The Mystery of the Inner Demon

Chapter 222 Niche Hobbies
The answers I got from Ji Peng and Xu Liang were the same: the strangely titled novel by this guy called "Neuromancer" had a writing style very similar to Cyber ​​Killer.

After obtaining the full text of the novel from the writing platform, Qi Fei also read the novel, titled "After the Anchor Point Failed, I Was Reborn in the Third Dimension." The entire novel had a cold, computer-like style, making it difficult to understand. Qi Fei's mind wandered while reading.

"Damn it, this is no different from reading textbooks when I was in school. It's too brain-draining." He leaned his entire weight on the back of the chair, forcing himself to read this unconventional novel.

Zhong Kui, who was also doing her homework, was in a completely different state. She rested her chin on one hand and occasionally dragged the mouse with the other, watching with great interest: "I've been cramming on online novels these past few days. This person's work is the best quality and most profound in meaning that I've ever read."

Qi Fei turned his chair towards Zhong Kui: "Are we reading the same novel?"

"However, for ordinary readers like you, it is indeed difficult to read. Essentially, reading online novels is a form of entertainment, not serious literary study. It is a kind of popular culture, and the public's pursuit of popular culture is nothing more than conformity, admiration for the powerful, and voyeurism. Novels that can bring pleasure and relaxation will have a higher acceptance rate. So, even if his novel hadn't been reported by Hao Weiwei, the readership data would probably have been mediocre."

"It's completely unnecessary for Hao Weiwei to provoke this person," Zhong Kui said calmly.

"Ha, this was a completely unnecessary move that even cost me my life." Qi Fei put his phone on his desk.

"How could someone who isn't foolish bring about their own demise? Even the cyberspace in science fiction is still driven by human consciousness. Besides, the real-world internet may seem virtual, but it's actually only a network cable away from real humans."

He thought that by entering the online world, he could completely change his life, how pathetic.

I don't know about others, but for a cyber assassin, removing Hao Weiwei's cyber mask doesn't seem difficult. However, this seems to be a double-edged sword.

"Ugh! Don't even mention it." Qi Fei sighed with frustration. "It's all because of how this guy tracks netizens. He's very cautious; you can hardly find any content related to this 'neuromaniac' on public social media platforms. He never comments, let alone argues with Hao Weiwei online. We asked the writing platform, and all the identity information he uploaded was fake, even the account for receiving royalties was fabricated."

Ironically, because the novel was so obscure, the 'neuromancer' received negligible royalties, causing the writing platform's finance department to overlook the failed payment.

“False information is still information. No one can completely fabricate something unrelated to themselves; human thought has its origins. His bank account number ends in 888, obviously to circumvent bank card verification algorithms. This person must know something about banking. Also, the bank where he opened the account and his ID number are from two different districts of Baicheng. Can you guess why?” Zhong Kui finished speaking, her thick eyelashes fluttering, and the corners of her mouth lifting, as if she had found an Easter egg in a game.

"You mean, this person is very likely working in the banking system in Baicheng?" Qi Fei was skeptical, after all, the answer seemed so obvious yet came so quickly.

Zhong Kui remained noncommittal: "Anyway, you don't know who he is, so we're just trying anything. However, there are thousands or even tens of thousands of bank employees, even just in Baicheng. This characteristic obviously doesn't meet your screening requirements. But it doesn't matter. A person who loves science fiction might not appear in the online novel circle, but it's hard to say whether he won't appear in the science fiction fan circle."

Let alone Baicheng, there probably aren't many people in the whole country who have read the novel "Neuromancer".

Moreover, after reading this cyber killer's novel, I realized something: it wasn't that he was deliberately imitating AI's writing style, but rather that he and AI shared a similar input method. "Input method? I don't really understand."

"Hmm~ You know I like to do thorough research on things that interest me. During this time, besides delving into online literature, I've also looked into AI, this emerging technology. The content presented by AI is closely related to the materials it's fed. Although I don't know exactly how much literature-related content it's been fed, one thing I'm sure of is that the amount of traditional literature in AI's database is definitely much greater than that of most contemporary humans."

Readers accustomed to online novels will naturally find its expression strange, as it blends various literary styles. Clearly, our cyber killer also has a higher level of traditional literary training than most people.

Guess what: someone who appreciates traditional literature prefers reading on a computer or holding a physical book?

"Um... a physical book?"

"Yes, and a lot of physical books. White City, banks, bookstores, niche science fiction works. These elements might make your trip to White City worthwhile."

“Okay! Let’s go to Baicheng now. But…” Qi Fei carefully observed Zhong Kui’s expression and asked cautiously, “Will you come with me?”

Zhong Kui, or rather Zhong Xiaoyu, is from Baicheng.

Qi Fei's first trip to Baicheng was for Zhong Xiaoyu, and he will never forget what he learned there.

He knew what Baicheng meant to Zhong Xiaoyu. He had witnessed Zhong Kui's breakdown, and it was self-evident how dangerous Baicheng was for her.

Unexpectedly, Zhong Kui casually tossed her hair and said, "Of course, I've wanted to go to this city for a long time." Then she looked Qi Fei up and down, extending her slender, fair fingers to trace Qi Fei's cheek. "What are you afraid of?"

“Because it’s Baicheng…” Qi Fei’s eyes were full of worry.

To his surprise, Zhong Kui's eyes were filled with excitement, even a hint of madness: "That's for Zhong Xiaoyu. As for me, she went to great lengths to build a high wall between me and Baicheng. This is a good opportunity to test just how strong this mental defense is!"

"You're trying to provoke Zhong Xiaoyu."

“It’s not provocation, it’s fighting for freedom.” Zhong Kui raised an eyebrow, her cool fingers lightly tapping Qi Fei’s chin. “She’s like a mother hen, she doesn’t let me do so many things, but she also gave me a rebellious streak that she didn’t have.”