Chapter 1903: The Guest

Chapter 1903: Chapter 1903: The Guest

"Are you trying to persuade me to give up too?" Ye Shikai asked.

"You can think of it that way. You’re not alone anymore—I heard your son has already had his full-month celebration. If Tianjing had been you, you’d probably be lying in the morgue right now."

"If you’re worried about me, I appreciate it. In fact, someone already told me the same thing before. That person was Chen Yuxin." Ye Shikai said calmly.

"Just from the Red Poison Gu and the Heart Devouring Poisonous Insect alone, the other side is definitely a Worm expert, at least someone who’s truly proficient in Worm Skills. Even though I believe they’re not as good as me, they’re more than enough to deal with ordinary cultivators. Besides, these two poisonous insects are extremely rare—I’ve never heard of anyone specifically rearing them. That means the other side has some influence in Huaxia, maybe a powerful family, maybe a sect. You’re out in the open while they’re in the dark; you’ll be at a huge disadvantage."

"Don’t worry, nothing will happen to me." Ye Shikai went on, "There’s no way I’m backing off. Tianjing is already dead—that alone shows how ruthless they are. If I just ignore it, that’s the same as sitting back and waiting for them to succeed. I’ve seen firsthand how terrifying the HST project is; I can’t let them pull it off." As he spoke, Ye Shikai grew anxious. After so many open and covert clashes, they still hadn’t uncovered the true identity of the mastermind behind it all—how could that not be infuriating.

"You really plan to keep digging?"

"Of course. I’m not just going to investigate, I’m going to get to the bottom of it and wipe them all out." Ye Shikai said firmly. With things having progressed this far, he could be said to be riding a tiger—his only option was to keep moving forward, gritting his teeth and "push ahead."

"All right then. Since you insist on investigating, I’ll lend you a hand." Wuyan took out a gourd from his luggage and poured out a "little bug" from inside. Naturally, it was a Worm.

"What’s this?"

"A Lifebound Gu." Wuyan said lightly.

"Lifebound Gu? What’s that?" Ye Shikai asked curiously.

"You can think of it as a protective poisonous insect. Once the Lifebound Gu enters the host’s body, it shares the host’s life. If the host is harmed by other poisonous insects, it will ’take action’ and fight back." Wuyan explained to him.

"It’s that powerful? So you’re giving it to me?"

"Mm." Wuyan poured the poisonous insect into Ye Shikai’s hand. This Worm was very small, about the size of an ant. It walked around in Ye Shikai’s palm, stopping now and then, as if sensing his aura.

"So how do I use it?"

"Just swallow it."

"Okay." Ye Shikai didn’t say another word, tossed the poisonous insect into his mouth, and swallowed it in one gulp.

"You trust me that much? You’re not afraid this is a lethal poisonous insect?" Wuyan retorted.

"Of course I trust you. You’re willing to stay and help me—I believe in your sincerity. And even if, worst-case scenario, you really wanted to plant a Worm in me, with the strength you have as the Worm Sect’s Sect Leader, I wouldn’t even have a chance to resist, or even notice it."

"Thank you." Wuyan chuckled softly.

"I should be the one thanking you. If this Lifebound Gu is really what you say it is, then you’ve basically given me an extra life." Ye Shikai was completely open about it, with not the slightest hint of fear.

...............

After leaving the hotel, Ye Shikai went back to the Dark Night Bar. Luo Shiqi was still there. Tianjing had died in the back alley behind the bar, and members of the National Security Bureau had come to investigate. But in the end, even though the Dark Night Bar was Luo Shiqi’s business, she didn’t actually manage it herself, so they hadn’t gotten any useful intel.

"Shiqi, what are you looking at?" Ye Shikai asked curiously. As soon as he entered the office, he saw Luo Shiqi carefully examining some documents, so focused she hadn’t even noticed him come in.

"Just some materials, nothing special." Luo Shiqi said casually.

"Lately... the people from the National Security Bureau haven’t been giving you trouble, have they?"

"Our positions might be opposed, but I’m not afraid of their investigation. Besides, Jin Li’s not an idiot—he knows it wasn’t me. Even if they keep digging, it’s pointless."

"That’s good. By the way, have you found out who that customer that day actually was?" Ye Shikai asked.

"My people are already looking into it—we should have results soon. As long as that person hasn’t left Yanjing, catching him will be a piece of cake." Before Luo Shiqi finished speaking, a trusted subordinate hurried in.

"Boss, we’ve found him. He’s a photographer and currently lives in Yanjing. We’ve already tracked down his address."

"Ha, speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao appears." Luo Shiqi stood up, excited. "Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go grab him right now. Remember, I want him alive."

"I’ll go too." Ye Shikai requested to join them. Once they found this mysterious "customer," they might uncover the lead Tianjing had gotten before his death, and maybe even identify his killer. But based on his earlier experiences, this photographer was likely in danger too. If they didn’t move fast, they might be too late.

"Give me the address."

They drove four cars straight to the man’s residence. It was an ordinary apartment building, and his place was on the eighth floor.

Thump thump thump—Ye Shikai knocked on the door, but no one came to open it.

"What’s going on? Is he not home?" Luo Shiqi asked.

"Impossible. Our people have been staking this place out the whole time."

"Then break the door down." Luo Shiqi ordered.

"Yes."

"Wait." Ye Shikai stepped forward, released his Inner Strength, and directly shattered the lock cylinder into powder, then pushed the door open with ease.

"Search the place."

"Yes."

Ten minutes later.

"Boss, we’ve checked everywhere. Seems like no one’s here."

"How is that possible?"

"Hold on." Ye Shikai walked into the bedroom, carefully examining the surroundings. The walls were covered in photos, which was normal enough—after all, the owner was a photographer. The camera was still on the table. Ye Shikai walked over and saw that the memory card was still inside.

"The guy must have already run, right?"

"No." Ye Shikai shook his hand and went over to the wardrobe, yanking it open.

"Mr. Ye, it’s empty. We already checked it."

"No, there’s a hidden compartment in this wardrobe." Ye Shikai tapped lightly on the wood panel, but nothing happened.

"You inside there—aren’t you coming out? If you still won’t come out, I’ll just dismantle this wardrobe." Ye Shikai suddenly threw a punch, smashing a big hole through the back panel of the wardrobe. Everyone was stunned—the space behind the wardrobe was actually hollow.

"Aaah, don’t kill me!" A woman’s scream came from inside the wardrobe.