Investigator?

The bellboy led the way, not entering the hotel lobby, but turning aside and circling toward the rear of the building.

"Sir, the Fighting Tournament is indeed on the third basement level, but it's not under the hotel—it's beneath the parking lot out back."

Li Qingshan nodded, following with Cao Shaoyu in tow.

Behind the hotel building lay a spacious ground-level parking lot, dimly lit with only a few scattered streetlamps.

As the three approached, a gaunt, sharp-faced middle-aged man with a weaselly look brightened and hurried over.

"Boss, what do you usually like to play? I'll show you the way."

The gaunt man bowed and scraped. The bellboy clearly knew him and introduced him to Li Qingshan: "Sir, his name is Cheng An. He can take you there."

Li Qingshan nodded in understanding, waved the bellboy off, then turned to Cheng An. "Is there a casino down there too?"

Cheng An's eager demeanor reminded him of a profession he'd heard of in his past life—the "Chip Runner."

"Boss, you didn't know?" Cheng An asked, surprised.

Cao Shaoyu grew impatient and urged, "We're here to watch the Fighting Tournament. Hurry up and lead the way!"

"Got it, got it." Cheng An nodded repeatedly and guided the two toward a small booth-like building in the distance, chattering as he went. "Boss, this parking lot has three levels built underneath. The first two are the casino, and the Fighting Tournament is on the third."

"Does the boss have any favored fighters? I can help you place bets. If not, no worries—I've got the most complete intel here. I can definitely pick a 'good horse' for you!"

"Complete intel?" Li Qingshan raised an eyebrow, keeping his tone casual. "Then tell me, how many people on the third level are above Body Tempering fifth level?"

"Boss, you're joking, right?" Cheng An grinned exaggeratedly, turning his head back. "Luoying isn't a provincial capital like Wuyi. Aside from the third-year Martial Arts Class, where would you find that many Body Tempering fifth-level experts?"

"Besides, those who make it to the third year of the Martial Arts Class—which one of them isn't too proud for their own good? They sign contracts with big companies before they even graduate. Why would they come to a place like this?"

"Huh?" Cao Shaoyu ran his hand through his hair in disappointment, muttering, "And here I thought the Fighting Tournament here would be exciting. Turns out it's just weaklings pecking at each other!"

"Kid, you can't say that!" Cheng An immediately grew flustered. "Even if their Body Tempering levels aren't high, they're still far beyond an Ordinary Person's physical limits. Fights where every punch lands on flesh—that's the most thrilling kind."

"If it were those top-tier experts, their strikes would be faster than your eyes. Tell me, what would you even see?"

Hearing this, Li Qingshan chuckled. "You sure know a lot!"

"A little, a little!" Cheng An forced a couple of laughs, then lowered his voice. "Boss, actually, the Silver Radiance Arena does have one ace. Officially, he's listed as Body Tempering fourth level, but he's never lost against any other Body Tempering fourth-level fighters."

"Plus, even though he always seems to win by a narrow margin, he never really takes any damage! I'm guessing he's probably Body Tempering fifth level. If the boss puts a heavy bet on him, you're guaranteed to profit!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Li Qingshan smiled but didn't take the bait. Instead, he asked, "Tell me about the security measures down there. A place this big must be equipped with plenty of Laser Guns, right?"

Cheng An's expression froze. His gaze swept over the Chopping Knife in Li Qingshan's hand, and he asked cautiously, "Boss, why are you asking that?"

"Nothing, just curious." Li Qingshan's smile was easygoing, and he didn't press further.

Underground Boxing existed outside the rules, a lawless zone.

As a law-abiding citizen, the moment he stepped into this place, everyone here automatically became Li Qingshan's hypothetical enemies. Naturally, he had to scout out the "enemy situation" in advance.

For now, it didn't seem like a big problem.

But after that question, Cheng An clearly grew wary. His expression turned uneasy, and his mouth fell silent.

Li Qingshan's smile didn't waver. He spoke up on his own: "Don't overthink it. Actually, we came here mainly to watch the 'Beast Battle.'"

"Beast Battle?" Cheng An froze, hesitating. "Boss, when you say 'beast,' do you mean..."

"Fierce Beasts." Li Qingshan spat out the two words, his brow slowly furrowing.

As an outside Chip Runner, Cheng An had no reason not to know about the "Beast Battle," and even less reason to hide it from a client.

Unless...

"How could there be Fierce Beasts in the Silver Glow Hotel?" Cheng An asked, his face full of shock.

If you find this book enjoyable, to avoid losing track next time, remember to add it to your bookshelf.

"Boss, where did you hear that from? No, no..."

Cheng An grew more uneasy, pacing back and forth.

'Cheng An really doesn't know about the "Beast Battle."'

The thought flashed through Li Qingshan's mind, and his brow furrowed deeper.

Was the Silver Glow keeping the news under wraps that tightly, or was Little Fatty's "inside scoop" unreliable?

"What's wrong with it?"

Cao Shaoyu grew impatient, speaking with conviction:

"I went through a lot of trouble to get this info—there's definitely a 'Beast Battle' tonight!"

"You don't know shit!" Cheng An cursed, no longer caring about the customer's status.

"The Silver Glow is just a small venue—there's no way they have the channels to get Fierce Beasts. Besides, Fierce Beasts would bring the Patrol Bureau down on us..."

Cheng An looked worried, turning to Li Qingshan with a serious expression:

"Boss, I'm not taking this job. Take my advice—whether the info's real or not, don't get involved tonight."

"If there really are Fierce Beasts and the Patrol Bureau shows up, none of us will get away."

As soon as he finished, Cheng An turned to bolt.

A cold blade rested on his shoulder, freezing him in place.

"Sharp one, aren't you!"

A light laugh sounded behind him. Cheng An's legs trembled, cold sweat beading on his back.

"Boss, what... what's the meaning of this?"

"Just calming you down."

Li Qingshan sheathed his Chopping Knife, his tone meaningful:

"You know Fierce Beasts will bring the Patrol Bureau, but have you thought about why I'm here?"

Cheng An's eyes lit up, his legs steadying. He turned to look at the Chopping Knife in Li Qingshan's hand, his voice quivering:

"Could it be that the boss is..."

"Don't ask what you shouldn't!"

His question was cut off, but Cheng An's eyes only grew brighter.

It all clicked. Everything fit.

No wonder he'd asked right away if the Silver Glow had any experts and what their security was like.

So this young man wasn't here to gamble at all—he was an investigator sent by the Patrol Bureau.

"Don't worry, boss. I'll do my utmost to cooperate with the investigation!"

Cheng An straightened his back, thumping his chest loudly.

The Patrol Bureau held sway over the Old Continent, its status transcendent. Even the lowest-level investigator was no one the Silver Glow Hotel could mess with.

"Enough, stop the chatter. Lead the way."

Li Qingshan tilted his chin up slightly, his tone impatient.

Cheng An didn't dare delay. He hurried over to the guard booth ahead and opened the door.

The booth had no furniture—a two-meter-square stairwell opening took up the entire floor.

The staircase stretched downward, brightly lit.

"Boss, this is the entrance."

Cheng An explained over his shoulder, then led the way down the stairs.

"Coach, what did you two mean just now? Why does he have to cooperate with the investigation?"

Cao Shaoyu rubbed his head, unable to make sense of the conversation.

"Imaginary overthinking is the deadliest!"

Li Qingshan smirked, patting Little Fatty on the shoulder.

"Once you figure that out, you'll understand."

The Patrol Bureau, the investigation—none of it was his concern. He'd never admitted to anything.

Li Qingshan had only one goal here: Fierce Beasts.

There was no need to dig further into Cao Shaoyu's source.

Whether the Silver Glow actually had Fierce Beasts—he'd find out by going down.

If not, it was just a false alarm.

If there were Fierce Beasts, he'd kill them first, then turn around and report it, pocketing a reward on top.

Perfect!