Jin Sha was dying, and Bai Ye was somewhat surprised.
Jin Sha's strength was actually quite good, being one of the Chosen who obtained a black-quality item relatively early.
Especially her beast taming!
Beast taming required nurturing and could grow stronger, which represented potential and a future.
However, Bai Ye didn't feel entirely surprised.
Jin Sha was a paradox. She knew the world battlefield was cruel, and she learned to adapt to this cruelty, adapting quite well. When it was time to kill, Jin Sha was ruthless.
But Jin Sha hadn't adapted perfectly. She was still unwilling to discard the last shred of kindness in her bones.
This was a good quality, but it couldn't help Jin Sha survive better on the world battlefield. It might even cost her her life.
In some ways, Bai Ye didn't dislike Jin Sha; otherwise, he wouldn't have helped her back then.
Of course, a large part of that was due to self-interest. Bai Ye was willing to act only if there were benefits.
But…
Walking in darkness did not mean one did not yearn for light in their heart.
Therefore, Bai Ye would not become like Jin Sha, but he also didn't dislike people like Jin Sha.
"Can we be considered friends?" Bai Ye smiled and said, "Let's just say so, reluctantly."
Bai Ye opened the window, lit a cigarette, took a puff, and then looked at the sky in the distance.
Friends, goodbye.
As for the person you wanted to kill…
I will kill them!
…
Jin Sha's call was an interlude, but it didn't significantly affect Bai Ye's mood.
People like Bai Ye were inherently difficult to influence by anything.
So, for Bai Ye, it was merely a matter of receiving the goods and then noting it down in his notebook.
If there was an opportunity, he would have to kill someone named Liu Shiyue.
That was all.
Thus, after a night passed, Bai Ye, Kamado Tanjiro, and Agatsuma Zenitsu embarked on the return journey with Uzui Tengen.
This matter actually surprised Bai Ye a little.
Bai Ye thought that after dealing with Daki and Gyutaro, things would end there.
But when dawn broke, Uzui Tengen found Bai Ye with Kamado Tanjiro and invited him to return together. Bai Ye knew there would be follow-ups.
Indeed, through conversations on the way, Bai Ye confirmed his thoughts were correct.
The follow-up did not mean related restricted zones would be opened, nor that hidden missions were not yet completed.
Instead, the core of this area was the struggle between the Demon Slayer Corps and demons.
The death of the Upper Rank Six demon was just the beginning.
Bai Ye's killing of the Upper Rank Six earned him the recognition of the Sound Hashira. Therefore, if Bai Ye wished, he would have a greater opportunity to participate in subsequent restricted zones and hidden missions compared to other Chosen ones.
Just like if there were any follow-ups in the Great Jura Forest, Bai Ye would certainly be able to participate more easily.
After all, if one were to be precise, Bai Ye also had a connection with Rimuru.
This could be considered an implicit reward, but…
Bai Ye had no interest.
The Demon Slayer Corps and the Twelve Kizuki were somewhat low-tier in Bai Ye's opinion, unless it was a direct confrontation with the Demon King.
But that was impossible. Whether it was the restricted zones in the subsequent areas or the hidden missions, the targets would definitely be the Twelve Kizuki. Only when all the Twelve Kizuki were dead would the Demon King appear.
Did Bai Ye have so much time to waste?
Whether it was breathing techniques or blood demon arts, the room for improvement was not very significant for Bai Ye's current strength.
In fact, if Uzui Tengen had not suddenly appeared, Bai Ye would have already made up his mind and set his next destination.
Bai Ye wanted to…
Go play in the territory of his past life.
The Eastern District, the Future Technology Zone!
However, since the connection had already been made, Bai Ye still planned to return to the ancient town.
Firstly, to handle some matters, and secondly, Bai Ye intended to meet Gao Ming again.
After spending a few days arriving at the ancient town, Kamado Tanjiro bid farewell to Bai Ye, saying, "Mr. Bai Ye, thank you for your help. I hope we'll have a chance to meet again."
Bai Ye smiled and replied, "I believe we will."
Bai Ye watched the protagonist trio led by Kamado Tanjiro leave, then turned and walked into a restaurant.
Gao Ming had contacted Bai Ye in advance via a Den Den Mushi, so he had already arranged a private room and prepared food and drinks, eagerly awaiting Bai Ye's arrival.
"Looking at this setup…" Bai Ye said with a smile as he entered the room, "You all benefited greatly from the Blood Battle at Ju Xian Zhuang."
"It's alright," Gao Ming smiled and said, "Please sit."
After Bai Ye sat down, Gao Ming continued, "Actually, it was all instructed by our leader. He hopes you will join the Evil Spirit Group."
Bai Ye asked, "Harvey Statham?"
Gao Ming was surprised, "You actually know our leader?"
The Evil Spirit Group had only been established recently, and it was a nascent organization. Harvey's fame was not that great, and he wasn't a particularly strong individual, so fewer people knew about him.
As of now, Harvey, as the leader of the Evil Spirit Group, was more clearly positioned as a behind-the-scenes figure.
"Joining the Evil Spirit Group is impossible," Bai Ye said, "but cooperation is possible."
Gao Ming replied, "As a second choice, that is also acceptable."
Bai Ye then asked, "The question is, what price are you willing to pay?"
Gao Ming thought for a moment and said, "As we discussed last time, information on four restricted zones in a Future Technology Zone. Do you have all of it?"
Bai Ye nodded and said, "That restricted zone is a world where aliens and humans coexist. Many aliens hide their identities and live among humans, but some aliens commit evil. Thus, humans established an organization called the Men in Black to manage aliens and eliminate those who commit evil."
As Bai Ye spoke, he raised his wine glass and took a sip.
"Future Technology Zone…" Gao Ming hesitated for a moment and said, "With everyone's current strength, can we handle it?"
Bai Ye replied, "You can rest assured about that. It's just a region with relatively low-level technology. Whether it's the technology possessed by humans or aliens, it can only be considered introductory future technology. There will be challenges, but it won't be as difficult as you imagine."
Gao Ming said, "Then I am relieved."
Bai Ye continued, "However, I don't have time to wait for you to explore the restricted zones this time, because you are not capable of opening all the restricted zones in that area simultaneously. Therefore, we need a suitable transaction method this time."
Gao Ming smiled and said, "It's alright. Our leader has already given his word; he trusts you unconditionally."
"Oh?" Bai Ye curled his lips and then asked, "Then, what will you offer for the transaction?"
Gao Ming replied, "That depends on what the products from the restricted zones are. Our leader did give me a list of items that can be used for trading, but we still need to estimate the potential profits to determine the specific items for the transaction."