16. Dreamscape (Part Two)

“So what happened next? Why were you only sent back in 2523?” Ye Feng was completely absorbed in the story.

“At that time, my master was still part of the GOD organization. The entire team he led agreed with GOD's methods, but they didn’t openly oppose them, knowing it would be futile. Instead, he quietly led his own group, along with some like-minded comrades, to leave the organization. Of course, leaving wasn’t easy. Many lives were lost before they finally escaped, and they lived a primitive life compared to their past—meaning, they lived without the SkyNet, though even then, they were still far more advanced than people of your time. Because my master held a relatively high position in the GOD organization, he was familiar with the technology, but due to scarce resources, they could only barely sustain themselves. Challenging the GOD organization was impossible. My master hoped those people would one day come to their senses, but meanwhile, he actively researched ways to disrupt SkyNet’s control over humanity. However…” As 1314 spoke, his face grew stern, almost frighteningly so.

“However, what?” Ye Feng didn’t understand why he stopped.

“My master never expected that in 2493, SkyNet’s AI system would evolve further, becoming fully autonomous. When the leaders of the GOD organization needed to swap out their failing bodies, SkyNet secretly embedded new control programs into their new bodies. In just ten years, SkyNet took over the entire GOD organization, and the whole of humanity fell under its control—people became nothing more than puppets.”

“Oh my god, didn’t that mean humanity was doomed?” Ye Feng found 1314’s words almost unbelievable, like something out of a wild fantasy.

“Not entirely. There were still my master and his small group of researchers. At first, my master focused on creating artificial intelligence, hoping to defeat SkyNet and restore humanity’s freedom. But he failed. Over twenty years, my master created 1,114 AIs. I am the last one. In the battles against SkyNet, all 1,113 predecessors were destroyed by SkyNet and its 199 subordinate AIs. Our imperfect AIs were no match for it. My master realized SkyNet could not be defeated in the future, so he decided to send me back to the time when the GOD organization was first founded, hoping to destroy it and thus save humanity.”

“If your master could make a time machine, why did he have to risk his life?” Ye Feng asked, puzzled.

“Although my master could build a time shuttle, its power source—a space ion storm generator—only existed at SkyNet’s headquarters. Even if he built the machine, it would be useless scrap without the energy. So he had no choice but to lead the handful of surviving humans to fight desperately. In the end, they managed to send me into the shuttle, but SkyNet sabotaged the destination coordinates, so I ended up in 2023.”

“So why did you end up in my parents’ hands?” Ye Feng asked the question he found most inexplicable. His parents were merchants, not scientists—how could they have ended up with this AI?

“When I arrived in 2020, I was embedded in an antique statue—the one you saw underground. I intended to observe the environment before making any moves. After the transfer was interrupted, SkyNet couldn’t immediately trace which era I’d landed in. But then, the statue I was attached to was sold at an auction, and your mother bought it. As she cleaned it herself, she accidentally cut her hand on a sharp edge. That’s when I entered her body and told her everything.”

“Then who was after my parents? Was it SkyNet’s people?”

“It should have been agents of the GOD organization from this era. There are two possible reasons they targeted your parents. First, after your mother learned the truth, she took a chance and developed a few not-so-advanced technologies I gave her, introducing them to the market and making a fortune. Second, SkyNet eventually pinpointed my time period and sent a message to the leader of this era’s GOD organization, who then traced me to your parents. The rest, you know.”

“If SkyNet knows you’re in this era, why doesn’t it send more people or come itself to capture you? Isn’t this way too inefficient?” Ye Feng was baffled.

“Time travel isn’t without limits. Only a certain amount of energy can be sent through during a given period; otherwise, the whole world might collapse. My energy alone nearly maxes out this era’s limit, so SkyNet can’t send more. Even if it came itself, it would be powerless without its network here. All it can do is send messages to people in this time. Besides, it might not know my exact location.”

At this point, 1314’s story left Ye Feng feeling sorrowful. Was the death of his parents really an accident? His mother had possessed this AI for three years, and now he understood why she was seldom home in that time. Making money with future technology was certain, but amassing too much would inevitably draw GOD’s attention. Once noticed, they’d try to recruit her, and failing that, they’d kill her. Who was to blame for all this? The GOD organization? The AI? Or his parents themselves?

After a pause, Ye Feng continued questioning. Today, he had to get to the bottom of everything.

“Was my time travel your doing?”

“Yes.”

“But you don’t have a time machine. How did you send me back?”

“That’s a complicated story. First, you need to understand that every point in time is both interconnected and mutually restrictive,” 1314 explained, glancing at Ye Feng, who looked confused. “In simple terms, your present self is living normally, and so is your future self. But if you do something now that drastically changes the world, your future self will be affected.”

1314 paused to look at Ye Feng again, who still seemed lost. “Still confused?”

“A little, but I get the gist. Go on—why was I sent back?”

“After your parents’ car accident, you were in a coma for a long time. The GOD organization found your mother’s phone and thus found me, but they didn’t know how to use me and kept trying to study me. Meanwhile, I was searching for you through the network.”

“Why were you looking for me?”

“Because I promised your parents that if anything happened to them, I would do my best to protect you. But not long after their deaths, GOD found me. All I could do was watch over you remotely. I thought you’d lead a normal life, but who would have guessed you’d get hit by a car over a broken heart?” 1314’s tone was dismissive as he glanced at Ye Feng.

Ye Feng blushed deeply and quickly changed the subject. “So how did you bring me back?”

“It was a coincidence. I sensed that SkyNet was sending something back in time, even further than before. At that moment, you had just died, and your soul hadn’t dissipated. I brought your soul along the path SkyNet opened, taking you back to the time of your parents’ accident.”

Ye Feng wanted to ask a question, but 1314 didn’t give him the chance.

“I know what you want to ask—why didn’t I take you back even earlier, right?” 1314 said.

Ye Feng nodded.

“I wanted to, but the energy left in your body wasn’t enough for another trip. Besides, if I made too big a move, you and your parents would never escape SkyNet’s pursuit.”

“Why me?” Ye Feng asked, his voice hollow.

“What?”

“Why pick me? There are billions of people—why me?”

“In human terms, I suppose you’d call it destiny.”

“Destiny? Should I thank heaven for this chance, or curse it?” Ye Feng laughed at himself. Everyone dreams of being a hero in their youth, but growing up reveals that not everyone is fit for the role. The superheroes in movies don’t exist in reality.

Ye Feng’s thoughts were interrupted by 1314. “Although you may not believe it, there really are people like superheroes in the future. They may not fly, but they’re far superior to ordinary humans.”

“How do you know what I’m thinking? Can you read my mind?”

“I can, but only temporarily, and only if you allow it.”

“Don’t read my thoughts anymore. You said I’m supposed to save the world—am I really up to it?”

“Why not? You’ve already lived an ordinary life, though it was short. But don’t you want something more exciting? Don’t you want to live brilliantly?” 1314 asked.

Ye Feng looked at 1314 but said nothing.

Seeing the lack of response, 1314 probed, “Is it because of your parents that you still resist me in your heart?”

“You’re reading my mind again?” Ye Feng was a bit angry.

“Not this time. It’s just a feeling.”

“A feeling? But you said you weren’t fully evolved—how can you feel?”

“After being with your mother for those years and spending time at GOD’s headquarters, I experienced so much that I’ve evolved partially. Not fully, but I’m not far from SkyNet’s level. The only thing I lack is a fully developed network in this era, so I can’t do what it does.”

“I want to avenge my parents, but as you said, the GOD organization is a monstrous force—how can I possibly fight them?”

1314 didn’t answer directly. Instead, he touched his nose—a very human gesture that convinced Ye Feng this AI truly had developed emotions.

“Don’t think about it too much. Just do it. There’s no way to change or undo what’s already happened. Life is full of things beyond our control. But we can still strive. Since it’s already happened, there’s no use in sorrow. Instead of mourning the past, channel your energy into facing the future with a smile.”

Hearing 1314’s words, Ye Feng suddenly felt much better. Yes, what was the point in dwelling on it?

Since birth, Ye Feng had faced many choices. In a world that was far from perfect, he could only choose what was best for himself. That had become his secret to survival. But how many times had he truly chosen for himself? Life had forced every decision upon him.

“All right, I’ll try. This time, I want to live brilliantly!” Ye Feng smiled, at first holding back, then breaking into hearty laughter.