Chapter 179: World Ranked Number One

Yue Yao wanted to leave because, as she had mentioned to Li Yan, she intended to take that piece of the piano and ancient stone to find a way to cut it open and see what was inside, then make it into accessories to bring back. However, she couldn’t tell Zhang Yurong this reason, so she found another excuse, which she had already coordinated yesterday.

Upon hearing Yue Yao say she was going home for a visit and would return after some time, Zhang Yurong felt relieved. Over time, she had completely gotten used to having Yue Yao accompany her at home, just like during her hospital stay—without her, she seemed a bit out of sorts. She was worried Yue Yao might be concerned about previous medical expenses and was going back to gather money, so she specifically emphasized that if Yue Yao was leaving for this reason, she would be upset; if it were for anything else, she would welcome her return.

After speaking with Yue Yao, Zhang Yurong contemplated whether to inform Li Yan but ultimately decided not to tell him immediately and planned to share the news when she returned home in the evening.

Unbeknownst to her, before Yue Yao called, she had already sent a message to Li Yan, asking him to come online to discuss matters. While on the phone with Zhang Yurong, she was simultaneously discussing business with Li Yan.

"We’ve been dormant for some time, and recently, there haven’t been any new issues. Perhaps the previous problems were just occasional occurrences."

Seeing Yue Yao’s message, Li Yan knew she was referring to the earlier disappearance of ’their’ organization’s members after missions. Initially, he suspected Rose’s group was trying to force him out, but after collaborating with Sonia, he realized it wasn’t their doing. Neither Swordfish nor Gate showed any reaction, so it couldn’t be confirmed if it was them. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"What do you mean...?"

"If these issues are only occasional, we should continue working and can’t rest indefinitely. I want to start reaching out for new business after New Year’s Day."

Regarding ’their’ structure and business, Yue Yao already knew and understood better than Li Yan. A brief operational pause wouldn’t have much impact, but if no one accepts jobs for an extended period, it would affect performance. Risking their lives as assassins is primarily for money. The organization makes arrangements, and everyone can follow, but a certain income needs to be guaranteed. If there’s a continuous lack of earnings, people might defect from the organization.

This is no longer the era of unwavering loyalty; everything revolves around interests. The events from half a year ago were still fresh in Yue Yao’s memory. Many were not only worried about supplementing their income but also concerned about the impact on their confidence.

"Alright, let’s do as you say." Li Yan didn’t hesitate and agreed immediately. Nobody wants to rely on idleness. After the reshuffle six months ago, everyone was on an upward trend; they couldn’t be suppressed by small, unconfirmed factors.

"Also... one of your friends sent you an email, I’ve forwarded it to you."

"Hmm?" Li Yan was slightly surprised by this. What kind of friend sends an email that Yue Yao specifically needs to forward to him?

If it were for ’King’ or ’them’, Yue Yao had the right to handle it. If it were outside of business matters, it would most likely be Guan Ziyi; others didn’t have the habit of sending emails. Lao Jiu usually contacted him via phone and had even given him a specially encrypted communication phone, so even if an email was sent, he would notify by phone, right?

"Perhaps you’ll understand once you see it; it should be specifically for you." Yue Yao seemed very certain.

"Okay, send it to me now."

Li Yan quickly received an email, opened it, and it appeared to be an ordinary junk advertisement email. However, to someone experienced in the industry, the style indicated it was coded with cryptic language.

Yue Yao also noticed this, but after attempting to decode, found it was not a familiar cryptic method. Although she could patiently decrypt it, she estimated it was intended for Li Yan, so she didn’t proceed but instead forwarded it to him.

"I’ll leave first and come back in some time."

"Be careful!" The work she needed to complete now didn’t involve danger; Li Yan was actually worrying about her old wounds.

After bidding farewell to Yue Yao, Li Yan studied the email for a while and immediately understood the cryptic grammar within. This was a grammar code agreed upon by him and another individual, understood only by the two of them.

They hadn’t contacted each other in a long time, rarely connected except for specific matters—to the extent that almost no one knew of their association.

This person was named "Qi," also an assassin, a skilled one at that.

Just as the current mainstream in international communication is international languages, the largest assassin platform also uses international language labels. Names like Rose, Swordfish, Gate, Them, Tears, God, Jesus, etc., are all written in international language, including King and Queen, which are also designated with international language codes. (Note: Due to the non-Song font of VIP on the starting point platform, English letters are difficult to discern, so foreign English code names are written as Chinese phonetic interpretations. King and Queen appeared in the public version, and unless spoken by others, they’re written in third person as Li Yan and Yue Yao, so these two are not translated into Chinese.)

Qi is not an international language spelling, nor is it a spelling from other linguistic systems, but in international terms, this word does exist. It’s the international phonetic translation of the Yun Country’s ’Qi’—using Yun Country’s phonetic spelling. Although qi related to weather and gases can be translated, Taoist qi, traditional Chinese medicine qi, Qi Gong qi are concepts that even Yun Country people have a vague grasp of without deeper understanding. International languages are unable to translate it suitably, hence Qi is used to express these concepts of ’qi’.