"Thatās the problem. The higher-ups are insisting that they absolutely did not reveal your information to the Lin Family..."
"But Iāve been exposed!"
"Donāt panic yet! Let me finish. Although they say so, to tell the truth, Lin Jie and his group came prepared. Even a blockhead like me can tell at a glance that Lin Jieās attire was unusual."
Li Baizhen held up two fingers.
"So, I currently have two guesses."
"The first one is that someone higher up made a deal with the Lin Family, or the person managing the records is involved with the Lin Family, and leaked part of your information. It must be only a part because from your description, Lin Jie didnāt know it was you, just that you were definitely present."
"The second guess is that... a demon betrayed you."
What?
Fang Yuās eyes widened.
"Lord Li Baizhen, why would a demon betray me for no reason? Iām the perfect undercover agent on their side!"
"Besides, humans and demons are natural enemies, would a demon even make deals with humans?"
"Even if we put that aside, whatās the point of a demon betraying me? What gain would there be? None, right."
Li Baizhen spread his hands.
"Iām just raising a possibility. Now, there are these two directions."
"Someone higher up sold you out."
"Or, it was the demons who sold you out."
"However, as you said, if the demons had sold you out, Green Demon wouldnāt have come to save you."
Li Baizhen frowned in thought, then sighed.
Reluctantly, he said.
"Now, we can only say that the possibility of a traitor among the higher-ups being in cahoots with the Lin Family is higher. Maybe theyāre still on the fence and only gave the Lin Family some information about you, so Lin Jie didnāt come after you right from the start."
Fang Yu was speechless.
"Big brother, Iām risking my life for the Foolish Underworld! Iāve infiltrated deep into the demonās inner circle, donāt mess with me, what am I supposed to do if my own backyard is on fire?"
Fang Yu felt that the day heād have to flee was drawing near.
If the higher-ups were this unreliable, once his double agent spy identity got exposed, could he still mix in Tianyuan Town? Impossible, right.
No way, he had to find a way to quickly secure benefits from the Foolish Underworld and grow stronger fast.
Then, while doing his duties, prepare an escape route, and when the opportunity arises or the situation turns sour, take his second sister and run.
"Getting mad at me wonāt do any good, Iām already furious!"
A higher official can crush the lower one.
After all, Li Baizhen was just a hundred-household commander with little say among the superiors.
"So what now? Today I get exposed for being involved with Lin Bieshengās death, tomorrow someone might claim Lin Jie was killed by me. Am I supposed to wait around to be played to death?"
Even though this was true, could he really say it out loud?
From what Li Baizhen implied, Yue Guang even specially handled Lin Jieās corpse, to avoid leaving any marks of my attacks.
He really did think of everything in detail.
"To be honest, now that things have blown up so big, I feel like the mole among the superiors wouldnāt dare to make a move for now. Later I will report this and request a detailed investigation. Actually, not many people have access to this, the range of suspects is small, and if we really investigate, weāll definitely find something, but Iām afraid..."
Li Baizhen paused abruptly at that point.
"Afraid of what?" Fang Yu was puzzled.
"Afraid that the higher-ups wonāt agree to the investigation," Li Baizhen admitted candidly.
"...," Fang Yuās face darkened again.
So Iām just an expendable piece to be discarded, with the higher-ups covering for each other, huh?
"Furthermore, this is not even the worst of it. The worst part is that the Lin Family is now pressuring the higher-ups to make a decision."
"The Lin Family? What decision?"
Li Baizhen held up three fingers.
"Keeping you safe comes at a price."
"Three days."
"Theyāre demanding that within three days, our Foolish Underworld must capture Green Demon, behead him, and deliver his head to the doorstep of the Lin Family as an explanation."
"Otherwise, the previous agreement becomes void."
"The Lin Family will take action against you."
Fang Yu was dumbstruck on the spot.
He understood.
The Lin Familyās demand was simple.
Either he dies,
or Green Demon dies.
Either way, someone has to die.
Fang Yuās complexion visibly darkened.
"Outrageous! Does the Lin Family own the entire Tianyuan Town? Does our Foolish Underworld have no dignity?"
Li Baizhen shook his head slightly.
"Tianyuan Town has always been controlled by the Five Great Families. Our Foolish Underworld has a say, but not you or me."
"In the end, thereās only one issue. To those above us, our worth is not yet significant enough."
Taking a deep breath, Li Baizhen continued.
"Diao Deyi, that line must be cut. We canāt follow through with the Green Demon anymore."
"Hand over Green Demon, submit to the superiors, submit to the Lin Family. Then you can start afresh, pursuing the legitimate path of a Demon Martial Artist."
"With my recommendation, you can climb up."
"Even higher than where I climbed and change this gradually decaying Foolish Underworld!"
What...?
You want me to betray Green Demon??
My Brother Qing just granted me the power of his bloodline!
What the hell are you talking about!
Clenching his fists and slightly shaking his head, Fang Yu said.
"Itās not time yet, Iām about to reel in the big fish! The next demon assembly is coming up soon, and then..."
Li Baizhen suddenly roared, interrupting him.
"By then youāll be dead!"
Realising his tone was harsh, he softened his voice, and earnestly continued.
"I know you want to make a name for yourself, and youāve been on this line for a while, but with the Lin Family applying pressure, you have to survive by cutting off your tail!"
"I never asked you for information about Green Demon before, precisely because I was afraid that knowing too much would make me slip up and expose you."