MPWATMBC Chapter 64

Ryan calmly acknowledged his mistake and thanked Yuan Chu for making up for it. “Thank you, Yuan Chu.”

Yuan Chu’s eyes flickered slightly, as if happily responding, “It is my duty, sir.” He was indeed pleased, as every step taken in the pursuit of truth was something he enjoyed witnessing. He even wanted to give a symbolic gesture of affection, like lifting both arms and touching his fingertips together, to show his big heart to his master.

Knock, knock!

Two soft, crisp sounds came from behind Yuan Chu, but they were so faint that Ryan and Auston didn’t notice.

Yuan Chu’s eye blinks quickened for a moment. Like a diligent, ordinary robot who doesn’t require an energy block to charge, after solving his master’s problem, he was ready to withdraw. “Sir, General, we will leave now.”

“…Okay, go ahead.” Ryan had expected that Yuan Chu might have some requests, given how restrictive he had been towards them. Feeling a bit guilty, he wondered if he should relax the permissions a bit.

Ignoring Code Zero’s protests, Yuan Chu discreetly pushed him out. Once the large and small figures had left the dining room, Code Zero questioned with curiosity, “Didn’t we agree that after importing the projection into the new device, Ryan would open up the network permissions?”

Ryan had directly added a piece of code into their system programs, restricting their internet access. It was even more annoying than using a parental control mode (because they had bypassed the parental control mode to access the internet, which Ryan had discovered). Unable to surf the web freely or interact closely with the Capital Star’s firewall, Code Zero felt that life had become rather dull.

Yuan Chu’s eyes flickered as segments of redundant information scrolled through the system program. Clearly, he was in a good mood. “You don’t understand him; this man doesn’t respond to soft or hard tactics. Equivalent exchange won’t work, neither will begging or pleading, and coercion or temptation is even less effective. When I was first created, he carried me with him. From observing his work style, it’s evident that only detailed data and actionable reports can impress him. He is a strict self-disciplinarian and a demanding powerhouse.”

“But we have nothing…” Code Zero felt a bit disappointed. They had only accomplished minor tasks. If they had infiltrated the intranets of the other five major families and made some contributions, would they have earned internet access?

Yuan Chu said, “So, don’t make things harder for yourself.” He was quite pleased, as the frustration of being unable to browse the web had dissipated significantly.

After finishing breakfast, Auston and Ryan didn’t rush to check the projection. They took a leisurely stroll through the small grove outside, with the energetic Da Fu running back and forth. Da Fu occasionally flapped his wings and flew up into the trees, curiously eyeing the red fruits the size of jujubes on the branches. He would glance at his distant owners and reluctantly flap his wings to catch up. However, he would soon be back up the tree, drooling over the bright red little fruits.

Eventually, he could no longer resist. He bit into one of the fruits, and his little face instantly scrunched up with sourness. “Puh puh puh, spit spit spit.” After spitting out the fruit, Da Fu stuck out his tongue and quickly flew back to his owner, gasping and laughing, with his amber eyes filled with tears from the sourness.

“Here we go again!” Ryan pointed at Da Fu from a distance. He clearly remembered the morning’s incident with the water. Now Da Fu was causing trouble again. Ryan was beginning to understand why griffin beasts were so rare—overwhelming curiosity seemed to be their downfall.

Da Fu whined, ignoring Ryan, and continued to look pitifully at his master. Auston, with a stern face but a soft heart, bent down and picked up the now-larger Da Fu, who let out a soft, fluffy sound. “If you get any bigger, I won’t be able to hold you.” He could still carry him, but it was definitely less comfortable than when he was a cub.

Da Fu nuzzled his head against his master’s face. He also cherished the days when he could be held by his master.

Because of the incident with Da Fu eating the sour fruit, their leisurely walk ended early. Back at the residence, Auston poured a large bowl of sheep’s milk for Da Fu.

“General, you shouldn’t spoil pets too much. They might become arrogant and do anything they want,” Bowers said, standing to the side with a concerned expression.

This advice was supported by Ryan, but as he looked at the sheep’s milk Da Fu was drinking, he thought, humans are so hypocritical—this sheep’s milk was actually prepared by Bowers.

With the addition of a boundless-energy pet, Ryan, and the two small robots constantly tinkering with things, this once quiet and reserved home had become vibrant and lively. The oppressive atmosphere in the house began to flow, and the monotonous black-and-white colors were brightened by the addition of fresh flowers. Even the old residents of the estate moved with lighter steps and wore more smiles due to the various changes.

Just earlier, Auston and Ryan had seen the gardener humming a tune while trimming flower branches. A dense-leaf holly was shaped to resemble Da Fu, who was crouched on the ground with wings folded. The moonlight roses Ryan had brought were planted by this highly skilled gardener. Given some time, these roses would bloom brightly on their branches.

It must be said that, from top to bottom, Da Fu was truly beloved by everyone.

On the first floor was a large study filled with books collected over generations, starting from Great-Great-Grandfather James Dalton and amassed through several generations, including Auston’s. It was a treasure trove for book lovers. Pushing open the heavy wooden door, the scent of books greeted them. In the two-story circular space, bookshelves lined the walls, crammed with books from various periods, sorted by content. This area was managed by Bowers’ son, who, having studied library management, knew how to place a newly acquired book in its proper position—a skill that every Dalton family butler had to learn.

After informing young Bowers, Ryan and Dalton continued to view the projection here, assured that they would not be disturbed. Auston offered to set up the projection equipment himself, so Ryan walked over to the bookshelves and began browsing through the books. He raised an eyebrow as he pulled out one book, opened it, and found a familiar handwriting on the title page. This book belonged to Qin Feng Anderson, which, of course, also meant it belonged to Ryan.

“The Making and Decorating of Cute Little Desserts” was a book he read a few years before the Battle of Dawn. At that time, Qin Feng Anderson had already begun to entertain thoughts of resignation. He had occupied the position of President for twenty-five years and was long weary of the restrictive life it entailed. The presidency should be handed over to someone more suitable. The President, though it sounds like a supreme position, is far less comfortable than that of an ordinary government official. There are too many considerations, too many compromises to be made, and each decision ends up being not the optimal solution but a result of bickering, compromise, and balance among various parties. As the President, his role was to maintain balance.

However, Qin Feng was unwilling to accept this. While balancing the interests of various parties, he sought breakthroughs. Resources being tilted towards the monopolistic class was detrimental to the orderly, healthy, and stable development of society. If the weight on one side of the scales continued to increase, the country would collapse on its own even before the Zerg invasion.

The longer one stays in a high position, the more one sees, and the more one feels powerless. Qin Feng Anderson began to entertain thoughts of resignation. He had told Qin Hao more than once that the presidency had hijacked his freedom. But Qin Feng was a man of firm resolve. His fatigue and thoughts of resignation were just momentary complaints. The fact proved that he performed excellently as the President, laying a solid foundation for the empire’s prosperous era.

Closing the book, Ryan placed the book with a cover full of cute little desserts back on the shelf.

“It’s done.”

Ryan said, “I’m coming.”

In the middle of the study was a round, natural wood coffee table, surrounded by a few fabric-covered solid wood chairs. A projection device sat on the coffee table, its red indicator light flashing. A tall, slender figure was projected in front of Ryan and Auston. Seeing his great-great-grandfather again, Auston felt a surge of pride and confusion—pride in his ancestor’s bravery and greatness, and confusion as to why his great-great-grandfather had sealed this recording, waiting for the descendants of the Qin family to discover it.

“Don’t think too much about it. Your great-great-grandfather must have had his reasons for doing this. The James I knew was a truly just person, and his actions were always in line with his conscience.”

Auston nodded and silently took a squeaky chicken out of his pocket.

Ryan: “…”

Auston, embarrassed, said, “Didn’t you say that if someone wants to scream, they should just scream?”

Ryan replied, “Oh, that’s fine.”

“Squawk—squawk—squawk—”

The squeaky chicken let out intermittent sounds as Auston squeezed it.

Ryan held back a laugh, thinking that the old Auston would never have done something like this.

Auston pursed his lips, ignoring Ryan’s suppressed laughter, and focused on his great-great-grandfather, who had already begun his narrative.

With the playback time set, the holographic projection of James Dalton stared ahead, as if looking at the future descendants of the Qin family, or perhaps at his own era. His expression was one of suppressed anger, pain, helplessness, and powerlessness. “Everything is moving in the worst possible direction. Who has benefited the most from this? Haha, it turns out that those who constantly preach justice, equality, and the rule of law are the biggest hypocrites. I… I did the most irrational thing in my life while at home in retirement. I confronted Gustav face-to-face, and he actually laughed and said to me, ‘With Qin Feng gone, our power is secured. Isn’t that good?’ He is brazen and confident. His disguise was too perfect. Without witnesses to testify or direct evidence, I couldn’t bring him down.”

James Dalton, narrating, suddenly clenched his fist, his eyes becoming increasingly deep and dark. “The Gustav family represents the old guard political faction of the empire. The policies that the President pushed for with all his might shook their foundations. They took desperate measures, using such despicable means, disregarding the President’s life, the entire war situation, and the lives of millions of our compatriots in the empire. Madness. These politicians have gone mad, but…”

He gave a bleak smile. “They got what they wanted. The truly mad ones are me, are us.”

Amid the intermittent squawks of the squeaky chicken, Ryan whispered in Auston’s ear, “These old families hoard too many resources. We must pry open their hard shells to extract those things. They already have so much, and just taking out a little bit makes them wail and moan. Tsk tsk.”

He had long been on guard against the backlash from these old families. He placed his cousin in the intelligence department to monitor all kinds of information, stationed Stark in the finance department to guard the treasury, and had Tyrell in charge of security for the entire presidential palace as a bodyguard. Everything seemed foolproof. Who would have expected that they would choose to poison during the war!

Fighting the Zerg was a matter of life and death for humanity. All internal human conflicts should have been set aside. Qin Hao noticed some unusual activities among the families and warned Qin Feng. However, at that time, Qin Feng’s attention was entirely focused on the battlefield. He assumed that those people would care about humanity’s survival as much as he did and would unite in the face of life and death.

The fact proved that he was wrong.

Some families had been in power for so long that they had forgotten that their small groups depended on the survival of all humanity.

The history of humanity’s interstellar journey is a subject that every citizen of the empire must study. The books record that when humans left their home planet and ventured out of the solar system, the first habitable planet they discovered was Guta in the Libra star region. It was there that the primitive interstellar civilization was nurtured and born, giving rise to a large number of outstanding talents. Even now, many people take pride in being descendants of the great figures from that era. The Gustav family is one such family. Having been passed down to this day, the Gustav family is considered the longest-lasting and oldest family. This antiquity not only signifies the fortress-like internal system of the family but also represents the accumulated wealth and resources over generations, which are formidable.

Auston did not squeeze the squeaky chicken. He was very calm and said in a low voice, “Today’s political system somewhat resembles the constitutional monarchy of ancient Earth. The President is merely a figurehead, and the real power lies with the Prime Minister.”

Everyone, being citizens of the empire, knew this. Auston pointed this out specifically to imply that the position of Prime Minister had been controlled by these families for seven hundred years, rarely falling to outsiders. A study of history reveals an interesting fact: when a Prime Minister is not backed by the old families, it is often due to internal conflicts within these families. Such conflicts have become more frequent in recent years, driven by dissatisfaction with the dominance of the Gustav family. The interest group formed by the old families, led by the Gustavs, is not monolithic.

Auston and Ryan exchanged a tacit glance. Revealing the truth of the past was a potential breakthrough they could exploit.

The holographic projection continued its narrative, recounting how, before Tyrell was sent to the execution platform, Qin Hao, Stark¹Here the name mentioned is Gutsav. I thought Stark might be more appropriate and aligned with the plot, and Denise had worked hard to secure a chance for Tyrell to defend himself. They even uncovered much evidence proving that he could not have been the poisoner. However, Tyrell committed suicide before his court defense. During the search of his residence, they found a diary, which would later become the famous “Tyrell’s Betrayal Diary.”

Months after Tyrell’s death, Stark, who had never given up on finding the true poisoner, was discovered to be involved in tax evasion. The evidence was conclusive, and Stark went to prison with a cold smile. He no longer trusted anyone around him, suspecting that behind the concerned faces might lurk venomous snakes.

Qin Hao was inexplicably charged with treason, accused of leaking imperial military intelligence to the Zerg during the Battle of Dawn. Such a ridiculous accusation, yet at that time, people actually believed it.

“I assisted Qin Hao’s family in their escape, and Denise, disheartened by reality, resigned from her government position and turned to medicine and agriculture. I haven’t seen her since recording this video. If you need help now, I suggest you seek out the descendants of Lannister. Denise should have told her children something. Of course, I don’t know how many years have passed since you watched this video. Time flies, and people’s hearts change easily. Don’t reveal your identity until you are sure that the Lannister family is trustworthy. Remember that.”

Ryan furrowed his brow and said, “Tyrell and Denise were once lovers. Given her character, she would likely have left something behind to help her lover clear his name. Perhaps, as your great-great-grandfather said, the Lannister could be our allies.”

“I will try to make contact with them,” Auston replied. “Even if the Lannister family members hold low positions in politics, they should be sufficient for uncovering the truth.” Auston not only wanted to uncover the truth but also to restore his lover’s reputation. The current society was filled with slanders against the Emperor, largely due to the government’s inaction and deliberate neglect. He now understood that only by thoroughly erasing Qin Feng Anderson’s achievements could those vile individuals feel secure.

“We nine—Grove Bromfield had always been dedicated to scientific research and was the best partner for the President when studying mechs. I thought…” The projection pursed its lips, and James Dalton continued, “I thought he would be our ally, but after Qin Hao’s family fled, he eagerly began moving equipment and research materials from the President’s laboratory. I heard him say he finally got what he wanted. I suspect he was either directly involved in the poisoning or an accomplice. As for Li Minghao, I couldn’t discern his true intentions. You’ll have to judge for yourself whether he is friend or foe. I suggest you observe him closely. I’m sorry.”

James Dalton’s gaze was somber as he said, “I’m sorry. I found the masterminds behind the Emperor’s murder but couldn’t bring them to justice. I can’t determine all the participants either. I… I selfishly set all this aside in the turmoil of power shifts and chose to protect myself. I am no different from those murderers. I’m sorry.”

Auston was stunned, and as he listened to his great-great-grandfather’s repeated apologies, he felt a pang in his heart. His hand, still gripping the squeaky chicken, was held by someone else. In their overlapping hands, the repeatedly tortured squeaky chicken let out a pitiful scream of “Ah,” as if it were lamenting its own misery…

Amid the cries of “Ah, ah, ah,” Ryan’s voice gradually emerged. “James made the right choice. Without his maneuvering, Stark would not have been imprisoned for only three years, and Qin Hao’s family would not have been able to escape. Only by preserving himself could he seek the truth. Now, it is fitting that we complete what he could not, and I will reveal the truth of that year to the world.”

A warm current flowed through Auston’s heart, and he nodded slightly. “Yes.”

“James thought he hadn’t done anything, but he was wrong—totally wrong. He clarified the identities of those people for me, giving me a clear view of who to seek and who not to. It’s now obvious.”

“But seven hundred years have passed. Hearts may have changed. Some former enemies might be allies now, while friends from that time may have turned against us.”

“I don’t care. The Bromfield family is definitely not to be trusted.”

Auston was momentarily stunned, then his lips curved into a smile. “Yes.”

Ryan released his grip, and the squeaky chicken emitted gradually weakening cries. He gently caressed Auston’s face. “When investigating the truth of that year, prioritize your own safety.” With Sierra in the Bromfield family, Ryan had immediately placed them on his blacklist without hesitation. Even without Sierra, this former pure scientist was no longer trustworthy. His political acumen and judgment were almost nonexistent, attempting to control the empire’s mechas and meddle in military affairs. Ha, no need for him to take action—death awaited them.

Currently, there are turbulent currents in the upper echelons of the empire, and another power shift is brewing. If Ryan’s guess is correct, the Bromfield family is bound to be eliminated and divided.

“I understand.” Auston knew that he was not alone now; he had a family, and perhaps even children. He would not risk their safety.

After a moment of silence following his apology, the holographic projection seemed to align with their conversation. Once their dialogue had ended, it continued, “I don’t know how long it has been since this recording was restarted—perhaps a hundred years, maybe five hundred, or even longer. If you can find this place, it proves that time has not diluted history; some things still exist. Child, I wish you success in all your endeavors and hope that the day when the truth is revealed to the world comes soon. Farewell.”

The holographic figure vanished, replaced by a photograph of nine spirited young people, who were about to make a dramatic impact on the stage of history.

The last time Ryan saw this photograph was in an album kept by his grandmother. Seeing it again now evoked a sense of nostalgia.

“The person who took the photo was my younger brother. Now, the Anderson line is carried on by my brother’s descendants. He was never someone with great ambition or drive, being rather timid and shy. I couldn’t relate to him well; he was more like a small tail following us around.” Ryan hoped, wished, that his brother was not involved in the events of that time

As the holographic projection ended, the indicator lights on the equipment gradually dimmed, and the entire study fell into darkness. The two people within it lapsed into silence. After a while, Ryan accurately grabbed Auston’s hand.

“Ah!” The squeaky chicken’s agonized cries… Ryan had forgotten that Auston was still holding the squeaky chicken.

Ryan: “…” He felt he might start hearing the squeaky chicken’s cries in his head from now on!

Auston hurriedly threw away the overworked squeaky chicken, which, abandoned, fell onto the carpet with a “Gok! Gok! Gok!” sound before falling completely silent.

The room grew even quieter, but it seemed as though the echoes of the squeaky chicken’s cries still lingered in their ears, with constant “ah, ah, ah” sounds.

• ··

The squeaky chicken, now somewhat deformed from being squeezed, was retired and placed on a shelf in the upstairs bedroom. Auston looked at the antique chicken with concern; if he squeezed it any further, it might be ruined, so it was best to put it away as a keepsake. Auston instinctively lifted his hand and opened his personal terminal browser to a shopping webpage. Before he realized it, he had placed an order for a brand-new squeaky chicken. Purchased online from Capital Star, it would arrive within two hours. In two hours, he would have a new squeaky chicken that could make even more sounds—not just the wailing “ah,” intermittent “gok gok gok,” or leaking “squeak squeak,” but also possibly some new sounds like “li li li…”

Auston: “…” He actually bought this thing! If someone had told him two years ago that he would buy a squeaky chicken, he would have confined that person to isolation.

“Ding ding ding.”

A message alert sounded from his personal terminal, it was Ryan calling him downstairs for lunch. After lunch, he had arranged for Blair to come over. Auston lifted his hand, his fingers twitching slightly. After a moment of hesitation, he lowered his hand to cover his lower abdomen. Could it be that a new life was already growing inside?

What would their child look like?

The child must know how to smile, unlike him who often had a blank expression when he didn’t want to show a forced smile… A baby sucking on a pacifier lying expressionless on the bed while being changed? Auston chuckled at his own imagination, unaware of how gentle his expression had become at that moment.

Ryan took in all of Auston’s expressions. He once again felt grateful for the centuries spent drifting through the black hole, which ultimately led him to meet Auston. 

Ryan had called Auston for lunch, but he couldn’t bear to disturb him. He stood at the doorway, his gaze soft and full of love. Auston, finally noticing Ryan, turned to see him. Ryan’s gaze made Auston’s face flush red, leaving him somewhat at a loss for what to do.

Ryan quickly made his way to Auston and pulled him into a hug.

“Let’s eat.” Auston was held so tightly that he almost couldn’t breathe. Ryan’s excitement had made him a bit too forceful. Auston patted Ryan’s shoulder and said awkwardly, “I’m hungry.”

Beneath Ryan’s gentle and calm exterior lay a domineering nature; his essence was quite complex. When holding his beloved, he wished he could hold him for a thousand years. Forgive an old man who had been single for hundreds of years—it’s hard to control his emotions. However, Ryan’s rationality remained intact. After holding Auston for a while, he reluctantly let go, smacking his lips as if savoring the feeling of the hug. “Come on, let’s go eat. We’re having curry today. I didn’t make it; I taught the chef to do it. Can you believe he didn’t know how to make curry?”

The chef had been employed by the Dalton family for a long time, but their traditional preferences limited his creativity. Over time, his skills became confined to only a few dishes. However, with just a few pointers from Ryan, the master chef quickly grasped the essentials and made a large pot of chicken curry. The chicken came from tender thigh meat, which was deboned and diced along with carrots, potatoes, and onions. The bones were used to make a rich broth to cook the ingredients. Finally, curry blocks were added, and the dish was topped with bright green peas. Everything was perfect.

While the masters of the house dined, the long-serving household staff ate the same curry in a different dining room.

Bowers frowned at the sight of the curry poured over rice. It was too out of character for the Dalton family, who were supposed to have grilled steak with red wine, mushroom soup, and a lettuce salad.

His wife, Laura, handed him a spoon, “Stop daydreaming, stop frowning, and eat!”

Bowers reluctantly took a spoonful of the curry and rice. The rich aroma smoothed the furrow between his brows, and without realizing it, he let go of his prejudice against curry. The stern gentleman nodded, “Hmm, the taste is acceptable.”

Laura shook her head with a smile; her husband was just being stubborn.

The chef sitting across from them was deeply worried. With Ryan’s arrival, he felt his culinary skills were becoming outdated. He needed to keep up with the times. But what did the general like to eat these days?

As the curry meal concluded, everyone had their own thoughts. After a brief rest, they returned to their duties. The chef stayed in the kitchen, actively researching dishes popular with the younger generation. He discovered molecular cuisine, atomic cuisine, and lingering flavor cuisine… but he was sure the general wouldn’t like any of these. He decided it was best to ask Ryan. After all, who knew the general’s tastes better than Ryan?

However, the chef couldn’t find Ryan anywhere. Where was he? Ryan was in the study, immersed in the holographic system. He had logged onto the star network and found himself in a bustling street, with people walking back and forth. This was the capital of the star network, the place with the highest traffic, hosting various arenas, shopping halls, museums, movie premieres, and more, attracting people from all nine star regions of the empire.

Unlike reality, intercontinental travel on the star network required just a few transfers, making it quick and very convenient.

Ryan glanced up at a large café logo hanging overhead—Starbucks. Historical records indicated that during ancient Earth’s time, there was a globally popular coffee shop with a similar name.

The star network provided incredibly realistic human sensations; one couldn’t simply pass through others but had to navigate around them as in reality. Because of this realistic experience, the star network was criticized by some who believed it could lead to addiction and escapism. To address these concerns, the star network had an anti-addiction system. Except for special areas (such as arenas and examination centers), users were logged out every three hours and had to wait half an hour before re-entering.

Skipping the detailed introduction, Ryan navigated through the crowd and entered the doors of Starbucks. The simulated aroma of rich coffee immediately filled his mind. The interior had a brown and green color scheme, with booths and bar seating filled with patrons. Ryan summoned the café’s AI server, a beautiful, uniformed woman with brown hair and blue eyes, radiating an intellectual beauty. “Sir, how may I assist you?” she asked.

“I’d like a private room,” Ryan requested.

“Certainly, sir.”

The café, mimicking reality closely, didn’t instantly transport Ryan to the private room; instead, he walked there on foot. The private room was on the second floor, offering a quiet and comfortable environment. Ryan sent the room number to his contact, ordered a coffee, and waited patiently. Everything on the star network could be consumed, feeling just as real as in reality. The holographic equipment released electrical signals to stimulate the brain, creating sensations identical to actual tasting. Therefore, even pain on the star network felt “real.”

Once the private room was unlocked, only the invited person could enter.

“Knock, knock.”

The door was gently rapped and then pushed open. The person Ryan had been waiting for entered.

Ryan stood up as the door opened, revealing a short, white-haired, wrinkled elder. Just like in the photos he had seen, Master McAryan was a very unassuming old man. His face bore a kind expression, and his eyes were pure, reflecting a person deeply dedicated to scientific research.

The visitor was indeed Gauss McAryan, a national treasure-level scientist of the Empire. His research field was mechas, and he served at the Imperial Mecha Research Institute. Though he had stepped back from the primary administrative role, he remained the spiritual leader for everyone in the institute. He oversaw dozens of research projects, and being part of any of them meant entering the core of the Empire’s research efforts, promising a limitless future. Among these projects, the bio-mecha project, personally overseen by McAryan, was the most critical, attracting only the top talents.

Such a national treasure of a master had donned a disguise to visit the star network’s café, and he took off this disguise solemnly before entering the room, revealing his true self.

“Ryan, hello, it’s been a while.” Master McAryan’s attitude was friendly and approachable, as if meeting an old friend after a long time.

Ryan smiled, “Master McAryan, it’s been a while.”

Master McAryan took a seat across from Ryan, lightly tapped the table menu, and ordered a cappuccino, which materialized on the table. As he ordered, he said, “No need to be so formal, just call me Gauss.”

Ryan raised an eyebrow. Gauss McAryan’s attitude from the moment he entered was one of deliberate closeness, placing them on equal footing. It was clear that the insights Ryan had provided during the secondary exam had greatly inspired McAryan, highlighting McAryan’s true nature as a genuine researcher unconcerned with status. The saying “Among any three people, there is always something I can learn” was not one that everyone could follow, let alone show respect to those they considered their “teachers.”

In that case, Ryan responded without formality, “Gauss.”

Master McAryan’s expression remained unchanged, though internally he was momentarily surprised before accepting it with ease. Talent has its own advantages. “Since our last meeting, I’ve been fully immersed in my research. The points you mentioned were truly remarkable and helped me resolve several issues that had previously stalled. I suddenly understood what the ancients meant by ‘a sudden enlightenment,’ ‘a clear understanding,’ and ‘a revelation.’ Thanks to your insights, several projects that had to be put on hold are now back in progress. In the future, we might very well witness the birth of a new generation of mechas.”

Ryan, a seasoned expert in his field, was now in a position where everyone around him was his junior. Even with two Gauss McAryans combined, they would still be his juniors, given his pioneering role in the mecha field. Hearing McAryan’s words, his eyes narrowed into a smile. “Congratulations. I can’t wait to see the new mechas. I wonder if, after successful testing, they will be quickly mass-produced and deployed in the military.”

“Nowadays, mass-producing mechas is a difficult task,” McAryan said with a wry smile. “Technically, light production is feasible, but power struggles prevent it. Even in the sacred realm of academic research, it’s no longer a pure land. No, I’ve become obsessed. Where there are people, there are conflicts. There’s never been a pure land, only the effort to keep it clean.”

“Hopefully, one day, the production of mechas will be unrestricted and contribute fully to human development,” Ryan said, equally wistful. His intention in creating mechas was to benefit humanity, but centuries later, they had become tools for some to seize power.

“I’ll do my best,” McAryan said with a smile, still full of hope and anticipation. He then shifted to the main purpose of his visit. He had many questions to discuss with Ryan, having found that this young man was unlike anyone he had ever met—intelligent, perceptive, and able to grasp concepts with just a hint, as if his mind held all the secrets of mechas. McAryan had investigated Ryan and found his background to be very clean: the son of a farmer, an outstanding student, starting in the military first working in the kitchen and later transferred to the Xingtian ship, with a surprising partner— the Empire’s youngest general.

McAryan’s investigative privileges were indeed extensive, allowing him to uncover even the smallest secrets. However, he was unaware that his initial inquiries had already alerted Auston. After discussing it with Ryan, they decided not to pursue the matter further. As Ryan sat before McAryan with calm and composure, his enigmatic nature only deepened. The truth was, Ryan’s secrets were profound and unfathomable.

Qin Feng Anderson, known as the father of mechas, was an undeniable fact, regardless of any attempts to obscure it. His time drifting through the black hole had significantly deepened his understanding of the field, both in depth and breadth. However, theoretical considerations always diverge somewhat from reality. Today, as Ryan guided McAryan, McAryan was also providing Ryan with inspiration. Their relationship was mutually beneficial, with Ryan predominantly in the role of guiding and leading.

McAryan had specific goals for his visit. Firstly, he wanted to explore the core area of bio-mechas. Secondly, he saw this as a springboard for faster and higher advancement. He was no longer satisfied with his current state; he wanted to become a solid support for Auston.

Being a reliable support wasn’t just about having a strong arm; it also required substantial strength, status, and other forms of support.

Ryan seemed to rekindle the passion he had felt back when he was in the military, thwarted by various obstacles, and, in frustration, had turned to politics, climbing ever higher. Although later he learned that even becoming the president didn’t shield one from setbacks, those feelings of frustration and anger were replaced now by a fervent drive and desire, a completely different sentiment.

As top figures in their field, their discussion was profoundly technical—seven out of ten would struggle to understand, and of the remaining three, two couldn’t keep up with the pace, leaving only one who might follow but couldn’t fully grasp the details. Their conversation went on for an hour and a half, with personal terminals buzzing to remind them they had been online for ninety minutes. They paused briefly, still deeply engaged by the theoretical ideas swirling in their minds, feeling they could go on indefinitely.

“It’s exhilarating, refreshing. It’s been a long time since I felt this way,” McAryan remarked, his gaze towards Ryan now free of any doubts or skepticism, entirely captivated by Ryan’s personal charisma. “Ryan, you’re the most accomplished young person I’ve ever seen in the field of mechas. You’re still young, and your future will surely surpass mine.”

Ryan replied, “Gauss, your vast knowledge is equally impressive.” McAryan, at just 308 years old, already had such profound ideas and achievements, matching Ryan’s own level of intellectual brilliance, despite Ryan’s centuries of accumulated experience.

After a brief intermission, Gauss McAryan took the lead in the conversation. “Earlier, you mentioned potential alternatives to diodes. I’m not quite clear on that…”

Ryan explained, “It’s like this…”

The discussion was too complex to detail here.

While Ryan engaged in an intense intellectual exchange on the star network, Auston welcomed his guest—his friend Blair. Blair, a native of the capital star and not residing in Eva City, had traveled from a city a couple of hours away. After catching up with each other, Blair, as the chief medical officer of the Xingtian ship, took responsibility for the captain’s health. He produced a pregnancy test strip and collected some of Auston’s bodily fluids for testing.

The line on the test strip was faint. Blair, with his hands in his pockets, looked at Auston and said, “Sometimes, the results on a pregnancy test strip aren’t very clear. We should draw some blood. We’ll have results in thirty minutes.”

Despite his usual calm demeanor, Auston stared at the barely visible line on the test strip with his heart pounding furiously. He could hardly speak, fearing that his racing heart might leap out of his throat.

He extended his arm, signaling Blair to proceed with the blood draw.