Chapter 62: The Future Archvillain (Additional Update Explanation)

In a certain room on the top floor of the Future Technology Tower, Jin Guanyu sat quietly in the boss’s chair. Before him stretched a floor-to-ceiling window, vast and unobstructed, where the first rays of sunlight gradually painted the sky pale. Only when the sun had fully risen did Jin Guanyu slowly draw out a handkerchief, dabbing at the corners of his eyes. “Every day, watching the sunrise, I find myself moved in a different way. Wouldn’t you agree?”

At the doorway, three men stood obediently. As Jin Guanyu watched the sunrise, not one dared utter a sound, lips pressed tight. When he asked a question, they bowed their heads, scarcely daring to breathe for fear of drawing his attention.

After a moment, Jin Guanyu felt satisfied. Only then did he swivel his chair to face his subordinates.

“Speak. What happened last night?”

This was a question they were permitted to answer. Immediately, one man stepped forward. “Around ten o’clock last night, someone infiltrated the company. Liu Degu discovered the intruder and gave chase. In the ensuing fight, Liu Degu and two of his men were killed, seven others badly wounded, and one member of the Net Project was taken. Also, there’s...”

“What else? Speak directly.” Jin Guanyu’s patience was thinning.

“Also, according to the clues, the intruder descended from above, attacking as he went. There’s an eighty percent chance he’s already seen the Net Project roster.”

Bang!

Jin Guanyu slammed the table so forcefully that none dared speak.

“Anything else?” He forced himself back to calm, his tone cold. “Any other news?”

“We investigated after the incident and found that this person had been lurking near our company for some time. It wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment act—he came here deliberately to cause us trouble.”

“Not bad. And where is he? Didn’t the Secret Order mobilize last night? How did he get away?”

“According to the Secret Order’s report,” another man spoke up, “they nearly caught him, but during the final encirclement, both the intruder and the captured Net Project member vanished. We suspect he used a spatial artifact, or perhaps he himself wields spatial powers.”

“Spatial abilities?” Jin Guanyu sneered. “I doubt I warrant that kind of attention—someone using spatial powers against me. What you saw was an illusion. They have organization. I’ve told you before: the world is on the brink of upheaval. Technology is a sham; only what you hold in your own hands is real. Now do you believe me?”

The three nodded repeatedly, though who could say what they truly thought. Jin Guanyu cared little. He rose and strode over to them. “Our goal is to save the world when the upheaval comes. For that, we’re prepared to lay down our lives. Anyone who stands against us is the enemy—and they must die.

Li Mingwei, no matter the means, find that person and kill him for me. By the way, which Net Project member was taken?”

“Phoenix Woman, Xu Wuyou, 3027A.”

“How troublesome. The Phoenix Woman is endlessly reborn, and with each death her power grows. Once you find her, lock her in the Mercury Black Room—seal her away forever.”

“Yes.” Li Mingwei nodded, then asked quietly, “And Liu Degu’s position...?”

“Leave it be. The Four Heavenly Kings were never really four—one more or less makes little difference. Old Liu was a good man. I thought he’d be the first to rise, but who’d have guessed he’d die here. You’ll take over his affairs,” Jin Guanyu said.

Li Mingwei nodded.

Then Jin Guanyu turned to another man. “What have you found out about Ayuan?”

The man answered at once, “I’ve looked into it. The day Ayuan arrived in Amidek Lighthouse Nation, he reported in and said he’d found the target. But that very night, something happened to him. The next day, his body turned up at the Saint Blood Council’s auction. I suspect the Saint Blood Council targeted him.”

“Saint Blood Council?” Jin Guanyu shook his head. “Never heard of them. What’s their background?”

“They’re said to be the largest tech research group in Xinxiang, intent on mastering extraordinary powers through science. There have been some successful cases, apparently, and most of Xinxiang’s wealthy are members.

Our field agents reported that the auction for the research rights to Ayuan’s body was extremely heated. We have every reason to believe the Saint Blood Council discovered his abilities and killed him to use as research material.”

“Hm.” Jin Guanyu nodded at his subordinate’s analysis. “Send Cheng Ming to Xinxiang. Tell him to retrieve Ayuan’s body and wipe out the Saint Blood Council. And while he’s at it, get rid of that Ou Xiaolu too. This matter has dragged on long enough.”

“Understood.” The man accepted his task without hesitation, relieved that it was not too difficult.

Now Jin Guanyu looked at the last man. “Last night’s incident has affected us too greatly. We had no choice but to deploy the Secret Order. You must suppress the noise from every corner. For the next two years, we cannot draw too much attention.”

“Don’t worry. I guarantee not a single rumor will escape.”

Just then, the door burst open and a woman rushed in. “Boss, something big has happened!”

Jin Guanyu fixed her with a glare. “What could be so urgent?”

She handed her phone to him. Jin Guanyu glanced at the screen, and his expression instantly hardened.

It was footage of a man and a woman leaping from the upper floors and escaping in a flash. The image wasn’t clear, but the Future Technology building’s logo was unmistakable. Below, the comments rolled in—a torrent of accusations against Future Technology: kidnapping, vigilantes saving the innocent, private armies. The chaos was unrestrained, each slinging more mud at the company.

Jin Guanyu handed the phone back to his subordinate. “See? I knew they’d do this. Zhang Xueshi, this is your responsibility. Bury every mention of this. I don’t want to hear another word about it.”

Zhang Xueshi nodded. “You can count on me, boss. I promise every trace of it will be gone within the day.”

“Good. Get on with your work. And send someone to check on Old Liu’s family. Why is it that my Four Heavenly Kings always meet such hardship?”

At these words, their heads bowed low. Like Liu Degu, they too belonged to the Four Heavenly Kings. At first, the title had only sounded grand, but over time, bonds had formed. Now, faced with this sudden loss, not one of them could suppress a pang of sorrow.