Deus Ex Machina: Chapter 14

Chapter 14

“What?” Yang Jin was stunned. “I haven’t killed his entire family, have I?”

Bai Yunci shrugged. “How would I know? I’ve never even met him. During the trade, his subordinate asked me if the scalpel came from Qianfan and if I knew you. I didn’t know what they were planning, so I lied and said I found the scalpel outside.”

“Are you sure he can provide us with weapons?” Yang Jin asked.

“Not sure,” Bai Yunci replied. “But with you there, we can rob him. He’s passionate about developing new weapons and has a small arsenal at his place, full of new products not yet on the market.”

“So, you’re planning to rob him openly,” Yang Jin said.

Bai Yunci smiled without answering.

“When do we go?”

“I told you, if you want, we can go now.”

Yang Jin looked back at the still-unconscious Shi Yixi and said, “Let’s rest for a day, gather more useful information, and avoid any unexpected trouble when the fight breaks out.”

“So, you really are planning to fight,” Bai Yunci said.

With only one bed for Shi Yixi, the other three had to sleep on the floor. Yang Jin and Bai Yunci didn’t mind, but Ying Si habitually complained about lying on the hard ground. Bai Yunci immediately threatened to spill his blood if he made another sound, so Ying Si stayed quiet.

The next day, Bai Yunci checked Shi Yixi’s wound. Shi Yixi, still groggy, looked at the man inspecting him as if he were a specimen, his mind unable to keep up.

Seeing Bai Yunci’s serious expression and furrowed brows, Yang Jin asked, “What’s wrong?”

“His wound is healing very quickly,” Bai Yunci said. “Faster than I expected. Even the scar is fading faster than usual.”

“He wasn’t like this before,” Yang Jin recalled. “Last time he broke his leg during an exam, even with the growth serum, it didn’t heal this quickly.”

“So, quite miraculous, isn’t it?” Bai Yunci smiled. “A little surprise, shall we dissect him?”

Shi Yixi didn’t understand their conversation at all. He looked at Yang Jin, who sighed and said, “We’re going to find Feng Mang. You and Ying Si stay here.”

“Okay,” Shi Yixi obediently replied.

Ying Si asked, “What if you don’t come back? What if someone comes to hunt us down while you’re gone?”

Yang Jin thought for a moment, then took off his wristband and put it on Shi Yixi’s wrist, saying, “Fan Fan will protect you, so you’ll be fine.”

Fan Fan said, “Please, I’m just a weak and innocent artificial idiot! I don’t even have a gun!”

Yang Jin said, “At least you can help them escape. Don’t worry, everything will be fine. You guys rest well, Lao Bai and I are leaving.”

Bai Yunci sought out the person he had previously dealt with and mentioned Yang Jin’s name. Initially, the person didn’t believe him, but when Yang Jin appeared in person, he agreed to help them contact Feng Mang.

Soon, Feng Mang agreed to meet the two of them. Despite assurances that the meeting would be highly confidential, the process was not easy.

The security system of Sunset Manor was very tight. From the entrance to Feng Mang’s study, there were five or six identity verifications along the way.

“It’s even more complicated than Qianfan,” Yang Jin whispered to Bai Yunci. “Even more troublesome than Pony’s mainframe room verification.”

“Rich people prove their uniqueness through these things. Black market deals are too big and numerous, with their lives hanging by a thread, they worry about everything,” Bai Yunci remarked nonchalantly, making Yang Jin wonder if he had ever been involved in any underground organ trading.

Feng Mang’s study was large, with dark green velvet floor-to-ceiling curtains and a spacious mahogany desk in front of them. A tall and imposing man stood at the desk. Dressed in a finely tailored suit, he turned to look at Bai Yunci and Yang Jin.

The air was heavy with killing intent, his muscles seemingly about to burst through the suit’s fabric, fitting perfectly with his dangerous persona.

Yang Jin stepped forward and greeted, “Mr. Feng, hello.”

“Hello.”

The voice was gentle and smooth, not coming from the man in front of them.

Bai Yunci and Yang Jin followed the voice to see a young man in a white shirt and casual pants, with a tailcoat over them, standing by the bookshelf, smiling at them. The young man had soft features, slightly curly black hair, and round sunglasses. His smile was reminiscent of a bright spring day.

“Hello,” he said, feeling for his cane in the cabinet and slowly walking over. “This is my bodyguard.”

Yang Jin and Bai Yunci exchanged puzzled glances.

Feng Mang said to his bodyguard, “Stop looking so fierce all the time, be gentler.”

“Yes, Mr. Feng,” the bodyguard replied.

“Yang Jin.” Feng Mang stood in front of Yang Jin, speaking with a very affirmative tone.

“Yes,” Yang Jin nodded.

“Hero, you must be someone like this,” Feng Mang smiled. “What brings you to find a black market arms dealer? Did everyone in Qianfan perish?”

Yang Jin couldn’t quite grasp the young man’s meaning. Perhaps the news of Qianfan’s complete destruction was only blocked from ordinary people; for the person before him, it was no secret at all. Each word Feng Mang spoke carried a soft light, yet beneath each sentence, there seemed to be more.

It was as if he knew everything—about Qianfan’s demise, about why Yang Jin and the others had come. Yet, he insisted on asking, as if he knew nothing at first.

Puzzling.

“Maybe none of this is the main point,” Feng Mang muttered to himself, then waved to Yang and Bai, “Follow me.”

Feng Mang walked to the bookshelf, and Yang Jin asked, “Do you need help fetching something?”

“I’m not blind,” Feng Mang took off his sunglasses, turned around, and smiled warmly at them.

He unlocked a switch on the wall, and the bookshelf slowly opened to reveal a large metal door inside. After a series of identity verifications, Feng Mang led Yang and Bai inside. The scene felt familiar to Yang Jin—a holographic image floating in the air, high-speed computers surrounding them—all reminiscent of the Flame Raider laboratory.

And this was Feng Mang’s personal lab.

This guy must be very, very wealthy, Yang Jin thought.

“Make yourselves at home,” Feng Mang invited them. A mechanical arm beside the table brought him a steaming cup of coffee, which he accepted, handing his cane to the arm and thanking it. Then he turned to ask, “Would you like something to drink?”

“No need,” Bai Yunci said.

“Water for me,” Yang Jin replied.

Bai Yunci frowned at Yang Jin, who shrugged. The mechanical arm had already placed a glass of water in front of him. Without intending to be overly polite with Feng Mang, Yang Jin asked straightforwardly, “What level of research and development can this lab achieve?”

“Ordinary deals are sufficient,” Feng Mang admitted frankly. “But I have another, more advanced laboratory that can fully match Qianfan’s level, even with some technologies…” Here, he chuckled meaningfully. However, his appearance was too harmless, refined and weak, and his smile couldn’t possibly evoke thoughts of anything sinister.

“Impossible,” Yang Jin said. “If such a lab existed, we wouldn’t be unaware of it.”

“Why impossible?” Feng Mang replied. “That lab is in my space factory. Humans have lost interest in space. Must I inform you every time I do something else?”

“Why?” Yang Jin asked.

“Because I’ve always had a dream,” Feng Mang took a sip of coffee. “I want to be a hero.”

Yang Jin paused, then said, “You can be one. No one’s stopping you.” Though it was strange for someone in illicit business to aspire to a positive role.

“I once entered Nufeng Academy and was classified as a B-grade in potential assessments,” Feng Mang said. “At that time, I felt my path as a hero was about to begin. But during the final exams of my second year, I was eliminated.”

“The exam system at Nufeng Academy…” Yang Jin hinted subtly, “…is indeed quite mysterious.”

“That’s not important,” Feng Mang smiled. “Anyway, that’s where the story ends. After returning home, I had to inherit the family business and become a black market arms dealer.”

Bai Yunci glanced around, catching onto the crucial information in Feng Mang’s words. “You’re skilled in weapon manufacturing. Is your specialty mechanical engineering?”

“Yes,” Feng Mang affirmed. “Without exaggeration, with my wealth and abilities, I can effortlessly produce weapons and equipment of Qianfan’s level. I once considered cooperating with Qianfan in another way, but Qianfan rejects all external personnel.”

Yang Jin had a sinister thought in his heart and interjected, “So you sold weapons to the Sanctum?”

Feng Mang neither confirmed nor denied it. “Business is business, the same with anyone.”

Yang Jin smirked slightly, a hint of a sly smile appearing, as he fixed an appraising gaze on Feng Mang. “We don’t have time for your stories, and we don’t need to beat around the bush. Let’s talk about the terms.”

“I like your personality,” Feng Mang stood up and walked toward them, speaking softly and gently. “Dr. Bai, when I saw that surgical knife, I’ve been waiting for my guests. I’m very pleased. I can provide anything you need, with just one request.”

Bai Yunci raised his hand, signaling him to continue.

“Let me join you,” Feng Mang said.

“Is that so?” Yang Jin responded quickly. “If we’re all unemployed and delivering takeout together, are you joining us too?”

Feng Mang’s eyebrows visibly twitched, but he quickly composed himself and said, “I know what happened at Qianfan Base. It’s destroyed.” He showed his cards, no longer in the mood for jokes with Yang Jin. “Don’t worry too much. This is still a secret. But in due time, I believe it will be publicly disclosed in a way that the general public can accept. Now, I suppose you’re planning something? I’ve said it before, my wish is simple, and this deal shouldn’t be a loss for you.”

Yang Jin exchanged a glance with Bai Yunci, then asked, “Give me a reason I can’t refuse.”

“I have money,” Feng Mang stated.

“Deal,” Yang Jin snapped his fingers.

Bai Yunci wanted to strangle Yang Jin. Was this guy for real? Feng Mang was allowed to join without anyone knowing his background? Were they really going on a team trip? Were they really going out to deliver takeout together?

Yang Jin asked again, “Aren’t you going to ask us what we’re planning to do?”

Feng Mang squinted his eyes and chuckled even more. “If it were up to you, you’d definitely be out to save the world.”

“You’re embarrassing me with your words,” Yang Jin showed no sign of embarrassment on his face. “But yeah, that’s about right.”

Ying Si had been nervously guarding by Shi Yixi’s bed all this time. As the night grew darker, the basement was very quiet.

“Do you think they’ll come back?” Ying Si spoke up.

“They will,” Shi Yixi replied.

“You really have unconditional trust in someone surnamed Yang,” Ying Si said unwittingly, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

“Same goes for you,” Shi Yixi replied.

“Don’t worry,” Fan Fan suddenly spoke up. “They’re both fine. They should be on their way back.”

“Is that so?” Shi Yixi asked. “How do you know?”

“In Qianfan, every AI terminal undergoes a matching process with its owner. The principles of neuroscience probably explain it, which I doubt you understand… Anyway, each terminal and its owner are the closest partners.”

Ying Si suddenly remembered something and asked, “The one surnamed Bai said his terminal was destroyed. Fan Fan, if this wristband breaks, wouldn’t you cease to exist too?”

“The wristband is just a vessel. If there’s something to implant my program into, I can exist anywhere,” Fan Fan replied.

“What are you guys chatting so happily about?” Yang Jin’s voice echoed from outside the door. They were back.

“Calling you names,” Ying Si said.

Yang Jin ignored Ying Si and walked to Shi Yixi’s bedside, asking, “How are you feeling?”

“Much better,” Shi Yixi replied, lifting his head. Bai Yunci walked to the other side, removing the protective layer from his shoulder. Instead of a long scar, there was now pinkish new flesh growing, completely swallowing up the stitches.

Bai Yunci’s brows slightly furrowed, and Yang Jin asked, “What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s good,” Bai Yunci said to Shi Yixi. “Try moving your arm.”

Shi Yixi obediently moved his arm, the pain having disappeared as if nothing had happened. He looked at Bai Yunci and said, “Dr. Bai, thank you.”

“You should thank Yang Jin,” Bai Yunci said. “If he hadn’t intervened, I would have already cut you into pieces.”

Shi Yixi turned to look at Yang Jin, who seemed reluctant to bring up the matter. Yang Jin clapped his hands. “Pack up, we’re going somewhere else.”

“Where to?” Ying Si asked.

“Sponsored by a tycoon,” Yang Jin said.

“No way!” Ying Si exclaimed. “Yang Jin, are you selling your a$$? Let me tell you, the poor don’t eat the food of the gods. I won’t do something so spineless!”

“Lao Bai, do me a favor,” Yang Jin said as he packed. “Cut his tongue off for me, it’s useless to keep him around anyway.”

Bai Yunci swiftly pulled out a scalpel as thin as a cicada’s wing, grabbed Ying Si’s chin when he wasn’t looking, and dragged him in front of himself, raising the knife.

“Don’t do it, Dr. Bai,” Shi Yixi hurriedly got off the bed and grabbed Bai Yunci’s hand. “Ying Si didn’t mean it.”

“I find him annoying too,” Bai Yunci said. “If he’s afraid of pain, a bit of anesthesia might help.”

“No, please!” Ying Si was genuinely scared this time. His intuition told him Bai Yunci was serious and not joking around with him. “I was wrong, please let go of me!”

Yang Jin seemed amused. “Lao Bai can handle it. Alright, enough with the scare tactics. Little Face Paralysis is even begging now. Let him go pack, the car’s waiting outside.”

Bai Yunci told Ying Si, “There won’t be a next time,” and shoved him away. Shi Yixi hurried to help Ying Si up.

When they emerged with their few belongings, a very luxurious car was parked upstairs in the basement.

Ying Si was dumbfounded, thinking, Yang Jin must have really gone to sell him a$$.

If you're enjoying the story don't forget to support the author! You can also support me on KOFI for site maintenance, raws purchase or as an energy boost~ 

 

AFFILIATE AD

Want to develop your career or work on a new hobby but don't have the financial resources? Check out these courses encompassing all aspects and topics. Want to build your own website or app, but don't even know what <!DOCTYPE> is, how about these IT Courses. Don't want to keep waiting for slow translators to update? 别担心！中文课程来拯救你了! Did you just become a Teacher and have NO idea what the f*ck you're doing? Early Childhood Education For Dummies 101 is in session! Lied on your CV that you can work under pressure but are now hiding in the bathroom playing ostrich? You still have to come up for air anyways so how about taking a Self Development course to manage stress and improve mental health. Whatever you're interested in, at the click of a button. And the best thing it's all for free! And...you can get an accredited certificate! START LEARNING BEFORE YOU'RE TOO OLD TO RETAIN ANYTHING OR GET FIRED FROM YOUR JOB! Or if you are fired, Build A New Resume to reel in the next one~