At past 10 p.m., Zhou Tianming tossed and turned in bed.
Entering his Consciousness Space, he gazed at the [Trust] originating from his grandfather Zhou Junguo and grandmother Gao Jing, finally making a decision.
Before acting, however, he curiously examined the golden sphere.
His Mental Power had now reached an unprecedented peak—377.
He'd always wondered what would happen when Mental Power exceeded 300. Now that it was approaching 400, he focused intently to perceive any changes.
After a moment, he frowned in puzzlement.
Nothing extraordinary seemed to be happening.
Was it because no events related to him were imminent?
Or could he only sense impending danger?
The mystery remained unsolved.
Glancing at the Gundam SEED in its Seed State, he realized that even if he generated a Flower Pistil now, he couldn't add any Mental Commands. Deciding to observe its changes for a while longer, he stored it away.
Opening his eyes, he got out of bed.
Zhou Tianming approached the door and peeked through a crack.
The corridor was silent, with only faint moonlight casting tree shadows through the window.
In the distance, light seeped through the gap beneath Zhou Junguo's study door.
Moving quietly, Zhou Tianming approached and knocked twice.
"Come in, it's unlocked."
Zhou Junguo's voice was equally hushed.
Entering and gently closing the door behind him, Zhou Tianming saw Zhou Junguo behind his desk.
Wearing black-framed glasses, his grandfather was working on a computer with several translucent screens projected on the desk.
Peering around the screens, Zhou Junguo asked, "Still awake this late? Something on your mind?"
Zhou Tianming opened his mouth to speak directly, but suddenly realized he hadn't prepared what to say—what should be revealed and what shouldn't. Words failed him.
Zhou Junguo glanced at him before returning to his screens: "Sit for a while, or go back to sleep. Seems you haven't sorted out what to say yet."
After hesitating, Zhou Tianming sat down quietly, bowing his head to organize his thoughts.
Ten minutes later, having mentally arranged his words, he looked up to see Zhou Junguo still busy. Not wanting to interrupt, he glanced around the study instead.
Another twenty minutes passed before Zhou Junguo stopped typing after hitting enter a few times.
"Do you always work this late?"
Zhou Tianming was curious why the head of Human Resources would have so much work.
Shouldn't there be plenty of subordinates handling things?
"Just recently. The Council of Nations Meeting is scheduled for early December, hosted here this time. I need to make detailed personnel arrangements."
Council of Nations Meeting?!
With the Atlantic Federation being LOGOS's puppet, this would be the perfect opportunity for some probing.
Zhou Tianming straightened his posture, his expression serious. "Grandfather, there's something I need to tell you—it's about the Black Tortoise."
Zhou Junguo interlaced his fingers and rested his elbows on the table, his gaze fixed intently on Zhou Tianming. "Wei Jun mentioned something to me. It seems you have some thoughts. Go ahead."
Zhou Tianming proceeded to share part of his speculations with Zhou Junguo, carefully avoiding any mention of LOGOS in his words.
He emphasized how the buyer's decision to silence Wei Jun and the others after acquiring the Black Tortoise was abnormal—almost as if they were acting under orders.
He also recounted the deductions he, Wei Jun, and Li Chi had made while in hiding. Initially, they suspected the other party wanted to develop AI Weaponry, but after discovering the missing engine, they began to suspect the target had always been the energy source.
Zhou Junguo listened quietly, then after a moment of thought, asked, "Do you think nuclear energy will become obsolete?"
Zhou Tianming shook his head. "My theory is that they might tamper with nuclear energy to render it ineffective. That way, any alternative energy developed from the Black Tortoise's engine would gain a dominant advantage."
"Logically, it makes sense. If successful, the benefits would indeed be unimaginable." Zhou Junguo nodded. "But it's hard to control. The timing of nuclear energy's failure and the development of new energy sources are too uncertain."
Zhou Tianming nodded, his brow furrowing as he wore an expression of uncertainty. "You're right. That's why I'm not entirely sure either. But I thought it best to bring this to your attention, just in case..."
"Go rest for now. Tomorrow, I'll consult some experts." Zhou Junguo gave him a deep look before adding, "Once you leave this room, don't speak of this to anyone else. If there really is a problem, it can't be traced back to your deductions. Understood?"
Immediately grasping his meaning, Zhou Tianming nodded obediently, then waved goodbye and left the room.
Back in his own room, lying on the bed, Zhou Tianming carefully reviewed what he had just said, relieved to confirm he hadn't revealed anything he shouldn't have.
His words had been suggestive but deliberately vague—specific terms like LOGOS or neutron jammers were never mentioned.
As for LOGOS, East Asia was undoubtedly aware of it. There was no need for him to say more, and doing so might raise questions about how he knew.
The matter of neutron jammers was something he had deliberated over before deciding to withhold.
There had to be more than one method to disrupt nuclear energy. If his presence triggered a butterfly effect—
—if neutron jammers weren't developed and another method took their place—then his premature disclosure could lead to flawed decisions by East Asia.
It was better to let East Asia deduce things on their own. Given the 15-year-plus timeline, his involvement alone could create unpredictable changes.
The more he said, the more mistakes he might make. East Asia had plenty of talented individuals who wouldn't overlook possibilities like neutron jammers—they might even deduce more alternatives. With some luck, they might even develop new energy sources.
He had done what he could. The battles to come weren't something he could participate in alone.
With his mind at ease, drowsiness crept in.
Thinking of the Black Tortoise still waiting for him, Zhou Tianming closed his eyes, hugged his blanket, and drifted into a peaceful sleep.
The next morning, barely past 6 a.m., he eagerly got out of bed.
As soon as he went downstairs, he saw Wei Jun sitting on the living room sofa, clutching his phone and letting out a foolish chuckle.
His face twisting in disdain, Zhou Tianming walked over. "Uncle Wei, what are you looking at? Your laugh is ridiculous."
Wei Jun turned at the sound and held his phone up to Zhou Tianming's face. "Look! My grandson! Just got the news, hehe~"
The phone displayed a video—a tiny, wrinkled infant smacking its lips inside an incubator.
Watching the video, Zhou Tianming turned to Wei Jun with a puzzled look. "Shouldn't you be at the hospital for your grandson's birth?"
"If I leave, what'll you do?" Wei Jun pulled his phone back, staring at the video with a grin. "You definitely want to go to the Black Tortoise, right? I'll take you there first."
Hearing this, Tianming felt both touched and annoyed. "I'm not a three-year-old—"
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake. Oh no, here it comes!
Wei Jun's eyes flicked over, sizing him up before scoffing. "Right, you're five."
Then he added, "Could you even board a plane without me?"
Zhou Tianming opened his mouth, a frustrated smile on his face.
Before he could speak, Zhou Hanxiang's voice came from the side. "Brother Wei, you should go. I'll accompany Tianming. I just recovered from my illness and could use some fresh air too."
Seeing this, Wei Jun didn't argue. He sprang up from the couch. "Then I'm off! Call me if you need anything. Bye!"
He dashed out the door, his voice fading rapidly into the distance.
Zhou Tianming and Zhou Hanxiang burst into laughter.
"Mom, let's go."
Hanxiang grabbed his arm. "Eat first, then we'll leave!"
Remembering her recent recovery, Tianming held back and nodded. "Alright, let's eat first."
...
Meanwhile, Zhou Junguo had stayed up
late drafting a report on the events Tianming had described and submitted it.
Early the next morning, at 5 a.m., he received a summons to the government hall's conference room.
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