Chapter 780 – The Special Method of Covering Up Lies

 

Even though Captain Song gave him such a meaningful warning, the Interim Captain couldn’t help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

 

The fact that the other party said this actually indicated that they would take him to see the Big Boss…

 

If he couldn’t even pass this first hurdle, he shouldn’t be thinking about any future; he might as well just hide in some little corner and muddle along.

 

Muddling along would be fine, but the problem is that even if he muddled along, it wouldn’t be comfortably. Being ostracized at every turn would be the least of his worries; getting some cold violence now and then would be the expected treatment. As for being sent out as cannon fodder, that wasn’t entirely impossible either…

 

The shame of the entire squad being captured would be like a thorn in the heart of senior management; who would look favorably on him then?

 

Getting slapped in the face and then having the photo hung at the entrance-who wouldn’t feel awkward about that…

 

And the role of this Interim Captain was pretty much like one of those face-slapping photos…

 

The only chance he had for a comeback was right now.

 

If the Big Boss was satisfied, maybe they might even consider it a meritorious deed.

 

But if they aren’t… the Interim Captain grew anxious again. Captain Song’s words made him dwell endlessly on the possible outcomes.

 

To play with the Boss? That shouldn’t be…

 

It would take an extreme level of boredom to go to such lengths just to say a few words and provoke the opponent, wouldn’t it?

 

Not to mention that Ling Mo was fleeing for his life at that time. Wasn’t the provocation sufficient already? The senior management of Niepan probably had blood-covered faces by now!

 

Moreover, the Interim Captain vaguely felt that the amount of information contained in those incomprehensible words he heard was substantial.

 

But according to Ling Mo, it was better if he didn’t understand. If he did understand, he would be doomed.

 

“You never know, better safe than sorry,” he was still somewhat worried at that time.

 

“No, it’s not going to happen.”

 

“How do you know?”

 

“He sees you as an ant, why would he bother? Plus, I guarantee that he would forget about you as soon as he listens,” Ling Mo said.

 

It was the first time the Interim Captain realized that sometimes, being insignificant like a tiny ant could actually be quite fortunate…

 

“The content of the message shouldn’t be a problem; the key is how the Big Boss will react. But I really have no way out…” the Interim Captain forced himself to toughen up. At this point, he was already on the edge with no room for regret.

 

If he had to say something like, “I was just joking,” he would probably be thrown out on the spot by Captain Song.

 

Struggling alone in Heishui City would be worse than outright ending it all.

 

“Wait, there’s one more thing I don’t understand.” Captain Song suddenly spoke up again.

 

The Interim Captain immediately tensed up. Was there going to be another round of questioning?

 

So much of what had happened was blurred over; repeated questioning was practically giving him a heart attack!

 

Captain Song scrutinized him for a moment before sneering and asking, “The guy named Ling just wanted you to relay a message?”

 

“Thud!”

 

The Interim Captain’s heart began to pound wildly, and his legs started to weaken.

 

What you fear is exactly what happens, and among all the ambiguous details, he had to pick out the most crucial point!

 

And this was just someone from the lower levels of senior management. If he stood before the Big Boss, wouldn’t he be totally exposed?

 

When he had reached this part of the story, the Interim Captain had glossed over it with a single sentence without getting into detail.

 

When he was struggling inside the building, he had reached a consensus with Xiao Pan.

 

After all, the gun was in his hands first, so the right to speak was naturally with him. And according to him, Xiao Pan was also on his side.

 

“If I sold the information, would they believe that you didn’t sell it too? If you say something, I can say something as well.”

 

The last sentence was practically a threat, but for the Interim Captain, it was a desperate move…

 

Xiao Pan wasn’t surprised by this at all. He even seriously considered it for a while before nodding and saying, “Agreed, but if they ask, don’t answer recklessly.”

 

“You don’t say, I don’t say, and that’s it,” the Interim Captain said.

 

But now he suddenly understood that this wasn’t something easily concealed!

 

These people had climbed up the ranks; who among them wasn’t a cunning fox?

 

“This…”

 

He was at a loss, but Xiao Pan stepped in to take over the conversation.

 

And in just one word, he sent a chill down the Interim Captain’s spine.

 

“No,” Xiao Pan said.

 

“Hehe, then what else does he want?” Captain Song squinted.

 

The same question was roaring in the Interim Captain’s mind. What was Xiao Pan trying to pull here?

 

“He said he wanted to teach us a lesson, to show us the consequences of chasing him,” Xiao Pan said expressionlessly.

 

“Is that all?”

 

Captain Song frowned as he listened, muttering something about arrogance, but continued questioning out loud.

 

“Yes, he also mentioned that he has no interest in us low-level Members. Next time, he’ll catch a bigger fish,” Xiao Pan continued.

 

“Why didn’t you say this earlier?” Captain Song seized on another point of suspicion.

 

“It makes people angry to hear it,” Xiao Pan replied bluntly.

 

“Impressive!”

 

The Interim Captain was dumbfounded. He didn’t expect someone who seemed so rigid to lie so smoothly!

 

Moreover, his sarcasm was spot on!

 

He only thought no one would bother with such pointless things but didn’t consider the possibility of a demonstration of power.

 

Showing one’s strength first to intimidate the enemy-of course, that’s something that could be done!

 

However, these words didn’t sound like something Ling Mo would say. Most squad members’ impressions of Ling Mo were based on his showy behavior in the open field.

 

So to them, such statements by Ling Mo seemed perfectly plausible!

 

The phrase “no interest in low-level members” was particularly effective, as it distanced the two of them from suspicions.

 

If Ling Mo didn’t care about them, why would he interrogate them for Intelligence?

 

“Damn!”

 

“How arrogant!”

 

“Such an exaggeration!”

 

“Too cocky!”

 

The crowd began to stir again, while Captain Song’s lips twitched.

 

Having been outsmarted by Ling Mo before, he always felt there was a trap in anything related to him.

 

Xiao Pan’s explanation seemed fine, yet things still felt overly simplistic to him.

 

If it was about intimidation, why not kill everyone?

 

Even if there was a message to convey, one survivor would have been sufficient…

 

But then again, on further thought, it seemed there were no dead bodies in the open field…

 

“Fear is a contagious emotion,” Xiao Pan added.

 

Captain Song was momentarily stunned, then felt a sudden prickling at the back of his neck.

 

Cunning! Truly cunning!

 

He hadn’t killed anyone, but for Niepan, this was worse than not killing them!

 

These guards had been let go but now harbored psychological scars. When they went back and told others, wouldn’t that fear spread to everyone?

 

What a despicable tactic!

 

“In a bit, you can go inside, and I’ll arrange a specific floor for you to rest. As for what happens next… we’ll deal with it later,” Captain Song said, clearly irritated. He then waved at the Interim Captain. “You, tidy yourself up and come find me at the building.”

 

He glanced down at his attire, tugging at his sleeves in annoyance. “I need to get myself straightened out first.”

 

The Interim Captain was still in a bit of a daze. He turned to look at Xiao Pan, then dragged himself over, pulling Xiao Pan close and slapping him on the shoulder. Leaning in, he whispered, “I couldn’t tell, man. I thought you didn’t have it in you to play these tricks, but it turns out… you’re much better than me.”

 

He gave Xiao Pan a few more glances, filled with a complicated mix of emotions.

 

But Xiao Pan, still wearing a stern expression, asked back, “What do you mean?”

 

“Don’t play dumb. Those things you just said… We all get it,” the Interim Captain continued to whisper.

 

Xiao Pan simply “oh”-ed in response and said, “You’re mistaken. For me, the best way to hide something is to act like it never happened. Every lie has its flaws; the more you speak, the more mistakes you make. The best method is to use another truth to cover it. It’s a kind of misdirection… I merely narrated what I observed in a more convincing manner-the way the person involved would say it.”

 

“Hold on!”

 

The Interim Captain’s eyes widened as he asked in shock, “Are you saying… everything you said was true?”

 

Xiao Pan gave him a puzzled look and countered, “Didn’t you realize that?”

 

“…” The Interim Captain was completely stunned. He didn’t see it coming; he hadn’t even considered that possibility!

 

“Absolutely ruthless!”