The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 600: Big Offer

Gao Yang opened his eyes and frowned slightly.

Before him was the underground temple ruin of the ancient Ni Nation, but it differed a little from the actual ruin he had been to. Instead of a burning life monster altar embedded in the floor of the central courtyard, two large torches lit up the entire underground space.

The obelisk at the center of the courtyard was still there, but there wasn’t a sarcophagus under it, but an ancient throne that resembled a stone bed.

A beautiful woman lay on the throne. Her shoulder-length black hair was tied into numerous little braids with golden bands tied at the tips. Her bang drew a curve over her forehead, neatly cut into an even length. Her pronounced makeup accentuated her beauty.

Covering her voluptuous body was a light ethereal dress with a deep V cut, the layers of fabric resembling extravagant feathers. The parts that draped down from the shoulders looked like a pair of golden wings, which further emphasized the charm and air of nobility and mystery of an empress.

Liu Qingying smiled, her long legs crossed and her hands holding a short scepter with a gold snake head. “Have a seat.”

Gao Yang sat down on the stone chair next to the throne, speaking calmly, “You’ve already learned about the temple ruin of the ancient Ni Nation. You’re well-informed, Miss Liu.”

“Haha, you’re too kind.” Liu Qingying slowly sat upright. “I’ve only seen a few pictures of the scene. I had to fill in the blanks with my imagination. I hope I haven’t made a fool of myself.”

“You’ve done well,” Gao Yang flattered nonchalantly.

“Elder Seven Shadow, I’m sorry for what happened to your family.”

“Yeah.” Gao Yang remained calm like he was hearing a story about someone else. “Let’s get to business.”

“Haha.” Liu Qingying lowered her scepter and flicked the braids resting on her shoulder, the gold feather decorations clinking brightly.

“As always, I’ll tell you the information I’m looking for, and you may answer me at your discretion.”

Gao Yang nodded softly.

“First, anything about the Gates of Closure.”

“Second, anything about the death of Dead Pig’s ex-wife.”

“Third, anything about what happened at the Green Lotus Park that night last week.”

“Four, something seems to have happened tonight on your end. I’d like to know anything about it.”

Gao Yang put on a relaxed smile on purpose. “You’re asking for a lot. Are you sure you can afford it all?”

Liu Qingying chuckled. “I don’t expect you to tell me everything. Might as well ask for more, and I’ll pay for as much as I can afford.”

“Tonight, I’ll give you special treatment for being a loyal customer.” Gao Yang paused, lowering his tone. “I’ll tell you everything I know about all those topics.”

Liu Qingying was shocked. Pleasant surprise flashed through her eyes, but was quickly replaced by wariness. “What’s the special occasion that you’ll make me such a big offer? Elder Seven Shadow, is this trade arranged by your organization?”

“Clock’s ticking. We both have to make the best of our time.” Gao Yang gave her a vague response, leaving room for her imagination to run wild.

“I understand.”

“Outside of information of the same worth, Miss Liu, I wish to get something extra from you.”

Liu Qingying smiled. “Tell me what you want first. I’ll give it to you if I can.”

“You must promise me first that you don’t belong to the three major organizations. If you lie,” Gao Yang’s eyes turned frosty. “We’ll kill you.”

He said “we” on purpose to mislead her and to appear stronger than he was.

“Haha, I was wondering what it could be.” Liu Qingying didn’t seem nervous at all. “Don’t worry. That I can promise you.”

It was a shame that Lie Detection didn’t work in Sweet Dream.

“Alright.” Gao Yang nodded. “I’ll tell you all I know about intel number 1, 3, and 4.”

Gao Yang spent ten minutes telling Liu Qingying everything, omitting only 5% of what he knew. Liu Qingying listened with full attention, not making any comment.

It wasn’t until Gao Yang was done that Liu Qingying broke her silence. “So outside of Qilin, no one has seen the actual Gates of Closure, or knew where the Gates are.”

“Yes.”

“Elder Seven Shadow.” Liu Qingying smiled. “Can you picture the Gates of Closure in your head? I’d like to get a rough idea.”

“Yes, but that’ll cost you extra.”

“Don’t worry,” said Liu Qingying. “I keep a detailed account of all our trades.”

Gao Yang closed his eyes and pictured the Gates of Closure in his head, trying his best to remember every little detail. One minute passed in silence.

“That’ll do it. Thank you.” Liu Qingying blinked in satisfaction. Through Gao Yang’s description and what she could sense from the picture he conjured, Liu Qingying had finally gotten a more concrete understanding of the Gates of Closure.

“It’s beautiful,” Liu Qingying said wistfully. “I’d like to see it for myself.”

“We’ll see it once the Twelve Rune Circuits are gathered,” Gao Yang said on purpose.

“Haha.” Liu Qingying’s eyes glinted mischievously. “It won’t be so easy, will it? There’s the Prophecy of Seven and the agreements on the Rune Circuits held by the three major organizations. I’ve heard a thing or two about them.”

Gao Yang stayed quiet.

Liu Qingying leaned in with a hand propping her chin, looking closely at Gao Yang’s face. “Elder Seven Shadow, I’ve always known that you’re going to be somebody. Still, I never expected you to be the Divine Scion.”

Liu Qingying is well-informed.

“I hope you won’t change what you think of me because I’m a mix.”

“Of course not.” Liu Qingying covered her mouth as she chuckled. “I never care about one’s identity. As long as there’s information to be gained, and they follow the rules, I never turn anyone away.”

“You’ve got an impressive perspective, Miss Liu.”

“Haha, not as impressive as your destiny.” Liu Qingying raised a delicate brow. “I hope that you’ll soon collect the last Rune Circuit and lead us to victory.”

“I wish for that to be the case.”

“Alright. What do I owe you?” Liu Qingying said. “Information on the Gates of Closure is S+ class. What you’ve learned at the moment is only S class though. What do you say?”

“I don’t disagree.”

“About the Divine Scion, I’ve already learned parts of it. That’s a S- intel.”

“Okay.”

“I’ve long known that there is a spy in the Hundred Rivers Union, and I learned that she was planted by the Godbearer Cult some time ago. Knowing that Green Tea’s death has led to the narrowing down of the suspects, though, is valuable to me. I’ll consider it an S- intel.”

“Okay.”

“One S class intel and two S- ones. A great fortune.” Liu Qingying clicked her tongue. “I wonder what I can give you.”

Gao Yang had something in mind. “A few days ago, there was an attempt to kill me...”

He described the situation and the suited man’s ability. “Look into him for me. That’ll be an S- intel.”

Liu Qingying smiled. “Oh, him? I happen to know a thing or two about him.”