Qu Jianlei's toughness caught Lube by surprise—at least that's how he appeared to be.

"Sir, the Water Monkey is dead, we've already paid a significant price."

Qu Jianlei blinked and spoke expressionlessly, "He deserved it!"

"Do you know why I killed him? He first sneaked into my yard, helping the Farmer to lure me out."

"I don't know if this is the intention of your Brotherhood, but his mistake, one death is not enough."

"It was his personal decision!" Lube shifted the blame to the dead without hesitation.

In fact, the Brotherhood was aware of Water Monkey's employment by the Farmer and even facilitated it.

They first charged to help locate Ran Bingluan, and when the Farmer decided to act, it happened to be a rainy night.

The Farmer wanted to hire someone as a helper, and since Water Monkey's body technique was good and he was adept at sneaking around, both parties agreed quickly.

Even the payment for hiring Water Monkey went through the Brotherhood's account, with a small management fee deducted by the Brotherhood.

But at this moment, Lube absolutely could not admit it, "It has nothing to do with us, he paid the price for his mistake."

"He brought it on himself, understand?" Qu Jianlei spoke coldly, "Also, why did you investigate me without cause, what did I do to provoke you?"

Lube shook his head helplessly, "This is just the intelligence trade operated by the Brotherhood, it's merely ordinary business."

"We only help people find others, we don't care about your grudges, we have no stance in this matter!"

Qu Jianlei stared at him indifferently, without any expression on his face.

Lube waited for a while and seeing the other party remained silent, could only sigh lightly.

"Alright, the fee we collected is five thousand, we will pay you ten thousand as compensation."

"This is the market rate for intelligence trade, double compensation is already very sincere."

Qu Jianlei's expression was a bit strange, intelligence trade... do you have a business license, have you paid taxes?

Even if they don't have a license, if they did have one, and caused him trouble, he wouldn't let it go either.

Even Scavenger is impressive, but he still has to compensate as he should, right?

He coughed lightly and held up one finger, "Ten thousand doesn't match my value, the first condition, compensation of one million."

"That's absolutely impossible," Lube shook his head decisively.

"You indeed are worth more than that, but intelligence trade has its own rules!"

Qu Jianlei shook his head again and raised a second finger, "I want to know about your 'One Queen' heritage!"

Lube's face immediately darkened, "So you never intended to negotiate?"

"Yuanyuan's heritage comes from where is her own business, we don't question it, sir, you're overstepping."

The A-level Earth Attribute, who had been silent, couldn't help but speak, "Surviving in society, there must be rules."

Qu Jianlei glanced at him nonchalantly, "I admit, both of you make some sense."

"But you need to understand, I have no intention of reasoning with you!"

The A-level Earth Attribute abruptly stood up, squinting his eyes, "So we can't negotiate?"

Finally, the one trying to be tough stood up? Qu Jianlei glanced at him indifferently, lowering his eyelids.

"You can leave, given that you came all the way here, I won't act until midnight."

He said it lightly, but the A-level Earth Attribute couldn't help his eyelids twitching fiercely.

Just like how fewer words in news mean bigger events, when a truly ruthless person is angry, they absolutely won't say much.

However, he suddenly flew into a rage, as if someone dared him to risk his life, "Are you going to..."

"Shut up!" Lube promptly interrupted, knowing very well this companion of his indeed had a bad temper.

"Today's communication is my responsibility."

Then he looked at Qu Jianlei, speaking in a deep voice, "Are you saying, you're not planning to reason?"

Qu Jianlei nodded idly, "I've spent a fortune and much effort cultivating for many years, is it to reason with people?"

"Tsk," Lube couldn't help but click his tongue upon hearing this.

He was indeed good at smoothing things over, but at this moment, he really didn't know what to do.

The other party was speaking the truth, and in such a casual manner, which is precisely why it's more terrifying.

After thinking for a while, he spoke up, "If I say, Yuanyuan had nothing to do with this, would you believe it?"

"Does that have anything to do with me?" Qu Jianlei still expressionless, "The rest of the Brotherhood's stuff... I can't even be bothered with."

Lube raised his hand, giving his forehead a hefty slap, with such words, he genuinely didn't know how to respond.

After a while, he sighed, "Can't those two conditions of yours be changed?"

Qu Jianlei lifted his eyelids, saying nothing, but his glance conveyed a clear signal: What do you think?

Lube was silent for a moment, making a final attempt, "If Yuanyuan really has a heritage, your demand might trigger certain consequences."

"That's my business," Qu Jianlei responded unhurriedly.

If it weren't for a series of provocations from the other side, he wouldn't have made such excessive demands, but now... it's impossible to change.

If someone makes a mistake, it's okay; timely remediation is enough. But if the remediation is so insincere, can you blame him?

"I'll pass the message," Lubricant realized that he really couldn't do much.

However, there is one direction, he can still strive for, "A compensation of one million is a bit too much."

The Iron Blood Brotherhood indeed monopolizes the grain trade, but this is a bulk trade dominated by quantity; it doesn't earn too much.

The key is, if they earn too aggressively, the Imperial Government will intervene, and it can easily attract other big players to join.

Also, the profit earned is not entirely the Brotherhood's.

Qu Jianlei paid this no mind, instead stating, "I'll give you one day, don't wait past the deadline."

"Wait," Lubricant's reaction was quick, "Yuanyuan is not on Celestial Hook Star right now, sir, your requested time is too rushed."

Qu Jianlei heard this and looked suspiciously at Stone. This situation, he's really not aware of.

Mainly because he doesn't know what Yuanyuan's real name is, even Xiao Lake couldn't find out the inbound and outbound flight personnel lists.

People mingling in society are accustomed to using nicknames, and this is one of the important reasons to minimize potential risks.

Stone hesitated before answering, "It seems indeed... Yuanyuan is not in Celestial Heart City."

He didn't mention Celestial Hook Star, he only said not in this city.

Qu Jianlei looked at Lubricant again, "Where did she go?"

Lubricant rolled his eyes helplessly, "Isn't this question a bit too much, sir?"

Casually asking about someone's whereabouts, especially a High Tier Awakened, is really taboo.

Qu Jianlei coldly laughed, "When you investigate my whereabouts, do you find it excessive?"

Is this the same? Lubricant secretly complained in his heart, we undertook the business and merely asked about your whereabouts indirectly.

However, the other party isn't reasonable, so he didn't bother to argue over this detail, "She didn't say where she went when she left."

This might be true, but it could also be an excuse. Qu Jianlei responded without hesitation, "Give me her identity information."

Since you won't say, I'll investigate it myself.

Lubricant heard this and his heart tightened again: this person indeed has a team, at least has a big background!

He solemnly replied, "Let's contact her on your behalf then, and have her return as soon as possible."

Qu Jianlei lazily stated, "There needs to be a deadline; my time is very precious."

"Within two days," Lubricant answered without hesitation, "I'll notify you when she'll return, sir."

"Hmm," Qu Jianlei nodded, "Then bring me the one million within one day!"

Seeing the difficult expression on the other's face, he added nonchalantly, "Heart Erosion contributed over three million to me, understood?"

He's not simply showing off his gains but telling the other party: I have money—at least several million.

If you want to have sinister thoughts, go ahead and try.

To be honest, cash amounting to several million is already worth the risk to deal with an A-level—this money can move a Supreme to act.

Lubricant naturally sensed the other's intention, but he could only respond with silence.

After they left, Qu Jianlei told Stone, "I'm going out for two days, remember to collect the money."

Stone heard it, feeling a bit puzzled, "You're going out... now?"

Qu Jianlei solemnly expressed, "Only when I'm not here, your safety can be maximized, understood?"

Stone silently nodded, clearly understanding in his heart that things aren't so absolute, but this is the optimal solution.

Such a powerful existence can still care about the life and death of small figures like them; it's truly rare.

After finishing his arrangements, Qu Jianlei disappeared from the small courtyard.

He even wandered around several Brotherhood stationed points, occasionally taking out his watch.

The Brotherhood certainly maintains tracking on him; such matters, he couldn't care less.

Lubricant soon learned of this news, and he could certainly taste the other's intention.

However, in the face of such a situation, he could only sigh, "So assertive... This time really provoked the wrong person."

After realizing the other's difficulty, by noon the next day, the Brotherhood delivered one million silver notes.

Lubricant's previous behavior was really just pretending to be poor.

The Brotherhood's scope is so large and monopoly in nature; how could it lack cash to protect its interests?

At the same time, he also informed Stone: Currently unable to contact Yuanyuan, hoping you can understand.

Stone straightforwardly replied: I can relay this message, but what Ran Bingluan will think isn't my concern.

Lubricant could only explain in detail: There are many possibilities for being unable to contact, maybe she's on a flight, who can say?

The next day, the Brotherhood informed Stone again, stating still unable to contact 'The Empress.'

Qu Jianlei contacted Stone in the evening.

He found out the two-day deadline was up and still no news of Yuanyuan, but he didn't care and instead returned to the small courtyard at midnight.