Baiyu's response was clearly unexpected.
The seductive woman's expression stiffened momentarily before forcing a smile, "Handsome, besides drinking, we can do many other things."
There was a coquettish glint in her eyes.
Her voice was so sweet it was nearly oozing honey.
Although it was her first time in this line of work, she could not afford to be picky in order to regain her strength.
What is integrity?
Can integrity be eaten?
Can it give you power?
She approached Baiyu because she always felt a sense of familiarity with this person.
But because she had just come back to life.
Most of her memories were still a mess, and she couldn't recall who he was.
"No, my time is very precious."
Baiyu had no intention of engaging further with this pimp.
Acquiring the Elf Banshee was his top priority right now, and although the woman was quite beautiful, in Baiyu's eyes, she was nothing more than a painted skull.
To desire him physically, yet expect him to pay for it?
How could such a good deal exist?
Beside him, Qin Shou's face showed some interest, and he awkwardly chuckled, "Brother Yu, about that, I..."
"Go early and come back early, and remember to be safe."
Baiyu knew his close friend's habits and wasn't bothered, offering a reminder instead.
Qin Shou cheerfully slung an arm over the woman and headed toward the guest rooms on the first floor.
"It's strange, this woman always gives me a familiar feeling, yet I've never seen her before."
After they left, Baiyu was puzzled.
He should have no connections with this pimp.
Ding-dong.
At that moment, a message on his phone interrupted his thoughts.
It was from the staff responsible for the Elf Banshee.
Someone bid 1.8 million, asking if he wanted to raise his bid.
Baiyu responded with 2 million.
That was his maximum price.
He didn't have much accessible funds now.
Two liters of Spiritual Water and the Elf Banshee together cost him 4 million, a substantial sum.
Now he understood how Martial Artists and the Extraordinary were always short of money.
Even if his family owned a mine, it wouldn't suffice to spend like this.
Now that he's become a Prayer Technique apprentice, Baiyu had to consider making money; after all, selling properties was unsustainable and not something to do lightly.
"Sir, it belongs to you now, please come upstairs."
The manager sent another message.
Baiyu went up to the second floor, and once he was sure he could enter, he pushed the door open.
The manager warmly greeted him, "Sir, congratulations on winning the bid. Additionally, for spending 2 million Imperial Coin at our transaction event, you will receive a VIP card. Next time, you can attend without an invitation."
Baiyu accepted the VIP card.
Invitations usually sold for ten thousand apiece, making them rather expensive.
"Have her sent to the warehouse behind the tavern, remove the shackles from her hands and feet, and I'll come to pick her up later. Remember, don't let others know."
Baiyu instructed, then proceeded to transfer a deposit of 200,000 via his phone.
The rest would be paid in the warehouse upon transaction.
The manager nodded with a smile, then instructed two Martial Artists beside him, "Escort her to the back for this gentleman."
"Yes."
The two Martial Artists led the Elf Banshee out of the room.
"The transaction event ends in half an hour. We have prepared VIP services for you, although you can leave early if you wish."
The manager maintained an exceptional attitude.
Someone who could casually spend 2 million Imperial Coin was undoubtedly a significant customer, and he wanted to leave a good impression.
"No need, I'll pay and pick her up later in the back, you go about your business."
Rejecting the manager's offer.
Baiyu left the room and noticed many rooms on the second floor were still closed, with a "Do Not Disturb" sign hanging on the doors.
These were rooms still involved in bidding.
Baiyu returned to the second-floor hallway.
There were only a few people lazily drinking and chatting; the disheveled middle-aged man he met earlier was leaning on the railing, holding a bottle of high-proof ale.
None of these people were familiar to him, so he didn't linger and headed to the first floor.
At this point, the disheveled man, while drinking, surveyed the surroundings and the number of people coming and going, ensuring the transaction was nearly complete before lowering his voice:
"Cangying Cangying, this is Condor.
I've successfully scouted.
Confirmed that the Dead Dog Tavern is involved in illegal item transactions and harbors fugitives, requesting cooperation for an operation, over."
...
Baiyu reached the first floor and headed toward the guest room area.
More than ten minutes had passed since he went up to negotiate the price, and Qin Shou still hadn't come out.
Baiyu was preparing to call him.
He made his way to the guest room area.
However, midway, he noticed something seemed off about the atmosphere.
The entire guest room area was silent, devoid of any sound.
Even if the soundproofing was good.
But the tavern was made of wooden panels and doors, even slightly loud shouts from inside should have been audible outside.
This place was usually a site for flesh transactions.
It was typically packed to the brim, sometimes even with waiting lines.
There was no way it should be this silent.
If things were usually this odd, Baiyu wouldn't care and would simply leave. But with Qin Shou still inside, he had to figure it out.
Without much thought.
Baiyu immediately called Qin Shou.
Beep.
After the ringtone, the woman's voice from earlier answered on the other end:
"Hello? Sir, calling at this time, want to come join? Your friend is still showering, he hasn't come out yet, he said to wait a while."
Baiyu's expression darkened, but his tone remained unchanged, "Tell him to hurry up."
After speaking.
The call ended.
Baiyu exhaled a long breath.
Something had indeed gone wrong.
Firstly, there was absolute silence on the other end of the line, an unnaturally eerie silence.
Secondly, he knew Qin Shou well.
This guy was the type to get things done quickly, a short shower would never take ten minutes.
The most essential point.
Qin Shou never told him to wait a while.
Without hesitation, Baiyu pulled out a satellite phone from his pocket and, after some thought, immediately dialed Anomaly Bureau's direct line.
Pang Fei wasn't in Linjiang every day.
Given the urgency, contacting the Anomaly Bureau was the safest move.
"Hello, this is the Anomaly Bureau direct line, may I know which department you're from, and what's the emergency?"
The efficiency of the direct line was exceptional.
Normally unreachable Anomaly Bureau customer service was now connected immediately.
"I'd like to report a case, at the Dead Dog Tavern on Frost Moon Street in the North District.
There's illegal transaction of flesh happening here, maybe even a murder, the situation is extremely severe.
I'm currently infiltrating to gather more information, need backup!"
Baiyu fabricated a reason.
The situation was so eerie that exaggerating was justified.
"The North District? May I know which department you're from? We show no personnel dispatched to the North District."
"I'm not from the Anomaly Bureau, just an ordinary citizen.
But I am determined to contribute to the security and stability of Linjiang.
You can call me Mr. Bai, a concerned citizen.
That's it, goodbye.
The situation here is quite urgent, send someone promptly.
By the way, it's best to send someone at investigator level, things are very unusual here!"
Baiyu hung up and looked toward the eerily silent hallway.
"Let's first try opening a guest room to see what's going on inside."
Without overthinking, he mobilized Blood Qi within his body and pushed against room 007's wooden door.
Creak.
The wooden door opened easily.
The sight within the room changed Baiyu's expression drastically.