Chapter 1410 - Capture
Chapter 1410 - Capture
Gwan was dumbfounded. He never knew that a simple information-gathering could be this expensive.
"All I am asking for is some background information."
"Of course, you are just asking for that. That doesn't mean it wouldn't be dangerous for me. If the other party is too dangerous, I need to rethink whether it would impact my other interests and if it does, I need to reevaluate the pros and cons before deciding to proceed with the task or not.
If the importance of information is too high and the price is high as well, I would be proceeding with it or I would just quit.
There are many other factors like this."
"So the cost of the information would be based on how important it is for me, rather than how much trouble you have to go through."
"Something along those lines."
"What if the importance is too minuscule and the risk is too high?"
"Then, I would abandon the task and give an update on the situation, if you still want it, you need to amp up the price, if you don't, I will pay the advance back."
"The manager said that you take the payment in terms of favors."
"Yes, the advance has to be monetary though. The second part of the payment would be the favorite."
"Alright."
Gwan muttered and explained the situation.
After listening to the whole thing, Mani replied.
"A mercenary named Gewin appeared in your city running a group on his own name and he has all the means you told and he has a very special blueprint which shouldn't normally be in his possession with his current strength."
"That is exactly right."
"I can look into it. But it is not going to be cheap…"
They discussed the price and Gwan paid a large amount of money before leaving.
Mani who got all the details went to work immediately.
The first thing she did is to follow Gwan back to the city to see if he was being tailed by anyone else. She has been an information broker for far too long to not consider this a big fat conspiracy blowing up on her face.
This is the first thing she does after accepting a task. Check the person who assigned the mission to see if they are being manipulated and even the possibility that person is trying to manipulate her.
After confirming that neither are true, she moved to the next thing. To take a look at Grivon.
She took a vantage point a bit away from his residence and blended in. She has a very peculiar camouflage technique just like a chameleon. She blended perfectly into the trees without any peculiarity whatsoever.
There she got a clear view into Grivon's residence and she observed the whole house until the next day.
By the next morning, she was done and started rubbing her hands together. Soon spiritual energy gathered into it and turned into small flies completely condensed of spiritual energy as they flew away.
She then sneaked out of the trees and went into the woods and sat on an empty patch with her legs crossed.
The flies meanwhile, flew slowly. They flew so close to the ground and in between the grass that no one noticed them and they went directly into Grivon's residence.
They covered the whole area and soon some of them even went into the house as they sneaked into every single room.
Mani could hear the footsteps of people moving around and she can also see some people through these flies. She started listening in on the conversations and tried to look for any possible information that might slip out.
For fifteen minutes, she didn't get anything. But at that point in time, she could hear the rapid footsteps. It is almost like everyone in the house is getting out.
She was confused about why this happened and started exploring, but for the next ten minutes no matter how much she looked and listened, she couldn't find a single person and hear a single sound from the house and even the yard.
This confused her and prompted her to search a bit more. Another ten minutes, later. The results are the same.
She didn't know what happened and opened her eyes in confusion only to be startled and horrified.
Grivon and the rest of his group are standing in front of her. Some members surrounded her from other sides and blocked her escape routes.
"It seems like someone wants to get to know me a bit better."
As soon as Grivon spoke, a wind blade went past him and hit the shoulder of Mani.
It is a subordinate of his who attacked her.
"Are you trying to leave now? That is not good. I mean, you tried so hard from last night just to get my attention. Now that you have it, do you think you can just dump me and leave? That is a big mistake."
"Just let me go and I will never come across your path again. I am the elder of the organization that is ruling this place. You wouldn't be able to escape scot-free if you do something to me. My organization members will come after you."
"Maybe that is what I want. Your organization members coming after me." Grivon said and gestured. The subordinate beside him made a move…
Ten minutes later. Back in Grivon's residence. He sat on a chair while in front of him the elder is also sitting on a chair but she is tied up completely with the special shackles.
"Now, now. What are you up to? Why are you looking into me?"
"Just kill me and get it over with. I don't like being in this position."
"Who said that I am going to kill you? I did some digging on you too. Elder Mani, the great information broker within the surrounding realms. It would be a waste to just kill you. If you can sign a soul contract with me regarding something, then I might just let you go and live your life.
And after another month, I might not even show myself to you for the rest of our lives. Doesn't that sound better than just dying?"
Mani was surprised and then it turned into a stream of thoughts. She frowned and it only got deeper and deeper as she thought of any possibility on why Sam might let her go. After all, prying into your life is a very big taboo here, particularly who knows, just like Grivon everyone is hiding something and they would kill to just keep it hidden.
But when she looked at the whole group and their cultivations, she gulped and agreed. She couldn't find any other way.
"Alright."
"That's great. So let's just start with this. Who sent you to collect info on me?"
"Gwan."
This time it was Grivon's turn to be surprised.
"Gwan? Really?"
"Yes, he said something about the blueprint and wanted to get it. He just wants to know what the consequences are going to be."
"Consequences? He is finally using his brain?"
"He is."
"Now, that is good. I was thinking of how to speed up the process. I can't stay in this hole for a long time.
Okay, Mani. There are only a few tasks for you to accomplish. I want you to hand over your businesses. The ones that you are managing on behalf of your organization."
Mani was stunned and looked at him in shock.
"What the hell do you mean, handover? Do you think it is that easy?"
"Of course, not. But do you think, you have a choice? You are going to transfer the businesses. You can keep all of your personal business. But you need to transfer everything you have on behalf of your clan. I need every single spirit stone you have that belongs to your organization. After transfer, you can leave without a trace for over a month and you can come back. Things would be settled by then."
Mani gritted her teeth and just nodded her head in agreement. She is clearly very reluctant to this whole thing.
"Now the second task is even easier. But after doing this, you need to disappear for a month."
"Just tell me what it is."
"Well, you need to go back and inform Gwan that I am dangerous and the only thing he needs to know is that if he really wants to obtain that blueprint, gambling is the only way.
Tell him that, I am a force to be reckoned with and he shouldn't be doing that something that might blow with. Things like trying t steal and such.
I think you know what I am implying."
"Yes, I do. I will do it."
"Great, I was really thinking that you might take a lot of time and energy from me.
Thanks for cooperating. But remember that it is not easy to just betray me if you want to.. I don't want to make a visit to the Eldon Inn within the capital and slap the manager to death just because you betrayed me."