As someone who prioritizes killing others, I'm forced to stream a death game.

What if Bai Jia isn't that kind of person?

As if he had heard a funny joke, Zhong Yanchang burst out laughing.

"Hahaha... Friend, you're being a bit too naive. If you hold such a naive view, even if you have great potential, you might not be able to survive in the Central Court for long."

After saying this, Zhong Yanchang paused for a moment.

Then, in a calm tone, he added, "If Bai Jia really wasn't that kind of person, he wouldn't have sat in the position of leader of the Qingtian Gang for so long."

After listening, Liu Ren shook his head: "If this is the only reason you can give, then I can only say—please leave."

At this point, both sides basically understood what the other side meant.

It's nothing more than negotiating the price.

Zhong Yanchang decided to stop probing and directly offered his price: "I'll use a spirit-level artifact in exchange for you leaving the Qingtian Gang. What do you say?"

Before Liu Ren could even say anything after the conditions were presented, the live chat exploded.

[Holy crap, he just opened his mouth with a ghostly artifact of the vengeful spirit level?]

So Zhong Yanchang came here to try and recruit the anchor.

【I see. 】

I thought it was something serious...

Holy crap, this streamer's career has taken off!

[Spiritual Vengeance Level! Although not high, once you obtain it, you've essentially and legitimately crossed the threshold into the realm of the supernatural!]

This is definitely a wave of upward social mobility.

Wait a minute, didn't any of you notice what Zhong Yanchang just said?

[Yeah, no matter what, Bai Jia shouldn't be unable to provide a strange artifact as a reward.]

Even if the highest they can get is P4, the streamer still made a killing!

[P4! Although the streamer is already P5, there's a world of difference between each level; anyone who's ever worked knows that. A higher rank can have a crushing effect.]

[That's right. I can relate. Zhong Yanchang's only offer was a trick, which immediately reveals the difference in their abilities. The streamer probably won't agree, right?]

Well, it's hard to say.

[Zhong Yanchang's words just now clearly had a hidden meaning; you're all too simplistic.]

【…】

“If I stay with the Sky-Piercing Gang, I can get a Spirit-level artifact, and even a P4 level access.” Liu Ren shook his head upon hearing Zhong Yanchang’s offer.

“Wasn’t what I just said clear enough?” Zhong Yanchang said again, “Even if you stay with the Qingtian Gang, they won’t tolerate you. Bai Jia, that guy won’t give you the magic tools.”

"But that's still just your side of the story."

"Okay, okay, okay—in that case, name your price." Understanding Liu Ren's subtext, Zhong Yanchang nodded and casually lit a cigarette for himself.

"A truly terrifying artifact."

[Holy crap, Wen Dao Ge, you really dare to say that!]

[A Soul-Destroying level artifact; based on previous intelligence, this should be standard equipment for P2, right?]

Even the biggest demands aren't this outrageous; only Brother Wendao would dare to ask for so much.

Sigh, you guys don't understand. Asking for the moon, then haggling—that's how negotiations work.

【…】

Upon hearing those three words, Zhong Yanchang waved his hand dismissively: "Impossible. At most, I'll give you a malevolent-level artifact. If it works, great; if not, forget it."

"Then there's nothing more to say." Liu Ren shrugged.

"...Are you sure you don't want to give in?" Zhong Yanchang asked slowly, smoking a cigarette amidst the swirling smoke.

"It's just a malevolent artifact; it's not enough for me to risk betraying the Sky-Piercing Gang." Liu Ren leaned back in his chair and casually pulled out a tissue to wipe his mouth.

I am full.

The food in the restaurant was much more delicious than the empty promises made by Pi Xinjie.

This is a fact.

But so what?

Liu Ren never intended to eat Pi Xinjie's pancakes from the beginning.

Especially after we came out of the labyrinth within the domain this time.

He became even more convinced that... food made with one's own hands tastes the best.

"What if I add a little more stake?" Zhong Yanchang narrowed his eyes and tapped his cigarette ash into the ashtray. "Knowing Bai Jia as I do, once you help him secure the P7 block, that's when he'll discard you after you've served your purpose. Want to take a gamble?"

【Huh? Bai Jia would discard someone after they've served their purpose? Really?】

Even if Bai Jia didn't intend to give the streamer the artifact, would she really go so far as to kill him?

[That’s right.]

[Zhong Yanchang was probably trying to put psychological pressure on the anchor, forcing her to reconsider.]

[This isn't how you apply pressure; it's pure fabrication. Is Bai Jia really that stupid?]

[Exactly. Even if the Sky-Piercing Gang withheld the rewards, they wouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics as discarding someone after they've served their purpose. Is there any need for that?]

It seems Zhong Yanchang's negotiation skills aren't very good either.

However, the sense of oppression is quite strong.

[Hey guys. If it were anyone else, they would have agreed already, okay? Only the streamer has the confidence to say no.]

[That's right. It's not that Zhong Yanchang lacks ability, it's that the anchor is too tough.]

[As expected of the Midgard Serial Killer.]

[As expected of my Wen Dao brother, a man even Zhong Yanchang couldn't subdue.]

"What are you gambling?"

"When he uses you and then discards you, I'll help him. At that time, no matter how many trump cards you have, you'll be dead without a doubt under the combined attack of two demon-level experts. Want to take a gamble? Let's gamble on whether he'll actually make a move against you."

"..."

Liu Ren fell into silent thought.

He didn't know Bai Jia.

However, thanks to Zhong Yanchang's previous reminder, he was able to get a glimpse of the courtyard environment.

Then I began to reposition myself in my current position and state.

……no doubt.

Put yourself in Liu Ren's shoes. If you were the leader of the Sky-Piercing Gang, there's an 80% chance that Liu Ren would choose to discard you after you've served your purpose, given that you're someone who can no longer be judged by common sense.

In this distorted environment of the atrium, what is the most valuable thing?

They are strong.

What is the most dangerous thing?

They are also strong.

This is a double-edged sword.

Which way the blade points depends entirely on whether the sword is "loyal".

Or perhaps they are part of a "community of shared interests" with one's own faction.

So, will Bai Jia include Liu Ren in their community of shared interests?

...Put yourself in someone else's shoes.

If it were up to Liu Ren to decide, he would absolutely not.

why?

Because he was too "abnormal".

He killed those who had entered the realm of the unorthodox as an ordinary martial artist.

On this point alone, he is a qualified, cold-blooded leader of a power.

They would absolutely not include it in their own interest group.

Because the mere existence of this thing will erode our own interests.

Then why include it at all?

Liu Ren's thinking time seemed to be a little long.

Zhong Yanchang wasn't in a hurry.

The comments section was incredibly anxious.

However, this did not affect Liu Ren's decision.

Half a minute later.

Liu Ren looked at Zhong Yanchang and gave his answer again: "I can agree to your conditions, but I need to increase the price."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yanchang curled the corners of his lips: "What do you want?"

“It’s simple. I heard that Chen Yang doesn’t seem to be dead—give him to me.”

"can."