Xu Huo didn't answer her question, instead saying, "Miss Lang Lang doesn't seem like a player."

Lang Lang smiled gently, "I'm not a player. Does Mr. Wu only like conversing with players?"

"Not at all." Xu Huo paused briefly, "You can speak plainly if you have something to say."

"Mr. Wu is a straightforward person." Lang Lang said with a smile, "I'd like to ask Mr. Wu to release my friend."

Xu Huo was quite surprised, "Being so direct like this, aren't you afraid I'll leak the secret?"

Lang Lang shook her head, "I'm just an insignificant person without great abilities, only fit to play the role of a mediator."

"With Mr. Wu's capabilities, you should have cleared the game long ago. Staying in Clown City must have other reasons."

"However, in my view, someone like Mr. Wu wouldn't be driven by Clown City for the petty benefits of government welfare. If possible, please don't interfere in Clown City's internal affairs."

Xu Huo put down his cup, "What do you plan to do if I disagree?"

Lang Lang lowered her gaze, "Then our conversation can only end here. Whether you keep it secret or report it to the General Administration Office, it doesn't affect the overall situation. I came only to do my utmost for my friend."

"I've already prepared to face death!" 179 stood up and saluted Lang Lang with a military salute. Then Xin Hui and the two players protecting Lang Lang also stood up. The three didn't intend to keep Xu Huo there or force him to leave. Xin Hui said to Lang Lang, "You really didn't need to make this trip. Since you've come, we never planned to leave alive."

Their expressions were resolute, all holding the idea of sacrificing themselves. They appeared calm, but there was still a sense of strained urgency.

If it truly didn't matter whether the secret was leaked or not as Lang Lang said, they wouldn't have needed to take this risk and come find him. Either the thing 179 was carrying was very important, or they were short on personnel.

After a moment, Xu Huo finally said, "I can not leak this matter, and can even help you. But I have a condition."

They exchanged glances, and Lang Lang asked, "What condition?" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Xu Huo's gaze swept over her face, "After the matter is accomplished, you have to come with me."

The people present immediately glared at him with anger. Xin Hui even said, "A toad lusting after swan meat! How dare you covet Lang Lang!"

Xu Huo leaned back lazily against the chair, "That's my only condition. Otherwise, once I step out this door, I'll notify the General Administration Office. Your people probably aren't many either. Based on Clown City's layout, even if you're willing to drag ordinary people down with you, the best plan is probably just to blow up the bridge foundations. People sent to catch you will still manage to catch a few. Besides, you went through such hardship to bring the fungi inside hidden in Energy Candy—it should still have significant use. I don't need to say more."

"You... scoundrel!" Xin Hui's eyes reddened with hatred, "I should have dragged you down with me back in the underground nest!"

"Too late." Xu Huo gestured with his chin toward the opposite side, "What do you think? Considered it?"

Lang Lang wasn't in a hurry to agree, instead saying, "I might not live until that time."

Xu Huo smiled with extreme confidence, "Don't worry, you'll live just fine."

Hearing this, Lang Lang nodded.

Xu Huo released 179 as agreed and even gave him a bottle of healing potion to show sincerity. However, when he proposed following Lang Lang today, Xin Hui and the others began strongly opposing again.

"It's fine," Lang Lang knew what they were worried about and reassured them, "I believe in Mr. Wu's character."

Xin Hui and 179 had no choice, because they had other matters to attend to before the banquet and couldn't follow Lang Lang.

And Lang Lang usually had her assistant with her; the two players couldn't follow her constantly either.

"If Mr. Wu doesn't mind, you can come see the banquet venue." Lang Lang explained this was a celebration banquet organized by the General Administration Office and hosted by the reality game show. The venue was in the aerial building where the show was located. As the host, she needed to participate in the preparations.

Xu Huo indicated he could act as a temporary bodyguard.

Lang Lang bringing someone in wasn't a problem. Her assistant thoughtfully had him register in advance and even proactively took him to the exhibition hall to watch past highlight videos—those edited clips of real people fighting to the death. The production team had even made them into collections that sold quite well.

The preparation hall was filled with laughter and cheerful chatter. Staff members talked about the show's results, and when mentioning how many people died, not a single person felt anything was wrong. Everyone was more concerned about this show's revenue and how much bonus should be distributed.

"Not everyone in Clown City is like this." During a break, Lang Lang volunteered, "Most people don't know the truth."

Xu Huo watched her combing her long hair before the dressing mirror, his expression unmoved, "Trying to achieve your goals by kidnapping government and General Administration Office higher-ups seems rather difficult."

Lang Lang smiled slightly and was about to say something when the assistant knocked and entered, somewhat excitedly saying, "The General Administration Office just called. The General Administration Chief will attend the celebration banquet along with distinguished guests from other districts. The production team has gone to get new formal attire. Lang Lang, don't eat anything random now—you might need to perform later."

Lang Lang nodded. As soon as the assistant left, she picked up the wine glass placed nearby, then turned her head to meet Xu Huo's gaze, smiling as she said, "It's very difficult for an ordinary person to establish themselves among Clown City's upper echelons."

After finishing the wine, she began drawing her eyebrows again.

Xu Huo's gaze turned toward the window. Rain clouds were gathering in the sky; it looked like heavy rain would come before evening. He didn't linger long in the lounge before going out, visiting the restroom, then helping staff move items into the storage room.

The staff member walking ahead tripped, scattering leftover preparation materials everywhere. In a hurry to leave, they ordered him to clean up and pack, "Tidy this place up and pack it. I'll come check later."

They mistook him for an employee from another company. With many staff preparing the celebration banquet, it was normal not to have met everyone.

Xu Huo naturally remained in the storage room, finding some layout diagrams of the banquet venue.

The so-called aerial building wasn't floating in the air but was located at Clown City's uppermost layer, at the top of the pillar bridge. The entire building served as the reality game show's working headquarters, with many important government offices nearby—essentially the core area of Sunrise Clown City.

The surrounding roads all sloped downward, and compared to other pillar bridges supporting Clown City, this one was slightly higher. Standing here, one could easily take in the entire city.

Moving aside boxes by the wall, he made a hole in the wall. After equipping the "Life Core" and touching the wall surface, part of the wall began disintegrating after brief contact.

Confirming the building's metal was within the item's effective range, Xu Huo moved the boxes back, left the room, and walked around the banquet area. It was almost time for the banquet to start, yet few players appeared around the venue.