Online: I Can See Health Bars Chapter 1740 - 783: Information Trading

~4 minute read · 974 words
Previously on Online: I Can See Health Bars...
The Bidding Girl reflects on fairness and her desire for revenge. Meanwhile, Fang Yu and Ding Hui are busy shopping in Hundred Mischief Lane, with Ding Hui enjoying bargain hunting. They then head to Anqiao Pavilion, a bustling establishment for buying and selling information, to gather intelligence.

Lifting the curtain and looking inside, Fang Yu found it quite lively.

However, this was clearly not a place for trading information. Most people were in a state of consultation, discussing types of information, pricing, and the time it takes to receive information, each with different rates.

Fang Yu pricked up his ears, silently gathering intelligence about the place...

"Lord Hou! Over here! Over here!"

The servant suddenly called out in a certain direction.

Fang Yu was taken aback, and a silhouette had already appeared in front of them.

[Hou Gaoyi: 698/698.]

The man in front of them grinned, showing a very standard formulaic smile, and said.

"Are the two of you here to buy information?"

Isn’t that an obvious question?

Anyone walking through that door is looking to sell information, aren’t they?

With Fang Yu nodding slightly.

Hou Gaoyi gestured for the guide to step back, who immediately withdrew respectfully.

"This way, the two of you, too many eyes and ears outside. It’s inconvenient for business discussions."

Hou Gaoyi smiled as he led the two of them inside.

Fang Yu turned to glance at the retreating guide, suddenly having an epiphany.

Could it be... this guide actually earns a sales commission? Whoever leads guests here and finds the designated person gets paid.

No wonder the guide was so enthusiastic and hospitable...

Fang Yu looked quizzically at Hou Gaoyi, who was leading the way ahead.

By this logic, isn’t Hou Gaoyi essentially the client manager?

If the business succeeds, naturally the manager would receive the bulk of the commission.

In a sense, this internal competition at Anqiao Pavilion is quite fierce, quite a wolf cub culture.

Fang Yu found himself somewhat familiar with this setup, while thinking... could it be that a player infiltrated the higher-ups here, thus implementing such a competitive scheme?

Lost in wild thoughts, the three soon arrived at a secluded private room.

Picking up a teapot and pouring hot tea, the client manager, Hou Gaoyi, asked very professionally.

"The two of you, what kind of information are you looking to buy?"

Fang Yu pondered for a moment, then asked first.

"I want to know about the Ouyang family."

"The Ouyang family?"

Hou Gaoyi was momentarily stunned, then whispered in follow-up, "Do you mean the Ouyang family where the Array Master resides?"

"Yes."

"Sir, opening with such a request is a bit much. Information of the Ouyang family’s level is only sold to customers with sufficient trust relations. As for you..."

Hou Gaoyi slightly shook his head.

Selling intelligence carries risks.

Some intelligence, it’s not that they are unwilling to sell, but they don’t dare to sell.

For example, intelligence involving the Imperial Palace’s nobility is something they almost never touch; it’s like a line of life and death, touching it could uproot Anqiao Pavilion entirely.

Even if it doesn’t involve high-ranking officials from the Imperial Palace, intelligence about other prominent figures is sold only to sufficiently trustworthy customers. They conduct thorough background checks and confirm no risks before proceeding with the sale.

Hence, when this newcomer immediately requests intelligence of such a level, they won’t sell it.

"Even with money, it doesn’t work?"

Fang Yu raised an eyebrow.

"..."

Hou Gaoyi hesitated for a moment. After all, doing business is about making money. If the price is indeed high enough, it’s not entirely out of the question.

Privately, some have indeed taken such risks, but as for the outcome...

After some careful thought, Hou Gaoyi shook his head.

"It’s not about the money."

It’s about the money, but more importantly, it’s about the people.

"Didn’t expect your pavilion to be so tight-lipped in this aspect."

Fang Yu remarked in surprise.

"It’s not that strict. Sir, are you in a hurry? If you’re willing to cooperate with the investigation, in half a year to a year, given a suitable price, I can provide you with the Ouyang family’s related intelligence."

"How long?"

Fang Yu was stunned.

"Half a year to a year."

"..."

You’re joking, right? Never mind half a year; in four months he’ll be facing an apocalyptic dilemma, with no mind to wait leisurely for your slow investigation results.

"Why does it take so long? I don’t need very detailed information on the Ouyang family."

In terms of workload, it shouldn’t be like this.

Fang Yu’s confusion was soon resolved.

"Sir, you misunderstood; it’s not the time to investigate the Ouyang family, but the time needed to investigate you."

Background check?

Fang Yu’s eyes narrowed considerably.

His background can’t withstand scrutiny; being from Tianyuan Town is also quite sensitive.

"Seems like becoming a guest of your pavilion is quite troublesome."

"Don’t misunderstand, Sir. Such investigations are only initiated when you request high-level intelligence. If you only purchase low-risk intelligence, then there’s no such procedure, and this investigation policy is equally applied. Our Anqiao Pavilion hopes to operate stably in the Capital for a few more years."

Fang Yu could understand Anqiao Pavilion’s concerns, but while understanding, such operations can understandably be off-putting.

"Then if I just want to find the whereabouts of Ouyang’s offspring or related intelligence?"

Hou Gaoyi still shook his head.

"Any intelligence concerning the Ouyang family will not be provided. Of course, if you can find it on your own, then that’s your own ability, and our pavilion would be willing to offer a certain purchase price based on the intelligence’s value."

Goodness!

So, if any Ouyang family member casually goes out, their whereabouts can be sold, recorded by Anqiao Pavilion, and filed?

What a human-shaped walking gold vault—no wonder the Capital is strewn with gold.