Chapter 321: Chapter 285: No Solution

The chat group disappeared without a trace, and all the chat logs were inaccessible, as if they never existed.

After that, it was always very quiet around, and nothing happened.

Nearly an hour passed, Ye Changqing called, saying the plane had landed safely, and he would send someone to handle the aftermath. He asked where Sang Que and Sang Wan were and whether they needed someone to arrange pick up.

Sang Que graciously declined the offer, asking Ye Changqing to bring their luggage and prepare the information about the Story Relay Group. She would return to Yu City herself.

She reopened the Ghost Realm, returning to the Little Stone Forest outside Bright Moon Mountain. Her mother was still waiting there, her legs perfectly fine, not reverting to the period when she was disabled after being kicked out of the group.

Sang Que breathed a sigh of relief, thankfully!

Sang Que told her mother about what had happened earlier, asking, “Do you want to stay here for a while? I’m afraid after going back, you might become the target of the Story Relay Group.”

Sang Wan considered it and declined, “I still need to go back. My novel’s fans currently make up about half of your Heart Lamp. If I don’t update, you lose these fans, and your strength might drop back to the Third Layer, which would be even more dangerous for both you and me.”

“Moreover, we’re not fighting alone now; we’ve entered the research institute’s focus. If you’re worried, I can accept the institute’s protection. Regardless, stopping updates is absolutely not an option.”

Sang Wan was very firm, and Sang Que, considering the Story Relay Group had their eyes on them, agreed to bring her mother and the unconscious man back to the modern era.

Sang Que left the man in the town at the foot of the mountain and sent a text to Ye Changqing, asking him to arrange someone to take over.

She and Sang Wan avoided people, using Instant Teleportation to reach the nearest city high-speed rail station and took the train back to Yu City.

During the journey, Sang Que was tense, worried that something strange might happen around them, fearing the Story Relay Group might use others to deal with her.

By six o’clock in the afternoon, Sang Que and Sang Wan finally returned to Yu City smoothly. As soon as they exited the station, they saw Ye Changqing, with graying hair and glasses, waiting at the exit.

Sang Que keenly noticed that some of the seemingly ordinary people around had sharp eyes, and their demeanor and movements indicated they were anything but ordinary, surely secretly protecting Ye Changqing.

This time, when Ye Changqing saw Sang Wan, he showed a surprised look, his eyes lingering on Sang Wan’s perfectly fine legs for a while.

This reaction was anticipated by Sang Que; previously, because her mother was in the group, outsiders would ignore her changes. Now that her mother left the group, such shielding failed, and others naturally noticed her difference.

“Xiao Wan, long time no see.” Ye Changqing greeted actively.

Sang Wan pulled a polite smile, “Yes, it’s been nine years.”

Ye Changqing nodded, motioning Sang Que and Sang Wan to join him in chatting in the distant communication vehicle.

The vehicle was empty, filled with lots of equipment Sang Que couldn’t understand. Once they boarded, there was no cell signal, and Ye Changqing said the vehicle was very safe.

“That group, how exactly does it lock onto its victims?” Sang Que asked her most concerning question first.

Ye Changqing replied, “Cameras and satellites.”

Sang Que’s spirit shook; it turned out to be satellites. Previously, she thought it was some esoteric power; unexpectedly, it was technological.

“Can’t you really deal with this thing?” Sang Que asked.

Ye Changqing smiled bitterly, “How to deal with it? Normal ghosts can still utilize experts to educate the public about scientific knowledge, saying it’s all feudal superstition, all illusions, all folk tricks. But the impact of technological development on humanity is too great.”

“Unless we return to primitive societies, this thing can’t be completely eradicated. Now, not only in Huaxia, but globally too many people believe AI will replace humans and surpass them, becoming humanity’s master. It’s this belief that gives rise to groups like this.”

All three fell silent. It seemed indeed unsolvable, especially with satellites overhead, making it impossible for someone to hide.

Ye Changqing handed over the prepared paper materials to Sang Que, and the mother and daughter examined them together.

“Fortunately, within Huaxia, currently there’s only one Story Relay Group, much better than abroad. Nobody knows exactly how this group first appeared. What we can find now is that most members are writers, including traditional literary writers and online writers. They use the group’s rules to become famous and successful.”

“Group tasks are issued through a phone, recording a video, then group members write stories. Once the story is posted in the Official Group, members vote. As long as over half find the story terrifying enough, the task is successful, exchanging recognition votes for points.”

“If tasks fail, you exchange previous points for ’punishment exemption.’ If the points are insufficient, last time’s rewards are reclaimed; failing three times consecutively results in reclaiming all rewards and being kicked out of the group. However, anyone kicked out often becomes the next target for the group’s members.”

Hearing this, Sang Que and Sang Wan exchanged looks, their hearts pounding like drums.

Ye Changqing glanced at Sang Wan’s intact legs, said nothing temporarily, and continued, “Currently, besides strengthening the scrutiny over paranormal story novels online, we’re attempting to develop software to implant into everyone’s phone to block these abnormal signals, but with little effect.”

Sang Wan pondered and said, “Since this thing exists due to people’s belief, why not use the public’s belief to imbue the software with special power?”

Sang Que nodded; she considered this too, like how the Deceit Dynasty established the Evil Suppression Bureau, making successive generations believe the Bureau could exorcise Evil Spirits and Evil Ghosts, allowing it to protect the populace.

Ye Changqing laughed, “Are we telling the public this software has ghost-killing capability?”

Sang Que and Sang Wan were startled; current Huaxia promotes belief in science, breaking feudal superstitions. The authorities cannot contradict themselves, and once this is opened, unimaginable consequences would occur, with even more peculiar things emerging.

Ye Changqing said, “This matter can only proceed secretly, without letting the public know this group’s existence.”

Sang Wan bit her lip, thinking, “I saw recently that our country started promoting Mandarin programming languages, basically Chinese coding. I don’t understand this field, but could Taoist and Buddhist scriptures be integrated into the programming?”

Ye Changqing’s eyes lit up; at first hearing it was indeed ridiculous, but considering it, maybe it’s worth a try.

They couldn’t make the public believe the software could kill ghosts, but people have always believed in the strong destructive power of Taoist and Buddhist scriptures on ghosts, as well as certain spells. Regardless, in the current helpless situation, they could attempt it.

Ye Changqing looked at Sang Wan, recalling once more his proudest student Sang Yu, who always had many ideas beyond others’ understanding.

The sisters, and their adopted children, all became excellent individuals.

Ye Changqing didn’t speak further, and Sang Que and Sang Wan carefully finished examining the materials, realizing even Sang Que felt helpless against the Story Relay Group currently.

The stories created from the group weren’t very powerful and posed no harm to Sang Que, like the female ghost on the plane that she could easily eliminate.

But the source of the Story Relay Group, she couldn’t directly catch; it was born from modern technology, able to exist on any computer or mobile phone. Just like Ye Changqing said, without humanity regressing to primitive society, it’s tough to catch.

This feeling was similar to the Deceit Dynasty’s Water Ghosts and Dream Ghosts; as long as there are rivers, lakes, and seas, as long as people still dream in sleep, Water Ghosts and Dream Ghosts won’t disappear.

An unsolvable existence!

“What are your plans next?” Ye Changqing asked Sang Que and Sang Wan.

The mother and daughter exchanged a glance, and Sang Que said, “I might have been targeted by this group already. Next, I’ll accompany my mom for a few days, observe the situation, and if there’s no other way, I’ll have to retreat to the deep mountains to find my master and avoid for a while.”

On the way back, Sang Que had planned if the Story Relay Group couldn’t be dealt with now, she would ensure her mother’s safety and then hide in the Deceit Dynasty for a period.

She didn’t believe satellites could capture the Deceit Dynasty!

Ye Changqing nodded, “Alright, Xiao Wan’s earlier idea is very good. I’ll go back tonight for a meeting with everyone to study this, and will notify you when there are results. Also, thank you and your master for the assistance this time. If you change your mind, the institute always welcomes you.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep