Chapter 1244: Precise Hit Free Reading.
The moment the words fell, the air in the entire hall seemed to freeze. The gazes of the surrounding players all focused on the speaker, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
"What did you say?" A low-level player couldn't help but ask, his voice trembling slightly.
The speaker was a middle-aged man with a calm expression. He repeated, "I said, that person is not dead. He's still alive, and he's right here in this city."
The hall instantly erupted into an uproar. Some players exchanged glances, while others frowned in deep thought. The middle-aged man ignored the commotion around him and continued, "I have reliable information that he has already entered the city and is hiding in an unknown location. Our mission is to find him and bring him back."
"Bring him back? Do you know who he is?" A short-haired female player sneered, "That's a wanted criminal from the Game Government! If we get involved, we'll be implicated too."
"Don't worry, I have a plan." The middle-aged man smiled faintly, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes. "As long as we act carefully, no one will find out. Besides, the reward this time is enough to make anyone take the risk."
Hearing the word "reward," many players' eyes lit up. In this world of survival, benefits are always the most direct motivation.
"Alright, I'll go with you." A burly man stepped forward, his voice deep. "But if things go wrong, don't blame me for not helping."
"Count me in too." Another player raised his hand.
Soon, more than a dozen players expressed their willingness to join. The middle-aged man nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look at a corner of the hall, where a figure sat quietly, as if completely unconcerned with the surrounding noise.
"Mr. Xu, what do you think?" the middle-aged man asked.
The figure slowly lifted his head, revealing a calm face. It was Xu Huo. He glanced at the middle-aged man and said lightly, "I'm not interested."
"Not interested?" The middle-aged man frowned slightly. "This mission is very important. If you're willing to help, our chances of success will greatly increase."
Xu Huo shook his head. "I have my own matters to attend to. I don't have time to play this game with you."
After saying that, he stood up and prepared to leave. The middle-aged man's face changed slightly, and he was about to say something more, but was stopped by a gesture from the short-haired female player beside him.
"Forget it, since he doesn't want to go, there's no need to force him." The short-haired female player said indifferently, "We have enough people anyway."
The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, then we'll set off now."
Watching them leave the hall, Xu Huo's eyes flickered slightly. He knew that the person they were talking about was no ordinary character. Getting involved in this matter would only bring trouble. However, he was also a little curious—who could make the Game Government issue a wanted order?
Just as he was thinking, a system notification suddenly sounded in his ear.
[Random Instance Triggered: Hidden Friend]
[Instance Description: In this city, someone is hiding a secret. Find him, or be found by him.]
[Reward: Unknown]
[Note: This instance is a high-risk instance. Please proceed with caution.]
Xu Huo's brow furrowed slightly. He hadn't expected to trigger a random instance at this time. And the name "Hidden Friend" gave him a vague sense of unease.
"Forget it, since it's already triggered, let's take a look." Xu Huo muttered to himself, then turned and walked toward the door.
Outside the hall, the streets were bustling with people. Players and non-players intermingled, creating a chaotic scene. Xu Huo walked along the street, his gaze scanning the surroundings, searching for possible clues.
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks. Not far ahead, a figure was leaning against the wall, seemingly waiting for someone. That figure was wearing a black cloak, his face obscured, making it impossible to see clearly.
Xu Huo's eyes narrowed slightly. He could feel a familiar aura from that person.
"You're finally here." The figure spoke, his voice low and hoarse.
"Who are you?" Xu Huo asked cautiously.
The figure chuckled lightly, then slowly lifted his head, revealing a pale face. "Don't you recognize me? We've met before."
Xu Huo stared at the face, and a name suddenly flashed through his mind. "You are... Lawrence Li?"
"That's right." Lawrence Li nodded, a hint of complexity flashing in his eyes. "I didn't expect you to still remember me."
"Why are you here?" Xu Huo asked warily. He remembered that Lawrence Li should have died in the previous instance.
"To find you, of course." Lawrence Li said meaningfully, "I have some information that might interest you."
"What information?"
"About that wanted criminal." Lawrence Li lowered his voice, "I know where he is."
Xu Huo's heart moved, but he remained calm on the surface. "Why should I believe you?"
"Because I have no reason to lie to you." Lawrence Li said seriously, "Besides, if I wanted to harm you, I wouldn't have waited until now."
Xu Huo was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, I'll trust you once. Lead the way."
Lawrence Li smiled slightly, then turned and walked toward a nearby alley. Xu Huo followed closely behind, his hand secretly gripping the weapon at his waist, ready to respond at any time.
The alley was deep and dark, with only a dim light flickering at the end. The two walked in silence, the atmosphere somewhat oppressive.
Suddenly, Lawrence Li stopped. "We're here."
Xu Huo looked up and saw a rusty iron door in front of them, with a faint light seeping through the cracks.
"This is the place?" Xu Huo asked doubtfully.
"That's right." Lawrence Li nodded, then reached out and pushed the iron door open.
The door let out a harsh creak, and a burst of light rushed out, forcing Xu Huo to squint his eyes. When he adapted to the light, he found himself in a spacious room, filled with various instruments and equipment.
In the center of the room, a man in a white coat was busy, seemingly conducting some kind of experiment.
"Who's there?" The man sensed someone coming and turned around, revealing a face full of vigilance.
"Don't be nervous, it's me." Lawrence Li said calmly.
The man's expression relaxed a little, but when he saw Xu Huo behind Lawrence Li, his brows furrowed again. "Who is he?"
"A friend." Lawrence Li briefly explained, "He's here to help us."
"Help us?" The man sneered, "Do you think I'd believe that?"
"Whether you believe it or not, it's the truth." Lawrence Li said indifferently, "If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn't have brought him here."
The man stared at Xu Huo for a long time, then finally nodded. "Alright, I'll trust you once. But if I find out you're playing tricks, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Don't worry." Lawrence Li turned to Xu Huo and said, "This is the person you're looking for."
Xu Huo's pupils slightly contracted. He didn't expect the wanted criminal from the Game Government to be hiding here, conducting experiments.
"Who exactly are you?" Xu Huo asked.
The man smiled faintly, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes. "Me? I'm a genius who will change this world."