Legend of the Cyber Heroes
Chapter 145 - 145 65 Chicken Soup for the Soul

145: Chapter 65 Chicken Soup for the Soul 145: Chapter 65 Chicken Soup for the Soul Mr.

Bengel did not perform any action, yet the illumination in the entire room suddenly dimmed.

Afterward, a three-dimensional projection appeared in the vacant space before the two of them.

It was the likeness of Ya Pining Zhao.

At this time, he had switched to a prosthetic body with a larger proportion of biological components for the upper body part—these biological elements were additionally cultivated using stem cells, with the density of the sensors more than double the average human level.

If it had been the Old Era, then such a tongue would have been enough to pave his way to becoming a “Gourmet Appraiser.” This nose would have been enough for him to become a “Fragrance Appraiser”—this was a talent that others could not envy.

And now, Ya Pining was desperately eating a large clump of creamy-white pastry using that prosthetic body.

“Protein forms a flexible framework, filled with both long and short chain sugar substances.

Additionally, another type of protein, fully mixed with air, was injected.” Mr.

Bengel nodded in satisfaction, “This thing was called ‘cream cake’ in the Old Era—allegedly it required animal and plant materials to make, of course now it can be completely synthesized.

Not only that, I can guarantee that this dessert is not inferior in taste to the gustatory memories of the Old Era.”

This was also part of the glorious traditions of the Order of Knights.

Everyone was aware of the living habits of the Martial Ancestor.

This dessert was a classic style often eaten by the Martial Ancestor from his twenties to his thirties.

He would often consume this to replenish his sugar levels during the deep, quiet nights when he was immersed in reading literature alone.

To this day, the Scientific Knight Order still maintains the refined custom of sharing sweets at midnight.

Every Scientific Knight with free time endeavored to prepare for themselves a prosthetic body equipped with taste and digestive functions, to experience what the Martial Ancestor felt back then.

Although most of today’s Scientific Knights do not need powdered sugar and only require electrical energy to sustain most of their cognitive activities.

Ya Pining’s attention was focused on the big piece of cake in front of him, not noticing the Secretary Officer and Scientific Knight communicating with him.

Mr.

Bengel shook his head, “Is this time’s hobby eating?

That’s somewhat…

young master, I hope next time you can cultivate some hobbies that are in line with the spirit of Dyson’s principles.

I’ve heard that humans of the Old Era were very interested in reproductive activities.”

“What does that have to do with me…” Ya Pining finally noticed them and continued wolfing down his food, “The tasks that need to be done…

I have properly carried out.

The rest I can do as I wish—isn’t that also advocated by Dyson’s principles?”

Mr.

Bengel lightly clapped his hands, “That’s quite the enlightenment.

So, what are your thoughts now?

Do you think you need to end this experimental process at this point?”

“I’m fine…” The young man struggled to swallow the food in his mouth, and then noticing his Secretary Officer, he smiled, “My brother, as you can see, I’m in good shape.

You only need to assist Mr.

Bengel properly and maintain the security of Pine Eagle City.

Just wait until the roundup operation is over, that ‘mountain’ will be suppressed.

Before that, as long as you and the respected knights of the Order exert all your efforts…”

The Secretary Officer nodded.

Mr.

Bengel cut off the projection, “You see.

I’ve arranged quite an interesting relaxation activity for your lord.

Although at first, he was under some kind of death threat, during the process of the Pseudo-personality Mask formation, he gradually overcame this obstacle.”

“Nowadays, half of the techniques applied in Inner Strength come from the medical technology of the Old Era.

Accompanied by cultivation, all kinds of psychological diseases will be overcome by humanity.

Although this is not a true ‘cure,’ this young Tax Officer has temporarily freed himself from fear.

Isn’t that great?”

The Secretary Officer nodded reluctantly.

Mr.

Bengel turned away, continuing to appreciate that artificial amber.

“Ah, by the way, Secretary Officer Ming Jing,” the Scientific Knight suddenly spoke up, “A message just came through, there is another assignment that may be more suitable for you.”

“What?

My task is to assist you and guard this building, right?”

“A brother from another Sanctuary is coming to post a request.” Mr.

Bengel said, “According to the rules, we must ensure that brother’s safety.

So, we need to allocate a protective force for the Yangtze Knight.

This is the rule.

Our directly affiliated Martial Artists rarely do this kind of close protection work, I think you might be more suitable?”

“If you can take on this character suited for you, then you would be saving manpower resources for our Order.

We would be able to better protect the young master—what do you think?”

The Secretary Officer pondered for a moment and said, “At this time, why would a Scientific Knight come to post a request?

Is there a problem?”

The so-called “posting a request” is a form of academic exchange.

A Scientific Knight arriving at another Scientific Knight’s station can demand lodging for several days and engage in exchanges with the local Scientific Knights during these days.

“Do you think there might be a problem?” Mr.

Bengel nodded, “He is coming for field research.

Those Scientific Knights working on cognition indeed need this kind of in-depth research into the lower strata.

Of course, in a sense, you are also right.

Several Orders from the Oslo Sanctuary do not hide their sympathy for the Jianghu faction.

But rest assured, as Scientific Knights, they would not actually commit heinous actions.

You can be at ease about that.”

“It’s really hard to be at ease, Your Excellency.” The Secretary Officer said, “Can’t we refuse?

It is a time of many troubles…”

“We won’t reject a knight’s pending application,” Bengel said casually.

“Scientific Knights have their own difficulties.

If we turn down the Yangtze Knight today, he may well give us trouble with academic assistance or fund audits tomorrow.”

The Secretary Officer fell back into confusion and could only bow and say, “I understand.”

“Foolish child,” Mr.

Bengel sighed, shaking his head.

He raised his hand and pointed to the piece of synthetic amber he was admiring, “Come take a look at this.”

He pointed to the mollusk in the very center of the amber and asked, “Do you know what this creature is?”

The Secretary Officer shook his head.

“I have not studied these species of the Old Era.”

“Scale-horn gastropod snail,” the Scientific Knight spoke up.

“It’s less than five centimeters long, its belly covered with scale-like thin plates.

These plates are encrusted with iron sulfides, pyrite, and magnetite, making the dark shell very hard.

Its esophageal glands harbor symbiotic sulfur bacteria, which derive nutrition from the sulfides spewed out by underwater hydrothermal vents.”

“In the past, it could only be found in three hydrothermal vent fields in the Eritrean Sea, with a total distribution area of less than two hectares.

Just one Old Era mining exploration could have driven this species to extinction.”

“The other creatures encased in this amber were in a similar state.

All of these species of bygone days were beautiful yet fragile,” he continued.

“Yet, from these frail ancient species, Yawgmoth found the essential puzzle pieces and forged the key to a new era…

Can you understand that?”

“I…

I seem to have learned this story from textbooks,” said the Secretary Officer.

Stories of many World Openers were indeed narrated in the educational chips implanted for free into the minds of common folk; however, they were rather “storybook” in nature.

The Secretary Officer wasn’t sure if he had really heard this particular story.

After all, with such things, it’s hard to distinguish the real from the fake, isn’t it?

“This species belongs to the mollusks; they partnered with sulfur bacteria long ago, entering the hydrothermal biosphere and freeing themselves from reliance on solar energy.

They thrive in scorching water that would be deadly to other forms of life.

They parted ways with their kin in the biosphere and coexisted with sulfur-based organisms a long time ago.”

“Many species living in hydrothermal vents are similar.

Taken out of their environment and put in ordinary seawater, they would freeze to death.”

“They should have been doomed to extinction without importance.

Indeed, according to historical records, they would have been wiped out by a mining company in 2031.”

“But, precisely in that year, they became a necessary puzzle piece of a great era.”

“Do you think that’s a miraculous thing?”

The Secretary Officer hesitated and then nodded slowly, “Perhaps…?”

“Who could have imagined, years ago, an ocean mollusk choosing to live symbiotically with sulfur bacteria would result in one of the most vital puzzle pieces for humanity,” Bengel mused.

“Most items in this office are like that.

They are fragments of truth scattered throughout the Old Era.

At the end of the Old Era, these shards gathered in the hands of the World Openers, giving rise to a brand-new age for humanity.”

“And now, aren’t you and I also just fragments of truth in the new world?”

The Secretary Officer felt a strange sensation in his heart.

This seemed to be the budding…

the budding of an emotion?

It was a religious experience.

“The young lord you serve, myself, the Yangtze Knight who came to apply, and even you, we’re all but collecting pieces for this puzzle,” he said.

“It’s a grand game, child.

The collections in this office are relics from centuries ago, while what we are doing now is becoming other pieces of the puzzle.”

“Don’t ask where the piece you constitute will fit, nobody knows such things—just like the scale-horn gastropod snail could never know it would become a part of humanity’s puzzle in expanding the world.”

“I can see the confusion in your heart, young man,” Mr.

Bengel said.

“But remember this—never ask which piece of the puzzle you are.

You just need to bear in mind that you are assuredly a piece of the grand puzzle, and with that conviction, strive forward.

That’s all you need.”

Unable to help himself, the Secretary Officer bowed deeply and said, “Yes, Your Excellency.”