absurd deduction game.

As the last cultist's figure reluctantly disappeared behind the distorted light curtain, only Yu Xing and Ai Wen remained in the filthy basement.

The pale green candlelight seemed to flicker even weaker because of the commotion, casting the shadows of the two people on the filthy wall in an irregular pattern. Evan slowly turned around, his gaze from under his hood fixed intently on Yu Xing.

The ruthless scene of cutting out bones without hesitation had clearly left a deep impression on him.

“It’s…a truly unexpected deal, Mr. Yu Xing.” Evan’s voice broke the silence, carrying a deliberately lowered, hoarse tone mixed with inquiry and an irrepressible longing. “You are more decisive than I imagined. But, such an important thing, exchanged for only a rotten lantern, are you willing to give it up?”

He took a step forward, getting closer to Yu Xing, trying to discern something from the other's face, which was hidden by the shadow of the hood.

“Since it’s about proving sincerity, you naturally need to offer something substantial.” Yu Xing’s voice came through the fabric, flat and emotionless, without a trace of pain or emotional fluctuation. “Isn’t this exactly the kind of ‘pledge of allegiance’ that Mr. Evan wants?”

Evan chuckled softly, the sound somewhat abrupt in the empty basement. With no one around, he reached up and pulled down his hood, revealing somewhat disheveled hair and a pale, gloomy face.

“That’s right. This ‘sincerity’ is indeed heavy enough, and impressive enough.” He changed the subject, his tone becoming more inquisitive. “However, what interests me more is the way you gave it. The curse that lingers on your bones is no ordinary curse, nor does it resemble any kind of unclean power I know of, but it’s in your body. Would you be willing to tell me where it came from?”

"Is it an inheritance you received from some ancient ruin? Or is it a 'tradition' that naturally arose after you were corrupted during some experience?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Xing chuckled softly, a laugh that carried a barely perceptible hint of mockery.

He raised his hand and slowly took off his hood, meeting Evan's burning gaze and giving him a subtle rebuff: "Our relationship doesn't seem to have deepened to the point where we need to exchange core secrets."

He paused, looking at Evan's slightly narrowed eyes, and continued in that calm yet undeniable tone, "You just need to know that I gave it to show my sincerity. As for what it is and how it came about... perhaps you'll naturally find out when we truly become 'one of us.' After all, I also need to make sure you genuinely want to invite me to work with you in the future, rather than just using me and then discarding me."

Evan's facial muscles twitched almost imperceptibly.

He could certainly hear the reservation and perfunctoriness in Yu Xing's words. A feeling of displeasure at being disobeyed, mixed with a strong desire for that mysterious power, surged in his heart.

He almost wanted to force Yu Xing to hand over more immediately, whether it was more bones or the secret about that power.

However, reason stopped him.

Yu Xing is not one of those ordinary cultists who can be manipulated at will. He is a powerful investigator, a guy who can remain calm even after being corrupted by "Starry Sky", and a combat force that Evan Clifford personally "introduced" and tried to win over.

That bone might have reached the limit of what Yu Xing was willing to give at this moment. After all, the pollution of the starry sky was something he had orchestrated, and the promise of greater power to Yu Xing had not yet been fulfilled. If he pushed too hard and caused Yu Xing to act desperately, then it would be a loss.

Because he genuinely wanted to recruit Yu Xing, and that was the only truly genuine intention. Even after he and his partners left Yolikev Town, Yu Xing would still be a companion with exceptional connections and power.

Besides… wouldn't it be easy for him to get that bone back? Although it's temporarily in the hands of that lucky… or rather, unlucky fool, but…

A cold glint flashed in Evan's eyes.

He knew that those greedy cultists wouldn't let this opportunity pass, and no matter who the ultimate winner was today, finding them would be a piece of cake for him.

He'll retrieve the bone after the most important ceremony tomorrow.

Evan gave a seemingly understanding smile again: "You're right, I was too hasty. Such unique power shouldn't be shown to others so easily. I've received your 'sincerity' today, and I'm very satisfied."

He changed the subject, as if mentioning it casually, and said, "It's just a pity that bone fell into the hands of that third-rate guy. He probably can't even figure out one ten-thousandth of its secrets. It's like casting pearls before swine."

"You're actually worried about this thing being left out there, aren't you? After all, it's your forearm bone, closely connected to your body and soul. If it ends up in the wrong place, it could become a hidden danger."

"Perhaps I should find it and keep it in my possession, so you don't have to worry about unknown risks... What do you think?"

In fact, it cannot be ruled out that Yu Xing was deliberately generous, but then killed the holder and took back the bone before him. In that case, there would still be no risk.

Yes, that makes sense.

Evan stared into Yu Xing's eyes, trying to discern a clue.

Yu Xing merely raised an eyebrow indifferently, even adjusting his blood-stained cuff, his tone detached: "It's just a tool used for trading. Now that it's been given away, it's naturally none of my business. As for who it ends up with and whether it can be of any value, that's not my concern. If you want it, of course I won't interfere."

This nonchalant attitude put Evan at ease.

Okay, he's overthinking it.

The investigators live a life of luxury and comfort, so it's probably hard for them to think about these dark survival rules without guidance. Yu Xing may have never seen anything like releasing trading capital and then killing people to take it back.

“That makes sense.” Aiven followed Yu Xing’s lead, his tone regaining its previous composure. “Then, let’s wait here a little longer.”

Yu Xing looked puzzled: "Based on the time interval between our departures, we should be able to leave now, right? Besides, we have a passage bestowed by the ancient gods, so why do we still need to stay here?"

Evan said, "I also want to introduce you to someone, someone you're not unfamiliar with."

He glanced at his mechanical watch and chuckled, "I've already arranged this meeting. That gentleman is probably on his way. Believe me, you'll be quite surprised."

About ten minutes later.

Yu Xing leaned against the rough brick wall, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the half-dried bloodstains on her trench coat, feeling somewhat bored. Ai Wen, on the other hand, would occasionally glance at his watch and then listen intently to the sounds outside the wall.

A few minutes later, the gray-white light curtain on the opposite wall, which was painted with twisted doors, rippled silently once again.

A figure also dressed in a black cloak typical of esoteric Buddhism stepped in.

The man's steps were steady and unhurried, even carrying a unique rhythm belonging to high society, which was out of place in this dirty environment. He was not particularly tall, but upright, and even the wide cloak could not hide his good physique.

Evan's eyes lit up, and he immediately went to greet him, his tone carrying a hint of familiarity: "You've come."

The newcomer nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the empty basement from under his hood before finally settling on Yu Xing, who stood in the shadows.

His gaze was scrutinizing, sharp and shrewd; even through the hood, one could feel the pressure emanating from him.

"You've really made this investigator our new friend, Clifford. How's he settling in?" The newcomer's voice came through the hood, carrying a deliberately distorted low tone, but one could still vaguely discern its original mellowness and a hint of barely perceptible superiority.

Evan chuckled softly, "Don't worry, everything is going smoothly."

Yu Xing could tell that the newcomer was not unfamiliar with his presence, and had probably been secretly watching him for several days, just like Evan.

He feigned confusion and asked, "Who is this?"

Evan grinned. "Let me introduce you two."

The cloaked figure took two more steps forward, fully emerging from the shadows, and stood at a very polite distance from Yu Xing.

Evan first said to the cloaked man, "Yu Xing, the renowned investigator from the Ideal Kingdom, as you can see, has made a wise choice."

The cloaked figure tilted his head.

Then he turned around and said to Yu Xing, "And this man—is our loyal comrade and an indispensable pillar of our cause, Mr. Defit Claude!"

As he introduced himself, the cloaked man chuckled, slowly raised his hand, and removed his hood.

What was revealed beneath the hood was the face that Yu Xing and Qu Xianqing had met briefly in Claude's apartment—neatly combed gray-white hair, sharp and shrewd eyes hidden behind gold-rimmed glasses, and a habitual, faint smile that belonged to someone in a superior position at the corner of his mouth.

But at this moment, that smile held an undisguised depth and coldness befitting a core member of the esoteric sect.

Defit was pleased to see a hint of undisguised surprise on Yu Xing's face. Yes, he had seen the same expression on many people's faces before, and each time it filled him with a sense of accomplishment.

“Let me formally introduce myself, Mr. Yu Xing.” Defit’s voice had returned to its original mellow tone, but it contained less of the deliberate grief he had shown in the apartment and more of a composed air of control. “Defit Claude, as you know, a ‘philanthropist’ who provides funding to the Church of the Mother Goddess, and also… a member of this ‘circle’ as you see it.”

Yu Xing raised an eyebrow, wiping away the feigned surprise on his face and replacing it with a half-smile. He looked Defit up and down, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible understanding: "I see. The night we resolved the nightmare in your house was our first meeting. Mr. Claude's performance at the time... was truly impressive, portraying a deeply affectionate husband grieving the tragic death of his wife flawlessly."

He paused, then his tone suddenly turned sharp and incisive: "But, since you are a member of the Secret Cult, then the 'accident' that happened in your home that night, which led to your wife's unfortunate death... was probably not an accident, was it? Or rather, that nightmare that targeted your entire family was a play you directed and acted in yourself?"

The air seemed to tense up instantly because of this blunt remark.

Evan stood to the side, arms crossed, a smug smile playing on his lips, seemingly quite pleased to witness this confrontation.

Defit's smile faded slightly, but he showed no panic or anger at being exposed. Instead, he looked at Yu Xing with an almost admiring gaze and clapped his hands lightly.

“Sharp-witted, Mr. Yu Xing, very sharp-witted.” His tone was calm, even with a hint of composure. “Indeed, everything that day was in line with my plan. Dorothy’s death was not an accident. The only thing that surprised me that night was that the investigators who noticed the anomaly and came to help were far more capable than I had anticipated.”

"That is you, my new friend. I had already taken notice of you back then."

His quick admission only made the atmosphere in the basement even more eerie.

Yu Xing remained silent, gesturing for Difit to continue.

Defit took a step forward, his gaze seemingly piercing through the filthy walls before him, gazing into the distant past. A rare, complex emotion flickered in his voice: "I truly loved Dorothy, genuinely. She was beautiful, intelligent, and a bright spot in my dull life. Even now, I still acknowledge that."

However, the next second, the warmth in his eyes vanished quickly, replaced by an almost fanatical coldness: "But, Mr. Yu Xing, how insignificant and trivial are personal feelings in the face of the vast spirituality and mystery! What we pursue is a truth that transcends the mundane, a glimpse into the mysteries of the universe's essence! For this supreme cause, to ensure the safety of our identities and to prevent them from being hindered... some necessary 'sacrifices' are unavoidable."

His voice gradually rose, carrying a martyr-like fervor and coldness.

Yu Xing listened quietly, then revealed just the right amount of curiosity and questioning: "A necessary sacrifice? Just because she's your wife?"

“Of course, it’s not just because she’s my wife.” Defit’s lips curled into a smile that was a mixture of superiority and cruelty. He seemed to enjoy showing this “newcomer” his strategy and decisiveness. “It’s just because she’s too ‘smart,’ smart enough to… try to touch on secrets she shouldn’t know.”

He raised his chin slightly: "I love her, but she has always abhorred Tantric Buddhism. This is the only point of disagreement between us. Unfortunately, this alone is enough to divide us at opposite ends of the world."

"She noticed something amiss in me from some subtle details, and behind my back, she secretly hired a clueless female reporter to investigate me."

Defit's tone turned cold, and her voice softened, sending a chill down one's spine: "They thought their operation was undetectable... but I still discovered them." (End of Chapter)