Lu Chensheng's heart suddenly contracted.
If "Zero" really exists and is about to be activated, combined with the "new batch of problematic chips" and "more thorough control" mentioned by Lu Qingyi, a terrifying picture gradually becomes clear in his mind - Lu Qiming may not be satisfied with just using chips to suppress emotions. He may want to use "Zero" and the new chip to achieve absolute mental control over all genetic optimizers, and completely turn them into puppets without independent consciousness!
This is no longer a simple business expansion or power consolidation, this is anti-human madness!
"Your father...does he want to become a god?" Wen Shifei's voice was filled with a hint of absurdity, but more so with deep fear. If Lu Qiming's plan succeeded, the entire Sky City, and even all the genetic optimizers, would be doomed.
Lu Chen's breathing became heavy. He remembered his father's eyes, those deep, controlling eyes. He had always believed his father's coldness and rationality were the product of the chip, but now it seemed the chip might have simply amplified his most primal desires.
"Seventeen floors underground... Of the underground structure of the Tianshu Building, I only know that fifteen floors are open to the public, used for energy supply and logistical support." Lu Cheneng quickly mobilized his memories. "The deeper levels are top secret. If what Qingyi said is true, then the core secrets of the Tianshu Consortium must be hidden there."
"You want to save her?" Wen Shifei looked at him with a complicated expression. She heard the determination in Lu Chen's tone.
"I have to go," Lu Chenhang answered without hesitation. "Not only to save her, but also to stop my father. If 'Zero' is really activated, the consequences will be disastrous." He turned his gaze to Wen Shifei with a hint of earnestness. "Also, if we can get the information about the 'Evolution' project and the new chip, maybe... we can find evidence to completely remove the chip's control and even expose the crimes of the four major chaebols."
Wen Shifei fell silent. Lu Cheneng's words undoubtedly touched her deepest desire—to avenge her brother and overthrow this unjust order. But to her, the Tianshu Building was a den of danger, the source of all her nightmares. Furthermore, Lu Qingyi was a member of the Lu family. Could she truly trust her?
"What makes you think that your sister won't betray you at the last moment? She has been taught since childhood that family interests are paramount." Wen Shifei asked coldly, trying to suppress his inner hesitation with reason.
"Because of fear." Lu Chenheng looked at her with a frank look in his eyes. "I heard real fear in her voice. That kind of fear cannot be faked by a chip. Moreover, when she said 'father is crazy', it is in itself a betrayal of the highest authority of the family. She may...be beginning to awaken like me."
"Awakening?" Wen Shifei's lips curled up into a bitter smile. "Lu Cheneng, you are too naive. The damage done to human nature by the emotion suppression chip is far more profound than you can imagine. Perhaps she is just acting under the instructions of a higher-level program."
"Maybe." Lu Cheneng didn't refute. "But I'm willing to take a gamble. Besides, we don't have a better choice right now. The Tianshu Consortium's pursuit net is tightening. Although the 'Silent Zone' is temporarily safe, we can't hide here forever. Instead of passively waiting, it's better to take the initiative."
His gaze was firm and blazing, like a burning flame, making Wen Shifei a little afraid to look directly at him.
She knew that what Lu Chen entropy said was true. They had been pushed to the edge of the cliff.
"The security system of the Tianshu Building is the most rigorous I've ever seen. Even I'm not 100% sure I can sneak into the 17th floor underground." Wen Shifei took a deep breath and began to analyze calmly, "Besides, we don't even have a map of the latest internal structure of the Tianshu Building."
"I might have a solution for the structural diagram." A gleam of light flashed in Lu Chen's eyes. "Although I have been labeled a traitor, some of my low-level permissions in the Tianshu system may not be completely cleared in the short term. If I can find a relatively safe network access point, I might be able to try... to invade my own home."
"Invade Tianshu?" Wen Shifei's eyes lit up, flashing with the excitement unique to hackers. "It sounds... interesting." The flames of revenge and the excitement of adventure intertwined in her heart.
Lu Cheneng watched her expression change, his heart stirring slightly. He knew that Wen Shifei's heart wasn't just filled with hatred. Her heart, burning with the flames of code, also yearned for challenges and... justice.
"But this is very dangerous," Lu Chensheng warned, "Once we are discovered, we may not even have a chance to escape."
"Danger?" Wen Shifei raised his eyebrows and smiled defiantly. "Master Lu, from the moment you decided to flee with me, the word 'danger' has become part of our daily life. I'm just curious, when you tear off your family's glamorous exterior with your own hands and see the rotten innards within, can you still be as... 'clear-headed' as you are now?"
Her tone was provocative, but Lu Chensheng heard a hint of...acceptance in it?
"I'll prove it to you." Lu Chen's voice was low and powerful.
The two stared at each other for a moment, a tacit understanding forming between them. They came from two completely different worlds, each burdened by a heavy past, but due to an unexpected data intrusion and a forbidden relationship, their destinies were closely intertwined.
"There's a place in the lower city called the 'Ghost Market,'" Wen Shifei said. "It's an underground trading center for all kinds of intelligence and forbidden items. It's a mixed crowd, but there are also some hidden network access points that might be able to avoid the main monitoring of the 'Oracle' system. We can try there."
"Ghost Market..." Lu Cheneng nodded, "Okay."
The sky outside the warehouse had gradually transitioned from deep darkness to the thickest pre-dawn gloom. A faint ray of light shone through the hole in the warehouse roof, illuminating the dust particles dancing in the air.
A new storm is brewing at the heart of power in Sky City. Lu Cheneng and Wen Shifei, two "outliers" who have just broken free from their shackles, are about to embark on a more dangerous and turbulent journey.
Qingyi's secret words, like a fuse, ignited the deeper flames in their hearts, and also added more unknown variables and a heavy mission to this forbidden love.
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