Chapter 227

**Chapter 227: The Balance on Both Sides 08**

“You should know that the people from both worlds are adversaries,” Kui Xin reminded. “There are cases where players have been discovered by their families from the Second World. If you often browse the forum, you should have seen those cases. Usually, the outcome for players who are found out by their families is not good.”

Xi Liang rubbed his face and murmured, “But when we players arrive in the Second World, are we really just substitutes? I think perhaps it’s more like… fusion? The parallel version of me gives me a sense of familiarity, as if I’ve really lived there…”

Kui Xin was truly surprised this time. She suspected that the relationship between people from the First and Second Worlds was not just a simple substitute but a fusion. She reached this conclusion because her own spiritual entity had completely inherited the mental coordinates left by the Angel.

But what was the basis for Xi Liang reaching the same conclusion?

Feeling puzzled, Kui Xin asked, “Oh? What basis do you have for that? Just a feeling?”

Xi Liang pressed his chest. “I think the personalities of people from both worlds would influence each other? It’s because of those feelings, that bond with family, I can genuinely sense it.”

“Is that all?” Kui Xin furrowed her brows and asked, “Is there something wrong with your memories?”

She had previously speculated that if the spiritual entities from the two worlds were to fuse, then the player’s memories from the Second World might gradually awaken.

“No…” Xi Liang hesitated for a moment, “But I frequently dream at night, dreaming about my childhood in the Second World. The memories in the dreams are quite vague, and I don’t really dare to confirm them with my parents.”

Kui Xin pondered and said, “This might be a precursor to memory fusion. Fusion happens gradually; there is a process. Perhaps one day in the future, you will regain all your memories.”

Xi Liang was taken aback. “Really?”

“Everything is speculation, of course. It’s uncertain. If your memories were to really recover, you could verify some of my speculations,” Kui Xin said.

“If I regain my memories, I will inform you promptly, senior,” Xi Liang said earnestly.

Kui Xin then asked, “What do you think about the federal government and underground organizations in the Second World?”

“Although I can’t let go of my parents from the Second World, it doesn’t mean I’ll develop feelings for it. I’ve learned enough about the bloody dealings of the federal government from the forum and hold no unrealistic expectations for that world,” Xi Liang replied. “It’s just that because of my parents’ presence, sometimes I feel conflicted and tangled.”

That was quite normal; not everyone could be entirely rational. Xi Liang’s mind was clear enough; he had not been blinded by the regained familial affection nor had he relaxed his vigilance towards his surroundings.

“Do you have any plans for the future?” Kui Xin asked.

“My plan in the First World is to go to school and work step by step. As for the Second World…” Xi Liang paused, “To be honest, I dare not think. I’m alone, while the adversaries are so strong. But if I have the opportunity in the future… I want to gain true freedom, not to be monitored by anyone.”

Kui Xin stopped in her tracks. Seeing her halt, Xi Liang turned around and looked at her in confusion.

“I’ve asked you so many questions; do you have any questions you want to ask me?” Kui Xin raised her eyelids. “In exchange for answering your questions, I can answer some of yours.”

Xi Liang opened his mouth, but upon seeing the dark gaze from Kui Xin, he suddenly closed it.

From several encounters between the two worlds, Xi Liang understood Kui Xin was not someone who hid her intentions or kept secrets. She would answer normal questions. When he asked her for advice on university, she responded. When he added her as a friend, she accepted without concealing her identity or hesitating.

At this moment, Kui Xin specifically pointed out the “exchange of questions”… as if hinting? She wanted him to inquire about something, not trivial matters, but offering him a chance to ask!

Xi Liang felt as if a light bulb had gone off in his head, suddenly grasping the truth.

His heart raced, his palms became sweaty, and he nervously asked, “Can you escape the investigation bureau’s surveillance by faking your death… then I, I… can I too?”

Kui Xin was pleased with Xi Liang’s sharp intuition and ability to grasp the key points. She said, “Yes, you can.”

“What should I do?” Xi Liang asked seriously and solemnly.

“Faking your death is not something you can achieve alone; you need assistance,” Kui Xin replied.

Xi Liang realized that she had escaped back then with the help of others!

“What can I do to gain help?” he clenched his fists tightly.

“It comes with conditions,” Kui Xin said. “Firstly, you cannot be someone who only enjoys without contributing; you need to have value and demonstrate that value. Secondly, you need to distinguish what is more important: your escape by faking your death or your parents from the Second World. If you lack the determination to give something up, then you might as well stay content being an ordinary person next to your parents as a ‘disguised person.'”

Xi Liang stood there dumbstruck for a long moment, suddenly realizing that Kui Xin’s words sounded very familiar… After the Black Snake stirred up a storm in the Second World, someone on the player forum analyzed the situation similarly.

The Shadowless Organization needed capable individuals, not useless ones… Xi Liang remembered that comment vividly.

His finger trembled as if struck by lightning, and he suddenly understood the sequence of events and the subtext in Kui Xin’s words.

Kui Xin faked her death with the clandestine assistance of the Black Snake’s Shadowless Organization. If he had value and determination, he could also gain aid from the Shadowless Organization!

Kui Xin was extending an invitation to him from the Shadowless Organization!

Xi Liang had always known that this senior had an extraordinary identity and means. After all, someone who could survive in the investigation bureau without exposing their identity, and eventually escape successfully, must be unique. He had never forgotten that Kui Xin was capable of shattering a person’s skull with a single punch; he still vividly remembered how she dealt with the robber in the alley in just two seconds!

It was reasonable for such a person to be a member of the Shadowless Organization.

“Do you have an account in the Black Snake’s personal forum section?” Kui Xin asked.

“No, I’m still observing the situation regarding that matter,” Xi Liang said quietly. “I rarely speak on the forum, and even when I do, I make sure to obscure the information I share.”

“Good; it’s wise to stay alert,” Kui Xin said. “Think it over carefully. Once you have made a decision, go privately message the Black Snake on the forum.”

Xi Liang took a deep breath. He felt that a thorny road lay ahead, filled with dangers and challenges, but it was still a path!

He understood what his value was and knew how immense his extraordinary ability “Analytical Reconstruction” could be in the Second World, which kept him extremely cautious, afraid to reveal anything.

At the same time, he also realized that his identity as a player was always a potential risk. If his parents found out, they might harbor resentment against him. If his identity were exposed and the Federation came looking for him, he could hardly guarantee his parents’ safety… Besides, he was unwilling to live under constant surveillance; that was no way to live—no one wanted to feel like a turtle hiding in its shell.

“Thank you, senior,” Xi Liang sincerely expressed his gratitude. “I will think it over carefully.”

“Mm, you know your limits. I won’t elaborate further,” Kui Xin said. “I have a personal matter to ask. If I want the school authorities to approve my leave of absence…”

Xi Liang immediately understood Kui Xin’s plan: “Just get a medical record. We’ve had students in our department who broke their legs and took a semester off, and others with depression who went home to take a break; the school approved all that. The only thing is, getting a medical record can be a bit tricky; it requires proof from a legitimate hospital.”

External injuries are indeed hard to disguise, but claiming a leave due to a mental illness… Kui Xin did have a mental health condition: she suffered from mild PTSD. Whenever she picked up a weapon, she would uncontrollably develop aggressive tendencies; she could control her behavior when mentally relaxed, but when faced with a tense situation, she would reflexively shoot twice.

Kui Xin knew that undergoing a psychological evaluation was quite troublesome and was prepared to use extreme measures.

“Are you planning to continue living on campus?” Xi Liang cautiously asked. “I actually always worry that if I die in the Second World, I might suddenly collapse in the dorm when I return and scare my roommate.”

“I’ve moved out,” Kui Xin said casually, glancing at the darkening sky. “We’ve discussed what we needed to; now it’s up to your choice. Goodbye.”

Xi Liang nodded calmly. “Alright. Goodbye, senior!”

As Kui Xin turned and left, Xi Liang watched her back, a heavy expression crossing his face as he sighed.

Compared to her, he felt incredibly immature. Although she was indeed younger than him, she spoke with such maturity that he felt like a subordinate standing before a superior, always somewhat intimidated.

Just thinking about it, Xi Liang could imagine the immense risks that Kui Xin’s faked death plan must have carried. Any slight negligence could have led to a total loss of everything, including her life. But she succeeded, left Hei Hai City, and escaped the investigation bureau.

“If I get the chance…” Xi Liang told himself, “I hope this chance comes…”

……

The next morning, Kui Xin woke up in her rental apartment.

This apartment in the university community served as her base in the provincial capital. She might not stay long while on leave, but it was better to keep the place just in case.

After getting up, washing up, changing clothes, and donning her plain glasses, she prepared to head out and take the subway to visit a friend.

Her friend, Yu Hansue, was currently hospitalized in the dermatology department of a hospital in the provincial capital. After Yu Hansue returned, Kui Xin had contacted her relatives via phone and learned her hospitalization location.

As Kui Xin stepped outside the school gate and looked up at the blue sky, she noticed a plane flying overhead.

The airport was a thirty-minute drive from the school, the largest international airport in the province. If Remover 777 were to come to Tonglin City to find her, it was highly likely they would arrive at the provincial capital’s airport. A few days ago, Kui Xin had already started keeping an eye on the list of incoming travelers at the airport.

She exited her apartment, took the subway, and arrived at the hospital. After checking with the front desk nurse, she accurately found the hospital room.

The moment Kui Xin pushed the door open, a strong scent of medicine hit her.

Yu Hansue was half-leaning against the hospital bed, her entire body wrapped in bandages, her expression indifferent. When she saw Kui Xin enter, a hint of vitality sparked in her face, scarred by burns.

“You came, Xin Xin,” Yu Hansue said with a smile.

Kui Xin stiffened for a moment, surprise flickering in her eyes.

Because an introduction to extraordinary abilities glimmered from Yu Hansue, with only four brief words—”Wheel of Time.”