If you had the power to brainwash, who would you target first?
Of course, it is people in high places!
And who are people in high places?
That strongly depends on the country they are from!
And, in China, it is the CCP.
Why the CCP?
Because anyone who isn't aligned with the CCP can magically vanish, likely inside a jail cell or executed.
In China, you become a "Flatterer."(Because the original word would get me censored) to survive. Not just the white-collar salarymen but even the wealthiest billionaires.
Heck, even government officials need to be "Flatterers.".
Even the most powerful in the CCP need to be "Flatterers.".
And the person who gets "The Most Flattered." in China is the "Big Man." himself because saying his name would get me censored.
From the Oxford definition, he is an absolute ruler of a state, IE, a "Word that would get me censored."
And what would any good "Word that would get me censored." do? Surround himself with yes men, IE, "Flatterers.".
They know it, you know it, I know it. It is all about prestige and admitting it since China is a bit touchy about the subject and likes to spam the censor button. It happens when you center all the power inside one group.
IE, China is an authoritarian oligarchy with the "Big Man." as a "Word that would get me censored.".
Of course, I am sure you all know that... I hope. Because if you don't, I would feel a bit sorry for you now.
Now, back to the main subject.
If you could convert a building into a magical brainwashing facility, where to start in China?
Why, of course, the most prominent political buildings, because brainwashing rich people has little meaning in China, unlike places like the US, which is a plutocracy.
So, we first started with the Shanghai Municipal Government Building, then the Shanghai Stock Exchange. They were both so easy to convert that it was laughable. All I had to do was reach and grab, like picking off an apple from a tree. Although I sensed a few class 1 and class 2 Supers guarding those places, they didn't notice a thing. It seems like detectors are pretty rare. Or perhaps they are kept in Beijing with the "Big Man.".
Anyways, I converted them both into level 5 Dark Idols. It cost me 3,820 points, but it was worth it, I think. And I let the influence power flow freely. They wouldn't understand what was going on, anyways.
And that leaves us with the third main building.
"So this is the Shanghai Tower, hah? It's tall, alright." - I commented.
The megatower was... tall, over 600m, and likely hundreds of thousands to a million tonnes.
"And a prime Dark Idol material." - Tess added.
"Yeah. I guess it can safely reach level 9. And over ten thousand people are entering and exiting the place." - I nodded.
"So, what level do you plan for it to reach?" - Tess asked.
"Level 6. It'll be my main Dark Idol in this city." - I said and walked to the side of the building.
Upon placing my palm on the exterior, I started pouring energy inside.
10 points.
100 points.
1,000 points.
10,000 points.
I stopped at 10,910 points.
I then took a step back and looked at my masterpiece.
Name: Shanghai Tower
Type: Material Structure
Controlling Zealot: Tess Hudson
Grade: 6(0/63,000) (Automatic grade improvement enabled)
Influence Radius: 320m(Grade 6) + (Body Size)
Influence Power: 32(Grade 6) + 0(Body)
Passive Mental Energy Regeneration Boost: 32% (132% regeneration rate)
Praying Mental Energy Regeneration Boost: 96% (196% regeneration rate)
Energy Storage Capacity(Any): 23,244,000
Stored Energy: 0
Automatic Repair: Enabled
"Done." - I said with a satisfied look.
"I wonder how long it would take for believers to start appearing." - Tess said.
"We'll know later. For now... Arly, do you have the Shanghai rich scum list?" - I asked.
[Well, it was pretty hard finding them all since the police here are corrupt as fuck and keep things off-record, but I hacked the local police chief's other phone and extracted all his dirty contacts. The man received protection bribes from organized crime groups, politicians, and wealthy people, of which many crimes were blind-eyed, covered up, or downplayed to the extreme.]1China is corrupt. They try to stop the corruption, but it's so deeply rooted that it is almost impossible to mend in the next few decades.
"Yikes... Talk about being corrupt." - I shook my head.
[First things first, what type of character do you prefer?]
"Find me a rich guy under 30 who nobody except his parents would miss, preferably a playboy or someone with an equally scummy girlfriend or wife but has no kids or job yet." - I said.
[I have just the thing! The man is Zeng Wei, the 22-year-old son of a computer chip industry billionaire, and his fiancee, Liao Lan, the 22-year-old daughter of a prominent pharmaceutical company shareholder and multi-millionaire.]
"Nice. What did they do?" - I asked.
[Zeng Wei is a spoiled-rotten playboy and party-goer and does drugs, alcohol, and women. Two years ago, he crippled an African immigrant with his friends for drunken racist reasons. The case was reduced to nothing, and he only needed to pay the medical fees, leaving the man unable to provide for his family. He also abuses economically vulnerable women, treating them as toys for his and his friend's enjoyment.]
[His fiancee, Liao Lan, is a different kind of scum, a sadist! Since middle school, she was a bully and tended to make fun of vulnerable girls for shits and giggles, and even caused one girl to commit suicide, but it was covered up. This tendency never calmed down but even got worse over the years. She eggs Zeng Wei to do bad things and humiliates those that displease her. She even has a so-called personal live-in loan servant named Zhu Li since late high school, being a stooge to pay off her father's medical bills. She even forces her to sleep with Zeng Wei under threats and promises of money, enjoying her suffering. I know this since it's recorded on her phone as blackmail.]
[After finishing their bachelor's degree, they are getting married today. Tomorrow, they would go on a two-month honeymoon all over China before joining the family business, clean from their misdeeds.]
[The downline is that they are both spoiled rich kids who don't need to worry about the consequences of their actions. And they are both handsome and beautiful, so that's a bonus.]
"Hah... What do you think, Tess?" - I asked to the side.
"Kill." - Tess said with a cold expression.
"Thought as much. Where are they?" - I asked.
[They're in their new apartment, preparing their luggage before going on their honeymoon tomorrow. Oh, and Liao Lan is forcing Zhu Li to do it for her, and she will have her tag along as a BYOS, along with a few bodyguards.]
"Wow! What a scum... Okay. Let's go, Tess. But first, let's go buy some flowers."
...
Inside a large luxurious upscale apartment that costs 80,000RMB to rent...
"Zhu Li! Did you finish packing my things?!" - A pleasant yet somehow annoying female voice sounded.
The speaker was a fair-skinned young woman with an attractive face, long straight hair, long and shapely legs, and decently-sized assets wearing expensive lingerie. Even when she frowned, she was still beautiful.
She was Liao Lan.
"Yes, young miss. I just finished packing everything." - A meek, gentle voice sounded.
She was a beautiful woman dressed in a neat and professional red cheongsam, and her body and face looked delicate and enchanting. She was just as beautiful as her young miss.
This was all thanks for the grooming she received. It wasn't because her miss cared about her, but because her miss would lose face if she looked unbefitting of her status.
At home, however, she often humiliates her in various ways but doesn't reveal it. She learned that she needs to tread on eggshells near her young miss and often listen to hours of nauseating rants while flattering her.
"Good. Go and get some sleep. We have a flight to Beijing in 10 hours." - The woman pointed at the door.
"Thank you, young miss. Good night, young miss..." - Zhu Li bowed and was about to excuse herself.
"Hold up." - Suddenly, a magnetic male voice sounded.
Zhu Li froze, her muscles tense as she looked to the side.
She saw a handsome young man exit the bathroom, his muscles toned and skin well-taken care of and fair.
The man could be considered the wet dream of many women. She also thought so when she first met him. She even fantasized about him taking her in some cliche forbidden love moment. However, dreams often fail to live up to reality.
She quickly learned of his playboy lifestyle and the horrible things he does. And his sights at one time set on her.
She wanted to reject him, but the threats of being fired, his hot appearance, and the 10,000RMB raise offered by her young miss tempted her, so she accepted. It was a big mistake.
The man is a complete brute, and it hurt sleeping with him. There was no foreplay, no nothing. He just lubed up his dingaling and shoved it in like a monkey. And he did it weekly. Thank the heavens she was forced to take the pill since she started working there, or she might have gotten pregnant already. And he also made her serve him in sexually humiliating ways, and her young miss seemed to enjoy her torment.
She hated it but had no choice but to continue working. She needed the money to support her father and mother, and she was afraid her pictures would go on the internet, ruining her life.
Swallowing her disgust, she turned to him and smiled politely.
"Yes, young master? How can I serve you?" - She asked.
"I want to release some steam." - He said, a small tent pitching under his tower.
"I... Young master Zeng... This isn't appropriate... You just married..." - She said, wanting to dodge the bullet.
Luckily, her young miss seemed to buy her words and glared at him.
"Zeng Wei! Don't dare do that on our wedding night!" - She angrily said.
Zeng Wei seemed to come to his senses and nodded.
"Okay, your right. Sorry." - He apologized.
Zhu Li secretly sighed in relief.
However, the following words almost made her cry.
"You'll have two months to fuck her, so why now? We'll have fun tonight~" - She softly said, glancing at Zhu Li.
Zhu Li could see the sadistic glint in those eyes. She saw through her at a glance but played along. She just wanted to give a moment of false hope.
"I hate her..." - Zhu Li thought, but carefully hid it.
If she does anything wrong, it will cost her too much.
"That's why I love you, my naughty Lan Lan." - Zeng Wei smiled.
"Hmhmhm~ I love you too, dear~ But make sure you are gentle, or I might just scratch you. " - Liao Lan giggled while giving a modest warning.
"When I play with kittens, I am always gentle." - Zeng Wei said and hugged her.
"Prr~" - Liao Lan playfully purred and closed in for a kiss.
Zhu Li, who saw it, had a mixture of envy and disgust in her eyes. Envy that Zeng Wei treated Liao Lan so gently, disgusted at seeing her tormentors like this.
"Ugh... I'm out..." - Zhu Li thought and quietly walked out.
But just then...
Ding-Dong*
The three of them froze, confused.
"What the?! Who's at the door?!" - Liao Lan exclaimed.
"I'm not sure. The door had a Do Not Disturb sign, and the guards shouldn't have let anyone in." - Zeng Wei frowned.
"Zhu Li, go check it." - Liao Lan ordered.
"Yes, young miss." - Zhu Li nodded and walked out.
Going down the stairs of the two-story apartment, Zhu Li soon reached the door and carefully looked through the intercom.
All she saw was a pretty woman holding a large bouquet.
"Ah... She must have come to deliver flowers for the young miss, so they let her in. The guards are so sloppy. They should have taken the bouquet at the entrance." - Zhu Li thought.
She opened the door with a bright business smile.
"Hello! Mrs. Liao?" - The woman at the entrance brightly smiled and asked.
"Oh, no. I am her live-in Ayi, Zhu Li." - Zhu Li gently said.
Hearing this, the woman nodded.
"Then can you move, please? I need to deliver these funeral flowers to her." - The woman smiled.
Zhu Li instinctively shook her head.
"No can do. You can give me this fl—" - Zhu Li said.
But then, her eyes gradually widened as the words started to sink in.
"Funeral flowers?" - Zhu Li widened her eyes as she scrutinized the bouquet.
There were chrysanthemums, lotus flowers, jasmine flowers, and peony flowers. These were not wedding flowers but seasonal funeral flowers!
Zhu Li started shaking, unconsciously taking a step back.
"W-Who—"
"[[Stop]]."
A bone-chilling inhuman word sounded in her ear, and her body stopped. Only her eyes could move.
She then saw an unknown man standing next to her.
"So scary! How did they bypass the guards?! Are they Supers?!" - Zhu Li panicked.
"Relax. Do not scream. If you do, I will kill you." - The man threatened.
Zhu Li could only shake in fear.
"I am not your enemy. I give you a chance to turn around your life... And exact revenge." - The man whispered.
"Turn my life around...? Revenge...? Against who? Against the young master and miss? I can get... revenge?"
Zhu Li's eyes shook. The fear was reduced by half, replaced by... excitement and a deep desire.
"If you don't want revenge, close your eyes, and we will leave you alone. You may forget we were ever here, and your horrible life will continue. However, if you want revenge and change your life for the better, blink your eyes repeatedly." - The man spoke sweet poison.
Zhu Li didn't even need to hesitate. She rapidly blinked her eyes.
"Change my life! Revenge!" - These thoughts clouded her mind and judgment.
The resentment she felt toward her two tormentors was that deep.
"Good girl. [[Undo]]." - The man smiled and said.
Suddenly, her movements returned.
She nervously looked at the man and woman.
"Who are you?" - She carefully asked.
To her words, the man gave the most charming smile she ever saw.
"Just the bad guys."
If you had the power to brainwash, who would you target first?
Of course, it is people in high places!
And who are people in high places?
That strongly depends on the country they are from!
And, in China, it is the CCP.
Why the CCP?
Because anyone who isn't aligned with the CCP can magically vanish, likely inside a jail cell or executed.
In China, you become a "Flatterer."(Because the original word would get me censored) to survive. Not just the white-collar salarymen but even the wealthiest billionaires.
Heck, even government officials need to be "Flatterers.".
Even the most powerful in the CCP need to be "Flatterers.".
And the person who gets "The Most Flattered." in China is the "Big Man." himself because saying his name would get me censored.
From the Oxford definition, he is an absolute ruler of a state, IE, a "Word that would get me censored."
And what would any good "Word that would get me censored." do? Surround himself with yes men, IE, "Flatterers.".
They know it, you know it, I know it. It is all about prestige and admitting it since China is a bit touchy about the subject and likes to spam the censor button. It happens when you center all the power inside one group.
IE, China is an authoritarian oligarchy with the "Big Man." as a "Word that would get me censored.".
Of course, I am sure you all know that... I hope. Because if you don't, I would feel a bit sorry for you now.
Now, back to the main subject.
If you could convert a building into a magical brainwashing facility, where to start in China?
Why, of course, the most prominent political buildings, because brainwashing rich people has little meaning in China, unlike places like the US, which is a plutocracy.
So, we first started with the Shanghai Municipal Government Building, then the Shanghai Stock Exchange. They were both so easy to convert that it was laughable. All I had to do was reach and grab, like picking off an apple from a tree. Although I sensed a few class 1 and class 2 Supers guarding those places, they didn't notice a thing. It seems like detectors are pretty rare. Or perhaps they are kept in Beijing with the "Big Man.".
Anyways, I converted them both into level 5 Dark Idols. It cost me 3,820 points, but it was worth it, I think. And I let the influence power flow freely. They wouldn't understand what was going on, anyways.
And that leaves us with the third main building.
"So this is the Shanghai Tower, hah? It's tall, alright." - I commented.
The megatower was... tall, over 600m, and likely hundreds of thousands to a million tonnes.
"And a prime Dark Idol material." - Tess added.
"Yeah. I guess it can safely reach level 9. And over ten thousand people are entering and exiting the place." - I nodded.
"So, what level do you plan for it to reach?" - Tess asked.
"Level 6. It'll be my main Dark Idol in this city." - I said and walked to the side of the building.
Upon placing my palm on the exterior, I started pouring energy inside.
10 points.
100 points.
1,000 points.
10,000 points.
I stopped at 10,910 points.
I then took a step back and looked at my masterpiece.
Name: Shanghai Tower
Type: Material Structure
Controlling Zealot: Tess Hudson
Grade: 6(0/63,000) (Automatic grade improvement enabled)
Influence Radius: 320m(Grade 6) + (Body Size)
Influence Power: 32(Grade 6) + 0(Body)
Passive Mental Energy Regeneration Boost: 32% (132% regeneration rate)
Praying Mental Energy Regeneration Boost: 96% (196% regeneration rate)
Energy Storage Capacity(Any): 23,244,000
Stored Energy: 0
Automatic Repair: Enabled
"Done." - I said with a satisfied look.
"I wonder how long it would take for believers to start appearing." - Tess said.
"We'll know later. For now... Arly, do you have the Shanghai rich scum list?" - I asked.
[Well, it was pretty hard finding them all since the police here are corrupt as fuck and keep things off-record, but I hacked the local police chief's other phone and extracted all his dirty contacts. The man received protection bribes from organized crime groups, politicians, and wealthy people, of which many crimes were blind-eyed, covered up, or downplayed to the extreme.]1China is corrupt. They try to stop the corruption, but it's so deeply rooted that it is almost impossible to mend in the next few decades.
"Yikes... Talk about being corrupt." - I shook my head.
[First things first, what type of character do you prefer?]
"Find me a rich guy under 30 who nobody except his parents would miss, preferably a playboy or someone with an equally scummy girlfriend or wife but has no kids or job yet." - I said.
[I have just the thing! The man is Zeng Wei, the 22-year-old son of a computer chip industry billionaire, and his fiancee, Liao Lan, the 22-year-old daughter of a prominent pharmaceutical company shareholder and multi-millionaire.]
"Nice. What did they do?" - I asked.
[Zeng Wei is a spoiled-rotten playboy and party-goer and does drugs, alcohol, and women. Two years ago, he crippled an African immigrant with his friends for drunken racist reasons. The case was reduced to nothing, and he only needed to pay the medical fees, leaving the man unable to provide for his family. He also abuses economically vulnerable women, treating them as toys for his and his friend's enjoyment.]
[His fiancee, Liao Lan, is a different kind of scum, a sadist! Since middle school, she was a bully and tended to make fun of vulnerable girls for shits and giggles, and even caused one girl to commit suicide, but it was covered up. This tendency never calmed down but even got worse over the years. She eggs Zeng Wei to do bad things and humiliates those that displease her. She even has a so-called personal live-in loan servant named Zhu Li since late high school, being a stooge to pay off her father's medical bills. She even forces her to sleep with Zeng Wei under threats and promises of money, enjoying her suffering. I know this since it's recorded on her phone as blackmail.]
[After finishing their bachelor's degree, they are getting married today. Tomorrow, they would go on a two-month honeymoon all over China before joining the family business, clean from their misdeeds.]
[The downline is that they are both spoiled rich kids who don't need to worry about the consequences of their actions. And they are both handsome and beautiful, so that's a bonus.]
"Hah... What do you think, Tess?" - I asked to the side.
"Kill." - Tess said with a cold expression.
"Thought as much. Where are they?" - I asked.
[They're in their new apartment, preparing their luggage before going on their honeymoon tomorrow. Oh, and Liao Lan is forcing Zhu Li to do it for her, and she will have her tag along as a BYOS, along with a few bodyguards.]
"Wow! What a scum... Okay. Let's go, Tess. But first, let's go buy some flowers."
...
Inside a large luxurious upscale apartment that costs 80,000RMB to rent...
"Zhu Li! Did you finish packing my things?!" - A pleasant yet somehow annoying female voice sounded.
The speaker was a fair-skinned young woman with an attractive face, long straight hair, long and shapely legs, and decently-sized assets wearing expensive lingerie. Even when she frowned, she was still beautiful.
She was Liao Lan.
"Yes, young miss. I just finished packing everything." - A meek, gentle voice sounded.
She was a beautiful woman dressed in a neat and professional red cheongsam, and her body and face looked delicate and enchanting. She was just as beautiful as her young miss.
This was all thanks for the grooming she received. It wasn't because her miss cared about her, but because her miss would lose face if she looked unbefitting of her status.
At home, however, she often humiliates her in various ways but doesn't reveal it. She learned that she needs to tread on eggshells near her young miss and often listen to hours of nauseating rants while flattering her.
"Good. Go and get some sleep. We have a flight to Beijing in 10 hours." - The woman pointed at the door.
"Thank you, young miss. Good night, young miss..." - Zhu Li bowed and was about to excuse herself.
"Hold up." - Suddenly, a magnetic male voice sounded.
Zhu Li froze, her muscles tense as she looked to the side.
She saw a handsome young man exit the bathroom, his muscles toned and skin well-taken care of and fair.
The man could be considered the wet dream of many women. She also thought so when she first met him. She even fantasized about him taking her in some cliche forbidden love moment. However, dreams often fail to live up to reality.
She quickly learned of his playboy lifestyle and the horrible things he does. And his sights at one time set on her.
She wanted to reject him, but the threats of being fired, his hot appearance, and the 10,000RMB raise offered by her young miss tempted her, so she accepted. It was a big mistake.
The man is a complete brute, and it hurt sleeping with him. There was no foreplay, no nothing. He just lubed up his dingaling and shoved it in like a monkey. And he did it weekly. Thank the heavens she was forced to take the pill since she started working there, or she might have gotten pregnant already. And he also made her serve him in sexually humiliating ways, and her young miss seemed to enjoy her torment.
She hated it but had no choice but to continue working. She needed the money to support her father and mother, and she was afraid her pictures would go on the internet, ruining her life.
Swallowing her disgust, she turned to him and smiled politely.
"Yes, young master? How can I serve you?" - She asked.
"I want to release some steam." - He said, a small tent pitching under his tower.
"I... Young master Zeng... This isn't appropriate... You just married..." - She said, wanting to dodge the bullet.
Luckily, her young miss seemed to buy her words and glared at him.
"Zeng Wei! Don't dare do that on our wedding night!" - She angrily said.
Zeng Wei seemed to come to his senses and nodded.
"Okay, your right. Sorry." - He apologized.
Zhu Li secretly sighed in relief.
However, the following words almost made her cry.
"You'll have two months to fuck her, so why now? We'll have fun tonight~" - She softly said, glancing at Zhu Li.
Zhu Li could see the sadistic glint in those eyes. She saw through her at a glance but played along. She just wanted to give a moment of false hope.
"I hate her..." - Zhu Li thought, but carefully hid it.
If she does anything wrong, it will cost her too much.
"That's why I love you, my naughty Lan Lan." - Zeng Wei smiled.
"Hmhmhm~ I love you too, dear~ But make sure you are gentle, or I might just scratch you. " - Liao Lan giggled while giving a modest warning.
"When I play with kittens, I am always gentle." - Zeng Wei said and hugged her.
"Prr~" - Liao Lan playfully purred and closed in for a kiss.
Zhu Li, who saw it, had a mixture of envy and disgust in her eyes. Envy that Zeng Wei treated Liao Lan so gently, disgusted at seeing her tormentors like this.
"Ugh... I'm out..." - Zhu Li thought and quietly walked out.
But just then...
Ding-Dong*
The three of them froze, confused.
"What the?! Who's at the door?!" - Liao Lan exclaimed.
"I'm not sure. The door had a Do Not Disturb sign, and the guards shouldn't have let anyone in." - Zeng Wei frowned.
"Zhu Li, go check it." - Liao Lan ordered.
"Yes, young miss." - Zhu Li nodded and walked out.
Going down the stairs of the two-story apartment, Zhu Li soon reached the door and carefully looked through the intercom.
All she saw was a pretty woman holding a large bouquet.
"Ah... She must have come to deliver flowers for the young miss, so they let her in. The guards are so sloppy. They should have taken the bouquet at the entrance." - Zhu Li thought.
She opened the door with a bright business smile.
"Hello! Mrs. Liao?" - The woman at the entrance brightly smiled and asked.
"Oh, no. I am her live-in Ayi, Zhu Li." - Zhu Li gently said.
Hearing this, the woman nodded.
"Then can you move, please? I need to deliver these funeral flowers to her." - The woman smiled.
Zhu Li instinctively shook her head.
"No can do. You can give me this fl—" - Zhu Li said.
But then, her eyes gradually widened as the words started to sink in.
"Funeral flowers?" - Zhu Li widened her eyes as she scrutinized the bouquet.
There were chrysanthemums, lotus flowers, jasmine flowers, and peony flowers. These were not wedding flowers but seasonal funeral flowers!
Zhu Li started shaking, unconsciously taking a step back.
"W-Who—"
"[[Stop]]."
A bone-chilling inhuman word sounded in her ear, and her body stopped. Only her eyes could move.
She then saw an unknown man standing next to her.
"So scary! How did they bypass the guards?! Are they Supers?!" - Zhu Li panicked.
"Relax. Do not scream. If you do, I will kill you." - The man threatened.
Zhu Li could only shake in fear.
"I am not your enemy. I give you a chance to turn around your life... And exact revenge." - The man whispered.
"Turn my life around...? Revenge...? Against who? Against the young master and miss? I can get... revenge?"
Zhu Li's eyes shook. The fear was reduced by half, replaced by... excitement and a deep desire.
"If you don't want revenge, close your eyes, and we will leave you alone. You may forget we were ever here, and your horrible life will continue. However, if you want revenge and change your life for the better, blink your eyes repeatedly." - The man spoke sweet poison.
Zhu Li didn't even need to hesitate. She rapidly blinked her eyes.
"Change my life! Revenge!" - These thoughts clouded her mind and judgment.
The resentment she felt toward her two tormentors was that deep.
"Good girl. [[Undo]]." - The man smiled and said.
Suddenly, her movements returned.
She nervously looked at the man and woman.
"Who are you?" - She carefully asked.
To her words, the man gave the most charming smile she ever saw.
"Just the bad guys."
