Dark Ruins Dawn

Chapter 6 Imprisonment
Zhuang Fan feigned confusion: "Sorry, I didn't understand?"

"Young friend, I need your body to serve as the vessel for my rebirth."

Xu Renyi's tone was as calm as if he were stating a fact, "Now, you can understand, right?"

"To be old and not die is to be a thief," Zhuang Fan cursed inwardly, but remained calm on the surface: "Didn't you just say that changing bodies wouldn't solve the problem of the claustrophobia?"

Faced with his question, Xu Renyi was particularly patient: "Of course, many wealthy people I know have an entire clone storage facility to keep themselves young forever, but they will still die of old age as they are meant to. No one can escape it."

"Then, I'd like to hear the details?"

"Because in the human world, there really was someone who solved the barrier nucleus problem and successfully... achieved mechanical ascension."

"Who?"

"Gustav Lorraine, formerly the chief scientist of the Bionic Intelligence Group, created the 'Holy Land' after his mechanical ascension and proclaimed himself the Holy Father—the father of all androids."

Zhuang Fan silently memorized the name: "How did he solve the problem of the claustrum?"

“I don’t know the specific process. But I’m sure that his claustrophobia was made up entirely of mechanical components, yet it completely preserved his original consciousness.”

Xu Renyi continued, "Later, those old immortals saw the hope of eternal life and all wanted to follow in the footsteps of the Holy Father. So the Holy Father gave them a 'memory transfer' machine, saying that through it, human consciousness could be successfully transferred to the new machine."

Zhuang Fan's expression was strange: "It didn't succeed, did it?"

"Well, it's hard to say it was successful. Those robots whose consciousness was transferred performed well in all aspects, but I always felt... something was off. You know, I've always been afraid of death, and I would never go down this path without being absolutely certain."

Xu Renyi glanced at Zhuang Fan again, his tone tinged with emotion: "Fortunately, I have some connection with the Holy Father. Later, I privately asked him to customize a memory transfer device for me. However, the object of the transfer should not be a cyborg, but a healthy, normal human body."

"Wait, there are still loopholes."

Zhuang Fan calmly retorted, "I'm not making malicious speculations, but this 'saint father,' or rather this android, is no longer the same species as us. It's more like a silicon-based life form, isn't it? You just believe what it says?"

Xu Renyi sighed, his cloudy eyes filled with regret and reluctance, and his tone grew increasingly aged: "Young friend, I don't have much time left, but I must try again."

He had an irrefutable reason: he wanted to take a gamble, except the stakes were Zhuang Fan's life.

What Zhuang Fan can do now is to prolong his conversation with Xu Renyi as much as possible so that he can observe his eyes carefully.

Zhuang Fan stared at him and nodded heavily: "Alright, even if the Holy Father's method really works, why don't you choose your own clone first? The compatibility is higher, and there will be no rejection. Why does it have to be me?"

Xu Renyi coughed again, and after a long pause, he said:
“Indeed, I also asked the Father this question, but he revealed more of the truth, the reason being… the mysterious fog.”

"Strange fog?"

Xu Renyi did not hide anything: "Well, according to his explanation, the core principle of the memory transfer device is 'quantum teleportation,' and the biggest threat to this transfer process is interference from the mysterious fog."

"Isn't there a fog light? Can't that eliminate interference?" Zhuang Fan was desperately looking for loopholes to survive.

Xu Renyi shook his head: "Fog lights can prevent humans from being infected on a macroscopic scale, but in the microscopic realm, even in the cleanest laboratory, the fog is still everywhere. You have to understand that for precise scientific experiments, even the slightest disturbance can lead to drastically different results."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Fan suddenly realized that he had underestimated the destructive power of the eerie fog on the world.

He recalled David's earlier complaints and asked uncertainly, "So, the mysterious fog can also interfere with the operation of nuclear fusion power plants?"

"Of course it will. Without real-time monitoring by quantum computers, new nuclear fusion power plants simply cannot operate. They can only use the most traditional old-fashioned reactors, and even then, they would have to reduce the power output by more than half to ensure safety."

Xu Renyi spoke slowly, “The energy problem is only one issue. Another problem is that quantum computers can no longer be used.”

Zhuang Fan tried to understand: "You mean, the mysterious fog directly destroys the entangled quantum state?"

"Yes."

Zhuang Fan was at a loss for words.

Xu Renyi took a sip of tea and looked up at him: "So, now you know why I absolutely had to find the 'Demon Detective,' right?"

“The Demon Detective is immune to the mysterious fog and can eliminate interference…” Zhuang Fan finally found the crux of the problem.

“Young friend, I have waited for decades, until I was heartbroken, but I have finally found you. Now you can understand how excited I am.”

"I don't understand, I just feel unlucky."

"Hehe, young friend, you should be grateful. You will inherit my business empire, all my wealth and power. How many people crave this but cannot obtain it?"

Xu Renyi stroked his beard and said in a kind tone, "Of course, there will be a few side effects; your original memories will simply disappear."

"..."

His words silenced Zhuang Fangan.

Through Xu Renyi's words, he realized that before him, the Nuclear Group had "consumed" tens of thousands of cryogenically frozen people in order to find a qualified demon detective, but only found one.

Unfortunately, the old detective was too old and nearing the end of his life, and ultimately could not meet the conditions for surgery.

From any perspective, this old scoundrel is a true executioner.

The blond doctor, who had been quiet all along, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Mr. Xu, the conditions for experimentation are not suitable here at the moment. Do you think we should take him back to headquarters?"

Xu Renyi resolutely refused: "I came all the way from the desolate valley, and I don't want to move again. I think this place is fine, no one bothers me, out of sight, out of mind."

His casual complaint led Zhuang Fan to imagine a grand power struggle within a large family.

Is there anything we can do about this?
At this moment, David arrived after receiving the message and reported: "Mr. Xu, the memory transfer machine has been delivered."

"Great. When can we have the surgery?"

The blond doctor avoided Xu Renyi's gaze, lowered his head to estimate, and said, "Mr. Xu, at the earliest... it will take a week." "Surgery in three days, immediately." Xu Renyi's words were firm and left no room for argument.

"Yes, I'll arrange it right away."

They discussed all their travel plans openly in front of Zhuang Fan, as if he were a fish on a chopping board.

With only three days left, what else can I do...? Zhuang Fan secretly began brainstorming.

Xu Renyi looked at Zhuang Fan and said with a smile, "Young friend, let's work together again after the surgery is successful."

Zhuang Fan felt a chill run down his spine.

The blond doctor noticed his change in mood and threatened him directly: "Don't do anything foolish in the next few days, or the consequences will be severe."

The light in Zhuang Fan's eyes dimmed at just the right moment, and he nodded heavily, resigning himself to his fate.

"But I have a request."

"Please speak freely, young friend, and I will try my best to accommodate you."

"It's too stuffy in here. I need some paper and pens to draw, is that alright?"

Xu Renyi seemed to have been touched on something, or perhaps it was the warmth of fellow townsmen that filled him with emotion, and he nodded solemnly: "No problem."

Soon, after screening, the logistics staff delivered a whole box of art supplies to Zhuang Fan, including everything from ink and paint to various sizes of calligraphy brushes, oil paintbrushes, and watercolor brushes.

The only types of paper available were A4 paper, watercolor paper, and sketching paper, but Zhuang Fan insisted on using Xuan paper, which the logistics staff didn't understand.

"Go ask Mr. Xu, he will definitely know."

Xu Renyi, of course, knew about Xuan paper and said with a smile, "Luckily, I have some in stock. I'll give it all to this kid."

……

On the first day, Zhuang Fan painted many different landscapes at an astonishing speed, as if he wasn't painting, but rather printing them directly from his mind.

This is thanks to his "hyperthymesia," which gives him the ability to remember everything he sees.

However, each painting is somewhat rough, prioritizing speed over quality, which was obviously intentional on his part.

The security personnel inspected the drawing paper, searched it inside and out, and left after finding nothing amiss.

Under the precise surveillance of the cameras, Zhuang Fan's every little move was exposed, but he didn't care at all; his real intentions were elsewhere.

That night, Zhuang Fan painted more than a dozen oil paintings in a cathartic manner. After finishing, he didn't care about the paint on his body and simply lay down on the painting paper and fell asleep contentedly.

On the other side, Xu Renyi had just completed his full-body examination when he received the relevant report.

After carefully watching the surveillance video, he smiled and said, "Very good. The younger generation is promising and full of energy."

The next day, Zhuang Fan got up very early and started his crazy painting mode again, this time sketching and drawing.

In less than a morning, he had drawn more than a dozen sheets of paper, and the logistics staff came in and replaced them with a new batch.

This time he made a new request: "I need some glue, just enough to stick the drawing paper."

The logistics staff reported to their superiors and, after receiving approval, brought over several tubes of glue.

Zhuang Fan glanced at it and couldn't help but frown: "So little? It's fine, I guess."

Using the glue, he quickly built simple paper houses and figures, which he placed on the table like models.

He then continued painting, this time in oil, but he deliberately used his body to block the camera behind him and quietly put away the finished painting.

This suspicious behavior immediately attracted the attention of security personnel.

However, Xu Renyi felt that everyone has some little secrets, which is normal, so there was no need to check frequently.

Yes, Xu Renyi began to understand and sympathize with Zhuang Fan's situation. After all, this young body would belong to him in the future, so why be so harsh on "himself"?
That evening, Zhuang Fan used the remaining glue to build three paper walls, completely covering most of his body.

The risk control alarm was successfully triggered.

Security personnel rushed into the room and quickly tore down the paper wall, only to find Zhuang Fan looking utterly disheveled.

"What are you doing!"

Zhuang Fan, his face full of indignation, said, "Are you all crazy?!"

The security personnel found nothing unusual about him, and their tone remained icy: "Be careful, do not engage in any dangerous behavior!"

Seeing this, Zhuang Fan cursed even more harshly.

After the security personnel confiscated all the paintbrushes and paper, the logistics supervisor quickly analyzed the situation and guessed the "truth," then reported the situation to Xu Renyi with a strange expression.

"Is there still this?"

Xu Renyi was slightly surprised after hearing this.

He looked at the lifelike paper models, his expression shifting.

Then, he picked up the portrait that Zhuang Fan had previously hidden away, examined it carefully, and commented earnestly: "The painting is well done; it captures the essence of the character."

Xu Renyi recalled the several paper walls that had been built up, and Zhuang Fan's anger, and couldn't help but laugh:
"It's normal for this guy to be angry. You guys really ruined his good time."

(End of this chapter)