Chapter 1163: Equal Exchange Is the Core of How the World Operates
The "City Sand Table" was an A-grade item obtained through a transaction with the base government at the W37 base. This item was half a meter in length and width, more like a chessboard, with six small models representing people and buildings on it. After mental power had evolved to a certain level, one could move these six models, thereby moving the corresponding buildings and players. However, Xu Huo's current evolution level was far from being able to control a city with the sand table, so he hadn't used it since acquiring it.
The reason he was taking it out now was that his mental power and the Magician's mental power overlapped and covered this area. Coupled with the cube space, the area around the experimental building had actually become very chaotic. Perhaps the "City Sand Table" could work. Even if it couldn't move buildings, it might be able to move people—specifically, move himself.
Under the influence of "Angel's Fangs," the space pyramid seemed unable to complete its final step, failing to successfully cap itself. It was clear the Magician was quite surprised. He spread his hands apart and then brought them together, causing the pyramid to rapidly collapse and rebuild, successfully spitting out "Angel's Fangs."
At that moment, Xu Huo managed to nudge the character model on the sand table—only moving it one square, but it worked. He moved himself out of the pyramid's encirclement!
However, this action consumed a tremendous amount of energy. So, after escaping the pyramid, he immediately put the item away and distanced himself from the Magician.
After failing to trap him twice, the Magician also withdrew the pyramid. Whether this placed a mental burden on him as well was unclear, but in any case, he didn't use the pyramid again afterward.
The sudden collapse of the experimental building had already attracted the attention of the Special Defense Department and the local government. A large number of players were rushing towards the area, and the sound of sirens could be heard from afar.
Xu Huo and the Magician landed on the ruins one after another, a hundred meters apart. Neither made another move. After standing still for three seconds, they each retreated in different directions, tacitly ending the battle.
Having had little rest for several consecutive days and continuously using his mental power, Xu Huo felt extremely fatigued. After leaving the experimental building, he found a hotel at random to rest in—he had dealt with most of the people on the list Nie Xuan had given him. His affairs were basically concluded. Any subsequent turmoil was not his concern.
Gu Yu called him, briefly explaining the Special Defense Department's actions over the past few days. Just in Jing City alone, they had swiftly dismantled several cult organizations or player criminal gangs. Their efficiency was so high that even other players watching from the sidelines felt uneasy.
"I knew the Special Defense Department was formidable, but I didn't expect them to be this formidable," Gu Yu remarked with emotion. "This time, I doubt many player organizations will dare to openly challenge them. Their only option is to keep their heads down."
"But I heard quite a few people in the government were assassinated too," she added with a hint of mystery. "Do you know where this news leaked from?"
"The Special Defense Department?" Xu Huo said casually.
"How did you know?" Gu Yu was a bit surprised. "I thought this was inside information."
"High-level government news doesn't leak easily. If it does, it can only come from someone involved," Xu Huo said. As one of the participants, he hadn't told anyone else. Nie Xuan probably wouldn't be talkative, so it had to be the players involved in the on-site security. Some Special Defense Department players must have been temporarily assigned there.
If high-ranking government officials didn't treat Evolvers as people, they didn't treat players as people either. When the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold. Players would naturally worry that such people might eventually turn their attention to them.
"I hope both the government and the Special Defense Department will act like human beings," Gu Yu said. "Day in and day out, even going home for the New Year is nerve-wracking."
"It should be fine for now. Take your friends from the association back. I'll come find you all tomorrow."
Gu Yu already knew he wasn't in the safe zone, given the commotion the Special Defense Department made looking for him when he first disappeared.
After reminding him to be careful, she hung up.
Xu Huo slept at the hotel and took a flight the next morning.
Unexpectedly, shortly after the plane took off, the Magician sat down opposite him again. However, this time his makeup was much more normal. He looked like a young man in poor health, wearing a suit and glasses, appearing refined and polite.
Xu Huo wasn't sure if his face was real, but without the makeup, there was a definite pallor.
Xu Huo was having breakfast. He paused and asked if the Magician wanted a portion, adding, "You're not planning another performance on the plane, are you?"
The Magician didn't answer his question. He ordered breakfast and ate facing Xu Huo.
After finishing the meal, he elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth. "I've been following you for the past few days. I don't quite understand why you do things that are thankless and bring no benefit."
"You mean injecting them with Evolver blood?" Xu Huo took a sip of water. "It doesn't seem difficult to me."
The Magician placed his hands on the small table, conjuring a playing card and flipping it between his fingers. "So you went to all that trouble with the killing methods just to get back at those people. In that case, you should have left your name afterward, or simply not bothered to hide your identity. Otherwise, no one will thank you."
Xu Huo used his index finger to push his water glass aside. "I did all this purely because I felt like it. It has little to do with anyone else. As for what they might think, that's none of my concern."
The clown face on the metal playing card changed from a crying face to a smiling one. The Magician said, "I once saw an old beggar in a district. When he was young, he inherited a large fortune. He was enthusiastic about charity, established a medical research institute, and invested a huge amount of money every year to treat people who couldn't afford it. He did this until he spent all his inheritance and was even forced to sell his house. The medical research institute he founded changed its name and ownership. The people who once worked for him on his salary suddenly became the bosses, becoming famous philanthropists who gave without expecting anything in return."
"And he ended up on the streets, unable to afford even a single meal."
"People who had once received his kindness walked right past him without giving this old beggar a single cent or a single centimeter of food."
Xu Huo looked up at him. "This story... did you just make it up?"
"It took shape in half a minute," the Magician didn't deny it. He continued, "Only exchanges that go both ways acknowledge the value of both parties involved. For example, if you extend goodwill, you should rightfully accept the other person's gratitude. Otherwise, the next person who offers goodwill and seeks gratitude might have to bear an undeserved cost because of your actions."
"Equal exchange is the core of how the world operates."
"I agree with what you said," Xu Huo replied. "But I don't care about other people's gratitude. I also don't care if the next good deed is attacked. I've said it before—I did this purely because I felt like it."
"If I feel like doing it, I do it. If I don't, I stop."
"However, I am somewhat interested in this 'equal exchange' you mentioned. What do you want to trade with me?"
(Chapter End)