Chapter 1034: Time Walker, Cheng Shi |
The complexity people feel when understanding time mainly stems from the inability to anchor an absolutely perfect temporal reference frame.
Take the dice traces Cheng Shi had left in the underground experiment ground. For the current Cheng Shi — who hadn't yet visited the experiment ground — those traces represented a future. But for the Cheng Shi who'd used retrogression to return to the surface, they were already the past.
Regardless of future or past, under the talent Elusive Chip, these positions remained traceable — and separated by a very short interval.
So Cheng Shi was back. He hadn't even reached the west district timber warehouse. From a suitable distance, he simply snapped his fingers — and materialized inside the underground lab's corridor corner.
His only worry was whether his intrusion would be detected again by the three grand scholars who'd blocked him before. But this time, the infiltration was perfect. All the grand scholars were busy inside the experiment ground, methodically preparing the retrogression experiment. At this stage, the only experimental material was the Barren Walker.
Cheng Shi used the same trick. He hid a scholar, swapped clothes, and strolled in once more.
This time he caused no commotion. He went straight to the platform below Volent's position and requested to report experimental data to the security scholars on guard.
Scholars weren't fools. What experimental data would someone responsible for outer facility maintenance possibly have? Atmospheric dust particle density?
They drew their staffs to stop his approach and immediately triggered the alarm.
"Acier — what are you doing?"
Cheng Shi smiled: "I said — I have experimental data to report."
The lead security scholar didn't buy it. Frowning, he ordered Cheng Shi seized. But right then, Cheng Shi shouted up at the experiment platform:
"Grand Scholar Volent — I have experimental data regarding the traitors to report!"
The shout drew every eye. Soon, Asgis and two others appeared before him — the trio clearly in charge of security.
Asgis's shadowed gaze swept over Cheng Shi repeatedly. Only after confirming he bore no malice did he speak into the comm channel:
"Subject replaced. But doesn't appear hostile."
The channel replied: "Bring him up."
So, under bewildered stares, Cheng Shi was escorted by security scholars to the experiment platform. Six grand scholars stood in a row before him. Even as puppets, they radiated crushing pressure.
Think about it — the last individual worthy of the full Erudition Presidium's deliberation was probably some major experiment they'd been deciding whether to fund, or the strategy against Galusha. Now it was Cheng Shi.
When six gazes — solid as physical weight — pressed down on him, he realized: even sight had mass.
That mass was the hope carried by generations of Tower of Logic scholars — and the grand scholars' anxiety over this experiment's success.
Cheng Shi inhaled deeply. Without wasting time, he told them everything.
"You don't need to know who I am. Lengthy explanations are pointless. Just know that this experiment ground has been infiltrated.
Galusha is inside. She's hiding among the first echelon scholars. Every experiment platform has her people. She may not know the details of your contingency plan, but she's thoroughly prepared on the personnel front.
If they aren't purged immediately, this experiment will fail irreversibly.
Grand Scholar Volent — I trust you can determine whether I'm speaking truth. I may not like you, but right now, on the matter of preserving the Tower of Logic and ensuring this experiment's success, we are perfectly aligned!"
Cheng Shi's words changed every scholar's complexion. The six grand scholars exchanged dark glances, communicating silently. Then Ernie spoke:
"How do you know all this?"
Cheng Shi smiled: "As I said — explaining is pointless. Just launch the screening immediately. The facts will prove I'm not lying."
"..."
Volent studied Cheng Shi for a long moment, then once again demonstrated a [Truth] authority's decisiveness.
He nodded and immediately dispatched the three non-presiding grand scholars to begin a fresh round of screening. Then he turned to Cheng Shi:
"What do you want?"
'?'
'Are scholars really this perceptive?'
'I hadn't even considered asking for anything, and you're volunteering?'
'If I don't speak up, wouldn't that be disrespecting myself?'
Cheng Shi's eyes spun. Grinning: "I've heard the Ritual of Truth—"
"Understood. Escort our guest down to rest. Notify him when the screening results are in."
Without sparing Cheng Shi another glance, Volent returned to work.
'Bro — what exactly did you "understand"?'
'Come on, what negotiations don't start with opening high? At least give me a chance to lower my ask...'
Cheng Shi tried to protest, but objection denied — the security scholars dragged him straight out.
He could've resisted. But he didn't. Until Galusha's moles were purged, he wouldn't disrupt the scholars. So he went quietly.
On his way down from the experiment platform, another elevator rose carrying scholars clutching tablets, rushing to report data.
In that passing moment, Cheng Shi recognized one face.
He didn't know the scholar's name. But the build and features closely matched the person who'd activated the experiment from Volent's platform last time!
Back then, standing on the departure platform, Cheng Shi had not only grabbed Galusha but also looked toward Volent's direction seeking backup — inadvertently glimpsing the figure behind Volent. Now, encountering the same person again, recognition was instant.
"That one is Galusha's agent — careful!"
Cheng Shi pointed and snapped his fingers, teleporting back to the experiment platform. He seized a guard's weapon and, the instant the suspect scholar arrived, pressed the blade to his throat. Eyes sharp:
"Surprise, scholar. We meet again."
The reporting scholar froze. But his eyes flashed not with confusion — with alarm.
'Confirmed — compromised!'
The suspect's reaction told every surrounding scholar everything. Attention shifted from Cheng Shi's mysterious return to why their colleague had just exposed himself.
"Korius — since when!?"
Scholars formed a circle around the suspect. From behind, Volent's voice was cold:
"Take him down. Ensure the experiment proceeds orderly."
But at that command, Korius suddenly raised his right hand — pinky extended toward Volent — and without hesitation drove it toward his own eye, exactly like Galusha before him.
Too bad—
CRACK—
"GHLK—"
He failed!
'Are you kidding? The first time was inexperience. Now that I know what you people do — did you really think I'd let you detonate?'
Cheng Shi seized the scholar's hand, dislocated his joints, and slammed an elbow into his upper abdomen — dropping Korius to the ground.
"Restrain him. Watch the others — they may be able to self-detonate."
Everyone stared at Cheng Shi with astonishment — as if this stranger-colleague were an omniscient prophet.
But a prophet could only foretell — not prevent what was coming.
Because just as this platform's threat was neutralized, violent explosions erupted from the other two experiment platforms.
The shockwave threw countless scholars to the floor. Cheng Shi's pupils contracted. He spun around — and through the chaos, saw the entire experimental apparatus activating again!
"!!??"
Galusha's figure reappeared on the departure platform. Only this time, she was dragging several scholars' corpses.
Cheng Shi leaned forward, locking eyes with her — and saw madness so thick it couldn't be wiped away.
...