Part 5
Such a powerful figure, yet he was willing to stay hidden on a trash planet like this. It seemed there was at least a 70% chance that Ning Yunyi’s earlier speculation was correct.
Mayor Bai hadn’t expected such bluntness, but given how long he had lived, he wasn’t angered. He had seen countless people, and giving away something like this didn’t bother him.
What concerned him was something else. “My men reported that you claim to be a double-S-ranked healer, but the testing device showed zero. Since you’ve taken the bounty, will you prove your abilities?”
This time, Ning Yunyi answered. “I can. But before I do, I’d like to know what the reward for the bounty is.”
Mayor Bai thought for a moment, then stepped away from the window.
Ning Yunyi got a clear look at him. He was older than expected, with a head of gray hair, though his posture was upright, and his presence was still imposing. His face was mature and charismatic, making it hard to guess his exact age.
Mayor Bai stopped walking and said, “Five 3S-ranked energy crystals.”
In other words, worth over twenty million star coins.
Ning Yunyi raised an eyebrow. It seemed this was indeed a troublesome matter.
But twenty million star coins…
Ning Yunyi rubbed his chin. “Could I exchange the five energy crystals for their equivalent in star coins?”
Mayor Bai was surprised. “Are you sure? 3S-ranked energy crystals are priceless and extremely rare. Even with money, you might not be able to buy them.”
Ning Yunyi replied, “But I need the star coins more.” After all, he needed to buy *water-skin stones*, which cost tens of thousands of star coins each. With that much money, he could buy dozens.
Mayor Bai was speechless for a moment. “That’s assuming you truly are a double-S-ranked healer and can indeed save my son.”
“Hold on,” Ning Yunyi interjected. “I didn’t say that was all. In addition to exchanging the crystals for star coins, I have two other requests. Of course, they won’t affect you or your son in any way, and I can guarantee I won’t reveal anything about your son’s condition.”
Ning Yunyi chose to be direct. He wanted to ensure that what he asked Mayor Bai to investigate would be kept as tightly guarded as the secrets Mayor Bai didn’t want to be exposed.
Neither would be at a disadvantage.
Mayor Bai’s expression darkened. “What do you mean by that?”
Ning Yunyi continued, “Mayor Bai, you’re willing to take a gamble by using 3S-ranked energy crystals to lure in high-level healers. I’m guessing there’s another one going up for auction tomorrow, right? You’re betting on the chance that a high-level healer will come. I can guess that, and sooner or later, others will realize the secret hidden in this castle too, won’t they?”
Mayor Bai’s mental strength suddenly gathered in his palm, but he didn’t make a move against Ning Yunyi.
His son’s secret was his greatest weakness, and no one could touch it.
He hadn’t expected this stranger to guess so accurately.
Ning Yunyi got straight to the point. “Since I dare to come, I have a way to help you. You can think about it. I keep my word. What I need you to investigate is also related to my secret. One secret in exchange for another. I also require that you never reveal mine. Mayor Bai, I have other matters to attend to shortly, and you don’t have much time to decide. Either I walk away now, or you take a gamble. Will you let me help your son, or keep waiting for a high-level healer who might expose your secret?”
Mayor Bai’s eyes grew dark, as if lost in thought.
Ning Yunyi wasn’t in a hurry. “A 3S-ranked mental strength user might not even be able to hold me. Besides, Mayor Bai, you wouldn’t dare to gamble.”
He wouldn’t dare gamble with his son’s life.
That was why Ning Yunyi was willing to cooperate with Mayor Bai.
A man who was so loyal to his family and had such a glaring weakness could keep a secret.
Mayor Bai stared at Ning Yunyi for a long time before finally exhaling. “I agree. Twenty million star coins, plus the two requests. But I want to know what they are first.”
Ning Yunyi shook his head. “That’s not possible.”
Mayor Bai chuckled in disbelief. “Are you laying down a tyrant’s terms?”
Ning Yunyi shrugged innocently. “Now, I hold the upper hand.”
After all, what he was asking Mayor Bai to investigate wouldn’t be easy, and Ning Yunyi needed to ensure Mayor Bai wouldn’t back out.
Once they were bound together, Mayor Bai would have no choice but to help him. Of course, Ning Yunyi would also keep his promise and heal his son.
Mayor Bai took a deep breath, ultimately conceding. “You’re quite brave for someone your age.”
Whether Ning Yunyi had the ability or not, he was the first person Mayor Bai had ever met who could negotiate with such confidence.
In the past, Mayor Bai had always used his mental strength to pressure people into submission.
For some reason, Mayor Bai had a gut feeling that maybe… this time would be different.
Before taking Ning Yunyi to see his son, Mayor Bai had intended to warn him, as he had done with others in the past. If they failed to heal his son, he would send them far away from the trash planet, keeping them under constant surveillance to ensure they wouldn’t leak any secrets.
If they broke their promise and tried to reveal anything, he would capture them before they had the chance.
Over the years, many had betrayed him. Those who were trapped in this castle had only themselves to blame.
However, it seemed none of these threats worked on the young man before him. His proud mental strength didn’t seem to affect him either.
Mayor Bai decided to take Ning Yunyi directly to see his son.
As they passed by the rooms on either side of the attic, Ning Yunyi didn’t ask any questions, but he guessed that the rumor about those who had disappeared after taking the bounty was true—they were likely imprisoned here.
Those who ended up like this must have been greedy, having taken Mayor Bai’s reward but still planning to leak the secret.
After all, Mayor Bai’s son was a cash cow that could have provided for their entire future if handled properly.
Mayor Bai led Ning Yunyi down from the attic, taking several turns before opening several doors, finally arriving at a small open-air courtyard.
Above was a transparent glass ceiling reaching high into the sky, allowing a view of the heavens while keeping the courtyard entirely enclosed within the castle.
The courtyard was filled with synthetic plants and flowers, all modeled after ancient Blue Star species. There were also various artificial trees, some towering as if they almost pierced the glass ceiling.
The surroundings were eerily quiet, with a row of wooden cabins ahead, all intricately designed.
Except for one thing—if Ning Yunyi wasn’t mistaken, these cabins were made of the hardest and most unbreakable high-tech materials. Calling them indestructible fortresses wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
As the two stepped into the courtyard, there was a sudden clatter from one of the cabins, followed by a suppressed growl.
Soon, there were faint sounds of pain.
In Bai Chengzhu’s eyes, a sorrowful expression briefly surfaced before he quickly concealed it. At this point, there was no room for regret.
He sighed softly, “Since you’ve guessed, I won’t hide it any longer. A level 6 mental riot is difficult to suppress.”
There was no time left. If it reached level 7, it would be fatal. This was why he suddenly decided to stop hiding and take a risk.
Yet he didn’t want to reveal everything, which is why he was being so evasive, trying to keep things under wraps for the moment.
Ning Yunyi didn’t react much to the mention of a level 6 mental riot, but he was quite curious about what Bai Shaozhu’s beast form would be.
Bai Chengzhu was a 3S-level mental power expert, exuding a commanding and powerful aura. Therefore, even though Bai Shaozhu was a half-beast, he must at least have an impressive presence, right?
He stepped forward, moving closer to the window of the wooden house adorned with branches, curious to take a look. However, when he finally saw the small figure inside, he froze in place: ???
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