Chapter 329 — Points of Doubt

In the mental-network state, Gaoyang's speed at "reading" materials was also extraordinarily fast. Or rather, he was not reading in detail at all, but traversing all the information once in a manner akin to rapid retrieval, the better to establish a general framework in his mind. This too was one of the uses of the mental network.

And it was precisely in the course of establishing this framework that his brows gradually knit together.

Daniel's heart leaped at once. "My lord, is something wrong?"

Gaoyang slowly took the last portion of the materials into his mind, raised his head, and looked sternly into Daniel's eyes. "Do you know what a 'brain servant' is?"

"Yes, it is a kind of permanently fixed computational node," Daniel nodded at once; this was basic knowledge he of course knew. "A brain servant is a living person kept in an anesthetized state. Their bodily functions have all but ceased, but their brain remains connected to the network and running, so that they can process the mental network's computational tasks with the highest efficiency. Even an ordinary person without magic is qualified to become a brain servant."

Yes—those living dead in the cellar of the Kant domain...

"If I have not misunderstood these materials, if I have not missed some key point," Gaoyang shook the scroll in his hand, "then brain servants are not a necessary component of the mental network at all!"

Daniel blinked in confusion, seeming not to grasp the deeper meaning of these words.

"The construction of the mental network is based on the neurons of living brains, on the computational capacity of living brains, and on the extraordinary effects of dream- and mind-school magic. Any living brain in normal function can provide ample computational capacity—indeed, an excess of it. If the sole purpose were to keep the mental network running, then the surplus computational capacity contributed by those clear-headed Sleepers when they connect to the network would already be more than enough!"

"You mean that even without brain servants, the mental network can operate normally?" Daniel finally understood Gaoyang's meaning. "That the Longmirk believers themselves, as nodes, can guarantee the network's full function?"

"Exactly. It suffices only that there be enough active living nodes, and that number has long been sufficient. The Sleepers currently active in Phantom Pivot City are enough to sustain two such mental networks!" Gaoyang said sternly. "And this is the normal state of affairs: the computational capacity a Sleeper contributes upon connecting to the network must exceed the network resources they occupy—otherwise the network would be fundamentally contradictory. If the Sleeper nodes consumed more computational capacity than they provided, why would the bishops' council issue orders to requisition computational capacity and call upon more Sleepers to 'join the network'? Since there is such a thing as 'requisitioning computational capacity,' it means that every Sleeper active on the network contributes far more computational capacity than they consume!"

Daniel was both astonished and bewildered. "Then... what are those brain servants for?"

"I have said that I am not omniscient and omnipotent—that is precisely why I need servants," Gaoyang said, looking into Daniel's eyes. "Investigate this matter. Investigate it without exposing yourself. I suspect the function of those brain servants is not to sustain the mental network at all. The vast computational capacity they provide is for some other purpose... a project even grander and more mysterious than the mental network!"

"Yes, my lord."

Seeing Daniel nod and accept the command, a sudden flash of insight struck Gaoyang's mind. He thought of a certain piece of information he had inadvertently come into contact with before.

"Keep an eye on something called 'Project Zero,'" Gaoyang prompted at once. "I suspect it is connected to those computational resources of unknown destination. But be careful—this project seems to be kept under very high secrecy. Perhaps only those of bishop rank and above are qualified to know of it. As for exactly how to proceed, judge for yourself."

"Your loyal servant will not disappoint you!"