“Sorry!” Haitu screamed silently in her heart, eyes brimming with tears. She turned away, avoiding the boy’s resentful gaze, and pretended to gulp down the drink in her cup.
Playing unconscious was actually the hardest part.
The body had to stay completely relaxed—no matter how shocking the things she heard, she couldn’t even twitch an eyelid.
According to the chief’s orders, she had to fake unconsciousness all the way until Luo Qi piloted the aircraft into Laplace’s secret research facility. No matter how terrifying things got along the way, she couldn’t move a muscle.
Maybe it was the massive credit reward—Haitu somehow managed to pull it off.
Every time she thought about how she’d be able to use that money to buy a place of her own, live freely for a while, eat whatever she wanted, drink whatever she pleased, and even top up her account in the Second World… Haitu felt it was all totally worth it.
The power of money was truly beyond imagination.
Haitu didn’t move a single inch, all the way until the aircraft landed, and right in front of Bo Ge, Laplace killed Mr. Huiman.
Bo Ge’s furious roar shot into Haitu’s ears. Right after came the sound of swords being drawn.
Luo Qi’s slender blade pressed against Bo Ge’s neck—at the same time, the assistant director who had been faking unconsciousness suddenly sprang up and pulled a long, narrow military blade from beneath a blanket, slashing straight toward Laplace’s neck.
“Don’t move!” Luo Qi moved closer to the boy, his blade tip touching Bo Ge’s throat.
The boy’s eyes were red, tears threatening to fall. He lifted his head and looked at Luo Qi with deep hatred and gave a scornful smile.
Luo Qi was momentarily dazed.
The boy’s fingers had barely twitched when a familiar voice spoke from across the room.
“Gu-gu.” The assistant director’s expression was calm, blade resting against Laplace’s neck. “Don’t move.”
The man easily saw through Bo Ge’s impulse to retaliate. Bo Ge bit his lip in frustration, his eyes turning red.
“Dr. Huiman is fine,” the man’s usually low voice now held a gentler tone. “And your friends—they’re all under the Alliance’s protection.”
“I can vouch for him.” The supposedly unconscious Haitu sat up and cautiously raised her hand.
“It’s true.”
“Trust me—don’t do anything.” The man tore off the 3D-printed mask from his face and looked directly at them.
When Bo Ge saw the face of the big cat, all the tension drained out of him. If Leopard said not to move—then he wouldn’t.
The boy suddenly turned obedient. Luo Qi’s heart eased slightly, but his eyes stayed locked ahead with renewed resolve.
“Hostage exchange.”
“The scepter.” Lie Beishuang flicked her sleeve, and the scepter—disguised as a wrist communicator—flew out and opened a holographic page.
“Luo Qi!” Luo Mo’er’s face appeared in the projection, her expression serious.
“What did you do to her?!” Luo Qi turned angrily toward Lie Beishuang.
“The Chief didn’t do anything to me,” Luo Mo’er said with a soft sigh. “He already knows about our plan.”
Luo Qi’s expression changed.
“If it weren’t for the Chief, we might already be in danger,” Luo Mo’er said seriously. “They’ve found out we poisoned Father. He even kept evidence, waiting to use it against us in the future.”
“What are you talking about? I don’t understand.” Luo Qi’s face was tense, still unwilling to let down his guard.
“Don’t you get it yet? Father’s worsening health—it’s all an act. They’ve been watching our every move from the start.” Luo Mo’er slammed the table hard.
“The fragrance I gave him? He never even used it. That constant weakness—it was just a performance, to give us hope and keep us obedient, so we’d keep doing those unspeakable things for them.
If we ever tried to resist, they’d just pull out the evidence and force us back into it. Luo Qi, if this goes on, we’ll never escape!”
Luo Qi pressed his lips tightly together, his chest heaving.
“And,” Luo Mo’er continued, staring at her younger brother, “I made a deal with the Chief. If we hand over evidence of what they’ve done, the Chief will work with Parliament to force Father to abdicate.”
The sword Luo Qi held against Bo Ge’s neck slackened as he fell into thought.
“Naive,” Laplace chuckled, showing no concern for the blade at her throat.
“How many of the things I did didn’t involve Luo Qi? You’re trying to drag the entire Elven Royalty through the mud. The Alliance has wanted to dismantle the royal family for years—congrats, you’ve made their job easier.”
“I want this corrupt royal house dismantled!” Luo Mo’er snapped. “What good ever came from it? Those uncles, hiding behind royal blood, throwing their weight around, abusing their power—raising monsters.”
“Luo Qi…” Laplace looked at him casually, just about to speak, when a small gold orb was swiftly shoved into her mouth, sealing it tightly.
“I’m going to have to wash this thing a dozen times,” the Scepter muttered to itself.
“Luo Qi, let it go. The Chief will help us. If you don’t turn back now, we’ll never get out of this,” Luo Mo’er said firmly. “Have you forgotten our mother? Do you think she didn’t fight? We can’t win against Father, against Laplace, against the entire Elven Royalty—not alone.”
Luo Qi looked up, meeting Laplace’s cold stare. After exchanging a glance with Lie Beishuang, he slowly lowered his blade.
“Bo Ge!” Haitu quickly pulled Bo Ge to a safe spot.
Lie Beishuang brought out electromagnetic cuffs and restrained Laplace’s hands and feet. Bo Ge stared at them, still uneasy.
“I’ve got a message. Any chance I could be replaced for this?” the Scepter asked pitifully.
Haitu stuffed a cloth back into Laplace’s mouth. The Scepter floated free and turned to Lie Beishuang. “Master, the cleanup squad has arrived.”
“Begin the operation.” Lie Beishuang sheathed her blade.
“Surround the area. Don’t let a single bug escape.”
Dozens of aircraft de-cloaked and quickly descended. Bo Ge looked out a window and saw heavily armed Alliance troops entering the facility—and leading them was someone familiar.
“Commander Panda!” Bo Ge’s eyes lit up.
“Luo Qi, I need you down there. Assist the troops and make sure no remnants of Laplace’s forces slip through,” Lie Beishuang said sternly. “Understood?”
“Understood.” Luo Qi instinctively stood straight, gave Laplace one final look, then jumped from the aircraft.
“Fools.”
Bo Ge turned just in time to see Laplace spit the cloth from her mouth.
“Sorry, didn’t stuff it tight enough,” Haitu scratched her head and picked up the cloth again. “Only had these two socks—limited materials.”
“Ugh!” Laplace’s face contorted in pure disgust.
“You can use mine next,” Bo Ge offered cheerfully, already pulling off his shoes and socks.
“This is how you treat your creator?” Laplace let out a bitter laugh. “It was I who gave you life. No matter what I’ve done to you, I am still your creator.”
“You really overestimate yourself,” Bo Ge said, standing next to Lie Beishuang. “You’re not our creator. You’re nothing but a shameless thief.
Even biological parents don’t have the right to take away our dignity and freedom—what do you think you are?”
“I don’t regret creating you,” Laplace said with a messy smile. “Especially you, Beishuang.”
Lie Beishuang’s expression didn’t change. Bo Ge reached for her hand. She silently took it—her palm dry and warm.
“No. 2 died because she was mentally too fragile…”
Bo Ge clenched his teeth and reached for the military knife at Lie Beishuang’s waist.
Lie Beishuang quickly pressed down on his hand and gave a slight shake of her head.
“Hahaha…” Laplace laughed so hard she nearly cried.
“Little one, have you forgotten who he is? He’s my pride—the Chief of the Alliance, the staunchest enforcer of its laws. Let me tell you: by procedure, I’ll stand trial. After that, I’ll appeal.
And you’ll see—I’ll slowly climb out of this pit. I know plenty of secrets—secrets about the chief justices, judges, senators…
The evidence that could destroy me? One by one, it’ll vanish—or be declared invalid. The so-called witnesses? They’ll disappear from this world, one after another.
And the Elven Royalty—do you really think systemic change comes so easily? That the royals will just surrender? That it can all end without bloodshed or chaos?
You’re far too naive.”
Laplace laughed so hard her whole body shook. Bo Ge gritted his teeth and looked up at Lie Beishuang.
The man remained calm—his expression utterly unmoved.
Bo Ge wanted to let go of the man’s hand to find something—anything—that could deal with this person.
But Lie Beishuang held Bo Ge’s hand tightly, and Bo Ge couldn’t escape even if he tried.
“Let go, I need to pee,” Bo Ge said seriously.
Lie Beishuang lowered his head and glanced at the boy indifferently. His hand lifted slightly as his thumb pushed the blade from its sheath—cold steel gleamed menacingly.
The scepter suddenly smashed into the sea hare’s head like a ball. The sea hare rolled his eyes and collapsed stiffly.
“What are you doing?” Laplace was stunned. “You’re the Alliance’s Chief—there are so many patrol officers outside. How can you…”
Bo Ge suddenly remembered something, his eyes lighting up. “Those are all from the First Legion, not patrol officers!”
The panda officer was the deputy commander of the First Legion! Bo Ge had even seen their internal training sessions!
Laplace looked at him in disbelief. “From the beginning, you never intended to let me go?!”
“Like you said, you know too many secrets.” Lie Beishuang’s expression was blank. “I always remember the duty of the Chief.”
“To protect the unity and security of the Alliance—and its stability.
After this, I will resign from the position of Chief.”
Lie Beishuang held Bo Ge’s hand and placed it on the hilt of the military knife. Bo Ge immediately understood, gripped the hilt, and drew the blade—the cold gleam fully unsheathed.
Bo Ge held the hilt, and Lie Beishuang held Bo Ge’s hand.
“If you’re afraid, let me do it alone,” Lie Beishuang looked down at the boy.
“I’m not afraid!” Bo Ge looked up, eyes unwavering. “You’re my partner. No matter the consequences, we’ll face them together.”
Lie Beishuang’s lips curved slightly.
“You’re… insane!” Laplace stared at the scene before her in disbelief, backing away.
The scepter whistled softly to itself and hid under the blanket.
A flash of steel, and a slanted gash appeared on Laplace’s body—from shoulder to abdomen—blood gushing out continuously.
“This one’s for Number Two,” Bo Ge said, and his heart ached at the thought of that human girl from before.
No name, no freedom—just a little lab rat, spending her painful life in a lab, not even allowed to die. After Laplace used up every bit of value in her, she became a specimen floating in preservative fluid.
Such cruelty!
The blade slashed again. With a scream, a second deep wound appeared on Laplace’s body.
“This one’s for Mimi.”
With Lie Beishuang at his back, Bo Ge pressed the military knife to Laplace’s chest.
“And this final strike… is for all the innocent lives you took!”
The blade plunged into Laplace’s chest. Their combined strength drove it deep inside.
Laplace collapsed backward. Bo Ge released the knife and turned to bury his face in Lie Beishuang’s chest.
“Don’t be afraid.” Lie Beishuang gently stroked the boy’s hair. “I’m here.”
“I’m not afraid,” Bo Ge mumbled. “But… have we become the dragons we once vowed to slay?”
“You haven’t,” Lie Beishuang crouched down and wiped some blood off Bo Ge’s face. “I have.”
Bo Ge hesitated, then hugged Lie Beishuang’s neck. “But I still like you.”
“What about your dream lover?” Lie Beishuang chuckled as he carried the boy out of the aircraft.
“I told you, that’s not a thing,” Bo Ge protested with a little shake.
Standing outside the aircraft, they watched as batch after batch of people were escorted out, and pile after pile of items were moved. Bo Ge spotted a sealed aquarium—with something floating inside.
Lie Beishuang quickly covered Bo Ge’s eyes with one hand.
“Wait,” Bo Ge pulled his hand away and noticed a display on the aquarium, a timer quickly approaching midnight.
Bo Ge’s eyes flickered, and he grabbed Lie Beishuang, dashing back into the aircraft.
“Laplace once said she predicted she’d die at 100. If she didn’t die at 100, she’d live forever,” Bo Ge said as he rapidly checked Laplace’s body. Before long, he found something hard.
Bo Ge didn’t recognize what it was, but it was clearly working. A small screen showed a progress bar nearing 100%.
“Consciousness transmitter,” Lie Beishuang identified quickly. “She anticipated a crisis tonight and is uploading her consciousness to the Second World.”
“How do we stop her?” Bo Ge pressed his lips into a line.
Of course, when facing a final boss, you never forget the finishing blow!
The scepter flew over and connected to the transmitter.
“We’re a step too late—she’s already entered the Second World. She’s likely in the waiting area of the living zone.”
“Get me a gaming pod,” Bo Ge’s eyes burned with resolve. “Leave this to me.”
He lay in a gaming pod brought over from the lab, closed his eyes, and quickly transferred to the living zone—only to be blocked by an NPC.
“Sorry, player. This is the consciousness upload area—only the dead may enter.”
Bo Ge raised his staff. In a sudden flash of memory, he finally recalled its true purpose.
The SoC—unlike the golden scepter inherited by the Alliance Chief—this was the black box scepter of the Second World. It could make any NPC obey without question, or control the entire Second World.
This was the thing the Pioneer—aka the CEO of Wuqi Technology—had once promised him.
Full control of the entire holographic world. The black box scepter that only he could use.
The SoC was always held by the main consciousness. When Bo Ge wasn’t around, the system kept it hidden until Bo Ge drew it during his first in-game lottery. At that moment, the system returned it to his hands.
The moment the NPC saw the black box scepter, its eyes filled with awe. It immediately bowed its head and stepped aside respectfully.
“Help me locate a consciousness,” Bo Ge said, gathering all the admin NPCs around, smiling brightly.
“The Second World doesn’t welcome her. She should disappear completely.”
[mfn]If you enjoy my translations, you can show your support by leaving a comment or donating to my Ko-fi. It will be much appreciated. Thank you! [/mfn]
