Chapter 362 Neutrality

　　Above the high wall of District S3, after Mister Zhuang bowed, he leaned backward.

　　The wind howled.

　　The lanterns swayed, casting shattered red light.

　　The illusory dream enveloping the wall dissipated—

　　Gu Shen glanced back and jumped down with Zhuang Su. The two landed smoothly, disappearing into the night. Zhuang Su led him into the distance, his pace not fast but steady. The distance of each step seemed carefully measured. He must be a meticulous man; his clothes were wrinkle-free, and the ice residue left by the Pure Land had been cleared away by his mental power.

　　Before leaving the high wall of District S3, Gu Shen had scanned the area with Blazing Fire to ensure no trace of Zhuang Su's presence would be found. He had intended to do some "cleanup work," but he hadn't expected it to have already been done.

　　This was why he couldn't find any clues about the Neutralizers.

　　Zhuang Su left almost no useful information...

　　Mister Zhuang probably never imagined that there was such a bizarre Sealed Item as the Eye of Destiny that could so clearly read the contents of a diary from three years ago.

　　Gu Shen hadn't told Zhuang Su about this yet...

　　It was a kind of "high-level execution."

　　The Mulberry Continent Cave had been closed for three years, but the Great Purge had been going on for over twenty. In these twenty years, the secret members of the Ancient Text Society had taken off one garment and put on another.

　　The "Neutralizers."

　　In reality, they were the same; they couldn't be seen by people, nor could they be exposed to light.

　　The two walked one after the other.

　　Gu Shen asked, "Those lanterns... are they products of the Ancient Text Society?"

　　His suspicion of the Neutralizers' identities had started with the lanterns.

　　After leaving Lion Lane, he hadn't seen those lanterns anymore. At the time, Lu Nanzhi had told him that only Old Lu could make them, that they were out of print, and there would be one less with each use.

　　"You could say that," Zhuang Su's voice was somewhat ethereal. He recalled the events of more than twenty years ago and slowly said, "A long time ago, I worked in the Capital District. At that time, I followed a young genius surnamed Lu..."

　　Gu Shen asked, "Lu Cheng?"

　　What a distant name...

　　Zhuang Su paused, then nodded, "Yes, Lu Cheng."

　　Zhuang Su smiled and asked, "You know him? Is he still alive?"

　　"He... is already dead."

　　Gu Shen's voice was very soft. "I don't really know him. Mister Lu Cheng was a friend's father."

　　There was a long silence.

　　"That's right... How many of those who joined the Ancient Text Society back then are still alive?" Zhuang Su's smile remained, but with a hint of sadness. He continued, "I learned the lantern technique from him. Later, I left the Capital District and conducted 'research' in the Mulberry Continent Cave. I didn't expect the Deep Sea to suddenly issue a wanted order. The Ancient Text Society in the inland areas collapsed almost overnight... We unlucky ones who lived on isolated islands became the lucky ones instead."

　　The massacre that year was completely unexpected.

　　At least, that was the case in East Continent.

　　Gu Lushen and Zhao Xilai directly purged Jiangbei and Jiangnan—

　　And the Mulberry Continent Cave, this desolate land abandoned by everyone, escaped the first wave of purges because the Deep Sea had not yet been established there. Zhuang Su and other members of the Ancient Text Society immediately went underground upon hearing the news.

　　"It was a close call," Zhuang Su said with lingering fear. "We later learned that the 'cleanup' outside was incredibly brutal. None of the surviving members in the Mulberry Continent Cave could contact their former 'teachers' or 'friends'..."

　　What did that mean?

　　It meant that those people were all dead.

　　The past of the Ancient Text Society was a black, sorrowful ink.

　　Every mention of it brought sadness.

　　At this point, Zhuang Su stopped speaking.

　　Both of them fell silent.

　　Finally, Mister Zhuang led Gu Shen to the S12 district.

　　"The 'Neutralizers' base... is built here?"

　　Gu Shen never expected to be so close to the Neutralizers.

　　"This is the safest place in the South Cave," Zhuang Su said. "If a large-scale supernatural beast tide really happens, the walls of the S12 district will definitely withstand it the longest..."

　　"That's true," Gu Shen nodded. "But with your power, you should be able to wipe out the Church of the Blazing Waves..."

　　Zhuang Su hoarsely said, "The real enemy of the Mulberry Continent Cave is not the Church of the Blazing Waves, but the ubiquitous Faith of the Storm... Without outsiders, even assassinating them wouldn't save the suffering here, because there would definitely be new 'rulers.' And if this goes wrong and the Deep Sea detects anything unusual, our hope will be completely extinguished."

　　The Neutralizers were not like him.

　　They could not be exposed to the sunlight.

　　Those extremists of the Church of the Blazing Waves didn't care about experiments, didn't care about anything, because the Deep Sea didn't care about them either...

　　But the Deep Sea cared about the Ancient Text Society.

　　"We harbor a greater hope," Zhuang Su took a deep breath and said, "So... before the light descends, we must endure these humiliations."

　　...

　　...

　　Mister Zhuang led Gu Shen to a remote corner of the S12 district. Wherever he passed, his mind enveloped the area, creating illusions.

　　Gu Shen casually added a wisp of Blazing Fire.

　　Soon, the two came to a manhole cover. Zhuang Su used his mental power to move it aside, and Gu Shen followed him down the pipes... The S12 district was built by the wealthy of the Mulberry Continent Cave, and its underground drainage system was exquisitely constructed. But no one expected that a vast "base" was hidden even deeper.

　　"The base is fifty meters underground," Zhuang Su said. "In fact, it had already started to be 'built' before the S12 district was officially planned. At that time, the Ancient Text Society was still a legal organization, and everything we did... was approved by the Council."

　　"Approved by the Council?" Gu Shen frowned and asked, "Wouldn't that leave a record in the Deep Sea database?"

　　"Part of it was specially approved by Mister Turing," Mister Zhuang chuckled softly, his laughter containing a hint of triumph. "What you are about to see... is the 'specially approved project.'"

　　Gu Shen was silent.

　　Zhuang Su led him all the way down, finally arriving at an "open" space. Fifty meters underground in the S12 district, a rather spacious "space" had been excavated... This was somewhat similar to what Jing Shanyan called the "Star Cluster Project."

　　However, this depth was far from enough.

　　If there really was a source substance storm, this base fifty meters underground might not even last half a year.

　　Therefore, the Neutralizers' research was almost certainly not the "Star Cluster Project"...

　　Mister Zhuang led Gu Shen to the base. The lanterns burned with mental fire, shielding the Deep Sea's signals...

　　Someone was already waiting at the entrance of the base.

　　It was clear that the Neutralizers attached great importance to Zhuang Su's operation.

　　"Old Mo," Zhuang Su nodded from afar and then introduced Gu Shen, "The former person in charge of the S12 district of the South Cave, Qi Mo."

　　This was a middle-aged man with messy hair, wearing greasy repairman overalls, dirty cotton gloves, and holding a wrench in his hand... A flash of lightning went through Gu Shen's mind. He looked at the man in front of him and vaguely felt that he looked familiar.

　　"I've seen you before," Gu Shen stared at Qi Mo intently and then slowly said, "You appeared on the day of the food distribution in the S12 district..."

　　"You actually remember me?" Qi Mo grinned.

　　Zhuang Su always acted flawlessly, without leaving any loopholes.

　　Since he brought Gu Shen here, it was enough to show that Gu Shen was someone worth trusting.

　　So he didn't deny it but gave his approval, "Young man, you have good eyes."

　　"There were many people who came to watch that day, but very few people didn't 'register.' Since they chose to come and watch, they might as well take something back... Basically, everyone would think that way," Gu Shen said calmly, "I conducted the identity registration in the S12 district to find the 'Neutralizers.'"

　　Qi Mo shook his head, "But you should know that the Neutralizers will not register."

　　"Yes," Gu Shen said, "That's why I have to register."

　　Qi Mo was stunned. He suddenly understood Gu Shen's meaning...

　　Those who registered could be excluded.

　　Those who hadn't registered were the real "Neutralizers."

　　Qi Mo suddenly felt that this young man... was not quite what he had imagined.

　　Judging from his performance in the past few days.

　　Gu Shen, in the name of the "East Continent Rescuer," had done what the "Neutralizers" had done, but on the surface... Especially after he single-handedly resolved the "beast tide crisis," the popularity of the S12 district soared. Many people thought that this young Mister Gu was a rare good person, but the handling of the "registration" was enough to confirm it.

　　This young man was not simple.

　　"So, if we hadn't come to find you... would you have started searching among the remaining people?"

　　"Of course not," Gu Shen said calmly, "Since I have done these things, I hope that the 'Neutralizers' will take the initiative to find me. Everything I do may be watched by the Source Tower and Bright City... Taking the initiative to find you, if it attracts attention, will bring you a catastrophe."

　　"..."

　　Qi Mo's expression became a little complicated.

　　He looked at Zhuang Su and asked in his heart, "Have you found out what this kid's background is?"

　　"Let me introduce him..."

　　Mister Zhuang smiled. He spread his mental power and said in the base, "Little Mister Gu... is the key that the Ancient Text Society is waiting for in Mister Turing's will."

　　Qi Mo: "???"

　　The sound of mental power swept through the base. The originally silent Neutralizer base squeezed out many figures within ten seconds... Old and young, there were actually dozens of them.

　　"The key?!"

　　"The legendary 'key'?!"

　　"Does the 'key' really exist?"

　　Gu Shen stood silently at the entrance of the base, looking at these people with a wry smile, accepting gazes of relief and curiosity... The former mostly came from the elderly, while the latter came from the younger "fresh blood."

　　"We cultivate new 'Neutralizers' here," Qi Mo recovered from his shock and quickly explained, "These children are the new generation of 'Ancient Text Society' members. Although we have lost contact with the outside world... the will of the Ancient Text Society will never be extinguished."

　　He turned back to look at the group of teenagers and youths behind him:

　　"Every 'Neutralizer' will remember the past of the 'Ancient Text Society,' but we are located in the Mulberry Continent Cave, and what we can do is really limited. At least we can't help in finding the 'key.'"

　　Looking at these young faces.

　　"It doesn't matter..." Gu Shen smiled and comforted them, "Hasn't the key already been found?"

　　"Little Mister Gu, please come with me," Qi Mo waved his hand to dismiss the others. He led Gu Shen into the base... The Neutralizers' base was not simple. Because it was built very early, it had relatively complete experimental equipment.

　　He showed Gu Shen several projects.

　　What the Ancient Text Society researched back then was how to integrate "ancient writing" with "modern technology"... That was how the Deep Sea was born. Mister Turing created a perfect system and used the Gospel Box as a carrier, creating such an unprecedented "Ai program."

　　In the Mulberry Continent Cave base, Gu Shen saw some interesting things.

　　"This is 'Wing Iron,'" Qi Mo showed a thin piece of iron in the shape of a wing. He said seriously, "Because 'ancient writing' can only be understood implicitly and cannot be conveyed in words... We selected the most useful 'character,' engraved it, and named it 'Wing.' This character is like the Clear Tomb Cemetery in East Continent, which can play a certain 'supernatural effect.'"

　　"Red-silver alloy with the word 'Wing' added, combined with source substance... can fly."

　　Qi Mo said seriously, "Of course, other materials are also possible, provided that they can withstand the pressure of 'ancient writing' and the potential damage of supernatural source energy to the logic of matter."

　　There were many similar studies...

　　These members of the Ancient Text Society in the Mulberry Continent Cave were specifically responsible for extracting "highly efficient" single characters.

　　It was difficult to comprehend ancient writing.

　　But no matter how difficult it was, there was a time limit... If they only needed to comprehend one, most people could do it.

　　A single character could also trigger rules!

　　"Who came up with this..." Gu Shen couldn't help but sigh. "This is a genius."

　　He couldn't help but think of one person—

　　In North Continent, there was a big shot who liked to study ancient writing.

　　One of the Four Dukes of North Continent, Xiang Chen!

　　Duke Xiang Chen was very passionate about ancient writing, and it could be said that he had put his heart and soul into it. He had spent countless time on it, but the progress was too slow... It was a pity that he had never come into contact with something like "Wing Iron." Otherwise, with his diligence, he wouldn't be so unsuccessful now. At least he would have mastered some practical "ancient writing."

　　Qi Mo and Zhuang Su looked at each other.

　　The two sighed and said with a wry smile, "This... was Mister Turing's idea."

　　"The reason why Mister Turing is great is because he almost exhausted all research directions of 'ancient writing' alone. Until now, we are still continuing his ideas for research..." Zhuang Su murmured, "In the early days of the Ancient Text Society, we were able to develop rapidly because of the guidance of such great figures. Among the most primitive 'researchers,' those who can break away from his influence and create independently can be considered geniuses of one in ten thousand."

　　Lu Cheng was one, Jing Shanyan... might be considered half?

　　As for Ian, he was not qualified to be included.

　　"Even now, we still don't know... how Mister Turing's brain contained so many wonderful ideas..." Qi Mo sighed, "He is more incredible than the Deep Sea."

　　"Okay, let's get back to the topic," Qi Mo led Gu Shen to the last door of the base.

　　He and Zhuang Su exchanged a look, and both took a deep breath.

　　"Mister Key, the biggest research project of the Mulberry Continent Cave 'Neutralizers' is called..."

　　"Divinity."

　　...

　　...

　　(There will be another update tonight.)