Chapter 88: Chapter Fifteenth: Patience Meets the Thief

Ji Ming didn't hold back, he stroked his forehead and laughed for a while.

Amazing, the Xiao Karami who before couldn't even hold a conversation is now an industry big shot who can be treated with courtesy; my own slot really jumped well.

Nevertheless, even so, he did not agree to the other party's request.

Instead, he cited that the company's capital chain had no issues and that no business cooperation would be launched during the closed beta, and sent the Tai Chi back.

It could be done, but it's unnecessary.

If Code·Sun Moon is just an ordinary new game, then this is merely the youngsters' pretentious stubbornness.

Fu Le wouldn't make a fool of himself; he'd simply drop it right there.

But after logging off early in the morning, he mobilized all his contacts to investigate Code·Sun Moon and the Great Holy Seat Technology Co., Ltd.

The company exists, and the game exists as well.

Beyond that, there were only one awkward laugh after another and apologies.

No one could find any information about it, let alone who its owner was or which side its background belonged to.

It even meant that before this so‑called operations account sent an invitation, one couldn't even obtain their contact details.

All these facts point to only one possibility

—perhaps the water behind them is deeper than we imagined.

But the harder it gets, the more it proves the other side's strength and worth!

We'll wait for another chance later and try again.

【7】 Ji Ming didn't know the other side would ruminate so wildly; after closing the chat window, he tossed the matter out of his mind.

Ji Ming also didn't know the other side would think such a chaotic mess, and after closing the chat window, he simply cast the matter aside.

Anyway, both the official and operations accounts have electronic ghost shields, so he wasn't afraid of any data leak.

Even if the account Wai Bozi Shu got traced, a simple "I was just a temp worker back then, knew nothing," would be enough to bluff his way out.

If that fails, just imitate some lousy dragon and go down to the ground once.

"Then you kill Mingming then."

Once the thought is set, in an instant the world expands!

Ji Ming leisurely took a snack while peeking at the players' discussions on the screen.

Some were sharing tips for dealing with goblins.

【Friend, as long as you control distance with a spear, taking on a few at a time—even one alone—you can get through unharmed】

Some were reminiscing with a player who logged off too early last night about that big battle.

【I think everyone should try fighting more in the game; that feeling is truly exhilarating, waking up in the morning feels like being reborn】

Others were mourning the dog that died of illness a few years ago at home.

【Speaking of it, there's a Pomeranian in Dog Village that looks just like it; let's check tonight what she needs】

At that moment, a player with a solid black avatar, blank ID, and a note of But Seek Death joined the group chat.

In an instant, the chat that had just calmed erupted again.

【Death God, Death God also entered the chat!】

【Is this the Death God you mentioned?】

【Grand introduction—@Hua Kai Fugui, Grandmaster of Formations Hua Shu; @Qiang Bing Bu Qi, Goblin Slayer Qiang Ge; @But Seek Death, Extreme Pioneers Death God】

【If those three fantasy gods hadn't been here last night, we'd have been goblins' prey, no after‑hardship sweetness, just a happy Newbie Village】

Hua Kai Fugui: 【Everyone praised mistakenly, let's interact more later (fist‑bump)】

Hua Shu could still keep it under control, but But Seek Death was visibly baffled, spooking him into firing three question marks.

As for Qiang Bing Bu Qi…

Qiang Ge hadn't had time to join the chat; he was in a live stream debating intensely with water‑friends.

Seeing a big shot appear, a player immediately asked.

【Is Death God going online tonight? I haven't seen what the title looks like】

Silence fell for a moment.

But Seek Death: 【I'll be there, then we'll coordinate at the Holy Hall!】

Heh, now you're not in a hurry to die, huh?

Ji Ming smiled faintly.

Games still have their own advantages, after all!

The backstory hadn't even had time to warm his heart; after a bite of noodles he looked up again, and everything turned into cold sweat pouring down.

【By the way, Death God, could you think of a way to probe info about the Mysterious Merchant?】

【Yes, yes, we kneel and beg Death God to act!】

【For the newcomers, a quick note: this Mysterious Merchant is probably the Newbie Village boss; he wears a yellow name, the official makes everyone fight him】

Uh, no, I… I built this group for…

【Really? Then you guys… be more active in speaking up, and remember to @ me when you fight the Newbie Village boss!】

【Then my strong brother also spoke up, during the closed beta, we must yank off his headgear, must hit his face!】

【Exactly, when encountering those who think they're superior, we must make them know what a nightmare feels like, make them fly!】

No, I was just having a meal, why am I suddenly flying again?

Ji Ming suddenly felt the pork chop in his plate lose its flavor.

Why can a person's heart be so cold, discussing how to deal with him right in front of others?

Fortunately, the players' topics shifted quickly.

【By the way, this game so far hasn't had a single bishoujo; could the Mysterious Merchant's hood hide a white‑haired, red‑eyed beautiful girl?】

【Who says there are no beautiful girls? Look down on me, a Corgi village girl who gets better just by a glance?】

?

What about JiMiYin, could he be a white‑haired, red‑eyed, black‑silk, high‑heeled handsome boy?

(Angry) You've been ruined by an effeminate man all your life, and you can't deal with your buddies normally!

Speaking of which, the Four Great Guardians are all that cowardly, and the Lord of Living Beings can't possibly be a slime monster with 114 eyes and 514 tentacles, right?

Wow, that feels great.

Fortunately, what a joke!

This screen is no longer worth peeking at, Ji Ming quickly ate the remaining rice in the bowl, cleaned up a bit, and returned to the Yangyue World.

"Doctor, why do I feel your hand keeps shaking?"

"No, you're mistaken."

The afternoon patients inexplicably increased, and Ji Ming was busy until evening before finishing work.

Reluctantly stuffing the Fourth Generation Rejuvenation into his pocket, AdaiEr whispered a reminder.

"We set out on an adventure tomorrow, Doctor, remember to be prepared."

Since there are few players online during the day anyway, Ji Ming doesn't intend to let the hard‑won contacts in Sunlight City go to waste, so everything remains as before.

He nodded.

"Hmm, see you tomorrow then."

He locked the main door again and entered the medicine‑brewing room.

"Stop sleeping, get up for a short meeting."

The increasingly plump Mouse Kid lifted his head from the mat and swayed to sit up.

"Just asking, roughly how big is your Mouse Nation now?"

Mouse Kid scratched his head and extended his two paws.

"Eight?"

He shook his head.

"Then that's forty‑four?"

That's right.

That number is already huge for Mouse Kid, yet pitifully small for Ji Ming.

He pulled out a chair and lowered his voice.

"So, Mouse Kid, let's discuss something: you work hard to expand the Mouse race's offline network, and me…"

Mouse Kid listened and kept nodding, nodding, then nodding frantically.

He squeaked and gave a thumbs‑up.

The negotiation succeeded, and Ji Ming left the medicine‑brewing room feeling satisfied.

Even though he's tried hard not to use cheats, the dungeon's holographic map and real‑time monitoring are still too tempting.

All day today, he lost count of how many times he subconsciously wanted to open it; he just couldn't stay away.

After some thought, he thought of Mouse Kid's tiny Mouse Nation.

Sunlight City isn't short of rats; even Inner City has sewers for them to move about.

As for exploiting them, how many informants could he have, how massive an intelligence network?

Just look at Mouse Kid's abilities.