Chapter Eleven: The Transformation of Warfare

It took a long time for Xiong Shan to recover. Sitting on the ground, he patted the spot beside him, signaling Li Daoran to sit down.

“What did you just use?” Xiong Shan asked.

Li Daoran sat down cautiously and replied, “Joint techniques.”

Xiong Shan nodded. “Ancient martial arts, is it? No wonder—very few people understand these things now. They've been abandoned for thousands of years, and now we’re picking them up again. It’s ironic. Do you know why we’re called scouts?”

Li Daoran shook his head. He remembered from his studies that it was best to speak little, avoid exposing gaps in his knowledge, and not reveal things he shouldn’t know. When asked, simply say he doesn’t know and let others fill in the blanks.

“We’re about to go to war, Daoran. That’s all. You can go back now.” Xiong Shan stood up, dusted off his pants, picked up two wristwatches, tossed Li Daoran his own, and walked away without another word.

Li Daoran scratched his head in confusion, slipped the watch onto his wrist, and after it automatically recognized him, followed the route to Dormitory 417.

At the door, it opened automatically. Inside was a small single room with its own bathroom. All toiletries, bed, and bedding were provided. A robot stood stiffly in the corner—round-bellied, much like the famous “Big White.”

Upon entering, an electronic synth voice greeted him, “Li Daoran, hello. I am your personal robot. Please give me a name.”

Li Daoran looked it up and down and said, “Big White.”

“Understood. Big White has been registered. Please remove your clothes and put on your pajamas. Place your old clothes inside my stomach.” Big White’s belly opened to reveal a set of pajamas.

Li Daoran glanced around, noticing there was no mirror or anything similar.

“Please rest assured, this is your private space. There are no surveillance devices here.” Big White clearly misunderstood Li Daoran’s hesitation.

He undressed, took out the pajamas from Big White’s stomach, and placed his old clothes inside. The pajamas fit snugly. He didn’t know what material they were, but they were comfortable.

He searched around for something to read but found nothing. Circling Big White a few times, he discovered that without commands, the robot wouldn’t speak. He tried picking it up, but it was far too heavy.

“Big White.”

“Yes, master.”

Li Daoran stroked his chin, thinking it resembled a phone’s voice assistant—artificial intelligence? He decided to test it.

“Tell me a story.”

“I have located thirty-eight million, six hundred sixty-six thousand stories. Please provide keywords for filtering.”

Well, this robot was interesting. Was it mocking him with that number?

“No need for a story. Can you buy things?”

“What would you like to purchase? I will apply for it. Since this is a national secret territory, all requests require a reasonable explanation. We will try our best to meet your needs.”

“Can I see my personal information?”

“Certainly.”

Just like the wristwatch projecting a 3D map, the robot’s eyes emitted light, forming a vivid 3D model of Li Daoran in front of him, marked with measurements—arm length, height, leg length, foot size, and more.

Li Daoran looked down and suddenly felt socially dead all over again. Did such private things really need to be noted? Could he ever return to Water Blue Star? Perhaps it was better not to.

Li Daoran, son of Li Mingrui and Xia Wanyue, from the capital of the White Deer Republic, White Deer Star, sophomore at White Deer University, political review passed, approved for employment.

Li Mingrui and Xia Wanyue’s files were classified. Current clearance insufficient.

A brief report—his parents’ special status meant all files were marked top secret; nothing could be viewed.

Li Daoran closed his personal file and lay on the bed. The bed seemed to have a hypnotic effect; he fell asleep within moments.

The next morning, Big White produced breakfast from its stomach, allocating ten minutes for eating. Then it presented a brand-new set of camouflage fatigues. Li Daoran didn’t know how Big White’s stomach worked—it was as magical as Doraemon’s pocket—but that didn’t stop him from getting dressed and heading to assembly. His wristwatch was flashing a red warning; the route was marked.

Xiong Shan stood at the front of the formation, scanning everyone with authority.

“You are all the cream of the crop selected by the White Deer Republic. Does anyone know what a scout is?”

“Sir, a scout is someone responsible for reconnaissance in ancient warfare,” said a handsome young man with a black crew cut in the lead position.

The order was based on yesterday’s race results. Li Daoran was at the very end.

Xiong Shan nodded. “Xu Xingxing is correct. But this type of soldier has been absent from history for a long time. Do you know why we’re forming them again? Are you clear on your responsibilities?”

Once again, Xu Xingxing responded as soon as Xiong Shan finished speaking. “Sir, it’s because there have been no major scientific breakthroughs for a long time. Reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance are evenly matched. In the latest military exercises, the importance of individuals has resurfaced, and the nature of war is changing again. When battle groups are split into smaller squads by counter-reconnaissance, information transmission becomes sluggish, sometimes even filled with enemy misinformation. As a result, SkyNet’s judgments are often delayed or erroneous, and war is once again decided by humans.”

“Why not just let you explain?” Xiong Shan said, looking at Xu Xingxing.

Xu Xingxing stepped forward boldly. “Yes, sir. Scouts were eliminated because for over a thousand years, wars maintained a delicate balance. Outcomes were predictable, depending on whose SkyNet was stronger, whose reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance were more advanced. The weaker side had virtually no room to resist.

“More importantly, energy weapons, shields, and mech models kept evolving. Human technology was in a perpetual state of explosion, yet now, after hundreds of years, no nation has made a qualitative leap. For example, the ninth generation of mechs hasn’t even been conceptualized. War has suddenly balanced out. The basics are much the same for everyone, and anyone can win. Victory is back in the hands of frontline soldiers and commanders.

“The beast called war hangs over every nation, and the White Deer Republic is not prepared. I personally believe our first enemy will be the Philis Empire in our star sector. The Philis Emperor has waged aggressive campaigns since taking power, ruthlessly purging all domestic rivals.

“Although Philis is not as strong as we are, I don’t have much faith in the White Deer Republic. Their initial attack will be overwhelming; if we can’t withstand it, we’re finished.

“But, if we endure the initial assault, the resistance forces within Philis will be enough to give the Emperor headaches. Then we can win. That is why I am here—I believe we can save the White Deer Republic.”

Xiong Shan gave Xu Xingxing a deep look and nodded. “You’re excellent, but there are many outstanding people in our class. Never underestimate anyone. Yesterday, your last place contestant defeated me one-on-one.”

All eyes suddenly turned to Li Daoran, who stared blankly at Xiong Shan, unsure of his meaning.

Xiong Shan clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention. “Li Daoran, step forward.”

Li Daoran complied.

“Yes, this is our class monitor, Li Daoran.”

Xu Xingxing looked at Li Daoran in shock, his face flushing red. “I object!”

Xu Xingxing had helped others after finishing the run yesterday; he even carried Li Daoran to the infirmary. Everyone had seen it. After the run, he networked and allied with almost the entire class, except for Li Daoran. He’d made a splash again this morning, convinced the class monitor was already in his grasp. But now, out of nowhere, this unexpected challenger appeared. Of course he objected.