Chapter Fifty-eight: The Mysterious Sea

"Do you want to live or die?" Ye Qiu crouched beside the masked man and casually tore off his mask.

The foreigner had delicate features; if he were in a nightclub, he’d surely attract a flock of admirers online. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, enduring the pain of his broken bones, yet stubbornly refused to utter a word.

"You’ve got quite the stubborn temper," Ye Qiu remarked, flicking his finger against the man's arm. With a crack, the man's entire arm drooped limply, the agony twisting his handsome features into a grimace. Yet the sound he forced out was resolute: "We've undergone strict training. You won't get any information from me."

It seemed he was either encouraging himself, or his training had convinced him he’d never divulge anything useful. After speaking, he even grew defiant.

"Oh, we? So it’s an organization," Ye Qiu said with amusement.

"You..." The masked man was furious, but quickly shut his mouth. Just one careless sentence had already leaked information; now, no matter what torture Ye Qiu used, he was determined not to speak again.

"Do you believe, if I wanted, I could find out all your information in minutes?" The masked man turned his head away and growled, "You can kill me."

"Let’s make a bet," Ye Qiu suggested. "If I tell you your identity, you tell me who commissioned you. How about it?"

The masked man snorted, his eyes full of disdain.

"Xius, from Gotham in the United States, twenty-five years old, served in the First United Assault Team for three years... I didn't expect your family to have so many underground businesses locally, and someone plans to run for senator—trying to clean up your reputation, I suppose... Interesting, so the wars in Gotham these past years were incited by your people."

Xius stared at Ye Qiu in terror.

Impossible.

How could this Chinese man know all his details so clearly?

"If I broadcast your attempt to assassinate Illya to all the organizations in Gotham, what do you think will happen?"

Xius’s face contorted in horror.

This was top secret.

Only a handful of people knew.

Why did this Chinese man know so much?

"So you’re not going to talk? Then I’ll just send the information to all the organizations in Gotham and exchange it for more intel."

"No... don’t."

Xius trembled, trying to stop Ye Qiu.

If those people in Gotham found out his family had sparked the conflict, they’d be eradicated overnight.

"I really don’t know who commissioned me. All I know is the client was from China, the task was posted two weeks ago: assassinate a manager from a popular internet company. The reward was five million. The target was just an ordinary person but the price was high, and since I was coming to China anyway, I took the job."

Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow. "Where did you take the job?"

"Mysterious Sea."

A fierce murderous intent gathered in Ye Qiu’s eyes.

Not only because this man had come to China to kill, but more importantly, Mysterious Sea was a newly risen underground trading market, known to few and far more complex and terrifying than the dark web.

Mysterious Sea was not only secretive, but was said to offer anything one desired. Not even the United States could gain any intel on this organization.

"Give me your account and permissions."

Xius hesitated. "To log in to Mysterious Sea, you must use a designated network address and undergo video iris verification. If you log in from the wrong address, the user will soon die mysteriously."

"I know," Ye Qiu replied, his words plunging Xius’s fearful heart into utter despair.

"Master, I’ve already collected his video iris, and the account information has been copied," a voice reported.

"Looks like you’re useless now," Ye Qiu stood, his killing intent rampant.

"No… don’t kill me, I can—"

Crack.

Xius could no longer speak; only his wide eyes stared in the dim room, clearly having witnessed something terrifying in his final moments.

Ye Qiu carried Xius to the bathroom, took out a vial of white powder and sprinkled it over the corpse. Moments later, Xius had dissolved into a puddle of blood.

"Master, the address has been successfully faked for logging into Mysterious Sea, and a photo proving the task’s completion has been posted. As soon as the client pays, I can get their address."

Ye Qiu nodded and roused Jin Yueyun.

"I’ll fight you!" Jin Yueyun, just waking, lunged at Ye Qiu, her sweet features making even her desperation look adorable.

"It’s me," Ye Qiu tapped her forehead to stop her from charging forward.

"Ah, it’s you? Wu wu wu… Ye Qiu, just now a bad guy tried to kill me."

"Bad guy? What bad guy? Did you just dream it?"

"Impossible, a bad guy had a dagger just now—"

Jin Yueyun spoke as she glanced around. There was no sign of any villain; the empty room contained only her and Ye Qiu.

"Was I really dreaming?"

The strange scene made her begin to doubt herself.

"You two—"

Taotao’s voice came from the doorway.

Thunk.

Something fell to the floor.

From her vantage at the door, the scene looked far too ambiguous.

Jin Yueyun was half kneeling, Ye Qiu’s large hand gently stroking her forehead like a docile puppy.

"This chubby little girl had a nightmare and thought she met an assassin. If I hadn’t been quick, she’d have taken me down," Ye Qiu said calmly, rising to his feet.

"Master, the payment has gone through. I’ve successfully traced the client’s address," the voice reported.

"Just remembered, I have something else to take care of. I’ll talk to you both about the announcement when I get back. The company has decided to increase investment and bring in top celebrities," Ye Qiu said, leaving in a hurry. Jin Yueyun and Taotao stood stunned.

After a long silence, Jin Yueyun finally spoke. "Taotao, why did you come?"

"I was going to discuss the announcement," Taotao sat beside Jin Yueyun, eyeing her jealously. "What were you two just doing?"

"I think I had a nightmare, and Ye Qiu happened to barge in," Jin Yueyun said awkwardly, glancing at Taotao. "It’s your fault for bringing him here."

She’d been dressed casually at home, for comfort, without even bothering with undergarments. In that position just now, surely Ye Qiu had taken advantage of her.

Remembering her posture moments earlier, Jin Yueyun’s face flushed with warmth.

"Yueyun, you’re acting strange."

"I am not, Taotao, don’t say nonsense."

"Really nothing?"

Taotao eyed her suspiciously, but the room was dim and it was hard to see Jin Yueyun’s expression. Not wanting to continue the topic, Jin Yueyun quickly changed the subject, "Taotao, is Ye Qiu arranging a role for you?"