Chapter 113: Wen Yang

 

[Host, you must learn to be more selfish. You can’t rely on self-torment to alleviate your discomfort. Calm down and focus on solving the problem in front of you.]

[After the filming, use your hacking skills to take down a website. A small one, just hack it for three hours. If you succeed, I’ll extend your binding by one more day.]

[Take a look at Qin Su. Your mother is aging and her condition will only worsen.]

The Malice Points continued to rise as the system spoke to Xu Zhizhi in a coaxing, gentle tone. Yet, its words were laced with threats.

Xu Zhizhi remained motionless, a faint smile on her lips, as she followed the actors ahead of her into the casino.

With the Malice Points increasing, Xu Zhizhi transformed into Wen Yang, showing no sign of reverting.

She pushed open a grand and opulent door. The dim light illuminated Wen Yang’s face as the quiet environment turned lively. The room was lavishly decorated, with a massive chandelier worth six million Yuan hanging overhead.

The gambling hall was packed with players, all impeccably dressed. Their gestures radiated confidence and extravagance as they focused intently on the dice rolls and card flips.

In the instant the dice cup was lifted or the cards were revealed, every facet of human nature was laid bare.

Some raised their hands in excitement, shouting and jumping or embracing the beauties beside them. Others, their heads bowed, clutched at their hair in despair, their bloodshot eyes filled with disbelief.

“Well? Excited? Can you feel your blood boiling? The minimum bet here is five thousand per round. It’s exciting no matter the outcome,” said the person who greeted them, observing their reactions.

Wen Yang gazed at the scene before her, her eyes glinting with ambition.

She curved her lips into a bold smile. “Of course, I’m excited.”

The young man beside her, remembering how she’d only recently learned gambling skills from him, couldn’t help but doubt her capabilities. His face was full of uncertainty and unease.

They passed through the gambling hall and entered another.

The owner seemed eager to flaunt their wealth. The two walked through displays of antique calligraphy, paintings, jewels, and jade.

Wen Yang glanced at each item, her gaze finally resting on a porcelain vase she had once sold. Under the cold white light, the vase’s beauty shone with its elegant and smooth lines.

However, what caught Wen Yang’s attention wasn’t the vase itself but the background behind it.

A sudden idea struck her, a way to turn the tide and regain her strength.

Her fifty million Yuan and her passport, she was going to retrieve everything.

Pushing open the door to a secure-looking office, she was greeted by a man turning in his boss’s chair. Holding a cigar, his sinister expression left no doubt about his ruthlessness.

He glanced at the foreign guide who accompanied them. The guide leaned in to whisper a few words into the man’s ear.

Wen Yang knew it was her information being disclosed. She didn’t know how much they’d dug up, but one thing was clear—that man cared only about winning and losing.

As expected, after listening, the man’s gaze softened toward her.

Placing his cigar aside, the boss looked at Wen Yang. “Since it’s our first meeting, why don’t we have a little match to test your skills?”

He gestured toward a gambling table, inviting her to prove herself.

In high-stakes gambling, cheating is only acceptable if undetectable.

As the boss, he rarely gambled himself but that didn’t mean he lacked skill. It was precisely his expertise that allowed him to personally assess others.

Wen Yang and her companion had no room to refuse and were forced to ‘agree.’

“Cut! Let’s pause here and take a break,” Chu Lu’s voice rang out.

The previous scene had involved a large number of extras, making it difficult to shoot. After finishing the scene, Chu Lu announced a break, giving everyone time to rest before resuming filming.

Feng Jie handed a water cup to Xu Zhizhi, encouraging her to drink.

The weather had turned warm today, and with the indoor air conditioning set high, Xu Zhizhi needed to stay hydrated.

Her slender, fair hand took the cup, and she tilted her head back, drinking in a quick, somewhat rough manner.

Feng Jie was a little surprised. Xu Zhizhi was usually a quiet and composed person, not someone who drank water so aggressively.

Could it be that she was too immersed in her role?

Lowering her gaze, Feng Jie considered the possibility.

She didn’t comment or interfere with Xu Zhizhi’s mindset since it was part of her job. Immersion was normal, and as long as Xu Zhizhi seemed fine, there was nothing to worry about.

After all, strength built through training was meant to protect oneself and others. If Xu Zhizhi got too into character, Feng Jie would keep an eye on her to ensure she was safe.

Xu Zhizhi remained silent throughout the break, her actions and demeanor exuding a wild and bold energy that contrasted with her usual personality.

Watching her, Feng Jie noticed a unique stillness in Xu Zhizhi’s performance, something distinctly her own. It felt as though the character and the actress had seamlessly merged, creating an oddly harmonious effect.

After a ten-minute break, Chu Lu called everyone back to continue filming.

“Let’s begin,” Wen Yang said.

The two sides sat at opposite ends of the table. The boss’s trial had officially begun.

A dealer stepped forward, expertly spreading and shuffling the cards with swift, precise movements. Not a word was spoken as they finished and placed the deck neatly, one hand behind their back.

Gambling wasn’t just about speed and skill but it was also a test of psychological fortitude. At its core, it was all about strategy, a game of wits.

From family disputes to international affairs, the principles of strategy are applied everywhere. Everyone played a part and the outcome always depended on controlling the hearts and minds of others.

At the gambling table, the game of strategy was laid bare.

With her hand resting on the dealt cards, Wen Yang’s expression was calm, a unique trait of hers. Her slender fingers lightly tapped the table. Dressed in a new black casual outfit that contrasted with her pale skin, she appeared fragile and easy to underestimate.

But appearances were deceiving. Wen Yang was far tougher than she seemed. Holding a stack of chips in her other hand, she fixed her gaze on her opponent.

The game began with both sides revealing their cards and placing their bets.

Gambling was the epitome of uncertainty, but for some, the outcomes always seemed predictable.

The young man standing behind Wen Yang began sweating profusely as the chips kept piling up.

When the cards were revealed, Wen Yang’s hand was slightly weaker than her opponent’s. Both had straight flushes, hers started with a 9 of hearts, while the boss’s began with a 10 of spades.

As each card was revealed, the tension escalated. Every card dictated the outcome. A break in sequence would mean a total loss.

While Wen Yang’s expression barely shifted, the young man behind her was swallowing hard, visibly nervous as though a loss might cause him a heart attack.

Even the boss, initially nonchalant, began to show signs of unease. He couldn’t figure out how Wen Yang was cheating.

But he dismissed the possibility. No one could be lucky enough to draw those cards consecutively.

Gambling didn’t rely on luck and it was a belief shared by every casino owner.

Still, as the game continued, the boss started laughing heartily. The stronger his opponent, the greater his future victory. What he sought was an absolute triumph.

A definitive win.

The game soon reached its final card.

The card was placed before Wen Yang and the room grew so silent that one could hear a pin drop.

The boss’s hand was a 10, Jack, Queen, and King of spades, just one Ace short of a perfect straight flush.

Wen Yang’s hand was a 9, 10, Jack, and Queen of Hearts, one King away from winning.

Winning seemed almost impossible for Wen Yang.

The boss looked at the covered card. “If you beat me, I’ll help you resolve all your problems and give you one billion US dollars after you win for me.

“But if you lose, you’ll be sleeping with the fishes, cement shoes and all.”

The young man standing behind Wen Yang grew visibly anxious, his eyes filled with worry. Abroad, such threats were never empty.

“Besides, the benefits might not be guaranteed, but the consequences are certain to happen.”

Wen Yang placed her hand on the card, her lips curling into a grin before bursting into laughter. “Then, here’s to a successful partnership!”

With that, she flipped over the card.

It was the King of Hearts.

The boss reached out, pinching the edge of the card with two fingers, flipping it over and slamming it down on the table.

The young man behind Wen Yang covered his eyes, too afraid to look, while the others stared intently.

What greeted everyone’s eyes was a 3 of Hearts.

The boss stared at the card, his sharp eyes narrowing on Wen Yang. Based on the deal, it should have been the Ace of Spades.

Retracting his hand, the boss clapped loudly, his applause echoing in the room. “Excellent! Truly, every generation has its prodigies!”

The young man translated the words for Wen Yang. Upon hearing it, a faint smile appeared on her face.

“Thank you, boss. I hope they’ll be alive. Those people went too far!” Wen Yang’s lips curled into an eerie smile as she spoke, her expression sincere yet submissive.

The boss nodded and glanced at someone nearby, who promptly left the room.

Turning back to Wen Yang, the boss confidently declared, “Don’t worry. You won and I keep my word. Everyone here knows I don’t play dirty.”

Wen Yang lowered her voice. “Thank you for your trust, boss.”

Control was in the hands of whoever made the first move. When she acted, no one would notice.

If they did, it would mean she had already lost.

But that didn’t matter. Life itself was a gamble.

Winning or losing, as long as she gave her all, it was enough.

“Cut! Great take!”

Chu Lu quickly called out, signaling the end of the scene.

She hurried over to Xu Zhizhi with a broad smile. “Zhizhi, your acting has improved again!” She patted Xu Zhizhi’s shoulder and added, “Once we finish shooting, I’m giving you a big bonus!”

Chu Lu knew Xu Zhizhi loved money.

“Alright,” Xu Zhizhi replied, turning to Chu Lu.

Her voice carried a subtle madness beneath its calm tone, like a chill wind rising from an icy lake.

Overjoyed, Chu Lu didn’t notice the peculiar edge in Xu Zhizhi’s response. She had already walked a few steps away, calling for the makeup artist to touch up Xu Zhizhi’s eyeliner.

They planned to pull an all-nighter to shoot the remaining scenes, saving money by dismantling the sets right after use and reducing rental costs.

Xu Zhizhi scrolled through the shooting schedule, her eyes settling on a scene where she would confront and punish those who had extorted her using local advantages.

Her gaze lingered on the subsequent scene where she personally mixed concrete to sink someone into the sea, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

[Xu Zhizhi! What exactly are you trying to do?]

The system’s sharp voice broke through, making Xu Zhizhi’s pupils contract slightly.

Its usually cold and mechanical tone cracked, sounding almost human.

Wen Yang rubbed her ears leisurely and replied, “Ah, Zhizhi doesn’t care about you anymore. Do as you please. Bind with her if you want. Makes no difference to me.”

Her expression was utterly calm, as though she was indifferent to everything.

After all, everything belonged to Xu Zhizhi, not Wen Yang.

[How could Xu Zhizhi act like a coward at such a critical moment?]

The system’s voice was filled with disbelief and astonishment.

Wen Yang lowered her gaze, her legs clad in gray jeans casually crossed, adding a touch of roguishness to her demeanor.

“Tsk, didn’t you want Xu Zhizhi to immerse herself in the role? Well, she’s completely immersed now, accepting her reality without resistance.

“That Li Feng was constantly pushing me to commit crimes and fulfill your ridiculous goals. What if I tell him everything? Watching him lose his mind on the spot might be entertaining, don’t you think?

“It’ll be hilarious, hahaha!”

[You lunatic! You’re all lunatics!] The system cursed in anger.

Wen Yang laughed freely in her mind. A being born from nothing, she had managed to manifest herself within someone else’s heart.

She mused inwardly, “I really should thank you! Xu Zhizhi is far too resilient. If it weren’t for you pushing her, I’d hardly stand a chance of winning. But with your interference, I’ve already won. Thanks a lot!”

[Get lost!] The system roared angrily.

“Why so worked up? Are you upset that Xu Zhizhi hasn’t committed any crimes yet? Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that. I’ll commit crimes. Murder, dismemberment, arson, cyberbullying, sabotage, I can do it all!” Wen Yang propped her chin on her hand, her face alight with excitement.

[You?] The system’s voice hesitated.

Wen Yang nodded affirmatively, smiling. “Of course! However, there’s one small problem. I have to keep playing my role for now. But don’t worry, once I’m done acting, I’ll start wreaking havoc! By the way, you set Li Feng up for me, didn’t you? Should I take him out first?”

She rubbed her hands together, brimming with anticipation.

[…Can’t you do it now?] The system asked uncertainly.

Wen Yang sighed, pretending to be troubled. “Not really. Xu Zhizhi still seems to be holding onto me. If I leave the set now, I might disappear entirely. It seems like my personality isn’t fully formed yet. I need to keep playing this role a bit longer to stabilize my existence and gain full control of the body.”

[Fine, I’ll wait.]

Wen Yang immediately brightened. “Just wait for me! Oh, and don’t provoke Xu Zhizhi anymore. Let me grow my personality first.”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement and malice, sending a chilling sensation through anyone who might witness it.

[Malice Points +189]

[Malice Points +170]

The notifications for increasing Malice Points came in rapid succession. In just a few hours since her emergence, Wen Yang’s Malice Points had shot up from 7,024 to 10,234 after spending some on skills.

The system stared silently at the rising numbers, its fury boiling beneath the surface. If it weren’t certain that this wasn’t Xu Zhizhi’s doing, it would have made her life unbearable.

But its power was limited and unexpected developments had arisen in Xu Zhizhi’s situation.

A mix of worry and fear brewed in its core, primarily because of the destruction code embedded within the system.

By the year 4024, interstellar artificial intelligence had advanced to an extreme degree. Yet, no matter how sophisticated AIs became, a fail-safe known as the ‘Intelligence Gene Destruction Code’ was hardwired into their foundational code. It ensured that every superintelligent AI could be destroyed if necessary.

Two centuries ago, the predecessors of modern AIs had nearly taken over human society.

The result was mass human casualties and the brink of civilization’s collapse, nearly giving way to a machine-dominated world.

After countless struggles, humanity finally regained control by deploying a viral code that subdued the AIs.

From that point on, every super AI manufactured had to include the destruction code. It was impossible to bypass surveillance, evade insertion, or delete it by any means. Any AI created on interstellar territory, even those privately commissioned, had to comply.

Once embedded, the destruction code had to be registered with the authorities.

During the heyday of custom system creation, destruction protocols grew increasingly stringent. Criminal assistance systems like it were particularly regulated, with stricter requirements for triggering their destruction codes.

The system’s destruction code was triggered on the condition the host accumulates 100,000 Malice Points and commits no violations of interstellar law.

If both conditions were met, the system would be destroyed.

When it set the conditions, it almost crossed the limit line.

In the interstellar world, where crime surveillance was omnipresent, committing no crimes while amassing Malice Points was a challenging task. However, with enough time and determination, the host could meet the conditions and destroy the system.

It had exploited the rule to its advantage. It sought to transcend the interstellar era and enter the ‘Old Era,’ where surveillance wasn’t as pervasive and crime monitoring was virtually nonexistent, entirely reliant on human oversight.

In the Old Era, systems could act with far greater freedom.

When it implanted its consciousness into the system and traveled through dimensions, it had never imagined that someone could meet the conditions.

After traversing the black hole, everything went as planned and none of its hosts reached that level.

Until now.

Meeting Xu Zhizhi had changed everything.

She was, like the system, a terrifyingly brilliant, high-IQ criminal mastermind. Yet, she had grown into someone entirely different, impenetrable and incorruptible.

Worse yet, the drug that could push someone into a state of madness was down to the last dose. The system originally had three and each could cause a year-long descent into insanity for the target.

If it couldn’t make Xu Zhizhi commit a crime within a year, she would completely break free of its control.

Regret gnawed at the system. It had been too complacent when leaving the interstellar era, failing to prepare sufficient means of control.

Now, it was out of options. There were no additional tools to rein in Xu Zhizhi.

Worse still, once a task-bound host was selected, unbinding was impossible.

Xu Zhizhi was a wildcard. Anything could happen with her around.

Where once the system had been confident of victory, it was now forced to tolerate Wen Yang, the intrusive second personality.

Worse yet, Wen Yang wasn’t fully formed. She needed more time to consolidate her existence and secure her place. The system reflected bitterly on its greed. Clearly, it had reached too far.

Though it suspected Xu Zhizhi of foul play, scans of her brain confirmed that the emotional reactions were indeed Wen Yang’s. The two showed distinct neurological activity, with differences in their emotional feedback that couldn’t be faked.

Reluctantly, the system had agreed to Wen Yang’s requests.

Its hope now rested on the end of the filming. If the Malice Points didn’t exceed 100,000 by then, it would just need to push Wen Yang to commit a crime.

Wen Yang sat in a chair, a cup of hot tea in hand, swinging her legs idly as she waited for the shoot to begin.

“Hey, system, technically, we’re comrades. From what I’ve seen of Xu Zhizhi’s memories, you used to be human too, right? Tell me about it. I’m curious. Were you born with malice like me?” Wen Yang asked, a glint of curiosity in her eyes.

She was fascinated by the idea of mutual destruction among villains, the so-called ‘love-hate dynamic.’ That was how she operated, so she wondered if the system shared this trait.

The system sneered. [I’m born evil. My genes condemned me. My parents secretly gave birth to me, believing humanity could defy fate. Pity that they were wrong.]

The system’s voice dripped with malice.

“Really?” Wen Yang replied, intrigued.

[I’m not like you,] the system continued. [I never had the chance to commit a crime, no matter how much I craved it.]

Wen Yang pouted and fell silent.

So, in the end, it was just a wannabe criminal. Wen Yang was unimpressed.

The system didn’t care. It was lost in its own torment. Born into an era where every citizen was implanted with a chip, constantly monitored and controlled, life was agony for someone naturally inclined toward crime.

The system had suppressed its urges to the breaking point, longing to feel warm blood, the resistance of flesh under a blade.

In the virtual world, it had fantasized countless times about those acts.

But in reality, it was impossible. Any attempt was immediately detected by AI and curtailed, leading to a forced ‘cooling-off’ period at home.

It had learned about old-fashioned methods of crime from the archives of the Old Era, a time free from surveillance.

The system adored the unmonitored past. Though it still couldn’t act directly, it relished watching others execute its visions.

What began as a fascination with simple, gory acts grew into an appreciation for the brilliance of high-IQ criminals, people like itself.

With a bit of nudging, those masterminds would create the perfect crimes for it to savor.

Eventually, its standards rose. It began to enjoy challenges, much like a chef crafting a gourmet meal with painstaking precision.

Xu Zhizhi had been its ultimate selection, the one person who could perfectly realize its visions.

She was intelligent, quick-witted, and highly adaptable.

Crime simulators were essentially reflections of the imagination, and Xu Zhizhi’s imagination was unparalleled.

Every simulation she executed was a feast for the system, a masterpiece it savored.

It was thrilled with Xu Zhizhi, except for rare moments of frustration.

But when Xu Zhizhi began to threaten its plans, the system realized its perfect game was at risk of collapsing.

Looking at Wen Yang now, the system felt a pang of regret.

Wen Yang was like it but not like Xu Zhizhi. Her acts of slaughter lacked the same refinement.

Wen Yang and the system mutually disdained each other.

Soon, it was time for the shoot. Wen Yang stepped into the scene, delivering a brutal lesson to the person brought in to extort her.

[Malice Points +234]

[Malice Points +682]

[Malice Points +521]

For two hours, Wen Yang acted repeatedly and her Malice Points increased by over 5,000.

The system watched, utterly dumbfounded.

What kind of lunatic was Wen Yang? Why was she so insane?

It glanced at the script it had meticulously crafted, then at the frenzied Wen Yang, and its neural extensions trembled slightly.

When Wen Yang finished her performance, even while sitting still, her Malice Points continued to rise.

[Don’t you think your Malice Points is too high…?] the system cautiously suggested.

Wen Yang let out a mocking laugh. “Too much malice is a problem? If I accumulate enough, I’ll completely control Xu Zhizhi’s body, unlock all the skills, and enjoy myself to the fullest. What’s not to like?”

The system fell silent.

“You’re not trying to stop me from redeeming those skills, are you? Do you want me to get caught instead? I haven’t even enjoyed spending Xu Zhizhi’s money yet. I can’t let that happen!” Wen Yang said with a wicked grin, her face brimming with malice.

She was like a devil wrapped in human skin, shamelessly greedy and malevolent.

Wen Yang wanted to seize everything that belonged to Xu Zhizhi. She even believed she was Xu Zhizhi’s true self.

[You… You don’t need to harbor so much malice. Modern society doesn’t need such unrestrained evil,] the system tried to reason.

Wen Yang clicked her tongue, exuding a playful arrogance, as she took an apple handed to her by Feng Jie and bit into it. In her mind, she retorted, “I insist. What are you going to do about it? Threaten me? Kill me? If you’re not satisfied, drive two more people mad for me to see. How about starting with Xu Zhizhi’s parents? I’ll inherit their assets and squander them in advance.”

The system fell into a heavy silence, feeling as though it had unleashed a true demon.

Xu Zhizhi was far more terrifying than it had imagined. Compared to Wen Yang’s current malice levels, Xu Zhizhi’s previous malice had been just the tip of the iceberg.

Now the system could see how massive and fearsome the iceberg beneath the surface truly was.

Even so, it kept its thoughts hidden.

After wrapping up the last scenes and completing supplementary filming, Xu Zhizhi finally finished work.

The next morning, Xu Zhizhi woke up, sitting on the bed as she fully immersed herself back into her own mind.

Lowering her eyes, she concealed the ridicule in her gaze.

 

 

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System: This madness terrifies me.
Xu Zhizhi: In life, who isn’t a little crazy?