GRMFBS CH33

Gu Jiancheng was in a foul mood lately.

A very foul mood.

He had finally managed to end up in the same city as Zhan Yan and even gotten hold of some important clues. Then, Zhan Yan went off to another city.

He checked the forum several times a day, just waiting for a reply. And the guy who used to be online every day suddenly vanished—his private messages had gone unread for days!

Hah!

Just a damn demon king fanboy!

Feeling disgruntled, Gu Jiancheng opened the forum again—and saw that the private message he’d been waiting on for days had finally been answered!

[Approaching Science]: “Are you short on money or something?”

[JustSavedTheWorld!]: “?”

Short on money? He should go look at his leaderboard ranking before asking that!

[Approaching Science]: “Or did you lose your memory?”

“If you didn’t, I really wouldn’t recommend making money this way.”

“Even if you did, I still wouldn’t recommend it.”

Zhan Yan was busy digging up gossip about Shen Ying, but hadn’t yet found out why he was wanted. He hadn’t picked up on any info pollution either.

From what he could tell, this guy was either in the middle of cleaning up anomalies or on his way to do it.

Just your average workaholic. The number of anomalies he’d cleaned up alone was more than what a whole branch of the Abnormal Affairs Management Bureau could handle. And a lot of them weren’t even official missions—which meant he was working for free most of the time.

If it weren’t for the fact that he was wanted, Zhan Yan would’ve suggested the bureau award him with something like a “Model Citizen” plaque.

Zhan Yan hadn’t seen any atrocities committed by Shen Ying—in fact, he’d saved quite a few people along the way. He even knew how to bribe a crying kid with candy and quietly drop them off at the nearest police station.

So Zhan Yan decided to hold off on reporting this nutjob who was somehow circulating his own wanted notice. He’d wait until he found out exactly why Shen Ying was wanted.

Zhan Yan wasn’t in a rush. But the guy online—“JustSavedTheWorld!”—seemed to have a bit of a temper.

[JustSavedTheWorld!]: “Speak human.”

Zhan Yan: Heh.

[Approaching Science]: “What, you trying to tell me how much bounty I’d get if I reported you?”

Gu Jiancheng stared at the line of text, the hairs on his body standing up one by one until even his scalp tingled with excitement.

This was the first person to directly discover his identity.

“Wan Shitong,” Gu Jiancheng said as he made a call, “How many people have tried looking into me?”

“No one recently, I think. Why, boss?” Wan Shitong asked.

“That guy—‘Approaching Science,’” Gu Jiancheng said, licking his canine tooth. “He found me.”

Wan Shitong was shocked. “How?! Boss, your info is shielded by anomalous interference! Even that deputy director at the bureau couldn’t dig up anything on you!”

“What should we do? Should you change identities? Want me to prep a new one? I’ve got fake IDs ready—”

“No need,” Gu Jiancheng took a deep breath. “He didn’t get my real-world identity.”

Gu Jiancheng had a detection ability—if anyone ever found out who he was in real life, he’d sense it instantly. His real identity involved Zhan Yan. If it had been compromised, he wouldn’t be excited—he’d be out for blood.

Thinking of Zhan Yan helped calm his agitated blood.

“He only found my forum account,” Gu Jiancheng said.

Wan Shitong let out a breath but was still shaken. “That’s still impressive.”

He was an information-type esper himself—he knew how difficult it was to dig up anything on Gu Jiancheng.

Besides Gu Jiancheng’s own formidable interference abilities, he carried intense anomalous interference from the Infinity World. Though the anomalies were suppressed by Gu Jiancheng’s power and caused no pollution, they created such a strong interference that every attempt to probe him felt like wading through a swamp.

“Keep monitoring him,” Gu Jiancheng ordered.

After hanging up, he reopened his private messages and typed out a new reply.

Was this someone who’d become his rival—or a future ally?

After the other party sent over his own wanted notice, there was a long silence.

Zhan Yan: Heh. What a clown.

In the meantime, he finished scrolling through all the gossip on Shen Ying. Unfortunately, the info only went back two years. Anything older than that required a system upgrade.

And two years ago, there was still no mention of why Shen Ying was being hunted by three different factions. That meant he’d been wanted even earlier. To be on the run for two years and not get caught—Shen Ying must be pretty damn powerful! Though a bit unhinged.

What kind of respectable powerhouse gives themselves a name like “JustSavedTheWorld!”?

Since there was no response from the other side, Zhan Yan, now bored, was about to close the chat.

[JustSavedTheWorld!]: “Can you find out more?”

Zhan Yan: Oh? You’re pretty into this, huh?

[Approaching Science]:

“Yes.”

“For a fee.”

Still no reply.

Was the guy ranked sixth on the leaderboard really that stingy?

[Approaching Science]: “First-time customer, I’ll give you a 20% discount. How about it?”

[JustSavedTheWorld!]: “Why would I pay to buy my own info? Do I look stupid?”

Zhan Yan found that very unfortunate.

[JustSavedTheWorld!]: “Why didn’t you report me?”

[Approaching Science]: “Because your wanted notice is hidden. I wouldn’t get a reward for turning you in.”

“I don’t work for free.”

Zhan Yan lazily started making stuff up.

Shen Ying was crazy and cheap—no way he was wasting his time on him.

“I’m logging off.”

Paying for work? Gu Jiancheng snorted.

[JustSavedTheWorld!]: “Want to collaborate?”

[Approaching Science]: “What’s the task?”

[JustSavedTheWorld!]: “I want intel on all supernatural factions in Yunjin City.”

[Approaching Science]: “That’s too much trouble.”

[JustSavedTheWorld!]: “Can’t handle it?”

[Approaching Science]:

“Don’t provoke me.”

“Can you afford the fee?”

He’d have to scroll through so many threads to gather that kind of intel!

[JustSavedTheWorld!]: “I’m ranked sixth on the leaderboard.”

Zhan Yan clicked his tongue. You’d think he was number one the way he bragged.

Still, points were points. He and Shen Ying agreed on the payment method—it was a long-term job. Zhan Yan would send intel as he found it and get paid per piece of useful info.

—

A few days later, Wen Yinghui’s condition improved. He contacted a home renovation company and a landscaping firm to start redoing his backyard.

Zhan Yan, under Wen Yinghui’s enthusiastic invitation, ended up in his office—Matthias came along too.

Matthias looked around curiously at the office decor.

Behind the desk was a painting of mountains and seas, a fish tank on the left, a golden toad holding a coin on the right, and a crystal chandelier above shaped like the Chinese character for “luck.”

One look and you could tell it was all about feng shui.

No wonder this guy once ran into a rival company just to pour hot water on their money tree!

Wen Yinghui was overly enthusiastic: “Xiao Yan, the moment I saw you, I felt a connection! How about we become sworn brothers?”

Zhan Yan: “…?”

“I don’t think that’s necessary?”

“How can it not be! Let’s bow in front of Guan Gong and make it official. From now on, your problems are my problems—your big bro’s got your back!” Wen Yinghui had already prepared incense and liquor.

“Don’t underestimate your big bro! Not many in Chunan dare mess with me!”

The main target was Zhan Yan—Matthias was just tagging along.

Zhan Yan said awkwardly, “I’m okay with it, but… how do you plan to address my mom afterward?”

Wen Yinghui’s face froze: “Uh… haha, come! Xiao Yan, try this tea! I had someone bring it back specially!”

Matthias was still staring at the red cloth and ritual gear on the desk. In halting Chinese, he asked, “Sworn brothers—is what?”

“Come on, Old Ma! Try this tea too!” Wen Yinghui quickly poured him a cup.

Still curious, Matthias turned to Zhan Yan.

Zhan Yan explained in Spanish: “It’s a mysterious ceremony that would require him to call my mom ‘mom’ too.”

Matthias was visibly shocked.

Wen Yinghui said, “Xiao Yan, I was sick for a while and couldn’t host you properly. How’ve you been lately? If you’re not busy, I’ll take you around to thank you properly.”

Zhan Yan feigned ignorance. “Thank me for what? It was just a money tree. If you like it, just take good care of it.”

Wen Yinghui got the hint and smiled even more warmly. “I’m truly grateful. I’ll definitely look after it well! Let’s work together and make lots of money!”

Zhan Yan smiled in satisfaction. Whether or not you get rich isn’t my concern—just remember to give my mom a discount.