The origin of the title "Profound Flame Walker" left Hu Tao quite speechless:
After the explosion scandal was exposed, Vision Corporation, which already had some popularity, was completely pushed into the spotlight.
At the same time, in addition to the news captured by reporters who rushed to the scene, another type of video also gained considerable attention—
These videos were clearly filmed by residents stranded in Canvas Alley. Their commonality was that although the picture quality and shooting angles differed, the center of the frame always featured one person—Hu Tao.
In the videos, just as Yuanjing Company's armed personnel were about to open fire on the crowd, a black-clad figure wearing a red and black mask suddenly rushed out from the front of the crowd, instantly conjuring raging flames out of thin air, single-handedly creating a path to survival for everyone!
Because this scene was too cool, it immediately went viral on trending searches along with the news of the Van Prospect Explosion Case.
After discussions among netizens, this black-clad figure was given a unified name: Profound Flame Walker.
After that, discussions about the Profound Flame Walker's identity quickly swept across various online forums.
Some said he was actually a chivalrous mechanic, and the flames he released were merely sprayed from a flamethrower device in his sleeve.
Others speculated that he might be a special intelligent machine that had deserted the army during the fall of Old Eridu, unwilling to participate in the slaughter, and had disguised himself as an ordinary human to avoid being discovered by the military, hiding in Canvas Alley all this time.
Even more people directly stated that he was definitely a Void Hunter, a great recluse in the city, who, unable to tolerate Yuanjing Company's atrocities, re-emerged at the invitation of Cunning Rabbit House, determined to cleanse the world of evil in his lifetime... After intense debate, some netizens and news media began to realize: instead of staring at those few video frames, it would be better to directly ask the relevant people offline.
So, starting yesterday, a large number of internet celebrities and reporters began to visit Cunning Rabbit House and the Public Security Bureau.
However, Hu Tao had already been quietly escorted by Conrad's arranged personnel onto one of the news vans during the chaos and left the scene, never going to the Public Security Bureau at all.
Moreover, from leaving until returning to the vicinity of the shop, Hu Tao never took off her mask, so on Conrad's side, no one knew that the Profound Flame Walker was Hu Tao except for him.
As for Cunning Rabbit House, since Hu Tao had already made arrangements with them, they never uttered the name "Hu Tao" in front of everyone that day.
And to both the Public Security Bureau and others, they all uniformly replied: The Profound Flame Walker joined us midway; we don't know where he came from, nor do we know his identity.
Nevertheless, the inquiries continued incessantly, almost leading the Public Security Bureau to take down all related videos online.
Nicole, however, was enjoying it. She took advantage of this "great opportunity" to sell many items, thoroughly fleecing the internet celebrities and reporters who came knocking... Inside the video store, after listening to Nicole's vivid description of her "money-gouging experience," Hu Tao, who had just been feeling a bit awkward, also laughed: "Haha! Impressive, impressive..."
"Anyway, I'm relieved that your lives haven't been affected by this, Nicole."
At this moment, Nicole asked the previous question again: "So, Hu Tao, how do you plan to use this title? Could it be... that Conrad guy asked you to help him promote products?"
Hu Tao waved her hand with a smile: "No, no, Conrad said I can use this identity as I see fit; it doesn't have much to do with normal business."
Mao You said: "Hey, Hu Tao, why don't you act like those superheroes on TV and become a hero who protects the streets?"
And when she finished speaking, everyone gave her a look that said, "Are you serious?"
Mao You's face flushed, and she stomped her foot: "You... why are you looking at me like that? Hu Tao clearly has the ability."
Nicole helplessly patted Mao You's shoulder: "Little kitty, listen to your big sister, don't take those things from movies seriously, okay?"
Ling, standing by, wore a thoughtful expression: "Hmm, if Hu Tao really did that, she would probably be arrested by the Public Security Bureau for arson and disturbing public order within a few days."
Hu Tao nodded in agreement: "Indeed, the city government's quadrennial election is approaching soon. Now, anyone suspicious at night is randomly taken in for questioning by the Public Security Bureau, let alone 'chivalrous acts.'"
After hearing this, Mao You drooped her ears and said, "Alright..."
"So," Hu Tao concluded, "aside from acting with you all in the Hollow, I don't plan to wander the streets in that outfit at other times. Perhaps, this might achieve an even better effect."
Zhe nodded and said, "I agree with Hu Tao's idea. Before she had a disguise, she always acted alone with us."
"With this new identity, she can also better operate with us within the Hollow without affecting normal business."
Then, Hu Tao remembered something else: "By the way, how is Perlman? He didn't seem to be bleeding at the time, but he was definitely shot."
Nicole replied: "That was a tranquilizer dart; Sarah was just bluffing you. As for Perlman himself... he's probably still being interrogated."
Thus, the series of problems triggered by Yuanjing Company's demolition plan finally came to an end.
After that, everyone basically returned to their usual lives.
The four members of Cunning Rabbit House returned to their chaotic street routine, and Ling and Zhe's new accounts registered on Rope Net gradually gained some fame, even earning them the qualification to investigate Zero Void, the culprit behind the fall of Old Eridu.
And Hu Tao tirelessly continued Wangshang Funeral Parlor's business. With Conrad's promotion, the name of Wangshang Funeral Parlor gradually became well-known and even acquired two well-trained professional funeral teams absolutely loyal to the Wangshang Funeral Parlor.
However, Sarah's escape was like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.
Therefore, Hu Tao had been keeping an eye on information related to Yuanjing Company, but unfortunately, the trial process was exceptionally slow, and reporters were repeatedly turned away, so there was no useful information.
The only clear thing was that Vision Corporation, which had erupted in such a shocking scandal, was no longer suitable to continue the subway project. Thus, after re-bidding, the project was awarded to Belobog Heavy Industries, which had almost won the previous bid.
This construction company was also particularly unique. After long-term independent research and development, they possessed an exclusive series of engineering machinery that could operate for extended periods within the Hollow without being corroded.
However, debates on television about whether this company was also pulling false stunts like Yuanjing were rampant, making it feel as if someone was intentionally making things difficult for them.
Hu Tao, however, quite admired them. Because Belobog Heavy Industries was only a small to medium-sized company, yet it could survive in New Eridu entirely on its own strength, which was very rare.
Two weeks after the Van Prospect Explosion Case, a phone call from Ling brought Hu Tao into contact with them.
"Hello, Hu Tao, are you free? I'm at Belobog Heavy Industries's construction command center now. There's a problem here, and maybe only you can help."
"They've already agreed that if you can help us, you'll receive a substantial reward afterward. What do you think? Interested?"
Hu Tao thought for a moment and agreed: "Okay, I'll come and help you right away!"