Warning! The evil god's minions are invading the eerie dungeon.

"Come, come, Mr. Qi, let me introduce you."

Li Song, acting as the middleman, spoke first:

"This is the man you've met before, Zhao Jian'an, the captain of the Red Kite Squad, Captain Zhao. This young and promising man is Jiang Zhengyi, the captain of the Provincial Bureau's Ghost Owl Squad, Captain Jiang."

After Zhao Jian'an and others finished their introductions by Li Song, they nodded earnestly to Qi Xie and said:

"Mr. Qi, thank you so much for the student ghost incident. If it weren't for your help, we might all have died there. On behalf of myself and my teammates, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to you."

"You're too kind. There's no need for such formalities. I was just doing my job by accepting Li Lao Er's request. Helping you was just a side thing."

Qi Xie waved his hand:

"Everyone, please have a seat. Let's get straight to the point."

The four people sat down.

After Li Song announced that the dishes would be served, he stopped talking and simply watched quietly from the side.

Zhao Jian'an took out a small, palm-sized white metal box that he had prepared beforehand and placed it on the table:

"Mr. Qi, I won't say more. Li Song should have already told you that this contains calamity-level materials. Just take a look. As for the reward, it will be deposited into your account later."

Qi Xie took the metal box, opened it, and took a look.

Inside is a thing that can induce the uncanny valley effect in people.

Judging from the material, it should be a ginseng root, about the size of a palm, bound in a groove inside the box.

But this thing has a nose and eyes, just like a living person.

Those eyes were bright and piercing. When they saw Qi Xie, they darted around and grinned, revealing a malicious smile, as if trying to scare Qi Xie.

Qi Xie remained silent, raised his index and middle fingers, and poked them into the animal's eyes, causing it to howl in pain.

"The items are good, thank you."

Qi Xie closed the box and smiled.

Seeing that Qi Xie did not show any aversion to the authorities, Zhao Jian'an was secretly pleased, but he did not show it. Instead, he changed the subject and said:

"I'm glad Mr. Qi is satisfied. Come, everyone, let's eat and chat. Mr. Qi, let me first raise a glass to you to thank you for saving my life..."

The atmosphere gradually relaxed.

The meal was filled with eating, drinking, chatting, and laughter, with no serious matters discussed, but everyone was secretly plotting something.

Qi Xie was thinking about how to pack up that pile of garbage and sell it to the other side.

Zhao Jian'an was secretly pleased that the atmosphere was quite good, and pondered how to further probe whether Qi Xie was interested in joining the Weird Special Forces.

However, at that moment...

Jiang Zhengyi suddenly spoke:

"Mr. Qi."

"Um?"

"Um?!"

Qi Xie, holding a wine glass and secretly plotting something, turned his head in confusion upon hearing this.

Zhao Jian'an's heart clenched instantly, fearing that the next thing this chuunibyou would say was, "I've heard so much about you, let's have a match."

Fortunately, although Jiang Zhengyi was a bit dim-witted, he wasn't stupid. He knew what to say and what not to say in different situations.

He smiled and said loudly:

"Mr. Qi, I have long admired your name, it is very well-known."

Since the arrival of the bizarre dungeon, in the traveler community, if we're talking about the biggest dark horse, besides you, I, Jiang Zhengyi, can't admit it!

"You've only been in the dungeon for a little over half a year, and you've already reached the level of an advanced traveler, capable of soloing dangerous and bizarre opponents. No exaggeration, I, Jiang Zhengyi, admire you. This cup... I'll drink it!"

As he spoke, he picked up the Coke that had been poured for him and drank it all in one gulp.

Qi Xie raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything, because he couldn't figure out what this chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur) was up to.

Jiang Zhengyi's idea was very simple.

He was good-looking, came from a good family, and had excellent grades. So, from childhood to adulthood, everyone around him would give him a thumbs up in praise.

After being suddenly selected into a bizarre instance during high school, escaping death and unexpectedly obtaining a [Ghost Sword], he felt like he was a protagonist straight out of a novel.

Since then, whether it was smoothly embarking on the path to becoming stronger or becoming the youngest captain in the provincial bureau, nothing could diminish his pride.

But now, he actually saw someone who possessed strength that was possibly no less than his own, and was also better looking than him.

He can't accept it!

This was a major blow to his self-esteem!

Of course, he didn't think Qi Xie was stronger than him, but it wasn't the right time to issue a challenge.

So he turned to another direction, trying to win back a point.

And this direction is age.

We're about the same strength, but I'm younger than you. Who's stronger and who's weaker is self-evident!

This is the competitive spirit that belongs to teenagers.

Therefore, he looked at Qi Xie with a strong competitive spirit in his eyes and said politely:

"Mr. Qi, you look quite young, and you're quite accomplished for your age... May I ask how old you are?"

Qi Xie raised an eyebrow, realizing what was happening, but didn't react much. He simply picked up his wine glass, took a calm sip, and said:

"18".

"Ah, then we're about the same."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhengyi immediately revealed a 'winner' expression:

I am 17 years old.

Zhao Jian'an looked at Qi Xie with some confusion.

He remembered that according to the background check, Qi Xie should be 22 years old.

What is 18?

Li Song leaned closer to Qi Xie and whispered:

"Master Qi, are you lying about your age to fool a child?"

Qi Xie finished his drink and, looking at Jiang Zhengyi's smug expression, said calmly:

"I didn't say my age."

"..."

"..."

In an instant, the room fell silent.

Li Song and Zhao Jian'an stood frozen in place.

Jiang Zhengyi's smile faltered, and he looked at Qi Xie with a puzzled expression:

"If it's not age, then what is it...?"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly stopped, and then his eyes widened little by little.

Qi Xie calmly put down his wine glass, clenched his fists, extended his index fingers and put them together, then gradually widened the distance until it was about the size of a hand's width.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"You asked me how old you are."

As he spoke, he poured himself another glass of wine and sipped it nonchalantly.

An unprecedented sense of frustration overwhelmed Jiang Zhengyi.

Li Song gave Qi Xie a thumbs-up under the table and whispered:

"Wow, you're awesome, Boss Qi. You're amazing."

"Keep it low-key."

Zhao Jian'an, sitting across the table, glanced at Jiang Zhengyi, who had slumped back into his seat, and then at Qi Xie, who was calmly and modestly talking to Li Song across the table. His eyes twitched.

What kind of mental state is required to say such earth-shattering and awe-inspiring words so casually?

Is recruiting this guy into the organization really a reasonable idea?