"Is he really dead?" Heini looked at Ye Xiao in disbelief.

Ye Xiao smiled slightly, watching Heini's incredulous expression, then turned to Wang Yin and said, "Is it really so surprising that I killed someone?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yin immediately looked at Heini and said, "Since Brother Xiao said he killed that Jianxing, then he certainly has. I don't know how strong Jianxing was, but our Brother Xiao is definitely stronger, because Jianxing is dead."

Listening to Ye Xiao's words, Heini couldn't help but gasp. Clearly, by this point, he understood that what Ye Xiao said was not a joke; Jianxing was indeed dead.

"Why did you suddenly go to Xie Jiantao's villa?" Heini asked, looking at Ye Xiao.

Ye Xiao replied, "Of course, to get this!"

Upon hearing this, Heini watched as Ye Xiao took out something from his hand. When Ye Xiao revealed the flickering Dragon Flag, Heini was stunned.

"D-Dragon Flag?" Heini, though unfamiliar with it, recognized the five-clawed golden dragon on the flag.

"That's right, it's the Dragon Flag," Ye Xiao said.

Heini immediately asked in surprise, "The Dragon Flag can't be in Xie Jiantao's house."

"You're so sure?"

"Absolutely!" Heini said, "When we searched Xie Jiantao's villa, I was involved. We practically turned his house inside out..."

"Wait, did you really turn it inside out?" Ye Xiao looked at Heini with a chuckle.

Heini, struck speechless by the question, replied, "Of course, not literally!"

"So, did you dig at all?"

"What do you mean?" Heini looked at Ye Xiao, puzzled.

Ye Xiao laughed and said, "The Soul Sect sent you to the Northern Territory with high hopes, but frankly, you're disappointing. You weren't thorough enough when searching for things."

"We could have sworn we searched inch by inch..."

"The item was found in the villa's garden," Ye Xiao sneered. "Oh, remember the swimming pool at Xie Jiantao's villa?"

"Such a valuable thing as the Dragon Flag couldn't be kept in a swimming pool. No one knows if it can withstand water exposure!" Heini said. "Besides, the water in the pool was clear, so anything suspicious would have been visible."

Listening to Heini's insistence, Ye Xiao couldn't help but laugh, but he didn't continue to argue because he knew it wouldn't lead anywhere.

"You're such a serious guy, but I don't want to discuss it further. Just know why I went to Xie Jiantao's place," Ye Xiao said. "As for whether Jianxing is dead, or if the dead person is Jianxing, you can find out when you get back."

"Are you going to let me go?" Heini asked Ye Xiao hesitantly.

Ye Xiao walked up to Heini and kicked his legs. This action stunned Wang Yin, clearly not understanding Ye Xiao's sudden move.

However, after being kicked, Heini was even more surprised.

For Heini, Ye Xiao's kick was like medicine, helping his legs gradually recover.

And this kick from Ye Xiao confirmed to Heini that he would indeed be released.

After a moment of shock and joy, Heini once again fell into deep conflict.

"Brother Xiao is letting you go. What? Not happy?" Wang Yin said, looking at Heini.

Heini glanced at Wang Yin, then turned to Ye Xiao and said, "Are you setting me free, or sending me to my death?"

"Haha, if that's how you see it, there's nothing I can do!" Ye Xiao replied.

Ye Xiao's demeanor was casual, clearly not intending to explain or resolve this matter.

"You're letting me go, so surely you want me to do something for you. But even if I return with the Dragon Flag, they'll still suspect me. By then, my fate might be worse than staying here," Heini said seriously, looking at Ye Xiao.

"You're absolutely right, but it's irrelevant to me. I've given you a chance to live; do you expect me to ensure you live well too?" Ye Xiao said with a smile. "Don't forget, we're not friends; we're enemies."

Heini looked at Ye Xiao, his brow furrowed, clearly frustrated by Ye Xiao's words.

But Heini wasn't foolish. Previously, he was wholly loyal to the Soul Sect. Now he had to waver because sticking to the old ways would surely lead to death if he told the truth after returning.

Yet, in truth, Heini didn't want to die. Living poorly was better than death.

"We... we could become friends!" Heini finally said, after much hesitation, looking at Ye Xiao.

No one in this world wants to be a traitor, nor is anyone completely loyal.

Some don't betray simply because the conditions aren't right.

As for Heini, he might not be desperate yet, but he was close. Ye Xiao already knew all the details about the Soul Sect in Han City from Heini, so Heini had, in fact, already defected. Even if he showed endless loyalty upon returning, if Ye Xiao revealed that all the Soul Sect information came from Heini, Heini would have no escape.

So, continuing as a true Soul Sect disciple was no longer an option for Heini.

Coincidentally, Heini valued his life, ensuring he'd inevitably betray.

Ye Xiao saw this from Heini's strong will to survive.

Ye Xiao slowly looked up at the unwilling Heini and suddenly burst into laughter.

His sudden laughter sent chills down Heini's spine.

"You better think it over. Right now, you're a gamble. If I succeed, you can become one of mine. But if I fail, you might continue with the Soul Sect or be discovered and also meet your end."

"Do you think there's a third option for me?" Heini asked Ye Xiao, seemingly helpless.

Heini spoke honestly: he had no other choice. If there were any viable alternative, he wouldn't choose to cooperate with Ye Xiao, as it meant becoming a spy. And how many spies have good fates?

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