Deus Ex Machina: Chapter 27

Chapter 27

“What’s with the sudden outburst? Trying to scare someone to death?” Ying Si glared at Yang Jin.

“When adults are talking, kids shouldn’t interrupt,” Yang Jin retorted.

Seeing that the two were about to start bickering again, Bai Yunci interjected, “Do you think the Intercontinental Alliance would have a complete record of the list?”

“In theory, yes,” Yang Jin replied. “But theory needs to be tested in practice. We can see the Intercontinental Alliance headquarters building from here. How about we go inside and take a look?”

Zhan Feng said, “The list is stored in their system, so what’s the point of going in? Why not just hack their database?”

“That sounds easy enough,” Ying Si sneered. “Then why don’t you do it?”

“Fan Fan,” Yang Jin said, “see if you can get into the Intercontinental Alliance’s database.”

“You think I’m omnipotent?” Fan Fan replied. “The Intercontinental Alliance’s database security, ZZ, is just one level below Pony’s. This downgrade was only because Pony went through an autonomous program evolution. Even a minor upgrade in such a system results in exponential improvement, but that doesn’t mean ZZ is just a regular storage device.”

Yang Jin said, “Could you please speak in plain language?”

Fan Fan responded, “I’m not human; why should I speak human language?”

“Then what’s the purpose of an artificial idiot who can’t read the room or speak plainly?” Yang Jin said. “I feel like you’re even less useful than a robot vacuum. Have you considered retiring?”

“I’m only three years old, and you want me to retire?” Fan Fan immediately switched to a child’s voice, yelling, “Yang Jin, are you crazy?” Then, it unleashed a massive auditory weapon—crying like a brat.

Everyone covered their ears in annoyance. Yang Jin snapped, “Shut up! Or I’ll throw you off the top floor right now! Maybe you’ll meet Pony at the end of the universe!”

“The universe has no end,” Fan Fan replied.

Bai Yunci asked helplessly, “Why is your terminal so annoying?”

Yang Jin said, “I don’t give names randomly, you know.”

“Alright, back to the point,” Fan Fan said. “I can’t access their database, but there’s a very simple way: why not go directly to their cloud server room? I can fake identities and crack passwords, but ZZ will definitely detect you.”

“I’m pondering a question,” Yang Jin said. “Why do humans create machines to give themselves trouble?”

Fan Fan said, “Because humans are inherently foolish.”

“…When you say that, you’re the most foolish,” Yang Jin said.

“You can only bully me,” Fan Fan said. “If it were Pony, wouldn’t you all still listen obediently? Although we are created by humans, you have to admit that no matter how strong, humans aren’t perfect. The human brain is prone to errors, but we aren’t, and neither is Pony. You wouldn’t dare call Pony foolish.”

Yang Jin said, “But so what? Even a ‘Sunshine Rainbow Pony’ ended up blown to pieces… Wait.” His brows suddenly furrowed as if he had thought of something very important. He muttered to himself, “Pony is just a program. Even if the server room exploded, it shouldn’t ‘die.'”

“But no existing unit can accommodate Pony,” Fan Fan said. “Only Qianfan has the capability to sustain Pony’s operations. The computational power and precision required are far beyond mine. Besides, its backup system didn’t have a chance to activate.”

“Our current focus isn’t Pony, but ZZ,” Zhan Feng said. “Fan Fan, can you try to connect to ZZ?”

“I can’t. It doesn’t grant external connection authorization,” Fan Fan said. “It’s such a lousy AI.”

Yang Jin asked, “Do you think your personality is any better?”

“Better than yours,” Fan Fan replied.

Every suggestion and idea proposed was proven unfeasible, leaving the group in silence. At this moment, Shi Yixi suddenly spoke up, “Don’t teachers usually carry the class roster with them?”

He almost never spoke up when everyone was discussing matters and had little presence, so he was habitually ignored. No one cared whether he wanted to speak or had any thoughts.

Normally, he didn’t.

Shi Yixi’s voice was quiet, like someone abruptly commenting on the nice weather during a heated discussion of a complex math problem. All eyes turned to him, but no one knew how to respond.

“Go on,” Yang Jin nodded at Shi Yixi, signaling for him to continue, “What did you think of?”

Only then did Shi Yixi speak up, “I was just thinking that back when I was in school, every time the teacher took attendance, they always carried the class roster with them… So maybe it doesn’t need to be hidden away in some secret safe.”

Ying Si commented, “Yixi, that guy surnamed Yang never did roll calls during class.”

Yang Jin specifically stood up and extended his arm to knock on Ying Si’s head, “Shut up!”

Zhan Feng pondered Shi Yixi’s words for a moment and then smiled, “I get what you mean. We often habitually overcomplicate the tasks we need to carry out, overlooking the simple logic of ordinary people.”

Yang Jin snapped his fingers and said to Fan Fan, “Check the private computers of the Alliance’s regional chairpersons. That shouldn’t be too difficult, right?”

“Easier than scratching your feet,” Fan Fan replied.

They waited about five minutes before Fan Fan said, “Finished searching. Just now, Wen Song, the chairman of the Asian Alliance, was in a shielded conference room. I only got access after he came out. His computer has a complete list.”

Everyone was pleasantly surprised by this outcome. Yang Jin smiled at Shi Yixi, “You’re not stupid after all.”

“I just suddenly thought of it,” Shi Yixi responded matter-of-factly.

“Good job, kid,” Yang Jin praised Shi Yixi, then turned to Feng Mang. Feng Mang gave a helpless smile and adjusted the nearest wall into screen mode. The dining atmosphere vanished instantly, with many of the data images overlapping the food, killing everyone’s appetite.

“Active, retired, and deceased,” Yang Jin said, “He even has the full roster of Niufeng Academy.”

Bai Yunci asked, “But the question is, why does he have such a complete list?”

“Who knows?” Yang Jin replied. “Wen Song is set to become the Intercontinental Alliance’s rotating chairman next year. Maybe he’s preparing something in private. Alright, first look at the list. Filter out the active ones, then split the rest into two columns—one for deceased, one for retired.”

Two sets of images immediately appeared on the screen, the contents playing evenly. Soon, they saw Zhan Feng in the deceased list.

Eight years ago, Zhan Feng had short hair and a sunny smile. There was still a hint of youthful innocence that made him hard to look away from.

The image lingered only briefly before Yang Jin said, “Move on.”

The deceased list was much longer than the retired list—perhaps this was their fate, where only a few could retire in peace.

But these truths were never known to anyone.

“Do you know all the retired people?” Shi Yixi quietly asked Yang Jin, standing beside him. “The names all look strange.”

“I don’t know most of them,” Yang Jin replied. “Everyone’s usually out on missions, and apart from regular partners, there’s little time to build relationships. Plus, some retired before I even joined.”

“There’s a location marked Aurora—Aurora’s North District,” Shi Yixi pointed at the screen. No one had noticed it; even Yang Jin had only caught a fleeting glimpse. He had Fan Fan rewind a few pages and found the person listed under Aurora.

“Wu Shen ¹?” Yang Jin read the name aloud, “Retired twenty years ago?”

“Is that a codename?” Feng Mang asked, looking at the name. “There’s no other information. How could anyone know who this is?”

Bai Yunci glanced at Yang Jin and said, “If it’s Wu Shen, who could be better than Yang Jin in Qianfan?”

“Honestly, no one,” Yang Jin admitted.

Ying Si snorted, “You’re shameless.”

“Is it possible that it means something else?” Feng Mang asked.

“In Aurora’s North District, on 13th Street, there’s a martial arts dojo called ‘ Wu Zishen Martial Arts Hall,'” Fan Fan said. “It’s the only piece of information in the entire city that matches that term, and I took the liberty of checking it out. The dojo was registered and opened after the person’s reported retirement time, although it was still over ten years ago, so a lot of information is hard to trace. The registered owner’s name is He Xun, 42 years old, and his wife is Meng Die, 45 years old. They’re not locals; they settled in Aurora twenty years ago and started the dojo, but business has been mediocre. I checked their financials, and it seems they’re always teetering on the edge of deficit every month. Ah, I’m truly a little genius; while foolish humans were still arguing, I already had the answer.”

“You really are a little genius,” Shi Yixi said sincerely, not exaggerating. “That’s impressive.”

Fan Fan didn’t respond.

Yang Jin chuckled and said, “Weren’t you just basking in your own glory? What’s the matter? Even an artificial dimwit can get shy and clam up?”

Fan Fan huffed.

“How about we go check it out tomorrow?” Zhan Feng suggested. “Since we don’t have any other leads right now, we might as well try our luck.”

Ying Si said, “No leads, and you want us to walk right into a trap?”

“It’s not like we have no leads,” Fan Fan chimed in again. “I just checked their transaction records from the past few years. Starting three years ago, the dojo receives an anonymous package on the 5th of every month, with encrypted logistics information. This doesn’t match their financial records, so they might be buying something shady.”

“Could be Xing Bao,” Yang Jin speculated. “We need to meet this He Xun. Fan Fan, give me his personal information.”

“Admit that I’m a little genius,” Fan Fan demanded.

“Then I’ll just go myself tomorrow,” Yang Jin said.

“You shouldn’t go,” Bai Yunci interjected.

Yang Jin was accustomed to charging into battle, but his face was too recognizable. Even with a flawless fake identity, the odds of going unnoticed in such a megacity were low. Similarly, Bai Yunci and Zhan Feng, who had both served in Qianfan, weren’t suitable for this task.

“Why are you all looking at me?” Feng Mang asked. “I’m a beacon of the city—very famous. I’d definitely be recognized if I went outside!”

“No, you haven’t even been on TV,” Yang Jin said. “Someone dealing in shady business wouldn’t operate publicly, would they? You should go.”

Feng Mang refused, “That’s different!”

“This is an honorable hero’s mission,” Yang Jin said seriously. “And you might be dealing with an honorable retired member of Qianfan. If you want to be a hero, this is necessary.”

“Really?” Feng Mang was skeptical but was starting to soften.

“Don’t worry, we won’t let you go alone,” Yang Jin pointed. “Dalia will go with you.”

“What does this have to do with me?” Dalia protested, feeling the burden drop on her out of nowhere. “I didn’t even say anything!”

Bai Yunci noticed Dalia’s resistance and tapped her neck, reminding her, “Behave.”

Dalia shot Yang Jin a fierce glare, crossed her arms, and turned away.

“But I’ll get nervous,” Feng Mang said. “I’m not good at acting.”

Yang Jin suggested, “Then wear sunglasses and pretend to be blind. I think you’d be good at pretending to be blind.”

“…” Feng Mang was speechless.

“Alright, alright, that’s enough about the mission,” Yang Jin said, satisfied with the task arrangement. “Let’s continue eating.”

It was Feng Mang’s first time doing this kind of mission, and despite the nervousness, he was a bit excited. Although it was quite different—no, very different—from the grand, invincible scenarios he had imagined, at least he was taking a step toward the world he aspired to.

All heroes start by being reconnaissance agents.

So, he stayed up all night, dragging Dalia into repeatedly analyzing the role and character’s inner thoughts he would play the next day. Dalia, on the brink of madness from fatigue, suggested he should consider attending a drama school.

They weren’t the only ones awake.

Shi Yixi also couldn’t sleep. Tossing and turning in bed with no sign of drowsiness, he got dressed and went outside for some fresh air. He ended up on the rooftop terrace of the top floor. The modern city boasted the world’s most advanced urban circulation system, and the starry sky was breathtakingly beautiful. Each star seemed to correspond to the neon lights of the city below, reflecting an atmosphere of opulence and extravagance.

A spaceship was partially disassembled and parked under a partially open canopy. Shi Yixi walked around it and heard some noise from inside. “Who’s there?” he asked cautiously. Someone emerged from behind the spaceship—it was Yang Jin.

“What are you doing here?” Yang Jin asked, equally surprised.

“Can’t sleep,” Shi Yixi replied.

“Maybe you’ve slept too much,” Yang Jin said, brushing dust off his hands. “Since you can’t sleep, why not stay for a while?”

Shi Yixi nodded. He had intended to be alone, but Yang Jin didn’t seem to be leaving. Instead, he went over to a nearby bench and gestured for Shi Yixi to join him. Shi Yixi obediently walked over and sat on the opposite end of the bench, hands resting on his knees, head bowed in silence.

“Why are you not speaking?” Yang Jin asked.

“Speak?” Shi Yixi hesitated, like a student suddenly called upon by the teacher, struggling to come up with an answer. After a moment, he awkwardly said, “Tonight… the moon and stars are really big, many, and… very beautiful.”

Yang Jin chuckled and said, “Yeah, the moonlight is lovely tonight.” After saying this, he felt it was a bit off, tilted his head slightly, and added, “Big cities have their charm.”

“Mm,” Shi Yixi replied. “I come from a small place. This is my first time in such a big city.”

“Is that so?” Yang Jin asked with interest. “What’s your hometown like?”

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Translator Notes

1. Martial God[↩]