyone in Tong Family Alley."

Long Jiu's words brought that night back to Meng Chuan.

The pitch-black alley, the bodies hanging from above, the Heavenly Demon's wild laughter—anger flooded his heart.

"Police Chief Long, Brother Fang, why didn't Skynet detect the Heavenly Demon Force Field in Tong Family Alley beforehand? So many people had died there already. Could it be that..."

Fang Jianxing adjusted his glasses and spoke up before anyone else could:

"I can answer that. Skynet has been in use for less than three years since it was successfully developed. To be precise, the Skynet system in Yong'an City only began to be installed on a large scale at the beginning of last year.

"It's perfectly normal for there to be some minor issues. Skynet systems in other cities have all kinds of problems too, and they need to be adjusted and repaired over time."

Fang Jianxing paused, then continued:

"As for what you're suspecting, don't worry—you can say it openly.

"I think you're wondering whether there might be a mole among us, right?"

Meng Chuan said nothing. Police Chief Long picked up the thread:

"Xiao Meng, you really don't need to worry. This time, not just our Qindu District but every branch bureau across the entire city conducted a thorough screening of all the staff in the Skynet Department. The screening turned up no suspicious individuals.

"After this large-scale loss of life in Tong Family Alley caused by Skynet's malfunction, we've taken it as a lesson and a warning. Under Director Fang's lead, our Technology Department is using funds provided by the state to carry out a comprehensive overhaul of Skynet equipment throughout the city."

Fang Jianxing continued:

"The Tong Family Alley incident pains me deeply too. I've already made a solemn pledge that we'll keep Yong'an's Skynet system running smoothly for the next five years—or even ten."

After hearing their explanation, Meng Chuan felt he might have been overthinking things.

"Thank you. I understand now. Brother Fang, I'd like to thank you on behalf of everyone in the city."

Meng Chuan stood and bowed.

Fang Jianxing suddenly asked:

"By the way, Xiao Meng, I have a little question. How did you withstand the Heavenly Demon's first possession?"

At the time, Meng Chuan hadn't even passed his first Qi-Blood Pass. He couldn't even be considered a Martial Practitioner. Even with his current strength, there was no way he could have broken free.

"Maybe my willpower helped. When I saw the state of Tong Family Alley, my blood rushed to my head. I had just one thought: kill it."

After hearing Meng Chuan's answer, Fang Jianxing was the first to clap:

"There are still so many secrets of the human body left for us to discover. People often say that true will can pierce solid rock. I think Xiao Meng's willpower is a little like that."

He then raised his hand to check the time and continued:

"It's about time. Police Chief Long, Xiao Meng, I'll get going. There's still some work to do at the General Bureau."

Hearing that Director Fang was leaving, Police Chief Long said:

"Sure, Director Fang. I won't keep you, then. You researchers are busy."

At the same time, he took out his phone and made a call:

"Xiao Yue, come down to the entrance of Building Three and drive Director Fang home."