Chapter 168: The Finale Part 4

Chapter 168: The Finale Part 4

Jiang Huizhou rested his head on his hand and chuckled softly, "Indeed, this is the one person we should never have overlooked."

Shen Zhixue also thought it was odd. It was one thing for him not to have considered it, but it was unexpected for someone as meticulous as Jiang Huizhou to overlook Qiu Ying. Besides Wan Chenghan, the most likely and capable collaborator with Chen Yin was Qiu Ying.

It was simple logic. Qiu Ying had always been a war hawk, but in recent years, the imperial army under her command had nearly ceased hostilities with the Federation. Initially, Shen Zhixue thought the empire's population and territory issues had been resolved, hence Qiu Ying's decision to stand down.

But now, it appeared that wasn't the case.

"It's very strange," Jiang Huizhou murmured, "Though it sounds unbelievable, there is indeed someone manipulating our wills."

Shen Zhixue's eyes scanned the crowd, "Where's Chen Yin?"

"I haven't seen her," Jiang Huizhou had just finished saying when Qiu Ying on the stage looked towards them and smiled.

She announced, "This concludes today's banquet. Everyone, please return to your homes."

Soon, the once lively banquet gradually quieted down. Qiu Ying sat on the stage, looking down at them from her elevated position.

"It seems you have many questions for me," Qiu Ying began, "I can answer them, after all, you get along well with Wan Chenghan. My son, though somewhat stubborn, has befriended some incredibly sharp individuals."

Shen Zhixue, supporting Jiang Huizhou, spoke up, "The empire's population and territory issues have been preliminarily resolved, and we have been at peace with the Federation for years. You have no reason to do this."

"You're wrong," Qiu Ying sighed, her eyes filled with pity, "You're intelligent, but not ruthless enough."

Jiang Huizhou said gravely, "An invader never ceases."

Shen Zhixue asked, "Even so, why kill Lu Qingyan? He's unrelated to your invasion, isn't he?"

Qiu Ying shook her head, "I don't care about Lu Qingyan's life or death. It was Chen Yin who wanted to kill him; his life was merely a bargaining chip for Chen Yin's assistance. To me, Lu Qingyan's life holds no value."

As soon as she finished speaking, Chen Yin appeared at the top of the spiral staircase, dressed in an elegant gown, chin resting on her hand, smiling down at the two below.

"I've said it before, this man would become a variable in this world. He escaped the system and the world's laws quicker than I anticipated."

This statement seemed directed at Shen Zhixue, or perhaps at someone in the air.

In any case, the man she referred to was undoubtedly Jiang Huizhou.

What did she mean by "escaping the system and the world's laws"?

Shen Zhixue smiled slightly, "Very interesting. It seems you don't belong here either."

"Of course, I don't belong here," Chen Yin looked down at her newly done nails, "To me, this world is merely a game made up of data, and the task given to me by the game is to let the plot develop along the predetermined trajectory."

Shen Zhixue remained silent.

"So, I've known your origin for a long time... otherwise, I wouldn't have appeared," Chen Yin sighed, "You're a troublesome opponent, but the person beside you is also a difficult character. Supposedly just an NPC, yet he consistently defies the norms, displaying wisdom beyond the game's level, which is quite troublesome."

Jiang Huizhou didn't speak, but Shen Zhixue could feel his anger.

His anger was always hidden in the deepest part of his heart, not easily seen. Now, to the extent that it could be easily detected, it must have reached its peak.

"You're not just any NPC," Shen Zhixue suddenly brushed the back of his hand against Jiang Huizhou's, lightly and quickly, "See, you can feel me, and I can feel you. We are people of the same world, at least for now, we stand together."

Jiang Huizhou turned his head, slightly curving his eyes, "Of course, I know."

"What a touching love story," Chen Yin clapped her hands sarcastically, "Falling in love with a mere string of data, it seems you truly fall short of my expectations as an opponent."

"So you were never Chen Yin, no wonder you’re as steady as an adult," Shen Zhixue smiled. "Looks like we underestimated you."

"Not exactly, since I have way more intel than you. You lost this round to me, but there’ll be a next one," Chen Yin propped her chin, speaking with interest. "I’m looking forward to facing you again. It’s been a while since I’ve seen an NPC break free from the system’s constraints—kinda fun, actually."

Jiang Huizhou narrowed his eyes, "Next time, I’ll cut out your tongue and make you choke on those three annoying words along with it."

Chen Yin scoffed and turned to leave, "Then come try."

The huge banquet hall was left with just Shen Zhixue, Jiang Huizhou, and Qiu Ying.

Shen Zhixue said gravely, "She said she wants the story to follow the set path..."

Jiang Huizhou asked, "What’s the set path?"

Shen Zhixue glanced at Qiu Ying and started explaining the original story to Jiang Huizhou.

When Jiang Huizhou heard that Jiang Xingliu loved Chen Yin so much he sacrificed himself and Jiang Huizhou to make Chen Yin and Yuan Jibai’s love happen, his face was priceless.

"What kind of idiot wrote this?" Jiang Huizhou said incredulously, unable to accept that he was born from such an absurd story that couldn’t have been written without a decade of brain thrombosis.

Shen Zhixue shrugged, "The original author’s long gone, but according to Chen Yin, she wants to keep the plot on its original track. But in the original story, Lu Qingyan died saving Chen Yin from thugs, but she used genetic poison to kill him instead."

"So, her 'set path' just needs the ending. Lu Qingyan’s ending is death, so she wants to kill Lu Qingyan, regardless of how he 'dies'," Jiang Huizhou said. "So who’s next after him?"

Shen Zhixue moved his lips, "...You."

Jiang Huizhou nodded, seemingly not surprised.

He turned to look at Qiu Ying, who was still sitting on the high platform, and said, "Let’s work together—I need a high-level med pod."

Shen Zhixue’s mind didn’t catch up immediately, "But isn’t she working with Chen Yin..."

"Just because she’s working with Chen Yin doesn’t mean she can’t work with us," Jiang Huizhou said confidently. "You helped Chen Yin give Lu Qingyan the genetic poison—has it been done?"

Shen Zhixue nodded, "Yes."

"Since the poison’s been given, is this deal over?"

Shen Zhixue nodded, "Ended."

"If it’s over, why can’t she start working with us now?"

"...That seems to make sense."

Qiu Ying glanced at Jiang Huizhou, "What’s in it for me?"

Jiang Huizhou extended a finger, "I’ll give you a son."

Then he turned to look at Shen Zhixue.

Shen Zhixue and he looked at each other for a while, then Shen Zhixue tentatively said to Qiu Ying, "...Mom?"

Qiu Ying: "..."

Jiang Huizhou raised his hand and flicked Shen Zhixue’s forehead, "Why are you calling her that?"

"Wait, isn’t that what you meant?"

"Of course not!"

Qiu Ying laughed and said, "I already have a son."

"No, I think you don’t," Jiang Huizhou looked at Qiu Ying. "Wan Chenghan’s still in the hospital—he probably doesn’t know you worked with Chen Yin to kill Lu Qingyan and even tricked Yexue to her death. You should know your son’s character best. Yexue messed up back then, but she didn’t deserve ten years of suffering or being used as a tool to kill Lu Qingyan when she could’ve had a normal life."

Qiu Ying sneered, "So if I don’t work with you, you’ll spill everything I’ve done to him? We’ve been at odds for years—this won’t scare me. Jiang Huizhou, everyone says you’re smart, but what you’re saying now is incredibly stupid."

"No, what I mean is," Jiang Huizhou extended his hand and made a cutting motion by his neck, "If you don’t give me the med pod, I’ll take him out."