Players, Please Board the Train

The players locked in the club had lost their player status; there was simply no way they could escape the club’s pursuit. Taking it a step further, even if they did manage to run out, they could only hide in the lower city district, and finding them wouldn’t be difficult either.

Therefore, Xu Huo’s actions were utterly meaningless.

”What are you talking about?” Xu Huo rolled down the car window, flicked on his lighter, and aimed it at the club building.

”Boom!” A fire erupted from a damaged liquor cabinet somewhere in the building.

As the flames flickered several times, several other different spots in the building were ignited. The fire, having spread to an unknown location, triggered a chain of explosions.

Once the explosions started, the fire suppression systems inside the building became inadequate. Rolling flames and thick smoke poured out from within, accompanied by the howls of some unknown animals.

The cigarette was finally lit. Xu Huo took a drag, then squinted his eyes to admire the burning building. ”I just wanted to watch some fireworks.”

Their vehicle, like many other people’s flying cars, hovered around the building. The rolling firelight reflected off Bai Kou’s beautiful face. She said with an ambiguous tone, ”You have quite the nerve too.”

Xu Huo turned his head and pointed outside the window. ”Don’t you like it?”

Bai Kou gave a faint smile. ”I promised Uncle Fan Xiao I wouldn’t play with fire... I have to at least pretend to keep my word.””So you do like it.” Xu Huo raised an eyebrow. ”I didn’t take you for a law-abiding good citizen either.”

”Not at all. I’m here on business now. If I cause trouble in District 011, how can the negotiations proceed?” Bai Kou glanced outside. ”The Black Epaulets are here.”

She recorded a short video of the captured Mutant before driving the car away.

”Want me to upload it for you?” Xu Huo asked, looking at the communicator she had casually tossed aside.

”Sure.” Bai Kou replied nonchalantly.

But when Xu Huo picked up her communicator, a holographic projection of a Mutant suddenly lunged out from it, snarling as it tried to bite him!

”Roar!” The projected Mutant roared ferociously. Xu Huo didn’t even bat an eyelid. He simply moved the communicator to the side and looked at the woman snickering beside him. ”A rather low-effort prank.”

”As long as it’s fun.” Bai Kou said with a grin. ”It’s perfect for scaring those bastards who like snooping into people’s privacy for no reason.”

Xu Huo uploaded the video to the network and said, ”This can only scare mischievous kids. What’s the achievement in frightening children?”

Bai Kou wasn’t bothered by his lack of enthusiasm. She changed the subject. ”The Black Epaulets might investigate you very soon. You left the club first and then reappeared inside. It’s hard not to arouse suspicion. Finally, you used a characteristic on that club player, right? Will he be able to recognize you afterwards?”

”Not sure. First time using the new characteristic.” Xu Huo said. ”But I didn’t show my face.”

Bai Kou gave an ”Mm” and didn’t speak further.

The two returned to the ancient castle. Mr. Dong had prepared a late-night snack. The food was prepared according to Xu Huo’s taste, so Bai Kou took a couple of bites and went upstairs.

When Xu Huo went upstairs, Mr. Dong came to tell him that Bai Kou had left again.

Xu Huo paused, the notebook in his hand. ”Do you know what she’s really in District 011 for?”

On the surface, it seems to be for the arms shipment, but being active at night and lying low during the day clearly indicates other purposes.

”For the arms.” Mr. Dong surprisingly offered a bit more information this time. ”Miss Bai Kou seems to have some connection with the Platinum Eye.”

Xu Huo looked at him. As a special item, Mr. Dong was as mysterious as his master. To this day, Xu Huo didn’t understand He Pu’s criteria for choosing a successor. While nominally he had inherited the Rose Castle, the actual master here was still Mr. Dong.

Mr. Dong held things back from him, never volunteering information. When asked, he would answer selectively, and the answers weren’t necessarily true.

It was clear he didn’t operate entirely according to the previous master’s requirements.

Mr. Dong was a butler with a high degree of autonomy.

This could also be seen from He Pu’s belongings. He Pu would accompany him to some inexplicable spider competitions; the two were more like friends.

”If I plan to leave District 011, will you stay here or come with me?”

Mr. Dong stood there ramrod straight, serious and dull. ”I will wait here for the master’s return.”

Xu Huo understood. Even though he nominally inherited the Rose Castle, the only things he could completely take with him were the few items He Pu had given him.

Bringing the topic back, he asked, ”Are you sure Bai Kou is connected to the Platinum Eye?”

Mr. Dong stated flatly, ”She didn’t hide that fact from me. She used a Platinum Eye heavy cannon to bombard the castle.”

No wonder these two were at odds, finding fault with each other.

The castle being damaged to that extent indicated quite a commotion. That it went unnoticed was probably because both sides intentionally used items to conceal it.

He wasn’t clear on the specific details of Mr. Dong’s judgment regarding Bai Kou’s connection to the Platinum Eye, but if he said so, there must be evidence.

Bai Kou, under a disguised identity, came for the Rongxin Group’s arms. She also had ties to the Platinum Eye. Coincidentally, a Platinum Eye transport ship was recently robbed...

”Could she be here waiting for the delivery person?”

The system news speculated that the Phantom Sound Knights might be behind the arms robbery. Bai Kou also knew this news. Was she confident enough to act alone, or did she have other help?

Several thoughts flashed through his mind. Xu Huo looked at Mr. Dong. ”Let’s move sooner rather than later.”

Mr. Dong looked puzzled. Xu Huo continued, ”I’m afraid this place might get demolished again.”

Mr. Dong’s face fell. After his expression shifted several times, he said to Xu Huo with utmost seriousness, ”Master, seeing off guests should be your responsibility.”

That was a slick way to pass the buck.

But it was understandable. If Mr. Dong had a way to deal with Bai Kou, he wouldn’t have been swallowing his anger and finding fault over minor matters every day.

”My hands are tied.” Xu Huo smiled apologetically.

Mr. Dong left, visibly displeased.

Xu Huo was in an excellent mood and turned his attention to the current news.

The outcome of the club injury incident was out. Aside from one particularly unlucky person who died after hitting his head on a table corner while fleeing, neither the Mutant, the fire, nor the explosions caused any fatalities—this was thanks to the players who had undergone rigorous protective training before taking up their posts.

Although it didn’t lead to an irreversible situation, there were casualties, and it was highly likely caused by a Mutant. Therefore, the blame fell squarely on the club.

Whether intentional or not, the Black Epaulets leaked some ”performance” videos during their investigation. These bloody and brutal shows provoked a strong reaction from the citizens of District 011, who had been living in a peaceful and tranquil environment.

How many players had sacrificed themselves in the jaws of Mutants to secure today’s situation? And yet, there were people smuggling Mutants in to do this kind of despicable business, even letting a Mutant escape!

Given the vested interests, a mechanical protest erupted immediately.

A mechanical protest involved real-name registered robots or remotely controllable mechanical devices, authorized by their holders, protesting on their behalf. The actual people didn’t need to show up. It was a major characteristic of District 011.