Sequence Beyond: My Wife is a Mysterious Boss

Noticing the ring's temperature was fading, Lin Bai forcibly pulled his wandering thoughts back, cleared his throat, and pointed to the "giant baby" in the corner.

"So, Mr. Gu, you mean... you're going to do something very dangerous, but this big, clumsy guy is a burden, and you want to dump him on me?"

Gu Canglan picked up the glass of water on the table, took a sip, and smiled like an old fox:

"Don't put it so harshly. After thinking it over, I think you're the most suitable candidate."

"Why me?"

"Because you have the ability." Gu Canglan said matter-of-factly, "Aqi is too soft-hearted and easily deceived."

"Following you, at least I won't get sold out and then have to count the money for the seller. I can also learn some... well, the survival wisdom of society."

"Besides, you should be leaving the city soon, right?" Gu Canglan put down his cup.

Lin Bai's heart skipped a beat.

How does this old man know everything?

"It's good to leave the city. For the next period of time... it's safer outside the city than inside." Gu Canglan sighed, his tone inexplicably desolate.

"I won't do it!"

Lin Bai refused decisively, leaning back tactically.

"Mr. Gu, we may be familiar, but please don't try to trick me. I always risk my life when I go to Yuncheng."

"Bring on a burden? Do I look like someone who's tired of living?"

Upon hearing the words "burden," Ah Qi in the corner trembled and lowered his head even further, looking just like a large dog abandoned by its owner.

Gu Canglan seemed to have anticipated Lin Bai's refusal and remained completely calm.

He slowly pulled an antique wooden plaque from his pocket and casually tossed it over.

"Don't rush to refuse, hear my conditions first?"

Lin Bai caught it instinctively.

The wooden plaque felt warm to the touch, and it was carved with a strange human face that seemed to be both crying and laughing.

Just holding it in your hand, you can feel a chilling aura creeping up your palm.

"What is this?"

"The Fate-Defying Spirit Tablet," Gu Canglan said calmly. "This is your first form of compensation, provided you agree to my request."

"Its effect is simple: when you encounter a fatal attack, it will shatter and protect you from the calamity."

"Of course, there are side effects too. When it shatters, it generates a large number of negative whispers that impact the soul, and if your will is not strong enough, you might go insane."

Lin Bai's pupils contracted slightly.

This thing, isn't it like having a second life?

This is truly priceless!

As for the side effects... do you even know what a fatal attack is?

Why care about being crazy when you're about to die? As long as you're alive, there's a chance!

Lin Bai's fingers flexed and flicked with remarkable ease.

Whoosh!

The wooden sign vanished instantly into his sleeve.

Once it's in my pocket, it's my destiny, and even the King of Heaven himself can't take it back.

But the expression on his face still looked like he was thinking, "Is this all? Are you trying to fob me off?"

He looked at Gu Canglan without saying a word.

Gu Canglan laughed in exasperation, pointing at Lin Bai with a hint of sarcasm: "You little rascal... you really have quite the appetite."

"Okay, the second compensation."

Gu Canglan's smile faded, and his expression became serious: "I promise to help you once, free of charge."

"Whether it's murder and robbery, or alchemy and enchantment, as long as it's not morally reprehensible, it's all acceptable!"

Lin Bai was truly moved this time.

Who is Gu Canglan?

A powerful figure with unfathomable combat capabilities. One of his promises is nuclear deterrence.

Whether it's finding materials for future promotions or encountering formidable adversaries, this is a trump card.

But he still frowned and raised the most practical question:

"Mr. Gu, as you just said, this job is extremely dangerous."

"What if... I mean, what if you don't come back? Then who will cash this empty promise I'm holding? Isn't this just pure wishful thinking?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Canglan's expression turned strange.

He looked at Lin Bai as if he were a fool:

"Have you forgotten who you learned alchemy from?"

"...I learned it from you."

"That's right," Gu Canglan said quietly, "Our entanglement has already gone too far."

"If I die out there, do you think my enemies will let my only apprentice in Blackrock City go?"

"Holy crap?!"

Lin Bai was completely numb.

"This thing involves collective punishment?! Nobody told me that learning a skill would mean inheriting your enemy's legacy!"

He now wishes he could rip the parchment out of his head and beat it up.

If it weren't for that jerk who made me go to Gu Canglan to learn alchemy, how could I have ended up with such a huge burden for no reason?

Once you're on this pirate ship, there's no getting off!

Seeing Lin Bai's expression of utter dismay, Gu Canglan felt inexplicably much better.

"So, helping me is also helping yourself."

Gu Canglan held up a third finger: "As a final bonus... are you looking for a mechanic?"

Lin Bai was startled, his eyes sharpening: "How did you know?"

He had just mentioned this to Old Jack, and no one else knew about it except for Old Jack.

Gu Canglan shook his head, offering no explanation, but simply said:

"The guy Old Jack recommended to you, his name is Wrench, right?"

"His skills are indeed excellent; he used to be a top craftsman in the inner city. But..."

Gu Canglan changed the subject, his eyes turning slightly cold: "He is a nail planted by the Spiral Tower in the outer city."

"They would tamper with the person being modified in order to control them."

Lin Bai's back instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

so close!

If that's the case, and I take Ah Ya to their door for rehabilitation, wouldn't that be like putting a time bomb inside Ah Ya's body?

Gu Canglan glanced at Aya, who was standing quietly at the door.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're going to modify him, right?"

"Living puppets, without the ability to feel pain, are indeed suitable for mechanical modification. Good idea."

"My third form of compensation is to recommend a true master mechanic to you."

"This person's skills are absolutely top-notch; you probably won't find anyone better in the entire Blackrock City."

"Most importantly...keep your mouth shut for safety!"

After saying that, Gu Canglan leaned back on the sofa and spread his hands.

"Alright, the Fate-Defying Spirit Card, a promise to help once, and a life-saving piece of information."

"These are the three conditions. Give me a straight answer, whether it's acceptable or not. If not... give me back the sign."

Shen Shu, who was standing to the side, finally couldn't hold back any longer, and his teeth were clenched so tightly they made a grinding sound:

"Lin Bai, don't be so greedy! Do you know how valuable the Fate-Defying Spirit Tablet is? Even if you sold yourself, you couldn't afford to pay for that scrap..."

"make a deal!"

Lin Bai didn't give Shen Shu a chance to finish speaking.

He slapped his thigh and readily agreed.

Just kidding, I've already swallowed all the benefits, why would I spit them out?

Even if you tried to pull the wooden sign out with pliers, you wouldn't be able to get it out of his pocket.

......