Chapter 696: Gu Jun and Tang Youning! Discuss a Deal!

Two days ago.

Ancient Castle Stable.

"Boom……"

The main gate swung open, a wisp of blue smoke billowed, spreading an unpleasant odor.

It was as if a long‑sealed magic box had been opened, releasing a demon that had been imprisoned for ages.

The horses' inhaling sounds were especially harsh, dry hay piled everywhere, rain dripped from the roof, and a breeze brushed by, adding a hint of moisture to the dry air.

"Filthy and chaotic, who would ever want to work in this damned place?" Gu Jun pinched his nose, fanning the air before him with a look of disgust.

"We're here to look for clues, not to feed the horses," Zhai Sixin hung a Kerosene Lamp on the wall.

"We don't even know who the dead person is or how they died; even if we find clues, we have no idea whether they'll match, it's a waste of time," Gu Jun scanned the area and said.

"You check the stall; I'll handle the other zones," Zhai Sixin instructed.

"Fine…" Gu Jun nodded reluctantly, his face full of unwillingness.

He truly disliked such shabby, filthy places; breathing the air always felt like torture.

Especially in areas with strong odors, a single walk would make his clothes and hair soak up the scent.

It was like having perfume sprayed on him, the smell constantly pressing into his nose.

Seeing Gu Jun's lazy demeanor, Zhai Sixin's slender brows knit, "Stop giving me that look; this is a Death Game, watch your attitude."

"You're a big name in front of Zhao Ge, how could I compare to you?" Gu Jun said helplessly.

"Zhao Ge has already obtained the New Era's top 'Ascend God' Seed; he let us stall time to enter the game just to snipe one of them."

"Now that we've encountered them, stay on twelvefold focus; no mistakes allowed!" Zhai Sixin said sternly.

"Su Yang, huh, I know," Gu Jun opened one of the stall's iron doors, and as soon as he stepped in he stepped on something soft.

Looking down, he saw his shoe embedded in a yellow‑black mass.

"Chich—"

The horse in the stall neighs, as if mocking.

"Dead horse shits everywhere, I'm gonna skin you alive!" Gu Jun cursed, yanking his shoe out and angrily rubbing the sole against the wall.

He tried to wipe the filth off.

"You say… Zhao Ge arranged over six hundred people to snipe Su Yang, and we just happened to run into them—would you call that good luck or bad?" Gu Jun asked.

"Don't underestimate the New Era's Round Table Conference Members; they can earn a rare Hidden Achievement on their first game, which is no small feat," Zhai Sixin warned, picking up on his contempt.

"You know my temperament; hasn't every Death Game been all‑out? It's just that these kids who haven't even spent a year here, can they really be that vigilant?" Gu Jun said.

"I heard Zhao Ge say Su Yang's Innate Talent is extremely odd, so we have to be extra careful," Zhai Sixin patted the white chalk on the wall.

"Even a strong Innate Talent is wasted if used poorly, just like yours and mine aren't considered strong, yet we're still alive, aren't we?" Gu Jun finally scrubbed away the grime, but the smell remained strong.

"There are many clever people who have capsized in the gutter, but we too must be careful not to have our eyes blinded by an eagle's talons," Zhai Sixin whispered.

"Don't worry, I know what to do," Gu Jun shut the iron door, nonchalantly saying, "Since he ran into the two of us, consider him unlucky!"

Zhai Sixin glanced at him, saying nothing more.

She and Gu Jun have known each other for a long time, understanding each other's habits and abilities.

Some tasks are assigned to us; though there may be complaints, they still must be done.

After all, the reward arranged by the top boss…

It's not a small sum.

At that moment, Gu Jun suddenly thought of something and said, "Come to think of it… when I first entered the Reception Hall, I think I saw a familiar face."

"The woman with the surname Liang?" Zhai Sixin asked.

"She seems to be a dependent of Zhao Ge's friend, shall we…" Gu Jun began, lifting his chin.

"Our paths differ, so we don't collaborate, but since we've met, forming a good bond isn't out of the question," Zhai Sixin nodded.

"That woman is quite odd; her Innate Talent lets her communicate with the dead," Gu Jun said.

"You know so much about her?" Zhai Sixin wore a skeptical expression.

"I heard Zhao Ge mention it in passing; dealing with the living is common, but dealing with the dead is the first I've heard, so I deliberately kept a Heart Eye," Gu Jun explained.

"We've played many games of this type before; if we can't work with the clues, we have to act during the voting phase," Zhai Sixin said.

"Fortunately my Innate Talent is 'Illusion Hearing', which makes it simple," Gu Jun patted his chest.

Zhai Sixin's gaze suddenly fell on the sign at the stall, her eyes flashing.

"Rex Richard?"

"What?" Gu Jun leaned in curiously.

"It seems to list a name," Zhai Sixin said, looking at the second plaque, "Sikeite Richard."

"They share a surname; could they be relatives?" Gu Jun's mind raced.

"There are more," Zhai Sixin continued, "Sean Davidson, Jennifer Davidson, Diana Mitchell…"

Nine names!

"Strange, there should be eight players," Zhai Sixin mused.

"No problem, one person died, the murderer is among the remaining eight," Gu Jun said.

"The Count and Countess can keep horses no problem, but how could the Maid and the Security Guard have the right to own horses?" Zhai Sixin was puzzled.

"Could there be something else going on?" Gu Jun's keen nose sensed a clue.

They exchanged a glance; Zhai Sixin decided instantly, "Take down all the signs; I'll destroy them!"

"Why?" Gu Jun was stunned.

"Only I can read the script of this world; over time the paper will surely fail to contain fire. We now have the names, and later we can give them an Information Gap!" Zhai Sixin explained.

"Fun…" Gu Jun licked his lips and immediately helped take the signs down.

Zhai Sixin, holding the prop, said, "I will take it to the kitchen's Fire Pit and burn it, and also see if I can get a hold on Su Yang's leverage."

"Alright, you go," Gu Jun waved his hand.

When Zhai Sixin, braving the heavy rain, left, Gu Jun brought over a stool and sat by the door waiting quietly.

Half an hour passed in an instant, and a Silhouette emerged from the rainy night.

Gu Jun looked up, Mouth couldn't help but show a hint of Smile, "Yo, our Tang Dashaige finally arrived."

Tang Youning gathered his damp hair to the back, Brow furrowed, "Were you waiting for me?"

Gu Jun stood up, looking at the middle‑aged man who was more than half a head taller than himself, and nodded, "I have a business deal with you."

"I'm sorry, I don't have a habit of doing business with strangers," Tang Youning immediately declined.

"But what if this deal concerns Su Yang's Brain?" Gu Jun said meaningfully.

Tang Youning's eyes flickered; after a moment of deliberation, he also brought a stool—

"Willing to hear the details!"