Chapter 7: Guo'an

Qin Hao sat on the sofa, his fingers swiftly swiping across the phone screen.

He searched for keywords such as "how to safely contact the national security department" and "procedure for reporting major leads".

The information that popped up on the screen was varied; clicking the links on the official website mostly led to standard form downloads and lengthy precautions, making the procedure look cumbersome,

Moreover, could he explain this matter clearly via just an email or a phone call?

He feared he would be taken as a nuisance or a delusional patient.

"No, this isn't reliable; saying it over the network, they'd think I'm crazy if they didn't."

Qin Hao rubbed his temples.

What he needed was a face-to-face opportunity, a chance to display the "Miracle".

After thinking it over, he decided to take the most direct, possibly most risky approach—personally go to the Guo'an Branch set up in Zhou Cheng.

At the same time, he formulated his words in his mind: "Comrade, I have major information that could affect national technological development, and I need to report it in person."

Hmm, that should sound 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, and then went out.

The office location of the Zhou Cheng Guo'an Branch is not particularly secret, just an ordinary-looking office building,

a low-key sign reading 【Guo'an Fifth Branch】 hangs at the entrance, with two upright guards standing beside it.

Qin Hao walked to the front gate and was stopped by one of the guards.

"Hello, comrade, may I ask what brings you here?" the guard said, his sharp eyes scanning him up and down.

"Hello, comrade."

Qin Hao tried to keep his voice steady: "I have very important information concerning the nation's future development, and I need to report it in person to your leaders."

The guard's face showed no expression, but a flicker of "you're crazy" appeared in his eyes.

He had heard this kind of excuse before.

But most of those were people chasing rumors or mentally unstable.

However, this young man before him had a solemn demeanor and clear eyes, not seeming to be fooling around.

Still, he followed protocol and reported the situation up via walkie-talkie, after all, that was his job.

Moments later, a young clerk in his thirties, wearing plain clothes, walked out of the building.

Zhou Wei glanced at Qin Hao, his eyes holding a measure of scrutiny and a hint of routine indifference.

"Come with me!"

Qin Hao followed Zhou Wei into the office building, arriving at a small reception room.

The room was simply furnished with a table and a few chairs.

"Speak, what information?" Zhou Wei sat down first, then gestured for Qin Hao to sit, his tone somewhat flat.

Qin Hao did not directly mention the existence of the system, as that would be too shocking.

He organized his words:

"The information I can provide, or rather, what I can display, is extremely important; I need an absolutely confidential environment, and… I need you to give me 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; ideally just you."

Zhou Wei's eyebrows rose slightly, his scrutiny intensifying.

This request sounded a bit odd.

But he suppressed his irritation and went out for a moment.

Soon he returned with an unopened ordinary black water-based pen and several sheets of A4 print paper, placing them on the table.

"All right, can you speak now?" Looking at Qin Hao, Zhou Wei showed a hint of impatience, evidently thinking Qin Hao might be playing mysterious.

Qin Hao nodded, picked up the brand-new pen, and weighed it.

He ignored the blank paper, simply gripping the pen in his right hand, then said to Zhou Wei, "Please watch my left hand closely."

Under Zhou Wei's curious and puzzled gaze, Qin Hao silently muttered: "System, replicate!"

Almost as soon as the thought formed, Qin Hao's previously empty left hand suddenly bore an identical black water-based pen!

This sight caused Zhou Wei's pupils to contract sharply!

The air in the reception room seemed to freeze.

Almost jumping up, Zhou Wei hurried to the table, incredulously staring at the pens in Qin Hao's two hands.

He first picked up the original pen in Qin Hao's right hand, then the one in his left, comparing the two repeatedly under the light.

Weight, the subtle brand engraving on the cap, even the special luster of the metal tip… completely identical!

He even lightly scratched the plastic on the pen body with his fingernail; the feel was utterly the same.

"This… this…" Zhou Wei sucked in a breath of cold air, feeling his scalp go numb.

What was happening before him had completely exceeded his comprehension.

He knew clearly whether this was magic; at such distance and setting, it couldn't be a trick.

"You… you do it again!"

Zhou Wei's voice sounded dry; he pointed at the pen on the table.

Qin Hao complied, placing one of the pens on the table and replicating another.

When a third identical pen appeared in his hand, Zhou Wei jerked back a step, his eyes full of disbelief!

He no longer harbored any doubt; he immediately pulled out his phone and dialed a number, his fingers trembling from excitement:

"Director Cheng, emergency! I've discovered a potentially major abnormal incident involving national core security here! Yes! Seen with my own eyes, absolutely not false! Request instructions!"

His tone was very urgent.

After hanging up, Zhou Wei said to Qin Hao:

"The higher-ups said we should change locations to talk; come with me!"

Thus Qin Hao was politely escorted to another, safer and more concealed internal room to wait.

Only the two of them were in the room, but Qin Hao knew that the person in charge would come shortly.

During the wait, Qin Hao remained calm on the surface, but inside he was nervous, his palms slightly sweaty.

He knew that from the moment he demonstrated his replication ability, events had completely slipped beyond his personal control.

Not long after, the door was pushed open.

A middle-aged man in his fifties, of medium build, with a steady demeanor and eyes sharp as an eagle's, walked in.

He wore dark casual clothes and carried an imposing presence without anger.

Two assistants followed behind him, both with solemn expressions.

The middle-aged man walked straight to the chair opposite Qin Hao and sat down, gazing at him with a torch-like stare, as if trying to see through him.

The atmosphere in the room instantly grew solemn.

"Hello, young comrade! I'm the person in charge here, Cheng Haitang. May I ask your name?"

The middle-aged man spoke first.

"My name is Qin Hao."

"Then I'll call you Xiao Qin! My subordinates told me you possess vital information that could affect national 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 struggled to calm his heartbeat as the real test began.

He met the man's sharp gaze and spoke, word by word:

"I have a replication system that can copy any material, provided there is sufficient energy."