Listening to Chu Yu's words, Xu An's brow furrowed.
"What you're talking about, a shady inn, a small motel, I have no idea such a place even exists. Before I left, all the small bases surrounding the Southern Base had formed alliances with the base."
After Xu An finished recounting his experiences at the small motel a few days prior, Chu Yu's face turned ashen, and he frowned deeply.
He hadn't expected that in just one year, such horrifying, man-eating incidents would occur outside the base. Especially after hearing that the proprietress of the establishment didn't spare her own child.
Suppressing the urge to vomit, he spoke with a cold expression, explaining to Xu An.
"Those who wish to be incorporated into the base should come with their people and belongings. Even those who are unwilling still maintain close ties with the base and can seek help from it. I've never heard of the shady inn you speak of."
Xu An probed, "Then you also don't know what's going on with that barbecue stall in your base?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Yu, having apparently conjured something in his mind, turned from ashen to pale. His face displayed disbelief and despair.
"You mean, that barbecue also..."
Chu Yu lost all his previous haughty demeanor, appearing dejected as if betrayed. His voice trembled as he questioned Xu An through gritted teeth.
Seeing Chu Yu's reaction, Xu An realized the man had overthought things. He likely connected the barbecue stall with the shady inn they had just discussed.
"No, that meat isn't human, but it's not without its issues either."
Chu Yu initially found Xu An's words hard to believe, but then he saw Zhou Haimai still holding the three skewers of barbecue. She was eating them with relish when no one was looking. That's when he started to believe Xu An. After all, he couldn't fathom Xu An being so deranged as to let his good friend eat that kind of meat just to deceive him.
"I believe you," Chu Yu said, sharing his true feelings with Xu An for the first time, his gaze solemn.
However, he was met with Xu An's refusal.
"But I don't believe you."
Xu An's gaze was resolute, seemingly calm yet incredibly firm.
Chu Yu detected a sense of resistance and distance in Xu An's indifferent eyes and could only offer a bitter smile.
"It's understandable that you don't believe me, but you can trust me. I've only just returned to the base. I will investigate everything you've told me."
Just as Xu An was about to speak, Zhou Haimai tugged at his sleeve. "An'an, since Chu Yu said he'll investigate, let's not bother. Let's hurry to the South Sea."
"We've already wasted too much time. This Southern Base is Chu Yu's territory. He'll be diligent in his own investigation. By telling him what you know, we've helped him, and in the future..."
Zhou Haimai didn't finish her sentence, but Xu An understood. Judging by Chu Yu's current demeanor, he would surely return to the Lighthouse eventually. Once he was back at the Lighthouse, whatever plans he had would serve as leverage for them.
Chu Yu, seeing Xu An and Zhou Haimai whispering, didn't rush them. He began to ponder in his mind the events that had transpired during his absence. It seemed many things had happened that he was unaware of. His gaze grew somber as he thought of someone. After he left, the position of the Southern Base's law enforcement captain had been given to someone else. The higher-ups generally paid little attention to matters concerning smaller bases outside, unless they actively sought help. The Southern Base also maintained a distance to avoid accusations of using its power to bully smaller bases. They almost never interfered in the affairs of other bases. Moreover, the law enforcement team enjoyed a high degree of autonomy. In such situations, it was typical for the law enforcement team to identify the issue, handle it preliminarily, and then report to the base's higher command. He cast his gaze towards Xu An, guessing that Xu An likely knew some inside information about the barbecue stall. Chu Yu's gaze deepened, his eyes constantly scanning Xu An's retreating back. He knew Xu An would share the intelligence. That was unquestionable. What he cared about was the price Xu An would ask for it.
Meanwhile, Xu An had taken Zhou Haimai's words to heart. She had initially wanted to handle the matter behind the barbecue herself, but she also knew that their primary mission this time was in the South Sea. While she was indifferent to mutated synthetic monsters – their presence or absence wouldn't affect her – she couldn't be so selfish. She wasn't alone; Zhou Haimai was with her. Xu An had previously considered using the rabbit-head monsters from her spatial dimension to cover for Zhou Haimai, but based on the mutated beasts encountered along the way, one rabbit-head monster wouldn't be enough. Even if she could opt out of this task, she couldn't let Zhou Haimai fail hers. Along the way, she had already felt guilty towards Zhou Haimai for secretly collecting small mushrooms. For the remaining half of the journey, no matter what, they had to reach the South Sea as quickly as possible to stay abreast of others' movements. There was also Qin Chuan's resource gathering mission, where they might even be able to get involved.
Having made up her mind, Xu An walked towards Chu Yu. After sorting everything out, the next step was negotiation.
"I can tell you what I know, after all, this is likely a place you wish to protect."
A smile played on Xu An's lips. She hadn't expected someone like herself to be bargaining with others over intelligence in such a serious manner.
Chu Yu looked at Xu An, the chilliness on his face receding slightly. "What do you want?"
"Your promise, to be redeemed in the future."
Chu Yu furrowed his brow. "This..."
Seeing Chu Yu hesitate, Xu An quickly added, "Don't worry, it won't go against your conscience or violate righteousness."
This time, Chu Yu no longer hesitated. He looked at Xu An's eyes, which, even in the mist, remained as bright as brilliant stars.
"Alright, I promise you."
Following this, they reached an agreement. Xu An informed Chu Yu that the red fruit mixed with mustard was addictive. However, Xu An harbored a personal motive and did not disclose the origin of the barbecue to Chu Yu. Chu Yu didn't suspect anything. He had come out for an inspection today because, upon his return, he had heard that the Southern Base had recently opened a night market. Not only that, but there was also a barbecue that was irresistibly addictive. As soon as it was set up, the city's residents would act like madmen, queuing for hours just to buy a skewer. Moreover, it wasn't just selling barbecue. The owner of the barbecue stall, emboldened by his success, had divided the market into different tiers, continuously raising his own barbecue prices and, by extension, the prices of other vendors. In secret, he charged stall fees to various night market vendors and also took a cut of their profits, effectively establishing himself as the overlord of the night market. Chu Yu had come precisely because he suspected something was amiss with the barbecue and intended to investigate thoroughly. He hadn't expected to encounter Xu An and the others. He looked deeply at Xu An, his eyes calm and unruffled, but only Chu Yu knew the turmoil within him.
Xu An, seeing Chu Yu's prolonged silence, frowned, thinking that Chu Yu might try to trick him and renege on the deal. Thus, she questioned him with a hint of displeasure, "You're not going to play me, are you?"
Chu Yu gave a wry smile, his voice clear and cold as he uttered two words from his slightly pale lips: "Deal."