The Daily Life Of A Cyberpunk Magician

Chapter 273 - 184 Tang... Smile?
Chapter 273: Chapter 184 Tang... Smile?”_3Ding blinked her eyes and played the original sound recording of Liu Tingruo she had prepared earlier, ”Forget it, Jiang Shu, that son of a bitch. Just stay here, it will set his mind at ease too. With his kind of paranoia and pettiness... but no sneaking photos. If you dare, I’ll reset you to factory settings.”

”That’s fine, sister Liu isn’t angry,” Jiang Shu knew from the tone of voice that although Liu Tingruo was really annoyed with this kind of surveillance-based protection, she couldn’t be bothered to deal with him.

Ding: That’s why I still suggest using the Paperman.

”Okay,” Jiang Shu nodded and replaced Ding’s ”Shadow Cutting” with the Derivative Entry · Control Technique, ”Then you go to sister Liu’s place and set up the Paperman properly, and after that head straight to the First District to wait for me.”

Ding: Can Xiao Yi go instead?

”It can’t fly, mobility will be an issue,” Jiang Shu said this in passing, ”If anything comes up, contact me. Go ahead.”

For the first time, Xiao Yi felt relieved that it couldn’t fly, but then it suddenly felt uneasy again and looked down at its little shoed feet.

Does this mean it would have to traverse the earth on these two feet forever?

(´•︵•`)

”Beep beep—” The wristwatch rang, and a message came in.

Jiang Shu looked at the Simulated Light Screen, the message was from Tang.

Tang: The incident at the Special Prison is related to the Deception Group.

Jiang Shu: How do you know?

Tang: Speculation.

Jiang Shu: ...

Tang: This time they’ve gone too far; quite a few people have died because of this incident.

Jiang Shu: Why would they do this?

Tang: Probably aiming to overthrow the entire judicial system of Lonely City. We’ll only know for sure after we catch them.

Jiang Shu: How do you plan to catch them?

Tang: The four people in the Deception Group do not have a close relationship with each other, they only make contact when needed for an operation.

Jiang Shu: How do you know?

Tang: Speculation.

Jiang Shu: ... Okay, so what exactly are you trying to say?

Tang: Nothing much, just to update you on the progress. After all, Wolf has gone to the Thirteen District, and you’re the only one left with whom I can discuss the case. Don’t worry, we’ll bring them to justice soon.

Jiang Shu: Hmm, thanks.

Tang: Also, your Magic Performance tonight was pretty good, but... it would be better if you didn’t switch themes.

”Hmm?” Jiang Shu hummed questioningly through his nose, furrowing his brows slightly with hesitation, and his fingers slowed down as he typed.

Jiang Shu: Thanks, if there’s nothing else, I’m going to sleep. We can talk tomorrow if there’s anything.

Tang: Okay.

The wristwatch turned off, and Jiang Shu leaned back in his recliner, remaining silent for a long time.

Perhaps...

It’s getting interesting.

He turned on his wristwatch again, activating the Simulated Light Screen and sending a message to Wolf.

Jiang Shu: What I’m about to tell you, don’t let it get out.

Wolf: What’s up? I’m on a plane right now, if it’s not urgent, we can talk when I get back.

Jiang Shu: Is the existence of ’Smiley Face’ possible? And... someone from inside the police department.

Wolf: What do you mean?

Jiang Shu: [Forwarded – Message log with Tang]

Jiang Shu: I think Tang is acting strange.

Wolf: Uh... yeah, seems a bit off. Why is he suddenly telling you all this? Don’t you guys not really discuss Deception Group cases?

Jiang Shu: I have a theory.

Wolf: You mean...

Jiang Shu: Right, if what Tang says is true, and the Special Prison incident was really done by the Deception Group, then they have really messed up big time, completely inconsistent with their previous MO.

Wolf: True, it’s as if there was some infighting and suddenly someone else took the lead.

Jiang Shu: So I’m thinking: ’Smiley Face’ might really exist, and it might be him.

Wolf: ... Don’t talk nonsense.

Jiang Shu: I understand. But now Tang might actually want to catch the out-of-control Deception Group. He says the four people in the Deception Group don’t know each other well, which seems likely, judging from their behavior during performances.

Wolf: So?

Jiang Shu: There must be someone who knows the real identities of these four people in the Deception Group.

Wolf: Hmm?

Jiang Shu: ’Smiley Face’, if it really exists, would certainly know their true identities. If we know the true identities, it would be easy to arrest them.

Wolf: Hmm... Your reasoning is somewhat persuasive. I’ll discuss it with the Police Chief. For now, only the three of us will know about this.

Jiang Shu: ...

Jiang Shu: Right. It seems that Tang also understands Magic.

Wolf: Now that you mention it, indeed. Has he asked you about the techniques used in Deception cases?

Jiang Shu: No.

Wolf: Don’t worry about this for now, we’ll talk more when we get back. If Tang manages to catch the Deception Group in the meantime... well, we’ll talk later.

Jiang Shu: Hmm.

Having turned off the wristwatch once more, Jiang Shu reclined back into his chair, the look of confusion still in his eyes.

Was Tang the type to panic?

If he was ’Smiley Face’, would he reveal so many flaws?

Something feels off.

----

”Next,” Yaxi pushed up the gold-wire glasses perched on his high nose bridge. In front of him was the Simulated Light Screen, and on the screen was a form filled with dense information.

The door opened, and a man with a nervous expression walked in.

In the center of the room, there stood a huge machine, which judging by its overall appearance, must be quite old. But it was polished to a shine and currently entrusted with an important task.