Chapter 99

After all, they planned to look for the Dome's assassin in Tianmian City; they couldn't go to the Church, so naturally they could only turn to the Undercurrent for help.

If the Church finds the person first, we'll be in trouble.

Lei Zhao's voice remained hoarse and flat; he didn't explain why it would be troublesome, and behind those words likely lay some unknown entanglements, but there was no need for him to tell Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao merely tugged at the corner of his mouth upon hearing that, revealing a smile devoid of warmth.

The interior of the Dome has never been a single steel plate.

I've also indeed heard some rumors about the Church recently: an assassin of unknown identity killed a Church member, and then... their whereabouts are unknown.

He paused, observing Lei Zhao's reaction; the other's gaze beneath those heavy eyelids solidified for a moment, while the nearby Hong Ling remained silent, her eyes even somewhat vacant, as if her thoughts were completely blank, indifferent to the negotiation before them.

This matter was previously investigated by Yue Chengzhang, who is a tough character, but lately he's been tied up with other things; as far as I know, the person taking over this case has been changed to Chi Jinan.

Chi Jinan?

Lei Zhao instinctively furrowed his brows upon hearing that, his lax eyelids lifting slightly to reveal the gravity flashing in his heterochromatic eyes below.

Evidently, he had also heard of Chi Jinan's fearsome reputation.

Yue Chengzhang at least follows regulations and cares about ordinary people's safety, but once Chi Jinan sets his sights on someone, it's like being entangled by a poisonous snake, with trouble increasing exponentially.

That madman, in order to achieve his goal, is completely unscrupulous.

It seems Mr. Lei Zhao knows him.

Lin Xiao's tone was flat, and his fingertips stopped tapping.

His words carried an inquisitive tone, as if he were also curious about just who this person was; the Dome sending someone to look for them was bad enough, yet they could also evade both the Church and Chi Jinan's search.

But Regiment Leader Lin Xiao has a way, right?

Lei Zhao lifted his eyes, his heterochromatic pupils focusing fully on Lin Xiao's face for the first time.

Even the Dome couldn't, in this region of Tianmian City, possess a stronghold of such scale as openly as the Undercurrent does.

But you've done it—not only that, you've faced the Church's continual harassment and targeting without leaving a single loophole; this talent for weaving networks in the shadows is exactly what we currently need to rely on.

His words carried an almost blunt praise; Lin Xiao smiled, tacitly acknowledging the other's recognition of his ability, but he suddenly shook his head, shifted the topic, and his tone carried a hint of genuine concern.

Thanks for the praise, but I can't compare to the Lei Zhao of old; back when you were still in the Church, you were......

Why bring up those old sesame and mildewed grain stories?" Lei Zhao merely said flatly, cutting Lin Xiao off, and lowered his gaze again.

Alright, I really have been short-staffed lately." Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes as he watched Lei Zhao reject bringing up that past.

You must have heard that the lunatics of Co-Absorption caused a disturbance that spread to an underground auction house of the Undercurrent, wrecking the whole venue; the Undercurrent suffered heavy losses.

Just handling the aftermath, appeasing customers, and dealing with the boss's reproach has already kept me busy to the point of being frazzled.

Lin Xiao's tone carried just the right amount of helplessness and difficulty, his thumb unconsciously rubbing the rim of the tea cup.

I'm sorry, but we simply can't spare any energy for... extra work right now.

Lei Zhao wasn't surprised by this; although the blame should fall on those true lunatics of Co-Absorption, who let it be that they now need the Undercurrent's help?

To ordinary people, Co-Absorption is a cult, but Lin Xiao clearly does not belong to the ranks of ordinary folk.

The connections between Co-Absorption and the Dome behind the scenes aren't hard for him to uncover.

Lei Zhao said nothing more, merely taking out a card with a faint blue metallic sheen from his pocket and pushing it to the center of the tea table with two fingers.

Anyway, the Dome isn't short of money, so he didn't need to save the Dome any.

The amount inside should be enough to compensate for part of your organization's losses, and... express our sincerity in cooperating.

"The amount inside here should be sufficient to compensate part of your organization's losses, and... to express our sincerity in cooperating."

Lin Xiao glanced at the card, didn't even reach out to touch it, and merely gave a light chuckle.

Mr. Lei Zhao, this amount of money probably isn't even enough to compensate for the Undercurrent auction house's losses, and there's no reason for you to bear the trouble caused by Co-Absorption, right?

He deliberately pronounced the two words 'Co-Absorption' with a bit more weight.

But Regiment Leader Lin Xiao should have already obtained a considerable sum of compensation from the Church under the pretext of 'pacifying affected merchants' and 'maintaining regional stability,' right?

Lei Zhao replied hoarsely, directly exposing Lin Xiao's earlier little maneuvers.

We know a thing or two about the Undercurrent's methods.

Lin Xiao merely raised his brows at that, neither admitting nor denying, he lifted his tea cup and took a light sip, letting silence spread through the air.

Lei Zhao, seeing Lin Xiao's demeanor, understood that money alone would hardly sway him.

He recalled the little incident upon arrival, when he was notified that the reception room had been temporarily changed, and suddenly had an idea.

Lei Zhao spoke slowly, his voice still low.

If Regiment Leader Lin Xiao is willing to help us find the person, we can naturally return the favor and help him handle some... troubles that are inconvenient for him to deal with personally.

He deliberately paused slightly on the word 'handle,' the meaning self-evident.

I'd like to have one more 'friend' like us in Tianmian City; that's far more worthwhile than having an additional potential enemy.

Upon hearing that, Lin Xiao's hand holding the tea cup paused slightly, a calculation flashing in his ice-blue eyes.

He set down the tea cup, his gaze sweeping over both of them.

The reception room fell into another brief silence, only the low hum of the ventilation system continuing uninterrupted.

Sha Xu Feng's wild and foolish face flashed through his mind, along with his smuggling activities that were bound to bring trouble...

After a brief moment of thought, Lin Xiao's face once again broke into a formulaic smile.

Using the Dome's external blade to dispose of Sha Xu Feng, this growing eyesore, while also gaining their pay and assistance, is indeed a good deal.

"Using the foreign sword 'Dome' to eliminate Shayu Peak, an increasingly obtrusive stumbling block, while also obtaining their commission and assistance, this is indeed a good deal."

Even if they can't find him, there's nothing they can do to him.

"Even if they can't find him, they still can't do anything to him."

Lin Xiao agreed to Lei Zhao's proposed cooperation, as if the earlier reluctance had never happened; he promptly picked up the card on the tea table and played with it between his fingers.

If that's the case... then Mr. Lei Zhao, I wish us a pleasant cooperation.

If that's the case... then Mr. Lei Zhao, I wish us a pleasant cooperation.

He stood up, assuming a posture of seeing off a guest.

"Regarding 'report'… I think soon there will be a place that needs your 'help'."

Lei Zhao also slowly stood up, his movements still bearing that lingering fatigue, but his gaze had become a bit sharper.

"Quietly awaiting good news, Regiment Leader Linxiao."

He gave a slight nod, and beside him Hong Ling silently followed, shadow‑like staying right behind Lei Zhao.