787 The End of Human Nature (1/2)
”Soul... ” Ye Xuan murmured softly.
”What?” Roland did not hear him clearly.
”It's nothing.” Ye Xuan smiled and said nothing.
He found it difficult to describe his feelings at the moment; was it joy or heaviness?
He did not know.
If it is true, then after such a day comes, the human consciousness can break through the limitations it has faced in the past and upload itself from the human body to this magnificent miracle, no?
It is simply a perfect match.
A substance that can exist eternally but is unconscious, and human beings who possess consciousness but cannot pursue immortality...
After freeing themselves from the limitations of their bodies, human beings can obtain the ability to exist for eternity from the miracle.
Isn't it the birth of the 'soul'?
But he doubted it for the first time. Is it truly a good thing?
Is it really the soul I have dreamed off?
Can it really bring the so-called happiness and fulfillment to humanity?
After a long time, he closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. ”Mr. Roland.”
”Yes?” the man replied.
”Regardless of whether your idea can be realized, how can you be sure that we can control the 'unknown substance'?” Ye Xuan asked. He had always been the killjoy, and he was specifically in charge of doing so. When the crew committee daydreamed occasionally, he would remind them that their dreams were not as beautiful as they seemed to be.
He was responsible for understanding the brain, understanding desires, and reminding everyone of the price they must pay for their desires. ”Or rather, how can you ensure that the 'unknown substance' is willing to let us use it?”
Roland was momentarily stunned.
His expression stiffened.
”Mr. Ye, we have established a preliminary bridge of communication with the unknown substance through sounds,” he explained somewhat deliriously. ”It is just the beginning, and it has rich potential.
”I believe that the day when we can master their power will come!”
Ye Xuan couldn't help but laugh.
It made Roland's expression darken more and more.
”What's this?” Ye Xuan asked. ”The cycle of history?
”Since you said that it's a bridge, surely you understand that a bridge is two-way?” Ye Xuan looked into his eyes and asked, word by word, ”Bai Nan is not here, so I will replace him and ask questions he should ask.
”How can you guarantee that they will not expel humans after they develop self-awareness, like the scrap metal on the Earth? Or rather, have you forgotten the lessons we've learned? Or do you simply want to demonstrate your abilities and create a monster that we cannot control?”
”But, but... they are different! Thoughts don't even exist for them... They don't even have any self-awareness at all, and they are simply responding to the sound!” Roland retorted agitatedly.
”No.” Ye Xuan spoke and refuted him firmly, ”Messages produce rules, rules form regularities, regularities become fixed responses, and through the responses, a logical machine is formed.
”The Greeks say that human beings have no souls, and that 'consciousness' is nothing but a self-deceiving illusion. 'Self' is nothing more than a reflexive machine formed by countless logic gates after countless times of learning and failing. Aren't you creating all this?”
”I... I... ” Roland was sweating profusely, looking at Xiao Huan, his gaze hopeful.
”Alright, Mr. Roland, why don't you leave first.” Xiao Huan put out his cigarette. ”Your work is done.”
Roland left.
He left very reluctantly.
It was like he was being driven away.
In the silence, Xiao Huan got up and walked towards the elevated storage cabinet in the corner.
”Before leaving the Earth, my family had deep roots across many industries, and thanks to my parents, I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I continued enjoying the legacy they left for me until this day, and... this is the only one left.” He reached in and took out the box, which contained a bottle of orangish-yellow alcohol.
”200 years ago, just as synthetic wines destroyed the traditional wine-making industry, it was one of the bottles of the last batch of whiskey brewed with natural grain. I don't think I can taste anything special from it, but now is a good time, we can have some.” He opened the bottle.
The liquid was fragrant.
It rippled between the ice cubes and the cup.
He placed the cup in front of Ye Xuan, but Ye Xuan did not touch it.
”Why did you ask me to come here?” Ye Xuan kept his head low. ”I am just a psychiatrist, a committee member chosen just to make up the number. You want to tell me in advance so that the motion can be passed by the committee?”
”And if that's the case?” Xiao Huan looked at him calmly.
”If that's the case, I will not agree.” Ye Xuan took a deep breath and closed his eyes. ”It is up to you whether to let me live or die, Captain, I am grateful for your help, but allow me to retain my pessimism.”
”Forget it and raise your glass.” Xiao Huan sat opposite him and looked at him with indifference. ”I have more than enough people to kill today, and you aren't included, so you can rest assured.”
Ye Xuan opened his eyes in surprise and looked at him.
It was not because he was not on the death list, but because of the previous part of his sentence...
For so many years, Xiao Huan has always seemed like a cheerful man with a full beard. He has a bad temper and is rather blunt, but he abides by his principles. Many dislike him, although they dare not say it out loud. Everyone knows that he is indisposable to the colony ship.
It is he who has been suppressing the conflicts between everyone in a gentle yet irrefutable manner, maintaining the peaceful coexistence of the committee members, and overcoming the challenges faced throughout the long years.
He has never meted out illegal punishment, nor has he shown favoritism by acting impetuously.
Well, he is born to achieve great things and to be a big brother who takes the lead. You can dislike him, but you will definitely admire his ability and graciousness.
Now, he is going to start killing people.
So, who will die?
Bai Nan? Liu Dongli? Zhao Qian? Or even more people?
Ye Xuan found it difficult to accept such a huge, impactful decision.
”I am very tired now, Ye Xuan, I just want to find someone to have a drink together, so don't overthink with your little brain anymore, and raise your glass.” Xiao Huan maintained his pose and looked at him.
Ye Xuan was silent for a long time and raised his glass.
They clinked their glasses, producing a crisp sound.
The golden liquid rippled between the ice cubes, like a sea of gold with glaciers in it.
”Cheers.” Xiao Huan lifted his head and finished his drink.
When Ye Xuan put down the glass, he suddenly experienced heart palpitations, and faint auditory hallucinations sounded from afar.
It sounded like the cries of countless people.
But no sound could be transmitted through the distant space, and the last cries of living things would only disappear in the cold universe.
What was left was nothing but a brilliant spark.
Ye Xuan turned back sluggishly and felt his vision darken.
He saw it.
Outside the large porthole, in the deep space, a huge flame had suddenly risen in the distance.
It was a colony ship.
Across the distance of tens of thousands of kilometers, he could not see its outline clearly. All he could see was only a dazzling spark, like a flower blooming in the silent darkness.
A flower of iron and fire.
Blood and broken bones evaporated, dissipated, and fell toward the earth, turning into silver drops of burning rain.
”Steven...” Ye Xuan still remembered the name of his friend.
At the moment, he finally understood something. He looked back stiffly at Xiao Huan, his expression convulsing. ”You killed them?”
”Yeah, after all, it's very troublesome to temper with some stuff.” Xiao Huan poured himself another glass and sipped the fine whiskey from his hometown, savoring the taste. ”Although colony ships are equipped with large weapons to deal with meteorites and meteors, once they are activated, they will be detected by the other ships' radar.
”It really took me quite a lot of thinking.
”Fortunately, everyone is traveling along the same trajectory, and one can always leave some gifts for the next ship along the road.”