Qin Hao sat on the sofa, his fingers rapidly sliding across his phone screen.
He searched for keywords like “how to safely contact national security departments” and “major clue reporting procedures.”
The information that popped up on the screen was varied; clicking on links to official websites mostly led to standardized form downloads and lengthy lists of Precautions, with processes that looked cumbersome.
And could his situation be clearly explained through a single email or phone call?
He feared he would just be dismissed as a nuisance or someone with delusions.
“No, this isn't very reliable. Talking over the internet, people would definitely think I'm crazy.”
Qin Hao rubbed his temples.
What he needed was a face-to-face opportunity, a chance to display his “miracle.”
After much thought, he decided to take the most direct, and possibly most risky, approach: personally visit the National Security Sub-Bureau located in Zhou City.
At the same time, he mentally organized his words: “Comrade, I have critical intelligence that could affect the nation's technological development, and I need to report it in person.”
Hmm, that should be enough to attract attention without being too exaggerated.
Having made up his mind, Qin Hao changed into an inconspicuous casual outfit the next morning, checked himself over, and then left.
The Zhou City National Security Sub-Bureau's office location wasn't particularly secretive; it was an ordinary-looking office building.
A low-key sign hung by the entrance: 【National Security Fifth Sub-Bureau】, and two upright guards stood beside it.
Qin Hao walked to the main gate and was stopped by one of the guards.
“Hello, Comrade. May I ask what the matter is?” The guard's gaze was sharp, scrutinizing him up and down.
“Hello, Comrade.”
Qin Hao tried to make his voice sound steady, “I have very important intelligence, concerning the future development of the nation, and I need to report it directly to your leader.”
The guard's face was expressionless, but a hint of a “he's crazy” look flashed in his eyes.
He had heard this kind of talk before.
But most of them were either baseless rumors or people who were mentally unstable.
However, this young man in front of him had a serious expression and clear eyes, so he didn't seem to be messing around.
Despite this, he still reported the situation via walkie-talkie as per regulations, after all, it was his job.
A moment later, a young cadre in plain clothes, around thirty years old, walked out of the building.
Zhou Wei glanced at Qin Hao, his gaze carrying a mix of scrutiny and a routine indifference.
“Come with me!”
Qin Hao followed Zhou Wei into the office building and arrived at a small reception room.
The room was simply furnished: a table and a few chairs.
“Speak, what intelligence?” Zhou Wei sat down first, then gestured for Qin Hao to sit, his tone slightly flat.
Qin Hao didn't directly mention the system's existence; that would be too shocking.
He organized his words:
“The intelligence I provide, or rather, what I can demonstrate, is extremely important. I need an absolutely confidential environment, and… I need you to provide a pen and a blank sheet of paper.”
He paused, then added, “When I demonstrate, there shouldn't be too many people in the room, preferably just you.”
Zhou Wei's eyebrow twitched slightly, and the scrutiny in his eyes intensified.
These demands sounded a bit strange.
But he still held his temper and stepped out for a moment.
Soon, he returned with an unopened, ordinary black gel pen and a few sheets of A4 printing paper, placing them on the table.
“Alright, can you speak now?” Looking at Qin Hao, Zhou Wei showed a hint of impatience, clearly thinking Qin Hao might be trying to be mysterious.
Qin Hao nodded, picked up the brand-new pen, and weighed it in his hand.
He didn't touch the blank paper, but just held the pen in his right hand, then said to Zhou Wei, “Please watch my left hand carefully.”
Under Zhou Wei's curious and puzzled gaze, Qin Hao silently thought, “System, copy!”
Almost the instant the thought fell, a black gel pen, identical to the first, appeared in Qin Hao's previously empty left hand!
This scene made Zhou Wei's pupils sharply contract!
The air in the reception room seemed to freeze.
Almost jumping up, Zhou Wei quickly walked to the table, looking incredulously at the pens in Qin Hao's two hands.
He first picked up the original pen from Qin Hao's right hand, then the one from his left hand, comparing the two pens repeatedly under the light.
The weight, the subtle brand engraving on the pen cap, even the unique luster of the metal part of the pen tip… they were completely identical!
He even lightly scratched the plastic on the pen body with his fingernail; the feel was exactly the same.
“This… this…” Zhou Wei gasped, feeling a tingling sensation on his scalp.
What was happening before his eyes had completely surpassed his cognitive scope.
He knew very well that this was not a magic trick; at such a close distance and in this environment, it couldn't be some kind of sleight of hand.
“You… do it again!”
Zhou Wei's voice was a bit dry; he pointed at the pen on the table.
Qin Hao complied, placing one of the pens on the table and copying the other again.
When a third identical pen appeared in his hand, Zhou Wei took a sudden step back, his eyes filled with disbelief!
He no longer had any doubts, immediately pulled out his phone, and dialed a number, his fingers trembling slightly from excitement:
“Director Cheng, emergency! I've discovered a major anomalous event here that may involve national core security! Yes! Seen with my own eyes, absolutely not false! Request instructions!”
His tone was very urgent.
After hanging up the phone, Zhou Wei said to Qin Hao:
“They said we need to move to another location to talk. Come with me!”
So Qin Hao was “politely” escorted to another, safer and more secluded internal room to wait.
Only the two of them were in the room, but Qin Hao knew that the person in charge here would arrive soon.
While waiting, Qin Hao maintained a calm exterior, but inside, he was in turmoil, his palms slightly sweaty.
He knew that from the moment he demonstrated his replication ability, things had completely spiraled beyond his personal control.
Not long after, the door was pushed open.
A middle-aged man, around fifty, of average build, with a steady demeanor and sharp, eagle-like eyes, walked in.
He wore dark casual clothes and exuded an imposing aura without needing to be angry.
Behind him followed two assistants, also with serious expressions.
The middle-aged man walked directly to the chair opposite Qin Hao and sat down, scrutinizing him with piercing eyes, as if trying to see through him.
The atmosphere in the room instantly became solemn.
“Hello, young Comrade! I am the person in charge here — Cheng Haitang. May I ask what to call you?”
The middle-aged man spoke first.
“My name is Qin Hao.”
“Then I'll call you Little Qin! My subordinate tells me you have critical intelligence that could affect the nation's technological development. Now, you can explain in detail.
Remember, every word you say from now on will carry corresponding legal responsibility.”
Cheng Haitang's tone carried a hint of warning.
Qin Hao's expression was equally solemn; he tried to calm his heartbeat a little, as the real test was beginning.
He met the other party's sharp gaze and said, word for word:
“I have a replication system that can replicate all matter. The prerequisite is sufficient energy.”