Andrew said simply, “Understood. So you’re looking to eliminate an obstacle? If you don’t mind me asking, which group do you belong to?”

The fat man sneered. “Do I look like an idiot who’d tell you that?”

Everyone else shook their heads. They all thought Andrew was being naive for asking such a dumb question.

Yet, Andrew did not care. He chuckled and said, “Since you don’t want to say, I won’t press it. But if I had to guess, I could probably figure out who you are. Luna is one of the military’s most capable officers, and she’s known for her unwavering stance and strong sense of justice. If you’re trying to eliminate her because she’s interfering with your interests, then you’re either sworn enemies of the military itself, or you’re part of an opposing faction within the military. Removing Luna would simply be a way to eliminate the competition. Am I right?”

The fat man’s shoulders tensed, and his entire body’s aura suddenly surged out of control. “How do you know all this? Tell me… Who exactly are you?”

Andrew let out a cold chuckle at his reaction. This fat man was more transparent than he had initially thought. With just a few well-chosen words, Andrew had forced him to reveal the true nature of his background.

The fat man immediately realized his mistake. His overreaction was essentially a confession that Andrew had guessed correctly. He tore the photograph off the display in one sharp motion and spun around to leave.

Andrew did not pursue the matter further. He had only been seeking confirmation of his suspicions anyway.

An elderly voice cut through the air, carrying a cold edge of warning. “Since you’re new here, I’d advise you to keep a lower profile. This place is full of clever people, schemers who think they’re smarter than everyone else. But having a sharp mind doesn’t mean you’ll live long. One wrong move, and you’ll lose that clever little life of yours. Then what good is that brain?”

Andrew replied coldly, “Coincidentally, I happen to think my mind is quite sharp, and I’m equally confident that my lifespan will be quite lengthy.”

The elderly man responded with a contemptuous laugh and said nothing more. He dismissed Andrew as a naive newcomer who talked too much and would not survive long in such a dangerous environment.

The exchange continued.

After observing a few more transactions, Andrew decided it was time to make his move. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to inquire about some information. The payment is modest, just one ninth-grade supreme elixir.”

The moment those words left his mouth, the dozen or so people in the room, who had been whispering quietly to each other, immediately fell silent. All eyes turned toward him.

Andrew could clearly hear several people’s breathing becoming heavier. A smile played beneath his mask as he registered their reaction. The power of a ninth-grade supreme elixir was truly remarkable; just hearing about it was enough to ignite greed and desire in these people.

The elderly man from before was the first to speak. “You’re willing to put out a ninth-grade supreme elixir for trade information? That’s generous. Go ahead then. What information do you want?”

Andrew deliberately paused for effect. Then, he shook his head as if struggling with a difficult decision. “To be completely honest, the information I’m seeking is extremely sensitive, and the matter it concerns has far-reaching implications. So I’m going to warn you all in advance: if you don’t want to bring trouble upon yourselves, you should either leave now or keep silent when I ask my question.”

The elderly man grew impatient. “Stop wasting time with all these warnings. Just tell me what information you are after.”

Andrew glanced at him, noting the bear mask the old man wore. His actual appearance remained a mystery. "Very well then. Here it is: Ten years ago, in Chetvine, the Dragon Prince of the Lloyd family royal dynasty had his energy core sealed by someone. I want to know if this is true or false, and more importantly, who was the master who placed that seal?”

Silence.

The moment he said it, Andrew could feel the entire room freeze. Not a single sound remained.