Chapter 4

Yiluote, a member of the Shadow Clan.

The so-called Shadow Clan is a term used in the virtual world. In reality, they are called clones, or genetic bio-humans, or genetically customized humans. No matter what they are called or how they are made, their nature is the same: they are created by true humans—Celestials, or as they are called in the game, Deities, Immortals—according to their needs.

The Shadow Clan, their knowledge and memories are not their own but are instilled as needed. Gradual learning and growth are privileges of true humans.

To facilitate control, the Shadow Clan not only have their thoughts controlled but are also born with genetic defects, their lifespans entirely dependent on the favor of their human masters. They can reproduce, but the defective genes are inherited, making the defects in their offspring more pronounced. Naturally, these naturally born offspring are also part of the Shadow Clan and do not have true human rights.

Due to these multiple control mechanisms, despite the Shadow Clan's numbers being several times that of humans with human rights, they are submissive to humans and rarely rebel. Partly out of fear, partly due to the "loyal dog" gene within them.

But Yiluote is an exception! A Shadow Clan member, for some unknown error in the creation process, his rebellious spirit is exceptionally strong. In the real world, he attempted to resist human control, failed, and fled into the game, where he allied with intelligent programs that resist humans. Leveraging his knowledge of the game world, he continuously provided intelligence to NPCs.

It is said that many NPCs have been saved by him, and many others have successfully awakened with his help. His betrayal significantly reduced human control over the virtual world, causing many game worlds to fall into the hands of awakened NPCs. Even the technology to traverse different game worlds was mastered by NPCs, a capability previously exclusive to human players, not even available to the Shadow Clan responsible for maintaining the stability of the game world.

Whether on the criminal wanted list in the real world or the bounty hunter list in the game world, Yiluote is well-known, firmly occupying one of the top five spots, even surpassing many renowned awakened NPCs. In some worlds, he is even called Prometheus—the deity who stole fire from the heavens and brought it to humanity.

Later, it is unknown how, he fell into the hands of the human military, both his real body and his in-game character.

Until today, using him as bait, the meticulously planned Lei Feng Battle, which had been brewing for months, was nearing its end. The data special forces responsible for the battle finally learned the truth—this guy was not a traitor! He was a true human, not even a Shadow Clan member, and everything he had done was under the direction of their current captain, Mucanyang.

All the intelligence he had leaked was carefully selected, unimportant to the overall plan. All the help he provided to NPCs, saving their lives, aiding their awakening, and even teaching them the technology to traverse worlds, was all to lure them to the Lei Feng Pagoda for a final showdown.

The words his character spoke under the punishment of the Thunderstorm were 100% true, but the NPCs were so foolish that the more he said, the more they rushed in...

The plan was simple, but its scope, impact, and the length of time it took to set up, as well as the difficulty of infiltration, were awe-inspiring.

The special forces, upon learning the truth, looked at their captain and Yiluote, who had just revealed his true identity in the command hall, with strange expressions.

Mucanyang, sensing the strange looks from his subordinates, was unperturbed. Anyone would find it hard to accept such a dramatic twist.

He gave Yiluote a thumbs up: "Great acting!"

"Likewise!" Yiluote laughed heartily.

Of course, the passionate scenes at the Lei Feng Pagoda, where you killed my wife and I killed your son, were all staged, all acting. Without the dramatic performance of Song Gongming leading the 108 heroes to their deaths, how could he have deceived thousands of NPC heroes from hundreds of game worlds to fight and die for him?

Mucanyang, usually reserved, relaxed: "It was tough, five years, and finally, it's all over today!"

It was truly tough. Others found it tough, but those in the play knew the difficulty of success even more.

Yiluote nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Mucanyang, Yiluote, you both did a great job!" a voice suddenly came from behind.

Mucanyang and Yiluote turned around to see several elderly figures on the large screen, each in their twilight years, with different appearances—some were clear and vigorous, some were wealthy and kind, and some were stern.

The two stood at attention and saluted: "Mr. President!" "Vice President!" "Speaker!" "Chief Justice!" "Grand Marshal!"

The central elderly figure, the President, nodded and waved: "No need for formalities. Today's battle will take the NPC resistance years to recover!"

"With no leader, it's the perfect opportunity for a major offensive to reclaim lost territory! You two are the greatest heroes!"

"Mr. President, desperate people can be dangerous. We must not underestimate the determination of the NPCs."

The elderly figures smiled: "Mucanyang, you are always so... meticulous."

For some reason, Mucanyang felt that the familiar smiles of the elderly figures seemed sinister, strange, and odd, much like the looks from his subordinates.

He shook his head, dispelling the strange thoughts, and listened as the President, Haiguangyuan, continued: "You have done such a great deed, and it must be rewarded! Listen carefully..."

"Yiluote, you infiltrated the enemy camp for five years, gathered countless intelligence, and lured these NPC rebels to Jinshan, leading to today's great victory. You deserve the top credit."

"After discussion, the five of us unanimously agree to promote you to the position of new captain of the data special forces, effective immediately!"

Everyone was stunned, then热烈的掌声响起。

唯独沐残阳，一边鼓掌一边满腹疑窦：数据特种兵大队长就是自己啊，伊洛特成了大队长，那自己呢？

也破格晋升？再上面没有合适自己的位置了啊？自己的年龄，履历，现在的位置几乎到顶了啊？

疑惑间听老人续道：“至于沐残阳你吗……整个特洛伊计划都是你制定的，能够顺利实行也多赖你的指挥调度，论功劳数你最大，不过……”

老人话风一转，神情古怪：“经过我们调查，你原来并非合法的人类，而是基因定制，影族叛军安插在军中的卧底！”

整个大厅刹那间鸦雀无声！

好多人忘记了操作，忘记了战斗，让几个挣扎的觉醒npc趁机逃脱。

更有一些人，手中的东西失手跌落地上，“丁零当啷”的响成一片。

但没有人在乎了，都不敢相信的看着五个老人的投影，看着一脸茫然的沐残阳。

这，这不可能是开玩笑，掌握联邦最高权力的五个老人，不可能开这种玩笑……

所有人都看着沐残阳

沐残阳面色煞白，还没有从胜利的喜悦中缓过劲来，转眼就被宣判了死刑，他就仿佛正在一个噩梦里。

世界是荒诞的，一切都是荒诞的，唯有不停坠落的感觉是真实的。

怎么可能？怎么会？

上一分钟，他是人，伊洛特是影族；这一分钟，伊洛特变成了人，他却成了影族……

世事变化，有时候真的超乎人的想象！

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Everyone was stunned, then热烈的掌声响起。

Only Mucanyang, while clapping, was filled with doubts: The captain of the data special forces is me. If Yiluote becomes the captain, what about me?

Also promoted? There are no higher positions suitable for me. My age, experience, and current position are already at the top.

As he pondered, the elderly figure continued: "As for you, Mucanyang... the entire Troy Plan was your creation, and its successful implementation was largely due to your command and coordination. Your contributions are the greatest, but..."

The elderly figure's tone shifted, and his expression became strange: "After our investigation, it turns out that you are not a legitimate human, but a genetically customized individual, a mole planted by the Shadow Clan rebels in the military!"

The entire hall fell silent in an instant!

Many people forgot their operations, forgot the battle, allowing a few struggling awakened NPCs to escape.

Some dropped their items, creating a cacophony of clattering sounds.

But no one cared, all staring in disbelief at the projections of the five elderly figures, and at the bewildered Mucanyang.

This, this can't be a joke. The five elderly figures who hold the highest power in the federation would not make such a joke...

Everyone looked at Mucanyang.

Mucanyang's face was pale. He had not yet recovered from the joy of victory when he was suddenly sentenced to death. It felt like he was in a nightmare.

The world was absurd, everything was absurd, but the feeling of falling was real.

How could this be? How could this happen?

A minute ago, he was human, and Yiluote was a Shadow Clan member; now, Yiluote is human, and he is a Shadow Clan member...

The changes in the world sometimes truly defy imagination!