Chapter 1368: Commission
Not caring whether Bai Jing would answer, Xu Huo continued, "Don't you think the matter of the Winter Wind Laboratory is similar to what happened twenty years ago? District 023 doesn't possess the core technology for live human experiments. Where did those captured people and the bodies taken away end up? District 023 is this poor—can they even afford such a high bounty? Or are they, like the outer zone players, all trying to earn this bounty?"
"Some of you must have noticed it by now. The New District Government has been established for so many years; it's impossible for them to remain neutral like an outsider... Some of you should have gone to the core area of the New District Government by now."
"Did you find any evidence of live human experiments?"
"Is this what you want to know?" Bai Jing looked at him in astonishment.
"This has been my goal from the start, and I haven't hidden it." Xu Huo pushed away the empty bowl in front of him. "Haven't I been asking you all along the way? People can be a little more sincere."
Bai Jing was speechless. After a moment, he said, "I'll relay what you've said to my friends. As for the live human experiments you mentioned, at least ten cities in District 023 have established experimental zones... Even if they are outsiders, they can adapt very well."
This last sentence was full of sarcasm, but he still didn't reveal any information.
Xu Huo could understand. He had a backup plan: Dr. Duo Er in Twin Cities. Although the substitutes all departed from the First City, he himself might not necessarily be in Twin Cities.
But the fact that Twin Cities was willing to go to such lengths to rescue their compatriots from the secondary cities said something.
"Whether we can continue this conversation is another matter. As long as you know I mean no harm." Xu Huo said as he stood up. "I've arranged to meet some players to rob the New District Government. I'm giving you a heads-up so we don't run into trouble when we meet."
Bai Jing didn't think he had revealed any information, but judging by Xu Huo's attitude, he seemed certain that both sides would meet at the New District Government. He couldn't help but ask, "Do you know what kind of place the New District Government is? Robbing it?"
A group of C-grade players robbing a district government—it was laughable just to say it.
"Shoot an arrow and see if you hit anything," Xu Huo said. "Don't take the outcome too seriously."
With that, he didn't linger and left directly.
"What exactly did he come for?" One of Bai Jing's companions walked into the shop. "Deliberately let us find him, say hello, and then leave?"
Bai Jing stared at the empty seat, his expression somewhat grave.
The Ya Clan couldn't stop Xu Huo. In the blink of an eye, he was back downstairs. In the time it took to eat a meal, the Righteous Man and the Scar-Handed Player had stabilized the situation. The twenty-two players who stayed confirmed they would cooperate, but because the instance time limit hadn't passed, these people had to enter Government City in batches.
The distance from Twin Cities to the New District Government was considerable. A few days of travel would be just about right.
"Friend, how many days do you have left?" the Righteous Man asked Xu Huo.
Xu Huo glanced at him without answering, then turned to the Scar-Handed Player. "I'll move with you all."
The Scar-Handed Player was very straightforward. "I already counted you in. But there are quite a few players who haven't cleared the instance yet. Everyone wants to wait one more night to see how things go."
Xu Huo had no objections and took the initiative to go outside the city with him to check the situation.
It seemed both Twin Cities and the Ya Clan had ceased hostilities.
"What a shame, such a simple instance." The Scar-Handed Player made a sarcastic remark.
Xu Huo smiled. "You'll get a bag over your head sooner or later."
The Scar-Handed Player laughed boisterously. "I'm always the one putting bags over other people's heads... Look at Number 8. He acts like a proper gentleman, but who knows what he's plotting. Don't let him snatch the good stuff before we do."
"Good point. If he really knows Government City that well, he might use us to make a big score." Xu Huo nodded.
The Scar-Handed Player spun the dagger he used to cut dried meat, his voice dropping as he touched the blade. "Everyone's thinking the same thing. We'll just have to see who's faster when the time comes."
This was normal. Even if the robbery failed, with so many players gathered around, they could still harvest a batch and leave without losing anything.
The night was still spent in the city. Because the temperature wasn't low, it was more comfortable outdoors than indoors, so most players didn't bother finding accommodation and just slept wherever.
Just before dawn, a player who had joined the group came to find Xu Huo.
A player from Twin Cities.
He explained his purpose: Twin Cities also knew about their group going to the New District Government and hoped Xu Huo could take a few people along.
"How many?" Xu Huo raised an eyebrow.
Winter Wind Laboratory clearly knew he could use items to transport people. He said frankly, "The situation in the secondary city has changed. Dr. Duo Er wants to go to the New District Government for further study, but the road is dangerous, and we don't have enough manpower. We'd like to ask for your help. We can pay you. Just take our people along since it's on your way."
The key point was that Dr. Duo Er, an ordinary person, needed to go, and he was easy to kill.
"You know Dr. Duo Er's situation. He might die inside the item." Xu Huo said. "Since he can solve the genetic disease in the First City, he should be able to save the secondary city with a little more time. There's no need to risk going to the New District Government."
The visitor was very troubled. After deliberating, he said, "Actually, we're missing a specific ingredient for a medicine. We have to go there."
Oh, so that's what "further study" meant.
Xu Huo was speechless. After a moment, he said, "Steal once, and now a second time?"
The man was quite embarrassed. "It's not really stealing. That medicine isn't considered very valuable in the New District Government. Employees can buy it at a low price, so..."
To get the medicine, they first had to get in. The lab wouldn't accept unrelated personnel; at the very least, they had to be a researcher. And since the genetic disease was Dr. Duo Er's research project, he had to go himself.
"Alright." Xu Huo agreed after a brief hesitation. "I'll only take Dr. Duo Er. Whether you arrange for anyone else is your own business. It has nothing to do with me."
That player was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, asking him to come to the Winter Wind Laboratory.
The Winter Wind Laboratory had been cleaned up, but the damaged facilities couldn't be repaired. A group of people were frantically trying to figure out where to get money.
Dr. Duo Er was already prepared. Besides the two players from the secondary city, there was also Dai Song beside him.
The one who spoke was the female player they had met yesterday. She handed over the prepared White Notes, some items, and potions. "This is the highest price we can offer right now. I know this isn't easy, but we have no better way. The doctor says you're a kind person. We entrust him to you."
Xu Huo casually glanced at it and accepted the "commission fee." He brought out "World Within the Painting" and gestured for Dr. Duo Er to enter. "I'll let you out for some air every day."
Dr. Duo Er thanked him, then looked around at his colleagues and companions. "I will definitely return safely with the medicine!"
As soon as he touched the painting paper, he was sucked in. Xu Huo put it away before asking Dai Song, "Have you run into Qiu Ming and Cao Qinglin?"