Chapter 255: Chapter 197: Si Ranran Courting Death, Liu Xuan’s Request, a Familiar Feeling
During a call with Guang Ling a few days ago, they’d specifically mentioned something.
"If you need any help at all in Alliance City, you can contact the Capitalist through Guang Ling."
Lin Qi’s thoughts naturally turned to the Capitalist. Based on the abilities the Capitalist had displayed during past operations, they likely held a very important position within the Big Business Alliance and wielded considerable power.
If the Capitalist was willing to help, perhaps the difficulties Liu Xuan was facing could be turned around.
However, Guang Ling had also said something else at the time.
"But there’s a risk that the Capitalist will discover your identity."
This made Lin Qi hesitate.
Until now, Lin Qi had kept his identity perfectly hidden.
The only one who knew of Lin Qi’s identity as a Wizard and a member of the Mercenary Corps was Guang Ling.
If the Capitalist found out his identity, it would inevitably create unnecessary risks.
He could even end up like Jingang, the new Mercenary Corps member, and fall directly under the Capitalist’s control.
’Is it worth doing this for Liu Xuan?’
He hesitated for a long time before Brother Green Hair’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Researcher Lin Qi, what’s wrong? The elevator stopped a while ago."
His thoughts snapped back to reality. Lin Qi looked at Brother Green Hair, his mind drifting to the past.
He had to admit that if he hadn’t acquired his ’golden finger,’ the Door, then Liu Xuan helping him get into Liu’s Heavy Industries would have been a life-changing opportunity—a chance to completely transform himself and leap up the social ladder.
He was, in a sense, indebted to Liu Xuan.
It was as if he had found a reason for his own inclination—or rather, an excuse.
Deep down, Lin Qi wanted to help Liu Xuan.
After knowing her for so many years, even if it was just through daily "chance encounters," Liu Xuan had left her mark on his heart.
Shaking his head, Lin Qi stepped out of the elevator and began to mull over the situation with the Capitalist.
’Guang Ling’s final words were a deliberate warning, a reminder that if I rashly sought the Capitalist’s help, I’d risk my identity being discovered.’
’But a risk isn’t a certainty. That means as long as I handle this correctly, I can still keep my identity a secret.’
He continued down this line of thought.
Lin Qi tried to think from the Capitalist’s perspective to figure out how his identity might be exposed.
’First, one thing’s for sure: I was in Greenfield City. And based on my arrival time, they can deduce I took the Red and Green Train to get there.’
’My name might already be in the Capitalist’s database, but they wouldn’t be able to confirm which name belongs to the ’Wizard’.’
’Second, the key to exposing my identity is my Abilities. I used several signature Abilities in Greenfield City—Blood Manipulation and Rapid Growth. These are all anchors that could pinpoint me. But as long as I don’t use my powers in Alliance City, no one can use them to identify me.’
’Third, and this is the most troublesome part, is my reason for asking the Capitalist for help. My fundamental goal is to find a lifeline for the Liu Clan—or rather, for United Pharmaceutical. There’s no way to hide that.’
’In other words, the moment I ask for help, the Capitalist’s list of suspects will shrink dramatically—perhaps from thousands of names down to ten or so.’
’But it’s not entirely hopeless. As long as the help I ask for is sufficiently discreet...’
How to hide his true objective—or rather, how to wrap it in another layer of deception—was the deciding factor in whether Lin Qi could successfully conceal his identity.
And this whole line of reasoning stemmed from Guang Ling’s hint. Without it, Lin Qi’s thinking wouldn’t have been so thorough, and he likely would have slipped up and been identified by the Capitalist.
He thought as he walked.
Suddenly, Lin Qi shook his head again.
’Hiding my identity is just a habit. So what if the Capitalist discovers who I am?’
’In this Cyber World, no matter your identity, you’ll always be just a pawn in the eyes of the major powers as long as you’re not strong enough.’
’Whether it’s my ’Lin Qi’ identity or my ’Wizard’ identity... Even Liu’s Heavy Industries, a corporation that once seemed incredibly powerful to me, is about to become a sacrificial lamb in the games of the top factions now that they’re in Alliance City.’
’Whether the Capitalist identifies me isn’t what really matters. What always matters is mutual interest, just like my relationship with Guang Ling.’
The Cyber World was, in the end, a world governed by interests and power. Many things didn’t go according to one’s wishes.
Once he’d thought it all through, most of Lin Qi’s indecision vanished.
So what if the Capitalist identified him?
Guang Ling was more important within the Mercenary Corps than the Capitalist was. As long as he could bring benefits to Guang Ling, it meant he had Guang Ling’s protection.
Guang Ling’s protection might not last forever, but Lin Qi didn’t need it to.
In a little over a week at most, Lin Qi would become a Tier Three Wizard.
After becoming a Tier Three Wizard, it would take two months at most for Tier Four to be within his grasp.
Becoming Tier Three would be enough for self-preservation.
Becoming Tier Four would be enough to influence the decisions of a major faction.
His mood had just started to improve.
But then Lin Qi’s brow furrowed once more.
A sensation of a malicious gaze washed over him. Lin Qi immediately activated his Spiritual Vision.
Sure enough, not far in front of him, a long needle condensed from Spiritual Power had silently appeared.
