Chapter 116

Chapter 116: Artificial Soul 43

After five minutes, He Kangshi received a reply from the Black Snake: “You can choose to join them.”

He Kangshi: “!!!”

“They are trustable for now.” The Black Snake continued.

“Boss, aren’t I your man?” While sending this message, He Kangshi’s thoughts were spinning like crazy.

The Black Snake knew who the hacker was and what kind of organization was asking for his joining, so he felt at ease. Or perhaps… did the Black Snake have a special purpose by suggesting he join some other organization? Maybe to infiltrate and gather intelligence or maintain communication with other players?

As expected, the Black Snake responded, “This doesn’t conflict. You only report to me personally. We’re partners, and you can be an interest alliance with them—just as we can be allies with anyone else, in mutual benefit.”

The last sentence seemed to carry deeper meaning.

On He Kangshi’s face appeared an inscrutable expression as he typed rapidly on his keyboard: “I understand, boss. Spread more friends, fewer enemies.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Will it seem too deliberate if I instantly accept their invitation?”

“They won’t contact you just once. Next time you answer.”

It became evident that the Black Snake had extensive knowledge about the hacker who contacted him.

“How big is this new force?” He Kangshi asked cautiously.

The Black Snake said, “It’s okay, quite promising but still a bit green. We need to observe first.”

He even commented so specifically… That made He Kangshi feel the Black Snake was extraordinary.

By the second invitation, He Kangshi was unsettled while the Black Snake’s attitude remained relaxed, as if completely unbothered.

“If they contact you again, let me know promptly,” the Black Snake said. “Manage the conversation scope yourself. They likely won’t make unreasonable demands and may even help you out.”

With that, He Kangshi felt confident and stated, “Got it.”

The chat box on his phone screen disappeared, but there was a small red dot near the edge. Clicking it would reopen the chat box.

He Kangshi did not immediately go to sleep; instead, he went through a frenzy of packing clothes. The hasty move meant he hadn’t packed much initially, so it was a quick process. Taking a small suitcase stuffed with clothes and a laptop, he wiped his sweat and sat on the bed.

The moment the Black Snake informed him of the transfer, he’d grab his bag and leave.

He carefully considered that in such a scarce player base, public transport was the safest way since it was monitored everywhere, and stations usually had police presence, with most players unable to withstand firearms.

He turned up his notification ringtone to maximum, switched off the bedroom light, and slept deeply, knowing external cameras were set up outside his rental. The phone would notify him if any motion was detected.

But he had no idea that Kui Xin already had control of the camera.

…

Kui Xin acted swiftly and reached He Kangshi’s city early in the morning.

She sat at a breakfast stand downstairs from his rental and sipped hot spicy soup while buying two yuan worth of pan-fried buns. The sharp spiciness revived her alertness; she conversed with He Kangshi as she ate her breakfast data manipulating her environment.

He Kangshi: “Boss, that hacker contacted me again!”

“What did they say this time?”

“The guy told me to move to Jingchu and promised protection…” He Kangshi frowned, puzzled, “What’s so special about Jingchu that it has so many high-level players?”

“It might be coincidence.” Kui Xin replied. “You can accept their invitations. Get tickets ready. Leave as soon as possible. I’ve picked an appropriate train, eleven o’clock, with available seats. If you feel rushed, we can go in the afternoon.”

“That works. I’ve already packed my things.” Excitement surged through him, and he quickly booked his ticket.

Kui Xin replied: “Okay, I’ll plan the route and send it to your phone. I’ve cleared all virus programs in your phone.”

“This early?” He Kangshi asked.

Kui Xin: “I have something important to tell you—you won’t be scared.”

He Kangshi chuckled, “Pfft…”

A hint of a smile emerged.

“I want to see how you react when you have to run with pursuers behind.”

His smile slowly faded.

“The possibility of encountering danger is small, but it isn’t impossible,” Kui Xin bluntly stated.

“I’m prepared.” He Kangshi tried to remain calm.

“Good to know. Just focus on reaching the destination. Ignore everything else.”

This simple reassurance gave He Kangshi enormous relief. If the boss said it was fine, then it indeed was.

Looking at the time, it was nine something. There was a little time left.

He walked to the bathroom and looked at himself, full of stubble. He muttered, “No good, my appearance looks terrible…”

Overwhelmed by fear and panic, he hadn’t shaved for weeks, and lack of sleep had darkened his circles, giving him a gaunt look. He washed his face thoroughly, applied foam, shaved, changed into fresh clothes, then combed his hair.

“Not bad, I look like my old self again,” He Kangshi grinned at his freshly transformed reflection. “Nice! Time to meet up with the boss and embrace a new life!”

Putting on a cap, mask, and reading glasses, he grabbed his small suitcase and rushed downstairs like a rooster crowing at dawn, shouting to the woman selling breakfast, “Auntie! Wrap a cup of tofu pudding and two pickled cabbage buns. Add extra sugar to the tofu pudding!”

The kind aunt agreed happily.

…

He Kangshi had some awareness of surveillance evasion techniques. On his way, he observed his surroundings and occasionally glanced behind him. Posing as if checking selfies, he used his phone’s front camera to scan what was behind him, checking for any surveillance.

Unfortunately, such tactics were clumsy, letting Kui Xin effortlessly track him. She watched him take the subway, getting off at a station, switching trains, riding in a different compartment, undetected.

No difficulties arose as he moved through his path without encountering anything suspicious, yet this was just the start.

His final destination was Tonglin City, but he wouldn’t travel straight there. Instead, he planned to transit through another city, stay overnight, then ride a three-hour train to reach his target.

That night was crucial.

He was nervous. Eyes flitting beneath reading glass lenses, he secretly checked his messages from Kui Xin periodically.

Following schedule, he entered the high-speed rail station and boarded smoothly.

Kui Xin sat next to him, witnessing via surveillance as he sneaked to the restroom and messaged her: “I’m on the high-speed train.”

“I know,” she responded instantly. “Rest, you’re safe here.”

Reassured, He Kangshi exited the restroom and comfortably resumed his seat. He dozed.

When the train arrived at its terminal, he left the station according to Kui Xin’s directions and hailed a taxi to a remote urban village. There, in a small hotel, he deposited his belongings.

Message to Kui Xin: “I’ve reached the hotel.”

“I know,” she replied. “Wash up and rest. Max out your phone volume for alerts if needed.”

“Understood, boss! This area seems sparsely populated. Few residents, many abandoned houses, must be scheduled for demolition, right?”

“Indeed.”

Sparse population allowed easier disposal of bodies and fishing missions. It wasn’t that He Kangshi was naïve; he understood.

Suspicious of being escorted by the Black Snake’s agents, he thought it too convenient.

As a rookie, staying out of sight was his greatest contribution; experts knew better.

In his anxious state, He Kangshi imagined assassination attempts and street battles, but finally fell asleep.

Next morning, safe from the imagined horrors, he prepared to head to the train station.

“Time to depart for the station!” he messaged.

“Go ahead.”

Ugh, training followers was trouble.

Kui Xin lounged on the roof of the hotel, watching He Kangshi race down the alleyway outside the village to catch a cab.

Last night was peaceful, nothing unexpected happening. Kui Xin remained composed, neither disappointed nor complacent. Enemies were unpredictable.

From the building, she leapt, smoothly landing via shadow transition, then followed He Kangshi to the station in a neighboring taxi, keeping close watch.