"Although I said that because I genuinely hoped you could help us, Mr. Su... you can refuse." Qin Ge's voice trembled slightly, a trace of unease and hesitation in his tone. He looked at Su Bai with worry and anxiety he could barely conceal. Su Bai could clearly sense the considerable inner struggle beneath Qin Ge's outward composure.
Su Bai raised an eyebrow slightly, fully understanding his concerns.
"Are you worried I'll disappear like the people you sent out?" Su Bai asked bluntly, a hint of insight in his voice.
Qin Ge's concerns were easy enough to understand. The news that none of the investigators he had sent out had returned alive had left him deeply wary of the dangers in this city.
Qin Ge looked a little embarrassed, his lips pressing together as though he could not find the right words to respond. He did not deny it. Clearly, Su Bai had guessed what he was thinking.
"Don't worry." Su Bai smiled faintly, determination and confidence flashing in his eyes. "I already have some theories about what's happening in Qingliu City, and... I have ways to protect myself." He spoke casually, as though he did not consider those hidden dangers a threat at all.
Su Bai also silently took stock of his trump cards. Leaving aside the upper limits of the Vengeful Ghost Puzzle's power, the Mist Shop and the key Su Xuan had left him provided ample ways to retreat. Though the mutation in Qingliu City was terrifying, he was still confident he could get out unscathed.
"Mr. Su, did you come specifically because of the mutation in Qingliu City?" Qin Ge no longer beat around the bush, confusion and puzzlement in his eyes. "Why? I assume you aren't here for the citizens who are suffering."
Qin Ge's