Chapter 699: Detail Monster VS Detail Monster

Good guy!

Xu Xiaoshou felt like he had met his match.

Who was this person?

An unnamed, insignificant underling, yet she had figured out his schemes so thoroughly.

What was even more crucial was that she had grasped his plans perfectly, and her guesses about the Ba Jian Xian's intentions aligned almost exactly with Xu Xiaoshou's own thoughts.

There are always people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens... The ancients were not deceiving us!

Yet, no matter how turbulent his inner thoughts were, Xu Xiaoshou remained outwardly unfazed.

He simply turned his teacup gently and said with genuine interest,

"That's quite a bold speculation."

Jiang Qi was momentarily speechless.

She could see that the Ba Jian Xian truly had no murderous intent in coming here, so even after her remarks, the other party showed no anger.

This was a very positive sign.

But similarly...

An old fox was still an old fox. She had gone that far in her words, even risking her life to detect any hint in his eyes.

In the end, she couldn't spot even a trace of surprise!

His reaction was genuinely just a senior appreciating a junior's subjective ideas.

His words neither confirmed nor denied.

But equally, he offered no opinion of his own.

Strictly speaking, after their conversation, the Ba Jian Xian had drawn out all of her thoughts, and he might even have a clear idea of how the Jiang family would react afterward.

But what about her?

Jiang Qi sighed helplessly in her heart; she had gained nothing.

"That's enough. Go sit over there."

Xu Xiaoshou ended the questioning, pointing toward the door as he spoke to the woman.

He always kept a firm grip on the boundaries of conversation.

Knowing his role, he should stick to appropriate lines, so he would never impulsively deny Jiang Qi's ideas on behalf of the Ba Jian Xian.

Excessive denial would only lead to reverse confirmation.

True powerhouses disdain explanations.

And those who don't get explanations often end up doubting their own reasoning.

That's how being too clever can backfire.

Because once something is thought out correctly but lacks affirmation or rebuttal, wild overthinking will inevitably steer it off course.

All Xu Xiaoshou needed to maintain was an attitude of "understanding," "knowing," and "that's fine, you can go play elsewhere now."

After his instruction, even though Jiang Qi had a hundred questions burning in her heart,

Since the Ba Jian Xian was no longer speaking to her, all she could do was follow orders and move her chair back a bit.

But in terms of position, she still stayed slightly ahead of Jiang Xian.

Xu Xiaoshou found it amusing.

This was a protective instinct.

She had realized that his next target for questioning was Jiang Xian and was afraid Jiang Xian couldn't handle the pressure, so she positioned herself slightly forward.

Having a big tree in front always brings some reassurance.

Unfortunately, her good intentions were up against Xu Xiaoshou.

"By the door."

Xu Xiaoshou pointed to the door again, calmly saying,

"I'm allowing you to stay and listen because you're very clever. If your young master can't answer or doesn't know how to respond, you have three chances to speak up."

Jiang Qi turned back with a despairing glance at Jiang Xian.

Her eyes were full of "you're on your own" and "hang in there."

Then, she moved her chair further back, positioning it behind Jiang Xian.

At the same time, Xu Xiaoshou's gaze fell on Jiang Xian.

A moment ago, with someone in front of him, that slight sense of security had kept Jiang Xian somewhat calm.

But now that Jiang Qi had moved behind him, he was truly facing the full pressure from the legendary Ba Jian Xian alone.

In the room, the thumping of his heartbeat was deafening.

Jiang Xian's face had even turned red.

He tried desperately to control his heartbeat, but such a physiological reaction was beyond what someone in his position could manage.

Yes, if it were anyone else,

Zhan Dao, Tai Xu...

Jiang Xian believed he wouldn't be so flustered.

But this was different.

This was the Ba Jian Xian!

The myth of the Dong Yu!

The one who made a name in the Zhong Yu, crushed an entire era single-handedly, and left an indelible impression on even the people of the Bei Yu.

Now, this peak figure of the world was staring straight at him...

Xu Xiaoshou watched Jiang Xian, his gaze lingering for over ten breaths, until the other man was covered in cold sweat and veins bulging, before he finally released his "presence" and chuckled softly.

"Don't be nervous. I'm not here to kill."

"Senior, ask whatever you want!"

Jiang Xian threw caution to the wind, gritting his teeth as he spoke.

"Good."

Xu Xiaoshou was very satisfied with his attitude:

"You're the one with 'San Yan Tong Mu,' right? From what I know, that's a pupil technique from the Lei family."

His words were still calm, but their impact hit like a cannonball straight to the face.

Jiang Xian's painstakingly built mental defenses crumbled in an instant, his mind going blank.

He never expected the question to be so direct, striking right at his weakest point.

Indeed, Jiang Xian had been assigned this task by the Jiang family because of "San Yan Tong Mu."

But he hadn't anticipated that the Ba Jian Xian would target him for the very same reason.

"Yes."

Withstanding the pressure, Jiang Xian buzzed out the word.

Xu Xiaoshou remained calm:

"Your 'yes'—is that answering my first question, the second, or... the third, meaning both?"

Jiang Xian struggled internally for a long time before tremblingly replying,

"The third."

Behind him, Jiang Qi thought, Oh no.

Right from the start, Young Master Jiang had fallen into the Ba Jian Xian's trap.

Some questions had to be answered, but at least they should have been approached indirectly—to either probe for information or steer the topic elsewhere.

But this "third" was a straight answer, with nothing else added.

He was completely locked into the other's rhythm!

Hang in there... Jiang Qi's heart was in her throat as she silently cheered for Jiang Xian from behind.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't pause and continued pressing:

"If it's the Lei family's 'San Yan Tong Mu,' how did it end up with you? It couldn't be innate, could it?"

"It's not innate."

Jiang Xian answered numbly.

"Oh, acquired then..." Xu Xiaoshou nodded. "If it was acquired, how did you get it?"

Jiang Xian's mouth opened instinctively.

Seeing this, Jiang Qi quickly interjected from behind,

"Senior should know that the Lei family has the 'Tian Xia Tong Shu.' The volume on 'San Yan Tong Mu' was obtained by our Jiang family. Young Master Jiang, with his exceptional talent, cultivated it."

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at her and held up two fingers.

He didn't speak to Jiang Qi, only turned back to Jiang Xian:

"Is that what happened?"

By now, Jiang Xian had fully realized he was caught in the other's rhythm.

Sheng Nu had one Lei Shuang Xing, a remnant of the Lei family.

And the Ba Jian Xian was the head of Sheng Nu.

His appearance here might be to seek justice for the Lei family. If he admitted that this eye wasn't cultivated but installed...

Just thinking about it made Jiang Xian's legs go weak.

If he answered that way, he might not even know how he died!

"Yes."

Jiang Xian steadied himself, shaking his head slightly as he responded calmly.

"Deceived, passive score, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou laughed.

His laugh made Jiang Qi tense up completely behind them.

Anyone could see the oddity in Jiang Xian's response; would the Ba Jian Xian notice that detail... Jiang Qi's heart raced.

"You said 'yes,' but you shook your head."

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled.

Jiang Xian froze completely.

Indeed... Jiang Qi sighed inwardly.

Such a small lie wouldn't escape this old fox's eyes.

"So, tell me, how did the Jiang family get 'San Yan Tong Mu'?"

Xu Xiaoshou didn't dwell on the lie.

His attitude was simply that of a mischievous junior telling a fib, which was exactly what the situation called for.

What he needed to do was see through the surface to the essence.

That was just a basic ability for someone of his seniority, nothing worth boasting about.

Jiang Xian was too frightened to speak.

This involved family secrets, and now he couldn't tell if it was something he "could say" or "couldn't say."

Seeing his hesitation, Jiang Qi spoke up again:

"Senior should know that the war back then involved too many parties. All the forces that participated divided the spoils afterward..."

"This isn't something shameful; it's just survival of the fittest."

Fearing a sudden shift in his mood, Jiang Qi quickly explained before continuing,

"The Jiang family did get the volume on 'San Yan Tong Mu.'

I'm sorry, we lied earlier. Young Master Jiang's 'San Yan Tong Mu' wasn't cultivated by him; it was installed afterward."

"But!"

She sharply changed the topic:

"This pair of eyes absolutely didn't come from the Lei family. It was created by our family ancestors based on the remnants of 'Tian Xia Tong Shu.' After they cultivated 'San Yan Tong Mu' and passed away, it was preserved."

Jiang Xian's eyes lit up:

"That's right! Exactly!"

Xu Xiaoshou looked at him like he was a fool, but when his gaze shifted to Jiang Qi, it showed clear approval.

This woman was truly clever.

In her panic, she had come up with such a way to shift the blame.

She really lived up to being someone who could analyze the Ba Jian Xian's thoughts; her mind was sharp, the complete opposite of Jiang Xian's self-deceptive approach.

Though he understood, Xu Xiaoshou didn't speak to Jiang Qi.

It was as if, having said he wouldn't question her further, he truly had no intention of talking to her.

However...

Xu Xiaoshou just held up three fingers, and Jiang Qi's heart panicked again.

She remembered what the Ba Jian Xian had said: she only had three chances to help out.

Now, only one was left!

Xu Xiaoshou turned back to Jiang Xian.

At this point, not just Jiang Xian felt like he was facing a giant; even Xu Xiaoshou himself, without using his "presence," felt like he was looking down and scrutinizing.

"'San Yan Tong Mu'—what abilities have you mastered?"

"Zhuan Yi Kong!"

Jiang Xian answered without thinking; he knew this one. "'San Yan Tong Mu' is too powerful. With my current cultivation, I can only barely master a bit of 'Zhuan Yi Kong's power."

"You only know 'Zhuan Yi Kong'?"

Xu Xiaoshou confirmed.

"Yes!"

Jiang Xian nodded without hesitation.

By now, Jiang Qi behind him sensed something was wrong.

She wanted to warn him, but she couldn't waste her last chance so carelessly, and besides, it seemed too late...

After confirming, Xu Xiaoshou said bluntly,

"If you only know 'Zhuan Yi Kong,' then how did you sense Lei Shuang Xing's power?"

Lei Shuang Xing?

Jiang Xian and Jiang Qi were both stunned.

Then they realized:

So, the Ba Jian Xian wasn't here to seek justice for the Lei family; it was because Lei Shuang Xing in his organization, who also possessed Lei family pupil techniques, had sensed "San Yan Tong Mu" through bloodline power?

Jiang Xian instinctively glanced back.

He was truly panicking.

If he kept going, he'd have nothing left; he couldn't say more!

How did every question from the other side hit the sore spot?

How terrifying...

But facing Jiang Xian, Jiang Qi just shook her head slightly; she couldn't speak up lightly, or they'd lose all leverage.

"Sensing!"

With no response forthcoming, Jiang Xian had to grit his teeth and swallow his frustration:

"My 'San Yan Tong Mu' can also sense the existence of Lei Shuang Xing's eyes!"

Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes inwardly.

What a load of nonsense!

Whether Lei Shuang Xing was even in Dong Tian Wang City was questionable.

If you could sense Lei family pupil power, you would have captured Mu Zi Xi that day.

But with this bluff, Xu Xiaoshou had exposed that these two didn't even bother drafting their lies. He teased,

"Alright then, tell me, with your 'San Yan Tong Mu' and Lei Shuang Xing's, what does he have?"

Jiang Qi's heart took a massive hit, and her whole body swayed.

She glanced at the document book and thought, It's over.

Lei Shuang Xing...

Was blind!

In her tension, even she had forgotten that, because of his Lei surname, he couldn't possibly have kept his Lei family pupils from that war.

So, was the Ba Jian Xian bluffing this time?

The foolish Jiang Xian hadn't realized it yet; he was still making things up:

"Lei Shuang Xing, his eyes, his eyes are..."

Smack! Xu Xiaoshou slammed the document book onto the table in front of Jiang Xian.

As the pages turned, Lei Shuang Xing's pale face and closed eyes appeared.

Jiang Xian shut his eyes heavily.

...Despicable, hateful, shameful beyond words!

"Tian Zhi Zhi Yan."

Jiang Xian gave up resisting.

In front of the Ba Jian Xian, he felt utterly exposed, as if even his thoughts were completely seen through.

Any further resistance was just self-deception.

"I sensed it through 'Tian Zhi Zhi Yan,' but what I sensed wasn't Lei Shuang Xing—it was someone else!"

Jiang Xian said heavily:

"Senior, I really wasn't targeting Sheng Nu. The person I sensed was a woman, not Lei Shuang Xing."

"Oh?"

This time, Xu Xiaoshou was surprised; his teacup-turning motion paused.

He leaned forward slightly, then quickly pulled back, everything as normal, only calmly repeating,

"Another person?"

"Yes!"

Jiang Xian responded.

He naturally didn't notice the details of Xu Xiaoshou's reaction, but Jiang Qi behind him saw the small movements and her mind went into chaos.

"Just now, he reacted!"

Jiang Qi was certain her observation as a Wang Zuo couldn't be wrong.

When the Ba Jian Xian heard there might be another remnant of the Lei family, that instinctive surprise was impossible to fake.

But he was extremely restrained, so he only moved that tiny bit before reining in all his emotions.

It might fool others, but how could it fool her, who was desperately seeking a breakthrough from the Ba Jian Xian?

However...

"If he's not the mastermind behind this, then my earlier speculation... what was it worth?!"

At this thought, Jiang Qi's eyes went blank; her mental game was in disarray, and her composure completely shattered!