Zhang Yuanqing copied the phone number but hesitated to dial it, his expression conflicted.
The members of the Spiritual Energy Association were all lunatics, utterly vicious. Getting involved with them was like seeking a tiger's skin. Zhang Yuanqing sighed wearily. He wanted to be a good person, but he had no choice.
No matter who obtained the Roster—the Five Elements Alliance, the Night Rose, or even the Black Guard of Impermanence—his identity as the Successor of the Demon Lord would inevitably be exposed.
What would happen then?
The best-case scenario was being placed under surveillance, losing his freedom until they obtained what they wanted.
And that was only if the Roster fell into the hands of official organizations like the Five Elements Alliance or the Taiyi Sect.
If it fell into the hands of the Night Rose or other Evil Classes, even if he were imprisoned, he would likely face inhuman torture, with unimaginable consequences.
The worst-case scenario, of course, was a premature death, a final farewell to the world.
Therefore, obtaining the Roster was essential. His plan to muddy the waters stemmed from his lack of confidence in persuading the Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter to trust him completely.
As long as I tread carefully, contacting the Spiritual Energy Association might not be so bad. The real headache will be the Grand Inspection.
But that was a problem for the future. How could he even think about the future if he couldn't resolve his current predicament?
With renewed resolve, he dialed Human Blood Steamed Bun's number.
Ring... Ring... Ring...
The phone rang for a long time before the call was disconnected.
A few minutes later, Human Blood Steamed Bun called back. A deep, male voice came through the speaker:
"Who is this?"
The voice was dark and sinister, radiating an aura of malice and gloom.
"If I have your number, we're friends, or at least birds of a feather!" Zhang Yuanqing said with a cheerful laugh.
Yes, I mean Evil Classes.
Human Blood Steamed Bun paused, then scoffed. "Get to the point. I'm only giving you two minutes."
This anonymous number was specifically for expanding his network and receiving messages. Human Blood Steamed Bun would post missions on the black market frequented by Evil Classes, including his contact information.
This allowed bounty hunters to reach him easily, but the downside was the risk of betrayal or scams, such as someone handing the number over to the Five Elements Alliance.
To avoid being tracked, he never kept calls longer than two minutes.
"I'm a member of Night Rose. Our Organization is searching for the Black guard of Impermanence. Perhaps we could collaborate," Zhang Yuanqing said calmly.
Human Blood Steamed Bun frowned. "Why would I cooperate with you?" he sneered.
He didn't trust people with unknown origins. No matter how many benefits they promised, they were all empty words.
Because you wouldn't dare meet me in person.
Zhang Yuanqing scoffed, "You're as weak as a rat, a disgrace to our profession. Unlike you, I spend every day plotting how to kill Fu Qingyang—to make a name for myself and claim a massive bounty."
Human Blood Steamed Bun's breathing quickened, as if provoked.
Zhang Yuanqing continued, "This arrangement benefits you too. More channels, more eyes and ears. Don't you want to prove yourself? Here's the plan: I'll send you intelligence via text message, which you'll check regularly. You'll do the same for me."
After a brief silence, Human Blood Steamed Bun slowly replied, "Fine! Now, give me some useful intel."
Zhang Yuanqing's tone turned serious. "The Fallen Holy Grail has malfunctioned. Black guard of Impermanence wants our Leader's help, but they don't trust each other enough to meet. They're still testing the waters."
"That's all I can say for now."
The Fallen Holy Grail is malfunctioning? Black guard of Impermanence is contacting Night Rose? Human Blood Steamed Bun's mind reeled, then surged with excitement. This was the most significant intelligence he'd obtained since joining the hunt for Black guard of Impermanence.
Sensing he'd laid enough groundwork, Zhang Yuanqing asked, "Now it's my turn. If we capture one of Black guard of Impermanence's subordinates, how do we find him?"
Human Blood Steamed Bun took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement. He had initially wanted to hang up immediately and freeload the information, but reason told him this channel was too valuable to sever. Cutting off contact would only hurt him.
He snorted coldly. "It depends on how much useful information your subordinates have. But knowing Black guard of Impermanence's cunning, even capturing his trusted subordinates might not reveal his location. If your organization has high-level Scouts, I can provide you with Black guard of Impermanence's profile, including his past experiences, personality, hobbies, and more.
"With the Scouts' deduction and profiling skills, you should be able to glean considerable information. Of course, I'll need to request authorization from the Boss first."
We do have one—my Boss is the True Eye Scout, Zhang Yuanqing thought, his eyes lighting up. Maintaining his low, steady tone, he replied, "I'll await your update."
In a residential complex, a deliveryman in a blue uniform rode his scooter skillfully through the familiar streets, stopping beneath a residential building facing the road.
The deliveryman pressed the doorbell and waited silently.
With his soft features, baby face, and slightly plump build, he gave off an impression of gentleness and harmlessness.
The doorbell echoed for a few seconds before the security door clicked open.
The baby-faced deliveryman entered the building, his head bowed as he counted each step: "1, 2, 3... 13."
Each flight of stairs had only twelve steps, never thirteen, but the baby-faced deliveryman always counted one extra.
He climbed from the first floor to the fifth, and when he counted thirteen steps for the fifth time, a thirteenth step truly appeared on the staircase leading to the sixth floor.
As the baby-faced deliveryman stepped onto the thirteenth step, it felt like passing through an invisible membrane. The surroundings transformed from the dilapidated residential building into a square pool, roughly ten meters wide and long.
The pool teemed with venomous snakes, spiders, geckos, insects, scorpions, and other Gu Creatures.
At the center of the pool stood a crimson altar built from massive red stones, towering about three meters high.
Atop the altar lay a mass of crimson flesh, pulsating slowly.
The baby-faced deliveryman glanced at the venomous creatures in the pool, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard.
Forcing his gaze away, he suppressed the glint of avarice in his eyes and bowed deeply.
"President, I have vital intelligence."
The mass of flesh on the altar pulsed, coalescing into a crimson humanoid figure that loomed over him.
The baby-faced deliveryman continued, "My subordinate has discovered that the Black Guard of Impermanence is hiding in Songhai, intending to meet with an organization called 'Night Rose.' I have never heard of this organization before."
The crimson humanoid figure whispered hoarsely, "Night Rose..."
"The President seems to know about this organization," the baby-faced deliveryman said.
"My subordinate also discovered that the Fallen Holy Grail is experiencing problems. The Black Guard of Impermanence is seeking assistance from the Night Rose, but mutual trust is lacking, so they're still testing each other."
After a pause, he added, "Given the urgency and lack of verification channels, I can't guarantee the accuracy of this information."
The humanoid mass of flesh slowly replied, "No, it's true. Human Blood Steamed Bun, your intelligence confirms my suspicions. The Fallen Holy Grail is indeed in trouble. Only this explains the Black Guard of Impermanence's unusual behavior."
Human Blood Steamed Bun felt a wave of relief, his mood instantly brightening. He truthfully revealed the source of his information and asked, "Should we provide the Black Guard of Impermanence's data to the Night Rose? The President's decision is final."
The humanoid mass of flesh said indifferently, "You've been deceived. That person isn't a member of the Night Rose; they're likely one of the Officials. Hmph, give them the data. At least until we find the Black Guard of Impermanence, the Officials are our allies."
"You've done well this time. Choose any three Gu Insects from the pool."
Human Blood Steamed Bun's face lit up with ecstasy. He bowed deeply and exclaimed, "Thank you, President!"
He eagerly approached the pool, puffed out his cheeks, and after a few seconds of concentration, suddenly shot out a slender, meters-long tongue, snatching a centipede, a venomous snake with red and black markings, and a jade-green beetle.
The Human Blood Steamed Bun's neck thickened noticeably, revealing the outlines of three Gu Creatures as he swallowed them with a gulp.
After nightfall, Zhang Yuanqing, wearing a mask and baseball cap, stealthily approached Fu Family Bay.
From a distance, he spotted a white van parked outside the residential complex, as if waiting for something.
Activating his stealth ability, Zhang Yuanqing crept closer and tapped three times on the van's window.
The van door automatically slid open, revealing Fu Qingyang's aloof, handsome face. He stared out at the figure outside the door and said, "There's no need for such caution."
"Centurion, I'm over here," Zhang Yuanqing's voice came from the other side of the van.
Fu Qingyang's lips twitched.
Finally, I've caught you off guard, Zhang Yuanqing thought gleefully, his face remaining utterly serious and sincere. "I believe caution is always wise. Your Centurion's detection abilities shouldn't be able to penetrate a Nightwalker's stealth, right?"
"Below the Saint Stage, yes."
"And not at the Saint Stage?"
Fu Qingyang glanced at him. "A Saint Stage Nightwalker wouldn't be bored enough to stake out your house for extended periods. The surveillance in this Fu Family Bay area is likely monitored from my villa. Someone could be watching 24/7."
Zhang Yuanqing had no retort. "Centurion, your wisdom is unparalleled!"
Fu Qingyang nodded in satisfaction and instructed the driver, "Let's move out."
Just as before, Fu Qingyang took only Zhang Yuanqing with him, the latter's sole purpose being to inquire the soul.
This man seemed to possess boundless confidence, capable of resolving any issue himself and single-handedly eliminating any enemy.
Calmness and indifference remained the unchanging foundation of his expression.
With Heaven's Injustice eliminated, Bing Ge's case had been successfully covered up. The death of his trusted subordinate would undoubtedly alarm Black guard of Impermanence, making him wary and less likely to dwell on Bing Ge's affairs. After all, it was merely a request from Night Rose, and even if curiosity lingered, he would likely suppress it.
But a single cover-up wouldn't suffice for long. They needed to expose Black guard of Impermanence soon and resolve this matter swiftly, or Zhang Yuanqing would find no peace. As he gazed out the car window at the receding scenery, his thoughts drifted.
The business sedan sped through the deserted night streets. In less than half an hour, it began to slow down, eventually stopping by a small river.
The river meandered, flanked by a park on the left and a wide street on the right. There were no residential buildings nearby, and at this late hour, the area was eerily quiet, save for the occasional passing car.
In the deep darkness, an arched bridge stood silhouetted in the distance.
The electric car door slid open, and Fu Qingyang, impeccably dressed in a white suit, stepped out. He said calmly, "Stay here and wait for my call."
With that, he stepped into the night, his white figure gradually receding into the darkness.
Inside the bridge arch, Heaven's Injustice, clad in a black hooded sweatshirt, sat cross-legged, waiting for the Night Rose members while pondering:
Why does Night Rose want the Young Soldier King's information?
That guy's been corrupted by the Fallen Holy Grail. It's only a matter of time before he goes mad and dies.
Boss Black guard of Impermanence also wanted to know, so he gave Heaven's Injustice an extra mission today: to uncover Night Rose's motives for seeking the Young Soldier King's data.
Suddenly, his ear twitched, catching the faint sound of footsteps approaching at a steady pace.
They're here. Heaven's Injustice silently waited for the footsteps to draw closer, then chuckled darkly.
"You've done well. The Five Elements Alliance must be hopping mad after Primordial Heavenly Venerable's death."
"Especially Fu Qingyang. Primordial Heavenly Venerable was an Official Walker under his command. Because of his incompetence, they've lost a member with limitless potential. The Elders' Council will demand accountability, but he's destined to rage in impotent fury."
Footsteps approached the bridge arch and stopped. A figure in a white suit spoke calmly:
"You don't need to worry about whether I'll fly into a rage, but you certainly will."
Fu Qingyang?! How could he be here? How could he be here?! Heaven's Injustice's pupils constricted, terror exploding within him, nearly overwhelming his reason.
His muscles bulged, his skin turned deep black, veins crisscrossing his body. His dark brown eyes widened, transforming into amber-colored vertical pupils.
I'll fight with all my might using my strength-type Gu Creature! The thought had barely formed when he saw Fu Qingyang at the entrance raise his hand and flick his finger.
Darkness engulfed Heaven's Injustice's vision, plunging him into an endless abyss.
Fu Qingyang pulled out his phone and dialed Zhang Yuanqing's number:
"Come here. Inquire the Soul!"