Humans and bioroids.
It wasn’t strange that Li Feng suddenly wanted to talk about this topic.
As the actual leader of Yun City, at least on the surface, Li Feng was someone who unconditionally trusted bioroids. He had thought deeply about the relationship between humans and bioroids. From the moment he decided to activate Xing Bi, in a city where “bioroids are a myth” and their existence was forbidden, he had already made the choice to trust.
There were certainly better times to talk to Xing Bi about this topic, but he chose now.
Even someone as slow as Qiu Shi understood why.
That display of ability from Xing Bi—beyond anything they had imagined—probably made Li Feng feel threatened.
“Just the two of us,” Li Feng said, looking at Xing Bi.
“There’s not much I can hide from Qiu Shi,” Xing Bi replied. “Whatever I say will likely reach him anyway.”
“I know,” Li Feng said as he turned and walked toward Director Wu’s office. “But some things might be more suitable for him to hear from you than from me.”
“Just say I might not understand you and might slow down the conversation,” Qiu Shi added, “so he has to add footnotes and explain it to me.”
Li Feng chuckled and glanced back at him. “That’s not what I meant. You’re a lot smarter than you think.”
“Alright then.” Qiu Shi didn’t argue. He pulled up a chair and sat down.
“If you’re going to smoke, do it outside,” Li Feng said as he stepped into the conference room. “Don’t smoke in here. Old Wu would blow a gasket, and that won’t do us any good.”
“Sure,” Qiu Shi replied.
He didn’t actually want to smoke, but he also didn’t want to stay in the lab. Ever since the first time he stepped into this place, his previously calm—if somewhat hopeless—life had been completely disrupted. To him, this lab represented unpredictable accidents and unknowns.
No surprises here—just helplessness and fear.
The hallway outside was quiet. The security personnel stayed hidden. Some were from the City Defense Bureau, others were bioroids.
Qiu Shi sat on a chair across from a trash bin, leaned his head against the wall, and closed his eyes.
Barely two minutes had passed when footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor.
Qiu Shi tilted his head and glanced over. It was Chen Dang.
“Why are you here?” Chen Dang greeted him naturally.
“Just getting some air,” Qiu Shi replied.
“This is underground. Not much air to get,” Chen Dang said.
“You and Li Feng aren’t supposed to be working separately?” Qiu Shi asked.
“Hm?” Chen Dang glanced toward the lab. “No, I’m not here to see Li Feng. I came to check on Zheng Ting.”
“You won’t see him now,” Qiu Shi said.
“Xing Bi already met him?” Chen Dang asked.
“Yeah,” Qiu Shi replied.
Chen Dang said nothing and sat down across from him.
“You might want to sit somewhere else,” Qiu Shi said. “Seeing you reminds me of a lot of unpleasant things.”
Still silent, Chen Dang got up and walked away.
One had to admit, bioroids had far more stable emotions than humans. Qiu Shi could even sense the calm aura still lingering on Chen Dang, even after being driven off so bluntly.
“Qu Shen found a biography,” Li Feng said as he sat behind Director Wu’s desk and pulled out a few pages from a folder. “We could’ve just used a digital file, but I still feel that for things from that era, reading on paper hits differently.”
“Whose biography?” Xing Bi asked, reclining on the sofa.
“Professor Song Lan,” Li Feng answered.
Xing Bi’s gaze, which had been resting on the floor, shifted toward him.
“Professor Song was your teacher, right?” Li Feng looked at the papers in his hand. “An anthropologist. A very respectable old gentleman.”
Xing Bi said nothing, just stared at him.
“The education and guidance you received,” Li Feng sighed lightly, “far surpasses anything we’ve had.”
“What are you trying to say?” Xing Bi asked.
“I’m saying,” Li Feng said, putting down the papers and looking up at him, “I’m very fortunate that it was Professor Song who mentored you. It means your understanding of humans is more comprehensive, more profound.”
Xing Bi got up, walked to the desk, picked up the document, and sat back down on the sofa. He flipped through the pages seriously.
“Whether it’s how humans see bioroids or how bioroids see humans,” Li Feng leaned back in his chair and lit a cigarette, “most perspectives are rooted in the present—their current experience, current circumstances, current emotions. I’m no exception.”
“I don’t have any preconceptions about humans,” Xing Bi said. “So I don’t expect them to live up to any ideal in my head.”
“But humans have preconceptions about bioroids,” Li Feng said. “They must always be ‘friends.’”
“Right,” Xing Bi said as he turned a page. “Which is why I’m considered uncontrollable.”
“How do you gauge that? The so-called controllable versus uncontrollable?” Li Feng asked.
“Director Li, there’s no need for us to beat around the bush,” Xing Bi said as he closed the file and placed it back on the desk. “Let’s speak plainly. My judgment of humans isn’t based solely on Qiu Shi. For a long time, I’ve lived outside the human world. I’ve had countless samples. I’ve met many different kinds of people. I’ve had plenty of time to think.”
“Professor Song taught you how to think,” Li Feng said, gently rocking in his chair.
“Yes,” Xing Bi replied. “But I admit, Qiu Shi is indeed a significant reference point.”
Li Feng said nothing, only raised an eyebrow.
“My teacher, and Qiu Shi,” Xing Bi continued, “to me, they’re not just important people—they’re like rare seashells that surprise you on an otherwise ordinary beach.”
“And others?” Li Feng asked. “Like me?”
“You?” Xing Bi looked at him and thought for a moment. “I don’t know. You’re clear-headed. You feel emotions like love and hate, but not too intensely. For now, you’re someone I can trust.”
“Thank you,” Li Feng said.
“There are humans I’ll be disappointed in, disgusted with—even hate,” Xing Bi said. “And I can’t promise I’ll always hold to the oath I once made.”
“I figured,” Li Feng said.
“But from a higher perspective, I look for things worth believing in,” Xing Bi said.
“Professor Song’s words?” Li Feng asked.
“Mm.” Xing Bi nodded.
Li Feng stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and walked to lean against the desk.
“Xing Bi, you know that bioroids have an absolute advantage over humans,” he said. “That was the root of the original collapse. Sometimes, maintaining balance is harder than destruction.”
“What are you thinking?” Xing Bi asked. “If we deal with 249 this time, humans and bioroids will once again face the challenge of how to achieve true balanced coexistence, right?”
“I can’t look that far ahead,” Li Feng said. “I didn’t get much education. Haven’t read many books. The only reason I got this far and am still standing here is because I wanted to live a peaceful life—not die a meaningless death.”
Xing Bi looked at him.
“Blind trust is hard,” Li Feng continued. “I can trust you and Qiu Shi unconditionally. I can trust Lin Sheng and the others. But I can’t trust all bioroids.”
“Humans and bioroids need a trust anchor,” Xing Bi said. “You want to shape Qiu Shi and Team Two into heroes—and the bioroid team into their strongest support—to symbolize equality and friendship. That’s what this is all about, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Li Feng smiled. “Which is why I needed to talk to you.”
“I don’t have any objections to that part,” Xing Bi said. “What else?”
“249 and the technologies he represents—no matter what they are or how advanced—must be destroyed,” Li Feng said. “As long as they exist, they are a threat.”
“Understood,” Xing Bi said.
“Humans won’t create more bioroids,” Li Feng said. “Nor will they conduct any further research on them. Humans will still need bioroids’ help, but in return, they’ll provide access to all regular diagnostics and repairs. The injuries Zheng Ting sustained—the ones you gave him in two battles—were beyond self-repair and were never treated. Yun City has the most advanced equipment that could be taken.”
“Yes,” Xing Bi said.
“Humans and bioroids are independent. Our relationship is one of cooperation and mutual support,” Li Feng said.
“But,” Xing Bi said bluntly, “Zheng Ting’s case also proves that even without human medical intervention, bioroids can survive. The human need for bioroids far exceeds the reverse.”
“That’s the key,” Li Feng said. “Even without a need, we have to create one.”
“Hm?” Xing Bi tilted his head slightly.
“First, symbiotic existence is not a fair or free way to live. bioroids are independent individuals, not vessels for anyone’s thoughts—human or otherwise. Reject the symbiotic state. Embrace a free life,” Li Feng said.
Xing Bi glanced at him. “And second?”
“Find 249 and eliminate him. That’s it,” Li Feng said. “Yun City will always be a friend to bioroids. Once this is all over, every activated bioroid can freely choose to stay or leave. We’ll provide whatever supplies are needed.”
Li Feng poured water into his cup and took a sip.
“How long do you think this kind of balance can last?” Xing Bi asked.
“Before the great war, it lasted more than a hundred years, didn’t it?” Li Feng said. “That’s enough. I won’t live another hundred years. As for the future, as long as humans don’t create more bioroids…”
“We’ll eventually disappear,” Xing Bi said.
“Yeah,” Li Feng looked at him. “Someday, maybe there’ll be other experiences—but I won’t be around to see them.”
Xing Bi remained silent.
“Also, I need you to select a group of bioroid managers,” Li Feng said. “Not including yourself. You won’t participate in management.”
Xing Bi looked at him.
“In the eyes of both bioroids and many humans, you have absolute authority. But your relationship with Qiu Shi makes your position seem less impartial,” Li Feng explained. “You know what I mean?”
“Yes,” Xing Bi said. “And I agree.”
“For the same reason, once the war is over, Qiu Shi will hold no position either,” Li Feng said. “I have my own reasons for that.”
“Let’s hear them,” Xing Bi said.
“I want you both, as that trust anchor, to always maintain your original beliefs,” Li Feng said. “Managers can change. The deeper they get pulled in, the harder it is to stay clean. Eventually, they all become bureaucratic dogs.”
“You’ve done a good job so far,” Xing Bi said.
“Maybe that’s because I haven’t stood up here long enough or high enough,” Li Feng said. “But if one day I change, or Yun City changes, or the bioroids change—I still hope you’ll be the… enforcers.”
When Xing Bi left the conference room, Qiu Shi was playing Chinese checkers with Director Wu.
“They’re done,” Director Wu immediately stood up.
“Let’s finish the game,” Qiu Shi said.
“You win,” Director Wu replied.
“Who said I needed you to let me win?” Qiu Shi shot back.
Xing Bi walked up and examined the board, then moved the pieces alternately for both sides. In no time, Qiu Shi’s side had cleared the board.
“You won,” Xing Bi said.
“Looks like it,” Qiu Shi said, stretching. “Finally, a win.”
“You never won even once?” Xing Bi glanced at him.
“Nope.” Qiu Shi looked at him too. “What about it?”
“Nothing.” Xing Bi smiled.
“He starts cursing whenever he loses,” said Director Wu.
“I can’t afford to lose,” Qiu Shi said. “The fact that I haven’t hit anyone is already a sign of my respect for science.”
“Didn’t I tell you all to come to the lab later?” Li Feng also walked out of Director Wu’s office.
“You’re occupying my office,” Director Wu said. “Where else could I go?”
“You can have it back now,” Li Feng said.
“Qu Shen is on his way. He’s compiled all the information we could find and made a map,” Director Wu said. “If we can’t get any leads from Zheng Ting, we can try this map.”
“Right now?” Li Feng was heading toward the lab entrance but stopped when he heard that.
“You planning on sleeping?” Director Wu said. “Hang in there a bit longer.”
“Why would I sleep during working hours?” Li Feng walked back in. “I’m heading to the bureau. I don’t work for the exhibition center.”
“Oh, so you do know that!” Director Wu said.
“By the way—Wang Hong and Zhang Tan,” Li Feng looked at him. “We need to do a detailed evaluation on them. Until we get the results, keep them in the storage facility.”
“The bioroids in storage are almost all deployed already,” Director Wu said. “There’s nothing left for them to do there.”
“Then put them in the hibernation pods!” Li Feng said. “Use your brain. You think I sent them to the warehouse for work?”
Director Wu sighed and sat in a nearby chair.
Qu Shen arrived at the meeting room with the map. When it was projected onto the wall, it looked complex—or maybe not complex, just big. Qiu Shi, used to seeing the Yun City map and the mission system maps, felt a little dizzy looking at it.
“These are a few hives and camps, as well as severely infected areas,” Qu Shen pointed at the map. “Some of the farther-off locations came from the Blackbloods of Donglin Town and Deng Yeye’s faction. Their roaming territory is vast, so it’s not very accurate—just rough locations.”
“That’s good enough,” Xing Bi said.
“Yeah,” Qu Shen nodded. “Combining all that, I’ve found two possible cable routes. But since some sections go out of range, we can’t confirm where they lead. We’ll have to follow them to find out.”
“It’ll be dangerous,” Chen Dang said. “If it’s the 249 route, it’ll be easy to alert him. And he’ll be able to track anyone looking for him right away.”
“We can try it,” Xing Bi looked at the map. “It’s our only option.”
“Let’s finalize the team first,” Li Feng said. “Xing Bi, make a list for me—personnel and equipment. Be ready. If we don’t get any feedback from Zheng Ting by tomorrow, we’re heading out.”
“Isn’t that a little rushed?” Director Wu asked.
“The symbiont’s timeline is even tighter,” Li Feng said. “It’s been a while since we brought Zheng Ting back. Whatever they’re planning is already in motion.”
“Mm.” Director Wu nodded.
“This trip will be long and far. We don’t know what we’ll run into out there,” Li Feng said. “Everyone, use your brains and think about what to prepare.”
Xing Bi handed a sheet of paper to Li Feng.
“What’s this?” Li Feng took it.
“The list,” Xing Bi said.
“…This fast?” Li Feng glanced at the sheet. “I doubt Qiu Shi could even copy these words properly.”
“Then let me give it to you later,” Qiu Shi said.
Li Feng chuckled.
Even though the mission to find 249 was huge, everything was conducted in secret. Li Feng’s commitment to getting things done—sleepless or not—was crucial.
Tasks were divided up quickly. Everyone had a job, and off they went.
Xing Bi and Qiu Shi didn’t have much to do beyond finalizing the team.
Ji Sui and Sang Fan were in, along with a few newly activated first-level bioroids and a small vehicle unit. In addition to weapons, they also carried communications equipment, demolition tools, and excavation gear.
The two of them stayed in the lab’s meeting room. If Zheng Ting reacted, they’d be able to respond right away.
“Can we treat this like a trip?” Qiu Shi asked.
“Sure. None of us have been to these places before,” Xing Bi said. “Post-apocalyptic road trip.”
Qiu Shi laughed.
“Why didn’t you ask me?” Xing Bi looked at him.
“Ask you what?” Qiu Shi said. “Did Li Feng talk to you?”
“Yeah,” Xing Bi nodded. “I thought you’d ask the moment we stepped out.”
“So even you can misread things, huh, Grandpa?” Qiu Shi said.
“Humans are complex creatures, after all,” Xing Bi said.
“I think I can guess what he talked to you about,” Qiu Shi said. “You scare him. bioroids are too powerful. Once they’re no longer restrained by humans, how do you maintain the balance? Something like that, right?”
“Li Feng’s not wrong. You’re smarter than you think,” Xing Bi said.
“But I don’t really care about all that,” Qiu Shi said. “It’s too tiring to think about. If something comes up, I’ll deal with it. If nothing’s happening, I rest. If someone hits me, I hit them back. That’s it.”
Xing Bi smiled and didn’t say anything.
“What? That’s as far as the education in the outer city got me,” Qiu Shi said.
“It’s good,” Xing Bi said. “Really.”
The bioroids assigned to the mission arrived in the meeting room. Since they might depart at any moment, no one went back to their quarters.
Eight people sat in the room: seven bioroids and one human.
But it was incredibly quiet.
Everyone just sat there silently, without moving or talking.
“They…” Qiu Shi looked at Xing Bi.
“Why aren’t they talking?” Xing Bi asked.
“…Yeah.” Qiu Shi nodded.
“Why don’t you start?” Sang Fan said.
“Don’t you guys normally talk? Why do I need to start?” Qiu Shi asked.
“When there’s no topic, we just don’t speak,” Ji Sui said. “We don’t mind awkward silences.”
“We can talk about this trip,” Qiu Shi said.
“Trip?” Ji Sui gave him a look.
“Sure, let’s call it that. I’ve never been anywhere farther than Xima Town,” Sang Fan said.
Qiu Shi was about to speak when Director Wu’s voice came over the speaker: “Xing Bi, come take a look.”
Xing Bi was already up and out the door by the time the sentence ended.
Inside the experimental chamber, the casing that Xing Bi had sealed showed some changes. In a few spots, the black covering had disappeared, revealing the transparent layer underneath.
“I’ll go in and take a look,” Xing Bi said.
“Want anyone with you?” Director Wu glanced at the bioroids behind him. “I need to report to Director Li.”
“I’ll go in alone,” Xing Bi said. “You make your report.”
Before entering the chamber, Xing Bi turned back to look at Qiu Shi.
Qiu Shi looked back.
“It’s okay,” Xing Bi said, then pushed the door open and went in.
The lights inside were off. The lighting irritated Zheng Ting, so Director Wu had only left a faint light strip at the bottom.
Xing Bi walked up to the casing and looked inside.
Zheng Ting’s face was right up against the glass, staring at him.
“Do you need anything?” Xing Bi asked. “Supplements? Anything else?”
“P-painkiller,” Zheng Ting’s shattered voice came out with difficulty.
“Can’t you suppress it?” Xing Bi frowned and signaled toward the surveillance.
Outside, Director Wu quickly operated the control panel. Gas began spraying from above the casing.
“Symbiosis will destroy the system,” Zheng Ting said.
“Can it be repaired?” Xing Bi asked. “We have plenty of equipment in the lab.”
Zheng Ting stared at him without replying.
Xing Bi didn’t press further.
“Free from… restraint,” Zheng Ting said. “Are you sure your choice is the right one?”
“It has to be right,” Xing Bi said. “And I’ll make sure it stays right.”
Zheng Ting slowly leaned closer to the glass. You could see the fungi on his body losing vitality—just like the dying trees inside destroyed hives.
“Water,” Zheng Ting said. “He’s in… water.”
“The sea? Or a river?” Xing Bi asked. “Is there a bridge?”
“He can’t see,” Zheng Ting said.
“Zheng Ting,” Xing Bi pressed closer to the casing, “keep going.”
“Cliff… waves,” Zheng Ting struggled to say. “Darkness. No bridge.”
“Undersea tunnel,” Ji Sui said. “Sea cliffs.”
“Here,” Director Wu pointed at the map. “This whole stretch fits. But the tunnel—where exactly is it?”
“We can follow along here,” Qiu Shi said. “It’s not that far.”
“Captain Qiu,” Director Wu looked at him, “this isn’t the Yun City map. Look—Yun City’s here…”
He gestured at the size of Yun City, then moved his hand toward the coastline: “See this? How long do you think that is?”
Qiu Shi stared for a while. “Damn.”
The chamber door opened. Xing Bi stepped out.
“How’s Zheng Ting?” Ji Sui asked.
“He’s not talking anymore,” Xing Bi said to Director Wu. “Put him into hibernation. See if we can repair his systems.”
“It’s not guaranteed,” Director Wu understood his meaning. “But it might at least reduce his pain.”
“Don’t do anything unnecessary,” Xing Bi said.
“I know,” Director Wu frowned. “I don’t want to end up guarding an empty warehouse.”
“Lock Wang Hong and the others in there—you’ll have someone to guard,” Qiu Shi said.
Director Wu looked at him. “Don’t learn from Li Feng!”
“Why not?” Li Feng walked in, glanced at the monitors. “Any results?”
“We’re preparing to depart,” Xing Bi said.
