22: Chapter 22 Soul Blade

With Director Wu's imperial sword of authority, Elder Chen began to sign off on Chu Ge's project with his eyes closed.

He didn't dare open his eyes, as his blood pressure would easily spike.

Chu Ge had been coding so obsessively these past few days that he was seeing stars, yet he didn't forget to complain to System Big Brother.

"System Big Brother, when can you just conjure up a finished product for me?"

"That way, I wouldn't have to go through all this trouble with research, drafting, and manufacturing."

[I can!]

"For real?"

[You can't afford it!]

"Forget I asked!"

The role of the Intelligent System Core—the Energy Core—wasn't the application or operation of energy; that was the job of the power source.

Its most important task was coordination, similar to the function of a human brain.

The mecha Chu Ge wanted to build was a war machine.

He didn't intend to turn it into a speaking, thinking intelligent android.

Command input was simple.

What mattered was that, after input, it could coordinate various functional parts according to the command to quickly perform the corresponding actions and provide feedback to the main system.

For example, in defense, the mecha needed to identify the direction and speed of incoming shells or missiles.

Then, it would either evade or accumulate energy to take it head-on, calculating the next optimal defensive move based on the effectiveness of the first wave of defense.

You can't just stand there and take it if you can't tank the hit.

As for super-intelligent robots, Chu Ge believed the system's black technology could create them.

It was just that current society didn't need and couldn't afford to have something so overpowered.

Moreover, having seen the movie Resident Evil, Chu Ge still remembered the "Red Queen" glitch.

If a scenario where a super-intelligent computer system destroys humanity and the planet were to play out again...

...that would be a tragedy.

Therefore, Chu Ge's mecha intelligence system was a neutered version of an intelligent robot.

It weakened the aspect of self-awareness while strengthening functions like control, coordination, and reaction.

It was basically a top-lane tank with a 20-0 score—full armor, slick movement, and high output.

With good tactics, it could even lead teammates who had lost all three lanes to a direct push!

A perfect crush!

One month later,

As expected, the hardware teams were the most efficient.

On this day, the parts they were responsible for had basically taken shape, and the first finished product was out.

In the Central Assembly Hall, Chu Ge took a lift into the air to look at the masterpiece created by Li Gang and the others.

"Holy crap, why does this look so familiar?"

Purple paint, a set of light blades equipped on the right mechanical arm, and a flashy head design.

"Good thing it doesn't have tentacles on its head, or would it be a mecha version of Kassadin?"

"Kassa-what? It doesn't need tentacles. The head is mainly where the sensing, scouting, and video systems are integrated."

Li Gang argued earnestly.

"Nothing, just saying."

Chu Ge rolled his eyes at Li Gang, who lacked any gaming sense.

Chu Ge stepped forward to touch the massive mecha warrior; the stealth coating applied over the tungsten carbide emitted a bone-chilling coldness.

"You guys followed the blueprints exactly, right?"

"Yes, Chief Engineer, not a hair out of place!"

"Good!"

"The main weapon is the laser system on the back. It usually retracts into the back and pops out automatically during combat."

"Right, so it's a third arm!"

"Huh? It really does look a bit like a third arm!"

"Uh, never mind. Continue."

Chu Ge was helpless.

"The secondary weapon is the laser blade on the right arm, used for close-quarters combat."

"The left hand is a heavy fist. With a full-energy strike, it can flatten a sixty-ton heavy tank into a pancake!"

"We've already tested it!"

A young-looking researcher nearby, Yanjing, added.

"Yes, but the most important agility test hasn't been done yet!"

"Its Energy Core—the brain—still needs two or three days of optimization!"

"Once it's installed, the entire system can be activated! Only then will we see its true combat power."

Chu Ge added.

"Yes!" everyone replied in unison, their eyes flashing with excitement.

"Alright, everyone has worked hard this past month! Go back and rest for three days. We'll gather here again in three days!"

"Yes!"

After everyone left, Chu Ge stretched and returned to his research lab.

Wang Yun was busy archiving the experimental data and progress reports submitted by each group.

Chu Ge sat down and made a final sprint using the programming language provided by the system.

If a world-class master programmer were here right now, even they would be puzzled: what was Chu Ge writing?

They wouldn't know, and Chu Ge didn't know either; perhaps only System Big Brother knew.

"Done!" As the last set of programming language was completed, Chu Ge let out a long breath.

All that was left was for the CPU to read these programs. Chu Ge decisively pressed the read button.

In the laboratory separated from his office by a glass wall, a circular CPU device suddenly lit up.

Chu Ge knew it had started working. In about three days, it would become the "brain" of this unique mecha warrior.

"It's just a pity it can't transform!"

[If you want it to, it can! What's so hard about that? It's not like the Shop System doesn't have it!]

The system began to tempt him!

"No thanks, I don't need it!"

"..."

Chu Ge wasn't stupid. "Transformers"? Too flashy. I can already fly; why would I turn into a car?

Although, camouflage would be quite nice!

But there's no Megatron here, so why bother with camouflage!

Off work.

After work, Chu Ge didn't have much to do except be all lovey-dovey with Dilireba Nazha.

On his first day back at the Research Institute, everyone looked at Chu Ge as if he were a national treasure panda.

Only then did Chu Ge realize that these scientific workers weren't oblivious to entertainment news.

However, in Elder Chen's words:

"What's the big deal? Our little Academician Chu is a treasure of Huaxia; dating that Nazha girl doesn't lower his status!"

"You all should learn from Chu Ge. Once you have the ability, why wouldn't the daughters of Huaxia show you love?"

Chu Ge wouldn't dare say this to Nazha; he just listened and let it go.

After hearing Elder Chen's banter, the people in the Research Institute reined in their gazes. Like students in a feudal dynasty after hearing a lecture from a sage, they were all suddenly enlightened...

Except for Wang Yun, whose gaze was as sharp as ever.

Three days later, Central Assembly Hall.

Chu Ge's hands trembled as he pressed the Energy Core into the slot in the chest.

"Click."

The external defensive structure of the slot suddenly locked tight. The entire mecha began to tremble slightly.

From head to toe, the sound of mechanical mechanisms operating rang out continuously.

"Clang, clang, clang."

A few minutes later, the mecha's head lifted slightly, and a red light projected from its eyes.

Gradually, the red light turned into a pale blue.

Chu Ge knew that the Energy Core was booting up the entire system, and the process was now complete.

"Beginning Friend-or-Foe identification test!"

[Command: Academician Chu Ge identified as the supreme commander of this mecha! Command: Perform Friend-or-Foe identification test for all personnel present!]

The mecha's highly mechanical voice rang out.

A few seconds later,

[Scan complete. Personnel present are all researchers and doctors from the Huaxia Yanjing Weapons Research Institute. No enemies detected. Over!]

Clap, clap, clap. Everyone started applauding.

"Alright, this basic test is fine. Wang Yun, contact the Western Weapons Experimental Base and prepare for performance testing!"

"Yes!"

"Academician Chu, you are the creator of this mecha; you should give it a name!" Li Gang said excitedly.

"Yes."

"That's right."

"Hmm!" Chu Ge looked at the mecha before him, which was shrouded in a purple glow.

"Let's call it Soul Blade!"

The soul of Huaxia, guarding the borders and resisting enemies; all demons and monsters shall be slain and subdued!!!