HPDBC Chapter 4 Cultivator Starts Technology Company
Chapter 4 Cultivator Starts Technology Company
"The initial analysis is complete." Xu Qingqing took out a tablet computer from her backpack. "The residual energy of the Shadow Nightmare shows obvious signs of human manipulation, a rare variant of the 'Soul-Guiding Talisman.' Someone deliberately lured the Shadow Nightmare into the library, possibly to test the array's reaction or to weaken its power."
Editor-in-Chief Qin's face darkened: "Soul-summoning talisman... this kind of magic has been lost for a long time. Can you identify the specific characteristics of its school?"
"It's a bit blurry, but the residual energy fluctuations carry a unique 'coldness,' like a cultivation technique from the north." Xu Qingqing zoomed in on the analysis diagram. "I compared it in the database, and the closest one is the rune style of the 'Cold Mountain Sect,' but that sect is said to have disbanded thirty years ago."
"The Cold Mountain Sect..." Editor-in-Chief Qin closed his eyes, seemingly recalling something. "No, they didn't disband; they transformed. Thirty years ago, Lin Han, the last sect leader of the Cold Mountain Sect, announced that he would abandon traditional cultivation and instead focus on 'modern metaphysical application research.' They moved to Kyoto City and opened a technology company."
Li Shancheng asked in surprise, "A cultivator running a technology company?"
"That's normal," Xu Qingqing explained. "Metaphysics and science are just different ways of understanding the world; their essence is the exploration of truth. Many cultivators have found new directions for development in modern society. Some open martial arts schools to teach health preservation, some do psychological counseling, and some research energy technology... The path chosen by the Hanshan Sect is rather unique; they are trying to reinterpret ancient formations using quantum physics."
Editor-in-Chief Qin stood up: "I need to check some old files. Your task today is to investigate the current situation of the Cold Mountain Sect and see if they are related to the library incident."
"How do we conduct the investigation?" Li Shancheng asked.
"On the surface, they are a company called 'Hanshan Technology,' which mainly deals in intelligent security systems." Xu Qingqing had already pulled up the relevant information. "The headquarters is located in the Chuangzhi Building in the CBD. It is a legitimate company with more than 200 employees and an annual turnover of over 100 million yuan."
Looking at the photo of the modern office building on the screen, Li Shancheng found it hard to associate it with a "cultivation sect".
"Go as reporters from the magazine and say you're doing a special report on the integration of technology and tradition." Editor-in-Chief Qin took out two press cards from his drawer. "I've already arranged it; the appointment is at 2 PM today. Remember, the focus is on observation, not confrontation."
After breakfast, Li Shancheng returned to his dormitory to prepare interview materials. He turned on his computer and searched for "Hanshan Technology," and sure enough, he found the company's official website. The page design was simple and modern, and the product introductions were full of various high-tech security systems, artificial intelligence monitoring, biometric technology... showing absolutely no connection to cultivation.
However, in the company history section, he noticed a line of small print: "Hanshan Technology originated from ancient Eastern wisdom and is committed to combining traditional philosophy with modern technology."
"Eastern wisdom..." Li Shancheng mused. He continued flipping through the pages and found that the company founder, Lin Han, was a refined gentleman in his fifties wearing glasses, showing no trace of being a "cultivator." The senior management team also presented themselves as standard corporate elites.
The only slightly unusual thing was a news item from the company: six months ago, Hanshan Technology won the bid for the "Intelligent Ancient Book Preservation System" project of the Kyoto City Library. The accompanying photo showed Lin Han personally demonstrating a special temperature and humidity monitoring device to the library director.
"This is it." Li Shancheng pointed to the screen. "They've been to the library's rare book section."
Xu Qingqing leaned closer to look: "The surveillance equipment... is indeed an excellent cover. If they implant something in the equipment, they can remotely monitor the condition of the array's core and even exert influence."
"Should we remind the library?" Li Shancheng asked.
"There's no evidence, and their system was installed through a proper bidding process." Xu Qingqing shook her head. "More importantly, we're still unsure of their motives. Weakening the array's core is detrimental to everyone; its failure would trigger a chain reaction, disrupting the entire metaphysical balance of Kyoto City."
"Then why would they do that?"
"This is what we need to find out." Xu Qingqing checked the time. "Let's go, it's time to set off. Remember, we are reporters from 'Xuanfeng' magazine. You are interested in the topic of the integration of metaphysics and technology, and I am your photographer and assistant."
They changed into slightly more formal clothes. Li Shancheng wore a casual suit, while Xu Qingqing wore a smart pantsuit and carried a large bag for her camera. As they walked out of Qingyun Alley, Li Shancheng glanced back. The black wooden door slowly closed behind them, as if separating two worlds.
Located in the heart of Kyoto's CBD, the Innovation Building is a 50-story glass curtain wall building. Hanshan Technology occupies three floors of it. The reception area is designed with a highly technological feel, featuring a white and silver color scheme and abstract artworks on the walls. The only touch of traditional style is a bonsai pine tree in the corner.
"Hello, we are from Xuanfeng magazine. We have an appointment to interview Mr. Lin at 2 PM." Xu Qingqing showed her press card to the receptionist.
After verifying their information, the receptionist smiled and led them to a conference room: "Mr. Lin is in a meeting, please wait a moment. Would you like something to drink?"
"Tea is fine, thank you."
One wall of the conference room was a floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the entire CBD. Li Shancheng walked to the window and looked at the pedestrians and vehicles below, which looked like ants. A strange feeling welled up in his heart—ancient cultivation secrets might be hidden in this modern skyscraper.
The door opened, and Lin Han walked in. Just like in the photo, he looked to be in his fifties, wearing a well-fitting dark gray suit and frameless glasses, with the air of a university professor rather than a tech company CEO.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Lin Han shook hands with them, his grip gentle yet steady. "The *Xuanfeng* magazine, I remember it, it focuses on traditional culture research, right?"
"Yes, this time we want to do a special feature on 'How Technology Empowers the Preservation of Traditional Culture'." Li Shancheng began with his prepared remarks, "I've heard that your company has many innovative practices in this area, especially the ancient book preservation system in libraries."
Lin Han nodded, gesturing for them to sit down: "We have indeed done some exploration in this field. Traditional ancient book preservation faces multiple challenges such as temperature and humidity control, pest control, and paper aging, while modern sensor technology and artificial intelligence can provide more accurate monitoring and early warning."
He began to explain in detail how the system worked, speaking professionally and logically. But Li Shancheng noticed that when Lin Han described certain technical details, he would unconsciously draw some simple symbols on the table with his finger—the shapes of those symbols were somewhat similar to those on the purple dragonwood in Qingyun Lane.
"One feature of our system is 'non-contact monitoring'," Lin Han continued. "Through a special energy field scan, we can analyze the condition of ancient books without touching them. We have applied for a patent for this technology."
Energy field scan? Li Shancheng and Xu Qingqing exchanged a glance.
"Can we see this system in person?" Xu Qingqing raised her camera, "to take some photos for the report."
Lin Han hesitated for a moment: "The library isn't very convenient, but we have a demonstration lab here that can show the basic principles."
He led them to the laboratory area on the same floor. It resembled a high-tech research and development center, with researchers in white lab coats busy at various instruments. One of the rooms had a simulated ancient bookshelf, displaying some antique-style books.
"This is our demonstration system." Lin Han pointed to a row of screens. "Blue indicates normal operation, yellow indicates a warning, and red indicates an emergency."
Li Shancheng focused his attention, attempting to perceive his surroundings using the method taught by Bishop Qin. Sure enough, he sensed a faint energy fluctuation emanating from the instruments around the room. This fluctuation was remarkably regular, like a meticulously designed array.
"Can I come closer and take a look?" he asked.
"Please go ahead."
Li Shancheng approached the simulated bookshelf, pretending to carefully observe the books. In reality, he was sensing the source of the energy fluctuation. The center of the fluctuation was not the books on the shelf, but the shelf itself—more precisely, an inconspicuous metal plate on the back panel of the shelf.
The metal plate was engraved with tiny runes, which somehow corresponded to the knowledge of array cores in his mind.
"These antique-style books are exquisitely made." Xu Qingqing took the opportunity to divert Lin Han's attention and started taking pictures.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Li Shancheng secretly took a close-up photo of the metal sheet with his phone, then walked away nonchalantly. His heart was pounding; it was his first time doing this kind of "reconnaissance" work, and he felt both nervous and excited.
After the visit, Lin Han escorted them to the elevator: "I hope our work can contribute to the preservation of traditional culture. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us."
The elevator doors closed and began to descend.
"That metal piece," Li Shancheng said in a low voice, "has runes on it, and it's related to the array's core."
Xu Qingqing nodded: "I also sensed the energy fluctuations; they were very faint but very peculiar. It seems that Hanshan Technology is indeed extraordinary."
"But why would they need to monitor the array's core? If they really wanted to sabotage it, wouldn't it be faster to just take action directly?"
"Perhaps the purpose is monitoring itself," Xu Qingqing pondered. "The energy fluctuations at the array's core can reflect the metaphysical state of the entire Kyoto City, just as a seismograph can monitor crustal movement. If someone wants to grasp the metaphysical dynamics of a city, monitoring the array's core is the most effective method."
The elevator reached the first floor, and they walked out of the Innovation Building. The afternoon sun was a bit dazzling, and pedestrians hurried along the street.
"What do we do now?" Li Shancheng asked.
"Let's go back to the magazine office first and analyze the photos you took." Xu Qingqing waved for a taxi. "If it's confirmed to be a surveillance rune, Editor-in-Chief Qin may need to contact the other guardians."
The taxi merged into the traffic. Li Shancheng gazed at the city scenery rushing past the window, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Three days ago, he was just an ordinary college student, worrying about his thesis and job search every day. Now, however, he was embroiled in a mysterious event that could affect the entire city of Kyoto.