Ice skates forward, regardless of east or west.

1

The air in the underground city smelled of disinfectant, mixed with the chill of ice and the slight warmth of the machinery.

Gu Xidong leaned against the ice wall, the pain in his ribs had gone numb.

He looked at the figure on the distant tower—Ling Yaqin standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

The baby in Ling Wuwen's arms was asleep, its little face buried in the thermal blanket.

But her eyelids were trembling rapidly.

"What did she dream about?" Ling Wuwen asked softly.

"Maybe it's not a dream," Gu Xidong said. "Maybe she's connected to the internet."

A display screen suddenly lit up on the inner wall of the ice cave.

Ling Yaqin sat in her office, with a wall of data streams behind her.

"Welcome to the Northern City. You've arrived four hours earlier than expected."

"We need the original gene sample bank, and also a method to undo the pre-programmed procedures on children," Gu Xidong said.

"Trading requires leverage."

"We have data from the Ice Age battles—the sound of children crying interfered with the special clones. Your models don't have that."

Ling Yaqin's smile vanished.

The data stream scrolls faster.

"Interesting. I can grant you access. But only one person can go in at a time. The other person and the child must stay behind as insurance."

"I'll go," Gu Xidong and Ling Wuwen said at the same time.

Ling Wuwen shook his head: "Your injuries are serious. If she changes her mind after you go in, I can't defeat these clones."

"But what if you encounter danger inside—"

"Then it's dangerous." Ling Wuwen handed the baby to him. "The child needs a father."

B-3 interrupted: "We can go together—"

"No," Ling Yaqin said coldly.

"The gene pool is the core area. If you try to force your way in, you'll all be frozen solid before the child takes their second breath."

The sound of machinery starting up came from deep within the ice cave.

"I'll go," Ling Wuwen said finally, brooking no argument.

"I was right next to Ling Wufeng when he died on the ice. This time it's my turn to go in."

2

The baby suddenly woke up, opened its eyes and looked at Gu Xidong. Those eyes were clear, dark brown.

"Okay," he said.

Ling Yaqin provided the route:

Descend the elevator through the ice cave and enter the main underground road, then head west for two kilometers.

"Only your own original samples will be used. If other samples are touched, the gene bank will release nerve gas."

Ling Wuwen walked towards the elevator.

Gu Xidong stopped B-3, who wanted to follow, saying, "Let her go alone."

The waiting time was extended.

The baby began to stir again, its eyes turning silvery-white as it stared at a crack in the ice wall—deep within the ice, a pale blue bioluminescence was glowing.

The encrypted communicator in Gu Xidong's arms vibrated.

The screen displays: [Swiss account key obtained. Border town "Birch Forest", valid for 72 hours. Solo traveler.]

Attached is a photo of the USB drive and bank information.

Ye Shen is "dead," but the news either came from him or it's a trap.

The elevator doors opened.

Ling Wuwen walked out, holding two silver metal tubes in his hand—low-temperature preserved gene samples.

His face was pale, but his eyes were bright.

"We got it. And... the sample bank contains the genes of almost all top athletes. They're building a 'high-quality human gene bank'."

Gu Xidong showed her the communicator.

"I can't go," Ling Wuwen said softly but firmly.

"This is either a club impersonating someone, or it's betrayal. The birch forest terrain is perfect for an ambush."

"But what if it's true? This might be our only chance to turn things around."

"Haven't we paid enough of a price?" Ling Wuwen raised his voice for the first time.

"A-2 is dead, more than thirty clones died in the glacier, the baby was born prematurely, and you broke three ribs—are we still going to take the risk?"

"It is precisely because the cost is high that we cannot give up any opportunity!"

"A defensive line doesn't mean suicide! If you go, how can I protect her alone? How can I lead over a hundred people away?"

The surrounding clones watched in silence.

"I've thought about it," Gu Xidong said, looking at her.

"If we get the money, we can bribe our way across the border and give the children a safe life. If it's a trap... at least it will distract the club, giving you a chance to escape."

I don't need you as a sacrifice!

Ling Wufeng has already died for me once!

Tears streamed down her face.

3

Gu Xidong hugged her and the child.

"I won't die. But I have to go this time."

The argument continued.

In the end, Ling Wuwen gave in, his eyes cold.

"If you die, I won't seek revenge. I'll disappear with the child, making your death pointless."

"it is good."

The plan was set: Gu Xidong would go to the birch forest alone and return within 72 hours.

Ling Wuwen and his clone remained on the outskirts of the Northern City to hide.

If the time limit is exceeded, they will break out to the south.

Before parting, Ling Wuwen pulled him to the depths of the ice cave.

"There's something I didn't say: I don't only have Lin Wufeng's cells transplanted into my body. Ling Yaqin also transplanted a part of my brain tissue—from my sister, Ling Wuwen B, my 'backup.' She died at the age of three, and her brain was frozen. So sometimes I have confused memories... On some level, I really remember the feeling of an ice scalpel cutting my throat."

She grasped his hand: "If you die, I don't know who I'll become. But I won't be who I am now."

Gu Xidong hugged her tightly: "I will come back."

He turned and left without looking back.

Navigate through the maintenance tunnel, avoiding the clone city.

Beyond the airtight door at the end of the passage lies a natural ice cave. The night sky is filled with the aurora borealis, its color a vibrant green like a poisonous river.

The snowmobile provided by Ling Yaqin was parked at the entrance of the cave.

Too thoughtful, suspiciously so.

He started his motorcycle and sped towards the birch forest, 120 kilometers to the southeast.

Three hours later, the town lights came on.

It's so quiet, not even a dog barking.

He stopped a kilometer outside the town and approached on foot.

A piece of paper was pasted on the wooden sign at the entrance: [Transaction canceled. There's a mole.]

The streets were deserted. He pushed open the unlocked door; inside, dinner was frozen solid, and the fireplace ashes were cold.

The post office, where we had agreed to meet, was lit up.

There is a metal USB drive on the table, just like in the photo.

A handwritten note beside it read: "[The key is correct, but the account has been frozen. We've all been tricked. Get out of here.]"

The handwriting is Ye Shen's.

He inserted the reader: The account has two billion US dollars, status [Judicial Freeze - Interpol]. Freeze time: 24 hours ago.

trap.

4

The lights went out, and the emergency lights turned on red.

Ling Yaqin's voice rang out from the loudspeaker:

"I knew you would come. Ye Shen is a good actor. He thought he was an undercover agent, but he was actually passing on information to us all along."

Where is he?

"He's dead, truly dead. But he did one good thing in the end—he led you here."

The post office had no windows, and the door was locked.

"Let's do a test. Test the child's remote connectivity. There are neural signal amplifiers in this building; let's see if she can sense the danger her father might pose."

The communicator in Gu Xidong's arms vibrated:

Ling Wuwen's distress signal, along with coordinates: 【They're here. The child has been taken away.】

He rushed toward the door, the bullet ricocheted off—the door had been reinforced.

Ling Yaqin laughed on the radio:

"Don't worry. The child is safe with us. As for Ling Wuwen... if you can get back within two hours, you might be able to see her one last time."

"Thank you for providing the sample. With the original genes and your combat data, we can now create the 'Perfect Body.' Your daughter will be the first."

Broadcast interrupted.

Gu Xidong frantically banged on the door and smashed the wall with everything he could find.

The walls are made of thickened concrete.

He slumped to the ground, clutching the useless USB drive.

The aurora borealis seeped in through the crack in the door, casting a green glow on the ground.

In the light, he saw his own distorted shadow—overlapping with the shadows of countless clones on the wall.

I can't tell which one is the real him.