One more word, and you'll be fined five hundred yuan.

Of course, Xu Mu was definitely joking; his goal was to play a long game to catch a big fish.

Judging by their positions, Yuli was undoubtedly higher-ranked.

She was from the Research Department and should be directly subordinate to Mr. Soul of the Eternal Life Research Institute.

Therefore, she likely knew about many of the Institute's branch locations.

Xu Mu had tasted success this time. If he could raid a few more branches, he could cultivate a large group of experts on his side.

When it came to sects or families, Xu Mu felt somewhat uneasy about raiding them for no reason.

But with the Eternal Life Research Institute, he felt no psychological pressure whatsoever.

"Xu Mu! How can you be so shameless? Are you even human?"

Zi Wangyou clenched her fists, filled with righteous indignation.

"Let me ask you, is killing people a good thing or a bad thing? If it's bad, why are some people sentenced to death?"

Xu Mu twirled his dagger as he walked towards Zi Wangyou. "What I'm doing to you villains is justice."

Swish!

His figure flickered, and in the blink of an eye, he was in front of Zi Wangyou. His dagger swept downward, slicing open a line down the front of her leather jacket.

Zi Wangyou's eyes widened in terror. She stumbled backward in fright and fell onto the ground.

Even though she had just resolved herself to die, when death truly loomed, the instinct to survive surged within her again.

She looked down at her chest. The leather jacket was slit open vertically, along with the black thermal shirt underneath. Two terrifying mounds nearly burst free.

"You should be thankful. There's a very deep ravine there, which just happened to let the dagger's blade pass right through the middle."

Xu Mu said, looking at Zi Wangyou.

If it had been Shi Fumeng, that strike just now would have likely cut a wound into her body.

Being big is good indeed. Being big can save your life.

"What exactly do you want to do?"

Yuli noticed that Xu Mu didn't seem intent on killing.

If he had truly wanted to kill Zi Wangyou just now, he would have surely aimed for a vital spot with the dagger, not that area.

Attacking Zi Wangyou's chest without injuring her was actually much more difficult than attacking her neck.

"How many more branches like this does your Eternal Life Research Institute have?"

Xu Mu looked at Yuli and asked.

"You want to continue raiding branches for their rare treasures?"

Yuli immediately guessed Xu Mu's intention.

"Correct."

Xu Mu nodded.

"Don't flatter yourself, Xu Mu. You just got lucky this time. The Spirit-Dispersing Array here happened to play to your physical strength advantage. Do you think you could walk out alive from other branches?"

Zi Wangyou clutched her leather jacket, glaring coldly at Xu Mu.

"That's none of your concern."

After saying this, Xu Mu looked at Yuli again. "As long as you tell me, I agree to spare both your lives. Otherwise, I'll kill Zi Wangyou first."

"I won't—"

"Don't speak yet. I advise you to think again. What you're holding right now is the thin rope of the guillotine's axe. If you let go, Zi Wangyou will die."

Seeing that Yuli seemed unwilling to speak, Xu Mu directly cut her off.

Hearing this, Yuli's expression gradually became conflicted.

She had been about to refuse Xu Mu. Mr. Soul had given her everything, and she had never considered betraying him.

Yuli feared death the least because, in the past, she had attempted suicide multiple times without success.

But involving others, especially her good friend, her little sister...

She couldn't bear it. Mr. Soul was indeed right; any emotion is a stumbling block on the path to success.

"The Eternal Life Research Institute has many branches, and they frequently change locations. I don't know many. Besides this one, I know of two others."

Yuli looked at Xu Mu. "I can tell you these two locations. I only ask that you spare Wangyou."

"Deal."

Xu Mu agreed without a second thought. "As long as you tell me the locations, I can swear to let both of you go."

He knew that Yuli must be aware of other branches as well.

But two were probably enough for Xu Mu.

Someone like Yuli, who remained calm and composed even as a hostage, was truly unafraid of death.

If he asked for more, she might not reveal a single one.

"You trust me just like that? Aren't you afraid I'll give you fake addresses?"

Yuli suddenly frowned and asked.

"You think I'm stupid? Of course, I'll take you along to verify. Transportation is so convenient nowadays anyway."

Xu Mu said with a smile.

"I can agree to that, but I have one condition: Wangyou doesn't come along."

Yuli pointed at Zi Wangyou beside her.

"Sister Yuli, I'm coming with you! This Xu Mu guy is utterly shameless. What if he tries something with you..."

"Don't worry about me."

What Yuli feared was that Xu Mu would go back on his word.

After she told him the two addresses, he might not let her go.

He might even force her to reveal more addresses.

If Zi Wangyou came along, she might become a hostage again. But if it was just Yuli alone, then death would be death.

"No!"

Zi Wangyou said with a stern face.

"I believe in Mr. Xu's character. How about this: I agree to let you come with us, but after we reach the first address, you must leave."

Yuli said calmly.

"Fine, I agree."

Zi Wangyou nodded.

"In that case, let's go."

Xu Mu took out a key, used his Qi to block a specific pattern on it, and the surrounding array immediately vanished.

Zi Wangyou raised her hand and found she could release Qi again.

"Little fox, a word of advice: don't try anything. If you dare attack me, Yuli will die first."

Xu Mu didn't even turn his head.

Hearing this, the idea that had ignited in Zi Wangyou's heart was instantly extinguished.

Finding she could use Qi again, Yuli took out a black dress from her spatial ring. "Wangyou, change into this."

"Thank you, Sister Yuli."

Zi Wangyou glared at Xu Mu. "Don't look! If you look, you're my son!"

"You underestimate me. As if I've never seen any before."

Xu Mu turned his back to Zi Wangyou and then activated his perception.

He had his own reason: what if this woman tried to sneak attack from behind?

After Zi Wangyou changed clothes, Xu Mu stretched out his hand towards Yuli. "Confiscated."

Yuli was taken aback at first, then a look of displeasure appeared on her calm face. "I don't have any treasures here, only clothes and daily necessities. See for yourself if you don't believe me!"

"I'm confiscating the spatial ring, it's not about treasures. Another word and I'll fine you five hundred bucks."

Xu Mu directly reached out and took the ring off.

"Shameless!"

Even a woman like Yuli muttered under her breath.

"See, I told you he was shameless!"

Zi Wangyou also gritted her teeth in hatred.

Leaving the array, the group headed for the ruins' exit. Along the way, there were still many research personnel.

Yuli quickened her pace to catch up with Xu Mu, pleading for these people. "Many of them were forced into this. I hope you won't kill them. Why don't you notify the Sanitation Department instead?"

Xu Mu nodded slightly. With so many people, he couldn't be bothered to kill them either.

...

Leaving the ruins.

Xu Mu first sent a message to Jiang Huihui, giving her the location here and telling her to send people immediately.

As for Xu Mu, he took Zi Wangyou and Yuli with him to his car.

After arriving here, Xu Mu discovered that Shi Fumeng had bought joss paper and gold ingots meant for grave offerings.

"Holy shit! What are you doing?"

Xu Mu immediately shouted.

"Xu Mu! You're not dead? I thought you were dead! I was just about to burn some money for you, so you wouldn't come looking for me in the future."

Shi Fumeng's face was full of pleasant surprise.

[Favorability +5]

"Don't jinx me, I'm alive and well. Get rid of that stuff."

After saying this, Xu Mu pressed his car key. "Little Fox, you take the passenger seat."

This Zi Wangyou was even stronger than he was. Having her sit in the back made Xu Mu uneasy.

Zi Wangyou didn't say anything, simply opening the car door and getting in first.

The others all got in as well.

"Damn it! Why do I have this ominous feeling? Everyone sitting in this car feels like an enemy."

Xu Mu glanced at the group.