Duàn Chén did not tell his other teammates about certain matters. The ten percent he mentioned, which had been taken over by sea monsters, did not solely refer to the Jia family's bloodline.
He was referring to the banquet itself.
Everyone present who had any relation to the Jia family had already been taken over by the sea monsters.
Those who had not been possessed were either guests attending the banquet or the influential figures gathered here.
One could only imagine the extent of the Jia family's scheme.
He looked at his teammates, gently stroked his chin, and smiled faintly.
Having been with him for so long, had they forgotten he possessed mind-reading abilities?
In truth, it was not entirely surprising that Jūncì and the others overlooked this. Duàn Chén rarely used his mind-reading ability on them, or rather, he seldom used it and never deliberately revealed it.
This led them to completely disregard this crucial point.
Whether it was Jiǎ Rénguì, Wáng Fùguì, or anyone else, they had all had physical contact with Duàn Chén.
However, he found it somewhat strange, because based on his observations and mind-reading, Jiǎ Rénguì was still able to maintain his own consciousness…
This was rather interesting.
But thinking about the desires Jiǎ Rénguì held towards him, Duàn Chén couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
He thought he might be able to understand what kind of sea monsters were rampant in Bīngchéng, and what their innate abilities were.
It was less about species and more about talent.
The sea monsters here were markedly different from those in Jìngchéng.
Parasitic type.
This was the name Duàn Chén gave to the sea monsters here after continuous contact.
The sea monsters here were entirely parasitic, choosing human hosts as their vessels and gradually consuming the host's life force.
And for the human host to survive, they would need to find a new shell.
Clearly, Duàn Chén was the shell chosen by Jiǎ Rénguì.
He couldn't help but find it amusing.
The thought that he might one day become a mere vessel was quite interesting, and it also sparked a hint of curiosity about the parasitic sea monsters appearing here.
He had replicated the ability of ancient texts. Although it wasn't the complete version, it possessed the capability to upload data.
Jiǎ Rénguì likely had no idea that the reason Duàn Chén had tolerated him time and again was simply to analyze and steal the abilities of the parasitic sea monsters on Jiǎ Rénguì through constant contact.
His mind-reading level had long since become outrageously high. Unless it was a deity, no one could possibly detect him reading their minds.
Furthermore, he had deliberately downplayed any traces of his mind-reading usage.
This was one of his trump cards.
After the destruction of Sūchéng, fewer and fewer people remembered his mind-reading ability.
Why wouldn't he directly turn his mind-reading into one of his trump cards?
After all, sea monsters possessed intelligence, and almost all intelligent creatures could have their thoughts read by him.
Moreover, he had several different eye techniques…
If used in conjunction.
He could truly be considered a prophet among mortals.
Able to see the past, present, and future… omnipotent and omniscient.
"What does the captain think?"
Duàn Chén's thoughts snapped back as the discussion among his teammates flashed through his mind during his brief distraction.
The smile on his face never wavered.
"Hmm, according to my thoughts, we could try to probe them…"
"However, perhaps we won't need to actively seek out an opportunity ourselves."
The others had yet to grasp his meaning, but Duàn Chén was already counting down in his mind.
As the countdown ended, he heard a knock on the door.
Duàn Chén was prepared. He stood up and walked to the door, revealing the smiling face of Jiǎ Rénguì outside.
Jiǎ Rénguì wore an apologetic expression.
He said with great awkwardness, "I apologize for making you wait here. This matter is quite dangerous, but now I have no choice but to shamelessly ask Brother Bai to help me."
Duàn Chén thought to himself, "It has indeed come."
However, he showed no outward change. Instead, he paused slightly, adopting a contemplative demeanor…
Duàn Chén did not immediately agree.
"You first," he said.
Jiǎ Rénguì stood sincerely at the doorway, his eyes filled with pleading.
"I know your strength is comparable to a senior agent's, Brother Bai, and this matter has clearly gone beyond expectations and is extraordinary."
"I wonder if I could hire you, Brother Bai, to resolve this for my Jia family, to find the mastermind, so that I can sleep soundly, and also avenge Méngméng?"
Mentioning Jiǎ Méngméng, his expression became particularly intense and angry.
Duàn Chén frowned slightly.
Jiǎ Rénguì continued to plead.
"Consider it a plea from me as a father. She was my most beloved daughter! How can I bear to see my daughter's remains incomplete even in death?"
"Alright, I promise you."
Duàn Chén sighed, as if forced into a corner.
His agreement brought a smile to Jiǎ Rénguì's face.
A string of compliments flowed from his lips.
"I knew it, Brother Bai is righteous and would never refuse."
"I can help you, but you need to tell me first, what exactly is going on? Have you investigated anything?"
Duàn Chén raised a hand, resting it on the doorframe, his expression serious.
Jiǎ Rénguì inwardly resented his lack of etiquette, not even inviting him in to sit. But outwardly, he could only stand awkwardly at the door and begin to tell Duàn Chén what he had investigated.
His anger was genuine.
But his desire to trap Duàn Chén was also real.
He spoke of some so-called information that sounded useful, but upon closer thought, it was all meaningless babble like:
"The surveillance was broken."
"No one saw anything."
"The place was deserted."
"The manor was sealed."
Yet Duàn Chén did not expose him. Instead, he nodded solemnly and said with a serious tone,
"I understand. I will do my best to investigate this matter, but I will require cooperation from your people."
Jiǎ Rénguì nodded.
"Certainly, certainly, anything is fine!"
Just then, as he was about to say something, his eyes suddenly showed hesitation again.
Duàn Chén, of course, pretended not to notice and asked considerately,
"Did Old Brother Jia remember something?"
Then he heard Jiǎ Rénguì sigh deeply.
"I don't know if I should tell you… but, alas!"