Young Master Cao was not so easy to kill.
Even now, as a member of the Eternal Life Society, let alone before, Cao Cheng had always been under heavy surveillance.
Over a hundred spies had already gone missing around the eco-park.
However,
these matters were trivial to Young Master Cao, and he rarely paid them any attention.
He simply killed them as they came.
He wasn’t afraid of death.
Not in the slightest.
His only concern was for those around him, so he took extra precautions to protect them.
…
After reviewing the documents provided by his father-in-law, Cao Cheng smiled faintly. "These people are quite patient. Maybe they’ve lost too many spies on me, so they’re hesitant to make contact now."
His father-in-law gave a noncommittal nod and handed him another file. "This is intel from Gong Changheng."
Gong Changheng was the "white glove" lent to Cao Cheng by his father-in-law.
He managed the Eternal Life Club on Cao Cheng’s behalf.
Thus,
technically, Gong Changheng was his father-in-law’s man, so it wasn’t surprising that he had access to information Cao Cheng didn’t.
Mostly because Cao Cheng didn’t involve himself much in management.
As a result, much of the intelligence was reported directly to his father-in-law, bypassing Cao Cheng entirely.
Cao Cheng skimmed through Gong Changheng’s report.
Nothing new.
Just some overseas members inquiring about the gaming helmet technology, believing that Cao Cheng had acquired it from the Eternal Life Club.
So,
they wanted to know how many contribution points were needed to obtain the tech.
Cao Cheng chuckled.
His father-in-law knew exactly what he was laughing at.
These people were completely in the dark, naively thinking that all the technology in the Eternal Life Club could be bought with points.
Played like puppets.
His father-in-law didn’t comment and simply asked, "Now that the gaming helmet info has leaked, how do you plan to handle it?"
Cao Cheng set the documents aside and picked up his teacup. "What else? Just proceed with the official launch. Release the new game. The helmets will only connect via 5G—local networks and intranets will be restricted to our own use."
"Also, I’m installing a newly developed security system inside the helmets. If anyone tries to force them open, the software will auto-delete, turning them into ordinary, network-disabled helmets…"
"So!"
Cao Cheng smirked. "Anyone who’s been boycotting our 5G won’t get to enjoy these helmets anytime soon."
Seeing Young Master Cao’s grin, his father-in-law realized—this kid had been waiting for this move all along.
Sneaky little devil.
But…
He quite liked Cao Cheng’s cunning nature.
Sigh.
Thinking about it made him reflect on his own son—too upright.
If only he had half of Cao Cheng’s shrewdness, he’d be perfect.
At least Little Cao was promising.
Though not even four years old yet, the kid’s cleverness was unmistakably inherited from his father.
…
Later,
Cao Cheng and his father-in-law spent several more hours in the study, discussing matters in secret.
Of course, they didn’t just talk—they also battled it out in a game, with his father-in-law sneaking into the top ten again.
This time, third place.
If not for Cao Cheng, the cheater, spotting the old camper and taking him out with a single shot… his father-in-law might’ve watched the top two fight it out and swooped in for the win.
Clearly, he’d been practicing—his ambush skills were getting scarily good.
Removing his gaming helmet,
Cao Cheng faced his father-in-law’s sulky expression.
He laughed. "Can’t blame me for this. I had no idea the guy hiding in the grass was you. If I’d known, I’d have taken out the other camper first, then settled things between us."
"…" His father-in-law huffed in annoyance.
Cao Cheng added, "Besides, you were hiding so well I almost missed you. I thought you were some pro—you know, like those scouts or special forces guys who excel at camouflage. So, it never crossed my mind it could be you."
Hearing this,
his father-in-law’s mood improved visibly.
That was clearly a compliment.
With a proud tilt of his chin, he looked at Cao Cheng. "I should’ve taken you out earlier. If not for that other camper hiding nearby, making me hesitate to reveal my position, you’d never have spotted me."
"Absolutely, absolutely…" Cao Cheng played along, nodding.
Today, Young Master Cao didn’t argue back.
Because the domineering lady wasn’t around.
If he provoked the old man now and there was no one to smooth things over, it’d be awkward.
Let him gloat for now—there’d be time for payback later.
Still…
His father-in-law really was a master at camping. At least in terms of stealth, he had skills.
Otherwise, with most opponents being actual soldiers, it’d be impossible to consistently rank in the top ten—let alone top three—by just hiding.
This wasn’t just a game; it was practically a real battlefield, with ninety out of a hundred players being sneaky campers.
The reckless ones never lasted long.
Even if luck carried them once or twice, over dozens of matches a day, pure aggression only worked if you were blessed by the gods.
Otherwise, you’d die in the most ridiculous ways.
So, his father-in-law was genuinely skilled.
Too bad he ran into Cao Cheng, the cheater, who entered every match with abilities 20% above normal.
Basically an unbeatable champion.
…
After a few days in the capital,
Cao Cheng returned to Zhonghai to prepare for the New Year gaming launch.
Major game studios received the notice and scrambled into action.
That same day,
netizens noticed something odd—several top gaming companies seemed to have coordinated, releasing announcements almost simultaneously.
The announcements were for new game reveals.
Over the past six months, rumors had circulated about a groundbreaking game on the horizon.
Some believed it; others were skeptical.
But now…
The moment had arrived.
Yet, when eager fans checked the announcements, they were baffled.
No trailers—just text.
And the game titles didn’t sound revolutionary at all.
For example, Tencent’s "Hyperburn Racing"!
Really? A next-gen game with a name like that?
Come on.
We’re in the drone era, and you’re still stuck on "hyperburn racing"?
Others featured farming, truck driving, fighter jets, commercial flights… and so on.
Not exactly fresh—some even had famous existing counterparts.
But soon,
the studios dropped gameplay videos.
Fans watched, eyes widening.
"Holy hell… this is insane!"
"This really is next-gen?"
"What is this? A… gaming helmet?"
"Was I seeing things? Or did they advertise it wrong?"
"Gaming helmets becoming a reality?"
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
rowess are unmatched, commanding a million-strong army! Yet, the Emperor wants to depose him for the sake of a false prince? Hold on, are you throwing me into some female-oriented romance plot? How can I tolerate this? With a grand wave of his hand—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! Slander the Emperor? Very well, all of you shall die! ... The False Prince: "Although I am not the biological son, Father and Mother love me more. The throne should be mine!" The Female Lead: "Qin Xiao, you are the Emperor, and I am a commoner. If you wish to marry me, you must abdicate. Otherwise, you will never have me!" The Empress: "After we divorce, you must give me half the empire!" The Transmigrator Consort: "You worthless Emperor, why should I kneel to you? All men are equal—I advise you to be kind!" The Great General: "The enemy general is my childhood sweetheart. For her sake, I willingly abandon the frontier defenses!" The Retired Emperor: "Although Yu'er was adopted, I prefer him. Qin Xiao, you should abdicate and let him become Emperor!" ... Very well! So this is how you want to play? Facing this twisted world of female-oriented tropes, Qin Xiao grins and raises his hand to unleash—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! I am the Emperor. Why would I bother reasoning with you? Seal the gates! Leave none alive!
e school belle recognized by the whole school, a genius girl from the kendo club. She also has a hidden identity, the youngest legendary demon hunter. Chen Shuo just transmigrated and found himself turned into a weak, helpless little vampire. He was caught by Su Xiyen and taken home at the very beginning. Since then, Chen Shuo's life creed only had two items. "First, classmate Su Xiyen is always right." "Second, if classmate Su Xiyen is wrong, please refer back to item one." Many years later, Chen Shuo, who had turned back into a human, led a pair of twins to appear in front of all the vampires to share the secret of how he turned back into a human. "It's simple, I tricked a female demon hunter into becoming my wife!"
