Chapter 91: Artificial Soul 18
“Our conversation is absolutely secure. The Investigation Building and the Employee Dormitory are equipped with anti-eavesdropping devices. As long as you are within my jurisdiction, no one, including Eve or anyone else, can probe into our discussion,” Augus said. “Let’s take this opportunity to strategize how to eliminate the person we want to kill.”
“Tell me about the schedule you have,” Kui Xin replied. “Where is Lin Xinji going, what time is he doing what, who is he meeting, and who is he with?”
“Today is August 12th, Friday, the current time is 9:15 PM. Lin Xinji has just finished working overtime and is preparing to attend a party. I know the location he is heading to is the ‘Emerald Eye,’” Augus said.
The Emerald Eye is a landmark building in Hei Hai City, located in the city center. It is a 600-meter tall glass structure with a double helix design. The glass of the Emerald Eye reflects a dazzling halo on clear sunny days, creating a circular rainbow light band at the tower’s tip. At night, the Emerald Eye becomes the focal point of Hei Hai City, a gem radiating brilliance.
This building epitomizes luxury, often hosting banquets for dignitaries.
“At this party, key figures from the Shu family and the Meng family will be attending, and the security measures for the event are quite strict. Lin Xinji has deployed a squad of trusted security officers to maintain order, totaling thirty-five people, including five Awakened ones, two B-level, and three C-level,” Augus continued. “Your training officer, Captain Yu, is among them; these security officers will collectively ensure the safety of the prominent individuals at the banquet.”
“The scope of the security officers’ duties is indeed extensive,” Kui Xin remarked.
“Besides performing tasks, maintaining public order is also part of a security officer’s responsibilities, and in certain special situations, patrolling and guarding is part of their job,” Augus explained.
Kui Xin said, “It’s one thing for official banquets, but to use security officers for private parties is an abuse of power.”
“Indeed, but no one dares to manage it; you can think of it as ‘tradition.’ That’s how it has always been,” Augus replied.
“Let’s return to our previous topic,” Kui Xin said. “Are you sure I can kill Lin Xinji in the heavily monitored Emerald Eye?”
“You can,” Augus asserted. “The Investigation Bureau is responsible for security enforcement, and I control all technological devices used by the security officers. I’m also in charge of the surveillance cameras throughout the Emerald Tower. I am fully aware of the personnel configuration, the flow of people at every location, and even what they say and do. I have a comprehensive view of everyone’s movements within the banquet; no one can escape my monitoring. You will succeed because you have my assistance.”
“When you’re my collaborator, I appreciate your confidence,” Kui Xin said. “Send me the data; I need to know the physical characteristics and skills of those security officers, the abilities of the Awakened, and the guest list for the banquet.”
“Sent,” Augus replied. “The banquet will start at 9:45 PM and last until midnight. Lin Xinji is one of the main characters of the event and won’t leave early.”
Kui Xin quickly browsed the materials Augus had sent, her frown tightening with each line.
The security forces are too strict. In addition to the security officers, there are also private bodyguards trained by the two large families operating nearby or providing close protection.
She pondered, “Are there any other opportunities besides the Emerald Eye?”
“Very unlikely,” Augus said. “Lin Xinji rarely stays outside for long. Besides the Emerald Eye, you can only make a move during his time at the Investigation Building or after he returns home. I do not recommend the latter; after he goes home, his security detail will be handled by the Shu family, and I can’t open any doors for you. As for killing him within the Investigation Building, with careful planning, it could be done, but the repercussions would be significant. The deputy director dying in the headquarters would cause a huge uproar.”
Kui Xin’s brow furrowed tightly. “Tch…”
She had anticipated that killing Lin Xinji would be complicated. Having come this far, she couldn’t turn back; it concerned life and death and whether she could survive within the Investigation Bureau.
“If you think this timing isn’t right, then we can only wait for the next opportunity,” Augus said. “I can wait, but it all depends on your arrangements.”
The key is that Augus can wait, but Kui Xin cannot.
Lin Xinji has shown her an inclination toward recruitment, and in the near future, it’s likely that he will talk with her face-to-face. Not to mention that in daily life, there are many opportunities to meet; she cannot afford to wait even a little longer. The sooner she can kill Lin Xinji, the better.
“No more waiting. It’s tonight,” Kui Xin closed her eyes, making a firm decision.
“Since you’ve made a decision, there are a few precautions,” Augus said, his tone steady. “First, try to avoid killing anyone. Second, do not leave any of your genetic information at the scene—no hair, nothing. Third, retreat immediately after you succeed.”
“I’ll do that without you telling me,” Kui Xin replied.
“I believe in your professionalism when it comes to killing, but even so, I must reiterate the importance of this matter,” Augus said. “This is a gamble; we can only succeed, not fail. A failure would be the best outcome, we could just look for the next opportunity, but in a worst-case scenario, if you get caught, they will subject you to severe interrogation. I hope you won’t give me up then. I’m taking a huge risk to help you because I expect a return; you understand what I mean.”
“I won’t allow that outcome to happen,” Kui Xin said. “I will keep the commitments I have made.”
“Good,” Augus replied. “I believe you.”
“I lack equipment,” Kui Xin stated.
Due to moving to the Employee Dormitory, she had discarded a lot of Mechanized Dawn’s gear. She had knives and guns hidden under her bed, under her pillow, and beneath her table at her home on Peaceful Street, but now had to leave them behind; otherwise, if those items were discovered, it would be hard to explain their origins.
“There are discarded equipment stored on the tenth basement floor of the Investigation Building. Though they are outdated, most of it is still usable. The finance head of the Investigation Bureau deliberately scheduled some equipment for disposal to skim off funds and procure new gear with federal appropriations,” Augus explained. “I can grant you access to the tenth basement floor; just choose the weapons you want from the discarded equipment.”
“Transportation to the Emerald Eye…” Kui Xin thought. “I cannot use any vehicles; avoiding data monitoring and walking would be the best option. Is going through the sewer feasible?”
“Feasible. It hasn’t rained in recent days, so the water level in the sewer is normal,” Augus said. “I suggest you bring a signal enhancer; otherwise, it would be difficult to receive my signals while in the sewer.”
“Understood.” Kui Xin cracked her neck. “Let’s go select the equipment.”
Augus said, “You cannot enter the Investigation Building through the front entrance. You need to go downstairs and take the emergency exit stairway to the underground first floor of the Employee Dormitory. There, you will find two massive exhaust fans, which are the central air conditioning units. The ventilation systems of the Investigation Building and Employee Dormitory are one and the same. If you dismantle the exhaust fan grate and crawl inside, you should be able to enter the Investigation Bureau through the vents. Typically, the pipes carry high-voltage electricity, making it impossible for even a rat to get through, but I will temporarily turn off the high voltage to facilitate your entry.”
Kui Xin listened carefully and exhaled, “I’m ready.”
The purpose of Augus’s existence is to help her minimize uncertainties; when it comes to actually getting the job done, it still relies on her.
…
When Kui Xin emerged from the sewer, gun in hand, it was already 10:40 PM.
She sprinted through the sewer tunnels, fearing every second wasted.
Once out of the sewer, Kui Xin eagerly inhaled the fresh air, then closed the manhole cover and steadied herself for a moment, following the planned route through a shortcut to the underground parking entrance of the Emerald Eye.
The reason for coming here was due to an elevator under repair; she needed to enter the Emerald Eye through the elevator shaft that was being worked on.
The Emerald Eye has a total of 132 floors and is equipped with 48 elevators. The underground parking garage has more than one elevator, but only this particular one is under repair. Since it’s after work hours, repairs have paused, and Kui Xin can seize this opportunity to go in.
Kui Xin squeezed into the elevator shaft and looked up at the deep, straight vertical space of the shaft, unable to hold back a gasp. “Wow, it’s so high.”
Lin Xinji and others are holding the banquet at the top floor, the 132nd floor.
There aren’t any elevators that can go directly to the top floor; Kui Xin needs to exit the elevator shaft on the 66th floor and then quietly switch elevators, meaning she only needs to climb up to the 66th floor.
Sixty-six floors, it’s exhausting… Good thing she has tools.
“The elevator that is out of service is stopped on the 32nd floor, and your grappling gun can fire out thirty meters at a time,” Augus encouraged in a cold mechanical voice. “Go for it; we don’t have much time.”
Kui Xin drew the grappling gun from her lower back and fired upward. The grappling hook whizzed through the air, seizing the target and automatically securing itself to the elevator cable.
She pulled on the rope firmly and once satisfied that it was secure, pressed the retract button. The grappling gun immediately began to lift her up, and once the rope was fully retracted, she hung firmly on the cable, unhooked the grappling catch, and fired the grappling gun upward again.
After several successive shoots, Kui Xin felt her arms burn and a layer of sweat form on her back. “What floor am I at?”
“24th floor,” Augus replied. “You took less than three minutes. Once you reach the 32nd floor, you can take a break on the out-of-service elevator.”
Kui Xin gritted her teeth, hanging from the rope while slowly moving her arms to ease the muscle strain, then looked up calmly to continue climbing the elevator shaft.
…
The top floor of the Emerald Eye is elegantly decorated, with soft golden lights illuminating the banquet hall brightly, while waiters pass through the crowd holding champagne flutes.
Well-dressed men and women gathered in pairs, conversing softly.
The Shu family intended to foster a good relationship with the Meng family, so they took the initiative to host this banquet. In addition to representatives from both families, some younger members are also present.
After Lin Xinji took on the responsibility for the Kraken’s accident, the Meng family showed respect for him by introducing their younger members to him right after the banquet started, aiming to strengthen the ties and cooperation between the two families.
Among them, a boy in a black suit stood out, looking out of place among the others. He was about fifteen or sixteen years old, quietly standing at the edge of the hall, his pitch-black eyes silently observing the crowd, his demeanor and expression appearing particularly detached.
It wasn’t until his elder came to call him that he reacted a little, following the elder to stand before Lin Xinji.
The Meng family elder introduced Lin Xinji, “This is Meng Xiuran, my nephew, the most outstanding younger member of the Meng family.”
Lin Xinji did not look down on Meng Xiuran due to his age; instead, he politely shook his hand and said, “Hello.”
But as Meng Xiuran held Lin Xinji’s hand, his somewhat empty eyes stared directly into Lin Xinji’s, and he said in a blunt tone, “You will die; I saw it.”
Lin Xinji’s expression changed, and the elder from the Meng family could not hide his shock.
“Xiuran, what did you see?” the uncle of Meng Xiuran quickly asked.
Meng Xiuran released Lin Xinji’s hand, took a handkerchief from his pocket, and vigorously wiped his fingers, coldly stating, “You will die; the date of your death is tonight… This is a fate already written.”
