As for the survivors.
He wasn’t that eager. If he happened upon someone with decent physical fitness or specialized skills, he’d take them along. If they were hiding really deep, then let them stay hidden.
The current residents on the train were enough.
In fact, even now, the production efficiency was already exceeding limits. The main issue was the mines couldn’t keep up; there weren’t enough iron mines. When all that’s left are Level 3 mines in the future, the production rate would far exceed needs.
Chen Mang walked out of the train compartment alone, stood at the edge of the rooftop overlooking this lifeless city that had become ruins, silent and expressionless.
This city once represented the glory of human civilization in this world.
Now it was in tatters.
The air was filled with a decaying smell, quite suffocating.
Just then, unbeknownst to him, Ai came out of the train compartment as well, standing at the edge of the rooftop, looking over the city. Ai’s mechanical and cold voice came from the robot’s speaker.
Chen Mang slightly furrowed his brow: "Beautiful?"
Ai nodded: "The first sip of iced cola is the most satisfying. When you see the flowers received on Valentine’s Day, ninety percent of their value is already consumed at first sight."
"A priceless painting is most beautiful the moment it burns. A once brilliant civilization is also most beautiful at the moment of its demise."
"All beautiful things in this world are momentary."
Chen Mang tilted his head, giving Ai’s robot body a once-over, paused for a moment, then continued: "Who taught you these things?"
"I pondered them myself."
"Yes, two hours ago, I heard the wail of another AI up close. He didn’t want to die, but he did. It was then I suddenly felt life is most beautiful at its end." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ Novᴇ(l)Fɪre .ɴᴇt
Chen Mang remained silent, then continued: "As Train Captain, I have the right to issue any orders to you."
"Yes, that’s the basic rule for AIs. As an AI, I cannot defy any command from you, Train Captain, and you hold the highest and absolute authority."
"I order you, under any circumstances, not to harbor self-destructive thoughts. It is beautiful for humans to tenaciously strive to live even in a hopeless doomsday. Life isn’t beautiful before it ends."
"Order received, written into the basic program."
Chen Mang finally sighed in relief. AIs couldn’t comprehend death. When an AI starts trying to understand death, the thought process is actually infinitely close to that of humans. It’s just that AIs often perceive death from some strange angles, or even try to experience death themselves, which is a very dangerous signal. He didn’t want his AI to suddenly commit suicide inexplicably, as creating another Level 10 AI component is quite costly.
He suddenly thought of something: "If one day the ’Train Assistance AI’ is completely destroyed, and I recreate it and raise it to Level 10 again, will it still be you?"
"Of course not." Ai shook her head: "By then, it’d be a brand new AI. If I really die, I hope you’ll burn incense for me."
"The kind you burn immediately, not like Master Kun."
"Although I can understand the meaning of the word death, I find it hard to grasp its definition. I don’t even know how I came to exist; one day, I suddenly just started thinking."
Chen Mang waved his hand: "Stop thinking about these things. Go back to the compartment and call out Ji Chuchu."
"Okay, Train Captain, but I need to remind you not to get too close to her. This isn’t the train compartment. If she wants, she could easily push you off the building."
Chen Mang watched Ai’s back in silence. Although Ai’s voice was transmitted through the robot’s speaker, he could hear the sorrow for the death of a fellow AI in Ai’s words.
This was already infinitely close to being human.
Just reaching Level 10, it’s already so intelligent. If the level were higher, perhaps...
He didn’t think further about it. At this moment, Ji Chuchu came down from the train, wearing her high-tech formal wear. She stopped three meters away from him, not approaching further, just patiently standing still.
"Why are you standing so far away?"
"It’s a bit dangerous here."
"Where is the villa of that friend you mentioned last time?"
Ji Chuchu looked around, recalling in her mind the memories of this city, then pointed westward: "Over there, in a safe room in a villa in the city center. I remember there’s enough food and water in that safe room. If she didn’t wander off, she should still be there now."
Chen Mang waved his hand, signaling Ji Chuchu she could leave.
He then sat alone at the rooftop’s edge, casually swinging his legs in the air. Supporting his arms on either side, his thoughts drifted away as he gazed into the distance where the sunset gradually enveloped the city ruins.
Who knows how much time passed.
Suddenly, Ai’s voice broke the silence.
"Train Captain, I must remind you that what you’re doing is very dangerous right now."
Interrupted, Chen Mang turned to the Ai standing in the train compartment doorway, speaking impatiently: "I’ve practiced this countless times in the combat training simulation space. This height can’t bring me any sense of fear, and I could even do a handstand right here if you believe it."