Azuki was beyond impressed—in the most exasperated way possible.
But since the man had come knocking and she was still counting on his massage skills tonight, she had to give him some face.
She chose to see the favor through.
Using her network to track someone down was just a matter of a single phone call.
“Aren’t you a fortune teller?
Why do you need me to investigate?”
“You actually believe the words of a charlatan?”
“…”
Azuki choked on her response, her fists clenching.
She tried to calm herself down and speak civilly.
“What do you want with Genko anyway?
Are you a fan?”
“It’s a secret.”
“A secret from me too?
Listen…
do you believe I’ll just stop the search right now!?”
“Miss Azuki, you’re the best.”
“I—”
“Be good.
I’ll definitely make it worth your while later.
Given our relationship, we can talk slowly tonight; there’s no rush.”
With one sentence, Jiang Suan ended the argument, leaving Azuki to gnash her teeth in frustration.
Soon, he found the film crew shooting an action scene near a cliffside.
A Tiger Thiren sat in the rest area, looking slightly impatient.
His eyes occasionally drifted toward the direction of Sui-Bian Temple.
This was the man who had starred in multiple martial arts blockbusters—Genko.
Target sighted.
Jiang Suan smiled, carrying a boxed meal he had picked up from the Sip-Tea Immortal.
Disguised as a delivery boy, he slipped into the set.
With a recording pen hidden on his person, he approached Genko and spoke with feigned enthusiasm.
“Ayo, big brother, why the long face?
Come, try some of the finest refreshments from our Sip-Tea Immortal.”
“Just leave it there.”
“You definitely have something on your mind.
This little one knows a bit of physiognomy…
Big brother, you’re looking for someone, aren’t you?”
Genko frowned, a hint of uncertainty flickering in his heart.
He narrowed his eyes and stared straight at the young man before him.
Sunglasses, a rakishly tied braid, and a face better-looking than most teen idols…
Could the Sip-Tea Immortal really afford such high-quality staff?
If someone said this guy was the owner, Genko would believe it.
Before coming here, he had heard that the shop was secretly the largest information brokerage in the area.
Had they come looking for him?
But the person he was looking for wasn’t a co-star.
“Did your proprietress send you?”
“What are you saying, big brother?
Send?
No one sent me.
I just like reading fortunes in my spare time.
It has absolutely nothing to do with my lady boss, and she definitely didn’t tell me you were here.”
“But rest assured, my readings are guaranteed.”
“If I’m wrong, I’ll refund you tenfold!”
“…”
The two stared at each other in silence.
Genko couldn’t quite read the man.
But unexpectedly, Jiang Suan glanced around and leaned in close to his ear, whispering like a conspirator.
Who could you possibly be looking for?”
“There aren’t many Tiger Thiren in all of New Eridu, after all.”
“So, how about it?
Want to have a reading?”
Genko’s entire body stiffened instantly.
He reached out and gripped Jiang Suan’s collar, a dangerous aura flickering in his tiger-like eyes, as if he were ready to devour his prey whole.
The user of the Tiger-Taming Bell sought to consume his own kind.
The real Genko was long gone.
Jiang Suan knew exactly how dangerous the man in front of him was.
That was why, before leaving, he had jokingly told Azuki that if he didn’t come back, she should remember to save him.
Otherwise, there would be no one to give her a massage later.
He even felt a bit bad for Azuki—how could he be so shameless, squeezing her for every bit of help he could get?
Now, in the studio dressing room.
Jiang Suan didn’t panic in the slightest.
Even if the hunter wanted to kill the hound, he had to wait until the rabbit was caught first.
He hadn’t even led the man to Orange Fufu yet.
“Don’t be nervous.
I’m just a businessman.”
“What you plan to do with the Tiger Thiren secret treasure has nothing to do with me, Mr.
Genko.
I’m only in it for the money.”
“I have some history with Sui-Bian Temple.
Don’t worry, that girl trusts me quite a bit.
We had a very pleasant conversation yesterday, and I suspect she’s looking for me right now.”
“So, want a reading?”
“…”
Genko shot Jiang Suan a look of disdain.
“You know her, yet you’re willing to set up a young girl?
You’re truly despicable.”
“You flatter me.
You’re of the same race, yet you want to feast on her flesh and blood?
It’s all for profit and power in the end.”
The despicable pair soon found themselves in high spirits, wearing smiles of successful cooperation.
Jiang Suan began to outline his plan.
First, use Jiang Suan’s connection to bring Orange Fufu into the film crew.
Then, using the excuse of filming a realistic battle against Ethereals, lure her into a Hollow.
Finally, take the opportunity to…
hehehe, deal with the little tiger!
The two were a perfect match, their conversation growing more animated by the second.
Genko felt like he had met a kindred spirit.
He was impressed that Jiang Suan even knew Orange Fufu idolized him—information brokers really did have their ways.
In his excitement, he even started telling Jiang Suan how the previous Tiger Thiren had fallen for his traps.
Regardless, he had no intention of letting this information broker go in the end.
“Actually, that’s exactly what I was thinking.”
“You were just missing an opportunity.
As it happens, I am that opportunity…
Cough, but this is a small business.
No credit allowed.”
Jiang Suan smiled and pulled out a QR code on his phone.
“One hundred thousand per reading.”
“…”
Genko laughed and transferred two hundred thousand.
Poverty truly limited some people’s imaginations.
He was happy today, so he’d give a tip!
What a fellow—valuing money over his own life.
Jiang Suan realized something too.
He had asked for too little!
His expression shifted immediately.
He didn’t have time for idle chatter; he was a busy man.
After accompanying Azuki tonight, he still had to spend time with Rin…
He discreetly checked the recording pen.
Yep, perfect.
“Let’s go.”
“So soon?
Don’t we need to prepare?”
“No need.
Everything is ready except for you.
You’re in a hurry too, aren’t you?
Things might change if we wait.
What if she fails her lessons in a couple of days and goes back to the mountain?”
Genko found that very logical.
Thus, the film crew set off in a grand procession toward Sui-Bian Temple.
Jiang Suan led the way, telling the others to wait outside for a moment.
He was going to get paid by both sides!
“Apologies, the temple hasn’t been renovated yet and isn’t open to outsiders.
Just sit anywhere on the ground, don’t be a stranger.”
“…It’s fine.
We’ll just stand.”
Genko’s mouth twitched.
He suddenly felt a vague sense of foreboding, but the scent of his kin’s flesh and blood was right there.
There was no turning back now!
“Oh, you’re all so polite.”
“Then please wait here.”
Jiang Suan smiled and glanced at Genko.
The man was getting restless.
Restless was good; he was worried the guy might run away.
He waved his hand and sauntered into Sui-Bian Temple.
Once inside, he called out for his “good grand-disciple” Yi Xuan, but there was no response.
That wouldn’t do.
If only Fufu was here, it might not be safe enough!
“Awoo!
It’s you again, Jiang Suan!”
“What are you here for now?”
Orange Fufu came charging out huffily the moment she heard his voice.
She hadn’t even gone out to track him down yet, and here he was.
Saved her the trouble of searching.
Lives were at stake, and desperate times called for desperate measures.
Whether he was a good person or a bad one, she’d have to apologize to him later!
Seeing Orange Fufu about to launch into a “tiger pouncing from the mountain” strike, Jiang Suan acted calmly.
He loved talking to reasonable people the most.
Because they were the easiest to trick.
Talk to them about righteousness or the greater good, and they’d charge right in.
You could easily use moral kidnapping to send them to their deaths.
“Don’t be in such a hurry.”
“Don’t you want to know the whereabouts of the Tiger-Taming Bell?”
Jiang Suan had pressed the little tiger’s weak spot.
If she wanted to hit him, he’d have to give her a proper lesson first.
He glanced at Rin, who had hurriedly followed her out, and gave a mysterious smile.
The smile made Rin shiver; she had experienced his silver tongue yesterday.
He had talked her master into leaving, and who knows what he’d done to her.
Was he going to go after Senior Sister Fufu today?
He was even smiling at her provocatively.
How hateful…