Chapter 1203: The Stick Insect of the Sacred Night Capital (9)

"Thank you both for your trouble."

Seeing Fu Qian gladly accept the chips with such a helpful attitude, Moglin finally relaxed a little and smiled.

"An effortless favor."

Fu Qian didn't waste any more time. He tucked both Mercy Chips away, looking like someone who couldn't wait to pass on a thank-you gift.

Of course, this heartwarming atmosphere of genuine human connection completely vanished—starting with the smile on Moglin's face—as soon as he and Yuan Shan were about twenty meters away.

"What's going on?"

At that same moment, Yuan Shan finally couldn't hold back her question.

"Aren't we going to look for Alan? And who is this Ross you just asked about?"

"We're not going. It seems we've startled an interesting character."

Fu Qian shook his head, adopting the leisurely posture of someone out for a stroll.

"That Ross was monitoring us just now."

Huh?

Those words immediately startled Yuan Shan.

She had suspected that this Ross might not be completely made up, but to think they were being watched the moment they started their operation?

Was the situation really this complicated already?

Was the instructor really not just messing around, but actually contributing to the harmony of the Sacred Night Capital?

But most importantly, how could she, a dignified demigod, fail to notice someone watching them?

"Are you sure? Why didn't I sense anything?"

She asked in disbelief, only to immediately receive a look of pure contempt from Fu Qian.

"Are you Tier 2, or am I Tier 2?"

Fu Qian sneered.

"It doesn't matter what you feel; it only matters what I feel."

I...

Being outranked by a single tier was suffocating. Chief Yuan struggled for several moments before helplessly suppressing the surging emotions in her heart.

Much as she hated to admit it, this was a Tier 2 recognized by the instructor herself, and she had already been scorned once before for questioning him.

"So where is this Ross?"

After a few deep breaths, she decisively shifted her attention back to the mission.

Over there!

Yet, completely defying her expectations again, the newly advanced Tier 2 simply pointed with his chin toward a figure standing by a machine.

Hm...

Yuan Shan took one look and almost lost her composure again.

"An ordinary person?"

"An ordinary gambler."

Fu Qian confirmed her judgment.

"How could an ordinary person spy on us without me noticing?"

"Are you being paranoid? With so many people in here, it's perfectly normal to cast a few glances."

Chief Yuan, who had been entirely focused and ready for a battle of wits against a formidable target, suddenly felt as if she had thrown her back out.

This guy had even deliberately used the word 'monitoring,' getting her blood pumping for nothing.

"Cast a few glances... you said it yourself, he's just an ordinary mortal."

However, Fu Qian clearly disagreed with her assessment, letting out a cold scoff a moment later.

"How could someone so hopelessly out of their depth dare to gaze upon the true face of a Tier 2 Transcendent?"

"Forget a few glances—even a single look is unacceptable!"

I swear...

At a loss for words, Yuan Shan silently looked toward where their colleagues were working and seriously began to consider what charges she could fabricate against this guy.

Hey!

Fortunately, he was tactful enough not to drag her in as free labor, walking up to greet the man himself.

...

"Ross?"

Sitting down casually beside the machine, Fu Qian greeted the young gambler.

"Um... do we know each other?"

The latter maintained his usual demeanor, waiting until the patterns on the screen stopped spinning before finally turning around to look at the two of them with a hint of confusion.

His puzzled expression was so innocent and natural that it looked entirely genuine.

In fact, it was genuine.

Fu Qian and Yuan Shan had moved so quickly this time that Ross genuinely hadn't noticed their earlier exchange.

Which meant he truly knew absolutely nothing about them.

Fu Qian was fully aware of this, and of course, it didn't matter at all.

The will of a Tier 2 Transcendent was the truth.

In the next moment, he smoothly snapped his fingers.

"Do you know Midas?"

"I do..."

After a moment of hesitation, Ross's slightly dry voice delivered an answer that left Yuan Shan utterly shocked.

More importantly, the answer seemed highly credible to her, because Ross was clearly answering against his will.

When the newly advanced Tier 2 snapped his fingers just now, a dream-like power had enveloped the area. Realizing there was no malice and that it wouldn't hinder her actions, Yuan Shan hadn't resisted it.

As for Ross, an ordinary person—no matter how crazy a gambler he might be—had absolutely no ability to resist.

Once drawn in, it was evident that her partner possessed considerable control over this dreamscape.

Therefore, under the influence of these special rules, the chance of him lying was extremely low.

This guy actually knew some form of the Soul-Searching Technique!

...

One shouldn't be too rigid in their thinking—otherwise, wouldn't they end up unable to wash clean even by jumping into the Yellow River?

Ross had struggled internally for nearly ten seconds before answering. While Fu Qian admired his resistance, he was also highly satisfied with his own control over the situation.

"What is your relationship with him?"

Fu Qian asked his second question a moment later, casually glancing at Yuan Shan.

And although he didn't pair the look with too sharp an expression, she still lowered her head in shame.

With ironclad facts presented right in front of her, what else could she say?

This seemingly unremarkable gambler actually knew the target they were looking for.

Based on that alone, it made perfect sense that he had been secretly monitoring Moglin and noticed the two of them making contact.

Yet, as a dignified demigod, she had been so careless that she completely missed it.

Yuan Shan felt a deep sense of guilt for questioning the Tier 2 Transcendent's judgment earlier, and even more so for preparing to fabricate charges in retaliation.

"I was the first to pass the test and join his team. I helped him select the remaining members and plan an operation."

It was obvious that as time passed, Ross was no longer able to resist the rules of the Lucid Dream, so he answered much faster this time.

"The plan targets the casino's vault, specifically..."

Of course, judging by his expression, revealing such highly classified information was still a profound mental torment for him.

"Understood."

Fu Qian didn't force the man to continue, cutting him off directly.

"So it seems Midas wasn't satisfied with just making money from gambling, and chose a more direct method?"

"No."

Ross answered the third question not only quickly, but without much resistance at all.

"Midas is absolutely not someone bound by wealth. To call him a gambler is an insult. As for the loot from the operation, that's merely the reward for the other participants."

"Although he didn't state it outright, I know very well that all he wants is to personally open the doors to the casino's vault and complete a legendary tale."

"Excellent. I wish you success."

Fu Qian listened intently and offered his sincere blessings at the end.

And with his words, the Lucid Dream quietly shattered, returning everything to reality.

"Why didn't you ask where to find Midas?"

Standing beside Fu Qian, Yuan Shan looked at Ross—who had stopped moving and fallen into deep thought by the machine—and asked in confusion.