Chapter 152: Lin Qiu’s Brainwashing

Maybe it was because of his stupidity that Lin Qiu actually treated him quite well—better, even, than Fei Jie. This made Ma Kang’s ego swell even more.

Fei Jie tried to subtly warn him, only to be righteously scolded for being petty. The difference between this Ma Kang and the one who used to flatter him with “Brother Fei” at every turn was like night and day. Fei Jie was so angry he nearly coughed up blood, and in the end, he simply washed his hands of Ma Kang.

Still, Fei Jie didn’t leave Bloodthirst of his own accord. Although Lin Qiu was clearly scheming against him, he was at least treated with courtesy here, and he didn’t have to worry about food or drink.

Bloodthirst’s supplies were even more abundant than he’d imagined. The nutritional supplements provided each day were at least of mid-grade quality.

He might have a clever mind and some tricks to keep himself alive, but surviving on this perilous exile star was no easy feat. Until he found a better opportunity, he decided to stay put.

Over the past few days, he’d come to understand Lin Qiu much more deeply. On the surface, Lin Qiu appeared eager for talent, but in reality, he was as black-hearted as they came, always trying to brainwash people.

Ma Kang was a textbook example of someone who’d been successfully brainwashed, and Fei Jie himself was still in the process of being “brainwashed.”

Lin Qiu seemed to have plenty of free time lately. Every couple of days, he’d call the two of them over for a heart-to-heart, talking about ideals and whatnot. Today was no different.

Fei Jie’s greatest skill was brainwashing others—his very ability was related to this—so how could he be so easily brainwashed himself? Still, for the sake of his own safety and future peace, he chose to play along.

He’d occasionally put on a look of sincere belief, chime in to support Lin Qiu’s views, and sometimes even point out flaws in Lin Qiu’s reasoning.

He successfully packaged himself as a smart, insightful person with hidden abilities, demonstrating his value and making Lin Qiu treat him even more leniently, while also betting more heavily on him.

Today was another day where both sides left the conversation more satisfied with each other!

Fei Jie and Lin Qiu raised their cups and shared a laugh over tea, leaving Ma Kang—who was being ignored at the side—feeling a bit left out.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside.

“Something’s wrong! Something’s wrong!”

Lin Qiu’s refined face darkened slightly. He set down his teacup and strode outside.

“What’s going on? Why all the noise?”

He stood on the steps, face stern, looking down at the people in the courtyard, his voice tinged with anger.

The courtyard fell silent in an instant. Everyone looked at Lin Qiu with awe and fear.

From the crowd, a voluptuous, alluring woman in a tight red dress stepped forward. She curled her bright red lips into a smile, her enchanting eyes lifting to meet Lin Qiu’s as she said flirtatiously, “It’s that Kuí Hu guy—he got tripped up in the gutter. He took people to teach Zhong Teng’s little brother a lesson, but who’d have thought he’d get his ass handed to him by that pretty boy instead.”

“Hmph, useless.”

Kuí Hu, who’d been carried back, had already regained consciousness. He sat there, his blood-stained face twisted with malice, silently plotting how to skin Zhong Qiu alive and throw him into a pot of oil.

Hearing Hong Mei’s words, his face grew even uglier.

He suddenly stood up, clutching his head and swaying a bit before limping over. His swollen eyes fixed on Lin Qiu, and he suppressed his anger as he argued,

“Brother Qiu, I know the latest news says that Zhong Qiu awakened an ability, but I’m sure the one who froze us and controlled me wasn’t him. That kid alone couldn’t have pulled it off. It must’ve been one of the other five people present. I suspect it was one of them who did something, which let Zhong Qiu go crazy and smash me with a rock.”

Lin Qiu looked into his blazing, furious eyes, frowning as he thought. “Describe exactly what happened at the time.”

He shot a look at Hong Mei, who just chuckled and stepped aside.

Kuí Hu perked up, gave Lin Qiu a grateful glance, and began recounting what happened at the Rocky Ridge.

“You’re saying that after Zhong Qiu, five more people showed up?”

Lin Qiu frowned, a sharp glint in his eyes.

Kuí Hu nodded. “That’s right.”

Lin Qiu narrowed his eyes. “So, what did you make of those five? Their presence, appearance, or anything else?”

Kuí Hu, his face crusted with dried blood, thought for a moment. “Four men and a girl. The girl was especially pretty, dressed in fancy clothes, with skin so delicate she looked like a noble’s daughter. The four guys weren’t bad either. I was thinking of capturing them to give to Sister Hong. One of them, a black-haired, black-eyed kid, looked just like a young lord from a noble family.”

“Oh? So they’re not ordinary people,” Lin Qiu mused, running through everyone he’d met in his mind, but couldn’t think of anyone who fit.

Hong Mei, listening at the side, arched an eyebrow and gave a mysterious little smile. “I think I know who that one girl and four guys are.”

“Who?” Kuí Hu glared at her, gritting his teeth, itching to go back and get revenge right now.

“The out-of-towners selling fruits and vegetables at the Red Lotus stronghold—Miss Yun and Mr. Wu.”

“Miss Yun? Mr. Wu?” Kuí Hu frowned, trying to remember the names.

Lin Qiu, however, caught the key point. “You said they’re selling fruits and vegetables?”

Hong Mei smiled. “That’s right. I just got back from waiting in line to buy from them. Look, Brother Qiu, this is the apple I bought there. I was late, so there were only ten apples left. I couldn’t get the wholesale price, so I just bought the rest at retail.”

She held out her hand, her slender fingers—painted red—holding a big, rosy apple.

Lin Qiu could easily smell its sweet fragrance, richer and purer than the elven-grown apples from outside, and much bigger, too.

Shock flickered in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it and asked urgently, “Have you found out where they came from? Is there an orchard on this exile star that we don’t know about? Could it be from Crescent Spring…?”

Hong Mei took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the apple, then brought her red lips close and took a crisp bite. Sweet juice instantly filled her mouth, and her beautiful eyes narrowed in delight. “Delicious! Much better than the apples you gave us before, Brother Qiu.”

Seeing Lin Qiu squint at her, Hong Mei calmly swallowed her bite and continued with a smile, “Don’t worry, Brother Qiu. All I know so far is that they came with the Longteng group, but they split up at the city gate and only reunited after coming inside. And when they brought out those fruits and vegetables, even the Longteng people were shocked—it didn’t look like they knew them beforehand.”

“As for whether they’re connected to Crescent Spring, I’m not sure. But don’t worry, Brother Qiu, I’ve already sent people to investigate which direction they came from.”"