The *League of ch Masters* maintained a strict ranking system. Competitors who placed in the top three of their tournants were awarded prestigious titles, recognized across the globe.
Kong Sicheng, standing amidst the chaos outside Iron Peak Corporation’s headquarters, had once been on the brink of securing third place in a national ranking tournant. A true professional ch Master, his skillset was undeniable.
“This isn’t on us,” said Ding Zaocheng, one of Suiyang’s Deputy Security Chiefs. He spoke without looking at Kong Sicheng, his gaze focused instead on a projection playing in his retinal display. It looped over security footage of the attack.
“The attacker was an unknown model. In our nation, fully enhanced cyborgs aren’t even allowed in cities without specific clearance. With **Silent Fort** overseeing all entries, it’s impossible for one to sneak in undetected.”
“Ridiculous. What about the **Utopia Terror Incident**? Weren’t those attackers fully enhanced cyborgs?” Kong Sicheng countered sharply.
“There may have been internal collusion,” Ding replied, his tone calm. “I understand your frustration over the losses you’ve suffered, but our priority now is identifying the suspect.”
Ding opened his eyes, his jet-black irises locking coldly onto Kong.
“For such a significant incident, why hasn’t Zheng Kai made an appearance? Why are you the one taking the brunt of this?”
“That’s our business!” Kong snapped, refusing to back down. “Why don’t you focus on solving this case instead of interrogating ?”
Ding didn’t flinch. “The **Bar Street murders** are already tied to Iron Peak Corporation. Now you’re at the center of a terror attack. It looks like Iron Peak will be making headlines for all the wrong reasons.”
Kong let out a derisive snort, unwilling to engage further. He knew the Bar Street incident had been mishandled. His original plan had been to clean up thoroughly—eliminating Zheng Qingrong and fabricating a gas explosion that would wipe out her entire family.
It should have been a seamless operation: a quick, clean tragedy that would garner no attention beyond the initial headlines. A few payouts to keep the dia quiet, and the world would move on.
But everything had gone wrong. Zheng Qingrong had unexpectedly left her ho, discovered her sister’s body, and survived. Attempts to capture her had failed. Then the attack on headquarters, culminating in Zheng Jiayu’s death.
“The attacker had a clear objective: Zheng Jiayu,” Ding analyzed aloud. “This suggests a personal vendetta against him or Zheng Kai. A fully enhanced cyborg requires a significant support system—maintenance, energy, security. Such a setup cannot remain entirely hidden within our nation. Therefore…”
He paused for effect, letting the weight of his words sink in.
“…this case will require extensive investigation.”
Everyone present understood what that ant. Tracing the attacker’s support system would inevitably entangle multiple interest groups. Accessing such information could expose proprietary data—details about ch Masters, enhanced cyborgs, weapon systems, and more. No corporation would allow such secrets to be unveiled.
Ding turned as an officer approached. “Deputy Chief, representatives from Hongjin Corporation have arrived,” the officer reported quietly.
Ding faced the approaching figure, a foreign man walking briskly toward them. His usually stern expression softened into a polite smile.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Sindra.”
Sindra, disheveled and clearly dragged from bed, looked baffled. His hair was unkempt, his eyes bleary, and one side of his shirt collar was flipped inward.
“Deputy Chief Ding, what’s all this about?” he asked, clearly confused.
Ding patiently explained the situation, detailing the attack and the rationale for summoning Sindra.
“We discovered that, one hour before Zheng Jiayu’s death, a Hongjin Corporation employee accessed his phone’s location data. We need your cooperation in clarifying this matter.”
“Location data?” Sindra echoed, blinking in confusion. He pulled out his phone and began dialing. His attempts to contact the office were t with silence. Frowning, he tried another number.
Finally, he reached Song Ran, who quickly pulled up the relevant system logs. Monts later, Sindra’s screen displayed the result:
**Applicant: Li Chengyi.**
Seeing the na, Sindra’s chest tightened slightly.
He had always harbored doubts about Li Chengyi. The timing of previous incidents, including the situation with Aishi Corporation, was far too coincidental. Yet, while suspicion lingered, Sindra had no evidence connecting Li Chengyi to any wrongdoing.
Silently, Sindra deleted the record from the system before looking up at Ding.
“There was indeed a request in our system for Zheng Jiayu’s location,” Sindra said calmly. “However, it appears the request originated from an external network that compromised our permissions. It wasn’t authorized internally.”
In a few succinct sentences, Sindra deflected suspicion entirely. By framing the request as the work of an external hacker, he not only cleared Hongjin Corporation but also cast them as victims of cyber interference.
“I see. If that’s the case, Hongjin Corporation appears to be uninvolved,” Ding concluded, accepting Sindra’s explanation without argunt.
“Exactly. Our staff is too small and transient to involve ourselves in such major affairs,” Sindra said with a resigned sigh.
“Please send us a copy of your system’s logs for docuntation,” Ding requested, offering a cordial smile. “And let’s grab a drink soti.”
“Of course,” Sindra replied with a matching smile. “I’ll be heading back to get so rest.”
---
As Sindra’s car pulled away from the cri scene, it stopped a few streets later outside a 24-hour convenience store. The door opened, and a man in a black coat climbed in, taking the seat beside Sindra.
The newcor exhaled deeply. “Boss, good to see you.”
Pulling back his hood, the man revealed his perpetually cheerful face: Li Chengyi.
“What’s going on? Care to explain?” Sindra asked, his tone calm but firm.
“My apologies for involving you, boss, but I can’t tell you everything,” Li Chengyi admitted. He knew Sindra would have pieced together parts of the truth. Without a support team or hackers to cover his tracks, there were too many loose ends.
However, he was confident that Sindra wouldn’t realize one crucial detail: that the so-called enhanced cyborg wasn’t just connected to him—it **was** him.
“Sindra,” Li Chengyi said with a grin, “I’ll make it up to you one day.”
Sindra looked at him thoughtfully. “You’re smart. Do you really think all this is worth it?”
“Boss, don’t forget—I’m a Dead-Ender,” Li Chengyi replied simply.
Sindra fell silent.
Dead-Enders were dood individuals, living on borrowed ti in the face of inevitable demise. For them, concepts like “worth” held little aning. They were already living against the odds.
“You’re playing a dangerous ga,” Sindra warned.
“I’m not planning to die just yet,” Li Chengyi said with a confident smile. “I still have plans to share a victory drink with you soday.”
For a mont, Sindra was struck by the sheer self-assurance in Li Chengyi’s eyes. It reminded him of soone else—a man nad Lian, who had once stood in his office with the sa unshakable conviction, declaring that he would find a way to escape the Dead-End and live.
“I hope you an it,” Sindra said finally, extending a hand.
Li Chengyi shook it firmly. “I will.”
---
The next morning, at **Imperial Garden Florist**, a black-clad figure stood silently before the grand entrance. Purple wisteria patterns glinted faintly on his armor as he gazed at the softly glowing lights within.
“So people think they’re invincible,” Li Chengyi murmured.
He stepped forward, pushing the door open.
“Unfortunately, they’re wrong.”
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