Deus Ex Machina: Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Yang Jin wasn’t in the mood to eat. After thinking for a while, he asked, “Since you’re so powerful, why don’t you just give me the answer to pass the test? Why not use your so-called ‘superpowers’ to make humanity see reality directly?”

“Because that would break the rules,” Yu Chen replied helplessly. “We can’t skip steps to change the fate of a whole group, and after all, who isn’t inherently selfish?”

Yang Jin was quick-witted; hearing this, he immediately grasped what Yu Chen meant. Friendliness is always relative. When an advanced civilization unconditionally shares knowledge and technology with a lower one, what happens when that lower civilization eventually grows ambitious? No one can provide a definite answer, and the potential outcome is terrifying to imagine.

The story of the farmer and the snake exists in every kind of relationship—between humans and animals, between people, and between civilizations.

So they can only maintain a cautious form of friendliness, but still harbor a sense of wariness.

“You’re torn,” Yang Jin said. “You want to help humanity, yet you fear humanity becoming powerful, so you only throw down a rope instead of extending a hand. Is that it? If the essence of civilization is selfishness, why do you want to help others at all?”

Yang Jian and Yu Chen exchanged a look. Yu Chen seemed reluctant to answer, but Yang Jian placed a gentle hand on Yu Chen’s, saying, “Because we came from Earth. At that time, humanity was only beginning.”

“Then, aren’t you also humans?” Shi Yixi asked, puzzled.

Yang Jian replied, “When monkeys lift their hands from the ground and fish walk out of the ocean, they become a new species.”

Yu Chen spoke softly, “I once thought of myself as human too, so I can understand how you feel. The rules of the universe are straightforward, so simple they can’t be measured with human emotions. Human feelings are based solely on a human perspective, but humanity isn’t the only presence in the universe. Other civilizations have different standards of measurement, and there’s no room for reasoning or any so-called ‘justification.’ The more you ask, the more you realize many things can’t be explained by conventional thinking, and these inexplicable things are precisely what’s happening.”

Yang Jin took a deep breath, steadying himself. “Alright, I won’t ask such questions anymore. I’ll find a way to recover my own forgotten memories. But before that, I have one request—if you’re really as powerful as you claim.”

Yu Chen responded, “Go ahead.”

Yang Jin said, “Help me separate that annoying spirit from Pony, and preferably wake Pony from his sleep state. This isn’t too much to ask, right?”

“It’s too much,” Yang Jian answered immediately. Yu Chen had already secretly helped restore Aurora’s power system, a move they hadn’t reported, purely out of Yu Chen’s kind-heartedness. If they were to meddle with the AI situation too, he’d be recklessly testing the boundaries of the rules.

Such an action was dangerous, and Yang Jian didn’t want Yu Chen to take that risk; it wasn’t worth it.

“I’ll do it,” Yu Chen said, his gaze resolute.

“Are you crazy?” Yang Jian’s expression instantly changed.

“What else would you expect?” Yu Chen said helplessly. “A son has to rely on his Laozi, doesn’t he?”

“Let’s just forget it, then,” Yang Jin quickly backtracked. He still couldn’t fully accept this setup, preferring to believe they were just making things up. However, from what he’d observed, Yu Chen and Yang Jian did seem to have “that kind” of relationship. Yang Jian, who was usually arrogant and indifferent, only ever showed hints of emotion when it came to Yu Chen.

Yang Jian wouldn’t even let anyone get close to Yu Chen.

“Don’t worry,” Yu Chen assured Yang Jian. “I’ll be very careful. I won’t get caught. Do you really think anyone can handle Earth better than I can?”

Yang Jian replied, “You self-important idiot.”

Yu Chen chuckled. “Isn’t being self-important part of human nature?”

“Can you two stop putting on this sickening display?” Yang Jin was about to lose his mind. “Can you do it or not? Just give me a straight answer.”

“Yes,” Yu Chen replied. “Give me three days. I’ll find you after three days.”

“It’s a deal,” Yang Jin agreed readily. He didn’t press for more details; since they’d agreed, he had no choice but to trust them.

“But I have one condition,” Yu Chen added. Yang Jin gestured for him to go on, and Yu Chen said, “You’re not to reveal our whereabouts or anything you’ve learned from us to anyone.”

Yang Jin nodded. “Understood.”

Yu Chen then looked at Shi Yixi, who said, “I understand as well.”

“But how can I trust you?” Yu Chen rested his chin on his hand, looking at Shi Yixi almost deliberately.

Shi Yixi didn’t notice Yu Chen’s teasing and, after a long moment of thought, could only mutter, “I won’t harm Yang Jin.”

Yu Chen asked, “So whatever Yang Jin asks you to do, you’ll do?”

Shi Yixi nodded seriously.

“Why?” Yu Chen suddenly asked, catching him off guard.

Yang Jin interrupted, “Why do you have so many questions?”

“I wasn’t asking you,” Yu Chen replied.

Shi Yixi didn’t pay attention to their argument. He said calmly, “I don’t know why. I just feel like he wouldn’t lie to me, and I have nothing worth lying about.” He was a person with nothing to his name—young, without money, social standing, a distinguished family, intelligence, or looks. From the inside out, he was incredibly ordinary, with no qualities that would make him worth the trouble of deceiving.

At times, Shi Yixi was very clear about his place, and he didn’t mind it.

Yu Chen was a bit surprised by this answer and, after a long silence, simply sighed, “Ai, silly.”

Yu Chen gave Yang Jin a few more instructions before Yang Jin left with Shi Yixi. They didn’t know where they were, only that everything went dark for a moment. When light returned, they were outside, as if by magic.

This was Aurora Central Park. It was noon, the sun blazed down, and there wasn’t a soul in sight.

The city had lost its warmth and openness; most people hid away in fear, leaving this park with a rare sense of tranquility.

“So quiet,” Shi Yixi murmured.

Yang Jin looked up at the sky. It was still a vibrant blue. Shielding his eyes from the sun, he replied, “Mmh.”

“I kind of don’t want to go back out there,” Shi Yixi said. “It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve had a peaceful life.”

“Are you complaining?” Yang Jin asked. “It’s your choice, you know.”

“No, no,” Shi Yixi quickly clarified, “I’m not complaining. I have no regrets.”

Yang Jin said, “Actually, that’s something I wanted to ask you too.”

“Huh?”

“Why do you trust me?” Yang Jin asked. “So unconditionally.”

“You’re all so strange, always wanting a reason,” Shi Yixi laughed. “Would a reason make it seem more natural? I don’t really understand, because I don’t have one. For me, it’s like an instinct. I don’t even know when it started, but it’s definitely taken root in my mind. Whenever I close my eyes, I can feel your presence, filling my world. This wasn’t a choice I made after thinking it through. Rather… it just feels like it’s meant to be.”

Listening to Shi Yixi, Yang Jin felt a rare pang of guilt. He was someone who only cared about results. Once he set a goal, he never worried about gains or losses along the way. Many aspects of the process were irrelevant to him, and he demanded others adopt the same disregard. But the truth was, some of his stubborn decisions had indeed affected Shi Yixi.

Maybe Shi Yixi himself hadn’t even realized it.

“I’ll ask Lao Bai to help break our connection,” Yang Jin said. “Maybe this is too much of a burden for you. You’re young; you shouldn’t have to carry this weight.”

“I don’t feel like it’s a burden,” Shi Yixi replied. “When I can sense you, I feel at peace.”

“…”

“To me, you’re like a goal I want to chase,” Shi Yixi went on, his expression dimming as he lowered his head. “But… but now it seems like no matter how hard I try, it’s useless. You’re a god high above, and I’m nothing.”

Yang Jin listened to Shi Yixi’s murmuring and let out a quiet chuckle. “Fool. There’s no such thing as gods. Don’t listen to that nonsense.”

“But you… you really…” Shi Yixi stammered, “A higher civilization—it’s practically like being a god. It’s beyond what the human brain can comprehend. You call it nonsense, but then how do you explain everything we’ve been through?”

Yang Jin’s gaze drifted into the distance. “I’ll find my lost memories on my own. I don’t need others to tell me anything.”

“Can I come with you?” Shi Yixi asked, his gaze full of hope as he looked at Yang Jin. That hope was somewhat hidden, evasive, but Yang Jin still noticed. Seeing that Yang Jin didn’t respond, Shi Yixi quickly added, “I’ll be good. I won’t slow you down.”

Looking at Shi Yixi’s eager expression, Yang Jin couldn’t find any reason to refuse. Following his feelings, he simply said, “Alright.”

“Thank you,” Shi Yixi said happily.

Yang Jin nodded, gazing at Shi Yixi. Then, he pointed his finger at Shi Yixi’s chest, where his heart was, and said, “But I hope your choices aren’t influenced by your emotions or feelings.”

Shi Yixi looked confused. “What do you mean?” He lowered his head to look at the finger resting on his chest, reaching out as if to touch it. But before his hand could meet Yang Jin’s skin, Yang Jin withdrew his hand.

“It’s nothing,” Yang Jin replied.

The two of them crossed through the central garden, and only when they reached the street did they see a few pedestrians. Their hurried expressions showed they had yet to recover from the series of recent disasters.

Only the drifters seemed unconcerned about when the world might end; they lounged leisurely at the street corner, playing dissonant melodies on their instruments.

Yang Jin and Shi Yixi entered the surveillance zone of the Feng Mang Building, and the people inside were instantly alerted to their arrival. Without obstruction, the two made their way straight to the top floor.

“Oh my gosh!” As soon as Ying Si saw Shi Yixi, he rushed over, circling around him several times. “Yixi, are you okay? What happened? Are you alright?” He bombarded Shi Yixi with a flurry of questions, his tone annoying and loud, though Shi Yixi didn’t mind at all and replied with a smile, “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

“Hey, little brat, aren’t you worried about me?” Yang Jin asked.

Ying Si acted as if he had only just noticed Yang Jin, responding coolly, “Oh, you’re not dead?”

Bai Yunci came over and elbowed Ying Si aside, making him cry out, “Ouch!” and glare at Bai Yunci. Ignoring him, Bai Yunci addressed Yang Jin. “You must have a lot to tell us, right?”

“Yes, I do,” Yang Jin nodded.

“But before that, I think you should take a look at this.” Bai Yunci turned on a screen, drawing everyone’s attention.

Since dawn, the Intercontinental Alliance had been continuously releasing official statements. After confirming that a series of terrorist acts originated from the Sanctuary Organization, they began publishing a series of investigative reports on the group.

The reports indicated that in recent years, Sanctuary’s activities had intensified, not only clashing with Qianfan in conflict zones, which brought significant harm to local residents, causing many to be displaced. More concerning, they had infiltrated various sectors of society, becoming a serious threat to world peace.

“Guan Jincheng is not dead,” Yang Jin said suddenly.

“What?” Those who knew of him all exclaimed in shock.

“That’s what I was going to tell you next.” The screen’s display was paused, and Yang Jin turned to speak. “I’ll start from when I arrived at the building where the explosion happened. I found the survivor, but at that moment, the third drone I had asked Zhan Feng to locate was on that survivor. The moment I opened the door, there was an explosion—one that felt all too familiar, just like Qianfan’s. When I regained consciousness, the person standing in front of me was Guan Jincheng.”

“The explosion is directly tied to Guan Jincheng,” Bai Yunci confirmed.

Feng Mang looked puzzled. “Why?”

“Because the person behind the explosion knows Yang Jin too well,” Bai Yunci said. “They knew he would definitely go to the most dangerous place. I don’t believe anyone from Sanctuary understands Yang Jin this well.”

Everyone’s eyes involuntarily turned to Zhan Feng, who deliberately avoided their gazes.

Yang Jin cleared his throat and continued where Bai Yunci left off. “At that moment, I wasn’t fully conscious and had no idea what he intended. His lab was located underground in the Intercontinental Alliance’s building, so the question is, who does he really work for?”

“It has to be the Intercontinental Alliance!” Ying Si blurted out. “Otherwise, why would he be in that place? He’s definitely colluding with the Alliance to stage this whole thing, and then… and then…”

“And then what?” Yang Jin chuckled. “Are you starting to realize that pulling off such an elaborate terrorist act doesn’t really yield any clear benefit?”

“Exactly,” Feng Mang agreed. “If he’s aligned with the Intercontinental Alliance, then creating chaos in the world goes against their principles. What’s his gain, and what’s the Alliance’s?”

Bai Yunci added, “But if he’s not on the Alliance’s side, then how did he manage to bypass ZZ? Are we supposed to believe that the people in the Intercontinental Alliance are fools?”

Ying Si scratched his head and sighed in frustration, “Why is the adult world so complicated?”

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