Chapter 1085: 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.
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“So you’re saying the Xu family might be aware of this cloaked figure and even anticipate him seeking me out?” Lu Yu murmured, his brow furrowed in contemplation.
“In that case, wouldn’t that suggest a potential plan on their part? Perhaps they’d send someone to tail you, waiting for the opportune moment to swoop in and claim the secret treasure once you locate it.”
Hu Zhan nodded grimly. The possibility was undeniable, especially considering the Xu family’s 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.
“Maybe,” Lu Yu conceded, a hint of skepticism lingering in his voice. “But it’s also possible we’re overthinking things. Perhaps the Xu family doesn’t value this secret treasure at all.”
“Then let’s see how things unfold tomorrow,” Hu Zhan suggested. “We’ll have a clearer picture of the situation then.”
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. “Lu
Yu! Right on time! Let’s get going.”
“Not late, are we?” Lu Yu countered with a hint of amusement. “It seems you’re the one eager to get your hands on this secret treasure.”
The man chuckled nervously. “Well, who wouldn’t want to get something valuable as soon as possible? Isn’t that human nature?”
Lu Yu offered a curt nod. “Fair enough. Let’s be on our way, then.”
“But hold on a minute,” Lu Yu interjected, abruptly halting their departure. “Before we embark on this journey, there’s a matter I need to address. I don’t work well with individuals of unknown backgrounds. It would be beneficial for you to reveal your true identity.”
The man in black faltered, his hand hovering over the mask that concealed his face. “You’re not a local,” he scoffed. “What 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.”
Lu Yu studied him intently, his gaze unwavering. After a long moment of silence, he conceded, “You have a point. It is a temporary partnership.
However, knowing your name wouldn’t hurt, would it?”
The man drew a deep breath, exasperation evident in his posture. “Alright, alright,” he sighed in defeat. “If you must know, my name is Zhao Ming. A simple name, really. It doesn’t matter if you remember it or not.”
Lu Yu covertly sent a mental query to the Nightmare Dragon residing within him as Zhao Ming spoke. “Can you peer into his mind and gauge his emotional state?”
“Of course, Master,” the Nightmare Dragon responded eagerly. “Let me take a look!”
A beat of silence followed. “This man…” the Nightmare Dragon began, its voice laced with surprise, “he seems flustered. His mind is in a state of disarray, like a balloon on the verge of bursting!”
Lu Yu acknowledged this information with a subtle nod. He then turned back to Zhao Ming with a knowing glint in his eyes. “Zhao Ming, that’s it? A very ordinary name, indeed,” he remarked.
“Relaxed,” the Nightmare Dragon reported. “He seems to have calmed down.
The tension has dissipated.”
This update from his companion solidified Lu Yu’s suspicions. He studied Zhao Ming with renewed scrutiny.
“Let’s go then,” Zhao Ming urged, his voice regaining its former confidence.
“No point in wasting more time.”
“Is Zhao Ming truly your name?” Lu Yu pressed, his words laced with a hint of challenge.
Zhao Ming blinked, momentarily thrown off guard. “What do you mean?” he stammered. “Of course it is! Why would I lie?”
Hu Zhan, confused by the sudden shift in the conversation, chimed in, “Wasn’t everything settled just now? Why are we questioning his name again?”
“Hold on,” Lu Yu countered, his voice firm and laced with suspicion. “Let’s clear the air before we proceed. Tell me your real name. This partnership hinges on honesty, and right now, that’s sorely lacking.”
Zhao Ming’s eyes narrowed defensively. “I already told you, it’s Zhao Ming. Why the doubt? We’re wasting precious time here. Let’s just get moving. Are you still interested in collaborating, or not?”
Lu Yu remained unconvinced, shaking his head resolutely. “The truth matters. Without a foundation of trust, cooperation becomes precarious. Why can’t you come clean?”
A flicker of guilt flickered across Zhao Ming’s face. “Why… why wouldn’t I be Zhao Ming?” He stammered, his voice betraying his growing unease.
“Because you’re lying,” Lu Yu declared, his gaze unwavering. “And I can see right through it. Now, tell me the truth.’
The man in black stumbled back a few steps, his facade crumbling.
“Lu Yu, did you really detect the slip-up? How?” Hu Zhan looked at the man in black and asked.
“This is your last chance,” Lu Yu pressed, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Come clean, or this partnership ends now.”
Taking a deep, defeated breath, the man confessed, “Alright, alright. You got me. I have no idea what giveaway I made, but your observation skills are impressive. It’s natural to conceal your identity during ventures like this, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Since you insist,” he continued, a hint of resignation in his voice. “I’ll reveal my true name.”
Hu Zhan’s jaw dropped in astonishment. “Damn it! You were lying all along? I couldn’t tell a thing! Lu Yu, how did you figure it out?”
Lu Yu offered a sly smile towards the man in black. “Tell me your real name,” he prompted.
The man in black spread his hands in a gesture of surrender. “It’s Ming Baixuan. That’s my real name. No more lies, I promise. You have my word.”
Lu Yu nodded subtly, the Nightmare Dragon in his mind having already provided the confirmation. “Good. This time, you showed some sense by admitting the truth.”
Ming Baixuan, defeated but strangely impressed, acknowledged Lu Yu’s perceptiveness. “You’re a remarkable individual, Lu Yu. You have a keen eye for detail. Clearly, you’re no ordinary man.”
“Enough talk,” Ming Baixuan declared, eager to move forward. “Seems like messing with you is a bad idea. Let’s consider this a forced partnership. Once we gain access to the treasure trove, I have no doubt we’ll both walk away with significant rewards.”
Lu Yu’s gaze sharpened. “Wait a minute,” he said, a new question forming in his mind. “You’re saying this as if it isn’t your first time? Are you implying you’ve been here before?”
“That’s right, I’m a treasure hunter. I’ve been looking for all kinds of hidden treasures, so of course, it’s not my first rodeo. It’s just that this time, I couldn’t get the key to the treasure. In the end, I found out that the key was with the Xu family.”
Lu Yu stopped and looked at him, asking, “Did you go to the Xu family and negotiate with them after you found out that the key was with them?”
