Warhammer: Don't Call Me the God of All Machines

Chapter 973 The Chief's Footprint

Higoki's answer instantly stirred up a huge wave in the hearts of Luo Xi and the Emperor.

The powerful spiritual energy fields surrounding the two even experienced a momentary disruption due to the intense shock to their minds, creating invisible ripples in the tranquil air of the library.

As if sensing the threat, the obsidian walls emitted a soft light, absorbing and dissipating all the psionic fluctuations.

"Right here? In the bottom level of the Black Library?"

Loxi's voice trembled with disbelief, and he even subconsciously took a step forward, as if to grab the God of Laughter and ask him for an explanation.

His gaze unconsciously swept over the seemingly endless bookshelves around him, as if trying to find traces left by that familiar figure.

A noticeable change appeared on the emperor's solemn and dignified face, his gaze fixed intently on Xi Gaoqi.

However, after the initial shock, reason quickly returned.

This answer seems...not too surprising.

"Yes... With his intelligence and ability, the rules of the Black Library are perhaps more of an interesting puzzle to him than an insurmountable obstacle."

"Oh, it's not just about being 'smart enough,' dear neighbors."

Xi Gaoqi's voice carried an extremely rare, even awe-inspiring, emotion, and the smile on his mask seemed to have lost some of its playfulness.

"That was at the end of the 21st millennium of your human era, a... very delicate point in time, when the afterglow of the golden age had faded, and the cracks within humanity had deepened to the bone, beyond repair."

He paced back and forth, his movements no longer so exaggerated; the fragments of memory seemed to have made this eternal god of laughter serious.

“One day, he came. He wasn’t like you, brought in by me, nor like those lucky ones who went through great lengths to get an invitation… He barged in on his own.” The God of Laughter’s tone was one of disbelief.

"Single-handedly, I traversed the most complex labyrinthine traps I set deep within the web, and unlocked the spatial mysteries that even my oldest clowns might not be able to solve in a short time."

Finally, he stood there, upright and unassuming, in front of the library's doors, triggering the alarm—or rather, notifying me.

“In my long life, longer than you can imagine,” Higoki’s voice gradually lowered, “I have seen countless greedy people who covet the knowledge here, desperate seekers of help, and self-righteous challengers…”

“But a human like him is almost... no, completely unheard of. He doesn’t rely on brute force, powerful psionic energy, or even any of the top-tier technological creations of your glorious era that I know of.”

“All he relies on is this—” The Laughing God gently tapped the forehead of his mask with his slender fingertips, “unparalleled wisdom and a terrifying intuition that sees through the essence of things.”

Luo Xi and the Emperor listened quietly, their hearts churning with complex emotions—pride, nostalgia, and an indescribable anticipation. They both hoped to hear more news about the Chief.

“What shocked me even more was,” the Laughing God paused, as if organizing his thoughts, recalling the meeting that had surprised even him.

"As soon as he saw me, without any formalities or probing, he spoke directly and clearly stated that he had come for the treasure left behind by the ancient sage."

Rosie and the Emperor were shocked once again.

This secret was unknown even to the Outer Ones, who had a very deep relationship with the ancient saints. Even those who possessed the key had to search extensively before finally locating the Black Library.

The Chief already knew about this by the end of the twenty-first millennium and had accurately located this place.

“At that time…” Higoki showed a rare hint of confusion, even a sense of defeat, “I was really shocked. I had never revealed this secret to anyone. Neither my children nor those visitors who were occasionally allowed in.”

“Theoretically, in the entire galaxy, I should be the only one who knows that the treasure is in the deepest part of the Black Library. How did he do it? Prophecy? Some kind of deduction beyond my understanding? Or…” Higoki shook his head.

"Even today, I still can't understand it. Perhaps his wisdom in that era had already reached a level that I couldn't comprehend."

“I told him that the treasure was indeed here, but there was a door, a door that couldn’t be opened without a key,” Laughing God continued. “That key was the tunnel boring machine that you later found.”

“I thought this would discourage him, or at least make him try to find the key, but he just looked at me calmly and said, ‘Rules are for those who follow them, and the purpose of a door is to be opened.’”

A strong sense of unease instantly gripped Rosie's heart.

He knew the chief too well. Although he appeared incredibly humble and easy-going, beneath that calm exterior lay an almost obsessive determination and confidence.

"So... you let him in? You let him try to force his way through the defenses left by the ancient saint?!" Loxi's voice carried a hint of tension that was barely perceptible.

His concern wasn't that the treasure would be taken away, but rather that the methods left behind by the ancient sages must be extremely terrifying.

Forcing your way in without a key is no different from suicide.
Even the chief could hardly predict what would happen when faced with a contingency plan left by a creator of the Ancient Saint level.

"Curiosity, dear Rosie, is an original sin that even gods find hard to resist," Higoki frankly admitted, his smile on the mask becoming somewhat playful again.

“Especially when faced with such a human being who had created the incredible, I was curious to see if he could truly create miracles, so I readily let him pass. I told him the way, and then watched him walk into the passage leading to the final treasure.”

The depths of the library seemed even quieter, as if even the dust from the books in the air had stopped moving.

Everyone's attention was focused on what Laughing God would say next. People like Makado and Taracin, who didn't know much about the Chief, dared not miss a single piece of information.

"And then?" the emperor asked in a deep voice, even he felt a little nervous.

“Then…” Xi Gaoqi spread his hands, making a gesture that was both helpless and deeply confused.

“Things have become beyond my comprehension. I didn’t watch the whole thing, out of respect for him and reverence for the ancient sage’s defense mechanisms, but I could sense it.”

His voice became ethereal, as if recalling some indescribable energy fluctuation.

“That door…that door that requires a key to open, that is inscribed with the power of the ancient Holy Spirit, was not opened with a key, nor was it forcibly destroyed by any known force.”

"But I could clearly sense that the spacetime structure, energy field, and even the matter that makes it up were undergoing unimaginably complex changes and disturbances around that door."

"What the chief is doing is like using his unparalleled wisdom to directly read, analyze, and attempt to rewrite the defense program left by the ancient sages themselves."

He wasn't trying to break the lock; he was trying to understand how it worked, and then 'imagine' a master key that could open it, or simply disable the lock itself!

Tarasin, listening from the side, had his eyes gleaming with a wild green light. As an Endless Being determined to collect all the precious treasures in the universe, he was filled with a fanatical interest in this extraordinary method.

If he has such an ability, wouldn't that mean...?

"That feeling was very strange, and also very dangerous."

“I can sense that the defensive mechanisms left behind by the ancient saints seem to have triggered some kind of hidden mechanism. They are resisting the chief’s intrusion, or rather, analyzing it.”

"What should have been a confrontation between a thief and a guard has slowly evolved into a game of chess between two players, which is undoubtedly more advantageous for the chief, since he doesn't have any noteworthy strength."

"This process lasted for quite some time. The energy fluctuations deep within the Black Library were sometimes calm, sometimes as intense as a supernova explosion, and finally..."

Xi Gaoqi paused for a moment before speaking slowly.

"All disturbances have subsided, the energy field has returned to calm, and the door remains closed, appearing perfectly intact without any signs of forced entry."

Rosie's heart leaped into her throat. Had they failed? Or...?

"That process lasted... I'm not sure how long, time seemed to lose its meaning there."

I saw the secret chamber's defense mechanisms being triggered time and time again: dimensional distortion, causal reversal, and conceptual erasure—any one of which could instantly annihilate a powerful deity avatar.

But he, like a swift darting through a storm, always manages to anticipate events in the most ingenious and unbelievable ways, or evade them using methods I can't comprehend at all, even briefly deceiving the mechanisms.

The God of Laughter's tone was filled with the lingering shock: "He almost succeeded. I saw with my own eyes that the light on that door, which had never been shaken by anyone other than the key holder since the beginning of time, began to flicker erratically, and the door itself emitted a faint hum as if its structure was loosening."

For a moment, I even thought he could actually open it with his bare hands!

Loshi and the Emperor were deeply moved; they could imagine how breathtaking and beyond comprehension the scene must have been.

There was a human who, relying solely on his intelligence, almost managed to overcome the ultimate defense left behind by the ancient sages.

"I can't confirm whether the chief actually went in. The door looks closed, and the defense system seems to be still functioning."

But perhaps he was like the most skilled thief, who, without breaking the lock, may have already taken what was inside and perfectly restored the scene.

Or perhaps, in his attempt to forcibly analyze it, he triggered some mechanism we don't understand, and was transported to some space outside the treasure? Or perhaps he was even erased by the ancient saints' countermeasures?

"Since then, all records about him have been completely cut off, just as I said before."

"He was like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, shining with the most brilliant light before disappearing without a trace."

"What remains in my memory is only that ancient gate that seemed intact, yet felt different, and the figure who challenged the legacy of the Creator with pure wisdom."

As Xi Gaoqi finished speaking, a long silence fell over the depths of the Black Library.

As Loxi and the Emperor gazed into the deep passage leading to the final archives, they could almost see a figure dressed in the robes of an old-fashioned scholar, with wise and resolute eyes, calmly walking toward the massive door inscribed with ancient runes.

He didn't have the key, but he possessed wisdom powerful enough to shake the rules.

Did he succeed or fail? Is he still inside? Or has he quietly left with some of the answers? These questions weighed heavily on my mind, like the endless darkness of the library's dome.

The chief left no clear evidence of death. For someone like him, "disappearance" often implies more possibilities.

The Emperor reached out and placed his hand on Rosie's shoulder again, this time with greater force, conveying a silent comfort and unwavering faith.

"My teacher... he always manages to create miracles." The Emperor's voice was deep and certain. "Whether he ultimately succeeded in entering the treasure or went somewhere else, I believe he still exists in some form, and now..."

The emperor's gaze turned to the deep, mysterious road that was said to lead to the treasures of the ancient saints.

“We have to go in and see for ourselves to find out the real answer.” Rosie took a deep breath, suppressing her surging emotions, and her eyes regained their sharpness and determination.

“That’s right.” He looked at Xi Gaoqi, “but compared to the chief, this time, we brought the key.”

"Lead the way, Xi Gaoqi."

"It's my pleasure to serve you, my knowledge-hungry neighbors!"

The God of Laughter turned around and led everyone away from the vast bookshelf area, heading towards the darker, more central area of ​​the Black Library.

“I’ll go too,” Makado suddenly said.

The immortal being, who had lived through the dark ages of technology and conflict, now had a deep sense of respect in his eyes.

"Chief... He is a legend I never got to meet. I wasn't even born when he was active, but the fragments of his struggles and wisdom scattered in the ruins of the dark technological age are enough to make me yearn for him."

To be able to trace his footsteps, even if it's just this last trace, is an honor for me.

The Emperor nodded slightly, tacitly approving Macado's request.

“Me too, count me in!” Tarasin immediately interjected.

"Witnessing the opening of the ancient treasure is absolutely the most significant moment in my collecting career, not to mention being able to glimpse the traces left by that legendary human. This is more precious than any item in my museum!"

So, the group followed the Laughing God and ventured deep into the heart of the Black Library.

The deeper you go, the more tranquil the environment becomes, almost unsettling.

The vast, star-studded bookshelves of Pangna gradually thinned out, replaced by walls that were thicker and seemed to be formed from pure shadows.

The air grew even more stagnant, and the previously mixed scent of knowledge faded away, leaving only a near-vacuum of pure silence and an invisible pressure that unconsciously made one's mind tense.

The light became extremely dim, with only the occasional flowing, eerie green runes on the walls providing illumination.

"No need to be nervous." Xi Gaoqi's voice sounded somewhat ethereal in the darkness as he walked lightly ahead.

"The truly dangerous knowledge that could trigger cosmic catastrophes is all bound at the lowest level. The suppressive force here is enough to turn even the most violent psionic energy into harmless dust."

As if to confirm His words, the Laughing God casually pointed to a niche on the side, where a huge book projection, tightly bound by countless psionic chains shimmering with starlight and emitting an ominous red light, floated.

On the surface of the book, an eye pattern that appears to be made of flames is faintly visible.

"Look, for example, this copy of the Book of Magnus." Laughing God's tone was slightly teasing. "Putting aside the Red King's later... well, not very wise choices, this book itself is indeed a treasure of knowledge, containing profound mysteries about the nature of the warp and the application of psionic energy."

However, it is also a source of danger and must be strictly guarded to prevent it from being exploited by those with malicious intent.

Tarachin cast a greedy glance at the book, but upon seeing the dense array of psionic chains, he could only click his tongue in regret.

As you walk further ahead, the view suddenly opens up.

On a circular platform constructed of pure obsidian, an enormous book, seemingly carved from a single piece of deep blue crystal, floats silently.

Countless psionic chains, shimmering with silver light, extended from all directions like living vines, firmly locking it in the center of the platform.

The book exuded a strange aura, neither pure light nor absolute darkness, but more like... a curtain for a drama waiting to be drawn.

"What is this?" Rose asked, sensing the book's extraordinary nature.

“Oh, just a little piece.” Higoki waved his hand dismissively, but his tone carried an undisguised pride. “I wrote it myself. I call it ‘The Last Scene’.”

"What does it tell us?" The emperor also cast an inquiring glance.

“I’ve told you a joke.” The Laughing God’s voice suddenly became deep and mysterious, and the eternal smile on his mask seemed to carry a hint of bitterness. “An ultimate joke, a joke that can deceive Slaanesh and make him exhaust all his power to save Eldar instead of destroying them.”

"Specifically?" Rosie pressed, as it sounded far-fetched.

"Ha!" The God of Laughter let out a sharp laugh, reverting to his usual cynical attitude.

"I can't spoil it now! Once you've dealt with that brewing Grim Reaper trouble and made sure my kids aren't prematurely packed up and sent away, I'll tell you this hilarious joke! For now... it's more fun to leave things in suspense, isn't it?"

He winked slyly, clearly having made up his mind not to say anything more.

Knowing that further questioning would be futile, Luo Xi could only suppress her curiosity.

The group continued forward without stopping. The passage ahead grew narrower and the light dimmer until they finally stopped in front of a giant door.

This door is the entrance to the ancient treasure.

It is not embedded in the wall, but rather like an independent spatial singularity, quietly suspended in the darkness.

The door frame is engraved with countless complex and dazzling runes, each rune like a living star, slowly flowing and emitting an incomparably profound light.

These runes are not mere decorations. Loxi could clearly perceive that they formed a series of tight logical chains and spatial barriers, nested and layered, exuding an aura that rejected all unauthorized existence.

Just standing in front of the door, you can feel a sense of oppression that seems to come from the very origin of the universe.

The door itself has no handle or keyhole; its very existence is an ultimate puzzle that requires a specific "key" to unlock.

Loxi took a deep breath and took out the network tunnel boring machine, which was composed of the three divine artifacts, from the pocket dimension under his control.

The moment the tunnel boring machine was removed, it underwent an unexpected change.

Om-!
A deep and resonant sound erupted from the core of the tunnel boring machine, and the psionic patterns on its surface suddenly became brighter than ever before, with the eerie green light pulsating intensely like breathing.

At the same time, the silent ancient gate seemed to be summoned, and the runes flowing on the door frame accelerated instantly, shining brightly, echoing the eerie green spiritual energy emitted by the tunnel boring machine, forming a strange resonance.

“The key… is finally back in its place,” Xi Gaoqi murmured, his gaze beneath the mask fixed on the resonant light.

A trace of worry crossed Rosie's mind.

He could feel the core output energy of the tunnel boring machine rapidly increasing, far exceeding any previous use.

As the "key," it is now fully activated, releasing all the energy signals needed to unlock the final treasure.

Won't this level of operation overload and damage the device?

Although human technology is developing rapidly, the prospect of completely abandoning tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to build a new and stable TBM system remains a long way off.

If it breaks here...

However, it was too late to worry.

The core of the tunnel boring machine suddenly shone brightly, transforming into a solid, ethereal green beam of light that precisely struck the center of the ancient gate.

In an instant, the countless flowing runes on the door seemed to come alive.

Each rune was like an incredibly precise lock, which was being activated, identified, and unlocked one by one by the specific energy frequency and information torrent contained in the eerie green pillar of light.

Billions of runes lit up at the same time, their light intertwining to form a dazzling net of light that covered the entire doorway.

"Click...click...click..."

A sound, seemingly emanating from the depths of the universe and generated by the meshing of countless intricate gears and the reorganization of spatial structures, resounded in everyone's ears, causing even the hairs on their skin to stand on end instinctively.

After tens of millions of years of silence, the colossal gate that separated two eras finally slid open slowly and silently, guided by the right key.

However, the treasure trove behind the door that was expected to be filled with ancient artifacts, technological creations, or endless knowledge did not appear.

A soft and steady white light suddenly emanated from the void behind the door, and within the light, a human figure slowly coalesced and became clear.

It was the figure of a man.

He was dressed in a simple, well-tailored old-fashioned scholar's robe. He was not tall, and even appeared somewhat thin.

His face was serene, his eyes deep as if containing the stars and the sea, his hair was neatly combed, and his temples were slightly gray, which only added to his elegance and vicissitudes.

Loxi and the Emperor froze simultaneously, Makado's eyes widened slightly, and Tarasin instinctively held his breath. Even the gaze beneath the Higoki mask froze.

“Chief?!” Rose’s voice trembled with disbelief, barely able to form a sentence.

He instinctively reached out his hand, but his fingertips passed right through the white, illusory light without any resistance.

On the emperor's resolute face, as firm as a rock, a deep sense of nostalgia and shock was clearly revealed.

He opened his mouth slightly, but in the end, he only uttered that long-lost title in a low and clear voice: "...Teacher."

The chief projection, composed of light, slowly swept its gaze across the crowd, finally settling on Loxi and the Emperor.

A relieved smile appeared on his face, a smile so genuine that it seemed to transcend the barriers of time and space.

“Loshi, Neos…” The chief’s voice was gentle and calm, like a clear mountain spring, soothing all the excitement and commotion.

"You are here."

(End of this chapter)