Little Qin had gone out.
Even though she had only seen a boring joke, the street scene behind it allowed her to pinpoint the exact location. She wanted to take a look. Although she knew she probably shouldn't, she thought it was a good opportunity. Having been here for so long, she hadn't really explored other places. It wasn't a healthy lifestyle. Going out to understand the world a bit more could only be beneficial.
So, she came to this area. It was only six subway stops away from the ghetto, and since she was traveling against the rush hour, the subway was not crowded. Those leaving the ghetto to go into the city at this time were either working overtime or going out for fun. Thus, the subway's holographic screens were simultaneously pushing two kinds of advertisements. One was for a hormone regulator that could enhance both physical and mental states during overtime, turning gloomy emotions into happiness and improving work efficiency. The other was for virtual dream clubs.
Having been in Xigu City for so long, "Virtual Dream" was almost the most frequently heard term by Qin Xuezhong. People would input carefully concocted data through their chip implants to enjoy an immersive interactive experience. Even the wildest fantasies could be found in the market as virtual dreams. She had never experienced it herself. Before going out, she had checked and found that there were several virtual dream clubs near her destination—she wanted to give it a try.
Upon exiting the subway, she was greeted by a nightlife atmosphere that was completely different from the ghetto. The storefronts were more flamboyant, the people on the street were dressed more elegantly, and their expressions were colder compared to those in the ghetto. Little Qin felt like a country bumpkin stepping into the city.
Not long after, she spotted "Muzi Bank," a familiar place from the original memories, surrounded by high-end virtual dream clubs and restaurants. In a dark alley nearby, several suspicious figures were selling illegal virtual dream files. Qin Xuezhong glanced around but saw nothing particularly unusual. Just as she was about to enter the bank to check for any accounts, she suddenly felt someone staring at her.
It was a blatant, unmasked gaze. She discreetly changed her angle and, through a reflective surface, saw that the one looking at her was a fat man. He appeared friendly and was standing inside a virtual dream club, dressed in high-end attire; he didn't seem like a regular staff member, likely a manager or head of the club.
Qin Xuezhong quickly checked him out. The club was legitimate, a high-end establishment under the Fifth Family's leisure dream company. Since her undercover organization was also part of the leisure dream company, technically, this fat man was her colleague. Did he know the original host?
Qin Xuezhong quickly walked into a blind spot of the surveillance and disappeared. She did not want to run into any acquaintances of the original host at the company. After stealthily buying a snack, she hid in a corner, munching while observing the fat man.
As expected, the fat man made a move. He chatted briefly with a colleague, apparently giving work instructions, then put on a coat and exited the club. He looked around furtively, then blended in like an ordinary pedestrian in the bustling night streets.
Little Qin followed quietly. With her current stealth capabilities, tracking in this busy area was child's play. As she walked, she observed the surroundings. Soon, she noticed something odd.
— Several people around were also following the fat man.
The fat man clearly hadn't received anti-tracking training; he was oblivious to several pairs of eyes on him. Little Qin watched like a mantis stalking its prey, not being reckless but rather sensing a faint familiarity about the trackers. This familiarity was subtle, but for someone like her, who had undergone military training, it was quickly picked up.
This fat man was obviously connected to the original host, and the pursuers clearly had ill intentions. If something happened, the unarmed Little Qin would likely have no option but to run away. She needed to seek help.
Calling the police was impossible; involving the undercover team would imply giving orders. Caring for her subordinates, Little Qin wouldn't do such a thing. So, in the black space, she fabricated an identity and sent out a message.
[Outside Muzi Bank on Qianying Street, I've discovered someone is following my informant. I'm in a tough spot. Is there anyone who can help? Friends with time to spare, please come help control the followers (these individuals may be armed).]
Then she replied using the Ghost's identity:
[Sure, compensation can be drawn from the internal fund established by previous team members (please use non-lethal weapons; we're not a court, just resolving events, not determining anyone's life or death).]
She didn't want others to help for free, but she also had no money, so she simply used the funds previously deposited in the black space by those who shorted the transportation company. The team members earned money through mainline tasks and put it into the organization to help their teammates.
It was a perfect sustainable development model. The Ghost thought it was brilliant.
Upon seeing the request from the fake identity, many people were initially hesitant. But as soon as Qin Xuezhong replied, it ignited the entire black space. Previously, the Ghost had issued tasks for everyone to work together. Aside from that, the members had few opportunities to collaborate. However, this time it was a private commission from a member, and the Ghost actually approved it.
What did this mean? It meant that the Ghost supported such actions. It implied that every person present could seek help in the black space when facing difficulties in work or life. Most members realized the significance of this.
If it were another organization, people might worry about exposing their identities and inciting ill-intentioned individuals. However, within the Ghost organization, the Ghost had control over everyone's information. If anyone dared to betray, they could be found in an instant. Thus, mutual aid in the black space transformed into a selfless support system.
Members exchanged information and assisted one another, and gradually, everyone inside could rise higher than those around them. If this continued, the entire Ghost organization might truly evolve into a force with significant influence.
The replies under the post flooded in instantly.
[I'm nearby, on my way][I've tapped into the cameras and data monitoring points on Qianying Street, sharing for everyone's reference][What do we need money for? This is my entertainment for the night][I've uploaded a temporary coordination system, everyone can see each other's locations and communicate][...]
In less than a minute, Little Qin saw that more than a dozen organization members had already appeared around the fat man and the pursuers in the temporary coordination system. Each person had marked the weapons they carried, their surveillance equipment, and their intended movements. One person even identified themselves as a senior commander of the special operations team and took command of the scene.
An advanced special operation was rapidly taking shape. These individuals included seasoned mercenaries and high-ranking agents from the security department, all with extensive combat experience. After seeing Qin Xuezhong's location in the coordination system, they formed a combat team centered around her, creating an invisible net that moved forward alongside her.
She had suddenly transformed from a lone follower into the core of a team. This feeling was exhilarating. Her confidence surged, and she felt emboldened to follow the group.
Soon, the pursuers had the fat man cornered in a deserted alley. The fat man clearly looked frightened and feigned calmness as he shouted, "What do you want! I've called the police!"
The leader remained silent and prepared to draw his gun. But just as his hand moved slightly, a calm command came through the team channel from the commander: "Engage, crossfire, team two follow up."
A few almost imperceptible muffled sounds followed, first a series of needle stun rounds, then an equal number of tranquilizer darts. The people surrounding the fat man didn't even have time to react before they collapsed in a heap.
Just as Qin Xuezhong was about to step forward, the commander shouted, "Stop! High-energy response! Get down! Protective fire!"
Both Little Qin and the fat man were taken aback when they noticed the fallen pursuers erupting in intense flames. Moments later, several low-temperature smoke bombs were shot around her and the fat man.
These cold smoke bombs could create a thick, low-temperature mist, blocking flames and shrapnel from any explosions. However, the fire emanating from those individuals was not from bombs, but rather from high-temperature self-destruct devices.
Everyone realized this scene resembled when Yue Zhao had burned himself to a crisp in the security department's lab.
At that moment, it became clear that this situation was far from a simple request for help from an ordinary member; it likely had connections to the recent incidents involving Yue Zhao!
The commander's voice remained calm: "Don't move. The scene team will enter first, don battle armor, defensive mode, and check the bodies."
Qin Xuezhong didn't move, while the fat man collapsed to the ground in fear, unable to move.
Soon, several heavily armored individuals appeared in the alley. The first three confirmed the surrounding environment once more and formed a protective formation around Qin Xuezhong. Others cautiously approached the bodies that had been burned to cinders, carefully examining and scanning them before giving an "OK" gesture.
Subsequently, these individuals expanded the protective circle around Qin Xuezhong.
She felt like a shining boss being surrounded by these heavily armed operatives as she confidently walked up to the fat man.