"It's not strange, because someone told me."
Chen Yanshuo chuckled.
Mike raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Obviously, the one standing behind me. I already mentioned it just now."
"Then, who's behind you?"
Mike frowned. Could it be that Chen Yanshuo wasn't lying? That there really was someone behind him?
No way. Were they playing an endless cycle of puppet masters here?
One shadowy figure after another?
Mike felt something was off.
Yet, looking at Chen Yanshuo's expression, he didn't seem to be lying. At this point, if he were trying to stall for time or make up an excuse, he wouldn't resort to such a cheap trick.
This excuse couldn't be his ticket to escape.
Which meant—it might actually be true.
But Mike couldn't figure it out. Who could possibly be standing behind Chen Yanshuo, directing his every move?
Chen Yanshuo's talent was among the strongest Mike had ever seen—so overwhelming that even among SSS-rank talents, he stood in a league of his own.
For someone of that caliber, could there really be someone powerful enough to control him?
Chen Yanshuo didn't answer directly this time. Instead, he looked unusually calm and raised an eyebrow. "Don't you also have someone behind you?"
He gestured toward Wang Chen, who stood behind Mike like a silent protector.
"That's different."
Mike shook his head, locking eyes with Chen Yanshuo, scrutinizing every word that came out of his mouth.
"Is the person behind you your equal?"
Mike had never treated the talented individuals under him as mere subordinates. He didn't see himself as above them but rather as someone they chose to assist.
The stronger they were, the more respect they earned. Even those with weaker abilities were treated with dignity.
"How do you know we aren't equals?"
Chen Yanshuo smiled, but there was something off about it.
Then, in a flash, his expression twisted.
"That guy was right. You really do talk like some self-righteous prick..."
His voice suddenly cracked. His entire body tensed up as he stood abruptly, eyes burning with rage. He glared at Mike, as if he might lunge at him any second.
"What do you even know about equality?! You think I have a choice?! You stand there flaunting your goddamn justice, like you're the only decent person in the world—"
"Wang Chen."
Mike's voice was calm.
"Sit down," Wang Chen said.
"...Fine."
Chen Yanshuo's body visibly trembled, his previous outburst vanishing in an instant as he quietly sat back down.
"You just lost your cool, didn't you?"
Mike studied him carefully, his voice light but probing.
"So, that means... he's really treating you like crap, isn't he?"
Mike smiled.
"Which means you're working for him not out of loyalty, but because you have no choice. Let me guess... he's got something on you."
"Something on me? What a joke."
Chen Yanshuo let out a bitter laugh, then fell silent.
Moments later, he spoke again, his voice unnervingly soft.
"It's not blackmail. It's fear."
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
Mike's tone was casual, but his eyes gleamed with sharp intent.
"If you think it's unfair, talk to me. Even if you believe my justice is fake, at least you know I don't pose a direct threat to you."
"And from what you just said, that guy doesn't just scare you—he also knows a lot about me. About Wang Chen, too."
Mike turned to Wang Chen, then suddenly asked:
"Is it a man or a woman? Are they in the country?"
"A man. In the country—"
Chen Yanshuo instinctively answered, then immediately froze. His face twisted in realization.
"You tricked me!"
"Tricked?"
Mike's smile widened.
"Aren't we just having a conversation?"
"You said you wanted to talk, so let's make it quick. Wouldn't want your little hideout blowing up while we're chatting, would we?"
"You'd really let me go?"
Chen Yanshuo's voice dripped with disbelief.
Mike just smiled.
A man. In the country.
Someone powerful enough to terrify Chen Yanshuo.
Someone who knew Mike and Wang Chen inside out.
Mike's mind started piecing together the puzzle.
"You want to know who he is, don't you?"
Chen Yanshuo narrowed his eyes, suddenly smirking.
"That means I have value. And if I have value, you can't kill me."
Mike stared at him for a moment. Then, in a calm voice, he said:
"Not particularly interested."
"I'm just giving you a chance. You'd better take it."
"Liar!"
Chen Yanshuo tilted his head back and laughed smugly.
"You do want to know!"
"Wang Chen."
Mike raised his hand.
"Take him away. Keep an eye on him."
"I'll send a team to Shanghai. We'll find his hideout."
"Understood."
Wang Chen nodded and stepped forward. Without a single motion from him, Chen Yanshuo's body suddenly floated off the ground—like a lifeless puppet, swaying powerlessly.
"Hey! Wait, wait, wait!"
Chen Yanshuo panicked.
"Come on, let's talk this through! Ask me again, and I'll tell you everything!"
"I'm not in the mood."
Mike shook his head.
"If you're just another pawn, then you're replaceable."
"If he's targeting me, that means he's watching me."
"Basic logic. Even if I don't go looking for him, he'll come to me."
"Your value? Not that high."
Mike finished speaking and nodded to Wang Chen.
Without another word, Wang Chen turned toward the window, preparing to leave.
"Wait! WAIT! Mr. Su! Mr. Su—!"
Chen Yanshuo's screams echoed through the night as Wang Chen vanished into the darkness with him.
By the time his voice faded, Mike was already lost in thought.
"A man. In the country..."
He stared at the setting sun, fingers tapping lightly against the sofa.
"So, he's not in the Apocalypse War instance."
"Not military, then."
Mike turned to a large map of the country mounted on the wall.
"Am I moving too fast? Did I step on someone's toes?"
"Or was I always a target?"
"What exactly do they want from me?"
His eyes darkened.
He recalled something Chen Yanshuo had said in passing—something about "survival."
Could it mean… his existence was somehow tied to the mechanism of the apocalypse cycle?
Or was it just another red herring?
Mike had no way to confirm.
And that was the most dangerous part.
In a war of deception, sometimes the truth was the biggest lie.
"Xiao Ci always said—doubt everything."
"Strip away emotions. Focus on logic."
"One thing is certain: he wants something from me. And it's dangerous."
"If that's the case…"
Mike's thoughts suddenly cleared.
"If he's so eager to watch me, then I should stop playing defense."
"I'll bring everything under my control."
"If the whole world is in my hands—"
"Where else can he hide?"