Jin Sha was dying, Bai Ye was somewhat surprised.
Jin Sha's strength was actually quite good, being one of the earlier Chosen who obtained a black-quality item.
Especially her beast taming!
Beast taming required nurturing and could grow stronger, signifying potential and a future.
However, Bai Ye didn't find it entirely unexpected.
Jin Sha was a contradiction. She knew the world battlefield was cruel, and she learned to adapt to this cruelty, adapting quite well. When it was time to kill, Jin Sha was not hesitant.
But Jin Sha hadn't adapted perfectly. The last shred of kindness in her heart was something Jin Sha was unwilling to let go of.
This was a good quality, but it wouldn't help Jin Sha survive better on the world battlefield, and might even cost her life.
In a way, Bai Ye didn't dislike Jin Sha; otherwise, he wouldn't have helped her back then.
Of course, most of that was due to self-interest. Bai Ye was only willing to act if there were benefits.
But…
Even while walking in darkness, one might still yearn for light.
Therefore, Bai Ye wouldn't become someone like Jin Sha, but he also didn't dislike people like her.
"Can we consider ourselves friends?" Bai Ye smiled and said, "Let's count it as such, for lack of a better term."
Bai Ye opened the window, lit a cigarette, took a puff, and then looked at the distant sky.
Friend, goodbye.
As for the person you wanted to kill…
I'll kill them!
…
Jin Sha's call was an interlude, but it didn't significantly affect Bai Ye's mood.
People like Bai Ye were inherently difficult to influence by anything.
So, for Bai Ye, it was merely a matter of receiving the goods and noting it down in his journal.
If there was an opportunity, he would have to kill someone named Liu Shiyue.
That was all.
Thus, after a night passed, Bai Ye, Kamado Tanjiro, and Agatsuma Zenitsu embarked on their journey back with Uzui Tengen.
This matter actually surprised Bai Ye a little.
Bai Ye thought that after dealing with Daki and Gyutaro, things would be over.
But, at dawn, Uzui Tengen found Bai Ye with Kamado Tanjiro, inviting him to return together. Bai Ye knew then that there was more to it.
Indeed, through conversations on the way, Bai Ye confirmed his suspicions.
The "more to it" didn't refer to the related restricted areas opening or hidden quests not yet ending.
Instead, the core of this area was the struggle between the Demon Slayer Corps and demons.
The death of Upper Rank Six was just the beginning.
Bai Ye's killing of Upper Rank Six earned him the Hashira's recognition. Therefore, if Bai Ye wished, he would have a greater chance than other Chosen to unlock subsequent restricted areas and hidden quests.
Just as if there were any follow-ups to the Great Forest of Jura, Bai Ye would certainly be able to participate more easily.
After all, if one were to be precise, Bai Ye and Rimuru also had a prior acquaintance.
This was a sort of implicit reward, but…
Bai Ye wasn't very interested.
The Demon Slayer Corps and the Twelve Kizuki were somewhat low-tier in Bai Ye's opinion, unless it was a direct confrontation with the Demon King.
But that was impossible. Whether it was the restricted areas or hidden quests in the subsequent regions, the target would definitely be the Twelve Kizuki. Only after all Twelve Kizuki were dead would the Demon King appear.
Did Bai Ye have that much time to waste?
Whether it was Breathing Techniques or Blood Demon Arts, for Bai Ye's current strength, the room for improvement wasn't very large.
In fact, if Uzui Tengen hadn't suddenly appeared, Bai Ye would have already made up his mind and set his next destination.
Bai Ye wanted…
To visit the territory that belonged to him in his past life.
The East District, the Future Technology Zone!
However, since connections had already been made, Bai Ye still intended to return to the ancient town.
Firstly, to deal with some things he had on hand, and secondly, Bai Ye planned to meet Gao Ming again.
After spending a few days to reach the ancient town, Kamado Tanjiro bid farewell to Bai Ye, saying, "Mr. Bai Ye, thank you for your help. I hope we'll have the chance to meet again."
Bai Ye smiled and replied, "I believe we will."
Bai Ye watched the protagonist trio led by Kamado Tanjiro depart, then turned and walked into a restaurant.
Gao Ming had contacted Bai Ye in advance via a Den Den Mushi, so arrangements had been made for a private room with food and drinks, awaiting Bai Ye's arrival.
"Looking at this setup…" Bai Ye said with a smile as he entered the room, "You gained quite a bit from the Blood Battle Gathering of Heroes."
"It's alright," Gao Ming smiled. "Please sit."
After Bai Ye sat down, Gao Ming continued, "Actually, it was all instructed by our leader. He hopes you will join the Evil Spirits Guild."
Bai Ye asked, "Harvey Stinson?"
Gao Ming was surprised, "You know our leader?"
The Evil Spirits Guild had only recently been formed, a nascent organization. Harvey wasn't that famous, and he wasn't a particularly strong fighter, so fewer people knew of him.
Currently, Harvey, as the leader of the Evil Spirits Guild, was more of a behind-the-scenes figure.
"Joining the Evil Spirits Guild is impossible," Bai Ye stated. "But cooperation is possible."
Gao Ming replied, "Settling for the next best thing, that's acceptable too."
Bai Ye pressed, "The question is, what price are you willing to pay?"
Gao Ming thought for a moment. "As we discussed last time, one Future Technology Zone, do you have information on all four restricted areas within it?"
Bai Ye nodded. "That restricted area is a world where aliens and humans coexist. Many aliens hide their identities and live among humans, but some aliens commit evil deeds. Thus, humans established an organization called the Men in Black to manage aliens and eliminate those who do evil."
Bai Ye took a sip of his drink as he spoke.
"The Future Technology Zone…" Gao Ming hesitated, "With everyone's current strength, can we handle it?"
Bai Ye replied, "You can rest assured about that. It's just a region with relatively low-level technology. Whether it's the technology possessed by humans or aliens, it's only considered entry-level future technology. There will be challenges, but not as difficult as you might imagine."
Gao Ming nodded, "Then I am relieved."
Bai Ye continued, "But this time, I won't have the leisure to wait for you to explore the restricted areas. Because you are not capable of unlocking all the restricted areas in that region simultaneously, a suitable transaction method is needed this time."
Gao Ming smiled, "It's alright. Our leader has already stated that he trusts you unconditionally."
"Oh?" Bai Ye raised an eyebrow. "Then, what items are you planning to offer for the trade?"
Gao Ming replied, "That depends on what the products of the restricted areas are. Our leader did give me a list of items that can be used for trade, but we still need to estimate the potential profits to determine the specific items for the transaction."