Chapter 1085: Chapter 1085 Seeing Through the Lie
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation     Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Chapter 1085 Seeing Through the Lie
Lu Yu and Hu Zhan exchanged a glance. Something about this situation felt increasingly off-kilter.
âSo youâre saying the Xu family might be aware of this cloaked figure and even anticipate him seeking me out?â Lu Yu murmured, his brow furrowed in contemplation.
âIn that case, wouldnât that suggest a potential plan on their part? Perhaps theyâd send someone to tail you, waiting for the opportune moment to swoop in and claim the secret treasure once you locate it.â
Hu Zhan nodded grimly. The possibility was undeniable, especially considering the Xu familyâs lack of knowledge about his true strength. They might very well believe they could overpower him and his companion once the treasure was within reach.
âMaybe,â Lu Yu conceded, a hint of skepticism lingering in his voice. âBut itâs also possible weâre overthinking things. Perhaps the Xu family doesnât value this secret treasure at all.â
âThen letâs see how things unfold tomorrow,â Hu Zhan suggested. âWeâll have a clearer picture of the situation then.â
With that, they returned to the villa area, the weight of suspicion hanging heavy in the air.
The next morning, Lu Yu rose with dawn, a plan brewing in his mind. He and Hu Zhan headed towards the entrance of the villa complex, where the cloaked figure, back turned, idly tossed a coin in his hand, seemingly lost in thought.
As Lu Yu approached, the figure swiveled around, a grin splitting his face. âLu
Yu! Right on time! Letâs get going.â
âNot late, are we?â Lu Yu countered with a hint of amusement. âIt seems youâre the one eager to get your hands on this secret treasure.â
The man chuckled nervously. âWell, who wouldnât want to get something valuable as soon as possible? Isnât that human nature?â
Lu Yu offered a curt nod. âFair enough. Letâs be on our way, then.â
âBut hold on a minute,â Lu Yu interjected, abruptly halting their departure. âBefore we embark on this journey, thereâs a matter I need to address. I donât work well with individuals of unknown backgrounds. It would be beneficial for you to reveal your true identity.â
The man in black faltered, his hand hovering over the mask that concealed his face. âYouâre not a local,â he scoffed. âWhat difference does it make if you see my face? Besides, this is a one-time collaboration. Once we retrieve the treasure, our paths will diverge.â
Lu Yu studied him intently, his gaze unwavering. After a long moment of silence, he conceded, âYou have a point. It is a temporary partnership.
However, knowing your name wouldnât hurt, would it?â
The man drew a deep breath, exasperation evident in his posture. âAlright, alright,â he sighed in defeat. âIf you must know, my name is Zhao Ming. A simple name, really. It doesnât matter if you remember it or not.â
Lu Yu covertly sent a mental query to the Nightmare Dragon residing within him as Zhao Ming spoke. âCan you peer into his mind and gauge his emotional state?â
âOf course, Master,â the Nightmare Dragon responded eagerly. âLet me take a look!â
A beat of silence followed. âThis manâŠâ the Nightmare Dragon began, its voice laced with surprise, âhe seems flustered. His mind is in a state of disarray, like a balloon on the verge of bursting!â
Lu Yu acknowledged this information with a subtle nod. He then turned back to Zhao Ming with a knowing glint in his eyes. âZhao Ming, thatâs it? A very ordinary name, indeed,â he remarked.
âRelaxed,â the Nightmare Dragon reported. âHe seems to have calmed down.
The tension has dissipated.â
This update from his companion solidified Lu Yuâs suspicions. He studied Zhao Ming with renewed scrutiny.
âLetâs go then,â Zhao Ming urged, his voice regaining its former confidence.
âNo point in wasting more time.â
âIs Zhao Ming truly your name?â Lu Yu pressed, his words laced with a hint of challenge.
Zhao Ming blinked, momentarily thrown off guard. âWhat do you mean?â he stammered. âOf course it is! Why would I lie?â
Hu Zhan, confused by the sudden shift in the conversation, chimed in, âWasnât everything settled just now? Why are we questioning his name again?â
âHold on,â Lu Yu countered, his voice firm and laced with suspicion. âLetâs clear the air before we proceed. Tell me your real name. This partnership hinges on honesty, and right now, thatâs sorely lacking.â
Zhao Mingâs eyes narrowed defensively. âI already told you, itâs Zhao Ming. Why the doubt? Weâre wasting precious time here. Letâs just get moving. Are you still interested in collaborating, or not?â
Lu Yu remained unconvinced, shaking his head resolutely. âThe truth matters. Without a foundation of trust, cooperation becomes precarious. Why canât you come clean?â
A flicker of guilt flickered across Zhao Mingâs face. âWhy⊠why wouldnât I be Zhao Ming?â He stammered, his voice betraying his growing unease.
âBecause youâre lying,â Lu Yu declared, his gaze unwavering. âAnd I can see right through it. Now, tell me the truth.â
The man in black stumbled back a few steps, his facade crumbling.
âLu Yu, did you really detect the slip-up? How?â Hu Zhan looked at the man in black and asked.
âThis is your last chance,â Lu Yu pressed, his tone leaving no room for argument. âCome clean, or this partnership ends now.â
Taking a deep, defeated breath, the man confessed, âAlright, alright. You got me. I have no idea what giveaway I made, but your observation skills are impressive. Itâs natural to conceal your identity during ventures like this, wouldnât you agree?â
âSince you insist,â he continued, a hint of resignation in his voice. âIâll reveal my true name.â
Hu Zhanâs jaw dropped in astonishment. âDamn it! You were lying all along? I couldnât tell a thing! Lu Yu, how did you figure it out?â
Lu Yu offered a sly smile towards the man in black. âTell me your real name,â he prompted.
The man in black spread his hands in a gesture of surrender. âItâs Ming Baixuan. Thatâs my real name. No more lies, I promise. You have my word.â
Lu Yu nodded subtly, the Nightmare Dragon in his mind having already provided the confirmation. âGood. This time, you showed some sense by admitting the truth.â
Ming Baixuan, defeated but strangely impressed, acknowledged Lu Yuâs perceptiveness. âYouâre a remarkable individual, Lu Yu. You have a keen eye for detail. Clearly, youâre no ordinary man.â
âEnough talk,â Ming Baixuan declared, eager to move forward. âSeems like messing with you is a bad idea. Letâs consider this a forced partnership. Once we gain access to the treasure trove, I have no doubt weâll both walk away with significant rewards.â
Lu Yuâs gaze sharpened. âWait a minute,â he said, a new question forming in his mind. âYouâre saying this as if it isnât your first time? Are you implying youâve been here before?â
âThatâs right, Iâm a treasure hunter. Iâve been looking for all kinds of hidden treasures, so of course, itâs not my first rodeo. Itâs just that this time, I couldnât get the key to the treasure. In the end, I found out that the key was with the Xu family.â
Lu Yu stopped and looked at him, asking, âDid you go to the Xu family and negotiate with them after you found out that the key was with them?â
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