Chapter 287: with translation of chapter title

"The star before you is tonight's protagonist." Luosi Gu Mu calmly explained, "She left a backdoor in the office, intending to remotely hack into you as you enter the simulated universe, and then in some way join us."

"I have to say, she's also a highly skilled actor; confusing the senses is always the most effective method."

"So you've known from the beginning?"

"Sorry, Black Tower forbids me from revealing any information in advance. She said that in this plan, what matters is not wisdom, but ignorance." Luosi Gu Mu paused, then continued, "But in my view, the most important thing—is perseverance and sincerity. Without a doubt, every move Mr. Leonard made completely captivated the other party."

"So, are you still satisfied with this simulated universe journey, Miss Yinlang?"

Yinlang crossed her arms, gave a cold smile: "Hmph, you figured it out ages ago. I knew it wouldn't be easy to fool you." She watched as Luosi Gu Mu approached slowly, "All the idle chatter along the way was meant for me to hear, right?"

"So the whole shutdown of the simulated universe and the feud with Black Tower is just an act? It's all to lure me into the trap?"

"That depends on your understanding. I and Black Tower always speak plainly; such sharp exchanges are common—calling it entirely a performance would also be inappropriate."

Yinlang turned her head and let out a soft hum.

"Look, Miss Yinlang is truly a talented hacker; she calculates everything, leaving room for variables and backup plans. The only variable is my sudden visit to the space station, and the news of the simulated universe's shutdown. That would cause her scheme to fall short."

"Adding her subsequent daring intrusion into the simulated universe... in Luosi Gu Mu's view, that's the full picture."

"The full picture? No, no, you got the crucial point wrong." Yinlang shook her head. "I'm not taking a risk; I'm eager to try. Do you understand? Luosi Gu Mu, do you know how excited I was the moment you appeared?"

"It's been ages since I've enjoyed a match against an evenly matched opponent—the Legion are primitives, the corporation is so-so, only the club can give me some fun."

——

Demon Slayer

Within the courtyard of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, moonlight poured down like water. All the Pillars gathered in one place, jointly discussing the little girl who appeared in the heavens.

The "hacker" is truly remarkable; when she and Ka Fu Ka first came to the space station, my attention was all on Ka Fu Ka's word spirit, so I overlooked Yinlang's methods. Rock Pillar Bei Ming Yu Xing Ming clasped his hands, tears streaming down his face, "Now it seems her technique is no less miraculous than a 'word spirit'... without wielding a blade, she can decide victory from a thousand miles away."

I actually think the "hacker" is stronger than Ka Fu Ka's word spirit; even Ka Fu Ka wouldn't dare lightly say something like "the Legion are primitives".

Yihei Xiao Ba Nei tapped her knee: "Listening to this little girl's tone, plus having ability comparable to a genius like Luosi Gu Mu... the company must be a place where she can come and go as she pleases."

Fu Gang Yi Yong sat silently to the side, hearing this he slightly raised his eyes: "Sorry, I have a question—I've been hearing them talk about 'hacking', 'computer', 'silicon matrix' and such since just now... do you all know what these words mean?"

"Also, you've been chatting about the 'hacker' for so long—do you know what they do?"

……

Before Fu Gang Yi Yong's voice even fell, the scene fell into sudden silence.

Everyone heard Luosi Gu Mu mention the "hacker" and thought it was some miraculous technology from Punk Lord, but when they probed deeper into what it involved, they each had their own interpretation.

Bei Ming Yu Xing Ming believed it was a means of remotely projecting one's image and voice; Kanroji Mi Li thought it was a method for sealing monsters inside walls; Yihei Xiao Ba Nei, who listened most attentively, believed it was editing reality to make it easier for Star Core Hunters to escape the company's pursuit.

It's like blind men feeling an elephant... Hudie Ren let out a "pfft" laugh, "Their technology has long surpassed our imagination; even as fellow Star Core Hunters, I feel that person Ren is still closer to us."

——

Reality really is a game—but if you can't enjoy it, what's the point of a game? Two geniuses joined forces to hand me an invitation and a challenge letter; how could I not gladly accept—what about you, could you do the same?

Luosi Gu Mu: "Are you certain you can make it out unscathed?"

"That's right." Yinlang tapped a few times on her wrist, glancing at the ether band flashing white light beside her, "And I need to bring it along."

"Oh? A copy? Was it completed during our conversation just now?"

"Otherwise, why would I spend all this time on pleasantries with you? Stalling isn't just your doing. Black Tower might be reverse-hacking along the path I invaded; we'll stay here to attack and defend, just like a replay of our previous showdown."

"Great, I'm really looking forward to it! How will you stop me this time? Treat the simulated universe as a black box? Have the allied companies conduct an interstellar encirclement? Luosi Gu Mu, can I witness your true strength?"

Yinlang still intended to ask the other side to let her have fun, but Luosi Gu Mu simply gave a gentlemanly bow, his voice calm and unhurried: "Sorry, Miss Yinlang. None of what you're hoping for will happen. Now you may leave."

Yinlang was instantly dumbfounded: "Huh?"

——

Dragon Clan

200 meters underground in the Cassell Academy Library.

Fingel almost let out a 'ha' at the same moment as Yinlang.

What a joke? What is this? Not even putting up a fight? Fingel mussed his blond hair, "It's like preparing a confession for three days and three nights, only to have the other person say, 'You're a nice guy!'"

A projection of a girl in a white gauze dress appeared in the air, barefoot hovering above the control panel, her silver hair flowing like a waterfall. Norma tilted her head slightly: "Fingel, do you need me to help analyze the girl's psychology?"

I'm speaking metaphorically! Metaphorically! Fingel emphasized repeatedly, "I also intended to have you try analyzing the data generated from their offensive and defensive duel; perhaps it could be put to secondary use."

Upon hearing that, Norma gently shook her head: "Unfortunately, Fingel, this probably cannot be parsed."

You haven't even started and you already think you can't handle it? Fingel blinked, "Bring out the vigor you had when you breached the Pentagon!"

Breaching the Pentagon is simple, but this and the technology in the heavens are two different matters. Norma spoke frankly, "The technology the company now possesses would require Earth to undergo dozens of scientific revolutions and develop over hundreds of thousands of years before it could possibly 'understand' theirs. As for the offensive and defensive data produced by these two geniuses..."

Fingel rarely saw a troubled expression on Norma's face.

Well, I was hasty." Fingel stood up and brushed dust off his pants, "But Norma, if you ever get the chance, would you like to witness these two's clash?"

"If the premise is that their data won't cause my floating-point operation load to overload and lead to a shutdown... then I would certainly be willing."