For some reason, Lygus felt that Fu Zhu being this agreeable was a bit strange.
Given his tough attitude during their previous encounter, it was hard to believe that a few simple words were enough to pacify him. Or had he simply underestimated the importance of the Astral Express crew in Fu Zhu's heart?
Still, regardless of the reason, Lygus was willing to give it a try.
Getting Fu Zhu to back down without a fight was undoubtedly the best possible outcome.
"Yes, I agree with your terms, Mr. Fu Zhu. As for your two companions, they are currently in the light-year 4931, more than a thousand years from the present."
Over a thousand years?
Fu Zhu mentally calculated how long he would need to stay in the outside world to synchronize with Dan Heng and Stelle.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, if you need it, I can provide a place for you. You can stay inside for a short while and then emerge in the future, over a thousand years from now, to leave Amphoreus with your companions."
"That won't be necessary."
Fu Zhu patted Lygus's shoulder, a plan already forming in his mind.
"But thank you for the down payment. See you in a bit."
Confused, Lygus was about to ask what Fu Zhu meant when he saw him raise his right hand and snap his fingers crisply right in front of his face.
---o---
A few dozen seconds earlier.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, could you first release my restraints? I would like to express my sincerity."
At this moment, Lygus was still immobilized by the redstone circuit.
Lygus thought to himself that as long as he mentioned the information about the other three Nameless, Fu Zhu would surely hesitate. Even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance of creating a crack in his composure, it was a risk worth taking, with everything to gain and nothing to lose.
However, contrary to his expectations, Fu Zhu wasn't drawn in by the "sincerity" in his words. Instead, he circled around to stand in front of him, a playful smile on his face.
"No need to express your sincerity. I know you want to talk about my other three companions."
Fu Zhu had guessed his intentions, which surprised Lygus slightly.
After Fu Zhu had kicked him out of the server, he had deliberately scoured the network to investigate Fu Zhu's past experiences. Then, he cross-referenced the Scepter's visitor logs and found the tracks of Stelle, Dan Heng, and March 7th.
However, based on the entire process recorded in the visitor logs, Fu Zhu shouldn't have had any time or means to meet or contact the other Nameless. So why was he now acting so certain about his companions' whereabouts?
Did I miss some piece of information?
Fu Zhu stood before Lygus and, seeing his prolonged silence, could guess that he was now doubting his own sanity, trying to find the information he had missed.
"Lygus, stop overthinking it. Let's get straight to the point. Tell me, why did you go through all the trouble of building this virtual world and iterating the characters within it to a degree that is nearly indistinguishable from reality?"
After a long silence, Lygus suddenly chuckled.
"Haha, so Mr. Fu Zhu, you already know the true nature of this world. In that case, why do you feel such empathy for these fake lifeforms? They are nothing but strings of code, the result of characters interacting with each other. No matter how similar they are to real life, they are nothing more than shadows in a cave."
Swish!
A flash of cold light. Lygus's right arm was cleanly severed, falling to the ground. Sparks sputtered continuously from the circuits at the wound, but Lygus showed no other reaction, still watching Fu Zhu with a calm and detached expression.
Fu Zhu casually propped the Yamato to his side, resting his elbow on its hilt.
"I can't agree with that. How would you explain the Intellitron lifeforms outside? Their thoughts are merely the operational logic generated by the interaction of electrical signals. Are they not real life either?"
"Haha, perhaps? Even I don't think I am a real lifeform at this moment. After all, my true identity… Mr. Fu Zhu, you must have already figured it out, right?"
Fu Zhu nodded silently. Lygus's identity wasn't hard to guess.
To be able to create such a massive virtual world, with a name that even resembled Zandar—Lygus's identity was all but confirmed.
"Zandar, First Seat of the Genius Society."
Hearing Fu Zhu state his true identity, Lygus looked at him with considerable admiration.
"Worthy of a man who embodies the power of two Paths of Aeon Emanators. Even I would find it difficult to crack your bizarre abilities in a short time. But… a strong individual like yourself, Mr. Fu Zhu, are you truly willing to be caught in the machinations of Nous?"
"Nous? The Erudition?"
Although Fu Zhu wasn't sure why Lygus was bringing up Nous at this moment, he had to admit, his interest was piqued.
Seeing the expression on Fu Zhu's face, Lygus knew he had cast the right bait and successfully caught his attention.
Since both of their identities were out in the open, he might as well lay some of his cards on the table.
He had previously gathered a mountain of intel on Fu Zhu online, then used the Scepter system to analyze him as a person.
The Scepter had produced a personality report on Fu Zhu, stating that he possessed a strong sense of curiosity and a fierce desire for autonomy. If someone were to impose a so-called "destiny" upon him, it would inevitably be met with his intense rebellion.
If he laid things bare, there was a one-in-ten-thousand chance he could pull Fu Zhu over to his camp.
Even if that failed… once The Irontomb descends and he seizes the shell of Nous, then even a dual Emanator like Fu Zhu would be powerless against it.
With this in mind, Lygus's mood lightened, and even his tone of voice became gentler.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, I imagine that after you became a Nameless, you must have heard the saying that Nous calculates everything in the universe. For example, let's say you invent a groundbreaking technology one day. You expect to be met with praise and recognition, but they just say, 'Nous already calculated that,' devaluing your wisdom into a mere spark from another being."
"Or perhaps, Nous has calculated that you will obtain the power of a dual Emanator, but likewise, it has also calculated the moment of your downfall. Mr. Fu Zhu, are you truly willing to submit to Nous's calculations?"
After finishing his speech, Lygus looked at Fu Zhu with a confident expression, awaiting his answer.
Lygus believed that a personality like Fu Zhu's would surely say something along the lines of "My fate is my own, not for the heavens to decide." This was also his chance to win him over.
However, what Lygus received was a look of utter confusion from Fu Zhu.
"Are you sure Nous can calculate what I'm thinking of doing?"
For some reason, an ominous feeling welled up in Lygus's heart. He asked, almost subconsciously:
"What are you thinking of doing?"
---o---