Chapter 24: Albert Napolitano

Liu Jinsen was still running around, trying to find a way.

However, the Three Towers Academy was currently under lockdown. He could not enter the campus, and naturally, he could not get in touch with Albert Napolitano. This living legend was almost always busy with his own affairs, and few could ever track him down. Usually, when he did appear, it was because there was some matter at hand, or he was lacking some resource, leading him to show up directly at the homes of high-ranking officials or prominent figures.

While finding Albert Napolitano would certainly help Wen Xishu escape the harassment from the First Bureau of the Security Agency, the problem remained: how to find him?

Over the past few hours, Liu Jinsen had first gone to the academy, only to be turned away. He then thought of visiting the Xun family, the noble clan of the Bunker known for their lineage of heroes. He hoped that by finding Xun Hui, Napolitano’s prized protégé, he might be able to establish contact with the man himself. Liu Jinsen failed to meet Xun Hui in person, but with the help of the Xun family, he was able to reach him by phone. During the call, Liu Jinsen clearly and concisely explained the entire situation. Xun Hui simply replied, "You don’t need to worry about this matter," and hung up.

Liu Jinsen, of course, could not simply stop worrying. Although Xun Hui was the top-ranked climber of the Slaughter Tower, he hadn’t provided any information other than that one dismissive sentence. Liu Jinsen had no idea if Xun Hui was actually willing to help. The Second Bureau had their own ulterior motives for assisting Wen Xishu, but Liu Jinsen’s intentions were pure; he simply hoped that someone who had contributed to the Bunker could survive. At the very least, in his view, Wen Xishu’s crimes did not warrant death, and killing someone after they had performed a meritorious service was a profanation of the Bunker’s laws.

And so, Liu Jinsen continued his efforts, heading toward the residence of the Wen family.

***

Three Towers Academy.

In a park within the Desire Tower Academy, an old man and a young man were playing chess. There were no onlookers. Those who could enter the Desire Tower Academy were either exceptionally gifted or possessed substantial family wealth. Yet, even in this academy where nobles walked freely and millionaires were a dime a dozen, no one dared to disturb the two as they played. The academy had issued a notice that afternoon: the park area was off-limits.

"Your chess skills have improved, Mirror."

"You are too kind, Master. A few days ago, I encountered a very abstract chess player in the Desire Tower. He was a man of peerless natural talent, but alas, he faced a super-intelligence that exceeded human calculation too early, and his Daoist heart was shattered. I learned a few things from him, hoping that I might be able to play against you for a little longer."

"You, you just love the knowledge hidden within the Three Towers. If you keep learning like this, I won't be your match for much longer, ha ha ha..."

The old man laughed heartily. He was ninety-one years old, yet he appeared no older than fifty. His white hair did not make him look aged; his physique, his complexion, and his muscle tone were not those of a man over sixty. Sitting across from him was the pride of the entire Bunker, the prince charming in the hearts of countless women in the Administrative Bureau—Wenren Jing, currently the top student of the Desire Tower.

He was, one could say, the idol of the Bunker. His family background and his personal aptitude were both impeccable. Yet, even Wenren Jing was respectful toward the old man, and it was from the bottom of his heart. For the old man was one of the living legends of the Bunker: Albert Napolitano, the Dean of the Three Towers Academy.

"But you didn't come to see me today just for this, did you? You and Xun Hui are secretly competing. If he isn't slacking off, how could you have the leisure to play chess with me?"

Wenren Jing smiled slightly. "Master, I will not hide it from you. Today, in the second level of the Bunker, a level-six building appeared."

Albert was not surprised, and Wenren Jing was not surprised by his lack of surprise.

"A good find. Our school lacks an infirmary; I actually quite wanted to move that building into our campus. But the people down there are living such bitter lives. The Security Agency and the Administrative Bureau are already beastly enough; let us not be too beastly ourselves. You work hard, and perhaps one day you can bring a few more level-six buildings to the school."

He spoke with such casual ease, as if level-six buildings were easily obtained. Of course, even for a legend like himself, bringing back a level-six building required a bit of luck. Yet, they were indeed capable of it. If they said such things, no one would dare doubt them.

Wenren Jing suddenly asked, "Do you think he relied on his own ability?"

Albert smiled. It was rare for this child to lose his composure. It seemed he still couldn't let go of certain matters. The old Dean said, "I read a book once where the protagonist loved to emphasize, 'I am so powerful today because of my own hard work,' and then... every time he encountered danger, he would shout, 'System, add points.' Hey, don't laugh, the stories written by these Bunker authors are quite engaging. Many people say, 'What kind of skill is relying on a cheat?' But the cheat chose him, and he utilized that cheat reasonably well—why shouldn't that count? People often don't understand one thing: when others have something you don't, you tend to think, 'It’s only because I don't have it; if I had it, I could do it too.' But if it were truly placed upon you, you might not survive at all."

Wenren Jing nodded thoughtfully.

Albert asked, "Why? Even a genius like you finds this first exploration of the Ghost Tower to be such a sensational achievement?"

Wenren Jing shook his head. "It is just a coincidence. Once, I always regarded Wen Zhaohua..." He paused. "...as a good friend. He suddenly performed bizarre actions, the entire Wen family followed suit, and then... his younger brother, who had been insane for years, was no longer insane. He even became a genius. This is too much of a coincidence."

In his address, Wenren Jing had added an extra character to the name, intended to create a sense of distance and to clarify his stance. People have stances, and they must have them. Yet, in the depths of his heart, Wenren Jing would occasionally miss the days when the three of them dominated the Three Towers, becoming a legendary tale of the Bunker.

Albert remarked, "It is indeed a coincidence. Since you have doubts, and I have doubts, then it is simple: I will go and see him myself."

Wenren Jing asked, "Do you wish for him to enter the Three Towers Academy?"

Albert shook his head. "It is not decided yet. I must see the child first." Then, Albert added, "You should focus your mind on breaking through to higher levels for now. Even if this child is truly a genius or an 'inheritor,' he still has a very, very long road to travel before he reaches your level."

Wenren Jing understood the implication. Regardless of the circumstances, the underlying mechanisms of the Three Towers remained: if one's Anti-Magic Value, Luck Value, and Slaughter Value did not improve, no matter how stunning one's debut might be, it proved nothing. Wen Xishu’s journey had only just taken its first step.

Wenren Jing said, "Yes. I have recently been involved in a... rather thorny chain mission. There are many 'Corruptors,' and it is even possible that the target of the mission has become a Corruptor himself. I will likely disappear for a while. I leave the investigation into Wen Zhaohua to you, Master."

Albert nodded and waved his hand. "Then let us seal the board; we shall play again next time. I, too, must go and see that child. It wouldn't do to leave it too late."

Wenren Jing stood up and bowed to Albert. "Thank you, Master. My position dictates that I cannot speak for Wen Zhaohua. If it were merely the Desire Tower... never mind, the crimes he committed were too egregious. I have no intention of speaking for him. No matter how close our friendship was... I can distinguish right from wrong. I am not partial to his brother either, but I think... at least there are doubts in this matter. Even if he must be killed, it should only be done after the facts are established. Furthermore, his brother has indeed changed the fate of many people, including some students of the Three Towers Academy. If this epidemic can be quelled..."

Albert gave a hearty laugh. "Enough, go attend to your business. Leave this matter to me. It just so happens that I would like to inspect whether the Security Agency is truly as 'secure' as they claim."