Chapter 152

Chapter 152: Boundless Dark Realm 07

Kui Xin had no interest in lofty ideals. She was not particularly fond of the concepts espoused by the Resistance Army. Despite Ghost’s earnest elaboration on the philosophy, she still believed their dreams were unattainable.

Moreover, she was extremely skeptical. Equality and freedom were all pretenses, just like the slogan of Mechanical Dawn. It was all an illusion.

The mechanical dawn’s philosophy aimed for societal “evolution”, advancing towards a higher civilization. The Federation and corporations ruled by rigid structures, with antiquated ideas prevalent among people; thus, they intended to destroy this outdated system, rebuilding civilization from ruins.

Quite high-minded, right? But this slogan was not fitting with Kui Haidong. He was shallow and indulgent, without any real ideals, so the philosophy of Mechanical Dawn seemed superficial.

Before assigning Kui Xin this task, Kui Haidong had commented on the false facade of the philosophical beliefs embraced by the Resistance Army. In fact, the ideology of Mechanical Dawn itself was deceptive.

This world was too distorted. Kui Xin had seen many dark and harsh realities. She always encountered the bad aspects, leading her to often wonder if there were truly noble souls out there.

She often presumed ill intentions from others. She did not trust Mechanical Dawn or the Resistance Army, thinking they were all false.

After much contemplation, Kui Xin agreed to join Ghost’s invitation.

Because she yearned to uncover the truth. Both Mechanical Dawn and the Resistance Army had significant plans, and she wanted to know who was secretly controlling them behind Kui Haidong and the organization.

When Kui Xin met Ghost again, he had taken control of a peripheral combatant of Mechanical Dawn, finding an opportunity to converse with her.

“Why did you seek me out?” Ghost touched his chin. “Is fate not enough reason? I can’t tell you more— you’re still in the probation period.”

“You haven’t told me who’s behind Mechanical Dawn,” Kui Xin changed the subject. “You won’t hold back on answering such questions? This is how you lured me into joining your ranks, right?”

“Of course, I can tell you.” Ghost said. “But you’re mistaken: standing behind Mechanical Dawn isn’t ‘a person’, but an AI.”

Kui Xin’s paradigm was shaken by Ghost’s revelation.

The AIs had already awakened? An AI named Eve had been clandestinely planning for many years? And Kui Haidong followed Eve’s commands?

“Don’t be so surprised,” Ghost said. “In a world where even gods exist, why should AI awakening be surprising?”

“Pristine ancients are distant and remote, yet that awakened AI is close at hand,” Kui Xin said icily.

Ghost asked, “Does it trouble you to obey an AI’s commands?”

“That’s absurd,” Kui Xin said frankly. “I don’t want to obey anyone’s, let alone an AI’s.”

“That fits,” Ghost said, “I won’t command you, the Resistance Army also won’t. But you will need to align with us, providing us with crucial intelligence and assist in necessary actions, while we’ll aid you as well.”

After a long talk, Kui Xin consented to join the Resistance Army.

She became a mole within Mechanical Dawn for the Resistance Army. No one would suspect her because she was Kui Haidong’s daughter. She later met Ghost twice, and encountered an “Angel”— her mental coordinates were implanted at that time. Since Ghost had other matters to attend to, he couldn’t act as her intermediary, thus Kui Xin had to convey intelligence through other means, mostly encrypted networks due to the restrictive conditions of mental coordinate usage and proximity requirements.

For a long time afterward, Kui Xin’s life remained stable.

Kui Haidong assigned her a teammate, Red. She disliked Red intensely; his style was ostentatious, which was tolerable during missions when everyone wore standard combat gear. However, Red’s civilian attire was unbearable.

“Stay away from me, your perfume is overwhelming.” She said flatly.

Red rolled his eyes, “All right, Miss High and Mighty.”

“Don’t call me that,” Kui Xin said.

“Okay, ‘Blue Sparrow’,” Red addressed her alias.

She and Red carried out several missions together, adjusting to each other’s ways. Later, Kui Haidong entrusted them with a critical assignment: assassinate Shu Chengyan, the mayor of Hei Hai City.

Kui Haidong explained, “Rike Tech is moving into the new energy sector. The Shu family monopolizes black market energy here, obstructing our progress. Shu Chengyan ensures their dominance, which we must hinder.”

“Understood,” Kui Xin said, “Mission ensured accomplished.”

As the long-distance effective sniper record holder within Mechanical Dawn, this mission was appropriate given her accuracy record of 1.8 kilometers. Any distance beyond that would significantly decrease shooting precision, making it hard to hit the target.

Red surveyed the scene, concluding that within the safe range, there was no suitable sniper spot.

“One of the towers 2.2 kilometers away could serve as a sniper point,” Red said anxiously. “But it’s too far. Can you manage?”

After some thought, Kui Xin replied, “No problem.”

Come mission day, Kui Xin climbed to the rooftop of a tower, waiting quietly for Chengyan to appear. Her eyes remained virtually motionless, her focus absolute.

Finally, Shu Chengyan emerged from a black stretch limousine, surrounded by vigilant bodyguards. He entered the podium guarded by his escorts; once inside, Kui Xin’s chance to fire would be gone.

She predicted his route, squeezed the trigger, and fired.

At 2.2 kilometers, the bullet traversed immense space, hitting the target two seconds later.

Blood sprayed as Chengyan crumpled to the ground, shot in the chest.

Screams echoed, chaos erupted.

Kui Xin heard nothing, ignoring the pandemonium. Confirming her strike, she mournfully put away her rifle.

Miscalculated slightly, aiming low.

“We need to leave! Investigation Bureau will arrive in three minutes!” Red urged.

Together they departed. At the scene, authorities found only a copper bullet shell.

Red viewed the news, “You’re now the bureau’s top target. A reward of 60 million… incredible, isn’t it? Not even a picture of the suspect!”

Kui Xin walked away, indifferent to Red’s comment.

Pleased by Kui Xin’s flawless operation, Kui Haidong expressed great satisfaction until news broke. A traitor inside Mechanical Dawn had leaked information, falsely implicating a “Blue Sparrow.” This led to Blue Sparrow being branded a wanted criminal online. The Shu family offered a sizable bounty for her head.

Identifying the traitor, an irregular maintenance worker had heard about the assignment from an external combat squadron aiding Kui Xin. Posting the revelation anonymously, securing him considerable wealth.

Kui Haidong warned, “Always remain alert, even against minor players. Unfortunately, your alias was exposed,”

“It doesn’t matter,” Kui Xin dismissed, “just an alias.”

Life continued monotonously.

Months later, Kui Haidong sought Kui Xin again, giving her a long-term assignment.

“To be a mole, taking over another girl’s identity?” Kui Xin frowned. “Who—can genetic info leak? Will I need plastic surgery?”

“Not… arrangements made,” Kui Haidong hesitated, “Xiao Xin, you’re aware we’ve long researched genetics.”

“Didn’t you say you made no progress?” Kui Xin queried.

“Some… minor breakthroughs,” Kui Haidong’s tone rose slightly, “which partly credit you.”

Confused, Kui Xin inquired, “In me?”

“Your cells have unique traits; do you recall universal blood? Which matches any type,” Kui Haidong explained, “Yours combine easily, researched thoroughly…”

“Get to the point!” Kui Xin interrupted impatiently.

“Fine. I took your cells and conducted genetic modification experiments. For decades,” Kui Haidong revealed.

“Experiments created a bioengineer, perfect in every aspect—almost human,” Kui Haidong declared, “Except for her finite lifespan.”

Silence fell.

“So you want me to replace her and infiltrate the bureau? That’s unjust,” Kui Xin pondered.

“You guessed right,” Kui Haidong smiled warmly.

“When I was an infant, you used my genes for experimentation?” Kui Xin questioned.

“True, but you helped immensely. Without you…”

Kui Xin lifted her gaze, “Never again.”

Shocked, Kui Haidong said, “What?”

“I detest duplicates,” Kui Xin said fiercely, “Repulsive, no matter their form.”

Kui Haidong placated, “We’ve halted type-1 bioengineering, never replicating your face…”

“Leave,” Kui Xin growled, “Even indulging in mistresses and illegitimate offspring is fine, but exploiting my genes? Unbearable.”

Enraged, Kui Haidong snapped, “Speak so to your father?”

Kui Xin’s icy stare instilled fear into Kui Haidong.

She stood up, flipping his desk, and stormed out, declaring, “Find someone else for this mission, I refuse.”

However, soon afterwards, Kui Xin received a mission from the Resistance Army.

“Think of something—eliminate Lin Xinji. Our Awakened detected, but you’re different…” Ghost listed reasons.

After much contemplation, she messaged Red, “Tell dad, I’ll take on the undercover role.”

Red, baffled, replied, “What? Arguments aside, I’m not a messenger.”