Chapter 2509: I Have a Plan
"Should... be no change." Under Xu Huo's gaze, the bruised and swollen player's voice grew quieter, then he added, "Several people from the Mi family hold official positions, so how could they lack players? I could only watch from outside. Anyway, I haven't seen that kid come out to find Wan Dong in the last couple of days. Maybe he went on a long trip."
The group exited from underground, and along the way, Xu Huo asked more detailed questions. The Mi family residence wasn't far from the Wan family's, and it was also in an area closely monitored by the Enforcement Team and the Military District, so they first returned to "Small Object Carving."
Xu Huo was studying a map.
Given the instrument level of District 001, whether approaching from the surface or underground, entering the Mi family compound would make it very difficult to avoid detection. Meeting someone would require some effort.
Not long after, Old Lady Gui returned, bringing back a more precise piece of news: the young man surnamed Mi who had been associating with Wan Dong had a huge argument with his family a few days ago and was directly placed under house arrest. He hadn't been able to come out since.
As for the reason for the argument, according to people who worked for the Mi family, it seemed Mi Fei liked Wan Dong, but his family forbade them from seeing each other.
"The Wan family has such a good reputation in Mao Guo Town. It's a bit strange that the Mi family would object," Bubble Bean said. "Besides, the Wan family has decent connections too. There's nothing wrong with the younger generation marrying to strengthen ties."
"Then there must be another problem!" the bruised player slapped his thigh. "The Wan family's trouble is definitely related to the Mi family!"
Whether there was a connection remained to be determined, but the Mi family likely knew something.
Earlier, when the buzz-cut player said the Mi family was in the know, Xu Huo hadn't fully believed it. But now, it seemed the other player had overheard or seen something while sneaking into the Mi residence, though the information was probably limited.
Xu Huo asked Bubble Bean to go find the buzz-cut player in the area where outer-zone players gathered. "Tell him there's a chance to make some money and ask if he's willing to come."
Bubble Bean thought that if they were looking for collaborators, it would be better to find Wen Xin and the others. They loved stirring up trouble anyway, and their instance locations weren't in Mao Guo Town, making them less likely to be targeted. The subsequent risk would be smaller, and they'd be more likely to agree to join.
"No need," Xu Huo said. "Just find the buzz-cut guy."
It was true they could call Wen Xin and the others for help, but they shouldn't underestimate the Enforcement Team's capabilities. They had exposed too much at the medicine field and might have tails. Bringing them along would only cause trouble.
"Alright." Bubble Bean left.
"As for the two who came to rescue me earlier," Old Lady Gui said uncertainly, "it seems they've left District 001."
"I asked around near the Wan residence. That long-haired guy only stayed half a day before being sent out. When he left, he greeted the players stationed near the Wan family and took several people with him, saying they had business in another district."
The Wan family had just held a celebration. Although many players came to help, most of them took on the task of delivering return gifts to the guests. Of course, most of these players couldn't stay in Mao Guo Town for long—they came, helped, and then left.
So there probably weren't many players near the Wan residence at the time. But no matter how few, it shouldn't have reached the point where they had no reaction to what was happening outside. The players living nearby might not have been specifically watching the Wan family, but they were there to protect them. They shouldn't have been so slow-witted as to fail even to send a warning.
There were only two possibilities for this situation: either someone knew their identities and disguises perfectly and subdued them the moment the attack began, or they simply weren't outside at the time.
The chance of so many people leaving the Wan family area simultaneously was almost zero. So either they were dealt with immediately, or they all happened to be inside the Wan residence.
The Wan family had never been particularly important figures. They hadn't faced any major dangers before, so there was no reason for them to be on high alert. Therefore, it was possible they were all called into the Wan residence together.
But that seemed a bit too coincidental—that some strong players happened to leave Mao Guo Town, and the remaining players happened to be called into the Wan residence.
Whether someone knew the Wan family inside out, or the attackers just happened to strike when the guardians were gathered together, it all pointed to one problem: there was an issue within the Wan family itself.
Just then, Bubble Bean arrived with the buzz-cut player. As soon as he saw Xu Huo, the buzz-cut guy waved. "Hey, buddy, thinking of me again? What's this money-making opportunity? Let's hear it."
"I haven't asked you yet—how did you know the Mi family was involved?" Xu Huo inquired.
"Oh, that was pure luck," the buzz-cut guy sat down casually. "I happened to pass by the Mi residence and heard people arguing. Both sides got heated, and the old man let it slip, saying the Wan family didn't have much time left."
"And what a coincidence—the Wan family got hit today. So they definitely know the inside story."
Xu Huo nodded. "A few days ago, the Mi family was looking for Cat Whisker Fruit. Did you steal it?"
The buzz-cut guy snorted. "Probably just guilt. They used the Cat Whisker Fruit as an excuse to search everywhere. Heaven knows, I didn't take it."
Whether he took it or not was beside the point. Xu Huo laid out his plan.
The buzz-cut guy's part was simple: reveal his trail and attract the Mi family's attention.
If the Mi family was in the know, or even participants, they should have some understanding of the kidnappers' identities. At the same time, to avoid drawing the attention of the Enforcement Team and the Military District, they would definitely handle the buzz-cut guy privately once they found him.
"Are you kidding me?" The buzz-cut guy immediately stood up. "Don't tell me you think the Enforcement Team and the Military District are pushovers. The moment I show my face, they might lock onto me. The 'seeing ghosts' rumor circulating among outer-zone players—they definitely know about it too. I haven't cleared the instance yet, and I don't want to lose my life here. I'm out!"
Bubble Bean blocked the door. "Don't get excited. Hear him out first."
The buzz-cut guy turned back, looked at Xu Huo sitting there, and at the Painting Woman and the other bruised player standing behind him. He crossed his arms and sneered coldly.
"I can guarantee your safety," Xu Huo said first, then added, "Having you actively expose yourself doesn't mean you have to fight the Mi family. You just need to go with me to the Mi residence and draw the attention of most of their players."
"I thought you were going to say something impressive. You guarantee my safety? On what basis?" the buzz-cut guy demanded. "Killing and dying happen in an instant. If the Mi family really participated in the Wan family's affairs, do you think they don't have any powerful A-rank players?"
"We can take out insurance." Xu Huo pulled a piece of paper from the table beside him, wrote "Mi family involved in kidnapping case" on it, and held it up. "We negotiate with the Mi family. The others stay outside. Whether they participated or not, they probably don't want to be investigated."
This seemed like a feasible method. The Wan family incident would eventually come to light anyway—over a dozen players dead, and more than ten members of the Wan family missing. Once implicated, it would be very hard to shake off.