93: Chapter 93 Ye Liuli's Secret

That evening, Ye Liuli came to find me.

She had a serious expression, looking as if she had something major to discuss.

"Ergou, there is something I need to tell you." She went straight to the point.

"What is it?" I put down the ledger in my hand—that's right, I have to look at the ledgers every day now. Since the business has grown, I have to learn how to manage it.

Ye Liuli took a deep breath, seemingly organizing her thoughts.

"Actually... there is one thing I have been hiding from you," she said. "About my true identity."

I was stunned for a moment. "True identity? Aren't you Ye Liuli? The Dawn Guild leader?"

"That is my identity in the game." Ye Liuli shook her head. "In reality... my name is Ye Qingcheng."

"Ye Qingcheng?" I frowned. "This name... sounds a bit familiar."

"Have you heard of the Ye Group?" she asked.

The Ye Group?

A flash of inspiration struck my mind, and I remembered.

The Ye Group is one of the largest multinational corporations in the country, involved in real estate, finance, technology, and many other fields, with assets in the trillions. And Ye Qingcheng... is the only daughter of the Ye Group?

"Holy crap!" I widened my eyes. "You are the heiress of the Ye Group?"

Ye Liuli... no, Ye Qingcheng nodded. "That's right."

I opened my mouth wide, unable to speak for a long time.

I actually hooked up with the heiress of the Ye Group?

This damn...

"Wait, let me process this." I rubbed my temples. "You mean, in reality, you are a super rich second-generation, and in the game, you are the Iceberg Empress?"

"You could put it that way." Ye Qingcheng nodded.

"Then... why did you hide it from me?" I asked.

"Because this matter is of great importance." Ye Qingcheng's expression was solemn. "The Ye Group is one of the largest investors in the world descent game. We hold the core data and technology of the game. But inside the group... someone wants to seize my inheritance rights."

"Who?"

"My cousin, Ye Wuji."

Ye Wuji?

I frowned. "This name... why does it sound a bit familiar?"

"Of course it sounds familiar to you." Ye Qingcheng sneered. "Qin Wuji is his game ID."

"What?!"

I was so shocked that I jumped off the bed.

Qin Wuji... the inner sect head disciple of the Sword Pavilion... that guy who has always disliked me... is actually Ye Qingcheng's cousin? Someone from the Ye Group?

"What... what kind of crazy plot twist is this?" I was dumbfounded.

"In reality, Ye Wuji has colluded with a mysterious organization." Ye Qingcheng continued. "This organization in the game is the Shadow Pavilion."

My brain was buzzing.

Shadow Pavilion... Ye Wuji... Qin Wuji...

So everything is connected!

"The true purpose of the Shadow Pavilion is not just to control Tianqi City." Ye Qingcheng said. "They want to obtain the core data in the game to use for commercial conspiracies in reality."

"What kind of conspiracy?"

"The world descent is not just a game." Ye Qingcheng lowered her voice. "It uses the most advanced brain-computer interface technology, which can collect players' brainwave data. This data... is worth a fortune."

I listened, confused. "Brainwave data? What's it used for?"

"It can be used to develop artificial intelligence, to research human thought, and even to... control human consciousness." Ye Qingcheng's voice trembled slightly. "Ye Wuji wants to sell this data to foreign forces in exchange for huge profits."

I gasped.

This damn... it's no longer just a grudge in the game; this is espionage in reality!

"So you established the Dawn Guild..." I seemed to understand something.

"On one hand, it was to build my own influence in the game, and on the other, it was to investigate the true purpose of the Shadow Pavilion." Ye Qingcheng nodded. "But I didn't expect Ye Wuji to strike at me so quickly. The Shadow World-Destroying Formation... was his doing."

"That Shadow Pavilion Master..."

"Was his trusted subordinate." Ye Qingcheng said. "Although the Shadow Pavilion Master is dead, Ye Wuji will not give up. He will definitely make a comeback."

I fell silent.

So behind all of this, such a huge conspiracy was hidden.

"There is one more thing." Ye Qingcheng looked at me with complex eyes. "Ye Wuji already knows I am in the game. He also knows... that you are very close to me."

"So what?" I raised an eyebrow.

"So you are now involved as well." Ye Qingcheng lowered her head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have dragged you into this."

I looked at her and suddenly laughed.

"What are you laughing at?" She was stunned.

"I'm laughing at you for being silly." I walked over and held her hand. "I, Chen Ergou, have never been afraid of trouble. Besides, even without you, the Shadow Pavilion wouldn't let me go. I am the one who ruined their big plans."

Ye Qingcheng stared at me blankly.

"Whether in reality or in the game, I stand on your side." I said seriously. "If Ye Wuji wants to touch you, he has to get past me first."

Ye Qingcheng's eyes turned red, but she held back her tears.

"Thank you, Ergou." She said softly.

"What are you thanking me for?" I chuckled. "We are so close. Besides, if you fall, who will accompany me to run my street stall?"

Ye Qingcheng burst into laughter through her tears and lightly punched me. "What time is it, and you're still thinking about your street stall."

"Of course, this is my life's work." I said seriously.

Just then, the system notification sound rang out:

[Ding! Hidden plot completed!]

[Unlocked new quest line—The Intersection of Reality and Virtual!]

[Quest Description: Investigate Ye Wuji's influence in the game and stop his conspiracy.]

[Quest Reward: Unknown]

[Quest Duration: Unlimited]

I looked at the system notification, a glint of light flashing in my eyes.

Ye Wuji... Qin Wuji...

No matter who you are, since you want to touch Ye Liuli, don't blame me for being impolite.

"Ye Liuli." I said suddenly.

"Hmm?"

"Don't call yourself Ye Liuli anymore." I smiled. "Call yourself Ye Qingcheng. I think that name sounds quite nice."

Ye Qingcheng was stunned for a moment, then revealed a gentle smile.

"Okay."

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water, spilling onto us.

A new storm is coming.

But I, Chen Ergou, have never been afraid of storms.

Because I am—the Apocalypse Guardian!