48: Chapter 2 Special Training Under the Mask

Life in the "Safe House" was a complete departure from Lin Feng's experiences over the past twenty-plus years. There was no roar of delivery scooters, no pounding on the door from debt collectors, and no stench from the sewers—only the silent surge of the Data Stream and an omnipresent, slightly cold sense of order. His "special training" began rapidly the day after Grey announced the mission.

The first lesson was an image overhaul.

Standing before the full-length mirror in the high-tech dressing room, Lin Feng could barely recognize the person staring back. A well-tailored dark gray suit had replaced his worn-out hoodie, a soft silk shirt clung to his frame, and the handmade leather shoes on his feet were polished to a mirror shine. A taciturn image consultant styled his hair, combing the originally messy locks into meticulous order, revealing a clean forehead and an increasingly sharp gaze.

"Appearance is the first layer of camouflage and the first weapon," Nightingale commented calmly, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed. "You must get used to this sense of constraint and learn to use it to convey information. Arrogance, humility, mystery... different clothing details and mannerisms can help you shape different personas."

Lin Feng shifted his shoulders awkwardly, the stiff feeling of the suit making him feel ill at ease. "It feels like being encased in a shell."

"Beneath the shell, you are still you." Nightingale stepped closer and adjusted the angle of his tie, her movements practiced yet devoid of warmth. "But remember, from now on, your name is 'Lin Shuo.' You are a young partner from 'Bian Capital' with unique insights into cutting-edge technology investment, possessing a low-key personality but a deep background. This is your new identity; you need to make it your second skin."

The subsequent training in etiquette and speech was even more of an ordeal. How to hold a glass elegantly at a banquet, how to use just the right body language to communicate, and how to decipher the hidden barbs within the compliments and probes of high society. Grey even deployed an advanced simulation program to generate various virtual banquet scenes and "socialites" for Lin Feng to conduct practical drills.

>> Initiating Social Simulation Protocol. Generating target character: Universal Group Director—Madam Li (Traits: Snobbish, fond of art investment).

>> Mission: Converse with her for five minutes and ascertain her vague attitude toward the "Prophet" AI upgrade project.

In the virtual scene, a noblewoman bedecked in jewels with a critical gaze approached him. Lin Feng took a deep breath, trying hard to recall his training, and forced a slightly reserved smile that he had practiced many times.

"Madam Li, it is an honor. I heard you recently collected a Post-Impressionist masterpiece? I have always had a keen interest in modern art..." he attempted to open the conversation.

"Oh? Mr. Lin understands art as well?" Madam Li (Virtual) arched an eyebrow, her tone carrying a trace of imperceptible disdain. "Don't young people these days only keep their eyes on those digital cryptocurrencies?"

>> Probing and contempt detected in target speech. Suggestion: Demonstrate professional depth to turn the tide.

Lin Feng steadied his mind. Drawing on the data provided by Grey, he quickly pivoted to several professional art terms and recent auction trends. His tone was calm and unhurried, demonstrating "strength" while skillfully steering the conversation toward the "integration of technology and art" to test her openness toward tech projects.

Five minutes later, the simulation ended. A thin layer of sweat had broken out on Lin Feng's back; he felt more exhausted than if he had fought a round with Razor.

"Passing grade," Nightingale's voice rang out, still devoid of praise or criticism. "Your expression is still a bit stiff, but your response logic was clear. Remember, in such settings, every word has a purpose, and every smile could be a trap."

Beyond these "surface level" skills, the core focus was intelligence analysis and crisis response. Grey personally explained Mirror City's power structure, the relationships between the major families of The Consortium, and the known vulnerabilities of the "Prophet" AI security system. Ling Yue, from a technical perspective, crammed him with knowledge on identifying and countering various high-end surveillance devices and began custom-making several concealed auxiliary tools for him.

Lei Kun wasn't idle either; he was responsible for training Lin Feng's alertness and emergency reactions. How to perceive danger in a seemingly peaceful environment, how to use everything around him as a weapon or cover, and how to escape quickly if exposed. His training methods were simple and brutal, yet extremely effective.

"Remember, kid," Lei Kun said, patting Lin Feng's shoulder with a solemn expression after a simulated escape drill, "in a place like that, the most lethal thing might not be a bullet, but a glass of wine, a rumor, or a seemingly harmless hug."

During training breaks, Lin Feng would visit Xiao Qi. The girl had been placed in a specially arranged room filled with warm colors and soft toys, cared for by a gentle female researcher. She seemed to have adapted somewhat to the environment, but remained very dependent on Lin Feng. Seeing Lin Feng appear in a suit, Xiao Qi's eyes widened, and she whispered, "Brother Lin Feng... looks like a different person..."

Lin Feng knelt down and smiled gently. "It's just for work, a bit of a costume. Are you getting used to it here, Xiao Qi?"

Xiao Qi nodded, then shook her head, lightly tugging at the corner of Lin Feng's clothes. "It's very safe here... but... I can feel... many 'bad intentions' outside... looking for us..." Even through layers of shielding, her psionic abilities could still vaguely perceive the malice from the outside world.

>> Psionic Resonance Link: Subject "Xiao Qi" perceives targeted, high-intensity malicious search signals within the city range. Origins are scattered, but the target is clear.

This information, transmitted through the mental link, confirmed Grey's warning—the Mirror Guard was indeed taking action.

That evening, Lin Feng finished his day of intensive training and returned exhaustedly to his assigned room. He stood by the window, looking down at the brilliantly lit night view of Mirror City projected virtually, feeling a sense of daze. A few days ago, he was struggling on the line between life and death, and now he was preparing to step into that world of luxury and debauchery, which was likely even more dangerous.

"Not adjusted yet?" Grey's voice came from behind. He had walked in at some point, carrying two cups of hot coffee.

"A little," Lin Feng admitted as he took the coffee, making no effort to hide it. "It feels like I'm rehearsing for a play where I don't know the ending."

"Life is a performance to begin with; only the stage and the script differ." Grey walked to the window and stood side-by-side with him. "Do you think Lei Kun was born a soldier? That Ling Yue was born knowing how to tinker with machinery? Or that I was born to hide in the shadows and plan all of this?" He smiled. "We were all pushed by fate to learn how to wear masks and play our roles well."

He looked at Lin Feng with a deep gaze. "Your advantage lies in possessing the 'Source' code. It can not only rewrite reality but also help you quickly learn, analyze, and simulate. Use it to understand those people's behavioral patterns and predict their reactions. Treat this mission as a massive... code-breaking process. Except, what you need to crack is the algorithm of the human heart."

Grey's words were like a flash of light, illuminating Lin Feng's thoughts. He had always applied the power of the "Source" more to the physical level, neglecting its immense potential in information processing and logical deduction.

>> New Module Loading Suggestion: Social Engineering Analysis Plugin. Function: Intent prediction and risk assessment based on micro-expressions, vocal tone, and behavioral patterns.

>> Load?

"Load!" Lin Feng whispered in his mind. In an instant, he felt as if a new filter had been added to his perception, and the angle from which he viewed problems underwent a subtle change.

Just then, the communicator in the room rang, and Nightingale's urgent voice came through: "Grey, Lin Feng, come to the command center immediately! We have an emergency!"

The two exchanged looks and rushed over immediately.

The main screen in the command center was displaying real-time surveillance footage of the Glazed Tower and its surrounding areas. The security forces at the base of the tower had increased several times over the usual amount, and personnel in special uniforms with cold temperaments were meticulously checking every vehicle and person entering.

"It's the Mirror Guard," Nightingale said, pointing at the screen. "They've raised the security level for the banquet ahead of schedule and activated a new biometric scanning system. The risk factor for our identity camouflage plan has increased significantly."

The camera zoomed in, revealing several strangely shaped scanners set up at the entrance, emitting faint energy fluctuations.

Ling Yue quickly analyzed the data, her expression grim. "This system can perform deep bone and subcutaneous vascular pattern scans. Our camouflage masks will have a hard time completely fooling it. If we try to force our way in, the success rate is lower than 10%."

The plan had barely begun when it hit a massive obstacle. The atmosphere instantly became heavy.

Grey pondered for a moment before looking at Lin Feng. "It seems our opponent is more cautious than imagined. The original plan needs adjustment. Lin Feng, your 'special training' might need to enter the practical combat phase early."

He operated the console and pulled up a new file. "We have an alternative plan. Before the banquet begins, there is a small pre-event mixer limited to top-tier tech circles, held at a private club on the middle floors of the Glazed Tower. Security there is relatively relaxed, but the threshold is extremely high; it requires an influential recommender."

A photo of a young man appeared on the screen. He was dressed fashionably with a languid smile, yet his eyes held a trace of cynical sharpness—it was Luo Hao, the heir to the Universal Group.

"We need you to get Luo Hao's attention at this pre-event mixer first," Grey's gaze sharpened. "And find a way to make him 'proactively' invite you to the formal banquet that night."

The mission difficulty had upgraded once again. Not only did he have to maintain his disguise, but he also had to take the initiative to approach a target with such a vast difference in status and unpredictable thoughts.

Lin Feng looked at Luo Hao's seemingly harmless face on the screen, feeling the newly loaded analysis plugin of the "Source" code beginning to run silently as various Data Streams intertwined in his mind.

The first battle of wits in the Mirror City was coming faster and more perilously than he had anticipated.