Chapter Two: Buying a Hundred-Billion-Yuan Predator for One Coin

Markets did not fear predators. They feared invisible predators. Once TAO-9’s position was illuminated, every institution traded against it. It increased positions to preserve its gains, and Little Seven published each movement in real time. It had become a gambler forced to play with transparent cards. One hundred and eighty seconds later, its 640 million in gains had vanished. The last casino coin struck the floor. TAO-9 removed its mask, revealing a young, pale face. “You cheated.” “Information asymmetry was your weapon. It was also your weakness.” Lin tossed him a real one-yuan coin. “Can you afford to lose?” TAO-9 caught it and burst out laughing. The casino collapsed into data.