“The mysterious disappearance of Piggy Shampoo is surrounded by the biggest puzzle – there’s no footage capturing him and the assailant leaving the hospital. Similarly, the logic factors of this enigmatic logic skill were able to swiftly dodge the detection instruments at an astonishing speed. In a sense, these two incidents are one and the same.”
Upon realizing that he had entered an unknown logic skill, Xiao Jinyu didn’t panic. Instead, a strange restlessness surged within him.
It has never been said that only ordinary people can be entangled in logic skills; users are equally susceptible.
Remaining calm, Xiao Jinyu stated, “Logic skills must have a cause and effect. Although I don’t know the cause and effect of this logic skill at the moment, personally, I believe it’s related to speed.”
Zhao Hen nodded, “I agree with this speculation. Piggy Shampoo himself doesn’t possess the super speed to surpass the electronic surveillance cameras, so he must have been forcefully taken from the hospital by the assailant. The speed of this assailant surpasses the limit captured by the cameras. However, I think there’s another possibility, which is related to time.” The burly man with dark skin looked at Xiao Jinyu and analyzed, “If he could pause time, then he could easily evade the camera’s capture.”
After contemplating for a moment, Xiao Jinyu said, “You make a valid point, but I lean more towards this being a logic skill related to speed because I can see the flashing logic factors. If time were truly paused, I would never be able to see the factors flicker during that paused time.”
The group continued their discussion for a long time.
The situation had spiraled out of control for Jiang Wentao, and he could no longer handle the case alone. Unable to wait for Luo Sheng and Xu Qi to return, he promptly reported the matter again.
Ten minutes later, at the temporarily opened early morning subway station, a group of researchers clad in white lab coats strode out of the station.
These researchers wore thick protective suits and carried thirteen pitch-black iron boxes in their hands. The biting wind howled, creating a creaking sound on the transparent face shields covering their faces.
Xiao Jinyu and Zhao Hen stood at the hospital gate, watching the group of researchers from a distance.
Among them was the young researcher who had led them to visit Holanxu in the underground prison that day.
The researchers looked solemn as they quickly approached the hospital. However, when they were ten meters away from the hospital, they simultaneously stopped in their tracks. All the researchers set down the black boxes they were carrying, and Xiao Jinyu squinted, observing those various-sized dark iron boxes.
Similar boxes, the last time he saw them, contained contaminant 008 brought to the central city by Su Jiuzhou.
Could the contents of these thirteen boxes be contaminants?
Dim, yellowish street lights flickered, illuminating the narrow road. The researchers did not take any additional protective measures, as if what was in the boxes were not contaminants. They went straight to work, opening the boxes and taking out the contents. Then, they began assembling.
More than twenty of the world’s top human intellects silently lowered their heads and assembled the dark black metal pieces.
Soon, Xiao Jinyu noticed that what they were assembling was actually quite small, about the thickness and length of an adult arm. It resembled a sniper rifle, with a slender black barrel connected to a display screen on the left and a small metal slide on the right.
In those thirteen black boxes were various tools needed to assemble it.
The interior of the black barrel was equipped with numerous intricate components, and the researchers didn’t assemble it quickly. They often gathered in groups of two or three, discussing how to assemble it, occasionally switching personnel.
Xiao Jinyu silently watched from afar, his gaze slightly raised, landing on a young man who wasn’t wearing protective gear.
Among the twenty-plus researchers, he was the only one without protective gear. Wearing gold-rimmed glasses, he looked scholarly, with his slender and handsome eyes hidden behind cold lenses. Sensing Xiao Jinyu’s gaze, this obviously authoritative researcher set down the parts in his hands, quietly instructed his subordinates on the assembly techniques, and walked over.
Jiang Wentao greeted first, “Dr. Xu.”
Xu Siqing smiled faintly, and his keen gaze quickly assessed Xiao Jinyu and Zhao Hen from behind the lenses. He ignored Zhao Hen and looked directly at Xiao Jinyu, saying, “Fourth Perspective… Xiao Jinyu.”
It wasn’t a question but a statement.
Xiao Jinyu’s eyebrows twitched slightly, and he replied calmly, “Yes.”
Xu Siqing extended his hand, saying, “Xu Siqing, current head of Laboratory One at the Haidu Logic Research Institute.”
After a moment of silence, Xiao Jinyu reached out, and they shook hands politely.
Xu Siqing continued, “The logic factor detector originates from the Haidu Logic Research Institute. In 2033, the First Laboratory at that time invented a large instrument for detecting logic factors. Later, through our improvements, it was reduced to the size of a smartphone you see now. Your logic skill is quite unique; it allows you to see logic factors. You should know that the definition of ‘logic factors’ comes from our Haidu Logic Research Institute. But even though we named this thing, no one has ever been able to ‘see’ it directly with the naked eye or any instrument.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Xu Siqing smiled warmly, “In the world of science, theory always precedes experimentation.
“Ds atf kjs, tjnf sbe fnfg rffc ktja ibulm ojmabgr ibbx ilxf?”
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“Never let others understand your logic skill,” echoed in Xiao Jinyu’s mind.
After a brief silence, Xiao Jinyu responded, “It fits the name ‘logic factors.'”
Xu Siqing was slightly surprised, giving him a meaningful look and saying, “Perhaps it’s like a particle.”
!
Suddenly, a wave of emotions surged in Xiao Jinyu’s heart, but his facial expression remained unchanged.
Xu Siqing explained, “The reason I say this is because the principle of the logic factor detector involves emitting a modified electron. We modify this electron to match the characteristics of logic factors as closely as possible. By the end of the modification, it behaves like a logic factor, and no instrument can ‘see’ it anymore. However, it’s ultimately not a logic factor; it’s just an electron that closely resembles a logic factor. We can’t change the properties of logic factors, but I can alter the properties of this electron.”
His words echoed in the chilly air, and Xiao Jinyu had never imagined that the colored dot emitted from the self-checking device was not a logic factor!
Human intelligence always exceeded all expectations.
No one could measure where the upper limit of human intelligence truly lay.
Although logic factors were invisible, thirteen years ago, the Haidu Logic Research Institute defined them as “logic factors.” Later, they invented devices capable of detecting logic factors.
And now, Xiao Jinyu, who could see logic factors, finally learned that the colored dot was not a logic factor at all but an electron!
His brain raced, and all his thoughts erupted in an instant.
As soon as Xu Siqing finished speaking, the next second, Xiao Jinyu asked, “Are you saying that you can change the speed of that electron?”
Xu Siqing paused slightly, looking steadily at the young and delicate man.
“Yes. That’s also the purpose of my personal visit this time,” he turned to look at his researchers, “what they are assembling is a miniature particle accelerator. This accelerator can accelerate the electron to 0.3 times the speed of light.”
With confidence and a hint of disdain, he added, “The logic skill of this mysterious user seems quite formidable, truly frightening. But I wonder if his speed has reached 0.3 times the speed of light?”
…
The answer was self-evident.
—0.3 times the speed of light.
When anything was associated with the term “speed of light,” it became a daunting astronomical figure.
There was no need to accelerate the electron emitted by the logic factor detector to 0.3 times the speed of light. By the time its speed reached 5000 frames, the display screen had already captured the overwhelming ocean of logic factors that filled the entire hospital.
And 5000 frames were just the first arbitrary number Xu Siqing mentioned.
These relentless human scientists didn’t stop there, content with merely detecting logic factors throughout the hospital. They modified the particle accelerator again for a second round of testing.
Xu Siqing explained, “Logic factors flash at high speed, so there must be a speed at which they flash. I brought this particle accelerator not just to ‘see’ it but to find out the super-speed value that it proudly boasts.”
The scientists’ enthusiasm left Xiao Jinyu momentarily stunned.
The researchers eagerly adjusted the values, engrossed in calculations and experiments. The cumbersome protective suits made them catch their breath after a few sentences, but their eyes sparkled with excitement. Each time they calculated a new value, their excitement grew.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wentao led the cleanup team members holding the particle accelerator brought by the institute into the hospital. They checked every citizen in the hospital for traces of logic factors.
There was only one particle accelerator at 0.3 times the speed of light, but there were many particle accelerators capable of reaching 5000 frames. Xiao Jinyu could also see logic factors, but he was just one person. Now, Xu Siqing sent people to bring over a dozen accelerators from the institute, distributing them to team members. This way, the team could efficiently check whether everyone in the hospital was involved in the logic chain, far more effective than Xiao Jinyu using his naked eye.
The cause of this mysterious logic chain was still unknown at the moment.
However, they could start by eliminating the possibility that someone had not entered this logic chain. The worst-case scenario would be if every person in the hospital had logic factors. But as long as one person didn’t have them, identifying what made them different from others might lead to discovering the cause of this logic chain.
On the other side, upon receiving the news, Wang Tao quickly had dozens of particle accelerators brought from the central logic research institute. Using the accelerated logic factor detector, they checked the situation at Jiuhua Hospital.
One hour later.
Zhao Hen received a call from Wang Tao, and the next moment, he looked at Xiao Jinyu and exclaimed, “No logic factors detected at Jiuhua Hospital!”
Central City had not been ensnared by the mysterious logic chain, which was a good thing.
After just experiencing the brutally bloody beheading parade, the city could not withstand a second large-scale terror attack.
Central City, Jiuhua Hospital.
In the bright and tidy hospital, team members of the cleanup squad ran quickly and quietly in the lobby.
The tall and strong captain stood in front of an honor photo wall. The phone in his broad hand looked like a child’s toy. He sighed in relief, and a hint of softness finally appeared on his stern and serious face. After ending the call, his gaze shifted slightly, looking at the third person in the second row of the honor wall.
Wang Tao coldly stared at the picture of the white-haired old man. He didn’t harbor any dissatisfaction towards Professor Huang, a Level 5 user, but this Level 5 user rarely spoke or smiled. When expressionless, he emitted a powerful oppressive aura.
“Huang Jueming, worked at Jiuhua Hospital from December 2025 to January 2046. Worked at this hospital for 21 years, peacefully, but unexpectedly died after coming to Haidu City. I hope your death is just an accident and has nothing to do with that logic chain…”
After looking for a while, Wang Tao suddenly turned around.
Having confirmed that Central City had no connection with the mysterious logic chain, he could finally lighten the burden on his shoulders a bit.
The Level 5 user walked steadily, heading straight towards the hospital gate. However, just as he was about to walk out of the automatically opening glass door, Wang Tao abruptly halted. He turned around, looking at the distant honor photo wall.
Wait a minute, December 2025?!
***
Upon learning that there were no logic factors at Jiuhua Hospital, Xiao Jinyu and Zhao Hen both breathed a sigh of relief.
Unlike Jiang Wentao, who left Central City at a young age, they were born and raised in Central City. They were born on this land and loved their hometown. The sacrificial head-picking march was like a sharp blade, carving a grim bloodstain into the heart of the city. Now, as the wound was just beginning to heal, Central City couldn’t bear the weight of a second head-picking march.
In the distance, researchers from the institute continued to lower the speed values of the logic factors.
“At 3254 frames, we can still detect it! The speed range now is from 513 frames to 3254 frames!”
“Lower it by another 100 frames!”
“Yes! Lowering it by 100 frames!”
Everyone was racing against time.
Jiang Wentao and his team busily moved through every floor of the hospital, checking if there were any innocent people not captured in the logic chain.
Researchers were also squeezing the speed range of this logic chain, approaching it from both sides to extract its accurate speed.
His pocket vibrated, and Xiao Jinyu froze. He took out his phone and looked at the blinking name on the screen.
With a flicker in his eyes, Xiao Jinyu answered the call, “Captain Wang, is there something wrong? Is Central City facing another issue?”
At the mention, Zhao Hen also immediately looked over.
Wang Tao’s rough voice came through the small speaker holes, steady and serious, “Central City is fine; we haven’t detected any logic factors. If there were a problem, I would call Zhao Hen, not contact you.” He paused, “But I think there might be another matter related to you.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Do you remember, after we solved the sacrificial head-picking march incident because your mother shouldn’t have qualified as a virgin, we conducted an autopsy on her to confirm she could enter the Pope’s Crown logic chain. At the same time, I also had Li Xiaoxiao help you investigate your background.”
Xiao Jinyu’s gaze darkened, calmly saying, “Yes. My mother worked at the Kangde Orphanage. After the orphanage closed down, she adopted me and registered me.”
“That’s your situation. But before that, do you remember, in 2021, your mother, after graduating from the Central Vocational School, first worked as a night nurse at a hospital, then went to work at a veterinary hospital? It was only in 2027, two years after you were born, that she started working at the Kangde Orphanage?”
Xiao Jinyu caught onto a keyword, “A hospital?!”
Wang Tao, composed, continued, “Yes, it was Jiuhua Hospital. And I just checked; your mother resigned from Jiuhua Hospital on December 28, 2025. I’ve seen this date in the information Li Xiaoxiao provided. So when I saw Huang Jueming… the obstetrics and gynecology director who died of acute myocardial infarction, I remembered this date.
“December 2025!
“Xiao Jinyu, your mother was working as a night nurse in the obstetrics and gynecology department at that time. And Professor Huang also arrived at the Jiuhua Hospital’s obstetrics and gynecology department on December 11 of that year, becoming the deputy director. He came to the hospital on the 11th, and your mother resigned on the 28th. Perhaps… they knew each other!”
After quickly sharing his findings, Wang Tao continued, “As a user, it’s hard to believe in too many coincidences because logic chains are best at creating coincidences. The fact that your mother and Huang Jueming knew each other seems like a coincidence, but I don’t think it’s just that. It requires more thought. So, Xiao Jinyu, I want to ask if you remember if your mother ever said anything about Jiuhua Hospital?”
“Captain Wang.”
The youth’s hoarse voice made Wang Tao suddenly freeze.
Holding the phone, Xiao Jinyu pressed his fingers tightly against the cold metal casing and said slowly, “My mother never mentioned Jiuhua Hospital. Whether it was Jiuhua Hospital, the later veterinary hospital, or the Kangde Orphanage, she never talked about them.
“But December 2025, I’ve seen that date in another place.
“Captain Wang, I was born on…
“December 21, 2025.”
…
“Ah, found it! It’s 657 frames!”
“Doctor, the speed of this logic chain is 657 frames! In other words, it flickers once every 657th of a second!”
“657 frames, this number is quite strange. Does it have any special significance?”
“The user’s logic chain doesn’t necessarily need special significance like eating braised pork today makes it sunny tomorrow. That’s not very logical scientifically.”
Dr. Xu responded, “Completing one flicker every 657th of a second?”
Hearing the man’s surprised voice, the researchers fell silent, looking at him.
“Yes, Doctor, come and take a look. It’s once every 657th of a second.”
Dr. Xu walked to the display screen, gazing at the jumping numbers. Tapping his glasses frame lightly, after a while, he smiled gently, “Flickering includes both appearing and disappearing actions. It completes one flicker every 657th of a second, but in reality, it accomplishes two actions. If we only consider the pure appearance or disappearance, its single-action speed is…”
Dr. Xu raised his eyebrows, “Every 1314th of a second, one appearance or disappearance occurs? In other words…
“Hmm? 1314 frames.”
The translator has something to say:
Do any informed readers here know the special meaning or interpretation behind “1314” in Chinese? The answer will be revealed in the next chapter 😉
daaaamn i swear the more we learn the more complicated and confusing everything gets, especially stuff related to xiao jinyu 🥹
Ooo, I can’t wait to understand how Xiao Jinyu is related to all of this! Maybe it also relates to why 004 calls him dad. Thanks for the chapter!
Thank you for the update ❤️💯
I’m not smart enough to comprehend what’s happening 🙂