Artificial Intelligence and Mecha

He rubbed his hands together.

Han Fei put his hand in.

He fished the familiar bottle out of the water.

A glowing stone?

Han Fei stared at it in bewilderment.

"The only downside to these drifting bottles is that you never know what's inside. Hmm? Wait."

Han Fei noticed there was something else inside.

He tipped it out.

It was half a bloodstained sheet of paper.

And it was written in Chinese!

"Shadow Realm... Light-Shadow Stone... armor... the summoner isn't the key... bloodline..."

Han Fei's expression gradually turned serious.

"Looks like I'm a European Emperor."

After carefully putting everything away,

Han Fei grinned happily.

Then he decided to go out and visit the night market.

As one of the largest cities in the country, Juxia City was unrivaled in its prosperity.

Especially at night.

In recent years, rapid development had brought plenty of new nightlife as well.

Stalls selling all kinds of glowing toys and novelties lined the streets and alleys.

Different but equally enticing aromas filled the air.

Looking at all this, Han Fei's resolve to protect it grew stronger. This was exactly what he wanted to see.

At the very least, people didn't have to worry about their lives and could live in peace.

As for chaos and the like, he didn't like it at all—especially when it was forced upon him!

After parking his car, Han Fei stepped into the crowd.

He joined in the revelry.

But then—

"Why are you here?"

"That's what I wanted to ask you."

Han Fei and a very pretty young woman stared at each other.

Soon, though, they started walking together, chatting as they went.

"You have time to come to the night market? Shouldn't you be cooped up in your office building every day, busy with business?"

"Qi Lin, do you think all rich people are so busy they can't even touch the ground?"

That's right. The beauty in front of him was a First Generation Super Soldier of the Divine River Civilization.

"Hmm? Aren't they?" Qi Lin asked with a hint of playfulness.

Han Fei shrugged and didn't bother to argue.

"By the way, thank you for what you did for my dad."

Qi Lin suddenly spoke up.

Han Fei smiled. "Don't mention it. Besides, you already thanked me by treating me to a meal before. There's no need to do it again."

Qi Lin shook her head.

"No, I'm really grateful. If it weren't for you, my dad would probably be in the hospital right now. A simple thank-you isn't enough. If you ever need anything, you can come to me."

Han Fei glanced at her.

He couldn't see how someone who hadn't awakened her genes yet and didn't even hold a higher position than her father could help him.

Oh, wait.

It wasn't that she couldn't.

Her long, silky hair, delicate face, long, straight, pale legs, playful yet considerate personality, and fantastic figure—

She was practically the perfect girlfriend.

Wait.

He shook his head.

He cast aside those filthy, depraved thoughts.

Falling in love right now would be disrespectful to his own life.

Han Fei's expression returned to normal.

Besides, turning her into a lover didn't really serve his interests.

He'd started making new plans two months ago.

At first, he'd befriended Zhao Xin to have someone powerful on his side. After his Golden Finger awakened, they gradually became brothers, but it hadn't changed the plot much.

As for what came next, Han Fei didn't want to change too much before the story began.

So there were some people he couldn't approach casually.

Ge Xiaolun, for example. Liu Chuang, too.

They were both under surveillance. Getting close to them would bring many harms and only one benefit.

But Qi Lin was different!

She was a First Generation Super Soldier of the Divine River Civilization, and wasn't under Deno's surveillance.

So—

Two months ago, Han Fei had arranged for his people to save Qi Lin's father during an attack.

That was how he'd made the connection.

And now, if he took advantage of that connection, it would be best not to mix in any romantic feelings.

"Hey?"

"Hey?!"

"Huh?"

The voice right beside his ear was a little loud.

It startled Han Fei.

Qi Lin stood with her hands on her hips, staring at him with an exasperated expression.

"Why did you zone out just now?"

"Nothing. I was thinking about a business deal worth tens of billions."

"..."

Qi Lin was at a loss for words. The guy really could negotiate deals worth tens of billions, so all she could do was shoot Han Fei a sideways glance.

"But after thinking it over, I decided to pass on that big deal."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because now isn't the right time."

Han Fei looked at her with a smile.

Qi Lin perked up. "Listen, I know I can't compete with you when it comes to business, but I think you have to seize an opportunity when it comes along. Otherwise, someone else might snatch it up. Or are you saying you don't care about a deal worth tens of billions? No way, right? No way!"

For some reason, Han Fei felt like laughing.

"Well, I'm still on the fence about that deal worth tens of billions. But the more I think about it, the more I feel the other party is pretty great. Thanks for the advice. I'll give it some serious thought."

Qi Lin smiled, pleased that her advice might have helped him.

Even her sour mood improved a little.

"We've been walking for ages. Here, have something to eat. The snacks on this street are incredible."

Qi Lin handed Han Fei a skewer of spicy meat and picked up a chicken cutlet for herself.

"I used to work as a city management officer. Back then, if I wanted them to wait a little longer before packing up their stalls, everyone would invite me to eat. Then I'd make a tiny exception for them. Of course, I always paid afterward. It's not easy for people to run a business, so I could only help them out a little like that..."

As she spoke, Qi Lin swallowed a piece of chicken cutlet, leaving a little oil at the corner of her mouth.

Han Fei listened quietly.

Three years in business had taught him to read people well.

He'd keenly sensed that something was bothering Qi Lin. All this talking seemed like a way to let off some steam.

So—

He'd stay quiet and just listen.

"Here, this blood sausage is really good, and this too..."

Han Fei accepted everything she offered.

One skewer after another.

Chapter Eight: Artificial Intelligence and Mechanical Intelligence

Time trickled by.

Qi Lin looked like she'd eaten too much.

She kept burping.

"Ah, this is bad. I ate too much. I'll have to run ten kilometers tomorrow."

Qi Lin looked regretful.

Han Fei just smiled.

Then he ate another chicken cutlet.

Losing weight?

That had nothing to do with him.

Training in Eight Extremes Heaven was grueling, with a huge amount of exercise—especially the foundational Body Tempering.

After all, if Body Tempering failed, he wouldn't be able to withstand training in the other eight extreme combat styles.

So he had a huge appetite now. A little oil was nothing.

"It's getting late. Want me to take you home?" Han Fei asked.

"Sorry, Weilan said she's almost here. She's picking me up so we can leave together," Qi Lin said apologetically.

"Sure, no problem. I'll head off, then."

"Okay. Wait—let's add each other on QQ." Qi Lin called Han Fei back.