Chapter 2885: Framing and Shifting Blame
Young Master Shui finished reprimanding the Holy Sword Society and the Enforcement Team, then turned his gaze to Xu Huo. "Guests from afar are always welcome. We will thoroughly investigate the murder at the exchange. If you intend to remain in Zone 033, I guarantee this matter will be brought to light."
"If it is ultimately proven that you have nothing to do with this, the District Government will certainly provide appropriate compensation."
Compensation?
That statement was a bit harsh. He had killed so many players in Zone 033, and now they were going to compensate him?
Young Master Shui cast a sharp glance at a few players who wore indignant expressions, adding a note of warning: "Do you have solid evidence?"
The long-haired woman covered her mouth with her hand and whispered something in his ear. No one else could hear the words, but after listening, Young Master Shui's brow furrowed. "We'll discuss this later."
After their exchange, Young Master Shui's attitude did not change. The Enforcement Team naturally fell in line, and the Holy Sword Society could only swallow their anger.
Young Master Shui clearly had other matters to attend to. After issuing his forceful instructions, he prepared to leave. It was at this moment that Xu Huo, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "What a coincidence."
He raised his hand, revealing a round jade badge. The man who had been sitting on a distant aircraft instantly teleported over, sized Xu Huo up, and then said with a smile, "It's you!"
Recognizing Xu Huo, the man approached familiarly, patting him on the shoulder. "I didn't expect to run into you again so soon. I was thinking that when you advance to A-rank, I'd invite you to my place so we could exchange insights!"
Seeing how familiar they were, Young Master Shui's expression turned more serious. "Thirty-Ninth Young Master, won't you introduce me to your friend?"
Indeed, this man was Shi Sanjiu, whom Xu Huo had met in the One-Third Game. Hearing Young Master Shui's words, he smiled and said, "This is from the Shui family of Zone 033. Their business here is top-notch. The Holy Sword Society's factory is provided by them."
Shi Sanjiu casually revealed the relationship between the Shui family and the Holy Sword Society, then introduced Xu Huo. "He's a brother I'd die for. He's done me a huge favor."
"So he's a good friend of the Thirty-Ninth Young Master," Young Master Shui said with a smile. "What a small world! If I had known the connection was this close, this huge misunderstanding would never have happened. On behalf of my men, I apologize to you."
"You're too kind, Young Master Shui," Xu Huo replied with a smile. "Since it's a misunderstanding, just clarifying it is enough. I won't be leaving Zone 033 for a few days anyway. If you need my help with anything, feel free to come find me."
"You flatter me, you flatter me." Young Master Shui cordially invited him to accompany them to the lodging prepared for Shi Sanjiu. It was obvious that Shi Sanjiu was the guest he had come to pick up.
"Come along," Shi Sanjiu said. "I've hit a bottleneck in my evolution, and I was hoping to get some advice from you."
Shi Sanjiu was a trading partner the Shui family was trying to win over. Young Master Shui had gone to great lengths to persuade him to come to Zone 033. He certainly wouldn't let the deal fall through over a minor incident. He turned to the Enforcement Team Captain and said, "I heard the deceased's newly purchased item was stolen? This gentleman is a friend of the Thirty-Ninth Young Master. What item could he possibly lack that he would kill for one? I'm giving you three days to get to the bottom of this and give me an explanation!"
Reading between the lines, no matter how the murder investigation turned out, it absolutely could not be linked to Xu Huo.
Most of the Enforcement Team members were missing limbs, but that was fine. Zone 033's mechanical prosthetics were so advanced. After some rest and reattachment, they'd be good as new. Besides, if they acted quickly, they might even be able to salvage their original limbs.
Xu Huo and Shi Sanjiu boarded Young Master Shui's aircraft together. As the aircraft gradually flew away, the players from the Holy Sword Society exchanged glances, then quickly led their people out of the villa area.
The Enforcement Team also left, leaving only the Hundred Forest Society behind.
"When the president gets back, is he going to skin us alive?" one player muttered quietly.
The surviving vice-presidents felt a great calamity was upon them. All player organizations in Zone 033 were registered with the District Government. Although they were not officially under government command, the government provided substantial policy support to all player organizations.
The source of this support was the Shui family's immense financial power. It was also because of the Shui family's backing that the Holy Sword Society had been able to establish itself in Zone 033. Offending the Shui family meant not only targeted suppression but even just having their extra benefits cut off would be enough to cause widespread discontent among the society's members.
"Let's report this to the president first," one vice-president said. "We'll figure out how to handle it later."
The aircraft soon arrived at a Shui family estate. After landing, Xu Huo first spoke to Young Master Shui about the murder at the exchange.
The Enforcement Team and the Holy Sword Society had arrived so quickly and insisted on arresting him. It was impossible that they had no evidence at all. However, they themselves seemed to have doubts about that evidence, which was why their attitude hadn't been more forceful.
"That researcher was a member of the Holy Sword Society," Young Master Shui said.
"No wonder," Xu Huo nodded. "When I came out of the instance, I felt like someone was watching me, but they never showed themselves. I had just left the exchange when a murder was framed on me. It's too much of a coincidence that the victim happened to be from the Holy Sword Society. I'm afraid the other party wanted to use the Holy Sword Society to deal with me."
This was somewhat unexpected. He had initially thought the other party only wanted to use the Holy Sword Society and the Enforcement Team to probe his true strength. He hadn't expected them to want the Holy Sword Society to kill him.
Young Master Shui nodded thoughtfully. "I'll explain this carefully to the Holy Sword Society. I suspect they have similar concerns, which is why they only asked you to cooperate with the investigation. Don't worry. This happened in Zone 033. I guarantee your safety."
After arranging their accommodations, Young Master Shui decided to personally visit the Holy Sword Society to show how seriously he took the matter.
"Thanks for getting me out of that jam," Xu Huo said to Shi Sanjiu. "If you hadn't shown up, I probably would have had to leave Zone 033."
"No big deal." Shi Sanjiu waved his hand. "But do you have any idea who your enemy is?"
"It's most likely Jin Feixue," Xu Huo said.
The Eerie Sound Knights were more patient than he had expected. Dou Shengnan was injured that badly, and she and Lili were killed together. Even if Jin Feixue had been too busy to deal with it at the time, he should have found the time by now.
Jin Feixue probably didn't believe the data Dou Shengnan had transmitted before her death, which was why he had staged this test. If Xu Huo died at the hands of the Holy Sword Society, that would be ideal. If he escaped, he would have to use his trump card.
"Jin Feixue?" Shi Sanjiu frowned.
"You know him?" Xu Huo asked.
"The leader of the Eerie Sound Knights. He's a well-known figure," Shi Sanjiu said. "If you're sure it's him, you need to be careful. He might be able to get his hands on a hyperdimensional device specifically designed to counter your time evolution."
Xu Huo nodded. "I have two time items as a cover, but this guy isn't taking the bait."