Chapter Forty-Three: Seeking Cooperation

"What do you mean?" Xiao Zhang asked in confusion.

"Some of them have abilities, but they weren't chosen by the system!" Tu Shanbai suddenly hesitated for a moment. "Brother, there are others of my kind here!"

"What?" Xiao Zhang glanced around. Everything seemed perfectly normal.

"Brother, I don't dare use my powers anymore. I'm afraid my own kind will discover me." Tu Shanbai gripped Xiao Zhang and Mo Xiaoxiao's hands tightly.

Mo Xiaoxiao scooped Tu Shanbai up into her arms. "Baibai, don't be afraid. Even if there are other demons here, your sister will protect you."

Not far away, at a small stall, a man in a suit was haggling with a vendor—but their conversation seemed odd.

"Aren't you afraid I'll leave you stranded here?"

The thin man in the suit smiled and withdrew his gaze from Xiao Zhang and Mo Xiaoxiao in the distance. "It was Haonan who got rid of the Resentful Ghost and Oda, wasn't it?"

"Yes." The vendor didn't even look up.

The thin man spoke coldly, "Aren't you worried I might deal with him myself?"

Only then did the vendor raise his head, but he didn't answer the man's question. He stared at the suited figure before him. "Weren't those two people sent to Z Country by you on purpose to die?"

Now the man in the suit smirked. "You’re well informed. Those two weren't ordinary people—a yin-yang master and a samurai. If they'd been allowed to develop unchecked, who knows who this organization would answer to in the future? Best to keep them away from all this, let them serve the empire in peace!"

The vendor looked at him with a half-smile. "Let's get to the point. What do you want?"

The man in the suit picked up a small porcelain piece from the stall and toyed with it for a moment. Then, slowly, he said, "I don’t need the system rewards from this scenario. But there is one thing—I will obtain it at any cost!"

As he spoke, the man produced a photograph and handed it to the vendor. The vendor glanced at it, pondered for a moment, then stood. "Deal."

The man in the suit retrieved the photo and extended his hand. "Then, to a pleasant collaboration, Qi Guanbei."

"Mutian Yihuai, this is nothing more than a transaction."

"They’re coming," Xiao Zhang whispered to Mo Xiaoxiao. "Watch how the people around react."

At that moment, a figure appeared in everyone’s line of sight—a person in a mask, a thick down jacket, and a hat.

Surprise flickered across Qi Guanbei’s gaunt face. "Where did this oaf come from?"

Mutian Yihuai sneered. "Is this another one of your country’s new Awakened?"

Qi Guanbei made a gesture. Immediately, two people who looked like travelers stood up, walked to the center, and seized Zhao Tai—one on either side—dragging him toward the stall before he could protest.

From afar, Xiao Zhang and the others grew tense, their eyes fixed on Zhao Tai.

"Hey! What are you doing? Who are you people?" Zhao Tai shouted on purpose.

"Police!" Qi Guanbei sized Zhao Tai up. "Sir, please show us your ID."

Zhao Tai went blank. If he’d known, he wouldn’t have listened to Xiao Zhang and gotten himself caught by the police instead of finding the hidden enemy. "Hold on, can I see your police badges first?"

With a wave from Qi Guanbei, one of the men escorting Zhao Tai pulled out a pair of shiny handcuffs.

Zhao Tai obediently produced his ID. Not only that—afraid of arousing suspicion, he also handed over his student card. "I just came here to hang out with a classmate! But he flaked on me. And he said this place was freezing, so I wore a down jacket."

Mutian Yihuai watched silently. It really did seem like this guy was just a fool.

"You with any organizations?" Qi Guanbei glanced at the ID and student card, asking casually.

"Organization?" Zhao Tai’s eyes flickered. "Oh? If I told you, I’d probably scare you."

"Cut the nonsense, kid. What can you actually do? Tell the truth—if you’re decent, maybe I’ll put in a good word for you," Mutian Yihuai said impatiently.

"My abilities?" Zhao Tai lifted his chin with pride. "Fine! I’m a senior member of the Beast Regiment. A bunch of organizations have tried to recruit me. Even before the servers merged, I could defend the main fortress by myself. My Madara skills are off the charts! Now that server 1000’s open, I’m thinking of switching factions. How strong are you guys? Can you dominate the rankings?"

"Fortress?" Qi Guanbei was taken aback.

The junior officer nearby, hearing this, whispered, "Boss, I think he’s talking about Naruto."

And so, with his rambling, Zhao Tai managed to dispel their suspicions.

In the end, Qi Guanbei laughed, waved him off, and said, "We thought you were a pickpocket. Lately, people keep losing things around here for no reason! Sorry about that, kid."

"No problem. Thanks, man!"

"Move along, and quit dressing so strangely—people might mistake you for a thief on the street." Qi Guanbei lit a cigarette with his lighter. "One more tip: don’t stay here any longer than you have to. Things are... off around here lately."

Seeing Qi Guanbei get up, Zhao Tai hurried after him, walking side by side and muttering, "Hey, are you guys after a fugitive? Need a hand?"

Qi Guanbei glanced at him. "Listen, kid, if you know what’s good for you, leave this place."

...

Half an hour later, in their room.

"Are you sure that guy is an Awakened?" Xiao Zhang asked as Zhao Tai came out of the bathroom.

"I’m sure. But it seems he’s a cop as well."

"I’ll look into it," Xiao Zhang replied. "It’s always better to have another friend than another enemy." With a wave, he sent Zhao Bai away. "Datang, have a chat with your brother."

Xiao Zhang returned to his room and called Mo Xiaoxiao to discuss matters.

When Mo Xiaoxiao arrived, Xiao Zhang got straight to the point. "I’m going to meet that man."

Mo Xiaoxiao looked worried. "If your identity is exposed, it’ll be troublesome."

"Mo Mo, do you realize? When I first learned about the Awakened, I was concerned. The outsiders can’t stay in our world permanently, but the Awakened are natives. And these people have suddenly gained powers beyond ordinary men. When an average person gains abilities that defy the rules of the mundane world, chaos is sure to follow. But clearly, someone is controlling this. I have a feeling that man is one of them. If nothing else, at least he’s one of ours."