"Taotie's Nest": When did I say I'd let you go?

Xu Xi was already thinking about how to get the key to the front door from the Landlord.

He now knows that the Landlord also lives in this building, but he doesn't know the specific floor yet.

He had initially worried that the burly man outside the door would hinder his information gathering, but from another perspective, wasn't the man's presence also providing him with intelligence?

However, Xu Xi had no intention of engaging in friendly conversation with that burly man.

Considering the other person's height of over two meters, he decided to use some special methods.

He took out a fruit knife and slowly walked to the door.

Outside the door.

"Neighbor, are you there?"

"I really just wanted to borrow some soy sauce~"

The tall man pounded on the door in a high-pitched voice while gripping the axe tightly in his hand.

They were just waiting for the people inside to open the door so they could collect some fresh soy sauce.

Unfortunately, nothing happened for quite a while.

He was about to give up in regret when he heard a "click" sound.

Delight, excitement, and eagerness to try...

It's like something that was no longer expected has taken a new turn for the better.

As the light gradually spread, he slowly raised the axe in his hand.

However, even faster than him was a fruit knife aimed at his groin.

"Ahh--Ugh!"

The screams stopped abruptly.

The man's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he felt a sudden, intense pain coming from a certain indescribable part of his body.

He clutched his blood-soaked groin, collapsing to the ground in pain, but his mouth was tightly covered, so he could only whimper softly.

Xu Xi stepped on the man's face to prevent his wails from attracting the Landlord and demanding a disturbance fee, while disgustedly wiping the fruit knife on the man's body.

After doing all this, he then bent down and picked up the axe that the man had dropped on the ground.

His eyes lit up the moment he got his hands on the axe.

It turned out to be an Item.

Moreover, its lethality was significantly greater than that of his fruit knife.

As expected of a high-ranking Dungeon, the frequency of Item appearances is much higher.

He accepted the gift with a smile, grateful for the burly man's generosity.

Once the man seemed to have gotten used to the pain and stopped struggling, Xu Xi moved her foot away, grabbed him by the collar, and dragged him into the house.

"From now on, I'll ask you a question, and you answer it."

After closing the door, Xu Xi turned around, holding the axe, and gestured to the man's limbs, preparing to put her learning into practice.

"I will charge a 100 yuan disturbance fee for not answering or for each incorrect answer."

You have five chances.

The man swallowed hard; he had lost his advantage and was no longer as at ease as before.

Knowing he'd run into a tough customer, he cautiously said, "I... I have money. I can pay you five hundred right away."

"You have money on you?" Xu Xi raised an eyebrow.

"No, I didn't bring any. I left all my money at home."

Then what do you want to say?

Xu Xi's lips twitched.

Who knows if there might be some trap waiting for him in the other person's house?

He stopped wasting words with the man and pointed the axe at his left arm.

"The first question: name, background, and floor you live on."

These are clearly three questions.

But seeing that the young man wasn't fooled, and with the axe hovering above his left arm, the man, knowing how sharp his weapon was, dared not utter a word of protest, nor did he dare to harbor any further illusions.

He replied slowly, "Jie Haoyong lives in 502, and he's a cook."

The young man immediately frowned, raised the axe in his hand as if about to strike, which startled Jie Haoyong, who quickly added:

"I really was a chef, serving meals to the wealthy, but... but I accidentally poisoned someone..."

"I heard the rent is cheap here and it's in a remote location, so I came."

Although the person's expression was still somewhat vague, Xu Xi understood.

He summarized it.

Jie Haoyong, currently residing in 502, was formerly a private chef. He poisoned his employer's family and is currently a wanted fugitive.

He glanced at the other man's height, then at the axe in his hand.

There is considerable skepticism regarding the use of the word "accidentally".

"The second question is about this building. Tell me everything you know."

This question sounds a bit too general.

Jie Haoyong paused for a moment.

He lowered his head and said softly, "I don't actually know much..."

After the man explained, Xu Xi finally understood some basic facts.

Just as the Landlord said, although the rent in this building is low, once the tenants move in, they cannot leave.

The Landlord provides all the supplies the tenant needs, provided they pay the corresponding amount of money.

All tenants must abide by the rules set by the Landlord, such as paying rent on time, not disturbing the neighbors, and not littering in the hallway, etc.

"The Landlord possesses power we cannot match; no one dares to provoke her."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xi recalled the strange strength that the old woman had displayed when dismembering his body, and nodded in agreement to himself.

He continued, "So, which floor does the Landlord live on?"

The man was clearly surprised that Xu Xi was able to determine that the Landlord lived in this building.

However, there was no point in hiding it, so he readily confessed.

"She lives on the top floor, the Sixth Floor, the entire floor."

Hearing this, Xu Xi wasn't particularly surprised.

Sixth Floor...

Now that we know the specific floor, the next step is to figure out how to get the key to the main door.

Having obtained important intelligence, his tone became more relaxed and casual.

"Have you never thought about leaving here?"

Jie Haoyong shook his head. "Why leave? There's nowhere for me outside. It's fine here; with money, I can have everything."

Indeed, Xu Xi realized that this guy was a wanted criminal.

Okay, one last question.

Who are the tenants in this building?

Hearing that this was the last question, Jie Haoyong's face lit up with joy, but he became somewhat reserved after hearing what the question was.

"Some of the tenants are very mysterious; I've never met them. The only two I've actually met are Butcher and a doctor, but I haven't had any in-depth contact with either of them."

Doctor?

Really.

The owner of the diary didn't go out; instead, he went to see the doctor in this building.

Jie Haoyong tentatively asked, "I've told you everything you wanted to know. Can you let me go now?"

However, the young man didn't say whether he agreed or disagreed, only vaguely stating, "You are indeed very cooperative."

"But when did I ever say I was going to let you go?"