Hidden moth

Chapter 19 The Black Box of Experience

Modern programming systems no longer require programmers to use basic logical symbols to write underlying code. Even for a very small software, the workload is beyond imagination.

In most cases, programmers will use ready-made development tools, including various application platforms. These tool platforms are themselves software packages that can output results by operating them as required.

The software package itself is composed of a large amount of low-level logic code, but programmers who use it do not need to understand or even cannot understand every line of code; they just need to learn how to use it.

Senior programmers understand the principles and can redesign a better tool if necessary, but when they use the tool, they also do not understand the details of every internal operation, just like operating a black box.

This "black box" programming and development feature has become more obvious after entering the AI era.

This is just the development side. As for the application side, it is almost completely black box, such as the smartphones in everyone's hands.

He Kao uses this analogy, arguing that the so-called sorcerer's advancement ritual is like a black box tool, with its own design principles, but the user only needs to operate it according to the instructions. Some people's work results are satisfactory, while others are not.

If someone is unwilling and insists on starting from the most basic code like 0 and 1 and typing it out by hand, it is theoretically possible to write any program, but in reality it is too difficult!
After listening to He Kao's explanation, Wu Yanjun looked at him and said, "Isn't your analogy exactly what I want to say? This world is like it was designed by a program!"

He Kao shook his head. "I was just using an analogy to analyze the possible reasons. But if you insist, all the physical laws that determine how the world works require the use of logical calculation tools when we understand and express them.

This is datafication and programming; it's just a matter of form. Form doesn't determine truth or falsehood; it's another concept. Truth and falsehood are philosophical questions."

Wu Yanjun waved his hand and said, "I can't stand philosophy. It makes me dizzy. I said I traveled through time and space and I have other evidence, but I can't tell you... Let's not talk about it anymore."

He Kao: "Okay, enough talking, let's drink! Then may I ask you one more question? You are already a second-level sorcerer. What kind of ceremony is required to advance from the first-level imitator to the second-level poet?"

"Ah? You're not a disciple of the Shu Sect, I can't tell you!" Wu Yanjun suddenly woke up and quickly warned, "Also, don't tell anyone what I just told you..."

In fact, Wu Yanjun was not a formal disciple of the martial arts school. He just had the opportunity to learn the martial arts in detail. His situation was relatively awkward, but he did not tell He Kao these words.

Of course, the martial arts sect has internal disciplines, commonly known as sect rules, and some things cannot be disclosed to outsiders.

It wasn't uncommon for a sorcerer to occasionally drink and brag, telling people some mysterious and anecdotes for fun. The art of magic wasn't as mysterious as people imagined, and there were many rumors throughout history, some true and some false, recorded in various sources.

However, the taboos of practicing various techniques and the specific contents of the promotion ceremony must not be disclosed to outsiders. These things may cause misunderstandings on the one hand, and may also bring trouble to the sorcerer himself on the other.

If you know the taboos in cultivation, you may be able to figure out targeted methods; if you know the specific details of the promotion ceremony, you may be able to find ways to sabotage it.

Even the rules of each sect are things that cannot be easily discussed with outsiders.

When a master accepts a disciple, he must teach him the rules of the sect. If the rules are not followed, he cannot teach the Dharma without authorization.

Zhang Yanfei taught Wu Yanjun the subtle art in prison, which was actually against the rules of the sect.

After Zhang Yanfei's case broke out, Ruweimen had already expelled him from the sect because it was also a big scandal.

The so-called derogation is equivalent to being expelled from the organization, indicating that this person's actions from now on have nothing to do with the organization and the organization will no longer protect him.

After being dismissed from the official register, Zhang Yanfei was no longer allowed to teach the art of subtlety without permission.

Zhang Yanfei was good at teaching Wu Yanjun's skills in prison. Theoretically, Ruweimen could hold him accountable, but Zhang Yanfei was already dead, so there was no question of any additional punishment.

But Wu Yanjun was innocent. He was not a disciple of Ruweimen and did not know these details in advance. He learned them as long as Zhang Yanfei was willing to teach him. The fact that he was able to enter proved that he had good talent. It was not his fault.

For such a person, as long as he does not do evil, Ruweimen will not cause trouble for him. If he is found to be a promising talent after investigation, he will try his best to formally accept him into the sect, because the one who is wrong is only Zhang Yanfei, not him.

Each school of martial arts has been passed down for thousands of years, so they don’t have to encounter too many situations and have already prepared plans to deal with them.

There have been many "casual cultivators" like Wu Yanjun who have appeared for various reasons since ancient times, but they are not a big problem. Without the support of the entire inheritance system of the art, they often disappear after one or two generations.

A small number of independent cultivators also formed a system of inheritance, and most of these were reabsorbed into the martial arts school in later generations. This is how many branches and schools of the martial arts school came into being.

Zhang Yanfei's dismissal was merely a gesture from the sect, and Zhang Yanfei's connections and relationships remained. According to Master's plan, after his release from prison, he would contact familiar fellow disciples to arrange for Wu Yanjun's formal induction into the sect.

Zhang Yanfei told Wu Yanjun that even though he had a criminal record, as long as he had acquired some skills, he could still find a good job and make a living without any problems.

Apart from anything else, there are many sorcerers from various factions who hold high positions in society and would be happy to hire him or provide him with resources.

Zhang Yanfei had also told Wu Yanjun that if he couldn't find him after leaving, he could always look for his senior brother, Ye Hui, Wu Yanjun's uncle. Ye Hui was a large businessman and had the best relationship with Zhang Yanfei among his fellow disciples. In retrospect, Zhang Yanfei might have anticipated the possibility of something happening to him, otherwise he wouldn't have made such a preemptive plan.

After Wu Yanjun was released from prison, his master had passed away, so he sought out his uncle, Ye Hui. Ye Hui arranged for him to eat and sleep, and gave him a sinecure in his own company, consoling him to rest for a while.

Master Ye also told him that if his micromanagement skills could reach the level of a third-tier appraiser, there would be reason to arrange for him to formally return to his ancestral home. If he could reach the level of a fourth-tier craftsman, there would be no need for arrangements; the Ruwei Sect would actively absorb him.

What if he could become a sixth-rank weapon master? Then what else could he say? He would be the current elder of Ruwei Sect!
But now Xiao Wu is not yet a formal disciple of Ruweimen, and is in the "probation period". He should try to be low-key and cautious in everything he does, especially not to violate the taboos of the magic sect.

Xiao Wu had been drinking too much today and had accidentally said a lot of things he shouldn't have said. When He Kao asked about the ceremony for the advancement from the first level of the Into the Micro Technique to the second level, he suddenly realized that these things should not be said carelessly!

So he didn't tell He Kao, but instead begged He Kao not to tell anyone what he said today...

Wu Yanjun was sober now and didn't dare to drink any more. He exchanged contact information with He Kao and left in a hurry. He Kao felt deeply sorry for this, but also felt very lucky.

Unfortunately, he didn't have time to find out more. Fortunately, someone like him came to remind him of many things. After returning to the apartment, he felt in his pocket and took out the animal claw pendant that Wu Yanjun had returned. He Kao was dumbfounded again.

Wu Yanjun left in a hurry, returning the "real" pendant but not the fake one. He Kao had taken the fake pendant off while drinking and put it in his pocket. Now the two were mixed together, and He Kao couldn't tell them apart!

How could he not recognize something he had carried with him for over twenty years? This was quite normal; he had never thought of such a thing before, and the two items were too similar.

A closer look with a magnifying glass might reveal subtle differences, but He Kao had no idea what the original piece looked like! He would have to have prepared high-definition images from various angles, magnified them, and compared them to the real thing before he could recognize it.

What Wu Yanjun said was quite scary. The fake one still had blood and resentment lingering around it, and if you smelled it carefully, there was a faint fishy smell... He Kao smelled it for a long time and felt that both of them seemed a bit fishy. He didn't know if it was a psychological effect.

Wu Yanjun could tell the real from the fake at a glance, but He Kao didn't have that ability to tell the difference. Even so, Wu Yanjun said that his junior sister's craftsmanship was not good enough, but in He Kao's opinion, it was enough to be mistaken for the real thing!

He Kao had no choice but to adjust the lighting, place the two animal claws at the same angle on the table, take a photo as clear as possible, and send a message to Xiao Wu, asking him which one was the original pendant?
When Wu Yanjun saw the message, he was already on the high-speed train and almost reached Taigu City, more than 200 kilometers away. He replied, "How can I tell the difference from the photos?"

He Kao: "Aren't you capable?"

Wu Yanjun: "You have to get the real thing, and I'm not familiar with this thing."

He Kao: "Today, you're treating me to a skewers meal. Tomorrow, I'll treat you. Can you please give me another look?"

Wu Yanjun: "Actually, there's not much difference. Just keep them. If one turns into two, you'll be making a profit."

He Kao: "Why not? You said it, fake ones are full of blood and resentment. I even had nightmares about them, how could I dare to wear them?"

Wu Yanjun replied with a voice message: "Hey~ That's an idea. Try wearing them in turns. The one that gives you a nightmare is the fake one!"

He Kao: "You are kidding, you are responsible for this!"

Wu Yanjun: "Actually, my words were exaggerated. I was just trying to scare you. It's just an ordinary ornament. Although there is some blood and resentment, it will dissipate on its own after a while. I see that you are in good health and it won't affect you.

The fake was made by my junior sister. If you are really worried, I will ask her for you. Wait for my news."

He Kao rarely slept well that day. He didn't dare wear the two pendants. He also put labels on them according to the locations where the photos were taken, and then put them in the corner of the cabinet.

Wu Yanjun forwarded the photo to his junior sister Ye Yuxuan, the daughter of his uncle Ye Hui, on the high-speed train, and then explained in detail what happened.

Ye Yuxuan is three years younger than him. She just graduated from college this summer and is currently studying for a master's degree.

She is studying for a master's degree while working, and usually helps out with some things in her father's company. She has also joined the Ruwei Sect and is a first-level imitator, but her skills are one level lower than Wu Yanjun's.

Ye Yuxuan quickly called him back, her tone excited: "Xiao Wu, what's going on? Tell me in detail!"

Wu Yanjun: "Just as we planned, I returned the things you stole to him, but didn't give him the fake ones. As expected, he couldn't tell the difference."

Ye Yuxuan: "He really can't recognize it?"

Wu Yanjun: "Don't even recognize him from the photo, let alone him."

Ye Yuxuan: "Okay, okay, I got it! See you at the villa tomorrow morning."

**
(End of this chapter)