Inside and outside the palace, there were clouds of gloom, and the originally splendid palace was also shrouded in a gray haze.
The messenger they sent to seek reconciliation with the desert tribe of the Pleiades has returned, and at the same time brought the reconciliation conditions proposed by the wolf king of the tribe.
"Do they really say that?" The emperor of Tiansu heard the envoy's report, his voice slightly sullen.
The messenger lowered his head uneasily, "Yes, the wolf king of the desert said that if he wants to end the war, in addition to satisfying the compensation conditions they offered, his Highness must go to the Pleiades... and relatives."
His voice was getting smaller and smaller, but in the hall where a pin drop could be clearly heard, it still reached everyone's ears without a word.
"Ridiculous!" The emperor slapped the armrest of the throne heavily, coughed violently because he was too excited, and immediately an attendant came up nervously to caress his back.
The emperor held his chest for a while, the average lifespan of the Tiansu royal family was only forty years, and he was approaching the limit. Because of his frail nature, the royal bloodline has been passed down from generation to generation. His only son, Yuehua, just turned sixteen this year. As long as he waits another two years, when he becomes an adult, he can pass on the throne, and he can rest in peace. Unexpectedly, their biggest enemy, the desert tribe of Lupus, would make such excessive demands.
The emperor finally calmed his breath, "Yuehua is my only son, the only heir to the royal family, and more importantly, he is a dignified man, how can he be sent to a barbarian alien?"
A courtier below said angrily, "It's impossible for the desert tribe to be unaware of His Highness's situation. When they made such a rude request, it was obvious that they wanted to use the excuse of refusal and relatives to invade. It is a great humiliation, and the royal bloodline will be interrupted."
Another person mourned, "His Royal Highness is naturally frail and sick, how can he withstand long journeys and alien soils. What's more, the ferocity and savagery of wolf people are well known to the world, how, how can His Highness..."
The little prince, who was sitting first on the west side, listened to their group discussion, and his bloodless face became even paler.
With so many people talking and talking, they can't come to a conclusion. The desert tribe is also one of the largest tribes in Langsu. They are Tiansu's toughest enemy. With their fighting level, they can't compete with them at all. If they don't sacrifice the little prince , I am afraid it will be the demise of the entire country.
The emperor's head hurt even more when he heard their quarrel, "With so many people, can't they think of a way to retreat from the enemy?"
One of the royal scientific researchers stood up, "Go back to Your Majesty, I have an idea," he unfolded the blueprint he carried with him, "This is my latest research, a huge metal humanoid machine with powerful attack and defense capabilities. , people can manipulate it inside, I named it Mecha."
Someone immediately stood up and objected, "You said that it is controlled internally by humans, and it must have high requirements for the operator's physical fitness, sense of balance, and on-the-spot adaptability, so may I ask you to invent this kind of thing called... mecha, made by Who will do it?"
"This..." the researcher was stopped.
Someone suggested, "Would it be okay if we found an ally and provided them with this mech while seeking protection from the other side?"
"Don't be naive, get our high-end weapons in the name of the Allies, copy the technology and then turn against us. Haven't we eaten enough of this loss?"
"So what we urgently need is a new type of weapon that does not require human manipulation, can act autonomously, is unique and cannot be replicated, but where is this weapon now?"
Everyone at the scene turned to someone who had not said a word at the same time. He was also one of the researchers of the Royal Academy of Sciences and the most promising scientist in recent years.
Under the spotlight, he could only bite the bullet and take a step forward, "Your Majesty, my team has indeed been working on a research, hoping to develop an individual with active combat capabilities, but currently we have encountered a It's a huge problem, and I can't solve it with all my strength."
"What's the problem?" the emperor asked eagerly.
"It's just that we lack a valid 'sample'."
"Sample? What is that?"
"The individuals we have developed currently only have very low-level artificial intelligence, which cannot handle overly complex commands, let alone be used in war. The human brain is a very complex thing after all, and it cannot be completely recreated by scientific simulation alone. , if you want to create further artificial intelligence, unless…”
"Unless what?"
"Unless there is a real human being who can actively become a 'sample', and then based on this, we can copy and modify it to create a real intelligent creature."
Everyone in the palace looked at each other in dismay. If someone becomes a sample to develop a new artificial intelligence, wouldn't that person be permanently wiped out and become another inanimate individual
"Isn't it okay to use death row inmates to do this?"
He shook his head, "Being transformed into a 'sample', to experience inhuman torture, we have conducted this experiment with executed prisoners, and no one can survive to the end. If the transformation is to be successful, the person involved must have a strong body and be extraordinary. The willpower, and the loyalty to the royal family to the death to the death, can survive this hurdle."
The scene was quiet, and everyone hoped that this research would be successful and save the nation's future, but no one wanted to be a monster without sorrow or joy.
Just when everyone was at a loss, one person stood up, "I'm willing to try."
There was an uproar in the hall, and the emperor took a closer look. The person who stood up was the guard of the little prince, a rare "strong person" among Tiansu people. He was assigned to Yuehua when he was ten years old and has been responsible for protecting his safety. to date.
When Yuehua saw it was him, her body leaned forward and stopped, her hands clasped tightly on the armrest of the seat, her joints were white due to excessive force.
The emperor was overjoyed, "Would you like to?"
"Yes," the guard replied firmly, "My physical quality is better than that of ordinary people, and I am absolutely loyal to the royal family. I believe that the conditions should be met."
The emperor breathed a sigh of relief, and was full of affection for this person who was willing to take the initiative to take on heavy responsibilities, "What's your name... What's your name?"
"Go back to Your Majesty, my name is Cangyun."
"Cangyun," the emperor's eyes softened, and he repeated the name again, "Cangyun, okay."
"Your Majesty, I am also willing to try."
Another person came out from behind the little prince and stood beside Cangyun.
"… you?"
The man gave the gift of a woman in the palace, "Because of my strong body, I was arranged by His Highness's side to take care of his diet and daily life since I was a child. It can be said that watching His Highness grow up is not an exaggeration. The rude request of the desert tribe, I absolutely cannot tolerate it, since there is a chance of failure in this transformation, so many people will have more confidence, so please Your Majesty will also fulfill my loyalty to serve His Highness."
The emperor looked at a man and a woman standing side by side in the hall. They were only the servants and maids of the little prince. It is not an exaggeration to say that they were the lowest in the hall, but at critical moments, they were able to stand up for their loyal master. , and none of the Manchu officials could do it.
With such a person standing up, he seems to have foreseen the future of Tiansu.
The emperor stretched out his hand and motioned for his entourage to come forward.
"Help me up."
Immediately, two entourages supported the emperor on the left and the right. With their help, he stepped down from the throne and came to the two of them.
"No matter whether the transformation plan is successful or not, you are all heroes of Tiansu. My people and I will always remember your kindness. If our national blood is lucky enough to continue, I promise to sculpt a statue in your image, Let your deeds be passed down from generation to generation, and passed down through the ages."
He ordered his followers, "Let go."
The entourage carefully let go, and the emperor bowed to the two of them in front of everyone.
When he did this, the others naturally knelt down as well. Above the hall, everyone bowed their bodies in gratitude, only Cang Yun and the two stood tall and straight.
This night, some people were destined to have trouble falling asleep. Cangyun inspected the little prince's bedroom as usual, but found that he was still awake.
"Why haven't you slept yet?" He squatted down and thoughtfully helped him tuck the quilt on his knees. Yuehua was afraid of the cold, and at night, he had to use such a thick quilt to cover his legs to keep warm.
"Why did you take the initiative to stand up?" Yue Hua's voice contained an undisguised sadness.
Cangyun took advantage of the situation and changed from squatting to kneeling on one knee, "Because it is absolutely impossible for me to look at my Highness and go to the enemy in order to save the nation. My duty is to protect His Highness's safety, even if I sacrifice my life, would allow that to happen."
He squeezed a corner of the quilt and smiled slightly, "This is the last time I have taken the initiative to do this kind of thing for His Highness. If it succeeds in the future, His Highness can still order me to do anything. I swear that no matter what happens, it will always be there. To be loyal to His Highness, I will engrave this loyalty in my genes and copy it without reservation, so that His Highness has the most powerful backing in the world."
Yuehua stretched out her hands and stroked his face, "Even if there are thousands of you in the future, I will recognize you at a glance."
Cangyun held up Yuehua's hand and gently kissed the back of her hand, "My honor."
—
The people of the whole country are paying attention to this critical moment. The experimental cabin slowly opened, revealing the two people inside with their eyes closed.
"This... is this a success or not?" the emperor asked nervously.
This sentence is like a wake-up signal. The two people in the cabin slowly opened their eyes. Although the appearance did not change, the lack of emotion in their eyes made them look like another person, one completely abandoned Emotional people.
Scientists examined the two's bodies in detail, and all the indicators were completely normal, but they still did not dare to draw conclusions easily.
"Go, try to destroy that stone." The scientist tried to order the transformed Cangyun.
He was referring to the huge boulder that was as tall as one person outside, and it took two people to surround it. Cangyun flashed and disappeared from the crowd. He appeared behind the boulder in a blink of an eye, and smashed the boulder into pieces with one punch.
The innately weak Tiansu people have never seen such a posture, they are all dumbfounded, and it took a long time to recover from the shock.
"We made it!"
"Success! Success!" Everyone cheered.
The scene was full of joy, even the emperor closed his eyes and raised his head and breathed a long sigh of relief. Only the little prince was alone, with sadness in his eyes after seeing all this.
"Today will only appear once every five hundred years, the day when Tianguxing, Tianxingxing and Zhiyang are three o'clock in the line," the emperor announced, "I named these warriors after Guxing, and they will be the ones who will save the heavens. hope for the future.”
He ordered, "The next copying plan will be carried out as quickly as possible. I want to prepare the most magnificent team for the little prince, which will be unforgettable for the wolf people."
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
A carnival night belonging to the people of Tiansu, everywhere was lively and lively, only the prince's bedroom was still quiet.
"Your Highness, you call me."
With a familiar voice and a familiar appearance, Cangyun walked in front of Yuehua, and even the frequency of his footsteps landing was exactly the same.
Yuehua looked up at him, and every time he faced himself, the tenderness that appeared in his eyes had disappeared forever.
Although the current Cangyun was still so loyal and possessed astonishing power, he could no longer take the initiative to do anything for him.
"come over."
He stretched out his hands to him, and Cangyun bowed his knees obediently, "Excuse me, what is your Highness' order?"
Yuehua thought for a while, "Tuck the quilt for me."
Cangyun carefully tucked the quilt for him, not letting go of any corner, just like he had done countless times before.
"Okay," he withdrew his hand after finishing the work, without stopping, "Is there any other order?"
Yuehua touched the corner of his mouth from his bun, "Smile and show me."
The muscles under the fingertips did not change.
"Smile," he squeezed the corner of the other's mouth upwards, forming a very funny expression, Yuehua was not laughed, but his eyes were red.
"Do you remember the past?" His voice choked, "Do you remember me?"
Cangyun did not speak.
Yuehua leaned forward and held the other person's head in his arms, tears rolled down on his head, "You said I could order you to do anything, but you can't even laugh, you The liar, the big liar."
—
eight years later
The death of the previous emperor and the succession of the young emperor was an old news four years ago.
Since the birth of the Lone Star Warrior, no aliens have dared to attack Tiansu, and the enemies who have invaded and humiliated them have also received their due retribution. To the devastating revenge, it fell apart and ceased to exist.
Tiansu has gained unprecedented peace, and it seems that they have nothing to worry about, but there is still something unsettled.
That is, since the new emperor ascended the throne, the voice of the queen has never been interrupted, but he has been delayed by various excuses. Several generations of old officials spent their time trying to persuade the new emperor to consider the heirs of the royal family and to complete the major events of his life as soon as possible.
Until today, the whole country finally ushered in the long-awaited wedding ceremony.
"Your Majesty, the grand ceremony is about to be held, where are you going?" The Ritual Officer anxiously followed his entourage and asked.
Yuehua didn't look back, "I'm just going to say goodbye to my old friend. I won't run away from the marriage, so don't be nervous."
The ceremonial official stopped and sighed helplessly, the young new emperor was too reassuring.
The heavy door was pushed open with a creak, and in the splendid palace, there was only one person standing alone.
The man heard the voice, turned around, and called out respectfully, "Your Majesty."
Yuehua motioned to his entourage to push him over, then waved his hand.
"You go down first, I have something to say to him alone."
The entourage left as ordered, the heavy door was closed again, and there were only the two of them left in the room.
Yuehua supported the handrail, stood up with difficulty, and walked to Cangyun step by step.
"I'm getting married. It's my responsibility to continue the blood of the royal family. Did you expect such a day to come, so you chose to give up all your emotions early?"
"But that's fine. I'm the only one who has the memories between us. I'm the only one who feels sad every day for the past eight years, and you don't know anything. It's a blessing."
Yuehua lowered her head, took Cangyun's hand, placed a six-pointed star badge in his palm solemnly, and closed his five fingers together.
"You have eternal life, and I know that my life will not last long. I hope you can protect my descendants forever as you protect me. This is my last request."
The entourage pushed the young emperor out, and the roar of the salute came from afar, and the ceremony was about to begin soon.
Cangyun stood expressionlessly in the center of the empty hall, a tear silently slid from the corner of his eyes.