Chapter 2510: The Mi Family
The buzz-cut man remained silent, seemingly weighing the feasibility of the plan, before finally speaking after a moment. "You want to blackmail the Mi family?"
"That's right," Xu Huo said. "Clearing the instance doesn't have to stop us from making a fortune on the side."
"Of course, there's the risk of being hunted afterward, but the initiative is in our hands. If the Mi family turns hostile, we can just as easily renege. Once the information gets out, they'll be too busy dealing with the fallout to bother with us."
He looked at the buzz-cut man. "Fortune favors the bold. This is far more lucrative than anything you'd get from clearing a single instance."
The buzz-cut man seemed timid, but having escaped from the Wan family, he definitely had some means of self-preservation. If he could get his hands on a batch of high-level items or instruments, the risk was worth it.
The buzz-cut man relaxed and sat back down. "Your cost for clearing this instance is pretty high."
"The plan isn't bad, but how can you guarantee the Mi family will act the way we want? What if they make a move and bring in the Enforcement Team and the Military District? Wouldn't we be in danger?"
Xu Huo placed a jamming device on the table. "This device is enough to disable the spatial blockade instruments around the town. Without the spatial restrictions, escaping Mao Guo Town won't be a problem."
"As for the other players... you didn't expect to take zero risks, did you?"
After careful thought, the buzz-cut man proposed, "How about we bring in a few more people?"
"Up to you," Xu Huo said. "But can you guarantee the people you bring will keep the secret?"
"You don't need to worry about that." The buzz-cut man smiled confidently. "There are plenty of players looking to grab a quick score and get out of Zone 001."
As he pushed the door open and left, Bubble Bean frowned. "That guy doesn't seem reliable. Can we trust him?"
"My goal is just to tie up the Mi family's players and buy us some time," Xu Huo said. "Once we're inside the Mi family estate, you keep an eye on their defenses, find another way in, locate Mi Fei, and bring him out."
"I'll go with him!" the bruised and swollen man said. "Mi Fei is from Zone 001. He'll have an easy time escaping!"
"You don't need to go," Xu Huo said. "You have a different task."
"If you really want to save Wan Dong, go back underground and draw the attention of the Enforcement Team and the Military District."
The bruised and swollen man swallowed hard. "There's a layer of rock beneath Mao Guo Town that interferes with instruments, which is why they couldn't find me... If I blow up that rock layer, I might not be able to get away... It's not that I'm afraid of dying. I'm already stranded in Zone 001. If I become a wanted criminal..."
"Aren't you loyal to love?" Bubble Bean interrupted. "What, is it all just talk?"
The taunt didn't work well on him. The bruised and swollen man said sheepishly, "I need to be alive to have love."
The Painting Woman, who had been playing games the whole time, walked over, kicked him aside, and leaned in close to Xu Huo. "I'll go! I'll go!"
The bruised and swollen man going was the safest option. Whether he blew up the Wan family's floor or got caught, it would draw the Enforcement Team and the Military District to investigate. Once they found the photos and videos he had taken, someone would inevitably try to extract what they wanted from that information. Regardless of which faction the Enforcement Team and Military District in Mao Guo Town belonged to, they wouldn't be able to keep the news under wraps. Other forces would inevitably get involved.
That was how they would buy time.
"Do you think Wan Dong can still come back alive?" Xu Huo asked him.
The bruised and swollen man fell silent. His attitude was clear—he thought Wan Dong was more likely dead. That was why, when Xu Huo and the others found him, he kept insisting on avenging Wan Dong. Of course, that might also have been some secret hope of his.
"Do you want her to come back alive?" Xu Huo asked again.
The bruised and swollen man clenched his jaw. After a long moment, he looked up at the person across from him, then slapped himself hard. Making up his mind, he said, "I'll go!"
Xu Huo smiled faintly and patted him on the shoulder. "I'll have her personally escort you."
He was referring to the Painting Woman.
Facing the smiling figure, the bruised and swollen man swallowed his saliva, his expression growing even more resolute. "I am willing to give my life for my love!"
"It's not that serious." Xu Huo checked the time. "It's not dark yet. You two head to the park first. The operation starts at exactly nine o'clock. Remember that time—nine o'clock sharp."
He was speaking to the Painting Woman, who nodded seriously.
"You all wait outside." Xu Huo called the Painting Woman and Old Lady Gui into the back workroom alone. After giving them their instructions, he let the Painting Woman leave with the bruised and swollen man, then said to Bubble Bean, "You'll take Old Lady Gui with you tonight."
"Why bring her?" Bubble Bean asked, puzzled. "Can she convince Mi Fei?"
"Compared to you, Old Lady Gui is more likely to gain Mi Fei's trust," Xu Huo said. "Try your best to take him with you. If you can't, leave him your contact information and promise to help him find Wan Dong."
"Bring a miniature recorder. What Mi Fei says isn't important—his reactions are the key. Try to get him to talk."
"As for Old Lady Gui, if you can take Mi Fei, bring her along. If Mi Fei resists, leave her at the Mi family estate and get out yourself."
Bubble Bean nodded. "I know what to do."
After saying this, Xu Huo turned to Old Lady Gui. "Ma'am, I'm sorry to put you at risk. No matter where you end up, just answer whatever they ask you truthfully."
Old Lady Gui's expression was calm. "If you can find the Wan family members, tell them I'm sorry on my behalf. It was my fault that harmed them."
It was still unclear who had harmed whom.
But Xu Huo didn't say that out loud.
After synchronizing their watches, Bubble Bean left with Old Lady Gui.
"Little Object Carving" was left with only Xu Huo.
Half an hour later, the buzz-cut man returned with three players.
"Let me introduce you," the buzz-cut man said, pointing to the three. After giving their player nicknames, he added, "They've all already cleared the instance."
Xu Huo nodded slightly to the three. "He should have filled you in on the details. Do you have any conditions?"
"We split the loot evenly," Player One said. "We've already cleared the instance, so our risk is lower. We don't mind providing some cover for you guys."
The three were quite confident. They exchanged glances with the buzz-cut man, seemingly having already reached a prior agreement.
Xu Huo didn't mind. He added, "The timing is set for 8:55 PM. At that time, we need to enter the Mi family estate punctually so that the people outside can coordinate."
"We'll also leave one person outside," Player Two said. "If necessary, we can create a disturbance to help you escape."
They didn't care about the scale of the commotion. As long as they got the goods, they could directly leave Zone 001.
After a brief rundown of the jamming plan and escape route, the five of them prepared to execute this crude and hole-ridden scheme.
After dark, they set out for the Mi family estate. Player Two scanned the surroundings and casually asked, "Where are your people?"
Xu Huo pointed across the way. They were at the main entrance of the Mi family estate, while Bubble Bean had gone to the side. Because of the distance, neither side could sense the other's presence.
At 8:54 PM, Xu Huo knocked on the Mi family's front door precisely on time. After stating that they had some information about the Wan family, they were smoothly let inside.
At 8:55 PM, the five of them arrived at the living room, where three players came out to receive them.