I followed Teacher Wang Ren helplessly. Looking back at Jiang Kexin, she made a funny face at me. When we reached the office, I didn't hide anything and explained the whole story. Teacher Wang Ren pondered for a moment and said, "The other party is targeting you. She is trying to sow discord between me and Luo Bo just to cause internal conflict over the resources you possess."
"I understand, which is why I never doubted you."
"What about others?"
I felt it was unnecessary to hide anything from Teacher Wang Ren and said seriously, "Martial Uncle, I did suspect Xiao Zi'an. After all, such magical makeup skills are rare."
"Disguise is not a noble art. But when taken to the extreme, it can be very difficult to deal with. However, you don't need to worry too much. After all, if one only pursues changes in form and consciousness, there will be psychological loopholes that a skilled Schemer can easily exploit."
"So, the truly formidable ones are like Old Ghost, not Xiao Zi'an."
"Exactly. Not to mention Xiao Zi'an can't handle Little Ten and Old Nine. Even if she were to impersonate one of my acquaintances to deal with me, there would be plenty of flaws."
"Then how can Xiao Zi'an become stronger?"
Teacher Wang Ren chuckled softly, "What good would it do you if she became stronger? What if she decides to deal with you? Aren't you afraid?"
"Afraid of what? If this world requires constant vigilance against those around us, wouldn't life be too painful?"
"Since you feel that way, perhaps if Xiao Zi'an learned from your Senior Martial Uncle's style, she might reach a higher level."
I understood what Teacher Wang Ren meant, which was for Xiao Zi'an to learn the ultimate game theory system. But that was quite difficult. If Xiao Zi'an could have learned it, she would have done so already!
"Martial Uncle, are there any tricks?"
"Hesitation leads to ruin. Disguise is, after all, fake. What you understand is never the whole picture. Even if ordinary psychological effects can compensate for some of it, you will still encounter many unknown situations due to incorrect information. In such circumstances, decisiveness is crucial; hesitation only complicates matters."
"I don't understand?"
Wang Ren smiled faintly, "When killing, if there's a good opportunity, strike. There's no need to stick to the plan."
This time I understood. It was a simple and direct meaning. In fact, the biggest characteristic of the situational stage system is trapping people in a fixed environment. In such cases, it's easy to make plans, so usually, the planner won't make judgments and will act according to the plan. However, in a game of chess, as long as you can win, you should win immediately.
The two seem contradictory, but they are not. Teacher Wang Ren was merely pointing out a common mistake made by Schemers in the situational stage system: forgetting the objective due to a smooth plan, thus missing opportunities.
Under the teachings of Old Mr. Wen De, there have never been four aspects. True scheming is about planning with a purpose, maintaining yin-yang balance, and being seamless.
"Thank you for your guidance, Martial Uncle. I understand."
Teacher Wang Ren smiled, "I called you in to tell you something, but we've ended up chatting so much nonsense."
"What is it?"
"Luo Bo hasn't called you yet, has he?"
"Why would he call me? Oh, those people who dealt with Sister Xiao Luo, weren't they hypnotized?"
Teacher Wang Ren curled her lips, "The people he brought claim to have lost their memories, and that the hypnosis was fake."
"Fake?"
"Yes, I saw those people. There are no traces of hypnosis at all. As I said, the enemy was targeting you from the beginning."
I chuckled awkwardly, "I'm sorry for dragging Jiang Kexin into this."
"She's fine. It's good for her to gain some experience with you and understand the dangers of the world."
"By the way, do you know that Jiang Kexin has a boyfriend?"
Teacher Wang Ren shook her head, "No."
"Then when you talk to her, please don't say I told you, okay?"
Teacher Wang Ren looked surprised, "Why would I mention her? If she has a boyfriend, she has a boyfriend. If she's living together, she's living together. If she thinks they can get married, she'll definitely bring him back for me to meet, and I'll happily welcome him. If she doesn't bring him back, I won't pry. When you have children in the future, you'll understand this feeling."
This open-minded old lady left me speechless. I smiled and said, "Martial Uncle, it's fine. I'll be going now."
"Oh, right. I suddenly remembered something."
"What?"
"My master once said that there's a very powerful face-changing art in Sichuan. Are the enemies you're dealing with in Sichuan?"
"Yes, what is this face-changing art like?"
"I don't know. I just happened to remember it. That old man was drunk that day and said some strange things, so I didn't pay much attention. Later, I did see face-changing in Sichuan."
"How does it change?"
"Like changing from a red face to a blue face, then to a black face. It involves changing faces with masks."
Hearing Teacher Wang Ren say this, I chuckled awkwardly, "You're joking with me, right? I've seen Sichuan's face-changing. What does it have to do with the enemies I'm dealing with?"
"Nothing, I just remembered it. Perhaps I'm getting old and miss my master."
"You're so funny!"
"Alright, that's all. You can go now!"
...
When I came out, I saw Jiang Kexin and Hu Xiaoyu sitting on the bench in the corridor like deflated balloons. I walked over and looked down at them, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Kexin handed me a few sheets of paper with four portraits on them. Seeing the portraits, my memory resurfaced. Yes, it was these people.
"Aren't they found? Why the long faces?"
"No records found."
"What do you mean?"
"I heard those people speaking in a very authentic Beijing dialect; they are locals. However, Uncle Fan couldn't find any records of these people through the household registration department."
"How is that possible?"
I found it hard to believe, but it was the truth.
...
Hu Xiaoyu awkwardly interjected, "Why don't we go take a look?"
"Look at what? Where?"
Jiang Kexin stopped Hu Xiaoyu, "It's definitely not like that. Don't make things worse."
"I feel like those people had expressionless faces. Maybe it really is like that."
I looked at the two of them in surprise and asked in confusion, "What exactly are you talking about?"
Hu Xiaoyu bit her lip and whispered like a mosquito, "Silicone dolls."
"What?"
"The kind perverts use~"
I found it both funny and exasperating. Jiang Kexin took over the conversation, "Why don't we go and see? I heard that the perverted ways of playing have been upgraded now."
...
This circle is quite bizarre. My understanding of these otaku-specific items was still at the level of silicone dolls. But that's not the case. Many wealthy people are involved.
However, these silicone dolls are real people, with only parts disguised by silicone, like wearing a mask, but more than just a mask. This practice originated from cross-dressers and fetishists, with both male and female players. Early simulation masks were rigid, and the wearer looked exactly like the mask. There are players and companies in Japan, Europe, and China making masks. But rigid masks cannot express emotions and are easily seen through.
Frankly, some wealthy otaku simply like anime characters. Buying a silicone doll doesn't fully satisfy their psychological and physical emptiness. Therefore, some otaku's anime girlfriends (or boyfriends) are real people wearing masks with anime characters, and their bodies are real.
This combination perfectly satisfies some people's peculiar desires, which is what we commonly call perversion, or the little-known high-end play in the silicone doll circle. Later, with advancements in materials, soft masks, commonly known as human skin masks, became available.
Human skin masks can perfectly transform a person into another. The drawback is the eye socket area, which requires heavy makeup to conceal. However, soft skin masks need a skeletal structure to achieve the desired appearance, making the entire face look slightly larger. Of course, the advantage is that human skin masks can express emotions.
...
Jiang Kexin didn't come along, saying it would be difficult to explain to her boyfriend if he found out. So, Hu Xiaoyu and I went. The items here were truly astounding, especially the props for male-to-female transformations, which were displayed openly. Hu Xiaoyu, usually quite outspoken, blushed intensely upon seeing them, holding my arm and using my body to shield her gaze.
Seeing us enter, the boss smiled and tried to sell to us, "The two of you are here together, you must be anime enthusiasts, right? We have popular ones like Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach, and also niche ones like Ryuk from Death Note."
"Can anyone transform?"
"The price varies. For example, if your companion wants to transform into Tsunade, ordinary women may not have the required physique, so a latex suit would be needed. Of course, men transforming also need latex suits to achieve those chiseled muscles."
"Who sells well?"
"For women, full outfits of Tsunade, Robin, and Nami are generally bestsellers. For men, it's mostly masks, chosen based on appearance."
I handed the portraits to the boss and smiled, "Can these people's appearances be replicated?"
The boss looked at them and smiled, "No, these are ordinary people. It would require mold development, and generally, no one does that."
Hu Xiaoyu looked disappointed and quietly said to me, "Why don't we leave?"
"Wait!"
After speaking, I turned back to the boss, "If it's just about changing appearance, can it be done?"
"Yes, ordinary soft skin masks will do. These masks are unique for every person."
Finally, there was some progress. I told the boss, "Then I'll take a soft skin mask." At this moment, Hu Xiaoyu tugged at me and whispered, "I want a Tsunade set."
"What?"
The boss brought over the mask. I braced myself and said, "And also a Tsunade set."
Hearing me say this, the boss nodded happily.
"How much?"
"150,000!"
"So expensive! I don't want it anymore!" Hu Xiaoyu was startled by the price. I stopped her, "It's okay, let's buy it."