On my second playthrough, they were full of malice towards me.

They orchestrated a "hero saves the beauty" scenario for Luo Xiaoji, hoping to not only keep him around but also use the girl "Yan Yan" as a pretext to later frame her as an enemy spy who deliberately approached Luo Xiaoji and extracted crucial information from him, leading to a security breach at the press conference.

Given Luo Xiaoji's background and connections, Kyle Technology will likely have no choice but to suffer in silence.

On the other hand, William is now implying that the Blackfire Gang is after Luo Xiaoji. If something really happens, the Quess Group, which he represents, will immediately point the finger at the Blackfire Gang.

Although Liao Ji didn't know about the Kuis Group, judging from the attitudes of many people towards this group, destroying the Black Fire Gang would probably be a piece of cake.

In this way, it's as if the Blackfire Gang worked for William, ruined the press conference, and then William used their own power to kill them and silence them, leaving William completely untainted and clean.

Now Liao Ji only has one question left: why would William go to so much trouble to ruin the press conference he had painstakingly planned?

Regarding this point, the 86 in my ear provided the answer.

Liao Ji pretended to be browsing the Blackfire Gang intelligence that William had just sent him, but in reality, 86 had already passed another news item to Liao Ji.

This is an internal company document from Keltech, showing that the company held a board meeting last night. In the photo, you can see William's figure, as he is very tall and conspicuous.

Despite being the general manager, he seemed like a nobody on the board, forever relegated to standing behind another, seemingly superior, director who was extremely obese and bloated.

Liao Ji narrowed his eyes. He noticed that although the document did not specify the content of the meeting, its purpose was to commend Director Ellen for her outstanding performance in the Zero Dream Special Administrative Department. The entire document was an affirmation and reward of Director Ellen's work, without mentioning William's name at all. Even the press conference that followed was said to have been organized by Director Ellen.

Liao Ji doesn't need to read any further from here.

It seems that parachuting in leaders works in any world.

However, on Earth, one might have no choice but to swallow one's anger.

But here

[Director Ellen stated that she will be present at the press conference as a company representative to give a formal introduction to reporters and various media outlets.]

After taking one last look at the words "being there in person," Liao Ji put away the virtual tablet in his hand.

Sitting opposite him, Steward William still maintained his amiable and humble demeanor, but who would have thought that behind the scenes he was ruthless and vicious?

Liao Ji wasn't interested in the power struggles within Kyle Technology, but that didn't stop him from being happy to see the press conference becoming increasingly muddy.

The only thing Liao Ji felt he needed to be careful about was having Luo Xiaoji by his side on the day of the press conference. After all, he had used Luo Xiaoji before, and ensuring his safety would be a way of repaying that debt.

"Speaking of which, Mr. Liao Ji, you mentioned earlier that you also had something to discuss with me?"

"Oh, that? I just wanted to ask if Steward William knows anyone at the Dream Surveillance Bureau?"

Control One once said that their core chips are stored in reality and are guarded by the Dream City's Dream Inspection Bureau. Since William took the initiative to contact her, she might as well continue to use this connection to gain more connections and resources.

Seeing William's puzzled look, Liao Ji quickly explained, "Chairwoman Diane is very interested in Kyle Technology's branding technology and has the intention to invest. She hopes to learn more about Zero Dream, the origin of branding, from multiple perspectives."

After this explanation, Steward William immediately understood.

"It's quite a coincidence that, after you, the next person who wants to meet with me is someone from the Dream Inspection Bureau. Perhaps Dr. Liao Ji, you could wait here for a moment?"

Chapter 229 What are your thoughts on the Ash Emperor?

When the people from the Dream Inspection Bureau were coming, Liao Ji naturally wouldn't refuse. During the break, William and Liao Ji chatted for a while.

"I just heard from my staff that Dr. Liao Ji had a very pleasant conversation with Professor Einstein and discussed many topics about the Emperor. I really admire Dr. Liao Ji's academic expertise, which allows him to have in-depth exchanges with such an academic authority."

"I wouldn't say I was very happy; rather, Professor Einstein pointed out and corrected many of my mistakes."

"Ah, Dr. Liao, you're too modest. To be honest, I've always had a question about the Emperor that I'd like to ask. Since I have some free time, I'd like to know your opinion on such a legendary figure as the 'Emperor of Ashes'?"

After this question, Steward William genuinely appeared to be listening attentively, and Liao Ji, after a moment's thought, spoke directly without much delay:

"In my opinion, the Ashbringer is more of a symbol of an era than a historical figure."

“A symbol of the times?” William clearly did not understand.

"Yes, I believe that even without Ash, there will be another Emperor of Ember, Emperor of Darkness, Emperor of Dark Ash. The era of Turbid Calamity will surely end, and the world will surely be redeemed. An emperor is a symbol of salvation, and everyone has the potential to become an emperor. It just so happens that this time it was someone named 'Ash' who took it, that's all."

It was clear that Liao Ji's words had completely exceeded William's expectations, leaving the steward speechless for a long time before he seemed to recover.

William then said with some admiration, "Should I say that Dr. Liao Ji's perspective is novel, or bold? I have never heard any scholar dare to evaluate the Emperor like this before. You are the first. Indeed, there is a reason why Professor Einstein would chat with you."

“However,” William changed the subject.

“I’m sorry, Dr. Liao, but my thoughts are exactly the opposite of yours. You believe that the times create people, but I think that this is an era created by people.”

"It's not that this world will necessarily have a great emperor; rather, it's because of the ashes that the world was saved, and that we can sit here and chat."

"Speaking of which, Dr. Liao Ji, have you ever heard of the organization called the Old Alliance?"

Before Liao Ji could answer, William continued as if talking to himself: "I only learned about this organization a few years ago. Legend has it that the members of this organization call themselves 'The Forgotten Ones' because their ancestors were all subordinates abandoned and discarded by the Emperor."

"I conducted an in-depth investigation and discovered many ancient secrets from the past, such as human transmutation. Legend has it that the Great Emperor would select those with similar abilities, strip them of all their abilities, and finally combine them into one person."

"In addition, the Emperor would raise certain races with special abilities, known as 'special forces,' like livestock, to continuously reproduce and expand their population in the rear. This way, when a certain type of special force is needed on the front lines, it can be used immediately like bullets."

"For example, the Emperor would deliberately put some of his subordinates, or even his trusted confidants, in perilous situations, just to force out their potential."

William gave Liao Ji many examples, using the old alliance as a clue to investigate the emperor's various cruel acts, but afterwards, he showed Liao Ji a look of "longing".

"Dr. Liao Ji, please don't misunderstand. What I'm saying isn't an accusation against the Emperor. On the contrary, I truly admire the Ash Emperor. Because if it were me, I really couldn't remain calm and composed, so ruthless, rational, cruel, and cold-blooded. All of this was for the sake of victory and fighting against the Turbid Calamity."

“Dr. Liao Ji, I believe you feel the same way, because we are all human beings, and human beings have feelings. And to some extent, feelings are precisely the biggest obstacle to our progress, aren’t they?”

"If the cruel old world had not abandoned humanity and everything else, the world would probably have ended in destruction."

"That's why I believe that not everyone can become an emperor. Looking back over five hundred years of history, only Ash has truly managed to abandon his emotions and be willing to sacrifice his humanity in exchange for the salvation of the world. Just thinking about that sin and psychological pressure makes my heart tremble. I'm sure there will never be another Ash in this world."

William let out a long sigh, leaned back slightly in his chair, and looked up at the ceiling, as if he were talking to Liao Ji, or perhaps he was muttering to himself.

"It's a pity I wasn't born in that era. Otherwise, I would have risked my life to join the ranks of the Ashes, hoping to have a word with that great emperor."

Liao Ji sensed a hint of excitement and agitation from William.

The "longing" color that appeared earlier indicates that William regards the Emperor of Ash as his goal, someone he wants to become.

But his current trembling excitement seems to suggest that William feels he is moving forward on this path, chasing after the Emperor's shadow. In a way, he sees himself as the successor of the Ash Emperor, or rather, the successor of the Emperor's spirit.

And what he calls the spirit of the Great Emperor is...

sacrifice.

To achieve a grand goal, one can abandon everything, even the spirit of humanity.

As for what William now considers an equally great goal that can lead humanity towards progress and prosperity, perhaps it is...

Suddenly, an AI notification popped up on the desk in William's office, indicating that a visitor had arrived. Through the AI's monitoring footage, a mother and child could be seen anxiously waiting outside William's office.

William gestured to the AI ​​screen to allow passage, and the office door immediately opened, letting the mother and child in.

Liao Ji scanned the area and realized that these must be the people from the Dream Monitoring Bureau that William had mentioned, but their appearance was quite different from what Liao Ji had imagined.

The oversight bureau, a government department, appeared very nervous and restrained in front of William, a company executive. Even the mother holding her son's hand was trembling slightly.

As for the little boy being led by his mother, perhaps because he was still young, he seemed much more relaxed than his mother, simply looking around the manager's office with his big, curious, and excited eyes.

Formal meetings certainly wouldn't involve bringing relatives; this would be a private meeting.

"Mr. William's" mother glanced at Liao Ji sitting on the sofa, then quickly shifted her gaze to the steward in front of the desk.

"Mrs. Grand, there's no need for that. Just call me William. Are you here again because of your husband?"

"Yes, that's right, Lord William. David's birthday is the day after tomorrow. Could you please give my husband a day off, just one day, no, even half a day would be fine!"

Faced with Mrs. Grand's pleading, William looked apologetic, and as usual, asked her to sit down, made her a cup of tea, and then said regretfully:

“I’m sorry, madam, your husband has important business to attend to right now, and even I don’t have the authority to contact him. It’s very likely that he won’t be able to reunite with his family for a while. I’m very sorry about that.”

"Important task. Lord William, please tell me the truth, is my husband... is he inside Dream Zero?" The mother seemed to lose control of her emotions, covering her mouth and trembling all over, her voice choked with sobs.

Seeing this, the little boy next to his mother became anxious and confused. He asked in his childish voice, "Mommy, don't cry! Don't cry! I, I'm okay. It's okay if Daddy doesn't come to the birthday party. I, I'm fine!"

"You don't understand David, you don't understand."

The mother hugged the little boy tightly. After a while, William saw that his mother's emotions had stabilized a bit, so he spoke up to comfort her, "Madam, I'm really sorry, but this is the path your husband chose himself. He signed a contract with the company, and all I can do after that is to inform you as soon as I get the news."

"Understood, I understand, thank you, Lord William."

The mother was in a daze and was about to turn around and leave with her son when William introduced Liao Ji to her.

Upon hearing that Liao Ji was an expert in ancient studies and had extensive knowledge of the old world, the mother immediately thought that if her husband could learn some ancient studies from a great scholar like Liao Ji after he was released, it would be a lifesaver for his current job!

Therefore, the mother immediately showed great respect to Liao Ji. When Liao Ji wanted to learn about the Dream Inspection Bureau, she readily agreed and arranged to meet him at the coffee shop this afternoon after she settled David at home.

Chapter 230 What I've Always Been Doing

Cat Ear Cafe.

Liao Ji ordered a hot chocolate and found a seat by the window. A short while later, a middle-aged woman in a business suit pushed open the door and walked over quickly after seeing Liao Ji by the window.

"I'm so sorry, Professor. I didn't expect you to arrive so early. I'm sure I've kept you waiting."

The middle-aged woman kept apologizing until Liao Ji waved his hand several times before finally sitting down opposite him.

"Mrs. Grand, before we get down to business, may I ask you a more personal question?"

"You mean...?"

"Don't be nervous. I'm just curious. I heard from William that you hold a high position in the Dream Inspection Bureau, and are in charge of a department. If that's the case, why does your husband still want to..."

Liao Ji didn't need to elaborate further; his meaning was clear. In his view, Mrs. Grand's family, even if not wealthy, was at least middle class. If that was the case, why would she go to Zero Dream as an explorer and do such a high-risk job that puts her life at risk?

The woman opposite paused, clenched her fist, then relaxed it, before shaking her head and smiling wryly:

"Professor, you are from the Demon City, so you may think that government employees like me have a lot of power. But in reality, we don't have much decision-making power. The real management of the Supervision Bureau is still done by the major companies."

"Major companies?"

"Yes, the Mechanical Alliance was originally managed by the super-intelligent machine life form 'Zero,' so there was no tradition of a government. The current government was established after 'Zero' went into hibernation, funded by various major companies and conglomerates. Dream City's tax revenue is very low, which is not enough to support the government. All our expenses and sources of income mainly rely on donations from companies and enterprises."

After listening to Mrs. Grand's words, Liao Jicai realized his preconceived notions.

Indeed, the role of the government seems to be perfectly replaced by a super AI like "Zero," which is even more fair, just, and comprehensive. However, the negative consequence is that, without "Zero," the inexperienced new government has become a puppet of companies and conglomerates.

“My husband used to work at the supervisory bureau, just like me. We took out a loan with our savings to buy a house so we could get married. Our combined salaries were just enough to pay off the mortgage each month, and sometimes we could even save a little bit.”

"But then we had David. My husband said he didn't want David to end up like us, mediocre, and wanted to give him a good education so that he could one day become a company employee. So we sold our house and took out a loan several times the amount to buy a house in the school district next to Kyle Academy. This way, David would be eligible to attend the elementary school invested in by Kyle Technology. As long as he gets good grades, he can follow this path step by step to Kyle University and then join Kyle Technology."

"But whether it's the tuition fees for these private schools, the high mortgage payments for school district housing, or David's daily needs—he can no longer eat cheap, nutritionally deficient synthetic foods like we do, and needs to buy the advanced teaching equipment required by private schools—all these expenses are simply unaffordable for the two of us government employees. Our savings are almost depleted, which is why Bill used his last remaining connections in the Oversight Bureau to apply to Kyle Technology."

Hearing this, Liao Ji couldn't help but interrupt, "Wait a minute, submit an application? This kind of job requires an application?"