Chapter 97: Ma Hexuan’s Software

Seeing the astonishment on Xiao Yu’s stiff face, Shen Qi’s face turned pale instantly, and she exclaimed, “She really died?”

“Yes,” Xiao Yu nodded, his gaze unusual.

“How could he dare, how could he dare!” Shen Qi trembled all over, her eyes gradually reddening.

Hmm?

Xiao Yu thought of a question. Despite being in a relationship for six years, Shen Qi had never visited Ma Hexuan after he was imprisoned. Wasn’t that strange?

“Aren’t you going to tell me something?” Xiao Yu stared at Shen Qi, who was about to cry.

“After he went to prison…” Shen Qi lowered her head, tears finally falling, “My best friend came to see me.”

Xiao Yu squinted his eyes, “Did she do something to you?”

“She… threatened me,” Shen Qi sobbed, “and had people beat me up, and took… naked photos of me.”

Xiao Yu’s mind exploded. A flash of insight burst through his exhausted brain like lightning.

Was this why he was so desperate to break out of prison? Could someone go to such lengths for a woman?

Xiao Yu took a deep breath. The answer was: They could!

From ancient times to the present, how many men have done unimaginable things for their women?

One rage, a sea of blood.

One love, a country destroyed, and a family shattered.

If Ma Hexuan was such a person…

“So, is that why you didn’t go to the detention center to see him?” Xiao Yu softened his voice, knowing the woman in front of him was a victim.

“Yes!” Shen Qi, her face covered in tears, nodded. “I was afraid he would figure it out.”

Given how much he liked her and their deep relationship, if she didn’t visit, wouldn’t that make him suspicious? So he probably had someone investigate her, discovered the truth, and eventually broke out of prison.

One by one, these thoughts flashed through Xiao Yu’s mind. Few men could endure such a situation. But killing two police officers, escaping from prison, and then committing another murder?

Xiao Yu frowned, sensing something was off.

“Your best friend…” Xiao Yu stared into Shen Qi’s eyes. “What did she threaten you with?”

“She wanted Hexuan’s software.” Shen Qi, her eyes red and swollen, sobbed, “Before he was imprisoned, Hexuan did leave a portable hard drive with me. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I gave it to her.”

A portable hard drive? Xiao Yu was stunned for a moment. 

Did it contain Ma Hexuan’s software? What kind of software was it, exactly?

Suddenly, Xiao Yu’s expression turned peculiar. Was it possible that Ma Hexuan’s prison break wasn’t just because of Shen Qi, but because of the software? Otherwise, why would he kill his girlfriend’s best friend so brutally right after escaping?

Although the incident with the nude photos would be unbearable for any man, thinking about that corpse. Her teeth were pulled out, her tongue was cut off, and there were obvious signs of torture on the body before death. 

One word flashed through Xiao Yu’s mind: Wow!

***

Leaving Shen Qi’s house, Xiao Yu issued two orders. Although the best friend was dead, those who had threatened Shen Qi must not be spared. This was a crime.

The first order was to arrest the threats. The second order…

“Investigate what software Ma Hexuan was developing.”

Inside the police car, Xiao Yu closed his eyes and a national security officer took out his phone.

What kind of software could drive someone to such madness? Xiao Yu couldn’t fathom it.

In the previous life, systems like Apple’s were incredibly impressive. Such software could be developed by one or two people or even small teams.

Xiao Yu couldn’t imagine what kind of software could make someone go to such extremes.

Back at the municipal bureau, the national security personnel had found some information.

“Artificial intelligence?” Xiao Yu was dumbfounded.

Many people knew what artificial intelligence was. It was a virtual entity, a form of intelligence derived from digitization. To put it plainly, it was about creating a conscious, self-aware, thinking virtual life in the virtual computer world and applying it in reality.

Had it appeared yet?

Strictly speaking, it had long been realized.

It was the AI people talked about, already integrated into daily life.

For example, typing software. It could, based on your input method—whether pinyin, Wubi, or others—gradually adapt to your preferences and create a familiar, fast typing experience.

Or take phone calls. Sometimes people received promotional calls. The voice might sound strange, yet it was clearly human. Occasionally, when you said something, it could respond with a relevant answer. 

In reality, those were not real people but artificial intelligence responding with pre-set phrases based on your input.

Although artificial intelligence had been around for a while, it was still in a ‘not very smart’ phase. It couldn’t yet achieve the level of human self-awareness and independent thought.

So here was the question. Was Ma Hexuan researching this kind of thing?

Xiao Yu found it hard to understand. Even the computer and software industries, and some countries, hadn’t fully grasped artificial intelligence.

What gave Ma Hexuan the confidence to develop it?

Not only did he research it, but someone also even threatened his girlfriend over it. It was even possible that Ma Hexuan’s prison break was because of it.

Could it be that… 

Xiao Yu felt a chill run down his spine.

‘Don’t tell me Ma Hexuan actually developed a conscious, self-aware, thinking artificial intelligence?!’

The city-wide manhunt continued, but Ma Hexuan and Lu Jia seemed to have vanished into thin air.

No, Xiao Yu hesitated. They were still in this city.

So how could they be found?

Xiao Yu returned to the detention center. It was time to investigate the map of the detention center’s layout.

“Find the source of the paper and pen,” Xiao Yu instructed the two national security personnel. “Some areas on that map are places they couldn’t have accessed or even entered. But they managed to draw the map, so there must be something we’ve missed. Find it.”

The two national security personnel left.

Excellent!

Watching their departing backs, Xiao Yu sighed with appreciation. They were competent, efficient, and reliable, completing all his orders with remarkable speed. Their efficiency was almost frightening.

Technically, national security officers were also a type of police officer. But they were the elite among the police, the best of the best.

Due to their high efficiency, within an hour, they found everything Xiao Yu asked for.

The items had been given by a prisoner.

When Xiao Yu met this prisoner, he learned about his identity, which was a bit surprising.

The prisoner’s identity was interesting. He was the head of the inmates, or rather a prison bully.