Chapter 166: Money Game (3)

The members of the Bray family had no money, so who did?

Little Stone abruptly looked at He Yu and lowered his voice.

“You're planning to get money from the Third Young Master?”

He Yu didn't answer. Casually rolling a crystal ball in his hand, he tilted his head and asked curiously,

“Do you know much about the Third Young Master?”

Even though he had been the one asking questions, the moment He Yu questioned him, Little Stone couldn't help following his train of thought. Some people simply possessed that kind of magic—it was impossible to refuse them.

Little Stone shook his head.

“Not really. I only know some surface-level things. Like... the Third Young Master is the son of the Bray family's Second Madam, and he's extremely favored. But his temper is awful. He often beats servants to death. He's the hardest customer to serve, and he's locked in a fierce struggle with the Bray family's Eldest Young Master.”

[Bullet Screen: "This little guy knows a lot."]

[Bullet Screen: "No wonder He Yu wanted to work with him. I thought he couldn't find an adult from Money Planet willing to cooperate, so he had no choice but to team up with a little brat..."]

[Bullet Screen: "How did He Yu guess the little beggar knew so much?"]

A satisfied smile appeared on He Yu's face.

“You really do know a lot. Choosing to cooperate with you wasn't a mistake.”

Little Stone narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“How did you figure that out?”

If he remembered correctly, today was the first time they had ever met. How had this guy guessed he knew so much?

Unless...

He had investigated him?

The child's expression instantly became wary. His feet unconsciously took two steps backward, putting some distance between himself and He Yu.

He Yu paid no attention to his reaction and explained casually.

“Out of all the middle-aged women on the street, you chose one who stood out. Besides, that lady was sturdier than the others. Ordinary people wouldn't dare provoke her easily. Very few people carry money around, and she showed no signs of having any on her. Yet you scanned the crowd and locked onto her immediately. The only explanation is that you already knew her.”

Little Stone froze.

He Yu continued,

“There were plenty of food shops, but you went straight into one with a clear purpose and successfully exchanged something for food. Even though the owner chased you out, at least he didn't steal your belongings.”

This was a world where even robbery was legal.

Everyone here was a villain.

That wasn't a joke.

After a pause, He Yu added,

“Of course, the most important reason is this—you've managed to survive on your own until now, and you're still alive and kicking. You must have abilities that ordinary people don't.”

In this world, no matter what special talent had allowed the child to survive, he had to know this city inside and out. Otherwise, any small accident could have claimed his life.

That was why He Yu, who knew absolutely nothing about this place, had set his sights on him.

After hearing the analysis, Little Stone was stunned. He instinctively retreated another two steps.

He had never imagined that after just one meeting, this man could understand him so thoroughly.

How terrifying.

Having survived this long, Little Stone's sense of danger was exceptionally sharp. Earlier, he had thought this big beggar seemed safe enough to cooperate with.

But now...

Now all he felt was danger.

Thinking back to the fact that he had actually felt "safe" around someone he had just met, a chill ran down his spine. His fists clenched tightly, his body tensed, and he stood completely still, like a startled bird—or a cat with all its fur standing on end—staring at He Yu in both fear and vigilance.

After hearing the explanation, the audience finally understood.

[Bullet Screen: "Now this is the real He Yu!"]

[Bullet Screen: "He's ridiculously observant and smart. He spots the key details at a glance and sees what everyone else misses."]

[Bullet Screen: "By the way, what's he doing with that advanced transforming equipment?"]

He Yu could see the Bullet Screen at that moment, but he paid it no mind. With a gentle smile on his lips, his pitch-black, unfathomable eyes looked earnestly at the tense child.

“Don't worry. I sincerely want to cooperate with you. What's five hundred? If you work well with me, you'll get five hundred... five million... even fifty billion.”

Little Stone: "???"

Just a moment ago, he had thought this big beggar was a hidden master.

Now...

Now he suddenly felt the guy had something seriously wrong with his head.

Children lacked the composure adults possessed.

Unable to hold back, he mocked,

“Five million? Fifty billion? Do you even know how much money that is? With fifty billion, you'd already rank among the top thirty richest people on Money Planet!”

He Yu blinked.

“Fifty billion only gets you into the top thirty? Then it looks like we'll need five hundred billion.”

Little Stone: "..."

Confirmed.

The guy had something wrong with his brain.

He Yu didn't seem to notice he had just been labeled mentally ill. Looking out from the alley toward the street, he saw that the Third Young Master's convoy had already stopped. From where they stood, they could only see the rear of the vehicle.

Still...

The rich really were rich.

And they loved showing it off.

Even the back of the car glowed.

The entire vehicle was essentially a piece of advanced equipment capable of both flying and driving.

In this world, the rich truly could do anything.

“All right, little friend. Time to go get the first bucket of our five hundred billion from the Bray family.”

Standing in front of He Yu, Little Stone followed his gaze toward the dazzling rear of the vehicle.

His voice was filled with doubt.

“You really think you can get money from the Bray family's Third Young Master?”

The richer someone was, the harder it became to pry money out of their pockets.

Little Stone simply didn't believe He Yu could get money from the Third Young Master.

They couldn't even get close to him.

Beggars like them couldn't even approach one of the Third Young Master's servants. If they tried, they'd immediately be detained and killed as suspicious individuals.

So Little Stone remained deeply skeptical.

He Yu answered calmly,

“I always keep my word. Of course I have a way.”

Little Stone turned toward him.

“What way?”

The moment he finished asking, he suddenly felt himself lifted into the air.

Standing on an unremarkable but incredibly fast broom, He Yu shot straight toward Rich Street—

Straight toward the Bray family's Third Young Master's convoy.

Little Stone: "???"

[Bullet Screen: "Holy crap, is He Yu really this fearless?!"]

[Bullet Screen: "What's he trying to do? Rob them? There's no way he can beat the Third Young Master's guards. They even have SS-level experts!"]

It really did look like a robbery.

But with only two combat power, He Yu couldn't defeat anyone.

If he still had his longsword, maybe it would be worth trying.

As things stood now, success was utterly impossible.

He Yu moved too fast.

The broom accelerated to maximum speed, shooting out of the alley like lightning, crossing the barrier into Rich Street and charging directly toward the Third Young Master.

Holy crap!

The audience was dumbfounded.

Everything happened so quickly that Little Stone couldn't even react. His eyes widened in shock.

Standing atop the broom with Little Stone dangling from one hand, He Yu raised his chin slightly.

Even in his ragged clothes, he somehow carried an ethereal elegance.

His presence was overwhelming.

His movements were incomparably graceful.

And then—

Bang!

He crashed straight to the ground.

One blow.

Utterly helpless.

Little Stone hadn't reacted.

But Rich Street's city guards and the Third Young Master's bodyguards certainly had.

Before He Yu even got close to the convoy, he was attacked and knocked to the ground.

Experts seemed to appear from nowhere, instantly surrounding them.

Every kind of weapon pointed toward them.

Their expressions were guarded.

One command, and both of them would be pierced clean through.

“Who are you?!”

The First Bodyguard had assumed they were assassins.

Instead...

They turned out to be two utterly pathetic beggars.

A shabby adult beggar.

And a shabby little beggar.

These two actually dared approach the Third Young Master's convoy?

Everyone on Rich Street looked at them as though they were complete idiots before quickly looking away again.

The pair simply weren't worth anyone's attention.

People who suddenly rushed out like this appeared all the time.

They were always killed immediately and dragged away.

There was nothing worth watching.

If not for the fact that one was a big beggar and the other a little beggar dressed so pitifully, they wouldn't even have earned a single glance.

As for the so-called Third Young Master...

He didn't even spare them a look.

He had just stepped out of his car and was walking toward the clubhouse, surrounded by attendants and radiating authority.

“Sir, how should these two be handled?”

The S-rank Rich Street city guard addressed the Bray family's bodyguard with extreme respect.

Without even blinking, the First Bodyguard turned around and replied,

“Kill them. Drag the bodies away.”

Little Stone: "!!!"

He was on the verge of collapsing.

How had he ended up mixed up with someone whose brain clearly didn't work?!

He had known the man was crazy.

He should have run away the moment he realized it.

He had never imagined that someone in this world would actually dare charge directly at the Bray family's Third Young Master.

After struggling so hard to survive until now...

Was he really going to die today?

Little Stone didn't beg for mercy.

There was no point.

Begging would only annoy people and lead to even crueler torture.

Dying immediately would be the easiest possible end.

He hated He Yu.

How had he ever decided to talk to this lunatic?

The audience was equally stunned.

This operation was nothing like He Yu's usual style.

The He Yu with a hundred and eighty schemes up his sleeve...

How could he possibly do something that amounted to—

“A spectacular display of effort that ends in complete stupidity”?

The viewers were genuinely dumbfounded.

Little Stone didn't dare beg.

He Yu, however, had no such hesitation.

Ignoring the spear pressed against his throat, he calmly lifted his head and shouted loudly,

“Third Young Master! I've brought your son back to acknowledge his ancestors! Hurry up and claim him!”

Little Stone: "???"

For a brief moment, he couldn't even process what He Yu had just said.

When he finally understood...

He nearly suffocated.

It's over.

This time...

Even dying would be impossible.

[Bullet Screen: "..."]

[Bullet Screen: "...He Yu. Only you could pull off something this outrageous."]

[Bullet Screen: "I suddenly feel like I'm suffocating on Little Stone's behalf. Kid, the adult world isn't scary—you just happened to run into a terrifying adult."]

The bodyguards and city guards were stunned.

None of them attacked.

Even those preparing to drag the pair away froze.

Everyone on Rich Street turned around.

He Yu's shout echoed through nearly the entire street, leaving everyone speechless.

Even the Third Young Master, who had already stepped onto the staircase, stopped.

Then...

He slowly turned around.

Excellent.

Mission accomplished.

He had successfully attracted the Third Young Master's attention.

As the Bray family's Third Young Master, countless people tried to get his attention every day.

Some wanted to kill him.

Some wanted to flatter him.

But He Yu was undoubtedly the only person today who had actually succeeded.

Turning around, the Third Young Master stared expressionlessly at He Yu.

“What did you just say?”

The Bray family's Third Young Master was a fat blond with blue eyes, dressed in luxurious fur.

Federation fur differed from Blue Star's.

It was made from the hides of ferocious beasts and naturally possessed defensive properties.

The bright crimson fur he wore was obviously high-grade defensive gear.

A belt inlaid with defensive gemstones wrapped around his waist.

A top-tier defensive necklace hung from his neck.

His earrings.

His wristwatch.

Every accessory screamed luxury.

That was simply the style of this planet.

All those excessively extravagant items on his round body made him look every inch the nouveau riche.

Even so...

His presence was overwhelming.

Anyone would feel pressured under that gaze.

He Yu, however, remained completely composed.

He raised his voice again.

“Third Young Master, this is your son. I've brought him back to acknowledge his ancestors.”

As he spoke, he patted Little Stone beside him.

Little Stone had already gone completely numb.

He couldn't say a word.

His face clearly read:

"Who am I?"

"Where am I?"

"What did I just hear?"

[Bullet Screen: "Hahaha! He Yu is unbelievable."]

[Bullet Screen: "As long as he opens his mouth, he can talk the dead into being alive. He might actually fabricate an identity for Little Stone."]

The Third Young Master remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he narrowed his eyes at Little Stone.

“How old are you?”

His expression was... complicated.

Almost indescribable.

Little Stone: "..."

He wanted to cry.

He wanted to die.

But he didn't dare ignore the Third Young Master's question.

Stammering, he answered,

“I... I'm... nine this year.”

He Yu tilted his head.

“Oh? You're already nine? You only look about seven.”

Little Stone: "..."

Is that really the issue right now?

Would seven somehow make me his son?!

If Little Stone had a time machine...

The very first thing he would do would be to stay as far away from He Yu as possible.

The moment he saw He Yu—

He would run.

As far as he could.

He would never speak to him again.

[Bullet Screen: "The Third Young Master asked his age... could he really have a lost son?!"]

[Bullet Screen: "Did He Yu seriously guess correctly by accident?"]

The Third Young Master smiled.

Only...

The smile was ice-cold.

His voice was equally chilling.

“So an eighteen-year-old me already has a nine-year-old son? Did I father him when I was eight? Was he born when I was nine?”

The audience: "???"

Holy crap.

The Third Young Master was only eighteen?!

[Bullet Screen: "He Yu just hit the muzzle of the gun."]

Little Stone was about to cry.

He had always known the Third Young Master was only eighteen.

The instant He Yu shouted about "acknowledging his ancestors," he had already realized the miserable fate awaiting them.

They wouldn't even be allowed the mercy of death.

They would be tortured first.

Death by a thousand cuts.

Drawn and quartered...

Countless horrific executions flashed through Little Stone's mind.

He felt completely hopeless.

He Yu looked genuinely surprised.

“You're only eighteen? Young man, then you've aged rather... prematurely.”

[Bullet Screen: "...At this moment, I'm just glad I'm not Little Stone."]

[Bullet Screen: "He Yu's talent for seeking death has reached another level. Incredible."]

As usual, Ke Ai was camping in He Yu's livestream.

Watching the projection before him, he couldn't stop pinching the bridge of his nose to keep himself from passing out.

It was simply...

Too suffocating.

The First Bodyguard.

The Second Bodyguard.

Every attendant.

Everyone who heard those words.

All stared at He Yu.

Their expressions shifted from confusion...

To shock...

And finally...

To awe.

So there really were people in this world who thought dying normally wasn't special enough.

People who invented new ways to court death.

The First Bodyguard cautiously asked,

“Third Young Master... shall we kill him?”

The Third Young Master laughed.

He laughed from sheer anger.

Little Stone nearly fainted.

Stars danced before his eyes.

His mind was filled with only one thought.

It's over.

It's over.

The Third Young Master walked toward He Yu.

Everyone respectfully stepped aside, opening a path for him.

Even the bodyguards and city guards surrounding He Yu moved back slightly.

Only the First and Second Bodyguards remained.

One kept his weapon at He Yu's throat.

The other aimed directly at his chest.

Both stood ready in case he attacked the Third Young Master.

Of course...

Even if He Yu attacked, the Third Young Master, covered head to toe in defensive equipment, wouldn't be harmed.

But if any attack reached him at all...

It would mean the guards had failed.

Everyone accompanying him today would be finished.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

The Third Young Master slowly approached.

To Little Stone, it looked as though death itself was drawing nearer.

He only regretted not dying sooner.

Only He Yu calmly raised his head, fearlessly meeting the Third Young Master's gaze.

The Third Young Master looked down at him.

During the walk over, he had been considering all the different ways he would torture these two beggars.

But when he finally stood before the adult beggar...

His attention was irresistibly drawn to the man's face.

He Yu was truly beautiful.

The filthy rags couldn't conceal it.

His features were exquisitely perfect.

His skin was pale and flawless.

His almond-shaped eyes were clear and pure.

His nose was high and elegant.

The rimless glasses resting upon it only made him appear even more refined.

A faint beauty mark rested beneath the corner of one eye.

One wouldn't notice it without looking carefully.

But once seen...

It no longer seemed like a flaw.

It became part of his charm.

Made him even more beautiful.

Now, with his chin slightly raised, his graceful neck stretched long, messy bangs falling over his forehead...

He seemed to glow.

So the words the Third Young Master had originally intended to say changed into—

“Very good. You've successfully attracted my attention.”

[Bullet Screen: "...Why does that sound so familiar?"]

[Bullet Screen: "I know, right? I feel like I've read that somewhere before."]

[Bullet Screen: "I remember! It's from a Blue Star novel—'Woman, You've Successfully Attracted My Attention!'"]

He Yu simply looked at him without speaking.

The Third Young Master turned away.

“Wash him clean. Send him to my room tonight.”

After he'd had enough fun...

Then he'd kill him.

Anyone who dared toy with him had yet to be born.

In his heart, He Yu had already been sentenced to death.

Several different deaths, in fact.

The Third Young Master entered the clubhouse once more.

The bodyguards looked at He Yu with complicated expressions.

He was probably the first person to publicly mock the Third Young Master for looking old...

And still remain alive.

He owed that entirely to his face.

Even so, someone destined to die deserved no courtesy.

The First Bodyguard barked,

“Take them away!”

Grabbing Little Stone, He Yu slowly rose to his feet.

Completely composed, he said,

“He comes with me. Bring him too.”

The First Bodyguard frowned.

“You're negotiating terms?”

Who exactly did he think he was?

He Yu replied,

“No. I'm giving an order. The Third Young Master never said I couldn't bring him, did he?”

The First Bodyguard: "..."

He wanted to refuse.

But He Yu's confidence was so natural that doubts crept into his mind.

What if...

This man really did have some way of making the Third Young Master like him?

The Third Young Master usually preferred women.

But the fact that he'd spared this man clearly showed some interest.

Offending someone before understanding the situation...

Didn't seem wise.

Finally, the First Bodyguard nodded.

“Fine. Bring the little beggar too.”

After speaking, he looked at the pair with obvious disgust.

Who knew where these two had crawled out from?

Such outrageous courage...

Yet somehow they were still alive.

The Second Bodyguard grabbed one in each hand, leaped into a flying vehicle, and headed toward the Bray family estate.

He Yu smiled.

“Little Stone, don't worry. Wherever I go, I'll always take you with me.”

Little Stone replied expressionlessly,

"...Thanks so much.”

He wanted to kill someone.

He Yu nodded.

“Don't mention it. I always keep my promises.”

Little Stone: "................"

Or maybe...

You could just forget this one?

[Bullet Screen: "So He Yu deliberately attracted the Third Young Master's attention first, then planned to use a honey trap?"]

[Bullet Screen: "I don't think so. I think He Yu wanted to 'persuade' the Third Young Master some other way. He just didn't expect the guy to become interested in his face."]

[Bullet Screen: "I suddenly feel sorry for the Third Young Master. Anyone who gets the wrong ideas about He Yu always seems to end up suffering miserably."]

[Bullet Screen: "The Third Young Master's defensive equipment is ridiculously strong, and He Yu's combat power is only 2. His longsword still isn't repaired. How's he supposed to deal with him?"]

[Bullet Screen: "Exactly. And he still has to get the Third Young Master's money. Cheng Zhao has already started making money, and his assets are growing fast. If He Yu only pulls off small schemes, he might not even end up with more than Cheng Zhao's starting capital."]

[Bullet Screen: "Just keep watching. He Yu always pulls off insane moves. Until the very end, nobody knows what he'll do next."]

—

He Yu and Little Stone were taken onto the Bray family's territory.

If City A was a city...

Then the Bray family occupied an entire town.

Yes.

Their family owned a town.

The entire Bray estate formed a massive complex.

The outermost district housed those dependent on the Bray family.

Farther inward lived the servants.

Only the innermost area belonged to the actual Bray family members.

As one of the Bray family's most important figures, the Third Young Master's residence stood in the very heart of the estate.

It was an elegant three-story villa.

A training ground.

Gardens.

Entertainment facilities.

Everything surrounded the villa, meticulously maintained.

Servants and guards came and went constantly.

It rivaled the imperial palaces from ancient Blue Star that He Yu remembered.

The Second Bodyguard didn't take them into the main building.

Instead, he brought them to one of the side buildings.

Throwing them over to the servants, he said only one thing.

“Wash them clean.”

Then he left.

The servants carried out their duties conscientiously.

Even though He Yu and Little Stone looked like nothing more than two beggars, they treated them respectfully.

They escorted them to bathe and change clothes.

They even thoughtfully prepared a lavish banquet.

Dressed in clean clothes, Little Stone stood awkwardly beside the table.

Without all the dirt covering him, he looked even younger than before.

Thrown so suddenly into a strange and dangerous place, all the unusual maturity he normally carried vanished.

Instinctively...

He looked toward He Yu.

Although He Yu was utterly unreliable...

He was still an adult.

At times like this, depending on an adult felt perfectly natural.

He Yu calmly walked to the dining table and picked up his utensils.

“Eat. Aren't you hungry?”

Little Stone swallowed hard and lowered his voice.

“This is the Bray family. We're dead for sure. You're completely insane. How could you possibly dare—”

He Yu interrupted him.

“Can you escape?”

Little Stone: "..."

No.

He Yu looked at him with a faint smile.

“So... would you rather die hungry?”

“Or die after eating your fill?”

Hearing that, Little Stone immediately threw himself at the table, stuffing food into his mouth as though he were eating his last meal before execution.

[Bullet Screen: "He Yu, look how badly you've scared the poor kid."]

[Bullet Screen: "...Sigh. Poor child. Once you're aboard He Yu's pirate ship, dancing on the edge of death becomes a normal part of life. You'll get used to it."]