Chapter 381: Chapter 381: Reverse Deduction of Cause and Effect
Lin Qing once said that the first generation prosthetics were maintained with inhibitors, or rather, this kind of stability was purely akin to drinking poison to quench thirst. The neural connection points would trigger severe autoimmune disorders, resulting in a series of hard-to-cure side effects that worsen over time. Eventually, even if the prosthetics were removed, users could easily die from various inflammations and organ failures.
By the second generation prosthetics, nanobots became an excellent solution to this problem. They are halfway between machinery and living organisms, continuously repairing damaged nerve bundles, significantly reducing the circulatory system’s rejection of foreign objects.
But this doesn’t mean the prosthetics are flawless.
The Mechanism discovered that people still couldn’t freely use the prosthetics, for example, leaving only a brain and replacing the entire body with mechanical devices, or even not leaving a brain at all, digitizing memory, and using auxiliary brain machines to control the body. Most people’s tolerance to prosthetics doesn’t exceed 30%, while exceptionally gifted individuals can reach 40 or 50%. Any higher can lead to severe diseases, madness, brain liquefaction, self-cognition loss, etc...
However, Lin Qing’s prosthetic modification level exceeds 60%... Her skin, heart, limbs, and central system are all prostheticized, a remarkable standard even among the rebellion warriors.
It now seems that the "Mind Fortress" description corresponds exactly to prosthetic adaptability.
The Mechanism discovered this trait in Honglian, and subsequently preserved her talent. Considering the timeline factors, this ability presumably also had a significant tolerance effect on the first-generation prosthetics as well.
"Do I really have such an impact..." Honglian muttered as she examined her hands, "But why didn’t Lin Qing inherit my other abilities?"
"That remains unclear. Perhaps the transfer effect is limited, or maybe those abilities were split and given to someone else," Chen Xuan analyzed. "The ’Convenant Birth’ likely has certain limitations during use, otherwise the Mechanism should have turned all its members into super warriors with golden abilities by now."
"Moreover, I have another indirect piece of evidence to prove this speculation." He paused and then continued.
"What evidence?"
"Historical differences."
Originally, Honglian would not have left the Mechanism so soon, the change occurred when he summoned Honglian back to the shop, causing the Mechanism to completely lose track of Honglian.
Her early defection also made the Mechanism lose the opportunity to inherit the ’Mind Fortress’.
So, in this era, Lin Qing is an ordinary person.
Honglian remained silent.
She could have predicted that there was some connection between her and Lin Qing, but she didn’t expect this connection was forcibly manufactured by the Mechanism.
"So, if you return the ’Covenant Birth’, will Lin Qing be restored to her original state?" Liuli asked with interest.
"I’m afraid not."
"Why?" Honglian raised her head, "Didn’t you say this was a fate unique to her?"
Chen Xuan sighed, "I also hoped it would have that effect, but do you think the current Lin Qing is still the same person as before?"
After equipping himself with this ability, no changes occurred, indicating that this ability cannot transform a person into another out of thin air. While countless fates were rewritten in the future, Lin Qing neither joined the rebellion nor did the Mechanism split as it did in the past; she already became a completely new person with entirely different experiences and backgrounds. ’Covenant Birth’ has no effect on Chen Xuan, so it’s unlikely to have any effect on the current Lin Qing either.
After hearing his explanation, Honglian showed a disappointed expression, "Doesn’t that mean we’ll never find the previous Lin Qing again?"
Unless they could twist history back to the original track.
"Not necessarily..." Chen Xuan murmured.
The opposite party’s eyes suddenly lit up, "What do you mean?"
Before he could open his mouth, Wang Baihu suddenly rushed down from the second floor, "Brother Xuan, Miss Lin is here to see you!"
...
Honglian’s residence was connected to the subway suite, so from an outsider’s perspective, they never left the stronghold. Whenever someone came to visit, they had to show their faces to prevent arousing suspicion.
Once everyone gathered, Little Pigeon finally let Lin Qing inside.
As soon as she saw Chen Xuan, she excitedly exclaimed, "Great! The Mechanism is willing to lend us a hand!"
The happiness on her face was palpable, even more so than when Chen Xuan agreed to let her participate in the Fireline Band’s operation.
Chen Xuan, however, paused slightly; anything entangled with the Mechanism always made him instinctively feel uneasy.
It was precisely this mindset instilled in him by the previous Lin Qing.
"In what way are they helping?"
"Assisting us in eliminating the ghost subway, of course!" Lin Qing replied enthusiastically, "The Mechanism is willing to provide unmanned weapons and advanced prosthetics, things that Jiang City doesn’t have! If the Fireline Band equips themselves with these, they’ll significantly lower the chances of casualties!"
The band’s plan was to deploy several death squads to battle the ghost subway, distract its attention, while sending the best-trained personnel onto the subway. Although they now understood why Evangelicals wouldn’t be instantly killed by the nano-living body, possessing the Destiny Wedge doesn’t guarantee safety. The nano-living body still frequently targets the Evangelicals, and relying solely on devout belief as a protective amulet is far from reliable.
They only had two Destiny Wedges.
When the nano-living body was overwhelmed, it responded slower, reminiscent of a person flustered during busy times, which made the death squads covering the operation an essential component.
The band members were aware of the high likelihood of casualties in executing this mission, yet they were willing to sacrifice for humanity’s survival space, but that didn’t mean they were eager to die.
If everyone could survive, that would undoubtedly be the best outcome.
To increase survival rates, fiercer firepower, life-saving equipment, and safer attack methods were effective strategies, and the Mechanism happened to excel in all three.
Bear in mind that everything used in Jiang City now was refurbished from before the great war. Now, with the Dimensional Limit Mechanism agreeing to support with the most advanced weaponry and equipment, it’s practically a great boon for the Fireline Band!
"Did you disclose the plan to them?" Chen Xuan asked seriously.
"The Station Master happened to mention it."
"What do they want?" Honglian interjected, "The Mechanism isn’t a charity organization."
"Everything on the ship," she replied. "Except for the Destiny Wedge, everything else is to be returned to them."
Chen Xuan was surprised, "Would the subway depot accept such terms?"
"The stronghold has already agreed." Lin Qing nodded happily, "They will also receive support from the Mechanism - whether materials or technology, they’ve agreed to provide corresponding compensation."
What does this imply?
The Mechanism truly values this crash-landed ship...
If it hadn’t landed in the Celestial Patrol’s territory, they would’ve probably already taken over.
Is that black coin really a key item?
Honglian winked at Chen Xuan, the meaning clear: She was ready with the crystal box marked, just a thought and she could transfer the ’goods’ over.
Chen Xuan slightly shook his head instead; since Jiang City was sealed, no one could take the coin out, so there was no rush to alert them now. Besides, they surely had records of the Teleportation ability, and if they traced it back to discover Honglian in the future, it wouldn’t be good.
"This indeed is good news," he turned towards Lin Qing, "provided the Mechanism fulfills their promises."
"Anyway, they can’t escape! If they break their word, we’ll hijack the whole ship!" Lin Qing chuckled. "By the way, what’s your relationship with the person named Lin? She specifically mentioned you during the talks."
"Honestly, I have no idea why she’s interested in me. It was my first time meeting her today," Chen Xuan said, feigning helplessness. "What did she say about me?"
"She insisted that you participate in the negotiation, as either a representative of the subway station or the Fireline Band. She also mentioned the Mechanism needed a local consultant and liaison to help them quickly acclimate to Jiang City, and you’re their first choice," Lin Qing described with a slightly nuanced expression, suggesting, "I came to ask what you think about her proposal..."
Comments