Final Civilization

Chapter 21: Phoenix Man

Driven by a lawyer's intuition, Han Ming immediately began to recall. At that moment, he took out his phone and found the photo he had taken of the Sacred Realm of Science.

Sure enough, he quickly spotted the woman in the photo. Then, using her name, he swiftly found information about this person.

"Melanie Roland, 45 years old, French. Director of the Sustainable Development Fund at Blue Sapphire Group, environmental and peace advocate. Funded the 'Africa Clean Water Project.' In her youth, she was a reserve member of the French national skiing team. The first woman to traverse the Ganesh Himal Conservation Area of the Himalayas unsupported..."

Han Ming found this woman's publicly available information online. He discovered she frequently attended environmental forums and charity events worldwide, clearly a person of considerable social standing.

"Wealthy, environmentally conscious, good social status... The people in this Sacred Realm of Science seem to be no ordinary individuals."

Just as he was browsing the photos, his gaze suddenly sharpened, catching a detail.

He noticed the woman was wearing a platinum ring on her left hand, and on that ring was a Troy symbol.

The pattern resembled a crown torch, quite aesthetically pleasing. But the reason Han Ming focused on this detail was because he realized subconsciously that he seemed to remember seeing this pattern somewhere else!

"When?"

Han Ming looked up, his eyes shifting to the clock on the wall. In that instant, countless memory fragments began to flash back.Rainy night, singing, the roar of traffic.

Lin Xiaoyi, the information on Greenpeace and the Nebula Assassins club.

Tao Jie's book, the surveillance of Tianzhou Group, the conversation with Director Qi.

Auntie Weng, Yan Duoduo's laughter, Xiao Ba, Wang Linquan.

"In that case, Lawyer Han, could you help me investigate who the mastermind behind the plot to murder Duoduo is?"

Under the blinding backlight of the setting sun, Yan Jing's deep, abyss-like eyes, her coldly elegant smile, and...

Those shimmering, silver Troy earrings!

Han Ming's gaze darkened, the details coming into sharp focus.

"Yan Jing."

"Coincidence? No, the world doesn't have that many coincidences."

Han Ming closed his eyes, pressing his fingers against his temples.

"If you want to see the truth, pay attention to every detail. All coincidences are merely manifestations of one's own cognitive limitations."

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and began searching online for this Troy symbol and any connections to Melanie Roland.

For a moment, a flood of web pages filled Han Ming's vision. He became like a high-speed information filtering machine, constantly sifting through data.

Soon, he found an answer.

An international charity exchange event named "Genesis" appeared in his view. It was a high-end exchange forum themed around changing humanity's destiny through technology, emphasizing technological advancement to drive human civilization evolution and create a better future. Its logo was precisely this Troy symbol.

Han Ming looked it up and found this exchange event primarily focused on charity auctions and angel investments in cutting-edge, high-end technology as its core activities. The invitees were all global elites and wealthy individuals, strictly by invitation only, not open to the public.

"Charity exchange event..."

"It seems like just a few months ago, at a charity dinner in Favier, Sweden, I ran into her and chatted with her for a bit."

At this point, Han Ming began to have some inklings in his mind.

He immediately picked up the phone and called Lin the Hound.

"The sun must be rising from the west. You're not asleep this late? Want to come for a drink?"

As soon as the call connected, Lin Xiaoyi's end erupted with strong soundwaves, clearly indicating he was at some nightclub.

"Got a question. You mentioned attending a charity dinner in Favier a few months ago. Was it called 'Genesis'?"

"Yeah, why the sudden interest in that?" Lin Xiaoyi replied.

"Did you happen to see Yan Jing there?"

"Yan Jing? I don't know her. Even if I saw her, I wouldn't recognize her."

Han Ming pondered briefly before continuing, "How did you get invited to this charity exchange event?"

"I was in Europe at the time negotiating an AI investment project and got invited. Honestly, it was mostly for show—attend the auction, donate some charity money. The only real benefit was probably networking with some big shots."

"Alright, got it. Don't drink yourself to death."

Amidst the waves of sound, Lin Xiaoyi looked at the ended call, frowning. "This guy, why the sudden interest in this stuff?"

Back in his apartment, Han Ming stood on the balcony, his mind racing.

So far, Tao Jie and Melanie Roland were confirmed members of the Sacred Realm of Science organization. They had both participated in this "Genesis" charity exchange event.

And Lin Xiaoyi had merely received an invitation. All these clues could be grouped together.

The only exception was Yan Jing. After realizing this connection, Han Ming's curiosity about this woman grew. Perhaps he could observe her more closely later.

Hah!

Han Ming let out a long breath, looking at the nightscape of Jinghai. A storm was brewing in his heart.

The world was about to be destroyed. Some were chosen as 'Wallfacers,' granted the abilities of immortality and infinite wealth. Their purpose was to prevent the world's destruction. Their actions were not to be interfered with and needed no explanation.

But for some reason Han Ming didn't yet know, the Wallfacers were not known to the public. Instead, they operated beneath the surface.

Organizations like the Sacred Realm of Science were social elites aware of the Wallfacers' existence and the impending doom of the world. They were assisting or supporting 'a certain Wallfacer' in some way to prevent the apocalypse.

"If the Wallfacers were chosen, who chose them? Based on what logic?"

"Infinite wealth is somewhat understandable. In *Three-Body*, Wallfacers had the authority to mobilize all societal resources, which is essentially infinite wealth. But... immortality? Is that an ability humans can bestow?"

"The Sacred Realm of Science is also researching infinite wealth. Doesn't that suggest these two abilities weren't granted by humans? That the Wallfacers weren't chosen by humans either?!"

"Furthermore, besides these two aspects, I have a third ability—foresight. Do other Wallfacers have the same as me?"

"And... what exactly are the Wallbreakers?"

Countless questions rose in Han Ming's mind. He felt as if he had glimpsed a massive, civilization-destroying enigma hidden beneath the world's surface, making his scalp tingle.

"If I could join the Sacred Realm of Science, perhaps I could learn more."

Han Ming exhaled deeply. Currently, it seemed this Sacred Realm of Science operated through very discreet invitations, targeting individuals with impressive backgrounds and environmental ideals. Simply put, these people were wealthy and loved the Earth, hence the formation of this organization.

The trouble was, he couldn't actively seek out this organization and ask to join. Although he hadn't fully figured out that dream yet, it served as a warning.

—Never casually reveal any of his thoughts.

This was also what the Wallfacers in *Three-Body* had to guard against.

However, perhaps he could start with that charity exchange event.

And among these people, the most crucial one in Han Ming's view was still Tao Jie!

Han Ming picked up his phone, thought for a moment, then dialed Tao Jie's number.

...

The night wind was strong by the Ming River. Rippling water reflected the bustling nightscape of the Bund.

Sitting in her wheelchair, Tao Jie had a violet wind blanket draped over her shoulders, gazing absently at the water's edge.

Her phone rang. She picked it up, saw the caller's name, and a flicker of complexity passed through her eyes. She answered anyway.

"Han Ming."

"Finished reading *Hyperion*?"

"You guessed I finished it again?"

"I'm just using it as a conversation starter instead of saying 'good evening.' And that wasn't a guess. Last time you mentioned Inea's 'wine of the gods,' which means you're near the end."

Tao Jie sounded puzzled. "Why does it feel like you've read more sci-fi than law books?"

"Perhaps because adventures in skins are all the same, but true sci-fi is one in a million."

Hearing this, Tao Jie offered a faint smile, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

She asked, "You... called me this late just to check on my reading progress?"

"Not exactly." Han Ming's tone was bright and direct. "Are you free tomorrow? I'd like to invite you to a meal."

Tao Jie's left hand tightened slightly on the edge of the wind blanket. She hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Han Ming, I have a boyfriend now."

A cool river breeze brushed past, lifting strands of her hair. She spoke calmly into the phone. "Thank you."

Silence fell on the other end. Tao Jie sighed softly, patiently waiting for Han Ming to speak, or perhaps to end the call.

"Tao Jie, actually, I wanted to talk to you about something else."

Tao Jie was somewhat surprised. "What is it?"

However, Han Ming's next words caused her expression to change abruptly.

"Tao Jie."

Just then, a handsome man came jogging over. In his early thirties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with clean, pleasant features. He held a takeout bag with milk tea in front of her, catching his breath.

"Although sugar is the enemy of health, having it once in a while is fine. Don't worry, I ordered half-sugar. No need to feel guilty."

"Tao Jie?"

He noticed Tao Jie seemed somewhat dazed, then glanced at the phone still in her hand, the screen showing the contact name "Han Ming." He looked puzzled.

"What's wrong? Your call is still connected."

Tao Jie snapped out of her trance. She ended the call and looked at the man.

"Oh... a friend. I agreed to have lunch with him tomorrow."

"But... didn't we plan to have dinner with your parents tomorrow?" Zheng Jiaqing asked with a confused smile. "What friend is so important? I haven't heard you mention him before."

Tao Jie shook her head, offering an apologetic smile. "Don't overthink it. Just a friend I haven't seen in a long time. There are just some matters to discuss..."

She didn't explain further. Han Ming's words were still unsettling her.

Seeing Tao Jie didn't want to elaborate, Zheng Jiaqing immediately said, "Oh, that's fine. It's been a while since you went out to meet friends. Uncle Tao also said you need more social interaction. So... do you want me to come with you?"

Tao Jie declined. "No need. Don't you have matters at your studio tomorrow? I can go alone."

Zheng Jiaqing looked slightly embarrassed but didn't dare press Tao Jie further. He knew Tao Jie, in her wheelchair, disliked others showing excessive 'concern.' So he just forced a cheerful smile.

"Alright. Since you have plans, I'll have to visit your parents another day. Do you want to stroll a bit more, or should I take you back now?"

"Take me back, please."

Tao Jie gave him a slight smile. "Thank you."

Zheng Jiaqing was her boyfriend, but Tao Jie didn't like him.

Compared to Tao Jie's wealthy family, Zheng Jiaqing was from a mismatched background.

It was just that after her accident, Zheng Jiaqing was one of the few who persisted in pursuing her.

In the eyes of Tao Jie's parents, he was a good young man—hardworking and ambitious.

He didn't mind Tao Jie's disability and took good care of her.

But Tao Jie knew in her heart that Zheng Jiaqing was aiming to be a 'phoenix man'—a man who marries into wealth. His current art studio was funded by the Tao family.

Yet her parents didn't mind. Under their persuasion, Tao Jie accepted.

Because she had long lost any expectations for love and marriage.

So she acknowledged and respected the fact that Zheng Jiaqing was her boyfriend. That was the principle.

But she still decided to meet Han Ming.

Because just moments ago, Han Ming had told her that her ex-husband Chen Yufeng's death might not have been an accident!

...