Chapter 274 Farewell and Beginning
Due to the confidentiality rules of the Merit Book, Xiao Qingcheng did not write down the specific contents verbatim, but only hinted at the contents and her speculation in a more obscure way. Rong Yuan read it twice before he gradually came to his senses.
This new rule is more of a hint than a rule, and only a small part of it is displayed.
In Xiao Qingcheng's records, this rule hinted at the origin of the "Book of Merit". If the contractor could follow the hint and continue to pursue it, he might eventually discover its essence and truly become the controller of the "Book of Merit", rather than just being restricted and constrained by the "Book of Merit".
In the past, there have been cases in the Merit Book where when the content of a rule involved a complicated situation, it would not be displayed all at once, but would appear one by one according to the triggering conditions of the contractor. This rule is also the same. The first hint is actually very vague. Xiao Qingcheng speculates that when the merit reaches 10 million, 100 million, 1 billion or more, the remaining more specific and clear hints will also appear one by one, and will eventually lead the contractor to the origin of the Merit Book, making the Merit Book a part of the contractor and a prop in his or her hands. The merits obtained by punishing evil and promoting good are no longer just numbers, but will become the power of the contractor itself.
In other words, it is to use the "Book of Merits" as a sacred artifact to become a god!
At the same time, she also guessed that if the contractor chose the path of thorough punishment of evil and completely stopped doing good, there would be similar suggestive rules in the "Book of Merit", but this rule would lead the contractor to a completely different path - that is, to give up pursuing the essence of the "Book of Merit", but to find a way to destroy the "Book of Merit", and from then on completely break away from the constraints of the "Book of Merit", and no longer harm themselves because of negative merits or termination of the contract. They would have powerful power, but would not be bound by any constraints. Doing good or doing evil was all in their mind.
This is the way of the devil.
However, the latter was just Xiao Qingcheng's guess. She used many uncertain words, showing that she actually had a lot of doubts and confusion in her heart when she wrote this text.
Rong Yuan didn't know if Xiao Qingcheng had thought about going down this path at the time until he found the source of all the secrets. The records on the back of the notebook were very scattered and chaotic. He half-guessed and half-guessed, and pieced together an outline of what happened that year.
In order to stop the massacre, Xiao Qingcheng used a lot of black technology in the Merit Mall. There were too many people involved to block the news. After the news spread, the rumors became more and more outrageous. Although people at that time had limited information and a monotonous life, their imaginations were no less than those of modern people a hundred years later. The people were ignorant, and the more absurd the rumors were, the happier they were to spread them. In fact, the lower their trust in the rumors was in their hearts. People with insight would not believe such legends, but used various clever mechanisms and strategies to explain the matter.
But the people who were closer to Xiao Xiao and the smarter they were, the more they realized that when she decided to go to the negotiations alone, she actually had no backup or help at all. They also understood what kind of magical power she had demonstrated in this matter.
Therefore, not long after that incident, Xiao Qingcheng was betrayed by the person she loved and the person she trusted the most. Almost all of her confidants were slaughtered, and the few remaining Xiao family branches all died. Some people in the Tang Army, who had always regarded her as a partner, also began to pay attention to her. She was seriously injured and on the verge of death without any preparation. It is unknown what kind of psychological journey the girl went through during this period. But before that, although Xiao Qingcheng had also experienced war and death, she did not actually suffer much because of the "Book of Merits", so she always kept the most glorious side of human nature and deep trust in her heart; after that, she turned into a vengeful Shura and secretly killed all those who hurt her loved ones, and at the same time reserved her support for the war, and focused all her energy on developing a fully simulated intelligent robot and preparing a retreat for herself.
Because of revenge, Xiao Qingcheng lost the qualification to continue to receive subsequent hints, and she herself did not seem to have the desire to explore further. Therefore, after the revenge, she sealed the "Merit Record Notebook" in this metal box, perhaps still hoping to give some hints to future generations, but at that time, she might have had the idea of destroying the "Merit Book" in her heart - from her contradictory behavior of keeping this notebook but sealing it so tightly, it is not difficult to see the conflicting thoughts.
After that, Xiao Qingcheng seemed to have never recorded a single word about the "Book of Merits". Therefore, Rong Yuan knew more about her when she started to contact him under the pseudonym Xiao Xiao. However, at that time, because of the unequal amount of information, his own experience and ability were also relatively shallow, so he could not see Xiao Xiao clearly. The hostility and vigilance in their hearts made them never have a truly trusting and intimate contact. He didn't even know Xiao Xiao's real name, so naturally it was impossible for him to understand more secret information.
Rong Yuan flipped open one of the pages of the notebook, and it was filled with a picture drawn by Xiao Qingcheng. The shape seemed to be the mythical beast Bai Ze, but she drew the body of the mythical beast very strangely, the goat horns on its head became strangely shaped deer horns, and added some weird patterns, and a pair of huge wings that did not exist in myths and legends on its back, and finally drew the mythical beast into a four-legged beast. But from the extremely serious brushstrokes, it seemed that this picture was not drawn casually by her, but she had to do so in order to achieve a certain accurate description.
This painting is the "hint rule" left by Xiaoxiao.
Rong Yuan believed that the original rules should be much simpler and more straightforward than this, but due to the confidentiality principle and the restrictions of this special rule, she couldn't even write it down in vague words, and could only draw such a weird pattern. Compared with Xiao Qingcheng's original hint, Rong Yuan got a more obscure hint, and he couldn't get the follow-up content of the rule. But it is undeniable that after reading these words, his heart was already stirring, and he couldn't wait to embark on the journey of finding the answer.
…
After flipping through the book for a while, Fat Cat almost fell asleep because of the dense text. He rolled his eyes, put down the book, tiptoed to Jin Yang, rubbed his hands and asked: "Brother Jin Yang, Brother Xiao Yuan has been up there for most of the day and there is no news. Do you think... should we go up and take a look?"
Rong Jing, who was not far away, had been waiting anxiously for a long time. He immediately pricked up his ears and looked over eagerly.
Jin Yang had just found a picture album for Jin Ying to look at, and was telling him the historical stories described in the album. Hearing this, he smiled helplessly and was about to speak when he suddenly saw Jin Ying in his arms look up at the stairs. His eyes were so focused that he seemed to have forgotten the existence of his father.
There were soft footsteps. Jin Yang picked up his son, stood up and turned around, only to see Rong Yuan coming down from upstairs. He seemed to be no different from before, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he dropped a big bomb.
"I'm leaving now, let's say goodbye."
Everyone was shocked, and Rong Jing blurted out: "Go? Where are you going, brother?"
"So hasty?" Jin Yang frowned and said, "Tingting has cooked at home, and my parents, Zhou Yuan, and former classmates and friends... don't you want to see them again?" While speaking, he felt that this reason was pale and powerless - Rong Yuan had never been a person who cared about any farewell ceremony.
Rong Yuan shook his head gently and said, "It's not necessary. All the things that need to be done have been done. It doesn't make any difference if it's two days later or two days earlier. It's better to leave now."
Parting is always painful, but a short pain is worse than a long one. Moreover, every minute and every second he stays on earth is like a bomb that can explode at any time. Instead of staying here in fear, it is better to leave as soon as possible.
"Why do I feel that what you are saying is so off-putting?" Fat Cat blinked his eyes and said, "It sounds like Brother Xiaoyuan will never come back after he leaves."
"Brother..." Rong Jing looked at Rong Yuan pleadingly, but didn't know how to keep him.
Rong Yuan hesitated for a moment, reached out and rubbed Rong Jing's head, then turned to Jin Yang and said, "This child is good. I won't have the chance in the future, so you can take care of him for me." When they spoke to each other, they no longer used a tone of request.
"You don't have to tell me, I have always regarded Yuanyuan as my younger brother." Jin Yang sighed.
Rong Jing beside her suddenly burst into tears.
Rong Yuan then said to the special agents who followed him in, "This library will be left to Shao Baoer from now on. The relevant documents are in the institute. I have already signed them. Zhou Yuan will deliver them to you later."
He only took the notebook with him. The other precious books, which might be priceless in the eyes of the world, were of no significance to him.
The two special agents looked at each other. They were only responsible for protecting Rong Yuan, but had no power to interfere with his choice. They could only nod and say, "Yes!" Then one of them walked to the side and reported the situation to his superior with sweat on his forehead.
After receiving the message, Jin Nan just nodded and said, "Got it." He sent the confused reporter away without any instructions. He walked to the window, overlooking City B shrouded in fog, his eyes heavy.
Rong Yuan had already discussed the matter of leaving with him. Jin Nan, who had vaguely guessed Rong Yuan's destination, knew that he could not stop that person.
In the institute, Zhou Yuan, who knew the news earlier than anyone else, lay on the table and cried loudly, feeling that all the strength in her body had been drained. She cried so sadly and desperately, revealing a kind of pain as if her soul was torn apart, so that none of her colleagues and friends dared to come forward to ask why.
Rong Yuan finally said to Jin Yang: "Noah will go with me, and I will no longer interfere in the management of Skynet. Fortunately, the framework has been set up and the basic rules and regulations have been improved. In the future, it should be able to operate independently. However, without supervision, some illegal phenomena will definitely occur."
This was the first time that Rong Yuan publicly acknowledged his relationship with Skynet. Even though Rong Jing and the others had guessed it long ago, they still felt like they had heard a huge secret and wished they had eight pairs of ears.
Rong Yuan glanced at the two of them, and they immediately turned their heads away in fear. Then Rong Yuan said, "Jin Nan promised to help me look after him, but he is too busy, and I don't trust others. If you have time, please take care of him for me. In the future..."
He looked down at Xiao Jinyun, who had been obediently silent but quietly listening. There was a hint of thoughtfulness in his expression that was inconsistent with his age. It was obvious that he not only understood, but also had his own ideas.
On the plane, Rong Yuan saw Jin Ying's expression. He hesitated for a moment, but finally decided to trust his feelings and said to Jin Yang, "When Xiao Ying grows up, you might as well hand over Skynet to him."
"Xiaoying?" Jin Yang was stunned. "He is still too young..."
"Just because he's small now doesn't mean he'll always be small in the future." Rong Yuan shook his head and said, "Who can say for sure what will happen in the future? If he doesn't want to in the future, just pretend I never said anything!"
He said it as if Skynet was a burden, but the people around him knew what his entrustment meant. Skynet not only represents a responsibility and selfless help, although it is not a completely non-profit organization, but the huge network of interpersonal relationships, the public opinion of countless people around the world, and the inestimable information channels it has woven are what countless people are willing to spend their fortunes to obtain, but Rong Yuan put it in the hands of a five-year-old child so easily.
Bombs hit their heads one after another, almost making everyone lose the ability to react. Rong Yuan thought about it and realized that he had already said everything he wanted to say. If there was anything he had missed... He would not . After completing the current planned journey, he would definitely come back to take a look in ten or twenty years. It would be the same to talk about it then.
So he waved his hand and said, "That's it, I'm leaving, don't follow me anymore."
"Xiao Yuan!"
Just as he took two steps, he heard Jin Yang's somewhat uncontrolled shouting from behind. Rong Yuan turned around and saw Jin Yang put Jin Yun down, walked over to him and hugged him tightly, and said in his slightly trembling voice in his ear: "Live well, don't die! Don't forget that you still have a brother like me on Earth."
Rong Yuan was distracted for a moment. Jin Yang's birthday was only one month and one day older than his. When they were young, he often claimed to be his brother for this reason. The two had argued about this several times, but they hadn't heard it again for a long time after they became adults.
Now it sounds like a promise that "I will protect you".
Rong Yuan hugged back, then let go. Seeing Jin Yang reaching out to take off the jade leaf hanging around his neck, he shook his head to stop him, saying, "No, keep it and give it to Xiao Ying in the future." Anyway, the protection of the Merit Jade Leaf has a joint effect, no matter who wears it, it will protect their family.
Jin Yang was stunned, looked at Jin Yun who he had put down, and did not insist any more.
"...Take care." Rong Yuan was silent for a while, then turned and left.
"Brother!" Seeing Rong Yuan opening the door of the library, the sunlight shone in from outside, and the figure standing at the door seemed to almost melt in the light. Rong Jing suddenly had a premonition that he would never see him again, and shouted in panic: "Where are you going? Can't you take me with you?"
"Mirror!" Fat Cat shouted in horror.
Rong Jing didn't know why he suddenly said such a thing. He was stunned, but after he came to his senses, he didn't regret it in his heart. Instead, he felt relieved.
But Rong Yuan, who walked to the door, just paused for a moment, then waved his hand and left without any response.
The moment the door closed, Jin Yang suddenly saw Amirida standing outside the door at some point, with a silvery-white, egg-like object beside her, the top of which seemed to have slightly turned half a circle.
“Click.”
The sound of the bronze door closing woke up Rong Jing and the special agents. They rushed to the door and opened it, only to find that the two people guarding the door outside were unconscious. The view was wide and empty, with no obstructions and no figures they wanted to see.
