Free Web NovelChapter 31: Chapter 31: Liu Chengzi’s Little Secret
On the way back, Liu Chengzi pondered more and more that something was off.
She had helped Bai Wu get everything in order, managed everything properly, and even negotiated a profit-sharing agreement with the financial backer behind the live broadcast outside the tower.
But what about my camera?
All of this was for the camera, yet the camera had returned to Bai Wu’s hands because it was taken outside the tower for an upgrade. In this process, Bai Wu used the camera at will. In essence, she got nothing.
Thinking about it carefully, wasn’t this the same as being taken advantage of for free?
Liu Chengzi puffed up her cheeks, looking at Bai Wu angrily and said,
"The camera can be used twice, right? I demand that you at least reserve one opportunity for me to use it."
The two were on their way back to Bai Wu’s place, and there were few communication tools at the lower levels, so Bai Wu planned to show Liu Chengzi the way to make it easier for her to contact him.
Speaking of the camera, Bai Wu thought of something:
"We’re partners now, can you tell me what is so special about this camera? What has it captured before?"
Liu Chengzi’s steps faltered, her expression somewhat unnatural:
"Who told you there’s anything in the camera?"
"There’s no need for that question. Since I’m convinced the camera has captured certain images, there must be a basis for my judgment."
Bai Wu took out the camera and said,
"Your facial expression also betrays you. Since we’re partners, why not share it? Of course, if it’s something you can’t talk about, you can refuse."
Liu Chengzi nodded, she wasn’t too insistent, after all, the matter was still ongoing.
"Two years ago, two of my friends disappeared."
The two had reached the door of Bai Wu’s residence. Liu Chengzi’s remark led Bai Wu to guess a possibility.
"Come in and talk about it."
Once inside Bai Wu’s home, Liu Chengzi looked around and found it quite clean, completely different from her boyfriend number four and number six, but similar to her boyfriend number two.
Boys who love cleanliness and tidiness can score a few extra points.
"In the High Tower, the levels are clearly defined, and it’s not uncommon for those above to bully those below. Through the Garrison Corps, if you have solid evidence, you can even report the nobles above."
Bai Wu poured a glass of water for Liu Chengzi, who spoke calmly,
"Three years ago, women from the lower levels began disappearing one after another. About one a week, with the common trait being their beauty."
"Those from the lower levels who go to the upper three levels often meet the same fate. Men are arranged to gamble and struggle to survive. Some women too, but the beautiful women often experience something else first..."
It was rare for Sea Queen to show an angry expression:
"As for what they experience, I don’t need to say it, you understand."
Bai Wu nodded.
In the backward High Tower era, such incidents indeed occurred with great frequency.
And these women... their fate was naturally not good.
"And when the upper class has consumed enough, when they’re tired of the women, they won’t come back, but instead are arranged to go outside the tower. I’ve heard that the Evil Fallen outside, they’re all transformed from people. Do you think there’s a chance that one day, when you go outside the tower to investigate, you’ll encounter someone from inside the tower?"
Liu Chengzi’s mood sank further. She shook her head and drank another half glass of water:
"Naturally, I didn’t want to deal with these filthy transactions. In fact, I used to have another business. I and two good friends partnered to open a clothing store aimed at allowing people from the lower levels to dress fancy and beautiful."
"Haha, don’t look at me like that, I’ve had grand dreams too."
A smile suddenly piled up on her face, somewhat forced as she tried to chase away certain emotions:
"It’s just that later, they disappeared. The goal that the three of us were supposed to achieve together naturally ceased to exist. The shop closed down, I managed to escape a calamity, and I had no heart to continue the trade of the past."
Clenching her fists tightly, Liu Chengzi chuckled without a sound,
"If only they hadn’t pried into other people’s business." freёweɓnovel.com
Liu Chengzi did not explain how she got the camera.
She didn’t explain why there was no film in the camera either.
But Bai Wu deduced an answer close to the truth.
Liu Chengzi’s two friends may have tried to investigate the trafficking of lower-class girls by the upper echelons.
This wasn’t a matter that those from the lower classes should concern themselves with; those missing girls were mostly alone and unprotected. Liu Chengzi’s two friends, being able to establish a shop in the lower levels, might also indicate that the three women had some skills and connections.
In theory, the lechers in the upper echelons wouldn’t choose such women to play with.
But you couldn’t help it if two people were courting death... trying to sneak photos for evidence, the girls did end up capturing something horrendous.
But they also left behind a massive disaster.
The film in the camera was ultimately destroyed, and the owners of the camera also went missing.
Liu Chengzi kept meeting men of various identities, her connections growing wider, seemingly as a precaution.
Of course, the core of her Sea Queen physique was the main reason.
"Having a heart bent on justice is a good thing, but they didn’t accurately assess their opponents,"
Bai Wu suddenly spoke up, causing Liu Chengzi to startle.
"It seems you’ve figured it out."
Looking up, Liu Chengzi tried to suppress the sadness in her emotions, pretending to be relaxed, she said,
"It’s been so long. They might have already been played out by those higher-ups and then thrown outside the tower."
Now Bai Wu understood why the registration of freelance mercenaries was so lax; it was convenient for those higher-ups... to engage in some unsavory deeds.
This really was a High Tower World rotten from top to bottom.
"I understand. Now that everything is in order, I’m ready to head outside the tower."
"Bai Wu, tell me... if my friends turned into the Evil Fallen and met me outside the tower, would they devour me?"
Before meeting Elijah and Little Pitiful Hong Yin, Bai Wu would have thought the likelihood was high.
But now he wasn’t so sure.
"The world outside the tower is vast, there’s no need to think about things that haven’t happened. But if I do meet them, I will convey your longing to them. Alright, you should go now, I need to change clothes."
Bai Wu sent Liu Chengzi out and then put on the Spirit Possession Bodysuit, followed by a black cloak and a V-shape mask.
This Stitched "Constantine" was thus born.
Although this image wasn’t as eye-catching as the female live-streamers in their bikinis, Bai Wu believed that the true world outside the High Tower would soon attract the attention of the spectators.
...
...
Arriving once again at the entrance to the High Tower in Eastern Square, Bai Wu had already activated the Traction Disc beforehand.
No matter which colored door he entered from, Bai Wu would be pulled by the Traction Disc to a specific area.
The member of the Investigation Corps responsible for registration glanced at the oddly dressed Bai Wu and asked,
"Constantine?"
"Yes."
"Where are your teammates?"
"They have already gone to a specific area; I’m here to provide support."
"The outside of the tower is dangerous; you wildcat mercenaries, be safe, don’t end up losing both your lives and your belongings."
The inspector’s caution came with good intentions, noticing Bai Wu carrying something, they asked,
"What’s that you’re bringing? Such a big pack? Let me tell you, the chances of Spirit Possession are very low... You’d better bring something more portable."
Naturally, inside the backpack was the rice cooker; Bai Wu was obsessed with it.
Seeing that Bai Wu was unmoved, the inspector didn’t bother anymore and simply let him through.
Once again, in front of the entrance to the outside of the tower, Bai Wu touched the Stele.
A white light swallowed his figure, and at the same time, elsewhere—
The massive TV wall in the middle section of the Scavenger Port abruptly switched images.
