Chapter 48: Fatty

It’s no wonder she’s like this—Fatty’s existence is simply too unique.

It isn’t merely a universal treasure like a Devil Fruit or a Zanpakutō, but a technological crystallization born from humanity’s fantasy of a future civilization.

Although it is still a type of universal treasure, unlike others, Fatty can be replicated—the “Crown Prince” in the Magic Phone’s inventory is a product of Fatty’s replication function.

Theoretically, with sufficient resources and technological support, one could mass-produce replicas like the “Crown Prince.”

Though inferior in function to Fatty herself, the differences beyond the real-person mode are not significant—all necessary functions are present.

If you insist on pointing out charging, but Great Xia isn’t without solar charging technology.

Even if we can’t make Fatty, giving everyone a solar-enhanced “Crown Prince” would suffice.

Ignoring Su Mengyao’s inner thoughts, Fatty stepped aside to clear the path:

“Come in—Ye Xuan is waiting for you in the living room.”

Su Mengyao snapped back to attention, glanced at Fatty, then stepped forward first; Lin Miao followed close behind. They passed through the entrance hall, where Ye Xuan sat on the sofa, a steaming cup of tea beside him.

“Spiritual energy serum?”

Ye Xuan lifted his eyes to Su Mengyao, his gaze landing on the silver metal case in her hand.

“Isn’t that beside the point?”

Su Mengyao stared at Ye Xuan’s calm expression and couldn’t help sighing. She placed the silver case on the coffee table, then pointed to Fatty, standing quietly beside Ye Xuan.

“You know what ‘Fatty’ represents, right?”

“If you’re suggesting using Fatty’s ability to mass-produce Crown Princes, I can only tell you it’s impossible.”

Ye Xuan didn’t know whether the real Fatty from the future possessed such capability, but the Fatty manifested by the Rat Talisman certainly did not.

Whether Su Mengyao believed him was not his concern.

“I’m willing to believe you—I just fear others won’t be.”

“And unlike other universal treasures, Fatty can be used simply by entering a power-on password.”

Su Mengyao almost regretted coming here to deliver the spiritual energy serum.

Fatty, though a universal treasure, is designed as a phone—a phone that works once you input the password.

Even if it can’t be used to mass-produce “Crown Princes,” Fatty’s various functions hold immense value.

In terms of network access alone, Fatty today is a god within the modern internet.

This is far more terrifying than JARVIS inside the Mark III armor acquired by the Americans.

Yes, Fatty’s illegal operations are limited to ten uses—but she couldn’t be sure whether the Fatty beside Ye Xuan was the one already melted into a “demon” by Niuwang, or the original Fatty as a phone.

If it’s the Fatty turned into a “demon,” wouldn’t the usage count be decided by Fatty herself?

After all, she’s from the Tian Shu Bureau—such critical information, do you report it or not? If you report it and some fool tries to pressure Ye Xuan into handing over Fatty under some grand moral pretext, causing Ye Xuan’s resentment—what then?

I’m not afraid of malice—I’m afraid of someone who genuinely believes they’re acting for Great Xia’s benefit, yet acts recklessly, ignoring all consequences, their mind filled only with Great Xia and nothing else.

Such people are the most troublesome—even Zhong Lao can’t handle them.

But if I don’t report it, that violates my duty. If Ye Xuan later uses Fatty and someone finds out, and I—the Tian Shu Bureau officer bound to Ye Xuan—never reported Fatty’s existence, how can I advance?

“You’re really putting me in a difficult position.”

Su Mengyao took a deep breath, but finally shook her head.

“Forget it—I’ll pretend I never knew. If you ever use Fatty publicly and someone finds out and reports it, don’t blame me.”

She did want to advance—but she didn’t want to offend Ye Xuan. What should she do?

Ye Xuan can’t beat Zhong Lao, but he can certainly kill her.

She could only pretend to know nothing.

“.”

“Do you know why I had Fatty let you in?”

Ye Xuan didn’t know how to respond to Su Mengyao’s reaction.

What did she think was the reason he deliberately let Fatty appear before them?

“Huh? You trust us that much?”

Su Mengyao stared at him in disbelief, as if she’d never imagined Ye Xuan would trust her at all.

Hadn’t he always been so calm toward her and the Tian Shu Bureau—yet inside, he’d already deemed her someone he could trust?

Ye Xuan, you bastard.

“????”

Wait, aren’t you misunderstanding something? When did I ever say I trusted you?

I made it so obvious—shouldn’t you be thinking, “What kind of confidence allows Ye Xuan to expose Fatty’s existence so casually, knowing exactly what Fatty represents?”

Why on earth do you think I trust you?!

“. Your family background must be quite good, right?”

Ye Xuan asked in a quiet tone.

Su Mengyao froze, puzzled by the sudden shift in topic, but nodded anyway:

“Yes, quite good. Why?”

“Nothing. Just confirming.”

Ye Xuan lifted his teacup, sipped slowly, and said calmly.

Confirming why someone as slow-witted as you still holds this position.

Fortunately, the Tian Shu Bureau deals with psychics and universal treasure holders—and you’ve got decent looks. If you were in any other department—hah.

Su Mengyao felt a subtle disdain in Ye Xuan’s gaze, though she couldn’t pinpoint why. She frowned, about to press further, when Ye Xuan stood and walked toward the spiritual energy serum case.

She set aside her question, followed him, and unlocked the metal case with her fingerprint. The lid slid open slowly, revealing twelve vials arranged neatly, glowing with a deep blue luminescence.

“Because spiritual energy serum is valuable, only twelve vials are provided at once. When you’ve used them up, message me—I’ll have more sent over.”

Ye Xuan nodded, pulled out a plastic box from somewhere, and tossed it to her.

“What’s this?”

She caught it, not foolish enough to think Ye Xuan was giving her a gift, but curious, opened the box. Inside lay a small purple shard, no larger than a fingernail, texture like jade but not jade—resembling glass.

“A fragment of the Shikon no Tama from Inuyasha.”

“If you can find someone with a strong enough mind, unswayed by external temptations—or someone as pure-hearted as Kikyo or Kikyo’s ancestor—you might use it to forge a powerful cultivator.”

“At least no weaker than Gu Che or Lin Ruoxi today.”

Ye Xuan picked up a vial of spiritual energy serum, sensing its spiritual energy concentration, and spoke without looking up.

(End of Chapter)