Volume 1: The Dragon in the Abyss
Chapter 8: Return to Routine
VIII. Weight of Ideals
[Part 1: Hero's Return? - A Less Than Warm Welcome]
The road from provincial capital back to mountains remained that winding mountain highway.
But this time, Chen Yang and Lin Xiao's moods were entirely different. Going, they'd been nervous, anxious, uncertain whether they could preserve the Guardian System. Returning, they carried Chief Engineer Zhou's promise, Provincial HQ's funding support, plus an official document—"Notice on Piloting Guardian System Promotion in Extreme Environment Regions."
"How do you feel?" Xiao Li drove, watching them through the rearview mirror.
"Okay." Lin Xiao smiled. "Just a bit unreal. Feels like dreaming."
"Not a dream." Chen Yang patted the document bag. "Chief Engineer Zhou truly approved it. Next, we'll see if we can actually promote it."
Arriving at base was already evening. Sunset dyed the entire canyon gold, cooking smoke rising from base chimneys, mixing with food aromas drifting through air.
Old Zhang stood at the gate welcoming them. But unexpectedly, the courtyard wasn't as lively as imagined—just Old Zhang, plus Zhaxi standing distantly at the dorm entrance, hesitant to speak.
"Old Zhang, where's everyone else?" Chen Yang asked.
Old Zhang's expression was complex: "In the conference room. I gathered everyone to hear about your provincial capital trip."
"Perfect, we wanted to tell everyone anyway." Lin Xiao said excitedly.
But when they pushed open the conference room door, the atmosphere instantly froze.
Eight linemen sat at the conference table, expressions varied. Some looking down at phones, some arms crossed leaning back, others facing windows directly. Only Zhaxi smiled at them, but that smile seemed forced too.
Most striking was Old Ma sitting front row—the team's most senior lineman, fifty-two this year, thirty years' experience. His face written with dissatisfaction, hands crossed over chest, as if saying: let's see what flowers you can conjure.
"Chen Yang's back." Old Zhang broke the silence. "Everyone give some reaction."
"Welcome, welcome, warm welcome." Someone perfunctorily clapped twice, the sound particularly jarring in the empty conference room.
Lin Xiao sensed something wrong. This wasn't the scene she'd imagined. She thought bringing good news back, everyone would be happy, supportive, actively cooperative. But now...
"What's wrong?" Chen Yang also noticed the anomaly. "Did something happen?"
Old Ma snorted coldly: "Happen? What could happen? Just heard you want to turn us all into 'robots.'"
[Part 2: First Crack - Internal Resistance]
"Robots?" Lin Xiao froze. "Old Ma, you misunderstood. Guardian System isn't replacing everyone, but..."
"I know, I know." Old Ma interrupted. "Assisting, enhancing, making us safer. I've heard it all."
He stood, pulling a crumpled newspaper from his pocket, slapping it on the table: "But look what outsiders are saying?"
Provincial Evening News, headline blazing: "Provincial Power Company Introduces AI System, Traditional Linemen May Face Reassignment."
The article extensively described how drones and AI technology would "revolutionarily transform the electrical inspection industry," "drastically reduce labor costs," and "within three to five years, 50% of lineman positions will be replaced by technology."
"This report quotes Deputy Director Wang's interview." Old Ma pointed at the paper. "He said very clearly—Guardian System is just transition, the ultimate goal is still full automation. You tell me, how many years do us old folks have left?"
Conference room erupted in chaos.
"Director Wang really said this?" a young lineman asked.
"It's written in black and white!" Old Ma said. "We've worked our whole lives, finally can take apprentices, and you tell us this profession is ending?"
Lin Xiao's face paled. She'd never imagined Deputy Director Wang would release such information to media immediately after they left the provincial capital. This was clearly creating obstacles for Guardian System promotion.
"Old Ma, it's not like that." Chen Yang tried staying calm. "Chief Engineer Zhou explicitly approved human-machine collaboration. In mountains and extreme environments, manual inspection won't be cancelled."
"Chief Engineer Zhou is how old this year? Sixty-three." Old Ma said. "In two years he retires. Then who'll remember what he said? But Deputy Director Wang? Just over fifty, in his prime. You think five years from now, whose words carry more weight?"
Chen Yang fell silent. Old Ma was right—in bureaucracy, people leave and tea cools was standard.
"Also." Another lineman spoke. "I heard using this system requires three months' training? We're already short-staffed, and must take time for training? Who'll do the work during that period?"
"And those glasses cost 20,000 yuan per pair." Someone else said. "If broken, who pays?"
"I also heard after using the system, our every movement gets recorded." Someone lowered their voice. "Isn't that surveillance? From now on if we slack off, take a break, we'll be caught?"
Barrage of questions surged like tides, drowning Lin Xiao.
She wanted to defend, explain, but suddenly realized—she couldn't refute.
Because what these people said had some truth. Technological progress indeed would eliminate some people. Training indeed required time and cost. Equipment indeed expensive and fragile. Data recording indeed could be misused...
Designing the system in the lab, she'd considered technical parameters, safety, efficiency. But she hadn't considered—people's feelings.
"Enough." Chen Yang suddenly stood, voice not loud but powerful.
Conference room quieted.
"I understand everyone's concerns." Chen Yang said. "But I want to say three points."
He raised one finger: "First, no matter how technology develops, someone must protect the grid. Machines can replace our hands but not our sense of responsibility. As long as we have value, we won't be eliminated."
Second finger: "Second, Guardian System isn't surveillance but life-saving tool. It records data to warn you of danger in advance, not to clock your attendance. If anyone dares misuse this data, I'll be first to object."
Third finger: "Third, I never said everyone must use Guardian System. It's an option, not an order. Those willing, Engineer Lin and I will teach hands-on. Unwilling, can continue traditional methods. But one thing—"
His gaze swept each person: "Don't deny all new things because you fear change. Thirty years ago, Old Ma, when you first climbed a tower, weren't you afraid? But you still climbed because that was your job. Same now. Guardian System is new, unfamiliar, but not an enemy."
Conference room silent again.
Old Ma stared at Chen Yang for a long time, finally sighing: "Chen Yang, you speak well. But think yourself—if someday we're truly not needed, what will you do?"
Chen Yang looked at him calmly: "Then I'll transfer positions. Become drone operator, training instructor, equipment maintenance worker. As long as I'm in the electrical system, anything is the same."
He paused: "But before that day arrives, what I must do is make myself more valuable, not hide in corners complaining."
Old Ma said nothing more, but his expression softened somewhat.
[Part 3: Second Crack - Young People's Complaints]
After the meeting, most dispersed. But three young linemen stayed—Xiao Liu, Xiao Wang, and Zhaxi.
"Brother Chen, I have something to say." Xiao Liu was last year's college graduate, studied electrical engineering. "I'm not opposing Guardian System, I just think... it's a bit outdated."
"Outdated?" Lin Xiao frowned.
"Right." Xiao Liu pulled out his phone, opening a video. "Look, this is the latest foreign drone inspection system. Fully automated, fully intelligent, no manual intervention needed. Why don't we directly import this system instead of doing human-machine collaboration?"
In the video, drone swarms flew like flocks around high-voltage lines, infrared cameras scanning every detail, AI systems auto-marking all anomalies. The whole process smooth, efficient, cool.
"That system costs ten times Guardian System." Lin Xiao said. "Plus, it only works in ideal environments. Once encountering Cloud Temple-type blizzards, it fails."
"That's because technology isn't advanced enough yet." Xiao Liu said. "In a few years, these problems can be solved. I think instead of spending time and effort on human-machine collaboration, better to just wait for more advanced technology."
"Wait?" Chen Yang countered. "During these waiting years, linemen continue risking? Continue having people fall from towers?"
Xiao Liu was speechless.
Xiao Wang also spoke: "Brother Chen, I don't disrespect you. But honestly, for us newcomers, Guardian System is a bit... redundant."
"How so?"
"Look." Xiao Wang counted on fingers. "We're new, skills already inferior to yours. Learning Guardian System, must first learn traditional skills—long training time, high difficulty. But after learning? Still can't match you. So why not directly learn drone operation? That's much simpler, one month training and ready."
"Moreover." Xiao Wang continued. "Company pays drone operators 20% more than linemen. Don't need to climb high, don't need weather exposure. You say, if it were you, which would you choose?"
Chen Yang and Lin Xiao exchanged glances, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.
Xiao Wang was right. From personal interest perspective, learning traditional skills indeed had low cost-performance. Spending more time, bearing greater risk, earning less money—any rational person would calculate this account.
"Zhaxi, what do you think?" Chen Yang asked the silent Tibetan young man.
Zhaxi hesitated: "Brother Chen, I... I want to learn. That time at Tower #14, the system saved my life. I know it's useful."
"But?"
"But my dad said..." Zhaxi lowered his head. "He said I should take advantage of youth, go to college, or learn more promising skills. He said lineman profession will eventually disappear."
This sentence stabbed Chen Yang's heart like a knife.
Because he couldn't refute it.
Maybe old Zhaxi was right. Maybe in ten, twenty years, manual line inspection truly won't be needed. By then, the skills Zhaxi learned would be truly worthless.
"So what do you want to do?" Lin Xiao's voice slightly choked.
Xiao Liu and Xiao Wang looked at each other, finally Xiao Liu said: "Engineer Lin, we don't want to oppose you. But if possible, we'd prefer requesting transfer to drone operation positions."
"Me too." Xiao Wang said.
Lin Xiao's eyes reddened. She turned and walked out of the conference room, not wanting them to see her tears.
[Part 4: Third Crack - Undercurrents From Above]
That evening, Chen Yang received a call.
Provincial HQ HR department: "Comrade Chen Yang, per Deputy Director Wang's instructions, we've made personnel adjustments for Nujiang area. Starting next week, your team roster reduces from 12 to 8."
"Why?" Chen Yang asked.
"Because calculations show if Guardian System is promoted, operational efficiency increases 30%, so fewer people needed." The other party spoke bureaucratically. "The four adjusted personnel will transfer to drone operation positions."
"Wait." Chen Yang said. "We haven't started large-scale promotion, how can you first reduce people?"
"This is Director Wang's decision." They said. "Plus, reducing personnel is for your good. Didn't you say training needs time? Fewer people means less training pressure."
Chen Yang's hand gripping the phone showed bulging veins.
He understood. This was Deputy Director Wang's tactic—first reduce personnel roster, making the already tight team work even more strained. Then say, see, insufficient staff because you insist on Guardian System. If completely switched to drones, wouldn't need so many people.
"Who are the four being transferred?" Chen Yang asked.
"Xiao Liu, Xiao Wang, plus two other newly hired staff."
All young people.
Chen Yang hung up, collapsing in his chair.
This move was too ruthless. Deputy Director Wang wasn't directly attacking Guardian System but removing its supporting foundation—people.
Old generation distrusted new technology, young people unwilling to learn traditional skills, and management continuously cutting personnel rosters. Under three-way siege, could Guardian System still be promoted?
"Chen Yang." Lin Xiao's voice came from the doorway. Her eyes were red, clearly having just cried. "Did we make a mistake?"
"What?"
"I mean..." Lin Xiao sat across from Chen Yang. "Maybe Deputy Director Wang is right. Maybe full automation is the future. Are we insisting on human-machine collaboration going against the tide?"
Chen Yang was silent for a long time.
Outside, canyon winds howled past, emitting low moans. In the distance, aviation obstacle lights on towers blinked, like stars winking in darkness.
"Lin Xiao, do you know why I like this job?" Chen Yang suddenly asked.
"Because it's simple?" Lin Xiao remembered his words at Cloud Temple.
"Not just simple." Chen Yang stood, walking to the window. "Also because it's real. You climb the tower, you see the real world—how strong the wind, how low the temperature, whether conductors have problems. Everything is real, not numbers, not algorithms, not models."
He turned: "But now we're increasingly distant from reality. We sit in warm offices, watching numbers through screens, then say—okay, everything's normal. But we forget, behind those numbers is the real grid, thousands of households' lights."
"So I don't think we made a mistake." Chen Yang's voice was firm. "Guardian System's value isn't improving efficiency or reducing costs. Its value is—letting us not forget reality while embracing technology."
Lin Xiao looked at him, tears flowing again.
"But..." she choked. "No one understands us. Old people think we're stealing their livelihoods, young people think we're hindering progress, leaders think we're increasing costs. We're like... like opposing the whole world."
"Then let's oppose." Chen Yang said. "Anyway, it's not my first time."
[Part 5: Reason to Persist - An Unexpected Letter]
Next morning, an unexpected visitor arrived at base gate.
A woman in her fifties, plainly dressed in cotton clothes, carrying a bag of apples. Seeing Chen Yang, she dropped to her knees.
"Brother! You must save our village!"
Chen Yang quickly helped her up: "Sister, what are you doing? Talk properly."
"I'm from Yunba Village." The woman wiped tears. "Our village lost power again last week, three days now. Village called supply office, they said insufficient staff, must wait for drone repairs. But mountain fog too thick, drones can't fly. Our village has a child with pneumonia, needs oxygen machine, but no power..."
She couldn't continue through tears.
Chen Yang and Lin Xiao exchanged glances.
"Old Zhang." Chen Yang immediately called. "Prepare tools, we leave now."
"But staffing..." Old Zhang said with difficulty.
"I'll go alone." Chen Yang said.
"Me too." Lin Xiao said.
"And me." Zhaxi emerged from dorms, equipment already in hand.
Three people, one vehicle, drove toward Yunba Village in morning mist.
Yunba Village lay deep in a canyon, complex terrain, perpetual fog.
The fault point was on a tower at cliff edge. Chen Yang looked through binoculars and immediately understood—ground wire broken, break point at a very tricky position, drone mechanical arms couldn't reach at all.
"I'll go up." Chen Yang began donning equipment.
"Brother Chen, I'll go with you." Zhaxi said.
"No need, you handle ground support."
"No." Zhaxi insisted. "I want to learn. And... I don't want Engineer Lin worrying alone below."
Chen Yang looked at the young man, suddenly smiling: "Okay. Then wear Guardian System."
Both began climbing. Fog very thick, visibility under five meters. Chen Yang's every movement extra careful, while Zhaxi followed closely behind, AR glasses continuously displaying system prompts.
Reaching the fault point, Chen Yang found the problem worse than expected—not just ground wire broken, insulator also showed cracks. Without timely replacement, could trigger larger faults.
"Zhaxi, pass me spare insulator."
"Okay."
Both cooperated seamlessly, completing insulator replacement and ground wire repair mid-air. The entire process lasted an hour and a half. When they descended, both were soaked—mix of fog and sweat.
Lin Xiao rushed over, handing them towels and hot water: "Success?"
"Yeah." Chen Yang said. "Yunba Village should have power soon."
Sure enough, ten minutes later, lights appeared in the distant village. Through fog, those lights were hazy, like stars fallen from sky to earth.
"Brother Chen." Zhaxi suddenly said. "I'm not leaving."
"What?"
"I thought all night." Zhaxi said seriously. "My dad's right, lineman profession might disappear. But before it disappears, I want to protect it. Because..."
He pointed toward the distant village: "Because those lights need someone to protect them."
Chen Yang patted his shoulder, saying nothing. But Lin Xiao saw this tough man's eyes redden.
[Part 6: Hope in Glimmers]
Returning to base was already afternoon.
Chen Yang was surprised to find the conference room door open, voices inside. He pushed the door, seeing Old Ma discussing something with several other veteran linemen.
"Chen Yang?" Old Ma saw him, freezing momentarily. "You went to Yunba Village?"
"Yeah."
"Fixed it?"
"Fixed it."
Old Ma was silent briefly, then said: "I also want to learn your system."
Chen Yang looked at him surprised.
"Don't misunderstand." Old Ma waved his hand. "I don't believe in high-tech. I just think... you're right, can't deny all new things because we fear change."
He paused: "Plus, that Yunba Village child, I know him. If something happened because of power outage, I'd never forgive myself."
Chen Yang nodded: "Then starting tomorrow, I'll teach you."
"But ugly words first." Old Ma said. "I learn slowly, don't mind."
"Won't." Chen Yang smiled. "When I first learned tower climbing, I was slower than you."
That evening, Lin Xiao wrote in her diary:
"Today, I understood something. Change is never instantaneous. It needs time, patience, repeated proof.
Maybe Guardian System won't be accepted by everyone. Maybe it'll eventually be replaced by more advanced technology. But at least now, in this moment, it's meaningful.
Because what it protects isn't just the grid, but people who need electricity.
And that is enough."
Outside, lights in canyon depths lit one by one, connecting into a winding river of stars.
In this glimmer, two young people saw reasons to keep advancing.
Next Chapter Preview:
Chapter 9: "The First Student" - Old Ma becomes Guardian System's first official trainee. But learning new technology in his fifties presents enormous difficulties. Chen Yang must find a way to truly fuse traditional experience with new technology. In this process, they unexpectedly discover Guardian System still has huge improvement potential...