The Exchange Game Starting with Lu Mingfei

Chapter 28 Negotiation

"Identities confirmed: Wanted targets Chu Zihang and Lu Mingfei."

The photo disappeared, and a blood-red warning box appeared in the center of the screen.

"New charge: Illegally kidnapping the head of the Uesugi Erii family of the Snake-Headed Eight Families."

Without saying a word, Chu Zihang took out C4 and threw it directly onto Kaguya's main computer.

Princess Kaguya remained silent.

In the cold, empty space, only the almost inaudible electrical hum emanating from inside the mainframe, its frequency fine and even, like the breathing of some kind of machine. The indicator lights of the supercomputing array flickered, forming a hesitant sea of ​​light in the darkness.

Even with the computing power of super artificial intelligence, it's impossible to figure out how to break the deadlock when the enemy has important hostages on one's own side, the hostages are siding with the enemy, and one's own side has lost its most important protective measures and has no guards.

"Who is your highest authority?" Chu Zihang asked.

It's unrealistic to blow up Kaguya in such a confined space, especially when your team has a fragile character.

If it were up to him, Chu Zihang would not hesitate to detonate the bomb. With his bloodline, he would most likely survive the explosion.

But Lu Mingfei might not be the same.

As he asked this question, he looked at Erii. If the highest authority over Princess Kaguya could be changed to this Uesugi family head, then Princess Kaguya wouldn't necessarily have to be blown up.

Although no one knows why, the head of the Uesugi family seems to be completely infatuated with Lu Mingfei, and he is willing to destroy even his own property.

But even if it's changed, it'll probably be changed back, so the best solution is to just blow up Princess Kaguya.

Princess Kaguya did not answer, clearly indicating her intention to refuse to cooperate.

"Senior brother, Princess Kaguya is, after all, Erii's property. Let's just damage a part of it so it can be repaired later," Huo Yuhao said kindly.

Chu Zihang understood and raised his knife: "Then let's cut this screen first. This shouldn't affect Kaguya's computing power."

Princess Kaguya: ...

It doesn't affect computing power, but this screen is very expensive!

"We can negotiate." The emotionless, mechanical female voice finally rang out. "I can withdraw the warrant for your arrest."

Chu Zihang's figure suddenly lengthened in the cold light of the screen.

There was no sound of wind when Murasame was drawn, only the slight tremor of the blade cutting through the air. The arc of light precisely pierced the center of the display screen, like a hot knife cutting into solidified fat. The huge screen froze for a moment, then cracks exploded from the cut like lightning, and the glass surface emitted a faint, mournful sound of shattering crystals.

Snowflake patterns spread wildly from the depths of the crack, engulfing the entire image. The last glimmer of white light struggled and flickered among the pixels before finally extinguishing completely. Darkness surged in like a tide, leaving only the indicator lights on the massive mainframe still flashing.

"Your sword is quite nice, Senior Brother." Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow. "I'll upgrade it for you later."

Recalling the madmen in the Equipment Department from Lu Mingfei's memory, Huo Yuhao added, "I won't secretly plant bombs on it."

Chu Zihang nodded slightly.

"Princess Kaguya, who is your highest authority?" Chu Zihang repeated.

"Patriarch, Tachibana Masamune."

"That makes sense," Chu Zihang said, looking at Huo Yuhao. "Should we continue negotiating?"

"Of course we should talk," Huo Yuhao said to Kaguya. "What do you think, Kaguya?"

"State your request."

This super artificial intelligence is different from Norma in Kassel College; she is absolutely rational and has no anthropomorphic qualities.

Therefore, she was merely a tool.

Since it's a tool, it can be used.

Can I trust your credibility?

"Our negotiations will not be known to anyone in the Hebi-Hachika family except for the head of the Uesugi family, including the patriarch Tachibana Masamune and the acting patriarch Genji Chisei."

"Alright, I'll reluctantly believe you." Huo Yuhao believed that if Tachibana Masamune used his highest authority to interrogate her, Kaguya would still break her promise, but that didn't matter. "I have three requests."

"Please speak," Kaguya's voice remained completely calm.

"First, under no circumstances should any information about Erii appear on any electronic product."

"It is my duty to protect the personal information security of the head of the Uesugi family."

Huo Yuhao emphasized, "What I want is your answer, and even if it's ordered by Genjiro and Tachibana Masamune, it's not allowed!"

As a way of repaying Erii for bringing them here, Huo Yuhao needs to ensure that Erii's escape from home and playtime is smooth and safe during this period.

This instruction has been incorporated into the underlying instruction code.

Chu Zihang glanced at Huo Yuhao, feeling that this was pointless.

Whether Princess Kaguya actually wrote this command is something no one present could verify. Even if she did write it, perhaps she had a backup plan?

But Chu Zihang didn't say anything. He was just a henchman for now. He would cut wherever Huo Yuhao told him to.

"Second," Huo Yuhao said, taking out the phone the little devil had given him, "you are not allowed to monitor this phone."

This instruction has been incorporated into the underlying instruction code.

"Third, monitor the actions of Tachibana Masamune and Genjiro. If there are any major changes in the Hebiki Hachike family, send me a message immediately."

Princess Kaguya remained silent for twenty seconds.

Chu Zihang raised his knife.

But Princess Kaguya's answer remained negative: "This instruction deeply violates the underlying protocol—the system refuses to execute it."

Huo Yuhao clicked his tongue in amazement.

So it really won't work?

"Never mind then," Huo Yuhao said, no longer insisting. "Senior brother, cut down a few machines so she can't use them for the next few days."

Now that we've covered the principles, let's move on to physics.

"You're breaking the agreement!"

Princess Kaguya's mechanical voice finally cracked, its tone forcibly raised, accompanied by a piercing hiss of electricity.

Huo Yuhao's tone was colder and more ruthless than a robot's: "If I had broken the agreement, it would be your core that's been cut off right now. I never said I wouldn't do anything to you. The conditions you gave only allowed me to not completely destroy you. Kaguya-hime, you should rest for a few days."

Erii watched Chu Zihang chopping away with great enthusiasm, then tilted her head and tugged at Huo Yuhao's sleeve.

"Go ahead," Huo Yuhao said with a smile.

The head of the Uesugi family just wanted to experience the feeling of cutting down machines, what did she do wrong?

After Chu Zihang and Erii destroyed part of the mainframe, Princess Kaguya fell silent.

The indicator lights, which had been flashing like ominous, blood-red stars, went out completely.

In the pitch black, Chu Zihang removed his colored contact lenses, revealing his golden eyes that would never be extinguished.

"Senior brother, then we'll have to rely on you to lead the way."

This is 300 meters underground; they need to get back to the surface as soon as possible.

"Follow me."

Erii, holding onto Huo Yuhao's clothes in the darkness, followed him through the corridor and into the elevator shaft.

So here's the problem: going down this elevator shaft is easy, but going up is difficult!

Given: The target floor is 60 meters directly above, the elevator is out of service, and there is no backup staircase.

Q: How do I get to the next level?