Chapter 31

In the days leading up to the weekend, Zhang Qiu spent all his free time tracking down the person who had been secretly watching Mu Zong and stealing the server resources of Fang Fei Yiren. He was determined to track down the real culprit and record solid evidence.

With the few lines of logging code he had written as an insider, Zhang Qiu was confident he could track down the true mastermind, even if they were a real hacker.

After hacking into the server of Lixin Network Security, Zhang Qiu used a zombie server to analyze the vulnerabilities of the "Smart Web Shield" enterprise-level security software they produced. Using such a powerful zombie server for this task was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, and the results came quickly. Under the scan of the scanning software he personally wrote, all security vulnerabilities were exposed.

Analyzing these vulnerabilities was not to exploit them to hack into the system; Zhang Qiu had already done that and didn't need to go through the extra steps. He wanted to use these vulnerabilities to know his enemy as well as himself and then write targeted implantation code. This way, it would be both covert and efficient, making it easy to control the other party's system while being less likely to be detected by their security personnel.

The system's built-in secret technique, the gene implantation code, had already proven its effectiveness in previous uses. If this attempt succeeded, it would certainly elevate Zhang Qiu's hacking tactics to a new level.

The Smart Web Shield had a staggering 138 vulnerabilities. Some of these were easy to discover and fix, but they just hadn't been thought of yet and would certainly be patched over time. Zhang Qiu immediately abandoned such vulnerabilities. He wanted to select those that were hard to detect and fix, and then implant his code into these vulnerabilities.

In the end, Zhang Qiu selected three vulnerabilities. After extensive simulation, he found that even with his level of expertise, he couldn't fix them; he could only detect them. To patch these three vulnerabilities, the entire program architecture would need to be redesigned, which was clearly impossible.

The Smart Web Shield was now a mature, marketable enterprise-level network security product. Even for an upgrade, it was impossible to completely overhaul the entire program architecture; at most, improvements could be made.

As long as Zhang Qiu controlled these three vulnerabilities, it was as if all the companies using the Smart Web Shield were under his shadow. His tentacles could reach into the internal servers of these companies through these vulnerabilities at any time.

After carefully analyzing these three vulnerabilities, Zhang Qiu wrote three segments of implantation code. These three segments of code not only had the functions he wanted but also had a certain degree of deception, like patches. Once these three segments of code were implanted, these three vulnerabilities would be undetectable on this machine, even by world-class technology.

After implanting these three segments of code, Zhang Qiu could bypass the system logs, enter the system backend, and obtain hidden administrative privileges, evading all permission checks.

As long as Zhang Qiu wasn't caught in the act, it would mean that his future intrusions into the internal servers of Lixin Network Security would go undetected. With this super backdoor as cover, Zhang Qiu could search the entire internal network of Lixin Network Security at will.

Soon, he found some clues. Combining these clues, Zhang Qiu identified a Lixin Network Security technician named Ma Shun.

By using the communication software, social networks, and various accounts he had, and by implanting logging malware, Zhang Qiu eventually traced to Ma Shun's personal computer and obtained its MAC address.

His personal computer was a laptop running a modified Linux system, which was very secure. It couldn't be easily attacked with common methods, but it was no match for Zhang Qiu, a world-class "hacker."

Using Lixin Network Security's server as a stepping stone and combining it with the computing power of Fang Fei Yiren's server, Ma Shun's small laptop was quickly taken down by the combined attack of two small supercomputers.

In the face of absolute performance, any security strategy was like a paper tiger, unless he disconnected from the internet.

After entering Ma Shun's computer, Zhang Qiu didn't rush to leave a backdoor but quickly searched for evidence.

A few seconds later, Zhang Qiu found the logging code he had written and confirmed the location of the video files of Mu Zong that had been secretly recorded.

By remotely viewing the content of the videos, he confirmed that they indeed showed Mu Zong working.

Although there were no inappropriate scenes, it was undeniable that watching such a beautiful woman work seriously was indeed a pleasant sight.

With the evidence in hand, Zhang Qiu began to consider leaving a backdoor on this computer.

The other party was a hacker, so the backdoor wouldn't be that simple. If not done well, it could easily be detected.

However, soon, Zhang Qiu noticed that the computer was playing the videos he had just watched.

Coincidentally, Zhang Qiu detected the presence of a camera, which made him somewhat pleased.

He didn't know if this hacker was a novice or overly arrogant, but leaving a camera on his own computer was a serious mistake. If a hacker left a camera, and it was discovered by the police, his identity would be revealed, which was essentially suicide.

Turning on the camera, a man with wire-rimmed glasses, a thin face, and many pimples appeared on the screen. More disgustingly, he was masturbating!

Seeing such a serious video of Mu Zong working, he could still get aroused, which showed the power of imagination. He was probably fantasizing about being in Mu Zong's office and taking advantage of her while she was working.

Suddenly, his expression changed, and the hand that was masturbating quickly moved to the keyboard.

Zhang Qiu realized something was wrong. Using the camera secretly would consume some backend resources, which was detected by Ma Shun, who was also a hacker.

Zhang Qiu quickly exited and set up several honeypots where he had entered.

Although Zhang Qiu had the technical foundation, he lacked experience in hacker battles. These honeypots were not very sophisticated and were quickly cracked by Ma Shun. However, this also showed that Ma Shun had some skills, as Zhang Qiu, despite his lack of experience, had world-class technical foundation.

When Ma Shun traced back, Zhang Qiu was not panicked.

He led Ma Shun through several stepping stones, almost circling half of China in just a few dozen seconds, experiencing unprecedented excitement.

Without a visual sense, only dry data, but with a tense atmosphere. The dynamic data was the battle situation, the opportunity, and the battlefield! No smoke, no guns or fists, but more thrilling.

After leading Ma Shun around, Zhang Qiu lured him back to his own laptop.

More shamelessly, Zhang Qiu set up a large trap in front of Ma Shun's computer, making him think it was Zhang Qiu's own computer.

Ma Shun began to crack furiously, while Zhang Qiu cleared all traces and quietly exited the battlefield.

One could imagine that when Ma Shun finally broke through the defenses after a fierce attack, he would be so angry to find out he had attacked his own computer that he might want to smash it.

After toying with Ma Shun, the eagerly awaited weekend arrived again.

The computer city received a few more orders, but after hearing Zhang Qiu's quote, they all suspected he was extorting and declared the deals off.

Zhang Qiu, in a great mood, was not angry.

Leaving the computer city, Zhang Qiu hummed a tune as he walked down the street.

Suddenly, a beautiful woman with long black hair and a long dress caught Zhang Qiu's attention.

With his appreciation level enhanced by the Super Beauty Finder, she was at least a city-level beauty.

However, strangely, the Super Beauty Finder did not prompt, indicating that this was a woman he already knew.

As he got closer, Zhang Qiu realized it was the policewoman He Qing he had met before.

He never thought she would look so good in civilian clothes! Even more surprising, she could pull off a long dress, perfectly transitioning from a tough policewoman to a gentle lady.

Each beauty has her own style, and the right clothing can enhance her charm. Some very beautiful people are ruined by makeup and clothing, as evidenced by some celebrities. A woman who can handle all styles is unknown in this world.

At first glance, seeing He Qing in a white long dress with her hair down, Zhang Qiu didn't think of the stern, cold, and beautiful policewoman. It wasn't until he realized this beauty was someone he knew that he associated her with He Qing.

However, he immediately frowned when he saw this beautiful woman, who could be both a policewoman and a gentle lady, being harassed by a despicable man. How could Zhang Qiu not frown?

The woman was clearly unwilling, frowning, but the man was still persistently harassing her, even trying to touch her. Wasn't this despicable?

Unbearable! Zhang Qiu rushed over.

As he approached, he heard He Qing say in a voice suppressing her anger, "We agreed to just meet for a meal today. Don't push your luck!"

"Qingqing, just agree! I really like you, and I'll treat you well. You've already agreed to go on a date with me, so why can't you agree to be my girlfriend?"

"Don't call me Qingqing! I only agreed to meet you because of my father's pressure. When did it become a date?"

"But, Qingqing! I really, really like you!"

"Sorry, I have a boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? Where is he? Bring him out and let me see. I want to see who dares to compete with me for Qingqing."

"Do you think I'm stupid? He's just an ordinary person. Don't think of using your family's power to harm him!"

What? The policewoman actually has a boyfriend? No way! But looking at her expression and eyes, it seemed she was just fending off the despicable man.

Since that's the case, why not help her?

But what if she doesn't recognize me or doesn't want my help?

Right, the Charm Peach!

Zhang Qiu took out the Charm Peach in the mineral water bottle. Closing his eyes, he could still feel the presence of the red peach. When he opened his eyes, he felt like he was hallucinating.

Above every passerby's head, there was a red aura. Some were as thin as hair, others as thick as fingers. The Charm Peach now looked like a thick red aura.

To Zhang Qiu's surprise, the red aura above He Qing's head was as thick as an arm! The despicable man also had an arm-thick red aura.

Could these red auras be the legendary charm and allure?

Zhang Qiu looked at his own head and saw only a thumb-thick red aura.

Damn, I'm less charming than that despicable man? That's not fair!

Looking around, although the red auras of the people were not as thick as He Qing's and the despicable man's, many people's auras were intertwined, indicating they were couples.

But looking at He Qing and the despicable man, their auras, though close, did not intersect. The despicable man's aura was restless, as if trying to engulf He Qing's aura.

This meant the despicable man was indeed interested in He Qing, but He Qing had no feelings for him.

Right, the Charm Peach can also absorb a man's allure. Why not absorb the despicable man's allure and add it to myself?

Then, using this enhanced allure, I can charm He Qing, pretend to be her boyfriend in front of him, and take her away!

This would be very satisfying. Just thinking about it, Zhang Qiu was already excited!