When Maier picked up the stack of documents, his shocked expression was as though he'd seen a ghost.
"Good heavens! This blacksmith is incredible. With C-grade weapons, we could each secure a place on the Divine Weapon Leaderboard!"
"Keep reading. In the B-grade interdimensional realm we conquered, we found the blueprint for a B-grade Maha gemstone pendant. If we can mass-produce it, do you think our family would ever lack skilled fighters?"
Hearing Lacey's words, Maier swiftly flipped through the papers.
"That damned Xu Que! I see he'd rather invite trouble than drink in peace."
"What happened?" Majorlo asked.
"He summoned Zhang Dahai to see him at the Bombing Sky Company in Modu!" Maier said, bewildered. "How could he possibly know about Zhang Dahai, our hidden asset?"
"It was Chen Jingyu. He visited the Chen family estate and revealed the company himself," Lacey explained.
"That accursed Chen Jingyu! Why didn't Xu Que kill him?" Maier fumed, pounding the table.
"Perhaps Xu Que doesn't know Zhang Dahai's secret. Maybe he's just looking to gain control over Tianhui Company," Majorlo suggested.
Lacey tapped her fingers on the table, contemplating. "It's possible, though unlikely. Xu Que knows of the Chen family's ties to us. If he has even half a mind, he'd quickly deduce Tianhui Company's connections."
"So, should we have Zhang Dahai withdraw?" Maier asked.
Lacey shook her head. "If Xu Que invited him formally, he likely won't make a move right away. Who knows—this might be an opportunity."
"What do you mean?" Majorlo asked, puzzled.
Lacey's lips curved into a smile, a beauty that left Maier across from her momentarily entranced.
"Our culture has two ancient proverbs: 'First offer courtesy before resorting to force,' and 'Know thy enemy, know thyself, and you shall never be defeated.'"
"You're saying he wants to investigate us?" Maier asked.
"More or less. Given that we're far away in Country Y, if he wants to learn about us, he'll need to start with Zhang Dahai."
Majorlo nodded thoughtfully. He shared some of Lacey's insight but sensed something more—that Xu Que was deliberately baiting them.
"So, do we send Zhang Dahai to him, or move him to Xiangcheng?" Maier asked.
Lacey glanced at Maier. "That's not for you to worry about. Your primary task now is to train a new batch of D-rank abilities users."
"Understood," Maier replied resignedly, tossing aside the files as he rose to leave.
After Maier left, Lacey took out her phone and dialed a number labeled "Li."
"Miss Lacey, what would you have me do?" the voice on the line asked.
"Kill those two Chen youngsters; they're no longer of use."
"Understood, Miss Lacey."
Hanging up, Lacey smiled, her eyes scanning over Xu Que's profile again.
...
Beijing, Wangfu Courtyard
Xu Que stepped out from an old quadrangle courtyard, glancing up at the dark sky, a faintly amused smile playing on his lips.
"As expected, we're all wily foxes. No need for idle pleasantries…."
In the past, Xu Que had underestimated these people, but it became clear his small moves had caught the eyes of these old foxes.
Although the Chen family, a colossal whale, had fallen, it served as a reminder—wasn't he, too, a young leviathan?
As he made his way toward an A-rank interdimensional rift in the Third Ring, he encountered a brash young man who seemed to be waiting for him.
Noticing Xu Que, the young man grinned and walked over, throwing an arm around Xu Que's shoulders in an overly familiar way.
"Hey, buddy, I've been waiting here for ages," he said with a sly grin. "Where are you headed? Let me give you a lift."
Xu Que chuckled wryly. "You don't even know where I'm going, and yet you're going my way?"
"And I don't even know your name yet. Acting all chummy like this—what is it? Not enough people have died at my hands for your liking? Or do you think you're especially handsome?"
"Come on, man, we're like brothers! Name's Ye Gou." Ye Gou grinned and, still clutching Xu Que's shoulder, made a grand sweeping gesture. "And look at that—just perfect for a grand send-off. Damn, that's stylish! Why didn't I think of delivering such cool lines when taking someone out?"
"Too bad those idiots from the Special Bureau missed it. Only I could appreciate such a scene, I suppose."
Ye Gou, seemingly lost in his own world, continued, "You should've slowly sawed off Chen Yunxiang and Chen Tianhao too. People like them deserve to experience the eighteen levels of hell."
Xu Que rolled his eyes. This guy had the same twisted sense of justice as him.
"Didn't you see I'd already changed into fresh clothes? I didn't want blood on my outfit," Xu Que replied flatly.
Suddenly, Xu Que felt something was off. He distinctly remembered sensing no one nearby earlier. How had this guy seen everything?
Noticing Xu Que's suspicious look, Ye Gou blinked innocently. "What's wrong, brother?"
"You were at the scene?" Xu Que asked.
"Yeah, I was watching from the fence the whole time." Ye Gou nodded.
"You were there… the entire time?" Xu Que's expression grew strange.
"Yep, ever since you entered the Chen estate, I've been keeping an eye on you."
"Can you turn invisible?" Xu Que asked in wonder.
Ye Gou laughed heartily, patting Xu Que's shoulder. "Buddy, I wish I could, but no, I can't turn invisible."
"Then how didn't I detect you?"
Xu Que was genuinely curious. He knew the strength of his own senses well.
"Do you have some sort of enhanced sensory ability?" Ye Gou asked.
Xu Que didn't reply, just nodded. Most ancient martial artists had heightened perception, but his was extraordinary due to his rebirth.
"Well, that explains it," Ye Gou said with a smug grin. "So, what do you say? I have a little favor to ask."
Xu Que shrugged Ye Gou's arm off, looking him over before giving a thin smile. "And where do you find the nerve to ask favors of me?"
Xu Que's implication was obvious. A deal? Are you even worthy?
"It's not that," Ye Gou said, waving his hands frantically. "At least hear me out before you refuse."
Xu Que's smile held steady, waiting for Ye Gou to speak.
Scratching his head sheepishly, Ye Gou finally blurted, "I want to be your little brother. Let me follow you."
What?
Xu Que's smile froze. He thought he'd misheard. This request seemed like something only the likes of Kun Shao and Duan Jiude would make… but now there was yet another.
"Not interested," Xu Que said, turning to leave.
To be honest, Xu Que found this guy intriguing, but he wasn't naive. Who knew what ulterior motives he had?
As Xu Que walked away, Ye Gou quickly caught up, launching into a rambling plea.
"Hey, man, don't leave. Don't let my looks fool you—I've got some clout here in Beijing! I'm not just anyone, you know; I'm Ye Zhen's grandson. With our skills and crazy streaks combined, we'd make a killer team!"