The two people looked at one another for a long time. Hu Lei was suppressing a smile as she looked at the serious Kaito. It seemed like he wanted to speak in a very formal way, but he did not know how to approach the situation.

The thought of Kaito giving an official speech to thank her amused her.

Over the years, they had exchanged a lot of favours, mostly in the form of information or underworld contacts. Both of them did not feel the need to show excessive gratitude for favours because the debts were always paid.

Their conversations had always remained stable, with a lot of insults and shade peppered through the exchanges. Therefore, it was strange to think of a completely nice conversation.

Hu Lei did not take initiative to say anything. She did not feel like this was different from any other favour. After all, Kaito had joined Zhong Feng in coming to her rescue after she was taken into that ship by Harriet Brown.

Still, if she spoke first, things might be awkward because she was not sure about Kaito's attitude.

When the man finally spoke, he did not directly mention the serious matter.

"It seems that taking care of babies is not hard." He said with a glance towards the playpen.

Hu Lei's lips stretched into a smile of motherly pride. She liked it when she could take an opportunity to boast about her baby. Xiao Bao might always look at her with superiority and contempt, but she was still the one everyone praised.

"Don't compare my Xiao Bao with ordinary babies. He is a low-maintenance baby who disdains to cry. He is probably waiting to grow up so that he can complain." Hu Lei replied with false humility.

Xiao Bao did not cry much, and he was not a clingy baby. She wished he would be a little more attached to her. But as long as he was well-fed and clean, Xiao Bao did not spare anyone a glance. Except for Zhong Feng who seemed to have some magical attraction…

Kaito wanted to roll his eyes at this hypocritical junior sister. What did she have to be proud about? Once his little girl was born, they could have a showdown. He did not believe that his good appearance and Akira's cuteness would fail them.

Humph! He would wait to humiliate her with his angel. For now…

"How did you manage it?" Kaito asked with an intense look in his eyes.

It was obvious he was asking about the rescue from Martial Island. He could not understand it. The entire escape from the island was quite mystical to him. He did not even know if he could call it an escape because of the ease of it. He had simply left without incident.

After the man in the strange black van picked him up, he remained in the back of the vehicle quite comfortably. He was not drugged, tied up or otherwise harmed. The driver in his weird mask opened the van door for him after some time, perhaps two hours.

He found that the vehicle was on a ship, and it was deep in the night. The vessel was already in the open ocean when he was freed from the dark van. He looked outside with surprise as he felt the cold night breeze wash over him.

The driver removed his mask and faced him with a brilliant smile. After that, the crew gave him food and a room to sleep. He was not sure if it was his imagination, but he thought that the ship drifted a little aimlessly for a while on the water, making him lose his orientation.

Finally, they arrived at a simple dock a few hours from Supreme City. The same man from Martial Island drove him, without a need for directions, to Azure Woods and then, he left.

It was surreal.

"I am a woman of many means." Hu Lei said with a superior smile.

Kaito did not laugh. "I am serious, Hu Lei. I want to know."

Hu Lei sighed. "It was pure luck. Do you remember the guy who tried to kill me on that ship? He knows someone from Martial Island. It was a long shot, but it seems the man has considerable influence in that place. He was willing to do the simple favour."

"I am not a child. And I have been on Martial Island. On the surface, the island is peaceful and filled with blue-blooded elites. But underneath, they are all monsters. They are willing to do anything to stand at the top. So, what did you do?" Kaito asked.

Hu Lei rolled her eyes.

"I am not lying. It is just like I said. I was with Ah-Feng the entire time. Do you think he would let me do anything dangerous?" She asked.

Kaito responded with a flat look. "I know he indulges you completely. You probably confused him with your feminine wiles, and he agreed to everything you said."

"Feminine wiles?" Hu Lei asked with a laugh.

"You know what I mean. I do not want you to do something dangerous just because of me." Kaito said.

"Have you finally learnt modesty?" Hu Lei said.

Kaito looked back with childish stubbornness.

"Fine. The condition was that I would fight in the championships on Martial Island." Hu Lei lifted her hands in surrender.

"How could you accept that?" Kaito was irate. "I have only managed to escape their clutches, and they have their eyes on you?"

"Calm down." Hu Lei said with an eye roll. "To be clear, you still have to fight in the championships next year too. The release does not cover your existing commitment. If you fail to appear, you will be hunted down."

Kaito felt the weight of the new information weigh down on him.

"Which clan or family are you fighting for?" He asked after a while.

He had only stayed on the island for a short period, but he was not an idle man. He knew the workings of the place to some extent. If he could offer some information to Hu Lei, perhaps the situation would not feel too overwhelming.

"I don't know if it can be considered a family." Hu Lei mulled. "I will be fighting for a man called Yuan Haoran."

Kaito stood up in horrified shock. "Did you say Yuan Haoran?"

"Yes. I am sure that is his name. Is there a problem?" Hu Lei asked.

"You made a deal with the literal devil." Kaito felt hopeless.

"Aren't you exaggerating?" Hu Lei laughed.

"No. He is the devil."