"I know."

Jiang Xi's voice remained calm. "I didn't say these things on impulse. My intuition tells me this decision is right, and my intuition has never been wrong before."

Bullshit intuition.

Tian Jianmu nearly cursed out loud: "Just because of a feeling? You'd take such a risk?"

Jiang Xi hesitated for a few seconds before nodding.

She said, "Brother Jianmu, this is my skill."

Only then did Tian Jianmu remember that so-called Heavenly Fortune ability.

Was this thing even real?

He rubbed his temples. Based on his experience, Bo Jingmo and Yu Li posed no threat to them.

Yu Li had spared him once during team assignments.

Later during dinner, the food they drew was the worst quality, proving Bo Jingmo hadn't shown them any favoritism.

Meanwhile, his own two teammates had drawn perfectly normal items. If not for knowing their backgrounds, Tian Jianmu might have doubted their identities.

Even the next morning, Yu Li had honestly revealed Bo Jingmo's identity.

Though she'd withheld some details, that was understandable - she probably didn't want her boyfriend targeted.

As for the vine monster they encountered later, while he struck first, Tian Jianmu knew the referee had orchestrated it.

That yao ghost clearly had it out for Yu Li, while Yu Li and Bo Jingmo maintained an oddly passive stance.

They retaliated when attacked, but otherwise ignored everyone completely.

This proved their non-aggressive nature.

Based on Tian Jianmu's experience, such people could be dealt with later when opportunities arose.

Yet now this rookie was challenging his hard-earned wisdom.

Xing Yuan's mantra-like words echoed in his ears:

—'Protect Jiang Xi and Hou Liang.'

Tch, he was trying to protect them, but these two had their own ideas and refused to listen.

Growing impatient, Tian Jianmu was about to speak when Jiang Xi interrupted.

"Brother Jianmu, if you don't believe me, let's make a bet."

He frowned. "A bet?"

The girl met his gaze, her eyes unreadable.

"You came here for the scarves, but no one can complete the mission. Yu Li will definitely find excuses to avoid punishment, or she has a way to obtain the scarves herself while you keep suffering penalties."

If true, they'd eventually have only one option left—kill the yao ghost.

Tian Jianmu frowned: "If she's that capable, that's her skill. We can't complain. How's that a proper bet?"

Jiang Xi continued: "Because she's using you. Bo Jingmo has a weakness the yao ghost exploits—he can't attack it. Yu Li can't defeat it alone, so she tricks you into helping them both win. In the end, she might even betray you to help Bo Jingmo complete his mission."

"Isn't that reason enough to oppose her?"

This argument left Tian Jianmu speechless. He turned to observe the woman in question.

She was laughing with Huang Ya, her bright demeanor belying such cunning schemes.

His clenched fist gradually relaxed as Tian Jianmu suddenly declared:

"No need for a bet."

Jiang Xi froze, thinking he still doubted her. Panic flashed across her face: "Brother Jianmu, believe me, my intuition—"

"No."

Tian Jianmu cut her off, turning away.

Calmly, he said: "I mean I agree to help you."

Jiang Xi hadn't expected this. After a stunned moment, joy flooded her features—until Tian Jianmu added:

"Jiang Xi, since I'm choosing to trust you unconditionally, you must take full responsibility for your intuition."

Jiang Xi opened her mouth but ultimately pressed her lips together. "Of course."

Her gaze shifted: "And the other three..."

Tian Jianmu: "I don't know about them. Convince them yourself, or—"

He paused before finishing coolly: "Or wait until Yu Li actually does those things, then expose her 'shameless' behavior publicly to rally everyone against her."

Tian Jianmu still felt uncomfortable collaborating with a dungeon boss. He suspected Jiang Xi had become the yao ghost's pawn.

Both were villains, yet she trusted the monster's words—all because of some infallible sixth sense?

Exhaling deeply, he thought how dangerously reliant she was on such auxiliary skills.

This wouldn't end well.

...

When Tian Jianmu returned from their talk, several pairs of eyes burned into him.

Clearly eager to know what they'd discussed, but he pretended not to notice, addressing Yu Li directly: "When do you plan to retrieve the scarves?"

The woman smiled: "Anytime works. I was waiting for you to finish chatting."

For some reason, Tian Jianmu's heart lurched.

An uncanny sense she knew everything—or was this just paranoid imagination?

Averting his gaze, he said stiffly: "Then let's begin now."

The sooner started, the sooner finished.

Xing Yuan's mission was truly torturous.

Unexpectedly, Yu Li seemed in no hurry.

"There's still plenty of time. No need to rush. We could chat more."

Tian Jianmu frowned: "Isn't finishing early better? Why delay? What if something goes wrong?"

Yu Li tapped her cheek thoughtfully.

"While you were gone, Huang Ya mentioned the vines that attacked them match this tree's vines exactly. If true, it means the vines can execute guests even without rule violations. Why don't we kill the weakened yao ghost directly?"

Since when did the plan change?

Jiang Xi's earlier words resurfaced in his mind.

He objected: "No. Complete the mission first."

His expression darkened as he narrowed his eyes.

"Unless... you actually can't complete this mission?"

Instantly, the atmosphere froze.

Tension hung thick as gunpowder, needing only a spark to explode.

In response, the woman merely chuckled lightly:

"You sound distrustful. Killing the yao ghost is simple—hardly any effort for someone like you."

Her gaze lifted meaningfully.

"Unless... you don't plan to kill it?"