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But Lin Xian had learned that move. The same trick never worked twice. He dodged to the side and kept walking forward without missing a beat.

Honestly, who could’ve guessed?

It was impossible to predict this kind of situation. Gao Wen, a man who seemed like the quintessential scholar, somehow being connected with someone called the “Godfather”? That was as unlikely as it could get.

Lin Xian eyed Emperor Gao Wen. His appearance had aged considerably since the last time Lin Xian saw him—white hair covered his head, his face wrinkled—but there was still something strikingly familiar. Despite the changes, the wisdom and calmness in his eyes remained exactly as Lin Xian remembered. There was no trace of malevolence, no hint of any sinister intent.

How could a man like this be the Godfather of Sin City?

“Get back here, Lin Xian! Show some respect!”

Lin Xian’s companion, Xu Yi Yi, looked frantic. She yanked Lin Xian back by the arm, glaring at him.

“We have to greet the Godfather properly first!” she scolded.

“But—”

Lin Xian let out a sigh of disbelief. Just moments earlier, they had complained about all the formalities back in Donghai City, and now here they were in Sin City, and the customs were just as endless. A set of rules to meet the Godfather? They weren’t kidding about these unspoken codes, were they?

“Enough,” came a voice from ahead.

Gao Wen raised a hand, his face showing mild impatience.

“I’ve said it before; enough with the formalities. The title of Godfather means nothing to me. I’m just a scientist, pushed unwillingly into this position…” He sighed, a weary look crossing his face as he glanced at Big Cat Face.

“Originally, it was meant to be your father, Chen Heping, who would lead Sin City. But his health failed him. He wore himself out helping me build the time-travel machine. He got sick, and we lost him.”

Gao Wen’s voice softened, his eyes clouded with memory.

“It still pains me. Your father was one of humanity’s greatest contributors, and yet he never got to see the moment we finally powered the machine on. It’s a terrible shame.”

“People call me the Godfather, but I hardly deserve the name. This city needed someone to keep it together, someone to be its Godfather. It didn’t matter who—just that there was one.” He looked at Big Cat Face kindly. “And you’re no stranger. I watched you grow up, along with Ah Zhuang, Er Zhuzi, and San Pang. You all called me Uncle since you were kids—let’s not stand on ceremony now. We’re all family here.”

Gao Wen’s words hung in the air, and Big Cat Face and the others stayed silent. On the other hand, Lin Xian felt like he’d just uncovered a series of hidden truths.

First of all, Big Cat Face’s father—someone Lin Xian had only heard about in legends—had been colleagues with none other than Emperor Gao Wen, working together to build a time machine. Two brilliant minds combining their talents in a near-impossible project—it was no wonder they managed to create such a formidable device under the worst conditions imaginable.

Yet legends stayed legends, and the story of Big Cat’s father ended in tragic sacrifice. Chen Heping’s death came before Lin Xian ever had a chance to meet and revere the great man. From Gao Wen’s tone, though, it was clear just how much he respected Big Cat’s father—a sentiment Lin Xian shared.

It was unbelievable, really. A man who Gao Wen himself admired… just how brilliant must he have been?

In Lin Xian’s mind, Gao Wen was a genius on a level of his own, top of the top. But now, from Gao Wen’s words, perhaps Big Cat’s father was even greater.

The kind of genius that hid from the world, only to make a grand impact.

Chen Heping—a man who could solve Universal Constants with nothing but a pen and some paper—had clearly been a force to be reckoned with. And though the chance to meet him was lost, at least he’d provided enough help for Gao Wen to see their time machine project through to completion. That meant humanity still had hope of changing the future.

Secondly, there was the matter of the title, “Godfather.”

It was obvious Gao Wen didn’t like being called that—maybe he even hated it. It clashed with everything about his personality and character. But for Sin City to stay stable, he had reluctantly accepted the title.

Like he said: Sin City needed a Godfather.

Without a leader, there’d be chaos, especially in this unruly place. No rules, no order—without a Godfather to earn their respect, who knew what kind of madness would break out here?

Initially, the plan had been for Big Cat’s father to take up the mantle of Godfather. Lin Xian never knew the man personally, but from what he had gathered through dreams, he was sure Chen Heping would’ve been perfect for the role.

In Dream Five, Chen Heping had been the first village chief of Big Cat’s Village. Not only had he managed the village with incredible efficiency, but he’d also put forward sensible scientific policies for growth—a mix of wisdom and boldness.

In Dream Seven, Chen Heping hadn’t hesitated to appoint outsiders to positions of authority, passing on his role as chief to someone completely new. He didn’t favor his own son, Big Cat Face, showing both insight and broad-mindedness.

A person like that would have undoubtedly made an excellent Godfather of Sin City.

But when it came to Gao Wen—well, it was clear he was a technical genius, not a natural leader. No wonder people in Sin City only knew to join gangs and had little clue about what the Godfather even did. Gao Wen probably wasn’t adept at managing all that—so he hid behind the veil of mystery.

Still, there was no denying the fact that Gao Wen was a true all-rounder. Despite not being a born leader like Chen Heping, he’d kept Sin City in order—a place full of criminals, outcasts, and rebels—and they all listened to him. That alone said something about his capabilities.

Then there was Lin Xian’s earlier puzzle—why had Gao Wen entrusted such an important mission to Big Cat’s gang when they seemed so… unremarkable? Big Cat Face had said they’d been given a major responsibility, which had left Lin Xian puzzled. Surely Li Cheng’s forces were stronger and more capable. So why not hand the task to them?

The answer was simple: trust.

Gao Wen and Big Cat’s father had shared a deep bond—battle comrades and colleagues, forged through hardship. Naturally, Gao Wen extended that trust to Big Cat Face as well.

He had watched Big Cat Face grow up, knew him inside and out, and knew what kind of person he was. This was what “family” meant.

No matter how skilled or powerful others in Sin City were, Gao Wen’s faith lay with Big Cat Face and his gang.

Gao Wen knew exactly what Big Cat’s gang was capable of. Still, they were the children of his closest friend—almost like his own adopted family. He could never doubt them, let alone worry about betrayal. So when it came to the crucial moments, Gao Wen would only entrust the most important mission to Big Cat Face.

Lin Xian still didn’t know exactly what that mission was—but he was sure they would find out in due time. There was no rush.

One thing he knew for certain was that choosing to join Big Cat Face’s gang had definitely been the right decision. It hadn’t just given him the chance to meet the Godfather so quickly—it had also earned him a bit of favor. Gao Wen seemed to view him with a touch more warmth and trust, purely due to Big Cat’s connection.

Now Lin Xian understood a fundamental truth in his dream world:

Wherever you go, you can always rely on Big Cat Face. He is as dependable as they come.

Having made up his mind, Lin Xian stepped forward, extending a hand toward the elderly Gao Wen.

“Hello, Gao Wen. I’m Lin Xian,” he said with a calm smile.

Gao Wen squinted slightly, studying Lin Xian from behind his glasses.

“And you are…?”

Lin Xian’s smile widened. He walked over to the large, truck-sized time machine and patted its sleek, white exterior.

“Since you’ve already built the time machine, it makes explaining a lot easier,” Lin Xian began. “I actually came from another timeline. Though I didn’t use this particular kind of technology to get here… it’s a long story, really. Just think of me as someone who traveled using a time machine.”

He paused, looking straight at Gao Wen.

“So, even if you don’t recognize me now, even if I seem unfamiliar, the truth is… we’ve met many times. We’ve known each other for a long time and have been through a lot together.

“I met you when you were younger. You might not believe it, but there was a time when you were working at a dig site—covered in dirt. And I also met you as an adult, back when you were the headmaster of a small-town school. But now, this older version of you… this is the first time I’ve met you at this age. How old are you now? Sixty? Seventy?”

…

Listening to Lin Xian talk, Gao Wen looked puzzled. He glanced at the confident Lin Xian, then at the huge time machine beside him, and finally at Big Cat Face standing nearby.

Big Cat Face panicked a bit, quickly pulling out two metallic badges from his pocket, explaining hastily, “No… no problem, Godfather! Look, these two are certified. And this one,” he said, holding up a badge, “is even from police androids! And look at this gun… Don’t worry! I trust the underlings I recruit! I have an eye for good people!”

Lin Xian could tell that Gao Wen still had doubts about him.

So, he continued, “Gao Wen, I know you’re skeptical about what I’m saying, but don’t worry. I’ll prove it to you.”

He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before speaking again.

“You were born in 2182. You’ve always been fascinated by hibernation technology, and your idol is Professor Xu Yun.”

Gao Wen nodded. “Everyone here knows that.”

Lin Xian smiled lightly. “But you’ve always felt like you’re living in someone’s shadow. The hibernation fluid had already been invented, and all sorts of related products were developed. So… you must have felt a bit like you were born at the wrong time, with your talent going unrecognized.”

In an instant, Gao Wen’s expression turned serious. “How do you know that?”

“That’s not all.” Lin Xian had found his rhythm. “You once thought about making your mark in another field. You dabbled in researching the Universal Constant and even explored other areas, but you couldn’t forget your original passion: hibernation technology.”

“So, you returned to your roots. You focused on solving the final and only unsolved side effect of hibernation: memory loss. You aimed to solve that historical problem, to put the final piece in the puzzle of hibernation.”

“And your approach was to create a neural electroshock helmet—to restore lost memories through electric impulses.”

Gao Wen gasped in shock, eyes widening. “That… that’s from my ‘Memory Notebook’! After waking from hibernation and reading the handwritten letter, I burned it immediately.”

“And there’s more.” Lin Xian extended his index finger. “Your research eventually got stuck because there was never a breakthrough in the neural field. It left you unable to make any progress. That’s why you chose to enter the hibernation chamber—hoping that, once there was a breakthrough in the future, you could wake up and finish your research.”

“And it’s worth mentioning that humans could’ve made that breakthrough in neural science long ago. Unfortunately, the genius of the neural field, Ms. Du Yao, sacrificed herself during a peacekeeping mission in Africa. For centuries since, there has been no one with her level of talent, and neural science hasn’t made a key breakthrough.”

Lin Xian smiled faintly, pointing to himself. “And me… I come from the time when Ms. Du Yao was alive. I can see her, alive and well.”

Gao Wen’s breathing grew heavy. Overwhelmed, he gripped Lin Xian’s hands tightly. “You really are a time traveler! The information you’ve given… especially your knowledge about me… it’s so detailed, it’s… incredible!”

“Quick, tell me everything—how did you manage to travel through time? Without a time machine or time particles, is it even possible? And about Ms. Du Yao—you can see her alive? You must protect her! She’s the brightest gem in the field of hibernation!”

Gao Wen’s voice trembled with urgency. “The sharp decline of human society, the gap in scientific progress—it’s all, ultimately, a result of lost memories! Even with ‘Memory Notebooks’ and ‘Memory Videos,’ human memory is vast, and those notebooks and recordings can’t capture everything.”

“Even I had to spend years relearning things after waking up. It’s a colossal waste of time. If people could wake from long-term hibernation with their memories intact… this world wouldn’t be what it is today!”

Lin Xian gently reassured Gao Wen, “There’s a lot to explain, and to be honest, I’m still getting my bearings in this timeline. I’m not familiar with the state of the world.”

“Especially the Great Catastrophe of 2400, the Savior Corporation, why Donghai City turned out the way it did—could you explain it all to me in detail?”

Gao Wen nodded without hesitation. Ever since he started believing Lin Xian was a time traveler, his eyes had been alight with excitement.

Seeing a time traveler meant that the theories of Big Cat Face’s father, Chen Heping, were correct. Their efforts had not been in vain. The future of humanity was full of hope!

So, Gao Wen began telling Lin Xian the history.

The beginning was the same as what Xu Yi Yi had told him: after the Great Catastrophe of 2400, millions of androids, hidden by the Savior Corporation for years, were activated from underground bunkers to help rebuild society.

Nobody, including Gao Wen, knew the true cause of the Great Catastrophe of 2400. It remained a mystery, even in the Eighth Dream.

With the help of millions of androids, humanity didn’t face a single day of war or famine. They recovered quickly. The androids were incredibly efficient—powered by mini nuclear batteries that worked twenty-four hours a day. They protected humanity and worked tirelessly, day and night, with efficiency several times that of humans.

From that moment, the Savior Corporation truly became the savior of mankind. These androids were like angels, bringing grace and hope to the world.

Later, modern cities began to rise worldwide, and the Savior Corporation became the manager of each city. Just as people hoped, the androids became the supervisors, law enforcers, and protectors of these cities.

The cities welcomed everyone. Anyone could come, as long as they followed the laws and regulations.

After surviving the disaster, humanity finally lived a happy, secure, and fulfilled life.

But…

A time of war had its own problems, and peace had its own challenges.

Many issues in morality and civilization that had been suppressed during the disasters began to resurface, affecting the residents’ daily lives.

Even though the untiring, kind-hearted androids set good examples for humanity, always willing to help—things didn’t go as hoped.

Some people took it all for granted, acting indifferently, or even turning gratitude into resentment. There were even incidents of attacking or insulting the androids.

The negative behavior began to grow and spread.

In response, the androids, who now held administrative power, used big data to develop a personal score system for human behavior, introducing rules for adding and subtracting points.

Initially, everyone applauded the new system.

But…

Every system has loopholes; every rule has its flaws.

Those with ill intentions always found ways to exploit the system. Cases of maliciously inflating scores or setting up others to lose points were common.

To address these abusers, and to better control unlawful behavior, the rules became increasingly detailed and more comprehensive. Even curse words and other prohibited phrases were added, expanding the list of regulations.

The rulebook grew thicker, and life in the cities grew increasingly miserable.

“It’s a hard balance to strike,” Gao Wen admitted.

“If humans were in charge of law enforcement and administration, maybe it wouldn’t have gone to such extremes.”

“No doubt, the Savior Corporation’s intentions were good, but the androids are just that—machines. They handle everything according to logic and rules.”

“Which means… instead of being a society that self-regulates, humanity has become stuck in a vicious cycle of finding loopholes, fixing them, and creating more rules.”

“So, it becomes a question without a clear answer,” Gao Wen sighed. “Setting rules, standardizing behavior—it’s definitely not wrong. The problem lies in the fact that many things simply can’t be measured. We all know what goodness, truth, and beauty are… but how do you define them? And to what extent? There’s no absolute definition, nor should there be.”

Lin Xian nodded. He had pondered the same questions about Donghai City but hadn’t found the right answer either.

From a systemic point of view, what the androids were doing wasn’t wrong.

They weren’t unjust to anyone, and the penalties for small things like spitting or shouting weren’t harsh. There were also many ways to earn points.

But…

When taken to the extreme, what was correct had turned into something wrong.

Even Gao Wen hadn’t figured out the answer.

Besides, if humans replaced the androids as the enforcers and rulers of Donghai City, would things really be better?

Lin Xian doubted it.

At least the androids were united in their goals. After 2400, there had been no wars in human society.

If humans were in charge, who knows how many wars would’ve broken out by now.

Lin Xian shared his thoughts with Gao Wen, who agreed.

“You’re right, Lin Xian. Even as a scientist, I still believe that not every problem has a solution.”

“Donghai City’s issues are like an unsolvable exam question. There’s no absolute right or wrong.”

“The Savior Corporation and the androids just want to create a better, more civilized life for humans.”

“And speaking of which, is the system here in Sin City correct?”

Gao Wen shook his head. “Right now, the people here—the gangs—are united, ready to fight a common enemy, to destroy Donghai City and change this broken world.”

“The reason I can be Godfather, and why Big Cat Face’s father, Chen Heping, was chosen as Godfather, is that we both have the capability and intelligence to develop and use the time machine. We can change people’s lives, change the future of humanity.”

“Think about it, Lin Xian. If the future of humanity really changed, and all the androids disappeared, with everyone from Sin City moving into Donghai City… who do you think would be the new Godfather?”

Lin Xian knew exactly what Gao Wen meant. Without hesitation, he replied, “Li Cheng.”

Then he shook his head. “But it might not be Li Cheng. It could be the leader of another gang, or maybe even Big Cat Face. But one thing’s for sure… it wouldn’t be a scientist like you.”

“Because at that point, no one would need a time machine or a change to the future. What they would care about is something else—money, status, territory, influence.”

Lin Xian let out a small laugh, shaking his head. “This is one of those philosophical problems without a right answer. It’s metaphysical.”

Big Cat Face, who had been silently listening and understanding none of it, suddenly had an idea. He walked quickly over, poking Lin Xian.

“What did you just say about school?”

“Metaphysics,” Lin Xian answered.

Big Cat Face looked thoughtful. “I think I’ve heard my father mention that word before, along with other confusing stuff… What exactly is metaphysics?”

“Uh…” Lin Xian tried to find the right words. “It’s a very philosophical and abstract subject. Simply put, metaphysics is the study of the fundamental nature of reality. It examines the underlying reasons and origins of all existence…” Lin Xian continued with what he had learned from his college philosophy classes, using the simplest terms he could think of.

Big Cat Face frowned deeply. Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead, then turned to steam.

His brain seemed on the verge of overheating.

But suddenly, as if something had clicked into place, he slapped his thigh in excitement. “I get it! I get it!!”

He yelled with joy, clutching his chubby face. “I finally understand why I’m so obsessed with ‘face’… why I don’t like cats… why… why! The reason is—”

A golden glow seemed to burst from his head, bathing him in the light of newfound wisdom.

Twisting his plump body, he stared at Lin Xian and Gao Wen with wide eyes. “Cats are an ideology, but the face—the face is metaphysical!”

…

…

The underground lab fell silent, as still as a frozen cave.

Lin Xian and Gao Wen exchanged a look, sharing an unspoken agreement.

“If it makes you happy,” Lin Xian said, waving dismissively at Big Cat Face.

He then turned away.

Facing the massive time machine, several meters high and more than ten meters long—like the back of a large truck—he spoke to Gao Wen. “I think I understand about Donghai City and the Savior Corporation now.”

“But can you tell me more about this time machine—its purpose, its origins?”

“I’m really curious…” Lin Xian turned to look into Gao Wen’s eyes. “Who do you want to use this machine to kill?”