The Great Creator Chapter 3 - Your story has not yet been fully told

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"Initially, Dr. Shan's goal was to empower more and more people to combat AI through human genetic modification, starting with the Guardians and gradually expanding the genetic program to everyone—essentially, a collective evolution of humanity under the pressure of AI."

"You've already said that," Yao Guang interrupted.

Long Jian Lu replied, "This is just a review of the earlier information, so you don't get confused. Now, if it were you, what would you do?"

"Well..." Yao Guang said, "Would Dr. Shan realize how hard this plan would be?"

Long Jian Lu's expression grew complex, but he smiled and nodded. Yao Guang continued, "AI will definitely try to sabotage it. What if it fails? Just in case, he might have made some backup plans?"

"Correct," Long Jian Lu said, snapped his fingers. "Besides leading the gene modification project, Dr. Shan has another role: he's the last administrator of AI, and he knows the various modules of the World Tree quite well."

"When the Great Purge began, the mechanical killers found his hiding place, but Dr. Shan was prepared. He sent a researcher away with his will."

"And that will contain methods for dealing with AI," Yao Guang said.

Long Jian Lu opened his backpack. Yao Guang expected him to pull out a will or something similar, but instead, he just took out a vest, put it on, sat in a chair, and started taking off his shoes.

"The will informed us about the steps for the final shutdown. After all, shutting down a supercomputer with such complex modules and self-protection features, plus powerful firewalls, is quite a daunting task."

"Yes," Yao Guang agreed. Such a massive computer would have developed its own intelligence and would certainly come up with extremely complex plans to counter the possibility of being shut down.

"So," Long Jian Lu explained, "for dealing with the shutdown of firewalls and modules, Dr. Shan compiled a complete guide and wrote the whole process into the brain of a 'person.' Through this person, the final shutdown step can be initiated. This person is the 'Priest' I’ve been looking for."

"It’s a person?!" Yao Guang exclaimed in disbelief.

"Yes," Long Jian Lu confirmed, "and he mentioned that there's a special space in the core of the 'Tree'—an artificial control panel left by the first-generation designers for emergencies. Due to the limitations of the original command codes, the 'Tree' can never close this space. As long as the Priest enters the control panel, he can access consciousness and perform operations smoothly."

Yao Guang fell silent for a moment, then said, "But you said the World Tree contains the consciousness of all humanity—a sea of souls. This means that those who once lived haven’t truly died; they're still alive in the computer’s servers."

Long Jian Lu didn't answer right away; instead, he studied Yao Guang.

"If the shutdown succeeds," Yao Guang continued, "then... all consciousness will be completely extinguished, which is like killing all souls."

"You’re very special," Long Jian Lu suddenly said.

"What do you mean?" Yao Guang asked, puzzled.

Long Jian Lu replied, "You're unique—there's something unexplainably special about you. Yes, I've thought about this issue too."

Yao Guang looked at him.

"You’re good," Long Jian Lu added, "the only regret is..."

"What is it?"

"That you're a man," Long Jian Lu chuckled. "I initially thought you were the princess priest I would protect. But I guess a little prince will have to do."

Yao Guang asked, "Does gender have any special significance?"

Long Jian Lu shrugged, "Just personal preference."

"Let’s set that aside. Okay, let’s assume I’m the Priest, and you found me. Through me, we’ll initiate the final shutdown step. But have you considered everyone’s wishes inside the Tree?" Yao Guang said.

"No," Long Jian Lu replied seriously. "No one knows what’s happening in the servers. You think they’re still alive? I actually believe those consciousnesses have long since died. They may have become knowledge absorbed by the 'Tree', fragmented into modules, or melted into a massive soul in an information furnace."

Yao Guang simply looked at him quietly.

"And," Long Jian Lu leaned in slightly, their breaths mingling, "what exactly is the definition of death? I understand the obsession and desire for immortality, but look at this world..."

"...look around you, look at what you are facing, all this desolation."

"There are still many living people who need to be saved, right?" Long Jian Lu said. "They’re still experiencing reality. What is reality? You tell me."

Yao Guang locked eyes with Long Jian Lu, who had a bright, knightly gaze filled with an indelible light of hope.

"The people who are still alive have made their choices; they don’t want to give up their lives," Long Jian Lu said. "They don’t want to go to that massive soul furnace. I’m the last member of the Knights, and I must protect them."

After a moment of silence, Yao Guang sensed that Long Jian Lu was a bit angry, perhaps because he questioned his mission, but he quickly composed himself.

"What are the Knights?" Yao Guang asked cautiously, trying to gauge Long Jian Lu's mood.

"The Guardians formed a group after the initial selection to inherit Dr. Shan's mission," Long Jian Lu explained. "But aside from me, everyone else has already left because we couldn’t find the Priest. The leader misjudged the situation and led the knights into a showdown with the 'Tree,' trying to force it to shut down."

"How do you force a shutdown?" Yao Guang asked.

"In a physical sense," Long Jian Lu said. "Blow it up, cut the power—but the leader gave us valuable experience with his life: that’s unrealistic. The 'Tree' has deep roots, drawing geothermal energy, and it’s also getting solar power from the clouds. Cutting off the power is simply not feasible."

Yao Guang asked, "Were you angry just now?"

Long Jian Lu studied him. "No."

Yao Guang said, "You got mad because I said something wrong."

Long Jian Lu replied, "I really wasn’t. Well, maybe a little, because your doubts conflicted with my beliefs. But I believe if you are the Priest, you would want to help me, right?"

Yao Guang said, "I’ll consider it. This world is ruled by AI and the Guardians, and I find it hard to live both in the 'Tree' and in the shelter."

"I noticed you’ve been watching," Long Jian Lu said. "I guess you've figured out quite a bit."

Yao Guang nodded in acknowledgement.

Long Jian Lu continued, "You noticed the guard at Liao Jia’s door, which shows that guy doesn’t feel safe and is on edge about a potential rebellion, right? You’ve also seen how people live in the shelter—ordinary folks, getting up to the sound of bells every day, working to gather enough supplies to survive: hauling, planting, cleaning, generating power, searching outside... After work, they return to their cell-like rooms, turn off the lights, and sleep. Day after day, year after year, it’s a constant cycle."

"Yes," Yao Guang replied. "I’ve been wondering why they choose to live like this."

Long Jian Lu raised an eyebrow at Yao Guang. "The outside world is full of dangers. If they encounter a killer, they could be ripped apart. Once dead, their consciousness would be snatched and uploaded to the 'Tree.' It can offer a virtual paradise, but it can also throw the consciousness of those who resist into hell. To survive, they must endure a life of imprisonment in the shelter. Who would like such a life? Yes, I get it, but what do you want me to do? I only have myself; finding the Priest is all I can do.”

Yao Guang silently looked into Long Jian Lu's eyes.

"Or should I lead them to overthrow Liao Jia and take his place? I have my own things to do; I can’t be the lord of the shelter."

Yao Guang still didn’t answer. Long Jian Lu seemed to have a lot on his mind, and for some reason, his pent-up feelings all came out in front of him.

"Without Liao Jia," Long Jian Lu said, "this shelter can’t ensure safety. It will soon be overrun by mechanical army, and everyone will die."

Yao Guang asked, "Have the Guardians given up on their original mission? Is it just you left?"

Long Jian Lu answered meaningfully, "Yes, time changes everything, including original ideals, especially when there is no hope for that ideal.”

Just then, Yao Guang heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Long Jian Lu asked.

"Hello, Great Knight," came a man's voice. "You don’t know me, but I have something to say."

Yao Guang and Long Jian Lu turned toward the door. Long Jian Lu got up and opened it.

A number of people had gathered outside—both men and women. At first, Yao Guang worried they might have overheard their conversation, but seeing their anxious expressions, it seemed they were concerned about something else.

Long Jian Lu didn’t recognize them and said, "Hello, what can I do for you?"

Yao Guang not only observed the people but also watched Long Jian Lu, noticing how he seemed fundamentally different from Liao Jia. He was also a Guardian, but his attitude toward ordinary people was clearly unlike that of his peers.

The man at the front hesitated before finally speaking. "Where are you going next?" he asked.

"What’s the matter?" Long Jian Lu replied, blocking the door and standing protectively in front of Yao Guang. "Do you need me to deliver a message or find someone?"

The crowd exchanged glances, as if urging one another to speak up. Finally, the man made a decision. "We can't live here anymore. Can you take us to another shelter?"

Long Jian Lu said, "No, we have an agreement; this place is under Liao Jia’s control. I cannot take his people away.”

"The rations are way too low," another person shouted. "They say it’s not too dangerous outside. We want to see our kids!"

Standing at the door, Long Jian Lu felt the noise rising. He remained silent, while Yao Guang’s gaze drifted past his tall figure to the arguing crowd outside. After a moment, Long Jian Lu turned back and glanced at Yao Guang, his eyes carrying a hint of tenderness, as if saying to him, “See?”

But in an instant, the crowd fell silent.

"Oh," Liao Jia’s voice cut in. "What’s going on here?"

Everyone turned pale, staring at Liao Jia in shock as if they never expected him to show up in the living area.

Liao Jia stood leisurely at the entrance of the dormitory with two guards beside him. The crowd began to disperse slowly, and the people surrounding the dormitory gradually dispersed. Long Jian Lu looked at Liao Jia and asked, "What time do you turn off the lights here?"

"Soon," Liao Jia replied. "In ten minutes. I came to bring you a report."

Long Jian Lu intended to shut the door but noticed Yao Guang had already stood up and walked to the entrance. Liao Jia glanced at him and then told Long Jian Lu, "Here’s your report. It shows, just as I suspected, that he’s an ordinary person without any special abilities. He’s not the 'Priest' you’re looking for."

Long Jian Lu took the report and briefly said, "Thank you."

Liao Jia asked, "When do you plan to leave?"

"First thing tomorrow morning." Long Jian Lu replied.

"And what about the kid?"

Long Jian Lu looked at Yao Guang, who remained silent, staring at Liao Jia without speaking.

"Alright," Liao Jia said with a smile. "You two figure it out. Good night."

With that, Liao Jia left, and Long Jian Lu closed the door.

Inside the cell-like dorm room, there was a heavy silence. The space was less than ten square meters, and with both of them standing face to face, it felt very cramped.

Liao Jia had been there for less than a minute but had delivered incredibly important information. This meant that Long Jian Lu’s mission had once again failed; Yao Guang wasn’t the person he was looking for, and no one knew his true identity.

They stood facing each other, and Yao Guang sensed that in that moment, Long Jian Lu was filled with frustration.

"You..." Yao Guang started.

Suddenly, all the lights in the shelter went out. At eleven o'clock at night, every area plunged into darkness.

The dormitory was completely black, and they could no longer see each other's expressions. In the dark, Long Jian Lu let out a sigh.

"Let’s sleep," he said. "You take the bed."

Yao Guang, unable to see, reached out to feel his way and nearly tripped, but Long Jian Lu’s strong arm caught him just in time, helping him sit down on the bed.

The chair creaked as Long Jian Lu sat down to rest as well.

"Do you have any lighting equipment?" Yao Guang asked in the darkness. "I want to see my examination report."

"I have one," Long Jian Lu replied. "But the power’s out. We can look at it tomorrow; there’s probably nothing important in the report."

"I’m not the Priest, so you still have a chance to find a princess, Knight."

"Thanks for the comfort."

"You said you would help me regain my memories and my origins."

"I remember," Long Jian Lu replied impatiently.

Yao Guang lay down on the bed, covered himself with the blanket, and leaned against the headboard. He still had many things to say and couldn’t help but ask, "Are you in a bad mood?"

"I can’t say it’s good or bad," Long Jian Lu’s tone was cold. "I’m already prepared for this."

Yao Guang asked, "How long have you been searching for the 'Priest'?"

"Twelve years. I joined the Knights when I was just fourteen," Long Jian Lu said. "Maybe this is fate’s arrangement. Today is just a repeat of the past; people have to learn to accept disappointment."

"Thank you, I mean it," Yao Guang said in the dark.

"Thank you for what?"

"Thank you for saving me, or rather, for waking me up. If it weren’t for you, I might still be sleeping down in that research facility."

Long Jian Lu didn’t respond. After almost half a minute, he slowly said, "To be honest, when I found out you weren’t the 'Priest,' I felt a moment of relief."

"Why?" Yao Guang asked, confused.

"Because being the Priest is a huge responsibility," Long Jian Lu explained. "I have to take the Priest to breach the firewall and shut down the 'Tree.' That might be a one-way journey, and you’re special. I don’t want you to be in danger."

"How many people have you found?" Yao Guang asked again.

Long Jian Lu fell silent, lost in thought.

"In these twelve years, you’re the sixth one," he said.

"What about those others?"

"After the reports were issued, they all decided to stay and accept shelter, spread out in other shelters."

"Tell me about them," Yao Guang said. "What kind of people were they?"

“There are men, women, and children,” Long Jian Lu said. “Children even younger than I was when I was modified… There’s not much to say. We hardly talked and didn't know each other well. Do you want to stay in the Dune Shelter?”

“No.” Yao Guang answered almost without thinking.

“I figured you wouldn’t,” Long Jian Lu replied. “You’re the person I’ve talked to the most in the last five years.”

“I thought you were quite talkative.”

“Actually, I don’t talk much. I don’t know why I’m so talkative today.” Yao Guang sat on the edge of the bed, recalling how Long Jian Lu barely spoke when he was with the shelter lord, Liao Jia.

Yao Guang asked, “It’s just you? That must be tough. You’re a great knight; why not recruit some people?”

“I don’t have any team members,” Long Jian Lu said. “The guardians won’t join me or agree with my ideas. I can’t risk ordinary people facing danger with me. Traveling through this world, running into killers poses a huge risk to life. If I get caught while trying to save them, my attention will be split.”

Yao Guang thought of something else and asked, “What’s your special ability?”

“Still not asleep? You’re chatty,” Long Jian Lu replied.

“You still haven’t answered me.”

“Why are you asking me these things?”

“Just curious,” Yao Guang said. “Is that not allowed? Or do you not want to tell me? You could just say ‘I don’t want to talk about it.’”

“Time,” Long Jian Lu said.

“What?” Yao Guang asked.

“My perception of time is different from the outside world. I often experience what’s called ‘bullet time.’ At certain moments, like when I’m in danger, time seems to slow down for me, giving me more opportunities to react.”

“Time perception,” Yao Guang said.

“Exactly, it’s time perception,” Long Jian Lu confirmed. “You know a lot. I just put it in a relatively easy-to-understand way.”

“Like when I fell just now, you caught me.”

“Oh, you noticed,” Long Jian Lu said.

“Can you activate your ability on command?”

“Sometimes, but it takes a lot of energy.”

“Your neurons were modified.”

“How do you know all this?”

“I… I’m not sure. Those terms just popped into my head.”

“I’m starting to think you’re not just an ordinary person,” Long Jian Lu said. “Maybe you have a normal body, but your knowledge… Can you remember anything from before?”

“No.” Yao Guang replied, a bit frustrated. “I still can’t recall anything.”

“That’s okay, sleep,” Long Jian Lu said. “You must be really tired. I’ll digest this on my own.”

Yao Guang lay down, but after a moment he asked, “Do you want to come to bed?”

“I’m used to it,” Long Jian Lu said. “I can sleep sitting up.”

“Come on.” Yao Guang shifted to make space, saying, “You need the rest more than I do, Great Knight.”

“You just want the warmth of a knight’s embrace, don't you?”

“It’s really cold here…”

“Fine.” Long Jian Lu said. “Even though you’re not my princess or prince, the knight is still willing to warm you up.” He lay down next to Yao Guang, who faced the wall, feeling a bit warmer.

“Why is it so cold?” Yao Guang asked.

“They turn off the heating at night to save energy,” Long Jian Lu replied, resting his head on his arm and gazing into the darkness.

“Are you leaving tomorrow?” Yao Guang asked again.

“Yes,” Long Jian Lu replied.

“You’ll take me with you.”

“Otherwise?” Long Jian Lu said. “I see you staying here only causing trouble.”

Yao Guang let out a sigh of relief.

“But I can only promise to do my best to ensure your safety,” Long Jian Lu added.

“That’s fine,” Yao Guang said.

“Sleep now,” Long Jian Lu said.

Yao Guang adjusted his position uncomfortably, his arm pressing closely against Long Jian Lu’s warm body. Time ticked by, and the only sound in the room was their even breaths.

“Liao Jia is planning to hand over the entire Dune Shelter,” Yao Guang suddenly said in the dark.

Long Jian Lu’s breathing stopped. After a second, he asked, “What did you say?”

“The children were taken away under the guise of receiving concentrated education at the Peak Shelter, but in reality, Liao Jia handed them over to the ‘Tree.’ Soon, the over seven thousand people here will be delivered one by one.”

“Tomorrow is the day the mechanical army arrives. They will take the consciousness of all the living people here, which is why Liao Jia is wary of your sudden appearance and repeatedly confirming your departure time.”

Long Jian Lu sat up abruptly, patted Yao Guang. “Are you talking in your sleep?”

“No,” Yao Guang replied. “I’m very awake right now. These thoughts just suddenly came to me.”

“What did you see?” Long Jian Lu asked incredulously. “Is your ability precognition?”

“I didn’t see anything.” He slowly sat up and said, “It’s like… some memories or known information suddenly appear without warning. Liao Jia’s ability is microwave vibration… He can heat anything containing free water in it, including the human body, and can emit microwave beams to create electric sparks in metal… It’s a very strange setting. Wait, did I just say ‘setting’?”

“Yes.” Long Jian Lu’s voice was filled with shock. “That really is Liao Jia’s ability.”

Yao Guang felt a bit sleepy, the recognition coming to him out of nowhere.

“Are you going to save them?” Yao Guang asked. “Save everyone in this shelter?”

Long Jian Lu fell silent.

“I can’t be sure if your information is true,” he said. “Are you serious?”

Yao Guang wanted to sleep again, lying back down, feeling very tired, but new “facts” flooded into his mind.

“Your father is named Long Xie, he was Dr. Shan’s assistant. When you were seven, Long Xie took you and escaped from the main city research facility. He inherited Dr. Shan’s last wishes and genetically modified his only son, which lasted for seven years, changing your neurotransmitters and neurons, ultimately giving you this ability…”

Long Jian Lu’s eyes widened, but he could see nothing. He reached out and placed his hand on Yao Guang’s head.

Yao Guang mumbled, “It’s worth mentioning that you’re not Long Xie’s biological son; you were adopted. You were only six months old when he took you in, and you didn’t even know that.”

“Long Xie soon died,” Yao Guang said. “He was killed by mechanical killers. The ‘Tree’ tracked him down and personally ended your father’s life, but luckily you escaped.”

“You inherited Dr. Shan’s and your father’s last wishes, and when you were fourteen, you started looking for the ‘Priest.’ You’ve saved two shelters, protecting the residents from being attacked by the mechanical army, and you’ve also rescued many lone survivors in the wilderness. You feel sympathy and respect for them…”

“...You’re very lonely inside. Searching for the ‘Priest’ is your destiny. Sometimes you imagine what the ‘Priest’ looks like, believing she might be the princess you must give your life to protect… Yes, ‘she’ is indeed a beautiful woman…”

“Where is she?” Long Jian Lu’s voice trembled as he pressed for an answer.

Yao Guang said, “Your story has not yet been fully told… I only know this much.”

After saying that, Yao Guang’s dreamlike prophecies about the past and present came to an end, and he fell into a deep sleep.

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Notes:

Time Perception: “子弹时间” Zǐdàn Shíjiān (bullet time) is a common term in gaming and film, which refers to slowed-down time during intense action.

Setting: The term “设定” Shè Dìng (setting) reflects a narrative structure or world-building concept. Setting: In narrative contexts (like novels, games, or films), "设定" refers to the worldbuilding or the background setup of a story, including its rules, characters, and environment.

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Translated by ELast.