In truth, Bai Ye’s thoughts were not meant to belittle Gao Ming.
Gao Ming had actually done quite well, at least managing to keep tabs on Liu Shiyue.
In comparison, Bai Ye felt Hua Zhaoxiao was far more terrifying.
It was feasible for Liu Shiyue’s large group to travel, for someone to follow them, to gather intelligence. Gao Ming had indeed achieved this.
However, for Hua Zhaoxiao to know Liu Shiyue's target, and even the content of hidden missions, or trigger conditions for restricted areas, and even the rewards for the target, that was a bit chilling.
Because these matters were not superficial.
To put it more directly, these were not things that could be known by sight, nor could they be discovered by simply following Liu Shiyue and inquiring about the places he had visited. Liu Shiyue wasn't a fool; would he broadcast the content of his hidden missions to everyone, letting them know what he was up to?
What benefit would that bring?
If Gao Ming's methods were merely on the level of surveillance, then Hua Zhaoxiao's approach was truly gathering military intelligence.
Bai Ye couldn't help but ask, "How did you know?"
Hua Zhaoxiao hesitated for a moment and replied, "I asked."
Bai Ye was puzzled, "Asked?"
This seemed rather absurd.
You asked, and they answered?
A hint of sorrow and pain appeared on Hua Zhaoxiao's face, and she then said plaintively, "When men are asleep, their minds tend to wander, and they are less able to control their mouths."
"Uh!"
Bai Ye twitched the corner of his mouth. Hearing this, he understood how Hua Zhaoxiao obtained her intelligence.
Bai Ye said, "That's not an easy feat, nor is it something anyone can accomplish. You did well."
Hua Zhaoxiao was taken aback and asked, "Don't you think we are dirty?"
"Heh!" Bai Ye showed a hint of disdain, looking at Hua Zhaoxiao. "Some people believe dignity is above life and death; some refuse charity. What do you think?"
Bai Ye didn't expect Hua Zhaoxiao to answer and continued,
"That's because they haven't faced death or starvation," Bai Ye said. "Is it wrong to strive for survival? Or rather, how can someone who doesn't dare to live talk about dignity?"
As Bai Ye spoke, he lifted Hua Zhaoxiao's chin.
"In my view, anything is permissible in order to survive."
"You are beautiful, and your body is alluring. These are your weapons, and what you do is simply pick up your weapons and fight."
"It's all just for survival, isn't it?"
"Dirty?"
"Do you think it would be dirtier to have your corpse left by the roadside, covered in mud, gnawed by snakes, insects, rats, and ants?"
"You don't need to care what others think; you need to know what you need."
"Or, when you become powerful enough to kill anyone, no one in this world will dare to point fingers at you, because..."
Bai Ye's expression suddenly turned playful, with a clear mocking tone.
"They fear death; they want to live!"
As Bai Ye spoke, he stood up, took out his light sword, and placed it on the coffee table.
"In exchange for your riding dragon."
Hua Zhaoxiao quickly said, "It was just a small favor, I currently..."
"I don't need you to do such small favors for me," Bai Ye interrupted. "Because I am greedy; I want more."
After saying this, Bai Ye ignored Hua Zhaoxiao, opened the door, and left the private room, exiting the tea house.
Then...
"The romance of men is gone!"
Stepping out of the tea house, Bai Ye tilted his head back forty-five degrees and gazed at the sky, beginning to feel melancholic.
Trading a red-quality light sword for a blue-quality beast tamer, his forehead was practically emblazoned with the words "easy mark."
As expected, showing off is satisfying for a moment, but the aftermath is a burning pain…
Bai Ye sighed. Although he regretted it as soon as he left, he was too embarrassed to turn back and ask for his item. Forget it, forget it, so be it.
Bai Ye reluctantly returned to the trading market.
He now had a riding dragon, so he could head out to sea, but some preparations were still necessary.
First, food.
The riding dragon could catch fish itself, but Bai Ye also needed to eat. Moreover, the specialized feed for beast tamer cultivation was custom-made, beneficial for increasing the beast tamer's loyalty and abilities.
Since he was going out to sea, he would rely on the riding dragon long-term, so he should treat it well.
In addition, he needed some daily necessities.
For example, a sleeping bag designed for use at sea, which could be secured to the beast tamer's body for sleeping, and a seawater filter. A compass was also essential, as it was easy to get lost at sea without a sense of direction.
After finally gathering all the supplies, an albatross crashed into the inn's glass window in the evening.
Bai Ye opened the window and retrieved a box from the albatross's leg. It was a sea chart mailed by Gao Ming, two in total. One showed how to reach the sea area where Liu Shiyue was currently located, and the other was the sea area of the Turtle Rider.
With this, everything was ready.
Bai Ye slept a night in the town's inn and headed to the seaside early the next morning, ready to depart.
Just then...
"Durla, durla, durla..."
Bai Ye's Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
Bai Ye was speechless. Gao Ming was truly a diligent worker; did he need to make a special call for just two sea charts? Or perhaps he didn't want to pay the postage for the albatross express delivery.
However, when Bai Ye answered the call, he realized it wasn't Gao Ming.
"Brother, Uncle, I'll call you Grandpa, okay?" came Li Jiayi's voice from the other end of the Den Den Mushi. "What exactly do you want?"
"Hmm?" Bai Ye frowned. "Why is it you?"
Li Jiayi replied, "I'm the one who wants to ask that! Why is it you again? Can you just leave me alone?"
Bai Ye looked puzzled. "What do you mean, 'again me'? No, you're also in the coastal beast tamer area? Is there anything good here?"
"Hmm?" Li Jiayi asked, "What are you doing here?"
Bai Ye said, "Looking for Fanghu, just passing by."
"Ah?" Li Jiayi was stunned for a moment, then decisively said, "Goodbye!"
Li Jiayi hung up the phone directly. Immediately, Bai Ye heard a busy signal in his receiver.
"Hello, hello, hello, you scoundrel..."
Bai Ye shouted a few times, but it was clearly too late. He could only angrily put down the receiver.
Li Jiayi could find Bai Ye, but Bai Ye couldn't contact Li Jiayi. This was because Li Jiayi possessed some sort of communication ability, not using an item, while Bai Ye lacked this ability and didn't have Li Jiayi's contact information.
"This guy never acts without a motive. Could there be something good about to appear here?"
Bai Ye stroked his chin. Should he get involved?
Or, could he use his involvement to blackmail Li Jiayi?
Bai Ye's attitude towards Li Jiayi had changed somewhat. This was because Bai Ye realized that this fellow was quite useful.
Because Li Jiayi knew a lot.
...