Volume One, Chapter 46: Provoking the Entire Audience

As countless eyes fell upon him, Fang Mo remained calm and impassive. Yet, everyone present—whether the technical staff of the Ning Group or Chen Kaige and Ning Huarong—wore expressions of disdain. Ning Shiyu even stomped her jade foot in frustration.

“At a time like this, what nonsense is he spouting? Doesn’t he know he’s just asking for trouble?” she muttered.

Ning Yuelan’s delicate face showed a flicker of surprise that slowly faded, though she did not complain like Ning Shiyu.

“This little fool...” she thought. Surely the man couldn’t bear to see her being criticized so harshly, which is why he stepped forward to take the heat.

Who says a strong woman never leans on someone? At moments like this, having a broad shoulder to rely on can bring warmth even to a woman as formidable as Ning Yuelan, even if Fang Mo could offer no real help.

“Kid, I don’t want to laugh. Please, don’t make a joke out of this,” came a sneering voice.

“Your computer’s firewall can stop hackers? What kind of computer do you have? A supercomputer?” Ning Huarong’s sarcasm was unreserved.

Hearing this, not only did Chen Kaige and Ning Huarong sneer, but even some technical staff of the Ning Group frowned and looked at Fang Mo with disdain.

The young man’s words were essentially questioning their computer expertise. If some random computer’s firewall could prevent this crisis, why would they still be struggling here?

“Kid, even if you want to brag, you should consider reality. President Ning is in a crisis, and all you’re doing is making things worse. You really think spouting nonsense will make others admire you? You’re just seeking attention,” Elder Long sneered at Fang Mo, clearly displeased.

Who’s got a regular computer firewall that can fend off hacker viruses? Moreover, Elder Long had roamed the virtual world for decades and had rarely seen hacker experts of his age. He was convinced Fang Mo was just putting on a show.

Yet Fang Mo was unfazed, replying lightly, “Just because you can’t doesn’t mean others can’t. Besides, if you don’t try, how would you know I can’t? Is it because you’re old and useless that you think everyone else is the same?”

Damn! This kid knows how to get under one’s skin!

Elder Long’s face darkened. “He actually dares to say Elder Long is useless?”

“Does this kid even know who Elder Long is?”

“Elder Long is the top hacker in Jiang City!”

“Many universities invite Elder Long to be a guest professor in computer science. How could this twenty-something punk be better than him?”

The crowd erupted with astonished murmurs. Even some technical staff of the Ning Group whispered quietly.

“Kid, I wasn’t going to bother with you, but since you want to pick a fight, I’ll indulge you. Elder Long is the top computer expert in Jiang City and a consultant for countless corporate network security departments. Since you’re provoking him, you owe an explanation.”

Chen Kaige sneered, “You said your firewall is awesome? Then show us. Let’s see if your firewall can solve the Ning Group’s crisis.”

“But remember, boasting comes with punishment and price.”

“If you can’t turn the tide, then just leave Ning Yuelan alone.”

At those words, Ning Yuelan’s beautiful eyes glinted sharply. Chen Kaige’s intentions were clear: he aimed not only to separate Fang Mo from her but also to offend the entire faith of Jiang City’s computer experts.

“Brother, don’t agree to him!” Ning Yuelan’s eyes flashed with concern, fearing Fang Mo might be provoked into accepting Chen Kaige’s challenge.

However, Fang Mo squeezed the woman’s delicate hand and gave her a resolute look.

“Sorry, that old man does not represent Jiang City’s computer experts. What they call ‘top-tier’ is just the tip of the iceberg, only what you can see above the surface.”

“The real experts wouldn’t be running around serving as someone’s lackey.”

As for that so-called Elder Long, Fang Mo had never even heard of him. Any newcomer from the Dragon Group could easily trounce him. If that’s the level of Jiang City’s best, then Fang Mo, as the Hacker King ‘Zheng,’ might as well represent the entire universe.

Elder Long’s expression darkened again. Even some technical backbones within the Ning Group glared angrily at Fang Mo. By belittling Elder Long, he was insulting them all.

Next, Fang Mo looked calmly at Chen Kaige and said, “Also, I refuse your bet because there are no clear terms.”

“No terms?” Ning Shiyu cried out in shock. “Fang Mo, are you crazy? Do you want to bet with him? Are you trying to divorce my sister?”

“Divorce?” Fang Mo shook his head. “Never thought about it.”

Of course, he had no intention of divorcing. A mere hacker virus was no match for him; he could solve this crisis with his toes. If he was so sure of victory, why not put down that arrogant Chen Kaige?

He glanced over at Chen Kaige and the others. “I just can’t stand a simple problem being made complicated by a bunch of amateurs showing off.”

“What!?” They heard him wrong? He was calling Elder Long an amateur?

Elder Long’s face grew even more sullen, as if he had just tasted something foul.

“Bring it on!” Chen Kaige laughed scornfully.

“You think I’ll lose? Ha! If you can save this crisis with just a computer firewall, I’ll eat shit standing on my head.”

“Tsk, that’s quite the unique hobby.”

Fang Mo shrugged noncommittally. “But you alone... aren’t enough.”

“He’ll eat it too!” Fang Mo pointed at Ning Huarong.

When they pressured Ning Yuelan earlier, this man hadn’t held back, even though he knew Yuelan was married to Fang Mo. His words subtly tried to match Ning Yuelan with Chen Kaige. Did he think the Hacker King ‘Zheng’ of the dark web had no temper?

Ning Huarong’s face twisted with rage as Fang Mo pointed at him.

“You little bastard, who the hell do you think you are, telling me to eat shit? Do you really think you can act lawlessly just because that little bitch Ning Yuelan protects you?”

“This is the Ning Group, not some place for any Tom, Dick, or Harry to roam freely. Believe it or not, I’ll have security throw you out in a minute.”

Slap—

Before Ning Huarong could react, a sharp slap rang out. Ning Yuelan coldly raised her hand and struck him.

“Uncle, I respect you as an elder, so I’ve given you some face while you’ve been meddling in the company,” she said sternly.

“But you’d better watch your mouth when it comes to my husband.”

Her beautiful eyes flickered with worry as she looked at Fang Mo.

“Are you really confident?”

Fang Mo nodded with a brilliant smile.

“As your sister’s husband, it’s naturally my duty to solve your troubles. Sister, find my computer’s motherboard; connecting through the motherboard port will allow you to use my firewall.”

“Okay!”

“But even without the motherboard, I’ve already had someone repair your computer.”

Ning Yuelan said this and sent her secretary to fetch the computer.

Only then did Fang Mo realize why Yuelan had said she had a surprise for him before leaving the house today. The surprise was right here waiting for him.

Truly befitting the number one heiress of Jiang City—she moved fast!

In just a few days, she had someone repair his computer.

Though Fang Mo’s hacking skills were unparalleled, he was nearly a novice when it came to hardware assembly; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so furious when Lin Xihan smashed his computer.

“Good, good, good! Today I want to see how you use hardware to defend software against a hacker attack. You say your computer’s motherboard can solve this crisis?”

“Anyone who knows computers would never say such a thing. Firewalls exist in software; whose firewall is programmed into hardware?”

At that moment, Elder Long, who had been thoroughly angered by Fang Mo, clenched his teeth and spoke through gritted teeth.

“Brother Shen!”

“Hmm!”

Shen Changqing walked down the street, greeting acquaintances with a nod or a brief hello.

But no matter who it was, no one showed any emotion, as if they were indifferent to everything.

This was normal for Shen Changqing.

This was the Demon Suppression Division, an institution dedicated to maintaining stability in the Great Qin, mainly tasked with slaying demons and monsters, among other duties.

In the Demon Suppression Division, every member bore the stain of much blood.

When one becomes accustomed to life and death, many things become indifferent.

When Shen Changqing first arrived in this world, he was somewhat unaccustomed, but over time he grew used to it.

The Demon Suppression Division was vast.

Those who remained here were powerful experts or had the potential to become such.

Shen Changqing belonged to the latter.

The division had two main roles: Guardians and Demon Slayers.

Everyone entering started as the lowest rank, Demon Slayer apprentice, then climbed the ranks, ultimately aspiring to become a Guardian.

Shen Changqing’s previous life was that of a Demon Slayer apprentice, the lowest level.

With memories from his past life, he was very familiar with the division’s environment.

In no time, Shen Changqing stopped before a pavilion.

Unlike the other grim and blood-soaked places in the division, this pavilion stood out like a crane among chickens, offering a contrasting tranquility.

The pavilion doors were wide open, with occasional people coming and going.

After a brief hesitation, Shen Changqing stepped inside.

Upon entering, the atmosphere changed abruptly.

A waft of ink fragrance mixed with a faint metallic blood scent reached him, causing his brows to knit instinctively before relaxing.

The persistent bloodstain scent on everyone in the Demon Suppression Division was nearly impossible to wash away.

The Pen and Brush Department.