novelraw Chapter 17 : The Master of Disguise
Chapter 17 : The Master of Disguise
Chapter 17: The Master of Disguise
Under Chen Mo’s personal supervision, the 【Candle Dragon】 task force placed Liu Gang and his “Blackwater Security” company under top-level, round-the-clock surveillance.
They soon uncovered a large amount of highly unusual intelligence.
“Report! Target Liu Gang has, in the past three days, purchased over five tons of special steel and rare metals through multiple overseas channels, including titanium alloy and tungsten steel—all shipped to his company’s warehouse.”
“Report! Using high-altitude drones equipped with thermal imaging, we discovered that the target company’s training ground showed intense energy reactions at midnight—temperatures even exceeding the melting point of steel!”
All signs made Chen Mo increasingly certain that Liu Gang was absolutely aware of the existence of the “Transcendent,” and might even be one himself!
Thus, an emergency meeting was immediately convened to determine how to deal with Liu Gang.
……
“I object to any form of armed assault!”
“I suggest we immediately initiate contact and negotiate with the target!”
Chen Mo slammed his palm onto the table, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room as he said in a deep voice, “Judging from the target’s actions, though he’s clearly connected to the Transcendent, he hasn’t shown any intent to harm ordinary people.”
“Therefore, we should attempt to communicate with him—to understand the truth about the ‘Transcendent,’ or even secure his cooperation.”
“Communicate? Cooperate?”
A harsh voice interrupted Chen Mo. The Deputy Bureau Chief slammed the folder in his hand onto the table, his face exuding an unchallengeable authority.
“Comrade Chen Mo, have you forgotten how Li Ming’s corpse was placed right in front of you?!”
“These so-called ‘Transcendent’ individuals are nothing but monsters—monsters who disregard life and are extremely dangerous! What’s there to communicate with monsters about?”
“Each one of them is a volatile, unstable factor—a bomb that can overturn social order!”
“Our duty is to dismantle it before it explodes!!”
Chen Mo frowned. Something about the Deputy Bureau Chief today felt off.
In the past, though the Deputy Bureau Chief was cautious, he was never this impatient, nor so openly aggressive.
“Deputy Bureau Chief, I disagree!”
Chen Mo argued firmly, “We know almost nothing about the target’s potential Transcendent abilities!”
“Acting rashly could lead to heavy casualties on our side!”
“Worse, it might escalate tensions and push someone we could’ve recruited into becoming our enemy!”
“Therefore, we should first attempt contact and communication!”
“Casualties? Escalation?”
The Deputy Bureau Chief, seated at the head of the table, let out a cold laugh and placed his thermos heavily on the desk. “Chen Mo, have you forgotten who you are?”
“You’re a police officer! You represent the state!”
“Our duty is to eliminate threats—not to cower in fear!”
“If you’re too afraid of casualties to act, what kind of police are we?!”
“The Transcendent must be eradicated! No matter the cost—that is our duty and mission!”
“You…” Chen Mo was momentarily choked speechless by his words.
After a long pause, Chen Mo managed to argue back, “But we should at least find out his objective!”
“And what he knows about the ‘Transcendent’!”
“After all, he’s the only living lead we have right now!”
“Lead?”
The Deputy Bureau Chief stood, towering over Chen Mo with an imposing air. “Chen Mo!
“You must remember—our duty is to eliminate threats and maintain stability, not to play detective games!”
“If an Transcendent harms the public, who will bear that responsibility?!”
“Therefore, I propose we immediately mobilize the Armed Police Special Operations Unit, deploy heavy weapons, and deliver a full-scale destructive strike against the target and his company!”
“We must crush all instability in the cradle!”
“You’re talking about mass slaughter!” Chen Mo shouted in fury.
“I’m taking responsibility for saving more lives!” the Deputy Bureau Chief retorted, refusing to yield.
The argument in the conference room reached a boiling point.
Yet, none of them knew that the man sitting in the Deputy Bureau Chief’s seat, speaking so fiercely—was no longer the real Deputy Bureau Chief.
……
Time returned to the day the game began.
Chen Xiang had just signed a massive insurance policy. The client was a rich fool with more money than sense.
With his glib tongue, Chen Xiang had exaggerated a low-return insurance plan into a “family heirloom” that would secure generations of wealth and comfort.
When he stepped out of that lavish mansion holding the contract, the tearful gratitude in the eyes of the tycoon’s family filled him with a deep, genuine satisfaction.
Chen Xiang loved that feeling—the thrill of manipulating everyone in the palm of his hand, of watching those self-proclaimed “smart” fools get caught in the web of lies he wove.
To Chen Xiang, the world itself was one grand scam; sincerity was the biggest joke in it.
Just as he walked out of the mansion, ready to celebrate another successful “hunt,” an oracle descended.
【Welcome to ‘Game of Gods’】
【Matching player identity and faction】
【Identity match complete】
【Faction match complete】
【Player: Chen Xiang】
【Identity: Master of Disguise】
【Faction: Shadow】
【Your mask is your greatest weapon; your lies your best disguise. None shall know your true face—you are a thousand faces in one.】
……
Chen Xiang was the fastest among all players to adapt to the “game.”
After the brief initial shock, he immediately entered a deserted alley, pulled out his phone, and stared at his reflection, focusing his mind.
In the next instant, he saw the muscles and bones on his face begin to crackle softly—like a complex machine being reassembled.
In just a few seconds, the familiar face on the screen had transformed into that of a middle-aged stranger he had only once passed in an elevator.
Chen Xiang looked at the phone—at the stranger before him with sharp brows, bright eyes, and a refined air.
He touched the stubble on his now unfamiliar face, listening to the coarse voice that came from his own throat, as a wave of ecstatic joy surged through him.
He stepped out of the alley, relishing the anonymous thrill as passersby glanced at him.
He instantly realized that, in modern society, this Transcendent ability was practically “invincible.”
Because identity was the greatest weapon of the modern age.
A person’s entire life—their social status, connections, bank accounts—everything was tied to their one and only “face.”
And now, he could steal anyone’s “face,” which meant he could steal anyone’s “identity.”
From that moment on, things like identity, rules, and laws lost all meaning to him.
He could become anyone, go anywhere, and do anything.
……
Two days ago, when Lin Lan’s intelligence indicated that official forces had begun closely monitoring Liu Gang, a bold and sinister plan took shape in her mind.
She could not allow the authorities and the 【Radiance】 faction players to develop any possibility of “peaceful communication.”
She wanted to heighten the conflict between the authorities and the 【Radiance】 faction—let them tear each other apart, while she reaped the rewards.
Thus, late that night, as the real Deputy Bureau Chief drove home, a pitch-black shadow silently spread beneath his car.
When the Deputy Bureau Chief stepped out, the shadow turned into a sharp spike and pierced his heart without a sound.
The whole process took less than a second—utterly silent.
Then, waiting calmly nearby, Chen Xiang opened the car door and dragged away the still-warm corpse.
Looking down at the dead man’s face, his own features began to ripple like flowing water.
A few minutes later, a new Deputy Bureau Chief was born. The “new” Deputy Bureau Chief straightened his collar, as if nothing had happened, then restarted the car.
……
Thus, the “Deputy Bureau Chief” Chen Xiang impersonated now used his hardest stance to push for a violent confrontation between the authorities and Liu Gang.
After fierce debate, the higher-ups settled on a compromise.
“Attempt capture first. If the target resists violently, authorize the field commander—Chen Mo—to act at his discretion, including use of lethal force.”
Though dissatisfied, Chen Mo could only obey orders.
As the meeting adjourned, the “Deputy Bureau Chief” disguised by Chen Xiang patted Chen Mo’s shoulder and said “earnestly,” “Comrade Chen Mo, please be extremely cautious. We must not let such dangerous elements threaten the lives of the people.”
……
The capture plan was personally devised by Chen Mo—every detail carefully reviewed and refined.
The operation was scheduled for 4 a.m., the hour when humans were at their most exhausted and least alert.
“All units, attention!”
At 3:30 a.m., Chen Mo sat inside the command vehicle, issuing the final orders through the communicator.
“The operation codename—‘Forged Blade’!”
“Official reason: ‘Inspecting company wiring,’ to justify entry into Blackwater Security.”
“Team One, Special Operations Unit—establish a perimeter and seal all ground and aerial escape routes.”
“Team Two, elite detectives—frontline assault, draw the target out into our pre-set ambush zone.”
Chen Mo’s finger pointed at an open-air parking lot on the tactical map.
“Team Three, ambush unit—our main strike force.”
“Snipers and heavy fire teams—take positions at the high points around Zone A.”
“Once the target enters the kill zone, unleash full saturation fire with high-voltage stun guns and high-dose tranquilizer rounds!”
“Our goal is to capture alive—but if the target’s resistance endangers our personnel’s safety…”
Chen Mo’s eyes turned icy cold.
“…I authorize immediate termination!”
To ensure absolute success, Chen Mo even requested reinforcement from the military district—a special ops squad equipped with the latest exoskeleton armor—as the ultimate trump card.
At his command, dozens of police cars and armored vehicles moved out like steel beasts in the night, silently converging on the headquarters of “Blackwater Security.”