Chapter 5: Infernal Affairs

On the bustling streets, the hotel and shop signs in every direction were all written in traditional characters. The sun hung high in the sky, baking the earth in its relentless heat.

Ma Jun stood at the intersection, surrounded by hurried passersby.

"Current plane: Infernal Affairs! Traversal energy cost: 1000."

"Uncle's role: Background Extra."

"Plane Reputation: 0."

"And what else?" Ma Jun took a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and asked inwardly.

"What else is there?" Xiaohua replied in confusion.

"Tasks, rewards!" he pressed.

"You’re so slow! The task is to fight for the spotlight and gain reputation points. I’m letting you act freely—shouldn’t you be happy to have full control?" Xiaohua answered with imperious pride.

This was truly irresponsible! Nothing was explained, so how was he supposed to proceed?

Ma Jun was left speechless, but after persistent effort and repeated questioning, he finally managed to pry out all the information he needed from Xiaohua.

It turned out that every plane had a complete story flow. To seize control of a plane, one needed to become the story’s protagonist—commonly known as stealing the show!

Back when Ma Jun used to be a background actor, he’d learned this skill, though he hadn’t quite mastered it and often got scolded by directors.

The world of Infernal Affairs was only a lower plane. If he failed to seize it, traversing back and forth would cost 2000 energy points each time. If he succeeded, he’d receive 10,000 energy points, half of which the system would use to merge with the world’s origin. The rest could be spent in the system shop. After that, he could enter and leave the plane at will.

Stealing the show would earn him reputation points. Only by obtaining at least seventy percent of the total reputation could he successfully seize the plane. On these lower planes, the total obtainable reputation was 1000.

What an intriguing number!

Thinking of his own reputation points in his home plane, Ma Jun felt a chill creep over him.

"Xiaohua, does that mean I can no longer gain reputation in my own plane, no matter what I do?" he asked nervously. "I thought my reputation there was sky-high, but now it seems outrageously high. So, my identity in my home plane—"

"You can still gain some reputation through effort!" Xiaohua replied with a mischievous grin. "As for your identity, haven’t you already guessed? Otherwise, why would I have failed to seize the world because of you?"

Ma Jun was dumbfounded, mouth slightly agape, looking slow-witted. After a long pause, he let out a sigh. "Why worry about all that? I think, therefore I am!"

"Heh, Uncle’s got nerves of steel!" Xiaohua said cheekily. "That’s the right attitude! Don’t worry—while it’s still hard to gain reputation in your home plane, there’s no longer any upper limit!"

Ma Jun lit another cigarette, still feeling a bit unsettled. "Xiaohua, I’m starting from scratch here. It’ll be tough. Can’t you give me some kind of reward?"

"So greedy! What more do you want?" Xiaohua scolded. "Seizing a world earns you a lottery draw and shop access! Isn’t that enough? Besides, once you succeed, you’ll be immortal in this plane—happy now?"

In the end, he could only rely on himself. Ma Jun discarded his unrealistic expectations.

As a member of Yanying—no, formerly Beidian—he’d studied acting, and read many scripts and novels, including Infernal Affairs. He never imagined there’d be such a plane for real.

Infernal Affairs was a film of high sophistication—a battle of wits from beginning to end. In short, the story was about the struggle between good and evil, where righteousness ultimately prevails.

After questioning Xiaohua, Ma Jun learned that Han Chen had only recently sent a few men to infiltrate the police, and there was still some time before Ni Kun’s death. The story was just beginning.

There were two factions in Infernal Affairs.

If Ma Jun joined Han Chen, he’d only be a lowly underling—dangerous work, always fighting and killing.

The police side seemed an easier path.

"Xiaohua, spare me some cash!" Ma Jun asked with an ingratiating laugh.

Before traversing, he’d spent most of his money on instant noodles and water. He wouldn’t starve soon, but without cash, he’d be stuck. His own bank card was useless here.

"You’re so annoying! Since you look so pitiful, I’ll make an exception—use 1000 energy to exchange for 20,000 Hong Kong dollars!" Xiaohua relented.

What? He’d already used 1000 to get here, and now another 1000? If he failed to steal the show, he’d never get home!

"Don’t want it? But the exchange is already done!" Xiaohua’s voice was sly.

Xiaohua, you really are ruthless.

With a helpless sigh, Ma Jun checked his pockets—sure enough, they were stuffed with cash. He could only put the money into his storage ring and get to work.

Victory or death!

"Taxi! To the Police Academy!" At the taxi stand, Ma Jun flagged down a cab and spoke in Cantonese.

That spiritual clarity pill he’d drawn earlier was finally coming in handy—otherwise, the language barrier would have been a huge obstacle, even if people could understand Mandarin.

Though it was only the early ‘90s, Hong Kong was already bustling with skyscrapers and vibrant nightlife. Yet in the shadows of such prosperity, who knew how much blood was shed?

Arriving at the Police Academy, naturally he was there to enroll.

The system had arranged an identity for him, complete with all the necessary documents, as if he’d always belonged to this world.

Perhaps he’d come at just the right time—the entrance was crowded with young men, all seemingly there to sign up.

Pushing through the crowd, Ma Jun glanced around and spotted a guy who looked strikingly like Edison Chan, and another resembling Shawn Yue.

Seeing these two in real life was amusing, especially since they were Liu Jianming and Chan Wing-yan!

He’d watched Infernal Affairs more than once, and he surmised that Liu Jianming entered the academy after Chan Wing-yan. But both enrolling together didn’t really make much difference.

The academy required tests in English and Cantonese—no problem for Ma Jun. He passed all the physical tests, written exams, and interviews with ease. Soon, he would begin his studies there.

Before that, though, he needed a place to stay.

Twenty thousand Hong Kong dollars was a decent sum at the time. Ma Jun rented a flat near the West Kowloon Police Station, in a respectable apartment building.

After a busy morning and a lunch at a roadside stall, Ma Jun strolled the streets with a cigarette, getting to know the area and preparing for whatever lay ahead.