F-class thief? Sorry, I can steal anything.

Chapter 104 The Plan: Uncle Wang, I'm Not Going to Be a Hero Anymore

Chen Yifan returned to the Heavenly Cloud Court.

After his mother and sister left, the place that Chen Yifan had personally reinforced and renovated lost its meaning in an instant.

He sat alone in the monitoring room.

The lights from dozens of screens in front of him flickered and crisscrossed, casting dark, ambiguous shadows on his face.

He had been sitting like that for three hours.

It didn't move, and didn't even change its posture.

Like a lone wolf surveying its territory and gathering strength in the darkness.

How to break this deadlock?

[One Hundred Aspects]

【key】

【official】

Greed throughout the world

He is now the sitting duck, and that fact cannot be changed.

His only bargaining chip was the "hero" status he had just been given by the authorities.

Chen Yifan picked up a pen and started making a mind map on a blank sheet of paper.

The official purpose is clearly to bring out the myriad aspects of the situation, and the key is the crucial element.

They seemed certain that the other would show up because of this.

And what about Bai Xiang? Would he take the bait so easily?

The answer is uncertain.

but……

The only certainty now is that he will be in great danger.

live.

The three words were heavily circled.

He was not a strategist who planned and orchestrated events.

He was just a madman driven to the edge of a cliff, desperate to survive.

Since everyone believes he has something in his possession.

So...

Chen Yifan picked up the encrypted communicator and dialed Mu Wanqing's number.

This time, the phone rang for a long time, so long that he thought the other party wouldn't answer.

"I received the person."

On the other end of the phone was Mu Wanqing's cold and impatient voice.

"Chen Yifan, you better not die, or I guarantee you'll regret ever being born!"

Since the agreement was signed, she hasn't received a single benefit; instead, she's been cleaning up the mess this guy has made.

This is a losing proposition.

This was the first time she had ever done this in her life.

"Don't worry, I'm more afraid of dying than anyone else."

Chen Yifan's voice was completely calm, as if he were talking about something trivial that had nothing to do with him.

"So, I need your help again."

"What else do you want?!"

Mu Wanqing's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"Spread a few messages for me."

Chen Yifan could sense the other person's displeasure and impatience.

However, under the influence of the Abyss Contract.

Mu Wanqing is his most capable assistant at this stage.

"...What news?"

Mu Wanqing's tone was full of vigilance.

"It's very simple."

Chen Yifan stood up and paced slowly in the monitoring room, speaking at a measured pace.

"First, spread the word that the [Key Fragment - Shadow] is not a physical entity, but a special mark bound to the soul."

"The moment Shadow Fiend died, the mark dissipated, leaving nothing behind."

As soon as Chen Yifan finished speaking, Mu Wanqing stopped breathing.

She was rapidly analyzing the potential chain reaction this news might trigger.

However, Chen Yifan did not stop.

"Secondly, speaking of me, Chen Yifan, although I didn't get the key, I did receive a portion of the Shadow Fiend's 'legacy' as the 'killer'."

"As for what kind of legacy it is, keep it vague and let them guess."

"But everyone must believe that it is definitely not a key!"

This combination of moves was the life he gained by exchanging three hours of dead silence for himself.

The first message was "stop loss".

Announcing that the key is gone can extinguish the fervor of some people who want to get rich quick by "murdering and stealing treasure".

The second message was "life extension".

This also marks the beginning of "passing the buck".

He must maintain his "value".

By introducing the concept of "heritage," they shroud themselves in a mysterious aura that no one can truly understand.

This makes those who want to mess with him think twice.

Kill him.

Will this lead to the disappearance of that unknown "legacy" as well?

After all, the greed of human nature lies in wanting both.

"interesting."

On the other end of the phone, Mu Wanqing's voice held a hint of amusement.

"Creating something out of nothing, bluffing. Do you want to turn yourself from a 'mobile treasure trove' into a 'Schrödinger's chest'?"

"Almost," Chen Yifan said. "I want to make those who want to harm me change their mindset from 'kill me' to 'capture me'."

Killing is a matter of a single moment.

Being captured gave him countless opportunities to maneuver and retaliate.

"You've really got a clever plan," Mu Wanqing sneered. "But spreading this kind of fake news costs a lot of resources. The Black Gold Chamber of Commerce isn't a charity."

"I'll write it down for now," Chen Yifan replied with the utmost straightforwardness. "Once I survive, I'll pay you back with interest."

"..."

Mu Wanqing was once again speechless at his "I owe money because of my own abilities" attitude.

but……

If what Chen Yifan said is true, and we survive...

The future value of such a person is self-evident.

"Alright, since that's the case, one last question: at best, what you're doing will only fool those brainless mercenaries and solo players."

"I would never believe in something like the 'Hundred Forms'."

"He has another key. How could he not know what kind of key it is?"

"I know."

Chen Yifan's gaze fell on a surveillance screen.

Those were the extremely well-hidden pinhole cameras he left around the Longcheng No. 1 Villa.

Business as usual.

"So, there's a third piece of news."

"explain."

"Issuing a reward in the voice of a third party."

Chen Yifan's voice was deliberate and clear, carrying a burning calmness.

"A bounty?"

"Yes, the true whereabouts of the bounty target—[Key Fragment: Shadow]."

"The bounty is 50 million in cash."

A self-deprecating smile appeared on Chen Yifan's face.

"Through this bounty, I want to tell everyone, especially Bai Xiang: I, Chen Yifan, also have no damn way of knowing where that damn key is!"

On the other end of the phone, only Mu Wanqing's weak but rapid breathing could be heard.

She didn't say anything, but Chen Yifan knew she understood.

This is a trap.

A complex web of interconnected problems.

First, claim that the key is missing to lower your own level of danger.

Then they bring up the "inheritance" argument to maintain its exploitative value and human greed, turning "death penalty" into "capture alive".

Finally, by offering a third-party reward, he was pulled as far from the center of the storm as possible.

Only in this way.

He was able to successfully shift all attention from "Chen Yifan has a treasure" to "Where exactly is the treasure?"

"You... want to muddy the waters?"

Mu Wanqing's voice sounded somewhat incredulous.

"No."

Chen Yifan stared at the figure in the surveillance footage, dressed in a cleaner's uniform, tirelessly sweeping the same fallen leaves, his eyes as cold as iron.

"I'm trying to tell the real angler that he's fishing for the wrong fish with that rod."

"By the way, let the other sharks in the water know that I'm not the only bait in the pool; perhaps... there are some even fatter and better ones."

His voice was even lower, with a hint of eerie laughter.

"Of course, all of the above is just a prelude."

"I have a fourth message."

"To issue a conclusion in the tone of 'truth and analysis'..."

"So... if Shadow Fiend 'escaped' from the official prison, could it be that the authorities obtained his most important possession from the very beginning?"

This fourth point is the real way to shift the blame eastward!

There's so much to be done about an S-level wanted criminal who's been imprisoned for nearly half a year trying to "escape" from prison.

There is a high possibility that the authorities will take the keys.

Or is it more likely that he, the "young hero" who was pushed out, is a thief who is not even a thief who has made a quick buck, who will take the money?

Once the seed of doubt is planted, it will grow wildly in people's hearts.

By then, his little "hero" will be nothing compared to the massive official government of the Dragon Kingdom.

Who is more likely to be the mastermind behind the [Key Fragment: Shadow]?

The answer is obvious.

"I see."

Mu Wanqing took a deep breath, her tone more solemn than ever before.

"I'll do as you say. Chen Yifan, good luck. Don't die, you still owe me a lot of money."

The phone hangs up.

Chen Yifan let out a long sigh of frustration and leaned back against the cold chair.

As long as the message is sent.

He bought himself valuable time.

But at the same time, it also put him on a tightrope from which there was no turning back.

Since someone wants to use him as bait.

Then don't blame him for creating a hole in the sky.

but……

One person's strength is ultimately limited.

After the message is spread, someone needs to respond within the chessboard.

He needs allies.

An ally who can understand the game and is capable of providing him with a lifeline at crucial moments.

Wang Jianguo's face appeared in his mind.

This mysterious old police officer.

And that office that was being monitored.

This not only shows that Wang Jianguo is also involved in the game, but may even be a more important pawn than himself.

Is it possible to take advantage of such a person?

Chen Yifan's fingertips tapped unconsciously on the cold tabletop, producing a monotonous "tap, tap" sound.

After a long while, he picked up the communicator and dialed Wang Jianguo's number.

The call was connected.

Chen Yifan's voice was calm and clear.

"Uncle Wang."

"I don't want to be this hero anymore."