Das Jianghu von Feng Qingcheng und Mo Xibei

Kapitel 4

"You picked up this godson? Does that mean he'll have to call me godmother?" Xavier's blue eyes lit up, and her dimples deepened as she smiled.

"It's a long story. After you left last night, he inexplicably appeared on the sand dunes. At first, I thought he was the Little Prince who fell from outer space."

Chu Xunfeng was embarrassed to talk about his cowardice at the time: "Strange things kept happening. Let me tell you, the original copy of the Book of Changes was also stolen. Last night, I even stepped on a skull. I felt that this place was not a good place, and it was eerie everywhere."

Upon hearing that the original copy of the Book of Changes had been stolen, Saviel was extremely skeptical. She took Chu Xunfeng's hand and headed to the museum, disregarding the legendary "Four Tribulations Cycle" and "this alien godson."

The child was still sitting there deep in thought, seemingly determined to break the "Four Tribulations Cycle." Seeing his adorable, stubborn expression, Chu Xunfeng almost burst out laughing—this Four Tribulations Cycle was unsolvable.

Saviel carried the handbag with her, but Chu Xunfeng said it would be more convenient to leave it at the hotel, as the hotel's security facilities were good. Saviel insisted that it was safer to carry it. Chu Xunfeng wanted to take a picture of the child and the computer to record this historic moment of creating the "four-movement cycle." However, Saviel snatched the handbag away, saying she would take the picture later, her expression somewhat alarmed.

It's not like taking wedding photos; it only takes a few seconds. Chu Xunfeng was a little confused.

The museum has been sealed off layer by layer. I heard that the top detectives from the Global Bureau of Investigation will arrive tomorrow. The museum director is doing his best to "mend the fence after the sheep are lost".

All the clamor vanished overnight, replaced by a profound sense of desolation. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the transparent crystal enclosure, the shifting halos creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. The thirteen layers of crystal protection remained unscathed, except for the ancient crimson book, which was nowhere to be found. This teardrop-shaped silicon-aluminum structure museum seemed to conceal a giant question mark.

Media reporters and amateur detectives are still trying to find clues from the staff, from the silent gaps in the building, and from the sky at the four corners of the wall. It seems that the legendary original copy of the Book of Changes has vanished without a trace.

There were also quite a few figures moving around near the museum, but they were too blurry to see clearly.

Saviel, holding Chu Xunfeng's hand, circled the museum three or four times, scrutinizing every detail. This intelligence analysis expert seemed to possess a profound understanding of the world; her pale blue pupils were narrowed, as if she were calculating something. Her gentle demeanor no longer appeared fragile; her clean and efficient movements showed remarkable composure, and even the dimples on her face no longer hinted at her spirit but rather at her coldness. Only at this moment could one see the true face of this "intelligence analysis" whiz. She wasn't some delicate Lin Daiyu who could be swept away by the wind; she was the younger sister of the Twelve Swordsmen.

Chu Xunfeng was worried about his "godson" at the hotel being home alone. Seeing that it was almost 9 PM, he grabbed Saviel's hand and pulled her back home.

The journey was quiet, with the moon shining brightly and the Milky Way faintly visible, flowing gracefully. In such a polluted world, to still be able to see the Milky Way flowing in the sky—was there really a deity protecting this ancient tomb where the original copy of the Book of Changes was unearthed? Chu Xunfeng's sensitive heart began to flutter again.

The moonlight grew even colder. He held Saviel in his arms, gently biting her hair, gazing at her delicate, smooth face, as if it were about to burst. In his heart, he softly whispered, "Saviel, sit quietly, let love soar in the moonlight, let your soul tremble with the frozen pain, let your heart be torn apart by the cold wind." He seemed to see her under the osmanthus tree: in the moonlight, a peerless woman in silk robes twisting her legs—how much like Saviel's hazy figure!

As they passed the large-screen plasma video display area in the city's central square, a video message caught their attention.

"Due to the many unusual phenomena that have occurred on Earth recently, the Federation has had to take some countermeasures, including the Matrix project, which was shelved due to its great controversy, and may be restarted."

Project Matrix is led by Professor Park Sook-seok, a leading theoretical scholar in astronomy, director of the Institute for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, and Nobel laureate. Professor Park is also a leading figure in life sciences and computer science, chairman of the Nobel Prize committee, and advocates for the application of cloned life in scientific research. He is a leading figure in the scientific community, along with Nie Longping, the father of Saviour Irwin.

Project Matrix involved merging the human brain with a computer, implanting computer chips into the brain, and then using program upgrades to replace human evolution and reach Type IV civilization. This plan was tested on mice, but due to its excessive risks and perceived "unnatural" nature, it did not receive strong support from the scientific community. Nie Longping was one of the most influential opponents. Therefore, the plan was shelved by Parliament.

The camera shifts to Professor Park Woo-seok, the head of the Matrix project. He is thin and pale, his features obscured by a haze. The professor begins his sermon: "The Matrix project involves the synthesis of the human brain and computers. Computer chips are implanted into the human brain, and after seamless integration, program upgrades replace human evolution. This is not a crazy act, but an inevitable process for humanity to leap to Type IV civilization."

Anger surfaced on Saviel's beautiful face, her clear, bright eyes filled with disdain: "Park Woo-seok seems to still be obsessed with his grand vision, he's even doing commercials on television." Saviel particularly disliked her father's rival, "Just to prove his pioneering insights and become the creator of a fourth-level civilization. Using the future and destiny of all humanity as test subjects, and then grandly talking about some inevitable process."

Park Woo-seok seemed to hear Xavier's words. He covered his mouth to suppress a cough: "We already know that self-aware beings in the universe are not only humans. There are many civilizations at the same level as us. For example, life on the mysterious celestial body Alpha G could potentially devour humanity. If we encounter a cosmic predator one day, all of humanity may face annihilation. The civilization accumulated by countless generations of our ancestors will be extinguished in our generation, and even this 4.6 billion-year-old home we have relied on for survival will be ruthlessly swallowed up. Perhaps many people are unaware of the anomalies on Earth recently, but I personally feel that humanity is already in some kind of danger. We cannot forget that Earth suffered three strong magnetic field disturbances last month. Earth is currently in a turbulent period. I implore the people of the Federation, I implore the members of the Federation Congress..."

Park Woo-seok coughed again when he got excited, looking like a sick man who might sacrifice his precious life for human technology at any moment.

“Is this Hitler-style emotional manipulation, a deranged and insane propaganda? For someone of his status to say such things in a 4G video will create widespread panic within the Federation. Even if the strong magnetic field interference is indeed the work of Alpha G lifeforms, it doesn't necessarily mean the Matrix Project has to be implemented,” Xavier said. Her father was the biggest opponent of the Matrix Project, and as Professor Nie's staunch supporter and daughter, Xavier held every word Professor Park Woo-seok uttered in contempt.

“That makes sense. At least the Matrix project is quite creative.” Chu Xunfeng pondered Professor Park’s words, and Park Shu-seok’s pale face aroused his sympathy.

"Then you should be his guinea pig, poet. Such unnatural behavior makes you, a humanist with single eyelids, seem supernatural."

"Don't think I know nothing. I did win an Olympiad prize when I was a kid, and I have a basic understanding of math and physics. Besides, you often give me extra lessons in math and physics..." His face suddenly turned red at this point. Xavier, after all, was a genius who had defeated China. He straightened his back. "I study philosophy, which connects the past and present and spans various disciplines. It requires a broad perspective to achieve anything. As for those trivial skills categorized into different areas, like math and physics, I'm too lazy to learn them..."

“Oh, it seems our poet is destined to become a great philosopher…” Xavier’s eyes shimmered with a hint of turquoise, a mixture of mockery and admiration.

Another message in the video interrupted their argument.

"According to a special report by Deutsche Welle 3D, Professor Nie Longping, a renowned master in the fields of physics and mathematics, has gone missing. His disappearance was reported in the early hours of November 15th. Another professor living next door to Professor Nie stated that they heard him laughing almost maniacally that night..."

The Global Bureau of Investigation could not suppress the news of Professor Nie's disappearance; the truth could not be hidden forever.

Saviel swayed and almost fainted in Chu Xunfeng's arms—his father had disappeared?

"According to Sky News, three professors have already gone missing before WAR, causing widespread panic throughout the scientific community. Furthermore, according to top-secret information from our reporter, humanity's X-planet space base has been attacked by Alpha-planet G lifeforms. The Federation's top leadership is secretly holding a special meeting, 306, the details of which are still unknown. We now invite the Global Investigations Bureau..."

The two had no interest in listening to the hourly news broadcasts; they hurriedly called her father, but the call went unanswered and his location could not be found. They then called home, and the person who answered identified himself as an officer from the Global Investigations Bureau.

After drinking two glasses of water, Xavier calmed down and her mind cleared considerably. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she stared blankly, clutching her long, black hair. Professor Nie was her only family member and her emotional support; this sudden blow left her bewildered. Why? Had she done something wrong to deserve such misfortune? Had she done something wrong?

Chu Xunfeng knew she was sorting out her thoughts. He shouldn't disturb her at this time; he wanted her to calm down on her own. He quietly left Xavier's room.

In less than a month, several top professors have gone missing. Does this mean that the G-life from Alpha Planet is really going to invade Earth?

He walked absentmindedly to his room. As he checked his fingerprint on the door, the door opened with a click the moment his hand touched the lintel. His nerves tightened instantly; the door was ajar. A thought flashed through Chu Xunfeng's mind: a thief! The door was locked from the inside when he left; how could it have opened so easily?

The room was dark; the lights were off. Nothing was missing, and the room remained quiet.

The door is designed to prevent theft; no one can open it without a key, and the child inside certainly cannot.

His computer screensaver, featuring a tongue-out Einstein, was still panting. He moved the light pen, and the "four-ko cycle" chess game on it remained.

But the child is missing!

He went out? How did he get out?

When Saviel heard that the child was missing, she was shocked. It was almost 10 p.m. What if something went wrong?

The two searched the entire hotel, upstairs and downstairs, but couldn't find any trace of the child.

"It seems we have no choice but to go and check the place where he appeared yesterday?" Chu Xunfeng paced back and forth. "That little brat, his arrival and departure are both mysterious."

"Be careful!" The care on Xavier's face warmed Chu Xunfeng's heart. "Little dimple, it's not like you're going to the underworld to meet the judge, don't worry." He gently kissed her forehead. "Don't worry."

"How long will it take you to get back?"

"Not necessarily, I'll also go look around on the street."

Chu Xunfeng hurriedly arrived at the place he had visited the previous night. The edge of the yellow sand was no different from yesterday, deep, vast, and boundless.

The surroundings were no longer as desolate and bleak as yesterday. The moon was veiled by a layer of dark gauze, and the birch trees ① swayed gently like human shadows, as if beckoning the phosphorescent lights in the darkness.

You can faintly hear the sand grains rolling, like the "chirping ghosts" in Du Fu's poem.

Where is the child?

Chu Xunfeng shivered violently again. He always felt there was something eerie about this place.

I felt a chill run down my spine yesterday when I stepped on a skull in the desert sands.

The child came silently and left without a trace. His body was so cold, and a strange silver coin hung around his neck…

Thinking this, Chu Xunfeng dared not search the surroundings any longer and flew into the city. His own life was the most important thing; he couldn't care less about anything else.

It was nearly midnight when I got back to the hotel.

Saviel didn't wait for him at the hotel; perhaps she was getting impatient and went outside to look for him.

Thinking of the strangeness of the sand dunes, Chu Xunfeng was afraid that something might happen to Xavier.

Saviel still hadn't returned after an hour.

Chu Xunfeng was getting anxious. What if something happened to Xavier?

He stormed out of the hotel in a fit of rage, only to bump into Saviel at the entrance. Saviel was also rushing towards the hotel, and the collision nearly knocked Chu Xunfeng over. The seemingly delicate Saviel was surprisingly strong. Chu Xunfeng pulled her into his arms, saying, "Dimples, baby, don't run around like that, you've worried me to death." He held Saviel tightly in his embrace, feeling her trembling as if she had been greatly frightened. "What's wrong, Dimple?"

Although they had only been apart for two or three hours, in Chu Xunfeng's heart it felt like an eternity. Just now, he suddenly felt as if he were about to lose Xavier, a strange fear gripping him…

"Did you find it?" Xavier asked him, her face pale, like a frightened heron.

No! Where did you go?

“I…I…don’t know…I just felt…uneasy, so I wandered around…and looked for the child…” Xavier answered somewhat incoherently.

"Don't worry, we'll go back to Leipzig tomorrow." Chu Xunfeng hugged Saviel's cold body tightly again, stroking her black hair. "Professor Nie, he... he'll be alright."

"It'll be alright." Saviel sobbed in Chu Xunfeng's arms.

After a while, he looked up and said, "We can ask the hotel; they have video surveillance cameras at the entrance. Let's see if there's any news about the children."

Chu Xunfeng touched the back of his flat head and sighed at his lack of brainpower. Saviel, on the other hand, was always clear-headed; in front of the clever Saviel, he always felt clumsy and awkward.

When the hotel staff heard Chu Xunfeng say that the child was missing, they didn't quite believe it at first, but later they realized that the situation was serious. A child couldn't possibly open a locked door.

A pretty waitress said she thought she saw the child that night, but couldn't remember the exact time.

The federal rule implemented on Earth in recent years has led to severe environmental degradation, but public security remains relatively good. Xianyang, on the other hand, is sparsely populated, with many tourists, including scientists and archaeologists. Aside from rumors of ghosts haunting the desert, nothing unusual has happened in recent years.

The manager of the Xianyang hotel had just remarried and married a Japanese woman. He was in a state of high excitement, enjoying "Yamato-style" sadomasochistic and frenzied activities. However, he was summoned out by Chu Xunfeng, and he was extremely disgusted with Chu Xunfeng, this "fake foreigner" who had been exported and then re-imported.

However, the manager eventually got out of bed and turned on the hotel's surveillance video.

During the time Chu Xunfeng was away that afternoon, something did happen in room 501 where he was staying.

The video shows that room 501 remained quiet until 9:30 PM. Although the monitor could only focus on the area near the door, it was clear that the room was dark, meaning the child had been sitting motionless in the dark without turning on the light. At 9:30 PM, a bluish shadow was clearly visible on the monitor, but it blurred out instantly.

The blurry blue figure stood motionless at the doorway. You could vaguely see him taking out a calculator and calculating something, but you couldn't see his full form. This blue figure couldn't be visualized in the video.

About two minutes later, the door opened, and the child stood in the doorway. His figure was very clear, his bow tie was crooked, his face was extremely pale, and his cold face was very indifferent. He glanced at the man in blue, and then followed behind him without saying a word.

In the instant he left, the man in blue could be seen in physical form again, but he vanished in a flash, like a ghost drifting by in a supernatural movie.

After meeting the man in blue, the child showed no surprise, but simply followed the shadow away, behaving obediently and with a certain tacit understanding.

How did the child unlock the lock, or did the man in blue pry it open?

Who is this man in blue? What is his relationship with this mysterious child? How did he know the child was there?

He was clearly standing at the door of room 501, so why couldn't I see him clearly? Was it a demon, or did he have a way of interfering with the surveillance camera's image?

If he is truly a ghost, then why can his physical form be seen the moment he arrives and the moment he departs?

Why did the man in blue take the child away?

A series of problems arose one after another.

The four of them watched the video twice more. Chu Xunfeng felt a chill run down his spine.

This must be a ghost. Remembering the child's bizarre origins and his extraordinary talent, Chu Xunfeng's mind was in turmoil. Could it be...could it be that he encountered a ghost? Chu Xunfeng's face turned pale.

The hotel manager, who was full of enthusiasm, had a livid face, and the flesh on his fat face twitched from time to time.

The rumors that the edge of the Yellow Sands is haunted seem to be true; ghosts do indeed roam there.

"Is this place often haunted?" Chu Xunfeng asked.

"No...no...it's all just rumors." The manager's voice trembled.

"I heard that when the Book of Changes was unearthed, nine dragons coiled around it, and a phoenix cried out in the sky..."

"No...it's just...it's just..."

"Just what?"

"After the Book of Changes was unearthed, the entire city of Xianyang had the same dream." The manager's face turned pale as he said this; it was a nightmare that the entire city of Xianyang dared not speak of.

"The same dream?...How is that possible?"

"Yes……"