Let's Make a Deal

The face revealed after taking off the mask was undeniably handsome, but Zhao Mou had no recollection of it whatsoever.

Precisely because such a memorable appearance would stick in his mind, he was certain he had never met this man who called himself Yu Xing before.

Zhao Mou regarded uninvited guests with extreme caution.

It was obvious this was the teammate his younger brother had encountered during his assessment last night. He had initially thought Yu Xing was just a promising newcomer, but it seemed things were a bit beyond his expectations.

To be able to find their home... no, his brother's home, it looked like the other party had some backing.

"Please come in." With that thought, Zhao Mou put on a very formal smile. He shook hands with Yu Xing and ushered him into the house.

Yu Xing surveyed the exquisitely decorated and clearly expensive living room, then very considerately sat down properly on the sofa.

"Xiao Jiu, go pour our guest a glass of water." Zhao Mou sat down opposite Yu Xing, elegantly assuming the posture of a host.

His gaze held a hint of scrutiny, invisibly applying pressure on Yu Xing.

He wanted to see what intentions and capabilities this person who dared to show up possessed.

However, the situation did not unfold in a direction he could control.

Zhao Yijiu sat down next to Zhao Mou, crossed his legs, and coldly glanced at him. "If you want water, pour it yourself. I'm not one of your subordinates."

Yu Xing also chuckled, his mood completely unaffected. "Heh~ It seems Mr. Zhao Mou can't quite command Brother Jiu, huh?"

Zhao Mou: "..." Although this atmosphere made me realize Xiao Jiu has a good impression of Yu Xing, at least neither of them harbors ill intentions, why do I feel inexplicably annoyed!

Indeed, he had interacted less with Zhao Yijiu over the years and no longer understood his younger brother as he once did.

But he hadn't expected Zhao Yijiu to show him such disrespect in front of an outsider...

Seeing that an initial show of dominance wouldn't work, Zhao Mou's mind shifted, and he naturally changed his approach. "Yu Xing? It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, I've heard so much about you." Yu Xing said with a smile.

"You must be here to see Xiao Jiu about something today, right? Why don't you two chat first?" Zhao Mou employed a strategy of retreating to advance, a glint of light flashing across his glasses.

"You didn't go to the trouble of investigating my family just because I agreed to your request, did you?" Zhao Yijiu looked at Yu Xing, his eyes seeming to hold unspoken words and a complex mix of emotions.

If only he had gotten contact information last night. Coming directly like this made it easy for Zhao Mou to perceive it as a provocation.

"Not at all, how could I be that capable, finding out about the renowned Zhao family within the deducer factions in just one night?" Yu Xing shook his head, surprisingly denying Zhao Yijiu's guess. "Actually..."

"I came for Mr. Zhao Mou, or rather, for the entire strength of the Zhao family."

"..." Zhao Yijiu stared at him coldly.

"Oh? Then I'm rather curious, how much do you know about us?" Zhao Mou narrowed his eyes upon seeing Yu Xing's directness, his tone rising with a smile like a sly fox.

"The Zhao family is a prominent family among the deducer factions, well-known in the North China region. What they're most famous for is their extensive knowledge of intelligence data from various deduction worlds. To put it metaphorically, the Zhao family is like an encyclopedia, or an intelligence hub. Deduceurs in the North China area should all know of you to some extent." Yu Xing's tone was somewhere between serious and casual, making it unclear what his true attitude was in commenting on the family. "At first, I didn't realize Brother Jiu belonged to this Zhao family, but when I was looking up Brother Jiu's contact information today, I noticed something was off."

"Brother Jiu's performance is clearly not that of a novice; he must have a mentor or some other support behind him. And I happened to discover that the 'Mutated Path Deduce Zhao Mou,' whose fame has recently skyrocketed, is Brother Jiu's brother. Brother Jiu was injured last night, and the wounds caused by the ghostly creatures are difficult to treat with normal medical means. So I guessed that Mr. Zhao Mou, who possesses healing sacrifices, must be the one treating Brother Jiu's injuries."

"Since I have such a good opportunity to meet Mr. Zhao Mou, of course, I couldn't miss it. So, please forgive my intrusion today."

That long speech was packed with information.

As Zhao Mou listened to the latter half, his posture gradually relaxed because what Yu Xing was saying wasn't a secret, but rather information that any deducer who had advanced from a high level to the "Differentiated Level" in the country could easily know.

After all, the Zhao family was quite unique. Most other deducer factions were formed by deducers gathering from different places. Only a few families could ensure that someone could enter the [Absurdity] for generations, thus continuing the lineage of deducers.

Such families had long-standing fame.

"So you're from another faction." Zhao Mou pushed his glasses up. "Coming specifically to intercept me, you must have a request for the Zhao family's intelligence capabilities. Therefore, I hope you can be forthright. Who—which faction do you represent now?"

For newcomers who had just entered the deduction game, their information wasn't yet within the scope of what the Zhao family needed to collect. Thus, even he, who was in charge of intelligence, knew nothing about Yu Xing.

Which faction? Yu Xing sighed inwardly.

He belonged to no faction; he was a true loner.

However... he knew quite a few people. It was time to pull in someone who would be the least likely to be verified as a shield.

He was the kindest, most honest, and least deceitful person; if it weren't necessary, he wouldn't lie to the Zhao family... probably?

Yu Xing glanced at Zhao Yijiu, who was sitting silently with a dark aura, and pondered for a moment. "Mr. Zhao Mou, have you heard of Qu Xuanqing?"

"Qu Xuanqing?" Zhao Mou's pupils contracted, then he said with a surprised laugh, "Of course, she's far more famous than I am. The brutal lone wolf, the demoness of the mutated path... What, you're not going to say you're one of her people?"

"It wouldn't be incorrect to say so; I'm her friend." Yu Xing very decisively placed this shield in front of himself.

Zhao Mou leisurely asked, "Can you prove that?"

He hadn't heard of that solitary woman having any friends.

"Sure~" Yu Xing took out his phone. "Shall I have her add you on WeChat?"

Zhao Mou: Oh, this... this is something I hadn't expected.

Since Yu Xing had already produced his phone, Zhao Mou had various ways to verify the truth. He waved his hand. "No need. If we add each other so suddenly, I'm afraid she might find me displeasing next time and get rid of me."

Making a small joke, the atmosphere in the living room had eased considerably.

Except for Zhao Yijiu, who was as cold as the air conditioner, his expression gradually worsened, everything else seemed harmonious.

Zhao Yijiu, who had little contact with his own family: I'm the only one here who knows nothing.????????????

"So, what is your purpose in seeking out our family?" Noticing his brother's mood, Zhao Mou cleared his throat and asked.

Yu Xing looked up. "It won't trouble the entire Zhao family for now. I'd like to ask for your personal help in keeping an eye out for something."

Zhao Mou's interest was piqued. "Oh? What is it?"

"A deducer who calls himself Lingren, who never reveals his real name or appearance, and the 'Single Prism' organization behind him."

"Is he your...?"

"Enemy." Yu Xing said, his expression not at all like someone discussing an enemy. His smile grew even brighter, yet it inexplicably sent a chill down one's spine. "It's the kind of enemy where one of us has to die~"

Zhao Mou: That's truly a deep-seated hatred.

He knew of Lingren. Lingren appeared very rarely and was rumored to be the highest-ranking type of deducer. He currently had no way of obtaining any information about the other party.

The reason he had heard of him was because of the rumors that Qu Xuanqing was at odds with the 'Single Prism' organization, with significant conflict. Lingren was one of the members of Single Prism, and possibly even its founder.

"This deal isn't huge, but it isn't small either." Zhao Mou smiled at Yu Xing. After all, Yu Xing was only asking him to keep an eye out, with no strict demands, and the request was made to him personally, not involving the entire family. "I can help you keep an eye out, but what reward are you offering?"

"The Zhao family's headquarters is in Tianjin, and over the years, they've gradually infiltrated the surrounding areas. I didn't expect your family's influence to have already started spreading into the Jiangnan region." Yu Xing's confidence was palpable. "Your activities are mostly centered in Tianjin. Brother Jiu should be living alone in Mijin City, right? You can't always be there to help him. If you agree, I can guarantee his safety until he's promoted to a higher level~"

Zhao Yijiu, suddenly named, frowned.

He had become a bargaining chip?

His brother, Zhao Mou, though playful in personality, was indeed very strong. But Yu Xing... he had just completed an assessment with him. Where did he get the confidence to "protect" him?

Heh, does he think he's a little smarter, a little more skilled, and that's enough...

Yu Xing turned and smiled at him. "Of course, this sort of thing requires Brother Jiu's consent too. Hehe, just consider it helping me out, Brother Jiu. I really need your brother's intelligence network!"

...and that's enough? So he still respects my opinion?

Zhao Yijiu felt a little soothed, and the gloominess on his face eased slightly.

He said coldly, "You'll protect me during my beginner and intermediate stages?"

"You can protect me too!" Yu Xing readily agreed, showing the expression that reminded Zhao Yijiu of yesterday's performance. "However, I keep my word. If Mr. Zhao Mou agrees, I guarantee you won't die and can steadily advance without any worries."

"Is this Qu Xuanqing's idea too?" Zhao Mou remained outwardly calm, but he was actually somewhat tempted.

Zhao Yijiu was young and introverted. Even with years of training in combat and logic, his deduction experience was still lacking.

If someone could look out for him, he would feel much more at ease.

"Mhm, Qu Xuanqing can also help if needed. Hey, why don't you guys add each other on WeChat?" Yu Xing said, opening his phone interface and leaning towards Zhao Mou.

Zhao Mou: "..." Let's not.

"I will give you an answer after I verify this. If you are truly on the same side as Qu Xuanqing, I can offer my personal assistance." He nudged Zhao Yijiu with his elbow. "Little Jiu, what do you say?"

"Whatever." Zhao Yijiu dodged Zhao Mou's elbow.

He wasn't someone who was arrogant or unable to weigh the pros and cons. There was no reason to refuse.

If what Yu Xing said was true, then this "transaction" would benefit himself, Yu Xing would get the intelligence he wanted, and Zhao Mou... could also use this opportunity to connect with Qu Xuanqing.

Oh, though I have no idea who this Qu Xuanqing they're talking about is...

"Then it's settled. Mr. Zhao Mou can reply to me anytime after confirming." Yu Xing stood up. "Then I won't disturb you any further. Goodbye."

Zhao Mou felt that this person just showed up, achieved his goal, and left without any hesitation, showing no mercy.

"WeChat." Just as Yu Xing turned to leave, Zhao Yijiu suddenly spoke.

"Hm?" Yu Xing blinked at him blankly.

"Give me your WeChat. Are you planning to raid my house again next time?" Zhao Yijiu coldly extended his hand, presenting his QR code to Yu Xing.

Leaving Bixiu Garden, Yu Xing looked at the setting sun and bought a six-yuan savory pancake on the street.

He found the contact directly labeled "Qu Xuanqing" in his WeChat, and while taking bites of the pancake, he typed:

"Innocent maiden! I just used your name to get some things done. If you find out someone's investigating you recently, don't be too brutal."

After a long while, Yu Xing had almost reached his doorstep when Qu Xuanqing slowly sent a question mark.

"?"

The "cruel and ruthless lone wolf" from Zhao Mou's description sent a confused cat emoji, then asked via voice message, "When did you become a deducer?"

"Last night." Yu Xing typed.

"Is your revenge about to begin?" The voice message from the other side conveyed understanding, clearly knowing more than Zhu Yan.

Yu Xing smiled and typed word by word: "It has already begun."