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墨書 Inktalez
As one of the most famous tourist cities in the country, T City has never disappointed with its scenery. The buildings in the city are not very tall, but the shops below seem to stretch endlessly. People emerging from the subway stations usually drag a suitcase behind them, while the taxi stand next to the North Train Station of T City is always packed with vehicles waiting for passengers.
The median strips along the road are lined with tropical trees. Despite the clear sky, it feels particularly humid, and passersby mostly walk along the sidewalk, fanning themselves as they head west. T City relies on the economy of its eastern districts to maintain its national reputation, particularly the renowned Song Family Villa District, whose owners control nearly eighty percent of the city's economic lifeline. Meanwhile, eighty percent of the population can only enjoy the remaining twenty percent.
This has led to a severe phenomenon of "polarization" in T City—the eastern part is bustling and vibrant, while the western urban villages feel suffocating. As one moves further west, private cars become increasingly rare, replaced by a growing number of motorcycles and electric scooters. The roads narrow progressively, and the asphalt gradually gives way to a bumpy gravel path.
The small houses on either side seem almost to touch each other, with any gap around them leading elsewhere. Trash accumulates at every corner and in exposed drains; even on sunny days, the atmosphere here feels gloomy and oppressive. Passing by a meat shop with a shared wall, the dark ground appears decayed, and the stench mingles with hurried footsteps.
Having lived here for some time, Liang Muqi has grown accustomed to the environment of these urban villages. Growing up in a rural area, he feels as if he has returned to a village in China from half a century ago. For decades, he has been treated like a national treasure by his country; now that he has a rare opportunity to see the world of impoverished families again, he feels it is something he deserves.
The roads here are so unclear on electronic maps that Liang Muqi can only rely on his memory to find his way home. Upon reaching a restaurant with a red sign, he glances through his sunglasses before quickly lowering his head and turning onto a narrow alley.
There is hardly any light penetrating this alley since the low walls press closely together, making it feel like an afterthought. The rental apartment where Liang Muqi lives is just behind an adult store ahead.
“Ding—welcome home!”
Pulling open the rusted iron gate, Liang Muqi remains vigilant as always, checking the corridor upstairs and glancing back before slowly closing the gate behind him.
“Back already?” A voice greets him as he reaches apartment 103. The soundproofing in these rooms is poor; Liang Muqi falls asleep every night listening to rock music from next door.
“Yeah.” After entering and placing a bunch of celery and some eggplants on the table, he removes all pretense from his face. “Is dinner ready?”
“You can eat first.” The man busy in the kitchen gestures toward dishes on the small living room table. “Try my stir-fried pork; honestly, I feel like I could be a chef now! After staying on Earth for so long, this is my first time cooking something so delicious!”
“Really?” Liang Muqi takes off his coat and smiles as he picks up a piece of stir-fried pork, blowing on it skeptically before putting it in his mouth.
“How is it?” The man pours soup into a large bowl while looking back at Liang Muqi with anticipation.
“Why is it so spicy? It’s definitely better than before.” Liang Muqi frowns slightly and motions for him to sit across from him. “Good thing I can handle spicy food, haha…”
“You’re not rough at all.” The man removes his apron to reveal a suit underneath, with an ID badge pinned to his chest: Salesperson at FAW-Volkswagen T City 4S Store Xinglong Town Branch Wen Yue City.
“If you’re rough, then we aliens hiding on Earth are nothing but scraps,” Wen Yue City shrugs.
“Eat up.” Liang Muqi doesn’t respond to Wen Yue City’s comment but adds some wood ear mushrooms from his dish into Wen Yue City’s bowl. “Take off your mask; it must be uncomfortable.”
Wen Yue City hesitates for a moment but then places his hand over his face. A layer of scales spreads from where his fingers touch, revealing his true face beneath. His grayish-white features are now exposed to Liang Muqi's gaze; there’s a small light source in his eyes that faintly glimmers. He looks across the table at Liang Muqi—whom he trusts most among Earthlings—and they share a smile.
Internal Humans are indeed skilled fighters, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need other emotions. In this alien world, Wen Yue City cannot communicate with anyone; since being ordered to infiltrate Earth three years ago, like most warriors, he chose to escape war and live here under a new identity as an Earthling. Liang Muqi cannot imagine how they endure such loneliness and fear; for them, taking even one step outside is extraordinarily difficult.
Like humans, they long for home and seek support. After harsh training from war, their minds often wander towards escape; they spend their lives evading shadows cast by death and bloodshed. Wen Yue City embodies this type of internal Human perfectly. He knows that once he arrives on Earth, returning will be nearly impossible. As long as he fulfills his duties to his commander, he has served his purpose. The rest of his life must be spent trying to live as peacefully as possible.
In their eyes, human civilian technology resembles toys for children. To live like an Earthling, Wen Yue City specifically learned Chinese etiquette and developed an interest in cars seen everywhere on the streets; after observing them briefly, he learned how to introduce car features and donned a bionic mask to work as a salesperson at a car dealership.
“Yue City?”
"Hmm?"
"What are you thinking about?"
Liang Muqi watched Wen Yue City, who was sitting still with chopsticks in hand, staring at the table as if deep in thought.
"I'm thinking about the scene of our first meeting," Wen Yue City replied with a smile. "You weren't afraid of me and could see through my true identity at a glance. No matter when I think about it, I find you remarkable."
Liang Muqi simply looked at him calmly, then smiled slightly before lowering his head to eat.
Long before Viper was sold out, even earlier, Liang Muqi had known about the existence of internal Humans. One could say that Liang Muqi was one of the earliest Prophets on Earth. Two years ago, after he escaped from prison, he came to U City to survive and met Wen Yue City in the underground parking lot of a dilapidated community while observing a series of SUVs. From the analysis lens perched on Liang Muqi's nose—hidden within his pupils—no one ever noticed anything unusual. Liang Muqi had worn it even in prison; when magnified, one could clearly see the dividing line between the bionic mask and his real grayish-white flesh.
Homeless, Liang Muqi sat cross-legged in the parking garage, watching Wen Yue City move back and forth between private cars as he observed them. When Wen Yue City noticed Liang Muqi, he casually greeted him. After being on Earth for so long, who had ever taken the initiative to greet him? Touched by this gesture, Wen Yue City mustered his courage and began conversing with Liang Muqi in unfamiliar Chinese.
Wen Yue City understood the taste of wandering; since he was alone on Earth, he simply invited Liang Muqi to settle in his rented place. Over time, Liang Muqi took the initiative to mention his judgment that "you are not Earthlings." Wen Yue City admitted it, and from then on, Liang Muqi became the only person in this world who knew his true identity.
After the outbreak of the Loss War in U City, Wen Yue City chose to leave; he no longer wanted to see scenes related to war. However, as an Earthling, Liang Muqi decided to stay behind. He crafted a laser rifle himself, preparing to atone for his past, which led to Ming Juan's appearance.
Now, the two were living together again. Wen Yue City knew that Liang Muqi was the most capable scientist on this planet and provided him with research resources from his meager income. The bionic mask was modified by Liang Muqi himself.
"A scientist as remarkable as you is sitting with me," Wen Yue City said while chewing his food. "How about I help you find a job?"
"Forget it," Liang Muqi replied quietly without looking up. "I just want to be true to my conscience."
Wen Yue City watched Liang Muqi eat for a long time before gently putting down his chopsticks and saying, "Being true to your conscience doesn't mean torturing yourself like this."
"Then I can't think of any other way," Liang Muqi said with a bitter smile.
"I have one," Wen Yue City replied.
"Oh? What is it? Go outside and beg?" Liang Muqi thought Wen Yue City was making another dark joke.
"No," Wen Yue City suddenly became serious. "I'm serious. Do you remember the news from a few days ago? You humans captured several segments of Fast Radio Bursts; do you recall?"
"What about it?" Liang Muqi lifted his head.
"Even if you deciphered them, you wouldn't understand their meaning, but I do," Wen Yue City pointed to the computer in the room. "That’s an order from our leader Ban Sa given to us infiltrators. Besides enduring loneliness and working hard—those nauseating platitudes—there's one message that could be very useful for your atonement."
The more Liang Muqi listened, the more puzzled he became as he stared at the flickering black-and-white code on the computer screen and asked, "What do you mean?"
"He requires us to cooperate with stalkers to destroy your 'Southern Gate' plan," Wen Yue City said with furrowed brows. "Especially your Gamma Ray Railgun; it must be destroyed before they arrive."
Liang Muqi's fingers trembled slightly but he silently shook his head. "I'm sorry, Lao Wen. This war has nothing to do with me anymore."
"It does!" Wen Yue City lightly slapped the table. "Do you really want to watch your civilization be destroyed by us? Truly, we internal Humans are evil. I've witnessed our monsters ravage our own planet until it was riddled with scars. Since you've met an enemy like me who still has some conscience left, please protect your planet well and don’t repeat our mistakes."
"War has never ceased in the universe. Destruction is an inevitable fate," Liang Muqi said meaningfully. "Whether I live or die no longer matters to me. Let them clash with the aliens; I am just a traitor now, and there is nothing left for me to protect."
Wen Yue City, upon hearing this, lowered his head in disappointment, his glowing eyes fixed on the floor beneath the light. He then stood up and walked towards the kitchen.
"Would you rather watch all of humanity disappear than risk your own fate again?"
As he opened the kitchen door, Wen Yue City paused. "The Satellite Bureau controls the core operation group of the Armed Satellite Matrix. After this order is given, something will definitely go wrong. Are you really choosing to stand by and do nothing? You are 'Blackhawk,' after all."
"Think about it, Dr. Liang. What did you gamble everything for back then? What was your purpose in creating so many superheroes with your technology? In my heart, you have always been a hero protecting the world. If you truly want to be at peace with your conscience, you should reflect on the original intentions behind your sacrifices."
Wen Yue City entered the kitchen to prepare food, scooping as he spoke. "The one advising you to go back is your enemy."
"Satellite Bureau..."
Liang Muqi fell silent, remembering that An Xiaotian's girlfriend was there. He took a deep breath, suddenly losing his appetite at the sight of the table full of food. Guilt or discomfort—he couldn't tell which it was. After wandering in thought for what felt like an eternity, he sat down at his computer, unlocked his quantum communication channel, and transformed a line of text into encrypted communication before sending it to his old rival—Fierce Eagle.
"The Satellite Bureau is in danger!"
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