"According to the news from the Inspection Departnt this morning, our city’s Deputy Mayor Liu Qi slipped and fell at ho."
"The accident involved pulling the curtains, causing her neck to scrape against the curtain pulley; her carotid artery ruptured, leading to a massive hemorrhage and death."
"The relevant departnts have ruled out the possibility of homicide; this incident was purely accidental."
"Ms. Liu Qi was a good mayor, and her death is deeply regrettable... blah blah blah!"
A reporter spoke with a saddened face about the death of Liu Qi.
However, several captains from the Huizhou Inspection Departnt exchanged glances while they were eating.
There was a hint of doubt in their eyes, but they seed unable to interpret it.
Wang Bin, the captain of the Huizhou Inspection Departnt, was the most puzzled of them all.
"Not a single flaw, as perfect as a play," he muttered. "All the circumstances were so coincidental, even the surveillance footage perfectly captured the situation at the ti."
"Boss, do you also feel that sothing is off?" asked a team mber.
After pondering for a mont, Wang Bin slowly nodded. "Yes, it looks like a coincidence, but there are too many coincidences. Liu Qi just happened to trip over a remote control, happened to grab the curtain, happened to have the curtain break, happened to have the pulley shatter, happened to slice her own artery. My professional experience tells that an event should not have so many coincidences. When there are too many coincidences, it ans that the event is inevitable."
"Soone wanted to kill Liu Qi?"
"Don’t know yet. Have you guys checked if Liu Qi had any enemies?"
"Uh, this Liu Qi, she had a lot of enemies!"
A team mber passed up a report with many details related to Liu Qi’s role as the Deputy Mayor.
There are three Deputy Mayors in a city, each responsible for different duties, and Liu Qi was in charge of the supervision part. In other words, she was the one who had to play the bad cop.
Such a role was indeed likely to offend people. It was inevitable that Liu Qi had many enemies.
But inevitability aside, the presence of so many enemies made their job even harder.
"If Liu Qi had many enemies, then it’s going to be tough, as anyone could be the murderer. But we don’t have sufficient evidence right now, not even a clue."
"Indeed, continuing this way is like a headless chicken; we won’t get any results."
All the team mbers here were Wang Bin’s confidantes, so he could speak his mind without much reservation.
"It’s not that hard to investigate, actually."
"Huh?"
"What do you an, Captain?"
"Although Liu Qi had many enemies, there are very few who could carry out such a killing. To satisfy so many coincidental conditions requires a very ticulous plan, or the individual must possess great power. If we investigate along these lines, there shouldn’t be a problem."
"Yes, sir!"
After issuing the order, Wang Bin returned to the monitoring room, continuing to watch the surveillance footage over and over again.
After watching it many tis, he still had no findings. However, he noticed sothing strange: when Liu Qi fell, the smart ho system’s screen suddenly brightened a little.
Could this count as a clue? Wang Bin fell into deep thought.
He had guessed that this case was not simple, not just a coincidence. But he had not anticipated just how complicated it would get.
And Liu Qi was not the only one who died.
For a long ti afterward, leaders, political figures, heads of functional departnts, and business people in Huizhou died in supposedly coincidental manners.
Just as Wang Bin said, when there are enough coincidences, they are inevitably not coincidences. They are arranged by certain people.
One Liu Qi’s death might be explainable, but after so many people died, no one dared to call it a coincidence.
Yet, in terms of investigating this matter and searching for evidence, Wang Bin ca up with nothing.
This dragged on for over seven months!
...
April is a particularly beautiful season, even more so in the Empire.
In the mountains of the Western Suburbs, wildflowers were in full bloom, their fragrant scent wafting through the air and reaching the nostrils of Lu Luo and his companions. The occasional chirping of birds added even more charm to the spring scenery.
Lu Luo, while supporting Qi Xinzhu and gently holding her belly, strolled among the wildflowers.
"Could you not do this, please? I’m perfectly capable of walking."
While Qi Xinzhu was happy inside, she was still not accustod to Lu Luo supporting her like this. Especially since Bai Yuetong had also co along this ti, which made her feel even more embarrassed. She could argue and bicker with Bai Yuetong, but for an outing like this, she didn’t want to be too ostentatious. Moreover, she was now pregnant.
Under such circumstances, within the Circular, she could basically be said to have ’won it all.’ As soone who had already decisively won, she didn’t want to go and lord it over others; that would be inappropriate and inadvisable.
But Lu Luo felt differently; this was his first child, and he naturally cherished it imnsely. In fact, he cherished Qi Xinzhu herself even more; his love for the child was an extension of his love for her.
"What do you an, ’not like this’? It’s perfectly normal for a husband to treat his wife well. Moreover, once the child is born, they will be the crown prince or princess of the Circular. Fooling around is one thing, but we don’t joke about the child, understand?"
Lu Luo’s words left Qi Xinzhu stunned, and she could only lower her head in embarrassnt.
"Lu Luo, you’re getting more and more outrageous, talking about crown princes and princesses. Are you planning to beco an Emperor?"
Since it was a family outing, Lu Luo naturally felt at ease speaking his mind.
"Who knows? If I ever feel like it in the future, striving for it isn’t out of the question."
In the span of seven months, Lu Luo had spent almost all his ti with his two wives and the child growing inside Qi Xinzhu’s belly.
Once it had been confird that the Imperial Family wasn’t continuing their investigation into Wu Handing’s death, Lu Luo’s life started to relax.
He handed over all business matters to Sola. Although this seed like a risky move, Lu Luo didn’t mind it much because the fundantals of the Circular were still in his hands—the resource channels, as well as absolute force.
After reaching the Seventh Tier, especially after visiting iqi, Lu Luo started to settle his mind. Having reached the upper echelons of power, his growth in strength began to slow down—of course, this was only in comparison to before. Compared to other Seventh Tier experts, his growth rate was still incomparable.
A stable environnt allowed Lu Luo’s mindset to gradually beco steady, and his cultivation realm also matured. Moreover, he was very much looking forward to the birth of his child, so he simply took Qi Xinzhu and the others back to the Half-Mountain Villa base, living a life of leisure.
The day for Qi Xinzhu to give birth was drawing near. Before that happened, Lu Luo decided to take advantage of the good weather to take her out for a picnic. A top Fifth Tier expert being pregnant didn’t need to worry too much about physical issues; she rely needed to wait for the child to grow.
"Being an Emperor involves too many things; why would anyone chase after such an illusory concept?"
Qi Xinzhu’s question caught Lu Luo off guard; his forr self probably wouldn’t have been able to answer it. But now, he did have so insights.
"It’s probably power—power truly is addictive. When you lack power, you can’t feel its allure. But once you climb to a high position and can casually command others, receiving their kowtowing submission, that feeling is really good."
"Is that so?" Qi Xinzhu nodded. It seed she had also once held power, but she didn’t like that feeling at all. She only liked being alone or together with Lu Luo.
If a woman like Qi Xinzhu were from my era, she’d most likely beco a hobody.
Watching the affectionate couple, Bai Yuetong, who had been sitting behind them, pursed her lips. The three of them were on an outing together, but she was stuck doing the cooking. She was a researcher, for crying out loud! How could she be expected to do such nial work?
Bai Yuetong touched her belly and muttered to herself, "She managed it on the first try; why are you so uncooperative?"
Because Lu Luo had been staying in the Half-Mountain Villa during this ti, and Qi Xinzhu was already pregnant. Although a Transcendent’s constitution was strong enough not to let pregnancy affect their sexual activities, Qi Xinzhu and Lu Luo were still sowhat cautious.
So in these seven months...
Due to her maxed-out stamina...
But even without any protective asures during these seven months, Bai Yuetong’s belly still showed no signs of reaction. Lu Luo and Bai Yuetong had once thought there might be sothing wrong with them. However, since Qi Xinzhu was pregnant first, this ant Lu Luo was fine.
Hence, Bai Yuetong was under great pressure during this ti. She had even consulted many doctors to ask if she was infertile. But the doctors’ examinations all yielded similar results. They explicitly stated Bai Yuetong’s body was very healthy and, though she was not a Transcendent, there should be no problems with having children.
After receiving confirmation from doctors multiple tis, Bai Yuetong relaxed slightly and continued to try conceiving with Lu Luo. However, there had still been no results.
Lu Luo also consulted Zhang Changming, a seasoned expert, about this matter. Zhang Changming provided Lu Luo with a reasonable explanation: the difference in strength between Lu Luo and Bai Yuetong was too great. Bai Yuetong’s physical constitution was too weak; the vast difference in individual strength made it difficult for her to conceive because her body might not be able to bear Lu Luo’s offspring. That’s why she was having difficulty getting pregnant.
Although Bai Yuetong was sowhat reluctant to accept this, she didn’t have much choice. She lacked the talent for cultivation, and in terms of physical constitution, she would probably never be able to catch up with Lu Luo. But she still harbored a glimr of hope. Zhang Changming had said that while ordinary people might have difficulty conceiving, it wasn’t entirely impossible. Many powerful experts had nurous won, and among them, there were always ordinary people. A significant portion of these ordinary won had also beco pregnant.
It mainly depended on Lu Luo himself; as long as Lu Luo diligently continued his efforts to make a baby, Bai Yuetong would one day beco pregnant.
With a frustrated heart, Bai Yuetong dutifully finished cooking the al.
"Dinner’s ready!"
"Coming!"
Lu Luo brought Qi Xinzhu back. Seeing how obediently Bai Yuetong had prepared the al, Lu Luo couldn’t help thinking to himself, Not bad, Dumb Hair is becoming sensible.
But just as he and Qi Xinzhu sat down, Dumb Hair suddenly blurted out, "You’re just going to eat like that? Aren’t you afraid I poisoned it? There are wild mushrooms in here."
"Uh... Bai Yuetong, do you have so misconceptions about the constitution of a Fifth Tier Transcendent?"
"Hmph, so what if you’re Transcendents? Big deal."
Qi Xinzhu, who had been quiet all along, suddenly said, "Transcendents are indeed quite remarkable. At least they can get pregnant." As she spoke, she touched her bulging belly and also took the opportunity to eat the largest piece of at from the pot.
Seeing this, Bai Yuetong was so frustrated her scalp tingled, and she had no way to retaliate.
She suddenly grabbed Lu Luo. "Let’s go!"
"What for?"
"To make a baby."
"Now? Co on, I haven’t even eaten yet!" Lu Luo was truly flabbergasted.
His pregnant first wife was eyeing him like a tiger watching its prey, while his second wife was practically begging him for... attention.
Is adult life really this simple and unadorned? Such competition is truly a bother!
Lu Luo sneaked a glance at Qi Xinzhu. Although he was tempted, even in this wilderness, he still had to seek his first wife’s opinion.
"After dinner," Qi Xinzhu said.
"Er, okay!"
With Qi Xinzhu’s approval, Bai Yuetong said no more. Both sides made a concession, reaching a perfect understanding. The atmosphere beca relaxed and pleasant once again.
However, this pleasantry didn’t last long before Zhang Changming’s call disrupted the rhythm.
"Hello."
"If you have sothing to say, spit it out. If you need to fart, then fart," Lu Luo, disturbed on his day off, was naturally not in the best of moods.
But Zhang Changming on the other end didn’t take offense. Their long-term cooperation had made him understand Lu Luo’s temper and character. Although this guy could be terribly unpleasant at tis, he was reliable as a person: strong in power, capable in abilities, efficient in action, and dependable. These were all the most excellent qualities of an ally. In contrast, a bad personality hardly counted as a flaw.
"Is Xiao Bai pregnant?"
Lu Luo: ???
"You called just to ask that?"
Lu Luo was sowhat speechless, but after a period of silence, Zhang Changming actually admitted it. "I am indeed quite concerned about that. Xiao Bai should have a child with you; it would solidify her status."
"What are you talking about? No matter what happens, she is my woman."
"That may not be certain. People always change. You will continue to grow stronger, and Xiao Bai will gradually age. When her youth fades, a child will be the best bond and solace."
Lu Luo fell silent this ti. Although he was reluctant to admit it, Zhang Changming’s words did make so sense. Bai Yuetong was an ordinary person; this in itself was a problem that wasn’t a problem, yet ultimately, they had to face it.
"We’re already working on it. Why are you, an old man, worrying so much about it?"
"Old man, you bastard? I’m only fifty damn years old!" Zhang Changming rarely cursed like that.
But Lu Luo was a bit surprised; Zhang Changming actually cared so much about his age!
"Alright, alright, just tell , what’s the matter today?"
"Sothing ca up in Huizhou recently. I’ve been temporarily summoned there to investigate a case."
"Trouble in Huizhou? They needed to call you for help? That doesn’t quite add up."
"Because I previously worked in Huizhou for a while, I’m sowhat familiar with the situation there. So, the higher-ups wanted to go over and lend a hand."
Zhang Changming’s explanation clearly wasn’t convincing to Lu Luo. "That’s still not a reason to deploy you, is it? Besides, why are you telling this? Even if you’re being reassigned, this has nothing to do with , right?"
After holding back for a long while, Zhang Changming finally spoke up, "There’s soone from the Bai Family in the Huizhou research facility."
Lu Luo went silent too. The Bai Family, huh!
He had promised the Judgnt Chief to make contact with the Bai Family, and he had been preparing to do just that. Originally, he had planned to find an opportunity to enter the Imperial Capital through resource sales channels. Then, while eting with Wu Liji, he’d privately make contact with the Bai Family. But now, it seed many things wouldn’t develop as he had anticipated.
Zhang Changming told him that there was soone from the Bai Family in Huizhou. Did he need to et this person now? eting a single mber of the Bai Family would definitely be much less difficult and risky than going to the Imperial Capital.
"Qi Xinzhu is about to give birth. I can’t leave during this ti." Lu Luo didn’t agree, but he didn’t refuse either.
Zhang Changming naturally caught the implication in Lu Luo’s words: not now, but after Qi Xinzhu had the baby, it would be possible.
"Fine, I can head over first and wait for you there."
"Hey? Wait a minute, from the sound of it, you can’t solve the situation in Huizhou by yourself?"
"That’s right. I truly can’t handle it; I’m very clear on that."
Lu Luo was curious. Although the power of a Seventh Tier operative from the Empire might not compare to those from the Wasteland Alliance, their equipnt was very robust. What exactly happened that was so serious?
"What’s the situation? Why can’t a Seventh Tier intervention resolve it?"
"Lu Luo, do you rember the topic you discussed with Princess Wu Liji and before?"
"A topic we discussed? The three of us rarely chat together."
Zhang Changming seed to nod from the other end of the line. He took out a booklet crowded with many notes. Among these, the three Exotic Species Monarchs ntioned by Lu Luo were recorded in this booklet.
"Lu Luo, I rember everything you’ve said. At first, I also thought you were just talking nonsense. Until recently, one of the things you spoke about really happened."
"Don’t beat around the bush. Out with it."
"An AI crisis. An AI crisis occurred in Huizhou."
On Lu Luo’s end of the phone, he fell silent. Even Qi Xinzhu and Bai Yuetong, who were eating nearby, could feel the chill emanating from him at that mont.
As soone from the Wasteland Alliance, Lu Luo was acutely aware of the damage an AI crisis could inflict on a society, so much so that for the next few hundred years, the Wasteland Alliance wouldn’t dare to develop any intelligent devices. The danger of intelligent AI control was only part of it. What was more terrifying was that, after being bathed in Dark Energy, AI products would grotesquely mutate into a new type of Exotic Species: the AI Species.
The difference between AI Species and intelligent devices was substantial. The forr was rely a tool that affected human society, while the latter were killing machines capable of destroying humankind.
"An AI crisis, huh? That really is terrifying!"
"Lu Luo, how should an AI crisis be resolved?"
"By eliminating the use of AI devices and ceasing their production, we can address the root of the AI crisis. For instance, networks, televisions, and cell phones—all must be prohibited." Lu Luo spoke with ease, but anyone could sense the absurd level of difficulty in what he proposed.
"That’s simply impossible. Considering the current scale of AI tools in the Empire, banning these devices would surely cause massive public outrage. The common folk wouldn’t understand such a asure and, ultimately, unrest would be inevitable."
Zhang Changming was right. The Empire differed from the Wasteland Alliance. The Wasteland Alliance was a closed loop, but the Empire was not. Though both had very strong military organizations, the Empire’s sheer size was an obstacle in itself. If governnt decrees failed to reach all areas, the entire Empire would suffer. This was precisely what made an AI crisis so frightening.
"Civil unrest and whatnot, that doesn’t have much to do with , does it?"
"Lu Luo, you know how to deal with an AI crisis, right?"
"Zhang Changming, you give too much credit. I don’t know what caused this AI crisis in Huizhou. But if even a group of Seventh Tier officials from the Inspection Departnt are helpless, I doubt I’d make any difference by going there." Lu Luo spoke the truth. He hadn’t been the one to end the AI crisis in the Wasteland Alliance. His understanding of an AI crisis was actually not that profound.
"But no matter what, your understanding of an AI crisis is deeper than ours. Lu Luo, even if you want to live a carefree life like a hermit, the Empire needs to provide that kind of environnt. When a nation faces a crisis, no one truly remains unhard."
Lu Luo knew the situation Zhang Changming described well. After so contemplation, he agreed. "Alright, after the child is born, I’ll go over."
"That’s settled then. I’ll wait for you in Huizhou."
"Wait, what is that person from the Bai Family doing in Huizhou? Which departnt?"
"At the Central Research Institute."
"A researcher?"
"No, being researched."
...
After ending the conversation with Zhang Changming, Lu Luo’s heart felt sowhat heavier.
Could it be Noah? It’s very likely. Nightmare Demon told about Noah’s disappearance when I was inside the wall. If Noah also ca outside, he indeed has the capability to create a new AI crisis in the Empire. However, I find it odd: shouldn’t Noah be in pursuit of true life? He already instigated an AI crisis once; what significance would there be for him to do it again? The Empire’s power limit is certainly different from that of the Wasteland Alliance. The Empire has thirteen top human experts of the Eighth Order alone. This is a formidable force. Even Noah himself couldn’t provoke them. In fact, even an Angel Envoy could be destroyed when encountering the might of the Empire’s elites. If he can’t challenge the upper limit, then what’s the purpose of his actions?
While Lu Luo was mulling this over, Qi Xinzhu suddenly said, "Lu Luo, let’s go ho. I’m feeling a bit unwell."
"Huh?"
As Lu Luo looked bewildered, Bai Yuetong, who was beside them, cried out as she supported Qi Xinzhu, her voice filled with urgency, "Lu Luo, you dumbass, Da Qi’s water broke! Quick, take her back!"
"Oh, right!"
Lu Luo carefully placed Qi Xinzhu on the bed, then simply lifted the entire bed and, grabbing Bai Yuetong, flew towards the Half-Mountain Villa. His movents were stable enough that neither Qi Xinzhu nor Bai Yuetong felt any turbulence during the flight.
But all three were still sowhat nervous.
"Lu Luo, you’re going to be a dad!"
"Ah? Oh!" Lu Luo was still in a daze.
"Guess if it’s a boy or a girl?"
"Don’t know. Boy or girl, it’s all the sa."
"Aren’t you happy?"
"Happy."
"If you’re happy, why aren’t you smiling?" Bai Yuetong seed even more excited than Qi Xinzhu herself.
"Ha. Ha. Ha!" Lu Luo let out a few stiff, dry laughs.
Qi Xinzhu, on the bed, couldn’t help but giggle. Her constitution was excellent, and childbirth shouldn’t be a problem, but they still decided to head back to the base, which was the safest place.
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