It was a smooth journey.
For Xiao Qin, with her stealth skills maxed out, the homeless people and rats in the underground tunnels were insignificant.
Although the main tunnels had checkpoints set up, the members of the Phantom Organization had already excavated hidden paths near the main routes.
Xiao Qin couldn't help but feel amazed. Unbeknownst to her, those in the black space had accomplished so much.
She walked unimpeded until she reached the exit.
The tunnel opened into a sewage treatment room near the garbage transfer station by Wangwan Apartment. It was foul-smelling and usually deserted, except for automated robots working tirelessly day and night.
Despite the horrid stench in the air, Qin Xuezhong didn't even wrinkle her brow. She carefully pushed open the hidden door, vigilantly observing her surroundings.
There wasn't a soul in sight.
After waiting a few seconds, she stepped out of the tunnel and into the underground sewage treatment room. The processing machinery emitted a deafening roar in the small space.
As she took her first step, the door at the far end suddenly swung open.
She quickly sidestepped, hiding behind a pipe, and saw a figure that looked somewhat familiar.
The person seemed hesitant, frequently glancing at the hidden door she had just closed.
Both were dressed in long coats, wearing holographic masks, hoods, and reflective sunglasses, their bodies completely concealed.
Qin Xuezhong placed one hand on her gun at her waist and stepped forward slightly to make herself visible.
They exchanged a cautious yet expectant glance for two seconds before simultaneously removing their disguises.
It was indeed Yu Zhezhong.
"How did you find me?" Xiao Qin asked.
"I guessed you would come this way; I remember the locations of these entrances," Yu Zhezhong replied, his voice tinged with unmistakable urgency.
"Don't rush; what happened?" Qin Xuezhong moved a bit closer, only to notice blood on Yu Zhezhong's face and clothes. She asked anxiously, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing; it's not my blood. I saved someone on the way," he said, casually wiping it away, then continued, "Things are a bit messy. There have been reports of attacks on ordinary citizens in many areas of the city, causing quite a stir. I encountered two or three similar incidents."
Qin Xuezhong felt puzzled. "What do you mean? Is it related to the Black Moon?"
"It's possible," Yu Zhezhong hesitated, then looked at her for a moment before saying, "The people who were attacked shared similar characteristics with you—height, build, appearance, gait…"
Upon hearing this, Qin Xuezhong didn't fully grasp its meaning at first, but the notion that people resembling her were being attacked sent a wave of unease through her.
Yu Zhezhong paused, a troubled expression on his face. "I'm not sure, but I suspect... since the mastermind can induce the Black Moon illusion in everyone, they could also turn you into a public enemy. If they eliminate you and me, they could find that brain, and the Phantom Organization would collapse, allowing them to proceed with their original plans."
A sinking feeling washed over Qin Xuezhong.
Could Ouyang Zhao and the mainframe really pull something like this off? Turn her into a public enemy?
Yu Zhezhong continued, "I noticed one woman who, like us, was wearing a coat and had her face covered. However, her build was similar to yours, indicating that this illusion might be comprehensive."
"As long as someone resembles you in appearance, voice, or posture, they'll trigger this illusion."
Qin Xuezhong furrowed her brows in realization. "So, I can't go out and meet anyone? Even walking could give me away?"
Yu Zhezhong's expression turned serious. "Exactly. This time, we need to change everything about ourselves. We even have to alter how we walk."
Xiao Qin: ???
The first time she was recognized by Zhang Yuan was due to her walking posture and body language.
Later, she had specifically trained to change her gait, but it was incredibly difficult. Even with the enhancement of the consciousness void, such training wouldn't yield results immediately.
Sometimes, we recognize familiar people at a glance, even just by their silhouette, as if that familiarity was as distinct as a fingerprint.
For instance, when Qin Xuezhong walked normally, her steps measured approximately 55 centimeters. If she could reduce or increase that by just 2 centimeters, her posture would change dramatically.
A slight adjustment to her arm movements would make her look like a completely different person.
But... altering the strongest muscle memory from a lifetime of walking was an overwhelming challenge.
Before she could voice her concerns, Yu Zhezhong quickly said, "Don't worry; I'll control your body first."
At those words, the laid-back Xiao Qin let out a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn't have to worry about making mistakes, and she could be lazy.
With that, Yu Zhezhong handed her a data cable. "We can't stay here too long. There should be daily clothes in the supplies within the tunnel. Let's change first."
Qin Xuezhong nodded, accepting the data cable and preparing to relax.
Before connecting, Yu Zhezhong hesitated for a moment, then shyly asked, "Um... could you hold on to my arm?"
Xiao Qin smiled, sizing him up playfully before replying, "Sure."
---
However, when they actually stepped outside, Qin Xuezhong felt utterly miserable, her mind clouded with all sorts of chaotic thoughts.
Because she hadn't undergone puppet modification, when Yu Zhezhong controlled her, her body's instincts were still intact.
Walking outside under Yu Zhezhong's control, she felt entirely different from her usual stride, as if she were wearing a suit that constrained her entire body. No matter where she moved, it felt like she was being pulled.
On the surface, it appeared she was holding onto Yu Zhezhong's arm, with their upper bodies gently leaning against each other.
Yu Zhezhong managed to strike a perfect balance—intimate yet careful not to touch anywhere inappropriate.
His footsteps were slightly unsteady, while Qin Xuezhong's felt bashful, entirely different from their usual combat stances. They looked like two ordinary people.
A data cable swung gently behind them, seemingly trying to avoid being noticed.
Qin Xuezhong had seen this situation many times.
In Xigu City, many young couples flaunted their data cables while on dates. When their chips were directly connected, no matter what they did, they could not only feel their own sensations but also share theirs with each other.
The double sensory stimulation, the hesitation of holding hands, the thrill of kissing... Every hormonal response in their bodies was magnified intensely.
Thus, nothing showcased sweetness better than that visible data cable.
Especially since both of their necks were now slightly flushed. Qin Xuezhong's redness stemmed from discomfort, while Yu Zhezhong's came from the exertion of controlling both bodies and battling against Xiao Qin's instinctual resistance.
To an outsider, they appeared to be a young couple, snuggling as they emerged from the alley, their necks a bit flushed...
A bored lady on the street, smoking a cigarette, cast a knowing glance at Xiao Qin, smiling and nodding in recognition, her expression conveying three simple words: "I understand."
The unbearably uncomfortable Xiao Qin just wanted to shout, "What do you understand?!"
Yet even now, as she walked down the street, not a single person directed hostility toward her.
It was a successful first step!
---
"Calm down," Yu Zhezhong's voice came through, sounding somewhat strained. "Relax a bit, or I won't be able to hold on for long."
Qin Xuezhong quickly complied.
She cautiously asked, "Where are we going now?"
"Wherever you say. The brain is in my car," Yu Zhezhong pointed to a rundown vehicle nearby.
At the same time, he forced a hint of anticipation onto his face, controlling Qin Xuezhong's body to show a bit of awkward body language.
Xiao Qin thought to herself: You're a bit cheesy, aren't you?
Yu Zhezhong: Sorry, I don't have much experience...
After joking around, Qin Xuezhong asked, "Did you drive here? How did you get through the checkpoints?"
Yu Zhezhong chuckled. "The original chip you left behind—I had someone from the Children of the Moon swap it for me. Now I have a clean identity and can go anywhere I want."
"Great," Qin Xuezhong considered for a moment before saying, "During our last connection, I got a good sense of Ouyang Zhao's current condition. Since her consciousness is fragmented, it can't support brain function. But I can temporarily help her using my abilities, putting her into a synthetic body. If we can communicate normally, things will be much easier moving forward."
"A synthetic person with a brain-machine interface? That kind of high-end product might be hard for us to procure right now—we can't spend any money."
"I know someone who has one, but we'll need to go to the Baystream Division." Xiao Qin said.
She was referring to Jin Anan from the office.
On her first day of work, she learned that Jin Anan was a serious enthusiast of synthetic beings, with many high-end models equipped with brain-machine interfaces in her collection, most of which were former celebrities she had pursued.
Choosing one of those for Ouyang Zhao, combined with her own abilities, should allow the antagonist Ouyang Zhao to operate freely.
That was certainly better than running around with a brain.
According to the last intel before the disconnection, Xue Zhi Shi and Xie Kedo from the office had been captured, leaving Jin Anan as the only staff member, now on 24-hour standby.
She was likely still in the office at this hour.
With the plan set, they made their way through the underground tunnel, arriving near the Baystream Division.
Perhaps due to the cover of darkness, the patrols around the Baystream Division were not very intense.
According to Xiao Qin's plan, she and Yu Zhezhong would first eat at a restaurant outside the division, then sit at a dessert shop for a while.
Finally, after discovering Yu Zhezhong's infidelity, they would get into a heated argument, eventually leading to a scuffle that would take them into the Public Security Bureau.
Once inside, Qin Xuezhong had many ways to quietly contact Jin Anan.
Stepping out of the underground tunnel, Qin Xuezhong had grown accustomed to the feeling of being controlled. With Yu Zhezhong directing her, they moved like a typical couple in Xigu City, enjoying dinner under the neon lights.
Yu Zhezhong's control was precise; as they sat side by side, he allowed Qin Xuezhong's face to break into a smile while speaking.
Xiao Qin marveled, "Let's always eat like this; it's effortless. I don't even have to put in any effort—it's so great!"
After lounging around, letting her body eat automatically felt like a dream.
Yu Zhezhong, busy managing two bodies and having no time to talk: …
After finishing their meal, they exchanged a glance, and Yu Zhezhong said, "Let's get started."
Qin Xuezhong smiled slightly, raised her hand, and slapped him hard across the face.