Chapter 8: Submit the System, Given High Importance

Cheng Haitang and the others' expressions hardly changed, but deep in their eyes a storm surged.

They had handled all kinds of bizarre cases and heard countless strange statements,

but hearing a young man speak so solemnly of a "system" that exists only in novels still gave them an unprecedented shock.

An assistant silently slipped a hand into a pocket and pressed the switch on some device.

The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly solemn.

Cheng Haitang's expression was grave, his voice steady: "Comrade Xiao Qin, what exactly is this 'All-Thing Replication System' you mentioned, and where does its energy come from?"

He did not directly question it, but chose to learn more.

"In theory, as long as I can touch and scan something, I can replicate it. As for energy…"

Qin Hao paused, then said, "All I know so far is that it can absorb electrical energy."

"Words alone aren't proof."

Cheng Haitang kept his gaze locked on Qin Hao: "You need to prove it to us."

He pulled a metal lighter from his coat pocket and tossed it onto the table.

The lighter looked a bit worn; its stainless‑steel bore several clear scratches, one especially deep, as if made by a key.

"Just this—can you replicate it?"

Qin Hao picked up the lighter; it felt slightly heavy, the metal's coldness distinct.

He held it in his right hand, left hand spread open.

Under the almost breath‑holding gaze of Cheng Haitang and the two assistants, Qin Hao silently commanded: "System, replicate!"

No light, no sound.

In that instant, an identical metal lighter appeared out of thin air on the palm of Qin Hao's outstretched left hand!

"Swish!"

Cheng Haitang leaned forward slightly, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

One assistant almost dropped his pen, the other instinctively pushed up his glasses, as if to see better.

Cheng Haitang almost simultaneously reached out with both hands and took the two lighters.

He first weighed them, then placed the two lighters side by side for close comparison.

"Scratches!"

Those distinctive scratches matched exactly in position, length, depth, even the finest burr on the edges.

He lightly scraped his fingernail over the deepest scratch; the feel was identical.

He then picked up one, pressed the ignition—"click"—and a azure flame shot up.

Trying the other gave the same flame.

The two assistants also stepped forward, each taking one and turning it over to examine.

The metal's luster, the wear on the edges, the button's resistance—everything showed they were completely identical,

as if cast from the same mold.

"How… how is this possible?"

One assistant whispered, his voice trembling with undisguised shock.

He glanced at Qin Hao, then at the lighter in his hand; his worldview seemed to take a tiny hit.

Cheng Haitang lightly tapped the two lighters together in his hand, producing a clear metallic clink.

He lifted his head, his eyes grave, fixed on Qin Hao.

"Can you explain it to me?"

Qin Hao organized his words:

"This is the system's ability: it can replicate different objects, consuming varying amounts of energy. For example, replicating this lighter uses barely any energy, whereas I once replicated gold and it consumed considerably more."

He admitted frankly, "My understanding of the system is actually limited; it just appeared in my mind out of nowhere. As for charging it, I know only that it can draw from a power source… or… lightning."

When the words "lightning" left Qin Hao's mouth, Cheng Haitang's pupils contracted imperceptibly.

"Charge it with lightning?"

"That is beyond what current technology can achieve."

Cheng Haitang fell silent for a few seconds, then said to the assistant beside him:

"Xiao Li, go to the Technical Section and fetch a sealed A7-model high‑precision thin‑film resistor used in the lab."

Xiao Li acknowledged and hurried out.

Soon he returned, holding a sealed anti‑static bag containing a fingernail‑size precision resistor component.

Cheng Haitang personally opened the package and handed the resistor to Qin Hao: "Can you replicate this?"

Qin Hao took it and issued the command again in his mind.

Moments later, an identical second resistor appeared in his hand.

Cheng Haitang immediately had an assistant fetch a portable precision tester.

After connecting and reading the values, Xiao Li lifted his head, his voice tinged with dry excitement,

"Director, the parameters… they match exactly! The error lies within the instrument's tolerance, so we can consider them identical!"

This result was even more shocking than replicating the lighter!

The lighter might be called a marvel of craftsmanship, but the core of a precision electronic component lies in its physical parameters—this is practically the crystallization of modern industrial technology, where a hair's breadth error leads to a thousand‑mile mistake.

Being able to perfectly replicate those parameters means something everyone present understands implicitly.

The room fell into a brief silence, broken only by the equipment's faint hum.

Cheng Haitang looked at Qin Hao, his gaze complex.

He drew a deep breath and slowly asked:

"Comrade Xiao Qin, you possess such… defiant power, why choose to voluntarily report it to the state? What do you want?"

That question is the core.

Qin Hao heard that and instead calmed down.

He met Cheng Haitang's gaze, his tone sincere,

"Director Cheng, not to hide from you, at first I also thought of using this to get rich, to live a good life. I indeed did that, duplicated some gold, earned some money."

He paused briefly, a different emotion flickering in his eyes:

"But a few days ago I saw the news, Eagle Sauce was again choking our high‑tech sector, and I felt especially aggrieved. How can Yanhuang Guo be forced to endure this nonsense?"

"I'm just an ordinary person, previously powerless, could only vent a few words online. But now I have this system…"

Qin Hao clenched his fist,

"I think it might be able to do something for the state. Those blocked technologies, those cutting‑edge devices we cannot yet produce, if they can be replicated, they would bring enormous value to the state."

"Moreover, this system can be upgraded, but it requires a full hundred hundred‑million units of electricity. That figure is something I personally could never achieve.

Even if I could surreptitiously absorb it, it would cause a huge disturbance and could not be concealed."

Qin Hao showed a wry smile,

"A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. This system is too important and too dangerous; with my personal ability I cannot guard it nor unleash its true value.

Only in the state's hands can it receive the proper protection, exert its greatest effect, and truly be safe."

"My only request," Qin Hao said, looking at Cheng Haitang, his eyes crystal clear,

"If the state truly benefits from this, I hope you won't forget this humble guide of mine. Of course, I believe the state will not wrong any meritorious official."

His words were candid, clear, logically precise.

There were no grandiose boasts, yet they were filled with the simplest patriotism and sober self‑awareness.

Cheng Haitang listened quietly, the sharpness in their eyes gradually replaced by a deep emotion.

They looked at the young man before them, feeling a strong sense of identification.

They had encountered all sorts of people, heroes who sacrifice themselves for righteousness, and scoundrels driven by greed.

But someone like Qin Hao, holding such a "defiant opportunity" yet maintaining this clarity and choice, likely has no counterpart.

That line—"A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime; this system can only achieve its greatest value and true safety in the state's hands"—deeply moved Cheng Haitang.