Chapter 55

The atmosphere in the command center was heavy. On the vast star map, the red area representing the energy storm was slowly shifting, while several federal patrols were converging from different directions toward the storm's edge. A faint distress signal flickered stubbornly in the center of the storm.

"Location confirmed," Susie tapped the last key. "Dr. Anthony is trapped at the abandoned Z-7 Observation Station on the edge of the 'Shattered Star Belt.' The energy storm is expected to subside in twelve standard hours, and Federation patrols are already patrolling the periphery."

Wen Ling gazed at the star map and spoke first, "We must save him. Anthony's research on nano-neural interfaces is key." He turned to Miao Weizhen, his tone serious, "Your 'Luofeng Reverberation' system requires more precise neural interface support, and Anthony's research can solve the problems of signal attenuation and positioning accuracy."

Seeing Miao Weizhen's inquiring gaze, Wen Ling continued to explain, "During my time at Luofeng University of Science and Technology, I participated in his projects as 'Wen Ling.' He is a pure technological progressive, focused on breaking through technological bottlenecks, and relatively optimistic about ethics and applications."

Miao Weizhen was silent for a moment, his fingertips tracing across the star map, stopping at a federal special forces team marked "Black Arrow." "It will take time to convince him. We must take him away before the storm subsides. Luo Yan, I need all the information on this team's commander, Colonel Walker."

The operation was quickly launched. The "Scavenger" team led by Wen Ling and Luo Yan boarded the "Night Shadow", disguised as an exploration vessel, and quietly sailed towards the storm area.

They arrived at the observation station safely, and Wen Ling entered the central control room alone.

Although Dr. Anthony looked haggard, his eyes still sparkled with the excitement of a technical expert when he saw Wen Ling.

"Wen Ling? No, Your Highness Wen Ling, I didn't expect you to come. Look at this," he pointed at the complex data flow on the console. "While on the run, I perfected the quantum tunneling model of the neural interface. It can improve signal accuracy by at least three orders of magnitude!"

"Doctor, the Federation is outside." Wen Ling had to interrupt his technical enthusiasm, "I need your help for the Luofeng Reverberation System."

Anthony was stunned for a moment, then showed an interested expression. "That legendary virtual interrogation system? I've heard rumors about it on the black market. It's said to be able to achieve an unprecedented depth of consciousness access. If combined with my new technology..."

"Doctor," Wen Ling interrupted him sternly, "this system is used for interrogation and torture. Aren't you worried about its use?"

Anthony waved his hand dismissively. "Technology itself is neither good nor evil. What matters is that it pushes the boundaries of science. The Federation might use it for interrogation, but the same technology can also be used to treat mental illness, help paralyzed patients—"

At this moment, the observatory suddenly shook violently.

Luo Yan's voice came over the communicator: "Your Highness, the Federation's 'Black Arrow' team has broken through our interference and is forcing their way onto the station. They're carrying, oh my god, a neural rippers."

The lights in the control room flickered wildly. Through the observation windows, several Federal soldiers aboard could be seen using a device that emitted a faint blue light. A "Scavenger" member, struck by the beam, immediately let out a shrill scream, convulsing violently and foaming at the mouth.

"That's it," Anthony said, his eyes widening. "That's the prototype I designed three years ago. I told you it was just a proof of concept and needed at least five years of safety testing."

Even more shocking was the announcement from the leading federal officer over the external radio: "Doctor Anthony, we know you're in there. Hand over the complete neural interface data, or you'll be the next to experience the 'Neural Ripper.' We're eager to test its limits."

Anthony's face turned pale and he stumbled back. "How could they...how could they...it was just a theoretical model..."

"Do you understand now, Doctor?" Wen Ling supported him. "What you consider to be 'pure scientific exploration' is a weapon in the hands of others. And it's a weapon that can be put into use immediately without five years of testing."

Another wave of attacks arrived, and the entire observatory was shaking. Anthony looked out the window at the still-twitching soldier, his voice trembling: "I... I always believed that science should transcend politics..."

"But politics never lets go of science," Wen Ling pointed at the federal soldiers. "Look at them, doctor. They don't care about your theories, your five years of safety testing. They only care about weapons that can be used immediately."

Anthony slumped over the console, his hands shaking. His lifelong faith in technology was shattered by the cruel reality at this moment.

"Join us, Doctor." Wen Ling crouched down to meet his gaze. "At the Iron Throne, we understand the value of technology, but we also respect its dangers. We need you to refine the Reverberations of Luofeng, but more importantly, we need you to set safe boundaries for these powerful technologies."

Anthony looked out the window at the federal soldiers using his "purely theoretical" weapons to harm others and finally made up his mind. "Okay... I'll join. But I demand a comprehensive technical ethics review mechanism. Any use of technology must undergo a safety assessment."

"This is exactly what we need." Wen Ling nodded solemnly.

Upon returning to the Iron Throne base, Anthony's first action was to review the technical files of the Luofeng Resonance. Upon seeing the system's detailed security restrictions and complete records of every use, he was astonished to discover that this system, rumored to be a "torture tool," actually had far more comprehensive security safeguards than the "neural rippers" used by the Federation.

"At least here," he told Wen Ling, "there are still people willing to take responsibility for the safe use of technology."

Dr. Anthony's arrival has significantly boosted the Iron Throne's technological capabilities. In a laboratory specially prepared for him, this former technologist is intently analyzing the underlying architecture of the Luofeng Reverberation.

"Ingenious, but too cold," Anthony pointed at the complex neural mapping algorithms in the holographic projection. "The design of these circuits almost treats the human brain as a machine that can be disassembled at will. Where did Minister Miao get these core algorithms?"

Wen Ling stood beside him, his eyes fixed on the flowing data streams, and replied softly, "For Xinglan."

The laboratory was silent for a moment.

Anthony looked up, a confused expression on his face.

Wen Ling gestured to Anthony to follow him to the rest area next to him and handed him a cup of hot drink.

"The prototype of Luofeng Canxiang originated from Miao Weizhen's search for the whereabouts of his sister Xinglan." Wen Ling's voice was heavy. "Xinglan disappeared during a high-risk jump experiment in the 'Star Shuttle' project. The official record was that her consciousness dissipated during the jump. But Miao Weizhen didn't believe it."

“So he built this system…”

"The original goal was to interrogate all federal officials and scientists potentially involved in the Star Shuttle Project incident and piece together the truth from their fragmented memories," Wen Ling explained. "He mobilized every available resource, integrating federally banned and lost neurotechnology from ancient civilizations, even... resorting to unconventional means to obtain experimental data. He was so eager to find answers that, in the early stages, system security and ethical boundaries were secondary."

Anthony pondered. "So, what about these complex security protocols and restrictions in the system now, like this mandatory upper limit on nerve pain, and this... 'Wen Ling Protocol'?"

he asked, pointing to a prominent symbol in the code.

A faint bitter smile appeared on Wen Ling's lips: "I forced it in."

He walked to the console and called up several encrypted files, which were upgraded versions of the "Brain-Computer Interface Subject Database_Wen Ling" and the "Ministry of Science and Education Neural Probe Nanorobot Use Application Template" that he had secretly established in Luofeng.

"Look here," Wen Ling pointed to the subject protection clauses in the database. "I originally created this database because I was concerned about the misuse of your research, Dr. Anthony. I recorded all the physiological and psychological reaction data from early subjects and analyzed the long-term effects of different stimulation thresholds on the nerves. This data later became the core basis for setting Luofeng Reverberation's 'pain ceiling' and 'consciousness protection barrier'."

He pulled up an expanded version of the application template. "This evolved into the current 'Ethical Review and Mandatory Approval Process.' Any attempt to initiate Luofeng Can Xiang must clearly define the interrogation objectives, assess the risks, and obtain final authorization from me or someone I designate. Miao Weizhen...he tacitly approved this."

Anthony looked at these well-designed and carefully considered safeguards, which formed a stark contrast with Luofeng Canxiang's cold, primitive structure. He took a deep breath and said, "I really... overlooked these things at the beginning."

He looked at Wen Ling with a complicated expression: "So from the very beginning, you have been trying to put a rein on dangerous technology."

"I just don't want to see technology become a mere tool of torture, even if its original purpose was to find loved ones," Wen Ling's voice was soft, yet filled with unquestionable determination. "Miu built its framework, endowing it with the ability to seek the truth and obtain intelligence. My job is to ensure that while it tears open someone's memories, it doesn't completely destroy that person, and doesn't turn them into a monster that even we can't control."

Just then, the laboratory door slid open and Miao Weizhen walked in.

His eyes swept over the prominent "Wen Ling Protocol" on the holographic projection, his face expressionless. He simply said to Anthony, "Doctor, Susie is waiting for you in the energy core area. I need your opinion on the coupling issue between the interface and the 'Guardian's Heart'."

Anthony understood and immediately got up and left.

There were only two of them left in the lab. Miao Weizhen walked over to Wen Ling and looked at the safety barriers on the screen that Wen Ling had built.

"Now that you know all this, do you think I'm even more of a monster?" Miao Weizhen's voice was low, emotionless. The origins of his creation of Luofeng Canxiang were indeed filled with paranoia and unscrupulousness.

Wen Ling turned around, faced him, and shook her head: "What I saw was a man who was willing to get his hands dirty and walk into hell just to find his loved ones."

He reached out and gently grasped Miao Weizhen's cool fingers: "And what I did was not to stand on the shore and blame you for soiling your clothes, but to walk into hell and tell you where you can avoid getting bloodstained, and make sure that we can come out of it together in the end."

He raised his eyes, his clear green pupils reflecting Miao Weizhen's deep features. "Your reverberation is to find Xinglan, and my agreement is to protect you and also to protect our bottom line as human beings. We are both indispensable."

Miao Weizhen stared at him, then gripped his hand tightly with a powerful grip. He didn't speak, but deep within those always icy eyes, something seemed to be slowly melting. He had created a dangerous weapon, and Wen Ling had always been, and would always be, the sheath that held it.

Miao Weizhen stared at him, then gripped his hand tightly with a powerful grip. He didn't speak, but deep within those always icy eyes, something seemed to be slowly melting. He had created a dangerous weapon, and Wen Ling had always been, and would always be, the sheath that held it.

The lab was silent, save for the low hum of instruments. The air was heavy with the heaviness of that honesty, and a deeper, unspoken connection.

Wen Ling looked at the complex emotions surging in his eyes, which contained the heaviness of the past, the loneliness that was unknown to outsiders, and the waves caused by him at this moment.

He felt something in his heart and stood on tiptoe. It was no longer the kind of kiss that was comforting or tentative as before, but he took the initiative to kiss Miao Weizhen's slightly cold thin lips with clear love, understanding and complete acceptance.

The kiss was gentle, yet like a ripple of warmth, it instantly pierced the last layer of ice around Miao Weizhen. His body froze for a moment, barely perceptible, before a deeper, more turbulent emotion surged forth like a dam breaking. He almost immediately took control, one hand firmly grasping Wen Ling's waist, pulling him into his embrace, the other tangled in his golden hair, deepening the kiss.

It was no longer plunder, but confirmation; no longer a lone wolf's possession, but a traveler who had found his way home, desperately absorbing the only warmth and light. All the calculations, coldness, and the darkness that he carried were temporarily dispelled by this pure and warm kiss.

However, this tender moment did not last long.

"Minister! Your Highness! Dr. Anthony asked me to ask..." Susie excitedly pushed open the door of the laboratory, and her voice stopped abruptly.

She stared in amazement at the two people hugging and kissing each other passionately in front of the central console, her mouth opened into an O shape.

Wen Ling tried to retreat as if she had been burned, but Miao Weizhen held her tightly in his arms, unable to move. Miao Weizhen didn't even end the kiss immediately, but just raised his eyelids in displeasure and glanced coldly at the uninvited guest at the door.

Susie came back to her senses instantly and slammed the door shut. Through the door came her incoherent, obviously deliberately amplified, voice: "Ah, that! I didn't see anything! You guys keep going! Keep going! I'll tell the doctor that the problem is solved! No need to come! Absolutely no need to come!"

The footsteps quickly faded away, accompanied by her suppressed giggles.

The laboratory returned to silence, with only the disordered breathing of each other being heard.

Wen Ling buried her hot face in Miao Weizhen's shoulder, her ears so red that they almost bled.

"...That's all right now," his voice was muffled and embarrassed.

Miao Weizhen lowered his head, looking at the red ears of the person in his arms, feeling the warmth and vitality transmitted from him. The barren land in his heart, which had lost its structure due to hatred and calculation, seemed to finally be illuminated by a ray of real and warm sunshine.

He laughed very softly, low and magnetic, with an unprecedented sense of relaxation.

"What are you afraid of?" He tightened his arms and rubbed his chin against Wen Ling's soft golden hair. His tone was unprecedented, with a hint of indulgence and certainty, "They knew it a long time ago."