Chapter One: May I Ask, Is This Illegal?

“Hello, this is the Public Security Bureau’s emergency call center. How can I assist you?”

“Hi, I have a question. What if I accidentally… cough cough… unintentionally brought back the detailed manufacturing manual for the photolithography machine from the Windmill Kingdom. Would that be illegal?”

“Excuse me? Sir, this is the emergency call center. Please do not joke around. If you have no other matters, we will end this call now. Please call again only in actual emergencies. Repeated prank calls constitute harassment and are against the law. Thank you for your cooperation.”

At the Public Security Bureau’s call center in the Imperial Capital, Wang Xinxin rubbed her forehead, ready to hang up on what was obviously a prank call.

She didn’t know how many such calls she received daily. They wasted public resources and severely tested one’s patience.

Usually, unless the prank was particularly malicious, first-time offenders wouldn’t be summoned—just a verbal warning.

But as she moved to hang up, the voice on the other end suddenly grew urgent: “No, please don’t hang up. I’m not joking. I really want to know—would this be illegal?”

Wang Xinxin was speechless. “Sir, I’m warning you again. You’re already harassing emergency services. If you continue with such nonsense, I will have the technical department trace your location and send officers to educate you in person!”

“No, I really don’t mean to harass. I’m just very anxious. Just tell me if it’s illegal, and I’ll hang up immediately!”

“...” Wang Xinxin cursed silently, then, restraining her temper, teased, “Sir, strictly speaking, this isn’t illegal. But if you actually brought it back, you’d better watch out for the Windmill Kingdom’s law enforcement warriors—if they catch you, you could be taken to an international tribunal!”

With that, Wang Xinxin hung up.

…

Abroad, in an apartment somewhere.

“Phew, so it’s really doable. I’m relieved!”

Lin Yang’s eyes gleamed as he stared at the thick photolithography machine manufacturing manual spread before him—dozens of centimeters thick.

Yes, that was right.

He was the one who had just made that call.

Why had he done so?

Because…

He had transmigrated.

Recently, he had crossed into this parallel world.

And he had been granted the quintessential transmigration boon—a system!

The National Treasure System!

By completing system tasks, he could earn National Treasure Points.

These points could be exchanged in the system shop for incredible items.

There were all sorts of black technology treasures, even products from advanced extraterrestrial civilizations!

The more valuable the tasks he completed, the more absurd the rewards he could claim.

And this system’s tasks were equally outrageous. The first task was to steal the manufacturing manual for the Windmill Kingdom’s recently upgraded high-precision photolithography machine.

At first, he refused.

Wasn’t this like a death sentence?

But the rewards were dazzlingly generous.

So, he did it.

He did have a bit of patriotic spirit, after all.

Besides, with the system’s help, all surveillance was blocked; it forged his identity and helped him infiltrate successfully, allowing him to seize the most critical data.

Recalling the risky heist, his heart still raced.

It was thrilling!

What puzzled him most was why the system wanted him to steal it personally.

With its capabilities, it could probably just replicate the manual directly.

But the system refused to answer that question.

Just to be safe, he had called to confirm whether such an act would be illegal back home.

After all, his elementary school teachers had taught him stealing was wrong!

As for how the Windmill Kingdom would feel about it afterward?

None of his concern!

Once reassured, Lin Yang searched online for the contact of the Shangxia Academy of Sciences.

Because this task’s reward came in two parts: one for acquiring the manual, another for successfully building the photolithography machine.

Completing both would earn an additional bonus.

He had the manual, but building such a device alone was nearly impossible.

Since he had the latest illustrated manual, it would be a waste not to put it to use immediately.

Sending it back promptly would maximize its value.

Meanwhile, at home.

It was late at night.

Wang Guang, a young officer freshly graduated and on duty at the Shangxia Academy of Sciences, was studying some documents when a sharp phone ring interrupted him.

He instinctively answered but hadn’t spoken when a young man’s voice came through.

“Hello, is this the Shangxia Academy of Sciences? I have the latest illustrated manufacturing manual for the Windmill Kingdom’s photolithography machine. I’ll upload it to your official email soon. Please check carefully and don’t delete it as spam!”

With that, the caller hung up.

Wang Guang held the phone, stunned.

What on earth?

Did he really hear that correctly?

The Windmill Kingdom’s latest photolithography machine manual?

And an illustrated version at that?

Sent by email?

“Maybe the overtime’s making me hallucinate,” Wang Guang muttered, rubbing his eyes hard.

To ease his fatigue, he logged into a less mainstream forum frequented by high-tech scholars.

When tired of research, they posted here to rest and discuss progress.

Recalling the call, he quickly posted the first message of the evening.

“Hey folks, am I hallucinating from overtime? Just got a call saying someone obtained the Windmill Kingdom’s latest illustrated photolithography machine manual and will send it to our academy’s email. They told me to watch out so it doesn’t get deleted as spam!”

The post had hardly been published before replies flooded in.

“Haha, no way, is this for real?”

“If it’s true, won’t the academy at least promote them to researcher?”

“Researcher? Don’t be silly! At least an academician, right?”

“Exactly! Don’t belittle them by calling them a mere researcher!”

“Haha, if they really got it, this talent joining our small academy would make the deputy director step down!”

“Hey, Guangzi, when you get that email, remember to share it with us so we can all have a look!”

The thread quickly grew lively.

After a while, Wang Guang’s weariness vanished completely, and he stopped worrying about the matter.

To get the Windmill Kingdom’s latest photolithography machine manual?

What a joke!

The security level protecting that thing was comparable to nuclear weapons.

If someone could get that manual, they might as well have the nuclear weapon blueprints too!

This had to be some prank from someone who spent too much time online.

Still, even though he dismissed it, Wang Guang couldn’t help but think how wonderful it would be if his own country could one day develop such advanced photolithography machines…

“Ding dong!”

Just as the thought crossed his mind, a new email notification popped up on his computer screen.

“Photolithography Machine Manufacturing Manual (Illustrated Version)”

Seeing the subject, Wang Guang’s heart jolted.

Could it be…

This is for real?!