Chapter 47: More Money Needed

Fang Xiu nodded: "That's right. The more powerful the ability, the greater the price you have to pay. Every time I foresee the future, a flood of chaotic information rushes into my mind, which has a significant impact on my mind. This increases the risk of spiritual instability.

Additionally, the limitations of predicting the future are significant. Currently, I cannot foresee the distant future—only a few seconds to a few days at most. Anything longer is impossible."

Wang Dehai, seeing how seriously he spoke, grew solemn: "The duration of your predictions likely correlates with your own spiritual power. As a newly promoted Spirit Tamer, it's normal for your prediction time to be short. I estimate that once you reach the second tier, your abilities will break through.

However, Mr. Fang, there's one thing I don't understand. Since predicting the future increases the risk of spiritual instability, why do you keep doing it so frequently?"

"Because of the spiritual incense."

"You want the spiritual incense from the Investigation Bureau?"

"Exactly. The reason I keep demonstrating my abilities is to get the Investigation Bureau to take notice of me, so I can join the bureau and obtain the spiritual incense to stabilize my spiritual energy."

Upon hearing this, Wang Dehai's mind formed a logical loop, perfectly explaining Fang Xiu's current actions and understanding his motives.

So the goal was to obtain the spiritual incense?

Though the spiritual incense is precious, Wang Dehai wouldn't hesitate to part with it. Facing a spirit master capable of predicting the future, no matter the price, he must be recruited.

"Mr. Fang, if I were to invite you to join the Investigation Bureau, how much compensation would be required?"

"I demand the treatment of a second-tier spirit master, plus one spiritual incense stick per month. Additionally, I require relatively flexible working hours and the ability to refuse unreasonable work requests.

Furthermore, if an incident arises that requires my abilities, appropriate compensation must be provided afterward. In other words... more money."

As soon as he finished listing his demands, Wang Dehai hadn't even spoken yet, but Shen Lingxue couldn't help but interject.

"Fang Xiu, are you joking? Are you saying that you won't work at all, and the Investigation Bureau has to keep you on as a Second-Tier Spirit Master and provide you with spirit incense, and then pay you extra whenever you're needed to work?"

Fang Xiu nodded: "Good reading comprehension."

"You!" Shen Lingxue glared at him angrily, then turned to Wang Dehai and said, "Director Wang, you can't agree to his demands. This is against the rules. He's just a new Spirit Master. If we follow his demands, If we follow his demands, his treatment would be on par with the captain's. Plus, we can't confirm yet that he can truly predict the future."

Wang Dehai ignored Shen Lingxue and paused for a moment before saying, "Mr. Fang, if it is confirmed after the results are announced that you can indeed predict the future, then I can agree to your salary and benefits, as well as one spirit incense stick per month. However, each time we need to use your abilities, there will be an additional fee. I fear that..."

"Director Wang, it seems you haven't yet realized the value of my ability, but you'll soon find out." Fang Xiu interrupted directly.

"Mr. Fang, what do you mean by that?" Wang Dehai furrowed his brows slightly.

"I brought a special gift for the Investigation Bureau when I arrived. Once you see this gift, you'll surely agree to my terms."

"What gift?" Perhaps from watching too many movies, Wang Dehai instinctively felt that the word "gift" couldn't be anything good.

Fang Xiu smiled slightly: "A human life."

Wang Dehai's expression grew solemn: "Whose?"

"Bai Qi's life."

"Fang Xiu, what do you mean? Are you threatening me with Bai Qi's life?"

"It's not a threat, but a gift. If you don't believe me, you can call Bai Qi right now."

Fang Xiu's current state, combined with his words, was all too easy to misinterpret, resembling the villain in a movie who holds the upper hand and uses a life to threaten the protagonist.

Wang Dehai didn't immediately make the call but first gave Shen Lingxue a meaningful glance.

Shen Lingxue immediately understood and stood up, walking over to Fang Xiu's side.

It was clear that she intended to act if the situation turned sour.

Fang Xiu remained unfazed, as he was there to save lives, not take them.

Soon, Wang Dehai took out his phone and began dialing Bai Qi's number.

Beep, beep, beep...

"The number you dialed is turned off."

Wang Dehai's expression darkened instantly as he stared intently at Fang Xiu and said, "Bai Qi has a specially encrypted phone provided by the Investigation Bureau. This phone is supposed to be on 24/7, but now it's turned off. Mr. Fang, can I assume this is the gift you sent?"

Boom!

A bright, scorching flame appeared on Shen Lingxue's delicate white hand, and the threatening expression on her face spoke volumes.

"Speak! What did you do to Deputy Captain Bai?"

Fang Xiu furrowed his brows slightly. Had Yang Ming failed?

Just then, a piercing ringtone broke the tense atmosphere in the room.

Wang Dehai glanced at his phone screen, which displayed Yang Ming's number.

Without hesitation, he answered the call.

"Hello..."

As soon as he spoke, Yang Ming's furious voice erupted from the other end of the line.

"Director Wang! Is there a man named Fang Xiu at the Investigation Bureau?"

Feeling Yang Ming's agitated and unstable emotions, Wang Dehai instinctively began to think the worst.

"How do you know about Fang Xiu? What about Bai Qi? Wasn't he with you investigating the headless ghost? What happened to him?" he asked urgently.

"Bai Qi? Bai Qi was seriously injured. What about Fang Xiu? Are you..."

"What! Bai Qi was seriously injured!" Wang Dehai interrupted Yang Ming's words in excitement, jumping to his feet and staring intently at Fang Xiu, who remained calm.

In that moment, his mind raced. How could Fang Xiu have severely injured the top spirit master of Lvtong City? The power behind him was unimaginable. Who was he? Not only did he possess such immense strength, but he also had the audacity to injure someone and then dare to come to the Investigation Bureau to provoke them?

Shen Lingxue also lost her composure, the flames in her hands suddenly growing larger as she shouted, "Fang Xiu! Who are you! Who sent you here? The organization behind you dares to attack Bai Qi!"

Facing the pressure from the two, Fang Xiu merely said calmly, "I suggest you listen to Yang Ming's words first."

Wang Dehai narrowed his eyes but did not issue an order to act. After all, the fact that the other party could severely injure Bai Qi yet remain so brazenly defiant meant they must have some backing.

"Yang Ming, what exactly happened? Tell me everything!"

"Is Fang Xiu beside you?" Yang Ming asked.

Wang Dehai nodded solemnly, "That's right. He's currently in my office. He just said he brought me a big gift, but then I received your call saying Bai Qi was seriously injured. This truly is a big gift."