Chapter 97: Ma Hexuan’s Software

Chapter 97: Ma Hexuan’s Software

Xiao Yu saw the shock frozen on his face.

Shen Qi’s complexion went ghostly white as he cried out, “He’s really dead?”

“Yes.”

Xiao Yu nodded, his eyes filled with a strange intensity.

“How dare he! How could he possibly dare!”

Shen Qi trembled uncontrollably, his eyes slowly welling up with tears.

Hmm?

A thought suddenly occurred to Xiao Yu.

They were clearly a couple, together for six years.

After Ma Hexuan went to prison, Shen Qi never went to see him?

Isn’t that strange?

“Aren’t you going to tell me something?”

Xiao Yu fixed his gaze on the tearful Shen Qi.

“After he was imprisoned…”

Shen Qi looked down as tears finally began to fall, “My best friend came by.”

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

“She… threatened me.”

Shen Qi sobbed, “She even had someone beat me up and snatched my explicit photos!”

Boom!

Xiao Yu’s mind felt like it had exploded.

A spark of insight lit up his dwindling thoughts, coming in a flash like lightning.

Is this really the reason you were so desperate to break out?

Could a woman push a man to such extremes?

Xiao Yu drew in a deep breath.

The answer was obvious: absolutely!

Throughout history,

how many men would go to any lengths for their women?

One burst of fury could unleash a sea of blood.

One deep passion could shatter a nation and ruin families.

If Ma Hexuan was that kind of man…

“So you didn’t go to see him at the detention center?”

Xiao Yu’s voice softened.

Because the woman before him was a victim.

“Yes!”

Through tear-streaked eyes, Shen Qi nodded, “I was afraid he’d notice!”

Since he loved you so deeply,

not going to see him would only make him suspicious, right?

So he sent someone to snoop around for your information?

And then found out about it?

And finally, broke out?

One theory after another flashed through Xiao Yu’s mind.

There aren’t many men who could stomach something like this.

Yet he murdered two police officers in succession,

broke out, and then killed again…

Xiao Yu frowned, sensing that something was seriously off.

“Your best friend…”

Xiao Yu stared intently into Shen Qi’s eyes, “Threatened you with what?”

“She wanted He Xuan’s software.”

With red, puffy eyes, Shen Qi sobbed, “Before he went to prison, He Xuan actually stored it on a portable hard drive with me. I couldn’t take it any longer… so I gave it to her!”

A portable hard drive?

Xiao Yu paused—could it be loaded with Ma Hexuan’s research software?

Then what exactly is this software?

Suddenly, Xiao Yu’s expression turned odd.

Could it be that…

Ma Hexuan’s escape wasn’t driven by Shen Qi at all, but by this software?

Otherwise, why, right after breaking out,

would he ruthlessly murder his girlfriend’s best friend?

Although no man could stand the idea of his girlfriend’s explicit photos,

thinking of that dead woman…

her teeth scraped away, her tongue severed, and unmistakable signs of torture before death.

Xiao Yu’s mind could only whisper: “Wuhu!”

……

After leaving Shen Qi’s home,

Xiao Yu issued two orders.

Even though the best friend was dead, no one who ever threatened Shen Qi could be spared.

This is a crime!

The first order: arrest anyone responsible for the threat.

The second order…

“Investigate exactly what software Ma Hexuan developed.”

Inside the police car, Xiao Yu closed his eyes.

A National Security officer took out his phone…

Just what kind of software could drive a man this mad?

Xiao Yu couldn’t imagine.

It was akin to those cutting-edge Apple systems—something truly remarkable.

Such software could be developed by one person, a duo, or even a small team.

Xiao Yu couldn’t fathom any software that could push someone to such extremes!

Back at the City Bureau,

National Security had uncovered some information.

“Artificial… Intelligence?”

Xiao Yu was momentarily dumbfounded.

Everyone knows what artificial intelligence is.

It’s a virtual phenomenon, a form of intelligence born from digital processes.

Simply put, it’s an attempt to create a conscious, thinking virtual life within the computer world.

And then use it in the real world.

Has it emerged?

Strictly speaking, it has been around for ages.

The AI everyone talks about has long since woven itself into everyday life.

Take your everyday typing software, for instance.

It learns from how you input pinyin or Wubi, gradually adapting to your personal style.

Or consider phone calls—sometimes you receive odd promotional calls.

You sense something off in the voice, yet it really is human.

Sometimes, when you speak, it responds with preset answers.

But none of these are actual people; they’re just artificial intelligence reciting programmed lines.

Though AI has been around a long time, it’s still at a stage where it can’t fully mimic human consciousness or independent thought.

For now, it hasn’t reached that level…

And here’s the problem.

Was Ma Hexuan researching something along these lines?

Xiao Yu couldn’t wrap his head around it.

Even industries like computing and software—and even some nations—haven’t fully grasped artificial intelligence.

Why did Ma Hexuan dare to delve into its research and development?

Not only did he study it,

but someone even went so far as to threaten Ma Hexuan’s girlfriend because of it.

Perhaps, Ma Hexuan’s escape was also due to it.

Could it be… Xiao Yu’s scalp was already tingling with questions.

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

The citywide manhunt continued. 380

Ma Hexuan and Lu Jia had vanished as if into thin air.

No—Xiao Yu hesitated.

They’re still somewhere in the city!

So how are we going to find them?

Xiao Yu returned to the Detention Center.

It was time to scrutinize the Detention Center’s access map and find out what was going on.

“Paper and pen—find the source.”

Xiao Yu addressed the two National Security officers, “Some parts of this access map cover places they could never have reached—places they weren’t even allowed to enter. Yet, these two managed to draw it. There’s something we’re missing… find it!”

The two National Security officers left.

Awesome!

Watching them go, Xiao Yu mused to himself.

Efficient, unassuming, and reliable—every order you give is executed at lightning speed.

The efficiency is downright terrifying!

Strictly speaking, National Security falls under the police force.

But they are the elite of the police.

A one-in-a-million force!

Thanks to their efficiency,

in less than an hour, Xiao Yu’s orders had been fully carried out.

The evidence had been provided by a prisoner.

When Xiao Yu met this prisoner, he also discovered his ‘identity.’

He was a bit taken aback.

The prisoner’s identity was rather peculiar.

He was the warden, or rather…

the prison bully!