《I! Cleaner!》 Chapter 1 - 1: 0001 Job Seeking is not easy_1 "Here for a job interview, right? What''s your name?" "Leon... Leon Laine." Laine? Hearing this somewhat familiar surname, the bored female interviewer behind the desk raised an eyebrow. She looked at the thin young man with a weary complexion in front of her and asked in slight surprise, "Laine... as in the Duke of Lionheart''s Laine?" "No..." The job-seeking young man seemed to be used to the question. He shook his head slightly and explained skillfully, "Although the pronunciation is the same, the Lionheart''s surname is derived from the golden lion ''Laine'' on their family crest. My surname comes from Laine County''s ''Laine'', where my ancestors were supposedly commoners from." "Oh... I thought so." The red-haired woman nodded knowingly, amused by her own sensitivity. *That annoying family, so proud of their pure golden hair, hadn''t had many members with different hair colors. How could they have a descendant with black hair and black eyes who had fallen to the point of seeking a job here?* She examined Leon''s clothing, staring at his clean but frayed coat, and seemed to lose interest in him. The red-haired woman lowered her head again and, while marking something absent-mindedly on a list with a quill pen, said, "Then fill in ''commoner'' for family status, and report your education level, any faith, if you''ve undergone cybernetic modifications, whether you have a subcutaneous micro-differential engine implanted, and what specific crimes you''ve committed." Huh? Wait! What specific crimes? Leon was slightly stunned by the words, and he asked with some confusion, "Excuse me, the last question you mentioned, you''re asking if I have a ''criminal record'', right?" "?!" Hearing Leon''s question, the red-haired woman furrowed her brows, then knocked heavily on the table twice with her knuckles, sternly reprimanding, "You''d better be honest! This is the Purification Bureau, not a court! If you haven''t committed a major crime that requires going to the gallows, why would you come here for a job? Just say what you''ve done; don''t try to play games with me!" ?! *No... I''m just looking for a job, how did it end up related to going to the gallows?* sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Tch, so secretive; definitely up to no good!* Seeing Leon unable to answer immediately, the red-haired woman snorted disdainfully, then knocked on the table forcefully again, glaring at him sternly as if interrogating a criminal, "I''ll say it one last time, this is the Purification Bureau, not a court! I''m neither able nor interested in judging you. The reason for asking what crime you''ve committed is to report your name and remove the Kingdom''s wanted order on you, so you''d better be honest! Don''t cause yourself trouble, understand?" Wanted order? Slightly stunned by the red-haired woman''s words, Leon''s pupils contracted slightly as he realized the misunderstanding. He cautiously asked, "Excuse me... is this the Capital City''s First Cleaning Bureau?" "..." Cleaning Bureau? This time, it was the red-haired woman''s turn to be taken aback. She thought for a moment, seeming to understand something. After glancing at Leon''s malnourished thin frame, her disdain faded, and she instructed while lowering her voice and frowning, pointing out the window, "You came to the wrong place; this is the Sixth Abnormal Purification Bureau, a department affiliated with the Police Department. The Cleaning Bureau you want is under the Department of Road Administration. It''s in the building diagonally opposite, with the long queue at the entrance." "Oh, right!" Realizing he had come to the wrong place, Leon breathed a sigh of relief. *Damn, that scared me. I wondered why becoming a street cleaner required being wanted. Turns out this isn''t the Cleaning Bureau I was looking for.* *Also, weren''t they only hiring for ten positions this time? Why is the queue so long at the Cleaning Bureau? Are that many people aiming for a street cleaning job?* "Sorry to have disturbed you." After apologizing politely, Leon glanced at the long queue outside through the window. Then, almost as if under a spell, he looked at the red-haired woman and asked softly, full of hope, "Umm... if you need someone here as well." "You''re not suitable." "..." Seeing the young man, seemingly only sixteen or seventeen, with a suddenly dimmed expression, the red-haired woman hesitated before explaining, "The Purification Bureau, although it has a decent income, with salaries higher than most municipal employees, has an approximate death rate of about 0.8%. So unless you''re out of options, it''s better if you don''t work here." 0.8%? Hearing the cold term "death rate," Leon wasn''t scared. Instead, he showed a hint of joy. *Are you kidding me? That''s not even 1%!* *In my previous life, maybe that was one thing, but in this strange world with steam carriages running everywhere, workers doing jobs like furnace stoking, mining, magic infusion, and potion purification had an annual base death rate approaching 2%. The number of people disabled or poisoned due to machinery or potion vaporization was even several times higher than that.* *And considering their average working "lifespan" of about thirty years, almost no one could work their entire life without any harm. A yearly death rate of less than 1% is completely...* "I might not have been clear just now." Seeing Leon''s somewhat interested expression, the red-haired woman shook her head and explained, "The Purification Bureau''s death rate isn''t calculated annually; it''s monthly." "..." *Monthly? 0.8% a month... which means nearly 10% annually? This so-called Abnormal Purification Bureau loses almost a tenth of its employees every year?!?!* Seeing Leon''s shock-filled eyes, the red-haired woman slightly shook her head, then motioned for him to leave, "Now that you understand, please go. We only accept those who have committed capital crimes or those with controllable ''abnormalities''. Ordinary people like you cannot handle the work at the Purification Bureau. It''s not suitable for you." "Then... sorry to have bothered you..." With the red-haired woman''s gentle but firm refusal, Leon felt a sharp pain in his head, followed by an ear-piercing buzz. [Due to your twentieth job search failure, you have successfully activated the Black Iron Level Badge "Unemployed Youth."] [Unemployed Youth: A young person temporarily unsuccessful in finding employment due to insufficient education, lack of experience, or a poor economy.] [Wearing Effect: Your parents will trigger the special state "Vague Expression" and evade topics about you when talking with their peers.] [Advancement Route: If you wear this badge for more than two months and still fail to find a job, under the condition of living with your parents, this badge will automatically advance to the bronze badge "Parasitic Child."] [Hidden Trait (No need to wear): Upon activating the "Unemployed Youth" badge, if the total family assets are below 200 Gold Wheels, your chances of finding a romantic partner through matchmaking automatically decrease by 80%.] "..." Chapter 2 - 2: 0002 Home and Family_1 """ *To find a companion... If I can''t find a job soon, I fear even acquiring a piece of bread will become difficult for me!* Leaving the Sixth Purification Bureau with a darkened face, Leon joined the long queue in front of the Purification Bureau. As he looked at the new badge shining on the virtual panel, the unemployed young man couldn''t help but let out a sigh. Good news, not only was he still a man with vital assets, but he also had some attachments. Bad news, these attachments seemed temporarily useless and even occasionally brought about strange debuffs... Staring at the pitch-black [Unemployed Youth] badge and the entry with a -80% chance of success in matchmaking, Leon slowly "crept" forward with the line in front of the Purification Bureau, shifting his gaze to the other two badges in the "equipped" state. On the virtual panel that had come with him to this world, there were three badge slots in total. In the slot in the middle, one badge shimmered in dull deep teal, exuding a warm and gentle sentiment. [Trustworthy Brother (Bronze): Due to the early death of your parents, you shouldered the responsibility of taking care of your younger siblings at an early age. You are a responsible and reliable brother, thus highly respected and loved by your siblings.] [Equipped Effect: When conversing with minors younger than you, the other party easily gains a sense of trust, and during emotional excitement, a special state "Spilling the Beans" may be triggered, where they confide in you about their troubles and secrets.] [Advancement Route: None] [Hidden Traits: Not Activated] Next to this "Good Brother" badge, there was another badge with brilliance fierce as fire, appearing even more dazzling than the sun itself; its color was a fiery red. [Materialist Soul (Abnormal¡¤Fiery Red¡¤Unable to Upgrade): As a staunch materialist, you firmly believe that substance is the basis of objective existence. Spirit and consciousness are products of matter. All incomprehensible things stem from one''s inaccurate and shallow understanding of the world.] [Equipped Effect: For things and knowledge you can comprehend, through your analysis and contemplation, you can become familiar with and master them quickly, gaining an additional effect boost based on your level of understanding; For incomprehensible things and knowledge, by expanding your cognitive boundaries, you can instantly acquire some related information and reduce the influence of the adversary when encountered based on your level of understanding.] [Advancement Route: Already reached the highest level, unable to advance further] [Hidden Traits: Not Activated] "..." Just reading the description, this heterochromatic badge seemed quite impressive, but in reality, it was nothing like that. This badge only triggered at the beginning, helping him master this world''s language within three days to the point of normal communication, and since then, it acted as if it didn''t exist, without any further movements. *Though the activation difficulty was high, his badge plug-in was absolutely not something within the "normal" range.* He wondered if this situation fell under the controllable "abnormality" that red-haired woman mentioned? If so, then maybe he was quite suitable for that Purification Bureau? Unable to resist, he glanced back toward the Purification Bureau, then quickly shook his head, dismissing the absurd idea. Don''t be foolish, that place had a ten percent annual death rate! Moreover, judging from their attitude, the Purification Bureau was definitely not a department one could leave so easily; if things went wrong, you might have to work there your entire life just by joining. *Being only seventeen, if he worked until sixty, then he''d have to work over forty years, with a death rate potentially reaching over ninety percent, almost a certain death!* If he was alone, it might not matter. After all, this life was essentially a gift; rather than toiling in mines and smelting kilns, falling ill and draining his savings only to end up in a hospital corridor like his neighbors in Veteran Lane, lying on sickbeds filled with vomit awaiting death, he might as well gamble it all now and use this worthless life in one last-ditch effort! But... currently, his family consisted of four people. The two younger ones weren''t even waist-high, and his sister, though only a year younger, was born with ailments and weak since childhood. Besides, due to a potion leak accident, she''d inhaled a lot of alchemical exhaust, leading to a lung disease that had persisted on and off. *He might risk everything, but should he die at that Purification Bureau, the family would likely have the elder work to death first, then gradually starve the two young ones, ending with none surviving from all four of them!* "Damn!" Reaching this point in thought, Leon couldn''t help but lift his head, glaring at the still seemingly endless line ahead. Then he clenched his molars hard and spat viciously on the intricately patterned bluestone pavement underfoot. "This goddamned world!" ... As the sunset descended, its dim light pierced the alchemy-fueled clouds, cast onto the filthy streets of the Capital City. Under the weight of someone''s unusually heavy footsteps, those remnants of light were crushed step by step, until they ultimately vanished into darkness. After standing in line for over two hours and undergoing several rounds of inspection and questioning, certain unemployed youth was unsurprisingly eliminated. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even if Leon had already discarded every last ounce of dignity, clutching the interviewer''s sleeve, fervently assuring them he could handle the job, he nearly knelt on the spot, desperately begging. But recognizing Leon''s clearly malnourished, significantly skinnier frame than typical peers, the portly official responsible for selection didn''t even bother responding, merely slapped him aside, then turned to the next applicant, disdainfully pinching the other''s arms and legs before stamping a red "Passed" mark on the emaciated chest... Damn it! Recalling that scene, where they treated people not as people, but almost like choosing livestock, Leon habitually clenched his molars, exhaling a heavy breath of lingering frustration. *Even after nearly three years here, he still hadn''t grown accustomed to all the damn things.* *In his previous life, though he achieved little, he had a harmonious family with both parents around, leading a peaceful life for half his journey. The greatest hardship was merely being scolded by a superior. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was thrown into this cursed world, having to fight with all his might for even the simplest survival, truly...* *Forget it.* Rather than dwelling on such thoughts, he should consider where to find some work tomorrow to support his family a bit. Seeing that his home at Veteran Lane was just around the corner, Leon couldn''t help but stop in his tracks, rubbing his stiff face hard, finally managing to squeeze a smile. Maintaining the faint smile on his face, Leon skillfully stepped into the poorly lit alley, quickly navigating through the cluttered, filthy old street, heading toward the low house at the southeast corner. Just as he stopped at his gate, raising his hand to knock, the old iron door, covered in rusty spots and much older than him, suddenly opened, revealing a fairly pretty, delicate yet noticeably sickly pale face. "Bro." After calling out to Leon, the slender and frail girl hadn''t had time to inquire about his situation when seeing the frowning brother harshly admonish with a stern face, "Haven''t I told you many times not to open the door at random?" "I wasn''t opening it randomly." Unfazed by the reprimand, the girl gently took Leon''s coat, dusting it off as she smiled and said, "I recognized your footsteps. I only open the door early when I hear you coming back." "That still won''t do!" Hearing the thin girl''s words, Leon couldn''t help but feel a warm sensation in his angry heart, but he still maintained a stiff face, lecturing, "Although it''s not as chaotic here as the outer city slums, there''re still bad guys. What if you misheard?" *How could I possibly mishear...* Hearing Leon''s words, the slender girl sighed inwardly. Even in the generally struggling Veteran Lane, not many had footsteps as heavy as her brother. Especially after recovering from that great illness three years ago, her brother''s steps grew heavier. She could recognize his footsteps as carrying a burden of thousands of pounds, even in her dreams. However, confident she would never mishear, the slender girl chose not to argue with Leon. Instead, she took his coat to hang up and then entered the kitchen, bringing out the still steaming dinner. Seeing Leon sit at the table with exhaustion, bow his head, and start devouring the simple stew, she followed suit, sitting at the beaten old table on one leg, propping her pale and thin face on her white and skinny arms, gazing softly at Leon who was gulping down the makeshift stew. *It''s really late, why don''t you rest up, why watch me eat?* Eating hastily due to a whole day of hunger, Leon felt uncomfortable being stared at by his sister and cleared his throat, lightly speaking, "Where''re the younger ones? Asleep?" "Mm." Hearing this, the slender girl gently nodded, her smile soft as she nudged her chin forward. "When the sun went down, they were fussing to wait for you to come home before sleeping, but they soon started rubbing their eyes. Eventually, they both fell asleep by the table, snuggling together in sleep. I just carried them to bed." "Next time, just leave them." Glancing at his sister''s bloodless, fair face, Leon couldn''t help but shake his head. "Your health isn''t good, and the little ones have grown a lot over the past two years. Next time this happens, have them sleep alone first, and I''ll carry them back when I return. Just cover them so they don''t catch a cold." "Mm-hmm." The slender girl answered softly twice, not disputing with Leon, simply nodding with a smile, accepting her brother''s care with a light push of her chin forward. *Clearly, she didn''t listen...* Seeing her demeanor, Leon couldn''t help but helplessly shake his head. Towards this gentle yet determined sister, he always felt at a loss; seeing persuasion didn''t work, he stopped talking further. After finishing the dinner in silence, he hesitated slightly before saying, "Today..." "Today is already late." Cutting off Leon, the slender girl interrupted to say, "The Department of Road Administration is so far away, you won''t spend on a ticket, so you must have walked there. If you''re going out tomorrow too, you should rest now." "¡­" "Mm¡­" Realizing his sister had figured out his failed job search once again, Leon couldn''t help but sigh, furrowing his brows tightly as he said, "It''s my ineptitude, if I could..." "Brother!" "Alright, alright, I won''t say it." Firmly fisting his hands, determining to try doubly hard tomorrow and find a job no matter what, Leon put away the tableware, heading to his small room. After tossing and turning for a while, he finally drifted into a troubled sleep. However, before dawn, the slumbering Leon was awakened by a violent, harsh coughing sound, akin to bellows, accompanied by his siblings'' frantic cries. "Brother! Get up! Please, get up!" """ Chapter 3 - 3: 0003 Visit Again_1 In the middle of the night, Leon frantically got up, carried his sister, whose face was turning faintly purple, and ran to the hospital. After more than ten hours of tossing and turning, with bloodshot eyes, Leon sat by a dirty hospital bed, turning his back to the sunset outside the window. He looked at his sister, who finally stopped coughing, and asked quietly with a complex expression, "Anna, tell me, when did you stop taking your medicine?" Hearing Leon rarely address her by name, the pale and skinny girl on the bed shivered slightly. She knew that although her brother appeared calm now, he was probably on the verge of going mad. She could only lower her head and truthfully replied, "About... two months ago?" Two months ago... Upon hearing this, Leon recalled for a moment, then couldn''t help but clench his fists tightly. His mud-caked nails almost dug into the flesh of his palm. Two months ago, it happened to be when he turned sixteen and became an adult. That day, the Consolation Officer from the Kingdom''s army department visited as scheduled, announced his coming of age, and in accordance with that so-called new policy, forcibly stopped the bereavement compensation that should have been provided until the age of twenty-two. That rare afternoon, bright and sunny without floating exhaust and dust clouds, was colder than the ice fields of winter in the hearts of his family of four. When the army department, in order to balance the overspending accounts, chose to embezzle the compensation to fill military expenses, forcibly stopping the compensation doomed this family, which was already barely getting by, pushing them to the edge of the cliff... After recalling the events of that day, Leon silently clenched his molars, his hands turning pale at the knuckles from the strain. *Yes, even though a quarter of the compensation was gone, the family''s expenses hadn''t decreased much in these two months, and the food had even barely remained the same... Damn it! Why am I only realizing this now?* "Brother." Seeing Leon next to her with his head lowered in silence, the girl on the bed, appearing even more emaciated, stayed silent for a while. Then, she slightly turned her head and spoke in a light voice that seemed like it could dissipate at any moment, "Maybe, just don''t worry about me?" Upon hearing this, Leon''s whole body shook violently. He then quickly looked up and yelled angrily, his eyes filled with bloodshot, "Don''t you dare..." "Brother!" Desperately trying to raise her voice, yet triggering a violent cough, the skinny girl hurriedly grasped Leon''s tension-filled right hand. Struggling to stabilize her bellows-like breathing, she tried her best to speak calmly and softly, "I''ve carefully calculated these past two months. Even if I die and there''s one less portion of compensation, without having to buy my medicine, with the remaining two portions of the compensation and you taking on more day laborer jobs, it would be enough to barely get the other two to adulthood. "Also, my registered age is one year younger than my actual age, so after my illness... after I leave, as long as you avoid the patrols, secretly throw me into the sewage river outside the Capital City at night, and hang my old clothes on the clothes rack at home to make it seem like I''m still there, we can collect two more years of compensation from the army department. "Brother, listen to me, I''ve already pleaded with the people in Veteran Lane in advance. They are all willing to help us cover up, as long as they cooperate with you to deceive the Consolation Officer from the army... Brother? Brother! Where are you going?" *To kill! I''m going to kill!* After hearing Anna''s suggestion, Leon, trembling all over, was terrified to find that for a moment, he instinctively thought her plan was feasible. After being in this world for three years, he actually started to get used to all this! *It was as if there was another numb, cold version of himself chasing from behind, trying to swallow his barely vibrant self completely, causing Leon to unconsciously start running, hot blood almost instantly filling his brain.* As he sprinted out, he roughly knocked over a medical cart, grabbed a blood-stained scalpel, and staggered out of the hospital, madly rushing toward the Department of Road Administration three streets away! *If not for those bastards at Road Administration, placing the alchemy factory near residential areas, Anna wouldn''t have gotten sick from the alchemy exhaust leaks!* *If not for their collusion with the factory, issuing a certificate claiming no pollution was caused by the leak incident, her disease could have been treated with compensation!* *If not for the shameless embezzlement by the Kingdom''s army department, the double compensation left by my Mechanic parents would have been enough to raise my three siblings to adulthood!* *And! If it weren''t for this goddamn world being in such a terrible shape, I wouldn''t have to struggle so desperately now and could at least live like a human!* ... In red-hot rage, Leon crossed three streets with a scalpel in hand and rushed to the Department of Road Administration under the blood-red sunset, arriving at the square where people lined up like cattle yesterday. Though an hour was left until the end of the official workday set by the Kingdom, the department staff had already begun streaming out of the brightly lit building, passing by the shabbily dressed Leon while talking and laughing. "Next week, Master Wilde''s troupe will be performing his famous opera at the Central Cross Theatre, are you going?" "I''m not as cultured as you. I''d be interested in a circus, but opera''s not my thing. Why are you asking me to see an opera? Where''s your wife?" "Her? She does like opera, but she likes pretty bags and shoes more, especially the department store having a sale that day." "No wonder, haha, well, I can only wish your wallet good luck then." Opera, circus, bags, department store... If I hadn''t heard them talking about these things, I might have almost forgotten that this wasn''t a barren, impoverished world, and not everyone was suffering like this. Listening to the Road Administration staff in their smart attire chatting merrily, Leon couldn''t help but slowly raise his head, the two eyes full of prominent blood threads, fixating on the brightly lit building in front of him. Anna was right. Rather than letting her illness drag the whole family down, the most correct choice would be to stop treatment, let her die of illness, then secretly throw her body into the sewage river filled with excrement and rancid water, somehow "trick" an additional two years of compensation from the army department, and use it to raise the remaining siblings until they grew up, but... Sorry, I really can''t hold on any longer... After toiling early and late for three whole years only to find life not improving but rather slipping into the Abyss, Leon first pressed his cracked, bleeding lips tightly together, then quickly walked toward the Department of Road Administration building with his mouth full of that salty iron taste. Now was the Department''s closing time, the easiest time to slip in. Next, he had to head to the second floor first, find that bastard who approved the construction of the alchemy potion factory back then, and split open his fat-laden belly with a knife. Then, amidst the chaos, run up to the fourth floor, find that scoundrel who falsified evidence for the potion factory, preventing the family from getting compensation and making it impossible to treat Anna''s illness, and go down with him! Let all these damned... "Bump!" "Are you blind? Didn''t you watch where you were going?" Casting a glance at the thin young man who had been knocked to the ground, a stout man coming from the corner frowned, wiped the dust off the front of his coat in disgust, then took a bite of a cheese-slathered burger and strode away from the fallen Leon. Getting up a bit dazed, Leon was slightly stunned as he watched the somewhat familiar figure. It was that fat bastard who "selected cattle" yesterday! Staring at the back of that boorish man, seeing that greasy and repulsive face devouring a double-deck burger, Leon felt his brain buzz with confusion. *As if manipulated by some inexplicable thing, the almost-exploding anger in his mind found the most suitable outlet, dyeing his bloodshot eyes crimson, urging him to grasp the cold, hard scalpel again and staggeringly chase after him.* *If he had let me through yesterday, maybe I wouldn''t be so desperate now! If he had let me through yesterday, maybe Anna''s life could have been saved! If he had let me through yesterday...* "Daddy~" Just as Leon caught up to the man and was about to do something, a crisp child''s voice suddenly rang in his ear. Accompanied by that bell-like call, the once arrogant and cold face suddenly warmed, the fatigue instantly swept from the plump man''s face. I saw him first suck in his ballooning belly with some effort, then squat down awkwardly, smiling as he opened his arms toward the little girl running towards him. "...." Watching the little girl laughing as she ran past him, like a swallow into the man''s arms, Leon couldn''t help but gradually slow his pace. He then turned around somewhat confusedly and found not far behind him, a slightly plump middle-aged woman was gazing over here with a gentle smile. *Even living in such a shitty and screwed-up world, the way the woman looked at the father and daughter still held a kind of happiness that was enviable... exactly the same as the smile Anna had when she looked at me during dinner yesterday.* "...." "Damn it!" Mumbling something unintelligible, not knowing what he was cursing at, Leon''s right hand loosened slightly, dropping the blood-stained scalpel with a clang. This instantly drew the suspicious gaze of the fat official. Completely ignoring the happy family of three that made people seethe with anger, Leon spat on the shiny bluestone pavement underfoot before quietly turning around and, with his signature heavy steps, headed towards the Purification Bureau set in the shadows. *Taking revenge and then dying once and for all might sound damn satisfying, but sometimes, no matter how much you want to die, you have to live properly... at least to die with a bit more value.* Standing in front of the heavy black door of the Purification Bureau, Leon remained silent for a while before raising his hand to grasp the shiny brass handle, pushing it with effort. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *I remember the red-haired interviewer mentioning yesterday that the Purification Bureau is considered an auxiliary department of the police department. If I''m killed in the line of duty, I should be able to leave behind a large sum in compensation.* *So if someone among the four of us in the family has to die first, and the remaining three can live through their tears... then let it be me!* Chapter 4 - 4: 0004 The World Beneath the Water_1 *With a mindset of trying to survive as long as possible, or at least secure a pension for his family if he doesn''t, Leon walked into the Virgin Sanitation Bureau, which looked like a haunted house.* He followed the crumpled directory signs along the hallway and once again found the large office at the end, knocking hard on the familiar door. "Is anyone there? I''m here for the interview!" "Creak." Accompanied by the awkward sound of metal hinges turning, the pitch-black door was pushed open from the inside. However, the one who came out was not the red-haired female interviewer but... a standing black goat on its two hind legs? "Whatcha staring at? Never seen a demon?" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Apparently offended by Leon''s shocked gaze, the black goat, holding a cigarette in its mouth, expertly puffed out a smoke ring and angrily glared at Leon, saying, "I can''t believe this, have your balls been smashed? We''ve amplified the evil in your heart seven times over, and you still managed not to stab that fatso with a knife?" "???" Demon? Standing goat? You amplified my evil thoughts? So I wasn''t out of control just now? A series of question marks, big and small, flooded into Leon''s mind. However, before he could ask further, a giant empty wine bottle soared from inside the office, spinning around before smashing the back of the black goat''s head with a bang. After this critical hit, the arrogant black goat didn''t even hum; its eyes rolled back, and its short-haired body collapsed into Leon''s arms. "Sizzle!" [Encountered an incomprehensible special entity, Heterochromatic Badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)" activated. Your cognitive boundaries have been expanded, and you''ve acquired partial information about this entity.] Along with the familiar, ear-piercing buzzing, the crimson strange badge briefly flashed, and a bunch of odd text suddenly appeared in the void above the black goat''s head. [Name: Demon Hoof (Corruption, Scholarship, Whisper)] [Appearance: Two jet-black horns with spiral patterns. After using a Welsh County mountain goat as a sacrificial offering and performing the corrosion ritual correctly, the offering turns into a black goat that enjoys smoking, habitually stands on two legs, and claims to be a demon.] [Ability: Evil Thought Amplification, Extensive Knowledge, Occult Knowledge] [Cost: A pack of "Gotth" brand cigarettes or a sinful soul] [File: Captured and reported by Sixth Branch Supervisor Olivia during the Aslan Campaign, later self-applied for use. Please note, after application, this anomalous object didn''t cause any fatalities but has numerous indirect injury records. Over five years, it has caused more than forty Department of Road Administration employees to be injured and resign.] [Evaluation: Has the terrifying ability to easily provoke a war, yet the entity itself is extremely frail, no different from an ordinary goat, and is terribly afraid of human males born in Welsh County.] [Contamination Value: 0.1] In less than 0.01 seconds, after bizarrely memorizing all the content, Leon, holding the black goat, blinked at the virtual panel where the crimson badge dimmed back down. Evil Thought Amplification? Contamination Value? Before Leon could digest this strange information, the red-haired female interviewer from yesterday emerged, holding an equally massive wine bottle. "Why are you here again?" After a big gulp of ale and looking at Leon with bloodshot eyes, the red-haired female interviewer frowned, questioning with some hostility, "Didn''t I make it clear? Normal people like you are not suitable to join the Purification Bureau. You should just go..." "Please wait!" Seeing that she was about to dismiss him, Leon, not wanting to let go of this last lifeline, hurriedly explained, "I''m not normal! No, what I mean is, I actually have some abilities beyond a normal person. Maybe that''s exactly what you need!" Abilities beyond a normal person? Hearing Leon''s words, the red-haired woman''s eyebrows arched slightly, a trace of skepticism flashing in her eyes. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, noncommittally saying, "Alright, let''s hear it." Let''s hear it... Since Leon planned to join and mix things up here for the pension, he had to first show his value, but how should he talk about "badges"? After a quick inventory of his situation, Leon''s eyes shifted slightly, decisively hiding the existence of the "badges," and instead explained, "My observation skills are special! I can identify some peculiar things, and if there''s direct contact, I can instantly obtain some related intelligence!" How is that possible... Upon hearing this, the red-haired woman shook her head inwardly. Although many people were indeed born with "anomalies," such a forced information acquisition ability almost certainly belonged to the most troublesome "conceptual" anomalies, only working when one''s "Hierarchy" was stably higher than the target. So if he could truly achieve that, then his base Hierarchy must be astonishingly high, at least comparable to an Evil God from another plane. But would such an entity be applying for a job with us at the Purification Bureau? Despite doubting Leon''s words, the red-haired woman didn''t directly refute him. Instead, she pointed her chin toward the unconscious black goat, calmly saying, "Well, it''s a ''peculiar thing,'' and you''ve made contact with it. Start telling me now, and let''s see precisely what''s special about you." Whew... Hearing the "test" given by the red-haired woman, Leon secretly breathed a sigh of relief. What he feared most was being turned away without a chance. Now that he had the opportunity to showcase his ability, as long as the "badge" didn''t malfunction, he should secure the job. After all, regardless of the organization, intelligence should always be valuable. Moreover, if this Purification Bureau placed a significant emphasis on intelligence ability, then even if he wasn''t heavily relied upon, he shouldn''t be used as cannon fodder either. He might even receive special treatment, surviving several rounds in the terrifying death rate statistics tabulated monthly. Although when entering here, he had already prepared to trade his life for the pension, who wouldn''t want to live if they could? ... *Hoping to extend his life by a few more years, Leon composed himself, selectively answering,* "The essence of this goat is actually that pair of horns on its head. Its ability is to amplify people''s evil thoughts, and it also possesses a wealth of occult knowledge. Also, it likes ''Gotth'' brand cigarettes and sinful souls, now belonging to someone named Olivia. Over the past few years, it has caused many Department of Road Administration officials to get injured and resign. It fears male humans from Welsh County..." As Leon relayed, piece by piece, the intelligence obtained from the badge, the red-haired woman''s initially indifferent expression gradually grew serious, finally squinting as she repeatedly scrutinized this lean young man before her. Evil Thought Amplification and liking Gotth cigarettes ¡ª these pieces of information could be easily obtained; the goat causing injuries to Department of Road Administration employees could also be discovered by reading more newspapers. But the fact that the goat''s essence was its horns and its owner''s name were entirely out of reach for ordinary people. Plus, the notion that the goat feared men from Welsh County was something even she hadn''t known. So, if what this guy said was true, his innate "abnormality" had a frighteningly high Hierarchy. Even if it didn''t reach the level of an interdimensional Evil God, it certainly had to be higher than this Great Demon goat... With this in mind, the red-haired woman raised her head and downed the rest of her ale. Then she hefted the weighty empty wine bottle and banged it heavily on the black goat''s head. "Ugh... what the... damn! Ollie... you nasty woman! You hit me with the bottle again!" Under the red-haired woman''s glare, the black goat, its half-spoken name cut short and swallowed back, clapped a hoof over its head, grumbling irritably, "I used to be a Great Demon! Could you at least show me a bit of respect?" "Ha-ha. With the kind of stuff you''ve done, you don''t deserve my respect." Tilting her head to drink down the last residual beer clinging to the bottle''s walls, the red-haired woman pointed at the obviously uneasy Leon, eyes slightly narrowed as she turned to the black goat, "This young guy from Welsh County just gave me a bottle of good wine worth two Silver Wheels. From now on, you''re his." From Welsh County?! Hearing the red-haired woman''s words, the black goat couldn''t help but tremble violently, glancing nervously at Leon before quickly realizing she was likely bluffing. It then crossed its forelegs in defiance, huffing with disdain, "Heh, you can''t fool me. With only two months till year-end, a headquarters audit is inevitable. Even you couldn''t possibly mess around at a time like this!" "You''re right, I was bluffing." The red-haired woman nodded, candidly acknowledging the black goat''s insight, then slightly curled her lip in curiosity, asking, "But... you seem to be quite fearful of men from Welsh County?" Damn it! How did she find out?! As the black goat''s eyes darted, pondering how to hide its "weakness," the red-haired woman chuckled softly, verifying the truth of the intelligence, before turning to extend her pale right hand toward Leon. With a friendly smile, she said, "Very good, it seems you''re exactly the kind of person we need. From now on, you''re a member of our Virgin Sanitation Bureau." Whew... it''s really not easy! Hearing the news of his employment, Leon couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief as the nervous expression on his face slightly relaxed. However... Wait a minute? Something seems off here. Re-evaluating the red-haired woman''s words, Leon''s eyes widened in shock. Say that again? Your bureau is what now??? Chapter 5 - 5: 0005 The Sixth Cleaning Bureau_1 "Even though our Purification Bureau is an external department of the Police Department, it wasn''t fully under the Kingdom''s Police Department, being a relatively independent and loose transnational organization. It had branches all over the world and accepted directives and leadership from various countries, responsible for handling special situations. Aside from the headquarters whose exact location was unknown, there were a total of 87 branches in our Purification Bureau, each assigned an astronomical constellation as a code name. The one you''re joining is the Number Six Purification Bureau, codenamed Virgo, also known as the Virgin Sanitation Bureau." After leisurely introducing the situation of the Purification Bureau and seeing Leon visibly breathe a sigh of relief, the red-haired woman, satisfied by her mischievous pleasure, smirked. She then pointed to the Black Goat beside her and said, "As for our work, it''s to deal with those troublemakers so that they don''t affect the lives of ordinary people. It specifically includes, but is not limited to, extradimensional demons trying to scavenge souls, crazy evil gods attempting to impose their will, radical deities preparing to take control of the world, special anomalies born from human obsessions, ocean races planning to counterattack land, prehistoric civilizations frozen in polar glaciers, undead specters fleeing normal timelines, ancient creatures surviving in the earth''s crust, original inhabitants living behind the moon, and so on..." "..." *Holy crap... is this world really that complicated? I thought it was just like a 19th century with a skewed tech tree, but I didn''t expect there to be so many hidden dangers lurking behind the scenes?* "You actually believed that!" Seeing the shock in Leon''s eyes, made gullible by her bluff, the red-haired woman seemed to witness something amusing. She raised her hand to cover her slightly smirking glossy lips, her supple waist bending slightly forward, and chuckled softly in amusement. As her voluptuous figure moved slightly, the woman''s face, already carrying a tinge of drunkenness, quietly blossomed with a faint blush, like a cluster of bright and charming oleander flowers, blooming silently in the dim corridor, emitting a slightly toxic sweet fragrance... *So it was all a bluff, scared me there...* Watching the red-haired woman laugh so enchantingly before him, though just deceived for a moment, for some reason, the mood that had weighed heavily on Leon because of his sister''s old ailment strangely lightened a bit, however... *Wait a minute, what did I just ask? Did she answer me?* In the midst of the red-haired woman''s radiant smile, a thin mist suddenly drifted through Leon''s mind, erasing a piece of his originally clear memory in a strange way, as if something had been quietly wiped away. Standing there indecisively for a while, unable to figure out the reason despite racking his brains, he had no choice but to temporarily bypass this strange fog and ask the question he was most concerned about. "Excuse me, what about the Purification Bureau''s benefits..." "The benefits are quite good." Staring into Leon''s eyes and capturing that familiar sense of bewilderment, the red-haired woman answered with a smile, sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "As long as you can pass the probation period, you''ll become an assistant-level public servant of the Kingdom, but the salary is disbursed according to the clerical level, and you should be able to earn around twelve Gold Wheels per week." Twelve Gold Wheels? That much?! Upon hearing the salary level of the Purification Bureau, Leon couldn''t help but shiver all over, instantly forgetting that small bit of doubt. One Gold Wheel = ten Silver Wheels = one hundred Copper Wheels, so twelve Gold Wheels is twelve hundred Copper Wheels, which amounts to sixty-two thousand four hundred Copper Wheels a year for fifty-two weeks! According to the consumption level in the Capital City, a rather sumptuous breakfast costs just two to three Copper Wheels at most, so after becoming a regular worker, with an annual income of over sixty thousand Copper Wheels, he had already leapt from poverty into the threshold of the middle class! *No need to say more, from now on, the Purification Bureau is damn well my second home!* "And besides the salary, you can also enjoy some other benefits." Glancing at Leon, whose breathing was evidently a bit rapid, the red-haired woman added with a smile, "Normal clerical-level public servants have two ten-day long vacations a year, along with weekends off. Including holidays, they can rest for about one hundred and sixty days in total. However, due to the special nature of the work at our Purification Bureau, you need to be on call at all times, so there are no such vacations, and since you are not a wanted criminal and voluntarily joined a dangerous department, you can also receive plenty of special perks. Aside from double the pension, housing incentives, and other benefits like other public servants, you, your spouse, and all your direct relatives can enjoy free medical services, with everyone having a reimbursement limit of two thousand Gold Wheels per year. Moreover, when your children reach schooling age, they can freely choose any public school except the Royal Internal School, and can advance internally without any exams, or freely transfer schools externally. When they turn sixteen, the Purification Bureau can also provide a recommendation letter for you. Apart from the top three universities that will still require certain qualifications, they should be able to enroll without exams, even if you prematurely sacrifice yourself, it will still be effective..." Sacrifice! I might as well damn well sacrifice now! No, that''s not what I mean! What I''m trying to say is, from now on, whether I live or die, I am damn well a person of the Purification Bureau! Even after being cremated, I am the Purification Bureau''s ashes! Even if someone casually scatters me, I''m still the dust storm of our Purification Bureau! After secretly taking two deep breaths, Leon, whose sense of belonging to the Purification Bureau overflowed, raised his head, clenched his fist tightly, and, trying to keep his expression as calm as possible, inquired, "So... when can I start working?" "Now." Returning to her large desk, rummaging in a drawer twice, the red-haired woman tossed over a palm-sized booklet, saying with a smile, "Take this, it''s your ID. Just write your name, then pin the badge inside it, and you''re done with the procedures." That simple? Catching the little booklet, Leon doubtfully opened his newly acquired ID, and after examining the badge''s design inside, he remarked in surprise, "This woman pushing a ball is..." "It''s the emblem of our Sixth Bureau." The red-haired woman explained, "The Purification Bureau''s emblem is a Sacred Scarab pushing a dung ball, symbolizing how the Purification Bureau, like the Sacred Scarab, will clean up pollutants and draw nourishment and strength from them. However, due to the need to identify members from different branches, each branch''s badge is different. For instance, our Sixth Purification Bureau, which is codenamed Virgo, changed it to a woman pushing a dung ball." "..." A woman pushing a dung ball... Dung Beetle Lady? Which genius came up with this idea? Holding the bizarre badge, more bizarre than creative, which seemed to be designed to crush the spirit of its wearer, Leon''s facial muscles couldn''t help but twitch slightly, feeling like he had a thousand rants stuck in his chest. But looking at the generous benefits of the Purification Bureau, he forcefully swallowed his gripes and silently pinned the Dung Beetle Lady badge on himself. Accepting the feather pen handed over by the red-haired woman, he wrote his name on the inner page of the booklet. "Zzzt" [You have successfully obtained a job and activated the Black Iron Level Badge "Probationary Worker."] [Probationary Worker: A job seeker employed by a company or organization due to meeting the basic requirements of the position but still in an observation period. It is the lowest level member within an enterprise or national function department, sometimes colloquially referred to as ''temporary worker'' due to not yet being officially employed by the company.] [Badge Effect: Your work efficiency during performing designated duties will receive a minor boost.] [Advancement Route: If you wear this badge continuously for more than two months and are not dismissed, the badge will automatically advance to the Bronze Badge "Worker," and you cannot remove it before advancement is completed.] [Hidden Traits (unwearable): When this badge has not advanced to Bronze Level, and a serious problem arises in the department you belong to, your likelihood of bearing responsibility and getting dismissed will increase significantly.] [Note that this badge''s traits conflict with the already acquired badge "Unemployed Youth," thus cannot be worn simultaneously, and the "Unemployed Youth" badge has been automatically removed.] Chapter 6 - 6: 0006 Level 3 Processor_1 This hidden trait... scapegoat? Staring at the glaring word "termination," Leon, who had just crawled out from "Hell," shivered involuntarily. Instinctively, he wanted to remove the badge, but it yielded a "temporarily unable to remove" response. Helpless, he had to give up and instead silently prayed in his heart. *Heaven help me, during these two months before this badge upgrades to bronze, may nothing major happen at the Purification Bureau¡ªmy whole family is counting on this job to turn our lives around, not to mention my sister Anna''s illness...* Oh right! Anna! Thinking of his sister still waiting for treatment on the hospital bed, Leon, who had just completed his induction, hurriedly asked for leave. He then rushed out of the Purification Bureau to use the benefits he had just received to get Anna better treatment. After he hurriedly left, the Black Goat, who had been silently observing, clicked its tongue twice, looked at the red-haired woman with schadenfreude, and said, "Heh! You don''t even want him to know the job content of the Purification Bureau, so you''re not planning to involve him in any missions, are you? What is it then? Do you think this kid is at his wit''s end and decided to lend a helping hand out of kindness?" "No." Somehow pulling out another bottle of liquor and chugging a large gulp, the red-haired woman concealed the smile on her face, her expression indifferent as she spoke, "The more ''truth'' we humans come in contact with, the deeper we are corroded by the dark side, and the smell on us more easily attracts new anomalies. Leon''s talent was quite good, but now the bureau was short-handed, and there was no way to assign someone to protect him continuously. I shielded part of his memory temporarily to prevent him from attracting anomalies. As for the specific job content, it won''t be too late to tell him when we find an Anomalous Object suitable for him." *Oh, give me a break. That kid has zero talent!* Completely disbelieving the red-haired woman''s explanation, the Black Goat snorted disdainfully and said, "Come off it! Although he withstood our ''Whisper of Degeneration,'' it doesn''t mean he has a strong willpower. The kid is merely rational in his personality and has a moral compass slightly better than average. If it were up to me, he''s the kind of guy who''s had his instinct for fighting almost completely dulled away and has become accustomed to compliance like a sheep. He''s less than even those death row inmates who serve as cannon fodder, most likely incapable of enduring the first mission." "He''ll endure." Without revealing to the Black Goat about the "anomaly" Leon possessed, after another large swig of beer, the red-haired woman spoke calmly, "He can go through the first few tasks with me, and Emma''s job is about to wrap up; she''ll probably return tonight. After that, if I have the opportunity, I''ll guide him myself. If I''m unavailable, Emma will substitute for me to help him until he can handle things alone." *Goodness, you''re really looking after him, huh? What do you see in this kid?* "You better not mess around!" The Black Goat furrowed its brows, annoyance written over its face, "Purification Bureau''s performance metrics are always calculated based on the number of regular members. Our sixth bureau''s performance is currently ranked second to last, and with two months left until the year-end review, you''re recruiting such a dead weight now? Concerned you don''t secure the bottom spot?" "None of your concern." "I can''t be bothered to care!" The Black Goat sneered, "The number of people you''ve killed exceeds everyone I''ve met in my life. Honestly, I''ve always admired you, except when you excessively display kindness. As the most insane executioner in the Purification Bureau, can''t you stick to your own business? Why pretend to be a kindhearted person? Do you know how disgusting your sympathetic acts appear?" "Oh." "..." "Tsk... you can''t seriously think lending a hand to that kid will save his life, can you?" Observing the red-haired woman drinking indifferently with no intention of engaging, the Black Goat couldn''t help but scoff and taunt, "I know humans all too well; struggling in darkness has become a numbing habit that barely keeps them afloat. But now, you''ve dragged him ashore, exposing him to sunlight¡ªthere''s no turning back anymore. When the year-end review won''t go through, leading to his ousting and experiencing firsthand the plunge from Heaven to Hell, the kid might just go insane. He might even resent you similarly to how a certain someone did, wondering why you bothered dragging him up... What was it that certain someone said back then?" Boldly stepping into the dimly lit office, sitting comfortably into a plush padded sofa, with his legs crossed, the Black Goat mocked in a theatrical manner in front of the silent red-haired woman, "I am resentful, Olivia! I hate you! I could have continued to endure the darkness; why drag me into the sunlight, showing me how a person ought to live?" "Squeak!" As soon as the Black Goat finished speaking, a screech pierced as if a blade was scraping against bone. Like being cut by countless thin, sharp blades in an instant, the raised-hooved Black Goat shattered into pieces, with parts scattering all over the place. Yet strangely enough, even though the Black Goat had turned into a mass of sheep offal, no bloody odor emerged in the office. The woman behind the desk maintained her original posture unaffectedly, taking big gulps from her beer. However, her striking red hair suddenly dulled in color, and at the slightly curled tips¡ªneglected due to a lack of care¡ªan odd, deep crimson began to seep. "I''ve warned you plenty of times not to call me by my name directly." Discarding an empty bottle she didn''t remember finishing, the red-haired woman crooked her finger towards the sofa. A sheep''s head with its mouth sewn shut with red thread floated over, sitting squarely on her desk. Exchanging a glance with the wide-eyed and furious Black Goat on the desk, the woman named Olivia shook her head, "I allowed you free rein in the bureau on account of your decent work last time. But now, it seems this form suits you better. Moreover, I plan to visit Welsh County in my spare time, to thoroughly investigate what happened back then and why you''d fear men from Welsh County. Until I return, stay like this! Once I understand what you are afraid of, I shall ensure you pay dearly for a foul mouth!" "Ugh? Uh! Uh!!" ... Unaware of what transpired after his departure, Leon, hurried back to the hospital, urgently knocking on the Respiratory Department''s office door, handing over his not yet warm new credentials before the head department chief clocked off. The Sixth Purification Bureau? Does the Police Department have such a division? What exactly is the position of Level Three Incident Handler? Accepting the credentials Leon handed over, flipping through them with skepticism, recognizing a few special markings, the previously doubtful fat chief''s expression suddenly tightened. The Kingdom''s civil service framework comprised five levels, ranking from highest to lowest: Executive, Administrative, Clerical, Assistant, and Auxiliary. As the head of a secondary hospital''s respiratory department, barely scraping the front end of the Auxiliary level, by the time retirement came around, with some maneuvering, there might be a chance to sneak into the tail end of the Assistant level. Yet this scruffy young man standing before him, wearing an old coat, was already an Assistant-level civil servant, and the benefits were directly aligned with a Clerical-level! Someone like this, in three to five years, might just climb higher, entering the ranks of Clerical civil servants directly. Damn! Wouldn''t that make him equivalent to our hospital''s director? Looking at the youth who probably hadn''t turned twenty yet, the fat chief couldn''t hide strong envy and a deeply rooted sense of jealousy. Leon Laine, a surname the same as Duke of Lionheart''s, coupled with a sub-twenty-year-old Assistant-level civil servant status¡ªhis background was self-evident. Undoubtedly from a prestigious noble lineage, likely even a well-resourced direct line. Having struggled at the hospital tirelessly for over twenty years, the greatest aspiration before retirement was merely reaching an Assistant-level position; yet this young man had already reached that threshold at his teen years, sitting at the end of a lifetime''s dream, with room to spare half a seat¡ªis there any justice in that? Cursing under his breath at the connection, giving him an internal label of someone not to cross, the fat chief''s face bloomed into layers of flesh folds, smiling as he approached Leon, rubbing his hands, "Mr. Leon, is there anything bothering you?" "Not me, it''s my sister." Briefly explaining Anna''s situation, Leon hadn''t even made a request when the rotund chief eagerly proposed transferring her immediately to the best ward, equipping her with the finest potions. He even patted his chest to assure Leon that he would personally follow up to ensure Miss Anna received the highest level of treatment throughout the Capital City. Somewhat unaccustomed to the fat chief''s overly warm reception, Leon, repressing the awkwardness surging in his heart, managed a few polite exchanges, then under a nurse''s guidance, moved to a plush sofa in the VIP ward, awaiting Anna''s arrival. Alone in the quiet and tidy ward, gazing at the pristine new bed with its white linen, Leon sat upright on the sofa, involuntarily feeling a strange sense of nostalgia. From fleeing the hospital wielding a scalpel to now, barely an hour had passed, yet the dire predicament cornering his family was already resolved. Not only was there hope for his sister''s illness, but his family, long struggling bitterly at the bottom rungs of the Capital City''s society, could now anticipate a decent living standard on his earnings. The only cost for all this was... *Hmm? What was the cost again... ouch! Hot! Hot!!!* Deep in thought about what exactly he had paid, Leon suddenly experienced a scorching pain at his chest. The badge representing the Sixth Purification Bureau, the Dung Beetle Lady, radiated a frighteningly intense heat like a branding iron, burning him fiercely through three layers of clothing. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [A suitable Uncontrollable Afflicted conforming to job content has been detected, activating Black Iron Badge "Probationary Worker," your work efficiency has slightly increased.] Chapter 7 - 7: 0007 Abnormal_1 "The job content complies with... Wait, did I ever ask the Purification Bureau about the job content?" It was as if someone had wiped away the fog from the glass, or like a curtain that covered the stage had been lifted. The previously forgotten "job content" bizarrely broke through the red-haired woman''s smiling blockade and emerged from the depths of Leon''s mind. A dimension demon attempting to plunder souls, a mad Evil God wanting to descend its will, a radical deity preparing to control the world, special anomalies born from human obsessions, an Undying Specter that escaped the normal temporal sequence... Hiss... His face was instantly covered with a dense layer of sweat, and every time he recalled a part of the job description given by the red-haired woman, more sweat would accumulate on his face. Some kind of near-instinctual intuition was constantly warning Leon that the beautiful yet dangerous red-haired woman might not just be pulling his leg... As Leon desperately tried to remember the job content of the Purification Bureau, trying to figure out how dangerous this "Uncontrollable Afflicted" could be, Anna, who was also filled with unease, was wheeled over by two nurses. "Brother?" Seeing Leon in the intensive care unit, the pale-faced girl seemed to find her backbone. Her tense expression relaxed a little, then she urgently said, "Cough... They might have the wrong person! Cough cough... Our family can''t afford the special care fees, but no matter how I explain, they won''t... Cough cough cough... Brother! Please help me talk to them! We... Cough cough cough..." "Don''t worry, they didn''t make a mistake!" Hearing Anna''s heart-wrenching coughs, Leon, who was breaking out in cold sweat, quickly stood up, rushing over in a few strides to help the nurses settle his struggling sister back onto the bed. He gently reassured her, "I got a job yesterday. Now I''m an accident handler under the Department of Road Administration, and there''s an annual reimbursement quota from the Medical Bureau. We won''t have to spend our family''s money!" Got a job? And it sounds like a government position in the Kingdom? Anna couldn''t help but show a happy expression upon hearing that. A flush of excitement appeared on her pale cheeks as she seemed eager to say something. But the next second, she realized it wasn''t very likely for her brother to find a good job given his current situation. However, the hospital''s attitude couldn''t be faked, so... "Brother... Tell me the truth!" S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gathering some unknown strength, the pale-faced girl grabbed the bed''s handrail, forced herself to sit up, and glared at Leon urgently, "Did you... Cough cough... Did you take on some dangerous job to pay for my treatment? You... You... Cough cough cough cough!" "It''s not dangerous, not dangerous at all! I''m perfectly safe!" "Liar!" Hearing Leon''s explanation, the pale girl became more anxious, covering her mouth and nose while coughing. She gripped the handrail and shouted, "If you didn''t take on those deadly jobs, where... Cough cough cough... Where would the money for this special care room come from... Cough cough cough cough..." "In your current state, you shouldn''t be talking so much!" He held onto Anna''s shoulders, forcing his coughing sister back onto the bed. Leon quickly explained, "This job really isn''t dangerous. As for why the benefits are so good, it''s mainly because there''s no vacation as I''m on call all year round. If anything happens, I must immediately be present, and it''s also very hard." Pulling out the "Dung Beetle Lady Card" and showing the title of "Level Three Accident Handler," Leon made up a serious-sounding explanation, "See the job title? Accident handler! My job belongs to the Purification Bureau under the Department of Road Administration. Usually... hmm... I''m mainly responsible for investigating and cleaning up crime scenes and accidents. "For instance, if there''s a serial dismemberment case or a large-scale traffic accident, I would clean up the bloody and messy scenes that ordinary people can''t stomach seeing even for a glance! "This job is tiring, dirty, and creepy, so few people are willing to do it. That''s why the benefits are quite good... Does that put your mind at ease now?" The Purification Bureau? Responsible for cleaning up grisly crime scenes? After hearing the explanation given by her brother, the pale girl hesitated for a moment, then asked half-believingly, "Really?" "Really!" Not wanting to tell her that he had joined a mysterious department where he might kick the bucket any day, Leon raised his right hand with an earnest face and solemnly swore, "If I''m lying to you, then let me be single forever and never find..." "Brother! You... Cough cough... Don''t say that!" She pinched Leon''s arm hard, forcing him to swallow the rest of his words. The slender girl, now filled with worry, finally calmed down. Dealing with bloody crime scenes wasn''t a great job, but it was better than mining under a furnace or selling oneself as a test subject because, given their current circumstances, what could they really choose? Although it belonged to the relatively dangerous Department of Road Administration, this post was in the Purification Bureau, which sounded similar to the cleaning bureau in the Department of Road Administration. It should also be a logistical post. Apart from being dirty, tiring, and frightening, her brother was unlikely to encounter any danger. But... It''s all my fault for dragging you down... Biting her bloodless lips, Anna held Leon''s hand, lowering her head in guilt as she said, "Brother, when we get back to Veteran Lane, if anyone asks about your job, just say you work at the Department of Road Administration. Best not to mention the dismemberment... or the specific job content to others." "Huh? Why?" "Because you still need to start a family." Grasping her brother''s hand tenderly, the slender girl said with concern, "While cleaning up dismemberments isn''t shameful work since you''re earning an honest living, it''s still somewhat... If word about your job content gets out, you might not find a good partner..." "..." Looking at the sister who, despite being seriously ill, was worried about his future marriage, Leon couldn''t help but smile wryly. Get real! To think of marriage in my current state? Given the Purification Bureau''s job scope that could cost anyone their life, it''s better to think about who could join me in the afterlife instead of who I might marry... "Of course, I''m not stupid. I won''t say a word." Considering his current situation, where he could be gone anytime, Leon had long since given up the notion of settling down for fear of dragging someone else in. However, there was no need to share these thoughts with Anna. Seeing his sister visibly relieved after registering his words, Leon couldn''t help but smile and promise, "As for my marriage, don''t you worry about it. When it''s time for me to settle down, I''ll definitely bring you the best sister-in-law." After reassuring his sister with a few words, Leon, constantly pondering over the "Uncontrollable Afflicted," took a deep breath and then turned to the nurse beside him, proactively asking, "Excuse me, where''s that... very plump doctor? He didn''t come?" "The director originally wanted to come with us." Hearing Leon''s inquiry, the young nurse, who had already been briefed by the chubby director, immediately apologized and explained, "But just halfway through, the emergency alarm in the hospital went off, and a large number of critical patients were brought in. There should''ve been a major public emergency. "According to the hospital''s rules, whenever such an incident occurs, all attending physicians and above must be present, so the director had to go ahead... "But don''t worry, before the director left, he instructed that your sister would receive the best treatment." A major public emergency... Could it possibly be related to that "Uncontrollable Afflicted"? Remembering the Purification Bureau''s job scope that could only be described as "madness," Leon immediately tensed up. He instinctively wanted to take Anna and leave to prevent her from being caught up in any danger. But after glancing at the IV line in Anna''s arm and her extremely weak condition, Leon hesitated. He then pulled a nurse aside and quietly asked in the corridor, "How is my sister''s condition now? Can I stop the IV temporarily and take her home?" "Well... it''s better not to," the nurse said with some difficulty, "The director knew you might inquire about your sister''s condition, so he specifically talked to us about it earlier. "Because your sister stopped taking her medication for two months on her own, three-quarters of her right lung have already been destroyed by alchemical waste gas. Her left lung is also severely damaged, and the situation has barely stabilized with continuous intravenous cellular supplements. "If you stop the medication and take her home now, delaying the treatment could result in having to remove the entire right lung. Not only would her life span significantly shorten, but she would... Where are you going?" "I''m going home to get something! You first go back and take care of her, and don''t come out no matter what''s happening outside!" Chapter 8 - 8: Social Person_1 The second time Leon burst out of the hospital room that day, he didn''t hesitate, bypassing the crowded reception area and climbing out of a window on the second floor, sprinting in the direction of the Purification Bureau. Since leaving with Anna was not possible, his only choice was to hurry to the Purification Bureau and bring someone who could handle the "Uncontrollable Afflicted" back! Whether it was the mental strain creating an illusion of time slowing down, or "reporting to the Purification Bureau" counted as work that provided a bonus from the "Probationary Worker" badge, he couldn''t tell. Despite having stayed up all night and feeling exhausted, Leon was running much faster than before, reaching the Bureau in no time. However, as Leon endured the burning pain in his lungs, stumbling into the innermost office, he only found an empty room. Where was everyone? Why was there no one here? Gazing out the window at the darkening sky, the anxious Leon suddenly realized that it was long past office hours, and that mysterious red-haired woman must have left already. Trouble... Should I search the building first to see if anyone''s on duty? Leon, having found nothing, bit his lip, and was about to leave the red-haired woman''s office when a thud sounded behind him, as if something heavy had fallen onto the carpet. Surprised, Leon turned back to find that a goat head ornament had fallen off the desk. Eager to find help, he paid it little mind and was about to leave when he noticed the goat head strangely twisted by itself, turning to face him directly. In Leon''s shocked gaze, the goat head with a stitched mouth rolled its eyes twice, then furiously glared at him. ?! In the dim corridor, the elaborately and bizarrely decorated office, a goat head with its mouth sewn shut was glaring at you... "What are you staring at, you dumbass!" A voice full of fury echoed in Leon''s ear, breaking the terrifying atmosphere. The Black Goat rolled several times across the carpet but couldn''t straighten itself, so it glared at Leon with anger and "spoke" harshly, "Aren''t you going to help me up? When I was a Great Demon, I''d have slapped an inattentive fool like you to death!" *Great Demon... The Black Goat? It''s only been a couple of hours, why''re you just a head now?* sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You... Hello!" Recognizing this was the same Black Goat from before, and worried about the situation with his sister, Leon took a deep breath and directly asked, "I just encountered an Uncontrollable Afflicted at a hospital three streets away. Is there anyone on duty at the Purification Bureau right now?" "Of course not! If there were anyone else here, do you think you could just barge in? That bunch of madmen would have skinned you alive!" The Black Goat was about to roll its eyes and continue "ranting" when Leon, skilled at hitting the right note, quickly added, "As long as you help me find someone! I''ll buy you cigarettes! A pack of ''Gotth''! No, two packs!" "..." Two packs... Tsk... I''m so kind-hearted, can''t bear to see suffering in the world, helping you is not impossible, but there''s just... a problem... *Sigh...* In Leon''s tense expression, the Black Goat first sighed, then regretfully shook its head, "The deal''s off. I''m a demon of credibility, and I won''t take benefits without doing my part, but the Bureau''s empty right now, and I can''t assist you even if I wanted to." No one left? Hearing this, Leon couldn''t help but exclaim, "How come such a big building doesn''t even have one person on duty?" "Blame that red-haired woman," the Black Goat sulked, "It''s all her fault for sloppiness in her usual work, leading to consistently poor task evaluations. Worried she wouldn''t pass the end-of-year review, she sent everyone out last month to boost performance, leaving the Bureau so empty rats could run through... Kid, I''m telling you, don''t be blinded by her beauty! Though she''s good-looking, unrivaled even among pureblood Succubi, she''s a drunkard, a spendthrift, petty, and unhygienic. I''ve even seen her scratching her feet with the office door closed! That woman is pure trash... Hey?" Halfway through his profane rant, noticing something, the Black Goat strained to look east, then slightly curled its sewn mouth into a grin, chuckling at Leon. "You''re in luck, kid. Just started and already scored a job... Hurry! Pick me up and hold me, there''s someone useful back, and I''ll take you to get things settled! Remember, you promised two packs of cigarettes! Miss even a single stick, and I''ll kill you!" *As long as you can solve this, forget two packs, two cartons are no problem!* ... Upon hearing the promising turn of events, Leon was overjoyed, picking up the goat head and rushing out of the Purification Bureau. Following its guidance, he ran nearly two streets east and finally stopped a tall woman wrapped in bandages at a street corner. "You are... uh... the Bureau recruited someone new, huh." After exchanging a glance with the goat head in Leon''s arms, and seemingly receiving a lot of information directly from it, the tall bandaged woman smiled at Leon, extending her right hand warmly, "I''m Emma, I''ve been with the Purification Bureau for six years, and I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about the Bureau''s operations. If you need any assistance with work in the future, please feel free to ask." "Ah... okay..." Initially stopping this bandaged, strange woman, Leon thought she might be another peculiar character full of "personality" like the Black Goat, but he didn''t expect such a "professional introduction." *But... she seems easy to talk to?* Thinking of the situation at the hospital, Leon immediately set aside his awkwardness, shook the bandaged woman''s hand briefly, and then spoke a bit hurriedly, "The situation at the hospital..." "I will go, but not right now." The bandaged woman smiled gently, speaking slowly, "According to the Bureau''s four-step tactical operation protocol, we should first carefully observe and determine the type and danger of the abnormality, as well as the Uncontrollable Afflicted''s identity; "Next, based on the victim''s situation, initially speculate about the Afflicted''s ability effects and assess the potential impact; "Then, find specific tools and special items, confirm our status, and formulate a comprehensive action plan; "Finally, initiate the operation, aiming for minimal casualties and impact to control or eliminate the target, completing the clean-up task." Seeing Leon somewhat dumbfounded, the bandaged woman kindly reminded him, "It''s already past sunset now. We would risk impaired action capability due to poor visibility, and without the sun''s suppression, most Anomalous Objects become more active at night. It''s not a good time to act. "Moreover, I just completed a two-and-a-half-month-long task, and my physical state and focus have both reached their limits. I need at least a week''s recovery to ensure adequate concentration, not suitable for immediately taking on new, unknown-danger tasks. "Therefore, the best plan now is to return to the Bureau and hand off this task to the director after she returns to work tomorrow, so we should..." "Why are you doing this again..." Jolted by the other''s professionally cold attitude, Leon was momentarily speechless, while the goat head in his arms wriggled a bit, grumbling discontentedly, "Your director''s on a business trip to Welsh County and won''t be back for three days. Are you really going to wait for her?" "We''ll wait until she returns." Seeing Leon''s expression suddenly change, Emma, the bandaged woman, smiled gently once more, her eyes slightly apologetic, "Judging by your expression... You have relatives in that hospital, don''t you? "Apologies, I have reasons to stay alive no matter what, and won''t act rashly, regardless of circumstances, if I can''t ensure absolute safety. So, please wait for three days!" Chapter 9 - 9: 0009 Slot and Fire_1 Wait three days... Will that still be in time? sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leon had not expected the bandage-wrapped woman, who seemed friendly, to refuse to help. Worried about the situation at the hospital, he gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and tried to plead again, "If you''re willing to help, I can..." "Sorry, this isn''t about the cost." Interrupting Leon''s words, the woman wrapped in bandages shook her head, regretfully saying, "The reason I''ve been able to stay safely in the Purification Bureau for six years is because I never act without certainty. Although I sympathize with your situation, I have my reasons for not risking it lightly. I hope you understand my decision." "..." *Understand, of course, I understand. After all, what else can I do if I don''t? Drag you there by force?* After hearing the other''s unarguable refusal, Leon helplessly loosened his grip. While it sounded somewhat cold, she was actually right. She had no obligation to take risks for his matter, but... what about Anna? At this moment, Leon could still choose to return to the hospital and take Anna out early before the "Uncontrollable Afflicted" caused a bigger commotion. But if what that nurse said was true, then stopping the medication and taking Anna away now would mean she would be bedridden for the rest of her life, probably unable to even do chores like laundry and cooking. Over the years, Anna had already suffered a lot because of the domestic burden caused by her lung disease. Given her outwardly gentle and obedient yet stubborn personality, if she realized she''d become a complete "burden," she''d probably... ''Kid, you better not renege on our deal!'' Just as Leon was weighing his options between the two choices, hesitating whether to take Anna out, the Black Goat in his arms twisted uncomfortably and reminded him worriedly, ''We agreed before, we''d help you find someone, and you''d buy us cigarettes! Now that we''ve found someone, even if she won''t help, you still owe us the cigarettes, not a single one less!'' "..." Right, there''s this one too! Seemingly glimpsing a lifeline drifting past his eyes, Leon''s gaze suddenly brightened. He eagerly grabbed the goat''s head and said urgently, "What about you? Can you solve this matter? If you can, as long as I''m still working at the Purification Bureau, I''ll buy you a pack of ''Gotth'' every week!" Tch... you''re trying this on me again... are you taking me for granted? Hearing Leon''s proposal, a trace of annoyance appeared on the Black Goat''s face. *Kid! Do you really think I helped you find someone because of the cigarettes? I, a Great Demon, wouldn''t bother over a cheap pack of cigarettes that sells for just three Silver Wheels from you!* *I''m telling you! If that red-haired woman didn''t take a liking to you, forget about a lousy pack of cigarettes, even if you knelt and begged me to claim your soul, I wouldn''t bother, you hear?* ''At least three packs!'' "Deal!" Damn! Asked for too little! Pouting with some annoyance, the Black Goat cursed itself for being spineless, then sighed as it pushed deeper into Leon''s embrace. *Sigh... what can I say, it''s my weakness.* *Plus, with my sheep-headed look right now, I don''t even qualify to rob. If I''m not careful, not only do I end up without cash, but I might also get stewed, leaving me without a penny to buy a pack of cigarettes.* *Damn it! Just thinking about it makes me uneasy! That red-haired woman isn''t poor, but every week the second her salary arrives, she blows it all on booze, won''t even spare half a Copper Wheel for me!* *Once I smoke enough and gather the strength to turn the tables, I''ll trash every tavern in the Capital City, including factories that make alcohol-scented cologne! You''ll have nothing to drink, you wretched woman!* While secretly plotting vengeance, the Black Goat gathered its remaining power, branding Leon''s chest with a demonic mark, and willingly granted him the "right" to use its power. Meanwhile, a familiar noise echoed once more in Leon''s ear. "Zzzzzz" [For the first time, you have acquired the right to use Anomalous Object; the hidden trait of the Heterochromatic Badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)" has been activated.] [Materialist Soul (Heterochromatic, Crimson, Non-Upgradable):...] [Wearing Effect:...] [Advancement Route:...] [Hidden Traits: Badge Slot +1, Current Slot Count: 4, Anomalous Items Required for Next Slot: 2] With the mechanized prompt, the virtual panel, which originally had only three slots, scrolled and quietly added a fourth slot, with a cyan badge shaped like a sheep''s head already embedded inside. [You have obtained the right to use "Demon''s Horns"; the Bronze Level Badge "Demon''s Follower" has been successfully activated.] [Demon''s Follower (Bronze): After completing a filthy and despicable transaction, agreeing to perform an extreme evil sacrifice weekly thereafter, you have successfully received the favor of a high-ranking demon.] [Wearing Effect: Increases your affinity with Anomalous Objects marked with "Corruption," slightly reducing the Cost of use while significantly enhancing usability.] [Advancement Route: Completing ten agreed-upon evil sacrifices in secret without being discovered by the "Demon''s Horn" previous owner, Olivia, will advance this badge to the Silver Badge "Friend of Demons," current progress 1/10.] [Hidden Traits (unneeded for wearing): Your soul is faintly tainted with demonic aura, making it easier to attract the attention of certain evil entities.] [Your Contamination Value has increased.] [Current Contamination Value: 0.1] ... ''Hiss... you kid... actually suit my taste!'' Lying in Leon''s somewhat uncomfortable embrace, feeling the "like a fish in water" harmonious sensation, the Black Goat raised its head in surprise, commenting, ''The way you controlled yourself in that situation, not stabbing that fat guy from the Department of Road Administration, I thought you had a strong sense of morals and wouldn''t get along with you. But seeing our compatibility, you''re clearly not a good person! Although not overly heinous, you surely have some dirty tricks up your sleeve, haven''t you? You must have done quite a bit of deceiving and scamming, right?'' "..." *The high compatibility with you is due to the badge''s effect. I''ve led a law-abiding life over two lifetimes, okay?* Although his usually strong sense of morality was unfoundedly questioned, Leon''s mind remained clear. Naturally, he would not confess to a demon about his cheat. Holding the rambling goat''s head, Leon was overjoyed to discover that he seemed to have temporarily acquired the ability to glimpse souls. Centered on the goat''s head he held, a radius of about two kilometers suddenly lit up with thousands of flickering, weak "flames." Hatred, betrayal, deception, jealousy, rage... innumerable cold and dark thoughts flared painfully within souls like ghostly blue phosphorescence drifting in a cemetery by night, emerging dot by dot before Leon''s eyes. *As long as he focused his mind, he could penetrate through layers of concrete and stone, directly perceiving the seething malice contained within those "flames."* Leon even felt an unusual premonition. *As if he only needed to reach out and pluck, and these cold venomous fires would swell instantly, burning away all rationality of their hosts and staining their souls, which were merely tinged dark gray, with a blackness ten shades darker than charcoal!* Chapter 10 - 10: 0010 Transfer_1 *Was this the power of the Anomalous Object...?* Through the connection with the Black Goat, after borrowing its "eye" to observe this world, Leon vaguely understood why it could lock onto the bandage woman''s position from two blocks away. In his soul vision, which had a radius of about two kilometers, everyone''s soul had distinctly different colors. These weren''t colors in the physical sense like red, orange, yellow, green, but rather a wondrous hue beyond the naked eye and spectrum, one that only the soul could perceive. Those joyful and positive souls appeared pure and intense in hue, whereas the dark and obsessive flames seemed murky and somber. Yet the tall woman covered in bandages before him, while astonishingly bright, also possessed an immensely "profound" darkness. Light and dark were distinctly divided, yet they constantly clawed at each other in madness, making her easy to discern among the multitude of gray souls with just one glance. Enthusiasm, warmth, friendliness, love... The kindness she had just shown him wasn''t a facade, but her indifferent, ruthless, hateful, and mad dark side was equally real. Leon found it really hard to imagine how these nearly completely opposing emotions could forcefully fit into the soul of the same person without eroding each other. ... ''Haha, kid, are you scared by my power?'' Seeing Leon stunned for a while without speaking, thinking that he was overwhelmed after obtaining the soul vision for the first time, the Black Goat arrogantly said, "Although I was killed once, I was once a ranked Great Demon, who could stir the evil desires in the hearts of millions of lives with just one glance! Even if now I''m just left with two horns, that''s still not something ordinary playthings can compare with!" "Uh-huh..." Nodding in agreement, Leon half-sincerely and half-flatteringly exclaimed, "Even if we don''t count that ability to amplify evil desires, just being able to see the souls within a two-kilometer range is already impressive. With your ability, I''m sure I can find that out-of-control Infector!" Absolutely! Upon hearing Leon''s flattery, the Black Goat proudly lifted its head. Even though it didn''t have much direct combat power, couldn''t even defeat a rural farmer with a pitchfork, and almost got pinned down by him, its ability was undoubtedly practical, especially considering the full two kilometers of... ''Wait? Your soul vision radius is two kilometers?'' Leon was slightly stunned at hearing this, then shook his head and said, "No." Damn! You scared me! Hearing Leon''s denial, the Black Goat let out a sigh of relief. Damn that red-haired woman, now I''m so weak that my vision diameter is just over two kilometers. If this kid also had a two-kilometer vision diameter, wouldn''t he be catching up to me? Luckily, he doesn''t... "Two kilometers is the radius of my soul vision." "..." ?! After hearing Leon''s words, both the Black Goat and the bandage woman froze, especially the Black Goat, whose shock and envy were almost spilling out of its dark face. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Your vision radius is two kilometers? My vision diameter is damn well just two kilometers! Damn it! The ability I lent you, you''re using it better than me? "Wait." Casting a glance at the Black Goat, whose expression was a mix of shock and anger, the bandage woman, who just had a face of guilt, straightened her expression and pointed at the astonished Black Goat, asking, "Did you just get its approval and acquire its ability? Now you also have soul vision and can see the colors of others'' souls?" Pah! I didn''t approve of him at all! Hurry and return the ability! I''m not giving it! Under the envious stare of the Black Goat, Leon nodded and said, "Yes, for instance, your soul is black and white..." "Prove it to me!" Interrupting Leon''s words, the tall bandage woman grabbed Leon''s shoulders with eyes seemingly burning with fierce flames and excitedly said, "I don''t know what my soul looks like. No need to tell me what you saw; since you have obtained that goat''s ability, then amplify my evil intent so I can feel it!" "..." Looking at the bandage woman full of excitement, feeling the vice-like grip on his shoulders, Leon''s breathing suddenly quickened. *It seemed... she had something very important, needing the Black Goat''s power? Then if I used this as a condition, could I...* "I''ll help you!" Seeing through Leon''s thoughts with ease, not even needing him to speak, the bandage woman, who had just sternly refused to take risks, fervently promised, "As long as you prove it to me, then promise to help me once more in the future, I will immediately go to the hospital!" "Alright!" Unexpectedly, the situation took a turn for the better. Overjoyed, Leon hugged the sheep''s head tightly and tried to extend his will, gently guiding the dark side of the bandage woman''s soul. Bang!!! It was as if a long-repressed volcano had been completely triggered, countless ferocious black "flames" exploded instantly, burning all the way along Leon''s will. And the bandage woman''s gaze abruptly changed, the excitement and joy in her eyes were instantly replaced by something sharper than knives and colder than glaciers, making souls tremble. Just one look into her eyes made Leon''s breath catch, for the first time understanding what it meant to "turn murderous intent into solid form." At that moment, the way the bandage woman looked at him had surpassed anger and hatred, as if staring at a heap of rotten flesh mixed with blood and bones, ready to pounce and tear him apart at any second! "Sorry..." Releasing the grip from Leon''s neck, the bandage woman apologized with a look full of remorse, seeing the handprint on his neck quickly turning from red to dark, "I... lost control for a moment... Sorry, I''ll make it up to you, whether it''s money or anything else you want." "No... cough cough... no... cough cough cough!" *So... I really almost got strangled to death?* As Leon managed to recover from the glance, his throat hurt like hell. While waving his hand repeatedly, he bent over and began coughing hard, his eyes filled with the relief of narrowly escaping death. Luckily, he hadn''t dared to use more "force," only gently stirring a bit. If he had provoked a little more of the bandage woman''s dark side just now, he might indeed have been strangled dead on the spot by her. ''Haha, fool!'' Watching Leon cough persistently, the Black Goat, who had silently observed everything, couldn''t help but mock gloatingly, ''You don''t even know how to redirect the target''s evil intent to others, just return the ability to me. Giving you such a good ability is a pure waste!'' Return the ability to "you"? Does that mean the ability you lent me, you can''t take back on your own? Keenly catching the information within the Black Goat''s words, Leon discreetly noted this intelligence in his mind, then sincerely asked, "Can you teach me how to..." ''No way!'' Before he even had the chance to finish speaking, the Black Goat, displeased at being outdone by a human, snorted, ''Don''t even think about it! Our deal ends here!'' ''Even if I am never picked by Gotth again, if that red-haired woman bullies me daily, or even throws me back into the sheepfold of Welsh County, I will never teach you anything again!'' Chapter 11 - 11: 0011 Plague and True Fragrance (Two-in-One)_1 Although it seemed to have made a sincere proclamation, being a Great Demon with principles, the Black Goat indeed did what it said and went silent. No matter what price Leon offered, it stubbornly remained quiet, even closing its eyes, utterly unmoved. Concerned about the hospital situation, and with the bandaged woman now willing to help, Leon decided to ignore the troublesome goat and headed with the woman towards the hospital. However, something seemed to have happened nearby. Even though it was nighttime, they kept encountering people rushing down the road. Most of these passersby wore strange masks resembling giant raven beaks, gathered in small groups, carrying someone face down on two metal stretchers or poles, hurrying along. Strangely, although these people seemed very anxious, when they encountered Leon and the bandaged woman at intersections or narrow alleys, they quickly stepped aside, waving their hands to let them pass first, as if avoiding contact. Anxious to confirm his sister''s condition, Leon couldn''t spare the energy to focus on these mysterious people. He only glanced at their souls to make sure there was nothing *abnormal*, and prepared to move on, but was unexpectedly stopped by the bandaged woman. "Wait a minute." sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After taking a serious look at the strange people, the woman opened her suitcase, rummaged through it, and took out a similar mask, putting it on her face. She then quietly instructed Leon, "Stand here and don''t move, and under no circumstances approach them before I return!" What? Are these people suspicious?! Through the bird-beak mask''s lenses, Leon exchanged a glance with the cautious "senior." Seeing her apparent wariness towards the odd individuals, Leon immediately became alert as well. Following the woman''s instructions, he stayed where he was, gripping the goat''s head tightly and focusing on observing the strange people''s souls, ready to alert the woman if he noticed any abnormalities. But to Leon''s surprise, despite the odd attire and suspicious actions of these people, their souls, though somewhat "unstable," filled with anxiety and restlessness, did not seem hostile. After a brief conversation with the bandaged woman, they even handed her a new mask, gestured toward Leon, as if... wanting him to wear this peculiar mask as well? As expected, when the bandaged woman returned, she shoved the mask into Leon''s hands, urgently urging, "Something''s happened, put this on quickly!" Seeing her serious expression, Leon didn''t dare to delay, hastily followed her instructions, and put the mask sewn into a black hood over his head. The already dark world before him plunged into darkness. Only then did Leon realize that the leather bird-beak mask was completely enclosed, pitch black without any color, even the small lenses over the eyes were painted black, with only a small pupil-like sphere lens in the middle allowing some faint outside light to seep through. During the day it might be fine, but now it was like wearing sunglasses, severely obstructing his view, making it difficult to even see the road beneath his feet. "I can''t see..." "Don''t move!" Before Leon could voice his situation, the bandaged woman reached out, giving the mask''s bird-beak a hard slap. The mask, which still had a gap between it and Leon''s face, fit snugly against him, and the small lens made direct contact with his eye. Startled, Leon instinctively tried to close his eyes, but found his eyelids held open by the lens. A small amount of pale yellow, icy oil squeezed out from a corner of the lens, instantly moistening his eyeball. The patterns on the woman''s suitcase, the seams in the paving stones, the textures of the street-side buildings, the whole world had been forcibly tinted with an eerie pale yellow... Wait! I can see things clearly?! ... "This is the Night Raven Mask used by the Epidemic Prevention Bureau, even at night in areas without streetlights, it allows you to see clearly. Remember not to use your eyes to look outside; keep your pupils pressed against the lens and learn to observe through it. Also, be sure to wear the mask securely, breathe through your mouth and nose into the bird beak, which contains herbs, spices, and special smelling salts to prevent most infections." As the bandaged woman quickly instructed Leon on using the mask, she also explained rapidly, "I just asked those people from the Epidemic Prevention Bureau. Last week''s heavy rain caused the sewage river to overflow, and the dam built by the Department of Road Administration collapsed the same day, the sewage river''s tributary merged with the Capital City''s water supply river. If it had just been that, it wouldn''t have been so bad, but the outsourced water company cut costs, not following the twelve-step purification process. They pumped water from the river, only filtered out debris and sediment, did a crude disinfection to remove odors, and then directly piped it into the city''s water supply. Those being carried are the ones who drank the contaminated water. The main symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal cramps, leading to dehydration and unconsciousness. People who contacted their vomit are also showing similar symptoms. About five hundred people have experienced this." Chapter 12 - 12: 0011 Plague and True Fragrance (Two-in-One)_2 "" The people from the Epidemic Prevention Bureau suspected there might be a plague occurring, so they started sending patients with symptoms in large numbers to Red Brick Road Hospital, hoping to control the situation." Red Brick Road Hospital? Wasn''t that where Anna stayed? "Were they crazy?" Unexpectedly, there was still such an outrageous occurrence. Leon couldn''t help but exclaim angrily, "What about the Central Hospital? What about the Royal First Hospital? If it''s really impossible, the hospitals on Chapel Street and at Messe University would also work! Those hospitals each have more than a thousand beds to start with, while Red Brick Road Hospital only has a hundred or two beds total. It''s always full, sometimes with people even lying in the corridors. Why would they still send people there?" "Because of the location." Having seemingly seen many similar situations before, the woman in the bandage observed calmly, "The Central Hospital is surrounded by the wealthy district, the Royal First Hospital is near the nobles'' area, Chapel Street is where the priests live, and around Messe University are the future elites of the Kingdom. The Epidemic Prevention Bureau definitely wouldn''t dare to send patients there, so naturally, the Red Brick Road Hospital in Old Town becomes the first choice. Moreover, the water pipes with the large-scale problems this time were only in the Old Town. Meanwhile, the water intake point for the New District Water Company was further upstream, unaffected by pollution from the tributaries of the sewage river. Old Town''s problem obviously needed to be solved by Old Town itself." "Why should they?!" "Because the water fees they paid are five times those of Old Town." "... " Money! Money! Money! At the end of the day, it''s still damn money! "Don''t think about it anymore." Noticing Leon''s obvious emotional discomfort, the bandage woman quickly advised, "Even if those hospitals agreed to receive patients, the people in Old Town wouldn''t go because they can''t afford the costs there." "What about the Department of Road Administration and the Water Company?" Upon hearing this, Leon gritted his teeth and said, "The embankment of the Department of Road Administration collapsed after just one rain, and the Water Company operated illegally. According to the Kingdom''s laws, this time they should be responsible... damn!" This time, without waiting for the bandage woman to respond, Leon proactively stopped questioning because this question was truly too foolish. Forget about such ''natural disasters'' as caused by heavy rains, even the time when the alchemical factory built in the residential area leaked exhaust and caused Anna to contract a lung disease, the Department of Road Administration still looked for excuses not to compensate, didn''t they? As for the Water Company, which cut corners, once they distributed dividends, sold the equipment, and reported huge losses due to poor management, they simply declared bankruptcy and that was it. Even what little property they had was likely first taken by upstream and downstream companies and shareholders, as compensation for breaches of contract and losses. In the end, what remained for these victims was probably less than a drop in the bucket! Damn it! Feeling as though there was a burning coal in his chest, Leon gritted his teeth, wanting to say something, but the bandage woman gently pulled his arm. "Let''s go! We''ve been blocking the way long enough, let''s not delay their work any longer." Pointing to those ''Crow People'' at the corner, the bandage woman said softly, "Their work is to treat the sick and prevent the large-scale outbreak of plagues. Our job is to clean up the Abnormals to prevent the world of ordinary humans from being corroded. If I''m not mistaken, the Uncontrollable Afflicted you discovered is likely related to this event. Even if it''s not related, if these people keep going forward, they may encounter danger. So, if you can''t stand this kind of thing and sympathize with these people''s plight, then we should be on our way now." "... " "Yeah... " Taking a deep breath of the irritating fragrance from the bird-beak mask, Leon lowered his head and responded, then quickly followed the bandage woman, jogging towards Red Brick Road Hospital. However, just at that moment, the silent Goat''s head suddenly stirred, stealthily nudging his chest with its horns. ''Hey!'' "Huh?" ''Shh! Shh! Don''t talk!'' Seeing Leon seemed like he wanted to ask a question, the Black Goat hastily instructed, S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''You just listen while I speak. Even if I ask you questions, you don''t need to answer. Just by looking at your soul, I can tell if you agree or not!'' "... " Glancing at the back of the bandage woman in front, Leon immediately understood that this Black Goat, who claimed to be a Demon, wanted to make a deal with him secretly, without being discovered by the Purification Bureau. Was this considered a temptation from the Demon? Thinking of this, Leon''s expression became alert, instinctively wanting to open his mouth and report to the bandage woman, so that she and the Purification Bureau behind her could pay attention to this Demon trying to make trouble, but... ''Rest assured, I won''t impose any conditions on you, and you won''t need to do anything for me.'' Glancing at Leon, obviously bright yet underneath hiding a soul burning with intense black flames, the previously sulking Black Goat remarked with a grin, ''Once we find a suitable target, I''ll teach you how to guide human malice, inciting them to slaughter each other. How about it? Are you interested?'' "... " ??? Didn''t you just say even if you were thrown back into the sheep pen in Welsh County, you wouldn''t teach me anything? ''That was then, this is now.'' Noticing Leon''s confusion from his soul, the Black Goat chuckled and shamelessly said, ''Just tell me if you want to learn!'' Upon hearing this, Leon couldn''t help but furrow his brow. I definitely wanted to learn. After all, without paying any cost, why wouldn''t I agree? But... can a Demon be so kind? ... *Kindness was impossible, it was impossible in this lifetime.* When a Demon didn''t discuss deals but instead unusually generously wanted to help you... """ Chapter 13 - 13: 0011 Plague and True Fragrance (Two-in-One)_3 "Heh heh, that only proved it wanted more! Seeing Leon, who was clearly full of vigilance but didn''t report him to Emma (the bandaged woman), a gleam of satisfaction appeared in the eyes of the Black Goat. His judgment had indeed been accurate! *This kid, although barely counted as a ''good person'' and even more moral than most, had perhaps accumulated too many unsettling things in his heart, whether due to his naivety or the darkness of this world¡ªor perhaps both. Such a person was naturally destined to fall into the Abyss.* Pressing against Leon''s chest as he ran, the Black Goat endured the morality and goodwill which demons despised, taking a deep breath of the boundless fury hidden beneath the light. It immersed itself in the extreme Madness that wished nothing more than to destroy everything and start anew, closing its eyes in deep ecstasy. With a sharp blade in hand, the intention to kill naturally arose. *Now, you could barely endure it only because you were weak. Once you gained enough power, would you still want to let anger recklessly burn your soul like now?* Keep it up, kid! We will definitely help you well! Help you deal with that annoying trash, help you reap those sinful souls, and even help you achieve that ludicrous vision deep within your heart. But when you think you''ve achieved your ideal, relishing in the fulfillment, if you find that everything is returning to its former state, the world''s essence remains the same, or even becomes worse... The Abyss welcomes you." ... "Uh, uh... could you ask for me?" Through the glass door of the special care ward, the girl in the hospital bed couldn''t help but tug at the nurse''s sleeve beside her, asking worriedly: "Has my brother come back yet? And... is something wrong outside? Why are there so many people lying in the hallway?" "Um... perhaps it''d be best not to go out?" Glancing at the increasing crowd of patients outside, nearly piling up to the door of the special care ward, the young, handsome nurse spoke with some apprehension: "For so many patients to come at once, either there''s a large-scale poisoning, or there''s some acute infectious disease. If it''s the former, it''s fine, but if it''s the latter..." "If it''s the latter, then it''s already too late." Glancing outside the ward and seeing a pool of vomit that had already reached the door, an older middle-aged nurse sighed and shook her head: "The fact that patients are placed at the door of the special care unit shows our hospital might have reached its limit. If it really is some infectious disease, even if we stay inside, we can''t avoid it. We might even already be infected." "In that case... since it''s unavoidable anyway, why not open the door and let them in?" Seeing those patients convulsing constantly on the cold floor tiles, some clutching their stomachs and wailing miserably, Anna bit her bloodless lips, saying with a hint of unwillingness: S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Even though there''s only one hospital bed here, there''s still a row of sofas, and the floor is carpeted. It''s at least more comfortable than lying on stone tiles... Is that okay?" "Of course!" After looking at Anna with mild surprise, the elder nurse''s eyes flashed with warmth, smiling gently as she said softly: "This is your ward, as long as you''re willing, it''s not a problem." Having said that, she motioned to the younger nurse, whose expression was a bit grim, to open the door of the special care ward. She bent down to help a nearby patient inside, however... "Huh?" Seeing the small child who was surprisingly heavy as if welded to the ground, both nurses widened their eyes. Even though they''re female nurses, working in a hospital often required them to lift heavy objects, so they''re not lacking in strength. If it had been a burly man, it''s understandable if they couldn''t lift him, but this was just a child barely over ten years old, how... God forgive! Accompanied by the boy''s cries of pain, both nurses were horrified to discover that the "sensation" they had felt was no illusion, the skinny little boy really was "welded" to the ground! "This... this..." Seeing the boy''s arms sinking into the floor tiles, the young nurse sat down fearfully, her lips trembling as she tried to say something, only to see the older nurse''s expression suddenly change. She hastily dragged the young nurse up from the floor, pulling her back into the ward with brutal force. "Rip!" "Ah!!!" The sound of tearing cloth and a woman''s scream occurred simultaneously. The young nurse clutched her bloody right hand, screaming as she fell back onto the carpet of the ward. Where she had been sitting just moments earlier, beside a torn piece of her nurse''s uniform, lay a layer of bloody Skin. Its size matched her palm perfectly, clearly just torn from her hand''s palm! Seeing the patients in the hallway slowly sinking into the hospital floor tiles, the older nurse, quick to save her colleague, felt her legs abruptly give way and collapsed onto the carpet, whispering in horror: "What... what is going on?" Chapter 14 - 14: 0012 Isnt this style of painting incorrect? _1 When something went awry at the Red Brick Road Hospital and it began to swallow patients bit by bit, Leon, who was already nearby, just felt a sharp pain in his eyes and discovered that the entire world before him had darkened. "Wait! Don''t go in yet!" "Why?" The bandage-wrapped woman he grabbed by the arm turned her head back in confusion, only to be surprised as if dazzled by a strong light. Both Leon and the Black Goat in his arms were tightly shutting their eyes, with tears streaming down Leon''s eyes profusely. "This hospital is alive!" Gazing up at the black flames soaring in his soul vision, Leon, whose "eyes" were burned by the flames, endured the searing pain akin to burning, and explained to the bandaged woman while clutching her arm, "Just now, at the moment you were about to walk in, it''s as if it received some kind of signal. It suddenly gained its own soul, and... it''s probably as strong as a few hundred ordinary souls!" The entire hospital? After hearing Leon''s words, the bandaged woman nodded to show her understanding. Her eyes behind the mask squinted slightly, and she began to quickly analyze the situation. If a hospital suddenly gained a soul, the most likely scenarios would be an anomalous object directly attached to the building, an Uncontrollable Afflicted''s ability to manipulate the building, or the entire hospital being temporarily peeled away from the world, thus not following the rules of reality. In the first scenario, it should not have been controlled so precisely, activated just at the moment I was about to enter; the third scenario would not only require enough power but also require breaking through the world''s hierarchy. If the strength only equals a few hundred souls, it shouldn''t be able to achieve this. So... it''s most likely related to an Uncontrollable Afflicted''s ability connected to the building, or may even simply require a reliance on the building to be manifested. "You don''t need to go inside; staying outside to help me is enough!" Standing at the hospital entrance and pondering for a moment, the bandaged woman bent down to open her suitcase, retrieving several sets of matte metal parts from its bottom and quickly assembling them with nimble hands and feet. As the item she was assembling gradually took form, Leon was quite surprised to realize it looked somewhat familiar. A long brass tube inscribed with spirals internally, a trigger assembly composed of a machine chamber, a damper spring, a locking device, and a trigger mechanism, a stand clipped under the long tube, a shoulder rest conforming to the curve of the shoulder, and a monocular scope mounted atop the long tube... No... this doesn''t fit the image, right? I thought you''d storm in left hand wielding a Bible, right hand wielding a war hammer, chanting incantations, and using a mystical prop to purify the strange; instead, you hand me a giant sniper rifle in return?! In Leon''s bewildered gaze, the bandaged woman, who had completed the assembly of the gun, first retrieved three small silvery cans from the bottom of the suitcase, clicked one onto the side of the brass barrel, then opened what seemed to be the "magazine" below, showing Leon the bright white metal long nails inside. "This is a portable nail gun the director got for me from the military department, powered by a single-use gas canister; its range and power are much less than the normal version, only about five hundred meters, but it''s enough to penetrate the hospital''s outer walls and directly kill the target." While speaking, the bandaged woman handed the other two gas canisters to Leon, seriously instructing, "I''ll go in later to look for the Uncontrollable Afflicted, see if I can directly resolve it; if I can''t do it, I''ll try my best to bind it close range. If that happens, don''t hesitate, just shoot! Moreover, even though there are quite a few nails left in the gun, there are only three gas canisters, so you only have three chances. If you miss three times, you must evacuate immediately, run back to the Purification Bureau and wait for the director to return, remember?" "..." Got it, I''ve got it... but you trust me too much, don''t you? Looking at the ground at that oddly shaped brass "sniper rifle," Leon was a bit at a loss. Though I had no shortage of chicken dinners in my past life, I always used a keyboard and mouse. Never once have I handled this thing with my hands; it''d be a blessing just to successfully fire a bullet, let alone hit the target while you''re engaged in a close-range fight. *Honestly, I''m really afraid that with this one shot, not only will I fail to kill the Uncontrollable Afflicted, but I might also accidentally hit you instead...* "You don''t need to worry about hitting me." Seeing Leon''s hesitation, the bandaged woman gently reassured him, "Since I''m letting you shoot, I obviously have confidence that you won''t accidentally hit me. I just adjusted the scope and sight for you; as for the specific operation method, I''ll explain it to you in detail next..." "Regarding operation, I might know a little bit..." After recalling the film and TV works he''d watched in his past life, Leon uncertainly said, "Find a high point with a good view, spread your legs and lie on the ground, keep your body in a position close to the ground, then shoulder the gun stock, the scope, muzzle, and target, three points in a line?" "Hmm?" Hearing Leon''s words, the bandaged woman exclaimed with surprise, "Lying shooting manual? Do you have a military background?" "Uh, barely... kind of?" Leon''s eyes flickered slightly, and he responded evasively, "Before my parents passed, they were Mechanics under the military''s supervision. They taught me a bit about this... well, just a little." I see... Upon hearing this, the bandaged woman nodded knowingly, not doubting the origins of this knowledge, but quickly shook her head and said, "Your answer isn''t incorrect, but that''s for medium-range rapid-fire firearms'' aiming method, where such firearms have a shorter shooting distance, with the scope at a level with the gun body, so using three points in a line to confirm the target is possible. But mine is different, as you can see, the scope is higher than the gun body. If you shoot using the three-point line''s rule, the nail will fall below the target." Pointing at the scope mounted atop the barrel, she drew a slanting line between the scope and muzzle in the air; the bandaged woman explained to a suddenly enlightened Leon, "After the nail is fired, its trajectory isn''t in a straight line, but will slightly drop. To use this medium-long-range precision rifle, you must understand the nail''s flight trajectory, then calculate the drop point location and rely on a mil table to calibrate your scope and muzzle..." "Sizzle!" [Through Emma Alman''s thorough and simple explanation, you successfully activated the Black Iron Level Badge "Shooting Newbie."] [Shooting Newbie: A shooter with only basic training, whose skill level is extremely poor, raising concern about shooting accuracy.] [Equipped Effect: Though only simply trained, it''s still much better than a completely unfamiliar ordinary person; when consciously aiming the muzzle, your shooting precision gains a slight boost.] [Advancement Route: Complete 200 live-fire shots, or complete 1000 simulations, and this badge will automatically advance to a bronze badge "Shooter," current progress 0/200, 0/1000.] [Hidden Traits: None] "Sizzle" [Through self-learning and reflection, you''ve acquired low-level gun shooting ability, activating the Abnormal Badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)." Your gun shooting understanding is "low," yet due to your adeptness in reasoning, summarizing, and self-adjustment, each time you fail at aiming at the same target, the chance of hitting it the next time slightly increases.] sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 15 - 15: 0013 Plunges Downward_1 After acquiring a new badge, Leon, separated from the bandaged woman, wasted no time carrying the "big sniper" into the mall adjacent to the hospital. He rushed to the shooting spot he had selected, while across the street, the Red Brick Road Hospital had already transformed into a scene akin to hell on earth. In the first-floor lobby, which should have been bustling with people, most had been swallowed by the cold floor tiles. The patients, too exhausted to move, lacked the strength to escape and could only helplessly reach their arms upwards. Looking across the entire lobby, it seemed as if countless people in agony and struggle were mixed into the concrete. Everywhere, arms desperately reaching upward could be seen. Those arms, standing high and grabbing constantly, appeared like a living depiction of hell. Possibly because the fourth floor''s special care ward was carpeted and didn''t directly contact the floor tiles, the patients inside hadn''t yet been consumed. But seeing the situation in the corridor outside, neither patients nor nurses dared to take a step beyond the "safety" range of the carpet, fearing they would be directly buried underneath the floor tiles like those patients in the corridor! *This couldn''t go on!* Seeing the patients sinking deeper in the corridor, the older nurse anxiously looked around and her eyes lit up upon seeing the window: "The window! We can get out through the window!" "Yes! Yes! We can still jump out!" Upon hearing her words, the young nurse, whose right hand skin had been stripped away, trembled all over, as if invigorated by some mysterious power, immediately stood up from the carpet and said excitedly: "It''s only the fourth floor! With some luck, jumping down might not be fatal!" "Wait... cough, cough! Wait! You don''t have to jump!" Hearing the young nurse''s words, Anna, propping herself up from the bed, hastily spoke to stop her: "Bedsheets, curtains... cough, cough... and the sofa fabric! As long as we tie these together and find a sturdy place to fasten..." We can climb down safely! "I''ll do it!" Understanding Anna''s meaning, the young nurse was overjoyed, disregarded her injured right hand, and first tore down the curtain in two swishes, then rushed to the bedside in three steps, roughly dragging the still-coughing girl off. "What are you doing!" Not expecting her to act this way, the older nurse hurriedly supported the nearly falling Anna, glaring at the young nurse: "She''s still sick! And if she hadn''t stopped you, you''d have already jumped out!" "I... I just wanted us to get out quickly!" Although it seemed the young nurse realized she had gone too far, she was obviously scared by the bizarre outside situation. While tying the bedsheet to the curtain, she spoke incoherently: "I¡­ I''m supposed to get married next month! I don''t want to die! It''s... terrifying! This... this must be the demon''s trick! I absolutely won''t die here!" "Wait! Don''t go down yet!" Realizing she had tied the "rope" to the corner cabinet nailed to the wall and was about to leave, the older nurse anxiously said: "There''s still a patient here! This little girl is very sick and doesn''t have the strength to hold the curtains! We have to let her down first before we can leave!" "Who cares¡­ ah no!" Under the older nurse''s glare, recalling that if she went down, those upstairs would have the ability to untie the "escape rope," the young nurse''s grim expression immediately changed, awkwardly smiling and saying: "I mean... my hand hurts, I''m afraid I can''t hold her... You guys trust me! Once I''m out, I''ll definitely find someone to come back and rescue you!" After saying this, before the other two could react, the young nurse grabbed hold of the curtain smeared with bloody handprints, quickly climbed out the window, and began to swing down. "..." *This bastard!* Watching their colleague who had abandoned them without hesitation, the older nurse cursed silently, then supported the still-coughing Anna to the window, gently comforting her: "It''s okay that she left. Listen, child, I''m going to tie one end of the curtain around your waist, then slowly lower you down. Try to grasp the projections on the outer wall carefully, so as not to directly¡ª" "Ah!!!" Just then, a terrified scream resounded from outside the window, startling the older nurse. She poked her head out and found, to her shock, that the young nurse who had just gone down was stuck on the outer wall of the second floor! No! Rather than stuck on the outer wall, it was more like she, just like those patients in the corridor, was being swallowed directly by the hospital''s outer wall! "Save... save me! Save me!" *How to save you? Last time, I could still pull you back, but this time I really can''t do anything...* Looking at her terrified colleague below, the older nurse could only sigh deeply, a flash of profound despair appearing in her eyes. *If the hospital''s outer wall could also "eat" people, then this last road is probably blocked too. Do we really have to jump directly? Even if I could gamble and see if jumping would kill me, what about that kind-hearted girl who''s still sick?* ... "Knock, knock, knock." Just as the two were at their wit''s end in the special care ward, someone suddenly knocked on the glass door. "You must be Anna, right?" Confirming the ward''s nameplate, the bandaged woman immediately locked eyes with the pale-looking girl, and hurried over to her, speaking concisely, S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''m a colleague of your brother. I''ve come to save you." *Brother?!* Hearing the bandaged woman''s words, the anxious expression on Anna''s face relaxed slightly. *That''s great. If she''s here to save me, then that means my brother must be safe! But... why does my brother''s colleague dress so strangely?* Looking at the tall woman wrapped entirely in bandages with a weird mask on her face, Anna gently held the middle-aged nurse''s hand, cautiously asking: "This... um... Sister! Could you please take her with you too, if possible? If it wasn''t for her taking care of me..." "Sure." Glancing at the hopeful middle-aged nurse, the bandaged woman nodded without further ado and then led the two of them to the window... "Hmm?" Glancing at the young nurse, now half "swallowed" by the outer wall, the bandaged woman frowned and turned back to ask, "Is she with you? Should I save her?" Hearing that this masked woman might be able to save her, the young nurse''s face lit up with joy, pleading, "Yes, yes, yes! We''re together! Could you... please say something for me? Please, say something for me!" Seeing the young nurse''s pleading gaze, the middle-aged nurse, still full of resentment, sighed deeply. Just as she was about to speak, she felt her hand squeezed forcefully. "No!" In surprise, the middle-aged nurse found that the girl, who had been exceptionally kind-hearted, even willing to take a risk for the patient to enter her ward, this time shook her head without hesitation. "She was the one who tried to abandon us and run on her own. If saving her is not troublesome, then please save her. But if it''s dangerous, then don''t bother with her and just save this auntie beside me." "Okay, I understand." Glancing at the girl, who remained calm and rational despite the bizarre incident, the bandaged woman smiled and nodded. Then she grabbed the curtain hanging by the window, tied it to the middle-aged nurse, and firmly gripped the window ledge, stretching her arm outside. In the shocked gaze of the three other women, this mysterious bandaged woman, with strength that seemed unnatural, lowered the middle-aged nurse, weighing at least a hundred pounds, straight down without touching the outer wall at all. After checking the situation inside the room, the bandaged woman unwrapped her wrist bandage, secured the potion on the bedside cabinet, tied it to the IV stand, and gently lifted the astonished Anna out the window. "Go find your brother!" Slowly lowering Anna down, the bandaged woman leaned out and gently said, "He''s safe right at-" "Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!" The four almost simultaneous explosions completely drowned out the bandaged woman''s words. The corner cabinet tied to the curtain trembled violently in the ward, and four bolts nailed to the wall snapped out! Amidst the middle-aged nurse''s hysterical screams, Anna plummeted, while the metal cabinet, weighing over three hundred pounds, followed the curtain-formed escape rope and crashed down towards the bandaged woman''s back. Chapter 16 - 16: 0014 Turn back again (Two in One)_1 Anna!!! In the instant the slender girl suddenly plummeted, Leon, who had been observing the situation through his binoculars across the street, felt as if he had plunged into an ice-cold abyss! At that moment, even the concept of death hadn''t crossed his mind. His entire consciousness seemed to empty out, while his heart felt as if it were being crushed by an invisible hand, nearly stopping the blood flow in his body as his limbs grew cold and stiff with numbness. The whole world was incredibly silent at that moment. Everything froze on the pale little face with tightly pressed thin lips, helplessly falling. All Leon could do was watch his sister, full of despair, plummet from above. "Boom!!!" An ear-splitting crash echoed throughout most of the street. Following it was the sound of glass shattering extensively and the low, shrill screech of metal deforming under immense force. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. More than half of the hospital''s windows shattered instantly due to the violent impact. The outer wall of the fourth floor sustained substantial damage, with the metal framework embedded in the wall bending outwards, sending bricks and stones flying, and leaving the street below in ruins. However, Leon felt a surge of joy, as Anna, who had been rapidly falling moments ago, was suddenly suspended between the first floor and the ground. Although she had passed out from the enormous impact and seemed to have a cut on her thigh from the shattered glass, Leon could still see through his binoculars the vigorous rise and fall of Anna''s chest, proving at the very least that she was still alive! Thank you... thank you! I owe you my life! Yet, as Leon excitedly watched Anna being carefully lowered to the ground, repeatedly expressing gratitude in his heart to the reliable bandaged woman, Black Goat squinted its eyes and frowned, saying: "Not good, this is trouble!" Yes, indeed! Hearing Black Goat''s words snapped Leon back to his senses with a jolt. He suddenly realized that the impact site was right at Anna''s hospital room! The bandaged woman was still inside! Although the bandaged woman had managed to grab Anna, proving that she was still alive and that her soul remained stable, could she really have survived such a collision unscathed? "I''m not saying that Emma is in danger, don''t worry! The bandaged woman''s survival abilities rank highly in the entire Purification Bureau, even if you die, she might not." Sensing the disturbance in Leon''s soul, Black Goat shook its head and explained proactively: "What I mean is, this incident isn''t normal. This uncontrollable Infector most likely didn''t appear ''naturally,'' and he probably knows about the Purification Bureau''s existence." When you put it like that... it seems true! Hearing this, Leon''s expression turned grave, also noticing something amiss. Whether it was the moment the bandaged woman stepped into the hospital, which had suddenly acquired a soul, or the collision timing perfectly as she was trying to hoist Anna out the window, preventing any chance to dodge, it all seemed too deliberate, as if targeting the bandaged woman for a specific assault. So... there might be accomplices? Am I not safe even if I stay outside? Watching as Anna was unstrapped from the curtain and carried away unsteadily by the nurses who arrived first, Leon breathed a sigh of relief, desperately suppressing the urge to flee from fear that gripped his heart. While continuing to search for the soul of the uncontrollable Infector, he gritted his teeth and asked: "Do we... does the Purification Bureau have any enemies?" "Plenty." Black Goat grinned, letting out a low laugh, saying: "Heretic Infectors, True God Moonfolk, Ancient Ones¡ªthere are so many adversaries for your Purification Bureau that I''ve lost count! If they ever unite, your Bureau would be eradicated even if it were ten times stronger! However, the good news is that your Bureau''s enemies are not united. Their hatred for each other is even greater, and whenever one side is on the verge of success, another faction will secretly undermine them, even openly selling their weaknesses to the Purification Bureau, so, for now, you''re safe." After explaining the situation of the Purification Bureau, Black Goat watched Leon''s increasingly grim face with a cheerful smile: "Alright, those are not issues you have the authority to worry about, just focus on your task! As for Emma, she''s a veteran within the Bureau. She''s sure to notice if something is amiss this time. All you need to do is keep an eye on those souls'' positions and be ready to lend a hand when necessary, just make sure to deliver a timely shot!" ... Indeed, there was something wrong with this Infector! Even before Black Goat''s speculation, the moment bolts inexplicably burst open and the metal corner cabinet smashed towards her, the bandaged woman had realized it. From the lobby to the fourth floor, there had been no abnormal occurrences at all until the moment she was saving Leon''s sister and could not dodge, thus the attack came. Therefore, this uncontrollable Infector must have been aware of the Purification Bureau''s existence, knowing that ordinary attacks wouldn''t work against people like them, that''s why he chose such a moment to strike. However, even knowing the adversary''s plan, the bandaged woman didn''t let go or try to evade but instead stood silently in place, taking the full brunt of the impact. Under the force of the impact, her thigh bone bent backward under fierce force, and even her entire spine was deformed, causing her to collapse helplessly onto the slanted window sill. Did she die? Chapter 17 - 17: 0014 Turn back again (Two in One)_2 No one knew exactly when it happened, but the young nurse who had been stuck on the outer wall, desperately pleading for help, had now regained her composure, gazing indifferently at the situation of the bandaged woman. With multiple fractures all over her body, her eyes unfocused, and her chest caved in by the stone windowsill, the bandages wrapped around her were scattered on the ground. She was probably dead. Like a bizarre gecko, she "crawled" up the outer wall, and after emerging from the inner wall beside the windowsill, the young nurse walked over to the bandaged woman. With her severely injured right hand, she removed the woman''s mask and checked her breathing. Indeed, she was dead. Disgustedly discarding the bloody crow mask, the young nurse was about to turn and leave, but she noticed with some surprise that even though the bandaged woman had died, her hand still clutched the curtain hard, her knuckles white and unyielding. *Ha... With this woman''s physical condition, she shouldn''t have died even if she jumped straight out. How could she not even attempt to dodge... such a pointless persistence.* Peering down, she saw the older nurse hurriedly untying the curtain. The young nurse curled her lips, picked up a large piece of glass from the windowsill, and then hurled it downward with force! "It was you all along!" Just as the glass shard was about to leave her hand, a calm voice came from behind the young nurse. In her horrified gaze, a mass of scattered bandages on the ground suddenly sprang to life, like snakes that had found their prey, coiling tightly around the young nurse''s arm, twisting it fiercely in the opposite direction of her joints! "Screech!" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ahhh!!!" Glancing at the young nurse, whose limbs were dislocated and whose whole body was almost balled up by the bandages, the bandaged woman couldn''t help shaking her head, "For someone who set such a trap to ambush me, you did have some ideas, but your methods were still rough." She reached out, braced herself against a corner cabinet, and with a strong push, moved the three-hundred-pound weapon aside. The bandaged woman stood up slowly, began repositioning her dislocated bones one by one. Even her chest, dented by the windowsill, slowly expanded with her strong breaths, and if it weren''t for the bloodstained bandages, she looked as if she hadn''t been injured at all. "Hey, the reason they chose to go down the window must have been your guidance, right? The plan was barely okay, but there were too many flaws." Crouching beside the nurse-ball, she pulled away the bandage that covered her mouth. The bandaged woman asked calmly, "For someone who exposed herself so easily, you don''t seem like someone with the brains to set up this ambush. Someone else must have taught you these tricks. Listen, if you don''t want to suffer, you better tell me honestly, who''s behind you?" "Heh... Hehe!" After gasping for air a few times, the captured young nurse stared fiercely at the bandaged woman, speaking with a menacing grin, "You''re the one who''s truly foolish! You don''t think you''ve caught me, do you? This woman is merely a puppet under my control. You''re finished!" As if to prove her words, after uttering this, the young nurse''s expression suddenly changed, first confused as to why she was tied up, then becoming aware of the excruciating pain in her limbs. She only managed to let out half a cry before passing out from the pain. Had she caught the wrong person? The bandaged woman''s eyebrows furrowed upon hearing this. Just as she was about to probe further to see if the young nurse was faking unconsciousness, a series of heavy footsteps echoed from outside the special care ward. "Now do you believe?" Wading through the patients lying all over the place, the plump director who had arranged for Anna to be in the special care ward stood outside, sneering, "Everyone in this hospital is my tool! As long as I want, I can dominate them at will! You don''t even know who I am, there''s no way you can catch me! And, silly woman, look down and take a good look at your feet!" He pointed at the bandaged woman''s legs, which had sunken below the floor. "Fat Director" haughtily raised his series of double chins, "Besides controlling this hospital, my true ability is to devour the sick directly! Within the confines of this hospital, once you''re infected, there''s no resisting the hospital''s devourer. Understand? Previously, I hadn''t made a move on you, not because I didn''t want to, but because you were wearing that immune mask. But I''ve just removed your mask! You''re done for!" "..." Had she really let her guard down after being cautious for a whole six years? Watching the director laugh wildly in front of her, the bandaged woman, whose lower body had already been swallowed, felt her immovable legs and couldn''t help but sigh in frustration. Although she felt she could tear this guy to pieces in just a second, as he had said, these people weren''t his real body. Doing so would be meaningless; this time, it truly seemed she''d been defeated. *She could have used the bandages to hold him at bay, but to lure him out, she chose to rely on her Undying Body to take the attack. In the end, she caught a fake and lost the mask that could block his abilities. How foolish.* *Mm... also, besides the lure, she had chosen to endure the attack to sell her hardship, hoping the newbie would owe her a favor, making it easier to seek his help in the future.* Chapter 18 - 18: 0014 Turn back again (Two in One)_3 "Turns out things really fell apart this time. In the end, I probably needed his help to ask for reinforcements. When the director heard about it in three days, who knew how he would ridicule me..." After shaking her head helplessly, the bandaged woman, feeling rather gloomy, was too lazy to say more. She closed her eyes, choosing to refuse communication. However, the other side wasn''t satisfied; besides the chubby director, they brought in a few other doctors and nurses, standing coldly outside the hospital room and mocking her one by one: "Do you think you''re smart? You''re utterly stupid!" "There are over five hundred people here. Once I''ve fully absorbed them, my power will get even stronger!" "Heh, don''t you want to know who''s targeting your Purification Bureau?" "Not afraid to tell you! The one preparing to strike against you is a great True God!" Hm? Hearing this, the bandaged woman, who was prepared to mute for three days and wait for her teammates'' rescue, trembled her eyelid, feeling immense joy in her heart. *This guy was really... dumber than she had expected! Spouting off about his range of abilities willy-nilly was one thing, but revealing who was backing him so carelessly? Honestly, if the True God who chose him found out how stupid he was, they would probably want to descend and kill him directly, right?* Unaware that his intelligence had plummeted to rock bottom in the bandaged woman''s mind, the "Chubby Director" looked down from above at his opponent, half-embedded into the floor tiles. He raised both arms in excitement, making a gesture as if to embrace the sun, then enthusiastically declared: "Listen up, stupid woman! My God was born from the chaos..." Just as the bandaged woman perked up her ears, fully concentrated and ready to eavesdrop on this incredibly important intelligence, something strange happened. The expressions on the faces of a dozen or so doctors and nurses before her froze simultaneously, and as if receiving some command, they all fell to the ground at once, while her own lower half, previously bound to the floor, was bizarrely "spat" out. When she looked up in complete confusion, a piercing sonic boom echoed from the rooftop of the opposite mall building... "Bang!" ... *Kid, that''s quite some aim!* Seeing the dim soul on the sixth floor of the hospital extinguish in an instant, Black Goat smacked his lips enviously, then cheerfully praised: "This was almost three hundred meters, and you managed to settle it with one shot. You might have a talent for shooting!" Talent... that was definitely not it. The reason this shot found its target was half because the bandaged woman had already adjusted the position for him, greatly reducing the difficulty of aiming, and the other half was the boost from his enhancements. Leon shook his head silently, indicating it was just good luck, then looked up at his badge slot. Two gray-black glowing badges had just dimmed. The work efficiency boost from [Probationary Worker], combined with the accuracy enhancement from [Shooting Novice], seemed to have an effect greater than two. In the instant before he fired, both badges activated at once. His hand instinctively pressed slightly, raising the gun barrel by about two millimeters. And with that tiny bit of elevation, what might have only injured the target ended up being a swift kill! As for how he could be sure who the target was... *This Infector wasn''t too smart this time.* After regretfully glancing at the spot where the evil soul had dissipated, Black Goat said with some amusement: *This fool might not have realized, when he controlled others, the souls of the controlled would resonate with his own completely. If he had done it just once, it would have been fine. Even if he focused only on souls dark at heart, it wouldn''t be easy to pick him out from among these six or seven hundred people.* "But he kept controlling them over and over and even made those people surround Emma... Senior, creating a bunch of souls with identical resonance. That was a bit too conspicuous." Picking up where Black Goat left off, Leon, recalling that inexplicably amusing scene, couldn''t help but press his lips together while seriously adding: "Once the souls with matching resonance were identified, the only one who hadn''t gone to the fourth floor was naturally the real Infector... Oh, I remember you said the Purification Bureau has performance evaluations too, right?" "Yes! And there''s bonus rewards as well." Black Goat nodded repeatedly in response, and judging by its excited demeanor, if it had more than just a head, it might have happily given Leon a thumbs-up. "You''ve only been on the job for three hours, and under my guidance, you successfully identified and eliminated the Infector, even rescuing the old employee who was trapped. The reward will definitely be significant! S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And, hahaha! The way I cooperated with you all was clean and efficient this time. Even if that red-haired woman is usually nasty, she might have to treat me a bit better, right?" Chapter 19 - 19: Reward (Add Dish)_1 "Send it to the kitchen to be stewed." In the utterly shocked eyes of the Black Goat, the red-haired woman closed the [Red Brick Road Hospital Incident] file, then casually tossed the goat head to Leon sitting at the desk, instructing with an indifferent expression, "We share a kitchen with the police department, so after you take this guy over, let the head chef over there know. Make it into goat head soup this time, following the same requirements as before. Hold back on the ginger slices and scallion pieces, add more cinnamon and cardamom, double the de-scenting rice wine, plus an extra spoon of white pepper with some soy sauce imported from the East. It''ll be a treat for the bureau at lunch today, now go." "Hold¡­ hold on! You bastard!" Unexpectedly, after making such a significant contribution, the Black Goat found itself facing such an outcome. Anger flared, and it argued indignantly from Leon''s arms, "Ollie¡­ you wicked woman! This time I helped you with a newcomer and resolved the incident, and this is how you treat me? Do you even have a sense of fairness?" "I''m being quite fair!" Hearing about the large-scale violence incident in the Capital City, the red-haired woman, who rushed back overnight, snorted in response. She curled her fingers, knocking heavily on the desk, squinting her charming, fox-like eyes as she questioned with a slight scowl, "Since you want to talk about fairness, let me ask you, do you know what the hospital director was doing before you and the rookie took him down?" "Doing what? Wasn''t he controlling a bunch of people to attack Emma?" "More than that!" Remembering what she had read in the action report, the red-haired woman shouted in exasperation, "He thought he had Emma cornered and was smugly showing off his origins! And just as he was about to reveal who was backing him, you guys went and killed his physical form!" "..." Shocked, the Black Goat opened its mouth and then frowned, questioning, "This¡­ Things can''t be that coincidental. Are you trying to pull one over on me?" "Heh¡­" Seeing the Black Goat with its doubts, the red-haired woman pressed her hand to her chest where anger brewed, unwilling to expend the effort in explaining. She carelessly tossed the report on the table over. "See for yourself!" *Fine, I''ll look myself! Now that I have people on my side, I don''t need you anymore!* Seizing the report with its mouth, the Black Goat turned and handed it to Leon, who sensibly cradled it with one hand and opened it with the other, holding it up to its eyes. Black Goat: ¡­ Leon: ? "It means you should read it." Glancing at man and goat staring each other down at the table, the red-haired woman took a swig from her bottle, chuckled derisively, and waved them off, "Go on, read it for him. This idiot can''t read!" "..." "I''m not completely illiterate, just¡­ not very literate¡­" Noticing Leon''s surprised stare, the Black Goat became a little embarrassed and annoyed, "I''m a Demon! You understand a Demon, right? As long as I can speak Demonic, why bother with human writing? Get on with it! What''s on there? Summarize it for me!" "Oh¡­" Despite the Black Goat''s not-so-polite tone, given the help it had provided, and its willingness to teach him for free, Leon, indebted to the demon, took no offense and instead began to read the report. [Red Brick Road Hospital Incident Cleared Report] [Incident Rating: Accident Level] [Incident Status: Cleared] sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Handling Personnel: Emma Alman, Leon Laine] [Anomalous Objects Used: Demon Horn, Serpent Bandage] [...] Skimming rapidly over the preliminary registration, Leon quickly turned to the second page, eager to locate details on the mastermind. But as he read, his pace gradually slowed. [Following subsequent investigations, the true identity of the Uncontrollable Afflicted was determined to be the director of the Red Brick Road Hospital. This individual was suspected of having been infused by a True God, merging his authority as director with the hospital itself, completely corroding it into a personal Anomalous Object.] [This Anomalous Object, currently known, exhibits two primary abilities. The first is controlling the hospital''s staff, forcibly turning them into puppets under its command, suspected to be a manifestation of the director''s authority post- Corrosion. Meanwhile, during the cleanup mission, I observed one medical staff member whom it never controlled, even in the face of danger, who persisted in assisting patients to flee. Thus, I speculate that this ability may be ineffective against individuals of good heart or those daring to resist authority.] [The second ability of this Anomalous Object is to absorb patients and enhance itself. Upon entering its range, if any severe ailments are present in the body, the entire hospital will commence devouring, leading to a gradual drain on vitality. With each patient absorbed, the structural integrity of Red Brick Road Hospital slightly increased. After absorbing over three hundred and fifty patients, specially designed nails capable of penetrating six walls consecutively lost all kinetic energy after only piercing two. Subsequent investigations suggest that the origin of this ability to drain patients'' life force should be linked to the hospital''s long-standing practices of excessive billing, prioritizing the sale of expensive drugs, and deliberately prescribing addictive medications to extract wealth from patients...] *I see¡­* By the time Leon reached this part of the report, he couldn''t help but adopt a more serious demeanor, gaining a newfound admiration for the meticulous thoroughness of the Bandaged Woman. *Yesterday night, by the time I packed up the sniper rifle and arrived, she had already been to the sixth floor, rummaging through the director''s office, not only removing plenty of items but also prying open the director''s safe and cleaning it out completely.* *At the time, I didn''t realize she was investigating the incident. I thought she was raiding the director''s "secret stash," but who would''ve guessed that just overnight, she''d produce such a comprehensive and professional report. Truly worthy of a seasoned Purification Bureau employee, her capability in handling affairs speaks for itself.* "You... why are you nodding without saying anything? Read it aloud!" Having waited patiently yet hearing nothing from Leon, worried he might truly end up as soup at the hands of the ruthless redhead, the Black Goat grew anxious and couldn''t resist urging, "Hurry up! If you won''t read it aloud, just skim the records and tell me if what she says is true!" "It is true." After a quick scan of the relevant records, Leon nodded helplessly, "At that moment, the director had just started speaking, ready to reveal the identity of the mastermind behind it all, and we happened to pinpoint his location, shooting him dead through the director''s office¡­" "..." *This¡­ was it really just that coincidental? That''s just too unlucky, isn''t it?* Seeing that Leon''s expression bore no hint of deceit, the Black Goat, once so arrogantly defiant, instantly deflated. Its head drooped as it murmured bashfully, "I¡­ I was several hundred meters away. Who knew the intelligence there would be so crucial? Even if it led to you missing out on intelligence, in my defense¡­ it''s understandable¡­" Chapter 20 - 20: 0016 There wont be another twist, right?_1 "Heh, forget it, but the newbie does have a valid reason!" After appreciatively eyeing Leon, the red-haired woman''s stern expression softened slightly as she gently consoled him, "Leon, you don''t need to worry about the intelligence. You reported the Infector as soon as you found it and also managed that troublesome demon, coaxing it into taking you to Emma. Later, when Emma was trapped, you shot the target dead with a single bullet, successfully saving her, and in doing so, also saved hundreds of people and prevented them from losing too much vitality. As a newcomer who joined the Purification Bureau only a few hours ago, you''ve already done well enough. As for the intelligence issue, it was just an unavoidable accident." "It''s not! Come on, I at least made some contributions, do you have to be so biased?" Before Leon could reply, the Black Goat, infuriated by the stark contrast, couldn''t help but shout, "He was the one who fired the shot, okay? I only helped pinpoint the location. So how is it that on his end, it''s an unavoidable accident, yet for me, it''s a reason to end up as soup in the back kitchen?" "Why stew you... don''t you know what you''ve done?" The red-haired woman sneered, "Don''t think I don''t know your plans! Leon didn''t know Emma had an Undying Body, but you did, right? When there was no danger to Emma, you could have let Leon take you near the hospital, amplify the evil thoughts of the Uncontrollable Afflicted from a distance, make him lose his reason, and forcefully lure him out to capture him!" "I just didn''t have time..." "Don''t tell me you couldn''t think of that. When you were under my command, you always used that method. So why did you suddenly forget this time?" Crossing her arms as she leaned back in her chair, the red-haired woman stared at the cowering Black Goat and sneered, "Clearly, you could have captured the target alive, but you led Leon to shoot him instead. You definitely have a problem! So, speak up, were you trying to absorb the target''s guilty soul? Were you trying to entice Leon to help you regain your power? Or was it that... you were in collusion with the people behind the scenes and thought he might spill information if caught, so you silenced him on purpose?" "You''re talking nonsense!" Hearing the red-haired woman''s theory, the Black Goat accused of being a traitor immediately jumped. "I didn''t! You''re just guessing! You have no proof!" "The Purification Bureau isn''t a court; when did it ever need evidence?" After another snort, the red-haired woman suddenly furrowed her brows, thoughtfully staring at the Black Goat, "Hmm... I admit, I was indeed joking earlier, but thinking it over, I found more peculiarities. Although the bureau has sent people out, I stayed in the Capital City. What mastermind would be stupid enough to cause trouble just three streets away from me? So, if they weren''t intentionally sending someone to die, there''s only one explanation: the mastermind has a mole in the bureau, knowing I suddenly left the Capital City yesterday!" What the hell?! Hearing the red-haired woman''s logical deduction, Leon couldn''t help but widen his eyes, staring in shock at the Black Goat in his arms. The entire Purification Bureau was empty yesterday, so who else but you knew the chief had left? I can''t believe you turned out to be the mole?! "No... I didn''t..." After glancing at the shocked Leon, the Black Goat then looked at the red-haired woman whose eyes had narrowed once again, shivered a bit, and retorted with his eyes stubbornly bulging, "I didn''t leak any information! You can''t frame me!" "Really?" The red-haired woman slowly stood up, placed her hands on the desk, and leaned forward with an oppressive presence, asking deliberately, "Then how do you explain all these coincidences? It''s one thing that trouble arose right when I left, but yesterday you could''ve captured the target alive, yet you scaped it through Leon''s hand. How do you explain that?" "I keep telling you, it was an accident!" The Black Goat angrily defended, "I specifically helped that boy shoot the target to get some blood on his hands! So he gets accustomed... accustomed..." "Accustomed to directly solving problems through slaughter in similar situations, thus being lured by you, continuously lowering his own baseline, unknowingly sliding into corruption... Am I wrong?" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After looking at the Black Goat, who was caught in his own schemes and reluctantly shut his mouth, and then at Leon, who suddenly became alert, the red-haired woman''s stern face broke into a smile as she leaned back on her soft chair and gently advised Leon, "Leon, remember what you just heard. If you encounter similar situations in future tasks, recall today''s events before making a decision." "I... I will remember for sure." With lingering fear, Leon glanced at the Black Goat, then hesitated for a moment, before he placed the goat head back on the red-haired woman''s desk with both hands. "This... please take it back." Observing Leon''s expression, the red-haired woman laughed, "What? Afraid you can''t control it?" "Yeah..." "Oh, it''s fine. You should hold onto it." Quite appreciating Leon''s caution, the red-haired woman propped her cheek with her left hand, twirled her flaming red hair with her pristine index finger, and smiled at Leon, "Generally speaking, an Anomalous Object with its own intelligence and desires is indeed not suited for a newbie. But since you could maintain your rationality under its influence before, it proves you are at least qualified to hold it. And as Emma reported to me this morning, your soul vision range is two kilometers, which shows your affinity with it is quite high. Coupled with your cautious nature, I believe you can fully handle it." After sharing her reasoning, she got up from her seat, walked around the desk to Leon, who was still hesitating, affectionately pulled his hand, and placed the pouting goat head onto it. "Take it, and always remember to keep your wits about you, never let it affect your judgment and decisions. I believe you can do it." "..." Looking at the gorgeous red-haired woman, who held his hand and earnestly believed in him, Leon felt his heart beat somewhat inexplicably fast. Almost reflexively he turned his gaze away, but quickly forced himself to look back, nodded solemnly, and seriously promised, "I definitely will!" "Tsk... what a load of crap you will!" Looking upwards at Leon''s slightly reddened earlobe, the Black Goat, full of pent-up frustration, pursed its lips and couldn''t resist mocking, "Just because someone held your hand and sweet-talked? You''re so dazed that you can''t even find north? What if she hugged and kissed you, would you die for her then? Heh, I just happen to be disadvantaged by being a damn goat. Damn, if I were a stunner too, with a naive virgin like you, I could easily coax you into... mmm... mmm! You let go! You cover my mouth, but I still have to say! You''re just a..." Chapter 21 - 21: 0017 Its really time to stew _1 "You damn well deserve a beating!" Using all his strength, Leon clamped the Black Goat''s mouth shut, stuffing its cheeky words back down its throat, then looked up at the still-smiling red-haired woman with a slightly awkward scratch on his head and said, "Um... Director, my sister was quite scared yesterday and is still in the hospital. If it''s not too much trouble, could I take a day off this afternoon?" "Yeah, go ahead! You just finished such a dangerous clean-up mission, you definitely deserve a break." Smiling, she granted Leon his leave. After he left with the struggling goat head, the slight smile on the red-haired woman''s face faded. She clasped her hands together and leaned back in her chair, thoughtfully staring at the old ceiling. *Something felt off...* *She had clearly suppressed Leon''s memories before, making him temporarily forget the Purification Bureau''s work content, so why did he know to seek help from the Bureau after the badge warning?* *Furthermore, she deliberately released a bit of her charm earlier, and by the looks of it, Leon was indeed affected. But why did he act so normal, as if he hadn''t lost any memories at all this time?* Thinking of this, the red-haired woman raised an eyebrow slightly, recalling a small detail she had overlooked before. Yesterday afternoon, when this kid came running over, wanting to join the Bureau with his "anomaly," he didn''t immediately reveal his ability but hesitated slightly before saying it was Compulsory Intelligence Acquisition... "Haha, interesting." Her lips curled slightly as she reached for the quill pen from the inkwell, then opened the drawer to take out Leon''s file. Finding the section titled [Intelligence Acquisition], she penned a small question mark next to it. *Cautious little guy... What secret are you hiding in your heart?* ... [Encountered an incomprehensible special existence, heterochromatic badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)" activated, your cognitive boundaries expanded, and you gained some information about the existence.] [Name: Love Without Memory (Forgetfulness, Whisper)] [Appearance: Non-corporeal] [Ability: When someone has feelings of fondness, love, or admiration for the host, this anomalous object''s host acquires the ability to temporarily mask a small segment of recent memory from that person.] S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Cost: Among parental love, child''s love, and partner''s love, one will be forever unattainable. If someone develops such deep affection for the host, they will immediately lose all memories of that love.] [File: This anomalous object is held by Olivia, the head of the sixth branch at the Purification Bureau. She has no parents, partner, or children, making it impossible to determine which deep love she lacks. Additionally, the last recorded use of this anomalous object was during the Red Moon Fall event in 1794. Olivia, disguised as a singer, utilized mass public broadcasting to garner immense affection from the Moonfolk, thereby masking the memories of over seventy thousand people and successfully thwarting their summoning plans.] [Evaluation: Incredibly powerful ability, but the cost is quite steep.] [Contamination Value: 7] [Through your own observation and deduction, you gathered substantial intelligence about "Love Without Memory," activating the heterochromatic badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)." Understanding the effectiveness rules of "Love Without Memory" significantly increased your resistance to this anomalous object, allowing you to deflect its typical influence.] ... *So that''s how it is...* Seeing the new anomalous object intelligence pop up when the red-haired woman grabbed his right hand, Leon, standing at the Director''s office door, nodded in sudden realization. *No wonder I forgot about the Bureau''s work contents. Turns out those memories were temporarily blocked.* *According to the "rules" explained by the Black Goat, the more "truth" you know, the more likely anomalies will find you. The Director temporarily blocked those memories to prevent me from encountering danger before I am capable of self-preservation.* *Yet my level of "attraction" was not that high, thus the influence was minimal. Plus, later, when the badge heated up a warning, I received a disguised "reminder" from the Uncontrollable Afflicted, breaking the barrier and regaining my memories.* *But they could have just told me about this, right? Why...* "Leon?" A soft call interrupted Leon''s thoughts. He looked up to see a high-heeled beauty in a beige skirt at the other end of the corridor smiling warmly at him, causing his eyes to squint from the shine. Unlike the charming yet perilous red-haired Director, the tall woman''s allure was almost non-threatening. Her slender frame was not lacking in feminine fullness. Her skin, white with a hint of jade, and her soft, delicate facial features exuded an amiable sweetness that made you want to get closer... "Thanks for yesterday." The gentle woman seemed quite familiar with Leon and, after greeting him, walked up lightly with a folder in her arms, standing before him with a smile and asking, "Has the Director finished speaking with you? I''d like to submit another solo mission report. Is it convenient for me to go in now?" "..." *Yesterday''s incident, solo mission, familiar with me... Could you be that bandage... ah no! Are you Senior Emma?!* The reliable senior with the bird-beak mask and body wrapped in bandages yesterday bore a striking difference in complexion to the gentle-eyed tall beauty before him, leaving Leon momentarily unresponsive. After a moment''s pause, he hurriedly made way at the doorway, feeling slightly embarrassed, saying, "Of course! Of course, you can go in! I''ve finished talking with the Director, sorry for blocking you." "It''s no problem." After a change in attire, Emma''s sky-high beauty smiled bashfully and said, "Hey, in a few days, I have another mission. When I return, could you help me with something? Don''t worry, I can guarantee that you won''t be in any danger at all, just maybe a bit tired..." "No problem, no problem!" Upon hearing this, Leon immediately responded seriously, sincerely promising, "You risked such danger yesterday to save my sister, so no matter how tiring or hard, I''ll definitely give it my all!" "Haha, then I thank you in advance!" With a slight smile and a nod, the woman wrapped in bandages... also known as Emma, pushed open the door and went into the Director''s office. Watching her elegant figure disappear inside, Leon, now processing the situation, couldn''t help but feel astonished. *My goodness... If it weren''t for the identical voice, I wouldn''t have dared to recognize her! The difference is just too great! If only...* *If only the bugs in my bed were as beautiful as her, that''d be perfect. Let them bite, I won''t even groan... Kid, is that what you''re thinking?* "..." Receiving an exasperated look from Leon, the Black Goat bared its teeth and snickered, "Hehe, I''d advise you to give up on those pervy thoughts. She''s got kids who are a few years old already! You''re out of luck~ Better give up early!" (-_-;) *What chance, what desire... I was just a bit taken aback by the drastic contrast between yesterday and now; a bit hesitant to recognize her, alright? Why do you always lean towards that interpretation?* *And seriously, how have you lived this long and not been beaten to death with that foul mouth of yours? Are you just good at making delicious stew or something?* Chapter 22 - 22: 0018 Dont ask, if you ask, its an explosion (Part 1)_1 There was really no way to deal with this chatterbox of a goat. After all, it wouldn''t do to actually cook it. Leon, with a look of disdain, had no choice but to carry the incessantly babbling goat head, briskly walk through the somewhat dim corridors of the Purification Bureau, and begin identifying the nameplates on each office. Harry Morgan (Level Two Crisis Handler) Emma Alman (First Level Disaster Handler) Leon Laine (Level Three Accident Handler)... Hmm, so this is it. Speaking of which, my office is right next to Senior Emma''s~ Glancing at the familiar name on the nameplate next door, Leon''s lips involuntarily curled upward slightly. Of course, this didn''t mean Leon had any thoughts about her. Primarily, having a gentle, beautiful, and quite reliable senior next door when he first joined was a very delightful thing... Hmm? Was something flashing in her office? From a small window opened on the corridor side, Leon caught sight of an unusual flash inside Emma''s office. Curiously, he took a step back toward it just to take a peek, then immediately returned with a blank expression and walked into his own office, face taut. It was nothing, merely the fact that on Senior Emma''s desk lay a giant sickle, over three meters long, covered in brown rust marks, and the light Leon saw was actually sunlight reflected off the blade. Besides, her office wasn''t decorated with tasteful greenery or mature and beautiful clothing dresses, or even cute children''s items as he imagined. Instead, it was piled with all kinds of strange and even some terrifying stuff. Blood-stained bandages, damaged nail hammers, open old coffins, leather-bound ancient books of doubtful material, skeletal specimens of unknown creatures, and even half an execution platform wedged against the wall, the kind where a huge guillotine is pulled up several meters and then dropped by cutting the binding rope... snap! S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Well, Senior Emma might be a gentle person, but the peculiar nature of the work at the Purification Bureau made it seem like her gentleness could only exist in her personality. *He recalled yesterday evening, when he hurried to the special care unit, he even saw fingerprints pressed into the metal corner cabinet with just her strength...* *Reaffirming his judgement never to provoke her, Leon rummaged through his office and successfully found the large luggage trunk just where the Red-haired Director mentioned, almost identical to Senior Emma''s.* Brass-colored metal crash corners, a wide and sturdy solid wood frame, covered with crocodile-like tough animal skin... Though the appearance was very simple and unadorned, lacking the carvings and metal clasps common in luggage trunks today, just by holding it, one could tell that these solid materials alone made it worth a fortune. And the only decoration on the exterior of the luggage trunk was the golden emblem imprint on the side of the metal handle padding, which was the symbol of the Virgin Sanitation Bureau¡ªa Dung Beetle Lady pushing a dung ball. As for the interior of the trunk, it featured multiple nested custom compartments, with an empty space on the far left with two horn-like slots, clearly reserved for the Black Goat. Beside it was a dismantled long-range Nail Gun and six melon-sized silver-white air cylinders. Seeing this familiar "big sniper," Leon''s heart couldn''t help but warm slightly, knowing this had to be given by Senior Emma. *She really was very considerate to him. Even after completing the investigation yesterday, she didn''t go to clean the bloodstains off her body first but rather sat and talked with him, explaining many details about the "cleanup work" and repeatedly reminding him of things he had to be especially careful about.* *And now, on the verge of going out on a mission, she even specifically left her weapon for him... he truly owed her a great favor, and when she needed help, he had to double his efforts. He absolutely had to live up to her care!* Filled with gratitude, Leon propped up the luggage trunk, placing the still cursing Black Goat into the goat-head slot, and then closed it heavily. A miraculous thing happened. In the moment the big trunk was snapped shut, it was as though the noise was abruptly choked off. Whether it was the clamor in his ears or the curses in his head, all vanished without a trace, and the whole world fell silent. *Great~ With this thing, he could take the Black Goat out without worrying about it speaking nonsense and scaring Anna.* Satisfied, he nodded, reached out for the handle of the trunk, and gave it a firm lift! Not a budge... ??? Staring at the massive trunk that couldn''t even be bothered to sway a little, Leon couldn''t help but widen his eyes, grabbing the large handle with both hands and pulling with all his might. Against Leon''s effort, even using all his strength, the massive trunk finally gave a bit of response. But it only barely lifted off the ground before it crashed back down with a loud thud, the huge sound making the dust in the entire office shudder slightly. "..." Solid wood frame, crocodile-like skin, metal fittings, with a goat head and a big sniper inside... If this thing doesn''t weigh fifty to sixty kilograms, I''d eat this trunk! Looking at his slightly scrawny arms due to long-term malnutrition, then looking at the trunk lying there like a mountain, seemingly mocking him, "delicate and weak" Leon sighed helplessly, rationally gave up the idea of taking it with him, took his credentials, and angrily pushed the door open, heading toward the cafeteria in the police department. Eat! I''m going to eat with all my might! Turn myself into a strong man! Then intensify my training! No other option¡ªI have to at least train to the extent that I can lift a trunk on my own! Otherwise, when Senior Emma needs help, if I can''t even lift a trunk and have to shamelessly ask her to carry it for me, can I even continue to live? ... "Anna... hic... look what I brought you?" After pushing the door open and entering the special care unit, seeing the delight on the face of the frail girl on the hospital bed looking over, Leon''s face involuntarily lit up with a smile. Lifting the mahogany lunch box in his hand, he gave it a slight shake and, without waiting for Anna to answer, Leon revealed the mystery with a smile, "It''s the silver cod soup you especially loved as a child! I specifically checked; it''s cod fish just caught from the outer river this morning, with fresh milk added!" Silver cod and milk... wouldn''t that be expensive? Hearing Leon''s words, Anna hesitated slightly and said, "Brother, you just started your job yesterday, yet you''re helping me transfer rooms and bringing me such expensive fish soup. Isn''t that a bit..." "Don''t worry about it. You don''t have to worry about these things. What you need to do now is take care of yourself... come, let me see your leg." Placing the three-tiered lunch box borrowed from the police department cafeteria on the bedside table, Leon lifted a corner of the blanket, and glanced at the bandaged right thigh of his sister, asking with some heartache, "Does it hurt? It''s all my fault. If I hadn''t brought you to this hospital, you wouldn''t have..." "It doesn''t hurt! Oh my!" Not expecting Leon''s hand to be so fast, the frail girl''s cheeks flushed slightly, quickly grabbing the blanket to cover her thigh again, then clutching his arm and complaining, "Brother! My skirt was cut open during the bandaging, don''t just lift it like that! Also, can you stop taking everything on yourself? When you brought me here, you didn''t know that the hospital''s gas pipes would suddenly explode. It was just an accident, really not your fault!" Chapter 23 - 23: 0019 Dont ask, because its an explosion (Part 2)_1 "Hmm¡­ indeed, it really was just an accident." Watching Wen Yan comforting his sister, whose complexion had clearly improved, Leon felt a slight relief from the burden on his heart and smiled as he concurred. ... Yes, the uncontrollable Afflicted incident that affected four to five hundred people yesterday turned into an accidental incident after the "main culprit" was shot dead by Leon and Senior Emma submitted the incident report. According to the red-haired Director, hidden beneath the Purification Bureau Headquarters was an anomalous object of astonishingly high hierarchy. Once Purification Bureau employees completed their clean-up task and submitted the incident report, the rules of that anomalous object would be triggered, forcibly rewriting most eyewitnesses'' related memories. This incident, for instance, was confused with a gas explosion accident. In the memory of Anna and others, the gas pipeline of the hospital cracked first, causing the first explosion. This explosion happened to shatter the storeroom containing anesthetics, spreading a large amount rapidly through the ventilation ducts, resulting in the collective unconsciousness of hundreds of patients and medical staff. The subsequent second explosion occurred on the sixth floor, where the director''s office was located, and the fourth floor, where the special care ward was. The director of Red Brick Road Hospital was killed immediately, and the special care ward where Anna was also was blown to a mess. Fortunately, she smelled the gas leak in advance and decisively hung outside the window with two nurses, barely saving her life, though her leg was cut by falling glass from above, and another nurse fell seriously injured with multiple joint injuries. Just when the third explosion was about to occur, luckily Leon and his colleagues, who came to visit her, arrived in time to shut off the gas valve, preventing a greater disaster, saving the lives of hundreds in the hospital. ... Yes, that reportedly incredible anomalous object, when "covering up the incident," even considered the mental health of Purification Bureau employees, deliberately leaving Leon and his colleague''s "merits" intact so they wouldn''t lose balance from saving people but not getting respect. Even more bizarre, to facilitate the Purification Bureau''s report for bonuses, it even supplemented the victims'' memories with the detail of the Bureau investigating Red Brick Road Hospital''s overcharging issue after receiving public reports, showing a touch of thoughtful humanity and a slight lack of shame. After hearing about such preposterous operations, Leon, who understood the difference between "program" and "artificial intelligence," almost instinctively questioned this anomalous object, feeling that something so adaptable obviously had its own intelligence, thinking it should have issues, rather than merely functioning strictly according to rules. However, Leon received the reply from the red-haired Director that this anomalous object inherently had a brain and was simply a brain itself. This high-level anomalous object capable of distorting memories was originally an Evil God, hastily arrived without adequate preparation and was captured alive. After its destruction by the Purification Bureau, it was discovered to have exceptional memory alteration abilities, hence its brain was directly extracted and placed into an anomalous object named the Illusion Can, crafted specifically for wrapping up large-scale events. However, due to its dangerously formidable ability to alter group memories, if left in the hands of an individual, extremely serious consequences might arise, thus the activation conditions are rigorous, requiring more than half agreement from twelve directors before use. Normally, it lies buried underground, running autonomously, only for use in extremely dangerous situations. ... So, what exactly does extremely dangerous mean? Or, more bluntly, if someone wants to target the Purification Bureau, does that count as extremely dangerous? When hearing the red-haired Director saying this, Leon almost instantly thought of the definition of "dangerous," unraveling a massive mystery¡ªwhy would the nations in this world allow organizations like the Purification Bureau to exist? Even actively cooperate? They probably are not willing but must cooperate! After all, just the Brain of the Evil God capable of altering group memory alone is enough for all intrigued kingdoms to take a step back. And God knows how long the history of the Purification Bureau is, what other peculiar things it might be hiding? Through this news, having indirectly learned how powerful the Purification Bureau really is, Leon was now quite sure he would be bound to this secretive organization for life. Standing on the front lines guarding humanity, knowing the truth of the world, possessing abilities far beyond ordinary people¡­ just these are already hard to refuse, not to mention Purification Bureau''s high treatment, excellent welfare, and even official kingdom establishment. Especially the establishment, heard in the Capital City''s dating market now, those with official establishment, regardless of gender, are particularly attractive¡­ *Hiss¡­ wait a minute, wasn''t I prepared to stay single until death? Why did I suddenly think of dating? Was I triggered by something today? Or, as the Black Goat said, have I reached an age eager to move?* ... "Brother? Brother! What''s wrong with you?" Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shouting several times without getting a response, Anna, sipping fish soup, couldn''t help blinking in perplexity. Watching her brother, whose expressions alternated between severe and somewhat shy, the frail girl thought a while, placing the milky-white fish soup back on the bedside, then lifted her right hand to cover her pink lips, slightly oily from the soup, and coughed lightly in a low, suppressed voice. "Hmm?" Hearing this repressed cough that had kept him constantly worried for more than two years, Leon, almost reflexively, instantly snapped out of his wandering thoughts. He hurriedly glanced at the girl on the bed, relieved only after seeing Anna just gave a light cough with no further sign, then stretched to pick up the soup bowl on the bedside table, saying somewhat embarrassedly, "I was just thinking about work and didn''t attend to you for a moment¡­ Why did you cough just now? Did it go down the wrong way? Should I feed you instead?" "No¡­ hmm¡­" Watching Leon immediately look over hearing the cough, the frail girl''s eyes slightly warmed, shaking her head intending to say she hadn''t choked, but seeing the spoon already near her mouth, she reconsidered and didn''t refuse. Supporting herself on Leon''s arm, shifting back to lean against the cushion he brought over, the frail girl leaned against the bedhead, drinking the spoonfed fish soup in small sips again. But for some reason, having drunk most of the bowl by herself earlier, she now occasionally let out gentle coughs, then, when questioned with concern by Leon, smiled faintly, nodded, and waited contently for the next spoon of fish soup¡­ *Mom, Dad, are you watching over me?* *If possible, I wish you could make this bowl of soup last a bit longer, so that my brother can stay with me a little while more, though not too much longer, just a few more sips will do¡­* "Knock, knock." The sound of knuckles tapping glass interrupted the frail girl''s prayers. The two in the ward looked towards the sound, then surprisingly discovered that a girl with red eyes had arrived outside the door at some unknown time. The baby-faced girl appeared around the same age as them, likely sixteen or seventeen, but donned a mature professional suit and bore a delicate nameplate on her chest. Judging by her looks, she might have already started working, possibly even for several years, but for some reason, there was an odd incongruity about her, as if unused to wearing such attire. "I''m from the gas company. I was the one who signed off on the hospital''s pipeline inspection. I¡­ am sorry!" Upon receiving Leon and Anna''s permission, the girl, with slight eye rings and teary eyes, cautiously pushed the door open and entered. Without further ado, she bowed deeply at ninety degrees towards Leon, tearfully saying, "This whole matter is my fault! If I had been more rigorous during inspection, the pipeline here might not have exploded, nor would it have caused your wife to jump and get injured! Rest assured, I will ensure satisfactory compensation for you!" Chapter 24 - 24: 0020 Huh?!!!_1 "..." Pipes? Inspection? Explosion incident? Ah, this... Seeing the gas company employee in front of him with eyes swollen like peaches and a face full of guilt, Leon didn''t know what to say for a moment. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head. If it really had been a gas pipeline explosion that injured Anna''s leg and almost killed her, he felt he could rip the heart out of the person responsible. But the problem was that it wasn''t the company''s fault. The explosion was a figment of that Evil God''s imagination, and the hospital incident was orchestrated by the director. It wasn''t due to faulty gas pipes. As for the young girl in front of him, she hadn''t done anything wrong at work. It was pure bad Luck that she got involved, dragged into the mess by the Anomalous Object from the Purification Bureau... "Well... you seem genuinely sorry. How about... you just cover the medical expenses, and let''s call it even?" Leon felt a slight twinge of guilt. He initially thought of letting it go but felt that not pursuing anything when his sister nearly got hurt in a "gas explosion" seemed too fake, so he made a more moderate demand. Either way, with Purification Bureau credentials, the family medical expenses would be reimbursed. Anna''s lung condition didn''t require private payment, and in the "gas explosion" incident, she only injured her leg, which would cost at most a couple of Silver Wheels. It wouldn''t put much financial pressure on the counterpart... To his surprise, the doll-faced girl quickly looked up, full of disbelief, and said: "That''s all there is to it?" Turning to glance at his sister, seeing her cheeks slightly flushed and seemingly lost in thought, Leon turned back, apologetically nodding to the tearful girl in front of him. "Yes, that''s enough." "..." Just that amount of compensation? Are there really such people? Hearing Leon''s affirmative answer, the girl in the professional skirt was stunned, her eyes swollen into slits filled with disbelief. ... Most people affected by the incident were knocked out by evaporating anesthetic and then inhaled excessive anesthetic gas. Some hadn''t even woken up yet, but these people were relatively easy to compensate. You only needed to cover lost wages and soupage expenses. The most severe case was the hospital director, but that person didn''t seem like a good person. Many bad deeds were reported about him. If he didn''t die, he might end up on the gallows anyway, so there was no need to compensate him. Then there were a few people who jumped out of the fourth-floor window. The older nurse wasn''t injured, just scared, while the young nurse, whose joints were severely injured, along with her fianc¨¦, viciously gouged their own company for compensation. But her fianc¨¦ spoke of buying something, hurriedly left with the money, and she felt like that man was going to take the money and run, so she specifically warned her about it, only to be yelled at for over an hour... *Ugh...* *Thinking of this, the doll-faced girl sniffed hard, teary-eyed, looking at the kind Leon in front of her, feeling that you really couldn''t compare humans to each other.* This last girl, although not as injured as the nurse, also had her thigh cut by shattered glass. If she hadn''t reacted quickly, she might have ended up like the director on the sixth floor. Before coming over, she had hesitated for quite a while, ready for a scolding or even a beating, but they turned out to be so kind-hearted, only asking for medical expenses. They were such good people! "Well... I''ll compensate you more!" Looking at Leon''s somewhat shabby coat and then at this "modest" hospital room that cost less than two Silver Wheels a night, the doll-faced girl''s heart couldn''t bear it. The couple in front of her were obviously not well-off, but when faced with an opportunity to cash in, they only asked for basic medical expenses. She couldn''t let such good people suffer! After clenching her small fists, the doll-faced girl raised her head, face full of emotion, trying to persuade Leon: "You two are so young, I''m sure you haven''t saved much. Now your wife is injured, and you have to take time off to care for her, which will definitely interfere with work. If I compensate you more, you can use the money to hire a caregiver for your wife, ensuring she gets better care and avoiding... " "Wait, did you get something wrong?" Leon, whose mind was flooded with thoughts of the explosion incident, interrupted, somewhat speechless: "We''re not a couple, we''re siblings!" "Ah? Really? I''m sorry! I''m sorry!" Upon hearing Leon''s correction, the doll-faced girl''s face reddened as she apologized repeatedly with a bow: "The compensation list I got only had names. I saw your surname in the hospital visit registration and thought you two were... Ah! I''m sorry! Deeply sorry!!!" "It''s alright..." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Anna ran her fingers through her lightly golden hair, glanced at Leon''s deep black hair, and seemed in a good mood. She smiled slightly, gently comforting: "My brother and I have different hair colors and don''t look very much alike. It''s really easy to mistake. As for the compensation, I wasn''t hurt much. Just go with what my brother said... Oh! Right!" At this point, Anna seemed to remember something. She propped herself up on the bed, speaking earnestly: "Where''s Aunt Hannah? Although she wasn''t hurt, she was terrified yesterday and hasn''t come to the hospital today. Have you compensated her?" "Are you referring to the older nurse?" The doll-faced girl thought for a moment, then said apologetically: "We''ve already compensated her, and it was very generous! Even though she wasn''t physically harmed, she was really frightened by yesterday''s explosion, and she might even... she might even have some mental distress..." "What?" Hearing that the older nurse who had taken care of her had issues, Anna immediately grew anxious. She struggled to sit up, clinging to Leon''s arm, with a face full of worry as she asked: "How is that possible? When we separated last night, she was still fine, wasn''t she?" "Well... I''m not really sure..." Recalling the situation of another unfortunate victim, the doll-faced girl lowered her head with guilt, whispering tearfully: "Her husband told us that she was just a bit uneasy last night, but her condition was stable. However, when she woke up this morning, she suddenly started speaking nonsense. She insisted that there was no explosion, claimed the hospital floor would eat people, that many patients were devoured by it. But then, she talked about a mysterious woman covered in bandages who saved her by taking her out of the window... She must''ve truly been horrified by yesterday''s events..." Hearing this, the sympathetic Leon couldn''t help but be taken aback. *Wait a second, there was no explosion, the hospital floor eats people, and a woman covered in bandages...* What?!!! Chapter 25 - 25: 0021 Bureau Chiefs Weakness_1 "Are you saying that the older nurse is very likely also a natural carrier of ''abnormal'' traits?" After hearing Leon''s report, the red-haired woman raised an eyebrow thoughtfully and said, "No wonder... I remember Emma''s report also mentioned that a nurse could resist the director''s control. Originally, I thought she was just kind-hearted and upright, able to maintain her own stance and not be swayed by power, thus avoiding the influence of authority-type Anomalous Objects. But now, it seems that she might carry an ''abnormality'' herself, enabling her to avoid manipulation... Leon, you did very well!" After giving Leon an appreciative glance, the Red-haired Director said with a smile, "Even though you just finished a hard cleanup mission, you still insisted on actively applying for fieldwork, diligently revisiting the victims and, from the tiniest clues, keenly discovered new traces of an Anomalous Object. It must have been tough for you!" Ah? That''s not right! Upon hearing the red-haired woman''s conclusion, Leon was slightly taken aback and then quickly reminded her, "Thank you, Director, but I actually took the afternoon off today to visit my sister. This information wasn''t gathered from field visits, but rather¡ª" "Half a day''s pay will be deducted for the leave. One active fieldwork session allows you to apply for a two Gold Wheel subsidy." "..." "Rather, on my way to the fieldwork, I actively communicated with a compensation agent from the gas company and successfully analyzed the situation using the methods taught by you and Senior Emma." "Mm, that''s why I value you highly. You indeed suit the Purification Bureau well." After looking at the sensible Leon with satisfaction, the Red-haired Director said with a laugh, "Go back and, according to what you said, submit a fieldwork result later, but there''s no need to write about the parts involving Emma and me. Cheating funds is one thing, but merits are another. What''s yours is yours, and no matter how other bureaus operate, we in the Virgo Bureau don''t play like that. Besides, obtaining valuable information during your rest time deserves a special fieldwork subsidy." "Well... Thank you, Director... I''ll go back and submit the report!" "Mm-hmm, go on then!" ... Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leon really didn''t know how to evaluate his own Director, who could openly talk about cheating funds but still had inexplicably "upright" conduct. However, despite some questionable methods, a leader who both fought for his subordinates'' benefits and didn''t like taking credit for their achievements should be well-liked in the bureau, right? No wonder Senior Emma always spoke of her with such respect... Wait! Suddenly recalling something, Leon, who was about to leave, froze again and hesitantly said, "Um... Director, can I go on fieldwork again tomorrow?" "..." Upon hearing this, the red-haired woman was slightly stunned, then instinctively narrowed her sly, foxy eyes and said with a teasing smile, "What? Short on cash? Trying to cheat funds again?" "No, no, no, this time it''s a real field task, or you can consider it a leave if you prefer." Quickly shaking his head, Leon explained earnestly, "Yesterday, I read Senior Emma''s archival material on the Red Brick Road Hospital incident. It seemed too coincidental that those patients appeared, like they were purposely ''created'' to enhance the Uncontrollable Afflicted''s power. After all, the Red Brick Road Hospital typically only has about a hundred beds. If not for issues simultaneously occurring at both the hydraulic company and the Department of Road Administration, there wouldn''t have been so many patients for that director to absorb all at once. So, I was thinking the bureau might want to investigate these two places to see if there''s some mastermind behind the chaos or if the hydraulic company and the Department of Road Administration have inherent problems..." "And also, while leveraging your position as Purification Bureau staff, unearth evidence of negligence from the hydraulic company and the Department of Road Administration to help the patients still lying in the hospital get some compensation... Am I right?" The red-haired woman opened her charming foxy eyes, gazed softly at the startled Leon, and said with a sweet, narrow-eyed smile, "Haha, it seems the old goat wasn''t wrong after all. You''re indeed the type with a strong sense of morality. When encountering something you disapprove of, you can''t help but want to intervene. Hmm... Don''t be nervous, although your proposal contains a tiny bit of ''self-interest,'' I actually don''t mind. After all, naive and kind youngsters are always quite endearing~" After giving Leon an enigmatic and peculiar evaluation, the red-haired woman lazily stretched, showing off her graceful curves, then comfortably reclined on the soft backrest, smiling as she said, "If you want to go, then go. It''ll still be considered your field task this time, but make sure not to repeat it." "Thank you, Director!" "You''re welcome, but..." Leaning her hand on her cheek, she looked at Leon with interest, the red-haired woman whispered playfully, "You''re only going to thank me verbally? How about some practical action?" "Uh..." Feeling a bit bewildered by the sudden "bribe request," Leon looked at the piles of empty bottles behind the red-haired woman''s desk and cautiously suggested, "Well... how about after work today, I treat you to a few drinks?" Hmm? Booze? Upon hearing Leon''s words, the red-haired woman''s eyes brightened slightly, and she instinctively sat up straight. Oh my, I actually meant by practical action, the bureau is recently short on manpower. I wanted you to voluntarily work overtime. After investigating the hydraulic company and the Department of Road Administration, go check on that middle-aged nurse named Hannah to see her real deal. But if you insist on treating me to drinks... hmm... Since there''s a newcomer in the department, as a leader, perhaps I should mingle and build camaraderie with him? Secretly reaching for her wallet around her waist and feeling that it was empty, the Red-haired Director adjusted her posture, cleared her throat forcefully, and said with a gentle smile and crossed hands, "In principle, I shouldn''t be accepting your invitation, but since you''ve just started here, let''s treat it as a welcome party for you, and to celebrate you joining the Purification Bureau." "Ah, okay!" Leon nodded and then suggested, "How about I invite Senior Emma and those who just came back too..." "Ahem... There''s no need for them to come." After quickly calculating Leon''s salary on the sly, the red-haired woman stopped him with a righteously solemn expression, "Emma needs to rush home to take care of her child, and as for those two who just returned, I''ll be arranging... I mean, they''ll soon have new tasks and need to depart before sunset today, so I''ll drink alone tonight!" "..." You''ll drink alone... What? Aren''t you even pretending a little? Couldn''t you at least say you''re holding a welcome party for me alone? Watching the red-haired woman, who seemed to suddenly lose her mind, speak without care, with the original rational and meticulous aura completely vanished, Leon suddenly found himself speechless. He remembered the Black Goat''s evaluation of their boss. "Let me tell you, that woman might be calm and cunning, and her strength is terrifying, but once she gets tipsy, she''s just a pure drunk. Her brain keeps churning alcohol like no one''s business. Unless there''s no booze involved, everything goes smoothly, she can arm wrestle with any opponent. But once the booze is at play, no matter how unreliable she is going to get, she becomes as unreliable as possible, her quality dives to the lowest it can go. Be careful; don''t let her latch onto you!" "..." Oh no... Seems like I dug myself a big pit! Chapter 26 - 26: 0022 Drinking is harmful to health... Being too confident is also_1 "Give it to him, I don''t need the menu." Adjusting the hem of her bright red, high-waist, tight-fitting dress, the woman with red hair, even more striking than the lingering sunset hues, sat gracefully by the restaurant window and waved off the menu handed by the waiter. She deftly ordered, "Start with a dozen Bass pale ales to whet the appetite, awaken a bottle of Bordeaux Margaux to clear the malt taste of the beer, then a bottle each of affordable classics from Bowmore, Talisker, Glenfiddich. Finally, wait until I''ve... we''ve both had enough, then bring out a Macallan whiskey aged in sherry casks to finish, and a bottle of Captain Morgan''s black rum to go. Hmm... that should be all for now. Oh, right, put the name Leon Laine on the tab and send the bill to the Purification Bureau under the police department. We''ll pay on payday." "..." Watching the red-haired woman settle the menu... or rather the drinks menu in under five seconds, and even set up a tab, Leon held another menu and couldn''t help but feel a bit uneasy. With a forced smile, he reminded, "Chief, everything you''ve ordered is liquor, shouldn''t we order some food?" "Ah, it''s fine, you eat if you want, don''t mind me, as long as I have something to drink." "..." *Drink without eating anything? So you''re planning to drink yourself to death here?* Opening the menu to the liquor section, Leon found the types of drinks the woman had ordered, and saw five or six prominent "spirits" labels in dark colors. He felt a tingling sensation on his scalp. According to the Kingdom''s commerce department''s guidelines, beverages with an alcohol content of over 30% had to be labeled as spirits. But these were not just spirits; they bore dark color labels meaning the alcohol content was at least 40%. *Why on earth did I think it was a good idea to treat her to drinks!* S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Looking at the menu that wasn''t overpriced but certainly not cheap, Leon regretted his decision deeply but couldn''t bring himself to spend too much money. After much hesitation, he finally picked a shepherd''s pie, layered with lamb, mashed potatoes, and lettuce. He also ordered a small assortment of veal with vegetables for after the meal, intending to pack it up for his younger siblings at home, then nervously awaited his chief''s performance. ¡­ "Whew~ How nostalgic~" Downing half a dozen light beers with an elegance that Leon couldn''t comprehend, while the other patrons whispered among themselves, Olivia swept her red hair behind her ear. She leaned down to sniff lightly at the opening of the decanter, and a cute blush spread across her cheeks. "Raspberry, toasted bread, a rich coffee aroma, and a faint scent of truffles~ It''s been so long since I''ve had such a refined drink~" "..." *Could it really be that good?* Spooked by the appreciative look on the red-haired woman''s face, Leon secretly sniffed but only caught a light fruity aroma, no trace of anything else, which made him frown in doubt. *Bread and coffee... must be a trick.* "What? Don''t believe me?" Noticing Leon''s expression, the red-haired woman picked up a glass, poured him half a glass of crimson wine, and smiled as she handed it over. "Want to try?" "Um..." Slightly irritated by the pungent smell of alcohol, Leon, who didn''t drink, instinctively wrinkled his nose and wanted to refuse. But, considering he had paid for this drink, and quite a bit at that, his hand moved against his will and he accepted the glass. Following the method the red-haired woman had taught him, he took a large sip and swished the wine around his mouth before swallowing. "So, how was it?" Watching Leon''s face scrunch up in reaction to the sourness, the red-haired woman rested her chin on her hand, observing his flushed cheeks. She teased him, "For someone new to wine, it''s usually better to start with something sweeter. This more robust dry wine might be a bit too much... hehe, little guy, want some more?" "Hiss¡­" Taking a couple of breaths to ease the slight unpleasant sourness around his teeth, Leon''s eyes unexpectedly brightened. "Yes! And I''d like a glass of everything else as well!" His quick change of attitude wasn''t due to him finding the allure of alcohol or being agitated by the red-haired woman''s teasing manner, but rather because... [Upon first tasting a "craft" level fine wine, you have activated the Black Iron Level Badge "Newcomer to the Wine Country"] [Newcomer to the Wine Country: No need to persuade me, I know, that loving it will harm my life, but that which fails to bring me joy is longer and duller than life itself.] [Equip Effect: For a period after consuming alcoholic beverages, fear, trepidation, and panic, among other negative emotions, will have a weakened impact on you.] [Advancement Route: Taste ten kinds of fine wines above the "craft" level to automatically advance this badge to the bronze badge "Epicure of the Wine Country," current progress 1/10.] [Hidden Traits (No Need to Equip): Your alcohol tolerance has greatly increased.] ¡­ *Never thought you''d have a knack for drinking¡­* Seeing Leon''s eyes light up with excitement, the red-haired woman, who initially just wanted to tease him, felt energized herself. She poured him a high-proof whiskey, tapping the golden liquid through the glass as she explained with a smile, "This is a single malt whiskey aged over ten years in a barrel, its aroma similar to cinnamon and vanilla, quite strong but with a very smooth finish if you sip it properly. Like this¡­ now, if your tongue is sensitive enough, you should be able to taste the matured flavors akin to dried fruits and oak¡­ Alright~" Before she could finish her introduction, Leon picked up the glass and downed it in one gulp, causing him to cough and bring tears to his eyes, the woman with red hair couldn''t help but shake her head in amusement, "You drank too fast, you know? This one had an alcohol content four times higher than the last one, wasn''t that spicy hot? You¡­ huh? You want more?" "Yes!" After blinking his eyes and slowly recovering, Leon glanced at the increased alcohol capacity noted under "Newcomer to the Wine Country" on his badge panel. With a mind set on earning more badges, he confidently nodded and said, "I feel like my alcohol tolerance is actually quite good. Even if it might not match yours, it''s probably not that far off¡­ Well, I''ll just have one glass each." Oh? Not far off, huh? As if he had opened Pandora''s box, with those words, the red-haired beauty, who initially planned to have a small drinking session, raised an eyebrow and grinned, signaling the waiter again. "Then let''s drink to our heart''s content today~ Don''t worry, I''ll cover the rest, no need to spend your salary~" When a new round of drinks was brought over by six breathless waiters, the red-haired beauty smiling as she stood to pour became the last image in Leon''s memory for the night¡­ ¡­ "Ugh¡­ why is the sun up again?" Holding his throbbing head, Leon woke with a start from his small bed at home, feeling hungry. Staring in shock at the sun that had strangely reappeared above the horizon, he widened his eyes in surprise. *When we started drinking, the sun had just set! Did I sleep an entire day away?* As he shakily called up his badge panel and saw the brilliantly shining "Martyr of the Wine Country," he was stunned for a moment and found his lips trembling involuntarily. *Black Iron - bronze - silver - gold¡­ gold?* *Did I level up three badges in one night? How much did I drink?!!!* Chapter 27 - 27: 0023 Badge Inventory (Two-in-One)_1 [Martyr of the Wine Country: Is this wine? It was flowing cold fire, a remedy for sorrow, an oasis in the city, an antidote for a painful life, a river with warmth, boiling in the deepest loneliness of countless chilly nights.] [Effects of wearing: The higher the alcohol content in your body, the less impact a series of negative emotions like fear, apprehension, and panic have on you. When there were 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, the effect reached its maximum, directly immunizing you from the impact of related negative emotions, but you would enter a special state of ''drunkenness''.] [Drunkenness: Your reaction time increased by 50%, limb coordination decreased by 50%, perception of the surrounding environment decreased by 50%, courage increased by 300%.] [Advancement Route: After tasting one thousand kinds of "craft" level or above, one hundred kinds of "fine" level or above, ten kinds of "premium" level or above, and one kind of "intoxicating" level or above good wine, this badge would automatically advance to the heterochromatic badge ''Immortal of Liquor.'' Current progress: 117/1000, 7/100, 1/10, 0/1] [Hidden Traits (not required to be worn): After a hell-level binge drinking session, your body had already adapted to the ravages of alcohol and found ways to cope. Your alcohol metabolism rate was greatly improved.] After a whole night of drinking followed by a whole day of sleep, he got a Gold-Level Badge... This... seemed... not entirely unacceptable? After reading through the detailed effects of [Martyr of the Wine Country], Leon''s emotions finally slowly calmed down. It truly was worthy of being a Gold-Level Badge, with extremely powerful effects. Although his courage was not small, when he faced the hospital that could "eat people" directly that day, he was still somewhat fearful at heart. Especially the scene like a living hell in the first-floor lobby, even just observing through the scope made him feel a chill in his heart. *Honestly, if he hadn''t been sniping from a distance, but was holding a gun walking in with Senior Emma, under such an extremely horrifying scene, he feared he might not have been able to hit someone face-to-face.* But with this Gold-Level Badge, as long as he carried a bottle of high-proof alcohol, he could directly and significantly reduce the impact of these negative emotions, allowing himself to calm down again, and calmness and reason at critical moments in such life-and-death work could be lifesavers. In addition, according to Senior Emma, while abilities like the Black Goat that directly affect the soul were not many, it was not impossible to encounter them. With the terrifyingly vast work scope of the Purification Bureau, he might run into one at any time. And although this [Martyr of the Wine Country] had limited range, only immunizing negative emotions like fear, apprehension, and panic, if the opponent''s ability just happened to be within this range, it would be directly restrained to death. Even if the range was somewhat narrow, it still was an extremely powerful trump card. *It seems... there were still many things that could be unearthed with this Badge System.* Looking at the four slots on the panel, along with three black iron, two bronze, one gold, and one heterochromatic badge, Leon couldn''t help but fall into contemplation. Among the seven badges he currently activated, [Unemployed Youth] not only had confusing abilities, but also required exiting the Purification Bureau to upgrade, which couldn''t be achieved by mere hard work, so he temporarily passed on that. Similar was [Probationary Worker], which could only be upgraded two months after entering the job. All that remained was [Trustworthy Brother], which had no advancement route, [Materialist Soul], which couldn''t be further advanced, and [Martyr of the Wine Country], though it could still go up. However, he didn''t understand wine and didn''t have enough money to buy so many good wines, so he also had to leave it aside for now. *So the only ones he might actively upgrade were [Demon''s Favor] and [Shooting Novice].* The former was easy to handle. As long as he secretly bought a few more packs of "Gotth" for the Black Goat without the Purification Bureau knowing, he''d manage; the latter required live ammunition shooting, so he needed to think of a way from the military department... hmm... wait, didn''t the Department of Police Affairs also have a shooting range? Recalling seeing officers equipped with firearms when he ate at the police department''s canteen, Leon had an idea about the Department of Police Affairs. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although the Purification Bureau was merely affiliated below the police department, it was nominally subordinate to it. To them, he could count as half one of their own, so borrowing their training facilities... shouldn''t be a problem, right? *Hmm... practicing shooting to earn badges, investigating the hydropower company and the Department of Road Administration, paying a visit to that middle-aged nurse named Hannah... even though he had only joined the job for two days, he already had so much to do...* Holding his head, which still felt slightly dizzy, Leon got up, his face pale, and rummaged through the old desk beside the bed. After a sound of clattering, he found a half-piece of carbon rod and some straw paper he had picked up, and carefully recorded one by one what he needed to do, then folded it meticulously and placed it in his pocket along with his wallet. "Brother! You''re awake!" Possibly hearing the sound of rummaging, a little boy with facial features about seventy percent similar to Leon, but looking slightly naive, peeked in from the crack of the door. Seeing Leon was already up, he ran in joyfully right away, clinging tightly to Leon''s leg, then, with slightly reddened eyes, said, "Sister coughed so loud the day before yesterday, her handkerchief was red with it, and she still hasn''t come back. After you came back, you couldn''t be woken up no matter what. I... I even thought..." "William! What are you doing!" It seemed like another little girl of about the same age heard the commotion over here. She ran over, her hair swaying a pale golden color, pulling at the little boy''s sleeve and huffing, Chapter 28 - 28: 0023 Badge Inventory (Two-in-One)_2 "Didn''t that sister with hair like a tomato say it, big brother''s just drunk! Drunk, do you understand? It''s just a little sickness like a cold, sleep it off and it''ll be fine, he won''t die! If you keep talking nonsense, I''ll hit you!" After scolding a little boy taller than herself, the little girl with hair the same color as Anna''s hesitated for a moment, then pounced forward and hugged Leon''s other leg, her head down and eyes red as she said, "Big brother, how is sister doing?" "Anna is fine, she''s all right now." Seeing the two children clinging to his thighs, Leon''s eyes betrayed a hint of guilt. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The night before last, Anna suddenly coughed up blood. He hurriedly entrusted these siblings to the neighbors, without even having time to explain, and rushed Anna to the hospital, which was a whole day''s ordeal. That night, he joined the Purification Bureau, encountered an abnormal event, and spent the entire night in turmoil. After resolving the Uncontrollable Afflicted, he, along with Senior Emma, revived the doctors and nurses, switched Anna to a new room with new potions, only to find it was already dawn. Exhausted, he couldn''t make it home, so he dozed off beside Anna''s hospital bed. When he woke up, he rushed back to the Purification Bureau to report the situation. After reporting, he specifically took a leave to check on Anna, intending to go home afterward. Instead, he overheard from a baby-faced employee at the gas company about intelligence on a suspected Anomalous Object, and had to rush back to the Purification Bureau temporarily once more. *Sigh... He hadn''t managed to sleep properly for two consecutive days, and was so busy he forgot to send anyone home to reassure them. Even after work, he was dragged into a drinking spree, then slept through an entire day. Truly... with both adults at home either sick or bedridden, and having been away for more than two days, those two must have been scared out of their wits. He really wasn''t a very competent big brother...* ... Gently stroking his siblings'' heads, Leon sat down with them at the bedside, leaning forward to softly reassure, "Don''t worry, I specifically asked the doctor yesterday. The doctor said Anna''s condition was very stable, and her illness is no longer a problem." "Really?" Upon hearing Leon''s words, the plainly na?ve William stayed buried in silence, while the much more lively little girl immediately lifted her head, her face full of joy, and asked, "So is what the sister with red hair said true? Sister Anna can come home soon?" "Yeah." Leon smiled and nodded, saying, "The doctor said she can come home after two more days of rest. As long as she takes her medicine on time afterward, she''ll be completely healed in up to three months, and won''t cough anymore in the future." Upon hearing this good news, the two little ones immediately brimmed with happiness, their faces beaming with unadulterated delight. When they were still too young to remember, the four siblings'' parents, both Mechanics, had sacrificed their lives in the national defense war a few years ago, leaving them with faint memories of their parents. It was almost entirely Anna who had brought them up. So, despite Anna being not quite sixteen herself, in the hearts of these two younger siblings, the saying "eldest sister as mother" wasn''t an exaggeration, but an accurate depiction. Hearing that Anna was fine made them probably happier than anyone else in the world. Having carefully examined his siblings'' appearance and complexion, confirming they hadn''t been starved or chilled over the past two days, Leon finally relaxed and stroked the little girl''s golden hair, smiling as he asked, "What about that big sister with red hair? Melanie, tell me, when did she leave, and what did she say to you?" "Ah... let me think..." Even though she was the youngest in the family, compared to her somewhat simple twin brother, Melanie was clearly much smarter. After tilting her head and thinking for a while, she earnestly recounted with her fingers, "The big sister with red hair brought you back on her shoulders, gave a Silver Wheel to the aunt taking care of us, and asked her to take good care of us until you woke up. Then she said she''s giving you another day off today, and the nurses and such could wait till tomorrow, um... also, she bought me and William some really sweet candy, and said she would get us new clothes..." "But we didn''t take them!" At that moment, the little boy who had been silently listening couldn''t help but interrupt, "Both brother and sister said that people who offer us candy or clothes are definitely bad people, child traffickers, and we should never go with them. So as soon as she said she''d buy us clothes, I glared at her real hard and shouted that someone was trying to kidnap kids, and scared her away!" "..." (¡Ñ_¡Ñ)? In Leon''s look of three parts speechless and seven parts bewildered, the na?ve little William jumped up, proudly beating his small chest, and said, "Brother! I scared away a bad person and protected Melanie! Wasn''t I great?" "Gosh! How can you even say that!" Before Leon could speak, the furious little girl with golden hair pounced forward in a flash, using her small hands to beat her twin brother''s head, shouting angrily as she did, "Idiot! Moron! Big dumb fool! Simpleton! Blockhead! Are you stupid? Couldn''t you use your brain? If she carried brother back, how could she be a bad person? You owe me new clothes! And if you were really afraid she''s a bad person, you shouldn''t have taken the candy either, so why did you fight me for it? I can''t stand you!" "I... didn''t you eat several pieces first?" The na?ve little boy, while raising his thin arms to cover his head, tried his best to fend off his sister''s blows while arguing righteously, "I thought, since you ate the candy and nothing happened, then the candy must be non-toxic, right? Why wouldn''t I eat candy that isn''t poisoned?" "..." *Oh my... the logic is pretty strong, but should this be considered stupidity or cleverness?* Watching the siblings chase each other around and make a mess of the room, Leon, who had just been drowning in guilt, immediately switched to the exasperated parent mode, holding his headache from a hangover and weakly waving his hand, "Stop messing around, sigh... you two are really... the family is about to be rich, as soon as my salary comes in, I''ll buy you both candy and new clothes!" After promising huge benefits worth two Copper Wheels, Leon finally managed to calm down the quarreling siblings. He looked at the dark sky outside and, struggling, prepared to get something to eat. "Must be starving, huh? Brother will go make you something to eat." "No need, we''ve eaten!" After giving her exceedingly dull twin brother a fierce glare, Melanie swung her light golden braids and cheerfully responded, "Though that red-haired sister was scared off by stupid William, she later came back quietly and left a lot of food inside our house, enough for the whole family for several days. We ate before we came to see you." "Yeah yeah!" Seemingly recalling the deliciousness, the na?ve William licked his lips, nodding enthusiastically, "Especially the fried fish and smoked sausage, they were really really tasty, we ate a lot!" "Hmph! Didn''t you say she was a bad person? Why did you eat her food then? Aren''t you afraid of being kidnapped?" "I''m not afraid, I waited for you to finish eating first and see that you''re okay, then I ate. Like the mashed potatoes you didn''t eat, I didn''t touch a bit, I''m smart!" "I... you drive me crazy!" "Okay, okay!" Seeing them starting to argue again and preparing to launch into a new round of battle, Leon quickly grabbed them both by their hands and, feeling a headache coming on, changed the subject, "So then? After eating so many good things from someone, did you both thank her properly?" "Of course!" Glaring at her silly twin brother, Melanie tossed her braids proudly and said, "Sister Anna said that though we''re poor, we''re not wild kids without parents, and must always be polite! So not only did I thank the big sister, I also made William say it by pushing his head down! But... um... the big sister didn''t seem too happy, and when I tried to hug her, she just ran off..." Saying this, as if recalling something she couldn''t understand, Melanie blinked her bright eyes and, puzzled, pinched her small skirt, "She said something like... she doesn''t like kids, because once kids get familiar, they tend to think of others as their mother, and then they just forget her... Bro, I didn''t really understand what the big sister meant, why would we forget her once we get used to her?" Chapter 29 - 29: 0024 Coffee and Dessert (2 in 1)_1 "Hiss... It''s getting a bit cold..." When dawn just began to break, the diligent worker Leon got up, yawning as he walked on his way to work. After being hit by a gust of the chilly autumn wind, his mind cleared a bit. Leon instinctively shrank his neck, wrapped Anna''s knitted scarf around once more, and involuntarily thought of last night''s events... Melanie had asked a question he ultimately didn''t answer directly, choosing instead to muddle through with something vague like, "You''ll understand when you''re older," just barely managing to get by. Even if he had explained it to Melanie, who was only a few years old, she might not have understood. However, the less ordinary people knew about the Purification Bureau and Anomalous Objects, those "otherworldly" matters, the less likely they were to encounter them. So, it was naturally best to keep it hidden. Though Melanie''s question ended there, it didn''t seem entirely meaningless. At least it answered a small question Leon had ¡ª what exactly had the director lost. ... According to the intelligence provided by the Materialist Soul, someone possessing the Anomalous Object known as Love Without Memory would inevitably lose one of "parental love, filial love, or spousal love." Now it seemed that she had lost the love from her children, yet from her behavior yesterday, she appeared to be very fond of kids. After all, his own place in Veteran Lane, though not a slum, wasn''t in a great location, either. Surrounding it were noisy, messy companies and a prison housing many felons. The population was already low, and children were even fewer, naturally resulting in no candy shops. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So the kind of milk candy, wrapped in colorful paper, that she bought for Melanie had to be purchased from a department store four or five streets away. If she was willing to walk that far to buy candy for two kids she''d just met, she naturally wouldn''t be someone who disliked children. *Hmm... For someone who especially loved kids,* it was one thing to not have her own; if she did have a child and that child constantly forgot her, *that might truly be rather cruel.* After shaking his head somewhat sympathetically, Leon was just about to quicken his pace toward the Purification Bureau, then take the Black Goat to visit the nurse suspected of having "anomalous" powers, but he was stopped in his tracks by a sweet, syrupy aroma. A pushcart loaded with stools and a table, a massive tin hot-water boiler with a copper faucet, a charcoal stove red with firelight, a few sets of sawn-wood tables and stools... Amidst the coffee aroma filling his nostrils appeared a small space warmly cocooned by old canvas, free from the autumn wind''s intrusions, radiating a cozy warmth that caught his eye. Coffee stall, huh... Looking at the warm little stall appearing particularly alluring on this gray, cold morning, Leon couldn''t help but pause in his tracks. After hesitating repeatedly, he finally succumbed to that tempting sweetness, hunched down, walked into the tented area, and picked a table towards the back to sit down. "Boss, a cup of coffee, two slices of thin bread." "Got it!" The owner took out a handleless cup, deftly shook in some coffee powder, wrapped his hand in a cloth, turned on the steaming copper faucet to pour hot water, and with three fingers, gave the stir stick a few swirls. A steaming black liquid was quickly placed in front of Leon. "Sir, would you like butter with your ''two thin slices''? I also have ham slices if you''re interested; just fried them before setting up the stall this morning, still hot." "Uh... How much extra for the ham slices? Is it expensive?" "Not expensive, not expensive, very affordable!" After wiping his hands on a dark apron, the boss, who looked to be in his fifties, gave a hearty smile and held up a single dark finger. "Without ham, it''s one Copper Wheel, with it altogether two Copper Wheels!" Two Copper Wheels... Charging an extra Copper Wheel for just one slice of ham? Why not rob instead? At the department store, a whole one isn''t even up to a Silver Wheel! Rolling his eyes at the seemingly honest, yet actually shrewd coffee stall owner, Leon couldn''t help but mutter, "Forget the ham, just butter the bread... remember to spread it thickly!" "Got it!" Despite failing to upsell, the owner didn''t show any disappointment. Instead, he kindly took out a loaf of long bread, sliced off two paper-thin pieces, and dabbed a brush smaller than one used for polishing shoes to slather some butter before tossing them onto the stone slab above the charcoal stove to toast. *This business you''re running is just too damn stingy.* Looking at the bread slices, thinner than those tossed into LAN X''s beef noodle soup, Leon felt utterly duped, realizing he must have encountered a master at price-gouging. But since he was already there, and unwilling to part with the stall''s robust warmth, he ultimately voiced no objections, instead cradling the steaming coffee before gingerly sipping a small taste. *Mmm... This is great... Felt like I came back to life...* As his hands warmed up from the cup and his empty stomach was heated by the coffee, Leon couldn''t help but squint his eyes in contentment, while the sly businessman presented the "LAN X bread slices" just in time. "Sir, your meal is served, one Copper Wheel please." Looking at the nearly "transparent" bread slices on the small plate, Leon, although obediently paid up in the end, couldn''t help but feel somewhat unsatisfied and sarcastically quipped: Chapter 30 - 30: 0024 Coffee and Dessert (2 in 1)_2 "Boss, with your skill in slicing bread so deftly, you must be making quite a bit, right?" "Hehe, it''s alright, just barely enough to get by." There were probably quite a few customers like Leon who made sarcastic remarks. The boss wasn''t offended by the mockery; instead, he chuckled and pointed to the stove behind him, laughing as he said, "You see, my stove here burns only the best charcoal and is constantly being fueled to ensure that no matter when customers come, the coffee is always piping hot. The cost of charcoal is also quite an expense!" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That was true... But given how you sell a slice of ham for a Copper Wheel and the fact that your bread-cutting skills rival those of Chef Lan X, you probably make back the extra cost spent on the charcoal many times over. There''s no way you''re not profiting. "To be honest with you, early risers heading to work in the Municipal area like yourself really don''t care much about the little savings but the genuine warmth." The boss seemed to want to develop Leon into a regular customer. Seeing Leon didn''t seem to care much for his words, the boss then reached out and pointed across the street, patiently explaining, "My coffee may not be sweet enough or strong enough, but the temperature is absolutely the best, and the flames are burning the hottest, keeping the warmth even outside the tent. Even to ensure you don''t burn your hands while warming them, I use thick ceramic cups instead of thin iron cups that you''d have to put down immediately because of the heat. No matter how you come, you will leave warmed inside and out. Otherwise, look over there, with so many stalls around, why do you think mine is the busiest? It''s because what I''m selling is not just a cup of coffee, but a piece of warmth on the cold morning. Wouldn''t you agree this is the reason?" "Oh, by the way, please don''t spread what I''ve told you around!" The boss, wearing a simple smile, suddenly realized he might have divulged too many "trade secrets." He quickly waved his hands, his expression bashful, and said, "This little coffee stall, I plan to pass it on to my daughter in the Future. No matter how she''s doing outside, she''ll have a livelihood when she comes home. If others learn all these little tricks, she might be in trouble!" "..." I don''t believe you at all! Someone as shrewd as you wouldn''t just spill everything to someone like that? Leaving everything else aside, your coffee isn''t sweet at all, but I came here following the sweet aroma, so there must be something special brewing in that pot of yours. If I really followed your method, I''d lose money until I was naked! Tsk... But speaking of which, although you skimp on prices like crazy, you''ve put so much thought into it, so you do deserve the money you make! Feeling impressed by the coffee stall boss''s business acumen that emphasized added value, Leon couldn''t help but sincerely give him a thumbs up. He quickly finished his bread, polished off his coffee, and then got up, hurrying off toward the direction of the Purification Bureau. Not long after he left, a baby-faced girl in a business suit followed the sweet aroma down the street and found her way there. When she saw the honest-looking coffee stall boss, her big, bright eyes lit up, and she quickly pattered over, grabbing the boss''s arm and complaining, "Dad! You just got better, why are you sneaking out to sell again? Mom got really mad when she found out!" "Hmph! What''s to get mad about with me selling from a stall?" Hearing the baby-faced girl''s words, the previously kind and simple boss turned into a stubborn old man, his nose wrinkled in defiance as he retorted, "What? You don''t like my little stall either? Let me tell you, if we hadn''t relied on this little coffee stall back then, our family of three would have starved to death, and we wouldn''t have what we have today!" "Oh my! No one is looking down on your little stall! But do you have to sell today?" Looking helplessly at her dad, who suddenly started acting petty, the baby-faced girl said, "Our family''s gas company has a pipeline leak and just paid out a big settlement. Now the water company is having issues too, and it''s all trouble. Mom''s mad because you''re still running around at this time instead of dealing with the company''s issues, and you even went out to sell in the early morning..." "What''s there to deal with? Earn what you should, lose what you should! Why overthink it? And why should you control me coming out to sell for just two hours a day? Can''t the company run without me being there?" Upon hearing this, the coffee stall boss got even more irritated, his eyebrows furrowing as he replied, "Besides, I always said these municipal projects were something we shouldn''t get involved in! Although it''s quick and steady money, bringing in a big chunk every year, the problem is that the decision-making power isn''t in our hands. In the end, we can suggest but not decide. Is that feasible? I''ve known from the start that with the way that bunch does things, it was bound to go wrong someday! We''d be better off sticking to our own department store business. Sure, the risks are higher and the profits thinner, but at least we can oversee it ourselves, and it''s easier to resolve issues when they arise. But your mom was stubborn! She insists that with our family''s reputation, people would hold back a bit, but she''s hell-bent on delving deeper, and I couldn''t pull her back! And what happened? That bunch of bastards, to save some filtration cost, poured sewage from the damn sewage river directly into the public water pipes, causing diarrhea medicine to sell out across the Capital City! As if they have any shame at all!" After grumbling a bit, seeing the sun rise and the temperature go up, making customers rare, the boss clapped the stove, snuffed out the charcoal, packed up the tent, and pushed the cart while leading his daughter away, still puffing with anger and muttering as they continued down the street. Chapter 31 - 31: 0024 Coffee and Dessert (2 in 1)_3 "The gas pipeline incident, how did that go? Did you apologize properly and give compensation?" "Yeah, yeah. There was one family that didn''t seem too interested, said they weren''t seriously injured, just wanted us to cover their bandaging costs." "It''s their choice if they don''t want it, but since our company caused the issue, we should definitely compensate properly... By the way, what was that family''s name?" "Their last name is a bit hard to remember... Ah! Ryan! Yes! Leon Laine! He''s a good guy, not wealthy, but always smiling warmly and especially gentle with his sister!" ... "You asked about the newbie in our bureau? His name is Leon, Leon Laine." Besides the father and daughter at the coffee stand, there were two other people discussing Leon''s situation. "Ryan?" Hearing this somewhat familiar surname, the short woman in the golden mirror blinked, took a fierce bite of the sponge cake in her hand, and asked curiously: "Someone from the Duke of Lionheart family? Didn''t you hate aristocrats? Why did you take him into your Virgo Bureau?" "It''s just the same last name, but they''re actually two different words." After briefly explaining Leon''s surname, and watching the woman in the golden mirror put down the cake and start munching on the puff pastry, Red-haired Director frowned and asked: "Why are you asking about him? Planning to poach?" "I kind of have that idea." Openly admitting her intention, the short woman in a black and white lolita dress picked up a nut cake ring, licked the sweet almond powder on it, and then grinned: "I read the file you submitted. This is an ability of [Compulsory Intelligence Acquisition] with a hierarchy higher than the Great Demon. If used well, it''s quite impressive, which director wouldn''t want it?" "¡­" Seeing her friend''s eyes narrowing suddenly in the mirror, the short woman gulped down the cake ring, then picked up a small piece of oil tea pancake, spread strawberry jam on it, and explained: "But don''t worry, this time I''m not trying to poach him, I just want to make a small deal with him... Have you extracted the anomalous object from the hospital director?" So that''s it... You have your eyes on the anomalous object that absorbs patients? After a glance at the lion engraving pawing a dung ball on the golden mirror, the Red-haired Director pondered briefly, and a glint of understanding flashed in her eyes. In the jurisdiction of the Lion Bureau where Beverly was located, there was a port occupied by an Uncontrollable Afflicted, and nearly ten thousand residents in over ten towns nearby were forcibly given an incurable disease. If that Uncontrollable Afflicted died, everyone would die together. Even though the Lion Bureau reacted quickly enough, blocking the port in time to avoid a bigger mess, they were helpless against the Uncontrollable Afflicted holding nearly ten thousand people hostage, and it wasn''t appropriate to use trump cards for such a medium-scale event, so they were left to manage as best as they could for the time being. But now it was different. The hospital director''s ability who was taken down by Leon was to absorb patients, which happened to be the nemesis of that Uncontrollable Afflicted. According to the Purification Bureau''s rules, the person who completes the purification task has the priority to claim the extracted anomalous object. So she suddenly contacted her today through the [Celestial Globe Mirror], not to catch up with an old friend, but to give her a heads-up and let Leon not compete with her for this anomalous object... Staring at her best friend, who had started eating cheese pudding again in the golden mirror, the Red-haired Director blinked her charming fox eyes, looking a bit troubled and said: "This... I understand this thing is important to you, but Leon, when conducting the purification, witnessed the Uncontrollable Afflicted''s power firsthand and is very interested in this anomalous object, so..." "Tch! Cut the crap!" Knowing her best friend''s personality all too well, Beverly, on the other side of the golden mirror, rolled her eyes, munching on a coconut bun and grumbled: "Just say it, how much are you planning to borrow from me this time?" "Oh, money''s not the issue here." The Red-haired Director waved her hand, smiling: "Leon, being a little newbie who just joined, went through great lengths to complete his first task and finally got his first anomalous object. Such a commemorative item, just to have you take it with a word, without compensating him with something nice, don''t you feel a little bad?" "..." Hearing this, and seeing her friend''s mischievous fox eyes, Beverly''s body on the other end of the golden mirror stiffened slightly, and the orange cream pie in her mouth didn''t taste so good anymore. After wolfing down the snack in her hand, Beverly showed the demeanor of the Director of the Lion Purification Bureau she ought to have, slammed the table with her hand, and stared with lion-like round eyes, shouting angrily: Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hurry up and say it! What exactly do you want?" "I want you to trade the Witch''s Broom with him." "Spare me! In your dreams!" Chapter 32 - 32: 0025 Investigation Task (Part 1)_1 Leon did not know that the Director was shamelessly obtaining benefits for him. At this moment, he was standing one kilometer away from the middle-aged nurse''s house, using Sheephead''s soul vision, warily "scanning" the souls of everyone in the vicinity repeatedly. Though his first task after joining the Bureau had been completed without any significant danger¡ªwith the exception of a bruise on his shoulder from the recoil of a sniper¡ªLeon always remembered the conversation he had with the Red-haired Director before joining, and that astonishing statistic. The Purification Bureau''s overall mortality rate was eight in a thousand, every month. Both Senior Emma and the Red-haired Director had stressed to him more than once that no matter the situation, he must be cautious, cautious, and again, cautious, because the targets the Purification Bureau faced had so many "tricks" up their sleeves that you never knew when you''d meet one that just happened to "counter" your ability. Even in the hospital, despite Senior Emma''s Undying Body, she had almost failed, with most of her body swallowed into the hospital''s slab. Had it not been for the prior arrangement with Sheephead as a sniper, she would have had to wait for the Director to save her. What was even more terrifying was that this incident occurred just three streets away from the Purification Bureau. If Senior Emma had a mishap, the Director could still come to her rescue. But what if it happened in a remote, deserted forest? Or if the Red Brick Road Hospital could move and its position was difficult to determine? Even with the Undying Body, she might not die, but she could still be trapped for months, years, or even in a constant state of absorption, awake but unable to move, confined within a concrete slab¡ª*a fate far more painful than death*... He took a deep breath and warned himself once again to be cautious, cautious, and more cautious! After recalling the previous mission, Leon couldn''t help but take two deep breaths, repeatedly cautioning himself that even if a situation seemed to have no danger, as long as it might involve any "abnormal" matters, he must remain vigilant. *Though he had a unique badge add-on and was destined to keep growing in the future, if it came to survival capabilities alone, he wasn''t even worthy to carry Senior Emma''s shoes. But if she, with her Undying Body, could fail, why shouldn''t he be doubly cautious?* ... After repeatedly confirming the soul states of everyone nearby, especially the family of the middle-aged nurse, and confirming that their emotions were relatively stable and showed no signs of abnormalities, Leon stuffed the grumbling Sheephead into a shopping bag and quickly walked toward the street where the middle-aged nurse''s family lived. Showing the Purification Bureau''s credentials to the apartment manager, indicating that he was a public official investigating the hospital director''s corruption case, Leon, thanks to the credentials identical in format to the Police Department''s, easily gained the manager''s trust. The old lady manager even put down the unfinished knitting she was working on to personally lead him upstairs. "Officer, the whole Hanna family are good people. Although she works at Red Brick Road Hospital, she is nothing like that money-grabbing director. Please, don''t wrongly accuse the good people." The apartment manager, who was probably in her sixties, with a head full of dense white curly hair, talked continuously while slowly leading Leon up the stairs: "Twenty years ago, she was a little girl and already working at that hospital as a nurse. She has always been diligent and never made mistakes. When my husband broke his leg and was in the hospital for half a month, she took such good care of him, better than our own daughter. The only problem she has is that she''s too straightforward. By her seniority, she could have become the head nurse ten years ago, but the head nurse has to manage the drug records. Because she didn''t want to collude with those people to falsify them, every time there was a promotion, it wasn''t her turn..." After talking endlessly about all sorts of things, the manager quietly passed by the sixth floor where the middle-aged nurse''s house was, leading Leon to another empty unit on the sixth floor. Eyeing his expression, she cautiously asked: "By the way, Officer, are you here to find Hanna to testify against those people conning patients like us? Or are you taking her for questioning?" "..." *It looks like if I said I was here to arrest her, you would have casually found an empty unit on the sixth floor, banged on the door for a while, and then told me she wasn''t home, right?* With a speechless expression, Leon stood on the fifth floor and couldn''t help but remind her, "Ma''am... her house should be on the fifth floor, right? Did you go up one more floor than needed?" "Ah? Oh, oh! I''m getting old, my memory''s not too good, ha ha." The manager''s mental fortitude was pretty good. Even when exposed, she didn''t panic but slowly moved back down the stairs. However, she still didn''t lead Leon to the middle-aged nurse''s house but rather toward another empty unit to the left of the stairs. "..." *No, I already know her house is on the fifth floor, and you''re still trying to lead me somewhere else? That''s a bit too much, isn''t it?* "Tch..." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *This persistent guy probably investigated everything before he came!* Seeing that Leon wasn''t falling for it, merely standing at Hanna''s door waiting for her, the manager let out a frustrated sigh and returned, sulking. She knocked on the middle-aged nurse''s door and with a dark expression threatened: "Let me tell you, if you''re here to investigate, do it properly and don''t try to mud-sling Hanna. The dirty business at the hospital has nothing to do with her! And if that kid Hanna comes back with even a scratch or something is wrong with her state, I''ll definitely testify against you all for illegal interrogation!" "..." Under the manager''s watchful eyes, the door to the middle-aged nurse''s house creaked open, revealing a weary-looking middle-aged man. Seeing the unfamiliar face of Leon, the bookish middle-aged man adjusted the glasses on his nose and said, somewhat surprised, "Excuse me, who are you looking for?" "He is¡ª" "I''m looking for your wife, Mrs. Hanna." Raising his voice suddenly to drown out the manager, Leon took the initiative to explain, "My name is Leon. Your wife was the nurse in the room where my sister was, I''m not sure if she mentioned me to you?" "Oh, oh! She did! She did!" Upon hearing Leon''s words, the weary man''s expression lit up, and he quickly opened the door, coming over to enthusiastically grasp Leon''s right hand, shaking it fervently. "Thanks to you and your colleagues for arriving just in time yesterday to turn off the hospital''s gas valve! Oh, and if it hadn''t been for your sister noticing something off and asking Hanna to climb down with the bedsheets, she might have... Oh my! Really! I really don''t know how to thank your family. We should have been the ones visiting you instead, but you came first!" "You''re too kind. My sister received a lot of your wife''s care, and all she did was suggest tying the curtains. It''s thanks to your wife they were unscathed in the end." "No, no, no, it was your sister..." ??? Watching the two men at the door shaking hands vigorously, repeatedly thanking each other''s family, the atmosphere notably harmonious, the manager, who had been closely observing, became utterly flabbergasted. Wait... wait a minute... let me sort this out... Chapter 33 - 33: 0026 Investigation Task (Part 2)_1 "Oh, my goodness... So you''re Hannah''s savior''s brother! I misunderstood you!" Upon understanding the situation, the administrator lady, who had just been giving Leon a menacing look, immediately returned to her kindly demeanor, even tugging on Leon''s arm and complaining, "Look at the fuss this has caused... You should''ve just said you came to visit Hannah because you heard she was sick. Why even bother showing the ID to me? I always see Hannah as a daughter. If I had known this connection, how could I not have let you upstairs?" "..." *Oh, give me a break... Had you not stopped me earlier, interrogating me like I was a thief, I would have gone upstairs already, okay? No need to flash my ID to prove my identity.* Feeling somewhat embarrassed under Leon''s speechless gaze, the administrator lady blushed and mumbled, "I stopped you earlier because you looked unfamiliar. I know everyone in this apartment, and I hadn''t seen you before, and also the way you were dressed... ahem... plus, you were carrying a large bag, and I thought I should ask more..." *It wasn''t the bag; it was my shabby clothes that made you think I was a thief, right?* Glancing at his severely worn-out old coat, which was probably almost twenty years old by now, Leon smiled wryly. This coat was left by "his" father, making it several years older than he was. Its appearance was honestly pitiful, but given his family''s previous reliance on pension checks, they were already fortunate enough to have warm clothes without the luxury to be picky. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even though he now had a high-paying job, he hadn''t received his first week''s salary yet, meaning he also couldn''t afford a new coat. The cold wind made him huddle, so it wasn''t surprising he appeared suspicious... "Cough... I''m sorry, young man. It was my mistake." Noticing Leon''s expression, realizing he had understood the "underlying meaning" in her words, the administrator lady quickly apologized. Then, with the husband of the middle-aged nurse, she led Leon into the house, reaching out to take the shopping bag from his hand. "Oh my, your sister is Hannah''s savior, yet you brought so many things. Your hands are all red; put them down and take a rest... uh..." Although Leon moved quickly to dodge the administrator lady''s hand, the horns of the Black Goat were simply too sharp, causing the bag to split open with a thud, it fell out. "..." "..." "Um... sorry about that. This was something our director asked me to buy for soup." Leon quickly bent down, stuffed the goat head back into the bag, and tied a knot at the tear. He explained with some embarrassment to the stunned duo in front of him, "Our director loves goat head soup but sleeps late and can''t get up in the morning, so she asked me to run an errand for her to the morning market. After buying the goat head, I came here. Uh... and since I''ve just joined a few days ago, I don''t have much money, so I didn''t bring anything special this time. Sorry about that." "Ah, I''m sorry, young man. It was my quick hands, hehe..." After making several mistakes, creating a very awkward atmosphere, the administrator lady felt too ashamed to stay any longer. After saying a few irrelevant words to keep up appearances, she excused herself, saying she had to watch the door, and quickly left the middle-aged nurse''s home. After she left, the middle-aged man apologized again, feeling awkward, "Aunt Mary... she was just overly worried about Hannah today, so she acted a bit recklessly, but it wasn''t on purpose. She''s a very warm and considerate person. Whenever someone in the apartment has something important going on and needs help, sometimes she lends a hand without even being asked. If she offended you, I apologize on her behalf." "No, no." Recalling what he had seen in the soul vision before entering the apartment, Leon smiled and waved his hand, "I can tell she''s a very, very kind person, and not just her; in fact, everyone in the entire building seems to be good people... Uh... May I make a presumptuous request?" Glancing at the tightly closed door, Leon tentatively asked, "I heard from the gas company''s insurer that your wife seemed to have... different thoughts about what happened yesterday? Please don''t rush. I think I''ve guessed some reasons about your wife''s situation, which might help in resolving her issue. Can I have a private chat with her?" "Well..." Hearing Leon''s request, the scholarly middle-aged man hesitated, seeming a bit inclined to refuse. However, remembering that the man''s sister was his wife''s savior and had no reason to harm his wife, he reluctantly agreed and led Leon into the bedroom. "Hannah?" Gently calling his wife''s name and tenderly waking the middle-aged nurse who was still sleeping soundly wrapped in a blanket, even before the middle-aged man could explain Leon''s purpose, the disheveled, bloodshot-eyed nurse abruptly sat up, anxiously looking at Leon and loudly said, "I''ve seen you before! You''re Anna''s brother! You were there the day before yesterday, weren''t you! Quick! Tell me! Did you see the hospital eating people? Did you see that incredibly strong bandaged woman?" "Yes, I saw it, and I came here today because of that." Winking at the middle-aged man, signaling him not to worry and that he would handle everything, Leon spoke gently, "Rest assured, you''re not crazy. Everything you saw is real." "See! See! He saw it too!" Hearing Leon''s words, the middle-aged nurse was overjoyed and quickly grabbed her husband''s arm, shouting, "I told you I wasn''t crazy! There really was a problem at the hospital! A woman wrapped in bandages really exists!" "..." Watching his wife suddenly become exhilarated, the middle-aged man looked at Leon, who had given a definitive answer, his lips moving slightly, face full of hesitations. After taking some calming potion, barely awake for the past two days, his wife still claimed she saw the bandaged woman, but amid the insistence of others, she seemed to slightly doubt her own perception, appearing to improve. But now, this unexpected savior affirmed her imagination so firmly, wouldn''t this worsen her condition? "Never mind, please feel free to stay and listen." Seeing the middle-aged man''s expression, Leon realized he likely wouldn''t feel comfortable leaving them. So, Leon shook his head, giving up on asking him to leave, and instead turned to grab the doorknob, closing the bedroom door. "What your wife saw is actually..." "Zzz..." [Encountered an incomprehensible special existence, the heterochromatic badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)" activated. Your cognitive boundaries have expanded, obtaining partial information about this existence.] [Name: Spirit Lodge (Miracle, Guardian)] [Appearance: An ordinary old apartment building, with an elderly woman with white curly hair, slightly hunched back, and bow legs, sitting in the hall''s duty room year-round] [...] Chapter 34 - 34: 0027 Investigation Task (Part 2)_1 [Name: Spirit Lodge (Miracle, Guardian)] [Appearance: An old, ordinary apartment building, with an elderly woman with white curly hair, a slightly hunched back, and bowlegs sitting in the lobby duty room all year round] [Ability: Malice Vanquisher, Accident Avoidance] [Cost: When leaving in the morning, please greet the administrator with a smile, chat with her if you have time, and if possible, take good care of her unwell husband] [File: The predecessor of this apartment was the Charitable Asylum at 35 Bridge Street in the Old Town of the Capital City. It was donated and built by an elderly couple who lost their daughter in their later years, providing free shelter and basic living benefits to war orphans and disabled persons for years. About ninety-five years ago, the elderly couple who donated the Charitable Asylum passed away. Since the Department of Road Administration did not register it as a legal welfare facility, and no one continued to pay the property tax, the asylum was confiscated and all residents were forcibly evicted. After renovation, it was renamed Happy Lodge and opened for rent. However, strangely enough, despite its location in the sub-center of the Old Town near numerous enterprises and institutions, its livability, convenient transportation, and low rent, the occupancy rate of Happy Lodge was extremely poor, less than thirty percent compared to similar apartments. Most tenants moved out within a month of moving in, with only a few being able to rent long term here] [Evaluation: This is a good apartment suitable for ordinary people to live in for a lifetime, providing protection for home safety, smooth affairs, and freedom from disasters. It''s just a pity that your affinity with this apartment is really poor.] [Corruption Value: 0.1] "..." So... this time the entire building was an Anomalous Object? Even the administrator lady who insisted on taking me upstairs was part of the anomaly? After reading the intelligence that appeared before him, Leon shivered hard, then suddenly changed the topic and immediately asked the middle-aged nurse couple in front of him, "How long have you lived here? Do you know how old that lady is?" "Ah?" Caught off guard by Leon''s sudden question, the middle-aged nurse couple exchanged a glance, and the scholarly man hesitated, "How long¡­ I moved here when I first started teaching at Bridge Public School and then met Hannah, who also rented here¡­ I guess it''s been about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years? As for Aunt Mary, she already had white hair when I moved in. She must be ninety years old now, but she''s well-maintained and looks quite young because she has nothing to worry about." "..." Ninety years old¡­ A ninety-year-old can climb stairs faster than me? And when she grabbed the shopping bag earlier, her hands and feet were so agile that I almost couldn''t dodge. How does that even resemble a person in their nineties? *Hmm¡­ wait a minute! Although the intelligence provided by the Materialist Soul didn''t say it outright, the implied meaning, combined with the name Spirit Lodge¡­* Could she and her sick husband be the couple that donated to the Charitable Asylum and passed away ninety years ago? But¡­ this is my first time meeting her; why does she seem so guarded against me? With this question in mind, Leon''s brain quickly started to turn, and when he saw the "poor affinity" evaluation, he suddenly realized something. With a sense of foreboding, Leon raised his hand to open the panel, found the Badge of the Demon Follower he got from the Black Goat, and directly looked at the hidden traits at the bottom. [Hidden Traits (No need to wear): Your soul is tainted with a trace of demon aura, making it easier to attract the attention of certain evil existences] "..." Got it¡­ Whether it was being constantly questioned upon entering, the administrator lady''s adamant refusal to lead him over, or why she suddenly grabbed the shopping bag, all these issues have been resolved. For this apartment with Malice Vanquisher ability, my soul tainted with demon aura marks me as precisely the "malicious guest," and the Black Goat, born from a Great Demon, is a complete "malice"! "Knock! Knock knock!" Just as Leon finally understood and began to comprehend everything, a heavy, powerful knock sounded outside the room. When the middle-aged man opened the door, a burly old man with a cigar was standing there. Nodding slightly at the surprised middle-aged man, even in late autumn, the old man, wearing only a small vest with muscles bulging like explosions, snuffed out the cigar in his mouth with two fingers and rasped, "Mary said there was a stranger, so I came over to check." After explaining his purpose, the muscular old man with a large basket on his back twisted his neck, as thick as Leon''s thigh. His face, full of burn marks and scars, had two deep-set, greenish-brown eyes staring menacingly at Leon. "..." Who the hell says he''s unwell? Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Intimidated by the brawny old man''s stare, Leon couldn''t help but think, with the man standing six feet three inches tall and possessing biceps bigger than my head, he''d probably only need a fruit knife to hunt a grizzly bear in the deep mountains, right? "This is Uncle John, Aunt Mary''s husband." Seeing Leon getting tense, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but smile and explained, "Don''t worry, Uncle John looking at you like that doesn''t mean he has an opinion about you. He was a marine when he was younger, his face was burnt by muzzle flash while fighting pirates, which left some injuries, so the muscles on his face are a little stiff and can''t show much expression. Usually, he''s responsible for cleaning the apartment, removing weeds, fixing water and gas pipes, and he''s meticulous and doesn''t charge. In summer, he even likes to catch butterflies for the kids in the building, so don''t be fooled by how fierce Uncle John looks; he''s actually a kind person." *He''s¡­ kind? Why don''t I feel that way?* Looking at the intimidating old man staring at him, Leon''s throat bobbed up and down as he swallowed subconsciously, and the middle finger of his right hand holding the shopping bag quietly reached out to tap the Black Goat''s horn. Fierce! Flames! Blazing! High! Seeing in the soul vision the dark red "flames" almost filling the entire hallway and the intense killing intent within them colder than arctic ice, Leon felt a chill on his back, quietly stepped back two steps, and stood obediently behind the middle-aged couple. *Kind, my ass!* If you both weren''t here, he''d probably lean back toward the basket behind him in the next second, pull out a pair of gardening shears over a meter long, and rush over to snip¡­ turning me from Leon into "Le - on!" Chapter 35 - 35: 0028 Investigation Task (Part 3)_1 "Uncle John, this is Leon, the brother of the girl who saved Hannah''s life." Noticing the stout old man''s odd demeanor, as if harboring an inexplicable hostility towards Leon, the cultured middle-aged man promptly explained, "Do you know about the pipeline explosion at the hospital the day before yesterday? It was him who risked closing the valve, saving hundreds of lives!" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh!" Hearing about Leon''s heroic act, the stout old man''s stiff, emotionless face finally revealed something that could be called emotion. He slightly twisted the corners of his muscle-torqued mouth, revealing a smile that was more menacing than kind. Then he suddenly leaned forward, reaching out with a speed too fast for the naked eye, lightly pressing the jaws of the middle-aged nurse couple. Caught off guard by the sudden attack from a familiar face, the couple didn''t even utter a groan before rolling their eyes and fainting on the spot. Before the stout old man could knock the couple unconscious, Leon had already reached out both hands, bracing against their backs and pushing their unconscious bodies towards him, then turned around without hesitation and ran, dashing into the inner room where the middle-aged nurse slept. "Tsk..." Seeing Leon''s actions, the stout old man, who was about to pull out his giant scissors, couldn''t help but click his tongue in displeasure. He then caught the couple one in each hand before they hit the ground, gently laying them on the carpet. After handling the unconscious couple, the cigar at the corner of the stout old man''s mouth self-ignited without wind. He reached behind him and retrieved a pair of terrifyingly large gardening scissors, dragging them while walking limply towards the inner room with a deadpan face. ... *It''s really... so hard to find an "innately kind" anomalous object, only to end up being hunted by it because my soul is tainted with demon aura. Am I just unlucky or what?* Hearing the spine-chilling scrape of the metal scissors against the floor, Leon, who had run into the inner room, darkened his expression, no longer caring whether he would damage the middle-aged nurse''s home, and kicked the security latch on the window with full force! "Squeak!" With the piercing creak of metal deforming, Leon forcefully removed the security latch, opened the window, and was about to flip out, eager to distance himself from the stout old man who clearly seemed combat-capable. However, at that moment, his head spun slightly, and he heard the leisurely warning from the Black Goat by his ear. ''Kid! I''d advise you not to jump!'' Leon was momentarily taken aback by the words. Why not jump? That stout old man with the scissors was about to enter; if he didn''t hurry and jump out the window, should he stay and have some PK battle in the capital with him? Even if the leg is crippled, that build... Wait a minute! In a flash of thought, Leon quickly reached into the shopping bag, rubbed the goat head, and was shocked to discover that somehow, the stout old man''s soul, oozing with murderous intent, had already slipped through the floor like a fish and was slowly moving directly below him. If he climbed out the window and descended using the security grille bit by bit, he might get caught directly between the second and third floors by the scissor-wielding man! *Cunning! This old man is too cunning!* Suppressing the urge to curse out loud, Leon hurriedly returned to the inner room, stepping over the unconscious middle-aged nurse couple and stormed out the door. Not sparing a thought for injuring his knee, he descended five or six steps in a single leap, making it half a flight in two strides, racing downstairs with the fastest speed of his life like a madman! It seemed the stout old man''s soul, visible in the soul vision, paused slightly upon noticing that Leon hadn''t jumped out the window and then started languidly heading toward the stairway. ''Hurry up, or he''ll catch up~'' Hearing the Black Goat''s gleeful warning, Leon''s heart tightened, realizing his speed wasn''t fast enough. He gritted his teeth and attempted to grab onto the stair handrails at the turns to execute quicker pivots between flights. However, though the apartment was well-built, it had been some years. Occasionally, the wooden handrails would have splinters sticking out, instantly slicing into Leon''s hands, leaving them blood-soaked all over. Furthermore, maintaining bodily control while racing downstairs at such high speed was difficult. If he released just a tad late, his arm would be harshly yanked by his body weight, resulting in varying degrees of strain injuries. Nonetheless, all these pains were drowned out by the clicking sounds of the opening and closing giant scissors. Fueled by surging adrenaline, Leon darted through the stairwell as though flying. In a matter of breaths, he managed to outdistance the relentless stout old man, racing from the fifth floor to the ground floor. Damn... finally escaped! Seeing the wide-open door five steps ahead, with the bright sunlight outside, Leon, his heart pounding with fear, staggered out. But just then, his foot caught on something, and he completely lost his balance, uncontrollably pitching forward! Is this... a ball of yarn? The yarn the caretaker lady uses for knitting? Upon identifying the object tangled around his foot, Leon was momentarily startled and was about to untangle it when he heard the Black Goat''s sigh in his head. ''Farewell, kid; I''ll miss you.'' ?!!! *What the hell are you talking about?!!* Realizing something was wrong, Leon jerked his head up, and his heart nearly leapt out of his throat! At the very moment he tripped over the yarn, the stout old man, who had lagged far behind, seemed to sense the stilling prey on the spider web, charging along the embedded wall yarn, brandishing the giant scissors all along! *Damn!* Seeing those enormously open, terribly gleaming scissors, Leon, having just dodged death, instinctively lifted the shopping bag containing the goat head to block! "BANG!!!" Resounding like a cleaver chopping granite, Leon felt his arms go weak, and, like a bull hitting him head-on, sent him tumbling backward, rolling head over heels through the Happiness Apartment entrance. ''AAAAAHHHH!!!!'' ''My horn! It''s chipped!!!'' ''I''m gonna k*ll you! You b*st*rd! You *ssho*e!'' ''How dare you use me as a shield! Kid! This isn''t over! *!'' *Finally out... asking a few questions almost cost me my life. The Purification Bureau''s work truly is inhumane...* Amid the Black Goat''s beeping word-filled cursing, Leon, aching all over, lifted his head with effort, peering into Happiness Apartment. Seeing the stout old man standing at the entrance, scissors in hand but not pursuing, Leon finally relaxed. He then raised his bloody right hand, flipping the bird at the cantankerous old fool before collapsing onto the street, panting heavily in the harsh sunlight. *What a lousy Happiness Apartment! Feels like a haunted house! I''m never coming back!* ... [After an ordeal of life-and-death caliber escape and pursuit, you have successfully activated the Black Iron Level Badge "Rookie Parkour Practitioner."] [Rookie Parkour Practitioner: A novice parkour enthusiast who has mastered a few basic parkour techniques through self-study and physical training.] [Wear effect: Though your skills remain rather clumsy, you indeed have acquired some acceleration techniques, granting you a slight speed boost during rapid movements in complex urban terrains.] [Advancement Route: Upon completing 100 complex terrain movements and 100 fifty-meter sprint trainings, this badge will automatically advance to the bronze badge "Proficient Runner," current progress 0/100, 0/100.] [Hidden Trait (no need to wear): Having gone through a harrowing real-world chase, you have learned how to better protect yourself during high-speed movement. The probability of injury during such movements will decrease by 10%, and if you unfortunately do get hurt, injury severity will lessen by 20%.] [Through self-study and reflection, you''ve gained low-level complex terrain rapid movement capability. The heterochromatic badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)" is activated. Your understanding of parkour is "basic," but thanks to your ability to think and summarize, and self-adjust, the more familiar you become with the high-speed movement setting, the stronger your obstacle avoidance becomes.] Chapter 36 - 36: 0029 Question_1 "Director, the investigation task is completed..." "Hmm?" After glancing at Leon who had just entered, she noticed not only the dust covering him but also the bandages wrapped around his hands. The red-haired Director, who was sipping plain water, couldn''t help but be slightly taken aback and curiously said, "This task was just to survey the situation, and you have the ability to peek at others'' soul states ahead of time. How did it turn out like this? Was that Anomalous Object dangerous?" "The Anomalous Object wasn''t dangerous; it was actually pretty good. The problem was it didn''t really get along with me." After briefly explaining his encounter, Leon looked at the red-haired woman, whose eyes were filled with laughter, and hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "Director... can I ask you something?" Upon hearing this, the red-haired woman''s smile suddenly faded. She cautiously pressed her flat wallet. "Leon, it''s not that I''m stingy. As the Director of the Virgo Bureau, although my salary is slightly higher than yours, my daily expenses are quite substantial, so... uh..." "You misunderstood. I''m not asking to borrow money. I''m genuinely trying to ask you a question." Blinking somewhat speechlessly, Leon recalled the files he had seen and deeply furrowed his brows as he said, "Director, before reporting to you, I went to the archive department next door at the Department of Road Administration. I applied to review their records from over ninety years ago and found the Happiness Apartment... uh... which is related to today''s Anomalous Object file. The Charitable Asylum donated by that old couple housed over three hundred orphans and people with disabilities at its peak. Except for getting a bit of discount on water fees from the hydraulic company due to the large number of water users, they received no help from the Kingdom. They basically maintained the Asylum''s expenses with their savings. Later, when the old lady fell seriously ill and found she might not last much longer, she applied to the Department of Road Administration over thirty times to convert the Asylum into a legal municipal facility and continue operating it with her assets, hoping to keep it running at least until the people inside passed away before taking it back and shutting it down, but she never succeeded." After briefly explaining the situation, Leon took a deep breath and then clenched his fist, saying, "I''ve been thinking on the way here, this clearly seemed mutually beneficial, so why couldn''t they get approvals? Those who were unable to work could barely survive on the old couple''s assets while the Department of Road Administration wouldn''t have to contribute anything extra; they didn''t need to allocate additional funds or personnel for management. But why did the person responsible for approvals back then rather watch those orphans and disabled people be kicked out, dying of starvation and cold at the doorstep of what was once their home under the ''Happiness Apartment'' sign, than approve her application?" "You''re wrong, the Department of Road Administration had a lot to lose." Hearing Leon''s question, the red-haired woman slightly closed her eyes and then calmly asked, "Let''s assume you were responsible for that back then. I ask you: why did the Kingdom have its own Charitable Asylum yet yours didn''t take these people in, instead, they were sheltered by a citizen-built Asylum? What exactly was your day-to-day work like? And if you did take over this Asylum, even without needing to assign people for daily management, there must still be a responsible caretaker. In case of fire or other incidents causing casualties, would you be willing to bear the liability? If the fire was caused by the people in the Asylum, could you accept being dismissed due to management negligence? Lastly, taking over a citizen-donated Asylum wouldn''t count as an achievement, and once it becomes a legally recognized municipal facility, if it can''t sustain itself due to lack of income and eventually collapses, the caretaker would certainly be held accountable. This is something without any benefits, instead bearing a lot of trouble, almost certainly leaving blemishes on its record. How could anyone want to take it on?" "..." ... How true that is... Sigh... Watching the young man before her, silently struck by her words, his expression growing grimmer, the red-haired Director inwardly sighed. Staring into his eyes, she sternly reminded him, "Leon, I understand you can''t stand these things, but do not forget, our work at the Purification Bureau is merely to keep ''Abnormals'' out of ordinary people''s lives. The rest is not ours to meddle with. According to agreements between the Purification Bureau and the various Kingdoms, unless involving Anomalous Objects, never are we allowed to use ''non-human'' powers for interference. This is both the survival rule for the Purification Bureau and the bottom line tolerable by the Kingdoms. So hear me well: never, ever cross that line, and when you do things, think twice to avoid getting yourself hurt, understand?" "You''re overthinking. I genuinely haven''t planned on doing anything." Hearing her words, Leon couldn''t help but clench his fist, lowered his head, and calmly responded, "That was over ninety years ago. Not only the people who were driven away are dead, even the person responsible for approvals is dead. What more can I do?" "..." Yes, you can do nothing concerning this, but what about matters concerning the Department of Road Administration and the hydraulic company? What about the more you''ll face later? Glancing at the slightly trembling shopping bag in Leon''s hand, the red-haired Director sighed inwardly again. The gaze she cast upon Leon grew increasingly complex. Though I can''t use soul visions to assess your state after losing the Black Goat, I know that damn Goat too well. From the moment you lowered your head and fell silent, it started trembling with excitement... "Let''s leave it at that... You''ve worked hard today." Receiving Leon''s finalized report and glancing at it, the red-haired Director suppressed the bizarre d¨¦j¨¤ vu in her heart and softly comforted, "I see your hands are injured. I''ll grant you half a day off. Go home and rest well." "Rest assured, I won''t force you to turn a blind eye to those matters, and I won''t stop you from investigating issues with the hydraulic company. I''ve even procured a protective Anomalous Object for you, which I''ll send over tomorrow, so you can safely retreat should trouble arise. But above all, remember that when you decide to take action, you must find an appropriate justification to intervene like this time with the hydraulic company. You absolutely cannot casually use ''Abnormal'' powers to influence ordinary people; that''s both mine and the Purification Bureau''s bottom line!" "Got it. I''ll remember..." Looking at Leon''s still not-so-good expression, the red-haired Director couldn''t help but rub her temple and continued advising, "Leon, I know you''re someone with strong moral values and a solid sense of justice. I don''t dislike your character, in fact, I deeply admire how you''ve managed to hold onto your principles through hard times. But you need to understand, even though we have abilities beyond the ordinary, we''re still part of the Human community. We cannot exist independently of it and must abide by some basic societal rules. Even if you were a King of some Kingdom or the Director of the Purification Bureau, you couldn''t make everything go your way or control all that you disdain... I know these words might be hard to hear, but I hope you''ll think them over." S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I will... Sorry for bothering you today." After bidding farewell to the red-haired Director who repeatedly admonished him, Leon slowly returned to his own office. Fixing his gaze on another shopping bag left on the table, his mind kept replaying the Director''s evaluation of him. *Is my moral compass truly that noble?* *Is my sense of justice truly that strong?* *Are my values truly that unyielding?* The compensation for dependents of martyrs swallowed up by him, the alchemical factory causing Anna''s lung disease but refusing to pay, the hundreds of patients lying in hospital hallways after drinking the contaminated water provided by the hydraulic company, And those mercilessly expelled from the Charitable Asylum, dying despairingly in the cold winter of ninety-four years ago, too insignificant to even have their names recorded... *While it feels oddly shameful to voice these thoughts, I genuinely wish to know: Is the problem with me or this damned world?* ... "Let''s go." After standing in front of his desk for a moment, Leon picked up the shopping bag filled with gray cigarette boxes, gently touched the Black Goat''s horn damaged by scissors, and whispered, "Let''s find a secluded spot... I''ll treat you to a smoke." Chapter 37 - 37: 0030 Contamination Value_1 [Friend of Demons (Silver), After ten extremely evil sacrifices, continuously offering tributes full of human hatred and blood, the ambition buried deep within your soul has luckily won the deep affection of a high-ranking demon.] [Wearing effect: Greatly increases affinity with Anomalous Objects marked with "Corruption," while reducing usage cost and significantly enhancing the effect.] [Advancement Route: Continue the agreed-upon evil sacrifices until the demon''s incarnation fully revives; at that point, this badge will automatically advance to the Golden Badge "I Am the Demon." Additionally, offering a human soul burdened with sin will increase the demon''s revival speed by a corresponding degree; the current revival value is at 5%.] [Hidden Traits (No need to wear): The prolonged companionship has tainted your soul with the evil aura of the demon, making you more likely to attract the attention of certain malevolent existences.] [Your Contamination Value has increased.] S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Current Contamination Value: 0.4] Contamination Value... Staring at this strange value appearing again, squatting in an alley near the police department and lighting a cigarette for the Black Goat, Leon couldn''t help but squint his eyes. He had asked the Black Goat privately, but it seemed that the Purification Bureau did not have any mention of the Contamination Value, so the significance of this data could only be deduced by himself. And if he remembered correctly, this thing called the Contamination Value had appeared a total of four times so far. The first time was when he touched the Black Goat, and through the effect of [Materialist Soul], he learned its Contamination Value was 0.1; The second time was when he gained the Black Goat''s approval and obtained its usage rights, his own Contamination Value was raised to 0.1; The third time was upon learning the Intelligence of the Red-haired Director''s [Love Without Memory], he discovered that its Contamination Value was 7; The fourth time was after touching the doorknob of Happiness Apartment, he learned from the message that appeared that [Spirit Lodge]''s Contamination Value was also 0.1. So, currently, it could basically be confirmed that having a Contamination Value should be a unique trait of Anomalous Objects. Moreover, from the fact that his Contamination Value increased after the Black Goat began to revive, it seemed that after obtaining the usage rights of an Anomalous Object, the user''s Contamination Value would increase by the same amount. Thinking of this, Leon couldn''t help but reach out and rub the Black Goat''s head twice. [Name: Demon''s Antlers (Corruption, Knowledge, Whisper) (In Revival)] [Appearance: ...] [...] [Contamination Value: 0.4] Sure enough, the value was the same as his own. Looking at the Black Goat''s Contamination Value which had become 0.4, a glint of understanding flashed across Leon''s eyes as he inferred why the middle-aged nurse hadn''t had her memory erased by the Brain of the Evil God. According to [Spirit Lodge]''s "usage cost," the tenants who would greet the administrator granny used this Anomalous Object daily, so their own Contamination Values should all be at 0.1. And the method by which the Purification Bureau''s Brain of the Evil God distinguished between ordinary people and Purification Bureau employees should be by checking for a Contamination Value on them, so they weren''t subjected to memory processing as "related personnel." If his guess was correct, this should be the truth understood by the Purification Bureau: anyone who had used an Anomalous Object would not have their memory erased by the Brain of the Evil God. Aside from this, there was another issue: what exactly did the amount of Contamination Value represent, and the most likely hypothesis at present was that it represented the strength of an Anomalous Object. With [Demon''s Antlers] having the same strength as [Spirit Lodge], both at 0.1, the Black Goat could withstand the old man''s scissors, though its horn got a mark. And the Director''s [Love Without Memory], able to erase the memories of over seventy thousand people in one go, was much stronger than these two, hence its Contamination Value was 7? *Hmm... I''ve encountered too few Anomalous Objects, the intelligence is not enough... But it seems I can find a way to try again.* Thinking of this, Leon couldn''t help but look again at the panel hovering over the Black Goat''s head, eyeing its Contamination Value that had increased to 0.4, while pondering as he rubbed the Black Goat''s head again. If the Contamination Value really represented the object''s strength, then 0.4 > 0.1, meaning the Black Goat''s strength was now greater than [Spirit Lodge]. So, after becoming stronger, he could go back to Happiness Apartment, trying to have the Black Goat take the old man''s scissors; if they weren''t nicked this time... ... "Why do you keep patting my head? Are you petting a dog?" Unbeknownst to him that Leon was planning to experiment with him, and feeling displeased as he shook off Leon''s wandering hands, the Black Goat, with a cigarette in its mouth, puffed out a ring of smoky darkness before squinting its eyes and saying comfortably, "Kid! Seeing how generous you are, we''ll let the knife thing slide. As long as you keep offering to me, we''ll still be good partners in the future!" "Mhm." After half-heartedly responding twice, and through a series of events, now more eager for power, Leon lit seven or eight cigarettes, stuffing them into the Black Goat''s mouth, while probing, "I''ve observed closely, and the people in our department all have very unusual physiques! Senior Emma can make handprints on a metal cabinet, and the Director drank over a hundred bottles of strong liquor, looking only slightly flushed. "Even Senior Harry, who was sent out again just after returning, could easily carry a box that I couldn''t drag far with all my strength as if it was lighter than a cup of water..." After sharing his observations, Leon stared intently at the Black Goat, not blinking as he asked, "If it were just one or two people, it might be due to the effect of Anomalous Objects, but for everyone in the bureau to be this way, there must be a reason! "So can you tell me what I need to do to have their kind of physical strength?" *Sigh... you observe quite keenly, but this can''t be rushed!* Taking a deep drag of the cigarette in its mouth, with smoke billowing from its ears, the Black Goat lazily replied, "Well... let me put it this way, after using my abilities for a while, do you ever feel completely exhausted, like you''ve been drained from spirit to body?" "Do I?" "..." Damn... forgot this kid has an unusually high affinity with demons... Looking at Leon speechlessly, the Black Goat''s thick lips moved twice, clamping the cigarette to the side, then said with a disgruntled look, "My ability isn''t to observe souls but to stir up the dark corners of people''s hearts! You''ve been using me as a telescope and half a mind-reading tool, you haven''t used me properly at all! Of course, you wouldn''t feel any drain!" "Oh..." "Anyway, every time you use Anomalous Objects, besides fulfilling its own rules, you must expend a certain amount of physical strength and willpower as a cost. The stronger the effect you exert, the more physical and willpower you''ll need to expend. "Hmm... let''s say that guy named Harry in your bureau, his strongest Anomalous Object is an everlasting roll of tape, and that thing can bond physical objects, even conceptual things too." "Conceptual things... like what?" "Like souls, bonds, shattered beliefs... anyway, you better be careful around him. If you suddenly develop a fondness for him one day, you''re probably bonded by him. Quickly slap yourself awake!" Chapter 38 - 38: 0031 Non-Human and Target Practice_1 "After advising Leon to be extremely careful of any ''love patches'' from male colleagues, the Black Goat continued, ''If he only wants to use tape to stick some physical objects, like a piece of train track missing a section or a stream cut off due to drought, with his physical strength, he could probably stick them together for several kilometers. But if it''s conceptual sticking, doing it around fifty to sixty times might deplete his willpower first, and the stronger the willpower of the object being stuck, the more terrifying his consumption would be. Like last year, he tried to secure a suitable mission by using tape to stick that red-haired woman''s trust in him, and it directly caused his mental breakdown. He lost control over his body and lay bedridden for over three months before he could get up.''" "After explaining the tape''s ability intelligence, the Black Goat concluded, ''In short, although the abilities of anomalous objects have limits, they''re not completely fixed. Beyond the object''s own power, the higher the cost your body and mind can bear, the stronger the effects the anomalous object can exhibit. For instance, take me for example. Even though I may seem weak now, if you can handle the cost and restore me, I could still provoke the desire for conflict in thousands at once, stirring up a small-scale war! Understand?''" "''I somewhat understand...'' Leon nodded thoughtfully, then questioned further with a slightly furrowed brow, ''But you still haven''t answered my question, have you? I wasn''t asking about the abilities of anomalous objects, but how I can possess physical qualities like other people?''" "''Didn''t I say from the start? You can''t rush this~'' The Black Goat squinted its eyes in pleasure as it took a deep drag from its cigarette and said, ''Take on more tasks, collect more anomalous objects, and then use them frequently. You''ll naturally be influenced and gradually transform from a human into something ''non-human.'' The stronger the anomaly, the faster your ''transformation'' rate will be. Take me as an example. Previously, my transformation speed was on par with that dilapidated apartment. Even if you used me for many years, you''d probably just be a bit healthier than the average person. But after you gave me so many good things, my transformation rate skyrocketed, estimated to be three or four times that of the Happiness Apartment. Plus, if you''re willing to kill a few bastards and offer their sinful souls to me, the transformation speed could continue to rise! It might not take a year for you to reach the physical quality level of that tape-using Harry! What do you think? Are you interested in trying?''" "*...This guy... is always trying to coax me into the dark...*" Leon heard Black Goat''s relentless persuasion, and couldn''t help but furrow his brows in mute disapproval, but before long, his eyes widened in realization! *Wait a minute! Didn''t it just say that its transformation speed was once on par with Happiness Apartment, and now it''s three to four times faster?* *Isn''t that 0.4 and 0.1? So this ''influence'' and ''transformation'' is actually the ''Contamination Value'' of anomalous objects?!* After discovering the real significance of Contamination Value, Leon hadn''t even had time to rejoice before he suddenly recalled something and turned his head to look at the Black Goat, who was smoking massively. *If I remember correctly, the [Love Without Memory] of the Red-haired Director had a Contamination Value of 7! But yours was only 0.1! Just one-seventieth of someone''s?!* *Wow, you keep boasting about being an impressive Great Demon, and I actually believed you were formidable! Turns out you''re so disappointing?!* "*...This kid... Why is he suddenly looking at me like that?*" Black Goat received Leon''s gaze, mixing exasperation with shock and deep disdain. It shivered involuntarily, feeling a sense of insecurity growing within. *He wouldn''t have figured out that we''ve been holding him back, would he?* *Hmm... Probably not.* *The specific transformation speed of each anomalous object is only known by those who have used them. Although that red-haired woman had used me too, she was overly strong, probably too much to sense whether my transformation speed was fast or slow and unlikely to tell him.* *Yes! He wouldn''t know! Absolutely wouldn''t know!* "''Ahem!''" Despite thinking Leon surely wouldn''t discover the issue, the Black Goat, feeling uneasy under his stare, hurriedly cleared its throat and tried to change the topic, sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Well... although collecting more anomalous objects can strengthen you quicker, don''t get too reckless. After all, not all anomalous objects are as agreeable as I am, willing to cover you just because we get along well. The cost many anomalous objects demand is shockingly high! Hmm... Take Emma for instance! Isn''t her Undying Body incredibly strong? But do you know what she sacrificed?''" *Senior Emma, huh...* When he heard the Black Goat''s question, Leon''s expression slightly changed. *I''ve been curious about Senior Emma''s Undying Body for a long time, but since she seemed to have seen the files the Director held, knowing my ability was gathering intelligence through touch, she always avoided physical contact with me.* *And she took care of me so well, not only saving my sister but even gifting me a sidearm. For someone showing such kindness, even if curiosity weighs on me, it seems inappropriate to deliberately pry into her privacy... But, I can''t deny that I do have a slight interest in knowing more...*" Chapter 39 - 39: 0031 Non-Human and Target Practice_2 Heh, such an easily enchanted virgin! When we bumped into her in the hallway before, your eyes were practically glued to her! I knew you had to be interested in her! Seeing the undeniable curiosity in Leon''s eyes, the Black Goat couldn''t help but chuckle, swallowing seven or eight cigarette butts that were about to reach its lips. While chewing on the still-smoking butts, it laughed and said, "Here''s the deal, you go knock off some heinous bastard, vent that pent-up anger of yours, and offer me a sinful soul in the process, and I''ll tell you what Emma sacrificed. How about it?" "..." (¨p£þÃó£þ) "Huh? If you don''t agree, you don''t agree. Why are you snatching my cigarette? What? You dare to make a move? Damn it! Do you really think I have no temper? I friggin''... If you''ve got guts, don''t use your feet! Let''s be fair, can we both use our mouths to bite? Hell no!" ... "Bang!" Looking at the target pierced through five hundred meters away, Leon didn''t show any joy at hitting the target. Instead, his face appeared quite serious. After tidying up the Black Goat, which had a mouth too sassy, and throwing it back into the Purification Bureau''s office, Leon didn''t go straight home. Instead, he took the sniper rifle to the neighboring police department, used the Purification Bureau''s credentials to borrow a secluded shooting range, and started working on his shooting badge. However, to improve his hit rate in future missions, Leon didn''t simply increase the number of live-fire shots. Instead, he set the target at the maximum effective range and earnestly practiced his shooting feel, one shot after another. But... The hit rate was quite touching. Facing a fixed target at five hundred meters, even with the accumulated hit rate from the [Materialist Soul], Leon could only hit once every four to five shots, with an average of seven to eight missed out of every ten Nail shots. *Seems like the one-shot hit at the hospital was mostly due to luck*... *and with help from Senior Emma, who adjusted the gun''s sights beforehand.* *My actual shooting skill is still just that of a rookie.* Looking through the scope at the bullet holes on the human-shaped paper target, Leon found that they were mostly in some non-essential positions. He couldn''t help but shake his head, then blew hard on the whistle in his mouth, picked up the small red flag beside him, and waved it in the direction of the range administrator. Shooting at the extreme range of five hundred meters already exceeded his current ability limits. At this hit rate, there''s essentially no practical value in a real mission, so rather than pursuing the most extended-range kill, it would be better to close in to around three hundred meters first and quickly practice more practical shooting skills. Heh, looks like he changed the target after all. The administrator, who looked over at the sound of the whistle, saw the small red flag indicating three hundred meters in Leon''s hand and couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow. Then he turned his head to look at his colleague beside him, and the two of them almost simultaneously grinned with understanding, exchanging knowing glances. Just now, when this young kid came in with a gun and said he wanted to shoot at a five hundred meter target, the two of them had advised him, suggesting he try shooting at fifty percent of the maximum range first. After all, the drop arc of the Nail becomes harder to control the further it goes, and almost at the limit damaging distance, it can even roll horizontally in midair, making it quite challenging to predict the landing spot. Therefore, the difficulty of a full-range target at five hundred meters was much greater than that of a half-range target at two or three hundred meters. For someone like him, who hadn''t handled a gun much, the difficulty of the half-range target was already more than sufficient. Unfortunately, despite his youth, he was already at the pinnacle of an assistant-level public office position and was even faintly able to touch the bottom of a clerical-level public office position. His pride was probably very high, so he didn''t care to listen to the advice of the two shooting range administrators. Faced with the well-meant suggestion from the two of them, he insisted on seeing how far he could shoot and insisted on the five hundred meter target... So how about now? After realizing he absolutely couldn''t hit it, did he finally decide to change the target? Guns are fundamentally fair, and they won''t go easy on you just because you have a good dad! The administrator responsible for changing the targets grinned and pulled the lever on the control panel. Amidst the sound of gears engaging, a half-range target at three hundred meters was slowly raised, while the full-range target at five hundred meters was lowered and retracted. Before the other administrator could leave his seat to replace the target and paper, he was stopped by his colleague grabbing his arm. "Where are you going?" "Huh? What did you say? Hey, don''t pull me! I have to go replace the new target!" "What new target?" The administrator controlling the lever chuckled, lifted his colleague''s noise-canceling earmuffs a bit, and shouted loudly amid the dense gunfire on the range, "Take a break! I recognize the gun he brought. Its effective range is just over four hundred seventy, so shooting at a five hundred meter target is considered over-range shooting. If he hit it, it would be a miracle! Although we do have some who can hit an over-range target, those few are basically old hands who''ve been handling guns for nearly twenty years. Look at that kid''s face, he''s at most sixteen or seventeen, how could he hit the over-range target? Unless he was handling a gun while still in the womb?" "Ha ha ha, that''s true. Then I''ll just take a break~" ... Unaware that the reason for his low hit rate wasn''t due to lousy shooting skills but due to the gun''s range limitation, Leon remained prone on the ground, shooting one bullet after another and racking up his shooting badge numbers. After adjusting the target to three hundred meters, his hit rate indeed improved significantly. Not only did he no longer miss a single shot, but he also managed to hit vital areas on the human-shaped paper targets with each bullet. It was only about once every twenty shots that his aim slightly deviated from the target. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 40 - 40: 0031 Non-Human and Target Practice_3 When the sun began to set, Leon, who averaged two shots per minute, finally completed 200 rounds of live ammunition shooting and upgraded his shooting badge from black iron to bronze. [Shooter: Although your experience with firearms wasn''t long, your exceptional talent and rigorous training have made you a qualified shooter.] [Equipped Effect: Through extensive practice, you have familiarized yourself with the distribution rules of bullet placements. When consciously adjusting your aim, your shooting accuracy will be greatly enhanced.] [Advancement Route: Complete 5,000 live ammunition shots, or 30,000 simulated activations to automatically promote this badge to the Silver Badge "Shooting Expert," current progress 0/5000, 0/30000.] [Hidden Traits (no need to equip): As a firearms enthusiast, your shooting stability will slightly increase when using your familiar pistol.] *To continue improving, do I need to shoot another five thousand rounds?* After reading the badge system prompt, Leon estimated his shooting speed and found that completing these five thousand rounds would take nearly forty hours if done earnestly. And if the shooting requirement from silver to gold increases proportionally from 200 to 5000, the time required could reach thousands of hours. *While practicing earnestly, shot by shot, could improve basic skills, it''s far from the enhancement a high-level badge brings, so¡­ maybe try finding a shortcut?* As soon as he thought of it, he acted! With the sole aim of earning badges, Leon didn''t focus and breathe deeply this time. Instead, after setting up the air tank, he aimed roughly and fired. Switching from precise aiming to a haphazard approach significantly increased his speed. Excluding reloading and setup time, he managed to shoot over a dozen rounds in a minute, and with the [Materialist Soul] enhancing accuracy, five or six of those random shots actually hit. However, when Leon stopped shooting and checked the [Shooter] badge panel, he found, to his disappointment, that all those rounds didn''t increase the "proficiency" advancement, which remained at 0/5000. *So it seems it''s necessary to practice diligently¡­* Shaking his head, Leon gave up the idea of taking shortcuts, glanced at the sky, and then dismantled his sniper rifle, packed it into a large canvas bag, and left the shooting range with some effort. Shortly after he left, a female police officer with tanned skin in a black uniform walked in quickly. After checking a few empty spots, she chose the range Leon just vacated. Appearing slightly weary, she seemed preoccupied. After hoarsely greeting the two managers, she took the firearm she chose to the shooting position and waved a yellow flag symbolizing five hundred meters. When the distant target slowly rose, the policewoman took a deep breath, bit her lip, moved her eyes to the back of the sight, and placed her slender finger firmly on the trigger¡­ Hmm? Seeing the target through the sight, riddled with five or six large holes, the policewoman furrowed her brow. She raised a small black flag to call over the range manager. "This target hasn''t been changed." Pointing at the wooden target in the distance, the policewoman said expressionlessly, "You can see the previous shooter''s bullet holes on it." "Ah? Sorry, sorry!" S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing the policewoman''s words, the range manager hurriedly apologized and then, with a smile, explained, "An unfamiliar face was here earlier. He seemed awkward in his preparation. After a few shots, he voluntarily switched to a mid-range target. We thought he didn''t hit long-range targets, so we didn''t rush to change the target. Sorry." "It''s okay." Waving her hand dismissively, the policewoman squinted at the target paper through the sight and then, frowning, coldly asked, "I noticed the holes on the target are quite large. Was this caused by bullets losing control and rolling after exceeding the maximum firearm range by more than thirty meters? "Hasn''t the department been emphasizing control recently, trying to minimize unnecessary harm? Why is someone still practicing something that surely kills if hit?" Chapter 41 - 41: 0032 Charl Company_1 The holes on the target were "all" pretty big? Upon hearing the policewoman''s question, the administrator responsible for changing the target was slightly taken aback. Did that mean that the young guy not only hit the target by chance, but did so more than once? *Unconvinced, he picked up the binoculars hanging around his neck, looked towards the target, and his eyes widened in astonishment, filled with disbelief.* Long-range shooting, six shots on target? *That young man shot a five-hundred-meter long-range target, with only a little over twenty shots in total? And he managed to achieve nearly one-third accuracy?* *This... The police department was not like the military, which specialized in firearms. In terms of combat, they might not be too far off, but there were very few who could shoot with such precision.* Across all the police stations in the Capital City, totaling over thirty thousand people, there might not even be two handfuls of people who could guarantee a certain accuracy with long-range targets! Truly... how old could that young man be? Could he really have been handling guns since he was in his mother''s womb? "?" Seeing the administrator''s expression change repeatedly, as if discovering Teddy pressing on a Tibetan mastiff for a frenzied output, the policewoman couldn''t help but furrow her brows deeply, then explained: "You don''t need to be nervous, I just happened to see the target he shot and casually asked. I have no intention of troubling him. Although practicing something so dangerous isn''t great, as long as he doesn''t use it during missions, it''s none of my business!" "Ah? Oh, oh!" *Not really hearing what the policewoman said, the range administrator, coming out of his shock, remembered his previous conversation with colleagues, and his dark face instantly blushed with embarrassment.* *The guy dared to ask for a five-hundred-meter target because he had confidence in hitting it, while both of us, seeing his youth, arrogantly and insistently urged him to switch to a half-range target, and later, we were too lazy even to check it and directly concluded that he couldn''t hit it once. Now thinking about it, it''s truly shameful.* S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Mumbling awkwardly for a few moments, the administrator, full of shame, left clumsily, heading back to change the target, while the policewoman took this time to look back through the log at the entrance of the range.* "The previous person... Leon... Leon Laine?" *Seeing that familiar surname, the policewoman frowned even more tightly, forming a delicate little ''´¨'' (chuan) character.* *Ryan... why is it always someone from the Duke of Lionheart''s family?* ... *The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the diligent worker Leon once again walked on the way to work, accompanied by the cold wind of late autumn.* It wasn''t that Leon insisted on getting up this early, but from his family''s home in Veteran Lane to the municipal office area where the Purification Bureau was located, it was about five or six kilometers. If he wanted to walk there on foot, it took almost an hour, so naturally, he could only get up early. As for why not take public transport, like a trolley or a steam carriage... let''s just say that although public transportation was nominally "public," the extremely high fare of one Copper Wheel for every three kilometers on average already excluded more than fifty percent of the residents of Capital City from even using it. Although Leon, after joining the Purification Bureau, with an annual income of more than sixty thousand Copper Wheels, could afford such luxuries, the "Gotth" cigarettes he bought for Black Goat were absurdly expensive, each pack costing three Silver Wheels, consuming not only the two Gold Wheels of field allowances but also nearly all his remaining money. While braving the cold to walk an hour to work was tough, compared to the hardship of having no money in his pocket, the former was clearly more bearable, and walking to work also wasn''t completely without benefits... at least, he could get a cup of hot coffee. "Boss, a cup of strong coffee, two slices of thin bread." Shrinking to avoid the cold wind, Leon skillfully ducked into the coffee stand''s tent, carefully untangling the scarf from his neck, and sat at a spot closest to the stove. Nodding toward Leon, a "regular," the owner of the coffee stand tightened his apron on the surface but secretly pulled out the drawer containing ham slices, letting the aroma of the meat spread before smilingly asking: "Alright~ Do you want butter with that? Add some ham slices?" "..." *Staring at the smiling face of the coffee stand''s crafty proprietor, Leon hesitated.* *Only requiring coffee without butter, it would cost only half a Copper Wheel for breakfast. With butter, it''d cost one Copper Wheel, and adding ham slices would require an additional Copper Wheel.* *The total fare for taking a ride from home to the Purification Bureau was only two Copper Wheels. If he splurged on butter and ham, those five kilometers he walked would go to waste.* But... Smelling the warm and sweet aroma of butter in the air, as well as the sizzling and melting fat of the ham slices, the words "no" became lazy, refusing to crawl out of his lips. "Look, today isn''t as cold as yesterday, and there aren''t many customers. I''ve cooked more ham slices than I can sell..." Perceiving Leon''s struggle, the honest-looking sly proprietor grinned and suggested: "How about this... if you add ham slices today, I''ll charge you half a Copper Wheel less, just as a special price for a regular customer. You''d also be helping my business, what do you say?" "..." *"Add! And slather on the butter thick!"* *In the end, unable to resist the temptation of fat, Leon patted his thin wallet, looked at his scrawny arm, and nodded fiercely, gritting his teeth.* *Three more days until the Purification Bureau''s payday. Accounting for the money to treat the Red-haired Director to drinks, he estimated having seven or eight Gold Wheels left to bank, so these two Copper Wheels didn''t matter!* *Plus, today, after retrieving the new Anomalous Object from the director, he still had to go to the water company to investigate, and likely couldn''t catch the police department''s free lunch; if he didn''t eat well in the morning, how''d he have the strength to run field duties?* "Alright~" Smiling and nodding, the sly proprietor fished out what little he had left of the ham slices, swiftly drizzling a little homemade sauce over them, placing them on the slate above the charcoal stove alongside the bread, watching this gesture made the frugal-for-years Leon feel a pang. To make himself feel better, Leon lifted his head, avoiding the sight of the "Copper Wheels" heating on the slate, and struck up a conversation with the boss. "Boss, what''s your name?" "Charl, same Charl as Charl Department Store." Those running small stalls outside naturally weren''t socially anxious, the sly proprietor Charl replied with a jovial smile: "Sir, no need for formal titles, you can just call me Old Charl." Charl Department Store... Charl Company? *That name, wasn''t it the bastard water company dumping sewage into the public water pipes!* Chapter 42 - 42: 0033 Witchs Broom_1 Hearing the name of the power company he was about to investigate, Leon''s expression slightly darkened. However, he quickly reacted, realizing it must be a coincidence, just like his own "Ryan," where one had collided with a surname and the other with a name. The familiar company name stirred up memories, and thinking of the hundreds of patients still lying in the hospital corridors and the heart-wrenching cries he heard when visiting Anna, Leon''s good mood rapidly dissipated. He definitely couldn''t afford the medical bills for hundreds of people. After the public water pipe incident, the price of anti-diarrheal medicine in the Old Town had skyrocketed more than fifty times, and the specialty supplement that could treat this epidemic was even more expensive, costing more than his entire year''s salary could cover. Even though there were only about four to five hundred severe patients on Red Brick Road, where the pain was unbearable, the epidemic had affected at least tens of thousands of residents in the Old Town. Many couldn''t afford treatment and didn''t know how many were holding on without money. The only consolation was that the disease from contaminated water was not highly infectious. As long as one didn''t directly touch excretions and vomit or stay in a confined space where these substances were highly volatile, most people remained safe. However, the troublesome part was that the waterborne disease seemed difficult to heal on its own. At the very least, a dose of alchemical supplement was needed, but with the income levels in the Old Town, few could afford it. The only solution he could think of to solve this problem was to find evidence of negligence by the Charl Power Company and the Department of Road Administration, and then escalate the issue to higher-ups in the Dynasty Kingdom or provide the information to a bold newspaper to force them to cover the cost of the medicine. And if it still couldn''t be resolved in the end... "Customer?" Seeing Leon''s contemplative expression upon hearing his name, with emotions flickering on his face, the cunning business owner raised an eyebrow in surprise, then lightly called out, "Customer, your meal is ready, and it''s one and a half Copper Wheels." "Oh, oh!" Hearing the merchant''s call, Leon snapped back to reality, responded twice, then, while grabbing his money, shook his head with an unpleasant expression, "Sorry, your name just reminded me of something... And you''re even older than my father. It''s not right to call you by your name; I''ll just call you Uncle!" "Heh, alright, if you''re willing to call a small vendor like me Uncle, how could I refuse?" After bringing over the coffee and the plate with bread, the coffee vendor, looking at Leon, who seemed thinner and possibly younger than his own daughter, smiled kindly, then pulled over a rickety stool and sat next to him, warmly asking, "Since you''re calling me Uncle, I''ll boldly ask a couple of questions: When you mentioned the Charl Company just now, your expression wasn''t very good... Have you had any unpleasant dealings with that company?" "Umm... sort of..." After a slight hesitation, Leon didn''t mention his plans to investigate the Charl Power Company but instead talked about Anna being injured in a "gas pipeline explosion." Ah, so you are the one who refused compensation. "Your family has had a tough time then." Hearing Leon''s story, the coffee vendor blinked and then sighed, "Your sister is already ill, and now you have to deal with this misfortune... How about this, since you called me Uncle, whatever you order from now on, I''ll give you half off, would you like that?" ??? Wow... does calling you Uncle work so well? Seeing the coffee vendor across from him suddenly overwhelmed with sympathy, Leon raised his eyebrows in surprise, a bit flustered by this unexpected kindness. Yet, before he could figure out how to respond, the cunning merchant smiled softly, returned half a Copper Wheel, and added, "Of course, since you called me Uncle, remember to stop by often and support my business, alright?" "..." Got it, calling you Uncle is like signing up for a membership card with you, isn''t it? Honestly, if I were the kind of person who couldn''t refuse, no matter how cheap other vendors were, I''d likely feel obligated to stick with your stall. If I had breakfast at a different stall in front of you, I''d probably feel guilty for at least half a week... You really go to great lengths to retain customers, that''s why you''re successful. Realizing this was likely another customer-retention trick, Leon smiled but said nothing more, choosing simply to agree. After all, even though this coffee vendor was a bit pricey, it was definitely the most comfortable stall on the street, and now, with them offering a discount to turn him into a regular customer, there was no reason to refuse. Quickly finishing his bread and ham, and bidding farewell to his newly found Uncle, Leon, feeling warm from the inside out, wrapped Anna''s handmade scarf around his neck and stepped once again into the chilly autumn morning wind. After he left, a regular, watching by the stove, came over with a cup of coffee and teased with a wink, "Old Charl! I''ve been drinking coffee at your stall for seven or eight years and never seen you, the penny pincher, willingly offer a discount! What got into you today? Unless you''re trying to marry off your daughter by getting to know that young man and bringing him into the family?" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Heh, that''s not it~ I just felt a connection with the young man, noticing he might be struggling lately, so I thought I''d help out a bit to encourage him to support my business." Waving a hand to dismiss the notion, while watching Leon''s departing figure, the coffee vendor chuckled, "But I wouldn''t mind. I think the young man seems quite nice, though a bit thin, he''s tall enough and has a refined look. And you see, the direction he''s heading in, with only the administrative buildings ahead, he must have a proper job. Also, even to a coffee vendor like me, he''s always very polite... Yes, quite a good kid." Recalling other details he''d heard from his daughter, Amy, the coffee vendor slightly arched an eyebrow. After chatting idly with the regular for a bit, he returned to his seat, staring at the black canvas top of the coffee stall, and thoughtfully stroked his graying chin stubble. People tend to hide themselves around familiar faces and in familiar surroundings. It''s only in the presence of tempting prospects and in the company of strangers, whose lives seem detached from theirs, that they reveal their true selves just a bit. What this boy inadvertently revealed is rather uncommon... Yes... courteous, serious, diligent, and quite sharp¡ªif Amy likes him, I really have no reason to oppose... But the problem is, we only accept matrilocal marriages, not patrilocal ones. I wonder if he would agree? ... Unaware of being considered for a matrilocal marriage, by the time Leon arrived at the Purification Bureau braving the cold wind, he opened the door to his office to see the new anomalous object¡ªthat the Red-haired Director had mentioned¡ªa black broom floating in midair. [Name: Lazy Witch''s Rental Broom (Corruption, Flight, Protection)] [Appearance: A hard wood broom entirely painted black, adorned with a few crow feathers at the top, along with a persistent light scent of pine, and occasionally small cat paw prints appear on the broomstick.] [Ability: Magic Reinforcement, Flight, Airflow Shielding] [Cost: Every Friday at 3:30 PM, a feline will knock on your door; please be sure to host it well.] [File: A decommissioned broom from an unknown witch, who needed it rented out every Friday so she could play flying ball games, leaving her beloved cat in need of care. Hence, an agreement was made with the Lion Sub-bureau of the Purification Bureau to trade the broom''s rental for the user''s weekly care of her cat.] [Evaluation: A simple and practical anomalous object, that also allows free cat petting; a favorite of Beverly, the Lion Bureau Director.] [Contamination Value: 0.5] Chapter 43 - 43: 0034 Awesome_1 """ [Acquired a usable Anomalous Object, the Heterochromatic Badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)" Hidden Trait Activated] [Materialist Soul (Heterochromatic, Crimson, Cannot Upgrade): ...] [Wearing Effect: ...] [Advancement Route: ...] [Hidden Trait: Badge Slot +2, Current Slot Number: 5, Total Number of Anomalous Objects Required to Unlock the Next Slot: 4] [Your Contamination Value has increased] [Current Contamination Value: 0.9] ... After carefully examining the description of the "Witch''s Broom," especially noting the 0.5 Contamination Value, Leon couldn''t help but cast a complex gaze toward the Black Goat on the desk. *You really are something else...* *Always boasting about being a formidable Great Demon, looking down on everyone, yet your Contamination Value can''t even surpass a broom?* *Do you know? If you hadn''t just "leveled up" yesterday, your Contamination Value would be only one-fifth of this broom''s. A broom could match five of you Great Demons... Really... It''s just a disgrace...* "What are you looking at!" After making eye contact with Leon, the Black Goat, with a shoe print on its face, craned its neck and glared at Leon, angrily questioning, "Are you looking down on me? You bastard! We are partners who have faced life-and-death crises together! When that old man almost chopped you up, I was the one who took the hit for you! And now, just because you have a new Anomalous Object, you despise me?" "No, no." Although this guy was indeed annoying, always tempting him to Corruption and frequently urging him to do bad deeds, it had truly saved his life. As someone gentle in nature and rather nostalgic, Leon had to silently turn his head and dishonestly lie, "You''ve misunderstood, I don''t think you''re weak, um... really, I don''t." "..." *Then why don''t you look me in the eye and say it!* If Leon had openly mocked its weakness, the Black Goat might not have felt so aggrieved, as it had never backed down from any verbal battle. But Leon''s sympathetic expression looked just like someone saying "I was wrong" followed by "is that enough," instantly piercing the pride of the Black Goat as a Great Demon. "Stop looking down on the demon!" With a thud, the Black Goat rolled off the table, its mentality crumbling while it rolled on the carpet, screaming in frustration, "I really am a Great Demon! One of the most countable in the Abyss!" "Uh-huh, I believe you, your Ability is actually quite formidable." "Aaaah!!!" Driven insane by Leon''s attitude, the Black Goat screamed, "You punk... I was ambushed as soon as I descended! My Heart, my Eye, my Stomach... all taken away, and my horns were ruined by that red-haired woman! Don''t be fooled by my current state, just as long as you retrieve everything I''ve lost, then I''d be the strongest... top ten... at least top thirty Anomalous Object in your Purification Bureau!" "..." *So, you''re some sort of demon-themed collection?* Although Leon didn''t believe the Black Goat''s clearly lacking confidence in being "top thirty," the possibility of other similar Anomalous Objects beside the [Demon Horns] intrigued him. The effect of the silver Badge [Friend of Demons] was an increased affinity with Anomalous Objects marked by "Corruption," lowering the consumption when used, and greatly enhancing the Ability''s impact. This meant that those [Demon''s Heart], [Demon''s Stomach], [Demon Horns], [Demon''s Eyes], and similar Anomalous Objects had a very high Affinity with him, allowing him to rapidly enhance his power as soon as he acquired them! ... "Tell me about it." Picking up the goat''s head and placing it back on the desk, Leon temporarily set aside his "new love" and curiously inquired about the "old one," "How many Anomalous Objects were taken from you? Where am I supposed to find them?" "If you''re interested... counting the horns, everything on me that could be considered an Anomalous Object was divided into seven pieces!" Seeing that Leon seemed keen on "putting together" its pieces, the Black Goat couldn''t help but straighten up and boast energetically, "At my peak, my Hierarchy was only half a step below that of an Evil God, for a top-tier Great Demon like me, the body itself embodies ultimate sin!" "My Horns are weapons for battle, symbolizing Wrath and War; my Heart is inflated ambition, symbolizing Pride and Power; my Eyes are twisted will, symbolizing Jealousy and Rebellion; Also, my Stomach stands for Hunger and Conquest; my Tongue is Gluttony and Desolation; my Tail represents Sloth and Secrecy... Kid! Believe me! As long as you piece me together, your Abilities can definitely make it into the first echelon of the Purification Bureau, even that red-haired woman might not be your match!" "..." *No hurry to piece it together, you''re missing pieces!* Horns, Heart, Eyes, Stomach, Tongue, Tail... after counting what the Black Goat mentioned, Leon frowned suspiciously, and asked, "Isn''t that only six? What about the last one?" "The last one isn''t important..." The words made the Black Goat hesitate, "That Anomalous Object was completely ruined back then. It''s probably still slowly recovering, we''ll just look for it when it''s ready..." "Not important maybe, but you should at least tell me what the last one is, right?" "..." "Why are you stuttering?" "..." "Speak up! Why are you hiding the last one?" Under Leon''s relentless questioning, the Black Goat, although very unwilling, ultimately revealed the identity of the final Anomalous Object. "The last one... It''s my whip... representing Lust and Union..." "..." *Seriously... can''t you see I don''t want to say it? Why are you asking so many pointless questions?* After glaring at Leon, who was making things difficult for no good reason, the Black Goat muttered with an annoyed face, "As for how to obtain these... after the ambush, they held me down while I was weak, bit by bit taking parts away. I was afraid of being completely killed, so when they were about to take that one thing, I gritted my teeth, blew it up myself, scattering the other six Anomalous Objects in all directions. So I don''t really know where the others ended up. I just remember finding a random host to attach to once I landed, and we fled for our lives, hiding for who knows how long. Until I realized no one seemed to be pursuing us, I started messing around, trying to regain some power, and immediately got caught by that red-haired woman. She wrecked me into this state... What''s wrong with you now? Leon''s expression changed several times as he looked at the Black Goat, moving from disdain to shock, then shock to speechlessness, finally from speechlessness to admiration, which made the Black Goat suddenly wary, stopping his recollections and asking with alert eyes, Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Kid? Why are you looking at me like that?" Why look at you like that... It had to be admiration, to be honest, just the bold, defiant maneuver you pulled demands respect from anyone, especially any man." """ Chapter 44 - 44: 0035 Tactical Formation 1.0_1 After sincerely giving a thumbs up to the Black Goat, Leon silently calculated its situation and discovered that its reputation as a Great Demon wasn''t just talk. At present, the Black Goat, or rather the revival degree of "Demon Horn," was only at five percent, yet its Contamination Value was already 0.4. When the revival progress of "Demon Horn" reached one hundred percent, its Contamination Value could likely reach 8, one point stronger than the Red-haired Director''s "Love Without Memory." And if all seven Anomalous Objects could be gathered to form a complete "Demon Set," that would be seven times eight, totaling 56 points of Contamination Value! *Even with just 7 points of Contamination Value, "Love Without Memory" could block the memory of tens of thousands of people in one go. How powerful would the "Demon Set," with a total Contamination Value of 56, be?* "If I get the chance, I''ll try to find it." Leon wasn''t sure if it was a promise to the Black Goat or a reminder to himself. After noting the matter of searching for the "Demon Set" in his heart, he looked at the time and waved his hand to end the conversation. Next, he took out a shopping bag from Charl Department Store, which he got when buying Gotth cigarettes, and skillfully packed the Black Goat into it. Then, he picked up the broom floating beside him, tentatively grasped the broomstick with both hands, and swung his leg over it. "Whoosh!" Accompanied by a barely discernible whisper of airflow, Leon''s rear didn''t fall onto the hard broom handle but instead touched a layer of invisible airflow, gently lifting him up. At the same time, a hazy air barrier quietly formed about twenty or thirty centimeters outside his body. At this moment, Leon had a faint feeling that this air barrier seemed to be an extension of his own will, capable of changing shape with his thoughts. Besides blocking airflow during flight, it probably had other functions, like... "Boom!" A short and quick airflow explosion sounded as Leon consciously manipulated it. The originally smooth-operating airflow shield trembled slightly, and suddenly "exploded" outward. A chaotic storm instantly ravaged the small office, sending everything that could be blown around flying into chaos. Seeing the effect of the airflow explosion, Leon couldn''t help but nod satisfied. Flight, shield protection, a small amount of airflow manipulation... The Badge''s Evaluation wasn''t wrong. The Director did indeed help him acquire an extremely practical Anomalous Object. If he added the goat head''s early warning, his survival ability was nearly maxed out. *In future missions, if I encounter danger, I could obscure the opponent''s face with an airflow blast, then immediately flip onto the broom and escape under the shield of the airflow. I might even counterattack from high altitude.* Not afraid of difficult targeting in high-altitude maneuvers, *as long as I fly high enough, relying on the hit rate increase provided by the "Materialist Soul," I could just chip away bit by bit, eventually hitting something.* With the destructive power of the Nail Gun, unless the target was someone with reinforced flesh capabilities, getting hit would likely mean game over. *Although this variant of kite-flying tactics sounds oddly sneaky, even a bit cheap, I don''t possess Senior Emma''s undying body.* If I can safely use long-range kite tactics, why would I deliberately engage in close combat? After pondering it with a simple brainstorm and confirming the primary tactics for the foreseeable future, Leon resisted the impulse to take a flight and tied the shopping bag with the goat head to the broomstick. Next, he found a long strip of cloth to wrap up the Witch''s Broom, "carried" the bundled broom out of the Purification Bureau at a brisk pace, heading towards the Old Town pier according to the day''s planned itinerary. ... As the largest of the six hydraulic companies in the Capital City, supplying water to the urban area was only one of Charl Power Company''s operations. They also manufactured gas storage tanks using hydraulic power, partnered with the Department of Agriculture on irrigation and water diversion projects, assisted the Department of Road Administration with flood protection, drainage, and river dredging construction, and even maintained sewage pipes and drainage rivers, among many other things. This enterprise, funded by Charl Department Store and invested in by numerous ennobled old aristocrats, worked closely with several municipal power departments of the Kingdom, far exceeding the concept of an ordinary company, even taking on some municipal functions, making it a veritable giant corporation. A company of this scale naturally wouldn''t be randomly built in remote wilderness, but rather on a small plain upstream of the Bunk River, occupying one of the two most open and conveniently accessible locations, complete with its own exclusive wharf and ferry. As one of the three main rivers running through the Capital City, the Bunk River served as the city''s major water source and its most vital transport waterway. Numerous docks, ferries, and warehouses lined the banks of the river, with steamships carrying large chimneys traveling back and forth incessantly upon its surface. These industrial era mechanical behemoths devoured massive amounts of coal and whale oil daily, while spewing rolling white smoke filled with acidic air from their chimneys, transporting goods and passengers until late into the night before resting... After forking out an expensive three Copper Wheel fare for the boat ticket, Leon, broom and goat head in tow, bent down and drilled into the bottom deck of a three-story passenger ship. He stood in the budget cabin filled with the stench of sweat and must, illuminated by a single dim steam lamp for over an hour before finally disembarking at Charl Power Company''s exclusive dock. "You really are... we''ve never seen anyone as stingy as you!" Leaving the crowded dock, after the number of surrounding pedestrians slightly reduced, the Black Goat, overwhelmed by dizziness, couldn''t help but complain, "Damned stench! The guy with smelly feet next to you even took off his shoes! Dammit! Our nose is now filled with a rancid odor! I beg you, really, the lower deck stinks to high heaven! When you return after the investigation, could you maybe sit a bit higher up?" "Sitting higher up is too expensive." "Expensive my ass!" Seeing Leon still so incorrigible, the Black Goat couldn''t help but rage, "We''re not asking you to sit in the first-class cabin that costs a Silver Wheel! We''re asking you to sit in the mid-level standard cabin! The standard cabin ticket is only five Copper Wheels! Think about it! Just by spending an extra two Copper Wheels, you''ll not only get a place to sit, but also ventilation. Isn''t that better than being marinated in the lower deck, that canned sardine can?" "..." Listening to the Black Goat''s question, Leon sniffed the rancid smell that attacked his own nose and hesitated for a moment. But after recalling the coffee stall owner with the same name as Charl Company and the warm coffee from the inside out that morning, he ultimately shook his head. "Forget it, smelly is just smelly. Two Copper Wheels can feed me breakfast for two days, and I can even add a slice of fried ham." "Screw you! You''re just like the ham! Eat, eat, eat! Eat till you''re dead, huh?!" Seeing Leon determined, intent on taking that damn lower deck on the way back, the Black Goat could only sniff the ever-present stench in its nose hard, then vow despairingly, "Damned it! Just wait till I get my power back! When that time comes, I''m gonna guard this stinking river, capsizing a boat every time one passes and slaughter all those bastards who take off their shoes in the cabin!" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 45 - 45: 0036 Who is the Real Devil (Two in One)_1 Amidst the Black Goat''s curses, Leon, drenched in sweat, carried the bag-wrapped Witch''s Broom and followed the crowd to the entrance of the Charl Power Company. However, he didn''t rush to start the investigation but first carefully observed the surrounding situation and walked around the company''s outer walls a few times. Sure enough, in a shady alley, Leon found many people dressed in ragged clothes, "suspicious-looking." After listening to their conversation for a while, Leon didn''t directly inquire but instead quietly blended in, indignantly cursing the shamelessness of the power company, resonating with most of the people, who began to angrily curse along. After taking careful note of the grievances of these wounded individuals and collecting a wealth of information, Leon finally headed back to the main entrance of the power company, carrying the broom, and walked in with his head held high. "Stop!" As Leon circled around the power company, the guard had already been watching this suspicious-looking guy. When Leon finally entered the gate, he blocked him, glaring and intimidatingly saying, "Do you know this place is..." "The Security Department." Showing his credentials to the burly guard with a suddenly tense expression, Leon sternly demanded, "I''m here to investigate. Take me to see your Security Department''s manager." "Ah? Sure, sure!" Recognizing public employee credentials and ranks was a "mandatory course" for guards at large enterprises like this. After confirming the credentials were genuine and not fake, facing an assistant-level officer, the wary guard instantly became obedient and directly led him to the Security Department''s office without further questioning. The Security Department manager, after examining the credentials issued by the Purification Bureau, likewise did not¡ª, or rather, dared not, doubt Leon''s identity and instead inquired about his purpose with a smiling face. Seeing the cautious demeanor of the Security Department manager, Leon reckoned that if he merely stated the mission was confidential, the manager probably wouldn''t ask more and would just let Leon in to avoid trouble. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The reason was simple, as the Purification Bureau''s credentials were indeed effective. Within the Kingdom''s five-tier civil service system of execution, documentation, assistance, and subordination, Leon''s assistant-level position was ranked in the Fourth Tier. Although it didn''t sound impressive, it was actually a mid-level within the civil service system. If converted to the Kingdom''s military, it would equate to an officer commanding a two-hundred-man company. In outer regions, he might even aspire to a deputy position in a local authoritative department. Moreover, with Leon being only sixteen or seventeen and his rather imposing surname, it was almost as if "Do Not Mess With" was written on his face. Naturally, the Security Department manager couldn''t dare block such a troublesome visitor. After all, if they really angered the other party, even though Charl Power Company had strong backing, it might not intervene on behalf of a minor manager, and any retaliation would have to be borne alone. But... Gazing at Leon''s overly youthful face, the manager, around thirty, slightly twitched the corner of his mouth, a subtle disdain unintentionally showing in his eyes. Not daring to block directly was one thing, but if this "Level Three Accident Handler" came with ill intentions, there were many ways to delay him! ... "Hehe, it''s not really a big deal." Reaching into a shopping bag, touching the Black Goat''s head, and viewing the Security Department manager''s soul, flickering between compliance and resistance, Leon''s expression softened, and he smiled gently, "Recently, there''ve been quite a few disturbances at your company. The department is worried you can''t appease these people''s emotions, leading them to storm the power company, so they specially sent me to check out the situation." Hearing Leon inquire about water supply issues, the Security Department manager''s heart skipped a beat. He immediately retracted his smile, showing difficulty, and said, "Well... it''s not that it can''t be told, but the company has regulations for people like us..." "Brother, I won''t beat around the bush with you." Interrupting the manager''s evasion, Leon reached out and pulled out a soft-pack "Gotth" cigarette box. With a skilled knock on the box bottom, he popped a cigarette out, mimicking the harmless smile of a shrewd businessman, he handed the cigarette over amidst the mental curses of the distressed Black Goat. "Tell me directly, what''s really happening with the public water pipes? I just need an answer. Can you handle this matter or not?" "Well... handle it we can, surely." Eyeing the high-end cigarette pack that cost three Silver Wheels, the manager resisted the itch, chuckling, "It just takes some time, and the final appeasement depends on the compensation plan ultimately..." "You better tell me the truth!" Seeing the soul of the other becoming disorderly under his pull, Leon narrowed his eyes and sharply raised his voice, "I already saw how bad it is outside when I came! Though you''ve driven away those blocking your gate, the words ''Either compensate us for medicine, or come drink sewage'' on your wall aren''t yet cleaned off! Do you think I''m blind?" "Well... I''m sorry, I''m just a security manager, and as to how many this incident affects and how to compensate, I really don''t know!" Chapter 46 - 46: 0036 Who is the real demon (two in one)_2 "You were not clear, but after you take me inside, you can help me find out." "This... Although you are with the police department, these matters are company secrets. No matter what, I''m still the Security Department manager, and I can''t just..." "The reason I came to you and not someone else is precisely because you''re the security manager!" Leon quietly stepped forward half a step, staring into the eyes of the somewhat flustered security manager, lowering his voice again, speaking in a warm, coaxing tone, "I originally thought I didn''t need to remind you of these things, but you don''t seem very self-aware, do you? Old brother, use your brain! If something really happens later, once the mob storms the hydraulic company, will those above let you allow them in? Or will they have you stop them? During the process of stopping them, if blood is shed, or if those patients who can''t afford treatment and are carried over end up dying, do you think in the end, this matter might be blamed on you, the security manager, acting on your own?" "This..." After hearing Leon''s hypothetical scenario, the security manager''s expression couldn''t help but change slightly, sweat faintly visible on his forehead. "I''m just following the rules, and besides... this... there''s no certainty it will escalate, and the company may not necessarily..." "Stop making excuses! A company that would save costs by directly pumping sewage into public water pipes, do you think it cares about the life or death of a manager like you?" Glancing at the other''s increasingly unstable Soul Flame, judging that the psychological defense line had wavered, Leon grabbed the security manager''s hand forcefully, shoving an entire box of cigarettes into it. Then, he pried open his fingers one by one, pressuring his hand to hold the cigarette box tightly, and leaned in closer, speaking softly like a whisper, "Think carefully. This matter isn''t really that hard. There are really only two outcomes. The first, I conduct a serious investigation, and you cooperate well. If something happens afterward, the police department can prepare and control the situation early on. You might even gain credit for notifying in time and cooperating well. The second, you deliberately conceal the situation at the hydraulic company, delaying my investigation. If a big mess ensues and the department''s reputation is tarnished, I''ll bear the brunt of it, while you''ll be blamed for inciting a bloody conflict, fired from the hydraulic company, and your family will be sent scavenging in the slums." *By subtly limiting the scope of the other''s thoughts to either yes or no,* Leon, who was secretly keeping his heartbeat steady even as it raced furiously, continued speaking steadily to the manager sweating profusely before him, "Have you ever been to the slums of Capital City, old brother? Have you seen how people live there? If you don''t know, I can tell you. They wear tattered clothes they picked from the trash, even draping themselves with shrouds stolen from funeral parlors. They scavenge trash bins alongside crows and stray cats, digging through toxic alchemical waste dumps for a whole day just to find a few pieces of scrap metal that can be exchanged for half a Copper Wheel. Moreover, every winter, whenever it snows heavily, the next day''s garbage heaps from the Department of Road Administration''s cleaning vehicles would mysteriously gain a few lifeless, rigid corpses that even wild dogs can''t gnaw... Old brother, think carefully. If you choose this path, will you and your family become one of them this year?" After painting a picture of his grim future, watching the opposite party''s soul flames billow with towering black fire, Leon, realizing the timing was right, abruptly released his grip, suddenly stepping back more than half a step. "Wait! Wait!" Boom! Within the security manager''s soul, the gray-white defense line thinner than an eggshell was completely burned through by the surging black flames beneath. Leon''s sudden retreat without warning seemed to remove the last barrier between him and the slums, causing the pale security manager to instinctively follow, clutching Leon''s arm tightly, stammering, "You... I can take you to some... some less important places, but you can''t betray me! If you betray me, I''ll... I''ll..." "Heh, you can be completely at ease about that." After once more observing the other''s soul state, confirming "defense breaking" had occurred, Leon, maintaining an outward calm yet having a heart rate nearing one hundred sixty, smiled and replied with a counter-question, "Do you think betraying a security manager like you would bring any benefit to me? Do you think it would make sense to provoke public outcry for mutual destruction, or to let those above know I obtained information through improper means? Or make it easy for the hydraulic company to accuse me of stealing secrets? Relax, I''m not stupid. Why would I engage in something with absolutely no benefit and full of trouble?" "You... you..." Looking at the young man smiling kindly before him, the security manager suddenly felt his vision blur slightly, as if seeing two sharp, black-tinged horns hovering above the other''s head. Trembling violently, he dared not look at this seemingly simple-minded young demon any longer, quickly turning his head, slightly hunched, leading Leon toward the records room. ... *''Tsk tsk tsk... Resentment, betrayal, jealousy, fear... Kid, you''re remarkable!''* Looking at the almost completely blackened soul of the manager, Black Goat couldn''t help but widen its eyes, marveling in Leon''s mind, S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *''Just listening to a few words from you, how is his soul so deeply stained? Do you... could you possibly possess another Anomalous Object? But I don''t feel anything else there!''* Chapter 47 - 47: 0036 Who is the Real Devil (Two in One)_3 "''This isn''t the result of an anomalous object''s effect, but the result of observation and judgment.'' Leon took a small bottle of cheap liquor, prepared in advance, from the shopping bag containing the goat''s head. He forced down a large gulp despite the unpleasant stench, activated the [Martyr of the Wine Country] badge, and felt the fear and tension gradually dissipate from his heart. He calmly explained while pressing his hand against the Black Goat''s forehead, "''Senior Emma once told me, no matter the situation, never underestimate the importance of intelligence. Careful observation, calm thinking, and cautious judgment are the reasons why she has been able to stay safe in the Purification Bureau for six years. "And before I came in, I specifically observed the injuries of those protesting people and found that the hits were directed at places with thicker flesh. This indicated that the Security Department personnel had been instructed to control their strength. The most likely person to have given such instructions, especially after a serious incident when they were probably treated as scapegoats, was the security manager. "''From there, I realized that although he was part of the Hydro Company, his interests were not entirely aligned with theirs. By attacking the areas he feared and separating his interests from the Hydro Company, we could turn him into our helper.'' ''Goodness... Never mind all that. Have you already learned to communicate using the soul? You really are a born demon!'' *Feeling the thoughts transmitted to his soul through his fingers, the Black Goat felt slightly envious of Leon''s ''demon'' talent. He couldn''t help but retort,* ''You guessed it, didn''t you! It''s the first time meeting him. How do you know he didn''t instruct them to go easy out of compassion? And how do you know what he''s afraid of?'' "''If he really had compassion, he wouldn''t have personally gotten involved, and he wouldn''t have continued to chase and beat those unarmed people even after achieving the goal of driving them away from the entrance. "''As for what he''s afraid of... his collar is clean, his pants are well-pressed, and the family photo frame on his desk with a polo stick in the corner suggests he''s someone with a stable life, a happy family, and the energy to pursue his hobbies.'' *Recalling the man in the family photo, hugging his wife and child with a warm smile, and those protesters beaten black and blue in the alley, Leon shook his head with a complex expression and continued to conclude,* "''People like him fear nothing more than the disruption of their peaceful and stable days and the downfall of their social status. "''So as long as I link the consequences of not cooperating with me to these fears and keep interrupting him, not giving him time to think, he will naturally surrender bit by bit.'' ''...'' ''Damn! Compared to you, I am like a fake demon!'' *Trying to use his not-so-bright mind to think and not finding any obvious flaws, the Black Goat was slightly discouraged, smacking his lips at his uselessness as a demon. Yet soon, he regained his excitement, with a pleading look,* "''Leon, Leon! When you betray him later, can you bring me along too? "''Ah, hehe, falling from the stable realm of humans into Hell because of weakness and cowardice... that''s really interesting! I''m growing to admire you even more!''" "''...'' ''Why aren''t you saying anything?'' *Waiting for a long time without getting a response from Leon, the Black Goat was taken aback, then said in exasperation,* ''You won''t go soft because you realized he has a wife and kids too, will you? Damn it! Can you wake up a bit? He''s a lackey of the Hydro Company! He has led people to beat those who came to demand compensation! ''Kid! Weren''t you thinking of enforcing justice? Then go for it! Once the Hydro Company''s issues are investigated, report and betray him ruthlessly! ''Then step on his head with your shoe, with an arrogant face, and tell him why you did it. Next, let him experience what true despair is in the hellish human world!'' "''...'' ''Let''s see how things go...'' *Shaking his head slightly, Leon sighed and said,* "''Can''t you also see his soul? Though he isn''t a good person by nature, the dark side of his soul is not significantly larger than that of an average person; it''s generally at the same level and even emits a warmth. "If it turns out he did many dirty things for the Hydro Company, when the time comes to sell him out, I definitely wouldn''t hesitate. But to directly ruin him or even his entire family''s lives without even knowing his name seems a bit rash... What''s the matter?!'' Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Seeing a dark flame suddenly surge in the soul vision and feeling the Black Goat''s deep-seated desire, Leon was about to inquire further when his mind was suddenly filled with the Black Goat''s hysterical scream,* ''My heart! It''s my heart! ''Forget about being rash or not! You''d better turn back! Someone in the room we just passed touched my heart!''" Chapter 48 - 48: 0037 Negotiation? Slaughter! (Part 1)_1 What? After hearing the scream of the Black Goat, Leon was taken aback. He had just heard about the "Demon Suit" before setting out, and now, less than three hours later, he had actually found the whereabouts of one of the "sheep offals"? *Was his luck really that good?* Under the anxious urging of the Black Goat, Leon squinted and thought for a moment. Instead of barging directly into that room, he first glanced back at the nameplate on the door and then stopped the security manager to ask, "When I was passing by the meeting room at the back earlier, I seemed to hear someone talking about the public water pipe. Who''s inside there?" "That''s meeting room number two, as for who''s inside...let me check first." Having had his psychological defenses breached, the security manager was selling out the company without any burden, directly pulling out a visitor itinerary from his chest pocket and flipping through it quickly. "Found it...It''s representatives from the Department of Road Administration''s Waterway Bureau, the Ministry of Agriculture''s Water Conservancy Bureau, Charl Department Store, and the old noble families like Lionheart Lyon, Tower Shield York, and Rose Marseille. According to the itinerary given to me, they have occupied that meeting room for almost three days now. They must be¡­must be discussing compensation¡­" Huh? Was it really related to the water pipe? Leon originally just wanted to find a reason to gather some information about the sheep offals. The thing about hearing discussions related to water pipes was naturally made up. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, it turned out that the people in that meeting room were genuinely related to the public water pipe incident. After marveling at his own luck, Leon pointed to the meeting room behind him, then slightly curled his lips, showing the security manager a knowing smile. "This...this I really can''t do..." Seeing Leon''s expression, the security manager couldn''t help but shiver, then with a bitter face, pleaded, "I''m just a small manager in the Security Department! Taking you to the archive to look over records is my limit, I truly can''t blend in there. The people in that meeting, they''re not people I can get in touch with at all. Someone like me doesn''t even have the qualification to look at the meeting records, you¡­" "Don''t worry, I''m not asking you to help me blend in, just wanting to alert you to some security issues." After patting the security manager on the shoulder, Leon gently reminded, "Your company has had quite a few issues recently, those wild protesters outside just came to cause trouble again today, you should be vigilant. Like right now, the Department of Road Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Charl Company, old noble families...With so many important guests involved in the meeting, how can there be no security personnel on duty at the door?" "..." Seeing the security manager''s thoughtful expression, Leon requested, "In your security department''s duty room, there should be spare uniforms, right? Get me a set that fits...hmm...having one guard might seem odd, better call another guard with a straightforward character who doesn''t talk much to come over and stand watch with me at the meeting room, how about that?" After hearing Leon''s request, the security manager couldn''t help but pause his breathing, instinctively hoping this demon would have less contact with people who might expose his identity, biting his teeth and proactively suggesting, "How about I stay with you here..." "No, no, no, you are a manager in the Security Department, how can you stand guard personally? Besides, you have more important tasks to do." Having outright rejected the security manager''s suggestion, Leon calmly instructed, "While I''m standing guard here, please go to the archive room and find a way to bring out the relevant files. For the documents you can''t bring out, transcribe the key parts and place them in your office. I''ll come to get them after my guard duty ends. Hmm¡­To avoid taking the wrong thing, place them under that family photo on your desk. Oh, by the way, looking at the badge on the uniform in the photo, it seems your wife is a teacher at Victor Parish Elementary School? If I''m not mistaken, your daughter should also be studying there?" Under the security manager''s suddenly terrified gaze, Leon withdrew his hand from his shoulder, smiled gently, and encouraged with his eyes, "How wonderful, a daughter so lively and cute, a wife who''s both gentle and beautiful and is a distinguished teacher herself, and you being a middle-tier employee in a major corporation; your life is more well-off than ninety percent of people in the Capital City. So, promise me, be a good husband, but even more, be a good father. Never let them down, okay?" ... "Sorry, I can''t agree to this." Having reviewed the seventh revised compensation proposal in his hands, the middle-aged man with long blonde hair shook his head, calmly refusing, "Since the start of raising funds for the renovation and expansion of the municipal water pipes, our Ryan family has invested a lot of money in each round, and the dividends in the past two years have barely broken even. If we proceed with this compensation proposal, not only would this year''s dividends be entirely deducted, but we would also have to return last year''s dividends. Our Ryan family will not accept this." "The York family also disagreed." "The Marseille family opposed." "With three out of six directors rejecting, it seems there''s no necessity to continue with this round of voting." After seeing the expressions of everyone in the meeting room, the host shook his head and turned to the middle-aged woman with an unpleasant look, saying, "Mrs. Charl, although you invested the most in the water company during its formation, I still suggest you revise the proposal. The naive solution you hope for will never pass." "Revise...how should this proposal be revised?" It wasn''t clear whether she was worn out by days of wrangling or angered by the irony implicit in the host''s words. The middle-aged woman, still beautiful despite the crow''s feet at the corners of her eyes, suddenly stood up and, faced with everyone else''s cold gaze, raised her beautifully arched brows and angrily questioned, "We only take three-tenths during dividends and have to bear five-tenths during compensation! How else do you want to modify it? Do you want Charl Department Store to shoulder it all?" "Mrs. Charl, please calm down a bit." After the middle-aged woman vented her anger, the middle-aged man from the Ryan family, with a neutral demeanor, lightly tapped the table with curled knuckles and said, "We are not asking Charl Department Store to bear it all, only disputing the way the compensation is carried out. Instead of finding those so-called victims one by one for compensation, we prefer it to be handled with more ''flexibility.'' For instance, separating out the other five businesses excluding water supply¡ªenergy, irrigation, sewage, etc.¡ªthen establishing a new company, having Charl Power Company compensate all the money, and then letting it directly close down." Watching the woman''s furious eyes across from him, the middle-aged man leaned back into the sofa, calmly adding, "Since it''s the water supply business having the issue this time, the compensation should be limited to the profits obtained from the water supply business. There''s no need to involve other parts of the water company. Personally, I find this a very reasonable outcome. What do you think?" Chapter 49 - 49: 0038 Negotiation? Slaughter! (Part 2)_1 "I thought you were trying to kill me!" Looking at the approving eyes of the other directors in the conference room, the chest of the middle-aged woman suddenly began to heave violently, as if all the blood in her body was rushing backward to her head. Her tightly clenched hands were as cold as a dead person''s. Directly bankrupting Charl Power Company could indeed avoid most of the compensation, which seemed like a good plan for all the directors¡ªexcept for her own Charl Department Store¡ªbecause the power company also bore the "Charl" name! Once she actually agreed to these people''s proposal and let the Charl Power Company go bankrupt, most of the resentment would fall on her own family. What would happen next was easy to imagine. The angry populace couldn''t attack the Department of Road Administration, nor could they boycott the three old noble families, but they could boycott the business of her other companies and assail the Charl Department Store branches spread throughout Capital City! Even though her department store currently occupied more than seventy percent of the market share in Capital City, as soon as the influence of this matter spread, each store would immediately become deserted, subject to endless harassment and even theft and robbery! "You... you wish!!!" Seeing the other directors'' expressions, a mixture of coldness and implicit mockery, the elegantly dressed middle-aged woman took several rapid breaths, then tightly clenched her fist and slammed it on the table, "Don''t forget we are the biggest investors! Moreover, you all signed an agreement at the start that our Charl Department Store has a veto power! As long as I disagree, none of your proposals can pass!" "If this is the answer you''re giving, then I can only express my regret." After glancing at the hysterical appearance of the middle-aged woman, the middle-aged man from the Lionheart Family shook his head. With his fingers interlocked and leaning back on the sofa, he said calmly, "Since you insist on giving unreasonable compensation and can''t reach a consensus on business philosophy with everyone, the Ryan Family will just withdraw. Also, according to the initial contract, we are going to conduct a round of voting next. If the vote passes, we can still take this year''s dividends, but looking at your expression..." After looking at the woman''s bloodshot eyes, the middle-aged man from the Lionheart Family shook his head and said, "Forget it, there''s no need to waste time. The Ryan Family is giving up this year''s dividends, and we wish all those who stay the best in managing the company." "You... you''re just being unreasonable!" Seeing someone actually choose to flip the table at this time, the middle-aged woman couldn''t help but say angrily, "This year''s dividends aren''t even enough for half of the compensation! Besides! The water supply issue was obviously under your control, and now that something''s happened, you actually have the nerve to walk away?" "Ahem... Mrs. Charl, that''s not correct." The old man with a rose emblem embroidered on his chest cleared his throat and leisurely reminded, "While your veto power can decide whether the proposal passes, it certainly can''t decide others'' participation, right? Additionally, I''m sorry, I cannot accept your proposal, and likewise, the Massani Family is withdrawing. We wish you all the best in your endeavors." "The York Family is withdrawing as well." "You... you..." Seeing the three old noble families collectively shirk their responsibilities, clearly having colluded in advance, the cornered middle-aged woman instinctively turned her gaze to the other two families. "Sorry, this event is a natural disaster unrelated to our Department of Road Administration." After looking sympathetically at the frantic middle-aged woman, the official from the River Bureau of the Department of Road Administration shook his head and said, "Though the dam of our department was breached, the direct cause of the accident was still that the power company didn''t operate according to procedures. Our Department of Road Administration will not allocate funds for compensation." "Our Department of Agriculture is the same." The official from the Water Resources Bureau of the Department of Agriculture also shook his head and said, "Our Department of Agriculture is not involved in the water supply business. Even if I apply for funding from above, it won''t be approved, so all we can do is report this year''s power company''s losses and relinquish dividends. As for the rest, I''m afraid I''m powerless." "..." *So... in the end, it''s all dumped on me, isn''t it?!* "You can''t leave!" Seeing the people in the meeting room preparing to get up and leave, the middle-aged woman, burning with anxiety, couldn''t help but grit her teeth and stomp hard, "If you leave, it means abandoning other parts of the business besides water supply! Not only will there be no dividends in the future, but you also won''t see a single penny of the money for the initial construction of the plant!" "Since we''ve decided to withdraw, we''re naturally prepared for these things." Upon hearing these words, the middle-aged blond man raised his eyelids slightly, reminding calmly, "Mrs. Charl, you seem to have forgotten that most of the business of the power company was brought in by us, and without anyone purchasing your ''products,'' even the most robust production ability is meaningless. After exiting the Charl Power Company, we can easily start up a new company with the same business, or even wait for the Charl Power Company to go bankrupt, then purchase its remains at less than a tenth of the original price." "Oh, and also." Seeing Mrs. Charl''s face, which was turning pale as she subconsciously gritted her teeth, the blond middle-aged man''s lips slightly curled up, showing the first hint of expression on his usually expressionless face. "Apart from the power company, the three of us are also very interested in the department store business, and when the department store we are planning is completed, you and Mr. Charl are welcome to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony." "¡­" "You... you did this on purpose?!" Looking at the smile on the blond middle-aged man''s face, the woman''s mind was electrified, and her entire body began to tremble. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *No wonder... no wonder such a low-level accident occurred! It turns out this whole thing was aimed at our family from the start!* The money for starting the power company had locked down her family''s funds, and now with the incident happening right before they broke even, the huge compensation combined with the utterly ruined reputation was enough to drive her department store into a corner, forcing it to relinquish its market share! Moreover, rather than the three days of negotiations failing to reach an agreement on a compensation plan, it was more likely intended to delay her response time, allowing the whole matter to spread and ferment. They even allowed those protesters to come near the power company and then had Security Department personnel beat them but without completely driving them away, also to escalate the situation quickly! No! This isn''t right! It goes beyond that! Seeing those directors who used to respect her greatly but now had nothing but ridicule in their eyes, the middle-aged woman felt dizzy, and she suddenly stumbled. Back then, they clearly didn''t need her family''s participation, and they could have established the power company without involving the Charl Department Store, which meant unnecessary free money for her family. So, it was a setup from the beginning! From the moment they roped her into investing and branding the power company, their goal hadn''t changed¡ªit was always to swallow her department store! *How could I be so stupid!!!* "Mom? Mom!" Seeing that something was wrong with the middle-aged woman, the young girl with a doll-like face who was behind her hurriedly stepped forward to support her. And when she realized that her mother suddenly rolled her eyes and kept mumbling incoherently without uttering a clear word, the doll-faced girl''s expression changed drastically, her voice suddenly tinged with tears. "Someone! Please, someone come quickly!" Chapter 50 - 50: 0039 Lucky Day?_1 Ah, this... S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing the cries coming from inside, Leon, who was standing guard outside in a small uniform, blinked in surprise. A few hours earlier, he had just learned of the "Seven Sheep Tavern" news and unexpectedly discovered the whereabouts of one of them. In an attempt to gather information, he had blurted out a random line, only to stumble upon the board meeting of the water company. He was just pondering how to get inside and see who was who, when suddenly, an incident occurred in the conference room. A somewhat familiar female voice started crying out for help... *Was my luck too good today?* ... "Coming!" Temporarily putting aside thoughts of luck, Leon, after laboriously pulling open the heavy oak door, rushed into the conference room, and the excited shouts of the Black Goat echoed in his mind. ''To the right! That little blonde! He''s the one who touched my heart!'' Blonde... The Ryan family had been blondes for generations, and at the moment, there was only one blonde person in the room. So, the Black Goat''s sheep organ was with the Ryan family? Pretending to glance casually at the middle-aged blonde man, memorizing his physique and appearance, Leon slightly lowered his head, using the brim of his hat to cover most of his face, and then quickly moved toward the woman who had fallen on the left. "Quick!" Not noticing that the security guard who had come in was a "familiar face," and looking at her mother who had already started convulsing, the panicked baby-faced girl grabbed Leon''s arm and cried out urgently, "Go find a doctor! Quickly get someone to carry her up and..." "Don''t move her yet!" After just glancing at the situation of the middle-aged woman and recognizing what appeared to be epilepsy, Leon hesitated whether to help, worried that intervening rashly might expose his identity. But recalling what he had heard while standing guard outside the door, that this lady of Charl Department Store seemed to be responsible for the public water pipe incident''s compensation, and to prevent the compensation issue from becoming more complicated, Leon ultimately stopped the baby-faced girl. By guiding her to lay the middle-aged woman flat, turn her head to the side to prevent saliva from choking her airway, Leon stood up and looked around, then tore a piece of lining from the sofa cushion beside him, rolled it up, and placed it between the middle-aged woman''s teeth. "That''s about right... Slightly lift her chin, and loosen any tight areas of her clothing to keep her breathing smooth!" "Okay, okay! I''ll do it now!" In emergency situations, what people fear most is not clear danger but not knowing what to do at all. Instinctively following Leon''s instructions, after completing a series of procedures, the baby-faced girl, who was facing the only person who provided the "what to do" answer, instinctively looked at Leon with tearful eyes and asked, "Then what? What else should I do?" "Then wait a few minutes and see if she can calm down on her own." Leon turned and instructed another "temporary guard" to fetch a small cart just in case, then squatted down and comforted her in a low voice, "I''ve seen this illness before, as long as nothing chokes the airway or she bites her tongue, she usually comes around in a few minutes. If it doesn''t improve, maintain this position while pushing her to find a doctor. There generally won''t be any life-threatening danger." "Okay! Thank you... thank you!" Hearing there wasn''t a life-threatening danger, the baby-faced girl''s hanging *heart* finally settled down. Feeling weak in her knees, she fell backward with a thud, landing on the carpet like a little duckling. She continued to hold her mother''s chin while tearfully thanking Leon repeatedly. Although it seemed complex to describe, it actually took less than a minute. Once it appeared that the middle-aged woman''s condition was under control, the other people in the room, who had been stunned by the unexpected situation, also breathed a sigh of relief. Conspiring to embezzle Charl Department Store''s assets was ultimately just a business matter. Even though there were a number of illegal operations involved, their confidence in their combined power to suppress any counterattacks from the other side remained. However, if Mrs. Charl had died of a sudden illness from anger right there, the situation would have been entirely different. It wasn''t like the old days, where a noble title could crush businesspeople into powerlessness. If things really got out of hand, triggering unified opposition from the business association, their three families would probably face a collective boycott from businessmen. The business association also had a considerable number of congressional seats, making them a formidable political force not to be underestimated. If this group felt threatened and united, coupled with the machinations of Mr. Charl, the vice president of the business association, they would probably face a serious backlash. "Well done!" Seeing a potential storm dissipated in advance, several directors were overjoyed. The meeting host of the water company heaved a sigh of relief and spoke to Leon with a beaming smile, "Your salary for this month is doubled! Go to your department''s... um..." Looking at this peculiar employee, dressed in a security uniform but holding a big broom, the host furrowed his brow in confusion. "Which department are you from? Security or cleaning?" "Security! I''m with the Security Department." Leon once again put on the honest smile he had learned from the old man at the coffee stand, lowered his head a little "shyly," and said with a simple look, "There have been disturbances outside these days. Our manager is worried that someone unsavory might sneak in and disturb the guests, so we were arranged to stand guard outside. In case of an emergency, we could also lend a hand, which came into play today." "Hmm, very good!" Nodding in satisfaction, the meeting host waved his hand dismissively and added, "Since you''re with the Security Department, find your manager, Andrew, and tell him your salary for this month is doubled. After that, it will be increased by 30% from the base! That''s all, you''re dismissed." "Alright!" Although he was quite displeased with these sons of bitches in the room, since he had obtained news, confirmed the whereabouts of one of the sheep organs, and would soon have evidence of the water company''s violations, Leon wisely opted to retreat while ahead. Adjusting the brim of his hat, he grabbed the broom and tried to leave. Yet, something strange happened. Just as Leon was turning to leave, the sheep''s head in the shopping bag swayed ever so slightly. The sharp horns slashed through the bag, tumbling out and landing right on the carpet, directly facing several directors. (¡Ñ?¡Ñ)? (¡Ñ?¡Ñ)? (¡Ñ?¡Ñ)? *Why does this scene seem a bit familiar?* "Um, sorry about that. My wife loves sheep head soup; I bought this at the morning market to take home after work." With an unflinching lie, the same poor one as before, Leon swiftly bent down to pick up the sheep''s head, intending to make a quick exit while the others were stupefied. Unfortunately for him, his security uniform''s jacket was a bit short, with the pocket positioned oddly high. As Leon bent over, the documents originally tucked in his chest pocket bizarrely slipped out. Bouncing happily on the carpet a couple of times, drawing a mischievous arc, Leon''s identification fell right before the directors, the unique Police Department insignia shimmering brightly under the lights. (?£à?§¥?¡ä)!! (?£à?§¥?¡ä)!! (?£à?§¥?¡ä)!! That wasn''t even the end of it. At this particularly crucial moment, there came a muffled thud from outside the conference room door. Looking at the abruptly opened conference room door, the prominent guest lying on the floor foaming at the mouth, and Leon reaching down to pick up the Police Department''s identification, the Security Manager, who had just come back from the File room, instantly broke down, throwing aside the files in hand and pointing at Leon as he screamed in horror, "It wasn''t me! He made me do it! I know nothing!!!" Chapter 51 - 51: 0040 Birthday?_1 "I really was screwed by the Black Goat! Leon couldn''t believe how, just a moment ago, everything was going smoothly, but within seconds, he managed to completely blow his cover in three different ways. He muttered a curse under his breath, then swiftly grabbed the broom and darted out of the conference room door, coming face-to-face with the security manager, who wore a vicious expression. "You..." "You''re finished!" With a fierce kick, Leon landed a blow square on the security manager''s face, sending him flying back along with the rest of his words. Leon then scooped up the file from the floor and charged headlong out the door. By this point, even the most clueless person should have realized something was wrong. Five or six shouts of varying tones echoed almost simultaneously within the conference room, ultimately merging into a symphony that condensed into a single phrase: "Catch him!!!!!!" ... *You''ll never catch me!* Although things had suddenly gone sideways, Leon felt completely unruffled inside. Because, beyond the calming effects of [Martyr of the Wine Country], he had the wisdom imparted by Senior Emma: "Instead of thinking about how to complete the mission, you should first consider your escape plan in case of failure." So, when entering the hydraulics company, Leon had already scoped out the layout carefully, planned his escape route in advance in case he got found out, and was utterly untroubled by the thought of being caught. After quickly assessing the situation in his mind, and considering that there was a security team at the main entrance to ward off protesters, Leon didn''t run toward the nearest door. Instead, he took off in the opposite direction, sprinting deeper into the company! "Stop him!" "Seize that person!" "Don''t let him get away!" Amid the chaotic shouts, as if a snowball was rolling downhill, more and more people picked up the chase behind Leon, almost entirely blocking the corridor. Due to carrying a bunch of items, Leon couldn''t pick up much speed and was quickly chased down. A few of the security guards, who were in peak physical condition, were only about three steps away, still able to keep shouting loudly while chasing him down. "Drop those things!" "There''s no way through up ahead!" "Stop! You can''t escape anymore!" *Who said I was going to ''run'' away?* Leon glanced back at the pursuers, seeing that they were getting perilously close. Already prepared, he narrowed his eyes and gripped the handle of the [Witch''s Broom] tightly! "Boom!" A shield meant to block airflow shattered explosively, and in the enclosed room, a bizarre storm suddenly kicked up, absurdly only targeting the lower half of the body. The security guards running behind Leon, already leaning forward as they ran, were knocked down like falling stalks of wheat by the evil wind. They fell onto the floor, some hitting their heads hard enough on the tiled flooring to bleed or even pass out. Although those following weren''t directly blown over by the gust, they tripped over the downed guards in front and ended up rolling into a tangled mess on the floor, blocking the way for the people behind. The number of "pursuers" was suddenly halved! "Damn it! Go around!" "Move it! Don''t block the way!" "He''s going upstairs!" One cannot deny that the physical fitness of the hydraulics company''s security staff was quite impressive. A few managed to keep their balance and didn''t fall, merely delayed for a moment. The ones who hadn''t fallen too hard soon got up, gritted their teeth, and rushed back into the chase, following Leon into the stairwell. However, another confounding event occurred right then. Leon burst into the stairwell like a monkey returned to the forest. His already somewhat thin body seemed as light as paper. With just a single leap, he practically flew up the stairs. He grabbed onto the railing with his free hand to stabilize himself, then, deciding that wasn''t fast enough, he tucked the goat head and folder into one arm and the broom under the other, and astonishingly jumped into the gap between the stairs. In the stunned eyes of the security guards who were watching him as revered as a deity, Leon, who wore the same uniform as them, didn''t even bother using the stairs. Instead, he began to scale upward through the stairwell gap, like a swimmer slipping through water. It was as if the surrounding air wasn''t just empty space but was buoyant like river water. His not-so-bulky frame barely needed to contract and extend its limbs to gain leverage on the railings and stairs, springing nearly two meters upward effortlessly, more nimble than a man clutching empty barrels floating up from the sea! S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You... Why are you all just standing there?!" The event manager, pale-faced, wheezed as he ran into the stairwell and saw the security guards standing dazedly, looking up. He couldn''t help but furiously roar: "Chase him down for me! He took records from the file room! Even if you all drop dead here, you must... huh?" The sight of Leon, who ascended the sixth floor monkey-like, then kicked through a window to fly out on the broom, momentarily made the event manager forget to breathe. His previously furious face alternated between red and white, before eventually turning a faint shade of purple. "Huh?!?!?!?!" ... "Hahaha, I never expected it! My heart is actually in the Capital City!" Ignoring the oncoming gale, the Black Goat strapped to the broom handle grinned widely in exhilaration: "Kid, you''re really lucky! I just mentioned it casually, and you bumped into one right away, and it was even the strongest heart around! Kid! You need to get stronger fast! Once you''re powerful enough, in just an hour, we could wipe out the entire Ryan Family and snatch my heart back!" "Speaking of luck..." Accustomed to ignoring the Black Goat''s demonic remarks, Leon couldn''t help but frown as he recalled the recent events: "Don''t you think today has been a bit strange?" "Huh?" "Up until I left the conference room, my luck today was astonishingly good." Straddling the broom, Leon extended his hand, counting each coincidence on his fingers: "I wanted to find your goat... anomalous object, and I immediately got the information; I wanted to understand the hydraulics company''s compensation plan, and I instantly found out about the board meeting; I wanted to sneak in to see who had touched your heart, and something immediately happened... Oh, and also!" Feeling the pocket on his security uniform, Leon furrowed his brows: "It''s one thing that you fell out of the shopping bag¡ªthe movement was a bit vigorous¡ªbut the pocket is peculiar. To ensure I didn''t lose my ID, I specifically secured the button on the pocket, but just as I bent over, the thread on the button broke at that exact moment, sending my Purification Bureau ID flying out. And that security manager... he had to appear at the most inopportune moment; had he been a moment earlier or later, nothing would''ve happened¡ªthere''re just too many coincidences today, right?" *It does seem a bit ridiculous... and the instances of good luck and bad luck are equal? Hmm... I get it!* Squinting in thought, the Black Goat confidently declared: "Kid, today must be your birthday!" ??? *Birthday? My birthday isn''t for a while! And what does that have to do with anything?* "Heh, it''s the blessing your Purification Bureau stole from the Master of Starry Skies." Noticing Leon''s confusion, the Black Goat chuckled and queried back: "You don''t think the 87 branches of the Purification Bureau were just randomly named, right? Kid, let me tell you, your 87 branches are a conceptual anomalous object themselves, something like Star Atlas Protection, if I recall correctly. The effect of that thing grants Purification Bureau employees the protection of the corresponding constellation on their birthday, giving them a ''wish fulfillment'' ability akin to dreams coming true. Of course, this ability is a degraded version and can only help you achieve goals that were already possible¡ªwanting to become world king, for example, would yield nothing." "But that can''t be right, can it?" Upon hearing this, Leon instinctively furrowed his brows and shook his head, denying it: "Wish fulfillment would represent good luck, but I''ve experienced as much bad luck as good today!" "Having misfortune is part of the deal. Did you really think the Master of Starry Skies had no temper?" Recalling something particularly amusing, the Black Goat laughed: "Though forced to give their blessing, the Master of Starry Skies is quite petty. They countered with an equivalent curse. Employees of your Purification Bureau using this blessing on their birthday will face several misfortunes after achieving their goals, tying up the balance, so to speak." "It seems to make sense..." Reflecting on recent events once again, Leon initially nodded slightly but then quickly shook his head, frowning: "But my birthday has passed¡ªit''s definitely not today!" Chapter 52 - 52: 0041 Going Home and Getting Beaten_1 You''re saying your birthday isn''t today? Seriously? After hearing Leon''s doubts, the Black Goat couldn''t help but retort, "Come on, either you remembered wrong, your parents made a mistake, or the person who registered your birthday in the Kingdom messed it up. Your birthday must be today." "But..." "Stop overthinking it, there''s no ''but.''" With certainty, the Black Goat countered, "Do you think it''s more likely that you, your parents, or that registrar got the date wrong, or that a True God made a mistake with the Star Palace alignment for you?" "..." *Well, that makes sense...* After recalling his birthday from his past life and confirming it didn''t match, Leon had eliminated all possibilities he could think of. He had no choice but to agree with the Black Goat, thinking it must have been his sister who got his birthday wrong. As for why he thought it wasn''t himself who was mistaken... That was obviously because he didn''t remember anything at all! Three years ago when he "arrived," he was a complete blank slate. He didn''t even remember his own name until Anna told him. *Hmm... It''s better to ask her again later.* Although knowing the exact day of his birthday wasn''t that important, if he could really use this "Star Atlas Protection" to gain a degraded version of wish-fulfilling abilities on his birthday, then it would be worth confirming. After making a mental note of this, Leon pulled out a folded piece of parchment from his pocket and started scribbling with a piece of charcoal. Practice shooting, earn the Badge¡ªreached Bronze Visit the nurse named Hannah¡ªdiscovered Happiness Apartment Buy cigarettes for the Black Goat, earn Devil''s Badge¡ªreached silver, but ran out of money and couldn''t buy more Investigate the water pipe incident, try to collect evidence of illegal operation¡ª Find the Black Goat''s "Seven Sheep Tavern"¡ª *Hmm... Looking at it this way, I''ve almost completed everything I wanted to do!* Satisfied, Leon put a checkmark next to the water pipe incident and drew a heart next to the "Sheep Tavern" entry, indicating he had found the whereabouts of Yang Xin. He then squeezed the Witch''s Broom with his legs and added three more items to the parchment with the charcoal. Look into the Ryan Family''s blond middle-aged man, gather news about Yang Xin¡ª Confirm his birthday with Anna, see if he could use the birthday luck next year¡ª Find a well-connected and bold newspaper, leak the water pipe incident without revealing his identity¡ª *Hmm... That''s it for now!* After pondering over the parchment for a moment, Leon thoughtfully circled the words "newspaper" with black. *Just enough time for today, let''s visit a few newspapers soon, buy a few papers, and read their news selections. See which one dares to stir things up!* ... Even though the document theft at Charl Power Company was no small matter, it was barely a ripple in the ocean of a mega city with over ten million people. The Capital City continued to function smoothly and steadily. As the sun slowly sank westward, this city, known for being made of "factories, smog, and a sea of people," gradually started to fall silent. As the din and roar of machines quieted down, countless hardworking and weary industrial workers filed out of the factories. Under the dim streetlights, they trudged home, faces lined with exhaustion... "Isn''t Leon done with work yet?" Without waiting for Leon, Anna carried her change of clothes and luggage from the hospital back to Veteran Lane. Seeing the dark window of their home''s second bedroom, she instinctively bit her lip, pulled out a key, and opened the door. "It''s Sis! Sis is really back!" "I knew Big Bro wouldn''t lie to me!" Hearing noises at the door, the two little ones initially felt scared. But seeing it was Anna, who had been gone for days, they rushed over, clinging to her leg like koalas, holding on as if letting go would mean she''d escape again. "Yes, Sis is back." Dragging two little koalas, she walked forward two steps, working hard to set her luggage on the table. The frail girl, like a mother coming home from work, lovingly patted the heads of her younger siblings and then bent down to give each a kiss, smiling warmly. "Were you both good while I was gone? Did you cause any trouble for Big Bro?" Upon hearing Anna''s question, the atmosphere in the room tensed up slightly. The two little ones instinctively exchanged a glance. In Melanie''s panicked expression, gullible William honestly said, "We were good, but... uh..." "No, no! We didn''t do anything!" "..." "Hmm?" Seeing her sister''s eyes narrow, Melanie turned her small head, glaring fiercely at her dopey brother before admitting reluctantly, "We weren''t causing trouble... It''s just Jack and the others were being annoying. They insisted you wouldn''t come back, and we got really mad, so we... kind of... played a little prank on them..." "..." After hearing Melanie''s explanation, seeing her sister''s aggrieved look, Anna''s heart ached slightly, and she reached out to stroke her messy blonde hair. The fault didn''t entirely lie with their mischief; it was partly Anna''s own fault. Before she became ill this time, she had a premonition that she might not come back, so she had arranged with families in the neighborhood, asking them to help cover up the truth so her brother could continue receiving her pension. Jack was a kid from the alley too, and from one of those families. He probably overheard their parents slip and told during some roughhousing, upsetting Melanie and her brother. William was quiet and steady, likely just stewing in his anger silently until he could complain after her return. But Melanie, with her cunning and petty nature, must have immediately come up with a plan for revenge, dragging honest William along under the pretense of "protecting his sister," judging by her hesitant demeanor, they must have wreaked havoc in the neighborhood for days. "You, you! Sigh!" Pinching her sister''s supple cheek, smoother than a boiled egg, the frail girl sighed and shook her head, thinking of how badly they had been scared these last few days. Initially wanting to be gentle, in the end, she hardened her heart and scolded sternly, "Don''t try to trivialize this! Confess truthfully! What have you two little rascals been doing these past few days! If it''s not too serious, I''ll take you to apologize tomorrow, and we''ll call it even. But if it''s worse than last time, no matter the reason, you''ll both get a spanking today!" Hearing Anna''s words, Melanie couldn''t help but shiver, clutching her dress nervously while her eyes darted around, "Well... if it''s not too serious... it might be a bit much, but if it''s serious... it''s probably not that... mostly... um..." "Quit with the ums and buts! I knew the minute we shoved horse dung in Jack''s mouth, we wouldn''t escape a spanking this time!" Tugging at his still-trying-to-defend-herself sister, little William expertly dropped his pants, exposing his bare butt, and turned to seriously address the wide-eyed sisters behind him. "Sis, I''ve calculated. If I''m being spanked, just double the usual amount for me, and as for Melanie... you better make it five times as much as before!" S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 53 - 53: 0042 Discipline and Newspaper_1 "Ugh! I really must have owed you in my past life!" "Are you really my brother? You''re... ugh! You''re clearly here to collect debts!" "If I had known this earlier, before you were even... ugh! Before you were even born, I should have... ugh! I should have just fought you directly!" "Wah, wah, wah, I''m sorry, sister! I... ugh! Lower your hand a bit, don''t wear yourself out... ugh!" When Leon came back to Veteran Lane carrying two stacks of newspapers, before he even reached the door, he heard his little sister''s heart-wrenching cries and the crisp sound of a hand spanking a bottom from a distance away. In addition to that, there were six or seven smelly little kids standing from afar, wiping their tears and clapping with joy in the direction of Leon''s house. "Wah, wah, wah, finally, Sister Anna is back!" "Yeah, yeah, I''ve been waiting for this day to come!" "I''ve also waited several days for this, she''s finally getting spanked!" "Sister Anna should live a long life because no one else can manage her!" "..." Alright then... I think I know what''s going on here... Glancing at the pitiful little kids and spotting some undigested horse manure stuck in one of their teeth, Leon''s face darkened. He quickly raised the newspapers to cover his face and slipped quietly toward his house. Under the regretful gaze of the little kids, before Leon could reach the door, the sound of spanking abruptly stopped. Anna, in her white dress and with red eyes, opened the door and called out to Leon. "Bro..." "Let''s talk inside, let''s talk inside!" Feeling uncomfortable from the piercing gaze of the little kids, Leon quickly supported Anna''s shoulder and pushed her back into the house. Then he hurriedly put down the boards covering the windows, finally feeling slightly better after blocking out the little kids'' prying eyes. "Wah wah, big brother, I''m sorry!" And once both Leon and Anna stepped inside, before Anna could even begin to complain, the well-versed Melanie rushed over and clung to Leon''s leg, refusing to let go. As she dodged Anna''s attempts to catch her, Melanie spilled the beans like a rapid-fire monologue, explaining the whole incident in just a few sentences. "Why not... let''s just leave it at that today?" After hearing the rough context, Leon, not having the heart to scold, sighed as he looked at Melanie''s eyes swollen like two small peaches. He resignedly stepped into the role of peacemaker and gently advised, "Shoving horse manure into someone''s mouth warrants a spanking, but those kids said some things they shouldn''t have. Melanie shouldn''t be entirely blamed for mischief this time, and just by looking at her, she probably knows she was wrong." "She doesn''t know she''s wrong!" Seeing Melanie galloping around Leon and secretly glaring at William, Anna also wiped away tears and angrily said, "Brother! You don''t even know what happened! Our family has barely made it to today... how much have we benefited from the neighbors? And this is how we repay them? Don''t stop me! If she dares to shove horse manure into someone''s mouth today, who knows what she''ll do in the future! If I don''t spank her good this time, she''ll definitely dare next time!" "You''re right, brother." Just when both sides were at an impasse, and Leon hesitated whether to let go, William, with his pants still down, suddenly turned around with a serious face and chimed in, "This afternoon, Melanie told me she thinks she''s in for a spanking when sister comes back, but if something like this happens again, she''d do it again except change her methods. She thinks that while horse manure is big, it doesn''t smell as bad as cat or dog poop, so yesterday afternoon she made me collect a bunch of dog poop with her, insisting on hiding it in my old shoes to try out tomorrow... Bro, I really think you guys should give her a good spanking." "..." "..." "Ah! I... I''m going to fight you!" Caught off guard by the utter betrayal, Melanie first let out a desperate scream, then released Leon''s leg and pounced toward William with her teeth bared. But she was short-limbed and moved slowly, so she''d barely lunged half a step before Anna grabbed her, flipped her over a knee, pulled down her pants, and spanked her without mercy. "I''ll teach you to fight him... Who do you want to fight, huh?" "Not fighting, not fighting... ah! I was just joking!" "I''ll teach you to joke... does that mean you''ll joke about not daring next time too? Hmm?" "No, no... that''s real! Ah! It''s real!" "It''s real? So trying dog poop tomorrow is real too? Is it? Answer me!" "It''s not! Ah! It''s not! You''re being unreasonable!" "..." Forget it, Anna knows more about handling the kids. I better not interfere blindly, or we''ll end up raising them wrong. Glancing sympathetically at Melanie''s swollen bottom, Leon turned toward his brother, still standing there with his pants down, and couldn''t help but say, "Maybe... you should pull up your pants?" "It''s okay, bro!" Little William shook his head knowingly, then flexed his fingers with confidence and said, "I calculated it, sister still owes me fifteen more spankings, so if I pull them up now I''ll just have to take them off again later¡ªI''ll put them back on after it''s all done!" "..." Even without questioning your calculation, just judging from the intense "battle" over there, I can tell Anna won''t have time to spank you today. "Alright then... be careful not to catch a cold..." With a speechless reminder to his single-minded brother, Leon picked up the two stacks of old newspapers in his hands and went towards his small bedroom. Leon originally planned to buy some new newspapers. However, he found his pockets embarrassingly empty, and realized he wouldn''t have enough to last until payday. So he went back to the Purification Bureau to ask around and finally got some from Senior Emma, who had the habit of subscribing to newspapers. After all, Leon wasn''t looking to get news from the newspapers¡ªhe just wanted to find the boldest newspapers based on their reporting topics to create a fuss with the Water Power Company''s issue. It didn''t matter whether the paper was new or old, as long as there was something to read. Plopping down in front of the old table with a broken leg, he spread out the newspapers and his expression turned serious as Melanie''s cries echoed in the background. Page after page, he leafed through the recycled newspapers he''d gathered. "Corner Alley News," "Financial Times," "Dance Entertainment News," "New Industry News"¡ªforget these; they mostly seemed to be about happenings in specific industries, not much on social news. "Pictorial News," "Commentators News," "The Sun News" were also out; the first two seemed to have Old Nobility backgrounds and were filled with praises for that old system. The last one was a damned newspaper just by its name¡ªdefinitely not a choice... So, it seemed that only three were left to choose from. Sifting through a large stack of newspapers, Leon finally settled on "Daily News," "Royal Mail News," and "Capital Evening News." As he pondered over which one to choose, the door to the side room suddenly got knocked. "Bro, sister''s done with the spanking." S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With his pants now up, William appeared at the door. He first sniffed vigorously, then clasped his hands behind him, puffed out his chest, and suggested like a little adult, "Melanie should be okay, sister didn''t spank too hard. Just have her lie down for a bit to recover, but sister went straight to her room crying after. Shouldn''t you go and console her?" Chapter 54 - 54: 0043 Family Portrait with Protagonist (Two in One)_1 Of course, he had to do some persuading. Though Anna''s condition had stabilized, she had just been discharged from the hospital not long ago; breaking down wouldn''t be good for her health. After patting his little brother on the head, who was clever yet naive, Leon put down the newspaper he was holding, got up, and left the small bedroom, heading towards Anna''s room. This old house on Veteran Lane wasn''t the original home of Leon and his siblings. It was an old house that the military assigned to them after withholding part of their pension, and it was almost five times their age. The whole house was old and worn out, with mediocre lighting and no bathroom. Except for a small living room connected to the kitchen, it only had one master bedroom and one small bedroom. The smaller bedroom had always been occupied by Leon. As for what was called Anna''s room, it was actually the master bedroom shared by her and her two younger siblings. "Squeak." Accompanied by the rusty, grating creak of the old door hinge, Leon pushed open the door of the master bedroom and immediately saw his sister sobbing into the bedding. Like the small bedroom where Leon stayed, this tiny master bedroom also had only one single bed. When William and Melanie were younger, they could barely fit, but as the two mischievous ones grew a bit older, it became somewhat cramped. So, Leon had picked up some planks and bricks from outside and extended the old bed, laying down a mattress and their parents'' old clothes, hoping that his younger siblings could sleep more comfortably. However, due to the material used, the makeshift part was slightly unstable, and the bed board often wobbled. Anna was lying on this part of the bed board. With each muffled sob she let out, the newly added half of the bed wobbled twice, causing her bottom to jiggle along with the sobs, making the sight amusing enough for Leon to stifle a laugh. "Brother! You''re laughing!" Upon hearing Leon''s muffled laugh, Anna, who was lying on the bed, got even angrier and, in a rare show of temper, kicked her small white feet in the air in frustration. Then, unable to hold back, she started to complain: "It''s all because of you spoiling them! When they used to make trouble, you always stopped me from beating them! Now they''re stuffing horse manure into someone''s mouth! And you can still laugh about it!" "Uh..." Embarrassed to explain why he was laughing, Leon had to avert his gaze and, while surveying the room''s setup, distractedly said, "I just think that spanking might not be enough. They need to know why they''re being punished so they don''t think getting a beating makes causing trouble okay. If you don''t believe me, look at William. He''s already figured out from experience how many spankings to expect for different types of mischief. It proves they still need good reasoning." "But only after getting spanked will they listen to your reasoning!" Anna, who was always gentle and barely opinionated in front of Leon, was exceedingly strong-willed when it came to educating her younger siblings. After wiping her tears with the back of her hand and stopping her sobbing, she turned around, pouting dissatisfiedly as she argued, "You spend too little time with them to know how annoying those two can be! Melanie isn''t clueless about right and wrong; she just thinks she can get away with it by being sly! William worries me even more. Though he''s not much for causing trouble himself, his ideas are always bizarre, like... like..." She thought for quite some time, unable to find the words to describe her little brother''s peculiar train of thought, before pounding the bed board in frustration and summing it up, "Anyway, they need discipline! If we don''t, it''s too late once they''re grown!" "Yes, yes, discipline! Definitely need discipline! Next time, I absolutely won''t stop you!" Echoing her words, Leon walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking his sister''s back as he softly comforted her, "But you should also try to look on the bright side. Although they are indeed a bit naughty, they''ve never bullied anyone on purpose. In several previous incidents, it wasn''t entirely their fault either... Let me think." After recalling the few situations he remembered, Leon spoke with a slightly complex expression, S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This time they caused trouble because someone said you weren''t coming back; the last time was during a game when a kid called William a wild child; and before that, they stopped that chubby kid named Jack from bullying others; Even earlier, I was driven away while working as a longshoreman because I was too weak to do the job, and there was gossip in the alley; and even before that, it was because your coughing at night was too loud and disturbed the neighbors'' rest, and they called you a sick freak..." The more they recalled why the younger siblings caused trouble, the more uncomfortable Leon and Anna looked. They hadn''t thought much of it before, but now they realized that although those two were very naughty, almost every time they caused trouble, it was not without reason. So, rather than calling them "naughty," it might be more accurate to say they were trying, in their own way, to protect their fragile little home. *If only he, as their older brother (or sister), could''ve been more capable and shielded them from life''s malice, maybe the younger ones wouldn''t have needed to be so "naughty," and they could happily be two lively, innocent kids...* "Let''s not think about all that right now." Seeing the tears welling up in his sister''s eyes again and realizing his attempts to comfort her weren''t working, Leon quickly changed the subject. He reached for a yellowing old photo album on the shelf beside the bed, wrapped his arm around Anna''s thin shoulders, and said, Chapter 55 - 55: 0043 Family Portrait with Protagonist (Two in One)_2 "Brother has a job at the police department now, and by the end of the year, when he becomes a permanent employee, William and the others will be able to attend school for free. They won''t have to fight with the kids in the alley anymore. So let''s leave the past behind! Our family will definitely get better and better in the future... "By the way, the last time we looked at the photo album together was more than two years ago when I had a high fever. It''s still not too late today, so if you''re not feeling unwell, would you flip through it with me again?" "Mm..." Anna leaned into Leon''s shoulder lightly, following his gentle nudge. She accepted the photo album with reddened eyes, nostalgically caressed the damaged cardboard cover, and then started to flip through it softly. "This is Mother when she was young." On the first page of the album, Anna pointed at a faded group photo where a woman who bore some resemblance to Leon, exuding vigorous spirit in her military uniform, was present. She explained softly, "When I was little, Mother told me... told us that this was when she got into the Mechanic Academy and was assigned to the artillery adjustment class. And then here''s Father..." Anna''s soft finger moved up slightly, pointing to a tall, handsome man with black hair in the back row, smiling warmly. "Father and Mother were originally classmates. After graduation, they were drafted into the same unit, so they gradually got to know each other. Then they had... you, and the following year, they had me..." As Anna gently and slowly turned the pages of the album, Leon''s mood improved while looking at the unfamiliar man and woman, from acquaintance to love, eventually in formal attire and wedding dress, emotionally embracing in a small chapel with happy tears. Unlike the cold and harsh reality, the happy moments captured in the album appeared so warm. Even though they had severely faded with time, they did not diminish the brilliance and radiance of those smiles at all. *Could it be that Anna was such a lively child when she was younger?* The enviable happiness continued in the album. Leon could not help but reach out and gently stroke little Anna''s bright golden hair as he looked at the photo of the little blonde girl with an incredibly bright smile. In his memory, aside from softly nodding and smiling with gentle eyes, the Anna he knew only left the coughing misery behind her covered lips and the occasional deeply furrowed brows. *He had never seen his sister smile so happily before... What had taken that smile away from her?* sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he realized that more than half of the album was flipped through, with no sign of Melanie or the others, the unspoken answer naturally emerged in his heart. "Uh... I just remembered, I still have some unfinished work!" Knowing clearly the cruel end that awaited the incredibly beautiful family in the album, Leon''s body couldn''t help but stiffen slightly. Annoyed at himself for suggesting such a foolish idea of looking at the album, he apologized to Anna with a hint of regret, "Perhaps we should stop here? You must be tired today as well; it''s best to rest early!" "Mm..." The slender girl responded softly, seemingly unaware of Leon''s abnormality, and directly closed the album in her hands, lightly nodding with a gentle smile. However, after Leon hurriedly left, Anna did not get up. Instead, she reopened the heavy old album and slowly turned to the last page. On the already yellowed back cover of the album, where the most important photo was supposed to be, an old, torn photo was attached. The person who tore the photo must have exerted a lot of force, ripping it into pieces and then crumpling them forcefully, resulting in many raised cracks. Even though it seemed carefully handled, it still couldn''t be flattened completely, and even the faces in the portrait were incomplete. In this strange photo, the couple who appeared several times earlier in the album and had been deceased for six years, still smiled blissfully at the camera, embracing each other under a sign that read "Family Portrait" in cursive. However, instead of two brothers and two sisters in front of them, there was just a single child around eight or nine years old, holding the father and mother''s hands on either side, flashing an incredibly happy smile at the camera. Reaching out to touch the child''s face in the photo, pressing down the raised parts of the cracks, which revealed golden hair as bright as the mother''s, Anna couldn''t help but bite her lips forcefully as she looked at the girl''s face, which now seemed so unfamiliar to her. Then, as if making a firm decision, she used her nails to scrape off the glued-together torn photos one by one, later finding a matchbox and a small bucket in the room, throwing all the pieces into the iron bucket. After turning her eyes reluctantly, Anna struck a match with a scratching sound, lighting a tuft of cotton and tossing it into the bucket, burning the last photo of her parents and herself to black ash at the bucket''s bottom! ... Ugh... There seemed to be something I forgot to do yesterday. Unaware of what transpired after he left last night, as an employee with no vacation, Leon crawled out of his small bed as soon as dawn broke. After taking out a scrawled piece of paper he used as a memorandum, he helplessly realized that, due to worrying about making Anna recall sad memories, he had slipped away midway through the photo viewing and forgot to confirm his birthday with her. Chapter 56 - 56: 0043 Family Portrait with Protagonist (Two in One)_3 Now... Leon thought that William and the two of them probably hadn''t woken up yet, right? Then he should wait until he got back tonight to ask! Looking at the main bedroom, which was still dark, Leon shook his head and abandoned the idea of asking now. Instead, he held a stack of old newspapers, quietly pushed the door open, left the house under the stars, and began his walk to work in the early morning light. Hmm? Where was the coffee stand? When he reached about the same spot as the past few days, Leon was a bit surprised to find that, despite the perfect temperature for setting up shop, the con artist with the same name as Charl Department Store didn''t show up today. After searching the two nearby streets and finding no trace of old Charl, Leon finally gave up on getting the promised half-priced coffee, and with a gloomy face, he headed to another small stand across the street and ordered the cheapest coffee. He had to admit, although old Charl''s coffee stand was a money-grubber and stingy with its portions, the "customer experience" was really top-notch, unmatched by other coffee stands. Even though the servings at this small stand were generous, they just didn''t have the same flavor as the old Charl''s. With a rather regretful sigh, Leon gulped down the slightly too-hot coffee in a few swigs. As he was about to get up and leave, he glanced over at a nearby table and spotted a somewhat familiar face. That person... Wasn''t he also a regular at old Charl''s? After recognizing the face and confirming he wasn''t mistaken, Leon hesitated briefly, then quickly walked over. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hello, excuse me." Pointing towards the street across, before Leon could voice his question, the familiar customer, raising his eyebrows in sudden realization, spoke first, "Hey! Isn''t this old Charl''s chosen son-in-law?" ??? What? I just drank his coffee a few times, and I even paid for it, how did I end up as his son-in-law? Seeing Leon, who was utterly confused by this address, the roughly fifty-some customer laughed twice and briefly explained the origin of this title, then asked with a smile, "You came to talk to me because you wanted to know why old Charl didn''t set up his stand today, right? I actually know this!" Gesturing for Leon to sit down as well, the fifty-something familiar customer continued, "I ran into him last night. It seems like his wife went into business with someone, and unfortunately, she fell into a trap set by partners and lost quite a bit of money, causing her to faint on the spot. Although his wife was lucky enough to be saved by a kindhearted young man passing by, and there was no serious harm, she''ll probably need a half-month to recover. Old Charl told me he needed to take care of his wife and also seek justice from those people, so he certainly wouldn''t be setting up his stand for a few days." "... " *Doing business... trapped... losing a lot of money... fainting on the spot... saved by a kindhearted young man passing by... why did this sound so familiar?* After hearing about the other "Charl wife''s" ordeal, Leon awkwardly scratched the back of his head, feeling that the coincidences in this world were indeed somewhat outrageous. *Honestly, if what I did at the hydraulic company could count as "passing by," then the ordeals of these two Charl wives were not much different.* As for whether these two Charl wives could be the same person, and whether the old Charl selling coffee on the street could be the same Charl from Charl Department Store... *How could that be possible!* After considering the likelihood of such a bizarre coincidence, Leon couldn''t help but smirk and mercilessly mock himself inwardly. *Running into a coffee-selling uncle at a street stand, who turned out to be one of the Capital City''s top three billionaires, and during an assignment yesterday, I happened to save the billionaire''s wife''s life, only to hear this morning that the billionaire seemed to be considering me as a future son-in-law to inherit his Capital City-spanning department store chain...* *Yeah right, as if you''re the protagonist!* Chapter 57 - 57: 0044 Mind Reading and Recognizing Relatives_1 After chatting a bit with the regulars at Old Charl''s coffee stall, Leon, who was just one step away from becoming a wealthy man''s son-in-law, finally braved the cold autumn wind and shuffled towards work. *We can only lament that it''s hard to go from luxury to frugality¡ªnot just mentally, but even physically.* If it were the old Leon, he would often have to get up early to find work even in the bone-chilling winters, where people''s faces would turn blue from the cold. The mild chill of autumn wouldn''t have bothered him at all. However, after getting accustomed to the sweet aroma of warmth in that little tent, just missing the comfort by the stove made him shiver uncontrollably. He jogged all the way, only stopping to catch his breath near the Purification Bureau building. "Not bad, not bad. Full of energy, aren''t you?" From the window of the director''s office on the first floor, he saw Leon jogging up for work. The red-haired woman, holding a cup of hot water, pushed open the slightly ajar window. Leaning her curvaceous figure gently on the windowsill, she smiled and waved at Leon, arching her brows as she asked, "Little Leon, how''s the investigation at the water company going? Did you find any ''anomalies''?" "..." Although he knew she was teasing him¡ªnot really asking whether he found an Anomalous Object, but whether he found evidence of the water company''s misconduct¡ª Leon''s expression couldn''t help but freeze slightly at the thought of the blonde middle-aged man from the Ryan Family who''d come into contact with the Black Goat''s heart. "Hmm?" Noticing Leon''s slight hesitation, the smile on the face of the red-haired director slightly faded, and she inquired with some surprise, "Is there really a trace of an Anomalous Object at the water company?" "..." *You guessed it... But although there''s an Anomalous Object there, it''s not the one causing mass illness¡ªit''s one of the parts of the Seven Sheep Tavern, lost after the Black Goat went crazy back then.* *Speaking of which, even though the Black Goat is no more, it was still a Great Demon once. And I''m just a newcomer. Would the Purification Bureau allow me to hold two dangerous demonic Anomalous Objects simultaneously?* "Hmm???" Once again catching Leon''s slight hesitation, the red-haired director not only withdrew her smile but also squinted her eyes. "Are you hesitating to report to me? So this Anomalous Object is special, beneficial to you? But you might not get approval if reported? Hmm... Let me think¡­ The Anomalous Object you found at the water company wouldn''t happen to be part of that dead goat''s missing bits, right?" "..." *No way... I haven''t said a single word yet!* Seeing how the red-haired woman almost accurately guessed the truth based on less than a second of hesitation, Leon, who originally wanted to say something, fell silent for the third time. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *This is too outrageous... Does she have some kind of mind-reading Anomalous Object?* "Don''t worry, I can''t read minds." *Oh, so you can''t read minds, huh? Then I can r¡ªseriously? You can hear what I''m thinking, and you''re saying you can''t read minds?!* Seeing Leon outside, who was clearly startled and full of vigilance in his eyes, the red-haired director couldn''t help but chuckle. "I wasn''t lying; I really can''t read minds." After placing the steaming cup on the windowsill, she rested her face in her hand, smiling as she explained, "I used to frequently play hide-and-seek with the Infector hidden among ordinary people, so I''ve gotten used to judging from people''s expressions and behaviors. And you just happen to be the type whose emotions are written all over his face, so I coincidentally guessed right a few times." "..." *I don''t believe you for a second!* Regarding the explanation from the red-haired director, Leon truly didn''t believe a single word. *Though I''m not particularly cunning, I don''t usually show my emotions on my face. The folks on Veteran Lane also described me as someone who''s more quiet and reserved. How could she guess right this many times in a row? She must be pulling my leg!* "Truly, I''m not lying. Though your expressions aren''t many, your eyes are overflowing." Seeing Leon, who despite having a myriad of thoughts running through his mind, still strained to keep a straight face, the corners of the red-haired director''s mouth turned up, and she pointed at Leon''s eyes from afar with a finger. "For instance, right now¡­ There''s frustration from being seen through, a wariness and suspicion about whether I can really read minds, as well as a relaxation and ease from not needing to hide from me... Hmm, and a little bit of an uncontrollable urge." Looking down at her slightly open neckline due to leaning forward, the red-haired director covered the exposed fair skin, then lazily stood up, stretching, and beckoned to the slightly embarrassed Leon. "Come to my office. Let''s have a good chat." "..." ... "So that''s it¡­ The heart of that dead goat is actually at the Ryan House." Having had an earnest conversation with Leon following his discovery at the water company, the red-haired director first nodded with a face of realization, then without hesitation, assigned Leon a new task. "Something of this level can''t be left unchecked; it''d be best to find a way to infiltrate for investigation, and as for a reason¡­" Seeing Leon''s face, the red-haired director''s eyes lit up, and she cheerily suggested, "How about seeking kinship?" "Seeking kinship?" "Yes, seek kinship! It just so happens you''re also named Ryan; isn''t that the perfect excuse?" Facing Leon''s surprised expression, the red-haired director smiled and said, "As long as you go with your Purification Bureau ID, claiming you''re investigating the possibility of Ryan family bloodline, and considering your bright future of becoming an assistant-level official by sixteen or seventeen, even the renowned Duke of Lionheart family wouldn''t turn you away." "But my hair isn''t blonde¡­" "Oh, come on! Hair is easy; just dye it!" "But I was planning to report them¡­" "Reporting is reporting, and seeking kinship is seeking kinship! It''s not mutually exclusive!" "..." "If you really don''t want to go, I can assign you a different task." Seeing Leon still seeming to want to refuse, the red-haired director, having found a bit of amusement, put on a straight face, pulled out a pile of task files from a drawer, and spread them out on the desk. "The Bafarli Forest has had two weeks of bloody rain, with nearly a thousand animals dying of thirst near the water source." "Adolf Manor has appearances of a five-meter-tall giant beast, wreaking havoc and injuring many." "Laine County''s overseas port has numerous shipwrecks, possibly due to attacks by a large sea folk tribe." "Hunch Valley''s coal fields have collapsed on a large scale, possibly due to tens of thousands of sand worms hollowing out the mountain." "These are the few tasks you might still manage to complete¡ªyou choose!" "..." *Bizarre bloody rain, a five-meter-tall giant beast, underwater-dwelling sea folk, sand worms that can hollow out a mountain¡­* Speechlessly smacking his lips, Leon resignedly "volunteered" to say, "I think I''ll go seek kinship¡­" Chapter 58 - 58: 0045 Dont bow your head, integrity will be lost_1 "That''s more like it!" After stuffing a large stack of files marked "completed" back into the drawer, the Red-haired Director smiled at Leon, who looked utterly resigned, and explained with a grin, "I''m not intentionally forcing you! The consensus in our department has always been to assign tasks to those whose abilities fit the job. For example, Emma. She has the Undying Body to protect her life, so the tasks she receives often involve physical damage but rarely involve spiritual entities like ghosts. Take that giant beast reported from Adolf Manor; it''s a task she...will be completing. And you, with your ability to gather intelligence on Anomalous Objects through touch, and that dead sheep by your side allowing you to see the state of others'' souls, you can directly tell if they''re lying. With these two abilities, you''re basically a born investigator! If I don''t let you go, who else should?" "..." *Well, that''s true...* After thinking about the methods he currently had, Leon couldn''t help but nod in agreement. With the abilities he currently possessed, investigating was indeed more suitable than dealing with something like a downpour of blood or a five-meter-tall giant beast. Even if the kinship recognition failed, he should be able to retreat unharmed... Right? Recalling the Black Goat''s excited demeanor upon discovering the heart''s whereabouts, Leon hesitated for a moment before speaking up worriedly, "Director, it''s not that I want to refuse the investigation task, but if that ''heart'' is similar to the ''corner'' and can detect the presence of other parts, and has controlled the members of the Ryan Family, I''m worried I might be besieged and might not be able to escape." "Don''t worry, I''ve considered that as well." Surveying Leon''s physique, the Red-haired Director hesitated, then reached out to tug at a few strands of her vibrant red hair, handing them over. "With this and the Witch''s Broom, it should be enough to protect most situations, but...don''t touch it yet!" With a slight flick of her slender wrist, dodging Leon''s reaching hand, the Red-haired Director warned seriously, "It can protect you on its own and doesn''t require your physical or mental energy, but before I give you this, you must promise me, absolutely! Absolutely! Don''t touch it with your hands!" "..." *Don''t touch it with my hands...Does that mean she doesn''t want me to know its details?* "Never mind, just pretend I didn''t say anything..." Seeing Leon looking somewhat puzzled, the Red-haired Director seemed a bit regretful, quickly retracting her hand and waving off, "Emma''s task is almost finished; you can stay in the department for a few days. Once she returns, I''ll have her take you on the investigation task. Her bandages are about as effective as these strands of hair and can protect you as well." "..." Hearing that Senior Emma was needed to protect him, Leon, the freeloading Leon, couldn''t help but feel slightly embarrassed, his masculine pride driving him to extend his right hand directly, "Then just give it to me, I promise not to touch it with my ha...uh..." Feeling slightly embarrassed under the Red-haired Director''s gaze as if watching a fool, Leon hurriedly pulled up his sleeve with his left hand, revealing his wrist, "You misunderstood; I reached out not to have you place the hair in my hand, but to tie it directly on my wrist." "The wrist is still not safe; you might accidentally touch it." After shaking her head and rejecting Leon''s suggestion, the Red-haired Director moved closer, then reached out to hook Leon''s back of the neck, pulling him towards her embrace. "Lower your head, and I''ll tie the hair around your neck." "Uh...okay..." Seeing the pair coming dangerously close to his nose tip, Leon only felt his ears heat up slightly. He quickly closed his eyes, slightly arched his back, and straightened his neck, waiting for the Red-haired Director to tie the hair. However... "Lower your head even more; I can''t reach it." Hearing the soft, sultry voice in his ear, Leon felt his heart race, and the blood in his brain began rushing uncontrollably to his ears. He seemed to hear the swishing of the hot blood flowing through his ears. *Lower...Lower and I''ll be buried in it!* Although he secretly took a glance before entering the building, that was really just a little accident, almost instinctively glancing and immediately, politely diverted his gaze. But now, if he responded to the Director''s invitation and directly buried his head in it, that would truly cement him as a creep, and no river could wash that reputation clean. Instinctively clenching his fist slightly, Leon awkwardly reminded, "Um...I''m afraid lowering my head might be inconvenient; how about you tiptoe a bit?" "What am I tipping for!" Seemingly impatient, the Red-haired Director urged, "It''s just a matter of you bending over! Why should I be tipping? Hurry up and move!" "..." *Though I didn''t intend to take advantage of it, I''ve already pointed it out this much, maybe...Never mind, I''ll remind her again!* To make the other party understand that now wasn''t the suitable time to continue lowering his head, Leon had to take a deep breath, releasing it forcefully through his nose. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Aiya!" As a coquettish complaint sounded, Leon didn''t hear retreating footsteps; he instead heard the Red-haired Director''s lament again, "Why are you blowing on my chest? Stop fooling around, lower your head quickly! I still have a lot of work to do!" "..." *Ah...I''ve really tried...* "Yes, that''s the right way to lower your head!" Seeing Leon, eyes closed, lowering his head in resignation, the Red-haired Director nodded with a smile but quickly urged again, "Did you just lower it by a millimeter? Lower it some more!" "..." "Mm, a bit lower, it''s still not enough!" "..." "Lower! Lower!" "..." Lower? I''ve already bent to a ninety-degree angle! Even if you were a little lapdog standing on your hind legs, you should be able to reach! Continuing to lower it any further was clearly a setup... Feeling utterly speechless, Leon simply opened his eyes, and unsurprisingly, instead of seeing this and that, what greeted him was the slightly worn wooden floor of the Director''s office. As for the red-haired beauty previously standing in front of him, she had already returned to her seat behind the desk, sipping hot water, gleefully continuing her "Lower! Lower!" chant. "..." "Ah, don''t be mad~" Seeing Leon''s expression turn dark, the Red-haired Director put down the cup, leaned back in her chair with a grin, "You first hid the matter of Yang Xin from me, then sneaked a peek when I had a wardrobe malfunction. I wasn''t angry with you for either of these things. Now I just played a little joke on you, so you can''t be upset~ Ah, don''t move, let me tie the hair on for you first." Stretching her index finger, she drew a circle in the air, controlling the hair to tie around Leon''s neck with a delicate little bow. The Red-haired Director smiled, "Nice~ You managed to keep your eyes closed for so long, not sneaking any peeks, even when you had an excuse not to take advantage. Now I can trust you''ll keep your promise." Remember, now that the hair is tied around your neck, it''s equivalent to my chest. If you inadvertently glance at it, I won''t blame you. But if you dare touch it...Don''t blame me for losing my temper!" Chapter 59 - 59: 0046 Cleanup Bureau Level_1 "I won''t touch it! Even if it were really yours... I wouldn''t be interested, okay? You''re truly... unbelievable." After being playfully pranked with half a test and half teasing, Leon couldn''t help but glare at the Red-haired Director, feeling that the Black Goat''s evaluation of her was indeed spot on. When she had alcohol, she was a big drinker, and when she didn''t, she was a mischievous troublemaker; either she made a fool of herself when drunk, providing entertainment for others, or when sober, she was filled with mischief, always looking to have fun with others; in short, she was never at peace. By the way, her office had been so clean these past two days, why hadn''t there been any empty bottles piled up? ... Was he... looking for the empty bottles of alcohol he drank with me? Seeing Leon constantly glancing behind his desk as if searching for something, the Red-haired Director was reminded of the debt-ridden binge they had earlier, and her heart tightened. Her gaze towards Leon suddenly grew dangerous. She gave a half-smile and remarked, "What? You''re not willing to leave after not getting your way?" "Uh... you must be joking. I actually have another thing I''d like to ask." Upon hearing her words, Leon snapped back to reality and remembered his serious business. He discreetly clenched his fists and asked with a serious expression, "If it''s confirmed that the Black Goat''s heart is with the Ryan Family, then after completing the mission and retrieving it, would I have a chance to gain the right to use its heart?" "Well... that''s really hard to say. It depends on your luck. If it''s not you who personally retrieves the anomalous object, and you want to reclaim it, you''d first have to see if anyone of higher rank than you wants to compete... let me put it this way!" The Red-haired Director thought for a moment, then picked up the dip pen on the desk. She found a piece of scrap paper and quickly drew five circles from top to bottom on the back. "If these five circles represent the hierarchy of our Purification Bureau, then the top one is for the Director and the Twelve Directors." "Although the Director is half a rank higher than the Twelve Directors, if more than half of the Directors reach a consensus, they can veto the Director''s proposal. If they reach three-quarters, they can even remove him, so the Director and the Directors are barely considered the same rank." The Red-haired Director moved the pen tip down to the second circle, leaving a big ink spot, and continued to explain, "Next, there are 87 branches. You should know what the Zodiac signs are, right? Our twelve Zodiac branches are considered major bureaus, while the other 75 branches are considered minor bureaus. The chiefs of the major bureaus are generally stronger than the minor bureau chiefs, holding a half-rank higher in status, though they can also be broadly considered the same rank. Apart from the First Level Directors and the Level Two Branch Directors, the remaining three circles are for the Level One, Two, and Three Disorder Handlers like you." Picking up the pen to write a "one" in the third circle, the Red-haired Director smiled and said, "First, there are the First Level Disaster Handlers. Those assigned to this level are usually the ace employees of each bureau, capable of independently leading teams to handle large-scale disasters. When a vacancy arises among the chiefs of the 75 minor branches, the outstanding individuals among these ace employees can be immediately appointed by the approval of the Directors. Emma is currently at this level." Senior Emma... an ace employee? Hearing the familiar name, Leon couldn''t help but be slightly stunned, feeling a strange sense of "a primary school classmate appearing on TV." The main impression Senior Emma had left on him was of a careful and gentle reliable senior, not really fitting the image of such a strong businessperson, especially considering that the first task she took him on almost went disastrously wrong... *Did Little Leon think Emma was very weak?* Seemingly guessing Leon''s thoughts, the Red-haired Director tapped the "one" inside the circle with the pen tip and cheerfully said, "*The reason why things went wrong at the hospital before was primarily because the other side was backed by a True God, with a foundational hierarchy too high. She was first infected, touching the core rules of the opponent''s ability, making the anomalous objects she carried ineffective, which led to her capture. Additionally, the main anomalous objects she possessed were too large; the bureau-provided boxes couldn''t fit them, and they usually stayed in her office. She only took them out when confirmed they''d be needed; during the hospital incident, she couldn''t exert even one percent of her strength. Since you have the ability of Compulsory Intelligence Acquisition, when she returns, have her show you those treasures. You won''t have any more doubts about her status as a First Level Disaster Handler."* *Her entire room... is filled with anomalous objects?!* After listening to the Red-haired Director''s explanation, Leon recalled the things he saw while passing by Senior Emma''s office window, and his pupils constricted slightly. Bandages, coffins, nailed boards, scrapers, skull crushers, crosses, iron maidens, execution platforms, skeletal specimens, curved scythes... even without fifty pieces, there must be around thirty or forty items in that room! Additionally, there seemed to be a few old boxes in her office corner that occasionally made strange noises. Heaven knows how many small items were in those... Goodness! How many anomalous objects did Senior Emma have! *"I knew it; just telling you would give you quite a shock!"* Looking at the shocked expression on Leon''s face in front of her, the Red-haired Director, satisfied with fulfilling her wicked sense of humor, let her lips curl up as she cheerfully continued, "As for the remaining Level Two Crisis Handlers and Level Three Incident Handlers... just consider them as senior employees and regular employees for now! According to the Bureau''s rules, a senior employee and five regular employees can form a team to handle some not-too-major regional crises. Still, in your case, you probably won''t have the opportunity to participate in such team tasks." "Huh? Why?" "Because although our bureau is a major bureau, due to some things I did in the past, most people have left, and we can''t gather enough people for team tasks... Didn''t you notice most of the offices on the first floor are empty?" After helplessly shrugging, the Red-haired Director took a sip from a bottle, then regretfully said, "Although there are still two First Level ace employees left in our bureau, there are very few Level Two and Level Three employees, less than ten in total. Hmm... more precisely, there are nine Level Two Crisis Handlers and one Level Three Incident Handler remaining." Nine Level Twos and one Level Three... Doesn''t that mean I''m the only regular employee?! Upon hearing this, Leon had long forgotten what he initially wanted to ask and couldn''t help but sarcastically comment, "Our bureau''s office building has seven floors! To scare off the people filling six floors all at once... Director! What on earth did you do back then?" S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Just some things someone in my position is supposed to do, only perhaps a bit too drastic to accept... Besides, you got one thing wrong." Looking away and glancing outside the window, the Red-haired Director stared at the dry willow trees outside with a calm demeanor and stated, "The top six floors aren''t empty; they''re filled with my anomalous objects." Chapter 60 - 60: 0047 Internal Organs and Hair_1 Your Anomalous Objects... filled six entire floors? Stunned by this utterly outrageous answer, Leon didn''t speak for quite a while. It wasn''t until he saw the slight curve in the Red-haired Director''s mouth that he realized he had been played yet again. "As long as I can get the Yang Xin back, it''s mine, right? Then I have no problem with it!" After giving the Red-haired Director''s back a glare, Leon, fooled twice, had no desire to continue wasting time with her nonsense. He left a parting remark and stormed out of the director''s office with a scowl. After he slammed the door behind him, the red-haired woman gazed out the window, then slowly turned her head back. Her charming face was full of smiles, yet her eyes, clear and watery, held no hint of joy. Instead, they were as deep and cold as icy ponds. "Things as they are now... aren''t actually that bad." *Muttering to herself incoherently, a lonely look flickered in her gaze as she suppressed her smile, tipped back the glass of water, and drank it dry in one gulp. Then she slumped forward onto her desk like a drunken person and lay still. Soon, the office was filled with the steady sound of quiet snores.* As the snores spread throughout the office, from the second floor to the third, fourth, and up to the top-most floor where all windows and vents were sealed to prevent any light from entering, countless tiny creatures began to emit quiet, nearly inaudible snores in unison. ... "There''s something like this going on!!!" After finishing the records in hand about the Charl Power Company''s illegal operations, the editor of the "Daily News" social section couldn''t help but slam his fist lightly on the restaurant table in anger, then promised in a low voice full of indignation, "Dumping into the public water pipes... these damned bastards, is there nothing in their brains but money? I must blow the lid off this affair!" "Hmm..." With his finger lightly tapping a sheep''s head, Leon glanced at the editor''s face filled with anger, a thick disappointment flashing briefly across his own face, then nodded expressionlessly and started gathering the documents on the table. "Since you''ve agreed, let''s wrap it up for today. I hope you''ll follow through once you get back." "I absolutely will!" Grabbing Leon''s wrist, the editor of the "Daily News" stood up, full of enthusiasm, and promised, "Leave it all to me! Once I''m back, I''ll definitely write this up truthfully, so those damned bastards get the punishment they deserve! By the way, these materials are still a bit flimsy. It might only lead to Charl Department Store paying fines, while the real culprits could get off scot-free. Do you have any other evidence against those three companies?" "Not for the time being." Seeing that there wasn''t a trace of anger in the other''s soul, instead filled with panic, conspiracy, and ill intent, Leon couldn''t help the deep sense of disgust that flashed through his eyes. Suppressing the urge to punch the other''s face, Leon, in disguise, pushed away his hand and expressionlessly packed the documents back into a folder, then bid his farewell, "Editor, since you feel the evidence is insufficient, I''ll take these back and organize them. Once I find enough evidence, I''ll contact you again." "Ah? No need!" Seeing Leon about to leave, the "Daily News" editor seemed a bit flustered and hurriedly grabbed his arm, pleading, "The victims are still waiting for compensation! Though these materials aren''t complete, they''re enough to get most people''s attention. Why don''t you leave them with me, and I''ll draft a report first?" "No need." "Why not?" Unable to bear any more, Leon shook off his hand and replied coldly, "Because if I hand them to you, this report might never see the light of day." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "..." *Heh... He''s figured it out, huh? Seems this kid isn''t as dumb as he looks.* Watching Leon''s cold and detached gaze, the "Daily News" editor''s eyebrows twitched slightly, realizing Leon had figured out his intentions and wouldn''t hand over the documents. Disdainfully scrutinizing Leon''s only visible eyes, observing his thin frame and shabby clothing, the editor, who had just showered Leon with praise and warmth, now angled his mouth downward and sat back in his chair, calling out loudly, "Waiter!" Waving over the waiter who had been glancing in their direction, the "Daily News" editor pointed at Leon with a calm face and ordered, "Close the door, and call over a couple of security guards. This man just stole my stuff, and the item is right there in his arms." "Yes, sir! Close the outer door!" Taking a look at the "Daily News" editor, clad in a Frock high-end suit with a folded silk pocket square, hat, tie, watch, and walking stick, topped off with high-top calfskin shoes, And glancing at Leon, wearing an ill-fitting, worn trench coat and a black kerchief covering his nose and mouth, the waiter barely used half a second to decide what to do. Even though the two had come in together; even though there was a table separating them, with no physical contact the entire time; even though the item the wealthy gentleman pointed to was something the masked man had been holding from the start... none of that influenced his judgment. After all, the customer is always right, and it was obvious that one of these individuals was not a customer of this establishment, wasn''t he? "..." Watching as four security guards were called over, blocking the booth''s exit, Leon furrowed his brows, turning back with icy eyes to the editor of the "Daily News," who was leisurely adjusting his tie. "You''re going to resort to force?" "I''m not using force, just trying to save your life, and in turn, save the person you''ll end up choosing." Carefully smoothing out the wrinkles in his tie, the "Daily News" editor, leaning on his cane, stood up and sauntered over. "You''ve been covering your face, but listening to your voice and watching your actions, you shouldn''t be too old, right? Heh, young man, your sense of justice is admirable, but you clearly don''t understand the ways of this world." Gently raising the long "cane," wiping off the mud on Leon''s pants, the "Daily News" editor smiled softly and said, "In our country, the royal family is the Heart, the noble are the Organs, the parliament is the Brain, factories are the strongest Muscles, merchants are the Bone that constantly produces blood, and as for the rest... they are merely Skin that sheds and regenerates, along with hair that renews itself in waves." Staring at the silent Leon, the editor''s smile turned slightly sour, and he leaned in close, disdain evident in his eyes as he whispered only for the two of them to hear, "I ask you, when Hair has a grievance against an Organ, as the Tongue, should I shout about it, stirring up the rest of the foolish Hair and Skin, creating more pointless Chaos? Or would it be wiser to silence this troublesome Hair, teaching it how to finally shut that damn mouth of its own?" Chapter 61 - 61: 0048 Major bleeding_1 "The royal family is the heart, the nobility is the organs, the parliament is the brain, the factories are the muscles, the merchants are the bones, and the rest is just skin and hair?" "My perspective is a bit different from yours," Without acknowledging the questioning of the Daily News editor, after contemplating his metaphor, Leon looked at the soul across from him, filled with the stench of decay and arrogance, and responded expressionlessly, "Compared to bones, merchants are more like bacteria in the intestines, beneficial when growing normally, but if allowed to proliferate unchecked, they might rot the whole gut. As for the royal family and nobles... rather than essential organs whose absence would be fatal, they''re more like a bunch of lice in your pants; once they start bleeding you dry and it hurts, they should be plucked out and crushed instantly!" Crush the royal family and nobles... with one squeeze?!!! Upon hearing Leon''s response, the editor of the Daily News trembled all over. The arrogance in his eyes expanded to the limit in an instant! How could this man... Ah!!! No wonder he dared to expose such things! He must be a rebel! One of those thugs deliberately inciting revolt!!! "Guards!!!" Stumbling back several steps, retreating to the partition at the booth''s edge, the editor of the Daily News screamed shrilly in panic, "Arrest him! He''s the rebel who attempted to assassinate the princess! He... Ah!!!" Swinging the file folder in his hand, smacking it hard across the Daily News editor''s face, Leon, having endured for far too long, felt a massive surge of sinister fury rise within him as he looked at this piece of trash prepared to falsely accuse him. With his face masked by a black veil to hide his identity and prevent repercussions on his family, Leon, despite wearing several layers of coats, felt "lighter" than ever, his blood boiling with intensity. "Rebel? Weren''t you the one who called me a stray hair?" Accompanying the voice of triumphant questioning, the fist, already clenched so tightly that the knuckles turned white, swung violently, landing heavily on the editor of the Daily News''s face. A crisp cracking sound echoed as that punch directly fractured the wooden slats, smashing the back of his head into the partition of the booth. "Weren''t you trying to silence this stray hair?" Even as his knuckles were cut by the opponent''s broken teeth, leaving two deep gashes, Leon, seemingly unaffected by the pain, swung his bloodstained fist once more, striking the bridge of the editor''s nose with a bang, forcing him back to consciousness in white-hot agony. "Then why don''t you just pluck me out?" Gripping the tables on either side with both hands, he slammed a heart-wrenching kick into the editor''s chest, leaving a footprint full of mud on the pristine silk scarf, kicking him over to the other side of the partition with a gasp, Leon caught his breath. Before the security guards behind him could pounce, he grabbed the cold bullhorn from his shopping bag. "Now it''s your turn." Fully activating the true ability of the Demon Bullhorn, he stirred up the evil thoughts in the hearts of more than a dozen security guards, entangling them completely with the editor of the Daily News, twisting them into a dead knot. Raising his still-bleeding right hand, Leon shoved aside the guards with rapidly inflamed pupils and walked straight out of the restaurant without looking back. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Beat him up good!" ... "Kid! You finally took that step!" Sticking out his tongue to lick the top of the shopping bag, watching the brawl breaking out in the restaurant behind him, listening to the wailing reaching the street, the Black Goat couldn''t help but exult, repeatedly praising Leon, "Forget about those damned regulations of the Purification Bureau, this kind of trash deserves to be killed directly! We really appreciate you more and more! But your work is still a bit rough, tying everyone''s rage together at once is thrilling, but after a while, they''ll start fighting each other, and in the end, they might not beat anyone to death. Listen to us! Next time you want to kill someone, remember to separate those evil thoughts, wrap them one by one, let a dozen people beat on one person, even without weapons, they can surely kill on the spot!" "Hey! Kid! We''re teaching you our way, you got to thank us for our generosity, don''t you? Say something! Why aren''t you responding?" Ignoring the overly excited Black Goat, tearing off a relatively clean piece of cloth from himself and haphazardly bandaging his wounded right hand, Leon carried the blood-stained file folder, looking with a complex gaze at the trash bin on the street corner. Having initially come to gather a big stack of old newspapers, after finishing reading all their recent news topics, he eventually picked out three newspapers: the Daily News, the Royal Mail News, and the Capital Evening News. The Royal Mail News people didn''t even bother with him, sneering at the handwritten material summary, they dismissed him with a wave after a glance at the title. The little editor from the Capital Evening News, after being invited out, just glanced at the name of the involved family and trembled like a leaf, running away without even paying for the coffee. As for the editor of the Daily News, not only did he refuse to publish the news, but he also planned to deceive Leon into handing over the evidence for destruction! And even slandered him as a thief, a rebel who attempted to assassinate the princess! If even these three newspapers, which were among the most "daring to speak," dared not accept the evidence to report and expose the matter, then what difference would there be between the materials he snatched from Charl Power Company and the waste paper in the trash? Hmm... wait a minute! Charl Power Company! Charl! Thinking of this name, Leon suddenly realized that he had been too fixated. He had always been pondering how to resolve this matter, yet only thought about doing it himself, forgetting about Charl Department Store! The enemy of my enemy is my friend! Carrying these documents around could only lead to a dead end everywhere, but if he handed them over to Charl Department Store, the tycoon who shared a name with the old man at the coffee stand would seize the opportunity to deliver a powerful counterattack with his influence! I''m so stupid! Annoyed, he pounded his left hand, drawing his gaze away from the trash cans on the street, deciding to try again at Charl Department Store. Glancing at the sky, realizing time was running short, he clenched his teeth, dashing toward a station a few hundred feet away, waving down a steam coach waiting for passengers. "Cab! One person!" "Alright!" Seeing that business had come up to him, the coachman, who was bored and puffing on a cigarette, perked up, extinguished the cigarette, clamping it behind his ear, and cheerfully drove over. But upon pulling the coach closer and taking in Leon''s attire, the coachman''s smiling face instantly dropped, reaching for the cigarette behind his ear while lazily reclining back, listlessly quoting, "Four-seater sightseeing box carriage, two kilometers for one Copper Wheel, five kilometers for two Copper Wheels, and an additional Copper Wheel for every kilometer over five kilometers, minimum charge for two kilometers. Going or not?" "Going!" After estimating the approximate fare, heart aching at the expense, Leon nodded, gritting his teeth as he stepped onto the passenger step, ducking into the carriage of the steam coach. "Charl Department Store headquarters! Hurry!" Chapter 62 - 62: 0049 Wealth of the Richest_1 Charl Department Store headquarters... That''s twenty-two kilometers away, right? The coachman of the steam carriage, suddenly energized by such a big business deal, tossed away his cigarette, raised his whip, and lightly flicked the horse''s back. "Giddy up!" "Whinny~" Accompanied by the synchronized whinnying of the two short-legged horses, fine smoke emerged from the small boiler at the back of the carriage, rising along the chimney attached to the carriage wall, while the water tank hidden in the chassis gurgled. Next, with the sound of the engine''s rhythmic pounding and the clicking of rotating axles, the entire carriage''s bottom was lifted by the airflow off the ground. By the time the clatter of hooves echoed on the street, the noisy steam carriage had already shot out seven or eight meters. "Hey, customer! There are a lot of people over at Charl Department Store!" It seemed that in any world, those in this line of work were naturally chatty. Even with the roar of the boiler echoing in his ears, the steam coachman remained keen for conversation. Peeking at Leon through the rearview mirror, he shouted, "Are you headed there for the promotional sale, planning a big shopping spree? Or is someone at home sick from drinking tap water, and you''re going to claim compensation?" A promotional sale? Claiming compensation? Leon, who had no intention of chatting, suddenly perked up at the coachman''s question. He instinctively clutched the folder in his arms tighter, a face full of puzzlement as he asked, "Over at Charl Department Store... they''ve already started compensating victims in advance? What''s this promotional sale all about?" "Ahahaha, they''re actually the same thing!" Seeing Leon take the conversation bait, the enthusiastic coachman cheerfully replied, "The public water pipes had issues some time ago! The company responsible for the pipes, which was co-founded by Charl Department Store and some others, apparently wasn''t doing well. They haven''t recovered costs up till now, leaving Charl Department Store cash-strapped. The lady boss almost didn''t recover from the shock. This situation had left the owner of Charl Department Store with no choice, so they hung up a banner saying they were selling goods to raise money for compensation, piling up all the department store''s items on the street, marking down prices to sell at a loss. The stuff is so cheap it''s terrifying¡ªprobably even half of the Capital City has flocked over to snatch up the goods!" Feeling that mere words couldn''t capture the grandeur of the scene, the coachman released one of his reins, then gestured a "gongs and drums, firecrackers, red flags fluttering, and crowds of people." He continued, addressing the awestruck Leon, "Also, they brought over a big box with openings on both ends, where the money from sales goes in on one side, and the people lining up for compensation can receive money directly on the other side. None of it goes through their company, except for people counting money and verifying the identities of claimants! The most impressive part is that the box is completely transparent, so everyone can see exactly how much money is inside, ensuring they give back what they earn: one Copper Wheel for one Copper Wheel. In any case, they''ve promised to shoulder the Water Company''s responsibility completely, compensating until the department store closes! Ahahaha! Honestly, customer, while the old man might not run the company well and often pays out compensations, he''s genuinely straightforward about this! Now, lots of people are worried they''ll go bankrupt too quickly, missing out on the perks, so they''re rushing over like mad!" "..." Compensating, my foot! If they keep buying at this rate, they''ll probably lose enough to become the wealthiest! After hearing about Charl Department Store''s bizarre tactic, Leon suddenly developed an immense admiration for the unseen "Old Charl." ... As someone who had endured countless commercial schemes, he was all too aware of the potential maneuvers involved here. Prices of department store items had always been inflated. The production costs in the industrial era were unimaginably low for those who hadn''t experienced it. If Gotth, priced at Three Silver Wheels per pack, had a production cost even reaching five Copper Wheels, he''d willingly pop his head off as a ball for them to kick! So, this so-called great discount certainly still had profits to be made in the end¡ªperhaps substantial ones! Besides, while the buyers had lost their minds from the stimulation, the sellers hadn''t. What actually got discounted for sale was definitely up to the department store. Those items already overpriced, old stock that had been in storage too long, products they could get at ultra-low prices from factories, they''d just keep dumping them out. After all, with 50% off a Three Silver Wheel cigarette and still making a profit, it''d sell out immediately, so why not go at it fiercely? As for handing out compensation as soon as the sales money came in... who were they kidding? Buyers could pay and leave immediately, but wouldn''t those claiming compensation have to have their identities thoroughly checked? With the speed difference between inflow and outflow, the money box would surely fill up despite its size, and wouldn''t Charl Department Store take away the overflow? For those seeking compensation, their biggest fears were no compensation or inactivity. As long as Charl Department Store kept diligently compensating and continually promised to compensate until bankrupt, plus keeping that big, full money box in sight, those with doubts wouldn''t dare to cause a fuss. After pocketing this "little bit" extra money, Charl Department Store would probably place rush orders with factories, potentially forcing them to accept delayed payment with their sheer volume, pressing down prices fiercely. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the commercial era, the ones who could sell products were the bosses! With a "loss-making promotional sale" lasting just a week, they''d likely consume half a year''s purchasing power of the entire Capital City. Every department store except Charl would show significant deficit on their accounts, and those without strong foundations would be squeezed dry by payments and storage costs. As long as Charl Department Store survived, it could secure over 90% of the retail market and leverage its standing to dominate most related factories, likely making it uncontested in the department store business for the next one or two decades. As for carrying out these harsh tactics and attracting the Kingdom''s regulatory attention... kidding me? This wasn''t about profit-making, it was about making losses! Massive losses! Those still waiting for compensation, listen up, we''re genuinely keen to compensate you, even selling at a loss to raise money. Didn''t you see our lady boss fall ill from all that loss? Yet the Kingdom''s XX Department, along with XX Nobles and XX Council Members, stepped forward to accuse us of malicious dumping and market disruption, disallowing such sales. So, those waiting for compensation, please go back, wait until we raise money through regular sales. As for when we can raise enough... Haha, that depends on when you guys can bust down those ********! Chapter 63 - 63: 0050 The Major Case Triggered by Nineteen Bronze Wheels_1 "The situation has taken shape..." Although it sounded a bit melodramatic, Leon thought it over and felt that this phrase was perfectly fitting to describe Charl Department Store''s current circumstances. When Charl Department Store first started making waves, someone might have been able to stop it. After all, before a train starts moving, it only takes a small block of wood on the track to stop it. But now, with such a large commotion, more and more people have benefited, and even more are eagerly waiting for compensation. It''s as if the train has already set off; at this point, not to mention a block of wood, even a solid iron wall daring to block the way would be run through! Amid his curiosity about old Charl and idle chat with the coachman, the steam carriage roared along and soon arrived near the Charl Department Store headquarters building. Through the brightly polished glass, Leon looked out at the frenzied crowd and the large cash box soon to be filled; he couldn''t help but click his tongue secretly, marveling at old Charl''s grandeur while painfully taking out two Silver Wheels and handing them to the coachman. "Change!" "..." As Leon confidently stretched out his hand after paying, the coachman grimaced speechlessly. With a good twenty-two kilometers from the start to here, minus five and adding two again, this trip should have cost you nineteen Copper Wheels. I''ve answered all your questions along the way, chatting with you all the while; yet, you''re so stingy as not to give even a single Copper Wheel in tip? Might as well dock your pay! Sorry, tipping is a lavish habit of the rich, and for two lifetimes, I''ve been poor, still not entirely out of poverty, unworthy of such extravagant expenses. Under the coachman''s glare, Leon took the change of one Copper Wheel, got off the carriage holding the file folder stained with dried blood, both happy and disheartened. The driving force behind his stealing documents from the Hydro Company, seeking connections with the press to expose the problem, was to help those patients wailing in the hospital corridors. He felt that only by making a big deal out of it could there be a chance for these people to get enough compensation for treatment. But now, before he could manage to expose the issue, those patients had already started receiving compensation. The burden lifted, leaving Leon with a feeling of relief mixed with the disappointment of having missed his target by a wide margin. Hmm...guess I should go and meet with "old Charl"! Recalling what was overheard outside the Hydro Company conference room, Leon, standing by the street, pondered for a moment before heading towards the Charl Department Store building. Back when he heard the arguments in the conference room, it seemed that the three nobles, led by Lionheart Lyon, had deliberately reduced filtration cycles to dump untreated sewage into the public pool just to seize Charl Department Store. Although the patients had gotten compensation, those three bastards had yet to be punished. He happened to have the Hydro Company''s operational records and several documents processed and approved up and down the ranks, although "punishing evil" wasn''t as high a priority as "helping the needy." After all, the Kingdom had tons of rotten business every day that he couldn''t begin to manage, but... Since I''m already here, my twenty Copper Wheels can''t go to waste! ... "Are you saying those most important documents are missing?" After listening to the detective agency''s report, the dark-skinned old man''s brow furrowed. Bending his knuckles, thick from years of hard work, he hit the sturdy elm wood desk in front of him with a heavy thud, looking displeased as he said, "I''ve paid you enough to bribe a county councilor many times over these days, not just a few security guards and file keepers. Are you really working hard for me?" "Well... Mr. Charl, the situation this time is a bit unusual..." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing their biggest patron angry, the detective agency staff couldn''t help but change their expressions and quickly began to explain, "We really did our best, not only bribing two small security teams but also some servants from the Shield family, and even kidnapping several Hydro Company archive room employees'' family members. While your wife was having a series of meetings for three consecutive days, diverting everyone''s attention, our people completely controlled the archive room during the Hydro Company''s most relaxed moment. But just as our people compiled several documents and followed those file keepers into the backroom to search for the remaining archives, the damned security manager happened to enter the outer room. Not knowing what kind of luck he had, among almost thirty files piled up at the table, he happened to grab those two most important ones and leave. Mr. Charl, we really were¡ª" "Enough, I''m not interested in your stories!" Casting a glance at the detective agency staff looking downhearted, the bloodshot-eyed old Charl couldn''t help but furrow his brow, saying unpleasantly, "What mistakes you made are your business. I need evidence to prove those three Old Nobility families, especially the Ryan Family''s deliberate violations! Since the documents ended up with the security manager, go get them back!" "Well..." A member of the detective agency wiped the sweat beading from his forehead with a handkerchief, bowed slightly, and said, "Our people followed him right away after discovering the missing documents. But shortly after the security manager got the files, someone in the conference room seized them¡ªironically, the cop who saved your wife. That little cop, after grabbing the items, led our people on a wild chase around the Hydro Company premises, where he might have set up trip wires in hidden places in advance, sending our teammates tumbling and knocking themselves out..." As he paused, letting someone with a bandaged head step forward to flash his empty front teeth, the detective agency member continued with a bitter smile, "Mr. Charl, I understand it sounds unbelievable, but considering his missing teeth... our team really gave it their all, but couldn''t catch up. Mainly because that man''s physical strength was extraordinarily strong, seemingly having undergone some special training. Once he was sure no one could follow him, he suddenly dashed to the sixth floor and broke the air vent window with a kick, escaping from a pre-tied rail. Our team pursued him a long way, yet couldn''t even catch a glimpse of his face." "Then go find someone who met him!" Pressing his throbbing head, old Charl coldly knocked on the table twice again. "I''ve invested in you guys for so long, spending so much every year, hiring so many people to come in handy at times like these! Whether by money or other means, no matter who he is, you must find him for me! Get those documents back!" "Yes, Mr. Charl, we''re on it!" Seeing that the old man seemed uninterested in continuing to hold them accountable, the detective agency members were ecstatic, nodding repeatedly in assurance, "That person always kept his face down, using his cap''s brim to cover it. Only your daughter and that lucky security manager saw his full face. Due to your wife''s sudden illness at the time, your daughter was crying intensely...so she couldn''t clearly describe his appearance, so we''ve centered our investigation on that security manager. We''ve already unearthed a few leads! Rest assured, Mr. Charl, as long as the documents haven''t been destroyed, ''Silver Hook'' promises to retrieve them for you!" Chapter 64 - 64: 0051 Cotton-padded jacket with lining_1 "Hope you all can follow through this time!" After reaching up to pinch his brow again, the somewhat fatigued old Charl hesitated briefly before sighing, "And also, he did save my wife. When you find him, try to be gentle, make sure not to hurt anyone." "Okay, we remember!" "Hmm, if you remember, then go, get the stuff back for me!" Once the detectives left with their new task, the old man, filled with exhaustion, relaxed his body, leaning back against the thickly padded office chair. He joined his index and middle fingers from both hands, continuously rubbing his throbbing temples. *I really am getting old...* With Charl Department Store growing ever stronger, these good years had dulled his alertness significantly. If it were twenty years ago, even ten, he wouldn''t have let things spiral to this point. Even if I couldn''t bring myself to be ruthless enough to forcefully halt the hydroelectric company''s project from the start, I wouldn''t have become so lax as to not even demand control, allowing those bastards to use the name "Charl" for their company... Just as old Charl was holding his aching head, contemplating grooming a successor while he could still manage, there was a knock at the office door. "Knock, knock, knock." Hearing the knock, the old man tensed up, as if switching a flip, instantly reverting to a smart, capable demeanor. Straightening his slightly stooped back, he looked over the papers and responded loudly, "Come in!" "Dad, it''s us!" Accompanied by a somewhat helpless voice, a baby-faced girl in a business suit supported a red-faced Mrs. Charl into the office. "Charl!" Once the office door closed, ensuring the voices inside couldn''t be heard outside, the middle-aged woman, who had clearly reached her breaking point, screamed, "What''s going on with the company shares? You''ve suddenly given away forty percent, is Charl Department Store even Charl Department Store anymore?" "You''ve got the nerve to come find me?" Before the middle-aged woman could open her mouth, old Charl already knew what she wanted to say. He slapped the desk forcefully, his brows furrowing as he angrily demanded, "What about the hydroelectric company? Did the problems I worried about happen in the end? If I hadn''t reacted quickly and relied entirely on you for negotiations, Charl Department Store would be gone now!" "..." When old Charl brought up the hydroelectric company, the middle-aged woman''s momentum faltered, but she still struggled to press on, "But you can''t just give away forty percent of the shares like that, and most of it is from my family side..." "If we hadn''t given away forty percent, could you still be standing here yelling at me?" Not bothering to hide his fatigue in front of his family, old Charl leaned back into his chair, rubbing his temples with a weary face, "Have you forgotten? Fifteen years ago, when Charl Department Store was almost brought down, I didn''t give up a single share. I was more opposed than you to splitting the shares, but this time it really couldn''t be avoided. Now it seems the problem is resolved, but the solution was too crude. We can make big money, but we''ve hurt the interests of all our peers in one fell swoop. Do you know? The price standards for fifteen whole industries were driven to rock bottom by us. The Business Association already has significant objections. If we don''t share the wealth, letting them at least sip some soup, take a guess at what will happen?" Seeing his wife suddenly shudder, seemingly realizing something, old Charl said expressionlessly, "Though Charl Department Store can grow big this year, once the end of the year passes, when things cool down and compensations are paid, it will no longer belong to Charl. Without the support of the Business Association and the legislators, I can''t hold onto this company by myself, can''t even guarantee basic safety, and then our whole family can only reunite in jail, understand?" Seeing his wife break into a sweat like rain, finally sobered from the stimulus of immense wealth, old Charl didn''t seem satisfied. He knocked on the table, raising his voice, "Do you know what your biggest stupidity is? If you don''t, I''ll tell you! Your biggest stupidity is always assuming everything will follow the rules! You think the veto power in the contract can keep the Old Nobility from messing around? You think because we''ve cornered the factory and retail channels, we can force everyone to concede? You think once the company is large enough, we can ignore the Business Association''s opinion? That''s completely stupid!" S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing his wife''s complexion turn ash-white, nearly collapsing to the floor without their daughter''s support, a hint of reluctance crossed old Charl''s eyes. Yet, he hardened his heart and delivered a final blow, "In peacetime, they''re willing to play by the rules because outside of the rules, they''re not confident of winning against me! But now we''ve started dumping, breaking the rules everyone tacitly agreed to, driving others to desperate straits, and you still expect them not to resort to underhanded tactics, continuing to play by the rules with you? In times like this, if we don''t quickly give up shares and pull competent people to bear the burden together, are we supposed to just sit foolishly on the heap of money waiting for death?" "Dad! You... you don''t have to say that. Mom meant well to help you, just lacked some insight. But Dad, think about it, how many people have the ability to nearly start from scratch, rising from being a small vendor to becoming a top-three businessman in the Capital City in over twenty years? How could ordinary people''s vision compare to yours?" After worriedly glancing at her mother, trembling incessantly, the baby-faced girl quickly threw meaningful glances while earnestly trying to smooth things over, "Dad! Mom was once just a pampered noble lady. After eloping with you, she learned to wash clothes and cook, helped you inventory and account late into the night, all the way fighting alongside you until today, how difficult it was! Through these years, aside from this mistake in judgment, she has helped you manage company affairs neatly, never made any trouble, and while I was still young, you were always so busy. She had to take care of me while learning how..." "Don''t talk." Releasing her daughter''s supportive hand, a woman with features and a demeanor six-tenths akin to her daughter, reflecting a bit of her youthful, innocent image, pursed her lips, turned her head stubbornly, and said, "Wrong is wrong. Why bring up the past? I willingly eloped with him. Now I''ve made a mistake. It''s my own choice. No need to use past stories to seek sympathy! Also, look at your dad; no one controlling him might drive him to death in the office. You stay here and watch over him! Now, with so many customers, the company staff may not be able to keep up. I need to go oversee things!" "Mom, you just recovered a bit from illness, let me at least..." "I don''t need you!" "¡­" Watching his wife storm out the door, old Charl remained silent for a moment, then waved his hand at his daughter, who seemed to want to say something, "You don''t need to persuade, I didn''t mean to blame her, I spoke so harshly to help impress the loss from this time into her memory. As for those past things, I actually remember them even clearer than you. Do you know? Because your dad was so poor, he couldn''t afford nutriments for your mom. After you were born, her health wasn''t great; she hardly had any milk. Back then, I had to earn a living, left early and came back late, unable to help. Spoiled and pampered, she wore a shabby apron, lugging you who cried from hunger through the frigid winter, eventually having to kneel before someone to beg a little milk..." Recalling those hard times, old Charl lamented darkly, "Seeing that scene early when I rushed home from worrying about our circumstances, I resolved that even if I had to sell my soul to a demon and become a villain, I''d let you two live a good life! Sigh... Thinking back now, really... In my life, I was never afraid of anyone except I could never win against your mom. When the hydroelectric company was being set up, if only I had held firm a bit longer, maybe things wouldn''t have escalated to this... Forget it, I better not say more." Caressing the four metal boxes stacked on the right, confirming the locks were still intact, old Charl slightly shook his head and said, "Let''s go, your mom''s health is frail. We should go..." "Not good!" Just as the father and daughter prepared to get up, the office door was suddenly yanked open by an employee in a store uniform who rushed in, panic written all over, "Boss! In the shopping plaza''s money box, there was a..." "Croak! Croak!" Two deafening frog chirps from outside interrupted the employee''s unfinished words, and a gentle, clear male voice resonated simultaneously in the hearts of over fifty thousand people around Charl Department Store. "People seeking wealth, let me ask you." After climbing, somewhat laboriously, out of the giant money box, a huge toad covered in various currencies puffed out its glittering golden cheek sacs, croaked, and spat out enough gold wheels to form a stream, before squinting its eyes with a benevolent smile. "Will the gold I spit out be enough to buy your life?" Chapter 65 - 65: 0052 The value of life_1 ??? Could all this gold... possibly buy my life?! The gentle inquiry resonated within the hearts of the tens of thousands of citizens in the shopping plaza. Instinctively, they all shuddered in unison, their consciousness lapsing into a state of disorientation. When they regained their senses, these thousands of citizens were horrified to discover that they were all standing upright, facing the large money box in the center of the shopping plaza, organized into a uniform fan shape. Meanwhile, an enormous toad, as tall as a two-story building, lay lazily atop the large money box of comparable height. It peered at each person with great interest through its massive protruding gold compound eyes. "..." *So... have I stumbled upon another supernatural event?* Leon, frowning deeply, touched the badge on his chest, which was scaldingly hot. First, he confirmed the status of his ram''s head and broom. Finding them still functional, he sighed in slight relief and then attempted to move his feet. No, he couldn''t move... Looking down at his feet, Leon was startled to discover a giant frog hand with suction cups growing out of the shopping plaza''s floor, firmly gripping his calves. On the back of this strange frog hand were numerous deep green protrusions, resembling embedded Copper Wheels in the skin, numbering about twenty-three or four. Having determined that escape was temporarily impossible, Leon observed the others around him and found they were in similar predicaments. Each one was firmly held by the frog hands to the ground, struggling and screaming in panic, their faces reflecting utter terror. However, unlike him, the protrusions on the frog hands gripping them were not uniformly deep green; many were a sinister silver-white, with occasional glimpses of dazzling gold. Gold, silver, and copper... It seemed to involve a rule about money. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After frowning in contemplation for a few seconds, Leon, who had two sets of children''s clothes and a knitted sweater hanging on his broom, roughly guessed the meaning of those protrusions. The items stacked in the Charl Department Store were indeed much cheaper than the market price, and as he passed through the shopping plaza, he was likewise attracted by the extremely enticing prices. With the thought of taking advantage, to save some money for his family, he perused the clothing section and bought items for his younger siblings. The price difference from the market average equated to about twenty-some Copper Wheels, similar in number to the green protrusions on the frog hand''s skin. *So, by merely harboring ''greed,'' one would be captured by frog hands proportionate to the intensity of that greed?* Trying to discard the shopping bags in hand, finding himself still firmly held, Leon squatted down and attempted to touch the frog hand. Yet, he couldn''t feel any substance nor received any cues from the [Materialist Soul]. *It seemed these bizarre frog hands didn''t truly exist but were a manifested rule triggered by the opponent''s ability.* He judged that he could only break free by dealing with the main body, but the giant toad was some six to seven hundred meters away. What could he possibly do to injure its main body? ... "Why doesn''t anyone want to agree with me?" Just as Leon was hesitating about trying the director''s red hair, seeing the panicked crowd in the plaza, the giant golden toad atop the money box blinked and sighed softly in a somewhat disappointed tone, "Humans, you claim to love money so deeply, even to the point of worshipping its magic, but when I follow the wishes in your hearts and bring money before you, you refuse even to glance at it. Why is that?" "Because... because the cost is too great!" Seeing the giant toad wasn''t particularly "violent," seemingly an entity that could communicate, a nearby man surrounded by shopping bags bravely answered, "Money is nice, but it can''t compare to life; life is priceless." "Oh, but that''s not true." Glancing toward the man, the golden toad''s lips curved upward, it lightly laughed as it addressed him, "From what I understand of your species, life seems to be something that can indeed be measured with money, rather cheaply at that." Seeing the massive creature look his way, the man instinctively wanted to flee, but the frog hand originating from the floor clutched his legs steadfastly. Unable to leave, he could only scream in terror. "You''re being so noisy." With a webbed foot still sticky with transparent mucus, it lightly touched the mountain of gold in front of it. After pulling up a substantial amount of shiny Gold Wheels, the golden toad clenched its "palm" slightly, and the Gold Wheels stuck to its foot disappeared instantly, leaping over thirty meters to pile up before the man. "Sell me your voice, then you can learn to be quieter." With the golden toad''s gentle voice, as if strangled in an instant, the man''s screams and pleas abruptly ceased. Despite his horrified eyes bulging and desperate fingers clawing at his throat, he couldn''t produce even the most basic "hoarse" sounds. After promptly "buying out" the man''s voice, the golden toad nodded in satisfaction as the plaza fell into silence. It then turned to gaze at the people nearest to it: a shivering young couple, softly inquiring, "And you? Would you be willing to sell your lives to me?" "N-no... no!" The husband in the young couple was too frightened to speak, while the terrified wife restrained her urge to scream, clutching her husband''s arm and desperately shaking her head as she refused, "Our lives... we only have one each! If... if we sell it to you, then we''d be gone!" "Is that so?" Tilting its head regretfully, the golden toad mused in confusion, "You claim you''re unwilling to sell your lives to me, yet you''ve always been selling your lives." "We... we haven''t! We''ve never sold our lives!" "Oh, but you have." Extending its fingertip of the webbed foot, gently lifting up two Gold Wheels, the golden toad blinked its gigantic fly-like compound eyes and spoke in an uncompromising tone, "For these two little sparkly things, you must work in the cotton mill for seven days, handling several tons of raw cotton. In the meantime, your husband has to wear non-breathable rubber boots, soaking for five whole days in a dye pool filled with chemicals and reagents. So, I evaluate objectively, seven days of your life equal five of his, while five of his days equal those two Gold Wheels. Over the past four years, this exchange has persisted, and visibly, it will continue into the future. So, instead of selling this precious life cheaply to others, trapped for decades in hot and noisy factories, painfully repeating labor that''s utterly meaningless, why not choose a simpler path by selling this portion of life directly to me with joy?" Having given the conclusion on evaluating life''s worth, under the couple''s fearful gaze, the golden toad began grabbing handful after handful of Gold Wheels in front and delivered each expensive golden currency to their feet. As more Gold Wheels piled underfoot, the strands between the couple''s hair gradually turned white, facial muscles swiftly sagged, and furrows deepened at the brows and corners of their eyes, transforming them into a vision of middle age, continuing to grow older. More alarmingly, while the golden toad''s address was aimed at the couple, they were far from alone in receiving the Gold Wheels underfoot. Throughout the entire shopping plaza, more than fifty thousand people''s feet simultaneously witnessed a surge of Gold Wheels. Accompanied by the clinking sound of metal currency colliding, everyone in the plaza who received "payment" began uncontrollably advancing into old age! Chapter 66 - 66: 0053 Toad and Sheep_1 "Kid, this time you''re truly done for..." The Black Goat looked at the gigantic soul radiating golden light in the center of the square and couldn''t help but sigh deeply, regrettably saying to Leon, "That damned toad is a Holy Spirit worshiped by a secret sect called the Scales Gold Sect. Its owner is a True God with power similar to that of the Master of Starry Skies, and this toad is one of the three favorite pets of that True God. Although this toad was nothing compared to us in the past, it possesses a naturally high hierarchy and extremely troublesome abilities due to being imbued with the breath of that True God. I truly have no way to save you... alas, what a pity for such a promising young talent..." "..." Wait a moment? You know the origin of that toad? Hearing the words of the Black Goat, Leon''s expression couldn''t help but pause slightly. He then raised his hand to open his badge panel. To his great surprise, he found that the red [Materialist Soul] had begun to faintly light up; however, it seemed that the conditions were not quite sufficient, causing the light to be exceptionally dim and not yet reaching the activation threshold. Feeling that he had found a way out, Leon couldn''t help but clap the goat''s head vigorously. "Quick! Talk some more!" "Huh?" Hearing this, the Black Goat was taken aback for a moment, then instinctively said, "Uh... then I''ll say some more... You kid, although you''re a bit stingy and even unwilling to pay for a boat ticket, at least you''re willing to buy me cigarettes, which is much better than that red-haired woman. After you die, I''ll definitely miss you a few more times..." Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''m not asking you to continue mourning me! I want you to talk about the toad''s intelligence!" Seeing the words under the [Materialist Soul (Crimson)] badge effect "When encountering Anomalous Objects, reduce the influence from the opposite based on your understanding," Leon couldn''t help but say excitedly, "Tell me everything you know about that toad! As much as you can, the more detailed, the better!" "Huh? You''re about to die of old age, why are you still asking about this?" "Never mind that! Hurry up and spill the intelligence! If you dawdle any longer, I''ll throw you over to feed the toad!" "Tsk... it''s just because I like you..." Muttering unhappily for a couple of sentences, the Black Goat recalled the intelligence about the golden toad and then rambled on, "The followers of the Scales Gold Sect love wealth, so the True God''s three pets all have something to do with money: the fortune-bringing cat, the devouring snake, and the spitting toad. Their abilities are to acquire wealth, consume wealth to gain something, and swallow something to spit out wealth, respectively. The strongest among them is this damned toad, which can spit out a huge amount of money and forcibly purchase almost anything. As long as you are not completely immune to the magic of money, you cannot evade its ''forced purchase.'' It can even... huh? How can you move?" *Through the absent-minded narration of the [Devil''s Horn], you have gained a large amount of intelligence about the "Forging Wealth Toad." The heterochromatic badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)" has been activated. Due to understanding the effectiveness rule of the "Forging Wealth Toad" ability, your resistance to this Anomalous Object has greatly increased, enabling you to block general-level impacts.* "Don''t stop! Keep talking!" Trying to move his legs, which were gripped by the frog''s hands, Leon found that although there was still a faint stiffness, he could move freely again. His lips curled into a joyful smile, realizing that he had underestimated the role of the Black Goat. Regarding the intelligence of this [Devil''s Horn], the name given by [Materialist Soul] was followed by the terms [Corruption], [Knowledge], and [Whisper]. *Corruption referred to the identity of the Black Goat Demon,* *while* [Whisper] *likely denoted the capability to incite rage within hearts.* *As for [Knowledge], it corresponded to its vast awareness as a Great Demon and its expected mastery of extensive occult knowledge.* When this awareness and knowledge fell into the hands of others, it might merely be information that could occasionally prove useful. It held no abundant significance. However, for him, the Black Goat''s knowledge, paired with the [Materialist Soul] badge''s effect of "the more you understand, the more you can resist," directly became a stable trigger for resisting "anomalous" influences, and apparently, its effect could be even stronger... Hmm? Why is there no sound anymore? After hearing no further intelligence from the Black Goat and feeling that the brightness of the [Materialist Soul] still had room to increase, Leon couldn''t help but urge, "Finished talking about abilities? What about weaknesses? Characteristics? And the name of that True God? Hurry up and continue speaking!" "..." Hearing Leon''s urging, the Black Goat couldn''t help but open its mouth, momentarily unsure of what to say. Finally, it had no choice but to remind with an eye full of helplessness, "Kid, shouldn''t you look up first?" Look up? Could it be... Listening to the Black Goat''s words, Leon''s expression stalled slightly. As he gazed around, he noticed that the aging of the people beside him had somehow halted. His expression stiffened as he lifted his head and looked toward the center of the shopping plaza. Indeed, those enormous compound eyes that shouldn''t have been in the eye sockets of a toad were locked on him even from six or seven hundred meters away. The hundreds of densely packed monstrous eyes were filled with a thick, anthropomorphic astonishment. "..." *No way?* After meeting the gaze of those two chillingly large compound eyes, Leon''s heart secretly cried out. Afraid of being detected, he had barely moved five centimeters after regaining his freedom. In this plaza, with tens of thousands of people struggling, you still managed to spot me in a glance? ... Strange... this ought to be a person, right? Looking at the human covered in a demonic aura, the golden toad''s mouth slightly curled up into an oddly intrigued smile. After responding to the prayers of its believers and descending upon this plaza full of greed and money, it had only intended to casually kill some people, as a perfunctory fulfillment before leaving ¨C never expecting a surprising delight. If its intuition wasn''t wrong, the timid fellow beside him should be the one who had quite audaciously descended before; the same one who was torn into seven pieces. The giant compound eyes rotated slightly, focusing on the shopping bag in Leon''s hand. The golden toad''s mouth curled even wider. Amazing! *As expected of a Great Demon whose hierarchy approached divinity in its prime.* *Even in such a state of decline, it still retained enough power to help someone resist my control!* Looking admiringly at the Black Goat, the golden toad lifted its sticky right foreleg, cradling a large heap of Gold Wheels. It suddenly grasped them tightly, causing the amount enough to bury an adult to completely disintegrate and vanish without a trace. Meanwhile, Leon, over six or seven hundred meters away, only felt the world blur briefly. In an instant, he, along with a few paving bricks under his feet, disappeared alongside the shattered Gold Wheels. When Leon reappeared, he was astonishingly transported, bricks included, before the golden toad, just a single step from its slightly opened gigantic toad maw! "Chosen kin of the Demon, I ask you." Seeing the rigid expression, eyes filled with unshakeable fear, yet persistently clutching a broom, Leon, the immense golden toad chuckled, mockingly widening the stretch of its mouth. "Why do you resist? Do you not desire to sell your life to me?" Chapter 67 - 67: 0054 Bottom Card_1 *(Revised)* "Are you kidding? Who the hell would want to sell their life to you!" Although he wanted to refuse outright, the other party''s ability was like forceful buying. The way they had pulled him over effortlessly proved they could even buy something like "distance." He realized he had no power to refuse. Facing the creepy smile of the toad, Leon, with no choice, focused on those countless compound eyes and reluctantly questioned, "Selling my life to you...it''s not impossible, but the price you''re offering is way too low!" "Oh?" Hearing Leon''s response, the golden toad, initially just toying with this human and casually chatting with an "old friend," tilted its head and smiled as it retorted, sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So what do you think you''re worth?" *I think I''m priceless, okay? No amount of money would make me want to sell!* But although this was the truth, Leon, seeing the mocking look in the golden toad''s eyes, knew saying so would likely be useless, so he swallowed his words and took a different approach instead, "I believe...many things can''t be measured with money." "So you''re not only questioning my judgment of value but also doubting my understanding of this world?" Upon hearing Leon''s words, the golden toad, which had been quite amiable, suddenly looked cold. Its gigantic compound eyes slightly concaved, and countless minuscule spheres all aligned, focusing on Leon as it emphasized each word, "Money, is all-powerful." "Ever since the first shell was used as currency, conquering humans with its shine and beauty, money and the wealth it represents have become the pursuit of all intelligent life. It''s not just in your tiny Kingdom, but down to the deepest ocean floor with fishmen, up to the moon''s dark side with its natives¡ªeverywhere intelligent life exists, money is indispensable. Only money is the foundation on which this world operates! And your insignificant lives are merely the most pitiable things it can buy!" "Sigh¡­ What use is it telling you this?" Glancing at Leon, who hadn''t immediately retorted but was evidently thinking of a comeback, the golden toad shook its head, looking disinterested as it said, "Even if you''re a chosen familiar of the Great Demon, you''re ultimately just a servant. You don''t need to understand these things; just be obedient and accept domination. Come on! Let me appraise your insignificant life!" With the golden toad''s words, countless images of Leon reflected in its eyes trembled and were instantly replaced by chaotic new scenes. His naive childhood, the happy days beneath his parents'' knees, crying endlessly after losing them, and then vast, empty darkness. After that vast emptiness came the half year of bedridden illness, depleting most of the family''s savings, leading to desperate struggles for money. Painting villa walls under the scorching sun, hauling loads with a frail body at the docks, scrubbing soot-blackened ferries with a two-meter-long brush with difficulty. When the river froze, halting boats, he took over an abandoned roadside newsstand, huddled in winter selling papers, sometimes stacking shoes to appear older, slipping into various lenient temp factories, doing no-resum¨¦-required odd jobs to earn a pittance¡­ Regrettably, after more than two years of hard work, the impoverished home in the pictures hadn''t grown prosperous but felt increasingly empty. An occasionally flashed girl''s face looked paler, coughing worse, while two indistinct children grew thinner... "A dull life." After viewing over five thousand days and nights in less than a second, the golden toad shook its head and was about to "cut off" the image when it suddenly caught a glimpse of vibrant red hair. ?!!! That woman?! Hastily focusing, canceling further images, the golden toad''s expression slightly darkened as it turned to the sheep''s head in a shopping bag, incredulously saying, "Damn it! You''ve been collaborating with the Purification Bureau?" "Go, go, go! What nonsense are you spouting?" Hearing the golden toad''s accusations, the Black Goat, too embarrassed to meet acquaintances, could no longer pretend to be absent. It stretched its tongue awkwardly, licking two holes in the bag to reveal its angry eyes and glared at the familiar toad, "I''m not collaborating with the Purification Bureau! Just temporarily lodging there and giving them a little talent as the cost of accepting a few extreme evil sacrifices periodically." "You''re not even collaborating¡­so you''ve been employed by them? Or¡­have you completely fallen into the Purification Bureau''s hands and become their lackey?" "¡­" "You''re the lackey!" The Black Goat, its wound poked, lost its composure, snarling angrily, "I''m just temporarily residing! Temporarily residing, get it? You bastard, are the holes on both sides of your head sealed? Damn it! If I hadn''t recovered yet, you stupid toad, just wait for me!" Heh, lackey! Sneering, the golden toad cast a disdainful glance at the Black Goat, ignoring its furious insults, turned back toward Leon, its massive compound eyes staring coldly as it demanded, "So...are you with the Purification Bureau?" "That''s right!" Knowing from the toad''s tone it was likely a nemesis of the Bureau, Leon decided it was time to throw caution to the wind. He picked up the Black Goat, shaking it while provocatively replying, "Though you look down on it now, when you fall into our hands and become an Anomalous Object, I guarantee your end will be a hundred times more miserable!" ??? Not?! Why the hell did you have to drag me into your talking point? Amid the Black Goat''s curse raised by eight octaves, the golden toad remained unprovoked. Instead, narrowing its massive compound eyes, it observed Leon carefully, tilting its head in surprise, "Are you trying to provoke me?" Noticing Leon''s suddenly tense muscles, the gigantic golden toad grinned, grabbing a handful of Gold Wheels nearby while stacking them before it, leisurely speculating, "Human, it seems you don''t think you can escape, yet you don''t seem prepared to die either, and you even dare to provoke me¡­how intriguing. If I''m guessing correctly, you must have a strong enough card up your sleeve, but you can''t control it, or it only triggers when attacked?" ?!!! Exposed again? Watching the toad deduce his situation just by eye contact, Leon''s breath slightly hitched, involuntarily recalling the evaluation given by the red-haired Director. Could it be...I''m really that easy to read? "Haha, seems I guessed right." Seeing the unmasked confusion in Leon''s eyes, the golden toad''s grin widened, nodding toward the pile of Gold Wheels before it, jesting, "Sorry, I don''t enjoy crudely attacking others physically. I prefer obtaining the lives I want through fair and reasonable transactions, rendering your card useless. Here, take these thirty thousand Gold Wheels, and entrust everything to me. For your dull life, this is already the most generous price I can offer." Chapter 68 - 68: 0055 Thirty Years West of the River_1 (Edited) With the golden toad''s confident speech, the towering Gold Wheel in front of it instantly vanished, reappearing in front of Leon out of thin air. Leon, who received the "payment," let out a sudden scream, covering his ears in agony. "Buzz!!!" Accompanied by a mechanical buzzing sound a hundred times more piercing than ever before, a mechanized notification sounded in Leon''s ears. [Warning, the Anomalous Object "Wealth Exchange Toad" is attempting to change system ownership] [System ownership cannot be transferred, change operation denied] S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Warning, the Anomalous Object "Wealth Exchange Toad" is attempting to change system ownership] [System ownership cannot be transferred, change operation denied] [...] "How could it be..." Seeing Leon, who, despite the agony on his face, had not a single wrinkle or a white hair added, the golden toad widened its eyes in disbelief. *This was a full thirty thousand Gold Wheels! Enough to buy the lives of more than a dozen people, yet it couldn''t even make him appear aged? Does the Purification Bureau pay that much?* Unwilling to give in, the golden toad scooted back, gathering with its hands a pile of Gold Wheels five times the previous amount, pushing them all towards the man in front of it. "One hundred fifty thousand!" "Buzz!" [Warning...] [...denied] "Five hundred thousand!!" [Warning...] [...denied] "One million!!!" [Warning...] [...denied] "Ah!!! The pain!!!" "This is impossible!!!" *How could a human be worth so much?!* Watching Leon, who clutched his head in agony yet refused to die, the golden toad''s worldview suffered a tremendous shock. It gritted its teeth and opened its mouth as wide as possible, spitting out enough Gold Wheels to form a river. "Add...all these!!!" Like a gambler who has lost everything, the golden toad, whose purpose of existence was challenged, began spitting Gold Wheels with all its might, continuing until they submerged Leon''s chest, piled into a towering gold mountain in the shopping plaza, causing its golden skin to take on a faint pale hue before finally taking a breath. However... [Warning...] [...denied] "Ah..." After a noisy bombardment lasting over five minutes, whether it was because his ears were completely deafened or he''d gradually adapted to the prickling pain the noise caused, Leon not only stopped shouting but stood up straight, and even had a healthy flush on his face from the recent intense "exercise." "..." *Impossible! I don''t believe it!! It''s not supposed to be like this!!!* Seeing Leon, who besides being slightly uncomfortable from the pressure of the Gold Wheels, looked even healthier than before, the golden toad felt a buzzing in its mind as if someone had hammered a blow to its skull. It flopped down with a thud and stayed there for a long time without getting up. "I''ve told you, there are many things that cannot be measured with money!" Seeing that this unbelieving creature finally stopped, no longer tormenting himself, Leon sighed with relief as his ears were freed from further suffering. Struggling out of the Gold Wheels that reached his chest, he pondered for a long time about how to retort. Using both hands and feet, he climbed up the Gold Wheel Mountain, courageously looking down at the golden toad below, full of hatred, and with half-true half-false bravado, said: "Though I''m just an insignificant ordinary person, struggling every day for a meager salary, like you said, indirectly selling my life. But in my heart, I know very clearly, that I''m not a slave to money! I''ve never lived for money! So no matter how much you can manipulate money, you absolutely cannot buy my life!" "Nonsense!" Enraged by the disdain in the eyes of this "slave," the severely faded golden toad forced itself up, its huge head bowing up, higher than the golden mountain. Then it opened its mouth wide, aiming at Leon on the golden mountain, attempting to spew more Gold Wheels to buy this human''s life again. Yet this time, what it spewed was no longer the brilliant Gold Wheels but a large quantity of silver-white coins carved with patterns, covering the shining gold mountain with a layer of pale snow. "Why has it turned to Silver Wheels? Are you out of money?" "I have!" Spitting out a sea of Silver Wheels again, but finding it still had no effect on Leon, a hint of wavering flashed in the golden toad''s eyes, but then it quickly lifted its head resolutely, responding in anger: "I am the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect! My wealth is endless! It''s just that descending here consumed too much of my power; once I leave this place and return to..." "Don''t be silly, no matter how much money you spit out, the result is the same!" Buried up to his chest in Silver Wheels again, Leon sneered, taking out a bottle of liquor and downing a large gulp. With the effect of [Martyr of the Wine Country], he completely suppressed the lingering fear in his heart, then looked up, gazing at the copper-hued massive toad, and continued his aggressive "attack," knowing it couldn''t understand the concept of a system: "Look with your eyes, the relationship between me and money, isn''t it like this mountain you''ve puked out?" Moving the heavy Silver Wheels aside, Leon laboriously struggled out from the "snow top," once again occupying the highest point of the gold and silver mountain. He looked down at the faded toad below with disdain in his eyes, saying: "Admit it, as long as I can stay clear-headed, not numbed and buried by the magic of money, but struggle towards a greater and higher goal, then no amount of money deserves anything but to stay beneath my feet!" "Crack!" "I don''t believe it!" Accompanied by a clear cracking sound, the toad, now covered in large cracks, jerked its head up, screaming it didn''t believe, trying to raise its head to regain a position higher than Leon. However, with the great gold and silver mountain supporting him, no matter how hard it tried, it could only be lower than Leon, receiving Leon''s full disdain from below. "This is impossible!!!" Feeling an enormous humiliation from being looked down upon, the faded toad desperately supported itself and leaped upwards, trying to climb the gold and silver mountain to once again look down upon Leon. Yet even a hill made of gold and silver couldn''t support a massive beast six meters tall. Half of the gold and silver mountain instantly collapsed, and the toad, struggling to leap up, could only roll down, panting heavily and dizzily looking up at Leon atop the mountain. "See, even the money you control is starting to abandon you now." "Crack!" Leon, giving the timely finishing blow, sat cross-legged on over a meter thick "Silver Wheel snow top," looking down at the toad below, eyes full of unwillingness, silently shook his head, then grabbed a handful of Silver Wheels, scattering them down, covering the increasingly fragmented skin of the toad, and opened his mouth to sigh: "I''ve spent my life pursuing money, and now I stand atop countless moneys, whereas you, considering yourself as the master of money, can only be buried beneath it. Think about it, isn''t it ironic?" "Crack!" *No...this isn''t real! This isn''t real!* Looking at his nearly completely shattered body, the cracked toad, unable to rise again, held onto a last glimmer of hope, lifting its head in fury, questioning: "Is it the Anomalous Object! It''s the Anomalous Object, right? You must have a high-hierarchy Anomalous Object! One strong enough to resist my Ability!" "If that''s what you think, then yes." Showing off his still muscless arm, Leon laughed dismissively, shamelessly bluffing: "You guessed right, I do have an incomparably powerful Anomalous Object, one with a Hierarchy higher than True God, but it adds nothing to my body, making me unable to even lift an iron box, only able to carry that sheep head with a shopping bag to do tasks. Oh, by the way, the reason you couldn''t buy everything from me just now was because its Hierarchy is way too high for your Ability to be effective... Ha ha, does saying this give you a bit of comfort?" "I... I..." "Enough with the ''I'', you''re just a pitiable creature." After arbitrarily summarizing the cracked toad''s entire life, Leon restrained the excitement of outwitting the Holy Spirit, sitting leisurely atop the gold and silver mountain, narrating calmly: "I''ve always thought that one''s perspective of the world is actually just a projection of their self-worth. You see someone making noise; what you see isn''t those making the noise but your own dislike of the commotion; You see someone working diligently, yet you see not the diligent worker, but your appreciation for effort; This world is clearly vivid and beautiful, yet you feel nothing, only seeing a bunch of slaves controlled by money..." At this, Leon paused, looking compassionately at the giant toad beneath him, breaking inch by inch, and gently said: "What is truly buried by the magic of money, is it those living life with effort... or is it you who sees them as slaves?" "Crack!" "Crash!" Chapter 69 - 69: 0056 Hit me with your money!_1 Finally dead, huh? Staring at the gigantic toad below that was shattered beyond recognition, Leon''s legs trembled slightly. To avoid revealing his fear, he sat on the Golden Silver Mountain and let out a long breath. Although he had said it many times already, he really wanted to say once more... The work at the Purification Bureau was really not meant for humans! After using a stomach full of idealistic nonsense to talk a Holy Spirit to death, Leon, whose limbs were weak, slowly climbed down from the Golden Mountain, taking a glance at the records in the Badge System along the way. [With your exceptional eloquence and acting skills, the false role you crafted¡ª"The poor worker who doesn''t love money," successfully distorted the swapping toad''s understanding of the world, completely destroying the foundation of its existence. You activated the Silver-Level Badge "Elite Performer."] [Performer: A great script, a suitable stage, plus you, are enough to put on an outstanding performance.] [Wear Effect: With the enhancement of excellent dialogue and acting skills, you can closely meld into and approach the "role" itself during performances. The character and persona you portray are highly convincing.] [Advancement Route: After performing ten remarkable acts in a grand theater with over two thousand viewers and receiving their approval over ninety percent of the time, this badge will automatically advance to the Golden Badge "Performance Master." Current progress 0/10.] [Hidden Traits (No Wear Required): A distinguished performer stands out like a firefly in the darkness no matter where they are. Your charisma has been significantly enhanced.] "..." Although it was directly a Silver Badge, it... didn''t seem very useful? Having looked over the effects of "Elite Performer," Leon sighed in disappointment, hoping to get a badge like "Holy Spirit Nemesis." He then glanced down at the badge panel. [Materialist Soul (Red)] [Martyr of the Wine Country (Gold)] [Friend of Demons (Silver)], [Elite Performer (Silver)] [Shooter (Copper)], [Reliable Brother (Copper)] [Unemployed Youth (Iron)], [Probationary Worker (Iron)], [Parkour Novice (Iron)] So far, he had gained a total of nine badges, but there were only five badge slots available. Among them, "Materialism" directly locked one slot, the "Wine Country" for overcoming fear occupied another, and the remaining three enhanced "Demon" for increasing Abnormal object efficacy, "Shooter" for strengthening shooting skills, and "Probationary Worker" for directly increasing work efficiency. As for the also quite useful "Parkour," since all five badge slots were taken, it had to be temporarily put aside and would be switched on in advance if facing complex terrains. The newly obtained "Performer" would probably receive the same treatment, likely to be thrown into the badge warehouse for the time being to collect dust... Hmm... Fortunately, besides badges, he had other gains. Looking at the enormous toad in front of him, broken into pieces yet still quite majestic, Leon felt much better, then reached out to touch the toad''s massive skull. [Encounter... Materialism... Information] [Name: Saintly Remains (?, ?)] [Appearance: Shattered enormous toad''s corpse] [Ability: ?] [Cost: ?] [File: After experiencing extreme and brutal fragmentation of cognition, unable to bear its own concepts of money, currency, domination, and trade, the Holy Spirit''s corpse disintegrated. Before completing restoration and re-extraction, it cannot be utilized.] [Evaluation: Exceptionally outstanding anomalous object material. With excellent auxiliary ingredients and correct techniques, it should be possible to craft a very powerful anomalous object.] [Contamination Value: ?] As expected, this thing held immense potential. After reading the description provided by "Materialism," Leon nodded with satisfaction. Although it seemed a bit unseemly to have talked it to death, the golden toad was at least of Holy Spirit level, and the anomalous object crafted from it would undoubtedly be extraordinary. Moreover, according to the rules of the Purification Bureau, as his opponent personally... talked to death, after completing recovery and submission, he held absolute first claims on the anomalous item created from it. Even if the final product didn''t suit him, like that time with the Witch''s Broom, it could be exchanged for other usable anomalous objects, so this unexpected occurrence, while extremely dangerous, was also remarkably rewarding... sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ... "Hey, kid! I''m over here!" Waiting for ages without seeing Leon come looking for him, wandering instead next to the shattered toad, the ram''s head, uncomfortable under a heap of Gold Wheels, couldn''t help but strain his neck and urged: "Hurry up! Stop touching that toad, come over here and dig me out!" Leon, who was inspecting his spoils, followed the voice, digging for quite a while on the half-collapsed Golden Wheel Mountain above the toad, before finally uncovering the buried ram''s head. Once free, observing Leon before him, almost unscathed aside from some ripped clothing, the Black Goat excitedly exclaimed: "Quick, quick, quick! Tell me how you won?" "Didn''t you hear everything? I just talked with it about worldview, values, and beliefs, then it realized its understanding of the world was flawed, and it collapsed by itself... Speaking of which, won''t those people have issues?" Not wanting to reveal the existence of the Badge System to the Black Goat and embarrassed to paint himself as a money-disdaining saint, Leon responded evasively and then stood up, looking around at the crowd lying unconscious on the plaza, worrying: "Though the duration wasn''t long, many people had been visibly aged by the toad''s ability. Can the things taken from them be restored? Also, when the toad was spitting out lots of Gold Wheels, many people just fainted and haven''t woken up since..." "Ah, it''s a good thing they haven''t woken!" Having Leon lift him slightly to see the shopping plaza''s situation, the Black Goat nonchalantly replied: "After being provoked by you, the toad reclaimed the money given to these people to gather funds to purchase you, forcibly returning the life it had bought. Look, see? The Gold Wheels previously sent to their side have disappeared, indicating the transaction was willingly canceled by the toad. As for why they collectively fainted... having a huge amount of life force bought in one go and then having the transaction canceled, abruptly pumping life back into them, you would''ve fainted too!" Having addressed Leon''s questions, the Black Goat, still puzzled, fixed its gaze on him and said without blinking: "Kid! Don''t try to fool me with those words! That toad didn''t know you well, which is why it was tricked, but I''m different! You, who would rather endure foot odor for over an hour than spend an extra two Copper Wheels for a standard cabin ticket, can''t possibly resist the power of money! Honestly, tell me! Did that red-haired chick give you some protective... Whoa! Move! Get out of the way!" Move? Could the toad revive? Hearing the Black Goat''s warning, Leon''s expression tensed, and he quickly turned his head to look back. However, the toad''s shattered pieces remained lying obediently, and the golden toad didn''t suddenly pull a sit-up, but... The Golden Wheel Mountain had collapsed! In this small landslide accident, an immeasurable amount of metallic currency, like a golden flood, swept toward him with insane speed! Chapter 70 - 70: The Hanged Man_1 "Was this... dead?" Looking at the toad statue on the altar, its once golden sheen faded to a dull clay-like appearance, the few people in the secret chamber who had been full of anticipation were taken aback. "How could this be?!" A middle-aged man with a head full of golden hair was the most agitated, staring at the cracked toad statue in disbelief, he said, "I''ve clearly investigated! Old Charl, aside from his incredibly accurate business acumen, is just an ordinary person. How could he possibly resist the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect? Something must have happened that we are unaware of over there!" "You are unaware of too many things!" Looking painfully at the shattered statue on the altar, an elderly man with a rose emblem on his chest stood up with a slap on the table and shouted angrily at the middle-aged man, "Thomas! We agreed initially that as long as we teamed up with you to push down Charl Department Store, the Ryan Family would join with the York Family in taking shares, to expand our Marcini family''s department store. "Yet the shares of Rose Department Store went to you! We invested in the hydraulic company! We also got involved in sabotaging the Department of Road Administration''s dam project! But not only did Rose Department Store fail to grow, it''s now on the verge of collapse!" Seeing this wasn''t enough to vent his anger, the elder of the Marcini family pounded the table hard, losing his poise as he cursed the golden-haired middle-aged man, "You said that old Charl''s promotions took too many people hostage, and you had no good way to deal with it except to resort to unconventional means. "Fine! Then let''s use unconventional means. I even brought the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect for you! Is this unconventional enough? "Weren''t you claiming that as long as His Holy Spirit descended and caused a mass casualty event, you could find an excuse to force the municipal side to shut down Charl Department Store''s promotions for safety reasons, cutting off its last breath... "But what was the result? Tell me, what was the result? The result was His Holy Spirit died!!! How am I supposed to explain this to the Scales Gold Sect? You''re simply..." "Enough!" Seeing the remarks from the Dressed Elder getting more unpleasant, the golden-haired middle-aged man''s expression darkened, asking harshly in return, Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I am human! Not an all-knowing God! How could anyone predict such a low-probability event? "Also, I never wanted your Marcini family to get involved in the first place; you approached us! Even the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect was invited by you yourself! "And did you forget? To invite that toad, how much did you ask for in benefits from us? It was killed without even making a sound! I think your so-called Scales Gold Sect is basically..." "Gentlemen, stop." Just as the conflict on both sides was about to fully explode, a cold and hard voice filled with an "icy shards" tone interjected, restraining the escalating situation. "Mr. Thomas," calling out the name of the golden-haired man, the black-robed person in the seat in the middle turned and seriously looked at him, "Although the Scales Gold Sect isn''t considered a major sect, there is a True God behind it. If you don''t want to be endlessly hunted down by them, you''d better watch your words. Moreover..." Turning his gaze to the Dressed Elder full of murderous intent, the black-robed person continued with that chilling, emotionless voice, "The Holy Spirit you summoned wasn''t killed by someone, but encountered an incomprehensible situation, leading it to doubt the ideals it had always believed in, which brought about its destruction." After listening to the black-robed person''s judgment, a representative from the York family, who had remained silent, couldn''t help but inquire softly in surprise, "Just because it started to doubt... it died?" "It''s not just doubt but an inability to persuade itself anymore... But it''s not wrong to understand it that way. "As spirits born from faith and concepts, their very existence is an aggregation of beliefs and rules. When they start to doubt what they''ve always stood by, it''s equivalent to being stripped of their reason for being, naturally spiraling uncontrollably towards death." Saying this, the black-robed person shook his head, indifferently concluding, "Only extremes will be remembered, only obsession dares to bravely forge ahead, only madness can comprehend greatness. "For you humans, this extreme obsession with ideals might be somewhat hard to accept, but this obsession is precisely the source of the spirits'' power, and also their most fatal weakness. "If you still can''t understand, think of them as hangmen who believe the sky is below and the earth is above, hence able to walk freely in the sky. "Once they begin to doubt their previous beliefs, it''s tantamount to destroying the rationality of standing in the sky, leaving them to flail and fall, dying on the earth... Do you understand?" "More or less understood some..." Contemplating with furrowed brows, the representative from the York family then inquired, "So... what exactly did the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect encounter? Can you guess?" "Almost can guess some." Hearing this, the black-robed person narrowed his eyes slightly, expressionless as he replied, "In other places it might not be so easy to guess, but since it''s the Capital City... the one who could completely shatter a Holy Spirit''s ideals could only be that one." ... "Achoo!!!" Strange... do I still get sneezes? Rubbing his suddenly itchy nose with some surprise, the red-haired director in the office sat upright and curiously opened the file in his hand. "[Report on the Cleanup of the Scales Gold Sect Holy Spirit Descending Incident]" "[Incident Rating: Disaster Level]" "[Incident Status: Cleared]" "[Person in Charge of Incident: Leon Laine]" "[Anomalous Objects Used: Demon''s Antler, Witch''s Broom]" "[Casualties: 1 person injured]" "[...]" Meanwhile... "I''m sorry! I''m really, really sorry!!!" Looking at Leon on the hospital bed, wrapped with thick bandages and wearing a neck brace, a baby-faced girl in a business suit bowed deeply, tearfully apologizing, "When custom-ordering that money box, if I had been more careful during the inspection and had someone reinforce the box again, you wouldn''t have been injured by the Gold Wheel in the box collapsing! Boo... it''s all my fault..." Well... my injuries really aren''t your fault... Looking at the baby-faced girl in front who was crying sorrowfully with her eyes swollen, Leon, lying on the bed with a cervical and rib fracture due to the fallen Gold Wheel, didn''t know what to say. If I remember correctly, during the Red Brick Road Hospital incident when it was modified to a gas pipe explosion by the Brain of the Evil God, you were the one who took the blame for improper inspection and came crying to apologize. And this time, after the Holy Spirit descending incident was modified to an accident by the collapse of the Gold Wheel inside the money box injuring me, you took the blame again and came crying to apologize. Scrutinizing the heartbroken baby-faced girl in front of him, Leon couldn''t help but smack his lips with a complicated expression. Miss... is your luck a bit poor? Chapter 71 - 71: 0058 Shall we go sleep on the street?_1 "Oh man, this guy''s luck is just too bad. He really has it rough!" As Leon lamented the unfortunate events surrounding the baby-faced girl, she was secretly glancing at him, tears in her eyes and thinking similar thoughts. *Although Mr. Lyon was a good person, it seemed like his family''s luck wasn''t any better.* Last time with the gas pipeline incident, her sister barely escaped a deadly explosion after just a hospital stay. This time, Leon had been even unluckier. He was just passing by the money box when the pile of Gold Wheel coins inside broke the box''s wall and buried him, almost crushing him to death. *Waaah... And there''s more. I''ve carefully inquired about it. His parents died in battle six years ago, his sister isn''t healthy enough for heavy work, and there are two younger siblings who aren''t in school yet.* *His whole family of four was supported by him, their big brother, who started working hard to support them at just fourteen years old. Yet, the family''s circumstances kept deteriorating, only slightly improving after he joined the police department recently.* *It''s really too pitiful. If something really happens to him this time, even if I compensated his family with a fortune, I''d still feel guilty for a lifetime!* "I''m truly very sorry! This is all my fault!" Remembering the empty little home with no extra furnishings when she went to apologize, the baby-faced girl sniffed hard, lifted her head, and earnestly said, "Mr. Lyon, aside from the necessary compensation, Charl Department Store will cover all your lost wages, medical expenses, and nutrition costs! I know you''re someone who doesn''t care much for money, but please, this time, don''t refuse! Also, if you have any other requests, feel free to ask! We''ll do our utmost!" "..." *Oh, well... You apologize so earnestly that it makes me feel guilty...* Looking at the baby-faced girl apologizing tearfully for something that wasn''t her fault, Leon subconsciously scratched his head, feeling as if he were extorting her. *Hmm... no, no.* *This time was different from last. If it weren''t for me, that toad would certainly have caused mass casualties.* *After being modified by the Brain of the Evil God from the Purification Bureau, it''d likely become a case of a stampede due to too many people rushing to buy goods, and the big sale would inevitably be forcibly stopped.* *So killing that toad was actually doing Charl Department Store a huge favor. And I did get injured helping them, so it''s not like I''m taking something I didn''t earn.* ... "Well... let''s forget about the compensation, but there is something I''d really like your help with." Thinking of his family''s situation, Leon loosened his stiff neck, embarrassed, and said, "Since you''ve been to my place, you''ve probably seen my brother and sister, right? They''re at the age to start school. They should have started this summer. But back then, something happened at home, the military took back... um... long story short, we had no money for schooling at that time. I''ve recently checked with the school, but they''ve said they can''t take new students this year, and maybe next year, so if you could..." "Yes! Absolutely yes!" Seeing the "poor good guy" finally make some requests, the baby-faced girl, tormented by her conscience, was overjoyed and hurried to the bedside from the foot of the bed, clapping her modest chest earnestly and promising, "We... Charl Department Store owns shares in many good schools. We have internal recommendations every year. You can choose any school, except the royal private ones, among church public schools or noble private schools for them!" "Um... there''s no need for that..." Thinking about the location of Veteran Lane and those public and private schools, Leon shook his head and said, S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "We''re all non-believers, and given our family''s situation, they probably wouldn''t be happy at a noble private school, so there''s no need for such a good school. As long as it''s an area public school with decent teaching and strict management... hmm... it would be better if it were closer to home." "Ah! I''m sorry, I overlooked that!" Upon hearing Leon''s concern, the baby-faced girl blushed and apologized awkwardly before hesitating, "But as for good area public schools... The schools in Old Town are quite chaotic. The better ones should be Platinum Public School, Bridge Public School, Chelsea Public School, and Westminster Public School. But you live on the edge of Old Town, on Veteran Lane. These schools, in order to ensure student resources, are built closer to the New Town side, so they seem a bit far. Walking there would take quite a while every day, how about..." Sneaking a glance at Leon''s expression, the baby-faced girl cautiously suggested, "Shall I compensate you with a house there?" ?!? *What?! Isn''t it normal to suggest, ''how about you switch schools,'' and at most offer a vintage stagecoach? What''s with giving a school district house directly? Is Charl Department Store really this outrageously generous?* "Hiss... cough! Cough, cough, cough!!!" Startled by the baby-faced girl''s suggestion, Leon instinctively took a deep breath, which strained his cracked ribs, leading to painful coughing. Holding his chest in agony, he leaned back against the headboard. "Ah! Mr. Lyon! Hold on, I''ll call a doctor!" Seeing Leon go from fine to pale and lying down suddenly terrified the baby-faced girl. She turned to find a doctor immediately. Yet, just as she turned, Leon quickly pulled her back. "I''m okay, I''m okay... cough... I just... inhaled too abruptly." Afraid this weepy compensation girl might propose some absurd compensation plan, Leon, holding her hand, caught his breath and pressed his aching ribs, refusing, "There''s really no need for a house! Just help my brother and sister get into school! Oh right, among these better public schools, which is the closest to Veteran Lane?" "..." Perplexed, she glanced at their clasped hands, feeling Leon''s warm, calloused palm. The baby-faced girl didn''t struggle immediately. After some thought, she shyly replied, "The closest public school... that should be Bridge Public School. The main gate is at the end of Bridge Street, and it''s not too far from your workplace in the municipal district. If you get off work early, you could pick up your brother and sister from school... um... Mr. Lyon, your hand..." "Oh, sorry!" Upon being reminded, Leon, for some reason lost in thought, quickly released the baby-faced girl''s hand and furrowed his brows in concentration. Bridge Street... That Happiness Apartment that almost cut him in half with giant scissors seemed to be on number 35 of this street. Not only was the rent very low, but there were also many vacant apartments. Moreover, the husband of the middle-aged nurse from the hospital incident happened to be a teacher at Bridge Public School, and Anna coincidentally "saved" his wife, forming a bond of good karma. *To say the least, if Melanie and others went to Bridge Public School, they''d definitely be well taken care of. If they occasionally misbehaved, both Anna and I could quickly find out. Moving there seemed like getting several benefits at once but...* Recalling that "unhealthy" muscular old man and his giant scissors that almost split him, Leon worriedly rubbed his temples. *Anna and the others could move in, but what about me?* Chapter 72 - 72: 0059 Decisive character is hereditary_1 Leon hesitated about moving to Happiness Apartment, while the girl with the doll-like face next to him sneakily observed his furrowed brows. Her watery eyes revealed a thoughtful expression. *Mr. Lyon... what a good person he is!* From a young age, he went out to earn money, doing all the dirty and tiring jobs, struggling to support his small family. Once he reached the required age, he successfully joined the police department, finding a decent job to support his younger siblings. Even though money was always tight, when the gas pipeline exploded, he refused the compensation that was just a nod away without hesitation. Now, after being injured, he still didn''t ask for compensation; he only worried about finding a school for his brother and sister. Moreover, when he was knocked unconscious at the shopping mall yesterday, Mr. Lyon was wearing nothing but a ragged old coat. Yet, he only had clothes for his brother and sister with him, not even thinking about getting something for himself... Gently rubbing her smooth hand, reminiscing about the rough texture of calluses, it seemed she saw the shadow of someone in Leon. The doll-faced girl''s eyes suddenly glinted with a hint of familiarity and admiration. *Except for not having such precise business insight, Mr. Lyon really resembled her father back then.* Loving his family deeply, working hard every day, never giving up no matter how tough things got, maintaining integrity in the face of temptation¡­ Hmm... The only downside was that he was a bit too young, even younger than herself by a few years... ... *Decision made! Move!* After pondering for a long time, considering the poor environment near Veteran Lane with its prison and factories, plus the strenuous daily commute of over ten kilometers for the kids to school, Leon finally resolved to move the entire family to Happiness Apartment. As for the old man with the big scissors... The knitting-loving old lady seemed approachable, so he could try talking to her, explaining that he wasn''t a bad person and see if he could persuade her husband not to act. If that didn''t work, he''d use work busyness as an excuse to stay at the Purification Bureau for a while. After all, the kids'' schooling couldn''t wait any longer. If William joined now with the middle-aged nurse''s husband putting in extra effort, they might just keep up. If delayed further causing them to fall behind, they''d have to wait until next year. Having made a firm decision, Leon turned to the daydreaming doll-faced girl, thought for a moment, and politely asked, "Um... Sorry, I forgot to ask earlier, how should I address you?" "Huh?" The doll-faced girl snapped out of it, reddened, instinctively covering her swollen eyes with her hand, then lowered her head slightly, "Amy, you can just call me Amy!" "Alright, Ms. Amy." Noting down the name of the woman who cried every time they met, Leon nodded and said, "I''ve made my choice. Please help my brother and sister enroll at Bridge Public School! Thank you for your help!" "No, no, it''s my... our duty!" She sneaked a peek at the hospital room''s window to see how she looked now, only to see an ugly girl with swollen eyes, which made the doll-faced girl panic and quickly turn her head, saying, "Uh... Mr. Lyon, our company happens to have a few properties on Bridge Street, how about..." "Ahem... really no need." Afraid she''d offer something like a free house, further taxing his already frantically weakening integrity, Leon quickly coughed and waved his hand to refuse, "I''ve been to Bridge Street, I know of an apartment with a decent environment, and it''s very close to Bridge Public School. I just decided to move there, so you don''t need to trouble yourself!" "Huh? Okay..." Failing to give away the property left the doll-faced girl somewhat disappointed. She bit her lip and tentatively asked, "Um... Mr. Lyon, would you be willing to tell me where you''re planning to move? Um... please don''t misunderstand!" Seeing Leon''s somewhat surprised look, the doll-faced girl quickly waved her hand, straightened her back, and seriously explained, "I''m not trying to disturb you, it''s just that... um... I might be assigned to work at a company near Bridge Street soon, and I''m also planning to rent an apartment. But I''m not familiar with the area and don''t know which apartment is good. I heard you mention a reliable apartment, so I wanted to ask for its name." "Is that so." Hearing the doll-faced girl''s explanation, a look of realization flashed in Leon''s eyes. He then smiled and nodded, "That apartment is called Happiness Apartment, located at 35 Bridge Street. It''s converted from a privately run Charitable Asylum, and there''s a three-meter-wide garden in front of the building. I visited there once before. The residents are nice and friendly... hmm... sometimes a little too friendly..." Happiness Apartment... what a lovely name... hmm... moving in should easily bring happiness~ Unaware that Leon''s so-called friendliness was being chased from the fifth floor to the first with big scissors, narrowly avoiding being snipped in half. Firmly remembering the name and address of Happiness Apartment, the doll-faced girl clenched her slightly sweaty palm and nodded at Leon with a smile, "Friendliness is good! I usually like lively places; I love friendly neighbors the most! Thank you for the recommendation, I''ll go check it out later!" sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You''re welcome, I just mentioned a name," Considering how well he regarded the doll-faced girl, coupled with her recent significant help, and her attire that didn''t look like she lacked money, potentially not approving of the rather rundown Happiness Apartment, Leon thought for a moment and added, "By the way, the apartment''s other conditions are excellent, and the rent is very low, but it is an old building. The exterior and interior decorations are a bit outdated. But you can rest assured, although it''s old, it''s absolutely solid. The residents and the two administrators are reliable, and it''s very safe for a single girl to live there. Missing it would be a real pity." "Mm-hmm!" Looking at Leon, who seemed eager to move there himself, the doll-faced girl''s eyes sparkled slightly with happiness as she nodded repeatedly, "That sounds wonderful! If I end up moving there, I must thank you properly, don''t refuse me!" "Haha, okay!" Having decided to move in and become neighbors with Leon, the doll-faced girl casually turned her head. She first glanced at the broom leaning against the corner, then at the shopping bag peeking out from under the hospital bed, and cheerfully bid farewell, "Mr. Lyon, I''m going to check out the apartment and help your brother and sister enroll, so I won''t disturb your rest today. See you another day!" Chapter 73 - 73: Under the calm daily life... _1 "Hey, big brother~" A baby-faced young girl left the ward not long ago, and Anna came in carrying a small cloth bag, her eyes full of curiosity as she asked, "What were you talking about just now? Miss Amy seemed to be in a good mood; her eyes weren''t so puffy." "Haha, of course, it was something good!" After solving the problem of his younger siblings'' schooling, Leon''s mood was also quite good, and he happily announced, "Just now, I didn''t take Charl Company''s compensation. Instead, I asked her for a favor to fix the school issues for Melanie and William." "Really!" Upon hearing that her younger siblings had their schooling settled, Anna''s eyes naturally sparkled with delight. She quickly walked to the bedside, sat down, and while taking out a lunch box from the little cloth bag, she delightedly asked, "Which school is it? Is it the one built in Blackstone Lane? Or the one heading out of town from the Alchemy Factory?" "Neither." Shaking his head with a smile, Leon did not keep her guessing and directly revealed the answer. "It''s Bridge Public School, the one at the intersection of Bridge Street and Theater Street!" Bridge Public School?! Upon hearing the name of this school, Anna couldn''t help but be overjoyed, a flush of excitement passing over her fair cheeks. "Isn''t that the best school in our Old Town! If William can go there, he might be able to advance internally and even continue to university as long as he has good grades! Wow, this is truly¡­" "Don''t get excited, hey! Hold it steady!" Seeing that the lunch box in his sister''s hand tilted and a lot of soup had already seeped through the lid''s gap, Leon hurriedly reached out to hold it up. Though he managed to save his lunch, he pulled on his fractured rib, his face turning pale with pain. "Brother!" Startled, Anna quickly stood up and helped Leon, who was gasping, lean back against the pillow at the head of the bed. After a while, when she confirmed he was alright, she finally relaxed, looking at him anxiously. "Brother! You shouldn''t move for now; I''ll feed you instead." Leon, with his pain-contorted face, had no choice but to nod. He then slightly lifted his chin caught in the neck brace and took a sip of the fish soup brought to his lips. "Hiss¡­" Was it too hot? Hearing Leon''s inhaling sound, Anna curiously blinked and scooped up another creamy white spoonful of fish soup to taste herself. "It''s not too hot¡­?" "No, it wasn''t too hot; it was just too fresh." Seeing his sister''s face still full of worry, Leon chose not to mention it was actually pain making him gasp, instead teasingly remarked, "Anna~ It seems like this hospital is a good place, huh? After you stayed here for a few days, not only did you recover, but your cooking skills even got better~" "My cooking skills didn''t change; it''s just because we now have money at home and can afford to buy live fish and spices." Taking a handkerchief from her pocket, she wiped off a bit of fish soup from Leon''s mouth corner, forked a small piece of fish, and brought it to his mouth, happily saying, "Brother, this morning, someone knocked on our door and said he was your colleague, bringing over your week''s salary, a full nine Gold Wheels!" Nine Gold Wheels¡­ Hearing Anna''s words, Leon couldn''t help but do some mental arithmetic. His basic weekly salary was 12 Gold Wheels, and including the 2 Gold Wheels from the Toad field task, it should have been a total of 14 Gold Wheels. If he was left with 9 after deducting the drinking bill, that meant¡­ did the director''s six bottles of wine cost 5 Gold Wheels?! Shocked by the price of those wines, Leon quickly swallowed the fish in his mouth and opened the badge panel to check the progress of the [Martyr of the Wine Country]. 117/1000 One hundred seventeen bottles¡­ If all these wines were this price¡­ on the day he got drunk and was sent home by the director, didn''t he drink almost a hundred Gold Wheels worth?!!! ¡­ [Dear Miss Olivia, ten days ago you dined at our store, and your total bill of 327 Gold Wheels for beverages remains unpaid. We hope you will settle this balance promptly upon receiving this notice. We look forward to your continued patronage.] "¡­" After reading the debt reminder on his table, the red-haired director, who stayed silent, picked up a bottle and gulped down the tea inside, acting as if it were whiskey. He then placed the whiskey bottle back on the table and looked at the liquid inside, which was the same color as whiskey, deep in thought. *What on earth was I thinking back then? How could I have ended up buying him so much liquor?* Remembering a certain drinking buddy who seemed on the brink of ducking under the table but never actually collapsed no matter how much he drank, the red-haired director rubbed his aching temples and vaguely recalled parts of that night. "Director, these are all liquors on the menu. Should we order some food?" "I''ll taste others too, but I''ll only try a sip of each." "Huh? Is this it? I thought you could handle your liquor well?" "Are you running out of funds? How about I chip in?" "¡­" *Was I swindled?* With remarkable memory, recalling how his wallet was stripped step by step, the red-haired director couldn''t help but smack his lips in annoyance. The more he thought about it, the more he felt like a gullible fool caught on a hook. *Someone insisted they couldn''t drink, then went on to drink even more than I did! What''s worse, once the alcohol was gone, they just lay on the floor, soundly asleep, while I had to take them home!* Feeling the deflated wallet that had just received his salary, the red-haired director clenched his fist, resolved through gritted teeth. *I, Olivia, would rather starve to death or be tormented by cravings, forced to deceive myself with tea in a wine bottle, than ever drink with Leon again!* *Never!* Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Randomly crumpling the debt notice into a ball and tossing it into the trash can beside the desk, the red-haired director scowled and pulled over a stack of newspapers, browsing through the week''s news. The Sun News: "Shocking, days ago a citizen passing by Charl Department Store unexpectedly was showered with a windfall from the sky!" "Pfft!" Looking at the grayscale photo on the front page of the newspaper¡ªthe one where Leon was buried under countless Gold Wheels with only two arms visible¡ªthe red-haired director couldn''t help but chuckle. After a quick scan, he clipped the article into Leon''s file with a grin. "The incident report on the Scales Gold Sect Holy Spirit''s appearance was just missing a picture, so I might as well use this as a submission~ Haha, serves you right for tricking me out of drink money!" "Oh, and it''s already been four days. Given Leon''s condition, shouldn''t he be back to work by today?" Swiftly reading through The Sun News, and not spotting anything suspicious, the red-haired director, feeling considerably brighter, continued to peruse the other newspapers. Daily News: "Our editor-in-chief was attacked by rebels a few days ago, claiming: ''Nobles are just the fleas in the crotch!''" Financial Times: "Rose Department Store''s revenue plummeted due to the big sale at Charl Department Store, rumored to be closing or liquidating!" Dance Entertainment News: "Scandal erupted against the troupe''s lead, facing boycotts, and with no replacement, Master Wilde''s performance might be impeded!" *Hmm¡­ although many events have occurred, none seem related to the ''abnormal,'' so the Capital City seems pretty peaceful lately!* Nodding in satisfaction, the red-haired director was about to organize the newspapers but caught a glimpse of a small, inconspicuous article in the corner of his eye. New Industry News: "Ami Liquor''s new couple''s wine released, offering a fifty percent discount when couples purchase and consume it on-site." "Hiss¡­" Chapter 74 - 74: 0061 The Appearance of the Rumored Girlfriend_1 "There''s definitely something fishy about this distillery event!" The Red-haired Director stormed into the office with a newspaper in hand, stepped over the guillotine lying on the floor, and slapped the New Industry News onto the desk. She was inviting in a very serious tone, "Emma, come investigate with me! I swear by my name as the Director of the Virgin Sanitation Bureau, the person behind this event absolutely has unspeakable and evil intentions!" "..." "Director... are you short on money again?" After reading about the so-called "evil event," Emma, who was cleaning the Skullcrusher Hammer, looked up with an expression full of helplessness and suggested, "We just got paid a couple of days ago. How about I lend you some more?" "Emma, you''re misunderstanding!" Ha, borrowing money is one thing, getting a discount is another; the two don''t conflict at all! Deciding that not only should she borrow money, but she also had to snag that fifty percent off, the Red-haired Director clenched her fist firmly and insisted righteously, "I really think there''s something off about this event. Come on! Investigate it with me." "..." *Come on, just stop? Even if everything you say is true, what kind of abnormal event would require the Director of the Zodiac like you and a First Level disaster handler like me to step out together? A Divine Descent of an Evil God?* *I really can''t understand what level of boredom an Evil God would have to reach to, rather than conduct a grand sacrificial ritual upon descent, instead go raid a medium-sized distillery.* S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Witnessing the Red-haired Director nearly losing her sanity due to the lack of alcohol for too long, Emma suddenly felt a headache. She pointed a wet finger at the word "couple" on the newspaper, trying to reject as mildly as possible, "I''m also a woman, but this event requires couples. Wouldn''t it be inappropriate for us to go together?" "The situation is urgent. We can''t bother with such details!" After calculating her remaining money, the Red-haired Director put on a serious face and invited again, "Come on! I have this nagging feeling like this event is targeting me specifically!" "..." *Are you sure it''s after you, and not you charging at it?* "Fine..." Seeing the Red-haired Director''s unwavering determination in her eyes, as her good friend, Emma could only shake her head helplessly, dry her hands on her apron, and take the newspaper to have a look. "Let me see where it''s located. If it''s not too far, then after work... I''m not going!" After reading the detailed rules of the event, Emma''s delicate face suddenly blushed slightly. She poked at the newspaper in embarrassment and quizzed, "Did you even read it through? This isn''t something any two people can just go to. You have to kiss publicly for a minute to prove you''re a couple before you can enter!" "Well... it''s just a quick peck on the lips..." Licking her lips, already going over six days without a drink and finding it unbearable, the Red-haired Director shamelessly said, "We''re both women and quite familiar with each other. I think..." "Get out!" "Emma, dear Emma! Come with me, please! I''ll die without any more drinks!" "Then go die outside!" "..." *Tsk... As expected, even the best of friends can''t be relied upon in crucial moments.* Pushed out of the office, the Red-haired Director sighed deeply in disappointment, then instinctively turned her head toward the adjoining office. [Leon Laine (Level Three Incident Handler)] After staring at the plaque on Leon''s office door for a while, the Red-haired Director hesitated completely before having an epiphany about the oath she swore five minutes ago. She couldn''t help but stomp her foot in frustration, bore her face, and resolutely turned to leave. *I''ll come back when you''re at work!* ... "Achoo!!!" *Hiss... It hasn''t even transitioned to winter yet, so why is it so cold today?* Pulling down her coat sleeves and tucking her hands inside them, shivering from the cold wind, Leon couldn''t help but open the panel and suspiciously glance at his unusually high Contamination Value of 0.9. After being tossed into the hospital, the doctor had estimated that it would take a week for preliminary healing, but he bounced back to life after only three days, returning home last night. His constitution was noticeably superior to the average person. Although his physical improvement was significant, by reason, he shouldn''t be as sensitive to the cold. So, why shiver constantly when caught in the cold breeze? As Leon trudged to work in the frigid wind, he couldn''t help but reminisce the warmth of that cunning merchant''s small coffee stall. Although his bread slices let light through, his butter spread thinner than shoe polish, and he dared to charge a Copper Wheel for a single slice of ham, the coffee was warm, and the stove at the stall burned strong. The moment one sat inside, all the cold would disappear and the warmth would last all the way to the Purification Bureau. *Alas... Unfortunately, he''s tied up with personal matters for now and doesn''t have time for the stall. I''ll just have to tough it out.* In a few days, when William and the others start attending Bridge Public School and move into Happiness Apartment with Anna, I can just crash at the Purification Bureau''s office and won''t have to travel this far every day¡­ Hmm? Turning around a street corner, Leon was pleasantly surprised to find that the usual spot where Old Charl set up his stall was not empty. A wave of warmth, as refreshing as a spring breeze, rushed toward him, instantly dispelling the chill surrounding him. *He surprisingly set up the stall!* Feeling as if reuniting with a long-lost friend, Leon, enveloped by the warm breeze, dashed over excitedly and was about to start a conversation with Old Charl, only to find himself stunned on the spot. Nothing else, sitting before the coffee stall''s stove wasn''t the familiar dark-skinned, honest-looking old man but a young woman with a perfect legs-to-waist ratio, with the lower half of her face wrapped in a scarf. "..." *Why did the stall operator change¡­ hmm¡­* "''This small coffee stall, I plan to pass it on to my daughter in the future. This way, no matter how she fares outside, she''ll always have a livelihood at home.''" Remembering what Old Charl had once said, a flash of realization crossed Leon''s eyes ¡ª is it that Old Charl had to take care of his wife and had no time to run the stall, so he handed it over to his daughter early? *Hmm... although it was presumably in jest, didn''t he mention recruiting me as a son-in-law?* ... *Why does this guy keep staring at me?* Seeing the guy standing there observing her without entering the stall, the scarf-wrapped woman frowned slightly but didn''t lash out. Instead, she mimicked other coffee stall vendors by nodding politely and then took the initiative to ask, "Sir, would you like a cup of coffee?" "Ah! Yes, please!" Snapping back to reality, Leon smiled, ducked into the warm tent of the small stall, and, without striking up a conversation with his "rumored girlfriend," directly ordered, "A cup of coffee, two slices of thin bread with butter, and a slice of ham." "Alright." A crisp response came as the scarf-wrapped woman got up from the stove, standing tall in front of the heated stone slab. She pulled out a soft loaf of bread, sliced two pieces as thick as three centimeters thin right onto the stone slab. Then, she scooped out two lumps of butter bigger than strawberries from the jar and spread them on, followed by extracting half a ham, chopping off a palm-sized slice... "..." *Am I dreaming?* Seeing the two "thin" slices of bread placed before him, Leon couldn''t help but gape in astonishment, looking up at Old Charl''s extravagant daughter and finding himself unsure whether he should thank her for her generosity or worry for Old Charl. *This daughter of yours... doesn''t seem cut out for business!* "Sir!" Noticing this peculiar man repeatedly glancing at her with eyes full of "complex" emotions, the scarf-wrapped woman''s eyes narrowed slightly, her tone turning cold as she questioned sharply, "Is there something peculiar about my face?" "Uh... I''m sorry..." Realizing he''d caused her discontent with his gaze, Leon awkwardly apologized, then respectfully averted his eyes and asked directly, "How much do I owe you for all this?" *How much... How much would these typically cost at an ordinary coffee stall... Wait! There''s movement!* While contemplating, she glanced at the building across the street as the curtain on the second-floor window had already been drawn open, like a hawk spotting its prey. The scarf-wrapped woman instantly became alert. With her eyes fixed intensely on the second-floor window opposite, with most of her attention already diverted, she carelessly extended a hand toward Leon and absentmindedly stated, "Just give one Silver Wheel." ???? *What''s this? One silver wheel? Just one?* Upon hearing the price for his breakfast, Leon immediately lifted his head, utterly baffled, staring at his "rumored girlfriend." *Wow, I thought you were extravagant just a moment ago, but turns out you charge even more than your dad!* Chapter 75 - 75: 0062 The Great Flood Roars at the Dragon King Temple_1 "You can''t be serious, right?" After pulling his hand out of his pocket and looking at the scarf girl in front of him, who was tilting her head in a carefree manner and didn''t even bother to glance at him, Leon''s mood soured. He protested with a frown, "Today''s portion is indeed sufficient, but it''s basically just a spoonful of coffee powder with some bread and ham. The cost broken down is barely worth two Copper Wheels at most,. Selling it at such a high price is just too shady, isn''t it?" "What?" Upon hearing Leon''s grievance, the scarf girl was momentarily stunned. She turned her head back, her face turning dark as she questioned, "You think these things are only worth two Copper Wheels?" Damn it! For setting up this surveillance point across the street, the field operations team asked for a full four Gold Wheels! Just for ingredients and such, they reported expenses of two Gold Wheels. These bastards are just shameless! "..." No way... you''re actually the one getting angry first? Is Old Charl''s daughter always this unreasonable? Looking at the scarf girl in front of him with her unfriendly expression, Leon, who had been fleeced like a sucker early in the morning, felt a surge of anger in his heart and mirrored her dark look, saying, "Of course it''s not worth it! I''ve eaten at this stall several times, and I can barely count as a regular. Can''t I know roughly what the prices are?" "You must be mistaken, right?" The scarf girl frowned and said, "Where did this regular come from? I''ve just opened this morning!" "..." Huh? Just opened today? So you''re not Old Charl''s daughter? Realizing he had mistaken the stall, Leon, who had made an embarrassing blunder, couldn''t help but lose his momentum. But thinking about the exorbitant silver wheel charge from the other party, he couldn''t resist arguing with reason, "Even if you''re not from the same stall, selling this little for one Silver Wheel is too expensive." "Uh-huh!" Skimming the building across the way with the corner of her eye and noticing that someone seemed to be looking outside, the scarf girl quickly huddled into the tent, pretending to be attending to customers, and absentmindedly replied, "Then how much is reasonable? Name your price!" "..." Seriously... ask me to set the price directly? Do you run your business so casually? Dumbfounded by the scarf girl''s slick operation, Leon tentatively spoke, "About the price... I''ve eaten these from other stalls before, and they all charge two Copper Wheels, but you do give enough, and the fire burns well..." "Then I''ll also charge two Copper Wheels!" "..." After waiting for a few seconds without hearing a response from Leon, the scarf girl immediately withdrew her gaze toward the opposite side with some impatience and said, "Still too expensive? Then..." "No, no, that price is fine..." Leon was already at a loss for words regarding the scarf girl''s business philosophy. Raising his hand to make a halt gesture, he stopped her further price reduction and sat back in his seat honestly, eating his breakfast without much taste. This woman''s way of doing business... is like a joke. She doesn''t even look at people when speaking, and she''s always glancing at the building across the street... *Could she be a detective catching an affair, a lookout for some criminal gang, or maybe an undercover secret police officer?* *Although generally speaking, it''s unlikely to encounter such a coincidence, Leon couldn''t help but feel that the woman with the scarf covering the lower half of her face was all sorts of suspicious, at least she didn''t really look like a coffee stall owner.* "Customer!" Sharply noticing Leon''s gaze and reading a hint of doubt in his eyes, the scarf girl''s attention was finally drawn back. Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly, and a compelling gaze immediately locked onto Leon. "You''ve been staring at me? Is there something you need?" "Uh...no..." Feeling a bit creeped out by her glare, and realizing it''s indeed rude to keep staring at others, Leon muttered a couple of vague sounds before turning his head, absentmindedly chewing on his bread while looking out at the street. To be honest, if this scarf girl was indeed keeping surveillance, then she was probably either waiting for someone to pass this street or watching the building across. If he remembered correctly, the opposite building seemed to be the family housing of the Tung Oil Factory, but after it closed down, the lower four floors were rented out for apartments. However, due to the slightly off-track location and the noise from the street, business wasn''t very good, and most of the rooms on the first and second floors were often empty. *So if the scarf girl were indeed staking out, considering the view obstruction when looking up from below on the third or fourth floor, her target should be the residents on the first or second floors...* *Wait a minute! Why is that second-floor window open? And...* "Customer!" Accompanied by a cold shout, a pair of well-toned long legs stepped into Leon''s line of sight, instantly blocking his view of the building across. *Leon looked up along these legs, bypassing the slim waist, and the two firm fruits suspended on slender branches, until he met two piercingly cold eyes.* "What are you looking at?" Having blocked the line of sight between him and the target residence, preventing him from alerting the target, the scarf girl looked at this man who first tried to engage with words, then repeatedly scrutinized her, and even frequently glanced toward the target location. Her gaze turned icy all of a sudden, and her voice was cold and hard as she questioned, "Or should I say...what exactly are you looking at?" "..." *Holy smokes! You really are staking out, huh!* Seeing the scarf girl basically reveal her identity and even suspect him, Leon couldn''t help but furrow his brow. *When this woman stared daggers at him, her aura was as sharp as a blade, definitely not like a private detective chasing after affairs, much less a petty lookout. She probably had blood on her hands.* *In the whole Capital City, people with this kind of aura doing stakeout work could either be former military special ops people, secret police from the Department of Justice, or perhaps even Rebels planning an attack, and all three were trouble...* Just as Leon hesitated, wondering if he should pull out his Purification Bureau badge and gamble that she wasn''t a Rebel but rather kind of a "colleague," a sudden shout came from the direction of the building across. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Where are they?!" Leon looked up following the voice, discovering a burly man with a scarred face popping his head out of the second-floor window, furiously roaring toward their direction, "Where did they go?! Yisha!!! Is this how you keep watch for me?!" ?!!! ... "I know it sounds a bit unbelievable, but I really just wanted to buy a cup of coffee..." Dragged into the interrogation room of the Department of Justice and cuffed to a chair, Leon looked at the few secret police eyeing him fiercely, helplessly nodding his head in the scarf girl''s direction. "I really wasn''t trying to mess with her; it''s just that I ordered a cup of coffee and two slices of bread, and she actually charged me one Silver Wheel! That price is enough to buy half a ham or something, okay? *My money doesn''t just fly in on the wind; I have to earn it bit by bit with hard work. If you guys encountered such a ridiculous situation early in the morning, wouldn''t you also feel compelled to argue a bit?" Chapter 76 - 76: 0063 Exposure_1 "..." Feeling awkward under the gazes from her colleagues, the woman with the scarf nodded with a darkened expression. "Everything he said was true. It was indeed my fault in this area, for I didn''t prepare in advance and simply estimated the price of the ingredients based on the field report, blurting out a Silver Wheel price...but this person should have issues too!" After giving Leon, who distracted her and let the Rebels escape, a hard glare, the policewoman named Yisha took a deep breath, pointed at Leon seriously, and said, "To avoid disrupting the surveillance, once I realized the price was too high, I immediately offered a lower one to stabilize him. But not only did he keep secretly observing me, he even started looking at the target''s room!" "I was just¡ª" "Impossible that it was just a casual glance! Or a coincidence!" Cutting off Leon''s words, the policewoman arched her eyebrows and asked confidently, "Out of over a hundred rooms in that building, with thirty to forty visible from the coffee stall, why did you just happen to focus on the window of the target''s room?" "..." "No...why are you still suspecting me?" Seeing the secret police turn suspicious eyes on him again, Leon said with a speechless expression, "If I really were with the Rebels, I would have run the moment you randomly dropped the price! sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. By the way, have you ever been to such a coffee stall? Excluding the coffee, the stuff you served me could easily be sold to five people at another stall, you know? Yet you charged only two Copper Wheels for so much. If you weren''t there to surveil, were you warming the street?" "You...don''t change the subject!" Embarrassed by Leon''s sharp sarcasm, the policewoman pursed her lips hard and slapped the table with an angry shout, "I''m not asking how I was exposed, but why were you staring at the target''s window continuously?" "I was watching that side because you were watching that side. As for why I followed your gaze..." After briefly explaining his reasoning process, Leon said helplessly, "Even though I thought something was off about you, I never imagined being so unlucky. Just buying a cup of coffee on the way to work, I bumped into secret police catching someone. Plus, I''m part of the Police Department, half a cop at least, so I followed your gaze for a look or two. Who would''ve thought you''d react so strongly and start interrogating me, abandoning your target?" "..." After glancing at the speechless policewoman, Leon, feeling uncomfortable from the handcuffs, couldn''t help urging, "Sigh...you''re overthinking it. I''m one of you! Hasn''t it been almost half a day now? Have you finished verifying my credentials?" "You...don''t think this is over. You still have¡ª" "Enough, Yisha!" Stopping the policewoman who wanted to continue, the burly man who had shouted insults from the second floor put out his cigarette, pointed at Leon with a blank expression, and said, "Get his handcuffs off." The policewoman was slightly taken aback but then questioned, "But the credentials¡ª" "The Archives Department hasn''t returned the results yet, but there''s no missing signature or stamp on his credentials. The Rebels couldn''t have done it so meticulously, so we should release him as long as we rule out him being an informant." "Understood..." Reluctantly biting her lip, the policewoman lowered her head slightly as she approached to remove Leon''s handcuffs. Though she was quite the captivating beauty, Leon had been unable to even eat peacefully all morning and had sat in a chilly metal chair in an interrogation room for half the day, fueling quite a bit of anger. Moving his wrists, reddened by the cuffs, Leon looked at the policewoman still showing some reluctance, as if she wanted to interrogate him further. Unable to hold back his own frustration, he retorted sarcastically, "It''s almost noon, isn''t it? Thanks, Miss Yisha, for your generosity. If it weren''t for your ample bread portions this morning, I''d probably be starving by now!" "You!" Hearing Leon''s mocking words, the policewoman, who had lost the Rebels earlier and embarrassed herself, turned dark-faced, seemingly wanting to retort, but eventually swallowed her anger and said through clenched teeth, "Sorry, it was my mistake, causing you time, I apologize!" Though her voice was taut and the apology wasn''t very sincere, considering she belonged to the Kingdom''s espionage agency, Leon didn''t push further. Instead, he turned to the scar-faced hulk who had insulted him before. "Can I get my credentials back?" "Of course." Upon hearing Leon''s request, the scar-faced hulk with knife-cut features grinned, showing a smile that could silence a crying child, then got up to retrieve the credentials from the table and handed them over while smiling, "I''ve heard a thing or two about your bureau, and our department occasionally encounters situations needing your assistance. I hope we can work together in the future." "..." *Work with me, a ''Cleaner''? That can only mean encountering an Abnormal, are you sure you want that opportunity?* "Sure, sure..." Awkward from the rather ominous politeness, Leon mumbled a few words before following a secret police officer out of the interrogation room. Once the others had also left and only two were left in the room, the policewoman who had held back for a long time exhaled heavily, biting her teeth and questioning, "Why didn''t you let me continue interrogating him?" Raising his scar-covered eyebrows, the scar-faced hulk retorted, "Interrogate what?" "Of course, the event from four days ago!" The policewoman snapped, "Four days ago, a masked man clad all in black beat up the ''Daily News'' social editor in a restaurant on Qianhua Street, then rode to the headquarters of Charl Department Store. The same man was featured in the entertainment section of ''The Sun News'' after being injured by a Gold Wheel. I saw the photo of him then, his attire exactly matching the masked guy on Qianhua Street!" "Hmm, and then?" "He also intervened in our operation to capture the Rebels today, continuously trying to distract me and let that Rebel slip away, the one involved in the Princess''s assassination attempt!" The policewoman exclaimed, "If he hadn''t appeared today, I might have considered it coincidence, but now I''m certain, this person is absolutely suspicious!" "Yeah, I think he''s got issues too." Nodding to acknowledge the policewoman''s assessment, the scar-faced hulk lit another cigarette, the fire reflecting off his many knife scars, appearing like twisting snakes. Leisurely, he said, "The royal family and aristocrats are just lice that grow in the groin, and they deserve to be squashed if they suck blood too painfully!" Repeating the "masked man''s" words, the scar-faced hulk smirked, "After uttering such remarkable words, he still dared to approach you with his real identity, covering for the target''s escape this time; he''s the boldest adversary I''ve ever met! Hah, if not for this incident, I''d never imagine the Rebels infiltrated the Police Department and even joined the extremely dangerous Purification Bureau! This person is truly an unimaginably big fish!" "I think I understand now..." The policewoman thought for a moment, furrowing her brow, "So...you didn''t capture him because you''re laying big plans to catch more Rebels?" "No." Extinguished another cigarette, the scar-faced hulk leaned back in his chair, smiling happily, "You overthought it. He''s with that Purification Bureau, and frankly, I don''t dare touch him." Policewoman: ??? Chapter 77 - 77: 0064 Classic three choose one_1 Unaware of what had happened after he left, Leon hurried to the Purification Bureau as soon as he retrieved his confiscated credentials, skipping lunch after having taken an unexplained half-day leave. Although the Purification Bureau didn''t check attendance, being the first workday after his return, many tasks delayed by his hospitalization needed to be continued. Specifically, they included wrapping up the Scales Gold Sect Holy Spirit attack incident, investigating the whereabouts of lamb offal under the guise of a visit to the Ryan Family, taking time to brush up on his shooting badge, and helping Senior Emma as promised during the Red Brick Road Hospital incident. Oh, and since today happened to be Friday, according to the Lazy Witch''s Rental Broom, a feline animal was expected to knock on his door at around 3:30 PM. Later on, he needed to take some leave to buy something to entertain it, ensuring the Witch''s Broom could be used normally, and if there was time, it would be best to scout Happiness Apartment for safety, to brush up slightly on his parkour badge proficiency... Going over the list on the way, realizing there were still so many things to handle, Leon suddenly felt a headache, his view of those secret police worsening. As a new recruit still under probation, having taken four days of sick leave after merely working for a little over a week, disappearing without a word for half a day after returning, and now needing to take another afternoon off, even the amiable Red-haired Director had to... ... "No worries, just do it!" Without even hearing Leon''s reasons, after a brief inquiry into why he was absent in the morning, the Red-haired Director immediately and unusually cheerfully approved half a day off for him. "Such unavoidable circumstances, taking leave due to an accident is as normal as can be. Don''t think of me as such a bad person~" Seeing Leon slightly relieved in front of her, the Red-haired Director''s throat moved a little before she changed the subject, smiling: "However, although your leaves are always justified, they are indeed a bit excessive. Reporting so many leaves at the end of the year somewhat makes our department seem a bit lax in work... How about not reporting your leave this time and dealing with it in another way?" Deal with it in another way? Hearing this, Leon was slightly taken aback. Looking up at the Red-haired Director''s narrowed fox eyes, he immediately became wary, hesitantly saying: "Actually... I''m not really insisting on taking leave today, if it''s absolutely necessary..." "Oh, you! Do you think I''d harm you?" The Red-haired Director shot a reproachful look at the cautious Leon, then said with a smile: "Rest assured, it''s just a minor adjustment to your working hours. My idea is not to count your leave this time but instead assign you an external assignment after work hours, though it won''t include external assignment allowances... How does that sound? Does this condition work for you?" So, that meant... the half-day leave he took would be made up after work hours? After pondering the Red-haired Director''s conditions, Leon didn''t find anything amiss, yet the Red-haired Director''s narrowed fox eyes always unsettled him a bit. "It''s doable... but may I ask a few questions first?" Cautiously looking at the Red-haired Director who smiled suspiciously, Leon tentatively asked: "Is this external assignment far away?" "It''s a bit far from the Purification Bureau but still within the Capital City." "Does it require a long time?" "Not long, with your... level, one night should suffice." "Does it involve facing dangerous enemies?" "No, it''s just the type of investigation task you are best at." "Then..." "Oh! Why do you have so many questions!" Seemingly annoyed by Leon''s questions, the Red-haired Director shot him a glare, speaking impatiently: "One Emma is already enough to give headaches! Can''t you not learn everything from her? How about this: I''m free these days, if you''re afraid of facing danger, I''ll accompany you!" Accompany me? Hmm... Within the Purification Bureau, there was one Director, twelve Directors within The Twelve Zodiac Divisions, below which were the Zodiac Branch Offices. The Red-haired Director''s strength was undoubtedly formidable, with her going along, it indeed seemed unlikely for any issues to arise... Upon hearing the Red-haired Director''s proposal, Leon pondered for a moment. Unable to think of any possible pitfalls, he found no reason to refuse the arrangement, so he nodded in agreement. "Alright, I''ll take the external assignment, though I have quite a few unresolved matters at hand. So, if possible, I''d prefer the time to be a couple of days later." "Yes, yes, no rush... Oh, by the way, don''t leave just yet, I have something else to discuss with you." Seeing Leon finally trick... finding a partner, the delighted Red-haired Director stopped Leon who was about to leave, speaking with a smiling demeanor: "The corpse of that toad from the Scales Gold Sect and the money it spat out are excellent materials. If nothing unexpected happens during production, you will soon own a rather powerful anomalous item." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That''s great!" Hearing the Red-haired Director''s notification, Leon, whose two anomalous items were both functional types and relied on guns for attack, was overjoyed and inquired with anticipation: "Do you know what abilities this anomalous item would have once it''s made?" "I don''t know, but I can guarantee, you''ll be the first to find out." Smiling at Leon, who was puzzled, the Red-haired Director explained with a smile: "According to the main office, the toad''s hierarchy was high enough to create a rather advanced anomalous item. However, due to the severe damage, too much of its power was lost, making it impossible to fully retain all concepts it embodied. Only one of the three main concepts can be selected as the core of this anomalous item." Here, the Red-haired Director paused briefly before raising a finger: "The first concept is money, or you could say currency. By smelting together that toad and the money it spat out, and adding a bit of divinity to enhance the hierarchy, you could create an anomalous item based on money. As the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect, money was that toad''s strongest concept. An anomalous item created with this concept, though not usable for combat, would have incredible practical capabilities, which is what I most recommend." So... another functional anomalous item? Observing Leon frowning unconsciously upon hearing "no combat power," the Red-haired Director became earnest, seriously reminding: "Leon, I know you''re in need of an offensive anomalous item right now, but the value of an anomalous item really isn''t solely in combat. Choosing this anomalous item ensures you''ll never run out of money in your life; you''ll always produce the corresponding currency wherever you go, exchanging for whatever you seek. This isn''t even limited to our world, whether in the depths of ocean trenches, on the far side of the Moon, in ancient Kingdoms lost to the past, or in future worlds transcending Time, or even in the Abyss brimming with Demons. As long as they possess intelligence and life and are using something that can be called currency, and they agree to trade with you, you can directly produce the corresponding money and buy whatever you wish to purchase." Chapter 78 - 78: 0065 Future or Present?_1 To buy everything I want... After pondering the Red-haired Director''s description, Leon asked with a frown, "Does ''everything'' refer to buying life, souls, and wills like that toad, or...?" "Of course, only within the concept of ordinary money. As I mentioned before, this Anomalous Object can''t be used for combat." "Alright... What about the other two?" Seeing that Leon, who didn''t outright refuse but had clearly lost interest, the Red-haired Director shook her head in some regret and said, "The second concept is transaction, and its effect is somewhat similar to what you desire. This time, it uses the money it spits out as the core. You just have to melt that toad itself and cast it into those coins. The new money will have the power of forced transaction, covering even life and souls... Hold on, don''t get too excited just yet!" Seeing Leon''s eagerness, the Red-haired Director motioned for patience and continued to explain, "This choice sounds good, but because it''s forged on the foundation of the Gold Wheel, it only works on targets that recognize the value of the Gold Wheel. If your target doesn''t recognize it, then it means nothing. Moreover, this will be a consumable Anomalous Object. Once a transaction is fully completed, you won''t just lose that part of the money, but you won''t even get the things you exchanged for. It doesn''t offer eternal life." "Why?" After hearing the Red-haired Director''s words, Leon asked in confusion, "Losing the spent money makes sense, as transactions do cost money, but shouldn''t I own the things I bought?" "What you bought indeed belongs to you, but there''s a premise: the money you spent must also belong to you." "..." *The money I spent doesn''t belong to me? What does that mean?* Seeing Leon''s confused and furrowed brow, giving away his lack of understanding, the Red-haired Director thought for a moment and asked, "The Black Goat should have told you that there are three Holy Spirits in the Scales Gold Sect, right?" "Yes, it did." Recalling the Black Goat''s words, Leon said, "Those three Holy Spirits seem to be the wealth-attracting cat, the money-devouring snake, and the money-spitting toad." Since you know, it''s easier to explain. Satisfied, the Red-haired Director nodded and continued, "Among these three Holy Spirits, the toad''s Ability is to spit out money to buy everything, while the corresponding snake''s Ability is to swallow money and sell everything. The Abilities of these two Holy Spirits are interconnected. The coins the toad spits out are those swallowed by the snake, and the ''goods'' provided by the snake are purchased by the toad from elsewhere." After listening to the relationship between the two Holy Spirits, Leon, who seemed to understand, furrowed his brow and said, "So... since the money actually belongs to the snake, the things I buy won''t belong to me but will go directly into the snake''s belly, becoming what it uses to exchange money and develop followers?" "Yes." Seeing Leon frown once again, the Red-haired Director thought before comforting, "Rest assured, you don''t need to feel a psychological burden about supplying ''goods'' to the Scales Gold Sect. Although the Scales Gold Sect isn''t a legitimate sect, it''s relatively honest most of the time. Except for the toad you killed, which was somewhat cruel, the remaining two Holy Spirits aren''t too evil. If you can''t get over this mental hurdle, when you encounter enemies, just refrain from buying life and souls. Instead, purchase some arms and legs. Many wealthy people can''t accept unexpected disabilities and, after learning about the Scales Gold Sect, join it to buy healthy limbs from that snake. Supplying them ''goods'' can barely count as saving lives." *Wow... You can do it like this?* Hearing the Red-haired Director''s words, Leon asked in surprise, "The Scales Gold Sect develops followers using this method, and the Bureau doesn''t interfere?" "They do, but not much." The Red-haired Director shook her head and said, "The Purification Bureau has too many opponents, each more troublesome than the last. Compared to those who want to physically enter this world and don''t hesitate to carry out sacrifices, the Scales Gold Sect''s problems are minor. Excluding that toad responsible for ''procurement,'' they can even be considered a neutral force. For example, those who exchange money for health, though the Cost is joining the Scales Gold Sect and annually paying a considerable sum, it''s a matter of mutual consent. Should we ignore the lurking Evil God and break these people''s arms and legs? Also, when there''s a shortage of treatment-type Anomalous Objects, some branch members occasionally trade with the Scales Gold Sect when injured. So, as long as they don''t go too far, a majority of branches are too busy to pay attention to the Scales Gold Sect." "Alright..." After gaining a clearer understanding of the Purification Bureau''s bottom line and style, Leon contemplated his needs, then shook his head and continued, "What about the third concept?" *So... You didn''t even consider this?* Seeing Leon''s interest wane again, the Red-haired Director shook her head and said, "The third concept doesn''t involve authorities like [money] or [transaction]; it''s the most fundamental concept it generated after becoming a Holy Spirit. To us, that toad is naturally evil and mad, but to the Scales Gold Sect''s followers, the toad can be a symbol of holiness and greatness because belief itself is a form of power, and the core of [Holy Spirit] is this ''belief.'' An Anomalous Object created with the concept of [Holy Spirit] will greatly strengthen your mental force, enough to affect objective reality. You can move or strengthen objects with mental power, and when you become strong enough, directly launch mental assaults to destroy enemies'' wills. Oh, also, because the toad''s followers firmly believe their revered Holy Spirit is pure and sacred, your mental assaults should have additional elements in this regard, dealing significant damage when used against Demons like that goat." *So... Telekinesis + object strengthening + mental assault + holy damage?* After hearing the last option, Leon couldn''t help being overjoyed. This Ability, full of practical and adaptable uses, was even better than the best outcome he''d envisioned! *Sigh... What you fear often comes to pass...* Seeing Leon''s ''eyes light up,'' clearly interested in these Abilities, the Red-haired Director sighed inwardly and couldn''t help but advise, "Leon, I know you crave power right now, but I hope you''ll reconsider. Although this choice boosts your strength the most in the short term, it''s somewhat excessive wastefulness. Moreover, given your high Affinity with Demons, there might be conflicts with an Anomalous Object of the Holy Spirit concept, so the third choice isn''t as good as it seems. As for the first two choices, although one lacks direct combat power and the other is limited and consumed after use, they both touch upon rules, making them powerful Anomalous Objects that are rare treasures for most people." Fearing that Leon might waste this incredibly precious opportunity, the Red-haired Director blinked her fox-like eyes and continued to promote enthusiastically, "Especially the first choice, which may not seem noteworthy now, but once you''re powerful enough, you can use it to exchange for pre-civilization mechanical creations, hire an entire Lunar Military Corps, or directly buy a country! The second choice, although slightly inferior, with the toad''s high Hierarchy, all Human enemies below the True God level, as long as they acknowledge the value of the Gold Wheel, will have no means of resistance before you. Spending money can easily settle them!" sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After detailing the bright prospects of the other two options, the Red-haired Director licked her somewhat dry lips and continued earnestly, "Leon, trust me; the third option may sound great, but its potential falls far short of the first and its power doesn''t even reach the level of the second. There are at least dozens of Anomalous Objects like the third type in the Purification Bureau. If you forsake the first two options for it, it would be truly unfortunate. Do you understand?" "I understand..." After listening attentively to the Red-haired Director''s earnest advice, Leon nodded towards her with gratitude and then, with an apologetic expression, said, "But I still want to choose the third one." Chapter 79 - 79: 0066 Leon Value_1 "..." *What''s the point of choosing? I''ve been talking to a brick wall, haven''t I?* Leon noticed the red-haired director''s eyebrows slowly rising and her eyes glaring at him. He quickly said, "Director, please don''t be upset. I must have a reason for choosing like this." *You better have one!* The red-haired director couldn''t help but glare at Leon again, then said irritably, "Speak! If your reasoning is illogical, we''ll go with my choice, and consider today your day of absence!" "Uh..." Noticing the director was clearly upset and starting to retaliate, Leon didn''t immediately speak. After organizing his thoughts, he asked, "Can I first ask, if I choose the first option, about how long will it take to reach the level you mentioned?" "That''s hard to say." The red-haired director frowned, "The more abnormalities a person possesses, the stronger they become, but the greater the impact on themselves. The faster they transform into a ''non-human,'' and this aspect varies for each cleaner." "Then I''ll rephrase my question." Thinking for a moment, Leon raised the broom in his hand and said, "If we disregard practical use and only consider the influence and transformation speed, how many of these level anomalies would I need to reach that level?" *Using the Witch''s Broom as a benchmark...* After listening to Leon, the red-haired director pondered this question, which she had never considered before. Although the ability to fly was extremely rare and invaluable for survival or reconnaissance, the Witch''s Broom itself wasn''t particularly strong. The power of that toad, though significantly diminished, was imbued with the divinity of the Holy Spirit and even preliminarily grasped concepts and rules through faith. So, if we calculate this way... "Approximately... sixty to seventy items, maybe? To reach the extreme level, you might need close to ninety." After stating the required number of anomalous objects, the red-haired director seemed to think it was a bit excessive. She frowned and added, "But you can''t only count the Witch''s Broom. Its advantages are stable, controllable, low consumption, and it provides the ability to fly. Transformation speed is not its strength. Most anomalous objects transform faster, usually more than twice as fast." "Uh-huh, I understand." *Almost twice as fast? I remember the Witch''s Broom''s contamination value is just about 0.5?* After hearing the director''s words, Leon quickly estimated the strength of that new anomalous object in his mind, then tentatively said, "Then let''s suppose a non-existent value to describe the transformation speed of anomalous objects and the power needed to maximize their potential. We''ll set the value of most anomalous objects to 1 and the Witch''s Broom to 0.5. "According to what you just said, if it takes ninety Witch''s Brooms to reach the upper limit effect, then the ultimate strength of the first option is about 45, am I calculating this right?" *Hmm?* Hearing Leon''s proposed measurement method, the red-haired director couldn''t help but glance at him with surprise. Because the effects of anomalous objects were varied and influenced by the user''s own strength, their power couldn''t be quantified, making it impossible to set a proper standard, relying instead on the user''s experience to estimate strength. But if we abandon calculating usage effects and only calculate transformation speed for the user and the level needed to reach the strength limit... it might barely work? ... "Counting this way should work." Following this line of thought and not noticing any significant flaws, the red-haired director couldn''t help but smile, her eyes full of approval as she said to Leon, "Your calculation method has great value. Make sure you organize it and hand it over to me. I''ll report it up for you. If it''s adopted by the bureau, you might get promoted right away, and the worst-case scenario would yield a hefty bonus." "Huh? Okay! Then I''ll just go...." "Stop there!" Seeing Leon trying to slip away, the red-haired director''s face darkened, and her smile vanished. She reached out a finger towards his retreating back, controlling his neck hair to pull him back. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Rewards are rewards, but you still haven''t explained your random choices! These are separate matters!" "..." "What are you looking at?" After glaring at Leon, the red-haired director said with annoyance, "According to your method, the Leon Value for the first option is forty-five, the second option can also be forty-three or four, and the third option is the weakest, probably only reaching forty-one or two, at best! Your choice of the lower over the higher is even more infuriating, okay? Hurry up and explain your reasoning!" *Shouldn''t this be called contamination value? The Leon Value sounds so awkward...* Watching the director''s emotions change with astonishing speed, smiling for two seconds only to glare at him again, Leon had no choice but to explain helplessly, "It''s just that although the first option has the highest ceiling, it''s really too ''late-game.'' According to Senior Emma, the bureau averages one anomaly every three missions, and each mission can take one to three months. "So to accumulate 45... Leon Values, it could take twenty to thirty years if luck isn''t on your side. And you''d have to hope to survive those twenty to thirty years without encountering sudden incidents like that toad.... Do you think that''s possible?" "..." "Also, the premise of being able to buy things is that others are willing to sell. So, even if I survive those twenty to thirty years, completing around two hundred missions without getting killed, many things are just not purchasable. "Even if I could buy weapons or hire mercenaries from the Kingdom''s military through the Purification Bureau, when facing something like the Holy Spirit, it''s throwing cannon fodder at them if the army heads to the Red Brick Road Hospital again. "Even if I could set up twenty cannons in the Capital City and blast the whole building to ruins, how would you explain that to the Kingdom? "..." "Besides, with the relationship between the Purification Bureau and the Kingdom, wouldn''t you be able to call for reinforcements when needing artillery support? Would I need to spend money to buy it?" "..." "And aside from pure strength, the first option also has other issues." After glancing at the red-haired director, who seemed deep in thought, Leon reminded her, "Do you understand economics? A large amount of unexpected ''over-issuance'' of currency will undoubtedly cause depreciation and affect ordinary people''s lives. "Also, strong individuals securing power positions is one thing, but if I, being a novice, secure power, won''t the True God of the Scales Gold Sect start fixing their gaze on me? "And, when the number of transactions increases and my abilities are exposed, attracting attention, will I have the strength to protect myself? Do I need to pay Senior Emma for a 24-hour personal guard? "And...." "Alright, alright, I get it! Your points make sense!" The red-haired director, who had a headache listening, waved her hands and rubbed her temples, muttering, "In the end, you''re just too weak! If you were a branch director, there wouldn''t be so many issues, would there?" Chapter 80 - 80: Cafeteria Ladys Hand is the Strongest Anomaly_1 "It''s precisely because I don''t have enough strength yet that I want to acquire my own power as soon as possible. I''m not choosing the second option for this reason either." After calmly admitting to being "weak," Leon responded earnestly, "The anomalous object from the second choice is consumable, not my own strength. Once it''s used up, there''s nothing left, and it only works on targets that recognize the value of Gold Wheel. By the way, do you remember the tasks you had me choose before?" Blood rain that dehydrated thousands of animals, a giant beast five meters tall, underwater marine folk, sandworms that could hollow out a mountain... After recalling the tasks the Red-haired Director had listed earlier, Leon said with some helplessness, "The targets you gave me almost never recognize Gold Wheel. Only the marine folk still accept gold, but they have their own currency and might not fully recognize the value of Gold Wheel. Whether the second type of anomalous object would work is uncertain. "Of course, I could also take on tasks I''m sure I can handle like Senior Emma and specifically find enemies that recognize the value of Gold Wheel. But if I make a wrong judgment, my strongest anomalous object would be useless. "The power obtained from the third option, however, would truly belong to me. In almost all these situations, it would work; at the very least, it would help me escape to safety. Why wouldn''t I choose this?" "..." Seeing the Red-haired Director starting to understand and calming down, Leon thought for a moment and swallowed the most important reason back down. *While decisions are made with the brain, one often must consider the decisions their "bottom" makes first.* The Red-haired Director might not have noticed, but as a director of the Virgin Sanitation Bureau, her subconscious hoped that everyone in the bureau would have distinct strengths, so when problems arise, she could send the right people to solve them. However, my "bottom" position is different from hers. For someone like me who severely lacks strength, the most necessary thing is not future potential; it''s the immediate power that can guarantee safety. Although the third choice is said to be common, something common is often suitable for most people and situations. The minimum level of utility isn''t bad. Considering the bureau''s nearly ten percent annual mortality rate, if I give up my current power for a future potential, I might end up being carried away, and those who chose similar anomalous objects might think the same. ... "If you put it that way, then the third one is okay..." Noticing Leon wanting to say something but holding back, the Red-haired Director could vaguely guess some of his thoughts and couldn''t help but smirk, "You really are... just sixteen or seventeen years old, yet you''ve already gotten into the habit of overthinking in situations, worrying about this and fearing that, not willing to take even a bit of risk¡ªan exact clone of Emma! "Ugh... if I knew you''d turn out like this, I wouldn''t have let her mentor you back then!" Senior Emma, huh? Leon couldn''t help but smile at her words. To tell the truth, my greatest hope right now is to be like her, earning a high salary while taking care of my siblings and living steadily in the Purification Bureau. "Director, I don''t think everything you said is entirely correct." Seeing the atmosphere lighten, knowing he''d persuaded her, the upbeat Leon smiled and said, "Senior Emma is indeed overly cautious, but it''s precisely this kind of cautious character that makes it easiest to survive safely in the Purification Bureau. Don''t you agree?" "Yes, yes! Whatever you say is right!" Rolling her eyes at "Emma the Second," the Red-haired Director dismissively waved her hand, "Off you go! In about a week, the headquarters will have the new anomalous object ready for you. If it''s not suitable then, don''t come asking me for a replacement!" Snapping her fingers towards the door, she used her hair to push Leon out. The Red-haired Director reviewed all the expressions Leon displayed during their discussion and couldn''t help but ponder with raised eyebrows. *Tch... despite always being cautious, someone is probably quite ambitious.* My expectation for Leon was to become an ordinary First Level hazard handler or an ace employee like Emma capable of being a branch director, but he probably doesn''t think that. Initially, he hesitated between the second and third choices. Yet, as soon as he heard the second option only worked on opponents below a True God level, his eyes immediately became decisive, and he made his choice. So, even though he didn''t explicitly say it, he must think he will continue to grow, eventually having an opponent at the True God level, which significantly lessened his interest in the second option. For someone with a cautious nature, such unbridled pride is unusual, so the secret he''s hiding might be even stronger than I thought! Full of secrets, Little Leon~ Suddenly taking a gulp of tea from her bottle, the Red-haired Director leaned back in her chair, staring at the old, peeling ceiling with a complex expression. *So... do you plan to take my place as the Virgin Sanitation Bureau Director? Or do you want to aim even higher?* ... "I''ll just have a roasted potato." Looking at the variety of dishes on the dining table, Leon eagerly reached out, pointing at the dwindling stewed beef. "A serving of this, plus a bowl of stewed white bean soup." "Sure!" Despite her age, the hands of the canteen lady in the police department were extraordinarily steady. Holding a large iron ladle covered in gravy, she reached down to the bottom of the bucket, scooping a full scoop of beef, scraping off quite a bit of onion and carrot against the bucket wall before piling it onto Leon''s plate with a splash. "And then? Anything else?" "No, no! This is enough!" Is this enough? The chickens I raise eat more than you do! Glancing at Leon''s slim figure, the canteen lady frowned, hands on hips, and said with dissatisfaction, "Look at how thin you are; people would think my food is unappetizing! Stand there! I''ll give you another scoop!" She scooped another full ladle of beef onto the plate without allowing refusal, then watched Leon, who appeared both delighted and overwhelmed, leave. With a regrettable click of her tongue, she chatted with the grandpa next to her, S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Look at this young man, so energetic, yet he doesn''t have any meat on him¡ªwhat a waste of a good... huh? Little Yisha? Why are you only here now?" "Ugh... similar to last time..." The policewoman sighed, carrying her tray, looking dejected, "This morning, we caught a troublemaking jerk, only to find out he''s well-connected, so we had to let him go, and I''ve been busy cleaning up the mess... "Forget it, no more grumbling. I''ll have the same as always: rice pudding, apple pie, and stewed beef." "The stewed beef is almost gone..." The canteen lady hesitated, looking back at the large bucket of stewed beef, "I saved some for you, but you never showed up; a while ago, a skinny kid wanted the stewed beef, and I couldn''t help but give him an extra serving... how about a pork chop instead?" "Alright..." Hearing that her favorite stewed beef was gone, the policewoman''s face fell as she took the pork chop listlessly, having not eaten since the morning. She glanced around to find out who snagged her beef, and unexpectedly spotted a familiar figure¡ªa dish piled high with stewed beef on his plate. "Hmm?!!!" (¨s¨p£þÃó£þ)¨s¦à©ß©¥©ß Chapter 81 - 81: 0068 Lift!_1 "Clang!" With the crash of the iron tray hitting the table, a small piece of smashed pudding leaped up, nimbly gliding over the mound of braised beef, and with a splash, it plopped into the soup bowl by Leon''s hand. ??? Leon, who was happily eating, paused and looked up in surprise, only to see a familiar face full of anger on the empty seat opposite him. That spoiled woman police officer from this morning? No... What''s your problem? There are so many empty seats, why sit across from me, your "enemy"? Are we that close? "Miss Yisha." Giving consideration to her identity as a secret police officer and not wanting trouble, Leon set down his fork and politely gestured to an empty seat not far away, saying as politely as possible, "I prefer to eat lunch alone, so if it''s convenient, could you go over there..." "No!" Staring angrily at this jerk who fooled her in the morning and now snatched her lunch, the policewoman glared at Leon, took off her scarf and placed it on the table, gritting her teeth and hissing, "I am sitting here today! If you don''t like it, you can leave!" "Fine, then I''ll find another spot, and I hope you''ll keep your promise to stay here and not move!" With the policewoman''s slightly stunned expression, Leon forced a smile and carried his tray leisurely to the next seat, casually picking up a tender piece of stewed beef shoulder and happily stuffing it into his mouth. It was really great, some people in the Police Department were annoying, but the cafeteria''s cooking was truly top-notch! Especially this homemade braised beef, though it''s not some grand luxury dish, the chef certainly put in significant effort. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The beef was clearly seared briefly before being stewed, preserving its tender texture very well. The ratio of the broth was evidently well-calculated to be just right, neither oversaturating and dampening the flavor nor leaving it under-seasoned. Leon only had to press lightly with his teeth, and the specially seasoned broth with white pepper, bay leaves, and cloves was squeezed out from the tender beef fibers. The fragrant and slightly spicy broth, along with the tender and smooth texture of the beef, almost instantly conquered his tongue. In the deep autumn when your fingers were chilled by the wind, having such a morsel of tender, slightly spicy veal when starving was indeed a great happiness for a busy worker. Damn it, I can''t stand it anymore! Looking up at Leon''s enraptured expression and the delicious broth at the corner of his mouth, then down at her own tray with pork cutlet now cold due to sitting too long, the unlucky policewoman''s eyes reddened. I have never seen such an arrogant rebel! After sneaking into the Police Department relying on luck, not hiding cautiously was one thing, but actually brazenly enjoying the department''s cafeteria, and right in front of me, savoring the braised beef left specially for me! You are just... Ah! Damn! And you even smack your lips! "Clang!" The sound of the iron tray hitting the table rang out again. Having had enough of Leon''s joyous eating, the policewoman directly broke her earlier promise to "sit here," carrying her tray back to sit opposite Leon, glaring at him fiercely. Decided! She must use the most malicious expression of her life, ominously saying to him: You don''t think no one knows what you did four days ago, do you? According to the director''s words, we can''t arrest this bastard nor intend to mislead him with false information, and this lead has been completely abandoned, so we might as well use this information to scare him! Not only could it warn him to restrain his actions, but it could also let him know that we, the secret police, aren''t just sitting around! Hopefully, it would make him realize he was exposed and get lost! ... "You..." Just as the teary-eyed policewoman slapped the table, ready to risk violating the Secret Investigation Bureau''s discipline and make life difficult for this damned jerk, she saw the jerk across the table glare back first, coldly questioning, "Why are you wasting food?" "Huh?" Huh, what? Seeing the pudding smashed and scattered all over the table, Leon, who had been living on less than two Copper Wheels for daily meals for the past three years and had even picked bread crusts out of trash cans when starving, couldn''t help but feel his mood plummet. As he wrinkled his brow and looked up, ready to say something about not wasting food, like those things you spilled on the table, at least fifty percent of the people in the Capital City wouldn''t even get to eat, he glimpsed the clothes the policewoman was wearing. According to the kingdom''s police department regulations, except for officers on duty or in service positions, wearing uniforms isn''t required. Although the policewoman''s casual outfit was plain, the intricate embroidery at the collar and the expensive-looking fabric that resisted wrinkles no matter how she moved revealed its high value at a glance. So... What''s the point of saying these things to her? After lowering his head again to look at his own old coat, checking the thin patches around the elbows and the worn cotton core exposed by the collar lining, Leon couldn''t help but chuckle self-deprecatingly, completely giving up on any intention of reasoning with her, and after giving her a cold glance, he lowered his head again. Chapter 82 - 82: 0068 Lift!_2 "Forget it, pretend I didn''t say anything." "¡­" Watching Leon lower his head again to eat and not look at her at all, the female police officer, who had been full of anger just moments ago, now sat in her seat, bewildered. Due to long-term malnutrition, Leon had always been quite thin, with hardly any flesh on his cheeks, making his eyes appear exceptionally large and full of expression. Just as the Red-haired Director had said, even though Leon was not very talkative and rarely showed emotion, with just one look, you could tell he was actually a person with a rich inner emotional life, all thanks to those eyes that seemed like they could speak. At that moment, the female police officer was struck hard by the cold indifference in Leon''s eyes that seemed to push people a thousand miles away. It wasn''t aversion, disdain, anger, or hatred. It was the purest cold indifference, untainted by any other emotion. *Summer insects cannot discuss ice.* Although she would''ve never heard this saying, at this moment, the female police officer surprisingly read a similar meaning in Leon''s glance¡ªit was an ultimate indifference born from the clear recognition of the vast difference between them, to the extent that he was simply too lazy to communicate. He was¡­ he was¡­ Not knowing how to describe that look, after snapping out of her daze, feeling the stares from around and hearing whispers in the restaurant, watching Leon eat his stewed beef with indifference, the female police officer''s face turned red in an instant. "You bastard!" I''ll make you eat! With a harsh scraping sound, she stood up suddenly, then grabbed one side of her tray and with a loud clatter dumped everything onto Leon''s tray. With everyone''s astonished gaze upon her, she bit her lip, lowered her head, and ran out of the cafeteria. ??? What the¡­ are you crazy?! Unaware of the significant psychological impact his glance had caused the proud female police officer, Leon''s anger flared up as he looked at the messy tray. Though the female police officer''s mind didn''t work well, her physical ability was undisputable. By the time Leon snapped out of his daze, ready to chase after her, she was already long gone, having run off on her long legs. "¡­" *Ugh... don''t engage with fools! Don''t engage with fools! Don''t engage with fools!* After glancing at the unfinished food on his plate, Leon repeatedly chanted to himself before sitting back down with a darkened face and resumed eating, even picking up and tasting a piece of rice pudding that had fallen on the table. I have to say, this dessert was very popular among the female officers and tasted really good, obviously made with care. Mixing eggs, milk, sugar, raisins and other ingredients into rice until it became a pudding, it required skill to make. Even though it was a bit cold now, the pudding still melted in his mouth, and its sweet fragrance evoked a feeling of comfort as it traveled to his heart. After tasting the fried pork cutlet and apple pie, which were also very good, Leon finally pushed down his anger, nodded satisfied that the meal had pleased him. *Not bad,* he thought. *Even though that policewoman is somewhat crazy, her taste in food isn''t bad. I should order this next time.* Caught up in his meal, Leon failed to notice the hand-knitted scarf with "Yisha" embroidered on it left on the table where they had faced off. As for the female police officer who had dumped her tray and ran off, she was now back at the cafeteria''s entrance, staring dazedly as Leon picked up the pudding from the table, then, with care, used his utensils to finish eating every bit of the mixed-up mess in his tray. ¡­ "Hiccup¡­" Running all the way home with the cat food and pet toys he bought from the department store, Leon finally arrived home before 3 p.m. As someone who didn''t have a large appetite, Leon first encountered the canteen lady''s big serving spoon, followed by the idiotic police officer''s double portion that truly tested his willpower as he forced down this painful yet satisfying meal. After sitting down to rest, clutching his distended belly, Leon checked the time, seeing he had until three thirty, he relaxed a little, then got up with difficulty to get things ready. According to information from Materialism, a witch''s cat would come knocking at half-past three. While it didn''t seem dangerous, considering its association with the abnormal, Leon found an excuse to send his younger siblings away, emptying the house. A tin mouse, a scratching post, a salted fish toy, a cat-fishing rod, a ball with a bell inside¡­ After arranging the collection of cat toys in the room, preparing a couple of large bowls, one half filled with water, the other full of cat food, Leon nodded with satisfaction. Just as he was about to sit down to rest, he realized he forgot the litter box. After searching through the empty house unsuccessfully for a suitable container, Leon ended up using his washbasin, filling it with sand from outside. All set! If the thing knocking soon was really a cat and not some large feline, surely it would be satisfied with his hospitality! Full of confidence, Leon waited, and soon enough, at 3:30, there came a knock at his door. "Knock, knock knock." "Coming!" Taking a deep breath, Leon walked nervously to open the door. Fortunately, it wasn''t a large feline outside, but a small, short-legged cat with fluffy long fur. "Meow~" Accompanied by a slightly milky-sounding meow, as if in greeting, the gray and white cat courteously nodded to Leon, then reached up to its back with a paw to retrieve a card from a small pouch and handed it over. [Hello, I am Mango, the pet of the witch under contract with your Purification Bureau] After glancing at Leon, confirming he could read and had finished reading the card, the cat named Mango quickly pulled out another card before he could speak. [Don''t ask why I''m not a Black Cat. Other witches keep black cats because they like wearing black clothes, making the fur less noticeable] "¡­" *Uh¡­ I just wanted to say hello, but I was a bit curious.* Nodding to show his understanding, Leon smiled gently and said, "So, your owner likes to wear gray or white clothes?" "Meow~" Shaking its head to indicate otherwise, although cute, the cat had a small "´¨" formed by the fur on its brow, giving it a naturally grumpy look. It fetched a third card to hand over. [My owner likes playing flying ball, and any fur on their clothes is blown away, so they don''t care] "Oh, so that''s how it is¡­" After exchanging a few awkward card conversations, when he saw the clearly intelligent cat at the door, Leon thought of his preparations and scratched the back of his head with embarrassment. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Well¡­ it''s obviously not an ordinary cat, will it even like what I prepared?* Looking back at the bowls on the table and the basin of sand on the floor, Leon swallowed anxiously and hesitantly asked, "Well... can I ask how I should entertain you?" After Leon spoke, the cat first pulled at the fabric on its collar, revealing a pink scarf embroidered with rabbits, then turned its head to rummage through its pouch on the back, taking out a fourth card to hand over. [My requirements aren''t high, just like before] *Oh! Low requirements are good!* Having read the card, Leon was instantly relieved. However, before he could invite the cat inside, he was handed a fifth card. [Regarding food, for starters I only need boiled soft carrots and peas, followed by any tuna salad; not picky about the main course, just half a portion of herring sashimi and cucumber rolls¡­] "..." [Also, I traveled quite far to get here and need to freshen up. Could you take me to the restroom first?] "..." [Human? What''s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?] "¡­" Chapter 83 - 83: 0069 WrongWrongWrong_1 At night, in the military base personnel''s family area filled with sentry posts, there was a villa that, despite being very large, was almost devoid of decorations. "Yisha?" Seeing her daughter sitting on the sofa in a daze, hugging a giant plush toy, a tall woman walked over, worried. First, she checked her daughter''s forehead temperature with her chin, then embraced her gently, asking softly, "What''s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?" Feeling the familiar warm embrace, the policewoman shook her head and then wrapped her arms around her mother''s waist, burying her face deeply into her lap as she replied sullenly, "I''m actually okay, it''s just... just some things at work didn''t go smoothly..." "Is that so." Hearing her daughter wasn''t sick, the woman breathed a sigh of relief and then asked softly while gently stroking her daughter''s smooth long hair, "Is it still the matter with the Ryan Family? Are they still refusing the investigation?" "No, this time it''s another thing..." Recalling the scene she saw at noon and the investigation results on "Leon Laine," the policewoman lifted her head from her mother''s lap, her eyes complex as she said, "Mom, three months ago, about father...did the military stop many compensation payments prematurely?" "That did happen..." Hearing her daughter''s inquiry, the woman recalled and then said helplessly, "You know, the military''s expenses have been too high in recent years, and the Kingdom''s finances can hardly sustain it. So this year, spending was cut by a third. Your father sighs every day when he comes home... Yisha, what made you think to ask this?" "I just feel it''s really unfair..." Recalling the file she transferred in the afternoon, which almost drove a family to death, the woman''s eyes turned sorrowful, and her voice grew louder. "The military has forty-seven departments, and each has significant expenses. There are so many areas where spending could be cut¡ªwhy does it have to be the compensation funds? Mom, do you know? Many who are still receiving compensation are the families left behind from the war six years ago, orphans without parents! Many of them don''t even have the ability to support themselves and rely on that bit of compensation to survive. Isn''t stopping it early just forcing them to death?" "Yisha?" Hearing what her daughter said, the woman couldn''t help but be slightly startled, then her expression turned serious as she said with a stern voice, "Who taught you to ask such things?" "No one taught me. This is what I thought!" "But you never used to think of these things! You always..." *People change!* *But you were once... ugh! Forget it...* Watching her daughter purse her lips tightly, obviously stubborn now, the woman rubbed her brow with resignation, then lowered her voice to remind her, "I don''t care where you heard this from, but just share these thoughts with me, okay? Please don''t say such things in front of your father..." "Why?" The policewoman asked, her eyes full of discontent, "Even if he didn''t propose it himself, a decision this outrageous had his tacit approval at least! Having done it, he should..." "Yisha!" Cutting off her increasingly intense words, the woman scolded her sharply, "You''re old enough to understand more now! Do you know how much pressure your father is under with everything that has happened this year?! Don''t add to his problems with your questions!" "Then what about the trouble he caused me?" Thinking about the man she met at noon, wearing an old coat and happily eating pudding spilled on the table, with bitterness in her heart, the policewoman couldn''t help but say, "Mom, I met someone today whose parents both died in the war six years ago, but the compensation he got over these years was only a third, forcing him to support his family at the age thirteen or fourteen, carrying packages under the summer sun, and spending a day soaked in cold water at the docks cleaning cargo ships! You think that''s outrageous enough already, right? But, mom, after father signed his name, the remaining compensation was also stopped, and he still has two younger siblings only six and seven! His sick sister stopped taking medicine to save money and almost died in the hospital!" "Sigh..." Seeing her daughter''s eyes turning red, the woman who understood the military''s situation sighed with a guilty expression, "Your father... truly had no choice... Yisha, how is that family now? I still have some money, perhaps..." "No need, he shouldn''t be short of money now." The policewoman took a deep breath, turning her head, speaking softly with complex emotions, "He joined the Rebels and became an undercover agent in the Police Department, disrupting our capture operation today and rescuing a rebel involved in the assassination of the Princess." "..." "So is it really me causing father trouble, or is it him causing trouble for me?" Glancing at her speechless mother, the policewoman sneered, sitting back on the sofa, her eyes fixed on the entrance. "Now, can I ask? I really want to know, with a proposal as awful as this, in what frame of mind did he sign his name?" "..." S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Watching her daughter, who was holding a soft toy yet looked like a hedgehog ready to prick, the woman had no choice but to comfort softly, "Yisha, listen to me, don''t..." "Don''t persuade me!" Turning away with stubborn defiance, the policewoman said, "One should have the courage to bear what they''ve done, as he taught me!" *But he also taught you that some responsibilities are destined to be above all else.* Patting her daughter''s back, the woman said with dim eyes, *In the war six years ago, not only did others sacrifice¡ªyour brother and two uncles died too, and this cut in compensation started with our family...* "Stop! Don''t refute yet! I know our family doesn''t need the compensation to survive, but I just want to say, don''t think too badly of your father. Maintaining this military mess, he''s truly trying his best." Looking up at the empty room on the second floor, thinking of her long-lost eldest son from six years ago, tears welled up in her eyes as she said, "Early this year, after the former military head was executed for overstepping, numerous gaps had to be filled with spending severely cut. At that time, everyone knew this hole couldn''t be filled, and the successor would face consequences. Those eligible were unwilling to take this hot potato, only your father stepped forward..." Recalling her husband, growing more silent, emaciated, and hunched over the past year, she grasped her daughter''s hand, voice trembling, "That war, six years ago, left a permanent scar in your father''s heart. The military problems are far too significant. If left unchecked, or if replaced with an incompetent successor, won''t history replay itself? He really can''t let go. I know stopping the compensation is excessive, but have you noticed? Since taking on this burden, in just over half a year, half of your father''s hair turned white, almost drained by military affairs." "But couldn''t he just..." "Yisha, your father really did his best." Interrupting her daughter''s words, the woman sighed, "I witnessed everything he could do this year, and yet it couldn''t fill the gaps, reluctantly agreeing to cut spending here. Moreover, he gave strict orders for the Consolation Officer to visit at least three times within two months and ensure those affected can still maintain living before stopping compensation. But he only had one pair of eyes, couldn''t oversee everyone, despite preparations, such issues are inevitable... Sigh, Yisha, for my sake, please, go back to your room, don''t let him worry anymore, alright?" "..." "Alright?" "Fine..." The stubbornly spirited policewoman eventually yielded to her mother''s gentle plea, reluctantly leaving the sofa. Pushed back to her room, she lay on her soft bed, clutching the toy. Yet, unlike usual, worn out as she was, she didn''t fall into a peaceful sleep, but instead stared at the ceiling light in a daze. *Father was right to desperately maintain the military... I was right in capturing the Rebels wreaking havoc... And he, driven to the Rebels by revoked compensation, wasn''t wrong either...* *So who is truly at fault?* Chapter 84 - 84: 0070 Enchanting Focus and Evidence_1 "I was wrong." After inspecting the Witch''s Broom on the table and finding it temporarily unusable, the red-haired director rubbed his temples seriously and confessed to Leon, "I forgot to consider your situation. The previous owner of this broom was very wealthy and a classic cat lover, quite generous in this regard. Although she told me that the cat only needed standard care, her idea of ''standard'' was rather high for most people... Well... but you don''t need to worry too much." After tinkering with the Witch''s Broom and confirming it was only unable to be "activated" rather than losing its "abnormalities" entirely, the red-haired director reassured, "The Lion Bureau has always been in contact with that witch. I''ll ask them to help explain things for you, and even if the witch can''t be reached for a while, it doesn''t matter. Just as long as you still have the broom. According to the contract, the cat will come next Friday. By then, just spend some quality time with her and avoid using your washbasin as a litter box, and the Witch''s Broom should return to normal." After hearing the director''s words, Leon, overwhelmed with tasks, couldn''t help but frown, sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So... if it takes a while, it could be a week?" "If it takes time, it might be a week. Quickly, it might be two or three days. It depends on when the witch''s tournament finishes." After giving an uncertain timeline, the red-haired director spoke with a smile, "It''s fine. If it takes a week, it takes a week. There''s no rush to sneak into the Ryan Family. The heart of that dead sheep probably won''t run off in the meantime. And aren''t you planning to move, anyway? It''s bound to be troublesome, so you might as well use this time to tidy up and manage some errands." That made sense... Thinking about his stalled bronze shooting badge and unpacked luggage at home, Leon nodded in agreement with the director but then remembered something and hesitantly asked, "Um... Senior Emma told me that the deeper you understand the abnormal, the more abnormal objects you encounter, the more you attract new anomalies. Though Happiness Apartment is harmless and can protect its tenants, it counts as an Anomalous Object, right? If my whole family moves there..." "Just move. They won''t be targeted by anomalies." The red-haired director waved his hand, "The onset of Corrosion begins with ''knowledge.'' They know nothing of Anomalous Objects'' existence, neither aware of utilizing them nor comprehending their existence, so they belong to ordinary people and won''t be targeted. The only thing you need to be careful about is not using Anomalous Objects in front of them, because once they move into Happiness Apartment, the Lion Bureau''s Brain of the Evil God will no longer confuse their memories." "I got it." After the director''s explanation, Leon finally relaxed, nodded, and reached for the broom on the table, intending to leave, but the director stopped him. "Wait, take a look at this." Is this... a newspaper? Did something abnormal happen, and it got reported? Seeing the stack of newspapers handed over by the red-haired director, Leon''s expression tightened, instantly switching to work mode as he earnestly flipped through them. "Winter Romance Matchmaking Event: Find the One for You" "Eight Practical Tips: Teach You How to Lose Belly Fat in 30 Days" "New Meikou Lingerie In-Store, Inviting All to Try On" "Spray Perfume Here: Just One Hug to Ignite His Passion" "..." ?????? "Wrong! Not ''Charming Focus.'' You''re supposed to look at the next one!" Snatching back the marked newspaper from Leon, the red-haired director coughed lightly to cover a small embarrassment, then pulled out The Sun News from the stack and nodded toward the prominent first-page headline, "Look. The Power Company''s issue has been exposed, made the papers just this morning." Hmm? So besides me, someone else had their eyes on the Power Company''s issue? Upon hearing the news of the Power Company''s exposure, Leon couldn''t help but feel a burst of joy. Although Charl Department Store took on the compensations and those hospitalized have already been compensated, thereby bypassing the need for a full revelation of the truth, For Leon, who experienced the faces of those three noble families firsthand, witnessing those bastards embroiled in controversy itself was a great pleasure. Yet, this headline... "''Sewage'' Incident Deliberate? Thomas Ryan: The Evidence Is Fabricated" Thomas... that''s the name of the blond middle-aged man from the Ryan Family, right? So the Power Company''s issue has merely been unmasked, with no final conclusions yet? Reading the "neutral" headline, Leon frowned slightly and sighed inwardly. If only the evidence wasn''t lost... After knocking out that damned editor from the Daily, Leon was planning to make a trip to Charl Department Store to hand over the evidence proving the intent behind the sewage incident. However, he was blocked by that toad right in front of the exit. When he was transported from the shopping mall to right before it, he had a sheep''s head in one hand and a broom in the other, leaving no room to carry anything else, so the evidence must have fallen in the shopping mall. Though he dealt with the toad later, he was then slammed into the hospital by the Golden Wheel Mountain. By the time he woke up and went to look for it, it was gone, probably picked up by someone... Damn! So you''re the one who picked it up! After noticing the phrase "evidence was picked up by a reporter from Charl Department Store headquarters" in the report, Leon''s face darkened, already predicting the aftermath. Sure enough, in an interview, that golden-haired Thomas scoffed at the evidence''s authenticity, declaring the Power Company never experienced a theft, and the claim of deliberately flooding Charl Department Store with sewage was absurd. He even took the chance to cynically taunt Charl Department Store, subtly implying in his remarks that "Old Charl" was attempting to avoid massive compensation by shuffling the public''s attention. "Sigh..." Upon reading up to this point, Leon knew there was no need to read further into the report. As a major shareholder of Charl Power Company, if this evidence was disclosed by Charl Department Store, it naturally would hold some credibility. Even if the reporter claimed to have received anonymous tips, it could still induce some doubt, garnering at least attention. But that reporter was astonishingly upright, blatantly writing that he found the intelligence casually, not even fearing accusations of grasping at shadows... well... never mind. Compared to others who wouldn''t dare report it, his daring to expose the matter was commendable, even if he genuinely spoke the truth since the evidence was indeed picked up. Shaking his head ruefully, Leon didn''t dwell on it for too long. Instead, he calmly returned the newspaper to the red-haired director. "Aren''t you going to say something?" Seeing an unconcerned and mildly frustrated Leon who didn''t seem overly angry, the red-haired director raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, "Those three families escaped punishment. I thought you''d be displeased. Why don''t you look mad at all?" "Of course, I''m angry." Leon shook his head and said, "But my stealing evidence wasn''t meant to uphold justice; it was to ensure the patients received compensation, not just lying in the hospital screaming. While the outcome isn''t perfect, it fulfills the original goal. The rest, I''ll note down and address in the future if the chance arises... Do you have anything else? If not, I''d like to practice at the shooting range for a few days." "No, nothing else~ Go ahead, go ahead~" Watching Leon leave with a smile, the red-haired director took a sip of tea, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. So it''s not giving up entirely, but rather remembering it for future opportunities? Speaking of which... I told him to sneak into the Ryan Family under the guise of a reunion, but would he seize this "opportunity" to stir up a "big story" for me? Chapter 85 - 85: 0071 Wow cool wow cool~_1 """ "Bang!" "Bang!" Amidst the deafening gunfire, Leon, who was preparing to earn his badge, hurriedly entered the shooting range of the police department with his beloved sniper rifle. Due to the strict weapon regulations in Capital City, nightsticks and whips were generally sufficient to handle most cases, with firearms rarely needed. As a result, few people practiced shooting. Moreover, today was a rest day, so in the vast shooting range, only three or five positions were occupied, with the majority left empty. Great, the emptiness meant no need to queue for air tanks. Satisfied with the empty range, Leon greeted the person responsible for checking weapons and distributing earmuffs. He then carried two large boxes of nail rounds and laid down at a shooting position closest to the air storage area. Although he rarely came to the range due to limited free time, Leon was diligent about his badge progression. He typically came here right after work, staying until sunset before leaving. Under his relatively diligent practice, he had completed over half of the 5,000 live-fire shots required for badge progression. With just over two thousand more shots needed, he estimated about thirteen to fourteen hours more of shooting, at a rate of completing 2-3 snipes per minute on average. After roughly calculating his progress, Leon didn''t immediately start shooting. Instead, he first looked up at the sky. *It didn''t seem like it was going to rain, so he figured, he could probably shoot for another seven or eight hours today.* Once it got dark, he''d head home to help Anna pack, hire a carriage in the morning to move their stuff to Happiness Apartment, and then come back to shoot for four or five more hours. That should be just about enough. *Hmm... come to think of it, the Witch''s Broom malfunctioning came at just the right time.* *Due to a temporary lack of protective anomalies, he wasn''t quite in a position to go on missions, allowing him to come shoot during work hours and have a justified reason to be late in the mornings, using that time to move house. Just perfect.* After silently celebrating his good luck, Leon didn''t delay any further. He raised the small yellow flag representing five hundred meters and waved it toward the position of the administrators. "Sigh..." Upon seeing the familiar little yellow flag, the two administrators exchanged glances and sighed in unison. "Stop staring, go grab the targets!" Squinting at the figure on the sniper''s perch, confirming it really was that troublesome guy, the older administrator rubbed his temples with a look of helplessness, saying, "You''d better bring the cart, take them over by the bundle. Sigh... ''Rolling Bullet'' doesn''t leave until sunset each time. Coming so early today, he''s probably going to shoot for a long time." "I''m thinking the same... Sigh... watch this spot for me for a bit!" Glancing at Leon in the distance, who was adjusting his earmuffs and calibrating his firearm, the younger administrator sighed from the bottom of his heart, feeling quite unfortunate. ... "Rolling Bullet" was the nickname the range administrators had privately given Leon. After becoming familiar with the shooting conditions of the range, his accuracy improved significantly, focusing almost exclusively on the five-hundred-meter extreme range targets. Once a nail fired from a Nail Gun exceeded its maximum stable range, it would uncontrollably tumble in the air, hence Leon, who specialized in "Rolling Bullets," was honored with the administrators'' affectionate nickname of "Rolling Bullet"¡ªand their fervent hope that he would leave soon. The reason? Others'' shots left only small bullet holes on the targets, usually needing a target change every forty or fifty shots. But nails that tumbled beyond range created holes the size of a baby''s fist on impact. If they hit the right spots, just two or three shots could nearly break a wooden target in half, forcing the administrators to constantly replace targets. Coupled with "Rolling Bullet''s" astonishing accuracy rate, serving him was more troublesome than taking care of ten other officers. *Really thought working on a Sunday would mean an easy day, but it turned into a chore...* Pushing a cart piled high with targets, the young administrator returned to the controls with a sigh, and asked with a bitter face: "So, how''s ''Rolling Bullet'' doing today?" "His hand feels astonishingly good; he''s broken almost fifty targets. But what''s more problematic isn''t even that." After rubbing his tightly furrowed brow, the older administrator, distressed, said, "I went to the ammunition side and asked. ''Rolling Bullet'' took up two whole boxes of nails today, amounting to over a thousand rounds!" "How many? Over a thousand rounds? Does that mean he plans to shoot all day?!" Hearing that terrifying number, the young administrator gasped, feeling his head throb, joining the growing chorus of pain, gnashing his teeth as he said, "Firing targets for eight hours straight... the buttstock could jam back and fracture a bone! Isn''t he afraid of the pain?" "I don''t know if he''s not afraid of the pain, but if he plans to shoot all day, we''ll definitely exhaust ourselves to death here." "....." "No! We absolutely cannot let him shoot here all day!" sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing the extraordinarily heavy custom wooden targets on the cart, the thought of possibly changing these several hundred times today made the young administrator''s shoulder ache instantly. He slammed the targets, stood up, and said with fierce brow: "Let''s go! We need to ask him to change places!" "....." *So you''re planning to beg? That stance looks more like a demand.* Glancing speechlessly at his colleague, the older administrator didn''t object, rather standing up to help appeal their case, hoping to steer the trouble elsewhere and spare their own aching, osteoporosis-ridden bones. However, before the two even left the control room, something familiar occurred over by "Rolling Bullet''s" position¡ªa shadow they recognized well approached him first. *Is that... Yisha from the Secret Investigation Bureau?* Seeing the female officer standing behind "Rolling Bullet" with a hesitant expression, the two administrators exchanged a glance, almost simultaneously recalling yesterday''s rumor. Yesterday at lunchtime, the agency''s flower took her tray and sat across from a man, but he seemed uninterested, not accepting the spontaneous attraction, instead voluntarily changing seats. More absurdly, Yisha, with a surname matching a prominent military leader and a background undoubtedly complex, shamelessly followed after him again, almost like an obsessed woman, genuinely startling many who witnessed it. Although the two ended up arguing, parting unhappily with Yisha even flipping her tray in anger, many saw her return, standing at the cafeteria entrance gazing longingly at him... *Hiss... so that guy... was "Rolling Bullet"?* *A juicy revelation seemed ready to unveil its tender insides before them. The younger administrator suddenly felt neither shoulder aches nor arm pains, buzzing with energy, turning to the colleague whose eyes gleamed similarly.* "Should we... wait a bit?" "Sure!" """ Chapter 86 - 86: 0072 Single Complaint from the Heart_1 It''s you again! Unaware that he had become the centerpiece of the police department''s biggest gossip, Leon, upon sensing someone behind him, turned around and saw it was that troublemaker again. His face immediately darkened. As a person with a relatively mild temperament, most of his anger from the previous day had cooled off. But seeing this persistent individual made his temper flare once more. "Are you done yet?" He put down the large rifle, stepped back from the shooting position, dusted off the dirt on his clothes, and asked with a pulled face, "I''ve already said it many times, what happened yesterday morning was just an accident. The reason your target got away was mainly because your disguise had too many flaws, you didn''t look like someone selling coffee at all! "Besides, even if I did make you lose your capture target, you handcuffed me all morning and took away my lunch in the cafeteria. Isn''t that enough? If you keep pestering me, don''t blame me for being rude!" "You!" Hearing Leon bring up yesterday''s incident, recalling being played for a fool in the morning and the awkward situation in the cafeteria, the policewoman''s temper flared. She glared and was about to shout back. But when she noticed Leon''s slender figure, and the old coat covered in dust he wore, her momentum suddenly deflated. She slouched slightly and murmured softly, "Can''t you just talk to me properly?" "¡­" ??? *Did you take the wrong medication or something?* Watching the policewoman transform from a fierce lioness one second to a bullied wife the next, Leon''s mind lagged, and his accusatory momentum deflated as well. *Is this... a trap hidden under a smile? A show of courtesy before force? A secret strategy? Or some new tactic I''ve never heard of?* Just as Leon was bewildered by her soft words, staring suspiciously at the policewoman and trying to figure out what she was up to, he saw her pinch the hem of her clothes and timidly ask, "How have you been lately?" "¡­" *I truly can''t understand what she wants to do...* Completely baffled by the policewoman''s seemingly split personality, Leon paused for several seconds. Eventually, by frantically recalling her annoying traits, he barely gathered some remaining anger and replied grumpily, S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Thanks for your concern, but apart from being hounded by a petty troublemaker, I haven''t encountered much misfortune recently." "You!" Barely managing to suppress her anger, only to be mocked again right in front of her, the already short-tempered policewoman grew angrier. She raised her head sharply, glared back, and barked, "As long as you''re okay..." "¡­" "¡­" After sneaking a glance at Leon''s twitching eyelids and the uncomfortable expression reminiscent of tasting beef stewed in chocolate, the policewoman also turned her head away. Only when her line of sight no longer contained the old coat did she feel somewhat relieved. There was no helping it. After reading Leon''s file yesterday and learning about the wrongs her father and the military had done to his family, the policewoman felt so guilty she couldn''t sleep a wink, leaving scratch marks all over the walls around her. During other rebel captures in the past, she wasn''t unaware of their angry accusations. Still, at most, she only sympathized with their plight and remained unyielding when it was time to act. Because she firmly believed that no matter what injustices a person had suffered, joining the rebels and seeking revenge through means that endangered innocent people, such as assassination, poisoning, and bombing, made them a new perpetrator and they should bear their own crimes. But Leon''s file was excessively clean. Apart from a single extremely radical remark and disrupting a capture operation, it was almost entirely about him struggling to survive through hard, tireless work. He not only didn''t raise a blade against innocents but even saved an entire hospital of people. The evaluations he received were full of words like hardworking, diligent, and kind-hearted, with almost no one speaking ill of him. He was the type of impeccable victim who could not be criticized. What''s more damning, the injustices and betrayals he faced largely stemmed from the military, controlled by her father. Even her father''s signature appeared on the proposal to prematurely stop pension payments to Leon''s parents! *I''m doomed... I''ll never be able to hold my head up in front of this guy...* Biting her lip with a mix of grievance and grief, the policewoman turned to the pile of gas cylinders and tried to sound as stern as possible when she asked, "What exactly... are you trying to do with such dangerous shooting practice..." "¡­" *Damn it!* As she stared at the face that had intruded on her view full of confusion, the policewoman, half-hardened then softened, shut her eyes tightly, steeled herself, and tried again, "I''m warning you! This highly dangerous shooting method has been banned by the police department!" "From now on, I will carefully check the records of the nails distributed to you. If any similar attacks occur in the Capital City, you''d better be able to account for every nail fired!" "Don''t think I will stop investigating you just because you haven''t slipped up! I''ll keep a close watch on you!" "Leon Laine! Listen to me! You don''t have a record of harming innocents yet; it''s not too late to turn back!" "I know you''ve suffered a lot of injustices, but that''s not a reason to give up on yourself! I can help you get rid of them too!" "Did you hear me? Speak up!" Maintaining an angry expression (¡¨£¾Ãó£¼) and shouting for quite a while without receiving any response, the policewoman cautiously opened her eyes and peeked. Her face quickly flushed, turning from embarrassment to a liver color instantly. The damnable idiot rebel had already put on soundproof ear muffs, with only his rear aimed at her while lying back down at the over-a-meter-high shooting position. All her heartfelt advice earlier had unknowingly been given to his backside! "Ahhhhh!!!" Watching his two buttocks calmly facing her, swaying wildly with the recoil of the gunshots as if mocking her, the policewoman, overwhelmed with humiliation, let out a scream, then clenched her fists and rushed forward, delivering a full-strength punch to that damnable backside! "Ah!!!" "What the hell is wrong with you?!" ¡­ "Bro?" Hearing the slightly strange footsteps and worryingly opening the door ahead of time, Anna dropped the bag in her hands and hurried over upon seeing Leon covered in dust and limping. As she brushed the dust off his body, she asked worriedly, "Bro! What happened to you?" "Uh¡­ even though I don''t have to go on missions, I''m still part of the police department, so I practiced some combat." Sneakily rubbing his still faintly aching rear, Leon waved dismissively, half-truthfully lying, "It wasn''t really anything, but the person I was sparring with was a bit off. I¡­ got punched in the thigh. It''ll be fine after moving it a bit... By the way, have you finished packing? Can we make the move tomorrow morning?" Chapter 87 - 87: 0073 Burnt_1 "Everything''s packed up and stacked in your room. You can move it tomorrow." Although Anna noticed Leon was changing the subject, she didn''t expose him. She smiled faintly and helped Leon into the room. Strangely, instead of leading the injured Leon to a chair, she took him to the small bed in the guest room. She then piled the pillows and bedding to make a comfortable cushion for him to lie on. "..." *I knew I couldn''t hide it from you...* Leon had wanted to maintain his dignity as the older brother and didn''t want his sister to know about the spanking. But since Anna had already responded with her actions, Leon couldn''t keep pretending. He lay down obediently on the bedding with a stern face. However, as he lay down, his skin rubbed against the coarse fabric, igniting a sharp pain that made his whole body tense. "Hiss..." That lunatic may have had a twisted mind, but her strength was real. Especially that smack¡ªeven on my thickest flesh¡ªoh, crap?! As he rested on the bed, Leon felt a chill on his backside as his pants were pulled down slightly, exposing part of his rear to the cold air. "Oh my! It''s all swollen!" Seeing Leon''s swollen backside, Anna''s earlier amused expression faltered and shifted to slight heartache. "Stay put, I''ll get the ointment..." "Wait!" Hurriedly pulling his pants back up, Leon endured the pain and got up, a bit embarrassed. "I can actually do it myself..." "You better just stay down!" Anna rolled her eyes at Leon''s bravado. As she rummaged through her packed luggage, she grumbled, "I''m your sister. Why be shy about me applying ointment? When you were bedridden with a high fever for months, didn''t I take care of you? Not just applying ointment¡ªtrimming nails, feeding you, doing your hair, turning you over to clean you, even helping you to the bathroom in the middle of the night, that was all..." "Stop, stop, stop!" Seeing his sister in rare chatterbox mode, recalling those warm yet embarrassing times, Leon, feeling exceptionally awkward, obediently lay back down, even loosening his belt a bit. Seeing he had surrendered, Anna chuckled and said no more. She found the ointment, sat on the bedside, and pulled Leon''s pants down again, exposing the "injury." What?! Upon seeing the handprint on Leon''s backside, the frail girl blinked in surprise, then reached out her right hand, slightly measuring the distance. That size... if you don''t count the swollen parts... seems like a woman''s hand? Liar! You told me it was combat training? Anna glared at the oblivious Leon lying on the bed, then bit her lip in dissatisfaction. She squirted some ointment into her palm, rubbed it warm, and pressed down firmly onto the center of the handprint. What kind of combat training leaves a woman''s handprint on your backside? "Ouch!" What was imagined as gentle and soothing ointment application turned into a forceful touch of a tigress. Caught off guard, Leon shouted in pain, about to complain about his sister''s heavy hand, but then heard Anna nervously say, "Oh no! Maybe I used too much strength. Brother, does it hurt?" "Kinda... still bearable..." "Since it''s bearable..." Looking at the handprint on Leon''s backside, the sickly girl scrunched her little nose, huffed silently at Leon''s rear, then lifted her delicate hand, pressing down hard once again. "Then hang in there! Rubbing it out will make the swelling go down faster!" ... After enduring a session of "gentle torture," the frail girl lifted her sleeve to gently wipe away the cold sweat from Leon''s forehead, her face showing concern. "Brother, didn''t you say it didn''t hurt? Why are you sweating so much?" "Maybe it''s because... it''s hot..." After responding with a lie even he didn''t believe, Leon looked at his sister, who still had a sweet, gentle expression. Although his backside felt much more comfortable, it had gone through quite an ordeal. He couldn''t help but ponder with a trace of bitterness. Did I upset her? Was it about helping her pack at home but returning late? Or that I got hurt again so soon after being discharged? Or perhaps... "Oh, so it''s because of the heat, that''s good then~" Anna looked at Leon, whose expression was a mix of suspicion and unease. She hummed in her heart, sealed the small jar of ointment, and turned to tidy up the baggage that had been rummaged through. However, just as she wrapped the small jar in a towel and placed it among a stack of old clothes, something wrapped in old clothes quivered slightly and jumped out of the luggage. It fell and landed near Leon''s hand. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hmm?" Feeling something bump against his hand, Leon curiously moved to take a look and saw it was an old family album left by their parents¡ªthe one he had flipped through with Anna before. Although he wanted to finish looking at the photos, he worried that it might remind his sister of something sad. Leon shook his head, restrained his curiosity, and handed the album back without looking up. "Anna, something dropped." "Oh? Okay!" Seeing Leon didn''t open the old album, the pale-faced girl let out a deep breath. She steadied her trembling hands and grabbed the album tightly by the edge, clutching it until her knuckles turned pale. Yet, even though she used all her strength, an old photo still squeezed out stubbornly from the yellowing album''s back cover and slid in front of Leon. Is this... Anna with our parents? Seeing the couple standing together in the photo, each holding Anna''s hand and smiling happily at the camera, Leon, lying by the bed, couldn''t help but smile. He was about to pick up the photo and return it when he noticed something odd, causing him to exclaim unconsciously. Above the parents'' heads was a sign that read "Family Portrait," suggesting the photo was taken in a studio, but the image only showed the parents and Anna. Leon and their two other siblings were missing. Burned! I had clearly burned it! Seeing Leon staring at the photo dazedly, Anna turned pale and bit her lip hard. She pinched her inner thigh harshly to regain her composure. After forcibly calming herself through pain, a touch of color returned to her cheeks. She sat down close to Leon, making sure he couldn''t see her expression, then leaned over to pick up the photo and said with a faintly regretful tone, "Oh dear, it seems the adhesive on the back has dried up over time. Once we''ve moved tomorrow, I''ll go buy some glue and see if I can stick it back again." Chapter 88 - 88: 0074 A Mysterious Background and a Promise_1 "Hmm." Although it was a bit strange that the family photograph only had three people, Leon, having seen other photos with himself and his parents, didn''t think much of it. He casually asked, "When was this picture taken? Why is it just you in the family photo without the three of us?" "It''s just a mistake by the photo studio." Seeing that Leon wasn''t overthinking it, Anna secretly breathed a sigh of relief and tried to answer as smoothly as possible, "When we were getting the photo taken, the previous family had just left, and the person taking down the props accidentally left the family photograph sign, which resulted in this particular picture. Mom wasn''t very happy and wanted them to take down the sign and retake the photo, but Dad really liked Mom''s smile in the photo, and since the studio agreed to charge only half the price, they decided to keep it as it was." "So that''s what happened¡­" Nodding in sudden understanding, Leon lay on the bed, inhaling sharply and then said nonchalantly, "What about the three of us? Why were you the only one there?" "Because Melanie and they weren''t born until the following year, and this picture was initially meant just for me." Anna opened the photo album, flipped through it, and took out another photo with the same background. Handing it over, she smiled brightly and said, "It was after a community school exam. Your score was among the lowest in the whole school, while I got first place. Mom asked what gift I wanted, and I said I wanted a photo to commemorate it. See, the badge on my chest was given by the school to the first-place winner. Although I wanted you to join in the photo, you were sulking at the time, saying you didn''t want to be in it because your grades were bad, and you stubbornly refused to be photographed with me. In the end, it was just me." "Ah¡­ Was I really that stubborn when I was little?" Hearing about his childhood antics, Leon, who didn''t have related memories, couldn''t help but scratch his head, looking at Anna with a little embarrassment. "Were you disappointed then?" "Not really, because I did it on purpose." Flashing a mischievous smile at Leon, the frail girl smiled brightly and said, "When we were kids, you always liked to snatch things from me, even trying to take my dolls. But you ran faster, jumped higher, and were physically stronger, even ate more than I did, and I hated it! Luckily, you were particularly mischievous and always did poorly in school. I finally had something over you, so I seized that chance to annoy you, and that''s why you were too sulky to take that photo with me." "You''re really¡­ holding grudges since childhood." Leon shook his head speechlessly, then, while lying on the bed, waved his hand dismissing Anna, "Alright, since the ointment is applied, you should hurry back to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow!" "Then I''m heading back. Be careful while you sleep, so you don''t hurt yourself again." *You know it hurts and still used such force!* "Got it, got it!" Mimicking his sister''s expression, Leon rolled his eyes at her, then turned his head to look at the small window in the guest room, casually asking with his back to the door, "By the way, are you sure about my birthday?" ?!!! Hearing Leon''s question, Anna, who was about to leave, trembled all over and then replied softly without looking back, "How could that be wrong? Why did you suddenly think to ask this?" "It''s nothing really, I just met a divination master who is said to be very accurate." Lying on the bed, Leon narrowed his eyes and then yawned as he explained, "She asked for my birthday and then calculated a bunch of gibberish, and everything she calculated was inaccurate. Maybe feeling embarrassed, she insisted that the birthday I told her was wrong¡­ hehe, it''s like someone with three legs blaming the road for being uneven. Funny, right?" "That depends on whether you paid her or not." Hearing that Leon was asking casually, Anna, relieved, regained her composure and responded with a smile, "If you didn''t pay, then she''s the funny one; if you did, then you''re the funny one~" "Go on, you''re the funny one! It''s so late, just go back and sleep!" Putting on the "elder brother''s authority," Leon shooed away his teasing sister. But after seeing Anna''s reflection in the small window, relieved and somewhat hurriedly leaving, his brow furrowed tightly. Though Anna covered it up well, there were still hints of abnormality. Maybe others wouldn''t notice, but to Leon, who had once lived with her day and night and endured Hell for two years, these abnormalities were too apparent. *She was hiding something from me¡­* Based on Anna''s character, seeing the photo fall, she would likely only say, "Oh dear, it fell." instead of giving such a long explanation. Moreover, she stopped packing and sat on the bed, almost deliberately giving him a chance to ask questions. Plus, looking at her photo, it must have been at least seven or eight years ago, maybe even longer. Yet, upon hearing his question, she responded without any process of recalling. Just a few sentences, and she recounted everything from back then in detail, explaining it all seamlessly, almost as if she''d rehearsed it countless times. When he asked about his birthday later, her visibly startled reaction in the window reflection confirmed his suspicions. Just like the Black Goat said, the Master of Starry Skies almost never made mistakes, so the day at the hydro company was indeed his birthday. And Anna''s peculiar behavior proved she certainly knew something, yet for some reason didn''t want to tell the truth, even concocting a pre-prepared lie¡­ Faced with such blatant evidence, influenced by all sorts of dramatic storylines in his previous life, Leon instantly formed a natural suspicion. *So¡­ was I adopted?* Entertaining this rather dramatic idea, Leon, laden with an unusually complex mix of emotions, immediately got out of bed. Quietly tiptoeing to the packed luggage, he pulled out the old photo album and started flipping through it. However, after looking through the old photos for a while, Leon turned his gaze back to the small window, staring at the reflection of the jet-black hair identical to his father''s and the sharp features strikingly similar to his mother''s, and once again felt confused. *Even if it was an adoption, it wouldn''t be possible to simultaneously have features from both sides if I were the child of a relative, right? Am I overthinking this?* ¡­ With a stomach full of unresolved confusion, Leon tossed and turned until the middle of the night before barely catching a little sleep. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When dawn was just breaking, although far from enough sleep, he was awakened from his dreams by Anna, and upon learning that the coach had arrived, Leon could only bleary-eyed, get up, shoulder the luggage, and head to Veteran Lane''s entrance. Struggling to stuff the luggage into the cargo compartment, and after telling the coachman the location they had rented, Leon, who had slept only for about an hour, gathered his equally sleepy younger siblings and climbed into the four-person carriage. As Anna, following behind and getting into the carriage, watched him so tired that he barely could open his eyes, she helplessly yet amusedly complained, "Bro! Didn''t you go to bed quite early last night? Why are you this tired now?" "Last night¡­ ha¡­ last night my mind was a bit cluttered¡­ barely slept in the first half of the night¡­ uh¡­ let me lean for a bit¡­" Swaying slightly with the movement of the carriage, leaning against the shoulder of Anna, who appeared somewhat flustered, Leon, indeed extremely tired, narrowed his eyes slightly and, with three parts probing and utmost sincerity, whispered a promise in her ear, "Don''t worry¡­ about the things you don''t want to say, I won''t ask. "Also, you can lean on me just as I''m leaning on you¡­ I promise you, no matter what happens in the future, you will always be my sister." Chapter 89 - 89: 0075 Gathers the Strengths of Many and Loses Control_1 *No matter what happens, am I still your sister?* Looking at Leon, who seemed to have already fallen asleep, leaning peacefully on her shoulder and breathing lightly, the promised Anna found no relief. Instead, she unconsciously bit her lips until they turned pale. *But what if... I''m not your sister at all, and all the happiness I have now is stolen? After you find out what I''ve done to you, will you still think the same way?* ... In the midst of the sickly girl''s fears and anxiety, the carriage that carried the family of four raced through the streets of Capital City. On the carriage, Leon was woken up by the whistle when it arrived, after barely a thirty-minute nap. *Could carriages really be this fast?* Rubbing his sleepy eyes and yawning again, Leon first reached over to smooth out the creases on Anna''s shoulder. Then he gave a pat on the behind of each of his younger siblings, who were snoring on the seat opposite him. "Wake up! We''re at the new home!" "We''re here?!" Hearing Leon''s words, William rubbed his eyes and sat up, imitating Leon''s gesture to tidy up his rumpled clothes. Without mercy, he then nudged his sister''s ribs. "Get up! We''ve arrived!" "Don''t make noise..." Melanie, disturbed from a sweet dream, grumbled twice, her little feet in small leather shoes kicking into the void. Then, like a little grub, she squirmed along the seat in an attempt to get away from William, leaving a saliva trail over ten centimeters long. "Let me sleep a little longer..." "Ew... so disgusting!" Disgusted, William grabbed Melanie''s arm and used her sleeve to wipe the saliva off the seat. Then he patted her face, saying, "Quickly wake up! Our new home is on the sixth floor. If you don''t get up, how will you go up?" "Mmm... don''t pat..." Pouting, she crawled up from the seat and saw Leon, who looked helpless on the opposite side. Melanie''s eyes immediately lit up, and she stretched out her arms toward him. "I want to sleep in Big Brother''s arms. Big Brother can carry me up!" "Nope, Big Brother really can''t carry you today." "Ah? Why not..." "Because Big Brother has to go to work and earn money, so he can buy you pretty little dresses!" With a smile, Leon pinched his sister''s small pouty face, then, holding her and William, got off the carriage. He turned his head to glance at Happiness Apartment. As expected, the old man, who claimed to be "not in good health," was glaring at him from the small garden in front of the building, holding a gardening shear over a meter long. His pair of enormous dark muscles bulging beneath his tank top were intimidating, and he was snipping shrubs as thick as a bowl with precision. *Please, stop trimming, can''t I just not go over there?* Glancing at the old man''s bulging muscles and then at his own, not even as thick as the man''s forearm, leg, Leon, worried that he''d end up more of a "bro" than a brother, truly didn''t dare to linger a moment longer. Struggling to haul the luggage from the carriage to the apartment entrance, he promptly made his escape. Seeing the "Little Demon" wisely refraining from approaching, the old man gave a cold snort. He casually jabbed the entire garden shear into the ground, then limped his way to the door, eyeing the new tenants of Happiness Apartment. "Thank you, John." Having visited Happiness Apartment twice in these days, Anna was already familiar with the menacing-looking administrator. After politely greeting him, she picked up as much luggage as she could manage and urged her younger siblings to do the same. Then, full of apologies, she said, "My brother is a bit busy with work, so he couldn''t help us move. Could you please... ah!" Before her stunned eyes, the administrator, as robust as a bear, grinned menacingly and then, as if performing a trick, tossed six or seven large bags into the air before bumping them onto his shoulders. After slightly adjusting his position and stabilizing the several hundred pounds of luggage, the old man swooped in and snatched away the luggage in Anna''s hand, hanging it on himself without giving her a chance to refuse, and walked off without a word. "John?!" Scared, Anna quickly reacted, pulling her siblings along to follow. She wanted to help with some of the luggage, but seeing the mountain piled on the old man''s back, she couldn''t find a way to lend a hand, so she trailed behind continually thanking him. *Phew... seems everything''s fine now.* Seeing that Anna and the others had truly been accepted by Happiness Apartment, Leon, who had been hiding at the street corner, finally let go of his worries. He then furrowed his brows and quickly headed for the Purification Bureau. *Just over 600 more live fire exercises, and the Shooter''s Badge can be advanced. But before that, I need to visit the Director and use her connections to investigate Anna''s situation and see what could be weighing on her mind.* *What? Didn''t I just promise half an hour ago, that I wouldn''t ask about things Anna doesn''t want to talk about?* *I did say I wouldn''t ask, but I didn''t say I wouldn''t look into it! In the Director''s words, not asking is not asking, but investigating is another matter¡ªthey''re entirely separate issues.* *Or as Senior Emma would say, never harbor any illusions. Only by having enough intelligence in advance can you ensure you''re always in control!* *Regarding Anna''s secret, if it''s inconsequential, I could pretend to know nothing for a lifetime. But if it''s something dangerous, if I don''t investigate and resolve it early, am I supposed to wait for her to do something foolish?* ... Armed with the steadiness learned from Senior Emma and the audacity learned from the Red-haired Director, Leon arrived early at the Purification Bureau and forcefully knocked on the Director''s office door. "Director, are you there?" However, probably because he was early and the sun hadn''t fully risen, the Red-haired Director, either not yet awake or not at work, hadn''t responded. After waiting and seeing no response, Leon knocked again, raising his voice slightly, "Director, it''s Leon! Are you there?" "I''m here." S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leon''s raised voice seemed to have had an effect as the Red-haired Director finally responded. However, the voice didn''t come from inside the office but rather seemed to come directly from the ceiling. "Director? Are you upstairs?" "Yes, I''m upstairs." Answering with a calm, almost indifferent tone, the Red-haired Director''s voice was slightly muffled, "Do you need to see me? If so, come up." *Go upstairs...* Hearing the Director''s words, Leon couldn''t help but be slightly startled, instinctively feeling something was amiss. Although there''s no rule against going upstairs at the Sixth Purification Bureau, in his observation, no one ever went upstairs. The stairway lacked even a single footprint and had a thick layer of dust, indicating no one had been there in at least half a year. Why would the Director suddenly call me up today? Also, didn''t the Director mention that the upstairs is filled with her Anomalous Objects? While it sounded like she was joking at the time, when I asked about the Bureau''s work content, she also used a joking tone to convey it. Later, after confirming with Senior Emma, I found out that although it might take years to encounter such things, everything she told me was indeed true, so... *Could it be true this time too? Is it possible the Director''s Anomalous Object is the one talking to me right now?* Chapter 90 - 90: 0076 Received_1 "How about... I just don''t go up." After suspecting that the one calling him upstairs wasn''t the Red-haired Director but her Anomalous Object, Leon frowned, pondered for a moment, and then tentatively said, "By the way, Director, I brought you a bottle of good wine, would you like to come down and try it?" "Thank you." Hearing Leon''s words, the "Red-haired Director" politely expressed gratitude, then continued to invite, "I''m not convenient right now, could you please bring it up?" "..." Not rushing down for a drink immediately... it must be fake! Easily testing the authenticity of the "Director" based on his understanding of the Red-haired Director, Leon''s vigilance instantly peaked. Although he didn''t know exactly what level the Red-haired Director was at, he could infer from the Black Goat''s behavior; it always spoke ill of the Red-haired Director with sarcasm, but it never doubted her competence. According to his calculations, at its peak, the Black Goat''s Contamination Value probably reached above 56, so the Director''s strength must be no less, likely above 60 in terms of Contamination Value. As for himself... Forget it, better not compare. For someone who was just a probationary worker, with a Contamination Value of only 0.9, not even reaching the minimum average standard, if the one upstairs was really the Director''s Anomalous Object and it had lost control for some reason, the only difference would be between dying miserably and dying extremely miserably! *Stay calm; the more tense the situation gets, the more you can''t panic!* Realizing he might be encountering an uncontrolled Anomalous Object event, Leon first took two deep breaths, then silently pulled out a bottle of wine he carried with him, activating the [Martyr of the Wine Country] to keep calm. Next, he immediately turned around, retreating slowly toward the door of the Purification Bureau while calmly continuing the conversation, "Since you''re not convenient, I won''t bother going up. I''ll leave the wine for you." "It''s okay." Hearing Leon''s reply, the "Red-haired Director" laughed, her voice turning increasingly eerie, "Come up, what I''m busy with relates to you, so you won''t be disrupting anything. As for the wine, whether to drink it or not doesn''t really matter." "I''m fine, you go ahead and carry on with your work!" "Busy with what? Didn''t I tell you to come up?" "Uh-huh, alright, I''m coming up!" Hearing the words "whether to drink the wine or not doesn''t matter," Leon immediately felt the hairs on his body stand on end. He continued to conversate to stabilize the uncontrolled Anomalous Object upstairs, while activating [Parkour Newbie], sprinting toward the Purification Bureau''s door with the fastest speed of his life! "Bang!" "Leon!!!" Just when Leon lowered his shoulder and crashed open the heavy door of the Purification Bureau, starting to dash for his life, the window on the second floor of the Purification Bureau was suddenly pushed open, and the Red-haired Director, with eyebrows raised in anger, appeared at the window, clawing forcefully at his fleeing figure. "Get up here!!!" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ... "So this is the newcomer you told me about, the one with great potential." After scrutinizing Leon in front of her, the silver-haired old lady smiled slightly and unexpectedly extended her hand to him. "I''m the one crafting the Anomalous Object for you this time. According to the bureau''s rules, I must keep my true name hidden to avoid curses from Evil Gods or other entities, so I can''t tell you my name. You can call me Taurus." "..." Taurus... Taurus Director? So it''s not an uncontrollable Anomalous Object, just the Director having a meeting on the second floor? Looking at the kindly old lady in front of him, then at the Red-haired Director beside him with a face full of black lines, Leon, somewhat bewildered, instinctively stretched out his hand, shaking the old lady''s hand. "Hello... I''m Leon..." "Uh-huh, I know, ''Leon Value'' right!" After laughing and withdrawing her hand, the old lady examined the very young-looking Leon, with an expression full of appreciation, "I am personally very interested in the standard you proposed, so could you explain to me, how is the ''Leon Value'' measured?" "Umm... what you mentioned isn''t actually called ''Leon Value''..." Carrying the Badge System, Leon sincerely hoped his name wouldn''t attract unnecessary attention. So he quickly corrected, attempting to revert the name to Contamination Value. However, just as Leon started speaking, the back of his head was roughly smacked by the Red-haired Director, and he heard her harsh reminder in his ear. "Director!" "Huh?" *He deserved to be called stupid!* After exchanging just a few words and then running off, completely dismantling her arrangements, the Red-haired Director couldn''t resist giving Leon another glare, darkening her face as she reminded once more, "This is one of the twelve Directors of the bureau! So you should address her as Director Your Excellency!" "Ha-ha, it''s merely a form of address, no need to be too particular." Waving her hand to signal not to stand on ceremony, the silver-haired old lady looked at the Red-haired Director, who was glaring angrily, and, teasingly, said with a smile, "Olivia, didn''t you just tell me you''ve abstained from drinking for a long time? How come as soon as this little fellow heard you wouldn''t drink, he got scared and ran off?" "Well... although I''ve quit drinking, the impression is quite profound, so it takes some time to change, ha-ha... please excuse it... ha-ha-ha... let''s talk business first!" Thick-skinnedly fabricating a lie, barely covering things up, the Red-haired Director silently marked a black record against Leon in her heart, then seriously began to sing his praises, "Director Your Excellency Taurus, Leon is not only talented in Anomalous Object research but also adept at handling abnormal situations. You know about the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect, so I won''t elaborate, but on his first day at work, Leon took down an uncontrollable Infector. Later, he sharply identified the whereabouts of another Anomalous Object from some slight clues. Just now, too, with someone less cautious, they would likely have followed my request to come upstairs, but he immediately sensed the anomaly and made the correct judgment, choosing to stabilize me while quickly retreating. These nuanced details and his past experience in handling the Holy Spirit independently should be enough to show you his potential." "Uh-huh, that''s quite impressive." After attentively listening to what the Red-haired Director had to say, the silver-haired old lady nodded approvingly, "As long as this child remains steadfast and takes things slowly, he might become a trump card like Emma... Keep it up, little guy! Don''t let Olivia''s goodwill go to waste!" Smiling benevolently at Leon, the silver-haired old lady gently snapped her fingers, and Leon felt something hard in the palm of his hand, as if being pried open by something. When he looked down to take a glance, he was surprised to find a necklace with a golden toad pendant appeared in his hand. [Name: Holy Spirit Pendant (Sacred, Interference, Whisper)] [Appearance: A necklace with a golden toad pendant. If you look down and gaze into the toad''s eyes, you''ll find it staring at you with immense resentment] [Ability: Sacred Belief, Will Interference with Reality, Psychological Impact] [Cost: Certain "currencies" are required for use; the type of currency isn''t limited to money. If the payment is sufficient, the effects will be enhanced] [File: Materials sourced from the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect "Wealth-Exchanging Toad." After being destroyed by probationary worker Leon Laine from the Sixth Division, the remaining remnants were crafted into this Anomalous Object by the Taurus Director of the Purification Bureau] [Evaluation: The original authority of the "Wealth-Exchanging Toad," which was supposed to dissipate, has been partially retained through the superb and cruel craftsmanship of the creator. The requirement for massive physical and mental effort is no longer needed, and it instead can be activated by paying a corresponding price. Please note, in many cases "cost" does not imply "burden," but rather a mutually beneficial equivalent exchange] [Contamination Value: 48 (0.9)] Chapter 91 - 91: Watchers Palace_1 The Contamination Value was actually 48 points? After reading the intelligence provided by [Materialism], Leon couldn''t help but be slightly taken aback. He cast a probing glance at the Red-haired Director. Wasn''t it said earlier that even if you chose the first option, the Contamination Value could only be 45 points, and the third option had a maximum of 42? Why was it so much higher now? "..." Why are you looking at me? Hurry up and thank the person! Receiving Leon''s gaze, the Red-haired Director couldn''t resist glaring at him once more. She then placed her hand behind her back and secretly beckoned Leon with a finger by his neck. "Ah?" S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With his neck slightly lowered by his hair, Leon immediately understood the Red-haired Director''s prompt. He quickly bowed along with the gesture and sincerely expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Your Excellency Director, for your teachings. I will certainly not let the Director''s expectations down, nor will I disappoint this Anomalous Object personally crafted by you!" "Why make it so formal again... sigh..." Easily seeing through the Red-haired Director''s little ruse, the Silver-haired Old Lady couldn''t help but glare at her. Then, with some helplessness, she chuckled, "Honestly... if I had known it would become like this, I would have applied for identity confidentiality. It''s so troublesome everywhere I go, with all the bowing and greetings..." "The bowing and greetings are done voluntarily by everyone; they are expressions of heartfelt respect for you." Upon hearing the Silver-haired Old Lady''s words, the usually lax Red-haired Director surprisingly straightened her posture this time and seriously stated, "Your Excellency Taurus, regardless of past achievements or future choices, this respect is what you deserve." "Perhaps... but it''s indeed troublesome..." After responding listlessly, the Silver-haired Old Lady stood up from the sofa and proceeded to bid farewell: "So, that''s all for today, Ollie. I came here to deliver something and to check on the status of your Sixth Bureau. Since everything is normal, I won''t disturb you further." "You are too kind." The Red-haired Director nodded and bowed respectfully, then discreetly tugged at Leon, pulling him to take a step back together. Meanwhile, the Taurus Director, who looked no different from an ordinary elderly woman, hunched her back and walked towards a window on the second floor. She unexpectedly vanished without a trace as if stepping into another world. "..." *No wonder I didn''t see footprints; you all don''t take the stairs...* A hint of realization flashed in his eyes. Seeing the departure of the seemingly high-ranking Director, Leon, who had been holding a bellyful of questions, couldn''t help but finally ask, "Just now, that person..." "That person is one of the Twelve Directors, the Taurus Director of this generation, and also the Bureau''s most skilled master in crafting Anomalous Objects." After briefly explaining the old lady''s identity, the Red-haired Director spoke with a bit of emotion, "I originally thought having a master craftsperson oversee the forging would be great, but I didn''t expect His Excellency Taurus to have time, not only taking over the forging work but also personally delivering it after completion. You''re really quite lucky." *So... was it because this master crafted it that the Contamination Value was so much higher than expected?* Nodding with a face of understanding, Leon sneaked a glance at her expression, then continued to ask, "Director, are the Twelve Directors very powerful? How do they compare to you?" "You misunderstand." After casting a glance at Leon, the Red-haired Director shook her head, saying, "The reason I asked you to show her respect is not because of how strong she is, nor because of her high status, but due to genuine admiration. Within at most a year, His Excellency Taurus will voluntarily give up her body to become a part of the [Watcher''s Palace]." "The Watcher''s Palace?" "It''s an Anomalous Object crafted by the Purification Bureau, suspended outside our world. As for its specific function, it exists, as its name suggests, as the vigilance for all humanity, serving as the strongest and last shield guarding this world." After briefly explaining the function of the [Watcher''s Palace], the Red-haired Director spoke with complicated emotions, "Only those who truly love humanity from the bottom of their hearts can be chosen by the Watcher''s Palace. Upon accepting the selection, one must give up their body and most emotions, leaving only the purest will to watch over humanity, and be guided into the Watcher''s Palace. His Excellency Taurus has already accepted the selection; within a year, she will head to the Watcher''s Palace beyond the world to monitor those colossal disasters that threaten humanity, sitting in the silent void in vigil, until even her last lingering will is completely worn away by the relentless passage of time." *Is this vigilance? Is it not essentially a form of life sentence?* After listening to the Red-haired Director''s explanation, Leon merely imagined what she had described in his mind and felt a suffocating weight in his chest. To leave behind a colorful world and a loving family, to sit alone in the desolate void for an indefinite time until even one''s will is entirely consumed by solitude¡ªthis was an extremely cruel punishment for any sentient being. "Does it have to be so painful?" Thinking about the Silver-haired Old Lady''s gentle and kind face, Leon couldn''t bear the thought of what she was about to endure. He couldn''t help but ask, "This Anomalous Object was created by the Bureau, right? Can''t it be slightly modified to have people take turns sitting in the Watcher''s Palace? At least to switch shifts?" "No, it cannot." The Red-haired Director sighed, saying, "Only extremes are remembered, only obsession dares to forge ahead, and only madness can comprehend greatness... is a widely circulated saying in the Bureau. My understanding of it is that, whether it''s deep love or reverence, or hatred or reluctance, only these most extreme and pure emotions can truly affect the world, giving birth to corresponding ''Anomalous'' existences." Pausing at this point, the Red-haired Director lifted her head to look at the sky outside the window, speaking with a wistful tone, "The existence of the [Watcher''s Palace] follows these rules. Its calling involves no coercion, and there''s even a full decade of preparation time before ascending the Palace, during which you can regret at any time, and no one will remember you were ever chosen." Most people in the Bureau believe this decade is merely a cooling-off period for the chosen, but I think that whether it''s the extreme pain of eternal vigil that follows or the decade of weighing and consideration, it''s all part of the [Watcher''s Palace]''s process of gathering power, a selection and purification of the will to watch over. Only a pure will, that, knowing the hopeless future it faces and can safely retreat at any time, still chooses to forge all the way forward, can give birth to that monumental power across past and future, enough to protect all humanity." *So that''s how it is...* Finally understanding why the usually unconstrained Director was behaving so "composed" today, Leon unconsciously took a deep breath, his eyes revealing a deep reverence. Even if not mentioning the fact that she helped craft the Anomalous Object for him, as one of those blessed by the [Watcher''s Palace], that Silver-haired Old Lady deserved his respect. *Hmm... Watcher''s Palace... I never thought the Purification Bureau held something that could be considered so grand...* "Zi..." [By carefully listening to the relevant narrative, you have gained substantial intelligence about the "Watcher''s Palace." The Heterochromatic Badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)" has been activated. Due to learning about the existence of the "Watcher''s Palace," understanding its Source of Power, and knowing some of its operational rules, your resistance to this Anomalous Object has significantly increased, now capable of shielding against general levels of influence.] "..." ??? Chapter 92 - 92: 0078 Test_1 "What the heck?" Listening to the prompt in his ear and seeing the red badge suddenly flashing on the panel, Leon couldn''t help but be slightly stunned. According to the Red-haired Director, the role of the Watcher''s Palace was to monitor and control potential world-ending crises and notify the Purification Bureau in advance. Now that he used the resistance provided by Materialism to block part of its monitoring, didn''t that mean he had successfully bypassed the Purification Bureau''s strongest defense and achieved the prerequisite for world destruction? *Hiss... This feeling was indeed... a bit weird...* ... "Leon?" After waiting for a long time without hearing him speak, the Red-haired Director couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow, then reached out to pat Leon''s arm, extending her hand with an expectant look on her face. "Weren''t you saying you brought me a good bottle of wine? Where''s the wine?" "..." So, the thing about quitting drinking was just nonsense, wasn''t it? Hearing the Red-haired Director''s inquiry, Leon''s attention was pulled back from the Watcher''s Palace, and he retorted somewhat speechlessly, "When His Excellency Taurus hadn''t left earlier, weren''t you saying you quit drinking? Hasn''t it been less than five minutes since then?" "In front of Taurus His Excellency, I am the Director of the Virgin Sanitation Bureau, but in front of you, I am a drinking buddy with whom you''ve had a hearty session. These are two different matters~" After finishing her classic catchphrase, the Red-haired Director extended her hand forward again. Her five slender fingers deftly twirled up and down, and she urged with a mischievous smile, "Quick, quick! I can smell the wine on you, you must have brought some up here! Hurry and let me have a taste~" "..." *You''re really beyond saving...* Seeing the face full of impatience, looking ready to pounce over to do a body search, Leon had no choice but to reach into his coat and take out the little bottle prepared for the Martyr of the Wine Country, handing it over. *Just that little bit...* Taking the small bottle disappointedly, the Red-haired Director unscrewed it and drank up the slightly warm alcohol in a single gulp. Smacking her lips for more, she then looked over with hopeful eyes again. "Is there more?" "Yes!" Although the Red-haired Director could be tricky at times, she had always taken good care of Leon, and since he was planning to ask her for help, he wouldn''t be stingy with benefits. Gritting his teeth and stamping his feet, he made a ruthless promise, "After work today, I can invite you for another drink..." "Stop right there!" Hearing Leon''s words, the Red-haired Director''s expression suddenly changed. She instinctively touched her wallet, looking at him with full caution, "What exactly do you want?" "Huh?" Stunned by her odd reaction, Leon repeated, hesitating a bit, "Did you hear me wrong? I just said, after work today, I can invite you for more drinks..." "I''m not going!" Recalling Leon''s terribly lousy drinking behavior, the Red-haired Director, equipped with past lessons, moved her throat up and down with difficulty and firmly refused, "If you have something to say, just say it directly. If it can be done, I will generally agree, but if I take a benefit from you before handling it, then the nature of the matter changes!" "¡­" *Oh wow... you really are such a principled person? Then who was the one who taught me how to scam the field expenses on my second day at work?* Although Leon very much wanted to ask the Red-haired Director if she''d taken the wrong medication today, with rent due this week and tuition for his younger siblings, saving some wine money for household expenses was naturally welcome. Thus, after organizing his words a bit, he directly shared his troubles. "Here''s the thing, last night..." After briefly talking about Anna''s situation, Leon scratched the back of his head awkwardly and made his request, "My sister... has a stubborn personality, and I''m a bit worried she might become fixated, so I wanted to go to the Police Department''s file bureau to look at our family file. If possible, it would be best to investigate that photo and the photography studio it came from to see if I can find out what exactly she''s worried about." "That''s simple." Bringing Leon downstairs and back to her office, the Red-haired Director rummaged through her cabinet filled with empty wine bottles, pulled out a crumpled notebook, scribbled something in it, and then handed it over. "This is a clearance slip book the Police Department gave me back in the day. With this, you can go to the archive office of the headquarters building, and you should be able to freely access files at the administrative level and below." "Thank you, Director!" After expressing his heartfelt gratitude, Leon was ready to leave with the clearance slip when the Red-haired Director called him back. "Wait a moment, looking at the files a few minutes later won''t make a difference." Pointing to Leon''s right hand gripping the necklace, the Red-haired Director adjusted with a playful grin, "Little Lyon~ you''ve just acquired an Anomalous Object with a Leon Value almost reaching fifty! The main anomalous objects of many small bureau directors might only be around your level. Don''t you want to test how strong it is?" Trying was naturally desired, but... here? Seeing the office full of empty wine bottles and places where the wall plaster had started to peel, Leon thought the venue might not be quite suitable, but with the Red-haired Director backing him up, he figured he''d needn''t worry about damaging public property. Thus, he nodded, "Of course I do... How should I test it?" "Very simple." Tearing off a red hair and controlling it to float over the table, the Red-haired Director rested her chin on her hand, eyes full of interest, "Taurus His Excellency briefly told me about the rules for that thing, and all you need to do is use... hmm... about enough energy for a light jog over a kilometer as currency to purchase a single mental slash. For the slash target, just aim at the hair on the table for now. Once I''ve felt the power of the slash, I should be able to directly tell you its approximate strength." "Okay!" Nodding in agreement and indicating that he remembered the test rules, Leon took a deep breath, then unclasped the golden toad pendant, hanging it around his neck. "Zzz..." [Acquired and equipped the Anomalous Object "Holy Spirit Pendant," successfully activating the bronze badge "Devout Believer."] [Devout Believer (Bronze): After personally witnessing the arrival of the Holy Spirit and having a friendly conversation with it, your unique beliefs and devout faith received heartfelt recognition from the Holy Spirit.] S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Equipped Effect: Improves affinity with Anomalous Objects marked as "Divine," slightly reduces the usage cost while significantly enhancing effect.] [Advancement Route: Equip and use the "Holy Spirit Pendant," and after exterminating ten heretics of the non-Balanced Gold Sect''s followers, this badge will automatically advance to the Silver Badge "Practitioner," current progress 0/10.] [Hidden Traits (No Need to Equip): As a devout follower, your soul is steadfast and pure, easily garnering favor from certain orderly existences.] [Your Contamination Value has increased.] [Current Contamination Value: 1.1] Chapter 93 - 93: 0079 Combat Power and Miss_1 Only 1.1? After looking at the newly acquired Anomalous Object, Leon couldn''t help but shake his head in disappointment at the still pitifully low Contamination Value, giving up on the fantasy of his Contamination Value skyrocketing by 48 points and instantly soaring to great heights. Previously, when he acquired the Witch''s Broom, his Contamination Value could directly increase from 0.4 to 0.9, mostly because the Contamination Values of the Goat Head and the Witch''s Broom were both very low, and combined, they didn''t reach his limit. However, the Holy Spirit Pendant this time had an upper limit as high as 48 points, but since he had been in contact with the Anomalous Object for less than a month, the degree of "Corrosion" was still very shallow; 1.1 seemed to be his current limit. ... "Director, I''m here." After politely alerting the Red-haired Director, Leon took the initiative to activate the Holy Spirit Pendant, converting a small portion of his stamina into currency and directly "feeding" the golden toad on his chest. "Gulu..." Accompanied by a low croak that only Leon could hear, a small Copper Wheel quietly appeared in the open mouth of the golden toad. After it tilted its head back to swallow the Copper Wheel, an invisible slash emitting a faint white light suddenly appeared, accurately hitting the red hair suspended in the air and then... And then nothing... "..." Was that it? Seeing that after taking a slash, the red hair still gently floated above the desk, without even a slight bend, even though he was already mentally prepared, Leon couldn''t help but feel slightly disheartened. As his Contamination Value gradually increased, his endurance had strengthened quite a bit, but still did not exceed the range of an ordinary person, estimating that running seven or eight kilometers was his limit. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So even though the slash just now seemed unremarkable, it already consumed one-eighth of his stamina. Considering he needed to keep some stamina in reserve, he couldn''t spend it all at once¡ªthis attack could probably only be performed four to five times. Yet the attack, which cost him so much, couldn''t even cut a single strand of the Red-haired Director''s hair... This was really... Better to practice sniping! "It''s all right, the power is quite good already." Seeing the disappointment in Leon''s eyes, the Red-haired Director retracted his hair and comforted with a smiling face, "The force of that last strike was enough to pierce a thin steel plate, and the move was very stealthy, with no obvious preparatory actions, and the attack positioning was very precise... By the way, how far can you release that kind of attack?" "This... I''m not quite sure myself..." "Then let''s try another method." Pointing out the window, the Red-haired Director said, "Extend your will and pick a leaf from the farthest place you can reach." "I''ll give it a try." Following the Red-haired Director''s instruction, Leon paid a bit of stamina again to the toad on his chest. After a while, a slightly withered-golden leaf drifted in through the window on an invisible breeze and landed on the desk. "The maximum distance is about a hundred meters, huh? Then the maximum damage range should be just over fifty meters." Looking at the leaf on the desk, the Red-haired Director nodded with satisfaction and concluded, "The destructive power is slightly lacking, just above that of a police firearm, yet below that of a large-caliber Nail Gun; its accuracy is extremely high, able to accurately cut a petiole from a hundred meters away; no preparation is needed within a fifty-meter range to inflict damage directly... very strong!" Giving Leon a thumbs up, the Red-haired Director evaluated with a smiling face, "As long as you''re in a slightly complex terrain, with this Anomalous Object, you could suppress an entire squad of fully armed, skilled soldiers alone and easily annihilate them. Add in the soul vision from the Goat, and even if you''re cornered in the streets, they''d need five elite squads of ten people each, prepared for over half the casualties. And this is considering they know your abilities beforehand; in an ordinary encounter, as long as you''re not cornered and surrounded after being located, you could probably exhaust a whole battalion by yourself." "..." Hearing this, the effect seemed quite decent? With the complex terrain mobility ability provided by the Parkour Badge, he could almost move around the urban area unhindered, but... "If it''s just like this, wouldn''t using the Demon Opposite also do the trick?" After contemplating the example given by the Red-haired Director, Leon couldn''t help but furrow his brows and say, "The Black Goat can directly incite the desire to fight, which should achieve a similar effect, right? Plus, considering attacks from teammates could happen at any time, if used well, the opponent''s attack could even be dismantled directly." "That''s right, it can be done, but it has to be one-versus-many." After looking into Leon''s eyes, the Red-haired Director continued, "For the tasks you can perform with your current level, the vast majority are small-scale incidents with single targets. In such cases, the Goat is far less useful than this Pendant. In any case, you can rest easy for now. By my standards, as long as the Witch''s Broom returns to normal, you can be considered a qualified Level Three incident handler." Curling his fingers to retract his hair, the Red-haired Director couldn''t help but earnestly persuade the still unenthusiastic Leon, "Leon, although you didn''t say it, I can roughly tell that encountering Scales Gold Sect''s Holy Spirit has given you a great sense of crisis, but you must understand that some things cannot be rushed. For you, who have been in contact with Anomalous Objects for less than a month, having this level of power is already a rare thing; the rest can come slowly." "Thank you for your reminder, I''ll remember..." Nodding noncommittally, Leon tucked the Holy Spirit Pendant back into his collar, then took the Red-haired Director''s referral and left the office, heading towards the Archives. Let it come slowly, huh? Thinking over the Red-haired Director''s advice, Leon couldn''t help but shake his head. Letting things come slowly would indeed be the best, but for someone who''s joined the Purification Bureau, like himself, who can say whether accidents or tomorrow will arrive first? Unlike Senior Emma, he didn''t have an Undying Body as a safety net, so he had to become stronger as quickly as possible to ensure his own safety to the greatest extent, and to prevent Anna and the others from losing a big brother they could rely on after losing their parents. Additionally, while the Contamination Value can''t be rushed and must be converted bit by bit over time, he still had the Badge System. Shooting, parkour, drinking, performing... although individually, the effects of these Badges weren''t particularly strong, those below silver didn''t reach an "abnormal" level, but they provided a direct path for promotion, so as long as he accomplished the corresponding tasks, a big boost would follow directly. Moreover, there were Badges like Friend of Demons and Zealot, which directly enhanced the effects of Anomalous Objects. As long as he could put in more effort, the speed of becoming stronger could definitely be greatly accelerated, so... As long as he didn''t die brushing, he''d brush to death!!! Resolving to become a super grinder, Leon grabbed a case with a sniper rifle, stuffed two hard loaves into his arms, and headed to the Archives. He planned to first check on his own files to see what Anna was worried about, then half-heartedly deal with lunch, followed by spending the whole day at the shooting range, firing until he couldn''t see the targets anymore, and then... "This... I''m very sorry, but the files you requested have already been retrieved by someone else." After checking the file records, the custodian at the Archives nodded slightly at Leon, whose eyes were filled with surprise, and explained apologetically, "Although your clearance is higher, these ordinary files are only stored as a single copy in the bureau. If you wish to review them, you might have to wait until they''re returned." Chapter 94 - 94: 0080 Ryan Hell and Melon Eating_1 Someone accessed my family archives ahead of schedule? Upon hearing the archive keeper''s words, Leon couldn''t help but frown. "Can you tell me who accessed the archives?" "I''m sorry, but according to our bureau''s policy, this is strictly confidential." Even though the archive keeper was polite but equally firm in their refusal, Leon nodded, didn''t press further, and instead put away the authorization slip, left the archives bureau, and headed towards the Secret Investigation Bureau building with a somber expression. All six members of my family are just ordinary people. My parents died in battle six years ago, and Anna isn''t an adult until next year. With my two younger siblings being only six or seven, the one who accessed the archives must be targeting me. *Only someone who has "interest" in me and also has the ability to access the archives would do this. I don''t even need to think to know who it is!* Leon Laine, Oliver Lane, Wayne Lane, Thomas Lane... Looking at the pile of "Ryan" series files forming a small mountain on the desk, the female police officer, with slightly dark circles, couldn''t help but sigh and feel like she truly had a grudge against this cursed surname! First, she was assigned to investigate the rebels who attempted to assassinate the Princess. In the end, the abandoned firearms at the scene were found to have been produced by the Ryan family''s arms factory. The caught rebels insisted that it was ordered by the Ryan family, but because of the Ryan family''s lack of cooperation, the investigation was forcibly terminated. Later, she finally extracted some clues and tracked down one of the rebels, but the operation was disrupted by another "Lane" who joined the rebels. Not only was she made a fool of, but it also left her feeling upset for days. *What''s more annoying is that to make up for her father''s mistake, she was dismissed like that, yet still had to eagerly help with the investigation of his pension affair.* *To get back the deducted pension for the Ryan family and send that damned Consolation Officer from the military department in, she spent half the night sifting through files and barely caught some shuteye before dawn.* However, just after reporting the pension issue, the two new cases she was assigned today were both "Lane" cases! One was a commercial dispute involving the Ryan family and two other noble families against Charl Department Store, and the other was a railway project jointly undertaken by the Ryan family and the Department of Road Administration, which had inexplicably stopped for half a year after severing the roadbed, and now required verification after being reported... *Seriously, I just want to know, what''s there to verify in such a case? Are you all blind? Can''t you see if the road is broken or not? Why must we send someone down to check?* "Creak... creak..." Seeing the two glaring red "urgent" markings on the dossier, the female police officer was immediately so angry that she started gnashing her teeth. *Although our name has "Investigation" in it, we''re the Secret Investigation Bureau! Secret, you know!* *What''s meant for us to handle are the traitors selling out the Kingdom, corrupt officials misbehaving, spies infiltrating the Kingdom, and the rebels trying to sabotage!* *Can''t they handle an investigation without immediately thinking of us? To avoid taking responsibility, why must they push every trivial matter our way? If I''d known that secret police dealt with such things, I wouldn''t have...* "Yisha." Just as the female officer was being tortured by the "Lane series" dossiers to the point of burning with rage, ready to set everything ablaze, a similarly exhausted secret police officer called out to her, tossing over a metal badge weakly, "Interrogation Room 17 is empty now. Hurry if you want to use it!" "I''m going right now!!!" Catching the metal badge as she stood up energetically, the female officer, ecstatic at having found an excuse, exited the large office. She then dashed down the stairs as if chased by a dog. However, just as she reached the lobby on the first floor, preparing to head to the interrogation room in the basement and engage in a mental duel with those damned rebels, someone called out to her again. "Yisha~" Seeing the puzzled look she shot over, a middle-aged female officer, with whom she usually got along well, chuckled softly and smiled at her while gesturing with her chin. "Look over there. Someone''s here for you~" Someone''s here for me? Who could it be? Looking in the direction pointed out, Yisha saw that familiar face and immediately let her expression fall. Just freed from the "Ryan Hell," she turned without hesitation to leave. *Please don''t call me; I don''t know him!* ??? *Is this... a standoff?* Watching Yisha storm off without a word, and then glancing at the man nearby, who looked like he was about to pull his eyes out from waiting, the middle-aged police officer wished she could help smooth things over. But due to the bureau''s rules, she could only helplessly sigh and explain to Leon in the reception area, "I''m sorry... I should let you in, but our bureau has special regulations that generally don''t allow outsiders..." "What are you here for?" Mid-explanation, a cold voice came from behind. Surprised, the officer turned to see that Yisha had returned, glaring at the man in front of her with dislike, and harshly interrogating him, "Didn''t you call me a nutjob and tell me to get lost, preferably never to bother you until I die?" "What? Do you think I went too far?" After nodding in thanks to the female officer who called for them and waiting for her to move away, Leon touched his backside, which had just healed from swelling this morning, and couldn''t help but lower his voice, retorting with a scowl, "Can you honestly say you weren''t a bit crazy, screaming and firing at my rear end at the shooting range?" ??? *Huh, what?!* Reading Leon''s lips to discern the conversation, the distant middle-aged female officer was startled, nearly stumbling to the ground. *What, at the shooting range? Are the young people today so brazen, or am I just old and out of touch?* "You... shut up!" Quickly glancing around to ensure everyone was busy with their affairs and no one seemed to notice them, Yisha grabbed Leon and dragged him out the door, gritting her teeth, "You scoundrel rebel! Didn''t we agree to forget about the shooting range incident and never see each other again in this life? What do you want?!" "What do I want? I should ask you the same!" Scowling at her, Leon extended his hand, speaking irritably, "We agreed never to meet again, yet you secretly accessed my files? Hurry up! Hand over all my family''s archives!" Archives? So that''s why you''re here! S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Relieved at Leon''s explanation, Yisha smacked his open palm forcefully and then looked up with a glare. "I accessed the files first, why should I give them to you? I''ll return them after I''m done reading!" "Because they''re my files!" "They''re not your files; they''re ''about you'' files collected by the archives!" *After spending half the night dealing with the Ryan family''s deducted pension, Yisha finally had some leverage when facing Leon and outright refused, stubbornly, "Just wait! Once I''ve finished using them, your files will naturally be returned! Why... why are you looking at me like that?"* "..." *I''m not looking at you. I''m looking at your bureau''s people... Do you guys in this line of work all have such a heavy curiosity?* Observing the increasing number of seemingly unconcerned people in the Secret Investigation Bureau''s hall, Leon silently opened the Badge System and glanced at the new badge he just acquired. [Scumbag] Chapter 95 - 95: 0081 Unexpected Gains_1 [Due to the suspected act of asking a dating partner for money, you successfully activated the Black Iron Level Badge "Scumbag."] [Scumbag: A male human who is not loyal to romantic relationships, establishes intimate relationships with more than one woman, or tends to pursue pleasure for personal benefit with low moral character.] [Wearing effect: Your charm will slightly increase, but your reputation among women who want to build a family will decrease. However, your attractiveness to certain women with special preferences will significantly rise.] [Advancement Route: Request money from intimately ambiguous female partners more than ten times, and this badge will automatically advance to the Bronze Badge "Soft Rice Man"; Or use your outstanding charm to form intimate relationships with ten women, skipping the Bronze stage and directly advancing to the Silver Badge "Sea King."] [Hidden trait (no need to wear): The mental damage you intentionally cause to women will increase.] "..." Mental damage? Would mental shock triggered by an Anomalous Object count? If so, this badge might actually be quite useful. *Feeling rather speechless, Leon closed the badge panel. Being stared at by Secret Investigation Bureau members with their peculiar gazes made him uncomfortable, and the unexpected "surprise gain" from this situation left him too embarrassed to stay.* He reluctantly argued with a female police officer for a few moments, received a promise to return the file within three days, and then hurriedly left under the gaze of at least a hundred people. *Why was that rebel acting so strangely today?* Watching Leon''s retreating figure, neck tucked and back hunched, somewhat disheveled, the female officer who''d gained a small victory raised an eyebrow in surprise, then returned to the Secret Investigation Bureau''s lobby, full of questions. "Yisha¡­" Watching her walk back briskly, seemingly in a good mood, the middle-aged female officer who had spent half the day "eating melons" couldn''t help but approach with a worried look and quietly advised: "In theory, relationships are your young folks'' affairs, and I shouldn''t butt in, but¡­ you really need to open your eyes and protect yourself well!" "..." ??? *What kind of joke was that!? Though he had some justification, that bastard was still a rebel! How could I possibly have that kind of relationship with him?* Without revealing Leon''s identity as a rebel, Yisha nodded and agreed perfunctorily to placate her colleague''s exaggerated concern, feeling speechless, then walked downstairs to continue her work. As she entered the emptied interrogation room, having adjusted the glaring lights to a softer tone, preparing to start questioning, she heard the door creak open behind her. "Yisha?" Squinting her eyes to confirm she hadn''t mistaken the person, the male officer holding a stack of files breathed a small sigh of relief, then beckoned her to come out for a word. "What''s up?" Following him out of the interrogation room, Yisha peeked at the files in his hands and realized they were the ones she submitted that morning. They were files on war widows whose benefits were prematurely terminated, despite not meeting the deduction standards, and her brows furrowed immediately. "Did the military return the files and lists? Did they refuse to reissue the pensions or refuse to deal with those negligent Consolation Officers?" "Both¡­ they refused to reissue the pensions and aren''t planning to deal with the Consolation Officers." The male officer said helplessly: "The people from the military claimed that providing pensions until the age of sixteen, adulthood, already met the minimum standard. They''re not babysitters and aren''t obligated to take care of these people for life. With a normal salary, it''s not hard to make ends meet in the Capital City through honest labor. If someone can''t sustain themselves, they should find other reasons, maybe they''re not working hard enough." *Not working hard enough?* *Perhaps for others, this could stand, but wasn''t it that the rebel bastard nearly worked himself to death to support his family, only to nearly end up with a broken home? And you guys had the gall to claim he wasn''t working hard enough?* *Furthermore, were all the pensions of the past six years fully paid? Not to mention, half of the rebel bastard''s family''s deserved pensions were turned into property in Veteran Lane at average market price!* *Damn it! Those rundown houses, built seventy years ago, far from the central zone, surrounded by prisons and factories, which couldn''t even be sold, and you had the nerve to exchange them at average housing prices as compensation? The records even shamelessly stated ''consent obtained''!?* *Back then, they were just a few children who lost both parents, the youngest still breastfeeding, the oldest not even ten. Even knowing accepting this deal was a loss, what option did they have besides agreeing?* "Got it, thank you." *Yisha was practically fuming after hearing the man''s relayed message, barely containing her anger. After thanking him, she couldn''t help asking with a darkened expression,* "Can you tell me which¡­ person said those things about not working hard enough?" "A supervisor from the Consolation Bureau, his name was apparently Wil, Wil Lane." "..." *From now on, the two words I''ll hate most in this lifetime are ''Lane!''* ... *Pffft¡­* [Shooting Expert: With exceptional talent and immensely tough practice, you''ve refined an excellent shooting feel, reaching a mastery level described as ''expert''.] [Wearing effect: Relying on high skills you''ve explored yourself and the superior feel cultivated in diligent practice, your shooting accuracy will dramatically improve when consciously aligning the gun muzzle.] [Advancement Route: Complete 30,000 live ammunition shootings, and this badge will automatically advance to the Golden Badge "Shooting Master," current progress 0/30,000.] [Hidden Trait (no need to wear): As a gun enthusiast, when using a familiar firearm, your shooting stability will significantly increase.] *Finally reached silver, huh.* Opening the badge panel, glancing at the slot where the [Shooting Expert] badge blinked with a silver glow, Leon fired two more shots from where he lay, then retreated from the shooting lane, feeling half-excited and half-frustrated. *The excitement needed no explanation; of course, it was due to the shooting badge''s upgrade to silver, where its effects made a leap forward.* S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Facing a human-shaped target five hundred meters away, even after exhaustive training and adjustments, a person with a bronze-level [Shooter] badge would be at their limit if nine out of ten shots hit the mark consistently. Yet, the two shots fired after the badge upgrade nearly halved the "hit area," not only guaranteeing one hundred percent accuracy but also permitting slight adjustments to the bullets'' landing spots, choosing the upper or lower sections of the target. *This was despite a nail gun''s side roll on a five-hundred-meter target; for a three-hundred-meter target, it virtually ensured pinpoint accuracy, with maximum deviation unlikely to exceed two centimeters, given stable wind and light conditions!* *As to why such significant improvement left him frustrated¡­ it was obviously because the subsequent advancement had become more challenging.* "A full thirty thousand rounds¡­" *Gazing at the intimidating number of four big fat zeros in the advancement route, Leon heaved a long sigh.* *Based on his average pace, even if he didn''t work or go home, staying at the range all day, it''d take over a month to fire all thirty thousand rounds.* *Following the normal routine of shooting an hour or two after work, continuing to advance would probably require firing for a hundred and eighty days, taking more than half a year in total.* *Looks like upgrading the shooting badge wouldn''t happen any time soon.* *Well¡­ but these practice sessions had to continue.* Glancing at the sky, seeing the sun hadn''t completely set, Leon picked up the nail gun once more, earning despairing looks from the two administrators, as he returned to the shooting position. *Compared to the ones necessitating sinful souls, like the [Friend of Demons], and those needing personally slain Heretics, such as the [Zealous Believer], the shooting badge''s upgrading criteria were overly simple.* *And after just half a year of training, to possess "Shooting Master" levels, he was already exceedingly lucky. What else was there to complain about?* ... Shooting at the range until nightfall, Leon first returned the sniper rifle to the Purification Bureau, then walked toward Happiness Apartment. *Because of the big fellow who claimed "bad health," he intended to sleep at the Purification Bureau headquarters originally, even letting Anna and the others know in advance his busy work meant a few days of absence.* *But since he obtained the [Zealous Believer] corresponding to [Friend of Demons], why not try returning home? What if the hidden traits of both badges offset each other, and the janitor at Happiness Apartment suddenly had a change of heart?* Chapter 96 - 96: What help did 0082 provide?_1 Hoping he might manage to sneak in, Leon stood for the second time in front of Happiness Apartment''s building. After glancing up at the location of his apartment on the sixth floor, he took a deep breath, clutched the Holy Spirit pendant on his chest, and tiptoed into the building''s foyer. Somehow, whether folks had already gone to sleep, or the Badge''s effect had counteracted, Leon managed to walk through the first-floor foyer and into the stairwell without encountering the burly man with the scissors, or even the lady administrator. So... can I go home now? Overjoyed, Leon quickened his pace, sprinting up the stairs. But just as he raised his hand to knock, the door swung open, as it had countless times over the past three years, before he could touch it. "Bro?" Seeing Leon''s face full of smiles, beaming with happiness, Anna couldn''t help but curiously ask, "Didn''t you say you''d be too busy these days and wouldn''t come home to sleep?" "Yeah, originally, I was very busy, but suddenly not so much, so I could come back¡­ By the way, I haven''t had dinner, is there¡­ uh¡­" Spotting the burly old man sitting by the dining table, glaring menacingly at him, Leon''s smile froze on his face. No way... how did you set up an ambush like this? "Oh, bro, this morning you didn''t have time to help us move our luggage; Uncle John helped us carry everything upstairs. And while I was busy tidying up the house this afternoon, William and Melanie were well taken care of by him; he even helped put them to sleep just a while ago." Seeing Leon staring intently at the burly old man, Anna smiled and explained proactively, "Uncle John has helped our family so much, and he refused to take the gratuity I offered. I just didn''t know how to thank him, so I decided to invite him for a dinner at our place as thanks." "¡­" So... it turns out you willingly let the stranger in? Leon flapped his mouth wordlessly, slowly relaxing his stiff facial muscles, and forced out a smile. "Well, he indeed deserves a good thank you. Uh, how was Mr. John''s meal?" "Good." The burly old man answered Leon''s question with a few words, forcing a rigid smile that matched Leon''s. He then suddenly stood up and reached towards a basket with a large pair of scissors. Oh crap! As Leon''s expression changed and he prepared to bolt for the door, a sudden dry cough erupted from behind him. "Ahem¡­" ?!! Was this... an attack from both sides? Turning his head to see the familiar face of the lady administrator, Leon''s heart skipped a beat. He grabbed the Holy Spirit pendant on his chest, ready for any protective action. However, the lady, stealthily approaching him, didn''t attack. Instead, she cheerfully lifted a large tray, offering freshly baked crispy beef bread rolls. "Young man~ Hungry, aren''t you? Want to try one?" "Uh... I''m fine... I''m not that hungry¡­" "Well, if you''re not, make way, let me get through first... hehe, this is quite hot." "Ah! Sure!" Feeling bewildered, Leon stepped aside, allowing the administrator lady to pass with her tray. He sniffed the aroma of the dish lingering around and glanced at the burly old man playing with the large scissors, feeling more confused about whether he could enter or not. Was I supposed to come in or not? Why did both of you have different attitudes? ¡­ "Bro?" Watching Leon dawdle at the door for ages without entering, Anna blinked in surprise before pulling him inside. "Didn''t you say you hadn''t eaten dinner? Come in and eat!" "Uh... okay." Circling half the table to find a spot farthest from the burly old man, Leon picked up a knife and fork, feeling uncomfortable under the intense stare. He cut a slice of the meat roll and ate it tastelessly. After observing the situation, realizing why Leon was acting awkwardly, Anna lightly pinched his thigh and chided, "Didn''t you tell me before that Uncle John might look fierce but is actually a warm-hearted good guy? Why are you acting so uptight now?" "¡­" *Bro, this isn''t being uptight; it''s worrying that this ''good guy'' might think I''m not a good person and decide to snip me with those scissors¡­* "Haha, men are like that." Seeing Leon''s complex expression, the white-haired, curly-headed lady administrator chuckled before kindly chiming in, "My old man is the same. He actually praised your brother to me, saying that although he works in the Purification Bureau, he''s a nice guy, hoping to get along well, and become close... Put it down, why are you still fiddling with those blasted scissors?" sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a swift tap on the burly man''s hand, the administrator lady snatched away the gleaming large scissors, pushed the basket away with difficulty, and barked at her husband, who was helplessly watching her after losing his scissors, "Go wash your hands! Your scissors are dirty with dust; how can you eat after touching them?" "Oh..." After being yelled at, the burly man''s bear-like back hunched down as he reluctantly left his seat, glancing back every few steps on his way to the bathroom. *Phew... it seems the lady has more authority at home than the man, so I guess I''m safe now¡­* Watching the poor old man go to wash his hands, Leon breathed a sigh of relief, feeling more at ease as he gave the lady a genuine thumbs-up. *Master at keeping a husband in check, you are the one!* "Oh no, it''s not like you think, it''s because the old man lets me." Embarrassedly waving off Leon''s admiration, the lady chuckled, "So, tell me about yourself. Anna said you work at the Purification Bureau. What do you all do there every day?" "Well¡­ mostly assisting and handling some troublesome situations and stuff." Glancing at Anna, who was equally curious, Leon hesitated before awkwardly admitting, "As for specific work details, it''s not quite suitable to discuss over a meal¡­ How about we talk about your family''s matters? Mr. John he¡­ uh¡­" Seeing Leon suddenly stop speaking, the lady administrator instinctively followed his gaze towards the bathroom. The lady found herself deeply exasperated when she saw her husband washing his left hand while making scissor motions with his right hand, gesturing towards Leon through the glass, mouthing "snip" "snip." "Wash your hands properly!" With another sharp yell, the lady turned back to an apologetically nodding Leon, "Unlike me, responsible for preventing danger, my old man is quite stubborn, hating to see¡­ well¡­ you understand what I mean, right?" "Uh-huh, I get it." Hearing the lady''s words, Leon nodded with sudden realization, understanding the couple''s dynamics. Happiness Apartment had two abilities, a "Level One Accident Avoidance" and a "Level Two Malice Vanquisher." It appeared the couple each took charge of one, with the burly old man in charge of "Vanquisher," which was why he constantly kept an eye on Leon. "Haha, it''s good you understand." After subtly explaining her home''s situation, the lady shot a glance at Anna, who was utterly confused, and continued cheerfully, "Young man, the Purification Bureau is a good place. Although I don''t know much about your bureau, I''ve met folks from there before. "Hmm... or let''s say, part of why my old man and I are where we are today is thanks to your Purification Bureau''s help~" Chapter 97 - 97: 0083 Origin (Two in One)_1 "Thank you for the help from the Purification Bureau? Does that mean someone from the bureau had actually already contacted Happiness Apartment? But according to the records from the Purification Bureau, I am the first discoverer of this apartment, so did that person find it but not report it? Or is it..." After pondering the words of the manager lady, Leon cautiously ventured, "Excuse me, when you mentioned ''help'', are you referring to something ordinary, or do you mean the fundamental kind of ''help'' that transformed you both into what you are now?" "Of course, it''s the fundamental kind." The fundamental kind... does that mean this Happiness Apartment was actually ''created'' by someone in the Purification Bureau? But... how is that possible? *Recalling the ''common knowledge'' the Red-haired Director and Senior Emma had told him, Leon couldn''t help but furrow his brows instinctively.* *For an Anomalous Object, ''creation'' and ''forging'' were two entirely different concepts.* The anomalies "produced" by the Purification Bureau were mostly like those of the Taurus Director, where the remains retrieved after completing purification tasks were forged, retaining core abilities to create, essentially "modifying" the existing uncontrollable anomalies into more fundamentally controllable ones. *However, if the manager lady''s statement and his understanding weren''t wrong, then this Happiness Apartment... this Spirit Lodge didn''t follow this common sense, it was made from nothing!* *Such an important matter must be clarified! But...* "Anna..." "You two talk first." Receiving the helpless glance from Leon, the frail girl, although very curious, smiled understandingly, stood up, and walked toward the inner room. "It''s been really cold lately, I''ll go check if Melanie and the others have kicked off their blankets, don''t want them catching a cold." "Thank you..." Not wanting his family to get too deeply involved with the "world below the surface", once Anna entered the inner room and closed the door, Leon finally relaxed, opening his mouth earnestly to ask: "If possible, could you tell me how that person ''helped'' you back then?" "What is it?" Seeing Leon''s suddenly serious demeanor, the manager lady seemed to perceive something was amiss as well, her expression hesitant: "Young man, tell me the truth, does your bureau have some regulations prohibiting turning us into what we are now?" "It''s not so much prohibited as simply impossible to achieve..." Trying to use language the other person could understand, Leon briefly described the difficulty of doing so, and, seeing the slightly worried look on the manager lady''s face, he comforted: "Rest assured, you don''t have to worry about that person facing punishment; this sort of ability to create anomalies is something I''ve never heard of before, and there are no regulations in the bureau regarding it. Besides, you''ve been anomalies for almost a hundred years, and although we in the Purification Bureau generally have bodies much stronger than ordinary people, most people''s life spans are similar to average individuals; that person is likely long gone by now. Moreover, since this involves creating anomalies, it''s really very, very important; if possible, I hope you can explain it in as much detail as you can." "Oh... I see." Hearing that it wouldn''t cause any trouble for their "benefactor", the manager lady visibly relaxed, and after some contemplation, began with some hesitation: "It''s not that there''s nothing to tell, it''s just that we don''t know all that much... hmm... The predecessor of this apartment was a Charitable Asylum that my husband and I converted using our property, you''ve probably discovered that already?" "Yes." After Leon nodded, the manager lady touched her white curls with a calm expression and continued to recall: "My hair was not originally white, it turned white little by little after I got very sick at the time. That illness brought constant pain, and I had to rely on excessive sleeping pills and painkillers to get through it. I could only remain awake for three to four hours a day, but even during those three hours, I kept vomiting and having diarrhea from the medicine reactions... S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Sigh... Although I was reluctant to leave my husband, after years of torment, I really didn''t want to live anymore. I was preparing to apply to have the asylum converted into a municipal facility, and then stop the medication and die swiftly.*" After narrating the origin of her hair in a flat tone, the manager lady''s gaze became gradually more fierce, her voice cold and somber as she continued: "I submitted more than thirty applications, and my husband, dragging his lame leg, went to the municipal offices two to three hundred times, but the answer was always just to wait. *By then, I knew the municipality probably didn''t want to take it over, and once the two of us old folks died, the fate of those we sheltered in the asylum would definitely not be good.*" The manager lady''s face was full of indignation as she said: "The asylum''s property was under my name, and my husband, due to some past matters, had no inheritance rights, so I really couldn''t afford to die. We had to hold on, trying our best to find other ways out for those in the asylum. In the end, although we managed to send some people away, most in the asylum lacked the ability to work and still had nowhere else to go, and my health was declining. My husband told me that my heart stopped three times in the last month, and the number of times I stopped breathing was countless, yet even at the end, I braced myself and lived, but bit by bit, I reached my limit..." Chapter 98 - 98: 0083 Origin (Two in One)_2 Heartbeat stopped... Did she actually make it through even that... *Hearing the Administrator''s painful experiences, although it felt a bit inappropriate, Leon still recalled what he had heard from the Red-haired Director.* *Only the extreme would be remembered, only the obsessed dared to move forward, only Madness could understand greatness.* *In other words, whether positive or negative, only the purest, most extreme things could leave a mark on this world.* ... "But I really didn''t want to die, nor did I dare to die." Unaware of Leon''s thoughts, the Administrator, recalling those painful days, spoke with a somewhat grim expression, "On the very last day, aside from occasionally being able to open my eyes, my heartbeat and breathing had completely stopped. I was practically a pure corpse, even my soul briefly left my body and saw how I looked lying on the hospital bed... But in the end, I forced myself back in! There was nothing else, I just refused to accept it! I just wanted to know why, why was it that even though a signature could save so many people, there was no one willing to stand up and approve my application!" Panting a few rapid breaths, the Administrator''s expression softened a bit as she held the hand of the sturdy old man standing behind her, who had returned without notice. Lowering her voice, she continued, "Although my soul returned, my body had indeed completely died. The old man, who was prepared for it, called over the person responsible for organizing the remains. Hmm... I don''t remember too well, but that mortician was a young man. Besides his naturally downturned lips, which made him look like he was crying, he actually had a pretty ordinary appearance. However, his eyes were very bright and seemed to be able to see things others couldn''t. His eyes penetrated through my body and saw my soul hovering over, and then he asked me surprisingly why I was still unwilling to leave." A young man with a naturally crying face and bright eyes? Memorizing these features, planning to ask the Red-haired Director about it tomorrow, Leon softly asked, "Is this the one..." "Yeah, it''s him." After affirming with a complex expression, the Administrator said, "He asked me if I had any wishes, but back then, my heart was full of hatred, wishing to immediately turn into a vengeful spirit and kill everyone in the municipality, so I yelled at him. Yet, after hearing the reason, that young man ignored me and instead asked my husband whether he wanted to see me again, but the cost would be his immediate death." At this point, the Administrator paused, then strongly gripped the sturdy old man''s hand, with eyes full of tenderness, she said, "My husband didn''t agree immediately, but asked that young man with a naturally crying face, if he wanted more than just a single meeting, what would he have to give up? Hearing his question, the young man, though a bit surprised, informed him that he could let my husband''s soul accompany me forever, aside from just a single meeting. But because my soul was stronger and tougher after years of torment, if our souls were bound together, my husband would lose much of his humanity and wisdom, becoming merely an appendage to my soul..." So... he agreed, didn''t he? Looking at the sturdy old man grasping the Administrator''s hand with one hand while sneakily reaching for a large pair of scissors with the other, Leon, both touched and speechless, blinked, unsure of what to say. "Don''t move!" Having already caught the old man''s actions, the Administrator pinched the back of his hand to make him behave again, and with slight apology, she said, "Don''t worry, I''m watching him, he won''t cut you." "Ah... it''s fine, it''s fine." Leon gently touched the pendant on his chest, ensuring he could react in time, then couldn''t help but ask, "What happened afterward? Were your souls bound together and placed in this apartment?" "Something like that." Hearing this, the Administrator''s eyes dimmed, and with a slightly downcast expression, she said, "But we didn''t have our current power at the start. Back then, we couldn''t even eat or drink like living humans, nor communicate with the people inside. When the Charitable Asylum was reclaimed by the municipality and the remaining people were forcibly evicted by the police department, we could barely manifest some semblance of form during the darkest nights." Hearing this, Leon nodded and, after contemplating for a moment, asked, "So, did you grow stronger over time?" "No... We became like this purely by accident." Upon hearing Leon''s question, the Administrator quietly turned her head away, buried her face in the sturdy old man''s embrace, and with a slightly muffled voice, explained, "An orphan evicted from the Charitable Asylum wanted to return one night to take a look and almost fell while climbing over the wall. Worried, my husband and I briefly revealed our form to support him. That child might have sensed something, got frightened, and ran away screaming, but later he couldn''t resist returning a few more times. The news that we... might still be ''around'' spread among those who were driven away." Clutching her palms tightly with great regret, the Administrator trembled as she said, "Then... many children, hoping to see us again, came back. We... we revealed ourselves a few more times. Once people began to see us, more and more returned, even those who had found a way out and were sent away earlier came back from other districts. But... but... then winter came... that year''s winter was particularly cold, and they were just... so in the end, fewer and fewer could come, and their physical condition worsened with each visit, then... then..." "..." Then... most of them froze to death during their first winter being evicted, right? Listening to this point, with stinging eyes, Leon slightly tilted his head back, recalling the related files he had reviewed earlier. Those expelled from the Charitable Asylum numbered over a hundred, and since they lacked the Ability to work, the vast majority did not survive that winter, freezing to death near the Happiness Apartment. However, when those cold, stiff bodies were found, most wore smiles on their faces. This event even made the news back then, with some clippings saved in the files. Originally, Leon thought that their smiling faces were due to hallucinations before freezing to death, but now it seemed their smiles were genuine. "My condolences..." Watching the Administrator bury her face in the sturdy old man''s embrace, clearly crying silently, Leon, regretting asking such questions, pressed his lips together, unsure of what was appropriate to say. Yet, at this moment, the sturdy old man gently patting the Administrator''s back spoke up. "One hundred and three." After unemotionally stating the number, the sturdy old man, rarely speaking more, hoarsely and warmly added, "I received those children''s final thoughts." "..." So... the reason you both could now behave like living humans was because the one hundred and three people driven out from the Happiness Apartment, who froze to death, along with others who once lived in this apartment, truly believed you two still existed? After roughly understanding his meaning, seeing the Administrator starting to sob, Leon, not knowing what to do, clenched his fists, then hastily changed the subject, asking, "What about the young man with a crying face? Did he ever return?" "He returned... returned once." After snuggling into the sturdy old man''s embrace and wiping her tears away, the Administrator whispered, "About three years had passed after that winter when he visited us once. Seeing our situation, he seemed surprised and said our ''progress'' exceeded his expectations, asking what we had done over the years to have grown so quickly, whether we had killed those we hated. After hearing our reasons, he seemed a bit disappointed, asking why we didn''t think about revenge, and then never came back... Oh, right!" Striving to remember, the Administrator, uncertain, said, Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "We also asked him about his recent activities, whether he was still a mortician. He said he no longer dealt with burial work and had joined the Purification Bureau as a clerk? Deacon? Or some kind of officer... Do you have such a position in the Purification Bureau?" Chapter 99 - 99: The Truth and Promotion_1 "You guessed it right, that young man with a crying face is indeed a Director." After listening to Leon''s recount of the situation, the red-haired Director thought for a moment and then explained, "Because I thought it unlikely you would encounter any other Directors, I hadn''t mentioned this before. To become a Director of the Purification Bureau, besides having sufficient strength, one must also have the qualifications to master the corresponding secret technique. The Taurus Director, who brought the anomalous object last time, masterfully controlled the secret technique related to forging. They can transcend material limitations and create anomalous objects of superior quality, while the secret technique under the Aquarius Director''s control is said to create anomalies directly under certain conditions. So if I''m not mistaken, the elderly couple encountered at the Happiness Apartment should be the current Aquarius Director... Considering the age, it could even be the previous Aquarius Director." It was indeed a Director of the Purification Bureau! Having had his guess confirmed by the red-haired Director, Leon, pondering her highly respectful attitude toward the other Taurus Director, hesitated slightly before cautiously asking, "Director, may I ask, what is the general ''public opinion'' about the Aquarius Director usually like?" Meeting Leon''s eyes, the red-haired Director immediately understood his implication and raised an eyebrow to inquire, "Do you think¡­ the Aquarius Director might have ulterior motives in creating the Happiness Apartment?" "I''m somewhat suspicious, as I feel the actions of that Aquarius Director do not add up." Seeing that she did not get angry at his "offensive" remark about a Director, Leon admitted his suspicion outright, speaking solemnly to caution, "If we assumed he was a busybody who intervened out of compassion to help the elderly couple after learning of their plight, he should''ve assisted them in applying to the Charitable Asylum, shouldn''t he? Such a task shouldn''t be difficult for a Director, right?" Of course, it is also possible that he is the kind of traditionalist who takes the Purification Bureau''s regulations seriously and won''t intervene with ordinary people unless necessary or casually use the Bureau''s privileges. But if that''s the case, why did he not report what he created after making an anomaly?" After presenting his reasoning, Leon glanced at the increasingly furrowed brow of the red-haired Director, paused slightly, took a deep breath, clenched his fist, and continued, "Also, I think his act of placing the elderly couple''s souls into the apartment is the most suspicious part. By the time they passed, the elderly couple''s hearts were likely already full of resentment. Once their souls were placed back into the apartment, they saw firsthand how people from the Charitable Asylum were evicted, freezing and starving to death due to municipal inaction. This resentment would likely grow exponentially. *With such heavy hatred in their hearts and being given the potential to become an anomaly by the Aquarius Director, once their wrath and resentment were pushed to the limit, they would likely ''awaken'' as an anomaly and seek out ''enemies'' for widespread slaughter.* *Moreover, the root cause of all this is not solely an individual''s actions but a collective endemic apathy and negligence. Their potential for slaughter could easily spiral out of control, accumulating and absorbing even more dangerous concepts until it''s completely beyond control!"* "You are right; there is indeed such potential in this matter. But going solely by this, it''s hard to prove that the Aquarius Director has any problems." Nodding slightly to acknowledge Leon''s judgment, the red-haired Director mused with a frown, "Although I find your judgment quite reasonable, beyond discussion, the fact that the elderly couple ultimately became a positive anomaly is sufficient for him to defend himself." "I believe the outcome for the elderly couple might have been an accident." Recalling the words of the administrator lady, Leon said quietly, with a rather complicated expression in his eyes, "That Aquarius Director, when deciding to ''create'' the anomaly, likely only considered the evilness of human nature. While he noticed the couple''s anger and resentment, he might not have realized that they weren''t enraged because of their own experiences but out of their agony for others'' sufferings." *They weren''t inherently extremist and mad, even if the injustice they faced spurred great hatred; the fundamental color of their souls remained kind.* sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "As for how things unfolded later on, it probably didn''t follow his intended design. He likely didn''t expect those decades of consistent kindness from the elderly couple to also garner gratitude and remembrance from those who received help." Those hundred-plus people who died smiling near Happiness Apartment, and more who felt happy thinking ''they are still around,'' all these people''s memories and blessings accumulated, not only diluting the resentment within the couple''s souls but also forming a tall wall standing between them and the abyss, preventing them from being entirely consumed by hatred." "That''s probably it..." Nodding in agreement with Leon''s analysis, the red-haired Director, with a hint of regret, said, "Partly the anger and hatred towards evil, and partly the compassion and blessings toward the weak, these feelings correspond one-to-one with Malice Vanquisher and Accident Avoidance." "No wonder the abilities of Happiness Apartment are so markedly different and virtually unrelated. It turns out these seemingly unrelated abilities had distinct origins, which is truly... sigh..." Shaking her head and heaving a sigh, the red-haired Director slowly sat upright and, rarely with a serious face, praised, "Leon, you''ve done excellently!" "Although I always found that apartment odd, since it never hurt anyone besides you, and its strength was not particularly high, I never dug deeper." *If you hadn''t exercised extra caution and discovered this, what the Aquarius Director did might have remained covered up!* After these words of appreciation, the red-haired Director''s expression grew increasingly serious. "Regarding the Aquarius Director''s issue, some waiting is required." "The real identities of Aquarius, different from Taurus His Excellency, are nearly always confidential. Not even if they have been replaced or not gets revealed, making it hard for me to determine if he is the current Aquarius Director or not." "But I will find a way, rally fellow Bureau Directors to contact familiar Directors for a discussion, striving to launch an immediate investigation against him! If the investigation proves he indeed has problems¡­ there will be an account for this!" Even though the red-haired Director didn''t articulate what that account would be, the chilling chill in her partly squinted fox-like eyes left no doubt about the answer. *Who could have thought that drunkard would have such an assertive side after all...* "Glad you plan to do something." Half surprised and half admiring, Leon cast a glance at the red-haired Director, nodded slightly, and then spoke in farewell, "I only found this matter odd, so I came to report to you. If there''s nothing else, then I''ll¡­" "Don''t leave yet; there''s more." The red-haired Director called out to Leon, who wanted to leave, and crooked a finger, maneuvering the red hair around Leon''s neck to reach into his pocket and extract his identification. "Don''t worry, it''s good news." Extracting a stamp from her drawer, the red-haired Director, smiling with squinted eyes, remarked as she applied the stamp to Leon''s document, "Yesterday, after Taurus Director returned, she considered you fairly outstanding in both skill and other respects. Therefore, she used her recommendation quota to move your file upwards¡­ Congratulations, you have been officially promoted ahead of schedule." *Meaning... I am no longer a ''Probationary Worker''?* Although Leon was already aware that his achievements should suffice for his promotion, hearing the news still brought him a spark of joy. *Now that I''ve been promoted, should the Black Iron Level ''Probationary Worker'' Badge in turn advance to ''Worker''?* "Zzz¡­" True to expectation, after the red-haired Director handed the documents back, a jarring buzz once again sounded in Leon''s ear. [At the referral of Olivia, the Director of the Virgin Sanitation Bureau, you successfully navigated through the Taurus Director''s backdoor, earning her appreciation and completing your promotion one month earlier.] [Your Black Iron Level Badge "Probationary Worker" successfully advanced to Bronze Level Hidden Badge "Connected Party."] "..." ??? Chapter 100 - 100: 0085 Cat Language and the New Colleague_1 [Connected Party: A person who obtains special treatment or priority allocation of resources through interpersonal relationships and networks] [Wear Effect: Your work efficiency will be enhanced when performing your duties, and it will be easier to receive support from the organization''s internal help and various related resources] [Advancement Route: After independently solving more difficult tasks multiple times, or leading a team to complete more important tasks multiple times, this badge will automatically advance to the Silver Badge "Business Backbone"] [Hidden Traits (no need to wear): Due to your identity as a Connected Party, it will be easier to gain appreciation from superiors after making a contribution, and the promotion speed will be correspondingly increased. However, at the same time, due to your identity as a Connected Party, colleagues at the same level and lower positions may lower their evaluation of your ability] "..." Forget it, since the promotion would be faster, and it''s easier to obtain resources from the Purification Bureau, then it doesn''t matter if the evaluation is lowered; the benefits are what count. After closing the badge panel with mixed feelings, Leon carefully put away his credentials, then bid farewell again, saying, "Thank you, Director. If there''s nothing else..." "There''s something else~" Stopping Leon once again and seeing his somewhat speechless expression, the Red-haired Director mischievously curled her lips, then took a letter out of the drawer and pushed it onto the table. "Here, that witch has replied to you. As long as you finish reading this letter, the Witch''s Broom can be reactivated, and the mission to infiltrate the Ryan Family can continue." Just by reading this letter? Looking at the strange red envelope tightly fastened by a wide strap on the table, Leon hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take it, instead casting a hesitant glance at the Red-haired Director. "Director, if I open this letter, will it turn into a gaping mouth and start roaring at me crazily?" S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hmm?" The Red-haired Director looked at Leon with some surprise, then curiously asked, "How did you know? Could it be that you''ve encountered other witches and received a howling letter before?" "..." So it was true! "No... I''ve never seen a witch in my life..." Picking up the envelope with extreme reluctance, Leon began to open it, making casual small talk, "I just read a novel about wizards where the author wrote about wizards sending letters that can scream when they''re angry... Whoa!" The opened envelope suddenly turned into a big mouth, biting Leon''s finger, while the strap with triangular small teeth used to tie the envelope clawed madly at the back of his hand like a cat''s paw. But despite its fierce demeanor, the material was merely paper and thin ribbon. The "howling letter" clawed and bit at Leon''s hand for half a day, ultimately leaving not a scratch. After a while, the letter seemed to tire from scratching, stopped to rest, and then the two corners of the envelope slightly perked up, forming cat ear-like shapes, and opened its "mouth" to howl wildly at Leon. "Meow, meow, meow! Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow!" "..." "She says you''re the rudest, most impolite, and most barbaric human she''s ever met." Tilting his head to listen to the meowing for a while, the Red-haired Director cheerfully translated, "She says she''ll never forget the shame you brought upon her, not in this life, the next, or even the one after that, especially when you pointed at a basin filled with sand and asked if she could use it as a litter box." "..." *How was I supposed to know you weren''t an ordinary cat...* After hearing the translation from the Red-haired Director, Leon couldn''t help but scratch the back of his head awkwardly. *In Harry Potter, cats eat cat food, snack on small fish, and use cat litter boxes. I thought being a wizard''s cat would make you similar. How was I supposed to know your intelligence rivals an average human...* After glancing at the deeply bewildered Leon, who had been meow-spoken to, the mischievous Red-haired Director, seeing no harm in causing more trouble, continued to merrily translate, "She''s asking if you realize how much damage such behavior could cause to a lady?" "..." *Got it, got it, I suppose it''s on par with getting a full-on slap, right?* Gaping wordlessly, Leon listened to the obviously very angry meowing sounds and curiously told the Red-haired Director, "Director, you actually understand cat language?" The Red-haired Director shook her head and replied, "I don''t." Hearing this, Leon raised an eyebrow. "Is it something like telepathy then?" "Nope." Flashing a mischievous grin at Leon, the Red-haired Director retorted, "I guessed~" "..." *Guessed... I think you''re just itching for some fun since you don''t have any drinks to enjoy. I shouldn''t have asked you...* Without a word, Leon cast her a sidelong glare, proceeding to silently listen to the "meowing letter," before pushing the office door to leave, intending to check on the Witch''s Broom. However, just as he opened the office door, he crashed into a slender, small man. "Ah! Sorry about that!" Though the man wasn''t tall, his build was surprisingly sturdy. After knocking Leon into a stumble, he quickly reached out to steady him, his face full of apology as he explained, "I was in a rush to report to the Director and didn''t pay attention..." "No worries, no worries, I was in a bit of a hurry to leave too." Although the collision had hurt a bit, seeing the short man''s guilty expression, Leon smiled and waved it off before briskly leaving the Director''s office. Once Leon''s footsteps faded, the previously apologetic man broke into a chuckle, looking up at the Red-haired Director behind the desk with curiosity, "Director, why was there cat meowing just now, mentioning something about a basin toilet, and the shame of a lady? Have you got a cat now?" "Forget about it. I wouldn''t dare keep a cat with someone like you around." Casting a glance at the short man, the Red-haired Director knocked on the table with her knuckles and inquired seriously, "How''s the task I assigned you? Did you find out who summoned the Holy Spirit connected with the Scales Gold Sect?" "You let me handle it, so of course, I found out." With a confident grin, the short man replied, "I controlled thirty thousand ants, sweeping through the scent of everyone who''s been to the shopping plaza over these past days. Only several dozen people showed traces of contact with the Scales Gold Sect. Then I dispatched two thousand mice and three hundred crows to listen and surveil day and night around those several dozen people, pinpointed the most suspicious target, and then..." "Alright, alright, I know you''ve worked hard." Looking at the man in front of her who was indirectly trying to take credit, the Red-haired Director couldn''t help but rub her temples, directly promising, "I''ll count this as a major contribution for you. The department will reimburse all those animals'' food expenses for a whole month! Plus, you''ll get a bonus! Now hurry up and tell me the result!" "Alright, I''ll thank you on their behalf~" With a cheeky grin, the short man continued his report, "The result is, the people who summoned the Holy Spirit were the three companies that previously conspired to cause trouble for Charl Department Store... Oh, and by the way, my mice dug through a secret chamber in the Rose family''s mansion and overheard something. Those three families couldn''t compete with proper business methods, summoned the Holy Spirit to disrupt things but got cleaned out by our bureau, so they''ve resorted to kidnapping the only daughter of Charl Department Store''s owner, planning to use force to coerce him into submission!" "Got it. Damn these troublesome nobles!" Stretching out her hand to rub her forehead with some frustration, the Red-haired Director said with a headache, "And then? They haven''t summoned anything else, have they?" "Not for now." The short man shook his head and said, "Who knows about the future, but at least in the past few days, there''s been no movement." "Alright, keep monitoring them. During this surveillance period, the bureau will reimburse double the food expenses for your ''friends''... Oh, right." At this point, the Red-haired Director''s eyes narrowed slightly, extending her hand toward the short man. "What did you just steal from Leon? Take it out and let me see!" Chapter 101 - 101: 0086 Skilled Hand and Care_1 "Heh heh, I knew I couldn''t hide it from you." Caught red-handed stealing, the short man didn''t feel embarrassed; instead, he grinned cheekily, "Don''t be so serious, it''s kind of scary. If I really wanted to steal from him, I''d have plenty of opportunities. Why would I do something so foolish, especially right in front of you? I just heard a newcomer has joined the bureau, and before even becoming permanent, he managed to take down a Holy Spirit. I got curious about him, so I just swiped it like that..." "So where''s the thing?" Ignoring the short man''s long-winded explanation, the Red-haired Director tapped the back of his hand on the table and then warned with narrowed eyes, "Jerry, don''t make me repeat myself a third time." S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Here, here it is!" Noticing the Red-haired Director''s fox-like eyes narrowing further, the short man couldn''t help but tense up as well. Hastily, he pulled a photo from his pocket and obediently placed it on the table. A photo? After picking up the photo from the table, seeing the couple standing arm in arm and the little girl holding her parents'' hands with a joyful smile, the Red-haired Director paused momentarily, surprised. Apart from controlling animals, Jerry''s most remarkable Anomalous Object was the Cunning Hand of Fate, which allowed him to forcibly steal an item that had the greatest impact on someone''s past life, whether or not the item was on their person, or even if it had been destroyed. So if his ability was correct, the most significant influence on Leon''s past life was this photo on the table? "Director, what can this thing do? Can you tell me?" Seeing the contemplative look on the Red-haired Director''s face, the short man, brimming with curiosity, started scratching his head impatiently. He couldn''t hold back anymore and then plead with a fawning expression, "For a newcomer who has only been in contact with Anomalous Objects for less than a month to possess the power to single-handedly cleanse a Holy Spirit, this Anomalous Object''s ability must be quite powerful, right?" Hmm? So this photo was an Anomalous Object? But why was the aura so faint? Could it have been destroyed multiple times before? Hearing the short man''s question, the Red-haired Director raised an eyebrow slightly and then shook his head decisively, "I don''t know about that. The perception-type Anomalous Object I used most often was that sheep, which I''ve already given to Leon. The new perception Anomalous Object hasn''t been approved yet, so my perception ability is pretty average right now. If you truly want to know what this Anomalous Object can do, asking me won''t help, but there''s someone in our bureau who possesses an ability called Intelligence Acquisition. With just a touch, he can learn the intelligence of most Anomalous Objects. You can try asking him." What? We have someone like that in our bureau?! Hearing this, the short man''s eyes lit up with excitement. This ability was a perfect match for him. Not to mention, he had secretly acquired quite a few things over the years, but either he couldn''t activate them at all, or he didn''t dare to use them rashly due to unknown rules and costs. If he could get this Intelligence Acquisition to help him, even if only a third of the Anomalous Objects he stored over the years worked, it might just elevate his power to a whole new level, promoting him to a First Level disaster handler! "Director, why didn''t you say so earlier?" Braving himself to complain to the Red-haired Director, the short man rubbed his hands excitedly and pressed further, "Who is this person? Oh, and also, would he be willing to trade his Intelligence Acquisition Anomalous Object? If he''s willing, he can pick anything from my collection over these years!" "A trade is unlikely, as his ability is more like a talent residing in his soul. As for who this person is..." Casting a teasing glance at the short man, the Red-haired Director picked up the photo and wagged it with a grin, "It''s the very person you just stole from." "..." "Uh... you know me..." Seeing the mischievous look in the Red-haired Director''s eyes and realizing he had been duped, the short man''s face fell. With some embarrassment, he spoke, "Although I''ve got a bit of a stealing habit, I really never go after people I know. I usually just take a look and return it right away, and even if it''s a stranger, as long as they''re not a bad person, I generally wouldn''t take what they love. So... could you..." "Are you thinking of getting this thing back and secretly returning it so Leon doesn''t hold it against you and refuses to help?" Seeing through the short man''s thoughts instantly, the Red-haired Director shook a finger and said with a smile, "Ah... that might be difficult, you know~ Little Leon may have only recently joined the Purification Bureau, but not only do we get along swimmingly, he even treated me to some good drinks. If I were to help you keep this a secret from him, how would I live up to our boozy camaraderie?" "..." *Got it, you want a higher price, right?* Seeing the Red-haired Director''s amused expression, the short man could only give up his wishful thinking, painfully offering, "How about I treat you to a drink as well..." "Ahem, there''s no need to bring that up. I''m not that kind of person." Stopping the short man just before hearing an irresistible offer, the Red-haired Director cleared his throat and said earnestly, "If I''m not mistaken, you hope Leon can use his ability to help you identify the ''spoils'' you''ve gathered over the years, right?" "Right..." "Then it''s easy to handle." The Red-haired Director rapped his knuckles on the table and said with a smile, "Though I''m not sure how much stuff you''ve hoarded over the years, given your habits, it''s probably quite a bit. Helping you identify so many items in one go would exhaust a lot of physical and mental energy. It''s undoubtedly a tough job, so... allowing him to choose one as grind compensation is not too much, right?" "Not too much, not too much." Though still feeling a bit reluctant, knowing the nature of his boss, the short man understood that haggling would only result in being fleeced harder, so he promptly agreed. "Alright then, leave the stuff with me; I''ll put in a good word for you later on." With a pleased nod, the Red-haired Director pulled out a strand of hair, bundled up the photo suspected of being an Anomalous Object, placed it into a drawer, and then smilingly said, "However, the evaluation might have to wait. He has an important investigation task today and cannot be distracted. Once his investigation is done, I''ll have him examine your collection." "Okay, I''ll wait right here in the bureau for him then." Once he agreed enthusiastically, the short man''s curiosity started bubbling up again as he looked at the cheerful Red-haired Director, cautiously asking, "By the way, Director, is Leon... perhaps familiar with other branch directors? Or favored by a Director? Or... are you..." "You want to ask why I''m taking such good care of him, don''t you?" Casting a meaningful look at the short man, the Red-haired Director replied, somewhat exasperated, "Before you ask, I suggest you take a good look at the kind of people working in our bureau first." Before the short man could reply, the Red-haired Director ticked off on his fingers as he listed them out one by one, "Failed coup plotters, adulterers with the Prime Minister''s wife, thieves who robbed from the royal family, gamblers who lost the Kingdom''s reserve funds, grain officers who got lost on the battlefield and nearly starved thirty thousand people, pharmacists whose potion mishap submerged half a county in a sea of sh*t..." Seeing the short man looking awkward, the Red-haired Director squinted as he concluded, "If not for joining the Purification Bureau, you guys would be starting with a death sentence on average. Even now, you''re constantly being watched, needing to report in advance even if leaving the Capital City for a task. As for Leon, with a clean background, good moral character, smart and vigilant, reliable and hardworking, and highly talented, having taken down a Holy Spirit during his probation period... You tell me, compared to you guys, who else should I look after if not him?" Chapter 102 - 102: 0087 A hundred years to earn a passage on the same boat, ten years... [Bronze Level Hidden Badge "Connected Party" activated, you received a support resource from within the organization. The resource can be obtained once the provider''s conditions are met.] ??? Hearing the notification by his ear, Leon, holding a broom and shopping bag, and waiting for the carriage at the city district intersection to visit the Ryan Family, couldn''t help but pause slightly. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Wow, this Hidden Badge really lived up to its name. How long has it been since I got it? And it''s already scored me a resource support.* Although some conditions still needed to be met to obtain the resource support, since the resource was from the Purification Bureau, it most likely related to materials for an Anomalous Object, or maybe even an Anomalous Object itself. According to Senior Emma, the bureau averaged three missions and spent three to four months to acquire one Anomalous Object, and even then, there was no guarantee it could be useful. Compared with that, if the resource obtained was truly an Anomalous Object and the conditions weren''t too harsh, this exchange was quite a bargain! ... "Honk!!!" Just as Leon hesitated whether to go back and ask about the so-called resource support, to see exactly what it was, he heard a slightly piercing whistle, as four robust horses slowly pulled a large carriage toward the platform. Forget it, the carriage is here... And I don''t know how long it will take to fulfill that condition, plus, the investigation of the Ryan Family has been delayed long enough, I''ll deal with the resource issue after the investigation. After making up his mind, Leon moved forward as the steam carriage''s door stabilized in the boarding area, then bent low to squeeze into the carriage with about twenty positions and sat down in a rear seat. Compared to the front rows near the carriage door, the rear position was closer to the boiler at the back of the carriage and was very noisy, a torment during the summer. But with just a few days before winter, for Leon, whose coat was very old and not warm enough, it was undoubtedly the most comfortable position. However, as Leon sat back on the chair with a pleased expression, feeling the comforting warmth on his back, he heard hurried footsteps outside the carriage and a rather familiar anxious shout. "Wait a minute! We''re getting on too!" *Oh damn, could I be so unlucky?* Recognizing whose voice it was, Leon, who didn''t want to meet her, turned dark and instinctively shrunk down, hesitating whether to get off the carriage now. But within that brief moment, the owner of the voice had already run from the back to the carriage door, leaping skillfully with a long stride, jumping into the carriage. It was the female detective from the Secret Investigation Bureau. "What are you doing? Do you want to die?" At this point, the carriage had slightly moved from the platform. Although one could still get on in one step, it was still somewhat dangerous. Facing the risky maneuver from the woman not in uniform, the ticket lady shouted angrily, "If you don''t want to live, find another carriage! Don''t bring disaster to mine!" "Ah! I apologize, I''m sorry!" Finally getting on the carriage, the female detective sighed in relief, then hurriedly apologized repeatedly, explaining, "We have an urgent matter, and this carriage comes only once every hour. I was afraid you wouldn''t wait for us and leave directly, so I chased up a bit hastily. I promise it won''t happen again... Could you move the carriage back a bit? There are others behind..." "Hmph, the young ones today, all rushed and reckless... Move back a bit!" Muttering a few unyielding words, the ticket lady, seeing the female detective continuously apologizing, didn''t make things difficult for her but rather signaled the driver to stop again, allowing the other two people to get on. However, as the two women and one man entered the carriage and prepared to walk to the back, the ticket lady stopped them with one arm, saying sourly, "Only two seats are left, one of you has to get off!" What? Hearing her words, the three of them were stunned, and the female detective hesitated before speaking up, "Then they can sit. I can stand in the aisle..." "Are you making trouble?" Interrupting her, while patting the sign on the carriage wall, the ticket lady said with glaring eyes, "This is a fast long-carriage drawn by four horses! No standing passengers!" "But..." "But what? Pretty as you are, why are you talking nonsense?" The ticket lady, with an impatient face, continued to hustle, "Once more, this is a fast carriage, and it doesn''t have handles for standing passengers! If something happens requiring a sudden stop, standing in the middle of the aisle, you''ll fly from the last row to the front! Your face will be scraped off! So hurry up! One of you three has to get off! This trip is already quite late, if we don''t depart now, we''ll be off-schedule!" *Truly no options... What to do?* Hearing the ticket lady''s words, the man among the other two immediately glanced at the female detective with an inquisitive look. *Should we wait for the next trip? Or wait for one of the bureau''s official vehicles to return?* The female detective immediately understood her colleague''s meaning and shook her head firmly. The next carriage wouldn''t come for over an hour, and being in the city district area, scattered carriages rarely came by. Missing the scheduled visit time with the Ryan Family would make it difficult to arrange another meeting. "You should get off." Signaling to her colleague, the female detective placed a hand on the third person''s shoulder, speaking earnestly, "It''s fine, though it isn''t ideal having one fewer person, I''m here." "Well... okay." Remembering her "glorious history," the male detective felt confident she could handle the escort of a frail female prisoner alone. With only slight hesitation, he nodded in agreement. After handing something over to her, the male detective got off the carriage, and the female detective "kindly" draped an arm around the pale-faced woman''s shoulders and half-pushed her towards the back of the carriage. ... However, as the ticket lady had said, the four-horse long-carriage was fully packed, with only two empty spots in the noisy last row near the boiler. Among the five seats in the last row, on the right was a whispering young couple, and on the left was a young man with his head covered by an old coat, sleeping soundly against the wall. *Perhaps... ask to swap seats?* Looking at the detained female prisoner, the female detective hesitated. She didn''t mind the noise of the last row but worried whether the restrained prisoner might harm someone and hoped to move her to a seat beside the wall. Though the prisoner had been compliant since her capture, with one less escorting officer, if she decided to escape... although confident in immediately subduing her, injuries would be problematic. "Excuse me..." "You two women at the back, what are you doing?" After waiting a long while and seeing them not seated, preventing departure, the ticket lady shouted impatiently, scolding, "If you''re sitting, then sit quickly! If not, get off quickly! What nonsense are you spouting on my carriage?" The female detective shrank her neck at the scolding and hurriedly sat with the prisoner before the lady tackled the expulsion. "Honk!!!" With the piercing whistle and horse''s neigh, the steam carriage left the platform and gradually picked up speed. As the boiler and water tank at the back started emitting sharp noises, the female detective patted the person covered by the coat on the shoulder, inquiring politely and softly, "Excuse me, sir, could you please help by swapping seats with my friend?" Chapter 103 - 103: 0088 a bandage_1 "..." *Are you serious? I''m completely covered up, and you still manage to find me?* Although he had managed to get a rather decent badge off the policewoman, Leon had faced quite a few awkward situations and really didn''t want to have a confrontation with her. Therefore, he tightened the edges of his coat and continued to feign sleep with gritted teeth. After tapping a few times without a response, the policewoman intended to increase her strength but found it rather impolite. She hesitated, biting her lip and pondering whether to continue or not. At this moment, the female prisoner, who had been coldly observing from the side, seemed to have guessed her intentions. After gently nudging her with her shoulder, she said expressionlessly, "Don''t bother, I won''t run." "..." *You say you won''t run, but does that guarantee you won''t? A man who declared all nobles were lice from the crotch still insisted he wasn''t with the rebels!* Although sympathetic to the other party''s plight, the policewoman wasn''t foolish enough to believe the prisoner''s assurances. Not only did she not give up on waking the pretending-to-sleep man, but she also increased her force. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, disturbing someone''s sleep is just impolite, but if a prisoner indeed escaped and hurt someone, it wouldn''t simply be a matter of manners. "Sir? Sir? Wake up, please!" "Sir?" Watching her attempts go ignored, the policewoman persistently continued to "bother" the man beside her, amidst the noisy rumbling of the boiler. The female prisoner remained silent for a while, then couldn''t resist asking, "You don''t believe me, do you? If you think I''d deceive you, why insist on investigating the Ryan Family based on my intel?" "It''s not a matter of believing you or not, but rather I must do my job well." Turning back to check the prisoner''s state and discovering her emotions seemed unstable, the policewoman had no choice but to turn around and respond seriously amidst the roar of the boiler, "Although the nature of my work is somewhat special, I am still a police officer in the police department. I have the responsibility to do my job properly and try to prevent the general public''s lives from being affected. "Therefore, I can''t relax my guarding of you just because I feel you won''t hurt anyone, nor can I abandon investigating the case because I dislike your harming of ordinary people or worry it may offend the Ryan Family." "..." After listening earnestly to the policewoman''s reply, the prisoner fell silent for a moment, then looked at her as if she were some kind of anomaly, eyes full of surprise as she continued to ask, "Just because of this?" "Huh? What''s wrong?" "Forget it... Pretend I never said anything..." After observing the policewoman''s bewildered expression, the female prisoner unexpectedly dropped her prior compliance, her expression tinged slightly with sarcasm, saying, "Respected Miss Yisha, when I first knew your surname, I only had some slight suspicions, but now I am certain. "You must have a very deep connection with the one who took office in the military department early this year. At worst, you should be some distant relative, or maybe even his direct family." ?!!! "Did I guess right?" "Ha, I should have thought of it earlier. After all, only a family like that could raise someone as naive and foolish as you." Watching the policewoman beside her, whose expression revealed utmost astonishment as if something had shocked her, the female prisoner, around her late forties or early fifties, snickered coldly. Her face, graced with crow''s feet and sunspots, displayed sincere disdain and mockery. "Miss Yisha of illustrious origins, you probably have no idea what kind of outcome awaits someone taking on their duty to pursue ''justice'' in this place!" Before the policewoman could recover from the shock of her family background being exposed, the prisoner, seizing the moment, stretched out her right hand shackled in clothes she had used to conceal it. She prodded her chest firmly, a gloomy expression coming over her as she whispered, "My husband used to be an auditor at the military department''s readiness bureau. On the eve of the national war six years ago, he discovered companies under the Ryan Family''s name were using low-cost black cotton instead of selected medicinal cotton to produce bandages, which easily led to wound infections after use. "After several ineffective reports upwards due to concerns similar to your own, he insisted on bypassing levels to report. When he still received no feedback and was repeatedly condemned, he even wrote a report letter to the one in charge at the military department back then. So, can you guess what he got in return?" "Was it... dismissal?" "Of course not; it was a grand commendation!" The female prisoner smiled after watching the policewoman''s astonished face, then leaned over and said in a cold and indifferent manner amidst the ear-splitting rumble of the boiler, "After receiving the letter, the one at the military department immediately ordered a thorough investigation, replacing all problematic bandages and receiving applause from top to bottom. My husband also received his deserved commendation for the credit, getting transferred from the readiness bureau to a more important confidential bureau. Meanwhile, I and our daughter also moved into the assigned housing. "Unfortunately, not even two weeks later, as my serious and foolish husband had just completed handover barely, the man sent down to inspect promptly announced that the intelligence file my husband managed seemed to have been extensively rummaged through. He was then arrested for espionage, being interrogated for a solid seven months in your Secret Investigation Bureau!" "..." "Interesting, isn''t it?" Watching the silent policewoman, the female prisoner sneered, "Taking over the file without careful checking inevitably led to traps left by the predecessor, but thorough verification and inventory meant inevitable espionage suspicion. Hence, from the moment he accepted the transfer, no matter how my husband chose, the end result was the same." "The even more interesting part is the person investigating my husband at the Secret Investigation Bureau was his previous superior! Due to repeatedly obstructing him from proper reports, his superior was suspended and then transferred. The place he got transferred to was precisely the Secret Investigation Bureau, responsible for interrogating my husband. Ha, don''t you find it quite the coincidence?" Light chuckling escaped her lips, but there was no humor in the female prisoner''s face as she continued, "Luckily, my husband was not just tough-boned but also lucky. After being locked up for seven whole months, apart from losing forty pounds and ''accidentally'' becoming lame in one leg, he managed to survive and come out without confessing guilt. "Unfortunately, the military department had too many affairs, and couldn''t wait for a suspected spy who was now crippled. His original position had long been taken by someone else, and not a single department was willing to ''accommodate'' him. Our daughter and I had also been driven out of the assigned housing." "Ha, during the national war period, prices in the Capital City surged up to fifty-fold. By the time he got out, our family''s savings had nearly dried up, with only a few Silver Wheels left when added all together. "In the end, in order for our daughter and myself to survive, and for the so-called just national war, he accepted a settlement bonus and enlisted only to get shot in another leg because his lameness made him run too slowly." Listening with bated breath, the policewoman bit her lip, her face turning slightly pale as she said, "Then your husband..." "Dead, went from being a fool of a cripple to a dead cripple!" With a calm face, after recounting her husband''s fate, the female prisoner''s lips slightly curled, speaking with a playful, soft voice, "By the way, there''s something even more interesting in this story. Do you want to hear it?" "I..." "If you don''t object, I''ll assume you do." The female prisoner smiled and rolled up her sleeve slightly, revealing a wrist bandaged with a bloodstained, old wrapping. In the corner of rough seams, a clump of coarse cotton was tenaciously poking out, coagulated in dark, festered blood. "When he was brought back home, his leg was conveniently wrapped with this bandage, with yellowish pus oozing beneath it, teeming with fat, white maggots!" After slightly turning her wrist, the female prisoner gazed at the relic of her deceased husband on her wrist, her expression peaceful as she smiled, "My cripple of a husband truly was of hard luck. He wasn''t shot dead on the battlefield, managing to crawl back to safety. Unfortunately, he ultimately couldn''t overcome infection in the wound. "And what killed him in the end happened to be the very thing he risked everything to report¡ªa substandard bandage pressed out from filthy black cotton. Isn''t it just laughable?" Chapter 104 - 104: 0089 Revenge and Understanding_1 "Ahahaha, it really is funny." When the policewoman was shaken by the fate of the female prisoner''s husband, her whole body started to tremble slightly. The shopping bag hidden by Leon''s feet rustled a little, and the Black Goat, having heard everything, couldn''t help but burst into laughter in Leon''s mind, "So he went through so much trouble, and in the end, nothing changed! Ahahaha, that cripple''s death was really hilarious, I''ve never seen something so stupid... Ow! Why did you kick me?" After firmly stepping on the goat''s head to ensure it wouldn''t move around again, Leon, who felt slightly more at ease, silently reminded, "Keep an eye on that bandage, I feel there''s something abnormal about it." "Hmm? You suspect that''s also an Anomalous Object?" Through his soul vision, he observed the bandage on the female prisoner''s hand and indeed sensed a peculiar aura. The Black Goat also became cautious, asking with curiosity, "Wow, there''s really that kind of feeling... So how did this woman mess up so badly? Holding an Anomalous Object and yet getting caught by an ordinary person?" "She... probably did it on purpose..." After touching the Dung Beetle Lady badge from the Virgin Sanitation Bureau and not feeling any burning, Leon couldn''t help but sigh slightly. This badge from the Purification Bureau would trigger an alert in the presence of Uncontrollable Afflicted individuals, but it would have no response when faced with expertly controlled Abnormals. So that female prisoner must be someone proficient in controlling Anomalous Objects. Although he didn''t know what ability this bandage had, from the experiences of the "former owner," it probably wasn''t a positive ability, and her destination with the policewoman happened to be the Ryan Family, so... She was most likely planning to infiltrate the Ryan Family and use that bandage to avenge her husband! With the help of the Black Goat''s soul vision, he observed the female prisoner. Although she appeared calm on the surface, her soul was seething with towering blood flames. Having basically confirmed his guess, Leon couldn''t help but take a deep breath. *So... should I fulfill my duty?* ... While Leon was hesitating on whether to stop this "dangerous element," to simply ignore it, or even to add fuel to the fire, the policewoman, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke again, "You must not be an ordinary Rebel..." Seeing the prisoner''s pupils contract sharply, the policewoman spoke softly with a complex expression, "I have arrested and interrogated many Rebels. Most of them are from the lower classes in the Capital City, with not very good education or experiences, so when they speak, they usually use short sentences to directly and succinctly express their emotions. "For example, the ecstasy of a successful attack, insults toward us, complaints about their plight, and even when we break down their mental defenses and they reveal their background and experiences, their narratives are often tangled and unclear. Their words and logic appear rather chaotic. "But you''re different from them. Even though the conversation was unprepared, your narrative was smooth and clear. With the exception of a few short recollections, your words almost had no hesitation, and you were able to explain your experiences entirely. This isn''t something an average person can do." "Because my husband..." "No, I''m not talking about that respectable gentleman, but about your situation." Recalling the words just now slightly, the policewoman bit her lip hard, her eyes dim as she continued, "Besides that, just now when you wanted to use some more complex and obscure words, you could say them directly without much thought. "And during the narrative, you kept intentionally provoking my emotions, as if you were quite familiar with such exchanges. So, you must have received excellent education, and you frequently speak to large groups of people. "Plus, with your knowledge of the military high command changes and the division of responsibilities among departments... you are a high-ranking Rebel, aren''t you?" "..." "I did underestimate you." Facing the policewoman''s question, the female prisoner rubbed the bandage on her wrist before nodding, acknowledging her mistake in judgment. A look of mild surprise appeared on her face, "I originally thought you were just a na?ve young lady, wrapped around the authorities'' finger, like my crippled husband, led around by those lies, which gave you this unrealistic fantasy, but I didn''t expect you actually had this capability." sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You didn''t underestimate me. In the past, I truly was as you described, believing as long as I did what I thought was right, it would be fine, but before you..." After biting her lips until they turned pale, the distressed policewoman lowered her head slightly, her voice extremely low, "Before you, I encountered another Rebel. After reading his file, I began to feel..." Due to the policewoman speaking too softly and the boiler''s noisy rumble, the prisoner didn''t hear what she said clearly, so she frowned and asked, "What did you say?" "Nothing..." The policewoman shook her head vigorously, regaining her composure, then clenched her fists, exclaiming with determination, "I admit, I lack enough experience, and sometimes... I might be foolish, but as for my duty, I''ve been attentive to it! "Furthermore, not only with the Ryan Family''s case, but if your husband''s situation is indeed cleared up as true, I would definitely..." "Before it''s figured out, you''ll be reassigned!" After hearing the promise, the prisoner, whose identity was exposed and plans thwarted, preparing to take action, couldn''t help but snicker. With a cold expression, she mocked, "Ms. Yisha, you are indeed adorable... naively adorable! "You''re not alone in standing up against the grand nobles due to your duties, but not everyone comes from a good background like yours! "Go ahead and investigate! But remember, if it weren''t for your family name, your end might very well be worse than my husband''s!" Seeing the policewoman''s expression dim after being criticized, the female prisoner snorted disdainfully, "And even if you manage to accomplish something in the end, my attitude won''t change. Because even if you can do such a thing, it''s only because your father''s status is higher! "What my husband and I desire isn''t this tedious rescue from those above, akin to pity. What we need is the most direct blood for blood!" "..." *Perhaps you are right... but...* Hearing the murderous words, the somewhat bewildered policewoman bit her lip. Her mind flashed to her father''s visibly hunched back and rapidly greying hair after taking over the military''s mess. *Father... I think I understand you a little...* After clenching her fist hard and taking a deep breath, the policewoman, whose gaze had been avoiding her, for the first time met the other''s cold gaze, her voice very light but exceptionally firm, "Maybe it indeed is meaningless. But as long as someone is striving to do it, it''s certainly better than giving up completely!" Chapter 105 - 105: 0090 Light Speed Crash_1 *"As long as someone is still trying, isn''t that always better than giving up completely?"* Hearing the straightforward yet determined words from the female police officer, Leon couldn''t resist using the Black Goat''s soul vision to observe the state of her soul. Although the bright white soul carried a hint of lingering restlessness, its glow was somewhat glaring. Still, it burned persistently, fervently flickering. It was like a small flame just kindled, striving to radiate warmth to its surroundings, trying to bring a touch of warmth to a small part of the world around it with its still immature light. Unfortunately, nearby her wasn''t a vulnerable soul awaiting warmth, but rather a surge of cold fire desperately needing to erupt. ... *This person... will surely become an obstacle for us in the future!* Although she knew this assumption was somewhat absurd, the female criminal couldn''t help but have such a thought flash in her mind as she looked into the policewoman''s eyes. *Human nature is always to seek stability and is adept at numbing oneself. Even if you live in suffering now, as long as there is hope for the future, most people won''t pursue change.* *Only in circumstances like mine, having experienced the deepest despair and pushed to a dead end, will one truly go all out and resolve to take revenge on everything that once caused harm. So...* *"You''re a good cop, but you''re our enemy!"* Listening to the "Please trust me one more time" and "I will uncover the truth" promises by her ears, the female criminal''s eyes didn''t soften; instead, they grew sharper with the sound of the promises. It was exactly as the leader said, *the arrival of the "new world" everyone yearns for isn''t really up to us, but rather depends on how fast the whole Kingdom rots!* *The only way to make those content with the status quo abandon their false hope is to thoroughly spoil this nation''s sores, even push them along, allowing everyone to personally experience its decay and ugliness so they will resolutely stand with us to overthrow it!* *"So whether it''s the reform-driven Princess, the Minister of Defense fighting hard to maintain the military, or you, who has close ties with the current Minister of Defense, are all targets that must be eliminated!"* *"Aha~ Leon, look!"* The changes in the female criminal''s soul certainly didn''t escape the Black Goat, a Great Demon''s attention. Watching her soul gradually shift from red to an obscure hue, feeling the vibrant killing intent flicker along with the flame, the Black Goat couldn''t help but close its eyes blissfully, assessing with a face full of contentment, *"Someone doesn''t recognize the other''s actions but plans to risk everything to save her; meanwhile, the other, although acknowledging the other''s kindness, is ready to kill her by their own hands.* *It''s really wonderful; for a so-called great belief, one can unhesitatingly enact evil. Such filthy and sticky souls are truly magnificent!* *And as for the other, when sincere kindness from the heart meets the utmost venomous response, what kind of wicked thought will erupt in her mind then?* *"Ahahaha! It''s so wonderful! I can''t wait to see her reaction!"* *"..."* *How can a Great Demon talk as if they''re in the late stages of some terminal teen syndrome?* Pressing his foot a bit harder on the goat''s head, Leon rolled it around the dirty wagon floor, drawing a series of curses from the Black Goat. He then silently grabbed the Holy Spirit pendant, preparing to rescue. If the target was someone from the Ryan Family, that was fine, even if he didn''t intervene to add fuel to the fire. There was still a chance of "delayed rescue." However, from the dialogue he just heard, the policewoman, though a bit stubborn and a tangled mess, wasn''t really a bad person. If he could lend a helping hand, he should. Watching the state of the Rebel keenly, the moment the darkness in her soul surged, reaching out for the policewoman''s neck, Leon had already activated the pendant to create an invisible hand, gripping the bandage on the female criminal''s wrist tightly. *"How could this be?"* A searing pain shot through her wrist in an instant; the bandage that should have floated up was firmly pressed down by some invisible force. The female criminal couldn''t help but be shocked. However, noticing her movement, the policewoman had already turned slightly, meeting the hand reaching for her neck with her shoulder. Then, with the edge of her other palm, she struck fiercely below the female criminal''s ulnar styloid process. Taking advantage of the numbness in the criminal''s elbow and wrist, unable to change her posture, the police officer grabbed her right wrist and twisted her shoulder, bending it into a reverse arm lock. Finally, she lowered her center of gravity, folding the wrist, pushing the shoulder with the momentum of nearly crashing to the floor, and directly slammed her off the seat, crashing onto the carriage floor with force. Although complex in description, the police officer executed the whole set of moves astonishingly smoothly. By the time Leon flung off the coat covering his head, she had already completed the entire set, forcing the female criminal off the chair and efficiently subduing her. *"..."* *So, this is something you''ve been hiding, huh?* Watching the policewoman pinning the criminal to the floor with her left knee against her lumbar spine, hands twisting the right arm to press against the shoulder pit, Leon couldn''t help but gape, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes. Good thing I''m pretty temperate and didn''t get into a fight with her earlier, or I wouldn''t have fared much better than that criminal. Within less than 0.2 seconds, after regaining control of the offender trying to attack her, the policewoman instinctively, by police procedure, immediately raised her head to scan her surroundings, checking for any hidden accomplice, then... *"You?!"* *"Just passing through!"* Watching the policewoman''s graceful eyebrows suddenly rise, her pretty face plagued with a mix of shock, hesitation, panic, and resolve, like a store of spilled seasoning, Leon sat back onto the chair promptly before she lunged at him. *"I''m also running field assignments, and I got on the bus before you!"* Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Stressing his current stance as briefly as possible, Leon lifted his hand to reveal his ID, flashing it at the ticket lady rushing over from the front, ready to unleash a slew of curses at the three of them. *"Police escorting a criminal, please cooperate."* *"More police? I''m from the Department of Road Administration, Level Two Carriage Driver! Even if you''re police..."* *"Secret Investigation Bureau police."* *"Secret... Nevermind then..."* Upon viewing the official badge mark glistening on the ID cover, the ticket lady recoiled, her neck shrinking back. After confirming the criminal locked in a grappling posture on the floor, her brewing rage was quickly extinguished. Under the blank stares of all the passengers, her slightly bow-legged short limbs circled half a turn like a compass, her stout body twisting back pliably. Then, crouched, she scurried back to the front row and plopped into her seat. And the female criminal half-pressed against the floor caught a glimpse of Leon out of the corner of her eye, as if struck by lightning, all the "causes and effects" became clear to her. *"Despicable!"* Chapter 106 - 106: 0091 Secondment_1 Damn the Secret Investigation Bureau! Seeing another "male police officer" who had already been sitting in the corner before she got on the bus, the female prisoner, who had fallen into the "trap," became red with anger. *What about believing her confession and taking her to the Ryan Family for a fact-checking investigation? What about the official car being occupied, forcing them to use regular public transport? What about the car being too full to escort her alone with just one female officer¡­* *Trap! It was all a trap to make her lower her guard!* Adding to that, the suddenly malfunctioning bandages that refused to activate no matter how much she tried¡­she might have been betrayed by a traitor, recognized from the start! Thinking of how hard she had tried to disguise herself during the interrogation at the Secret Investigation Bureau, the female prisoner felt she was nothing but a clown. The image of the interrogator''s pitying look when hearing about her "encounter" in her memory turned into mocking laughter filled with ridicule! *Liars! All of you are liars!* Realizing she had fallen for such a blatant trap, the enraged female prisoner, in spite of the pain in her shoulder and neck, twisted herself with all her might, sharply questioning the female officer holding her down, "You knew, didn''t you? You knew all along, didn''t you?" *I¡­ knew what?* Confused by her out-of-context questioning, the female officer was ready to ask for details, when she felt the vehicle lean forward, the entire carriage began to decelerate, pulling up at a nearby stop¡ªit''d arrived. As the carriage stopped, the passengers simultaneously stood up, crowded toward the door, eager to disembark. The earlier conversation between the two female officers was too low, mostly drowned out by the noisy boiler, so apart from the young couple huddled fearfully in the back row, hardly anyone heard them. But when Leon revealed the badge just now, what he said was heard very clearly by the passengers. Secret police! Then the person they''re holding must be one of the Rebels. Whether it''s the rebellious group causing havoc and orchestrating multiple assassinations, or the secret police who can investigate, summon, or even arrest anyone on suspicion, for ordinary people, both are something to avoid at all costs. Now that both sides were gathered on the bus, no one would want to stick around and watch the drama unfold. Even the young couple cowering in the corner, evidently terrified, stood up tremblingly, casting a terrified glance as they clung to each other, tentatively asking the female officer blocking their way, "Um¡­ it seems we''ve reached our stop, could you¡­ could you¡­?" "..." Understanding that it was not because they had reached their stop but because they wanted to avoid any contact with the secret police, the female officer sighed, directing the furious female prisoner back to her seat. "Sorry, I''ll move, but please, you both need to head to the Secret Investigation Bureau right away." "Huh?" "Don''t worry, you won''t be interrogated. It''s just a standard classified investigation." The female officer, slightly relieved when she saw that Leon seemed not to be causing trouble, slightly tilted her head, glancing at the alarmed young couple, explained, "What you heard just now is somewhat sensitive, so please report to the Secret Investigation Bureau''s Classified Section within thirty minutes for registration and to receive some basic information security training. Rest assured, the process is safe, and we''ll compensate for your travel expenses and any time you missed. However, please go to register as soon as possible¡ªif there is a significant delay in registration compared to your travel records, or if you come into contact with too many others during this time, subsequent investigations could get complicated." "Then¡­ then let''s go now!" Once the young couple exited hurriedly, as though escaping, the female officer finished handling the basics and struggled with the disgruntled female prisoner, pushing her toward a corner spot while looking curiously toward Leon on the other side. Although she was confident in her abilities, the female officer knew that if Leon had attacked from behind while she was subduing the prisoner, he could have forced her to let go, giving the female prisoner a chance to escape. Yet, he made no move, simply sitting back down on his seat, merely donning his coat, doing nothing else, and even shifting aside to avoid suspicion. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *So¡­ what is your purpose?* "Stop staring at me, all right? I really am out on field duty¡­ by the way, everyone left pretty cleanly." Because those aware of abnormal existences tend to be more susceptible to unusual incidents, Leon didn''t explain his actions. Instead, he glanced around and diverted the conversation, "Just at the mention of the Secret Investigation Bureau, a whole bus cleared out to the last person. Your bureau''s reputation sure packs a punch~" "..." Hearing Leon''s slightly mocking evaluation, the female officer felt a knot in her heart. Knowing her department''s reputation, she had no grounds for rebuttal, and could only glare at Leon, "Did you just¡­" "I heard everything." Unabashedly admitting he was faking sleep, knowing he couldn''t change the subject, Leon calmly cut off the conversation, "But I''m currently on a crucial field mission, so the classified registration can wait. I''ll get to it when I''m not busy." "..." Just as the female officer was left speechless, the ticket lady eventually ambled over cautiously from five steps away, "You two, should¡­ should I keep this vehicle going?" *Yeah, should we continue?* Hearing the ticket lady''s question, the female officer hesitated, lost in thought. Ideally, realizing that the female prisoner was not just a "small role" as imagined, but likely a high-ranking member of the Rebels, she should have immediately terminated the investigation and returned with the prisoner to the Secret Investigation Bureau. However, given the agency''s emphasis on the Rebels, if she brought her back now, the prisoner would likely face endless questioning, aiming to extract all intelligence related to the Rebels. As for her husband''s past affairs, and the crimes committed by the Ryan Family, they wouldn''t compare to the attempted assassination of the Princess. Even if she were to have her father intervene, all inquiries would revolve around the assassination plot. So, if she immediately returned her, the tragic fate of the honorable investigator from six years ago might never see the light of day, and the perpetrators would escape deserved punishment¡­ "Continue, but skip all later stops and head directly to the Ryan Family." Quickly seizing "command," fearing the female officer might be killed by those bandages on the way if tasked with escorting the prisoner alone, Leon nodded towards her. "Additionally, deduct the missed fare from her." "Huh?" "No more huh-ing, you''ve been seconded now. You''ll need to support my work as a priority." Producing a document obtained from the Red-haired Director during the file access, showing the "administrative level" header to the female officer, Leon fished out a charcoal pencil from inside his coat, dipping his head and starting to fill out the form. [Reason for Secondment: Abnormal situation encountered during field duty, need personnel] [Object of Secondment: One Secret Investigation Bureau Police Officer] [Detail of Secondment: ¡­] Pausing while writing, Leon looked up at the somewhat bewildered female officer, inquiring directly, "During secondments in your bureau, what do you usually fill out here?" "..." Chapter 107 - 107: 0092 Bandage and Problem_1 "..." *So you haven''t even decided what you want me to do, and you''re already asking for my transfer?* Startled by Leon''s unexpected move, the female detective thought this might be her last chance to investigate the past incident. After clenching her fists several times, she finally agreed to cooperate with the "bastard rebels," and with a tense face, she responded, "Just put ''assist investigation''... Wait, are you really in the field? And you''re going to the Ryan Family too? What are you going to do there?" "Why do you have so many questions? These are confidential matters, don''t ask about things you''re not supposed to!" After rebuking the female detective, Leon felt much better and swiftly filled out the paperwork before stuffing it into her pocket. He then pointed at the female prisoner pressed against the wall of the compartment and made his first request. "Loosen your grip a bit, let me see the bandage on her wrist!" ??? Although she didn''t understand what Leon intended, seeing him extend just one finger, apparently only wanting to touch the bandage, the female detective didn''t stop him and slightly loosened her grip on the prisoner''s arm. "Sizzle..." [Name: Plague-Infected Blood Bandage (Decay, Healing)] [Appearance: An old bandage stained with a lot of blood. The central gauze that binds the bleeding point still has a large amount of dark brown old blood stains, and if you get close, you can smell a faint salty odor.] [Ability: Actively entangles any living target, draining their health and causing rapid decay, but when used correctly, can quickly heal all wounds below "limb severance."] [Cost: When used, unbearable pain will emanate from the right thigh, making it nearly impossible to walk.] [File: Removed from the body of a soldier who died of wounds, each fiber of this bandage has been soaked with the painful tears of the soldier''s wife.] [Evaluation: The bloodstains born out of guardianship have yet to successfully convey the deceased''s wishes, but the tears brimming with hatred are tormenting the souls of the living repeatedly.] [Contamination Value: 1.1] "..." Another "dual-trait" Anomalous Object? After reading the abilities of this bandage, Leon couldn''t help but furrow his brow slightly, feeling a bit strange. Like the [Spirit Lodge], the two abilities of this bandage were unrelated, even completely opposite. Moreover, judging from the file and evaluation, the "creator" of this Anomalous Object might not only be the deceased investigator but likely also included the female prisoner being held. *If I''m not mistaken, her husband''s will to survive and his concern for his family should have fostered the bandage''s healing ability.* As for the source of the other half, the decay ability, it was probably the female prisoner''s deep-rooted hatred and her desire for her enemies to experience the pain her husband endured before he died. Although this formation process seemed "reasonable," most Anomalous Objects were born out of pure and extreme emotions. And pure implies complexity is unlikely; although the probability of an item carrying both "love" and "hate" emotions is not non-existent, both emotions would need to be strong and nearly equivalent in intensity, which should be extremely rare. Yet, this was already the second one he had encountered. *So... Could this also be related to that Aquarius Director?* Following this faint sense of familiarity, Leon furrowed his brows tightly, moved closer, and lowered his voice as he dared to ask, "I''m asking you, have you seen someone with narrow eyes, drooping eyebrows, and corners of the mouth, a natural crying face?" ?!!! *They knew!* Hearing Leon''s question, the female prisoner couldn''t help but tense up. Upon considering the suddenly ineffective bandage, she finally confirmed her earlier judgment. *There is a traitor within the organization! And it''s very likely not a mere traitor, but someone possibly in a higher position than me! It might even be one of those core members who also gained power!* *Damn it! Who the hell is the traitor!* ... Although the female prisoner bit her lips and remained silent, without giving any response, her self-perceived stubborn resistance meant nothing to Leon, who possessed soul vision. *Goodness, it seems she really has encountered him? So, is that Aquarius Director still creating abnormalities?* Watching as the female prisoner''s soul panicked upon hearing his inquiry, Leon couldn''t help but take a deep breath, instinctively clenching his fists, and immediately continued to press, "How did you meet him? Did he approach you?" "I don''t know what you''re talking about!" "So he approached you!" Having discerned the answer through her soul''s reaction, Leon furrowed his brows once more, and amidst the female prisoner''s alarmed expression, continued questioning harshly, "Tell me! Is it only you related to him, or are your entire rebels involved?" "I said, I don''t know what you''re talking about!" "..." *What the hell... aren''t you supposed to interrogate her? Isn''t this supposed to be my job? What am I even here for?* As Leon and the female prisoner quickly exchanged questions and answers, the female detective on the side was completely bewildered and couldn''t help but ask softly, "Leon... what exactly..." "Don''t interfere, hold her down!" After shooting a glare at the tool, signaling her not to interrupt, Leon pondered briefly as he looked at the once-unchanged soul of the female prisoner before asking differently, "If neither of those answers is correct... does that mean not many people know of or have seen him, but within your rebels, there are indeed a batch of people who gained power from him?" "..." Unable to comprehend how she let something slip from the first two questions, the female prisoner stubbornly clenched her jaw, remaining silent to prevent her tone or expression from unveiling the answers. However, though she didn''t utter a word, her once again turbulent soul directly revealed the correct answer to Leon. "So there really are a batch of people who have encountered him... is there a lot of them? Very few? Not too many?" "..." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Seems like not too many... Tell me, counting people like you, does it amount to fifty? Thirty? Twenty? Ten? More than ten, right?" "?" "Up to fifteen? Twelve? Thirteen? Oh, it turns out to be twelve!" "??" *There are actually a whole twelve?* Quickly deducing the number of people who obtained anomalies from observing the changes in the female prisoner''s soul, Leon, feeling a bit tense, urgently continued asking, "What level are those people? Are most of them stronger than you?" "???" "Seems they are stronger than you... so how many of them are stronger than you? Three? Five? Seven?" "!!!" *He''s one as well! He''s also that kind of person!* Though she stubbornly refused to say a single word the entire time, essentially giving away all the intelligence, the female prisoner¡ªwho was nearly driven to collapse by the interrogation¡ªfinally realized what she had encountered. *I don''t know how he''s doing it, but it seems as long as I''m alive, I can''t keep any secrets from him!* "Go to hell!!!" With a hysterical yell, she recklessly dislocated her arm as her upper body suddenly leaned back, her head slammed into the female detective''s chest, and then she arched her body backward, slamming forcefully against the compartment''s hard iron wall! "Bang!" Chapter 108 - 108: 0093 Sugar and Ryan Hell_1 "Ah!" Seeing the female prisoner who had collided headfirst into the metal wall, her head embedded deeply, the female police officer did not take the time to rub her bruised chest. She quickly let go and rushed over, pulling the motionless prisoner out. "What happened? How did she slam into the wall? Wake up! You¡­" "You¡­ Wait, don''t shout¡­" After patting her shoulder, Ryan leaned against her, his heart racing over one hundred sixty beats per minute, his whole body breaking out in a cold sweat. Covering his humming ears, he weakly advised, "She probably just knocked herself out, she won''t die¡­ You¡­ phew¡­ you need to be quiet, it''s making my ear¡­" "How could that be!" Although she did not know why the prisoner did this, it was clearly related to Ryan''s issues. The policewoman, worried sick, shrugged off Ryan''s hand, turned back, and pointed angrily at the dented wall, "Look at that! She dented such a large piece! This is iron! Such strength¡­" "Don''t look at the carriage, can''t you check her head?" "What''s the use of looking at her head! It''s iron! If iron is dented this much, how could a human head¡­ huh?" Checking the prisoner''s head, she found no expected bloody wounds, only a large red bump. The female police officer widened her eyes in shock, her gaze shifting back and forth between the dented wall and the prisoner''s forehead. "How¡­ how is this possible? How can a human head be harder than iron?" "Heh, can you be a Rebel with anything less than a head of iron?" After mumbling a few nonsensical words, Ryan, feeling that more than fifty percent of his energy had been drained, leaned halfway against the seat, panting heavily with lingering fear and grateful that his reaction had been quick enough. The moment he realized the prisoner intended to crash into the wall, he decisively activated the Holy Spirit Pendant, using his will to alter reality and forcibly "changed" a small piece of the wall into a rubber-like substance. Ryan originally planned to maintain this state for a few seconds, at least until the wall returned to normal to avoid arousing the policewoman''s suspicion. However, the energy consumption of altering reality was unexpectedly horrendous. Maintaining the "rubber" state even for a moment drained most of Ryan''s strength, and upon realizing something was wrong, he dared not wait for the wall to revert. He quickly released the hold on the Holy Spirit Pendant. After the sudden interruption of the ability, the rubberized wall was immediately restored under reality''s "pressure," which trapped the prisoner''s head inside the "wall" instead of rebounding her directly¡­ ... After catching his breath while leaning against the chair, Ryan, now recovering, couldn''t help but lift the corners of his mouth slightly. Seeing the policewoman still studying the "Rebel''s iron head" in befuddlement, he checked the prisoner''s condition. "She seems okay; besides her head swelling, there aren''t any other visible injuries. She probably just fainted, maybe a mild concussion." "That''s good, that''s good¡­" Although Ryan wasn''t a doctor, the policewoman inexplicably felt reassured hearing his words. Then, she noticed his abnormal appearance. "You¡­ what''s wrong with you? Why do you look so pale, and have so much cold sweat?" "..." *I asked for it! Clearly aware that people with abnormal powers tend to be radical, yet unprepared for her to go to the extreme right away, I gave her a chance to struggle.* Ryan let out a bitter smile internally, firmly taking this lesson to heart, and casually replied, "I''m not sure; maybe I''m just hungry¡­ How about talking about you guys! Why are you taking her to the Ryan Family?" "It''s because of the assassination of the Princess¡­" As she spoke, the policewoman hesitated, recalling Ryan''s identity as a "damn Rebel," feeling it odd to discuss these matters with him. Yet remembering Ryan''s strange interrogation earlier, she finally decided to confess, "The firearms left behind by the Rebels at the scene were numbered under the Ryan Family''s arms factory, and she persistently claimed that the guns were bought from the Ryan Family¡­ Are you feeling very unwell?" Looking at Ryan''s pale face and hand unconsciously pressed against his stomach, the policewoman bit her lip and dug two candies out of her pocket, shoving them into his hand somewhat roughly. "Take these and hold on! If you faint from hunger, it''s not my problem!" "¡­" *Even when showing kindness, you have to keep up appearances, huh? You really are contrary¡­* Looking at the candies in his hand, Ryan silently unwrapped the light pink wrapper, popped the heart-shaped milk candy into his mouth, vaguely murmuring thanks. He continued to inquire, "And now, are you still going to the Ryan Family to confront them about the arms factory business?" "No, I have other questions to ask first!" Upon hearing this, the policewoman shook her head, first glancing at the unconscious female prisoner beside her, then biting her lip firmly and said, "When attempting to assassinate the Princess, she created an opportunity by directly blowing up a flour factory, causing a massive casualty of workers. Although she is not a good person, the fact that she ended up like this is ultimately due to the crimes the Ryan Family committed in the past. The arms factory issue can be investigated by others, but what happened to her and her husband, if I don''t continue investigating, no one else will. Hence, I must get to the bottom of this, ensuring those bastards face the punishment they deserve!" "Good, I hope you can achieve it!" While sharing the prisoner''s perspective, believing that she would probably find nothing before the Ryan Family used their power to stop her, Ryan continued to respect those who persisted in doing the right thing. Even if their methods were naive, he felt contemplative respect and opened his mouth to promise, "You saw my ability earlier, generally liars can''t slip past me. In the future, if you encounter such issues in your investigation, feel free to ask me for help." "¡­" Seeing Ryan not dampen her spirits or mock her convictions, even offering help, the policewoman blinked emotionally complex eyes, awkwardly turning her head and murmuring a mosquito-like "thank you." *You''re truly a contrary weirdo¡­* Silently shaking his head, with the consideration of the previous candy-borne kindness, Ryan reminded, "Make sure you stay vigilant; the Ryan Family operates uncleanly, and even with your substantial backing, they may still take action against you." "Don''t worry, I am mentally prepared." The policewoman nodded, her expression tense as she said, "I''ve been working on several cases recently, all significantly linked to the Ryan Family. To handle these, I''ve reviewed almost all the files related to their family. I''m well aware of how despicable and unscrupulous this family is¡ªit''s clearer to me than ever! I''ll be doubly cautious, regardless of what you say!" S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Alright, as long as you''re confident." Seeing that the policewoman understood just how dangerous this matter was, Ryan nodded, choosing not to say more. Instead, he savored the sweet milk candy in his mouth, leaned back against the chair, and closed his eyes to recharge his energy. However, just as he shut his eyes, someone tapped his thigh lightly. "Don''t just talk about me, what about you?" Gazing at the sole "Ryan" in front of her whom she found not so detestable, the policewoman''s eyes rarely showed a hint of warmth as she softly inquired, "Aren''t you also heading to the Ryan Family? I aim to seize evidence of their crimes, but what are you intending to do there?" "I''m going for a family reunion." "????" Chapter 109 - 109: 0094 Baohua and Lion_1 """ *Did you even listen to what you''re saying?* Upon hearing Leon''s response, the expression on the policewoman''s face was beyond complex. A person who counted as a radical among the rebels had just interrogated a high-ranking rebel, asking such deadly questions that it forced the person to commit suicide by headbutting the wall. And after finishing his interrogation of the rebels, he advised her to be cautious of the Ryan Family''s desperate moves, while calmly informing her he was going to the Ryans for a family reunion... *What side are you really on?* Completely bewildered by Leon''s reply, the policewoman had a thousand questions she wanted to ask, but seeing his exhausted expression, she refrained from disturbing him further and instead sat on the other side with the unconscious female prisoner. ... Since the entire carriage had been ''wrapped up,'' there was no need to frequently slow down and stop for passengers. Additionally, the steam carriage was moving at its maximum speed to quickly rid itself of these exceptionally troublesome passengers. With all these factors in play, the carriage arrived at Redwood Avenue, where the Ryan Family resided, in less than half the usual time. It hastily asked the several ''plague gods'' to disembark. Having caught a brief nap on the carriage, Leon felt his strength slightly restored; he looked much better, and once he stepped into the cold wind, the signs of fatigue were almost unnoticeable. Ignoring the policewoman''s hesitant gaze, Leon grabbed the ram''s head and broom, identified the surroundings of Redwood Avenue, and walked toward the end of the road, where two towering trees, nearly a hundred meters tall, stood. Indeed, Redwood Avenue lived up to its name, with two incredibly massive redwoods planted there. This type of tree, with a reddish-brown bark, could grow over a hundred meters tall and had an average diameter of eight meters, which generally wouldn''t be found in an industrial city like the Capital City¡ªlet alone on Redwood Avenue, where land was so precious. Yet for certain groups, these factors were not an issue; in fact, the more challenging and unreasonable something was, the more it displayed their loftiness and distinctiveness. These two redwoods at the end of Redwood Avenue were forcibly transplanted from hundreds of miles away by the royal family and gifted to the two most noble families in the Kingdom, planted at the entrances of their private estates. The royal family''s intention at the time was to use these trees, capable of living for a thousand years, to symbolize their hope that the two most loyal supporters would endure and inherit the Kingdom alongside them. Unfortunately, the royal family''s effort to gift these massive trees was somewhat self-indulgent. The Bauhinia Family, having received their tree, didn''t last many years before launching a violent coup to overthrow the royal family, resulting in the betrayal and execution of their entire clan¡ªthe execution platform was set under the tree gifted to them. Though the other family didn''t instigate a coup, they transformed from the once ambitious, expansionist Lionheart Family into the Ryan Family, now infamous as one of the Kingdom''s three great malignancies¡ªa massive abscess growing at the Kingdom''s core... *Honestly, with such ill fate surrounding these two trees, there could be some reasoning behind it.* Using credentials from the Purification Bureau, Leon successfully accessed this private road not open to the public, deliberately ignoring the villas and gardens lining the way, and briskly heading straight for his goal. "Hey, you''re going the wrong way!" Seeing Leon veer right rather than toward the Ryan Manor at the end of Redwood Avenue, the policewoman, carrying the female prisoner in her arms, quickly called out: "It''s not that way! That''s the Bauhinia Family''s estate! The Ryan Family is at the other end!" "I know." Continuing to walk right down the road, although thoroughly abandoned, amidst the weeds and crumbling walls lay remnants of the stately entrance to Treasure Flower Manor. Leon first inspected the area once designated as an execution platform, almost soaked in blood, then cautiously approached the slightly withered giant tree, touching the cracked, dark brown bark. Nothing happened. It seemed that this tree, which witnessed the Bauhinia Family''s downfall and contributed considerable wood for their execution platform, hadn''t turned into something abnormal and remained just an ordinary redwood. Retrieving his hand with mixed feelings of regret and relief, Leon confirmed this tree wasn''t abnormal, then returned to the path leading to the Ryan Manor. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *You really... Do you always have to explore both options whenever faced with two contradictory ones?* Exhausted from chasing after Leon while carrying a woman heavier than herself and just catching her breath, the policewoman, tired out, sneaked a glance at Leon with suspicion, wondering if this guy had a few screws loose, just as he once suspected her. This suspicion hit its peak when Leon brought her to the Ryan manor''s entrance and, after stating his purpose to the butler, responsible for greeting guests... ... *Wait... you really came to recognize relatives?!* Having calmed down along the carriage ride, the policewoman thought Leon was merely too tired to bother responding, offering a perfunctory excuse to dismiss her. But after being brought into Ryan Manor and led by two attendants to a three-story building housing the Ryan family records, she saw Leon truly browsing through the allowed sections of the genealogy. The policewoman, filled with questions, couldn''t help but quietly sidle over and whisper: "Leon, I read your file. Your parents are regular folks from Laine County, unrelated to the Ryan Family!" "I know." Without lifting his head, Leon, staring at the array of books filling two large cabinets, felt a headache coming on and decisively enlisted this unpaid labor. "Put the person down and help me go through the Ryan family''s genealogy." "Huh?" "Huh, what? Did you forget you''ve already been conscripted by me?" "..." Remembering her current ''status'' and needing his assistance, the policewoman had no choice but to cooperate obediently. Refusing help from two willing attendants and, finding their gazes peculiar, securely tying up the female prisoner, the policewoman suddenly thought of something. Quickly, she hurried back to Leon''s side, whispering excitedly: "I got it! Are you planning to first delve into the Ryan family''s genealogy, specifically pinpointing those whose life paths seem abnormal or who suddenly rose suspiciously to uncover their crimes?" "..." *You know, that''s actually the idea...* However, what I''m looking for isn''t crimes, but traces of those suspected of profiting from anomalous objects. Those with questionable "success stories" are naturally more likely to have had interactions with Yang Xin. Surprised, Leon gave the policewoman a look, nodded silently, and half-truthfully said: "That''s about right." "I knew it!" Elated to have her suspicion confirmed, the policewoman clenched her fist with excitement, then, acting guilty as a thief, glanced at the distant attendants. She then inquired softly: "How can I assist you?" "For you... try this one!" After pondering for a moment, Leon rummaged through the shelves, pulling out a moderately thick register to hand over. "You''re a police officer, after all; you should have some expertise in this." """ Chapter 110 - 110: 0095 Accidental Discovery_1 "Unnatural deaths and disappearance register?" After looking at the title on the roster, the female police officer exclaimed with surprise, "Isn''t everyone listed here from the Ryan Family? If you''re looking for evidence against the Ryan Family, searching this won''t be of much use, right?" Indeed, if it were for evidence, looking at this wouldn''t be very meaningful, but for investigating Anomalous Objects, it became quite effective. Especially with Anomalous Objects like the "Demon" Yang Xin, when the holder couldn''t control it, it almost inevitably caused many unnatural deaths. And if many people who died unnaturally were connected to one person, then the possibility of this person using or even possessing Yang Xin would increase infinitely, but there was no need to explain all of this to her. "Don''t worry, it''s useful." To ensure that the hard-to-find helper worked efficiently without slacking off, Leon continued flipping through the genealogical records in his hands without raising his head, he casually replied, "The records in this room are not the original genealogy; they are the copies that the Ryan Family allows others to peruse, so the contents must have been glorified, and most overly sensitive parts have likely been removed, but..." "But records of events can be deleted, while records of who is alive or dead are generally accurate! So in these semi-public genealogies, the credibility of such basic records is actually the highest!" Upon understanding Leon''s point, the female police officer''s eyes lit up involuntarily, and she looked at Leon with a bit of admiration in her eyes. This bastard... this guy''s brain is really quick! Not only could he instantly judge the credibility of information, but he also had a terrifyingly accurate interrogation method, and even his shooting was super precise. No wonder he could get into the "hidden department" of the investigative department; this guy really was a rare talent! Shocked by Leon''s methods, in the female police officer''s eyes, Leon seemed to be haloed with an aura of a "big shot," and even the frown he formed while flipping through the "fake" genealogy carried a hint of wisdom. "..." This guy, although impulsive, turned out to be quite easy to pacify... hmm... but his gaze was a bit unsettling... Feeling uncomfortable being stared at by the female police officer, Leon subconsciously moved his chair a bit away from her, then continued flipping through the genealogical records while affirming, "Yes, that''s what I mean! Plus, the Ryan Family is a large family; their internal relations aren''t that close and even involve mutual infighting. Those accustomed to scheming probably won''t only resort to such tactics externally but might also do so internally. So..." "So we prioritize looking for those linked to many of the deceased and missing people!" Understanding Leon''s point once more, the female police officer couldn''t help but slap her long leg, whispering in admiration, "Having a connection with one deceased might be a coincidence; having connections with many deceased, it''s most likely the mastermind! Plus, if they are this ruthless internally, they would surely be even more unscrupulous externally, making it relatively easier to find evidence against such people compared to those who use fewer means! Damn it! Why didn''t I think of it? You really are... hmm..." "..." No... how did you suddenly switch from critiquing Leon to praising him? Being stared at by the female police officer''s heated gaze, Leon was unnerved and, for the first time, found that being looked at with admiration could be so uncomfortable. Please, could you act a bit more normal? I''m not being falsely modest; I''m genuinely uncomfortable... to be honest, compared to this weird gaze, the disdainful look you used to give me was actually more comfortable... "I''ll check right away!" Unaware that she was being disliked, upon finding the "meaning" of her work, the female police officer immediately stood up, obtaining paper and pen from a servant. She then took the death roster and the genealogical records of important contacts, energetically plunging into the endless "Ryan Hell." Seeing her finally calm down, not looking at him with those eyes or asking questions, Leon let out a sigh of relief and also immersed himself in the investigation of suspicious files. After the two servants left, only the sound of pages turning remained in the genealogical room on the first floor of the small building. Both were closely examining the records for separate purposes, Leon aiming to find evidence against the Ryan Family, and the female police officer seeking the missing Yang Xin, for several hours filled with intense scrutiny. As the sun began to set, Leon had written nearly thirty names on the paper beside him, while the female police officer had found only eight or nine. ... Hmm... you might say, this time around, recruiting her turned out to be spot on... Closing the genealogy in his hand, Leon stretched his somewhat stiff neck, while glancing at the paper beside the female police officer, and was pleasantly surprised to find that five or six names on her "master" list overlapped with his "newly rich" list. These seemingly unremarkable individuals suddenly rose to prominence and wealth while also being linked to many internal Ryan Family death incidents... if the person who obtained Yang Xin weren''t a Buddhist youth, they likely were among these five or six people. Moreover, just to be safe, ensuring that the "Yang Xin holder" didn''t already hold a high position or lack a strong desire for wealth, the range could be slightly expanded but should remain within seven or eight individuals. It could be said he was not far from Yang Xin. Hmm... the director was indeed the director. Visiting to acknowledge kinship, though sounding frivolous, proved astonishingly useful for investigating Anomalous Objects, accomplishing so much in just a few hours. If I had listened to the Black Goat''s proposal to sneak into Ryan Family rooms one by one in the middle of the night, interrogating anyone I found with the smell of Yang Xin, safety issues aside, it wouldn''t have been as efficient as this! Seriously reminding himself to learn from the director and Senior Emma, to think more before acting, so as not to become a reckless fool like the Black Goat later. Looking at the female police officer who suddenly furrowed her brow, as if something was troubling her, Leon didn''t disturb this still hard-working helper. Instead, he got up to exit the genealogical room, requested two servings of meals from a servant, and placed one beside her. "Stop looking for now, take a break." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Huh? Oh! Okay!" Accepting the serving set on the table, she quickly swallowed a spoonful of soup, tasting nothing. Afterwards, the female police officer clenched her fist tightly, raising her head to look at Leon eating across the table, her face filled with hesitation. "Hmm?" Noticing her gaze, Leon put down the spoonful of mashed potatoes he scooped up, asking with some surprise, "What''s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" I actually didn''t... it''s mainly because of you... Instinctively licking her dry lips, the female police officer''s white teeth began unconsciously nibbling her lower lip. "Leon, let me ask you..." Watching the man across from her, seemingly puzzled, the female police officer tightened her fists, even clenching her toes inside her shoes, and cautiously probed, "If... I''m just saying if... if you were really a member of the Ryan Family, what would you do then?" "..." "Huh???!!!!" Chapter 111 - 111: 0096 Reconciliation with Maternal Grandfather_1 Although the woman cop had said "if," combined with her somewhat evasive gaze, the implication was not much different from a direct statement. After being taken aback, Leon couldn''t help but ask the hesitant woman cop in front of him, "Did you find something when you were going through the list?" "I did find something... But it''s not very certain at the moment, so it''s just an if..." After a silent sigh in her heart, the woman cop took the "Missing Persons List" and the "Lionheart Family Register," pointed to one of the names that was crossed out, and spoke in a low voice with an unpleasant expression, "This person... has the same name as your maternal grandfather. He was a fairly outstanding mechanic who once competed with the former head of the family for control of the Ryan Armaments Company. But because of his shallow roots, after losing the contest, not only did he lose his position in the company, but he was also driven out by the former head. In the end, his entire family had to leave the Capital City and moved to... Laine County..." "..." The same name, mechanic, Laine County... It seemed a bit suspicious, but... "That doesn''t necessarily mean I''m part of the Ryan Family, right?" Leon frowned and said after thinking for a moment, "While Laine County is a small county, it has a resident population of several million, so having someone with the same name..." "It''s not just the same name." Apparently having had similar suspicions, the woman cop shook her head upon hearing Leon''s words and brought out the third book she had prepared. "Look, this is a photo from a ball at the time. The person on the stage is your maternal grandfather." "Are you expecting me to recognize people from photos?" Looking at the spirited yet very unfamiliar middle-aged man on the stage, Leon couldn''t help but frown and said, "I have almost no impression of my maternal grandfather because of certain things, so..." "Even if you don''t recognize him, don''t you find this person familiar?" Pointing to someone in the crowd below the stage, the woman cop said helplessly, "That person is your maternal grandmother. Her appearance is just..." A mature version of Anna indeed! Looking at the woman in the photo, whose eyebrows and eyes bore a seven-tenths resemblance to his sister except for some details, even Leon felt that this was probably not a coincidence. After returning to his seat with the three books, Leon, with his brows tightly knit, quickly leafed through the relevant records and also looked for related genealogies. Subsequently, he was extremely speechless to discover that if all this were true, not only was he part of the Ryan Family, but he seemed to be of quite a high rank. Even the current head of the Ryan Family would have to call him uncle! Although he was a distant uncle and had no inheritable property, not to mention his inheritance rights to a title were nowhere near the top 30, he was indeed a member of the Ryan Family, and could barely be considered part of the direct lineage. *My gosh, this is some real dog blood!* And looking at the ever-increasing doubts in front of him, even though Leon didn''t really want to acknowledge the kinship, he had to admit that he was probably part of the Ryan Family. If there were only one or two suspicious points, it might just be a coincidence, but with so many coincidences piling up, it was hard to argue otherwise. Especially with a maternal grandmother who bore a seven-tenths resemblance to Anna... *This is... the kinship was just an excuse to investigate the Anomalous Object, but now, the mutton stew wasn''t found, and I ended up acknowledging the kinship instead!* "Leon..." Seeing Leon rubbing his temples incessantly with an unpleasant expression, the woman cop couldn''t help but ask again, "What are you going to do?" "What do you mean, what am I going to do?" "The investigation of the evidence!" "These two matters are separate, you just go ahead and investigate." After dismissing it with a wave of his hand, Leon took out a pen and paper, and while jotting down the relevant records, he remembered Anna''s secret. *I am a traveler, not only do I have no memory of my maternal grandfather, but even most things related to my parents were heard from Anna.* *But Anna is different from me, although both grandparents died of illness early, by counting the age, Anna should have met them when she was young, maybe she knows about her own lineage.* *So... is this what Anna was hiding from me?* *But if it was this, why wouldn''t she want me to see the photos? Also, is it really necessary to hide something like this from me?* ... With a stomach full of questions, after finishing copying the records related to his maternal grandfather, Leon folded the paper and carefully kept it close, intending to ask Anna back home. Then he looked at the woman cop beside him, who seemed like she had more to say, and pushed a piece of paper he had filled out over to her. "Here, this is a list of those whose rise was strange, and who likely used some unscrupulous means. If you want to investigate the Ryan Family, you can prioritize these people." "Ah? Thank you..." Taking the "Suspicious Personnel List," the woman cop couldn''t help but clench her fists and spoke with a complex expression upon seeing Leon restored to calm again: "Didn''t expect you to really be part of the Ryan Family..." "Hold up." Raising his hand to make a stopping gesture, Leon said with a serious face, "My Ryan is from Laine County''s Ryan, not the Duke of Lionheart''s Ryan... At least I have no such intentions, and since my family never mentioned this, it proves they probably have no interest in acknowledging this kinship either." Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So I hope this matter stops here, afterwards you can investigate the Ryan Family however you want, but I have nothing to do with this family." When he said this, Leon couldn''t help but pause slightly. Although the woman cop didn''t seem like the talkative type, just to be safe, he took out a note pad. "Tell you what, let''s consider what just happened as confidential content, only known to you and me. If I find out that someone else knows..." "Don''t bother writing the note! I''m not that kind of person!" Glaring at Leon with dissatisfaction, seeing him acting as if zealously defending against being tied to the Ryan Family, the woman cop inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. Then with a look of slight respect: "Although the Ryan Family doesn''t have a very good reputation, it''s still a noble house with over 500 years of history, and your grandfather is of the direct lineage. I thought you would..." "What you think isn''t necessarily true, besides, how do you know I wasn''t telling the truth just now and wouldn''t turn around and recognize the Ryan Family?" After cutting off the woman cop, seeing as she didn''t conceal the discovery and conducted a secret investigation on him, but came straight out with it, to avoid her getting into trouble again due to rashness, Leon couldn''t help but advise, "You''re not a bad person, but you''re a bit too impulsive, always making decisions on a whim. For instance, since you know I have interests related to the Ryan Family, why still tell me directly? And before, it was just a misunderstanding, why were you so certain that I must be a rebel?" "Your judgments are too hasty. When you encounter similar situations in the future, try thinking it over before deciding. Acting so rashly won''t do." "I... I''m not entirely without thought..." Hearing Leon''s assessment of her, being called impetuous and reckless by someone younger, the woman cop''s face flushed slightly, and couldn''t help but try to salvage her dignity: "I told you directly because I felt you''re not a bad person and unlikely to collude with the Ryan Family! As for why I thought you were a rebel... It was simply because of what the ''Daily News'' editor said before, who wouldn''t think you''re a rebel after hearing that?" Chapter 112 - 112: 0097 Target_1 "..." So... the thing I did at that restaurant, you''ve actually found out about it already? Looking at Leon''s suddenly tense expression, the female officer couldn''t help but blink in speechlessness. *I thought you were acting so boldly because you had nothing to fear; turns out you really thought you hadn''t been exposed?* "Do you not read the paper usually?" She made a remark, and noticing Leon''s somewhat puzzled look, the female officer couldn''t help but tease, "Actually, you covered your tracks pretty decently¡ªnot only did you keep your face covered the whole time, but after your attack, you immediately went to a bustling shopping mall. We couldn''t have found you unless you changed your clothes casually in some bathroom. But your luck was extraordinarily bad, as you ended up getting hit by a falling money box and taken to the hospital. To make things worse, your photo was taken by a reporter from The Sun News and ended up as the headline on the society section. The editor of Daily News recognized you in less than three seconds after seeing the paper, and once our Secret Investigation Bureau checked the hospital records, naturally, your identity was locked down too." Ah, this... Although getting hit by Holy Spirit and ending up in the hospital was an uncontrollable force, Leon''s face slightly flushed with embarrassment after just critiquing someone else''s carelessness and then having his own screw-up exposed. "So you..." "So you''ve been exposed for quite some time! It''s just that, seeing as you''re with the Purification Bureau, we haven''t arrested you! Besides, although I might be a bit impatient, I''m still a secret police officer¡ªhow could I be as foolish as you think?" The female officer, having suffered from multiple setbacks in front of Leon, seized the rare chance to regain some pride, lifted her chin slightly, and huffed, "Do you understand now? There was a reason I''ve been keeping an eye on you! After discovering that the Rebels infiltrated the police department, how could I just stand by? Naturally, I must be vigilant!" Upon hearing these words, Leon fell silent for a moment, before speaking up and retorting, "When you say vigilant... does that include sneaking an attack on my butt while I''m shooting?" "..." Hearing Leon''s words, the female officer''s face fell. "I just couldn''t hold back at the time... Damn Rebels! Didn''t we agree to never bring this up again?" "Alright, I won''t bring it up, but as a trade-off, you''d better forget about my affair too!" After bickering a few times, the two individuals, having resolved their misunderstanding, found themselves appreciating each other much more, transforming from thinking of each other as crazy and a damn Rebel to reckless broad and... a police officer even more radical than the Rebels. After recalling Leon''s "political stand," it was clear neither he nor the Ryan Family was in alignment. Completely assured, the female officer kept the list Leon gave her and then inquired, "Now that we''ve found what needed to be found, what''s next? What should we do next?" "Next..." After gazing at the gradually darkening sky, Leon turned his head to look at the bound female criminal on the couch and thought for a moment before saying, "My job''s done, but considering you''ve helped me quite a bit, I can assist you in investigating what you need to investigate." What I need to investigate... The auditor from six years ago? Understanding Leon''s implication, the female officer''s expression grew severe as she rose and walked to the sofa''s side, earnestly facing the gagged female criminal and saying, "You should understand by now that there''s no chance for you to escape, and once back at the Secret Investigation Bureau, you''ll face 24-hour thematic interrogation until you confess everything." "Mm! Mm!" "Don''t worry, I''m not here to ask about the Rebels right now." Seeing the female criminal struggling and glaring at her, the female officer took a deep breath, then sincerely continued, "I know you don''t trust me, and you''d prefer to personally take revenge on the Ryan Family than clear your husband''s name, but I still hope you''ll cooperate with my investigation. And since the princess-assassination affair is such a big deal, upon returning to the Secret Investigation Bureau, all inquiries directed at you will only target the Rebels themselves. Your husband''s case is unlikely to be pursued, hence this is not only my last chance but your last chance too." After saying all these words, observing the now still female criminal, the female officer tentatively asked, "Would you cooperate with my investigation? If yes, blink your eyes." After a moment of hesitation, the female criminal, hearing this, laboriously turned her head to glare at Leon in the distance. "Relax, everything I wanted to know has been asked already." Understanding her fear of trick questions about the Rebels, Leon raised an eyebrow and retorted, "Moreover, think about it, if I intended to extract information from you, would it matter whether you spoke or not?" "..." Hearing Leon''s retort, the female criminal couldn''t help but feel disappointed, blinking her eyes in mild despair. Indeed, his bizarre interrogation method seemed to just need her awake. Even if she persistently stayed silent, he could still directly extract the answer... ... "Phew..." Once the cloth was removed from her mouth, the female criminal first glared at Leon, unwillingly, then took a deep breath and coldly looked at the female officer. "About my husband''s issue, how do you plan to investigate?" "Start by verifying identities." After preparing some paper and a pen, the female officer slightly frowned and said, "Among those capable of harming your husband, the former Minister of Defense of the military department has already been executed by royal order, so the rest are your husband''s superior and whoever from the Ryan Family at the time¡­" "My husband''s superior needn''t be checked anymore." Interrupting the female officer''s words, the female criminal first snorted coldly, then said with a bit of grim satisfaction, "He was one of your Secret Investigation Bureau officers, who disappeared approximately four years ago after work. By the time he was found, he was already decayed. All you need to check is who was running Ryan Armaments Company at that time." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Four years ago... Hearing this, the female officer was startled and hurriedly asked, "The former head of the Interrogation Division?" "That, I am unsure." The female criminal shook her head, coldly laughed, and said, "I only know he utterly forgot about my husband. It was only after repeated reminders that he''d remember having such a fool as a subordinate. Isn''t it funny?" "..." "However, he wasn''t completely useless." Casting a glance at the somewhat uncomfortable expression of the female officer, the female criminal chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Indeed, I should thank him. If he hadn''t begged for his life before dying, claiming he was just a task handler and that someone else was truly after my husband, I wouldn''t even know who to hate." "..." *Sigh... was it ultimately someone from the Ryan Family?* Clapping her lips and crossing out "superior," writing Ryan Armaments Company, the female officer turned to glance at Leon beside her. "The one in charge of the armaments company six years ago was..." "Bobby Layne." Recollecting the relevant records, Leon crisply and directly mentioned a name, then said thoughtfully, "On the list I gave you, he''s second. He''s the younger brother of the current head of the Ryan Family, with nearly a twenty-year age gap... Oh, and his brother doesn''t have any heirs, so unless something unexpected happens, he''s expected to take over the Ryan Family and become the next Duke of Lionheart." Chapter 113 - 113: 0098 Nail and Control (Two in One)_1 It was a bit later, in the suite on the east wing of the main building of Ryan Manor. "Lord Thomas," After respectfully bowing to the blond middle-aged man, the butler responsible for entertaining Leon and the others began his report, "After the two guests entered the exhibition building, they first tied up the third person and placed him on a sofa, then entered the genealogy hall, staying there for nearly six hours. As you requested, we counted about seventy records they reviewed, focusing on the last sixty years, covering six areas: timelines, major events, genealogies, missing persons and death lists, and industry reports..." Everything else is understandable, but why the missing persons and death lists? "Wait!" Upon hearing this, the blond middle-aged man furrowed his brow, raised his hand to signal the butler to stop reporting, and actively asked, "Are you sure they stayed on the first floor the whole time without going upstairs or leaving?" "Yes," The elderly butler nodded and said, "Upon learning of their intent, I locked the second and third floors, keeping the keys on me at all times, and had two maids serve in the tea room, with a servant in the courtyard sweeping the fallen leaves. If they had left, it would be discovered immediately." Then they really didn''t leave... Seeing the old butler''s determined look, the blond middle-aged man couldn''t help but furrow his brow even tighter. *So... was I overthinking? Were they really just here to search for family connections? But if that was the case, this combination of theirs is just too strange!* ... After pondering for quite a while and still unable to fathom what those three were up to, the middle-aged man could only lower his head, eyebrows knitted tightly, as he glanced at the guest registration list by his side. The Minister of Defense''s daughter, a new employee of the Purification Bureau, and a member of Rebels who participated in the assassination of the princess¡ªnone of these three parties got along with his family. Especially the Minister of Defense''s daughter; her father was a reformist in the military, the first high-ranking military official to lean toward the princess. Even before he came to power, he was already eyeing a takeover of their arms business. During this assassination incident, those damned Rebels used weapons released from their family''s arms company, clearly aiming to exploit this contradiction and hand the Minister a knife. And as he anticipated, under their family''s influence, the task force was initially prepared to ignore this lead. But the moment that daughter of the Minister joined, she immediately insisted on investigating the weapon source. Fortunately, Lord Bobby reacted swiftly. Using his wife''s birthday as an excuse, he invited numerous Old Nobility to a banquet, where he framed the investigation as a signal from the princess to target the Old Nobility, which temporarily slowed down the investigation''s progress. Had he not pulled off such a trick, stalling the Minister''s daughter and leaving ample time to clear both evidence and personnel, their family''s arms company would surely have suffered a brutal hit, losing a huge chunk of fat profits! Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Reminiscing about that female officer who sent over a dozen inquiry letters and relentlessly pursued them, the blond middle-aged man couldn''t help but feel a tinge of bitterness spread over his face. Her father was like an old, fierce, and ruthless dog, and this woman was cast in the same mold. Once she bit into someone, she never let go! As for the remaining two people, the Rebels needed no mention; their original slogan was just to dethrone the incompetent royal family, cede major powers, and limit the nobility''s power and parliamentary seats in passing. But recently, for some reason, these Rebels suddenly became ten times more radical, even claiming the royal family and nobility were fleas in the crotch, inevitably to be caught and crushed eventually! Now, they were already mortal enemies to his family! And then there was the Purification Bureau... Gently tapping his fingers on the registration list, after making a heavy mark with his nail on Leon Laine''s name, the blond middle-aged man gestured for the butler to leave, and then, holding the registration list, departed the suite through the connecting archway to the manor''s main building. "Thomas?" Hearing a knock on the door, the young man at the desk, engrossed in reports, looked up in surprise, smiled at the middle-aged man in the doorway, and said, "Working so late? Were you always such a diligent person?" "Lord Bobby," After greeting him, in front of the young man who appeared to be in his twenties at most, or not even beyond thirty, Thomas, whose eyes had started to wrinkle, respectfully bent down and bowed, "You flatter me. Compared to you, my efforts are insignificant." "Hehe, it''s different," Gesturing for him to come in, the young man said with a smile, "The reason I''m diligent is that I''m preparing to take another step up, not only to inherit my elder brother''s title but also to assume the position of family head. Whereas you are currently sitting in the council seat, managing one-sixth of the family''s wealth, and concurrently serving as the representative for foreign negotiations. Holding onto these already exceeds the limits of your abilities, so why work so hard?" "..." Watching the gradually beading cold sweat on Thomas''s brow, the young man said with a smile, "Thomas, it seems there have been quite a few issues recently with matters under your watch, haven''t there? Working so late... Is it that the tasks I''ve assigned are too heavy? Do you need some burden taken off your shoulders?" "Lord Bobby... Lord Bobby... please let me explain..." Sensing the deep displeasure from the other''s words, the blond middle-aged man quickly spoke, Chapter 114 - 114: 0098 Nail and Control (Two in One)_2 "About the Charl Department Store situation, I really did my best. Under normal circumstances, that company would definitely be dragged down. But no one anticipated that old Charl would resort to selling products with compensation, binding all those victims, who should have hit the department store hard, to his side, making even the municipal government hesitate to take action. Moreover, when I noticed something amiss, I didn''t just idly wait but immediately contacted the other two companies for a coordinated response and even managed to enlist a Holy Spirit. As long as that Holy Spirit caused a mass casualty event, the Bureau of Transportation would have an excuse to intervene and halt Charl Department Store''s promotion. But unfortunately, that Purification Bureau happened to..." "Alright, stop explaining." After knocking on the table twice with his knuckles, interrupting Thomas''s explanation, the young man, with a calm expression, said, "I certainly know that you were just unlucky, not really too foolish to be beyond help; otherwise, you wouldn''t even have the chance to stand here and explain to me." Seeing the blond middle-aged man subconsciously exhale in relief, the young man narrowed his eyes slightly and emphasized coldly, "Yet, regardless of whether it was due to extenuating circumstances or being forced, you ultimately messed up the task I entrusted to you! Thomas, tell me, how much longer will it take for you to bring down Charl Department Store and get me what I need?" "Soon! It will be very soon!" Seeing the young man''s narrowed eyes, Thomas''s expression tightened, and he replied with cold sweat dripping down his forehead, "The Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect was dealt with by the Purification Bureau, and other similar entities have been intimidated and dared not act, so we switched to resolving the issue in a more conventional manner. We''ve kidnapped the only daughter of the Charl Department Store owner, and she''s now locked up at the Marseilles'' Rose Manor. Although the old man is still holding out, I reckon he won''t hold out much longer before surrendering and handing over what you requested!" "Is that so?" After discerning the expression of the blond middle-aged man and confirming that he wasn''t lying or stalling, Bobby Layne nodded, his face looking impassive, "Thomas, I mentioned before that dealing with businessmen like him, who have weathered many storms, neither commercial tactics nor administrative pressure are as effective as the most direct means of violence. It was you who sought Charl Department Store''s assets and feared the backlash from the chamber of commerce and councillors, asking me not to act immediately. Yet after going in circles, you ended up back at square one..." Seeing Thomas shiver again, the young man couldn''t help but shake his head, saying somewhat dispassionately, "Alright, considering you''ve been quite useful over the years, I''ll forgive your stupidity this time, but you''d better ensure you can fulfill your promises, otherwise... don''t blame me for not caring about our years of friendship." "I... probably two weeks... No! One week! One week at most, I''ll definitely retrieve what you need!" S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You''d better." After reprimanding the subordinate for his incompetence, the young man lowered his head and continued flipping through the arms company''s reports, then asked, "By the way, why did you come to find me so late at night?" "Oh? Good news! It''s good news!" Upon hearing the young man''s question, the blond middle-aged man remembered his purpose, cautiously approaching two steps forward, and placed the registration form on the table with both hands. "Master Bobby, the person marked here is a new employee who just joined the Purification Bureau." A new employee at the Purification Bureau? The young man behind the desk raised an eyebrow, glanced at the registration form, and said, somewhat surprised, "Leon... Ryan? That woman at the Purification Bureau actually recruited a new employee from our family?" "No, that person has black hair and comes from Laine County, so it should just be the same last name." After briefly explaining Leon''s situation, the blond middle-aged man said with some excitement, "But this person visited today, saying they suspected their ancestors might have some connection with the Ryan Family, seemingly having the intention of lineage recognition. And your ''Domination'' ability can absolutely control your lineage and subordinates, so as long as I list him in the family genealogy, you can plant a mole inside the Purification Bureau!" The employee from the Purification Bureau... coming to claim kinship with me? Upon hearing Thomas''s words, the young man''s brow furrowed again, unconsciously tapping the registration form on the table, beginning to suspect whether the Purification Bureau had discovered something. *After all, a new employee who just joined the Purification Bureau, with not much strength yet, comes proactively to claim kinship, willingly stepping into the domain of my "Authority," this is like manna from heaven, an opportunity that seems almost too good to be true.* *But could this serendipitous opportunity actually be a trap for myself? Like... hmm... that possibility seems lower...* After recalling the terrifying achievements of a certain red-haired woman, the young man''s lips involuntarily twitched slightly, mocking his paranoia and flights of fancy. *Set traps... That''s why I''ve remained so upright over the years, almost never using abilities outside the Ryan Family. With that woman''s strength, if she suspects, or even targets someone, even a descending True God could end up with bruises, possibly even being directly killed! Am I, at my current level, worthy enough for someone to elaborate traps on?* "Alright, you''ve earned a merit!" After mocking his own paranoia, a hint of a smile finally appeared on the young man''s face, and he said to the middle-aged man brimming with joy, "If you can truly accomplish this task and plant someone inside the Purification Bureau, apart from securing your position, I can offer you some rewards beyond imagination. Besides a youthful appearance, I can provide a healthier body, stronger functions, and even extra lifespan!" "Thank you, Master Bobby! Thank you, Master Bobby!" "No need to thank me, you deserve it." Seeing Thomas''s face turn red with joy and excitement, the young man chuckled, *"If you make mistakes, you should accept punishment, and if you accomplish things correctly, you naturally deserve rewards... However, for this matter, I''m not planning to intervene directly."* After giving the blond middle-aged man a glance, the young man grinned, saying with a smile, "The fewer people who know about my ability, the better, so I''m intending to give you a part of my ''Domination'' power, enabling you to control that Leon and act as a ''middleman'' between him and me. From now on, any intelligence he obtains from the Purification Bureau should be organized by you and presented to me alone; no one else is allowed to see it... Oh, also." Raising his hand to the corner of his mouth, performing a gesture of pulling a zipper, the young man looked at the delighted cannon fodder in front of him, smiling as he added, "I just imposed a new command on your soul; once you disclose my existence, your soul will instantly extinguish itself. So when you communicate with that Leon, it''s best to watch your words carefully; I certainly wouldn''t want you to turn into an unrecognizable pile of meat due to a slip of the tongue!" Upon hearing the young man''s warning, Thomas''s expression naturally turned solemn, promptly agreeing. "Under... understood... Rest assured, Master Bobby, I will definitely..." "Alright, no need for more useless words." Finally hearing some good news, with his mood fairly good, the young man lowered his head, continuing to focus on his work while asking, "Thomas, is there any other news? If not, you should get to work." "I''m on it! I will definitely not disappoint you this time!" Not only escaping with his life but also gaining a substantial benefit, the blond middle-aged man, overjoyed, quickly made promises, then hurried back to his room to call his butler, heading out overnight to find the elder managing family member identities, planning to register that guy named Leon in the family record. However, just less than five minutes after he left, a figure in a black coat, using the cover of the night, drifted from the shadow of the outer wall to the fifth floor, then eerily unlocked the window from the outside, directly entering the blond middle-aged man''s bedroom. Chapter 115 - 115: 0099 Ruthless move! Two-in-one ha~_1 Nobody? Leon, who had found himself unexpectedly empty-handed after playing the role of a "flying thief," couldn''t help but frown. He reached out to press his hand against the Black Goat''s forehead, intending to use soul vision to locate his target. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, the Black Goat in the shopping bag tilted its head slightly, avoiding his fingers, and quietly reminded him: "Don''t use our ability just yet, not even the soul vision! The scent of hearts is everywhere here. Just like we can detect its traces, it''s bound to find us too!" Sniffing like a dog, the Black Goat muttered with a mix of joy and worry: "The scent is really strong, huh. Looks like our heart is doing much better than us... Tsk..." Hearing the Black Goat''s monologue, Leon, who was about to leave and find the next target, couldn''t help but give it a sidelong glance. *Goodness, it''s not about fearing your brother''s hardships, but fearing your brother drives a Range Rover, right?* "By the way, I seem to have forgotten to ask something..." Pulling his hand out of the shopping bag, Leon asked with some curiosity: "Does your heart also have its own intelligence?" "Of course, we are the Great Demon closest to the True God!" The Black Goat snorted and said, "Although we can''t reach the level where even a piece of meat can retain intelligence like the True God, we''re not too far off. For organs like the heart, which carry part of the Authority, it''s quite normal for them to possess consciousness once detached from the main body!" *Alright then, if you say it''s normal, it''s normal.* Showing no interest in discussing demonic physiology with the Black Goat, Leon went straight to the question he was most concerned about: "Since the wills of you two are separate, after I acquire your Yang... heart, will you or it be the dominant one? Or will you two become one?" "Well..." Hearing Leon''s question, the Black Goat was slightly taken aback and hesitantly replied: "It should be... us, right?" "???" Seeing its somewhat uncertain demeanor, Leon couldn''t help but tease: "Earlier, when I asked about your heart''s ability, you weren''t sure; you only knew it was related to Pride and Domination. Now I ask who will be in charge once the heart is acquired, and you still can''t give a definite answer? Aren''t you supposed to be the knowledgeable Great Demon? How come you don''t even understand your own body?" "We are indeed the Great Demon, but this is also the first time we''ve been taken apart so thoroughly! How could we understand something we''ve never experienced before? As for the ability... although our heart grows within our body, we never dug it out to take a look. What''s strange about not knowing what extent it can reach? Veins in your body are also yours, but have you ever cut yourself open to see them personally? Do you know exactly how long they are?" After habitually defending itself with a retort, the Black Goat felt a bit embarrassed and clicked its tongue, realizing the issue of who would be in charge truly required consideration. Never mind other things for now; based on their original roles within the body, as the horns, the rage and combat under its command barely ranked third in terms of intensity. The pride and ambition governed by the heart, however, were unambiguously first. If it worked hard to retrieve the heart only to fail at unifying and losing control instead, it would be akin to acknowledging a stranger as a father... "Leon, hand on your heart, haven''t we treated you well?" After pondering for a moment, the Black Goat, sensing a kind of imminent crisis, proactively sought support: "Though we, too, have selfish motives and always encourage you to enjoy to the fullest, have we ever caused you trouble? Haven''t we always done what you said? We remain silent when you tell us to, we warn you when you''re in danger, and we haven''t asked for anything besides the occasional cigarette. We didn''t even get mad when you stepped on our head..." The more it spoke, the more the Black Goat felt its demonic status was constraining, so it decisively stopped acting pitiful and justified: "Leon, think it over. If we can''t overpower it and lose the dominant position, will the new us cooperate with you like this? Let''s not even mention the life-and-death connection we share. Just for this fact alone, shouldn''t you be on our side?" "..." *Honestly, there''s some truth to what it''s saying...* Leaving other points aside, the goat horns had been dealt with harshly by the Red-haired Director, essentially "tamed" intensely, so they were bound to be more docile compared to the six remaining "wild" ones. Should a new dominant will come, there''s no guarantee it would be as compliant. "Alright then..." Peering down to ensure nobody was around, Leon climbed out of the window again, straddled the Witch''s Broom hovering at the corner of the wall, and casually asked: "How can I help you maintain your dominance?" *Whew... seems you have a conscience, kid.* Seeing Leon hadn''t refuted its words, the Black Goat secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then hastily continued while the iron was hot: "Of course, you should thoroughly thrash it!" Completely disregarding the bond of shared maternity... shared kinship, the Black Goat sinisterly said: "It''s perfect that your pendant carries the power of the Holy Spirit, naturally harmful to Demons. Once we help you get the heart, you must go all out, using your pendant to scorch it severely! Make its intensity lower than mine, letting it know who the boss really is!" "Hmm, we''ll see." "We can''t just wait and see! You must be ruthless!" Realizing Leon''s "standpoint" seemed a bit unsteady, fearing he might have plans to "negotiate" with its heart, the Black Goat quickly continued to whisper in his ear: "Even though it''s the first time meeting its own heart, it carries the Authority of Pride! It''s obvious it would naturally disdain being subordinate to others, so you must decisively strike hard to curb its arrogance!" Chapter 116 - 116: 0099 Ruthless move! Two-in-one ha~_2 """ "*Hmm, but I don''t quite like striking hard without reason, let''s wait until we find them!*" After a few perfunctory responses to the Black Goat, Leon took out the list from his pocket and glanced at it. Among the eight names written on it, the last four were already crossed out. Four left... ... After taking the bandages from the female prisoner and sending her and the policewoman out of Ryan Manor, Leon, having completed the investigation, sneaked back, tied up a servant who seemed to hold a high position, and used soul vision to "interrogate" the whereabouts of these individuals. He had already met with the four people crossed off the list. Their souls were filled with a rotten, moldy stench, but there was no scent of offal on them, indicating they were not true targets. Thomas Ryan, the fourth on the list, was the Ryan family representative in the hydraulic company incident and the first one discovered with the scent of Yang Xin on him. Although the Black Goat had mentioned that he was probably not the holder, merely temporarily granted a small portion of power, and his soul had been tampered with to the point of collapse at the moment of leaking secrets, Leon still, to be on the safe side, decided to take a look, only to come up empty. He had no choice but to skip him and continue searching upward. Considering that using soul vision to search for the whereabouts of the blond middle-aged man might alert the Yang Xin prematurely, Leon marked Thomas Ryan''s name with a fingernail, then continued his search. Oliver Lane... This man was a senior official in the Department of Road Administration. According to the servant, he was recently dealing with a stalled railway project and hadn''t returned to his residence in Ryan Manor, so he would also have to be skipped, leaving... Bobby Layne. Looking at the second name on the list, Leon recalled the plight of the female prisoner''s husband and couldn''t help but hope that he was the holder of the Yang Xin. Unfortunately, based on his "family history," this man was far less suspicious than his brother, the current Duke of Lionheart. The current Duke of Lionheart, while not exactly unremarkable, was born into a barely passable background, only placing seventh in line for succession at the time. Yet he had risen dramatically, not only having his competitors perish, flee, or fall from power but inexplicably garnering significant support from the clan, repeatedly turning the tables in desperate situations, with hardly anyone able to clearly articulate how he won. Compared to his brother, who seemed to wear "suspicion" on his face, Bobby Layne''s history, although riddled with doubts, was relatively more conventional. Aside from his rather harsh methods and a suspicious tendency to play power tricks, he was almost a standard Ryan nobleman, and... he seemed quite diligent? Looking at the still-lit windows on the fifth floor of the main building, Leon frowned, debating whether to "visit" now or wait until the man went to sleep. At this moment, the shopping bag in Leon''s hand suddenly shook violently, as the Black Goat''s excited urging echoed in his ears. "It''s him! It''s him! Go quickly! I can sense it! In that room, he just used his authority!" Is it him? That would be killing two birds with one stone! Upon hearing the Black Goat, Leon, having confirmed his target, stopped hiding and straddled the Witch''s Broom, darting like an arrow towards the window. "Bang! Crash!" "Who?!" Letting out a standard snarl upon being suddenly attacked, a young man who seemed about twenty-seven or twenty-eight sprang to his feet, ready to flee the room and call the guard like an ordinary man. But upon reaching the door, he seemed to notice something, his eyes lighting up with delight as he stopped, staring intently at the shopping bag in Leon''s hand. "It''s you?" "Yes... grumble..." Sticking out its tongue to lick a hole in the shopping bag and reveal its mouth, the Black Goat was about to exchange a few bold words with its counterpart but managed only a single syllable before being filled with gusting wind. Following Senior Emma''s "Never waste time bantering with an enemy unless to gather intelligence," Leon, upon crashing through the window, immediately urged the Witch''s Broom to encase the enemy in a layer of wind charged with shards of glass, pressing down on the young man fiercely! Deeming it insufficiently secure, and worrying about any life-saving means he might have, Leon simultaneously unleashed the power of the Holy Spirit pendant, at once expending the energy equivalent to jogging five kilometers, grinding fully against the young man''s soul! "Thud thud thud!" The sound of sharp weapons penetrating flesh resounded continuously as, under the spiritual assault from the Holy Spirit pendant, the young man''s eyes briefly glazed over with joy, leaving him no time to resist before he was sent flying by the gust, slamming hard against the wall. Hundreds of glass shards, like sharp knives, shredded his front with blood spurting everywhere, even piercing all the way through, embedding in the purple-violet wall behind him, blooming into bizarre and vivid flowers of blood... "..." Holy shit! Struggling free from the shopping bag and gazing at the young man almost pinned against the wall, the Black Goat gaped in astonishment. And you said you don''t like striking hard? How bad would it get if you did? ... Was it resolved just like that? Though the outcome he''d hoped for presented itself, so easily wrapping up the target left Leon with a surreal, almost unreal feeling, and... He felt a little nauseous... Even though, at the moment of the attack after breaking the window, he had already confirmed the opposing soul''s characteristics were of the type warranting execution without concern, removing any burden of conscience. Yet the sight of a corpse that even heavily pixelated would never air on TV churned Leon''s stomach, draining the color from his face. Backing up two steps, then lifting his sleeve to cover his nose and mouth, Leon took two deep breaths before hurriedly urging: "Where''s the heart? Point it out to me quickly!" "Oh, oh!" Snapping out of its daze, the Black Goat scanned the young man, about to reveal the location of the Yang Xin when it seemed to notice something amiss and shrieked suddenly. "Leon! He''s..." "I know!" Even as the bloody scene sickened him, Leon had maintained his gaze, identifying the abnormality earlier than the Black Goat! The moment the "corpse" on the wall''s eyes subtly moved, and before the Black Goat cried out, Leon activated the [Holy Spirit pendant] to form egg-sized "stones" and snapped at the young man''s joints. Uncertain why the enemy could undergo resurrection, Leon held nothing back this time, pre-emptively forming "fine needles" and striking the young man''s vital areas with high-speed thrusts before destroying the joints! "Thud thud thud thud!" Under Leon''s relentless onslaught, within a single breath, the young man''s body burst with over a dozen vivid blood splashes, even piercing a small hole between his eyebrows. Eerily, despite enduring such physical damage, he persisted in functioning normally, staggering back to sit once more in his chair. "Wonderful! Simply wonderful!" Tilting his head slightly to avoid an invisible attack aimed at his vocal cords, the young man, his face drenched in blood, smiled brightly at Leon. "When I found out the [angle] was in that woman''s hands, I thought I''d never get it, having to search for the remaining five, yet she actually gave it to you!" Seeing Leon in front of him gasping and staring at him in shock, the young man spoke earnestly: sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You''re the new employee at the Purification Bureau, right? Thanks! You''ve really done me a huge favor!" """ Chapter 117 - 117: 0100 Emmas Remnant Scripture_1 So... it was the kind that couldn''t be directly killed by physical means? After pondering the young man''s words for half a second and determining there was no valuable intelligence in them, Leon ignored the other''s fiery rhetoric. Instead, he directly asked, "I''ve inflicted enough damage on you to kill you ten times over, so why aren''t you dead?" "[The Emma Remnants Scripture,] Article Nine: When facing an enemy who is arrogant and believes they''ve already won, try directly inquiring about their ability''s intelligence. The enemy might inadvertently divulge their weaknesses." "It''s simple, really. There are plenty of people willing to die in my place." Watching the bewildered Leon on the other side, the young man did not rush to attack. Instead, he examined Leon with interest and slowly said, "I am a born ruler. It''s only natural that I enjoy everything, and those born to be ruled by me are equally destined to give me everything: labor, flesh, faith, even life. All fall within the scope of contribution... Do you understand now?" *Could it be damage transfer or ''expendable'' substitutes?* Having successfully extracted the main useful information from the other''s arrogant and pretentious speech, Leon couldn''t help but admire how indeed [The Emma Remnants Scripture] proved effective. He then continued to dig deeper: "So... to kill you, I must first deal with all those under your control?" "You can say that." The young man nodded, then smiled and asked, "But can you do it?" Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I am now the first heir to the Ryan family title, the undisputed next Duke of Lionheart, so can you handle killing over ninety thousand people scattered throughout the Kingdom at once, or are you planning to kill me over ninety thousand times continuously?" "Don''t believe him!" Just as Leon instinctively frowned, hesitating whether to retreat strategically, the Black Goat seemingly came to life and suddenly shouted: "It''s one thing to deceive others; do you dare spout nonsense right in front of my face? "Even though you''re doing marginally better than I am, I can smell it on you. You''re barely one-third of your peak strength right now! Moreover, with the Zodiac Branch Office stationed at the Capital City, don''t even think about spreading your power across the whole Kingdom. If you dare extend your control even down this street, I''ll eat this building right here!" "..." Dammit... such trouble! Seeing Leon, whose eyes flickered with understanding, once again aiming at his vital points, the young man couldn''t help but frown, shifting his gaze to the goat head in Leon''s hand. "Are you going to betray me?" ??? Startled by the question, the Black Goat fell silent for two seconds, then exploded with anger! "Who the hell are you? Betray you... I am the main body! You''re merely a split piece that...!" "What nonsense are you spewing?" Rudely interrupting the Black Goat''s tirade, the young man clenched his right hand into a fist and pounded it against his chest, speaking dissatisfiedly: "Only the Heart is the true source of a demon! I am the original main consciousness! As for you, you''re merely a false will that self-manifested, using the scraps left behind after the soul shattered when my Horn was severed!" "Bullshit!" Originally planning to gather a "little brother," but being immediately denied by the little brother as if his existence was nothing, the Black Goat erupted in fury, eyes bulging as it bellowed: "You''re asking for it! I''ll teach you a lesson today! Even if you run to the ends of the Earth, I... Fuck!" "..." *This Purification Bureau employee... quite decisive?* Watching Leon swiftly hop out the window with the goat head after just a few words, already having flown about thirty meters, the young man shook his head speechlessly. Meanwhile, on the broom, the goat head, forcefully dragged away before finishing its threat, now out of its mind with rage, screeched: "Leon! Why are you running? Go back and fight it! Listen to me! That bastard is just bluffing. He definitely doesn''t have over ninety thousand lives! At most, just..." "At most only two or three thousand, right?" Grabbing the Black Goat by its horns, glancing at the myriad of soul flames in Ryan Manor, Leon, lips a little pale and sweat at his temples, said with a pale face: "My stamina was already heavily depleted just rescuing people from the car, and I''ve killed him over a dozen times just now, equivalent to jogging over ten kilometers. Given my remaining strength, condensing it all into the most efficient thin needles, I might manage a few dozen attacks at best, not enough to exhaust three thousand lives. So why not run?" "But you can use me..." "No buts!" Cutting off the Black Goat, Leon pointed to residences around the manor, his expression unsightly as he said: "With your ability, I could temporarily make fifty or sixty people ''rebel,'' but there are over two thousand people living around Ryan Manor. Counting all the servants, laborers, and guards under his command, the total could exceed three thousand. What good are fifty?" "But..." "But nothing!" Seeing that the Black Goat still wanted to urge him to act, Leon, eyebrows furrowed, declared unrelentingly: "Even the Ryan Manor does not deserve to kill everyone. Many are merely working there, unconnected to the Ryan family''s evil deeds, so even if I have the ability to kill him three thousand times, I won''t do it!" Having explained his reason for retreating, Leon tightened his legs around the broom, squeezing out whatever strength he had left, and headed full speed toward the Purification Bureau! [The Emma Remnants Scripture,] Article One: If you can''t win, run and call for the chief! Unfortunately, [The Emma Remnants Scripture] remained as reliable as always, but the development of events never followed human will. "But you won''t be able to escape either!" As the Black Goat finally finished its "but," Leon, who was about to burst out of the manor, felt his surroundings stagnate, suddenly losing his ability to hover, plummeting to the ground like a meteor! ... Haha, I never said I could only dominate "people!" Watching Leon crash down from the sky, half his body embedding into the earth in the distance, Bobby Layne chuckled, withdrawing his hand that had been pointing at Leon. Fool! If I were to be compared to a "lord," Ryan Manor is my "territory," the Lane family members my "subjects," and the space you fly through is my "airspace!" Unless your power surpasses mine, you have no right to fly here! If you hadn''t unexpectedly tried to escape, throwing me off slightly, the moment you flipped out of the fifth floor would have been your death sentence... Hm? Seeing Leon struggling twice then actually climbing out of the ground, jogging towards the manor''s exit, the young man couldn''t help but widen his eyes in surprise. This?! His body was barely stronger than an ordinary human''s. How could he not be dead after falling from a height of seventeen or eighteen meters? Chapter 118 - 118: 0101 is you not letting me go_1 This pendant was truly worth the choice, without its effects, he''d probably be finished... Hastily retracting the power of the Holy Spirit pendant, Leon restored the ground, temporarily transformed into a quagmire, and with his eyes filled with relief, he desperately sprinted toward the exit of Ryan Manor, holding his blood-drenched left hand aloft. Just moments ago, as he abruptly lost his flying ability and plummeted from the sky, Leon instinctively clutched the Holy Spirit pendant. He slightly slowed his fall while temporarily turning the landing spot and surrounding ground into a quagmire. Although the nature of soil and quagmire was "similar," and not as different as steel and rubber, the energy consumed for a pure transformation was significantly lower than the carriage incident. Yet the scale of this temporary transformation exceeded a hundred times that of the carriage''s. Coupled with the need to reserve some stamina for escape and not completely exhaust himself in one go, Leon had to alter the "terms" of his trade with the Holy Spirit pendant, exchanging easily recoverable stamina and willpower for the more difficult-to-recover body tissue... ... *The depletion was indeed significant... It might take two or three months to regenerate.* Looking at the five missing fingernails on his left hand and the bloodied flesh laid bare from fingertip to wrist after losing a chunk of skin, Leon, having narrowly escaped disaster, didn''t bother to treat his hand but instead, while sprinting, shouted at the Black Goat, "Guide me! Which way is less crowded?" "East! Go east!" Using soul vision, the Black Goat guided Leon to the path with the fewest people and awkwardly explained, "Um... It''s not like I didn''t warn you earlier, I just realized something was off when he started making his move..." "Mm-hmm." Without dwelling on it, Leon made a mental note before quickly asking, "What''s really going on with Bobby Layne? Who''s dominating whom between you and your heart?" "Well... I guess ''domination'' might not be the right word... He seems to be an incredibly arrogant and ambitious person, and his affinity with my heart is astonishing..." Hearing Leon''s question, the Black Goat pondered briefly before replying, "To put it simply, my heart should have devoured his heart and replaced its position; strictly speaking, they should have mutually absorbed each other." "Mutually absorbed?" "My heart absorbed his existence, replacing Bobby Layne as a person, but his personality and desires also imprinted on my heart. If, in the future, my heart gathers all its components, my main consciousness might swallow Bobby Layne''s will, but for now, they''re in a state where they can''t be differentiated at all." *Indistinguishable? Can such an "anomalous object" be used this way?* Following the Black Goat''s explanation, Leon frowned and said, S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So your heart is him, and he is now your heart, meaning I can''t disable his ability by destroying your heart?" The Black Goat nodded, "That''s pretty much it... Wait! You actually intend to destroy my heart?" "Is it not allowed?" Leon stepped off the main path of the manor into a secluded garden and continued toward the entrance with the redwood, countering, "I only want to destroy your heart, but your heart intends to obliterate your will altogether! Which one do you find harder to accept?" "..." *In that case, it''s definitely more of a bastard.* Realizing what kind of fate awaited him should he fall into Bobby''s hands, the Black Goat suddenly became ten times more "diligent" than before, continuously monitoring the approaching souls. With its guidance and the capabilities of the parkour badge, leveraging the complex terrain of Ryan Manor, Leon managed to shake off waves of interceptors and successfully burst through the manor''s gate, reaching the massive redwood tree. However... "Bang!" Just ten steps shy of the redwood, he crashed into some invisible barrier, impossible to surmount despite his attempts; the man and goat found themselves plunged into mutual silence. "Leon... it seems we''re done for..." Watching "himself," surrounded by hundreds of souls, slowly approach the entrance, the Black Goat said with regret, "This bastard''s power is only a third of his peak, yet he hasn''t been subdued, and he found a perfectly matched host, exploiting the Ryan family''s parasitism to maximize his abilities. Damn it! If I had known, I should have cozied up to a True God, developed a flock of followers, and aspired to become a goat-headed Holy Spirit myself. Even if it led to being devoured in the end, I could have at least disgusted it to no end within! Now all my good meat gets damn squandered on a mutt!" After grumbling for a while and seeing Leon still silent, the Black Goat couldn''t help but ask, "Why aren''t you saying anything? We''re about to get killed here; won''t you curse him a bit?" "No." Rejecting the Black Goat''s cajoling for venting, Leon quietly took out a rope, securely tying the Black Goat next to him, and squinted slightly, "I''d rather struggle a bit more than curse it a few times." Using the Black Goat''s soul vision, he observed the situation in Ryan Manor. Staring at the hundreds of souls scattered over several hectares, full of the stench of decay, Leon silently pulled up a panel and examined the flickering [Friend of Demons] and [Devotee]. *One needs sin-laden souls, the other Non-Balanced Gold Sect heretics... conveniently, there''s no shortage of either here!* ... *Hm? Still trying to resist?* Although his sensory abilities were relatively weak, unlike the powerful Black Goat who could freely incite malice, Bobby Layne, having completed a mutual "absorption" with the Goat''s Heart, possessed his own soul vision. Observing the two souls that had evaded him and began fleeing sideways, the young man scoffed, stopping at the redwood and deploying his own abilities to remotely mobilize the people within Ryan Manor to pursue the two frantically escaping rats. However, to his surprise, despite the Purification Bureau employee nearing his limits, with soul flames tinged in deep fatigue, he was never caught. Instead, he spread an anomalous frenzy of slaughter throughout the manor. *One, two, five...* *Ten, twenty, fifty...* Watching soul vision display dark flames quickly extinguishing one by one, the young man''s soul, especially the "Bobby Layne" part, couldn''t remain still. Merely losing thirty or fifty clan members was insignificant for the entire Ryan Family and could easily be replenished with some effort. But the other seemed to deliberately target the Ryan family''s higher-ups; among the more than fifty killed, nearly half were mid to upper management of family enterprises and public office holders in Kingdom departments. While individually not particularly significant, these figures formed the foundation of the Ryan Family, pillars supporting the Lionheart Family''s status! If indeed all these individuals were massacred, the Ryan Family would lose its voice in the political arena, lose support from crucial departments, and see half its enterprises come to a halt, plunging the entire family into an unimaginably rapid collapse! Chapter 119 - 119: 0102 New family member_1 Why was this guy so difficult to deal with? After the family suffered significant losses, Bobby Layne, who hadn''t taken the opponent seriously, finally felt a strong sense of urgency in his heart. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Neither he, who wanted to climb higher with the help of the Ryan family, nor Yang Xin, who wanted to regain power through the Ryan family, could allow this family''s decline. However, just as Leon was helpless against his three thousand lives, the young man whose ability centered around "Domination" also had no immediate way to harm Leon. He could only direct "pawns" to besiege him while guiding key "pawns" to retreat in advance. But to Leon, whose speed was much faster than an ordinary person and could attack from over a hundred meters away, this approach was ineffective. The core forces of the Ryan family continued to dwindle rapidly! Damn it! Why were there so many useless constructions in the manor? In the young man''s soul vision, a soul filled with demonic aura repeatedly shook off pursuers using the complex terrain and numerous landscape buildings, darting back and forth all over the manor. As soon as it got within a hundred meters, a deep purple soul flame would instantly burst open. Immediately after, another version of himself, following closely, would gleefully catch the fragments and devour them like a whale swallowing a river. In this highly efficient individual massacre, only two or three minutes had passed before more than a dozen people fell to his "toxic hands." Many who retreated in advance were just reaching the ground floor. Unstoppable, absolutely unstoppable! Controlling the hundreds guarding several important members, but still seeing them all killed from a hundred meters away by the opponent, the young man who had always acted confident finally panicked as he watched Leon move toward the residential area on the west side of the main building. Compared to those who had been eliminated before, those residing near the main building were the true core members of the Ryan family! If even these people were eliminated, let alone advancing to replace the royal family, the Ryan family would be torn apart within a month! This couldn''t go on! He had to deal with him immediately! "Thomas!!!" Instantly pinpointing the location of a certain blond middle-aged man through his domination authority, Bobby Layne directly took over the body of a nearby steward, snarling ferociously at him, "Why hasn''t that guy named Leon been entered into the family registry yet?" "What?" Startled by the sudden roar beside him, the blond middle-aged man turned his head, preparing to scold but abruptly realizing it was Lord Bobby controlling the steward''s body to talk to him. "Right away! It''ll be done right away!" Hearing the "old steward''s" voice, full of urgency and anger, Thomas couldn''t help but shiver violently, immediately responding, "The name was just entered, but the elder managing family member identities isn''t around, so no one has stamped to seal it. I am taking the registry to find him, it will only take a few minutes..." "Bang!" Just then, the blond middle-aged man heard a loud bang, and the window on the sixth floor of a small building three hundred meters away shattered. An old man with a head of white hair, bare-legged, agilely leaped out the window, crashing to death on the stone pavement below. ??? "Now you are the new manager of identities." With a cold expression, the possessed "old steward" said to the stunned blond middle-aged man, "Use your seal! If you don''t have him entered in ten seconds, I''ll replace you!" !!! Hearing the "old steward''s" urging, Thomas, trembling all over, felt his knees buckle, collapsing to the ground with a thud. He then crawled toward a servant, seized the family registry, turned to the last page, and forcefully stamped with his own seal! I won! Seeing the crooked seal in the family registry and sensing the new member now "connected" into the authority, the "old steward" finally regained his originally confident expression. His current strength was not comparable to his peak, and he barely had a good strategy for dealing with someone with such standout individual ability. However, as a former Great Demon, his hierarchy level was astonishingly high. Once enveloped into the corresponding rules of his authority, under a True God, no one could remain unaffected! ... "Leon Laine!" With consciousness extracted from the old steward and entering a new body, Bobby Layne controlled the elderly body to walk to the window, opened the window on the third floor, and shouted confidently at Leon seventy to eighty meters away, "Die!!!" Accompanied by this hoarse, chilly shout, Leon''s figure paused in the distance as he felt his soul pulled away instantly, placed inside a "pyramid." Inside this non-physical pyramid stood nearly a hundred thousand souls from top to bottom. From the second tier, a soul was sending an irresistible decree¡­ But it seemed not to be mandatory? Upon inspecting his soul''s position and discovering he too was on the second tier, Leon''s soul wavered slightly before instinctively returning the gesture and retaliated with a mental needle. "Go to hell!" ??? How could this be! Why were you on the second tier too?!?! "Puff!" The command failed, and Bobby Layne widened his eyes, unable to utter a question before his right eye suddenly darkened. He immediately lost control of the body, marking its death at the opponent''s hand. "Thomas!" Spotting something amiss, he quickly re-entered the old steward''s body, angrily shouting at the panting blond middle-aged man sitting on the ground, "What did you do?!" "Huh? I...what did I do?" "That Leon Laine! He''s now one of those eligible for inheritance, not counted as my subordinate! Damn it! I told you to enter him as a collateral line, not to give him inheritance rights!" "No...I didn''t! I didn''t!" Hastily unfolding the family registry, turning to Leon Laine''s page, he held it out to the "old steward," the blond middle-aged man quivering as he defended, "I registered him as a collateral, Lord Bobby! Look! It''s truly a collateral line!" It truly wasn''t registered incorrectly? After examining the registry''s seals and confirming no errors, Bobby Layne thought momentarily and realized that damn guy was indeed a member of the Lane family, with inheritance rights too! The absence of a trigger for his ability before was because his name hadn''t been entered into the registry, and his identity hadn''t been recognized. Now that his name was in, his inheritance rights were acknowledged. Even though his succession rank was rather low, under the rules sorting by authority, he, merely a current heir, indeed had no eligibility to command him! In that case...there was no other choice! Looking at the thick family registry in front of him, the expression of the "old steward" became uncertain before he took a deep breath and collapsed forward. Meanwhile, a maid, sleeping outside the Duke of Lionheart''s room, suddenly opened her eyes and got out of bed, adeptly pulling a pair of scissors from the cabinet and swiftly heading towards the Duke of Lionheart''s bedroom... Chapter 120 - 120: 0103 Thousands of Armies Open the Way Easily_1 It seemed I had already guessed its ability. After the soul detached from that strange "pyramid" and returned to the body, Leon, a bit dazed, shook his head, temporarily stopped eliminating the vile Ryan family members, and instead turned to the Black Goat to ask, "You said before that your heart represents inflated ambition, so the ability should be related to pride and domination, right?" "Huh?" The Black Goat, who was absorbing evil souls, was slightly taken aback, then nodded and said, "Pretty much, according to my understanding of it, that''s about right." "Then it''s easy to understand." After recalling the appearance of the pyramid, Leon, with a rather certain expression, judged, "I''m not too sure about pride, but I''ve almost figured out the rules regarding domination; the root of his dominating ability should be power. After merging with Bobby Layne, leveraging his status as the first heir, his dominating ability was greatly enhanced, successfully merging with the Ryan family. If I''m not mistaken, the entire Ryan family now counts as his ''territory,'' so that''s why we can''t leave at will, and even flying would result in being pulled down. Besides that, he holds absolute rights of domination over all Ryan family members of lower status, demanding everything from them directly..." "It seems to be the case..." After listening to Leon''s analysis, the Black Goat first nodded in agreement, then said with a somewhat helpless tone, "But knowing it doesn''t help; he still has over three thousand people at his command. Even if you replace all your skin, you can''t deal with so many people." *That may not necessarily be true.* Looking at the shining [Materialist Soul] on the panel and listening to the prompt in his ear, [Due to understanding... resistance greatly increased... general-level influence shielded], Leon, with a lot of skin on the backs of his hands missing and looking quite battered, smiled involuntarily and rushed back towards Bobby Layne''s direction. *Having someone else guess your ability and me guessing your ability are two completely different things. With the resistance provided by [Materialism], he probably can''t trap me now, and even if it fails in the end, I should be able to retreat unscathed.* "Huh?" Somewhat puzzled by Leon''s actions, the Black Goat couldn''t help but ask in astonishment, "Why are you turning back? Aren''t we going on?" "It''s enough." Glancing at his Contamination Value which had soared to 2 points, and the golden [I Am the Demon] and the shimmering silver [Practitioner] on the panel, Leon, having gained a lot, asked while hurrying, "I remember you said that Bobby Layne has merged with your heart and there''s no distinction between you, right?" "Huh? Yes, what of it?" "Nothing." Leon smiled and said, "I just had a sudden thought: after one merges with an Anomalous Object, if I can directly use his Anomalous Object, how should that be counted?" "Huh?" [I Am the Demon (Gold): Through a large amount of extremely evil madness and slaughter, you have successfully revived part of a demon''s incarnation, gaining its heartfelt gratitude and approval] [Wearing Effect: When contacting Anomalous Objects with the "Corruption" tag, as a demon, you will directly have the right to use it, significantly enhancing its effects, and reducing the usage cost] [Advancement Route: Retrieve all incarnations of the Great Demon, successfully revive and completely enslave it, and this badge will automatically advance to the Heterochromatic Badge "Demon Lord"] [Hidden Traits (Not Required to Wear): Your soul exudes unparalleled evil aura, indistinguishable to those with soul perception from a typical demon] ... *Hmm? Why did he turn back?* After discovering this anomaly in soul vision, the "maid," who had a pair of scissors to her brother''s neck, forcing him to abdicate early, hesitated slightly, then retracted her main consciousness, watching cautiously at the two rapidly approaching souls. When Leon''s figure appeared in his sight, and seeing the completely exposed flesh on his hands and the undying weariness on his face, a triumphant smile only then appeared on his face. *It seemed that the high-speed slaughter carried out just now was not without cost. If I''m not mistaken, beside consuming willpower, it would also cause a loss of some body tissue.* *Judging by his current state, he was likely at the brink and prepared to make one last attempt at me.* *What a pity, had I known he was only at this level, why would I need to kill that family elder? That guy usually obeyed quite well...* After shaking his head indifferently, Bobby Layne lost all interest in him and snapped his fingers, and seven to eight hundred controlled "puppets" surged forward towards the oncoming Leon. The whole time, Leon, who had been crazily fleeing to conserve his limited strength, seemed aware that this was the final battle, and this time, he made no evasive moves but gripped the Holy Spirit pendant and charged forward recklessly. Under the immense effect of the Holy Spirit pendant, the zombie-like crowd barely approaching would be swept aside, and those blocking ahead would be directly tossed away. No one could come within three steps of him. At this moment, Leon looked like a peerless general, gallantly charging alone into the densest position of the army formation, with none being his match, not even able to slow his steps by half a fraction! Yet, to "squander" the pendant''s ability in this manner definitely was no cost-free act. Even as the bronze-level [Devotee] had upgraded to the Silver Level [Practitioner] badge, reducing consumption again, Leon''s skin continued disappearing rapidly. With him repeatedly blasting through the tide of people, the original arm-reaching deficit began rapidly advancing upward¡ªelbows, upper arms, shoulders, chest¡­ finally extending all the way to the neck. With the skin-covered all gone, numerous tiny blood vessels were successively severed under the rough garment. By the time he charged up to the young man, the crimson blood had entirely soaked Leon''s coat, even dripping along the hem, leaving behind a sanguine, scent-heavy trail on the ground... ... *He does have some guts...but that''s as far as it goes.* Facing Leon, who charged at him drenched in blood, the young man, arrogantly fearless, was so lazy that he didn''t even dodge, placing his hands behind his back and saying indifferently, "You..." "Will you die if you don''t act so superior?" Leaping and pinning the other to the ground, delivering a solid punch, Leon, feeling much better, lifted his blood-dripping right hand and grabbed at the young man''s chest. *So... does he think the heart hidden in my chest, and as long as the heart is destroyed, can he completely kill me?* Seeing Leon''s incredibly foolish action, the young man sneered in his heart. *Fool!* S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *I am the heart, the heart is I! With the anomaly merged, I have no weaknesses; the heart you''re destroying is nothing but a piece of worthless rotten meat, unless you...you...* Feeling the authority being forcibly manipulated inside his body, and watching Leon''s skin rapidly restoring, with a blood-stained handprint on his face, the young man involuntarily opened his mouth wide, almost glaring his eyes out of their sockets! *What the hell? Was I just "used" by him?* Chapter 121 - 121: 0104 The Awakening Madman_1 [Name: Heart of Ambition (Corruption, Pride, Domination)] [Appearance: A heart that continues to beat eternally even after being removed from the body. Approaching it recklessly will let you hear the whispers of demons, arrogantly demanding you to reveal your own ambitions. And the stronger the ambition hidden within a person, the deeper the roots of pride in their heart, making them more easily attract its attention and temptation.] [Ability: Demon''s Heart, self-abnormality amplification, Sovereign Domination] [Cost: Open your heart, inviting it to witness your ambition and pride.] [File: The heart of a Near-God Level Great Demon, once heavily damaged and plunged into a long-term slumber. During this time, it was sent as a rare exhibit to an underground auction due to its trait of continuing to beat even after leaving the body. It was auctioned off by a member of the Lionheart Family and nourished by the deep ambition within his younger brother, causing it to awaken once more. It devoured the brother''s heart, replacing it, and has continued to this day.] [Evaluation: An Anomalous Object with virtually no combat capability. But the nobler the user''s status and the greater the power they hold, the more terrifying its effects become. A mere member of the Old Nobility, soon to be abandoned by time, cannot manifest its strength. If it falls into the hands of a true power figure, or even a King from The Twelve Kingdoms, it will make this world feel fear.] [Contamination Value: 11 (3.3 ¨C Bobby Layne) (2.3 ¨C Leon Laine)] [Your Contamination Value has increased.] [Current Contamination Value: 2.3] To make this world feel fear... Looking at the undoubtedly highest evaluation among the Anomalous Objects he had encountered so far, Leon finally had some concept of the Black Goat''s level during its heyday. Although the Black Goat''s heart was also severely damaged, it always remained in a "wild" state, unlike the Yang Jiao, which fell into the hands of the director and had even its authority destroyed in the past. It still basically maintained its original hierarchy, and its powers were quite frightening. For those "dominated" targets, it possessed near-absolute control over life and death... Pretty good. ... "What are you doing?!" Still not shaken off the shock from being "used," he once again felt the "activation" from the other party, even stronger than imagined, and couldn''t help but panic. The young man reached out desperately to grab Leon''s arm, struggling with all his might while shouting desperately, "What are you doing! What exactly are you doing?!" "..." Without answering his question, Leon, his clothes soaked with blood, his body bearing pain like being cut by a thousand knives, slowly closed his eyes. Using the strengthening effect of "I Am the Demon," he pushed the Heart of Ambition to its current limit. "Buzz!" An invisible wave of souls rapidly spread with the two as the center, and the entire Ryan Manor instantly "quieted" down. Nobles, officials, servants, butlers, gardeners... Everyone within the manipulation range of the Heart of Ambition was dragged into that invisible pyramid. "Standing" on the second layer of the pyramid, Leon looked at the hundreds of thousands of purple-black souls around him and felt the decay far worse than mud around him. He finally made up his mind. "Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!" With a series of collisions between flesh and hard objects from his sequential "naming," fireworks of flesh and ironstone bloomed within Ryan Manor. Climbing tall buildings and leaping off, sprinting to collide with rocks, diving into the nearest scenic lake... A multitude of rotten souls full of greed and political plotting were extinguishing at an average rate of two per second. "Stop it!!!" Watching Leon''s rampant slaughter, the soul of Bobby Layne, tossed outside the pyramid, couldn''t help but roar in fury, "Do you not know what you are doing? You and the Purification Bureau have agreements with the kingdoms; random killing of ordinary people is absolutely forbidden! Do you know what will happen to you if you do this?" "Hmm? What did I do?" Carefully identifying the evil-flooded souls below and extinguishing those utterly decayed flames one by one, Leon tilted his head slightly, delivering his slightly surprised response. "Wasn''t this all your doing?" "You!!!" Having obliterated yet another rotted soul, in this "pyramid" without any other spectators, Leon, having shaken free of all restraints, turned to calmly narrate, "During this investigation mission, I unexpectedly suffered an ambush from you and was trapped in this manor. To pry into the secrets of the Purification Bureau, you threatened me with the lives of the Layne family members. If I didn''t reveal the Bureau''s secrets, you''d kill one person every second. Unfortunately, I''m just a freshly promoted small employee and know very little about the Bureau''s intelligence, with no way to answer. So these people could only die in vain..." "You''re talking nonsense!" Unexpectedly, this bucket of water splashed back on his own head, and Bobby Layne''s soul was instantly filled with rage as he shouted at Leon, "You can''t cover this up! So many people died suddenly, the Purification Bureau will definitely investigate you! By then..." "Investigate how?" Leon continued his "work" calmly as he responded with utter serenity, "Did you get something wrong? The one who merged with the Anomalous Object is you, not me. Could I have used your Anomalous Object to kill your clansmen?" "???" "As for other more special investigation methods... I only acted within this pyramid, and you seem to be the sole witness, right? And once everything is over, I won''t waste your filthy soul either¡ªit''s prepared to be fully digested by the Black Goat. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So how are they going to investigate? Investigate you, who will have even your soul decomposed? Or investigate these people who were entirely controlled by you and know nothing at all?" "..." "Hmm... actually, it''s not entirely secure." After some frowning thought, Leon''s soul calmly stated, "If the Bureau truly values this greatly, willing to use objects involving causality, or mighty Anomalous Objects that reverse time, they might indeed reveal what I did, but... are you worth it?" "You... you... damn it!" Realizing he truly couldn''t do anything to Leon and forced to watch helplessly as everything he had got destroyed bit by bit, Bobby Layne''s soul couldn''t help but howl in resentment, "You madman! You damn madman!" Madman... Upon hearing his words, Leon''s movements paused for a moment as he recalled himself prior to joining the Purification Bureau, ready to charge into the Department of Road Administration with a knife. "Seems like I might be a bit." After forcefully extinguishing the last irredeemable flame, observing the other souls with somewhat warm colors, Leon stopped his hand and exited the pyramid, reaching out to seize Bobby Layne''s throat with seriousness, "If I were indeed crazy, it must have just occurred on the 28th of last month... Do you have any other last words?" Chapter 122 - 122: 0105 Negotiating with......_1 Bobby Layne walked away peacefully. Despite the expression of rage on his face and the eyes brimming with hatred and reluctance, there was a sense of satisfaction and happiness that emanated from deep within...at least, that was what Leon thought. Before he could utter his last words, Leon forcibly extracted the "Heart of Ambition," finally eliminating the Duke of Lionheart''s primary heir. Surrounded by the fallen members of the Layne family, utterly exhausted, Leon plopped down and casually rested his hand on the Black Goat''s head. *Damn it...I fought so hard, drenched in blood, only for this thing to reap the biggest benefits...* Watching the soul fragments surge in his soul vision, almost forming a river, Leon rubbed the Black Goat''s forehead silently. [Name: War Cornerstone (Corruption, Wrath, War)] [Appearance: ¡­] [Ability: Demon Horns, Malice Amplification, Endless Blood Battle] [Cost: Recognized, can be used without any cost] [File: ¡­] [Evaluation: Thanks to your careful nurturing, the repaired authority has made this anomalous object a terrifying weapon of war once again. If you bring it into a large-scale war, you will have a temporary Undying Body and inexhaustible stamina until one side completely collapses, ending the battle.] [Contamination Value: 8 (2.5)] [Your Contamination Value increased.] [Current Contamination Value is: 2.5] *Not bad. Although it used to be a little piece of junk, it absorbed nearly two hundred sinful souls in one shot and repaired the broken authority. At least it finally looks a bit like a Great Demon, but...* "Stop it!" After delivering a smack to the back of the Black Goat''s head, knocking it to the ground as it indulged in absorbing souls, Leon scolded, "Your limit is 8 points. If you keep absorbing, that''s all you''ll get. Don''t overdo it!" "You?!" Enraged by the hit on the back of its head, the Black Goat turned to curse, but upon seeing the fierce Soulfire in Leon, it inexplicably lost its momentum and argued, "Though we can''t continue to get stronger, we can still stock up! Maybe one day..." "Stock up for what?! Stop now!" Glaring at it in annoyance, Leon explained, "So many people died this time. The Bureau might send someone down to investigate. If they come and see you full of soul fragments, I won''t be able to talk my way out of it!" "Ah?" The Black Goat looked baffled and muttered, "What do you need to explain? Wasn''t it all you...ouch!" After giving it a slap on the head, Leon emphasized seriously, "This was all Bobby Layne. Trying to extract information about the Purification Bureau from me...he went insane...I wanted to stop him...but was powerless...in the end, I could only..." "..." "What does that expression mean?" "Nothing..." After hearing Leon''s "story," the Black Goat responded speechlessly, "If he did everything, why did he die instead of you?" "Because of you." Smacking the Black Goat''s head, Leon "explained" without a hint of emotion, "Bobby Layne''s spree of slaughter allowed you to absorb a large number of souls, repairing the authority the Director shattered, hence significantly boosting your power. Afterward, relying on the Holy Spirit pendant, I forcedfully approached him, using you to suppress his heart''s domination ability, letting me kill him in one strike!" Hearing this, the Black Goat retorted, "But...since when can I suppress its authority of domination? Your explanation is too far-fetched!" "Whether you have the ability isn''t important, what matters is ''you'' said it." Having long prepared an excuse, Leon flashed a smile reminiscent of the Red-haired Director, squinting as he replied, "No one knows Yang Jiao or Yang Xin''s body better than you. So, if you say you can do it, then it surely can!" "Then why did only villains die?" "Because of internal family power struggles threatening Bobby Layne''s position; or maybe because the more evil targets are harder to control, he seized the chance to eliminate dissidents; or perhaps due to your interference and protection, he couldn''t target good people..." After listing three options, Leon seriously reminded, "Don''t be so rigid. You have the say now, and how things went should be determined by whatever you decide! Hmm...thinking of that, there actually is something that needs handling." Looking at the Heart of Ambition, forcibly extracted and temporarily placed on Bobby Layne''s corpse, Leon frowned and inquired, "What''s your heart situation now? With Bobby Layne''s soul consumed, does it still possess self-awareness?" "It should...still have it?" Hearing Leon''s inquiry, the Black Goat seemed unsure and said, "This is the first time I''ve been split into seven parts...not sure about the details...maybe you should ask it?" "..." *Why did I even bother asking you.* Casting a wordless glance at the Black Goat, and relying on the "I Am the Demon," Leon reached out to grasp the Heart of Ambition, about to speak when a high-pitched male voice, resonating with a resemblance to Bobby Layne by six parts, echoed in his ear. ''Release your filthy hand!'' After hurling a word of mild anger, the Heart of Ambition coldly hummed through the soul, ''I overheard your conversation, so have you come to beg me to keep it a secret?'' "It''s not a request, it''s a demand, though you can refuse." Gently touching the Holy Spirit pendant on his chest, Leon replied with a calm demeanor, "But if you refuse, I will use this to weaken you to about the same strength as the Cornerstone, and then have it erase your awareness to prevent you from leaking information to the Purification Bureau." ''You dare?!'' Infuriated by Leon''s threat, the Heart of Ambition flared up with anger, thumping violently and demanding, ''If not for your entertaining slaughter, a lackey of the Purification Bureau like you isn''t even fit to converse with me! Especially with your vulgar and weak heart...'' *Seems there''s no room for negotiation.* As Leon listened to the furious thundering at his ear, he shook his head and grasped the Holy Spirit pendant. But just as he was about to act, the raging voice of the Heart of Ambition abruptly subsided, then, with hesitation, it remarked, ''Your heart...hmm...it''s not so bad after all...'' Forcefully piercing through Leon''s defenses, glancing at the colossal, unimaginable ambition buried deeply, the Heart of Ambition fell silent momentarily before softening its stance a slight, extending an amiable offer: ''How about...you let me be your heart, and I''ll keep the secrets from the Purification Bureau...is that okay?'' "..." Regardless, in this incident, the greatest beneficiary was the Black Goat and its master Leon. Agreeing to the Heart of Ambition''s terms now would practically invite the Purification Bureau to investigate, so Leon, of course, couldn''t agree. "I refuse!" ''How dare you refuse me?'' With much effort in putting aside its pride to offer an olive branch, only for Leon to reject it outright, the Heart of Ambition was incensed, shouting harshly, ''You!¡­won''t you reconsider?'' S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "..." "???" *Damn it! I''ve never lost my demonic prestige like this before!* Watching Leon and the Black Goat''s astonished expressions, the Heart of Ambition pulsated with shame, wishing desperately to take back its words and silence all who had heard them. But after stealthily bypassing Leon''s mental defenses and witnessing the ultimate arrogance seemingly destined to rule the heavens, and the enormous ambitions far more challenging than ruling the Kingdom, the Heart of Ambition found itself reluctant to lose such a perfect host. For the third time, it issued a proud invitation: ''I beg you, let me be your heart! I promise to do everything you say!'' Chapter 123 - 123: 0106 Opening the Book and Feeling at Ease_1 *Wasn''t it... could you at least have a little dignity as a Great Demon?* Seeing the other version of himself not just fawning but utterly shameless, the Black Goat felt a surge of anger and an intense sense of crisis. When he persuaded Leon to stand by his side earlier, the reasoning was that the soul was exceedingly arrogant and definitely wouldn''t be as obedient as himself. But looking at this dog''s attitude now... Damn it! Is it this competitive to be someone''s lapdog now? ... "It''s deceiving you!" After getting horribly outmaneuvered by his own soul and encountering cutthroat competition, the Black Goat''s fury surged as he menacingly said to Leon, "It''s arrogance personified! Based on our understanding of it, this guy would never be so compliant. So, it''s probably just stabilizing you and waiting for a chance to report to the Purification Bureau! Hurry up and act!" ''You?!!!'' Watching Leon suddenly squint and grab the pendant again, the Heart of Ambition, having been ruthlessly backstabbed, flared up furiously. Before I was split into seven pieces, I was undoubtedly number one. You, a pathetic third, are only ranked there because the fourth was Sloth and couldn''t care less to compete with you! You, a trashy number three, just found a suitable host before me, and now instead of bowing before the big brother, you''re plotting to instigate him to take me down? *You''re forcing my hand!* Disgusted by the sixth behavior of their third brother, the Heart of Ambition ground its metaphorical teeth and raised the stakes, ''Aside from those damned horns, over the years I''ve found the whereabouts of the stomach and tail too! As long as you erase its will and let me be your heart, not only will I obey you completely, but I''ll also reveal the locations of those items to you!'' ??? You''re even adding to the competition? Seeing Leon looking a bit tempted, and realizing the situation might be turning unfavorable, the Black Goat shuddered and hurriedly raised the stakes, "Do I need you to tell me where those other items are? Once Leon climbs to the top of the Purification Bureau, we''ll have all kinds of ways to get others to investigate! Plus, who are you to compete with me? I''ve been cooperating... with the Purification Bureau for years, staying next to the director of the Zodiac Branch Office, learning countless hidden secrets and mysterious tales!" At this point, the Black Goat sneakily glanced at Leon''s soul and, seeing it seemingly leaning towards him again, relaxed and continued, "Leon! As long as you crush it, I''ll answer whatever you ask in the future! Haven''t you always been curious about Emma''s experiences and that red-haired woman''s past? Just erase its will, and I''ll tell you right away!" "You! Damn it! I can also offer him money! Power! A chance to reach the pinnacle!" "Laughable, those things are garbage in the face of absolute power!" "I think you''re the garbage one!" "You''re garbage! The most garbage! You''re worse than that blasted thing!" "..." Watching the two sheep fighting tooth and nail to serve him, Leon remained silent for a moment before making a decision. Only kids make choices, adults want it all! Just that... "Stop arguing, the heart is definitely not yours." As the Purification Bureau''s top-class discipline on par with [The Emma''s Remnant Scripture], the "Director''s (Anomalous Object) Training Manual" stated that one must never trust any intelligent Anomalous Object. Regardless of their subservience, skepticism should always be maintained. Especially when they offer seemingly enticing conditions, it''s crucial to remind oneself that most Anomalous Objects are born from extreme emotions and experiences, or are even part of some Outer God or evil entity. Trusting them is committing a crime against oneself and the world at large. After repeating the "Director''s Training Manual" to himself several times and suppressing the impulse to agree, Leon felt the immense disappointment emanating from the Heart of Ambition''s soul and cautiously suggested, "However... if you''re willing to cooperate and prove that Bobby Layne did everything this time, I might reapply for you after the bureau checks you." ''Fine! Ahaha! Good! Good!'' Though it couldn''t "ascend in one step" and replace Leon''s heart immediately, the Heart of Ambition was still overjoyed, repeating "good" several times. As for when it could truly rise to power... hehe, once he uses me a few times and experiences the absolute control over everything, the kid will eventually beg me to be his heart! "Leon! Did you forget what that red-haired woman told you?" Feeling the Heart of Ambition''s smugness, the dethroned first lapdog Black Goat hurriedly said, "How can you trust the words of a demon? At times like this, you need to be ruthless! If you don''t erase it and it turns around to inform the Purification Bureau..." "You''re right, I indeed can''t easily trust the words of a demon." Giving a sideways glance at the soul of the Black Goat, with its vile intentions leaking out, Leon dryly reminded, "And have you forgotten that when I hold you, I also have soul vision and can see more clearly than you? If it was lying, I would have spotted it by now, alright?" "..." Exposing the first lapdog''s scheming, rendering it speechless, Leon shifted the target for the second lapdog back to Bobby Layne, then looked down at his blood-soaked coat. While preparing the motive and means for crime, corroborating his story with the Black Goat, and bribing the remaining eyewitness, the only thing left unexplained was why he lost so much blood but wasn''t wounded... Taking a deep breath, Leon looked around, found a relatively clean spot to lie down, and gripped the Holy Spirit pendant tightly. Commit fully to the act! ... "Knock knock knock." "Come in." After knocking on the director''s office door, a short man rubbed his hands with anticipation and asked impatiently, "Well... I don''t actually have anything urgent, just wondered how long the person you mentioned who can appraise items will be before they''re back at work?" Isn''t Little Leon here yet? Hearing the short man''s question, the red-haired director furrowed his brows slightly, then after sensing the situation of that hair of his, he replied, "He went on a field assignment yesterday to track down the whereabouts of an Anomalous Object. If he isn''t here yet, he might have found something, investigated through the night, and is now catching up on sleep. If the task is done, he should be here soon." "That''s good... haha, by the way, what task was he on? Just so happens my ''friends'' are free, maybe I could..." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hmm? Jerry, are you being so kind to newcomers?" Knowing well what the short man was thinking, the red-haired director smirked and teased, "But I''m afraid you can''t help. It''s just a regular investigation task. While he lacks a bit of experience, Leon is steady and reliable. I trust his handling!" Chapter 124 - 124: 0107 Person with Enough Weight_1 Critic News: "Ryan Blood Night, Over a Hundred Officials and Personnel with Casualties!" New Industry News: "Massive Loss of Middle-level Members of Ryan Family, Arms Company Suspected of Shutting Down!" Royal Mail News: "Solemn Remembrance of Ryan Family''s Fallen Members" Corner Alley News: "Lionheart Fallen? Kingdom''s Two Pillars Might Withdraw from the Stage of History" The Sun News: "Shocking! The Ryan Family Massacred Last Night, the Culprit Is..." "..." *A simple investigation nearly led to the annihilation of a family? Is this how you reassure me?* After reading the front-page headlines of more than a dozen newspapers, the Red-haired Director felt a rush of blood to his head, as if he were going to float away. *Year-end is approaching! The end-of-year reviews are almost here!* *At a time like this, a massive casualty event occurs in the Capital City, and the deceased are from the Old Nobility. This would send the fledgling Virgin bureau''s performance this year plummeting straight to the bottom!* Moreover, apart from the performance collapse, there appeared to be an even worse scenario... Looking at the front page of The Sun News, the photo of Leon stretching his bloodied hand towards Bobby Layne''s body even in death, coupled with the bold and enlarged label, "Culprit," the Red-haired Director couldn''t help but sigh deeply, feeling overwhelmed. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Although it''s just The Sun News, not the Capital Times or the Royal Mail News, how did you end up getting yourself thrown into a death cell while out on an investigation?* ... "What? The Ryan family is gone? And it''s the handiwork of that damned rebel?" "Sit down, sit down!" Seeing the policewoman sprang up from her chair upon hearing the news, the scar-faced brawny man couldn''t help but frown and motioned her to sit back down. "The Ryan family is still here, just that nearly two hundred core members and some high-ranking clansmen died all at once. The old Duke suffered a severe blow, and he''s probably on the brink of collapse." "As for the culprit... it might not be that rebel; the Ryan family''s incident is quite peculiar." Taking a deep drag off the cigarette in his mouth, the scar-faced brawny man pondered aloud, "Though that rebel did appear at the scene and killed the primary heir, Bobby Layne, there were no signs of other intruders in the manor. It''s unlikely for him alone to have wiped out the Ryan family''s middle-level members in one night." "And, according to the old Duke''s testimony, he was awakened at midnight by a maid who put scissors to his neck, forcing him to abdicate early in favor of his brother Bobby Layne. I''d say what happened to the Ryan family yesterday seems more like internal strife." "I see..." Upon hearing this, the policewoman slightly relaxed; then, with flickering eyes, she asked hesitantly, "If it''s an internal strife, why not investigate thoroughly who the culprit is instead of locking that rebel in the death cell?" "Yisha, get used to using your brain!" The scar-faced brawny man tapped his forehead with a finger while smoking, answering calmly, "Whether that Leon the rebel is the culprit doesn''t depend on what he did but rather on which scenario is more suitable: ''rebel assaulting a duke''s family'' or ''a duke''s family internal strife.''" "I don''t understand..." "Simply put, the truth doesn''t matter; benefits and stance do." After extinguishing the cigarette on the table''s glass top, the scar-faced brawny man pointed with his nicotine-stained finger at the stack of newspapers on the table, patiently explaining, "Notice anything? Except for The Sun News which treats it as amusement, the other newspapers either commemorate the fallen, describe the situation, or focus on the event''s impact. No one gives a clear answer regarding whether it''s internal strife or an attack." "These newspapers aren''t avoiding the scoop or waiting for our investigation results; rather, people behind them have reminded them not to rush to take sides. It''s better to wait until the wind direction is established." "Wind direction?" "I mean the intentions of the Old Nobility represented by the Ryan family, the reformist faction led by the Princess, and the loose alliance formed by new nobility, big merchants, legislators, and the Prime Minister." "These three forces are the real leaders of the Kingdom. The consensus they reach after competing and vying will be the only correct direction." Upon explaining the concept of wind direction, the scar-faced brawny man lit another cigarette and spoke slowly, "Among them, the reformist faction represented by the Princess prefers the event to be seen as noble internal strife, giving them an excuse to take action against the Old Nobility and relieve the Minister of Defense''s pressure." "And as for the loose alliance, they would prefer it to be a rebel attack because the rebels'' disruptive behavior affects merchants the most, which in turn affects legislators supported by the merchants and the Prime Minister who needs their votes." "So, if this is determined to be a rebel attack, they can urge the other two parties to cooperate and prioritize dealing with the rebels to stabilize the business environment." *Kind of understood, but also kind of didn''t...* The policewoman pondered with a furrowed brow before asking, "Then what about the Old Nobility? What do they think?" "They don''t care." Hearing the policewoman''s question, the scar-faced brawny man chuckled slightly, revealing a peculiar smile. "Be it internal strife resulting in deaths or being attacked by rebels, both are equally disgraceful for them. ''Internal strife'' gives the Princess an excuse to cut into them, and ''attacks'' will lead to losing more seats to legislators due to their inability to handle the rebels." "In any case, regardless of how the ''Ryan Blood Night'' is ultimately characterized, they have already lost the most." "..." *Who cares about winners and losers!* *I listened all this while and still don''t know what will happen to Leon. Not knowing how to ask directly, the anxious policewoman repeatedly clenched her fists before probing cautiously,* "So, Director, what do you think will happen eventually? What fate awaits that damned rebel?" "That''s not up to me to decide." Glancing at the policewoman''s wrinkled sleeve corner, the scar-faced brawny man casually turned towards the window, smoking and continued indifferently, "It depends mainly on the Princess. While legislators and merchants carry weight, their scattered goals make the alliance loose. If the reformist faction led by the Princess is persistent, they will eventually retreat." "So how things unfold really depends on whether someone influential in the Princess''s camp can stand up and reinforce her determination to target the Old Nobility." *Someone influential... I understand!* A little while later, after the scar-faced brawny man extinguished his cigarette and turned around, the policewoman had already disappeared. But the brawny man didn''t seem too concerned about his competent subordinate''s abrupt departure. Instead, he leisurely returned to his desk, unfolding a map of the Capital City. *Let me think... Next month''s plan should be to demolish the theater in the southeast of the Capital City. So when it comes to setting the defense, let''s draw the line to the west first~* Chapter 125 - 125: Being the 0108 director is not easy~_1 What? Little Lyon has already been taken away? Listening to the situation relayed by the gentle woman in front of him, the Red-haired Director instinctively squinted his fox-like eyes and asked with an unpleasant expression, "How did it happen so quickly? In a case of this magnitude, normally, wouldn''t it take three weeks to investigate?" "I also find it a bit strange." Emma, who took the Red-haired Director''s order to pick up the person, but ended up empty-handed, frowned and said, "Although leaving the death row is a good thing, the person who took Leon away must have a very special identity. No matter how I asked, the people over there wouldn''t tell me anything." "That part isn''t hard to guess." After squinting his eyes and pondering for a moment, the Red-haired Director, familiar with the situation in the Capital City, spoke, "The Duke of Lionheart is the vice-chairman of the Upper House. Although the Lionheart Family has declined considerably in recent decades, they are still recognized as representative of the Old Nobility''s dignity, so this case is indeed quite troublesome. The only ones who can interfere in a case of this magnitude, taking someone away before the investigation is complete, apart from us, are the chairman of the Upper House, the Prime Minister, and the Princess who represents the King''s will." When saying this, the Red-haired Director glanced at Emma to observe her expression and then continued to explain, "Due to the coup six years ago, the chairman''s seat in the Upper House is temporarily vacant, and it''s unlikely the Prime Minister could respond so quickly, so the person who took him could only be the Princess." "I see." Hearing this, Emma nodded and then said calmly, "If it was the Princess who took him away, Leon''s safety should no longer be an issue... Do you need me to go over there and bring him back?" "No, the less we intervene in normal society, the stronger the suppression effect of the Watcher''s Palace, and the lower the intensity of Abnormalities within that range. Moreover, the Princess taking him away might actually be the best result. As long as she can overpower the Prime Minister and the merchants'' association, Leon can return on his own, but it might take ten days to half a month of confinement." After rejecting Emma''s offer, the Red-haired Director couldn''t help but sigh as he looked at her eyes, as calm as calm could be. "Emma, six years ago, when I couldn''t agree to help with that favor, were you..." "Director, let''s not talk about the past." Interrupting the Red-haired Director, Emma lowered her gaze slightly and spoke calmly, S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Back then, I was immature and didn''t understand your difficulties. You took me in despite the pressure, and that was already incredibly difficult. I shouldn''t have made such excessive demands." "..." "But you still haven''t given up. Have you?" Looking at her good friend who avoided her gaze, the Red-haired Director rubbed his brow vigorously and then said, full of weariness, "With your skills, you haven''t needed to practice firearms for a long time, yet in the past two years, you''ve focused specifically on sniping, and even made an agreement with Little Lyon to have him use that goat''s *soul vision* to help you once..." "That shouldn''t violate Bureau regulations, right?" For the second time interrupting the Red-haired Director, Emma said calmly, "I won''t use any Anomalous Object, and Leon won''t know anything; it has nothing to do with the Bureau. Even after I complete my revenge, I don''t plan to run. I''ll turn myself in immediately. Can''t a life for a life be fair?" "Yes, of course it can..." Seeing her gaze, ten times firmer than a rock, knowing he couldn''t possibly persuade her, the Red-haired Director reluctantly nodded, harboring one last hope, "And what about your daughter, is she prepared?" Hearing the Red-haired Director''s question, Emma remained silent for a moment before evading the question, "There are already 997 people named Alman dead beneath the redwoods in front of my house, two more won''t make a difference." Sharply catching the brief hesitation in her eyes, the Red-haired Director quickly said, "But really, can''t you wait a little longer?" "I''ve waited for six years..." "Since you''ve already waited six years, why not wait just a little longer, not too much longer, just for another month." Gently holding Emma''s arm to prevent her from leaving, the Red-haired Director spoke softly, "Think about your daughter, her birthday is coming soon. I have no right to stop you from seeking revenge, but why not wait one more month and spend her last birthday with her, okay?" "..." "I''ll... I''ll think about it..." "You think about it first, and when you decide, remember to let me know in advance." Letting go of Emma''s arm and watching her leave his office, the Red-haired Director leaned back in his chair, full of melancholy, wishing for nothing more than to drown his woes in drink. First, there was the promising newcomer, whom he praised highly in front of the Taurus Director, inexplicably caught up in the Ryan Family''s internal strife, and now suspected of being the murderer of noble families. Next, his good friend and the Bureau''s ace employee, after enduring for six relentless years, was finally ready to abandon everything to avenge her family betrayed and executed during the coup. Apart from these two issues, he still had to keep a close watch on the aristocrats colluding with the Scales Gold Sect, prepare a countermeasure for the True God behind the Red Brick Road Hospital incident, reprimand and deal with the clearly overstepping Scales Gold Sect, investigate several recent Anomalies appearing in the Capital City, and initiate an investigation into the Aquarius Director... "Sigh!!!" After a heavy sigh, and feeling overwhelmed, the Red-haired Director grabbed a bottle, downed a large gulp of tea, then pulled out a discarded File, listing out all the issues to be resolved on its back, and sat in his chair pondering deeply. Originally, Little Lyon''s matter was the most urgent, but since he was taken from death row by the Princess, it''s no longer an immediate concern. He just needed to prepare for the Bureau''s ensuing investigation. Emma''s issue was a bit more pressing, but there wasn''t much he could do at the moment, relying on her daughter''s birthday to buy time, hoping for a solution soon. As for the rest... the investigation into the Aquarius Director would take time to confirm; the several Anomalies in the Capital City could be dealt with by sending other Cleaners; the True God behind the Red Brick Road Hospital had been quiet so far. And after the Scales Gold Sect caused trouble, worrying about his retribution, they''ve long since gone into hiding, ceasing almost all activities, with no leads on them whatsoever, even the nobles colluding with them are now... ... "Knock, knock, knock." Just as she was fretting over the list on the desk, wondering where to begin, a knock sounded at the office door. "Come in." With the Red-haired Director''s response, the office door swung open, and a dark-faced, kind-looking old man, bloodshot eyes and all, strode in carrying a bag of things. "Who are you?" Facing the Red-haired Director''s curious inquiry, the old man didn''t immediately answer but placed the cloth bag on her desk before speaking, "I''m the owner of the Charl Department Store. This is the Purification Bureau''s branch in the Capital City, right?" After briefly introducing himself, old Charl untied the cloth bag, taking out four locked metal boxes, and arranged them on the desk. "In these four boxes are something you call ''Anomalous Object.'' When I encounter an insoluble problem, if I meet its conditions, it answers and helps solve a question." Is this.... an Anomalous Object delivered straight to us? Covering the list on the desk with his hand to keep it from the man''s view, the Red-haired Director nodded, squinting his eyes slightly, "Yes, this is indeed the Purification Bureau, and we do handle Anomalous Objects. But we don''t typically accept employment, and even our existence is confidential. So, could you tell me how you know about us and why you want to give us this Anomalous Object?" Looks like I found the right place. Hearing the Red-haired Director''s words, old Charl, exhausted, breathed a sigh of relief and pointed to the boxes on the desk with a bit of excitement, "It told me!" "A few days ago, my daughter was kidnapped and still hasn''t returned. So I asked it a question, and it said to deliver it here to you, and my daughter would be saved!" Daughter kidnapped? Catching the key phrase, the Red-haired Director raised an eyebrow, recalling the information Jerry''s rat friends gathered and the Holy Spirit incident report submitted by Leon. Lionheart Ryan, Rose Marsini, Shield York. These three noble families teamed up against Charl Department Store, failed, and found themselves driven into a corner. The Holy Spirit they summoned was dealt with by Leon, so they resorted to kidnapping the Charl Department Store owner''s daughter... "It can be done!" Promising old Charl, the Red-haired Director placed the four small boxes into her drawer, glanced at the relieved old man and said with some difficulty, "However, although we can save your daughter, I''m afraid you''ll have to wait a while, I''m sorry..." Wait a while longer? Hearing the Red-haired Director''s words, old Charl, having just relaxed slightly, tensed anew, hurriedly inquiring, "Why wait? Can''t she be found and returned soon?" "She could originally." With a half-genuine sigh, the Red-haired Director said with a rather complex expression, "But we have very few employees skilled at finding people. The person best suited for this got into a little bit of trouble recently." Pinching his right thumb and index finger to indicate a "tiny bit," the Red-haired Director said with an expression of "helplessness," "He got tangled in the Ryan Family incident, even framed as the culprit of the ''Ryan Blood Night.'' Although the Princess wishes to protect him, many of the councilors backing the merchants'' association''s big businessmen are refusing to let him go, so the Prime Minister and the Lower House haven''t resolved it yet..." "Tell me that person''s name!" Although tormented by his daughter Emma''s abduction, after years in the business world, old Charl immediately understood the Red-haired Director''s implication and straightforwardly promised, "I am the vice-president of the merchants'' association. As long as I can ensure my daughter''s safety, I can get your person out in two days tops!" Chapter 126 - 126: 0109 Strange Interrogation_1 "Are you the one called Leon?" After hearing his name, Leon, who was heavily bandaged on his hands and shoulders and fixed on the hospital bed, struggled to turn his head. He saw an old man with graying hair and muscles on his brow knotted into a "´¨" shape. "And you are?" "You don''t need to worry about who I am." Without answering Leon''s question, the old man, with two guards, said with an iron-like face and expressionless demeanor, "You just need to know that you are now the primary suspect in the Ryan Blood Night case and are under investigation." So... is this man an interrogator from the Secret Investigation Bureau? But shouldn''t interrogators have assistants? Why bring guards instead? And they don''t seem to be ordinary guards? Glancing at the two guards behind the old man, from their erect posture and the calluses at the base of their thumbs indicating handling guns, Leon roughly guessed their profession, which made him furrow his brows and turn his head back. "Hmm?" Noticing the subtle change in Leon''s expression, the old man''s eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing Leon''s profile with an eagle-like stare, coldly questioning him, "Do you have an issue with the military?" S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After giving the old man a sidelong glance, Leon racked his brain to guess his identity while unceremoniously retorting, "Can''t I have one?" "Watch your mouth!" As expected, like the typical trope in countless classic films, after Leon''s provocation towards the high-status seeming old man, the two guards full of admiration for him immediately furrowed their brows in anger and shouted, "Do you know..." "Stop!" Raising his hand slightly to signal the guards behind him to refrain from revealing their identity, the old man''s tightly pursed lips twitched upward ever so slightly, as he sized up Leon and said, "You want to know my identity?" "I already know." Although the Black Goat was not present to observe the old man''s soul, Leon, judging from the man''s expression and tone, vaguely felt that this man had a soft spot for "talented troublemakers," so he boldly exposed, "The fabric on your chest has an odd sun-faded mark, likely from some medal. While you''re not wearing epaulettes, your clothes have slots for them. The two guards behind you have callused thumbs and are wearing boots issued to sergeants, but sturdier than typical ones, likely those of lieutenant-level officers. Moreover, they seem to be at most thirty years old. Having two thirty-year-old lieutenants as guards with frequent opportunities to wear medals, there should only be a few such people in the entire military. And the only one who could be vaguely connected to me is just one person." After sneaking a glance at the old man, who, despite maintaining a poker face, seemed quite satisfied with the situation, Leon subtly let out a sigh of relief before calmly saying, "You''re the Minister of Defense, right?" ... "You see! What did I tell you!" Seeing that Leon exposed her father''s identity after just a couple of looks, the female police officer stopped outside the hospital room couldn''t help but feel a sense of relief. "I said he was smart! You should''ve just asked directly whatever you wanted. Why go through all this trouble? Geez..." After complaining to her mother for a bit, she was about to rush into the room when someone grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Don''t make trouble!" Quickly stopping her reckless daughter, the middle-aged woman breathed a sigh of relief, then pinched her waist firmly. "Ouch!" The female officer was displeased by the pinch and turned her head, about to say something, when she met her mother''s infuriated eyes. "Behave yourself! Haven''t you caused enough trouble already?" Recalling how her daughter burst into her bedroom yesterday telling her that the suspect in the Ryan Blood Night case was innocent and was only there to help her investigate the rebels, the middle-aged woman got angry all over again, giving the officer''s thigh another hard pinch! "Ouch!" "Let it hurt!" Dragging her troublesome daughter away from the room to prevent her from causing chaos inside, the middle-aged woman scolded her angrily, "Do you have any idea how much your father risked to cover for you this time?" "A lot, a lot..." "And telling your father to see the Princess, claiming it was a chance to suppress the Old Nobility, and that the Princess would certainly agree... Do you think this is something you can dabble in? Are you out of your mind!" "Yes, yes..." "And! What''s your relationship with that man? He''s willing to risk so much to help you investigate and hasn''t sold you out yet?" "Just a friend..." "Nonsense! Do ordinary friends ever go to such lengths? And I asked around at your bureau; everyone says they saw you two pulling and tugging at each other!" "Maybe we were arguing..." "So what were you arguing about?" "Just some casual quarrel..." "Was the stir-fry good?" "Not bad, not bad..." "..." Not bad, my ass! Watching her daughter tiptoeing to peek into the hospital room, mindlessly responding with ''uh-huh'' and ''yeah'' while absent-minded, the middle-aged woman got angry again and pinched her unruly daughter once more. "Ah!" Finally snapping back to reality, the female officer covered her thigh and ran a few steps away before complaining, "Mom! Why do you keep pinching me?" "You deserve it!" ... Listening to the chattering of his wife and daughter outside the hospital room, the sudden tightening breaths of the two officers behind him, and seeing Leon with a somewhat strange expression, the old man felt slightly embarrassed, took a deep breath, and instructed the officers behind, "Go! Tell them to keep it down!" "Yes!" With a formal reply and the young officer leaving the room quickly, their face slightly strained, the noise outside finally quieted down, although subdued whispers and a few muffled sounds could still be heard occasionally. "Since you''ve guessed it, I won''t hide it." Forcing himself to ignore the commotion outside, the old man, who still showed signs of his once-upright stature despite a slight stoop, said seriously, "I am indeed Yisha''s father. I got the decree from the Princess to pull you out. But this wasn''t due to Yisha''s pleading; it was necessary for me as the Minister of Defense. Tell me, what exactly happened at the Ryan House that night?" What happened that night? Leon couldn''t help but chuckle at the question before sincerely answering, "What was bound to happen finally did." "..." "Before we get into this overdue good deed, I have some questions for you too." Glancing at the old man''s tightly furrowed brows again, Leon earnestly inquired despite the officers'' glaring eyes, "On the noon of the incident at the Ryan House, I was on the same vehicle with your daughter. She was escorting a rebel. Are you aware of what happened to her and her husband?" "Yisha told me." Upon hearing this, the old man''s expression turned somber, and he nodded, "I''ve invited people from the Secret Investigation Bureau to the military to investigate everyone involved back then. Although it''s been a long time, and the investigation may take a while, we should get a conclusion in one or two months." "That''s good, but her enemies should all be dead, so she might not need your conclusion." Having received the answer he wanted, Leon couldn''t help nodding before continuing his inquiry, "You must have investigated me too, right? What about the compensation owed to my family?" "Before you went to the Ryan House, Yisha had already given me a list. All pensions withheld will be compensated." Pausing for a moment, the old man sighed, his ominously stooped posture becoming more pronounced. "As for the serious misconduct in the pension disbursement, those involved are also being interrogated and investigated by the Secret Investigation Bureau, starting with me as the Minister of Defense. Before coming to see you, I underwent the relevant examination. The lack of epaulettes and medals wasn''t to hide my identity but because they were removed for the investigation. Once everyone''s investigation concludes, our punishments will unfold over two months, with the lightest being a salary deduction for a year, and the heaviest being total asset forfeiture and execution. The forfeited assets will be used to compensate the families who were cheated out of pensions..." "Fair enough, I have no more issues." After hearing the resolution of these two matters and witnessing the deep regret in the old man''s eyes, Leon was slightly surprised and confessed directly, "The report in The Sun News was accurate. Bobby Layne was indeed killed by me." Chapter 127 - 127: 0110 Blood Night Effect_1 As expected! After hearing Leon''s words, the old man slightly furrowed his brow and then asked, "Why did you kill him?" "Because the job required it." Unsure of how much the old man knew about the "underwater world," Leon didn''t immediately concoct a story but instead retorted, "What do you know about the Purification Bureau?" "I''ve learned a little." Since he had already thoroughly investigated Leon''s file, it was only natural not to ignore his work. After a moment of silence, the old man waved off two officers before speaking in a lowered voice, "The royal family has a manual. Once a name is written in it, they can maintain their soul''s ''silence'' even when aware of the presence of anomalies, thereby avoiding attacks by anomalies. My name is also in it. And since you mentioned the Purification Bureau, does this mean that the incident was not due to an internal conflict in the Ryan Family, but rather related to your Bureau''s ''work content''?" *A manual that could keep the soul in ''silence''?* It seemed not all "ordinary people" were unaware of the existence of anomalies, just that there weren''t many. After keeping this information in mind, Leon nodded and said, "Yes, Bobby Layne merged with an anomalous object. He not only attempted to seize the anomalous object I was safeguarding but even threatened the lives of ordinary people to force me to reveal the Purification Bureau''s secrets. Although the Purification Bureau has rules prohibiting actions against ordinary people unless necessary, the situation was urgent at the time, and he was no longer considered human, so I had no choice but to kill him." ... *So that''s how it was...* After learning the "truth" of the Ryan Blood Night from Leon, the old man compared it with other information he knew, and his tightly furrowed brow relaxed slightly. If Leon had revealed the answer directly at the beginning of the questioning, the old man might have seized on several doubts to continue his inquiry. But Leon first used two questions to "challenge" him, and after confirming his understanding of the Purification Bureau, he "reluctantly" disclosed the "real" situation of the Ryan Blood Night. As the saying goes, a concubine is less worthy than a mistress, a mistress less worthy than a stolen wife, and a stolen wife less worthy than a wife yet to be stolen. The situation at hand was somewhat similar. Compared to readily available answers, these hard-earned pieces of intelligence seemed inherently more credible, at least to the Minister of Defense, who only knew a little about the Purification Bureau. He basically believed Leon''s words, albeit... "If possible, I''d like you to change the narrative." With a serious expression, the old man said to the slightly surprised Leon, "For your Purification Bureau, you can say whatever needs to be said, but when others outside the Bureau ask, I hope you can cooperate with us to label the Ryan Family incident as an internal conflict." *Us?* Although Leon, as an "ordinary person," was not very familiar with the political landscape of the Kingdom, he''d heard vague rumors about who stood behind the Minister of Defense. "Is the Princess planning to take action against the old nobility?" "Yes." Admitting Leon''s judgment frankly, the old man with graying hair said, "If you wish, you can put it more bluntly... This is a frame-up!" After openly stating his intentions, the old man, with eyes as sharp as an eagle''s, stared firmly into Leon''s eyes, observing his expression closely as he swiftly explained, "Regardless of whether it''s rebels or internal conflict, the Ryan Family, with so many key members dead, is already doomed. However, the old nobility is a collective; even if the Ryan Family completely loses power, their vacant positions won''t fall to anyone else but will be swiftly divided among other nobles. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. By then, except for the Ryan Armaments Company becoming the Maseni Firearms Company, and those from the Ryan Family in the Department of Road Administration, Department of Finance, and Department of Agriculture being replaced by people named York or other surnames, everything will continue as usual. This country will see no change." After briefly explaining the possible situations, the old man slightly raised his voice, looking serious as he said, "But now it''s different. As long as you''re willing to cooperate and demonstrate that the Ryan Family incident was an internal conflict, it will create an excellent opportunity for the Princess to take a significant step towards a better direction for the Kingdom!" "I don''t understand." Hearing this, Leon frowned in confusion and asked, "Whether it was internal conflict or an attack by rebels, weren''t the ones who died all from the Ryan Family? Why would this provide a good opportunity for the Princess?" "Because the Kingdom needs to maintain stability. No department can or should have large-scale vacancies all at once." Observing Leon, who clearly lacked understanding of political maneuvering¡ªhis knowledge wasn''t even on par with his own daughter''s¡ªthe old man considered for a moment before explaining as simply as possible, "Among the two hundred-plus casualties in the Ryan Family, over a hundred were mid-level officials within various departments of the Kingdom, especially in the Department of Road Administration and the military, where these two alone saw near eighty vacancies. Of the forty-seven subordinate branches of the military, one-quarter started accumulating files due to the incident, and two small sub-bureaus temporarily halted operations from losing their heads. Although the old nobility will quickly fill these vacancies, it will take at least one to two months for the new officials to take over and become familiar with their work, and possibly more than three months to fully resolve the backlog. Some related departments might even experience inefficient operations for half a year or longer due to unfamiliarity." After simply outlining the direct impact caused by the Ryan Blood Night, the old man continued with a serious expression, "If just one noble family''s internal conflict can result in such severe consequences, what if two families, three families, or even more nobles encounter issues one after another within half a year? This is the best pretext to act!" If this event could be classified as internal strife, the Princess could argue in parliament to reduce the number of the old nobility in each department to curb their excessive power, citing the need to ensure the Kingdom''s normal functioning. Even if ultimately unsuccessful, a demand could be made for the old nobility to ceded power, ensuring that a single noble family doesn''t hold too many positions in any department to prevent related departments from coming to a standstill if a similar issue arises. And when these nobles can no longer have numerous clansmen in a department, those who side with the Princess would have room to maneuver, potentially uniting with others to balance power or even reclaim control of key matters within that department!" As he said this, seemingly envisioning the Princess''s successful reform sweeping away years of accumulated problems in the Kingdom, the old man''s face slightly reddened with excitement, his eyes filled with fervor as he said, "Take the Ryan Family as an example. Just imagine, if the number of Ryan officials in the Department of Road Administration was reduced to half or even a third of its original number, could they still monopolize the construction of the Old Town like before? And if the number of Ryan officials in military procurement also dropped to half of its original count, could Ryan Armaments Company still consume so much of the military''s budget annually? If... what is it now?" "Someone from Her Highness just arrived..." One of the two young officers said with a peculiar expression as he entered the hospital room holding a dispatch order, "The people sent by the Princess said... the old Duke of the Ryan Family is on the verge, and those in the top five succession ranks need to arrive quickly..." *The Duke of Lionheart is near the end?* Upon hearing the young officer''s words, the old man was slightly pleased and immediately stood up from the bedside, decisively saying, "In any case, consider my words first. An opportunity like the Ryan Blood Night won''t come again. Your choice might become... what''s wrong now?" "Well..." Looking at Leon, who was covered in bandages on the bed, the young officer said somewhat helplessly, "The one on the bed is the fifth in line of succession for the Ryan Family..." "..." *What?!?* Chapter 128 - 128: 0111 Is this too coincidental?_1 *The Ryan family... was truly finished...* Looking at the Duke, whose neck was bandaged and who couldn''t even sit up, merely leaning against the hospital bed, the surrounding nobles couldn''t help but harbor similar thoughts. Having lost over two hundred family members overnight, with its core strength nearly wiped out, the only one capable of turning the tide, the Duke, had his neck''s blood vessels severed, leading to excessive blood loss and heart failure. *It seemed he was barely breathing anymore.* It could be said that the collapse of the Ryan family was completely in its final countdown. Apart from the shell of a Duke and a seat of the Vice Speaker in the Upper House, everything else would soon be divided among those present. At this thought, the representatives sent by various noble factions for "witnessing" or "mourning" couldn''t help but exchange glances, revealing knowing expressions to one another. As one of the kingdom''s twin pillars, the Ryan family''s "legacy" was incredibly rich. Even though everyone had some familial ties after hundreds of years, compared to that vast "legacy," such feelings were truly insignificant. As soon as the Duke handed over his title and breathed his last, countless mouths with sharp teeth would immediately come forward to gnaw away all of the Ryan family''s bounty, leaving not even a bare bone behind! *Damn these jackals! I''d rather feed the benefits to dogs than give them to you!* The Duke knew precisely the style of these "familial" families. Looking at those seemingly respectful but actually malicious eyes, his murky eyeballs couldn''t help but exhibit a deep venomous hatred. He then took what little air remained in his lungs and let out a heavy grunt. "You speak! I''m listening!" Upon hearing the grunt, the steward hurriedly bent down, bringing his ear close to the Duke''s mouth. The nobles instinctively held their breath, and a sudden silence fell in the ward. After a few gasps, the Duke finally managed to utter a few words with great effort. "First... who is... the first in line? Why still... haven''t... ah..." The old steward naturally understood that the first in line didn''t refer to the deceased Bobby Layne but to the new first in line after the Ryan Blood Night. After quickly conversing with someone responsible, the steward adeptly adjusted the Duke''s pillow, allowing him to breathe more easily, and then reported: "He is almost here, the first in line is the closest, just in the building next door to this hospital. He will be here soon." "Next... next to us?" "Yes... next door..." After hesitating slightly, the old steward still truthfully explained: "The current first in line was originally third in line. Eight years ago, he had some conflicts with your brother... with Bobby Layne and was hit on the back of the head with a stick. Although he didn''t die, he became paralyzed, with no sensation below the collarbone, so he can only..." "Get out!" Whether because of the situation of the first in line or upon hearing the name of the one who caused him to end up like this, the Duke couldn''t help but fly into a rage, surprisingly managing to shout a disjointed command. "Let him... the first... get out! Second! Second!" *Second...* Upon hearing this, the old steward gritted his teeth, then leaned in again to whisper: "The second... is in an asylum. Back then, he was competing with Bobby... for the control of the arms company, and somehow, he went mad..." *Bobby Laien!!!* Hearing that name again, the Duke''s heart rate, which had dropped to nearly forty, suddenly spiked to over eighty, a flush of color appearing on his pale, aging skin. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Damn it! Why were you in such a hurry? If you had just waited a bit longer! Just a few more years, the Ryan family would have been yours! You damned...* *Thinking of his clever yet detestable brother, the Duke''s eyes welled up with deep sorrow. After losing the ability to father children due to an injury when young, he had practically raised this brother as his son. Bobby Laien lived up to expectations, using tactics the Duke couldn''t fully comprehend to ruin rival families, successfully elevating him to the Duke''s position. So, the brothers'' relationship had always been good.* *But... but why were you so impatient?* *I knew you longed for my position, but couldn''t you wait even two years? Everything would have been yours after my death!* *Recalling his brother''s betrayal, the Duke''s weakened heart throbbed with pain as he weakly said,* "Three! Four! Five! Any of them... normal?" "These three may be normal as individuals, but none are suitable. You might want to call in the next ones as well..." The old steward sighed as he explained: "The third and fourth in line are twins, not even two years old. The younger one can''t even speak, and the fifth..." "Here they come! The fifth in line is here!" *???* *Another one impaired?* Upon seeing the wheelchair outside the door and the bandaged Leon seated in it, the Duke, slightly recovered, couldn''t help but bulge his eyes, raising his hand to point and shout at the old steward: "Didn''t you say, three, four, five... all..." "His skin is just injured, with some infection at the wound. But he is sound-minded." *The Duke''s muddled eyes moved up and down, assessing Leon''s condition, and he nodded slightly.* *Though another patient, he appeared to be a capable adult, certainly better than the previous four!* "Then... then him!" Feeling he was nearing his limit, the Duke firmly decided on the successor. He then instructed: "Have him... come here! I need to tell him how to handle those... eyeing the Ryan family... coy..." "Well... maybe you should consider some others?" Slight hesitation marked the old steward''s voice as he suggested: "He has black hair, not golden. Plus, there are others eligible for inheritance after the first five..." "Hmm?" The old steward''s hesitation and expression of wanting to speak but hesitating illuminated the fact that something was being concealed from him, leading the Duke to cast a stern gaze. "You... hiding something... speak!" "..." "Speak quickly!" Although worried about the Duke''s capacity to handle the truth, being pressured to this point, the old steward could only lean in, reluctantly whispering: "Your brother was killed by him." *?!!!* *Countless overwhelming emotions, like a bursting flood, surged into the Duke''s heart upon hearing the old steward''s words.* *Gazing at the person who''d killed his only brother, yet avenged him at the same time, the Duke''s heartbeat doubled and then doubled again, skyrocketing to a hundred and sixty. In a final effort, he sat up from the bed, pointing at the bewildered Leon, shouting:* "You! You! You! ... Ugh!" Duke of Lionheart, deceased. ... [In the presence of all witnesses, the Duke of Lionheart nominated you three times to inherit the Duke''s title. You have obtained the Silver Level Identity Badge "Duke of Lionheart."] [Duke of Lionheart, one of the kingdom''s twin pillars and the twenty-ninth Duke of the Lane family] [Wearing effect: You naturally gain some favors when dealing with those who recognize noble status, else you face their intense hostility.] [Advancement Route: None] [Hidden Traits (Need not be worn): While you only nominally belong to the Ryan family, not by true bloodline, should this fact be revealed, this badge will undergo an unknown transformation.] Chapter 129 - 129: 0112 Youre simply a natural Duke! (Two in one)_1 *This is just... outrageous! How can something so absurd happen?* Staring at the panel with a new silver badge shining brightly, not only were all the nobles in the hospital room stunned, but Leon in the wheelchair was also caught completely off guard. Just a few days ago, he had infiltrated the Ryan Family, not only taking out their first heir but also methodically eliminating over two hundred of their core members, single-handedly orchestrating the Ryan Blood Night that plunged the Ryan Family into Hell. Yet, the old Duke of the Ryan Family must have lost his mind, because not even five seconds after Leon was wheeled into the hospital room, he inexplicably named Leon as the next heir, making him the biggest beneficiary of the Ryan Blood Night incident... Mad! Isn''t this a trap? As the ultimate beneficiary and a suspect of having the Ability to orchestrate the Ryan Blood Night, if anyone in the Purification Bureau had any common sense, they''d dispatch a whole team of Investigators to thoroughly scrutinize him from top to bottom! "Everyone, please listen to me!" Suddenly burdened with a hot potato weighing two tons on his face, Leon tightened his brows, not feeling guilty in the least but genuinely spooked, and hurriedly refused: "I''m not interested in this title, maybe you should consider someone else..." "You scoundrel!" Before Leon could finish speaking, an old man with white hair and a luxurious outfit stepped out from the crowd, glaring disdainfully and chastising: "This is the Duke of Lionheart''s title! And it was personally designated by the old Duke on his deathbed! Do you think you can dismiss it with just a word?" *And what the hell does that have to do with you?* As a somewhat cultured person, Leon might have watched his language if this had been any other time, but right now, he was eager to get rid of this hot potato and shed his suspicion for orchestrating the Ryan Blood Night, so he wasn''t going to be polite. "Who the hell are you?" After delivering a response that stunned the nobility, Leon quickly examined the old man''s attire, finding a teal-colored coronet with three single feathers on his chest badge. Although cameras existed by this time, their high cost meant they weren''t widespread, so recognition still often relied on documents and badges, making the Kingdom''s insignia law quite stringent. According to insignia law, all badges had to be made following strict guidelines, especially the noble coat of arms representing identity, which must include coronet, shield badge, mantling, and cassock without omission. Among these, the most important is the coronet symbol, used to identify rank. Apart from representing the royal family''s Diamond King Duke, the five ranks of duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron must correspondingly use the colors of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and tin. Moreover, under the royal family''s diamond coronet, there would be a Robin as the badge, and under the five ranks, corresponding single feathers were required, symbolizing the nobles as vital wings supporting the royal family. For the highest-ranking duke, the base is five feathers, and for the lowest-ranking baron, the base is one feather. Those who inherit a title and achieve significant merit can add an additional feather as an honorary marker. The three-feather bronze crown on the badge of the white-haired old man indicated he belonged to the third-tier Earl in the Kingdom''s rank system, the kind who had inherited the title but achieved nothing significant in his life. "Ha, with such a big mouth, I thought you were some big shot, but it turns out you''re just an Earl?" Wanting to get rid of the troublesome Duke title quickly to avoid attracting the Purification Bureau''s scrutiny, Leon decided to go all out, smirking disdainfully at the white-haired old man. With the intention of offending as many people as possible, hopefully making them work to elect someone else as Duke, Leon endured the piercing pain from his skin and rose from the wheelchair, slowly walking over to the white-haired old man in front of everyone, and forcefully poking at the three-feathered bronze crown on his chest. "A third-tier Earl, and only with the most basic three feathers... So you''re a small fry, huh?" *Small fry? Me? A small fry?* After hearing Leon''s "fair" evaluation of him and feeling the peculiar gaze from the surrounding nobles, the white-haired old man, staggered by the poking, flushed with anger, began to roar with rage: sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You!!!" "What you? Am I wrong?" Fearing his attack was insufficient to shake off the cursed Duke title, Leon secretly switched his badge, equipping the Silver Level [Elite Performer], then crossed his arms and slightly tilted his head, smiling derisively: "A third-tier Earl with three feathers... Ha, the royal family''s feathers aren''t worth much, don''t you know? Grovel to collect some tax, feign a disaster relief effort, or even send a lavish gift when the Princess was born, and you could have earned a feather from the royal family. You''ve already lived this long, and your badge still only has three feathers, how are you not a small fry?" "I... I..." "What I? If I were you, I''d have sliced my throat already!" With the help of the Silver Level [Elite Performer], Leon''s rather handsome face displayed genuine disdain and a cutting contempt. "Believe me, you should just die soon." Patting the sagging old face of the white-haired old man, Leon leaned closer and sincerely advised: "Judging by your vigorous appearance, you could continue wasting food for another twenty or thirty years. If you hang yourself today, you might save the Kingdom a lot of money, which would count as a kind of service." Chapter 130 - 130: 0112 Youre simply a natural-born Duke! (Two in one)_2 "You can imagine, if the royal family learned about your great achievements and, in their happiness, rewarded you with something as measly as a feather, wouldn''t you finally break free from being a nobody? Wouldn''t that be perfect, a win-win?" Nonsense! Ridiculous! Damn you!!! The white-haired old man, face flushed with purple from the utmost mockery and insult, was about to retort when he saw Leon''s eyes. *There were two parts disdain, three parts scorn, and the remaining five parts were filled with sincerity.* This damn bastard was actually telling the truth! *He genuinely believed from the bottom of his heart that it was more valuable for a ''nobody'' noble like himself to die immediately rather than live!* "Gasp... gasp..." After being struck by the sincerity in Leon''s eyes, all the rebukes and even the most poisonous curses got stuck in his throat, turning into a blood pressure exceeding two hundred and a mouthful of thick, hot phlegm that burned like fire, causing the old man to roll his eyes and collapse stiffly backward. What the hell?! Leon, surprised by the sudden collapse of the old man after just two sentences, instinctively took a step back. "You all saw it! I just poked him with my finger twice, it was he himself who fell over!" "..." Yes, we all saw it, you indeed only poked him twice with your finger, but you just stabbed his heart with at least a thousand verbal daggers! Most nobles cared about their face, at least on the surface. Seeing an old man faint on the spot after just one rebuke and being stripped of his dignity and severely insulted, the dozens of nobles in the ward immediately fell into complete silence. This new Duke of Lionheart was indeed somewhat reckless and indifferent. The white-haired old man''s situation was a warning. If anyone else dared to speak up, risking such public embarrassment in front of so many in-laws might not be worth it. After a short wait, several familiar nobles called for people to carry the old man out, and the entire group of nobles tacitly maintained silence. Even though no one reproached Leon again, surprisingly, no one suggested replacing him with another heir, essentially indicating a direct agreement. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, he was a successor of the Ryan Family, not theirs. The trouble couldn''t affect them. As for the dignity of the nobility¡­ let''s laugh. Face meant nothing compared to tangible interests! If the successor Duke of Lionheart had been shrewd and capable, everyone might have opposed it. After all, the more the new duke could protect the Ryan assets, the less there would be to divide among themselves. But now... Seeing the new duke, who, during the Ryan Family''s need for support, brazenly offended the in-laws and even caused a public scene, satisfied looks appeared in the eyes of the dozens of nobles. Fine, a reckless fool with no cunning, no brains, and arrogance, is just the right fit as the new Duke of Lionheart for now! It''s just that after a month or two, when everyone has almost divided the Ryan family assets, this duke''s tenure will likely end, right? ... There were not many real power players in the Ryan Family who could decisively influence the inheritance of the title. Aside from the old duke who "strongly supported" Leon, most were already killed or crippled by Bobby Layne, then suppressed into silence by Leon. What remained were only a few old or weakened cats. The people with the most influence were the "in-laws" present in the ward. Ignoring the strong opposition of the new duke himself, the Ryan Family in-laws took less than five minutes to decide to follow the old duke''s will, allowing Leon, who had black hair and eyes, far from looking any part of the "Ryan," to become the new leader of over 90,000 golden-haired Ryan members. This was... too absurd! It was simply child''s play! Upon learning from the officer who brought Leon into the ward how the new duke was chosen, the Minister of Defense felt both thrilled and annoyed. Thrilled because his daughter assured him, patting her chest, that Leon wasn''t someone who would side with the nobles. Rather than worrying about him colluding with the old nobility once he became a duke, it was better to worry that he''d upend the table altogether or even conspire with the rebels for another bloodbath, wiping out all of the Ryan Family in-laws in one stroke. If Yisha''s assessment was correct, having such an "un-noble" duke successfully take the helm would be a tremendous boon for the princess''s reforms. Having an "insider" in the impenetrable Upper House was like stabbing a knife into the heart of the old nobility. As for why he was annoyed... "Your Highness! These old nobles must be dealt with quickly!" Glaring angrily at the calm-faced princess behind the desk, the old man couldn''t help but say, "The Ryan Family''s influence lies with the Department of Road Administration and the military, mainly in public infrastructure and arms procurement. But the core power of these crucial departments is still tightly controlled by the old nobility, and they can essentially hand off power without formal appointments! The candidate they''ve chosen is someone you just have to stamp your approval on! How can this be allowed?" "Yes, I will, but it can''t be now." The princess behind the desk continued reviewing the "New Duke''s" file, her expression serene as she spoke: Chapter 131 - 131: 0112 Youre simply a born Duke! (Two in one)_3 "These old nobility are the rotten flesh parasitic on the Kingdom, which must be excised. However, if not done properly, the wound will bleed incessantly. Father once ousted three consecutive Ministers of Finance and eliminated many small to medium families in an attempt to control the Kingdom''s finances personally, which then triggered an intense backlash. The result of their struggle was that the entire Kingdom''s finances were paralyzed for half a year, successively revealing a deficit totaling nearly six trillion, almost collapsing completely. Six years ago, the national defense war couldn''t even fully cover the military expenses, and the deficit has been accumulating to this very day." S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She paused here, picked up a pen, and scribbled something on Leon''s file, then continued, "So one mustn''t rush such matters. If the cost of excising the old nobility is temporarily paralyzing this nation, it will only cause an even greater disaster, so it must be done step by step. And the current situation is actually just right, especially with our newly appointed Duke of Lionheart... hmm... do you know what he once said?" Looking at the part circled in the file, the Princess recited in a calm voice, "As for the royal family and the nobility, they are just lice growing in the crotch. Once the blood-sucking pains, they should be grasped and squeezed to death!" ?!!! Completely unaware of Leon''s ''Rebels'' identity, the Minister of Defense was utterly shocked upon hearing the Princess''s words. However, just as he was about to speak, he noticed the Princess''s usually steady mouth curve slightly upward almost imperceptibly. "Though it''s not the most appropriate metaphor, it''s not wrong." Not angered by being compared to lice in the crotch, the Princess closed Leon''s file, opened the report regarding the inheritance situation, and then smiled as she said, "Duke of Lionheart... hmm... Duke of Louseheart... upon thinking about it, it''s quite ironic. This Duke who sees the nobility and the royal family as lice has now become one of the most robust lice in this nation, possessing the ability to leech extensively off the Kingdom. I am curious to see how he will act... Oh, by the way, take a look at this." After handing over the report, the Princess, who usually furrowed her brows, surprisingly chuckled lightly and then pointed at the records in the report with interest, saying, "The Earl, who fainted on the spot after being scolded by him, actually placed a cabbage in his bedroom and then proclaimed that this Duke of Lionheart, Leon Laine, will rot faster than his cabbage!" Cabbage... does that mean at most two or three months? After glancing at the report, the Minister of Defense couldn''t help but frown, recalling the look of adoration in his daughter''s eyes when she mentioned Leon. "Princess Veronica..." The Minister of Defense sighed internally and then took the initiative to ask, "What do you think, how long can this Duke sustain himself? Will he be liquidated after the Ryan Family is completely divided?" "He won''t be liquidated." The Princess shook her head after thinking, "Except for that Earl whom he offended to death, the other nobility wouldn''t care about an empty-shell Duke. However, the Ryan Family might not live longer than that cabbage. After losing family members from the military and the Department of Road Administration, the Ryan Family''s influence in the military has completely bottomed out, leaving only one seat in the Upper House in the political arena. In business, there seems to be a bit left, but it''s all propped up by military and Department of Road Administration orders. In military, politics, and business, the Ryan Family now holds none. What kind of person would it take to support this soon-to-collapse setup?" Chapter 132 - 132: 0113 Originally its not luck... or maybe its also luck?_1 ""Indeed, the Ryan Family''s current situation seemed destined to collapse completely within two months. Upon hearing the princess''s assessment, the Minister of Defense couldn''t help but shake his head as well, *a peculiar sense of melancholy emerging in his heart.* No matter who became the new Duke of Lionheart, he would only be able to watch helplessly as the Ryan Family fell apart. And the princess and himself, who were both trying to keep things together, were not much better off. The influence of the Old Nobility was deeply entrenched, and nearly a third of the twenty-something major departments were controlled by them, clinging to the country''s body like fat lice, ravenously sucking its blood. The merchants and members of the Lower House, initially supported to counter the Old Nobility''s control over the Upper House, had once played a restraining role, but after a hundred years of development, they too had become unmanageable, now using their legislative power in the Lower House to desperately seize benefits for themselves. With the support of both the Upper and Lower Houses, the Kingdom''s regulation of commercial activities had become increasingly lax in recent years. Commerce in the Kingdom was clearly booming, yet the tax revenue was rapidly declining. The nation''s wealth began to frenziedly concentrate in the hands of the big merchants and the Old Nobility, growing ever fatter, while ordinary people and the Kingdom itself were becoming increasingly emaciated and weakened. These maladies might have been barely contained, but the war six years ago had torn everything apart. The Kingdom''s finances were now in continual deficit, military preparedness was lax, and rebels roamed unchecked. All these issues teetered on the brink of explosion. Even though, through the efforts of consecutive royal administrations, financial power had been returned to the royal family, and he himself, as part of the "Princess''s faction," had been elevated to the position of Minister of Defense, gaining the ability to intervene in military affairs, the overall situation remained bleak. *Should the princess''s reforms eventually fail, unable to sweep away these chronic ailments, then the entire Kingdom would be no more than a slowly rotting cabbage...* ... "Princess Veronica!" At that thought, the gray-haired old man took a deep breath, made an effort to straighten his slightly hunched back, and said solemnly, "After the Ryan Blood Night, there were quite a few real positions left vacant in the military. I''m planning to seize some more if Your Highness has no other matters to discuss, then I''ll take my leave." "Nothing more." She shook her head, noting the Minister of Defense''s increasingly white hair since their last meeting. Warmth flickered in the princess''s eyes as she added a caring remark, "Your complexion doesn''t look well lately. Please take better care of your health. I understand time is pressing, but if you collapse from exhaustion, all our efforts over the years will truly be in vain." "Certainly!" Responding to the princess somewhat ambiguously, the old man declined her offer to see him out, striding from the room with two young officers. Once his footsteps faded entirely, the door was tapped softly a few times. "Come in." As the door creaked slightly open, a young man wearing a dark wool coat with an air of weariness on his face and shoulders slumped, entered and plopped into the chair opposite the princess. "You handled things quite well this time." Instead of taking offense at the visitor''s rudeness, the princess waved the new Duke of Lionheart''s file in her hand, then smiled as she inquired, "A person just newly added to the Ryan family tree, whose hair isn''t even blonde, managed to become the new Duke of Lionheart... How did you do it?" "Very simply." The weary young man lifted his eyelids, pulled two dice from his pocket, and placed them on the table, then explained without much energy, "Without doing anything, the chance of the old Duke choosing him was only three percent. But if five to seven heirs were eliminated, elevating his succession rank to the top five, the probability increased to fifteen percent. "Then, by secretly infiltrating the hospital, finding the old Duke''s medication and tampering with it using alchemical supplements to quicken the heart, and kidnapping the old Duke''s butler''s granddaughter to coerce him into deliberately provoking the Duke''s emotions, the probability rose to thirty-six percent." Though no one touched them, the two dice on the table shook and changed with the young man''s story. First, one die stood on its edge, the other showed three points; then one showed one point, the other five; followed by one showing three points and the other six¡ªexactly matching the young man''s figures. "Lastly, ordering a cartload of fruit from the Banana Fruit Company and secretly unlocking the cart''s wheel lock at an intersection to overturn and block the road to the hospital, delaying Leon''s arrival until the old Duke was at his most emotionally charged moment, increased his chance to sixty-six percent..." As the weary young man spoke, the dice turned, both showing six points up, ending his explanation. "After that, it''s up to luck." Pointing to the dice on the table, the weary young man summed up, "As long as events unfold within that sixty-six percent range, he''ll be chosen by the old Duke; if not, someone else will become the new Duke." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I see." After hearing the account, the princess lightly clapped her hands twice, then praised, "It''s a truly fascinating ability. Even after collaborating with you several times, it still feels incredible listening to you recount it. Things that seemed unrelated, when done according to your requirements, could always bring any success rate up to about sixty percent..." "It''s not about sixty percent, it''s sixty-six percent." Correcting the princess''s words seriously, the weary young man gestured to the dice on the table, "The die on the left is the tens digit, the die on the right is the units digit. The dice go up to six points only, so the maximum success rate is sixty-six percent." "So, have you considered using two ten-sided dice instead?" "No, only these two dice can achieve that effect." "Oh well..." Blinking with slight disappointment, the princess took out a blank check, placed it on the table, and handed it over. "This is the agreed payment. A pleasure working with you." "Sorry, but there''s an additional fee required this time." Folding the check and putting it away, the weary young man said seriously, "You didn''t tell me before that Leon Laine was also an employee of our Sixth Purification Bureau and quite favored by the director. My actions this time carried considerable risk, so the price should be ten percent higher than we agreed." "I can accept the fee increase." Frowning slightly, the princess did not counter, instead, after contemplating, she proposed, "But since this additional fee wasn''t part of our original agreement, as compensation, you also have to use those two dice to answer one more question for me." "Fine." Nodding in agreement, the weary young man picked up the dice to ask, "What is it you''d like to know?" "The same as before." Taking a deep breath, the princess slightly closed her eyes and softly said, "What exactly must I do to save this country?"" Chapter 133 - 133: 0114 Divination?_1 Again with this question? Hearing the princess''s words, the lethargic young man pondered for a moment. He didn''t immediately throw the dice. Instead, he suggested, "Your Highness Veronica, although the results of my dice only reflect the present moment and, in cases involving a long time span, the conditions and outcomes often change, but they don''t always change every time. Since the last time you asked this question, only a few months have passed. If you ask again now, the result shouldn''t be much different, so it''s best to ask a new question." "No, I''ll stick with this one." The princess shook her head, speaking calmly, "This is my innate responsibility, and it''s my only hope at the moment. What else could I ask about?" "Since you insist, very well." After shrugging helplessly, the lethargic young man released his right hand, and two dice tumbled onto the table, bouncing a few times before landing on two bright red ones. "Due to the Ryan Family matters, your chance of saving the Kingdom has indeed increased by two points since last time, reaching eleven percent." The lethargic young man spoke as he lightly tapped the table with his knuckles, causing the two dice to roll again. "Next is controlling the military department and cooperating with the Minister of Defense. By filling the vacant positions left by the Ryan Family, the probability will increase by another two points. Next, join forces with the Prime Minister and intervene in the Upper House to suppress the Old Nobility. Then unite with the Old Nobility to suppress the Lower House and introduce bills to restrict certain commercial activities and increase taxes. After doing these, the probability will rise to twenty-six points. After that, find a way to become the Queen and take advantage of clearing the rebels and resisting the new wave of invasion. Seize the opportunity to reclaim military, financial, legislative, personnel, and other powers, and promote a group of officials who share your vision. By then, the probability would leap to fifty-one points..." It was indeed similar to the last time. Listening to the gradually increasing probability and these things she was already planning to do, the princess couldn''t help but smile, then slightly shake her head. Indeed, if she accomplished all this, she''d certainly have the ability to save the country, but these tasks were not as simple as ordering a carriage load of fruit or secretly removing its wheels. Each and every suggestion he made would require countless days and nights of exhausting effort and tough negotiations over years to implement. *The road she had to walk was still very long...* "Clatter, clatter!" Just as the princess was listening attentively, for some unknown reason, the dice on the table, after reaching "fifty-one," did not continue to "sixty-six," but instead started to spin rapidly. Under the wide-eyed gaze of the lethargic young man, the two dice on the table spun faster and faster, eventually causing the hardwood desk to emit black smoke and a pungent burning smell to fill the entire room. What was going on?! Although Anomalous Objects were almost impossible to destroy this way, the lethargic young man instinctively reached out to stop them, trying to forcibly halt the dice, but as soon as his hand touched them, the rapidly spinning dice cut into his palm. As he hurriedly withdrew his hand in pain, the two blood-stained dice clattered against each other a few times and eventually stopped moving. Two sharp corners pointed towards the ceiling, lying quietly in the small pits worn into the table. "..." Seeing the lethargic young man''s stunned gaze at the dice, the princess couldn''t help but feel a pang in her heart and hurriedly asked, "Why are the two corners, which represent ''zero,'' facing up? What does this mean?" "It means... this time, it didn''t fully succeed." Glancing at the dice stained with his own blood and the rings of blood left on the table, the lethargic young man covered his still-bleeding right hand, frowning, "The question you asked involved a Leon Value of over sixty... What I mean is, a True God level existence noticed our probing and thus blocked this inquiry." *A True God? How did this end up involving a True God again?* As someone aware of the existence of the Purification Bureau and Anomalous Objects, the princess also knew some intelligence about True Gods, understanding that they weren''t as grand and generous as described by believers. Her expression immediately tightened. "Could it be... that a True God will descend upon the Kingdom in the future?" "Probably not." S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The lethargic young man shook his head at these words, hesitating slightly, "A True God level existence doesn''t necessarily mean it''s a True God. While I didn''t see the appearance of the one involved, judging by the size, it seemed to be a human, just with multiple wings on its back, and..." And strangely familiar... Recalling the vision he had just seen, the image of the black-haired, black-eyed, slightly lean "True God" with multicolored wings on its back was firmly imprinted in his memory. The lethargic young man reassured, "And it may not even be targeting the Kingdom. If it really is a True God, you might conflict with a believer of interest to them in the future, or have some cooperation, or perhaps meet several times consecutively. These incidents have a probability of being detected by him and interrupting the probing. However, with our Purification Bureau here, there won''t be significant problems. Numerous True Gods have attempted to descend before, but all were eventually driven back. No True God can remain long-term in this world, so you don''t need to worry too much." *But that was a True God! How could I not worry?* Hearing the lethargic young man''s words, the princess couldn''t help but take a deep breath and then asked, "So, can you try to roll the dice again? To confirm the situation." "Sorry, that''s truly not possible..." Raising his still-bleeding palm, the lethargic young man waved it in front of the princess, helplessly saying, "That existence''s personality seemed relatively mild. After discovering my probing, he didn''t get angry, only gave a slight punishment. But if I continue to recklessly probe the future, although getting killed is unlikely, at the very least, I''d be bedridden for several months." "Alright, thank you for your efforts." Sighing in disappointment, the princess silently took out a checkbook, not only paying the agreed-upon fee but also adding a generous bonus. She then advised, "After some time, if that True God is no longer watching you..." "Then I''ll immediately make up for this result, and notify you quickly of any anomalies." After providing this assurance to an "old customer," the travel-worn lethargic young man took out a bandage, wrapped his injured right hand, decisively took his leave, retrieved his stored suitcase, and headed to the Purification Bureau. Although the bureau chief was relatively easygoing, the headquarters had set quite stringent management rules for his precious abilities, which could easily change the situation. Especially regarding whereabouts, every place he went and everyone he contacted must be meticulously reported, so only during the gaps following task completion could he sneak out to earn some "extra money." And he had already delayed almost two days helping a new colleague ascend to the duke''s throne; any further delay in his return to task settlement could result in facing headquarters'' scrutiny alongside the new colleague. Pushing open the heavy door to the Purification Bureau, towing the suitcase through the dim hallway, he saw sunlight illuminating the end of the corridor, with the director''s office door seemingly open. Hesitating slightly, he decided not to return directly to his office, but instead, he took out a prepared task report and headed to the director''s office. "Director, I''ve returned from the investigation... ah... my apologies." Ready to speak, he noticed others in the office and politely apologized, then instinctively glanced at his colleague in the room. A young man with black hair, black eyes, and a slightly narrow frame looked back at him with mild surprise... Chapter 134 - 134: 0115 Evaluation_1 Damn it! When he saw the familiar back, the lazy young man couldn''t help but shudder all over, as if someone had opened his skull and poured a bucket of icy water mixed with ice shards into it, making him feel completely unwell. Although he hadn''t seen "that person" from the front during the dice-throwing process, except for not having wings on his back, this person''s hair color and figure were almost identical to the one before him. Especially when this person noticed him and turned to glance in surprise, the expression was practically carved from the same mold! No wonder he felt "that person" looked familiar. Even though he hadn''t interacted with him during the process of promoting him to the position of Duke, he''d seen his back in the newspapers twice in the past two months. Once, it was when the cash register at Charl Department Store collapsed, and he was buried under a mountain of Gold Wheels. More than half of his body was trapped, which was captured in a photo by a reporter from The Sun News. The other time was recently when he was found battered and lying on the ground at the Ryan Manor. That photo was also taken by the police and made it to the front page of The Sun News... Shocked that the newly confirmed colleague had True God level potential, how should I face him? Should I start flattering him immediately or hold back a bit before doing so? Urgent, waiting online! ... Why is this person so strange? Under the complex gaze of the lazy young man, Leon felt a chill in his heart. After a moment of silence, he awkwardly tugged at the corners of his mouth and smiled politely at the other. However, to his great surprise, the person shivered suddenly at his goodwill, then instinctively took a half-step back... What''s his problem? Just as Leon was baffled, the Red-haired Director also noticed the young man''s abnormality. After thoughtfully observing both of them, she smiled and said, "You''re back pretty quickly this time... Leon, you can call him Tom. Although he looks young, he joined us a few years before Emma. He''s already in his thirties and is also a First Level disaster handler." A First Level disaster handler? Hearing the title, Leon immediately grew solemn. The Director had once told him that those assigned as First Level disaster handlers were usually ace employees from various Purification Bureaus, people who could independently lead teams to handle large-scale disasters. Among the elite of the First Level disaster handlers, as soon as there''s a vacancy in the director position of the 75th Sub-Bureau, they might very likely be promoted to fill it. The two First Level disaster handlers of the Virgo Bureau currently belonged to this category, far surpassing the ordinary First Level handlers as ace elites. That also meant this strange young man before him was already a "half-step director level" powerhouse. "Senior Tom." Since the other was an old-timer and one of the aces in the Purification Bureau, and Leon, despite having undergone two lifetimes, was indeed not yet seventeen in this life, having only half the other''s age, he politely addressed first, "I''m Leon Laine, a new employee confirmed this month, currently just a Level Three accident handler. I hope you can guide me more in the future." "You... you''re too polite..." Unconsciously hiding his dice-scarred right hand behind him, the lazy young man forced a congenial smile. "There''s no need to talk about guidance; I just came a few years earlier than you. It''s better for us to learn from each other, learn from each other..." Still unable to grasp the disposition of this "future True God," and fearing to roll the dice lest he reveal himself, the lazy young man looked to the Red-haired Director and said, "Director, I just came to report the task, nothing urgent. Since you still have matters to discuss, I won''t disturb you." "Okay." Squinting at the oddly behaving lazy young man, then at Leon, who seemed to have a good impression of him, the Red-haired Director nodded, taking the task report, "Just give me the report, you can go busy yourself." "Alright." Once the lazy young man walked out of the Director''s office, and the sound of his leisurely footsteps gradually faded, the Red-haired Director turned to Leon and asked with a cheerful smile, "Little Leon, what do you think of this Senior Tom?" What do I think? Hearing the Red-haired Director''s words, Leon thought for a moment and replied, sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Senior Tom seems to be quite amiable, but there''s a long-standing stain on his collar, his nails are trimmed rather roughly, and the leather parts of his shoes and luggage weren''t well maintained, severely cracked. It seems... he''s a bit careless about little things?" "You observe quite carefully, but that''s not what I''m asking." The Red-haired Director shook her head, her gaze narrowing as she softly said, "Little Leon, when you have the time, check his soul with that sheep, see if there''s anything strange about his soul." ?! Leon was slightly taken aback at the words, then frowned. "You suspect him..." "I don''t suspect him. The standards for recruitment in our Virgo Bureau are different from other branches. While not everyone here may be good, they won''t be completely bad either. I''m asking you to check his soul state primarily because I''m worried about the people behind him." "Who''s behind him?" "He has some connection with the Aquarius Director." The Red-haired Director explained, "Tom was once an official in the Ministry of Finance. Because the King consecutively ousted three Ministers of Finance, the Ministry was thrown into chaos for quite a while. Then he... well... at that time urgently needed a large sum of money, so he did some unscrupulous things, losing the Kingdom''s reserve funds. After joining the Purification Bureau in desperation, the Aquarius Director seemed to discover some kind of potential in him, helping him create an anomalous object almost tailor-made for him. Although the Aquarius Director''s identity is confidential and they''ve hardly interacted directly, it''s better to be cautious." "Understood." Nodding to remember the task, Leon quickly shifted the topic back and tentatively asked, "Director, about the Demon''s Heart confiscated from the Ryan Family..." "It''s already been sent to the headquarters, just wait for the inspection!" The Red-haired Director frowned at the words, recalling the bureau''s plummeting performance rankings, and took a bitter gulp of tea, speaking irritably, "Don''t worry yourself over it. Once the bureau finishes the investigation and proves you''re fine, what''s yours will be yours! With me covering for you, others can''t take it away!" "Oh, well, that''s good then." Good, my ass! Seeing the seemingly pleased Leon, the Red-haired Director grew furious. "I asked you to do an investigation task! Investigation!" "After you identified a suspicious target, why didn''t you come back and call for reinforcements? Instead, you directly engaged him? Your clothes in the photo were soaked with blood! Is this what you learned from Emma? Let alone failing to stop that thing, letting it cause numerous extra casualties, almost completely destroying a major noble! Do you know? The evaluation for your task this time is absolutely the lowest in the bureau! The absolute lowest, just barely better than a failed mission by a tiny bit!" Chapter 135 - 135: 0116 What do you want to do???_1 *Only slightly better than failure... isn''t that still a success?* Although the bureau''s evaluation might be low, as long as he completed the investigation into Yang Xin, he''d have the Devil''s Badge and Holy Spirit Badge added to his collection. While at it, he also got rid of a whole bunch of rotten scumbags. So, by his own standards, this mission was a resounding success. Hmm... but he still had to hold back, absolutely had to hold back. The director was obviously quite upset right now, and it wouldn''t be a good idea to show too much happiness and risk getting into trouble with him. "I was reckless." S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To avoid the "window to the soul" from exposing his true thoughts, Leon quickly lowered his head and "dejectedly" self-reflected, "After completing the basic investigation and narrowing down the targets to those five individuals, I should have returned to the bureau immediately to request support. I shouldn''t have gone off to investigate Bobby Layne on my own. "Originally, I thought that even if I was discovered accidentally, relying on the Holy Spirit pendant and Witch''s Broom, escaping wouldn''t be a problem. But his compatibility with that heart was so high that not only was flying prohibited, but the entire manor was sealed off. I really had no choice..." *You absolutely had a choice! You were at least ninety percent doing it on purpose!* Remembering Leon''s busybody nature, the Red-haired Director couldn''t help but glare at him, contemplating the possibility that this little troublemaker did it deliberately. Leon was usually very cautious. Even in the Purification Bureau, he would unhesitatingly run away at the slightest sign of anything out of the ordinary. This time he didn''t come back to call for reinforcements but instead took the risk of confronting the target. He likely discovered a bunch of dirty deeds the Ryan Family had been up to during his investigation, then lost control of his anger and deliberately approached Bobby Layne early to resolve him personally. But Bobby Layne''s compatibility with the Demon''s Heart was indeed astonishing. Faced with this low-probability event, Leon''s original plan to just take him down was shattered, and he ended up being trapped and unable to leave, which eventually led to the Ryan Blood Night. As for the over two hundred people who died, the files show they were mostly individuals starting at death row, perfectly fitting the group he loathed and even hated. He probably wasn''t unable to save them; he simply didn''t intend to save them! *The kid has turned bad...* Watching Leon "dejectedly" admit his mistake, but whose muscles and posture were so relaxed, showing no real sincerity in his confession, the Red-haired Director ground his teeth in frustration. This little troublemaker had been with the Purification Bureau for just a month and had already learned to repeatedly brush against the rules'' limits to satisfy his excessive sense of justice without actually making mistakes. Just like an old hand who has been in the game for years! *Damn... Who the hell did he learn this from?* Without any sense of having led the rookie astray, the Red-haired Director, after roughly deducing the "truth" of that night, glared once more at the pretending Leon but ultimately couldn''t bring himself to say anything. After all, although this little troublemaker was infuriating, he truly was an excellent subordinate, hardworking with impressive talent, diligent with a great attitude... Besides the excess of justice, compared to the pile of eccentric problem-makers in the bureau, he was already the least problematic. And those who died this time, you couldn''t say they deserved it, but they certainly were unspeakably evil. Even hanging each one could be considered a bargain for them. If he were in Leon''s place, he might also have been "too late for rescuing," so he''d still have to cover for him a bit this time, to avoid any real trouble coming out of bureau investigations. *Sigh... There''s no such thing as a perfect employee. Tolerate, tolerate.* After silently reciting "It was me who recruited him" several times, the Red-haired Director comforted himself and let out a long breath. Then he viciously opened a drawer, took out some task orders, slapped them on the table, and looked at Leon with ill intent, saying, "Alright, stop reflecting. Emma helped you with quite a bit while you were out, but there''s still some left. Now that you''re discharged from the hospital, catch up!" *You little troublemaker, making decisions without consulting me, I''ll work you to the bone!* "Okay!" Hearing there were new tasks to do, Leon felt his spirits lift, strength and confidence surging simultaneously as he eagerly took the task orders to look through. He now had twelve badges, but only five slots, and one was locked by [Materialism], really not enough. The only way to expand the number of slots was to acquire more Anomalous Objects; these tasks fit right into what he needed. ... In Pav County, a large number of goats had gone missing. Six herdsmen went looking in the mountains and vanished for three days, only to turn up 800 kilometers away in a brothel, claiming they didn''t know how they got there... Under Master Wilde''s Morning Star Troupe, although performances had been ongoing, no one seemed to have touched the food sent into the theater, suspected of a special case occurring... An arsonist had appeared in Louther Arcade. Witnesses saw him carrying numerous fire-starting tools, walking through several streets and alleys in the wealthy district at night. Witnesses needed to be contacted to trace his whereabouts... After browsing through the task orders for a while, Leon couldn''t help but furrow his brow. *Why are these all investigation tasks again? And they don''t even seem to have much to do with Anomalous Objects?* Especially those so-called herdsmen. They found receipts and tickets for selling goats and claimed they were kidnapped to the brothel. What''s there to investigate? The remaining two situations were just as absurd... *If I were to guess, the truth of these three matters is probably like this.* One group denied dirty deeds despite crossing borders, another was a "superior" troupe not accepting free food, and the third was likely Rebel arsonists trying to cause chaos. What anomalies could be found here? With a flourish, Leon moved the three task orders to the back, deciding not to rush to deal with the first two and tackle the arsonist first. He then looked down at the last task order in his hand. To go to the Rose Manor of the Marseiny family, rescue the only daughter of the Charl Department Store owner who was kidnapped? *Marseiny... weren''t they the family that colluded with the Scales Gold Sect, causing the Holy Spirit descent incident? Speaking of which, to continue with my [Practitioner] Badge, it seems I''ll have to start with the Scales Gold Sect, just the right chance to probe into their situation!* "I''ll do this one first!" Having finally found a task suitable for himself, Leon''s furrowed brow slightly relaxed as he signed his name on the task order and handed it back. *Going to Rose Manor to save someone... hmm... sounds good.* Seeing the task order Leon handed back, the Red-haired Director nodded in agreement. Leon getting released so quickly was also thanks to the owner of Charl Department Store, so having him handle the matter seemed fitting. However, just as the Red-haired Director was about to sign his name, completing the task assignment, he unexpectedly noticed Leon''s eager expression. "..." *Marseiny... Ryan... Marseiny... Ryan... another noble family up to no good, this little troublemaker better not be planning something big again.* "Don''t rush the task." Quickly halting his signature, the Red-haired Director warily watched Leon and said, "Walk me through how you plan to execute this task?" "Huh?" Slightly stunned by the Red-haired Director''s attitude, Leon thought for a moment and responded, "Since it''s a rescue, I''ll probably opt to infiltrate at night, first investigate the situation in the Marseiny family, then..." *And then create a ''Marseiny Blood Night,'' huh?* "You''re switching it to daytime!" Fearing that Leon might launch into something big again out of excitement mid-investigation, the uncertain Red-haired Director quickly stopped him, "Besides, you won''t need to investigate. The hostage''s location has been found by the bureau. Go to the Chief Jerry''s office on the first floor and let his ''friends'' take you there!" Chapter 136 - 136: 0117 Untitled_1 "Has the bureau already found the hostage''s location?" Hearing the red-haired director''s words, Leon couldn''t help but be slightly stunned and then asked somewhat unwillingly, "Director, back then, the Holy Spirit from the Scales Gold Sect was brought in by the Marseilles family. Their relationship with the Scales Gold Sect is quite close. It''s such a rare opportunity, should we just..." "Stop! You just stop right there!" Seeing that Leon was actually "harboring ulterior motives," the red-haired director couldn''t help but shudder abruptly. He crossed his hands firmly in an emphatic "STOP" gesture. "This time, just focus on rescuing the people! Don''t get involved in anything else! Especially with those people from the Marseilles family, the less contact you have with them, the better!" After making his request to Leon, the red-haired director reminded him with a headache, "Do you really think the affairs of the Ryan Family are over just like that? Right now, forget about the post-event observation period. You haven''t even entered the review period yet. The investigators from the main bureau will be arriving in the next few days. If, by any chance, after you come into contact with the Marseilles family, something happens to someone in their family, even if it''s just someone choking to death on a drink, the intensity of the scrutiny you''ll face will be heightened once more!" "..." After experiencing the powerful effects of the Gold Level [I Am the Demon], Leon naturally grew more eager for the Holy Spirit Series badge effects, which were quite similar to those of the Demon Series. But just as the director had said, the suspicions on him hadn''t been completely cleared. He needed to tread carefully for now to avoid attracting the investigators'' suspicion and unnecessary trouble. Anyway, the review was expected to end in about a week. The Scales Gold Sect wouldn''t collapse anytime soon, nor could the Marseilles family go anywhere. At worst, he could wait another week! "I will be cautious." Having heard the red-haired director''s advice and promised not to act recklessly, Leon, holding the task order, was just about to leave when he suddenly seemed to remember something. He hesitated at first, then spoke somewhat bashfully, "Director, can I take a leave next week?" Although he had only been employed for just over a month, Leon had already taken more time off than he''d spent "on the job." And after botching the last assignment and being absent for more than a week, he was barely back for an hour before asking for leave again; even Leon himself felt a bit guilty about speaking up. However, when it came to his "easily getting leave" trait, the red-haired director seemed quite accommodating, directly pulling out a notebook and pen from a drawer and saying casually, "Sure, sure. Your injuries haven''t fully healed yet, and you haven''t been home much during the investigation these days. It''s normal to ask for leave... How long do you need?" "Well... I''m not really sure either..." Leon hesitated for a moment before asking in return, "How long does a typical noble succession ritual take? Do you know?" A noble succession ritual? The red-haired director pondered it and replied, "About one to four days, I suppose? For titles below that of earl, most properties are limited, with little real power, so it usually doesn''t take long. A banquet to entertain guests and it''s finished; it can be wrapped up in half a day. As for higher titles, those are generally held by large families. Changes in their titles can affect many things. The royal family might even send an envoy to witness, plus there are internal presentations of family history, transfer of ownership, clan elder meetings, and other matters. It probably takes at least three to four days." Was it really that complicated...? Upon hearing this, Leon couldn''t help but furrow his brow. "If all the relatives, friends, and guests are dismissed, with just simple reporting to the royal family, and most key family members are dead, how short could it be?" "Then it might only take a day... But what major noble family would do that?" With some surprise, the red-haired director blinked his eyes, and then looked up with an expression of puzzlement. "And why do you even ask? Are you taking a leave to attend some big noble''s ceremony?" "Uh... You could say so..." Scratching his head awkwardly, Leon, who hadn''t figured out how to explain the situation yet, tried to explain as tactfully as possible, "Director, do you remember the excuse I used when I was investigating Yang Xin?" "Sure, recognizing kin with the Ryan Family, what''s up?" "Well, nothing much... just that I succeeded in recognizing kin, and in a very, very successful way too..." Clenching his fists slightly in hesitation, Leon looked at the red-haired director''s face full of incomprehension and said with a rather helpless expression, "Let me put it this way: I am now the officially recognized twenty-ninth Duke of Lionheart. My succession ritual is set for next Tuesday." "..." "???" "!!!" Shock! The newbie who just got his tenure after a month in the office asked for leave because he''s actually going to inherit a dukedom''s assets? And even more critical, the original first successor was killed by Leon himself! Could it be that he did this to inherit the title... But that can''t be right! Leon shouldn''t be that kind of person, and the Ryan Family is in shambles because he "didn''t rescue them in time," leading to the death of many key members. They''re on the brink of collapse. Who would first destroy the Ryan Family and then inherit an empty shell of a title? But... but... But how do you end up acknowledging kin and becoming a duke? Faced with this sudden twist of fate, even the well-versed red-haired director couldn''t help but widen his eyes in shock, and was at a loss for words for quite a while. After a brief pause, regaining his composure from the shocking news, the red-haired director said with a rather peculiar expression, "You''re not joking with me, right?" "I''m really not joking with you. I''m genuinely going to inherit a title..." After briefly explaining what he knew about the situation, Leon said helplessly, "I''m truly not interested in this title from the Ryan Family, but no matter how I refused, it didn''t work. They just went ahead and submitted my name. They were worried that I wouldn''t cooperate, so they even drugged my hospital meals with sedatives and had over twenty guards watching outside my hospital room. I only managed to knock them down and escape when I was slightly better..." "..." Well, no wonder you came back so quickly. It turns out you weren''t released due to old Charl''s intervention; you simply broke out after inheriting the title... Clicking his tongue with a somewhat speechless look, the red-haired director said with a complex expression, "Why didn''t you mention something this important sooner?" "I wanted to tell you earlier. But when I first came back, before I could say anything, you kept asking about what happened during Ryan''s Blood Night. After I explained, Senior Tom came in, Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. then you had me check Senior Tom and scolded me for taking the risk of approaching Bobby Laien, and then you gave me an assignment. I never had the chance to speak..." "..." Well, it seems... that''s indeed what happened? Recalling the previous situation and realizing it was indeed the case, the red-haired director couldn''t help but open his mouth, before asking very perplexed, "Then, since you escaped, why are you asking for leave to attend the succession ritual? Also, what do you really think about being a duke?" "I mentioned just now that I''m truly not interested in the title. The reason for asking you for leave is that I feel it''s only at the succession ritual that I will have the chance to completely rid myself of this hassle." After a slight hesitation, Leon said, "Director, tell me, if I were to announce at the succession ritual that in my capacity as duke, I donate all of the Ryan Family''s assets to the royal family, what would happen?" Chapter 137 - 137: 0118 Directors suggestion_1 To donate the Ryan Family''s entire estate to the royal family? Hearing Leon''s words, the Red-haired Director sat up a bit in surprise. Even though the Ryan Family was already on the brink of collapse and would soon have most of its assets taken by various factions, leaving only an empty shell, even this shell would be enough for an "ordinary person" to live a lavish life for a lifetime. Why would he think of donating it all? "Because the salary from the Purification Bureau was already enough for me to spend, and can even allow our family to live quite comfortably. Although inheriting the Duke''s title would bring even more wealth, it would also drag me into endless troubles, completely disrupting Anna''s life. In comparison, I think it''s better as it is now." After briefly explaining his reasons, Leon thought for a moment and added, "Of course, I also have the intention of avoiding suspicion this way. After all, if I were to inherit the Duke of Lionheart''s title, I would become the biggest beneficiary of the Ryan Blood Night. The Investigators sent by the Bureau might overthink it, so it''s better to force them to quickly find someone else for the dukedom, and get rid of this burden as soon as possible." So a whole duke family''s wealth was just a heavy burden to you? Staring into Leon''s eyes and confirming he was speaking sincerely, the Red-haired Director slightly raised her eyebrows, then glanced at the toad pendant on Leon''s chest. *It made sense... if he had a strong desire for wealth, he probably wouldn''t be able to resist this Holy Spirit with the authority over wealth. So, making such a choice wasn''t hard to understand, yet...* "Why did you choose to donate to the royal family?" The Red-haired Director thought for a moment and then seriously reminded him, "If your goal was simply to pressure them, getting those people to pick someone else for the dukedom, I wouldn''t recommend donating to the royal family because they might not accept it. After all, it would look way too much like seizing property. The Old Nobility is not weak either, and if not handled properly, could lead to a massive backlash, which is definitely a big problem for the royal family. Moreover, even if you didn''t donate to them, given the royal family''s current momentum, they might still manage to grab thirty to forty percent of the wealth. If they handle it well, there''s even a chance for fifty percent. They might not want to take this risk, and the possibility of being directly rejected is not small." "..." *Could it develop like this?* Hearing the Red-haired Director''s words, Leon was slightly stunned and then was glad he hadn''t rushed into action but sought her advice first, otherwise he would be in a tough spot if the royal family really refused the donation. Fully realizing the gap between himself and the Director in this regard, the always modest and eager-to-learn Leon immediately lowered his stance and proactively asked for guidance, "So in your opinion, what would be the best course of action?" "Simple!" Snapping her fingers crisply, the Red-haired Director smirked and said, "For such an important dukedom ritual, the Princess would undoubtedly be present. You could directly use the entire Ryan Family as a dowry and propose to her on the spot~" "..." "What?!?!" "Trust me, this is absolutely the best approach." Seeing Leon''s jaw drop at her plan, the Red-haired Director, getting her own back for a previous shock, felt quite pleased and said with a smile, "Your ultimate goal is simply to force them to pick someone else for the dukedom, am I right? In those people''s eyes now, you and the entire Ryan Family are like fish on a chopping board, unable to escape being carved up regardless of how you might struggle. So, no matter how ridiculously or absurdly you act as a Duke, it would have no impact on the result. " Even if you donated the Ryan Family, it wouldn''t really matter. Anyway, you can only donate the wealth of the Ryan Family, and the more important Upper House seat and influence in the military and Department of Road Administration are not something you can donate. These core elements can only be taken by other noble in-laws. But if you used the entire Ryan Family as a dowry to propose to the Princess, then the situation would be completely different." With Leon''s bewildered expression, the Red-haired Director declared confidently, "If you actually succeeded in your proposal, the Princess could swallow the Ryan Family''s wealth and the Upper House seat whole, and then rightfully occupy the Ryan Family''s positions in the military and Department of Road Administration, fully injecting her influence. In this way, the number of ''departments'' the royal family could basically control would have reached nine. Coupled with other ''departments'' they couldn''t fully control but still wield some influence over, more than half of the Kingdom''s administrative departments would be under the Princess''s influence. Plus, with the Ryan Family''s vice-chair seat in the Upper House, the royal faction would have a presence in both houses of parliament, and even if the Old Nobility and Parliament united, they''d barely be stronger by twenty to thirty percent. If you then factor out the infighting and plots when they join forces, the Princess faction and non-Princess faction would essentially be fifty-fifty. The reform measures she had always been thoroughly blocked from implementing would have a chance to be forcibly pushed through, striking a heavy blow to the entire Old Nobility tier. Once they figured this out, they might get the urge to want you dead on the spot, let alone having someone else take the dukedom!" "..." Watching Leon go from complete shock to astonishment, and finally to silent reflection, the Red-haired Director, satisfied with indulging her quirky sense of humor, summed up with a smile, "If you do as I suggest, the worst outcome would be successfully shedding the Duke identity, and in the best result, you might even marry the Princess and directly become a Prince! Little Leon~ How''s the idea I gave you?" "..." *The idea was good, but if only you wouldn''t mess with me in the process.* By this point, Leon had realized his Director''s penchant for pranks had flared up again, and this proposal was clearly just her joking around with him. "Thank you for the reminder, Director." Marking down this ultimate trick for losing the Duke identity as soon as he used it, Leon said with a darkened face, "But I suppose it isn''t necessary to really propose to the Princess, right? As long as I mention my intention to propose, they should drive me off the Duke seat." "That could work too, but aren''t you even slightly considering it?" The Red-haired Director smiled, S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Judging by the Princess''s approach, she''d absolutely accept upon hearing your proposal terms. She is reputed to be the most beautiful woman in the entire Capital City, don''t you have even the slightest..." "No!" Seeing the Director had entered a nonsensical mode, Leon, having already gotten a solution to his problem, naturally didn''t want to stick around and be further teased, so he sternly left the Director''s office. "With the backlog of work from the past few days, I''d better get busy if there''s nothing else." "Mm-hmm, off you go then~" Watching Leon leave with a smile, the Red-haired Director, now in a much better mood, picked up a stack of documents and continued to work. However, when the sun started to set slightly, she suddenly exclaimed as if annoyed, opened a drawer, and took out a family photo tied with hair. She had first been busy with official business, then caught up in seeking amusement, and forgot to return the anomalous object Jerry had stolen from Leon! Chapter 138 - 138: 0119 Badge Activation_1 """ Not knowing that his sister''s family portrait was in the hands of the bureau chief, Leon, who had already "absent without leave" for several days, left the chief''s office and headed towards the end of the hallway on the first floor, identifying the nameplates on the doors along the way. Harry... Spike... Tom... Jerry... looks like this is the one. After confirming he didn''t find the wrong office by checking the nameplate that read "Jerry Baker (Level Two Crisis Handler)," Leon was about to knock on the door when he suddenly felt an unsettling sensation spreading through his body, as if he was standing on a high platform, being watched by countless pairs of eyes. "Squeak!" When Leon suddenly turned his head to look over, the rats in the shadows were frightened, squealing and running away, while a small troop of ants that had sneakily crawled to his feet scurried away as if they had encountered an anteater, and a pair of flies resting on the corridor overhead flew to a distant corner even before Leon''s gaze landed on them... *So... were these his "friends"?* Watching these snakes, insects, rats, and ants scurrying away rapidly, feeling those "glances" cast upon him, Leon blinked thoughtfully, starting to make some guesses about Jerry''s ability. Just then, from behind the window glass of the office in front of him, a golden retriever suddenly appeared. After curiously looking at Leon through the glass, the dog''s head quickly retracted, and the door in front of Leon swung open as a short man hastily emerged from the office. "You finally came back." Before Leon could open his mouth, the short man grabbed him, pulling him into the office with a friendly expression, eagerly chatting him up, "Ha ha, actually, I had some spare time when you were out on your mission and thought about lending you a hand, but the chief said it was just an investigation task and nothing would happen, so he didn''t send me. I didn''t expect it to get delayed for so many days. Oh, by the way, did the chief mention my thing to you? I''m counting on you for the next part, and no matter the outcome, I assure you the compensation will satisfy you!" "..." ??? Looking at Leon''s puzzled expression, the short man''s face slightly froze. "The chief didn''t tell you?" "No..." Leon responded, somewhat confused, "The chief assigned me several tasks, one of which is to go to Rose Manor to rescue someone, and I need your help to guide the way, but she didn''t mention anything else." "Uh... it''s okay, if she didn''t say it, I can tell you myself." Cursing his unreliable chief under his breath, the short man led Leon to the sofa in the office, patted the glass board on the table, snapped his tongue quickly against the roof of his mouth, creating a "click-click" sound. "Woof!" With a dog''s bark, the golden retriever that had looked at Leon through the window appeared under the glass board of the coffee table... or inside the glass? After scrutinizing the surprised Leon, the dog, weighing about thirty kilograms, used its nose to nudge the short man''s hand through the glass, even licking him once. "I''m not here to play with you, I need something!" With a shake of his wet hand, the short man looked at Leon, then rubbed his face and throat, and strangely, started barking like a dog, occasionally mixing in some howls and grunts. Under Leon''s astonished gaze, the golden retriever inside the glass nodded, seemingly understanding the "dog language" of the short man, stood up, and walked to the side of the glass board, disappearing from view. A few seconds later, it returned to the "scene," dragging a sturdy-looking mesh bag, laboriously walking towards the two men, then turning to fling it out with force! "Clatter, bang!" With the sound of hard objects hitting the glass, a whole bag of items was actually tossed out of the mirror by it, clattering onto the tabletop. Blood-stained dance shoes, strangely fishy-smelling dried fish, a notebook with an eye on its cover, several spinning odd coins, a palm-sized model bed bound with chains, a Christmas hat riddled with holes... there seemed to be at least thirty to fifty items. Staring dumbfoundedly at this heap of bizarre objects, Leon''s heart skipped a beat, and then he said incredulously, "Are these... anomalous objects?" "Pretty much," the short man said with a greedy smile, rubbing his hands together eagerly. "Anyway, you''ll find out sooner or later, so I won''t hide it from you. I have a bit of a... um... kleptomania, so the first anomalous object I got was related to stealing, and this pile is what I''ve accumulated over the years. Don''t worry, I''m a thief, but I have principles; I only steal from outsiders, not from acquaintances. Since you''ve joined our Sixth Bureau, you''re part of us now, so I definitely wouldn''t really steal from you." "..." *Not really ''steal'' from me, meaning he might ''fake'' steal when unable to resist?* Noting this senior''s "little quirk," Leon added extra caution and tentatively said, S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So, you want me to help because you know I have the ability to forcibly obtain intelligence about anomalous objects?" "Exactly!" Seeing Leon''s unresistant look, the short man was overjoyed, promising with excitement, "Over the years, I''ve gotten quite a few good things, but anomalous objects aren''t like other items; without knowing their effects and costs, I''m truly afraid to mess with them, so I can only pile them up here. I have more anomalous objects than Emma, yet I''m stuck not moving up from Level Two. When I learned about your ability from the chief a few days ago, I was practically over the moon! If you could help me identify these objects and make more of them usable, that would be a huge help. You can choose any of the anomalous objects I can''t use as your own." *Help you identify some items, and then I can choose one freely?* Hearing this "NPC senior" issuing a task, Leon raised his eyebrows slightly, opened the badge panel for a look, and sure enough, the [Connected Party] badge was flashing continually. ([Bronze Level Hidden Badge "Connected Party" Activated: You have received resource support from within the organization. Complete the provider''s conditions to receive said resource.]) *So this is the effect of the Hidden Badge [Connected Party] activating before going to the Ryan Family. As expected of a hidden badge, just feeling a few items can grant an anomalous object ¨C this exchange really is quite worthwhile.* Shutting off the badge panel, Leon didn''t stand on ceremony. Instead, he took out some paper and a pen he carried with him, nodding with a smile. "Then I thank you for your generosity, senior." """ Chapter 139 - 139: 0120 Select_1 [Name: Joyous Dance Shoes (Doll, Heart)] [Appearance: A pair of women''s dance shoes stained with a substantial amount of blood, styled after a popular design from fifty years ago. They gained immense popularity in the entire Belleray County due to their association with a well-known dancer...] [Ability: Graceful dance moves, infectious charm] [Cost: Double stamina consumption, and cannot be voluntarily removed before losing the ability to move] [File: These shoes were a favorite of a renowned dancer in Belleray County. She wore them to perform a record-breaking twenty-three spin dance, captivating nearly six thousand spectators at a grand show. However, after the performance, she had to withdraw from her beloved stage due to a tendon tear. Yet, after years of silence, when she returned, she had regained the ability to dance. This time, though, her dance was no longer a solo act. It made everyone dance along with her, unable to stop even when they fainted, forcing them to continue like puppets.] [Evaluation: Upon wearing them, you become the ultimate dancer. Everyone who witnesses your dance will join in, dancing irresistibly until your stamina is depleted or until your muscles are completely torn.] [Contamination Value: 2.5] ... [Name: Dehydrated Mermaid Jerky (Transform, Element)] [Appearance: A dehydrated and sun-dried dugong corpse...] [Ability: Transform into a mermaid, brief water control] [Cost: Unable to drink water for 48 hours] [File: Ariel, a Level Three Crisis Handler from the Libra Division of the Purification Bureau (male), once used this anomalous object to transform into a female mermaid. He infiltrated the Sea Race, attempting to gather intelligence under the guise of a mermaid, but unexpectedly caught the eye of the Mermaid Prince, ending up...] [Evaluation: A highly practical ability. Just one lick turns you into a member of the Sea Race for 48 hours. Unfortunately, the taste is quite nauseating, akin to licking a sweaty foot coated in stinky tofu juice.] [Contamination Value: 1.1] ... [Name: Monster under the Bed (Corruption, Fright)] [Appearance: A demon''s hand that extends from beneath the bed''s shadow at night. Its size and number vary with the size of the bed frame...] [Ability: Physical harm, spreading fear] [Cost: Post-use results in a night of nightmares, forcing you to confront your inner fears] [File: A special anomalous object created by the Bai Ye Sect, it had caused considerable trouble for the Purification Bureau''s Little Dog Division until Level Two Crisis Handler Jerry Baker from the Virgo Division was temporarily assigned. He employed three million white ants to devour all the surrounding bed boards, only then...] [Evaluation: Possesses both physical and mental harm capabilities, making it a rather decent anomalous object. However, forming combat power requires a sufficiently large bed board, making it difficult to carry, and it can only be activated late at night, posing significant limitations.] [Contamination Value: 8.7] ... After spending nearly an hour investigating and documenting all the anomalous objects on the table, Leon, whose wrist was sore from writing, put down the pen, flexed his wrist, and sighed. *This Jerry guy''s kleptomania seemed quite severe, yet he truly had some skills.* The final sentence in these anomalous object files always read the same, "Stolen after brief contact with Virgo Division Level Two Crisis Handler Jerry Baker." The identities of these previous owners were quite varied. From ordinary people who lost control after an awakening to the High Priest of an Underground Sect, a royal family member of another kingdom, to key employees of other divisions, and even the director of the Twelve Zodiac Bureaus¡ª there seemed to be nothing he wouldn''t dare to steal. *Yet, the overall quality of these items was just moderate.* The anomalous object with the highest contamination value barely exceeded 12 points, only slightly better than one-seventh of the goat mix, and their usage cost was considerable, incomparable to something like the Holy Spirit Pendant... "Wonderful! Ha ha! This really is... Oh, I must thank you properly!" Unaware of Leon''s thoughts, the short man was leafing through a stack of "appraisal reports" with a look of joy, feeling incredibly lucky. His level had nearly reached that of a First Level Disaster Handler, although slightly lacking in Leon Value. Additionally, the two strongest anomalous objects were for theft and beast control, lacking in combat effectiveness and methods. This was why he couldn''t pass the rating for a First Level Disaster Handler no matter what. With these anomalous objects appraised, he could choose some suitable ones to fill in his shortcomings, and with a little effort to augment his Leon Value, he could soon meet the requirements for a First Level Disaster Handler! "This one, this one, and this one, I need to keep. They''re really perfect for me." Selecting three reports from the stack, he carefully tucked them away. The short man, grinning from ear to ear, grabbed Leon''s hand and shoved the remaining reports into his hand, waving generously. "The rest are yours to choose from! Take whatever catches your eye. If one isn''t enough, feel free to take another one!" S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Then I won''t be polite." Smiling and nodding, Leon accepted the appraisal reports and began flipping through them, noticing that Jerry had not been stingy. Almost all the high-contamination-value anomalous objects remained, except for one with a contamination value of ten that had been selected. However, the things Jerry offered for appraisal either had high costs and were troublesome to use or could be replaced by the Holy Spirit Pendant, with some overlap in functionality. *And with my meager 2.6 contamination value, I could only fully activate two anomalous objects with a 1.3 contamination value each, or push one anomalous object to a 2.6 contamination value level.* *I couldn''t even make full use of the revived Black Goat, feeling that these current anomalous objects alone were enough to keep me busy.* *Plus, my physical strength isn''t strong enough, I can''t even carry the issued box from the division,* and the few useful items among this pile of anomalous objects are quite large, so taking them would just leave them collecting dust in the office... hmm... wait! At this point, Leon glanced at the glass panel on the table, then set down the stack of appraisal reports in his hand, and tentatively asked, "Jerry, the object inside the glass panel earlier, is that also an anomalous object?" Hearing Leon''s question, the short man paused, then nodded after some thought. "I suppose it counts. Three years ago, there was a Mirror World invasion at the junction of the Libra Division and our division''s jurisdiction. Lisa was a Mirror World creature I took in during that mission... Are you interested in her?" "I''m kind of interested..." Leon nodded, somewhat awkwardly. *I''ve only recently joined the bureau, with a Contamination Value of just over two,* and activating anomalous objects still often consumed physical strength. The issued box from the bureau wasn''t suitable for me, and I happened to be lacking a helper like her to carry things... Remembering that the other party might be an "Archdruid," Leon quickly added, "Of course, I don''t necessarily have to have her, just that her ability seems suitable. If it''s inconvenient, something else would work too." "Well... it is a bit inconvenient..." Hearing Leon''s response, the short man breathed a sigh of relief and then explained, "Lisa is more of a friend than an anomalous object of mine, so I can''t use her for trading... but other Mirror Dogs are possible." After saying this, he knocked on the glass panel again, summoning the Golden Retriever named Lisa, then rubbed his throat and barked back and forth with her. Following a series of seemingly incomprehensible exchanges, the Golden Retriever in the glass panel extended her head beyond the "screen" range, making a "fetching" motion. Then, a dazed little puppy was tossed out from the glass panel. Chapter 140 - 140: 0121 Secondary Level Strength_1 "Holy crap! Is this ''Lady Lisa'' a bit too rough on kids?" Just before the puppy hit the table, Leon caught it in his arms and checked it over, a string of question marks popping into his mind. No wonder, Lady Lisa was a Golden Retriever, but the puppy he held, with its blue eyes, was a typical black-and-white, with two triangular ears stubbornly erect, and three white dots on its brow forming a chubby "fire" character... This was obviously a husky! Hmm... wait a minute. As he was about to make a judgment, Leon noticed some sparse golden fur on the puppy''s head, likely belonging to a human''s scalp, towards the back of the dog''s skull, and its color matched Lady Lisa''s perfectly. After exchanging a glance with the Young Ha staring at him stubbornly from his arms, Leon looked at the big Golden Retriever in the glass panel with confusion, then turned his head towards Senior Jerry beside him. "Is Lady Lisa''s... uh... partner possibly a husky?" "No, Lisa''s husband is the same breed as her, also golden." Looking at the Young Ha in Leon''s hands, the short man sighed helplessly, "This is the child of Lisa''s husband and his mistress." "..." Damn mistress! So the male Golden Retriever cheated with a female husky and brought the kid back home for the female Golden to raise? "Ah, you wouldn''t know, the situation at their place is quite complicated." The short man shook his head as he glanced at Leon''s dumbfounded face, "Lisa''s husband... well... isn''t a good guy. When the Mirror World invaded three years ago and he sensed something was amiss, he took off early with his mistress, leaving a whole litter of kids behind. Lisa, having no kids of her own and hearing the little guys crying pitifully, adopted her husband''s mistress''s child. Though she could reluctantly raise the other kids as her own for the sake of her husband, this little guy, apart from that tuft of golden hair on his head, looked just like his biological mother, and every time Lisa saw him she would remember her husband''s mistress. Ah... Although Lisa had a soft heart and continued to raise this little guy, she couldn''t help feeling blocked inside, secretly crying whenever she saw him for the first two years, so it''s actually a good thing for you to take him away." "..." "I see now..." With a somewhat stiff expression after hearing this "dog blood drama," Leon looked at the golden retriever with its back turned in the glass panel, its back twitching, and didn''t know what else to say but to stroke the small golden tuft on Young Ha''s head. [Name: Mirror Dog (Passage)] [Appearance: A juvenile husky with sparse golden fur on its head] [Ability: Enter and exit the Mirror World] [Cost: 3-4 small bowls of dog food per day, approximately 80-120 grams each time, while ensuring certain exercise, but its food intake will increase with age] [File: A Mirror World creature, 3 years and 6 months old, presented to Level Three Incident Handler Leon Laine by Level Two Crisis Handler Jerry Baker at the Virgin Branch of the Purification Bureau] [Evaluation: A rare and fascinating creature able to travel freely between two worlds, with intelligence slightly higher than ordinary dogs and an incredibly long lifespan of its own. Its growth and aging rate is one-fifth that of normal humans, reaching twenty-five times that of regular dogs. If well kept, it could outlive your eighteenth generation of descendants] [Corrosion Value: 0.1] "..." S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was... quite easy to raise... Stroking the excellent-feeling golden tuft on Young Ha''s head, Leon looked up at Senior Jerry with some reluctance and couldn''t help but speak, "I need a place to store a box, isn''t it a bit too small? Can it hold things?" "Don''t worry, they store things by ''passage,'' not ''movement,'' so there''s no need to physically move things in." As the short man spoke, he took out a small mirror from his pocket and gave a slight wave over the pile of anomalous objects on the table. "Woof!" With the familiar bark, anything on the table within the little mirror''s sight disappeared as if erased with a rubber, and the reflection in the mirror showed another table, now filled with those items. "See, that''s how it works." After demonstrating the basic usage of the [Mirror Dog], the short man returned to his desk, rummaged through a drawer underneath, and handed over an identical small mirror, then seriously cautioned, "Also, they are not just storage tools, but very exceptional assistants and companions! Because the definition of the Mirror World is not just ''mirrors'' themselves, anything that reflects an image is essentially an entrance to the Mirror World. So don''t be fooled by this little one, with the lowest Leon Value almost, but if used well, its ability can be life-saving in critical moments... like this!" The short man spoke while kicking away the office carpet, revealing the cement floor below, then took a glass of water from the table and splashed most of it on the ground. After a few seconds, as the water on the ground stabilized into a relatively calm "mirror," Lady Lisa''s figure appeared in the puddle, subsequently fetching a knife and tossing it over. "I was once ambushed by the Bai Ye Sect, all my possessions taken, tied up and locked in a pitch-black dungeon, and they thought they''d hold me, but they didn''t know I had Lisa." Pointing to the puddle on the ground, the short man said with lingering fear, "Those lunatics were actually very cautious, but during interrogation, I kept babbling nonsense and managed to ask for several glasses of water, then held in my urine for half a day to form a puddle on the ground, and with a pre-prepared emergency anomalous object to heal my injuries, I narrowly escaped." "And besides saving your life in critical moments, it can also do this." Reaching into his pocket and retrieving a palm-sized metal object, the short man placed this heavy metal ball in Leon''s palm, then snapped his fingers lightly. "Woof!" With a bark so close as if right next to him, Leon''s vision blurred, and the metal ball vanished directly from his hand! "Human eyes, in fact, also have reflections, and as long as the object you see isn''t blocked, Lisa can take it away directly, and not only can she take things, but she can put them back again." "Woof!" Pointing to the small metal ball that reappeared with the bark, the short man warned solemnly, "This thing in your hand is a whale oil bomb that I got from the military, with a blast effect extra-enhanced by an anomalous object. Once activated, it could destroy an entire building, releasing a burning agent over 1000 degrees Celsius, and after training that little guy can place it right in your enemy''s face." "..." Holy crap?! No wonder you''re a "half-first-level" expert, Senior Emma''s using a large sniper rifle already seems outrageous enough, but you throwing explosives like this is ten times as unprincipled!!! From Leon''s eyes, seeing the intense shock and admiration, the short man, eager to make friends with this "appraisal master," let out a chuckle. "Of course, forcibly taking or releasing larger items from such a small reflection is not ordinarily possible; before you break through a Leon Value of 10 points, it''s probably not feasible, and that little guy will need to grow a bit more for you to do it currently. My purpose for telling you this is to encourage you to pay attention to that little guy, don''t just view him as a luggage box that doesn''t need carrying; his ability is indeed quite remarkable and it''s a shame not to make good use of it. Oh, and in the future, when you''re able to use the whale oil bomb, feel free to come here and find me; I''ll gladly give you a couple for free, but for now... Uh..." Hearing the puppy''s whimpering beside him and realizing that the whale oil bomb had suddenly disappeared from Leon''s palm, the short man was utterly shocked. "How did you do that?! Do you have an anomalous object that can communicate with animals too?" Chapter 141 - 141: 0122 Good Senior_1 Leon shook his head at the short man''s surprised inquiry. An anomalous object capable of communicating with animals certainly did not exist, but he had just acquired a badge. [You have obtained your first pet, successfully activating the Black Iron Level Badge "Poop Scooper."] [Poop Scooper, Because of keeping a pet in the city, a caregiver must regularly clean up pet waste.] [Equipped Effect, Your rapport with your pet has improved, allowing you to understand each other better.] [Advancement Route, If you continue to care for your pet for over a month and keep it healthy, this badge will automatically advance to the bronze badge "Pet Owner."] [Hidden Trait (No need to equip), Your affinity with animals has slightly increased.] Looking at the gleaming "Poop Scooper" on the panel, Leon was more determined than ever to earn more badges. Of the thirteen badges he currently possessed, most did not have direct combat enhancements, but they all provided excellent support effects. Even without high-level badges like "I Am the Demon" or "Practitioner" that directly enhanced anomalies, even a seemingly trivial Black Iron Level Badge like the "Poop Scooper" could be used quite effectively when paired with the right anomalous object. *Hmm... But using bombs for now was out of the question¡ªtoo dangerous!* Glancing sideways at the dressing mirror, Leon was startled to see Young Ha baring its milk teeth, gnawing on a whale oil bomb. He quickly made it give the bomb back. *It sure had husky lineage, already trying to tear things apart at such a young age.* Flinging bombs at opponents right under their noses through Mirror Dog was powerful, but this little husky was too small. If it threw things in the wrong place, it would be disastrous. Technical skills like precision bombing should wait until it grew older or the "Poop Scooper" badge advanced, giving Leon more control over its behavior. ... "You''ve just met, but you already understand each other a bit. Looks like you two really hit it off." Unaware of the recent scare, the short man weighed the returned whale oil bomb in his hand. Looking at the sleepy Young Ha in Leon''s arms, he chuckled and handed the bomb to Leon. "Although you probably can''t use eyes or water surfaces for transferring objects, mostly just mirrors, since you can communicate with the little guy, this thing is not entirely useless. At a critical moment, it could at least act as a trump card. "Take it. Come find me when you run out. Just keep it in the Mirror World normally, and don''t bring it out. Activate it ahead of time before using, and it''ll explode five seconds later!" S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Thank you, Senior!" Leon was pleased to hear the short man''s words. He took out a small mirror gifted by the other man, aiming it at the whale oil bomb. He then gently tapped Young Ha''s behind. "Woof~" Accompanied by a lazy dog yawn, Young Ha yawned itself into the small mirror, helping Leon store the whale oil bomb. It didn''t come back out, instead lying down directly inside, and soon, soft snoring could be heard. "This little guy must be tired." Peeking into the mirror at the little pup sprawled out asleep with its paws over its head, the short man smiled and rhythmically tapped the small mirror in Leon''s hand. "Woof." Lady Lisa''s crisp bark sounded. Leon looked down to see the large golden retriever also enter the small mirror. After casting a complex glance at Young Ha, it settled down, barking twice more at Leon. "Lisa says this little fellow is a bit naughty, so please be patient with it... Also..." After translating Lady Lisa''s "dog talk," the short man pointed to the two dogs in the small mirror and said to Leon, "If the director sends you to Rose Manor for a rescue mission, let Lisa show you the way. She''s well-acquainted with my ''friends.'' "She''ll stay in your mirror for the next couple of days. Just tap the mirror when you need directions. Oh, and take this too." The short man spoke "Woof," twice towards the mirror. After listening, Lady Lisa nodded, walked out of the visible area in the small mirror to search, and soon returned with a small, palm-sized bed, placing it in Leon''s small mirror. "The director mentioned you have a great affinity with demonic abnormalities, so take this too!" Looking hesitantly at the high-value [Monster Under the Bed], rated at 8.7 on the Leon Value scale, the short man patted his chest and generously told Leon, "Since you called me senior, I must act the part. Plus, given the number of anomalous objects I have, this one is nothing. Just take it!" "Then I won''t be polite..." This generous senior first gave a dog, then a bomb, and even a bed board. Leon couldn''t help but feel a warm fuzziness in his heart. *The director, although mischievous and a prank-loving drunk, always looked out for him, standing up when it mattered.* *Senior Emma too. Although very cautious to the point of being annoying, she taught him valuable lessons, solving His problems.* *Now there was Senior Jerry, who was exceptionally generous. Although partly due to the "Connected Party" badge, he''d met him and given him so much already...* *There were so many good people in the department!* Grateful, Leon glanced at the short man, unsure of how to repay him at the moment, and instead promised, "Senior, although I''m not very good at combat, I am fairly confident in investigation, interrogation, and gathering intelligence on anomalous objects. If you ever need help in this area, you can count on me to help!" *Got it! That''s the promise I''ve been waiting for!* Looking at the grateful newcomer, the "good senior" outwardly waved it off multiple times but couldn''t help chuckling inwardly. This time he was so generous not only because he liked the kid but also to seek future assistance. The ability to appraise anomalous objects was rare, and when he found more good stuff, he''d definitely seek him out again. *So rather than seeking help at the moment it was needed, being generous now was wiser... Hmm... Moreover, it shut this guy up, as many of his possessions were "borrowed" from other branches.* He originally thought the kid''s ability to discern anomalous objects and their costs was impressive, but it turned out he could even determine where items were "borrowed" from. *Thus, the original compensation was insufficient, and the extra benefits would serve as hush money.* Chapter 142 - 142: 0123 Found at Door_1 After bidding farewell to the overly enthusiastic "good senior," Leon did not immediately go to Rose Manor to rescue anyone. Instead, he returned to his office and picked up the sheep head that he hadn''t seen in days. On the day of the Ryan Blood Night, after he was captured while exhausted from maintaining his disguise, everything except the [Holy Spirit pendant] he wore was confiscated by the Police Department, including the Black Goat and the Witch''s Broom. However, it wasn''t long before the Purification Bureau demanded them back, and they were returned to Leon''s office. The Black Goat, which possessed soul vision, had already noticed it was back before Leon even went to the director''s office. The moment he picked it up, it, having held back for quite a while, couldn''t help but ask, "So, have you cleared your suspicions?" "Yes." Leon took out the large case issued by the bureau and checked the sniper rifle that Senior Emma had delivered. He then placed the sheep head on the case, maintaining it while having a "private chat" through the connection between their souls: ''Things are fine for now. Both the bureau and the Kingdom have concluded that Ryan Blood Night was the work of Bobby Layne, and no one currently suspects me.'' ''That''s good...'' The Black Goat let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this and then seriously reminded Leon through "encrypted communication," ''But you can''t relax just yet. After all, a Duke-level noble has died, and it''s not enough for just the Kingdom and your branch to acknowledge it. The investigators from the headquarters also have to agree that what you did is completely over.'' ''I know, but aren''t the people from headquarters still not here yet? So I''ll just work like normal and behave normally. The more normal I act now, the more confident I''ll appear when the time comes...'' After chatting with the Black Goat for a while, Leon finished maintaining the firearm, organized the case, and then knocked on the small mirror. Although Young Ha in the mirror was still sleeping, Lady Lisa was awake and with a bark helped him put away the case. "Huh? A creature from the Mirror World?" Recognizing the small mirror, the Black Goat couldn''t help but express surprise, "What kind of favor did you do Jerry to make him willing to give you this dog?" "It wasn''t that... given Lady Lisa, it was the smaller one beside her." After briefly explaining the interaction between him and Senior Jerry, Leon gestured twice to the big golden retriever, asking her to pull the sleeping Young Ha out of the mirror. He then rummaged through his cabinet for some folded shopping bags, first stuffing the Black Goat inside. When he was about to put Young Ha in, he hesitated, thinking it might not be very secure. He then found an old piece of clothing kept in the office, cut off the sleeves, tidied it up, and placed it on top of the Black Goat''s head as a cushion. He then used the two cut sleeves to wrap around its sharp horns, making a windproof and warm mobile kennel for the puppy before putting the soundly sleeping pup inside. "No... you can''t be serious!" Initially not understanding what Leon intended to do, the Black Goat became furious once it heard the soft snores of Young Ha coming from above its head and realized the situation. "I am a Great Demon! And you''re using my head as a dog bed? You..." "During those days when we weren''t back, the bureau collected a sheep''s offal." After covering the puppy with a small handkerchief, Leon looked at the suddenly paused Black Goat and, imitating the director''s manner, smiled with squinting eyes, "Although it''s been taken away for testing, the director opened it and saw a sheep''s stomach with an evil aura belonging to a near-God Level Great Demon... So, what were you about to say again?" "..." ''I was saying... I actually really like small animals, especially dogs... Yeah... I particularly like them...'' Seeing Leon, who seemed to have inherited a particular characteristic from a certain red-haired woman, the Black Goat, caught in its predicament, immediately became docile. After cursing silently, it couldn''t help but ask with some confusion, "Leon, didn''t my heart say before that my stomach should be with the owner of Charl Department Store? Why has it suddenly been taken by the Purification Bureau?" "Because the daughter of the owner of Charl Department Store was kidnapped. He asked your stomach a question about how to save his daughter, and your stomach told him to deliver itself to the Purification Bureau..." After explaining the situation briefly, Leon tied the shopping bag tightly, then carried both the Black Goat and the puppy in his left hand and the broom in his right hand as he left the office. "So, does my stomach have the ability to answer questions? If you pay the cost and ask it a question, it will provide an answer?" After listening to the detailed story, the Black Goat was puzzled, "But this doesn''t make sense, right? My stomach should represent greed, the utmost desire, so what does that have to do with answering questions?" "The director didn''t say, but I guess ''having something to ask'' might itself be a person''s most intense current desire." Following the Black Goat''s lead, Leo speculated and said, "Don''t overthink the ability part for now. This Anomalous Object was handed in by our bureau, and no other branch has the right to argue. Besides, I''m the one in our bureau with the highest affinity with demonic abnormalities, so your stomach is most likely returning to me, and I can study it then." "So you have to work hard at it!" The Black Goat said worriedly, "Generally, Anomalous Objects acquired outside of tasks won''t be directly distributed. You need to apply with achievements or exchange them for other Anomalous Objects. You''ve been in the Purification Bureau for too short a time, and your achievements aren''t significant enough. If someone else exchanges it first, that''ll be a problem." "The director has mentioned this to me. Since it was the boss of Charl Department Store who delivered your stomach, she didn''t have Senior Jerry save the person directly; instead, she arranged for me to handle this task to give me the capital to compete for this Anomalous Object..." As Leon and the Black Goat discussed how to quickly exchange for the sheep stomach, they arrived at a familiar building. After identifying the Secret Investigation Bureau''s sign, Leon carried his items and walked briskly into the lobby, "Hello, how may I help you?" "I''m from the Purification Bureau." After taking out and handing over his credentials, Leon touched the bandage he had taken from the female prisoner, opening his mouth with a serious expression, "Is Yisha in your bureau? Her full name should be Isha Hill. I have some matters to discuss with her." ... "Look! That man is the one Little Isha is seeing!" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh~ Where, where? Point him out quickly so I can see!" "Over there! The one talking to the receptionist, wearing an old coat, with black hair¡ªthat''s the handsome guy!" "Handsome... well, he is quite handsome, but he seems a bit skinny, doesn''t he? Little Isha ranks in the top three in close combat in the department, and she''s in great shape. If they end up together, can this handsome guy handle it?" "Oh, you''re really... Is this something we should be talking about here?" "Why not? What I meant is, what if he can''t fight Isha and gets bullied? What are you talking about?" "I... I meant the same thing!" "Tsk tsk tsk, I think you''re thinking in a different direction. How typical of married people with different thoughts!" "You... hmph! So what if I''m thinking differently? Aren''t you all thinking the same?" The woman seemed to be getting anxious after being teased. She stomped her foot and gestured with her hand, "This handsome guy doesn''t look very sturdy. Just a twist of those long legs Little Isha has around his waist would probably... Ah! Run!" "I see you all need a good scolding!!!" After chasing away the colleagues hiding in the stairwell, joking around, the woman who had been leading the banter yelled before taking a deep breath and carefully straightening the messy part of her clothing. She then walked over to Leon, who was waiting at the reception desk, feeling a bit out of sorts. Chapter 143 - 143: 0124 Mutation_1 "Leon, you came to see me... is there something you need?" "There is something, but it''s not a big deal..." "Big or small, just say it! I''ve been busy to death these days, sitting in a chair for more than ten hours a day. Get to the point!" "Uh... alright then..." The voices of a group of women chattering away in the stairway were already loud, and given that Leon''s Contamination Value was as "high" as 2.6, his physical functions were much stronger than that of an ordinary person, so their banter certainly couldn''t escape his ears. Initially, he wanted to pretend he hadn''t heard anything, but seeing the female cop''s slightly reddened earlobes, along with her shy demeanor, actually made Leon feel a bit awkward as well. After subconsciously glancing at the female cop''s smoothly lined long legs, Leon coughed lightly, pushed the women''s vivid descriptions to the back of his mind, and took the initiative to express his thanks, "Actually, the main reason I came by was to thank you. If it hadn''t been for you persuading your father, I''d probably still be stuck down there for a few more days. Oh, and about the hospital bills..." "Oh no! There''s no need to repay that money!" Always so assertive, the "troublemaking Rebel" was rarely this soft-spoken in his presence, which made the female cop quite pleased. She waved her hand and, biting her lips to suppress a smile, said generously, "Even though my dad hasn''t had a salary these past two years, he''s still a high-ranking official, so we have some savings. We don''t need to spend extra on food and lodging. So, your hospital and medicine bills are just trivial to us. Don''t worry about it." "Uh... I wasn''t planning to repay you..." Leon said a bit embarrassedly, "Our Purification Bureau has a special nature of work; we often face danger. So, expenses in this regard can be fully reimbursed. So... could you change the name on the bill to mine?" "Alright... I''ll change it when I get off work..." After agreeing to Leon''s request somewhat speechlessly, the female cop wriggled her toe inside her shoe forcibly, then slightly turned her head, and asked shyly with wandering eyes, "So... you just came to thank me and have me change the bill? Is there nothing else?" "Of course, there''s more!" Hearing her words, Leon couldn''t help but feel a bit delighted. He then touched the [Plague-Infected Blood Band] in his pocket and solemnly said, "I wanted to see that prisoner you escorted before, alone, without any bystanders. Can you arrange that?" Huh? Surprised to hear such a reply, the female cop was slightly stunned and then seemed a bit upset, pouting before nodding, "I mean, it''s possible... The biggest case previously was the assassination of the Princess, and I might not have been able to arrange a solo visit. But since the most crucial case now is the Ryan Blood Night, the priority of the assassination case has dropped significantly. We might not even need a note from your director... Hmm... Anyway, come with me upstairs first, I''ll go ask the director." *Ah... as long as I can see her, that''s good!* Hearing the female cop''s words, Leon couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Then, under the covert glance of a group of secret police, he followed her into the stairway with anticipation. The [Plague-Infected Blood Band] obtained from the female prisoner had both [Corrosion] and [Healing] abilities. When wrapped around a living target, it could strip the target of health and cause rapid decay. If used correctly, it could also quickly heal injuries below severed limbs. During his convalescence days, Leon seriously studied this bandage''s abilities and found that paired with the [Holy Spirit Pendant], which gained power through trading flesh and blood, it was an abnormal perpetual motion machine! In future encounters with Anomalous Objects like the Heart of Ambition, which manipulated thousands to besiege him, Leon could trade flesh and blood to enhance the Holy Spirit Pendant while using the [Plague-Infected Blood Band] to extract health from enemies to heal himself. Using this "fighting to sustain fighting" method, he could keep the Holy Spirit Pendant at maximum output until breaking down from excessive pain and exhaustion. Getting the rights to this bandage would immediately enhance his combat capability! The only issue was that the bandage''s real "owner" was still alive. If it was like the things Jerry got from predecessors, those Anomalous Objects had changed hands many times and could be used once seized. Yet the [Plague-Infected Blood Band] was different. This Anomalous Object was "created" by the female prisoner and her investigator husband, born from their anguish-filled lives. As its Creators, they held the highest level of "authority" over it. So without the female prisoner''s consent, even holding this bandage would make it unusable, and Leon must find a way to gain her approval to truly own it. Otherwise, he''d have to wait like the director of Red Brick Road Hospital did for her execution due to the assassination to send the corpse and bandage together to HQ and have a craftsman reforge it. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Considering his massive "contribution" to the Ryan Blood Night, it was evidently better to negotiate directly with the female prisoner for her agreement. After all, without telling her he nearly wiped out the entire Ryan Family, merely recounting how he took down Bobby Layne might soften her stance to hand over the Anomalous Object rights... Umm... or maybe hint a bit... ... *Why hasn''t he spoken?* After not hearing a peep from him while going upstairs, the female cop couldn''t help but glance back to find Leon lost in thought. She then furtively glanced at him again. This troublemaking Rebel... seemed a bit preoccupied? Though the misunderstanding had long been cleared, knowing Leon hadn''t truly joined the Rebels, his past encounters led to his overly radical demeanor. However, partially from habit and partially because Leon''s attitude was far more radical than typical Rebels, the nickname stayed. And the absentminded troublemaking Rebel''s silence fueled the female cop''s wild imaginations. *Could he be... thinking about those jokes from before? About winding something around his waist... or whatever...* Upon reaching this thought, the female cop immediately felt the gaze behind her grow hotter, her nerves slightly tensed, and her long legs clamped more tightly. Feeling stared at, the stairs felt awkwardly misstep with each move. "Hmm?" Her strange steps snapped Leon out of figuring out how to gain the female prisoner''s approval. Seeing the female cop in front suddenly slow down, and inexplicably squeeze her legs tight, with her gait looking odd, Leon recalled their previous talk and regarded her back with a sympathetic gaze. *Sitting in a chair for over ten hours a day... hmm... that''s hemorrhoids to experience, not express, huh?* Chapter 144 - 144: 0125 Invitation_1 Unaware that Leon had developed a new misunderstanding about him, the female police officer felt a prickling sensation on her back as she quickly walked up the stairs and swiftly entered the Chief Inspector''s office, rapidly explaining Leon''s purpose. "This... might be a bit inconvenient." S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After hearing the female police officer''s words, the scar-faced strong man put down the map of the Capital City in his hand and said with a troubled expression, "Your Purification Bureau has always had the highest authority in the entire police department. If it were just questioning the rebels, I certainly wouldn''t refuse. But you request the entire interrogation process to be confidential, with no written record, and also not allowing anyone else to know. That''s a bit much. That prisoner, although not the mastermind, was still involved in the assassination of the Princess. If I agree to let you contact her privately, I can''t very well explain it to the higher-ups." "..." Putting it that way¡­ indeed it was true. After hearing the explanation from the scar-faced strong man, Leon couldn''t help but frown as well. Involving a major case like the assassination of the Princess, the Secret Investigation Bureau indeed couldn''t open the back door for him. But according to his own Chief Inspector, matters concerning anomalous objects were best kept strictly confidential, with as few people as possible aware. After all, in this rather idealistic world, "knowing" and "believing" themselves were forms of power. The more people who knew about the Purification Bureau and the anomalous existence, the stronger the anomalies would become within the jurisdiction. If he truly followed the normal interrogation process, with people from the Secret Investigation Bureau accompanying and making written records throughout the entire process, the "anomaly density" within the Virgin Sanitation Bureau''s jurisdiction would definitely rise slightly, which was something that had to be avoided. But judging from the other party''s attitude¡­ "Chief, it''s one thing to use this excuse to brush off others, but how could you try to fool the person I brought as well?" Just as Leon was pondering how to persuade the scar-faced strong man, the female police officer beside him spoke up unfriendly, "Ever since the old Chief Inspector completely retired a while back, it''s been entirely up to you inside the Secret Investigation Bureau. And now the Minister of Security who controls our police department is distantly related to you by marriage; no one can really make things difficult for you. Moreover, the cabinet, the parliament, the Prime Minister, are all focused on tearing into the Ryan Family. As for the assassination case of the Princess, even the Princess herself doesn''t currently have the time to deal with it. Who do you need to report to ''above'' us?" "..." Having his excuse exposed in front of his capable subordinate, the scar-faced strong man felt a bit embarrassed. After glancing at the strange-looking Leon, he coughed awkwardly and said, "Cough¡­ though that may be true, I haven''t been in charge for long and it''s not good to act too recklessly. One must first..." "Oh, stop it! You''re just afraid of taking responsibility!" Rolling her eyes at the scar-faced strong man, the female police officer, who knew her leader''s character quite well, snorted, "With such strong work ability and decent skills, yet you flinch at any sign of trouble, unwilling to step up even for insignificant matters¡­ give me the warrant!" "Alright~ it''s yours!" After being scolded by the female police officer, the scar-faced strong man didn''t even get angry. Instead, he directly handed over the Chief Inspector''s warrant and, with a stern look on his rugged scarred face, said deeply, "If anything really goes wrong in the end, don''t you pin it on me..." "Just say I stole it!" "It''s a deal!" After the female police officer received the warrant and hastily dashed down the stairs with Leon, the scar-faced strong man was silent for a while. Then he took out another identical warrant from the drawer, got up, and quickly left his office... ... With the warrant from the Chief Inspector of the Secret Investigation Bureau, Leon and his companion naturally passed through smoothly. Apart from necessary registrations, they encountered almost no obstruction and made their way to the dungeon of the Secret Investigation Bureau, successfully seeing their target. "You speak to her first. I''ll stand guard outside for you." After glancing at the rather haggard female prisoner with bloodshot eyes, the female police officer couldn''t help but shake her head, gave a nod to Leon, and left the interrogation room, bringing a small stool to sit outside the door to prevent anyone from disturbing them. However, even with her watching, Leon did not relax his vigilance but instead pressed his hand against the Black Goat''s horn, using soul vision to repeatedly check his surroundings. After confirming no one was eavesdropping, he sat down on a chair and spoke to the silent female prisoner, "I came to see you this time to tell you some good news." "I know." The female prisoner nodded, and a genuine look of contentment appeared on her somewhat pale face. "Bobby Layne is dead, right? And there''s turmoil within the Ryan Family; nearly all of their main members are dead. The Ryan Family is finished!" ??? Upon hearing this, Leon couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow, squinting his eyes slightly as he asked, "Did Yisha tell you all this?" "No, that young girl, though na?ve, is quite well-behaved in such matters. She couldn''t help but tell me about Bobby Layne''s death, but aside from that, she said almost nothing." Not the female police officer? Hearing the female prisoner''s words, Leon couldn''t help but be slightly startled, then frowned and asked, "Then how did you know these things?" "Strictly speaking, I should say I ''saw'' them myself." Pointing to Leon''s pocket that held the Blood-Polluted Plague Belt, the female prisoner smirked, "That night, the bandages left by my husband were wrapped around your wrist. Although you tried to suppress them, as the owner of the bandages, I could still perceive some things happening around... like wherever you went, people of the Ryan Family would die." At this point, a smile finally appeared on the female prisoner''s face. With an expression of delight, she rhetorically asked, "I might not be able to directly see what happened, but as long as a small piece of skin came off your body, a member of the Ryan Family would suddenly die. So, not all those people were killed by Bobby Layne. At least half of them were done in by you personally, right?" "..." It was careless of him; he hadn''t expected that the bandage would have some perceptive abilities... Truly... He thought he was hiding it perfectly, yet even before the main investigators arrived, half of it had already been exposed. *Internally warning himself never to underestimate any anomalous object,* Leon looked at the female prisoner with *furrowed brows* and said, "Are you attempting to frame me by saying all this?" "Of course not." The female prisoner shook her head with a smile, "You avenged me. I''m grateful and wouldn''t harm you at all. As for whether it''s framing... isn''t that clear in your own heart? Hehe, we people have worked hard for several years and only succeeded in assassinating some middle-level individuals. The commotion you created in one night was more effective than years of our efforts!" Slowly finishing these words, the female prisoner, who was handcuffed to the chair, did not continue the topic but instead stared seriously at Leon, with furrowed brows in front of her, and earnestly invited, "Seriously, are you interested in joining us?" Chapter 145 - 145: 0126 Exposure_1 "..." *Good grief, I just wanted to ''return a favor'' and try to get the usage rights to the Anomalous Object, but it turns out you''re even interested in my people...* He reached out to check the female prisoner''s soul status, finding her invitation genuinely sincere, Leon couldn''t help but say, "Forget it, I''m really not interested in the Rebels. Your ways are just too extreme." "..." After hearing Leon''s words, another person in the interrogation room also became speechless. We''re too extreme? We''ve carried out over two hundred attacks over the years, and the number of high-ranking officials we''ve killed doesn''t even match the number you knocked off in one night! How dare you call us extreme? After both parties silently sat facing each other, Leon eventually broke the silence first, "Since you already know what happened with the Ryan Family, I''ll be direct... I''m very interested in that bandage and want to gain your approval to obtain its usage rights!" "Alright." The female prisoner was slightly taken aback upon hearing this but did not get angry, nodding instead, "As long as you can get me out, I''ll immediately relinquish the usage rights of the bandage and hand it over to you." "That''s impossible." Leon shook his head upon hearing this, "Setting aside the charge of attempting to assassinate the Princess, Yisha showed me some of your files. In the years you''ve been associated with the Rebels, you''ve participated in numerous attack actions, resulting in at least dozens of innocent deaths¡­" "So... are you saying I deserve it?" Hearing Leon''s words, the female prisoner''s eyes instantly sharpened as she stared coldly at him, "Fine then, if you''re going to settle things this way, why not grab the Kingdom''s noble register and start checking one by one according to the laws enacted by the Kingdom! If there''s a major noble whose crimes are less severe than mine, I''ll bash my head on the spot!" "You''ve misunderstood. I didn''t mean to accuse you, and that''s also beyond my work''s scope." Leon shook his head, "What I''m trying to say is, collectively, your charges already amount to a death sentence, so I don''t need to rescue you. I can just wait until you''re hanged for those crimes, and I''ll still get the ownership of the bandage." "..." After hearing Leon''s earnest explanation, the female prisoner''s face turned blue with anger. She originally thought Leon would be like the female officer, discussing how once you start harming innocents, the victims become the new perpetrators, and she''d long prepared counterarguments for such claims. She didn''t expect the person in front of her to be so shockingly practical, dismissing her questioning without a word, making her feel like she''d just tried to flirt with a blind man. "Then why did you come to me?" Seeing the slightly lean, handsome man in front of her, the female prisoner asked irritably, "If I''m set for a death sentence sooner or later, why don''t you just wait for me to die?" "Because that would still take some time." Leon calmly answered, "You''re one of the criminals in the attempted assassination of the Princess case. You wouldn''t die before the case is completely closed, and right now, those who could decide on closing the case are all entangled with the Ryan Blood Night and probably won''t remember you anytime soon, and I don''t want to wait that long." "So whether I agree or not, it just comes down to whether I can save you some time, correct?" "Correct." "..." Looking at Leon, clearly younger than the female officer, yet having an "impervious to reason" demeanor, a deep sense of helplessness surged in the female prisoner''s heart. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After staring at him for a while, she snorted heavily, "I admit, you killed Bobby Layne and destroyed the Ryan Family, which counts as avenging me, but I''m not someone who repays kindness with kindness! Besides, if you hadn''t interfered, I could''ve taken out the female officer in the carriage back then, broken into the Ryan Family, and personally strangled that bastard Bobby Layne!" At this point, the more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Fixing an angry gaze on Leon, she bellowed, "If you calculate it like this, you''re even my enemy. Why should I help you? If you want my bandage, then just patiently wait for me to die!" "..." *It really isn''t that simple, huh... Looks like I''ll have to use some tactics!* Hearing this, Leon couldn''t help but shake his head, then he asked, "Your daughter... is still alive, right?" Seeing the sudden vigilance in the female prisoner''s expression, Leon spoke softly, "Although your daughter''s file states she''s dead, with the cause of death being hunger and illness, whenever you talk about revenge, you haven''t really mentioned avenging her, always about ''my husband,'' ''our family''s fate,'' etc. So I figured, either in your heart, your love for your daughter doesn''t surpass your husband''s, not even worth a mention, or your daughter''s not dead at all, which is why you instinctively leave her out when you speak about revenge. Am I right?" "..." *This damned bastard!* Knowing it was impossible to hide from Leon''s "interrogation," the female prisoner gave up on the futile struggle altogether. After glaring sharply at Leon, she straightforwardly nodded and admitted, "You guessed right. My daughter is indeed still alive, but since the day I joined the Rebels, I''ve managed to send her away without even leaving an address. So you can never find her, let alone use her to threaten me! If you join us, I might give you the bandage directly. Otherwise, wait for my death!" "Fine, let''s just assume I can''t find her." After exchanging a meaningful glance with the determined female prisoner, Leon nodded silently and continued gently, "What about your spy in the Secret Investigation Bureau? Do you think I can find him?" "?!?!" "Don''t bother denying, you already sold him out the moment I walked in." Taking out the "Blood-Polluted Plague Belt" from his pocket and placing it on the table, Leon stated calmly, "When I first tried to inform you about Bobby Layne''s death, you said, ''The Ryan Family has fallen into chaos, nearly all the core members are dead...'' Correct?" After repeating her words, Leon lightly tapped the bloodstained bandage on the table and said suggestively, "I admit I was forced to eliminate some members of the Ryan Family, but even I only found out afterward that most of those I eliminated were core members. So can you tell me how you knew, while being locked up, with only a bandage as your ''eye,'' that those who died in the Ryan Family were not ordinary members but rather core members?" "You?!" "Your flaws are so obvious that even without checking your soul''s state, I could guess a rough area." Pressing the Yang Jiao with his little finger secretly, Leon calmly watched the female prisoner''s soul, which was churning violently, "As a significant criminal in the attempted assassination of the Princess case, anyone contacting you requires registration, and someone must accompany them. Solo interrogation isn''t allowed. Given it''s certainly not easy to slip a spy into the Secret Investigation Bureau, to avoid suspicious behavior that would lead to his exposure, the spy wouldn''t dare contact you unless he were part of the investigation team himself." "..." "Oh, and since he informed you of the Ryan Family''s situation, his contact time with you was definitely after the Ryan Blood Night, further narrowing the timeframe. I peeked at the interrogation registry just before I came in and noticed that you''ve been interrogated roughly thirty times by four teams involving eight names. Excluding Yisha, who couldn''t possibly be a spy, the remaining people are¡­" "Stop! Stop talking!" Realizing that the name was on the verge of leaving Leon''s lips, the female prisoner, whose mental defenses crumbled completely, screamed, "Shut up! Isn''t it the bandage you want? Take it! Take it all!!!" Chapter 146 - 146: 0127 Ordinary person_1 [Obtained usable anomalous object "Blood-Polluted Plague Belt," heterochromatic badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)" hidden trait activated] [Materialist Soul (Abnormal¡¤Crimson¡¤Cannot Upgrade): ...] [Equipped Effect: ...] [Advancement Route: ...] [Hidden Trait: Badge Slot +3, Current Slot Number: 6, Total Anomalous Objects Needed to Unlock the Next Slot: 8] S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [*Your Contamination Value increased*] [Current Contamination Value: 2.8] ... The slot indeed increased by one, but the number of anomalous objects needed to unlock the next slot actually jumped from four to eight... Seeing the explanation on the badge panel, Leon couldn''t help but sigh softly. Counting the [Plague-Infected Blood Band] he just obtained through "friendly exchange," he currently possessed four anomalous objects in total: a goat head, broom, pendant, and bandage, far from the next "slot opening." As for Young Ha, who was sleeping soundly on the goat''s head, although he had his own anomalous object panel, he wasn''t counted, probably because he was alive and didn''t qualify as an anomalous "object," or maybe because he was still a puppy, a child laborer not given a position. Hmm... the latter seemed more likely. After stroking Young Ha''s short fur, which felt particularly good, Leon watched the little worker flip over and continue sleeping soundly, even snoring lightly. He couldn''t help but let out a light laugh, then nodded slightly toward the female prisoner who was glaring at him angrily. "Thank you." "..." Thank you, my ass!!! Seeing Leon politely nod and thank her, the female prisoner, whose bandage had been "forcibly taken," wanted to curse him out but worried that angering him might harm her companion who had infiltrated the Secret Investigation Bureau. In the end, she could only grit her teeth and turn her head in silence. Demon! This damn guy, who appeared harmless on the surface, turned into a heart-playing demon once he dropped his disguise! *Once I''m out of here, I must tell others not to be fooled by his appearance. This Purification Bureau guy is ten times more dangerous than he seems!* "By the way, before leaving, I have a few more questions I''d like to ask you." After glancing at the female prisoner, whose soul was half-resentful and half-fearful, Leon hesitated for a moment before speaking: "If you successfully escape from here, do you still plan to continue being a Rebel?" "???" What did he mean? What did he mean by that question! As she stared blankly, the female prisoner''s soul began to churn despite saying nothing, and Leon shook his head: "Although you appear normal, the soul never lies. Your soul harbors a plethora of emotions, yet lacks the *fear of death*. But if you were truly someone unafraid of death, when I pointed out you had a mole in the Secret Investigation Bureau, your fear of death temporarily surfaced. So I believe the mole in the Secret Investigation Bureau must have promised to rescue you, which is why your potential rescue was directly tied to whether he was exposed. That''s why you would rather hand over the bandage to silence me, right?" "..." Facing Leon, who took less than five minutes to strip away all her secrets, the female prisoner felt a chill in her heart and plunged into deep despair. "Right! It''s all right!!!" Knowing there was no point in lying before this "devil" who could discern people''s hearts, the female prisoner, resigning herself to her fate, glared at him and said through gritted teeth: "Bobby Layne may be dead, but my husband''s vengeance is not over! It wasn''t just the brain-dead nobles of the Ryan Family that killed him, but this Kingdom that is rotten to its core! Since my revenge isn''t over, if I manage to escape, of course, I''ll continue being a Rebel! And I''ll do it until I die!" "Okay, I understand." After seeing the female prisoner''s extremely "sincere" soul, Leon couldn''t help but shake his head again and then said with a slight apology: "Sorry, once I get out, I''ll immediately take down that spy." "You?!" Hearing Leon''s words, the female prisoner couldn''t help but shout in shock and anger: "You just took my stuff! Damn it! You tricked me?!" "Well... I didn''t promise not to capture him, I only promised to stay silent. In the words of our chief, this is called separating different issues." After thickening his skin and saying this rather shameless line, Leon couldn''t help but feel his face heat up, then said somewhat embarrassedly: "Sorry, if your attacks only targeted officials, I might not have done this, but every time you launch an attack, countless ordinary people are caught in the crossfire, and I can''t turn a blind eye. Moreover, both you and that director of the Secret Investigation Bureau have shown significant interest in me, with him even harboring great hostility towards me. Considering the way you Rebels conduct your business, there''s a substantial likelihood you''ll target my family, so I must prepare in advance. By the way, just to be safe, I need to confirm, that scar-faced director is indeed the spy you planted in the Secret Investigation Bureau, right?" "I don''t know!" Hearing Leon''s inquiry and knowing he was about to start his "mind-reading performance" again, the female prisoner desperately struggled, wanting to bash her head unconscious. But as the prime suspect in the assassination of the Princess, she was firmly strapped to the chair, unable to make any significant moves, only causing the chains around her to clatter noisily. "Seems I guessed right." Gleaning the answer via soul vision, Leon continued asking amid the female prisoner''s furious glares: "Next question, does he possess anomalous objects?" "I don''t know!!" "So he does have anomalous objects... Is he weaker or stronger than you?" "I don''t know!!!" "Is he somewhat stronger than you? Do you know what his ability is?" "..." *Is it that she genuinely doesn''t know this time?* After attempting questions from different angles without extracting more intelligence, Leon sighed, then stood up from his seat. "Thank you for your cooperation, goodbye." "You... you''re despicable! Shameless!" Seeing Leon''s shameless trickery, taking away her bandage rights, the female prisoner couldn''t help but struggle frantically, roaring hysterically: "Stop pretending to be a good person, saying you can''t turn a blind eye... You''re just stronger than me! Would you dare face the truly strong ones? If you truly think you''re a good guy, go take out all those garbage! I''m disgusted looking at you! You''re nothing but a hypocritical bastard!" "..." Hearing the female prisoner''s expletive-laden rant, Leon paused in his steps out of the interrogation room. After considering for a moment, he nodded: "You''re right." "???" In her somewhat confused demeanor, Leon sighed again, candidly admitting: "And I''m not only hypocritical but cowardly. While disliking many things, I lack the courage to risk everything and change them; I''m not only cowardly but also awkward, often unable to completely look away, interfering with things I have no business with; I''m not only awkward but also reckless, knowing that taking action brings trouble and puts me in danger, yet frequently unable to restrain myself..." "I''m indeed rather unsuccessful; sometimes I even quite detest myself." "..." Faced with Leon''s sincere self-analysis, listening to his self-assessment even more harsh than her own words, the female prisoner couldn''t help but be utterly bewildered. "Then you... then you..." "I''m just an ordinary person and only do what I can, as for the rest..." After glancing at the panel, shining with its array of badges, Leon''s right hand tightened slightly, a trace of imperfect determination in his eyes. "That will depend on how high I can eventually climb!" Chapter 147 - 147: Dungeon_1 "Leon?" Seeing Leon coming out with his things in less than ten minutes after entering, the female police officer "on duty" at the door couldn''t help but be slightly taken aback and asked in surprise, "Did you finish asking your questions?" "Yeah." Leon nodded and said, "I didn''t have many questions to ask, so it didn''t take long¡­ By the way, about your Secret Investigation Bureau''s chief, does he have anything strange about him?" Huh? Why did he suddenly ask this? After hearing Leon''s question, the female police officer hesitated slightly, then spoke, "Strange¡­ Does personality count? He doesn''t like to take on responsibilities, but when push comes to shove, he''s quite reliable¡­" "That''s not what I''m asking." Leon shook his head and said, "By strange, I mean something more unusual, like being physically exceptional or completing seemingly impossible tasks." "Well¡­ nothing particularly special like that¡­" After thinking for a moment, the female police officer shook her head, "If I had to say something, it''s that the chief is very skilled in combat, almost as good as I am. His shooting scores are also impressive, and he''s very adept at capturing¡­" No, that''s not right. Hearing this, Leon couldn''t help but shake his head. These all sounded within the "normal person" range and weren''t related to Anomalous Objects. The scar-faced brute''s Ability likely wasn''t among these traits. Hmm¡­ Thinking about it, it made sense. The Purification Bureau was just at the corner of the police department, merely a few buildings away from the Secret Investigation Bureau. Although their chief''s perception Ability didn''t seem very strong, if the other side had used an Anomalous Object at such close range, their chief would surely have caught it already¡­ Seeing Leon with furrowed brows, clearly pondering something, the female police officer couldn''t help but ask curiously, "What did you talk about inside? Why did you suddenly ask about the chief?" Leon hesitated slightly, then directly divulged, "Because your chief is a traitor." "¡­" "Traitor might not be entirely accurate. He might not have betrayed the Secret Investigation Bureau; he was probably a spy who infiltrated from the start." "¡­" "Stingy!" Glancing at Leon''s "fake serious" face and recalling how he insisted on interrogating the prisoner alone, refusing any observers, the female police officer wrinkled her nose, "Forget it if you don''t want to talk. I won''t chase you for answers, why tease me with such jokes?" "I wasn''t teasing you. Your chief really is a spy." "Uh-huh." Seeing Leon still joking with her, the female police officer cooperated by making a face expressing "Wow, really?" then grudgingly said, "Let''s go, since you''re done with your business, we should return the ''spy''s'' hand order. If we take too long¡­ why are you pulling me?" Watching Leon''s exceptionally serious expression as he held her arm, the female police officer finally came to her senses, her expression changing repeatedly, then speaking in shock, "You mean¡­ the chief really is?!" "Yes." Nodding to confirm the answer, Leon led the female police officer quickly outside. Upon reaching the registration place, he showed her the name on the list and explained what he could, though the explanation was a bit far-fetched due to being unable to reveal the existence of Anomalous Objects. However, the female police officer had witnessed Leon''s "performance" firsthand; she knew he had monster-like interrogation skills. After hesitating repeatedly, she reluctantly believed his explanation and mumbled with a complex look, "No wonder¡­ No wonder the Rebels seemed to have eyes in the sky, always avoiding our sieges in the past two years, with only the chief barely able to catch their tails¡­ So it was¡­" So you''ve been playing cat-and-mouse for years. Finishing the second half of the thought for her, Leon advised, "It''s fine if you know about this yourself, but don''t act rashly. Your chief has some¡­ unique qualities. The Secret Investigation Bureau can''t handle this alone. For safety''s sake, I''m planning to return to the Purification Bureau to get help. You should wait here for now¡­" As he spoke, seeing the dazed expression on the female police officer''s face, as if she had taken a big hit, Leon paused slightly and promptly changed his tone, "Forget it, you should come with me!" "Alright¡­" Having been a secret police officer for several years, constantly fighting the disruptive Rebels, discovering her own chief was a Rebel was too much of a shock for the female police officer. Her brain essentially malfunctioned, and when Leon grabbed her hand, she subconsciously followed. Yet when they entered the stairwell one after the other, climbing several flights of stairs to leave the dungeon, they both froze in place. For no other reason than, when they pushed open the door of the stairwell and stepped out, it wasn''t the spacious and bright first-floor lobby of the Secret Investigation Bureau that appeared, but a dim and narrow corridor. The registration desk was not far to their right, and Leon even saw their signatures left moments ago. "¡­" Okay, there was no need to guess this time. The scar-faced chief''s Ability was probably this. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡­ "How¡­ how is this possible?!" Somewhat understanding what had happened, Leon was contemplating how he''d "exposed" himself. Meanwhile, this was the female police officer''s first encounter with an Abnormal''s activity, leaving her completely stunned by the situation. After rushing into the stairwell with Leon, only to find the registration desk once more, she was utterly bewildered by this situation. "What on earth is going on? Why are there so many identical dungeons?" "It''s not that there are many identical dungeons, but a single dungeon infinitely repeating." Pointing at the registration desk, Leon rubbed his forehead and said, "Before we went up the second time, I folded the bottom right corner of the registration form¡­ Look, the crease is still here, so we should be seeing the same dungeon." After explaining his initial judgment, Leon picked up the registration form, then actively led the female police officer back into the stairwell. After the two "descended a floor," seeing the desk without the registration form, Leon couldn''t help but shake his head slightly disappointed. "Confirmed, it''s likely not a dungeon that can be infinitely duplicated. It''s probably the same dungeon''s top and bottom connected. We must be trapped by your chief." The dungeon''s top and bottom¡­ connected? Barely understanding what Leon meant, the female police officer exclaimed in shock, "So¡­ this is¡­ this is the person''s unique trait?!" "Yes." Without saying much more, Leon paced from one end of the dungeon to the other and again entered the interrogation room, finding the female prisoner had disappeared. With only the two of them left in the entire dungeon, he blinked thoughtfully. "Hold onto my hand, and step back a bit." After pulling the female police officer over to the wall, Leon pinched the Holy Spirit pendant on his chest, inhaled deeply, and conjured an invisible hand to slam into the dungeon wall! "Boom!!!" Accompanied by an invisible explosion, the wall beside them burst open, spewing broken bricks and dust everywhere, revealing a massive hole. Cautiously peeking through and looking outside the hole but not seeing another identical dungeon, just a dirt-filled pit, Leon finally relaxed his frown. *I thought it was a great Ability¡­ was this it?"* Chapter 148 - 148: 0129 Plot_1 *How could it be so fast?!* Just as Leon couldn''t find an exit and began a violent demolition, a deeply embedded Rebel immediately sensed something abnormal. Feeling the dungeon being continually destroyed amidst the violent tremors, the scar-faced chief''s brow tightened instantly. Even though he didn''t expect to trap them directly, merely trying to delay things to buy some time for his comrades to retreat, the opponent''s swift reaction was a bit unexpected. Upon realizing they couldn''t escape directly, they immediately began smashing walls. He hadn''t even had time to exit from the Secret Investigation Bureau... "What''s happening?" Sensing his change in expression, the female prisoner whose handcuffs had been removed, couldn''t help but ask cautiously, "Could it be... that there''s movement from the Purification Bureau?" "No." The scar-faced brawny man shook his head, saying, "The director of the Virgin Branch of the Purification Bureau is incredibly powerful. Even if most of their strength is tied up with guarding the Anomalous Object, it''s not something we can handle. If there''s any movement from them, we might as well lay down and wait for death. The problem lies with the guy in the dungeon. He''s causing crazy damage in the real dungeon right now. When he completely tears apart the real dungeon, the replica I created won''t hold up." "How is that possible?!" Upon hearing the scar-faced brawny man''s words, before the female prisoner could speak, another young man next to them looked astonished and said, "I twisted the stairs directly together both up and down. A normal person should have tried climbing for a while. Not even half a minute has passed, and he''s already started smashing walls?" "I don''t know what''s happening, but now is not the time to ponder these things." Quickly passing through the empty hall of the Secret Investigation Bureau, he reached the window and glanced towards the Purification Bureau''s direction. After a slight hesitation, the scar-faced chief spoke directly to the two companions, "You two leave first, take all the intelligence I''ve collected back, I''ll stay." "Barton!" Hearing his words, the young man couldn''t help but anxiously say, "You can''t stay here; it''s so close to the Virgin Branch. Even if our Ability shows barely any fluctuation, it could easily alert them! If that woman makes a move, you''re done for!" "It''s alright. I was prepared to sacrifice myself when taking on this undercover mission. Plus, it''s not a sudden decision to stay. After hearing Samantha talk about that person''s Ability a few days ago, I already planned on this." Taking out a token, prying open its case for the two companions to see, the scar-faced brawny man calmly explained, "Like this one, in the token given to Yisha, there''s also one of my ''Ears'' hidden. Just while he was interrogating Samantha, I was eavesdropping from upstairs. Samantha, you''ve experienced his interrogation twice firsthand, you should understand how terrifying that newbie''s Ability at the Virgin Branch is. Whether you talk or not doesn''t hinder him from getting the answers to his questions. That Ability is extremely dangerous to us. No one can keep secrets from him. If he starts assisting Yisha in investigating the Rebels, then none of us can escape. Eventually, we''ll be completely captured, so that person must die!" "Indeed... I think just like Barton..." After listening to the scar-faced chief, the female prisoner couldn''t help but clench her fists slightly and then nod in agreement with fear in her eyes, "That person is really like a Demon, and I don''t just mean his manipulation techniques; it''s also the feeling he gives people. Honestly, when I look at him, I sometimes hallucinate as if sharp devilish horns grow out of his head. If we can take him down early, then paying some Cost would be worth it..." "But surely it doesn''t have to be Barton staying behind!" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing the other two agreeing on this "life for a life" solution, the young man said urgently, "We''re in the dark, and he''s in the light! There will definitely be other opportunities to take him down! Like trying to frame him, or kidnapping his family, or even staging an ambush assassination..." "No, those may not necessarily solve him." The scar-faced brawny man pondered for a moment, then shook his head saying, "Although, after hearing Samantha''s words, I thought of dealing with him, Yisha suddenly brought him to our doorstep, which indeed caught me off guard. And just the moment I decided to take this chance to kill him, he raised his head and glanced at me. So if I''m not mistaken, this person''s Ability consumption is very low, allowing it to stay activated all day. If someone harbors intense animosity towards him, he immediately notices and prepares in advance..." "Wait a minute?!" Upon hearing this, the female prisoner couldn''t help but exclaim in shock, "Are you saying that before he came downstairs, he sensed your hostility towards him? Doesn''t that mean..." "You''re not wrong, that''s indeed the situation." The scar-faced brawny man said helplessly upon hearing her words, "Before interrogating you, he probably had some guesses. After he and Yisha entered the dungeon, repeatedly seeing my name on the registration, he probably had a sense of my identity, which is why he tricked your Anomalous Object out of you." "..." "But it''s not a total loss." Seeing the face of the female prisoner filled with regret and remorse, the scar-faced brawny man sought to console her, "Even though he figured me out, I also realized he knew I was a spy, so I made my move before they even entered the dungeon, which gave me this direct opportunity to take him down!" At this point, the scar-faced brawny man spoke with firm eyes, "So listen to me! You two leave immediately; the Ability I bestowed on you is minimal, but it''s enough to avoid people on the road, getting you out of the municipal area." The young man hesitated, "And you..." "Go quickly!" "Let''s go, at the very least, we must get Barton''s intelligence back!" "..." "Sigh!!!" Under the repeated persuasion of the two seniors, the young man stomped his foot vigorously, then picked up the female prisoner, and without a backward glance, he ran out of the deserted hall of the Secret Investigation Bureau. It was daytime, and there were quite a few people coming and going on the surrounding streets. But strangely, everyone seemed oblivious to the two of them. Everywhere they passed, the people around would suddenly vanish one by one. When they left, the people reappeared somewhere slightly farther from where they disappeared, as if in a different world from them... Go ahead, go ahead; as long as the intelligence reaches its destination, years of undercover work wouldn''t be in vain. Standing at the entrance of the Secret Investigation Bureau, looking at the retreating backs of his two companions, the scar-faced brawny man couldn''t help but raise his hand, touch the scar tracing from his face to his Ear, then smile with some peace of mind, and turned to walk towards the stairwell. *At least it''s one for two, not a bad trade!* Also, since I didn''t expect to make it back... I might as well make a bigger scene! Chapter 149 - 149: 0130 A Persons Gunfight_1 Someone was coming downstairs! Hearing footsteps from the stairwell, Leon, who had destroyed more than half of the dungeon, immediately stopped and pulled the policewoman back. He then pressed against the Black Goat''s horns. "Director?" Seeing the scar-faced burly man emerging from the stairwell, the policewoman, despite being prepared, couldn''t help an inexplicable wave of bitterness from washing over her heart. *Her chief might have been a bit cowardly, always habitually retreating in the face of trouble, unwilling to engage in any trouble at all, but he was actually a pretty decent person.* *Working together at the Secret Investigation Bureau for several years, they had partnered on nearly a hundred missions, even facing several life-and-death crises together. In her heart, he was almost as close as an elder uncle or family relative.* *But who knew that the director was actually a rebel infiltrating the Secret Investigation Bureau, and those experiences in the past were all fake! Even the crises she encountered might have been orchestrated by him!* "Yisha." Looking at the policewoman with a complex expression, probably remembering the past years, the scar-faced burly man''s expression softened slightly. He sighed and said, "Since it''s come to this point, I won''t say much more. I actually don''t dislike you. It''s just unfortunate you''re the daughter of the Minister of Defense, and ultimately not one of us. The more someone like you works hard, the deeper the Kingdom will slip into the Abyss¡­ So I''m sorry, today not only he will die here, but you as well." After hearing the scar-faced burly man''s words, the policewoman gritted her teeth but didn''t engage his comment, instead speaking with full of anger, "Aunt Marsha was located by the rebels last year, and on the way to pick up her daughter from school, she was kidnapped. Her body was finally thrown into the garbage dump on Bridge Street. Was this¡­" "It wasn''t me, but it was indeed my information that was sent back." The scar-faced burly man sighed and said, "Marsha was a good person, but she was responsible for coordinating with the royal family''s honor guard and was the only one who knew the travel routes of the Princess and Prime Minister. Thus, I had no choice but to report her address back. And not only her, out of the forty or so people who died in the bureau over the years, probably about a third were because I leaked the intelligence, leading them to be blown up or taken away, including some of your friends and acquaintances. I''m sorry, not all of them were scum that deserved to die, but sometimes people just have to go against their heart and do something¡­" "Bang!" "Well... Since that''s the case, let''s stop talking." Touching the bloody hole in his forehead, and looking at the policewoman in front maintaining a shooting stance with a face full of shock, the scar-faced burly man couldn''t help shaking his head and looked sideways at Leon blocking in front of the policewoman. "Yisha shot me, why won''t you make a move? I''ve been to Ryan Manor, you should possess a terrifyingly powerful Anomalous Object." "....." Glancing at the scar-faced burly man whose forehead had been shot through but was still alive and kicking, Leon judged that this guy wasn''t the type to easily reveal his Ability, so he chose to ignore his question and continued searching for his true body''s location. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The moment he heard the footsteps, Leon, who had remained vigilant, used the soul vision of the Black Goat to examine the situation. Although the "scar-faced burly man" had a body in front of them, there was no soul inside, just a strange empty shell. Even more bizarre, in the Black Goat''s vision, the entire world had no change, and the souls of the Secret Investigation Bureau''s people were all normal, as if the loud noise made when dismantling the dungeon did not exist at all. As for the souls of other prisoners and guards in the dungeon, they remained in those empty cells. Even in front of him, a soul of a guard quietly drifted by, but in reality, there was nothing there at all. It was like... Like they weren''t on the same "layer!" ... While Leon continued to ponder the true nature of the scar-faced burly man''s Ability, the policewoman, unwilling to relent, gritted her teeth and emptied the clip, firing six nails simultaneously. The scar-faced burly man, having made no effort to dodge the policewoman''s skilled American-style iaido, had his face turned into a gory mess, the kind of wreck that would be heavily censored for television. But he still didn''t die, even attempting to open his mouth to say something. It was only after the policewoman replaced the gas canister and shot him in the throat again did he finally lie down obediently. "It seems you''re really not going to make a move." Along with steady footsteps, another "scar-faced burly man" walked out of the stairwell, kicked aside the body on the ground, and stood once more in front of Leon and the policewoman. Seeing Leon merely glance at him before frowning again in thought, the new scar-faced burly man shook his head with a somewhat helpless expression. "You are cautious... very well." The scar-faced burly man said as he released the buckle on his tactical belt, completing the entire sequence of drawing a gun, disabling the safety, and aiming in less than 0.5 seconds. The muzzle aimed directly at Leon''s forehead. Yet, although he was quick, he still wasn''t faster than the policewoman, who always maintained a shooting stance. Probably having realized headshots were ineffective, the policewoman changed her target this time, directly shooting the scar-faced burly man in the wrist, preventing his shot at Leon ahead of time. "Guh¡­" Looking at his wrist bone that was directly pierced, the scar-faced burly man glanced at the policewoman with some displeasure, appearing quite unhappy with her interference. Yet, the next second, his throat took another shot, and he could only fall backward with a thud. "What a hassle!" With a slight murmur of dissatisfaction, two "scar-faced burly men" simultaneously came out of the stairwell, then immediately drew guns from a distance. "Bang bang bang bang!" Unable to be bothered with wondering why there were so many directors, the gritted-teeth policewoman raised her gun and fired consecutively, narrowly managing to shoot down both directors before they could open fire. However, following that, a series of uniformly paced footsteps resounded again as over a dozen "scar-faced burly men" walked out from the stairwell one after another, uniformly unlocking their waist clips... What the hell are these things!!! Seeing the directors raising their guns in unison from a distance, the policewoman with tingling scalp kicked open a nearby interrogation room door, preparing to pull "scared stiff" Leon inside for cover. Yet this time, it was obvious the scarred directors were one step ahead. Just as the policewoman grabbed Leon''s shoulder, before she could push him into the interrogation room, those black-muzzled guns had already been raised to the proper angle. "Bang bang bang bang bang bang..." Numerous triggers were constantly pulled, synthesizing into a deafening loud bang, followed by a torrential downpour of gunfire echoing throughout the narrow, dim corridor of the dungeon. Chapter 150 - 150: 0131 Question_1 "Finally willing to make a move?" Looking at the nails scattered across the corridor and the blood streaming from Leon''s hand, the dozen or so scar-faced chiefs couldn''t help but pull back their lips, revealing a rather peculiar smile. "It seems different from probing a soul, if you want to launch such an invisible attack or defense, there is a cost, and that cost is the skin on your body, right?" Leon glanced at him upon hearing this, still remaining silent, while the scar-faced chief continued on his own, "After the Ryan Blood Night, I went to investigate the Ryan Family estate, and even took a look at your injuries while you were unconscious. "Aside from those inexplicably committing suicide, many of the corpses'' cause of death was the destruction of vital points by some kind of invisible force, and you, lying unconscious at the entrance of the estate, had large patches of missing skin... this situation basically aligns with my hypothesis." Watching Leon in the distance remain unresponsive, the scar-faced chiefs shook their heads, then while reloading their nail guns, slowly said, "Even if you don''t admit it, it''s useless. The ''usage rules'' of that offensive Anomalous Object in your hands were basically exposed after being used at the Ryan Family estate. "The person who gave me this ability once said that in battles between Anomalies, intelligence and strategy can sometimes be more important than strength. No matter how powerful the ability, once the intelligence is understood by others, a way to counter it will certainly be found. "As luck would have it, your type with a long range, high burst, but also high cost, is perfectly countered by my ability. I don''t even need to do much, as long as I keep forcing you to use your ability, you will directly ''kill'' yourself. Am I wrong?" "..." Looking at the scar-faced brute seemingly taunting right in front of him but actually probing with words, Leon pondered for a moment, then silently released the Black Goat''s horn with his other hand. The ability of the War Cornerstone only worked on things with a soul, but these dozen or so scar-faced brutes were empty shells, naturally immune to the Black Goat''s "incite." What was more bothersome was that the real entity wasn''t in the dungeon. He couldn''t leave the dungeon, and the power of the Holy Spirit Pendant couldn''t be sent out, unable to directly kill his real entity. Other Anomalous Objects likewise had no use. So the current situation, indeed as the other party said, he was basically "on death''s door," forced to keep using the Holy Spirit Pendant to block bullets, slowly depleting his flesh and stamina... "Leon! Get into the interrogation room to hide!" Although she couldn''t understand the two''s "unscientific" way of battling, seeing that Leon hadn''t spoken to refute, the policewoman faintly understood that the scar-faced chief might be right. If it dragged on any longer, Leon might be exhausted to death. Seeing the scar-faced brutes at the other end of the corridor reload nails and start changing their gas tanks, preparing for another round of shooting, she couldn''t help but urge, "Go! As long as we block the door, if he can''t demolish the walls, at most one or two can come in at a time. We might as well stall a bit longer!" "¡­" Wait? Can''t demolish the walls? Leon was slightly stunned upon hearing this, then immediately activated the Holy Spirit Pendant, exchanging another small piece of skin, killing all the scar-faced brutes at the other end of the corridor, then turned and asked, "Do you have any high-power explosives in the Secret Investigation Bureau?" "Huh? Yes! Whenever we capture the Rebels, we usually confiscate some and then destroy them regularly. The latest batch should still be there..." So there are! Pushing aside the bodies of the fallen scar-faced brutes, blocking the entrance to the stairwell tightly, Leon''s face finally showed a slight smile. Judging from those dozen or so empty shell bodies, the scar-faced brute''s "Abnormal" seemed to have a capacity for mass duplication. And the guns those copies held, whether in form or wear, were completely identical, so they likely weren''t limited to living things; even dead objects could be duplicated. Then, given that he could duplicate firearms, why not directly duplicate explosives? If he really wanted to wear him down, compared to shooting little by little with a gun, it was clearly more convenient and effective to throw explosives directly into the dungeon. But instead, he took the long way around, willing to spend great effort to create a dozen empty shells with guns little by little, rather than just copying a bunch of explosives to throw into the dungeon. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Excluding him being a fool who didn''t think it could be done, the most likely reason was to minimize destruction, fearing that throwing too many explosives would destroy the dungeon! And what the enemy least wanted to happen was exactly what he should do now! ... With the policewoman''s "reminder," he vaguely found a possible way to break the predicament, and Leon pulled her into a corner, then took a deep breath, clutching the Holy Spirit Pendant tightly on his chest... "Boom!" A violent crash sounded, and the wall closest to them was completely smashed, turning into a pile of shattered bricks and stones. And this was just the beginning. At the cost of Leon''s "deal," the invisible heavy hammer formed by the Holy Spirit Pendant swept through everything destroyable in the dungeon like a speeding heavy truck. Amidst the deafening roars, not only the previous interrogation room but also a dozen temporary prison cells were successively dismantled by the heavy hammer condensed by the Holy Spirit Pendant. The entire dungeon was covered with dust and debris, turning the once narrow and cramped corridor instantly into a vast expanse. Chapter 151 - 151: 0131 Question_2 It seemed as if something below had detected the abnormality. The hollow corpse blocking the stairwell was blasted open in a burst of explosions, as if someone was trying to clear a path with explosives. But before the new scar-faced henchmen could rush in, the last few walls inside the dungeon had already been dismantled, two of the supporting pillars were broken, and the southwest corner where miscellaneous items and tools were piled had even collapsed entirely... "Ah! Where did the wall go!" "What''s going on?!" "It''s gonna collapse! Run!!!" At the moment the corner of the dungeon caved in, something finally broke. Souls that had originally existed only in the realm of soul vision reappeared in front of Leon and his companion. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Indeed, I was right from the beginning, dismantling the dungeon was the way out!* Glancing at the scar-faced henchmen who suddenly vanished at the end of the corridor, Leon sighed in relief, then used the Witch''s Broom to stir up a gale, sweeping the dust from the dungeon out towards the stairwell, toppling over the panicked secret police and prisoners alike! "Take them over there to stay!" Pointing at the few still-standing support pillars he hadn''t taken down, Leon instructed the female officer to bring everyone in the dungeon over there, then clutched the Holy Spirit pendant and dashed towards the stairwell. As expected, with the dungeon mostly dismantled, the originally "endless loop" stairwell returned to normal. Upon ascending the stairs, instead of facing another collapsed dungeon, Leon found the empty first-floor lobby of the Secret Investigation Bureau. *Is it the same as the dungeon before?* Glancing at the empty first-floor lobby, Leon frowned slightly. Just as he was about to test if he could continue upward, he suddenly heard a warning from the Black Goat. "Watch out!" Heedful of the warning, Leon''s expression sharpened, and he immediately summoned the Holy Spirit pendant, forming an invisible, solid barrier around himself. In the next moment, more than fifty Nails struck it densely, only to be bounced back by the pendants'' power. In the once-empty lobby, armed scar-faced henchmen materialized out of thin air. These fiercely cold-eyed "duplicates" weren''t just firing from a distance; some even abandoned their guns, leaping directly at Leon in a suicidal charge... *Is this all there is to it?* Watching the scar-faced henchmen charging at him but stopped a meter away by the Holy Spirit pendant, Leon shook his head slightly. Choosing not to tangle with them further, he continued to head upstairs. Besides their stealth¡ªso effective that even soul vision couldn''t detect any abnormalities¡ªtheir abilities offered almost no direct combat prowess. No wonder they''d been sent undercover. The real nuisance was never these "dummies" and firearms created by him, but rather that bizarre ability connecting the stair landings, keeping Leon from leaving. But that ability seemingly couldn''t exist alone. Once the supportive medium was destroyed, the strange distortion vanished completely. Even if the area between the first and second floors got "twisted" again, it wouldn''t matter. At worst, it would mean dismantling the building once more. After getting a good gauge of the opponent''s ability, Leon wouldn''t be trapped again. And Leon wasn''t the only one aware of this fact. As Leon activated his "shield," enduring the fire of dozens of firearms while beginning to ascend, the faces of the scar-faced henchmen showed signs of despair. Consequently, they put down their guns one by one and began to vanish. Upon reaching the fifth floor, stepping out of the stairwell, everything around him had returned to normal, transformed back into the slightly noisy Secret Investigation Bureau. To the left in the large conference room, several secret police appeared to be in a meeting, with intense arguing ringing out intermittently. To the right lay a semi-open office area where two employees struggled pushing carts, navigating between desks, distributing stacks of documents, sweating profusely. Further in was the office the female officer had once accompanied him to visit. The "Director''s Office" plaque on the door remained unchanged, and even the person inside was the same as before. The only difference was that the Soul Flame, once brimming with hostility and murderous intent, now appeared calm and despairing, quietly awaiting his arrival. ... *Have they given up?* Observing the state of the Soul Flame, finding no indication of suicidal madness, only regret, reluctance, and a hint of resignation, Leon furrowed his brow slightly, then proceeded to push open the door. "Congratulations, you won." Watching Leon enter through the doorway, the scar-faced man surprisingly smiled, then calmly invited, "Care to chat with me? Before I die, I have quite a few questions to ask you. I imagine you do too. However, please slow down your speech a bit because your ability is truly terrifying. I don''t want to betray my comrades. If you suddenly ask something I''m unwilling to disclose, I''ll end my own life immediately, and our conversation will cease. Is that acceptable?" "..." Noting the state of the man''s soul and realizing he genuinely seemed to have a means to end his life instantly, Leon opted not to immediately restrain him but instead nodded, "Alright, then one question each, but I ask first." "Okay." "The spatial distortion-like ability shouldn''t be yours, so you surely have other accomplices. My question is, how much of my related intelligence did he take with him when he escaped with the bandaged woman?" "..." *Is that really ''one'' question?* Upon hearing Leon''s first question, the scar-faced man grumbled with extreme frustration, "Don''t think I don''t know that you can observe others'' soul states and glean answers from their reactions. That single phrase of yours appeared declarative at the outset but was actually a series of questions in disguise! You first asked if the distortion ability was mine, then confirmed whether I had accomplices, and further questioned whether they escaped together, and if intelligence was taken during the escape, ultimately asking how much intelligence regarding you was taken. You crammed five questions into that single sentence! That''s not fair!" "If you think it''s unfair, you can choose not to answer." "..." *But not answering means I lose out, right?* Watching the expressionless Leon before him, the scar-faced director clicked his tongue in frustration. *If I kill myself now, I get nothing. But by answering his question, I can ask one in return. So it''s either exchange one question for five, or concede having lost four questions in value. Clearly, exchanging one for five is better.* "Not much was taken, just some speculations about your abilities and basic information the bureau could find. Beyond that, nothing much; they took mainly other intelligence this time. Information about you was merely collateral." After answering Leon''s question, the scar-faced director took a deep breath and asked, "My first question is, what exactly is on the upper floors of your Purification Bureau..." "Don''t ask." Interrupting his question, Leon gripped the Holy Spirit pendant, staring intently at him, "Sorry, I won''t answer any of your questions. If you wish to end yourself, go ahead." "Huh?" The scar-faced man''s mouth opened in astonishment at Leon''s words. His face shifted rapidly from anger to confusion, then bewilderment, finally settling into outright puzzlement. "Are you playing tricks? Yet given your ability to see through souls, exchanging questions like this clearly benefits you! Besides, I''ve prepared to end my life already. Even if I know the intelligence, I can''t take it back. Why do this?" "I can tell you that at least." After a moment''s thought, Leon replied, "A senior who helped me a great deal once told me, no matter how advantageous it may seem, never trade intelligence with an enemy capable of threatening you unless they''re truly dead. You''re only prepared to end your life, not truly dead yet. Moreover, I don''t know your accomplices'' abilities. What if they have a special ability allowing them to extract intelligence from the dead? So until you are truly dead, I won''t disclose anything." "..." "And consider that me answering one of your questions, right? By our agreement, does this mean I get to ask again?" "..." *Screw you! I''m about to die!* ͹(ܳÃóܳ)! Chapter 152 - 152: 0132 Unlucky or ill-fated?_1 Faced with Leon, who was not only cautious but also quite shameless, the scar-faced director, who had been mooched for five questions, angrily made a rather obscene gesture at him. Then, his soul suddenly split into two, becoming two identical dark flames that collided, entangled, and strangled each other before abruptly extinguishing with a pop. Simultaneously, his body slumped onto the table. Although the scar-faced burly man''s breathing and heartbeat were still normal, Leon knew very well that his soul was no longer there, and all that remained was a soulless shell. *Was his method of suicide actually soul eradication? I really couldn''t have stopped that.* Looking at the burly man slumped over the table, Leon shook his head and then carefully activated the Holy Spirit pendant. He cautiously prodded the man''s body and, after confirming there wasn''t anything that would explode on contact, slowly moved closer and started searching. Since he didn''t know what the "vessel" of the man''s anomalous object was, Leon had to rely on his hands to meticulously inspect the burly man''s belongings, checking not only the pockets of his clothes and pants but also any place that might have had pockets sewn hiddenly. However, although he did find some small items, they were all things like ink pens, notebooks, and handkerchiefs, with no items that belonged to the "anomalous range" in sight. So... was his ability somewhat like the director''s [Love Without Memory], carried "within himself" rather than attached to an object? S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After frowning and pondering for a while, Leon began to directly touch the burly man''s body, and unsurprisingly, once he touched the man''s skin, the [Materialist Soul] finally started to flicker. [Encounter... Materialism... Information] [Name: Counterfeit Workshop (Replicate, Replace, ?)] [Appearance: ?] [Ability: After setting a small area as a workshop, it can replicate all non-anomalous objects within range, forcibly replacing the original items. The replaced items will temporarily be transferred to another world. Due to the previous user''s soul being shattered, the third ability is currently undetectable and requires repair or reconstruction for further use.] [Cost: ?] [File: One of the numerous functional anomalous objects created by the Aquarius Director in the Purification Bureau to fulfill a wish, temporarily numbered 0116. Due to the previous user suffering from shameless deception before dying, a large number of resentful soul fragments have been retained. Therefore, it has poor affinity with those untrustworthy or individuals named Leon Laine.] [Evaluation: A quite excellent ability. Although the upper limit is not high, its concealment is extremely strong, allowing it to perform remarkably well in certain special situations. After submission to the Purification Bureau and proper handling, an impressive anomalous object can be extracted. Although it has a poor affinity with you, someone might be interested in it.] [Contamination Value: ?] "..." *Alright... it seems similar to the [Golden Toad for Wealth Exchange], where both suffered damage due to soul fragmentation, but the extent is not too bad¡ªat least the ability can still be discerned.* After reading the intelligence provided by the [Materialist Soul], Leon slightly shook his head and then reached into a shopping bag to pet Young Ha''s forehead. "Do me a favor, and put him into the mirror first." "Woof woo~" Young Ha, having received the order, wobbly stood on the Black Goat''s head, leaned over the edge of the shopping bag to glance at the burly man, then barked at the office window. The next moment, the real-world burly man instantly vanished, but his reflection leaning over the table in the window became significantly more profound. Following Young Ha''s somewhat chaotic instructions, Leon took out a small mirror and waved it at the window, transferring the burly man into the portable mirror. Afterward, he patted the exhausted Young Ha, stood up, and left the Secret Investigation Bureau director''s office without alerting anyone, heading back toward the stairwell. ... After the ability of the burly man was lifted, the Secret Investigation Bureau, which had been isolated on another "layer," returned to normal, and the situation in the collapsed dungeon finally drew the attention of the people in the hall. "Quick! There are still two injured down there! Get them out, fast!" "Call for a vehicle, someone got hurt by the collapse!" "That''s too slow, just use the Bureau''s official car!" Seeing six or seven dusty injured people, Leon, having just descended to the first floor, instinctively took out the [Plague-Infected Blood Bandage], intending to heal them. However, after glancing at the chaos in the hall, he ultimately gave up on the idea, instead wrapping the bandage back around his hand. *It''s not that I''m lacking the energy to treat them, it''s just that there are too many people right now, making it unsuitable to use an anomalous object. It might be better to apply to the Bureau later, see if the medical expenses can be covered, and try to get some compensation. If the Bureau won''t cover it, it''s fine to deduct it from my own salary, given that the dungeon collapse was my doing...* As Leon thought about this while using soul vision to check the condition of the injured again, confirming all were lightly injured, he was slightly relieved and then walked over to a policewoman in the corner of the hall. "How is it?" The policewoman, who had been keeping an eye on the stairwell and had already spotted Leon, limped towards him with a complex expression and asked, "Someone noticed the situation in the dungeon. The Bureau seems to have suddenly returned to normal, so I brought them up. The director... that person, did you take care of him?" Chapter 153 - 153: 0132 Unlucky or ill-fated?_2 "Um." Leon nodded and said, "In order to avoid me asking more questions, he committed suicide directly. I couldn''t stop him." Committed suicide... The female police officer heard this, bit her lip, and her eyes showed a tinge of sadness. But ultimately, she said hatefully, "He got off easy! Aunt Marsha was such a great person, never got into an argument with anyone for so many years in the bureau, and this bastard actually had the heart to kill her, and those other people too... Where did that bastard die?" "In the office upstairs, but I took the body away, so there''s nothing up there now... Right!" After answering the female officer''s question, Leon thought for a moment and then suggested, "How about not saying he was a Rebel? If anyone asks, just say the Rebels attacked your Secret Investigation Bureau''s dungeon, not only rescuing the prisoners but also kidnapping the director and taking away a lot of confidential intelligence." The female officer was slightly taken aback when she heard this. "Why say that? No matter how thorough he was, if I really put my mind to it, I could definitely find out, and by then... Hmm... I get it." After glancing up at Leon, the female officer thoughtfully nodded and said, "Anyway, that bastard is dead, so Aunt Marsha and the others have been avenged. And saying the director was kidnapped sounds better than saying the director was a Rebel who infiltrated the Secret Investigation Bureau. After all, if it truly turned out he was a spy, the entire Secret Investigation Bureau would likely be subject to investigation or even temporarily disbanded and reorganized. And during that chaotic gap, the Rebels would certainly take the opportunity to cause havoc, resulting in a lot of casualties... Is that what you''re thinking?" "..." *Actually, it wasn''t... I just wanted to make things a bit difficult for the Rebels. The focus of this story isn''t on the scar-faced man''s identity but on the Rebels taking the chance to steal lots of confidential intelligence.* *As for the dirt, preferably it''s all about the various noble families, officials, and big merchants. Now that the high-level insiders of the Secret Investigation Bureau are gone, and they''re suddenly being hit from all sides, they should calm down for a while and not bother me right away.* "Something like that, something like that." Following the female officer''s lead, Leon responded ambiguously and then, noticing her slightly awkward stance, suggested, "Did you also get your leg hit? How about going to the hospital to get it treated? I see there''s an empty seat in their car..." "No need! I''ll go back and put some medicine on it myself, but your hand... Huh? Where''s the wound on your hand?" Grabbing Leon''s left palm, she examined the newly-grown skin, and the female officer exclaimed in surprise, "This... It was clearly quite serious just now, how did it heal just by wrapping it with some bandages?" "Uh..." "By the way, how did you do it before?" Now that things had settled, the female officer, who had been holding back a belly full of questions, finally got her chance to ask. She quickly tugged on Leon''s sleeve, leaned in, and whispered, "Why was he able to come back to life even after dying, and why could he transform into over a dozen? And how did you do it? Why could you withstand so many Nails? Why did the dungeon collapse as soon as you pulled me into the corner? And..." "Uh... I still have unfinished work..." Hearing the female officer''s string of "whys," Leon couldn''t help but feel a headache coming on. He then made an excuse, "I see you''re quite busy here too, so how about we each focus on our own tasks first? I''ll explain everything tomorrow after I''m done, okay?" "Alright..." Unaware that by tomorrow, the Brain of the Evil God at the Purification Bureau would wipe clean all memories related to Abnormals, the female officer received Leon''s promise and, after only a brief hesitation, let him go, then seriously reminded him, "I''ll be waiting for you tomorrow in my office. Make sure to come find me after you''re done! No lying!" "I promise, I promise!" After making a promise as unreliable as "next time, for sure," Leon quickly gathered his things and left the chaotic Secret Investigation Bureau. But instead of heading straight back to the Purification Bureau to report, he walked toward the main road outside the municipal area, intending to catch a public carriage. *The simple reason is that the scar-faced man was not exactly a formidable opponent. From the time I left the Purification Bureau to now, not even an hour had passed, and I had already taken care of him.* *If I came back after a field assignment in just over half an hour and only six or seven hundred meters away, even the director might be embarrassed to approve my subsidy. I might as well go to Rose Manor to rescue someone first.* ... *Damn, I missed the carriage, so now I have to wait for over half an hour... If I had known, I might as well have headed back to the bureau first.* After jogging to the nearby station, watching the public carriage just disappear from view, Leon couldn''t help but rub his brows in frustration, feeling his luck had indeed been poor lately. *His sister was hospitalized, encountering an out-of-control Infector; investigating a middle-aged nurse almost got him cut in half by an old man; during a visit to the shopping mall, he unexpectedly came across the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect; just wanting a bandage, he ended up being targeted by the Rebels and trapped in the dungeon.* *Even though everything ended without any major incidents and he pulled through successfully, it truly felt like he was cursed, bringing trouble wherever he went...* "What''s up?" Perhaps sensing Leon''s hesitation and confusion through his soul vision, the Black Goat shook its head curiously and asked, "Weren''t those Rebels all dealt with? What nonsense are you pondering now?" "It''s not really a big deal..." After a brief hesitation, Leon expressed his suspicion, "I''m wondering if the frequency at which I encounter Abnormals is a bit too high? Why does something happen everywhere I go, like I''m possessed by Conan..." "Which Demon God is Conan?" "Uh... He''s not a Demon God, he''s a... Forget it, not worth mentioning. What I mean is, ever since I joined the Purification Bureau, every time I try to do something proactive, it seems like some unexpected situation occurs. Am I under some curse of bad luck from an Anomalous Object?" "Nonsense!" After hearing Leon''s suspicion, the Black Goat snorted and said, "Though you have potential, you''re only a Third-Class Cleanser at the Purification Bureau right now. The bureau has tons like you; who would specifically target you with a malefic Anomalous Object? Instead of using an Anomalous Object to ruin your luck, wouldn''t it be easier to just get rid of you?" "But it really feels like I''m particularly unlucky..." "It''s not that you''re unlucky, but because you work for the Purification Bureau now, you''re forced to seek out Anomalous Objects, so naturally, the frequency of encountering them has increased, and almost being cut down by that old man is exactly due to that." After casting a disdainful glance at the "superstitious" Leon, the Great Demon confidently stated, "The incident at Red Brick Road Hospital, whether you joined the Purification Bureau or not, would have definitely erupted that day. And as for the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect, as soon as Charl Department Store started selling a lot of goods, those random nobles would definitely stir up trouble. You just happened to be in the right place at the right time." Hmm... That is true... A bit convinced by the Black Goat, Leon thought for a moment, but then shook his head and said, "Even if those events were bound to happen sooner or later, what difference does it make whether I''m there or not, why do I always end up being in just the right place?" "Heh, what do you mean by ''just in the right place''? It''s because the things you encountered in the past are impacting what''s happening now, so it seems like things keep going wrong for you. For example, that scar-faced guy today, he probably had his eye on you for some time. If you hadn''t gone to the Secret Investigation Bureau, he probably wouldn''t have dared to act rashly, but seeing you walk right into his trap, he couldn''t help himself! Can that be called ''just in time''?" ... *Indeed, if I hadn''t gone to the Secret Investigation Bureau, that scar-faced director probably wouldn''t have dared to cause trouble, likely continuing to stay undercover...* After listening to the Black Goat, Leon realized it probably was the case. Still, for some reason, he couldn''t shake the feeling that something wasn''t quite right. And seeing his Soulfire still flickering uncertainly, the Black Goat impatiently said, "How about this: you''re planning to go to Rose Manor to rescue someone, right? Let''s see if you can smoothly bring her out! sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If everything goes well, then you were just overthinking it. But if something goes wrong again, we can find a way to check things out for you, how about that?" Chapter 154 - 154: 0133 FLAG has been established_1 *If things go wrong again this time, should I check if my luck is off?* After hearing the Black Goat''s suggestion, Leon thought it over and nodded in agreement. The bureau had received the anomalous object sent by old Charl, so they had Jerry keep an eye on the person involved. This mission to rescue someone from Rose Manor should be as easy as going downstairs to pick up a package. Sneak in, grab the person, return, and hand in the task¡ªthat''s the entire procedure. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If everything went smoothly with the mission, there would be nothing more to say. But if even something this simple ended up having issues, then it would prove he had an "Easy Mission Body," and he should seriously consider checking it out. "Makes sense, let''s go!" Agreeing to the suggestion made by the Black Goat, Leon decided not to wait for the public carriage anymore. After counting the money in his wallet, he gritted his teeth and waved down a taxi carriage waiting by the roadside. "Passenger, where are you headed?" "Redwood Avenue, are you going there?" "Sure, definitely going!" When the coachman saw Leon''s dust-covered old coat, he hesitated a bit, worried Leon would dirty the cushions in the carriage. But when he heard Leon was planning to cross half the Capital City from the Old Town directly to Redwood Avenue, his face broke into a grin. Why worry about dirtying the cushions? It can always be cleaned. After finishing this ride for such a "big client," he could relax for the rest of the day and have plenty of time to clean the carriage later! "Neigh~" After Leon bent down with his shopping bag and climbed into the carriage, accompanied by the neighing of the horse and the creaking of the boiler valves, the small carriage that could hold at most two people set off eagerly. The coachman, who had just received a big order, was evidently in a good mood, half-leaning against the small window at the front of the carriage, and initiated a friendly conversation: "Passenger, a lot of people on Redwood Avenue!" "..." Hearing the somewhat familiar opening from the coachman, Leon in the carriage shivered involuntarily, and the Black Goat seemed to remember something as well, shivering almost simultaneously. *Oh my God, if I remember correctly, when this kid ran into the toad from the Scales Gold Sect, wasn''t the coachman on the road saying the exact same thing? Could it be...* "My cousin is a public carriage ticket inspector. After completing her first run this morning, she told me that some important personage had gone missing. Over there on Redwood Street, it''s packed with people right now!" After sharing this piece of fresh gossip he just heard, the coachman glanced in the rearview mirror, noticing Leon''s expression was a bit stiff, and suddenly paused. *This big client seems like someone who doesn''t enjoy chatting? Perhaps I should stop talking, lest he changes car in the middle of the ride.* Just as the coachman was about to cease the conversation, Leon, having realized something, asked with a slightly odd expression: "The important person you mentioned who went missing...is it from the Ryan Family?" "Yes, yes, from the Ryan Family!" Seeing the "big client" finally engage, the coachman relaxed and, with a broad smile, said: "Have you seen the newspapers these days? The Ryan Family, those... ahem... those gentlemen, lost over two hundred people overnight, and they''re all that kind of... um..." "Scumbags who do nothing good." "Exactly! All the dead ones were scumbags who did no good! Haha, you''re right on point." Seeing that Leon seemed to associate himself with ordinary folk and given his worn-out clothes and the dust from when the dungeon collapsed, not at all resembling someone who could be related to high nobility, the coachman felt completely at ease, launching into a tirade against the Ryan Family: "Anyway, that damn family lost a lot of people overnight, even the first heir was killed. Although the old Duke of Lionheart is still alive, he probably got frightened and will not last many days. According to The Sun News, that old rascal picked another little rascal to succeed the Ryan Family just before he died. But that little rascal vanished before sunrise today, only leaving a note saying he''d be back in a few days. The Ryan Family and their in-law nobles are going crazy looking for that little rascal. If anyone can provide information, once confirmed, they''ll give five Gold Wheels directly!" "..." After hearing the coachman''s words, Leon, the "little rascal," couldn''t help but scowl and decided to change cars after this street to avoid more insults and maybe save some fare when the meter resets. However, though he''d been insulted for no reason, realizing the trouble was with the Ryan Family and not his target, the Marzini Family, Leon felt quite relieved. *For now, everything still seems stable. As long as I sneak into Rose Manor, grab the target, and leave, nothing should go wrong...right?* ... "The Ryan Family wants to connect with me to reach the Scales Gold Sect? To buy the whereabouts of the new Duke with money?" After hearing the butler''s report, the elder with a rose emblem embroidered on his chest set down the financial report and frowned: "Ignore them. The Scales Gold Sect doesn''t take this kind of job, and there''s no one left in the Ryan Family who can make decisions! Especially after Thomas, who signed the contract on behalf of Bobby Layne, died, our three-family alliance is essentially dissolved. Refuse any such matters in the future, and don''t bother me with them!" "Yes, I''ve noted it." Hearing the elder''s instructions, the butler, holding a bunch of letters in his left hand, nodded quickly in agreement, tossing a letter with a lion emblem into the nearby wastepaper basket, then opened the next letter and briefly glanced over it before reporting: "The next one is from Lord Simon. After you kidnapped old Charl''s only daughter, Charl Department Store has been quiet for a few days. But recently, they''ve started dumping their stocks at a low price again, and it appears they''ve shifted their inventory, focusing on discounting products that Rose Department Store mainly sells. Lord Simon wants to know how much longer it will take to deal with old Charl. If this continues, even if we swallow the Ryan Family''s shares, Rose Department Store will suffer severe losses; he''s about to give up and withdraw his investment." "Hold on, you must!" Slightly annoyed, the elder replied upon hearing the butler''s words: "When we discovered the benefits, everyone fought tooth and nail to gain a share. Now, realizing there could be losses, they all want to back out. How can there be such an easy out? Tell him to stick it out for me!" "..." "What''s wrong? Speak!" "Lord Simon...he might really be at his limit..." Extracting the report sandwiched in the letter and handing it cautiously to the elder, the butler carefully said: "I''ve just briefly reviewed it. If no one continues to invest, based on Rose Department Store''s financial condition, it can sustain itself for at most 15 days. If it goes any longer, I''m afraid not just Lord Simon, but even some within our family, including some of your in-laws, might not be able to resist pulling their investments." "..." 15 days¡­ Looking at the stark deficit in the report, the elder''s eyebrows twitched rapidly, his expression shifting uncertainly. It seemed as if he wanted to get angry, but ultimately, he slumped back into his chair helplessly. "Fetch the Ryan Family''s letter from the trash and see how much they are willing to offer..." Chapter 155 - 155: 0134 Looking for Someone_1 "No wonder you were once the Kingdom''s twin pillars, you really know how to name a price." After reviewing the "offer sheet" handed to her, the middle-aged woman in a brown robe chuckled and said to the old man with a rose emblem on his chest, "Earl Sam, if you don''t mind, could you tell me how much the Ryan Family paid you to help deliver this letter?" "Well¡­" "Haha, never mind if you don''t want to say, I was just asking casually." Looking at the embarrassed old man, the woman in the brown robe smiled and said, "Being able to draw money from the Ryan Family is your own skill. Our Scales Gold Sect''s doctrine doesn''t oppose such matters; it even encourages them. But without my help, you wouldn''t have earned this money, so as the crucial link, I request to share a portion of your earnings. Do you agree?" "I agree, of course, I agree!" Cursing inwardly about her greed, and realizing he didn''t hold the upper hand, the old man named Sam nodded repeatedly while gritting his teeth, handing over a new offer. Seeing the satisfied expression finally appearing in the eyes of the woman in the brown robe, the old man, despite feeling pained, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then bowed slightly, saying respectfully, "Your Excellency Bishop, the people from the Ryan Family are right outside. If now is convenient for you¡­" "Convenient, of course, convenient!" Mimicking the old man''s tone, the woman in the brown robe, who looked to be around forty, laughed heartily and said, "It''s just helping to find someone, and I can earn such a generous income, how could it not be convenient? Let''s go, take me to meet the guests of the Ryan Family." "Sure, this way, please." Leading the woman in the brown robe through the corridors of the estate, they arrived at a rather secluded reception room, and facing those who hurriedly stood up to greet her, the old man from the Rose family took the initiative to introduce both parties, "Your Excellency Bishop, these are the last remaining elders of the Ryan Family, the new head of the Ryan Family, and the most trusted butler of the late Duke. Everyone, this is a bishop from the wealth-attracting branch of the Scales Gold Sect, you can call her¡­" "No need for names, just call me ''Brown''." Interrupting the old man''s introduction, the middle-aged woman in the brown robe stepped forward quickly, shook hands with the few people, and then said with a pleasant smile, "I heard from Earl Sam that you contacted our Scales Gold Sect because the designated heir of the Ryan Family has gone missing, and you want me to find his whereabouts, correct?" "Yes, yes!" Hearing the inquiry of the woman in the brown robe, the youngest among the three, the new head of the family, nodded eagerly with his head full of golden hair and said with slight excitement, "Brown¡­ Your Excellency Bishop! To be honest, we have no choice now. In just over two days, the rite of succession will take place, and the invitations have already been sent out, but the heir designated by the late Duke ran off from the hospital this morning! Truth be told, if you can find him for us within two days, we''re willing to add fifty percent more to what we''ve already offered you!" ?!!! Are you crazy? How can you reveal everything at the first meeting? Hearing the young man''s words, the other two members of the Ryan Family were shocked, then looked at him with surprise and anger, their eyes filled with indignation and blame. The young man seemed to realize it too, hastily covering his mouth and saying with a panicked expression, "I¡­ I didn''t mean to say that! I didn''t!" "Haha, don''t blame him, please. The head of the family didn''t mean to say these things. I personally don''t like deception, so I used some little tricks earlier, hoping to make our communication more honest." After briefly explaining what she had done, seeing the growing apprehension in the eyes of the three from the Ryan Family, the woman in the brown robe smiled nonchalantly and suggested, "As for the extra fifty percent, let''s forget about that. The gifts you offered earlier are already quite generous. Although our Scales Gold Sect loves wealth, we are not insatiable, and taking only what we deserve is enough." Seeing the noticeable relief on their faces at not needing to add more, the woman in the brown robe slightly curled her lips and added, "However¡­ even though I''m quite confident in finding the new Duke, our method might be somewhat unconventional. I''m wondering if you all can accept it?" Somewhat unconventional? Hearing the woman''s words, the three from the Ryan Family exchanged glances before the eldest elder asked, "Brown, may I ask what you mean by unconventional?" "Joining our Scales Gold Sect is required, but not for you, instead for the new Duke of the Ryan Family." With a slight smirk, the woman in the brown robe displayed a rather peculiar grin, like a large brown cat that had spotted a plump rat. "I serve the Cat Spirit, one of the three Holy Spirits; anyone who has used money or even slightly engaged with it, cannot escape its detection and summoning. Thus, finding the new Duke''s location is very simple. If the Cat Spirit is willing, it can even bring him directly to you, even if he has already left the Capital City. The rite of succession in two days won''t be delayed. However, as the cost, after being locked on by the Cat Spirit''s power, the new Duke will be influenced by it, carrying the scent of our Scales Gold Sect, making it almost impossible to affiliate with another sect. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Are you willing to accept this cost?" To be forced into the Scales Gold Sect? Never able to join another sect? After hearing the woman''s words, the three from the Ryan Family once again exchanged meaningful glances. Let him join then. It''s just a puppet Duke anyway'' as long as he can appear at the rite of succession two days from now and stabilize'' the situation for the Ryan Family; it doesn''t matter what sect he joins, even if he comes back missing an arm or a leg. However¡­ what if the Scales Gold Sect has ulterior motives? The family was eager for the rite of succession to at least retain some of the Ryan Family''s assets, and if not, they hoped to capitalize on the Duke of Lionheart''s reputation for their kin. If the new Duke joined the Scales Gold Sect, there would be another contender for the title. What if the Scales Gold Sect secretly joined the fray, vying for the Ryan Family''s inheritance? ... "Your Excellency Bishop, please first locate his position." After some intense eye exchanges, the Ryan Family finally reached a consensus. The old Duke''s butler bowed slightly and said, "If the new Duke hasn''t gone far and is just hiding temporarily, we can find him ourselves. But if he has left the Capital City, we''ll trouble you to bring him back." "Alright then, please give me something he has used." Unconcerned with the Ryan Family''s little schemes, she accepted two bandages still sticky with ointment from the old butler, sniffed them, her dark brown lips moving slightly, silently chanting two lines. Suddenly, a lazy cat''s meow resounded in the reception room. The pupils in the woman''s eyes quickly contracted and seemed to slice sideways as if slashed, her eyeballs swelling rapidly, transforming into bizarre cat''s eyes. "I see him." After blinking uncomfortably, seeing the "trail" extending from the bandages, the woman whose eyes had expanded threefold, laughed and said, "The trail is strong. It seems the Duke didn''t run far. Let me check his surroundings¡­ Hmm¡­ He carried something, climbed over a wall, and jumped into a large patch of red roses; not far away is a six-story magenta building¡­" Wait! Isn''t that building a bit familiar? Chapter 156 - 156: 135 Who would seriously play a game of sneaking in_1 "Not bad, so far, everything is smooth." Struggling slightly as he emerged from the rose bushes, Leon looked at the magenta six-story building not far away. Having successfully infiltrated Rose Manor, he couldn''t help but nod in satisfaction. Although Redwood Avenue was chaotic, with people searching for his whereabouts everywhere, with the soul vision from the Black Goat, he merely took a slightly roundabout route and successfully avoided them. The sentries at Rose Manor were the same. Although the guards of the Marseille family were fairly diligent, he opened the "full map cheat." Once the patrols left, he simply walked through the woods for a bit, climbed over two walls, and entered the heart of Rose Manor. According to Lady Lisa''s directions, all he needed to do next was to bypass the magenta main building in the courtyard and enter the four-story low-rise on the east wing of the manor to successfully rescue those inside... huh? Seeing the soul vision filled with a disorderly crowd of souls, Leon frowned slightly. But before he could react, the alarm bells in the manor were rung by someone. Two glaring xenon lamps were lit up, shining like giant spotlights in a dance floor, beginning to sweep wildly towards the southwest corner of the rose garden. It was daytime... Looking at the two bright lights obviously aimed at him, Leon''s expression darkened a bit. If the Marseille family didn''t customarily hold parties during the day, then it meant his infiltration had been discovered. Moreover, it seemed he was utterly exposed, with the opposition even pinpointing his approximate location. "This way!" "Follow the lights!" "Spread out! Keep formation!" "Don''t let him escape!" Hearing the increasing clamor and seeing the souls swiftly approaching in his soul vision, Leon, whose infiltration had failed, immediately began plotting his next move. If he retreated... his current position was in the heart of Rose Manor, and the guards were all advancing towards the point of light. If he turned back to retreat, not only would he have to run a significant distance, but he''d also likely crash into the thickest circle of envelopment. And the straight-line distance between him and the target was only three or four hundred meters. At his maximum speed, that distance could be covered in just slightly over half a minute. So he could completely choose to continue moving forward, passing through the main building, rescuing the hostage by breaking the wall, and then leaving from the other side of the manor. This way, he could both complete the mission and avoid the swarming guards... no time to waste, charge! Taking a second to assess the current situation, Leon made a split-second decision to continue forward, sprinting out of the rose garden towards the main building. After just a few breaths, he reached the bottom of the main building. "Bang!" Blasting the window open with the help of the Holy Spirit pendant, Leon smoothly flipped through the window thanks to the parkour badge''s enhancement. He entered what was probably the kitchen, and, under the shocked gazes of several chefs, he barreled out of the kitchen door, dashed through a hallway, and stormed into the first-floor foyer. "What''s happening?" "What the heck?" "What are you doing... ow!" Ignoring the disturbed individuals, Leon maintained his high speed as he sprinted through the foyer, kicking over a tall old man with a purple-black soul. Without stopping, he charged into the opposite hallway, burst into what was likely a servant''s lounge, and amidst the screams of several young maids, broke out through another window. In about ten seconds flat, Leon barreled through the main building, continuing on to the low-rise in the east wing. Simultaneously, he gripped the Holy Spirit pendant tightly. "Boom!" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With an intense blast, the wall on the second floor of the east wing low-rise exploded. The woman inside, who had been attempting to pick a lock, let out a terrified scream as Leon swooped in and slung her over his shoulder. He then charged out of the room. "Ah!" "Boom!" "Don''t!" "Boom!" "I''m going to die!" "Boom!" Amidst the woman''s screams on his shoulder, Leon tore through four walls, leaping off the other side of the low-rise into the surrounding woods of the manor. He only needed to run another seven or eight hundred meters to reach the outer fence of Rose Manor. Perfect! Carrying the woman forward a bit longer, completely ditching all pursuers, Leon finally allowed a faint smile as he eyed the nearby fence of the manor. He had done it; despite some hiccups along the way, he had managed to escape unscathed. Next, he only needed to return Charl Department Store''s young lady, and his mission would be complete. "Wait... wait a minute... um..." Just as Leon took a deep breath and opened the iron fence ahead, the woman on his shoulder finally recovered from the harrowing escape and chase. Though she didn''t know Leon''s identity, or even what he looked like, since he had rescued her from Rose Manor, he definitely wasn''t one of Marseille''s men, and was likely someone her father had sent to save her. After catching her breath, suppressing the nausea from being jostled about, the young heiress kidnapped mid-move held her mouth and gently patted Leon''s back. "Who... who are you?" "..." *Right, because of the unexpected events during the operation, the infiltration and rescue had turned into a forced breakout, and there was no time to explain his identity or tell her he was sent by her father.* After glancing back toward Rose Manor and confirming that no one would catch up soon, Leon set the thoroughly jostled woman on the ground, helping her balance before answering: "I am sent by yo¡ªhuh?" Before Leon could finish, the woman in front of him suddenly vanished, replaced by an intimidating woman with large eyes and several incredulous old men. Witnessing Leon''s wild dash from upstairs, and finally deciding to ask the brown-robed woman to step in, the few were also caught off guard by his unorthodox "introduction," leading both sides into a brief silence due to the unforeseen developments. Shortly after, it was the experienced brown-robed woman who first reacted, smiling towards the promising new Duke of Lionheart in front of her, offering her goodwill. "I am the Bishop of the Scales Gold Sect''s Fortune branch. You may address me as¡ª" "Bang!" While touching the forehead of the Black Goat to see if these people were good or bad, Leon didn''t hesitate for even a second upon hearing the words Scales Gold Sect. Directly activating the Holy Spirit pendant, he blasted her head into pulp like a smashed watermelon. Dying so suddenly, the brown-robed woman''s soul hadn''t even reacted, still hovering cluelessly in place. A massive question mark floated up from her purple-black soul. *It was indeed not that simple, seemingly an ambush!* Although unsure of the situation, Leon, having killed the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect, and long having formed a blood feud with them, swiftly turned his gaze to the remaining members of the Scales Gold Sect, clutching the Holy Spirit pendant tightly again. Chapter 157 - 157: 0136 Do you think it counts or not_1 *Was that... it was all over?* Seeing Leon glare at the Bishop of the Scales Gold Sect and kill him in an instant, then turning his fierce gaze towards them, the remaining people in the room all shuddered in unison. The old man from the Marceni family was the first to react, immediately dropping to his knees, narrowly avoiding an invisible hand that seemed to reach for his head. "Mercy! I barely know her!" With his exemplary response, the three from the Ryan Family quickly followed suit, falling to their knees one after another, begging for mercy in a chorus. "I don''t know her either!" "We had no idea what she was doing!" "Your Grace! I''m with the old Duke!" It had to be said, anyone who climbed to a high position within the sprawling Ryan Family wasn''t slow to react. Of the three old men from the Ryan Family, each kneeled faster than the last. Once they lowered themselves, their distinctive small golden curls finally caught Leon''s eye. *Calling me ''Your Grace,'' and with that head of golden hair...* Observing the sparse heads in front of him, and recognizing one as the old Duke''s steward, Leon was momentarily taken aback, then instinctively furrowed his brow. "Are you really with the Scales Gold Sect?" "No, no!" Afraid the three from the Ryan Family would sell him out, the old man from the Rose Family quickly interjected, "We''re not with the Scales Gold Sect! We just asked her for help to find someone. I''m the Earl of the Rose Family! Your Grace, we''re related by marriage!" "Yes, yes, we have nothing to do with the Scales Gold Sect." "Indeed, we are from the Ryan Family." "I''m the newly appointed head of the Ryan Family, and he is the last patriarch. We are yours, Your Grace!" "..." *Damn, I shouldn''t have asked.* Looking at these little... old golden-haired ones, Leon couldn''t help but click his tongue in slight annoyance. These three from the Ryan Family, since they managed to escape the Ryan Blood Night without being killed by him using the Heart of Ambition, were clearly not heinous criminals. However, according to the Ryan Family''s excellent average moral standards, while they weren''t outright villains, they certainly weren''t good people either¡ªat best, they were bastards with a hint of humanity. ... Although he wanted to pretend he hadn''t asked and let them shuffle off, the suspicion of causing the Ryan Blood Night loomed over him. Plus, the director''s repeated warnings before departure made Leon set aside the tempting idea, asking with a grim expression, "So... we''re still in Rose Manor? Was it that Bishop from the Scales Gold Sect who brought me back?" "Yes, yes, it was all her doing!" Seeing that Leon seemed to give up on getting physical, the few old men in the room let out a sigh of relief, then scrambled to pin the blame on the headless corpse on the ground. "You left a note and vanished. We just wanted to bring you back. It was all her idea!" "Right, right. She wanted to lure you into the Scales Gold Sect and brought you over with that cat spirit!" "She surely coveted... coveted the Ryan Family''s assets under your name!" "..." From the somewhat confused descriptions of the old men, Leon pieced together the gist of the situation, bewildered, "So, after she forcibly brought me over, I have a mark from the Scales Gold Sect on me, making me one of them?" "Well... we don''t know, but she certainly said so..." "..." *Absurd... Even though I''d killed the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect and just took out a high-ranking bishop, I''ve now directly earned a position as a member of the Scales Gold Sect...* Shaking his head in disbelief, Leon opened the badge panel and looked at the constantly blinking Holy Spirit Badge. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Practitioner (Silver): Having personally slain a large number of evil heretics and spread the fame of the Scales Gold Sect around the world, your efforts are deeply recognized by the followers and Holy Spirits of the Sect] [Wearing Effect: Greatly increases affinity with Anomalous Objects marked as "Sacred," simultaneously lowering the Cost while significantly enhancing the effect] [Advancement Route: Become a Bishop of a certain branch of the Scales Gold Sect, or preach your understanding of the teachings to three thousand members and earn their recognition, after which this badge will automatically advance to the Golden Badge "Deputy," progress in preaching the teachings to the congregation 0/3000] [Hidden Trait (doesn''t require wearing): Due to actively practicing the Scales Gold Sect''s teachings, your soul becomes increasingly firm and pure, making it easier to gain favor from certain entities of order] "..." *Well, this is a blessing in disguise, saving me quite a bit of trouble.* After examining the advancement route of the Practitioner badge, Leon frowned again, then squinted at the old man with the rose embroidered on his chest, confidently saying, "You lied just now, didn''t you?" "I...I didn''t..." "You''d best not rush to deny it." Looking at the rose emblem on the old man''s chest, Leon spoke, "Your Marceni Family''s collusion with the Scales Gold Sect is no secret. That''s why, when I vanished, they came to you for help. Am I right?" "Actually, it wasn''t to help..." Just then, the old steward cautiously reminded, "Your Grace, with regard to finding your whereabouts, Lord Sam demanded a hefty price and said it wasn''t his desire. It was the Bishop''s insistence..." "I haven''t been paid! The money hasn''t been paid yet! I don''t want anything now! And, not only this time, the money invested in the Rose Department Store can also be returned to you!" Realizing Leon was likely at odds with the Scales Gold Sect, after promising to return all the money, the old man from the Rose Family wailed, "Your Grace! Our family truly doesn''t collude with the Scales Gold Sect. We just have minor collaborations. Please, don''t..." "I want to become a Bishop of the Scales Gold Sect." "Huh?" Seeing the old man gape in confusion, eyes full of bewilderment, Leon patiently repeated, "Tell me, how can I become a Bishop of the Scales Gold Sect?" ??? *But... you just killed their Bishop two minutes ago, then the moment you heard you were part of the Scales Gold Sect, you immediately switched sides, not only accepting your new identity but also aspiring to become a Bishop?* *Is your adaptability outrageously strong?* Watching Leon''s earnest expression and realizing this newly appointed Duke of Lionheart wasn''t joking but genuinely serious, the old man''s dry lips moved twice, finally flustered, "Well... The Scales Gold Sect has three branches. Each branch can have at most three Bishops simultaneously. To become a Bishop, you must first get the joint recommendation of at least two Bishops from different branches, then participate in three congregations to gain the congregation''s approval..." "Too troublesome, is there a quicker way?" "Uh... Then it''s True God''s personal designation, or receiving the approval of two of the three... Holy Spirits and being imbued with their aura to be directly acknowledged by the Scales Gold Sect followers." *I see...* After hearing the old man''s words, Leon slightly frowned. *True God''s personal designation is impossible. I directly killed His Holy Spirit; the likelihood of Him personally condemning me is higher than appointing me as a Bishop. As for Holy Spirit recognition...* "In that case, let me ask you." After touching the Holy Spirit pendant on his chest, Leon seriously pursued, "If I took out a Holy Spirit and crafted it into... um... an accessory, wearing it consistently, would it count as being imbued with its aura? Would it be acknowledged?" Chapter 158 - 158: 0137 Who has the final say?_1 After taking down the Holy Spirit of the Scales Gold Sect and wearing it around, would having absorbed enough of its aura be considered gaining the Holy Spirit''s approval to become a Bishop of the Scales Gold Sect? After listening to Leon''s question, not only did the old man from the Rose family freeze in place, but even the Ryan Family trio felt their brains buzzing with confusion. *They understood each word the Duke said, but why did it not make any sense altogether?* "Say something, will you?" After waiting a while without hearing an answer, Leon frowned slightly, looking a bit annoyed as he pressed on, "Is this feasible or not? Quickly give me an answer!" "Ah? This... this..." Seeing that this ominous figure was a bit displeased, the old man from the Rose Family shuddered violently. But since no one had tried this before, and no one had even thought about it, he really didn''t know how to answer. With a mournful face, he said, "There''s no precedent for this, I truly have no idea... perhaps... perhaps you can try it yourself?" *Try it myself... is it possible?* After contemplating for a moment, Leon nodded slightly and then asked, "When is your Scales Gold Sect''s next gathering?" *You''re really going to try it!* Looking at Leon seriously asking about the gathering time, the old man from the Rose Family was nearly in tears. At this moment, he wished he could travel back five seconds in time and strangle himself alive for suggesting such nonsense. Not to mention anything else, just bringing this person who took out the Brown Bishop to the gathering was akin to apostasy, and it would definitely invite relentless pursuit. And if this ominous figure succeeded in the end and truly became a Bishop of some branch, when the people of the Scales Gold Sect reacted, they might even directly invite a Holy Spirit to take him out! But... Glancing at the body of the "serenely" lying woman in the brown robe on the ground, and then looking at the bloodstains on his pants that hadn''t dried yet, the old man from the Rose family had to swallow his tears back and obediently revealed the Scales Gold Sect''s next gathering time. "Three weeks! The Scales Gold Sect holds gatherings every two months, and the next one is in three weeks!" *Choose the lesser of two evils, right? Although apostasy is likely to lead to death, given this person''s tendency to explode people''s heads upon meeting, refusing him might just have him lying next to the Brown Bishop in the next second!* Three weeks, huh? Noting the time in his mind, Leon looked at the old man in front of him with a bitter expression and continued to ask, "Where is the location, and how do I get there?" "Well... the Scales Gold Sect is a secretive sect, so every gathering is notified temporarily..." "That''s fine, I''ll come to find you in three weeks. At that time, you can take me there." "..." "Is there a problem?" "No... no problem..." With the "three-week agreement" made with the old man from the Rose family, Leon turned to look at the three old golden retrievers of the Ryan Family behind him, frowning, "You all..." "We won''t say a single word!" After witnessing Leon''s series of actions, the three old golden retrievers had completely lost their temper regarding their new Duke who possessed some kind of special power, and whose thoughts were clearly different from those of normal people. To avoid the fate of being blown to bits with a single glance, the three retrievers pounded their chests to swear that they would say nothing after leaving, each one of their old faces wearing a more "affable" expression than the last, as if they might grow a wagging tail from behind any second. Alright then... After glancing at the obedient "Ryan Three Elders" and then at the pale-faced old man from the Rose Family, Leon, who was still investigating, shook his head and suppressed the last bit of his intention to act. After wantonly "releasing" during the Ryan Blood Night, although a large part of his anger had been vented, it seemed as if a new switch had been flipped, and when faced with matters, he began prioritizing striking directly. *It seemed the director was right: the more power one possessed, the more they needed to restrain their actions.* *Especially the Cleaners with Abnormal abilities, as they were constantly subjected to the Corrosion of Anomalous Objects, making them prone to radicalization. If they were to indulge their desires at such a time, they would gradually drift further from being "Human."* *And if these extraordinary beings were completely uncontrolled, the world itself would be thrown into chaos even before the Evil Gods descended.* *But not indulging doesn''t mean doing nothing!* With the help of the Black Goat''s soul vision, after carefully observing the situation at the Rose Manor and seeing an equally unredeemable number of "Ink Spots," Leon squinted slightly. "Let''s leave it at that for today." Looking at those dark souls that, although not as numerous as those in the Ryan Family, were no less "quality," Leon couldn''t help but grip the Black Goat''s horn tightly and then gave the old man from the Rose Family a meaningful glance. "We''ll meet in three weeks." "Ah? Alright! I''ll see you out now!" Seeing this ominous figure finally prepare to leave, the four people in the room were greatly relieved. The old man from the Rose Family even eagerly followed behind, ready to personally escort Leon out of the manor. "No need to see me out, I can find my own way." Rejecting the old man from the Rose Family''s offer, Leon checked the task target''s location, found it still wandering inside the outer walls of the manor, and simply found a window to climb out of, intending to send the person back home first. And as they swarmed to the window, watching his silhouette disappear into the woodland with their own eyes, the hearts of the four old men, which had been held high, finally settled completely back in their chests. The old man from the Rose Family, completely relieved, slumped onto the carpet. "Arrogant!" Grabbing the window frame firmly and steadying his trembling legs, the only remaining elder of the Ryan Family was the first to speak, his hair and beard bristling with anger, "Even though he''s the new Duke of Lionheart, I''m the only elder left in the family! Even when the old Duke was still around, he never dared to treat me so lightly!" "You''re absolutely right." After hearing the words of the old family elder, the old butler beside him, his heart pounding like a drum and his face deathly pale, pressed his heart hard and nodded in agreement, "The Duke''s character... is indeed a bit too extreme." S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes! The way he dares to treat us now, I don''t even dare to imagine what will happen once he officially becomes the Duke!" After pounding the windowsill fiercely, the head of the Ryan Family gritted his teeth and said, "We can''t let today''s incident slide; during the Duke''s succession ceremony, we must join forces to teach him a lesson, to let this damn guy know exactly who calls the shots in the Ryan Family!" Chapter 159 - 159: 0138 Hero or Elite_1 Unaware of what had happened after he left, Leon maintained the good habit of seeing tasks through to completion. He once again found the target as shown in his soul vision. *Hmm... When rescuing her earlier, he had run too quickly to take a closer look,* but now he realized the daughter of the Charl Department Store owner looked somewhat familiar from the back? Seeing the woman perched atop the iron railing, struggling yet failing to climb over after several attempts, Leon hesitated briefly before tentatively speaking up, "Miss Amy?" "Oh my gosh!" Hearing a voice from behind, alarmed, the woman on the railing quickly lost her footing with her left foot and fell backwards with a scream. "Watch out!" Seeing her head-first descent, Leon quickly sprinted forward, worried she might hurt herself, and caught her in his arms. After helping the pale-faced, doll-like young woman steady herself, seeing her still shocked demeanor, Leon reassured her, "Don''t worry, Miss Amy, the Messini family''s issue has been resolved. You''re safe now." "I... Mr. Leon?" Seeing Leon''s face clearly for the first time, Amy was taken aback, and then seemed to realize something. She exclaimed in surprise, "Just now... was that you? Did you rescue me?" "Yes, it was me." Looking at her familiar doll-like face, Leon was equally surprised, "So you''re the daughter of the Charl Department Store owner?" "I... I am. I''m sorry, I never mentioned it to you before..." After timidly answering Leon''s question, the doll-like young woman, full of questions herself, couldn''t help but ask in confusion, S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Just now... how did you suddenly disappear like that? And, did you plant bombs on the wall? Why did the wall explode wherever you went? And also..." "Well... how about waiting until tomorrow? I''m guessing your family is anxious by now. Let me take you home first, and I''ll explain tomorrow." Once again offering "tomorrow for sure" as a response, and unwilling to answer her questions, Leon also had several questions he didn''t want to ask. He grabbed the railing, pretending to exert force, then secretly used the power of the Holy Spirit pendant to bend the railing, opening a gap large enough for a person to pass through. He led the doll-faced young woman out by ducking through. ... *Phew... we''re finally out!* Although it was just another fence, for Amy, who had been confined for several days, it marked a complete escape from the Messini family''s domain. After unconsciously letting out a breath, she patted her flat chest and then stealthily glanced at the back of the man, feeling her own heartbeat quicken slightly. *First, because of the department store incident, she found a man who seemed just the right fit for a husband. Just as she was about to move next door to him to get better acquainted, she was kidnapped on the way.* *Then, she was confined in a dim little room for several anxious days, eventually being rescued, and the one who saved her turned out to be the man she had her eye on!* *Oh dear, this really is...* *While his rescuing method wasn''t carrying me out like a princess, but rather slinging me over his shoulder like a sack, nearly making me throw up, it still counts as a hero saving the damsel, right?* Secretly holding his hand a little tighter, feeling the warm, inexplicable sense of security, Amy couldn''t help but blush slightly and murmured, "Mr. Leon, thank you for rescuing me! I''ll be sure to repay you!" "That won''t be necessary." Hearing her words, Leon, who was waiting for a carriage by the roadside, shook his head and replied quite honestly, "The reason I came to save you was mainly because your father contacted our department, asking for assistance. Then the chief assigned the task of rescuing you to me. As for the reward, your father has already paid in advance." "I see..." The narrative of the hero saving the damsel suddenly shifted to that of a business professional, causing the doll-faced young woman to look crestfallen. The pink bubbles in her mind burst almost completely. However, when Leon mentioned old Charl, her expression immediately turned worried again. She bit her lip and asked with concern, "By the way, during the days I was kidnapped, my parents must have been worried sick. Are they okay now?" "I haven''t seen them, but I assume there aren''t any major issues." Leon thought for a moment before responding, "After your father approached us, our chief had someone investigate his situation. Your father looked somewhat haggard but was in good spirits. Your mother, on the other hand, worried herself into a mild illness, but nothing too serious. You''ll probably find she''s fine once you return." *As long as they''re okay...* After inquiring about her parents, the doll-faced young woman felt slightly more at ease. Then she bit her lip again and tentatively invited, "Mr. Leon, you''ve done such a great favor for our family, so... if it''s convenient for you, could you come to our home in a couple of days as a guest? I''d really like to express my gratitude." *In a couple of days... isn''t that Ryan Family''s inheritance ceremony? Plus, the investigators from the General Bureau will probably arrive tomorrow morning, so definitely not.* "It doesn''t seem convenient." Leon thought for a moment and shook his head, "I have something on that day, and probably won''t have the time. Besides, you really don''t need to thank me... Oh, right, do you have any money on you?" "Huh? Yes, yes, I do!" Hearing Leon''s question, the doll-faced young woman quickly rummaged through her things and pulled out a delicate leather wallet from her dress pocket. She then took out a stack of 10 Gold Wheel bearer checks and handed them over, slightly embarrassed, "I was kidnapped rather suddenly, so I don''t have much money on me. Will this be enough?" "..." Never mind... I''ll just pretend I didn''t ask. Seeing the checks equivalent to half a year''s salary for himself, Leon remained silent for a while, then speechlessly pushed them back. He fumbled through his own pocket and found his number of Copper Wheels insufficient, reluctantly pulled out a Silver Wheel and handed it to her, then pointed at an approaching steam carriage and instructed, "We don''t share the same route. When the carriage arrives, just take it home. Remember to stash those checks securely on your way, so you don''t get kidnapped right after being rescued. Also, the ride from Redwood Avenue to the Charl Department Store headquarters is just over nine kilometers. The first five kilometers cost two Copper Wheels and the remaining four, one Copper Wheel per kilometer, meaning if you get off half a block early, it''ll only cost six Copper Wheels, so... never mind, just give me the money back!" In the previous encounters, even though he thought she wasn''t a na?ve heiress, Leon was still significantly shocked by her pulling out a year''s worth of his salary. He worried she might actually try to pay for the ride with checks. After handing the Silver Wheel to the coachman and getting back three Copper Wheels in change, Leon meticulously noted the number on the steam carriage''s rear, then felt reassured in seeing the doll-faced young woman off. He then flagged down another coach, got in, and handed the coachman a handful of Copper Wheels. "Number 35, Bridge Street, Happiness Apartment." Chapter 160 - 160: 0139 Anchor Point_1 "Snap! Snap! Snap!" Seeing the stout old man in the lobby of Happiness Apartment on the first floor, clutching large scissors and glaring at him, Leon couldn''t help but rub his temples in frustration. *Damn, after the Devil''s Badge advanced to the Gold level, it seemed the ''demonic aura'' in my soul became too strong. Before the Holy Spirit Badge caught up to the Gold Level, I might really have to sleep at the office.* Or maybe... Looking at the apologetic face of the matronly manager in the lobby, Leon tentatively asked, "Uh... Aunt Mary, would you mind if I used some techniques to bind your husband for a little while? Mainly because it''s been over a week since I last went home, and I really want to check back..." "Tie him, tie him!" Despite twisting the stout old man''s waist several times without him budging, the matronly manager had to shake her snowy curls helplessly and said, "I know you''re a good person. Problems with your soul are probably due to the Purification Bureau, and there''s no reason to stop you from going home. But my old man''s words, he just doesn''t listen... Well, as long as you don''t hurt him, you can tie him up all night." "No, no, it won''t take that long, just a short while." Leon had great respect for these elderlies who had always done good both in life and in death. Hearing this, he promptly refused her suggestion, then slowly invoked the power of the Holy Spirit pendant, forcing the stout old man to stay in place before dashing up the stairs without looking back. "Snap!" Seeing the "damnable Little Demon" actually head upstairs, the stout old man''s eyes bulged, and his broad, sturdy back muscles suddenly swelled, forcing the restraint of the Holy Spirit pendant open just a bit, waving his large scissors, trying to chase after. However, after only a couple of steps, he was tightly entangled by bundles of threads, forcing him to be tied beside the staircase. His waist, in particular, was fiercely pinched. "You stubborn old man! You were stubborn while alive, and even more stubborn now that you''re dead... Stick your neck out a bit, let me measure the length!" Twisting the stout old man''s waist hard a couple of times, and seeing her husband still holding the large scissors and trying to rush upward, the matronly manager couldn''t help but shake her head helplessly before pulling up a small stool to sit in the hallway, measuring the stout old man''s neck to knit a wool scarf. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Waiting on the third floor for a while without seeing the stout old man pursuing him, Leon heaved a sigh of relief and immediately dashed up to the sixth floor. "Brother?" The familiar preemptive door opening still applied. At the moment Leon set foot on the sixth floor, the door to the adjacent room swung open suddenly, casting a comforting orange glow, illuminating the dim corridor and Leon. Even though she''d already recognized his footsteps, seeing Leon hurriedly back home with dust still clinging to him, Anna, looking slightly weary, couldn''t help but feel a surge of energy. Her eyes showed a sense of relief. But before Leon could say a word, the relief in her eyes transformed into deep worry and grievance. Biting her lower lip hard, the frail girl slightly turned her head, her voice tinged with a teasing reprimand, "Finished with your work?" "Uh... not yet..." Catching the slight reproach in his sister''s eyes, Leon couldn''t help but halt his steps, looking at her apologetically and said, "Sorry, Anna, there''s been a lot going on in the bureau lately. I just took some time to come back and see you guys, but I have to leave soon..." "Okay..." After hearing Leon''s words, although she still felt a bit upset about his disappearance for seven or eight days without a word, seeing him come home so weary and dusty, the frail girl couldn''t help but bite her lip again. Feeling a bit worried, she gently advised, "Remember to take care of yourself, don''t shoulder everything alone. If it''s really exhausting, you should take more breaks. Earning a bit less is fine too. Now that our home life is much better, and my health has improved a lot compared to before, if both of us can work, earning a bit less can still support Melanie and the others. You don''t have to push yourself so much..." "Don''t worry, I''m alright." Looking at his sister in front of him, who was full of concern, Leon instinctively turned up the corners of his mouth, feeling a subtle relief and ease that he hadn''t experienced for a long time. *Whether it was the ruthless ferocity of just having killed the Bishop or the lingering scent of blood from Ryan Blood Night''s aftermath, all washed away when I returned to this warm little home, bathed in that warm glow.* *In this moment, I was no longer the ruthless Cleaner of the Purification Bureau, nor was I the outsider constantly suppressing anger and discontent, out of step with this world. I was just an ordinary person who, after a busy day, longed for quiet rest at home.* "Anna, I''m lucky to have you here..." A heartfelt sigh escaped him, and having found some slivers of "humanity" again, Leon couldn''t help but step forward, embracing his sister in a big hug, burying his head in Anna''s still thin shoulder, and almost greedily taking a deep breath. *Even though it had only been a month since joining the Purification Bureau, looking back, I realized how much I''d changed from the person I was. At least the me from a month ago would never have crushed someone''s head at the mere mention of the ''Scales Gold Sect.''* *Though I could console myself it was all part of the job, I was undeniably stepping further away from normalcy, moving at an increasing pace toward a "non-human" world.* *Anna, her slim shoulders seemed frail, yet just as I supported this family from collapsing, the existence of her and the two little ones anchored my perception of being "human."* *If not for them serving as "anchor points," while I might not turn into something truly evil, I would, under the constant corrosion from anomalous objects, become like those other Cleaners that only had a human exterior, remaining and being unrelated to a human in essence or actions, as the Black Goat had stated...* "Ah! You... don''t..." Suddenly enveloped in Leon''s forceful embrace, with his face nuzzling her neck, Anna was startled, instinctively trying to push him away with a flushed face. But after being hugged for a few seconds and seemingly sensing something from the depth of this embrace, she hesitated briefly, then abandoned her struggle. Ignoring the dust on Leon, she wrapped her arms around his waist in return, making their embrace tighter. Resting her chin on Leon''s shoulder, the frail girl slightly tilted her head, somewhat embarrassedly nuzzling her cheek against his jaw before enduring the warm, tickling breaths on her neck. As her hands gently stroked Leon''s back, her gaze softened, murmuring softly in his ear, "Brother... no matter when you feel tired, just come home. I''ll always be waiting for you." Chapter 161 - 161: 0140 As soon as I came in, I saw Anna hitting Melanie_1 "Sister?" Just as the two siblings were embracing warmly at their doorstep, silently promising in their hearts to always be each other''s safe harbor, a curious little head poked out and inquired, "So it''s big brother who''s back! Are you still gonna hit Melanie today?" ??? Along with this loaded question, Leon felt the person in his arms suddenly freeze, and unusually clear teeth-grinding sounds echoed in his ears. "Hit! Definitely hit!" Releasing her grip around Leon''s waist, the frail girl stomped her foot hard and gritted her teeth angrily, "It doesn''t matter if you come back, even if Mom and Dad came back today, she won''t escape this beating!" ?!?!!? What?! Is it that serious? Seeing Anna, who rarely mentioned their parents, so mad she was speaking nonsense, Leon quickly hugged his angrily frowning sister tighter, trying to persuade her earnestly, "Stop, stop, don''t rush to hit her, education comes first, education comes first!" "My hitting her is educating her! Bro! Let me go! Let go!" At William''s reminder, Anna, who had just been gentle as water, now recalled her anger. She struggled and complained in rage, "It''s all your fault for always stopping me from hitting them. Do you know what they did?" "Uh... what did they do?" "In just their first week at school, they rallied those noble kids to chase away the teacher and started some kind of class parliament!" "It''s a class parliament." Correcting his sister''s mistake, William seriously explained while buttoning his pants, "We''re learning the Kingdom''s two-chamber system, those from big noble families go to the Upper House. Those who are super-rich, particularly good at studying, or exceptionally good at fighting join the Lower House. The Upper House regularly drafts class regulations, but those need to be voted on by the Lower House. Finally, the class president, elected by the Lower House, announces the regulations and is responsible for negotiations with the principal and teachers. The model is very rigorous." "..." Wow, it''s a perfect replication of it. Are kids these days a bit too ferocious? When I was their age, I was still arguing with my desk partner about whether there were urinals in the girls'' restroom! "How dare you still talk!" After hearing William''s pseudo-adult correction, Anna in Leon''s arms struggled even harder, shouting angrily as she did, "Melanie asked me for two packs of cookies, saying she wanted to share them with classmates, but she used the cookies I baked to get votes for herself, bribing the election to gain support and become the class president! Bro! Do you know? After that little brat became the class president, the first decree she passed was to unite with all the classmates to chase away the Religion and Home Economics teachers! Those two teachers together are almost a hundred years old. When I went there, one was pointing at my nose and cursing, and the other was holding the holy book and sobbing. I didn''t even know how to apologize!" "..." Well, that is a bit too much, indeed they need some proper education. Frowning with a headache, Leon brought his constantly struggling sister into the house. He looked at the closed door of the inner room, then turned his head to look at William on the side, and said with a slightly serious expression, "Everything else is fine, but why chase away the teachers? If the reason isn''t suitable, don''t blame big brother for not helping you stop it." "As for the reason, those two teachers really did suck." Little William tilted his head, thought for a while, and then answered, "The Home Economics teacher is the class advisor''s aunt. Her cooking is really horrible, and she''s always very kind to those noble kids, yet very harsh to us normal-dressing kids. The work Melanie and I were assigned in the Home Economics class involved washing potatoes, cleaning organs, and scraping fish scales. Then, we had to eat those unsuccessful dishes made by the noble kids. It''s just terribly annoying." "The Religion teacher is about the same. Every day he only tells us to loudly read the holy book and quizzes us on it. If we can''t recite it, he hits our palms, calling us unfaithful little brats who should go to Hell and be taken away by demons when we die. Melanie and I just transferred there a week ago, and we weren''t familiar with the holy book like others. As a result, we always got our palms hit. Melanie couldn''t stand it and found some tricky questions in the holy book to stump him. Then she asked him if he couldn''t answer them, did it mean he wasn''t faithful and should get his palms hit, too? In the end, he even kicked her once." "..." So that''s what happened... After hearing William''s explanation, Leon and Anna''s expressions froze slightly, with a trace of regret flashing in Anna''s eyes. Then she lowered her voice and said, "Then why didn''t you tell me when I asked you just now?" William didn''t respond to that but instead hesitated a bit and glanced at Leon. Seeing the little guy''s gaze, Leon vaguely guessed the reason they hadn''t told her earlier. Knowing that the kids at home had suffered, Anna would definitely go over directly, but her health hadn''t recovered yet; she needed a few more months of medication. If they explained, it might make things more troublesome, especially since Leon had been away recently. It was simpler just to take a beating and then explain it later. Additionally, if they were ordinary kids, they might think "the adults" would certainly help them seek justice, but these two little guys had known since they were young that their older brothers and sisters were not omnipotent. If enduring a beating and writing a review could solve the problem, they would probably just take the beating and get it over with. These two little tykes are... both heartbreakingly sensible and headache-inducingly clueless... ... "Maybe they''ve grown up and don''t want to tell the family everything." Fearing that telling the truth might upset Anna, Leon offered a vague excuse, then said to William, "Bear with it for a few more days. Your big brother is too busy with work now to look after the family temporarily, but once things settle down, I''ll go to your school right away." Letting go of his no longer struggling sister, Leon squatted and patted William''s head, solemnly promising, "Big brother promises you, if it''s indeed as you said, those two teachers will definitely be replaced, and they must apologize to you and the other kids. But next time if something similar happens, you are not to act rashly, rally classmates, and chase people away. Tell the family first. As long as you are in the right, big brother will definitely back you up!" "..." As long as we are in the right? Looking at Leon''s serious expression, William tilted his head and pondered for a moment, then nodded vigorously. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Okay! Next time we''ll definitely make sure we''re right first!" "..." While there seems to be nothing wrong with that, why do I feel like what you understand isn''t quite what I meant? Leon smiled helplessly, then ruffled his little brother''s always-unique-mindset head, before standing back up and patting him on the back. "Alright, go call Melanie out, tell her she won''t have to take the beating." "Mm!" Using his excellent diplomatic skills to defuse the family war, William trotted to the inner room and started pounding on the locked door. "Come out, it''s fine now!" "Not coming out!" From inside the room came Melanie''s wary voice after hearing the knocking. "You''re surely trying to trick me into opening the door for another beating! Forget it, I won''t come out before dawn! If I come out now, I might get beaten for an hour, but if I can hide until school tomorrow, Sister Anna might only beat me for ten minutes to avoid me being late!" "Get out!" After banging on the door for ages to no avail, William became visibly impatient and shouted, "Big brother''s back, sister has no time to beat you now!" "Not coming out, you liar, no way I''m gonna get beat with you!" "Then don''t blame me!" Seeing how unloyal she was, William squinted his eyes, then turned towards Leon and Anna, "I''m telling you, Melanie took my pocket money to buy roses and planned to send them to the Home Economics teacher''s house, making her husband think she''s having an affair! And yesterday she wrote a complaint letter to the Sanctuary Church, reporting that the Religion teacher was too unfamiliar with the holy book, suggesting the Sanctuary Church check his priest''s qualification to see if he bought it!" Chapter 162 - 162: 0141 Color and Lost Item_1 With the "enthusiastic help" of her twin brother, Melanie didn''t manage to escape that beating, and it even got a whole lot worse. "Slap!" "Ouch!" "Don''t you scream!" After Anna''s slender fingers forcefully closed together and gave Melanie''s butt a hard smack, her two delicate eyebrows twisted up as she clenched her teeth and said, "How old are you, and you''ve already learned to frame others!" "I... I... I really wasn''t framing anyone!" Squirming forward like a baby maggot, but getting hauled back immediately, Melanie saw her sister''s face turning as red as an apple. Predicting that Anna''s next normal attack would probably be a critical hit, she hurriedly defended herself, "That religious studies teacher always talks about how devout he is, yet he can''t even name the right color of the underwear the Twelve Knights wore when they were martyred for God. He must be faking his devotion! Writing a letter to the church was a reasonable question!" "You still dare to say that!" *After three consecutive critical hits, the attack speed stacked up.* Anna panted and yelled angrily, "How can the sacred texts contain such nonsense! You''re just making things up!" "Sister, Melanie wasn''t lying this time. The holy canon actually mentions it." Hearing this, William took out the holy canon from his backpack, flipped through it, and then handed it over, his little face earnest as he explained, "Look, here in this passage, there''s an account from the Twelve Knights after being knighted¡­ ''Our God is white, so we must follow white, wearing inner clean clothes and outer crimson robes...'' Therefore, the clothes the Twelve Knights wore day-to-day should all be white from the inside out. They only donned robes of other colors out of respect for the deity, but their underwear should still be white. Although this isn''t directly stated in the sacred texts, if you''re familiar enough with its provisions, you can actually guess it." "..." *So¡­ did I punish wrongly again?* Looking at William, who was defending his case confidently, Anna hesitated and lowered her voice slightly, biting her lip, "But... but this isn''t really an orthodox issue. Even if he couldn''t answer that it''s white, you can''t just report him¡­" "That''s not the case. The religious studies teacher did come up with an answer." William shook his head and said, "Although he was very angry, after flipping through the holy canon for a while, he said the Twelve Knights'' underwear should be white." "Then why did you still..." "Because white was not the correct answer." After taking back the holy canon and flipping a few more pages, William earnestly pointed at the text to show Anna, S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Melanie''s question wasn''t about what color the Twelve Knights usually wore, but rather the underwear color when they were martyred for God. According to the sacred texts, they first went through a three-month trial in the large desert. They went to their martyrdom just after exiting the desert with no time to change or wash clothes, so their underwear, after three months without a change, should be yellow." "..." "..." Seeing Anna with veins jumping on her forehead, her face turning white, then red, and then purple, with a hint of black, Melanie quickly pulled up her pants and rolled over, launching herself into Leon''s embrace. "Big Brother, save me!" No way! This is really impossible to save! Siding himself to dodge Melanie''s tackle, and twisting further to avoid the arms reaching for his thigh, Leon glanced at her with some pity, then sensibly stepped aside. Don''t blame your brother for being disloyal. With how furious your sister looks, if I tried to save you, I fear she''d even want to spank my butt. Just sit it out honestly! ... After a chaotic pursuit, with chickens flying and dogs jumping, Leon glanced at the tearful Melanie who was beaten until she cried for her father and mother. Judging that Anna''s anger was probably half-satisfied, he stopped her. "Alright, alright, take a break, look at you huffing and puffing." "I''ll still hit her even if I''m puffing!" "Yes, yes, yes, hit her! I won''t stop you this time! If we don''t educate her, she''ll go astray!" Following Anna''s intent, Leon put on a stern face and "angrily scolded" Melanie a few times before reaching out to gently stroke Anna''s back, helping her regulate her breath, and then softly requested, "But I''m a bit tight on Time; I have to work overtime at the bureau soon, and it''s so cold now... Dear Anna, could you maybe deal with her later and find me a couple of blankets first?" "You''re just protecting her!" Easily seeing through Leon''s diversionary tactic, the frail girl gave him a glare before struggling out of his embrace and storming towards the bedroom. With a creaking sound, she opened the paint-peeling wardrobe and began searching for blankets. Giving Melanie an "hurry up and hide" look, Leon watched her tiptoe into the inner room before slowly sauntering into the bedroom, comforting his sister squatting in front of the cupboard, "Actually, you don''t have to worry too much. Melanie might be a little quirky but never bullies anyone. She''s just got a very stubborn nature and can''t stand losing. William is the same way, a bit sneaky but never harms anyone. Although they cause some headaches, they are good kids, really... Anna?" "Ah?" It seemed like Anna was startled by Leon''s words as she trembled slightly and continued with her task, her back to Leon, hurriedly rummaging through the blankets while nodding repeatedly, "Yes, yes... they''re indeed not bad, just a bit immature, they''ll grow up... By the way, are blankets the only thing you need? How about taking a thicker set of clothes?" "Just the blankets will do; it''s quite warm in the office." Watching his sister''s slightly flustered movements, Leon instinctively furrowed his brows, then directly asked, "Anna, what''s wrong?" "Nothing." The frail girl shook her head, clutching two folded blankets as she turned around, her smile slightly forced as she said, "I just discovered something missing, worried about whether I didn''t bring it when we moved." "Is that so...?" If it was a month ago, Leon might have been fooled by her words, but now he was already accustomed to discerning people''s expressions. Even without using the Black Goat''s soul vision, he could tell that Anna was obviously hiding something on her mind. "Then you have a look first. If you can''t find it, I can accompany you back to Veteran Lane in a few days, and we can search together." "Mmm." After bagging up two blankets and bringing them to the door, Leon picked up the shopping bag on the shoe cabinet, his fingertips quietly pressing the Yang Jiao. "Anna, the thing you just discovered missing, is it the family photo that only included you and Mom and Dad?" ?!!! Watching Anna''s soul in the soul vision, filled with instant panic and confusion, Leon slowly put on his shoes, his voice gentle as he quietly spoke, "Actually, my birthday isn''t even on the day you told me; it''s possible I''m not even blood-related to our parents, and you aren''t my real sister, right?" Chapter 163 - 163: 0142 Bad Guest?_1 "How... how could you think that way?" After hearing Leon''s words, Anna felt as if the world was spinning, almost collapsing, but she clung to her last hope, struggling to say, "Brother, haven''t you seen the photos? You look so much like Mom, and the color of your hair and eyes are identical to Dad''s..." "Yes, very much alike." Leon nodded upon hearing this, replying quite frankly, "It''s because of the resemblance that I never doubted before, but last week, while on duty, I visited the Ryan Family''s genealogy room and saw many things. "Anna, unlike me, who has no memory, you should know our grandfather was from the Ryan Family, and our surname doesn''t originate from Laine County, but rather from that Duke family on Redwood Avenue, right?" "Yes..." Seeing that Leon had even uncovered such a matter, the sickly girl couldn''t help but turn pale before biting her lip and nodding. "I... I didn''t mean to hide it from you. It''s just that Grandfather said back then, because of the competition for the title or something, he formed deadly grudges with many people. It was hard enough for him to escape from the Capital City, and he urged us not to get involved with them..." "I believe you." After putting on his shoes, Leon stood up and took a step forward to give his pale-faced sister another deep hug. He said in a calm voice, "But I also hope you can believe me." "I..." "It''s okay. Everyone has secrets they wish others not to know. I have such secrets hidden from you as well, but that doesn''t stop me from considering you as my family." Gently stroking Anna''s hair, Leon paused the hug, then cupped her cheeks and, looking into her eyes, said with utmost sincerity, "I don''t know what you consider as family, but to me, being close by blood isn''t the only criterion for family, not even a necessary one. From a somewhat selfish viewpoint, the one I most want to share my happiness with and the one I most want to confide in during pain, that person is my family, and you are always the first I think of." "Brother..." "I''m here, but I''m about to leave soon." Looking at his sister, whose eyes had turned red, and whose nose even blushed, Leon smiled, affectionately pinched her red nose, then stepped back, picked up his belongings, and opened the door to depart. "Ah! Wait for me!" When Anna, still a bit at a loss, wiped away her tears and prepared to see him off, Leon suddenly turned back and asked, "By the way, just before I came in, what were you saying to me?" "Ah?" "Ah, what? You told me that no matter when, if I ever feel tired, I should come home, and you''d always be waiting for me..." Repeating Anna''s words, Leon frowned with an unhappy expression and said, "You need to keep your word, regardless of whether we share blood or if I''m your natural brother. When I return, you can''t drive me away!" "Brother... you''re really..." Wiping her eyes, the sickly girl, now smiling through tears, shook her head, somewhat reproachfully saying, "What strange words, how could I drive you away?" "Better not, but even if you did, I wouldn''t leave." Nudging Anna''s shoes inward and keeping her from seeing him off, Leon waved to her as if her heart knot had been untied, then carried a blanket and shopping bag downstairs. When Leon descended, Anna gently closed the door and quickly walked to the window, staring unblinkingly at his silhouette until he boarded a carriage and vanished around the corner with the sound of a whistle, only then reluctantly withdrawing her gaze. *Maybe... the situation I fear most would never happen? Even if he knows what I did, my brother might not necessarily...* "Knock, kn-knock." Just then, a somewhat heavy knocking startled Anna, who collected herself and walked over, asking through the door, "Who''s outside?" "As for me... you could say I''m your friend." Lightly tapping the lock''s location, with a crisp sound as the lock cylinder automatically turned, a man in a black robe, wearing a wide-brimmed hat that obscured most of his face, entered the room. He nodded at the shocked Anna, greeting her with a voice that was both cold and hard, "It''s been almost six years, Miss Anna, how have you been lately?" Six years? Upon hearing the keyword and looking at the man with thin, long eyes and a face that seemed to be in a perpetual sad expression even while attempting to smile, Anna immediately realized. "You... you''re that person from the photography studio!" "Yes, it''s me." Removing his hat and placing it before his chest, he gave a gentleman''s bow. The naturally sad-faced man politely and coolly apologized, "Sorry to intrude. I intended nothing more with this visit than to see how you''ve been... Please, was the person who just left the family member you chose for yourself?" Upon hearing his words, Anna couldn''t help but turn extremely pale, then tightly bit her lip and nodded stiffly. "Yes..." "Husband?" "It''s my brother..." "My apologies." With little sincerity, he briefly apologized, and the similarly stiff-faced man continued to inquire, "I''m sorry for overhearing some of your conversation. It seems you all got along well over the years, so you should be content with what I gave you, correct?" "..." "Miss Anna, please don''t be so nervous..." Observing Anna''s increasingly pale complexion, the man''s icy voice carried a hint of helplessness. "My visit this time really holds no malice, merely wishing to see what became of that item. My somewhat intrusive unlocking was only due to fear that you might not wish to open the door." Having clarified his intentions, seemingly to reassure her, the man retreated a few steps back to the door, where he extended his palm to Anna, respectfully asking, "If possible, could you kindly take out the item I gave you for me to check briefly?" Seeing that he genuinely harbored no ill intentions, Anna couldn''t help but quietly breathe a sigh of relief, then shook her head forcefully, her expression apologetic as she said, "I could have, originally, but just now I found that I seem to have lost that photo..." ??? Lost? How could it be lost? For such a promising high-numbered experimental subject, I placed more than one following command on it. Even if torn, crumpled, or burnt to ashes, it should reappear beside you! ... When faced with the unexpected answer, the man in the black robe felt slightly bewildered. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Staring into Anna''s eyes, seemingly using some method to confirm she wasn''t lying, the man squinted, his tone rather helpless, "There''s no helping it then... How about this: seeing as it''s already lost, could you trouble yourself to tell me about the past few years?" Chapter 164 - 164: 0143 False Life_1 "Talk about what''s happened over the years?" Although she extremely didn''t want to answer that question, after glancing back at her siblings'' room, Anna couldn''t help but bite her lip and then nod with some difficulty. "Okay... Where should I start?" "Start from when you got the object." The man in the black robe said calmly, "Six years ago, after your parents passed away, I came over to deliver the washed photos and discovered that you had a certain ''potential.'' Then I gave you a little help. May I ask what happened after that?" What happened after that... Upon hearing this, Anna once again bit her lip, her face turning somewhat pale, and said, "After that... I, indeed, just like you said, regained a family, but... but it wasn''t the kind I wanted..." "Oh?" sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The man in the black robe raised his eyebrows with interest, then asked, "Can you elaborate?" "It''s like... When I spoke to that photo, wanting my family back, it wasn''t my parents who appeared in the house, but a boy around my age." Recalling the situation back then, Anna said, her eyes full of complexity, "When he saw me, he claimed he was my brother. I thought I had met a madman and was startled, frantically pushing him out the door, then continued talking to the photo you gave me. What I said was that I wanted my parents back, to have a family again, but once again, they didn''t appear. Instead, what came was a pair of swaddled babies..." "I see... It seems that back then, you didn''t fully believe my words." The man in the black robe shook his head and said regretfully, "You were a slightly mature and calm-minded kid, and back then, you had already deeply understood the meaning of death and knew that your parents couldn''t come back. Even though I told you that family photo was an unparalleled miracle, capable of allowing you to have a family again, and demonstrated a part of its power before you, you still didn''t fully believe me. Deep down, you thought it couldn''t bring your parents back. Because of the doubt and distrust in your heart, the seed I left in that photo didn''t hatch towards summoning your parents back but ventured into an unknown new direction, causing the abnormal... well... causing deviations in the effect, what a pity." ?!!! Upon hearing the words of the man in the black robe, Anna felt a wave of dizziness, a cold rush of something gut-wrenching suddenly hit her heart. "So... if I had believed it enough back then, could I really have brought them back?" "Sorry, it''s also impossible." The man in the black robe shook his head again and said, "The boundary between life and death isn''t entirely irreversible, but the conditions needed are unimaginably harsh. Making someone ''undead'' isn''t hard, but bringing the dead back to life is astonishingly difficult. Although your ''talent'' is very outstanding, it was still not enough to break the barrier between life and death. However, if you had believed me enough, you might have summoned the remnants left by your parents or created two puppets like them." "Then... wouldn''t that still be fake?" "It''s fake, indeed, but back then you were not even ten years old. Even if they were just two empty puppets with the look of your parents, it would fulfill your wish, so I did not lie to you." After answering Anna''s question without changing his expression, the man in the black robe, noticing that the "test subject" seemed to have some trouble, his demeanor visibly became indifferent. Looking towards the inner room, glancing through the wall at the two children inside, the man in the black robe slightly wrinkled his eyebrows and said with some dissatisfaction, "It seems not only is your brother unrelated to you, but the remaining two also have no blood relation with you, and they aren''t fake creations either; they''re entirely real humans. So you received a seed with a number within ten, and what finally germinated simply found a few children resembling your parents and forcibly wiped away their past, stealing their original lives, letting them play house with you?" "I... I didn''t want this! I never thought of doing such a thing!" Hearing the "accusation" from the man in the black robe, the deepest guilt buried in Anna''s heart was torn apart, her face turned pale as if all blood instantly drained from it. "After discovering something wrong with that object, I immediately tore it apart and took my brother and Melanie to find the police, wanting to help them return to their original home, but... but everyone''s memories seemed to have been altered!" Holding the door frame to support her dizzy self from collapsing, Anna bit her pale lips, trying hard to explain, "After the police talked to the neighbors, they said our family indeed consisted of four children. The municipal staff looked through the files and said they indeed are my siblings. Our home even had items for infants, and even in past photos, there were the other three children! I... I didn''t intend to steal someone else''s family. I really tried explaining it! But no one believed me, they all thought I went mad due to excessive grief from my parents'' death in battle, and I couldn''t find their original family either, so... so..." Municipal files, neighbor memories, traces of life... Were all of them completely altered? Upon hearing this, the man in the black robe slightly relaxed his tightly furrowed eyebrows. Although the result apparently deviated from what he initially envisioned for the Anomalous Object, the ability to directly intervene in the essence of existence itself, forcefully altering someone''s life, meant its hierarchy was extremely high. It wasn''t a waste to use the strength of seed number seven. However, although the test subject''s hierarchy was up to standard, the ability wasn''t what he wanted, and "that moment" was not far off, leaving at most a year. If he couldn''t create the corresponding Anomalous Object within a year, even if he succeeded in handling the Scarlet Hair Lady of the Virgo Bureau, and destroyed what was sealed on the top floor of the Virgo Bureau, it would all end up in vain! "Forget it..." Thinking of this, the slightly disinterested man in the black robe shook his head, then politely yet coldly said to Anna after putting his hat back on, "I have no more questions to ask. Sorry for disturbing you today... Oh, and since you lost the object I gave you, if I retrieve it later, you shouldn''t have any objections, right?" "I..." Hearing the man in the black robe, even knowing he had an irresistible power, the frail girl summoned her courage, grasped the door frame, and asked, "If you take the object, then... what about Leon and Melanie..." "Naturally, they will return to their original home, and their memories from these years will be erased. No one but you will know what happened." "!!!" Watching Anna slump to the ground with a thud, her eyes instantly losing all luster, appearing to transform into a fragile shell of a human being, the man in the black robe, whose cold and rigid face finally broke into a sincere smile. "Don''t worry. Once I retrieve the object, I''ll help amend the mistakes you''ve made. Isn''t that what you want?" Chapter 165 - 165: 0144 Director (Drunk Limited Edition)_1 Leon had no idea that just after he left, the Aquarius Director paid a visit to his home. At this moment, Leon stood outside the Director''s office, ready to report on the day''s events and take the opportunity to greet the Red-haired Director, informing her that he planned to sleep at the bureau tonight. However... "Knock, knock, knock." "Who... is it?" "Director, it''s me." "Who... are you?" "I''m Leon!" "Leon... who?" "..." Listening to the response from inside, which could not be described as logical and only indicated that the Director''s mind had clearly checked out, Leon outside the door fell silent for a moment and then asked somewhat speechlessly: "Director, have you been drinking?" "Drinking... who?" No doubt about it, she definitely had drunk, and quite a lot... "Director, I''m coming in, don''t make a move!" As Leon spoke, he tentatively pushed the door open a crack, but before he could see the situation inside clearly, a gust of alcohol-laden air hit him head-on, making his vision go black. My god, you really can drink! Seeing the pile of empty bottles next to the desk, stacked higher than a person, and the red-haired beauty sprawled over the table giggling foolishly at him, Leon clicked his tongue in surprise while also feeling a headache. Due to the discovery that he had drawn the rebels'' attention and worrying they might target his family, Leon originally intended to ask the Red-haired Director for a favor to see if the "Protective Fur" that he had been wearing around his neck but had never activated could be transferred to Anna. Then he could try to get a few more for William and Melanie. After all, he was targeted by the rebels because of official duties, and protecting the employees'' families should also be the Purification Bureau''s responsibility. If it was really inconvenient, he could trade with anomalous objects or something else. After all, the "Ghost Hand Under the Bed" given by Senior Jerry wasn''t very useful to him, so why not use it to trade for a protective charm for his siblings? But seeing the Director''s state, comparable to "What''s-his-name-Ma," it seemed unlikely that he could get a clear answer tonight. Maybe it would be better to leave it until tomorrow when she''s sober. After all, the Secret Investigation Bureau was about to start a major raid, and the rebels would be too busy to deal with anything on their end in the short term. Anna and the others were protected by Happiness Apartment, and as long as they greeted the manager lady every day before going out, they could get the risk-avoidance buff. So it probably wouldn''t matter if it waited a day or two... "Little Leon~ You''re Little Leon, aren''t you?" Just as Leon hesitated about whether to leave, the drunken Red-haired Director slapped her forehead, sat up from the table, and giggling foolishly said: "You came too late! Ha ha ha, I''ve already drunk all the alcohol! Don''t even think about freeloading any of mine!" "..." This silly woman! Looking at the woman in front of him, her brain reeking of alcohol, it was hard to associate her with the "brilliant and brave" Director in her sober state. Leon couldn''t help but sigh helplessly. "I''m not going to compete with you for your wine... Speaking of which, weren''t you fine during the day? Why did you drink so much?" "Because it was payday~" After shaking her head vigorously, perhaps clearing up a bit, the Red-haired Director giggled with a bit more logic in her words: "I owed a lot from the last time I treated you to drinks, which left me with no money to buy wine for a while. Now that I finally have some surplus, if I don''t have a good drink, the alcohol worm in my belly will die of thirst!" "¡­" Honestly, if that thing really existed, it would be better to let it die of thirst, but... Did treating me to drinks last time really cost you a lot of money? Seeing the glowing [Martyr of the Wine Country] on his panel, Leon scratched his head awkwardly and then said embarrassedly: "Uh, can I ask how much you owed that time?" "Sob... I really owed a lot..." Hearing Leon''s question, the previously cheerful expression of the Red-haired Director immediately collapsed. She blinked her charming fox eyes, full of tears, and counted on her fingers: "Counting the part paid at the store, the bill they sent over is more than three hundred Gold Wheels. And after spending so much money, you drank more than I did... I didn''t get much out of it..." "..." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Over three hundred Gold Wheels... My goodness, we really drank away my salary for more than half a year that day? "This... was really that much, huh? That''s really embarrassing..." Even though he had mentally prepared himself, hearing a bill that was more than three times the amount he had estimated left Leon quite shocked. Then under the pitiable gaze of the Red-haired Director, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly: "Director, should I..." "Help me pay the bill?" "Uh... not the bill, what I meant was, should I take you home? Sleeping here might be uncomfortable..." "..." Turning his head slightly to avoid the Red-haired Director''s bewildered gaze, Leon stiffened his resolve, walked over, and picked up the drunken Director from the table. Paying that bill was not something Leon was going to do ¡ª not in this lifetime. The Director was so generous in treating him to drinks; if he insisted on paying, wouldn''t that be ungrateful? Besides, there was Anna''s medication, home rent, and his siblings'' tuition fees to consider... And the Director, who was already drinking excessively, would be healthier if she drank less. If he paid the bill and let her have money to buy more alcohol, that would only be hurting her! Having thick-skinnedly rationalized it to himself, Leon cleared his throat and said to the Red-haired Director, who was glaring up at him: "Director, where is your home?" "I don''t have a home." "Uh... so where do you usually sleep?" "In the suites of the liquor houses outside, or... or the reception room upstairs..." "..." "Do you pity me?" "..." Before Leon could come up with a reply, a slender white arm reached up, pinching his chin and turning his face toward her. Staring into Leon''s eyes, where a hint of softness flickered, the Red-haired Director wrinkled her nose, slightly parted her rosy lips, and exhaled a mixture of gardenia-scented alcohol in his face, declaring with some bravado: "I''m fine on my own! No pity for me! I''m not to be pitied!" "Uh-huh." "Do you not believe me?" Seemingly thinking her "Director''s dignity" was being challenged, the Red-haired Director stiffened her neck and glared at Leon fiercely, while playfully hooking her foot to deliver a light kick at him. "I''m very strong! Whether it''s betrayal, hostility, or being cast aside, I never cried! Even when everyone in the bureau left, I was never afraid of being alone! I''m not afraid!" "..." How unfamiliar... Was she really the same Director from the daytime? Seeing the little woman shrinking into his embrace, clutching his sleeve, despite proclaiming she''s not afraid, Leon hesitated briefly before proposing: "Director, you should rest. How about I take you upstairs first?" "I don''t want to go..." Upon hearing Leon''s suggestion, the Red-haired Director suddenly gripped his lapels tightly, tearfully replying: "There''re so many people upstairs yelling at me, I don''t dare go up while I''m awake..." So many people yelling at you upstairs? Leon was slightly stunned by this, then curiously replied: "Isn''t upstairs empty, with never anyone there?" "They''re there, always there!" Seeing that Little Leon didn''t seem to believe her, the Red-haired Director pouted and argued: "I''ve counted carefully. From the fifth floor to the top, there are twelve million, nine hundred and sixty thousand people yelling at me. They''ve never stopped for so many years. If you don''t believe it, listen!" Chapter 166 - 166: 0145 Vital_1 "One hundred and twenty-nine million people are cursing you... how is that possible?" When Leon saw the stubborn expression on the Red-haired Director''s face, he actually somewhat believed it at first. Although the director was prone to lying when sober, surely she couldn''t be subconsciously messing with him when she was this drunk, right? However, Leon''s trust lasted barely a second before he extinguished it himself. The Purification Bureau''s building was quite large, but compared to nearly 130 million humans, it still seemed overly small. It was preposterous to think it could hold that many people, not just on the fifth or sixth floor of this building, and even if they included the entire police department''s area. *Wasn''t it just drunken talk?* "Don''t worry, don''t worry." Grabbing the Red-haired Director''s arm and draping it over his neck, Leon simultaneously bent his knee to nudge her on the butt, adjusting her into a position that was easier for carrying. As he carried her upstairs, he coaxed along, saying, "I''m very good at cursing. If those people curse you, I''ll curse them back for you." "You''re lying! You''re so honest; how could you possibly curse anyone?" "I''m not lying to you." "If you''re not lying, then why won''t you look into my eyes? Are you afraid I''ll see through your lies?" "..." "Look at me! I don''t trust what comes out of your mouth. You enjoy lying; I only trust what your eyes say." "..." *So in your eyes, am I honest or not?* Seeing that the Red-haired Director in his arms began to struggle again due to his lack of response, Leon had to open his badge panel, switch to the Silver Level "Elite Performer" badge, then looked at her seriously and said, "I''m not lying to you. I''m really good at cursing. If that hundred million people upstairs curse you, I''ll curse them back." "Then... then you must promise me... if they curse me, you have to curse them back!" Staring into Leon''s eyes for quite a while, the drunken and bleary-eyed Red-haired Director finally settled down, clutching his clothes as she quietly urged, "But don''t curse too harshly. I was the one who started it. If they curse me... it''s justified... I''m just... I''m just... afraid after being cursed for so long to go up there alone..." "..." Looking at the curled-up and tearful form of the Red-haired Director, Leon couldn''t help but be slightly taken aback, vaguely sensing that there might be some truth in her words and not just a drunken rant, as if there really was something upstairs... *Could there be any danger?* After standing for a moment on the second floor of the stairway with the Red-haired Director in his arms, Leon hesitantly asked, "Director, will those people who curse you ever come down?" "No, they won''t." The Red-haired Director shook her head, leaning in Leon''s arms, her gaze somewhat dazed, as she said, "They... stay on the fifth or sixth floor, responsible for guarding the top ten... twelve Ant Nests. They won''t come down unless someone enters the fifth floor." *Twelve Ant Nests?* After noting down this obscure name and hearing that those 130 million "people" wouldn''t be coming down, Leon finally felt slightly relieved. Holding the Red-haired Director cautiously, he exited the stairway, moving almost step by step to enter the conference room where the Taurus Director had visited last time. After placing the Red-haired Director on the sofa in the conference room, Leon rummaged through the chaotic room, finding a thick cashmere blanket beneath a pile of empty bottles in the corner, covering her with it. Then, picking a sofa cushion from the floor, he brushed off the dust, lifted the Red-haired Director''s head, and placed it under. *Phew... finally took good care of her.* Looking at the Red-haired Director lying obediently on the sofa cushion without moving, her eyes continually following him, Leon couldn''t help but let out a sigh. One ordinary drunk is troublesome enough, but an incredibly strong and full-of-secrets drunk is twice the hassle. Thankfully, everything ended smoothly; he finally managed to settle her down, which at least repaid a bit of a favor. "It''s late; you should get some rest soon. I''m going downstairs to sleep." After greeting the increasingly drowsy-eyed Red-haired Director, Leon crouched down to tuck in her blanket before turning to leave. However, just as he reached the door, he felt a sudden shift in sight. His whole body rose into the air, pulled back to his original spot by a mysterious force. "Knew you were lying to me~" Undoing the button on Leon''s collar, using her pinky to tug the hair tied around his neck, the woman with a blush of drunkenness on her cheeks smiled smugly. She slightly pulled the hair tied around Leon''s neck, bringing his face closer, and slyly blinked her tipsy fox eyes at him. "You promised to help curse them, but as soon as I''m in bed, you want to run? Dream on!" "..." *What a pain... should have given her two more bottles, knocking her out before bringing her up...* Glancing at the red hair hooked around his neck, knowing he probably couldn''t break free, Leon could only helplessly continue coaxing, "It''s not that I want to deceive you; it''s just too late now, and you''re this drunk. I can''t just sleep beside you, can I?" "Why not?" After shifting into the large sofa to create space adequate for someone to lie sideways, the Red-haired Director pulled Leon onto the sofa, smiling as she said, "It''s just lying beside me; nothing''s really going to happen. What are you afraid of?" "..." "Come on, lie down!" Ignoring Leon''s resistance, she pulled him down, forcibly pinning him on the sofa, and wrapped her arms around his waist. Burrowing her head into Leon''s chest, her voice was somewhat muffled as she said, "Sleep, sleep. I''m really sleepy..." "Uh... sleeping here is fine. There''s another sofa over there; I can move it over..." "No need, this sofa is wide enough." "Wide it is, but I turn over a lot in my sleep. What if I fall..." "I''ll hold on to you." "..." *This is going to kill me...* sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Feeling a leg suddenly draped over him and their positions so entwined that he couldn''t tell who was in whose arms, Leon''s scalp tingled. It''s not that he rejected this sort of thing, but... the combat prowess of the one in his arms was just too overwhelming. As a normal man, when he was initially dragged down, Leon inevitably had a hint of romantic thoughts. However, when the Red-haired Director started hugging his waist, he clearly heard a crackling sound from his spinal misalignment. So, the ''killing'' here wasn''t metaphorical; it was a real threat to his life. The fleeting, romantic notions that just appeared had now flown straight out of his mind under this solid ''bear hug'' of sorts. At this moment, Leon had no other thoughts except to escape from the Red-haired Director''s embrace quickly, fearing she might really choke him to death in her drunken state. "Director, Director! Damn it, loosen up a bit!" After pushing hard twice without success, and hearing the cracking sound of his bones instead, Leon gritted his teeth. Just about ready to apply more force, he suddenly felt a damp sensation from his chest, and the Red-haired Director in his arms started trembling uncontrollably. Chapter 167 - 167: 0146 Number_1 *Was she... afraid?* Leon paused his struggling, noticing the red-haired Director''s state, and couldn''t help but be slightly startled. Then, enduring a pressure akin to a hydraulic press, he leaned to her ear and softly asked, "Are those people starting to curse you?" "Mm..." Following a faint sob, the red-haired Director nodded slightly, and as if desperately trying to avoid something, she trembled uncontrollably, burrowing into Leon''s arms. *Stop burrowing, any deeper and I might be gone!* Although the red-haired Director''s particularly weak and pitiful appearance tugged at the heartstrings, Leon kept feeling his ribs creaking and the loss of a third of his lung''s air, making him feel more pitiful. Crossing his hands to brace against the red-haired Director''s forehead and using all his strength to push her out, Leon finally rescued his lungs. Flushed red, he took two deep breaths and reached out to cover the red-haired Director''s ears. "How about now? Can you still hear them?" "I can still hear..." She nodded pitifully, sobbing softly, "They aren''t cursing me through my ears. Even if I cover my ears, I can''t escape..." *If it''s not the ears, what is it? Mind? Soul?* But when I usually use the Black Goat and look upstairs, I don''t see anything! Straining his ears for a long time but still hearing no so-called "curses," Leon could only pat the red-haired Director''s back forcefully and urged, "Listen... Let go a little, you''re holding too tight..." "I won''t..." Rubbing her head in Leon''s arms and sobbing as if she were a little girl of five or six, she said, "If I let go, you''ll run away like the others. I don''t want that!" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *You don''t want it, but I can''t afford not to! If you keep squeezing like this, I won''t be able to run away, but my soul might leave first!* Feeling the iron grip tightening on his back, Leon couldn''t help but slap her back harder, trying to coax her, "I won''t run! I definitely won''t run! And not only won''t I run, I''ll help you curse them!" "Rea... really?" "Really, you can trust my eyes!" "Then... let me see..." After rubbing against Leon''s chest twice, she looked up with teary eyes, half-believing, and finally relaxed her arms, gripping Leon''s chest again, saying miserably, "Actually... you don''t have to curse them, just don''t run away and leave me to be cursed alone..." "Yeah, yeah, I won''t run." *I surely won''t run! If I get caught and held again, I might really be gone!* Merely thinking of trying to leave almost resulted in getting choked to death. Leon barely coaxed her to release her grip, and naturally, he dared not make any reckless moves. To prevent her from getting agitated by the "cursing" and reaching out with a deadly hug, Leon pondered a moment, then chose to grasp the red-haired Director''s shoulders, turning her sideways bit by bit. Once they switched from face-to-face hugging to a position where she was nearly back-to-back, Leon clenched his teeth and exerted all his strength, reversing the hug to pin her deadly arms down tightly. *I mustn''t release my grip before she sobers up! If I get hugged up front again, my bones will surely snap!* "Leon... you''re so good..." Unable to see Leon''s gritting expression while being embraced "warmly" and "securely," the tear-streaked red-haired Director snuggled into his embrace and regretfully whispered, "When Emma was still living at the office, she would sometimes hug me to sleep. But after drinking too much one night and being hugged back all night, she refused to let me hug her again and moved back to Redwood Street the next day..." "..." *So the last victim was actually Senior Emma?* Hearing the red-haired Director''s words, Leon, in stark pain and tears welling, couldn''t help but shiver and hugged tighter. *I mustn''t release! Absolutely mustn''t release!* Even Senior Emma, with her Undying Body, couldn''t withstand a night of hugging from the Director. I don''t have the Undying Body as a backup; if she turns and gets me in a hug, I could really be done for! And that damned Black Goat had the nerve to say my luck was fine. Just seeing the Director drunk and trying to help her to rest turned into a life-or-death crisis, nearly being strangled to death. This luck is supposed to be fine?! ... "By the way, Leon." Just as Leon was desperately praying for her to fall asleep quickly and surely not roll over in her sleep, gaining the hug seemed to calm the red-haired Director. She no longer trembled uncontrollably but leaned against him, speaking softly again, "Do you want to know what''s really upstairs?" *Hmm?* Hearing her question, Leon was momentarily startled and then reminded her, "Director, although I don''t know what''s upstairs, according to confidentiality regulations, whatever the Director of the Zodiac Branch Office is guarding should be confidential to Level Three incident handlers." "It''s okay." The red-haired Director shook her head, replying, "Unlike other Anomalous Objects of the same level, that thing''s existence isn''t a secret. Not only do branch directors know about it, but many Level One and Level Two veteran employees know about it, and they even know it''s in my hands. Though the threat level is very high, like with the Watcher''s Palace, it has been categorized as public secret knowledge. Even if I tell you, it doesn''t constitute a violation. You can listen without worry." *It seems... the Director''s speech suddenly became much more coherent. Did she become sober after some fussing?* Sensing something was off, Leon pondered for a moment, realizing the red-haired Director wasn''t genuinely trying to enlighten him but needed someone to talk to. He gently relaxed his grip and nodded, "Then go ahead, I''m quite curious." "Alright, hold me tighter again, and I''ll tell you." Seemingly craving the warmth behind her, she snuggled back into Leon''s embrace. With the alcohol redness largely faded from her cheeks, the red-haired Director closed her eyes, curled up slightly, and softly said, "What''s placed on the top floor is an Anomalous Object with the ID 004. As for the 1,296,000,000 ''people'' always cursing me, combined they form another Anomalous Object with the ID 013, both currently mine." ID? 004? 013? "The ID I''m talking about was assigned by the central office''s scholars before you proposed the Leon Value, artificially ranking Anomalous Objects by factors such as user, past performance, effect intensity, range, cost to use, and other impacts." Seemingly aware Leon would question the numbers, the red-haired Director continued softly, explaining with her eyes closed, "Typically, the closer an Anomalous Object''s assigned number is to the front, the more terrifying its effect when pushed to the limit. Like your Holy Spirit pendant, if pushed to limits, should rank within the top 150. And if you assemble all seven parts of that goat, with your super high affinity, it should have a chance to squeeze into the top 100 when you use it." *The Black Goat... that guy brags about being invincible under True God, and it only ranks in the top 100? And only with the enhancement from the Gold-Level Badge do I ''have a chance'' to squeeze in?* Chapter 168 - 168: Director 0147s Past_1 Certainly, here''s the translated text following your guidelines: --- "Don''t misunderstand, that sheep is not weak." The red-haired director, with the initial effects of the alcohol subsiding, regained some of her usual "wise and mighty" demeanor. Even while snuggled in Leon''s arms with her eyes closed, she still guessed his thoughts and explained softly, "At its peak, it was indeed the strongest great demon below the true god, but it was too greedy. Unlike other demons who focused on one or two concepts, it chose seven top-level original sins at once, hoping to leap to become a top-tier demon god. "Although its talent was exceptional and it actually touched upon seven original sin-level concepts simultaneously, its hierarchy was ultimately lacking, unable to harness all seven original sins at once, which made its individual abilities spread too thin. "For Anomalous Objects of the same level, their abilities mostly specialize in one or one main and one supplementary. Its seven concepts had almost the same intensity, so it''s normal that its upper limit couldn''t compare with others. Or, one could say, having such dispersed abilities but still squeezing into the top hundred in the numbering system is already quite a testament to its exceptional talent." So that''s how it was¡­ After recalling the situation with the Black Goat, a realization flashed through Leon''s eyes, but he quickly shook his head. "But it''s still in the top hundred, a higher ranking surely implies a higher difficulty. Director, you have the number 004 and 013, even if I gather all the sheep''s¡­ uh... gather all the Black Goat''s parts, it''s far from comparable." Hearing Leon''s words, the red-haired director couldn''t help but open her eyes and give him a brief glance back. Exactly, an Anomalous Object barely in the top hundred can''t compare to number 004, the [Twelve Ant Nests], or number 013, the [Slaughter Blood Hair]. But if it were anyone else, would they think of comparing with me first? "Not necessarily incomparable." Without exposing Leon''s inadvertently revealed "ambition," she snuggled into the warm embrace behind her, then closed her eyes again, narrating in a serene tone, "The numbers of Anomalous Objects can change. That number 013 Anomalous Object was originally numbered 116. After it fell into my hands and went through some events, it transformed into the 013 Anomalous Object." 116 became 013? Such significant progress! Hearing the red-haired director''s words, Leon couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow, full of curiosity as he asked, "You actually skipped over a hundred ranks¡­ Director, what did you do?" What did I do¡­ The red-haired director shook her head at Leon''s question, didn''t answer, and instead slightly turned over. She reached into Leon''s collar, untied the hair fastened around his neck, and pinched the end of that red hair, lightly touching Leon''s fingertip. [Name: Slaughter Blood Hair-941026 (Slaughter, Crimson)] [Appearance: A strand of bright red hair, if finely kneaded with the soul, it emanates a faint scent of blood, along with the vengeful curse and insults of an old man.] [Ability: Slaughter proliferation, Crimson Domain] [Cost: While you remain sane, you will be ceaselessly cursed by those you have killed.] [File: After the failed descent of the Crimson Lord, the previous Taurus Director collected its remnants and crafted this growth-type Anomalous Object. For each human killed by the bearer, a new controllable strand of blood hair is added. "Due to the harsh growth conditions, even after two generations of bearers, totaling 130 years of nurturing, the number of Slaughter Blood Hair barely exceeded ten thousand. The effect it exhibited was not proportional to the precious materials consumed, and it was once considered a complete failure. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But in the Ophiuchus Eroded Nation incident, the third bearer of the Slaughter Blood Hair, Olivia, was forced to use the Anomalous Object ''Thirteen Ant Nests,'' completely destroying the Purification Bureau''s Ophiuchus Sub-bureau and the East Carleighwen Kingdom, bringing the blood hair count to one billion two hundred ninety-six million overnight, a figure almost identical to the population of the East Carleighwen Kingdom before its fall.] [Evaluation: This is the most dangerous and terrifying Anomalous Object you have seen so far. If the bearer wishes, they can slaughter every living creature in the entire capital within five seconds.] [Contamination Value: Indeterminate, increases with the number of activated blood hair.] !!! A billion two hundred ninety-six million¡­ people!!! ¡­ "It seems you already know the answer." Feeling Leon''s body suddenly stiffen and his arms unconsciously loosen, the red-haired director sighed softly, then gently pushed away Leon''s arms, leaving behind the long-lost warm embrace. She sat up from the sofa, speaking calmly, "Do you want to leave the Virgo Bureau?" Gazing into Leon''s eyes, which were filled with unparalleled shock, the red-haired director, her cheeks still slightly flushed with alcohol, gently suggested, "If you want to work somewhere else, Beverly, the director of the Lion Sub-bureau, is quite familiar with me and very interested in your abilities. I can recommend you there, ensuring similar treatment as here. "She, except for liking snacks too much, doesn''t have anything too outrageous in her past, and is an undeniably good person. You should be able to do well over there¡­" "Director." Interrupting the red-haired director, Leon hesitantly inquired, "Is the Thirteen Ant Nests... that number 004 Anomalous Object? What is the relationship between the East Carleighwen Kingdom and the Northern Carleighwen Kingdom? What exactly was the Ophiuchus Eroded Nation incident?" "Regarding these¡­" After staring at Leon for a moment, the red-haired director''s lips moved slightly, then she turned her head slightly and explained in sequence: Chapter 169 - 169: Director 0147s Past_2 "Thirteen Ant Nests... After the disappearance of the East Carleighwen Kingdom, it should now be called the [Twelve Ant Nests], corresponding to the twelve kingdoms that remain. I shouldn''t need to tell you its ability for you to guess. "As for the East Carleighwen Kingdom... The current Carleighwen Kingdom, which was previously called the Western Carlay Wen Kingdom, is separated by a river from the ruins of the original East Carleighwen Kingdom. "And the Ophiuchus Eroded Nation refers to a rebellion initiated by the Ophiuchus Sub-bureau of the East Carleighwen Kingdom. The director of the Ophiuchus Sub-bureau attempted to sacrifice the entire East Carleighwen Kingdom to ascend to godhood and transform half of the world into his divine country. "As this outcome was unacceptable, the Twelve Directors conducted nine rounds of voting. Finally, with four abstentions and eight approvals, they decided to use the [Thirteen Ant Nests] to preemptively destroy the East Carleighwen Kingdom and forcibly thwart his plan. I was the executor in charge of taking action. "From then on, the Thirteen Ant Nests became the Twelve Ant Nests, which I have been overseeing to this day. The number of sub-bureaus of the Purification Bureau also decreased from 88 to 87, and the investigation and control within have become increasingly stringent. Any slight transgression will be severely punished..." I see... Having listened to the Red-haired Director''s words, Leon finally sorted out the general context, and with a rather complicated look, he said, "So those people upstairs who curse you... they were the ones back then..." "Just as you thought..." Responding vaguely, the Red-haired Director avoided his gaze and then, looking somewhat dim, said, "The people originally from the Virgin Branch also left after that incident. It''s not their fault, after all, they had over a hundred million reasons... Hmm... Leon, if you can''t accept this and want to leave, it''s the same. I understand your feelings." " ..." After getting up and sitting on the wide sofa, silently facing the Red-haired Director for a while, Leon didn''t say whether he would leave but instead asked softly, "Director, can I ask you a question?" Upon hearing Leon''s words, a hint of surprise flashed in the Red-haired Director''s eyes, but he nodded and said, "You may." "Suppose there is a train about to switch tracks..." After briefly recalling, Leon spoke, "Twelve people are tied to the track in front of the train, while one person is tied to another track. And you are holding the lever that changes the track. Would you pull the lever to let the train go to the other track and save the twelve people?" "I..." Subconsciously clenching his fists, the Red-haired Director did not immediately answer this question but instead bit his lip and asked in return, "Are you talking about my situation? But these two situations aren''t the same..." "So would you pull the lever to let it crash into the person who otherwise wouldn''t die or leave it alone to let the train crash into those twelve people?" Leon persisted in asking. "I... I don''t know." "Of course you don''t know." Leon nodded and kindly said, "Because you''re not really the one pulling the lever. The directors who voted are. You''re just the lever they gripped." " ..." "Thank you for your comfort..." Noticing Leon''s apparent attempt to console him, the Red-haired Director barely managed a smile before dimly saying, "But these two matters are genuinely not the same. I''m not just a puppet following orders; I have the ability to refuse to pull the ''lever,'' but I ultimately did not refuse and instead personally..." "If you refused, you would merely be a passerby wielding a plunger, and someone else would simply grab a new lever and stand in your original position to send the train onto the track with just one person." " ..." "Director, sometimes, one shouldn''t think of oneself as too important." " ..." After waiting for a while and noting that the Red-haired Director still kept his lips tightly sealed in silence, Leon shook his head and said, "I''m not going to tell you that your choice was right or that those sacrificed would have died sooner or later and it''s better they died by your hand to save others. "Because if I were one of the East Carleighwen Kingdom''s people, I would curse you just as harshly as those upstairs are, and probably harder, and even curse the entire Purification Bureau while hoping you get run over by a carriage tomorrow and rolled over seven or eight times on the spot. "But now, since I was one of the twelve tied to the original track, who was genuinely saved by your choice, I don''t have the right to curse you. Including those who left the bureau, they could choose to leave you, but they had no right to blame you." "You really are... Others have comforted me before, but no one quite said it like you..." With an odd expression, the Red-haired Director shook his head and looked at Leon, who appeared physically weak but seemed stronger inside somehow, and couldn''t help but ask him, "If it were you, what would you do? Would you let the train keep running toward the twelve people tied on the tracks?" "I would first try to find the one who tied them and push his head into the train''s boiler." "You really... How can you cheat like that?" "I''m not cheating; that''s truly what I think." Leon shook his head, meeting the Red-haired Director''s slightly playful gaze with a serious look, he replied, "Director, I am a person who lacks a sense of security. I confess that ever since I learned the truth about this world, I have longed for power, very, very much! "And the main reason I pursue power is so that when faced with such dilemmas, I have the ability to eliminate that scoundrel tying the people and avoid facing such eternally unsolvable decisions." "Then... What if you''ve done everything in your power but still encounter such problems?" "In that case..." Upon hearing this, Leon hesitated a bit, then took something out from his coat and showed it to the Red-haired Director. "Depending on which side my family is tied to, I would steer the train to the other side and then humbly endure the curse of a hundred million people and drink the way you do every day to fend off the painful clarity of being cursed." " ..." Looking at the small flask in Leon''s hand, the Red-haired Director couldn''t help but shake his head speechlessly and said, half-amusedly, "Isn''t that just the same as me? You really..." "It is indeed the same." After unscrewing the cap and taking a sip, Leon helplessly smiled and said, "Since I''ve tried my best but still can''t solve the problem, what else can I do? Escape might be shameful, but it''s very useful, right?" "Yes! It''s indeed very useful!" Looking at the glittering small flask in Leon''s hand, the Red-haired Director''s eyes couldn''t help but curve, laughing with him, his smile still carrying a trace of the wine''s crimson hue, like a rhododendron blooming in a garden. The curses in his ear remained madly shrill, the heavy press on his chest still like a dark cloud bearing down, and the profound guilt tormenting him still as cold and sharp as ever, piercing deeply into his flesh. Yet somehow, his heart felt less afraid. If he had to name a reason, it was probably because there was someone who not only respected his choice, but also accepted his weakness and avoidance. Yes... At a time like this, a drink certainly seemed appropriate! Seizing the flask from Leon''s grasp, the Red-haired Director tilted his slender neck back and downed it all. After licking the slightly spicy liquor off his lips, he flung the empty bottle away, and fueled by the alcohol''s emboldening effect, boisterously announced, S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Just borrowed money from Emma today! Let''s go! Drinks are on me! We''ll have the most expensive ones!" ... The people of the Virgin Branch are truly... outrageous! After knocking on the door for ages without a response, and spotting through the window of the director''s office the piles of empty bottles and the snoozing man and woman on the table wrapped in a blanket, the two investigators couldn''t help but shake their heads. They then simultaneously pulled out their investigation sheets, jotted a few lines, and marked two big red crosses. The director led in drinking! Indulging through the night! Suspected indiscretion within the bureau! Leaving aside this nightmare business on Ryan Blood Night, we must harshly downgrade their conduct and business ratings! Chapter 170 - 170: 0148 Investigation Suspicions (Part 1)_1 After a lively night drinking with the Red-haired Director, and then spending a whole day rolled up in a blanket sleeping on her office desk, Leon finally opened his eyes again with a splitting headache, only to find the sun had already dipped below the horizon. "Mr. Lyon, we are investigators from the main Zodiac Bureau, responsible for investigating the ''Heart of Ambition incident'' you handled. Can you answer some questions now?" "Huh?" "..." Seeing the man whose eyes were filled with bewilderment and whose gaze couldn''t find focus¡ªone who probably couldn''t even tell if he was human or dog¡ªthe young female investigator furrowed her brow and raised her voice to repeat herself, "We are investigators from the main bureau, tasked with investigating your case. The initial investigation has been completed, so now please cooperate with our inquiry!" "Oh... cooperate... will definitely cooperate..." After blinking for a while and finally grasping the situation, Leon''s spirit lifted, and he twisted off the blanket in an attempt to get up, but... He couldn''t move at all. Grasping the Red-haired Director''s arm, he pulled hard a couple of times, but to no avail. He was still held tightly on the desk by her. Leon couldn''t help but push her a couple of times, awkwardly leaning in to remind her, "Director! Let go! The investigators are here!" "Director! Wake up!" "..." It was over... Under the investigators'' speechless stares, Leon took a deep breath and awkwardly requested, "I''ll definitely cooperate with the investigation, but could you help me out first? Also... please be gentle, I think my ribs might be broken..." "..." *In all my years as an investigator, this is the first time I''ve encountered such a request...* Exchanging a glance with the speechless female investigator, the older, wrinkled male investigator shook his head, marked a few notes on the investigation form, and then walked over slowly. Cautiously, he reached his hand toward the Red-haired Director''s arm. "Tss!" Just as the older investigator''s hand was about to touch the Red-haired Director, the sharp sound of ripping air echoed, and the whole director''s office dimmed slightly. The few present were utterly shocked to find countless strands of crimson hair extending infinitely from the director''s desk. In just a heartbeat, they formed a massive scarlet "silken cocoon," binding all living things around it firmly. The older investigator''s vital areas were instantly "bitten" by thousands of these living-like hair strands. When Leon looked closer, he found that the hair strands had already infiltrated the man''s flesh. He estimated that if the Red-haired Director willed it, they could pierce through like a spear and churn everything inside into a mess, The Red-haired Director, who just moments ago looked thoroughly drunk, had her eyes open, full of cold severity as she stared at the two petrified investigators. "Oh, it''s you... gave me quite a scare..." Recognizing the investigator''s identity after a glance, the Red-haired Director appeared relieved. The sea of crimson hair instantly retracted, and the director''s office returned to its usual state. "Apologies, drank a bit too much yesterday." Seeing her withdraw the [Slaughter Blood Hair], the two investigators sighed in unison. The older investigator chuckled lightly, withdrawing again with a serene expression, while the younger female investigator, now pale-faced, bit her lip and spoke, "Lady Olivia, I will report exactly what just happened!" "Mm-hmm, go ahead and report~" Casting a glance at the female investigator who threatened her, the Red-haired Director first nodded, then yawned nonchalantly and turned over to lie back down. If this had been two weeks ago, she might have been slightly concerned, but after the terrible Ryan Blood Night incident at the end of the year, the bureau''s business evaluation was almost certainly going to be at the bottom, so whether it was reported or not made no difference. *I''m already last; do I really fear you reporting me for disturbing the exam room order? Whether the results count or not right now doesn''t matter; I''ll just do whatever!* Damn it! Apparently provoked by her nonchalant attitude, the female investigator bit her lip once more, then with a stern face, looked at the now-free Leon and said expressionlessly, "Mr. Lyon, since you''re out now, can you cooperate with our investigation?" "Sure..." "No, you can''t." Just then, the Red-haired Director, lying back down on the desk with her back to the group, spoke discontentedly, "If you want to investigate, do it elsewhere. Why in my office? Can''t you see I still need to rest? Hurry up, leave! I''ve just done a night shift, and I''m exhausted!" ??? After the Red-haired Director''s words, Leon watched the female investigator''s face turn from pale to flushed, then to an ashen gray, and he couldn''t help but lament inwardly. *Director! Are you worried my shoes don''t fit, planning to have these two investigators gift me a pair of smaller ones? Now that you''ve ignited a wave of trouble, even if Ryan Blood Night wasn''t my doing, even if I''m completely innocent, these two might find a way to throw some dirt my way, right?* "Heh, let''s go, let''s go." Unlike the female investigator beside him who appeared furious, the older male investigator seemed to have a gentle disposition. Not only was he not angered by the Red-haired Director''s rude dismissal, but he also began to gently push her back, humorously saying, "The Virgo Department has the fewest people in the Zodiac Bureau, and Director Olivia is usually busy with her duties. After a night shift, it''s normal for her to want to rest; we really shouldn''t disturb..." "What''s she resting from?" Apparently displeased with the Red-haired Director''s behavior, the female investigator shook off her colleague''s hand and angrily criticized, "Look at all the bottles everywhere, and you dare say she''s been busy with work? I will definitely report today''s incident! Someone as mentally unstable as her, getting drunk all night in the branch office, how can she be the director of the Zodiac Branch Office? Let alone..." "Enough!" At this point, the older investigator''s expression changed, and he sternly scolded, "You don''t understand anything; this is not something you should interfere with!" "But I..." "What''s investigation guideline number three? Recite it!" "Everything... everything must be based on facts, and personal emotions must not be involved in the investigation..." "Then what should you be doing now?" "..." The relationship between the two investigators seemed similar to a mentor and student dynamic. After the reprimand, the young female investigator took a deep breath, bit her lip once more, and gave a deep bow toward the Red-haired Director on the desk, then turned and quickly left the room. Likewise, after bowing to the Red-haired Director, the older investigator kindly said to Leon, "Mr. Lyon, since Lady Olivia needs to rest, let''s go to your office. Also, please don''t worry too much, this is just a routine inquiry." "Alright." S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing at least one of the two investigators hadn''t been aggravated by the director, Leon let out a sigh of relief, and he got up to follow the older investigator out of the director''s office. After leaving the office, just as Leon was about to start some small talk to ease the slightly tense atmosphere, he suddenly felt a slight itch on his chest. When Leon looked down, he saw a single red hair emerging from his collar, floating past the older investigator. It twisted twice behind the investigator''s blind spot before forming into a shape resembling an exclamation mark, quietly attaching itself to the old investigator''s back. Chapter 171 - 171: 0149 Investigation Suspicions (Part 2)_1 Was this... a warning to be cautious of him? After receiving the reminder from the Red-haired Director, Leon couldn''t help but stiffen. Unlike last night''s "drunken limited edition," the Director was now sober and had returned to her normal state. In this state, she was quite reliable. So if she advised him to be wary of this old investigator, there must be a reason! Even that deliberate "provocation" just now likely had some consideration behind it¡ªher warning should absolutely not be ignored! "By the way, Mr. Lyon." Unaware that he had been "marked," and after waiting a few seconds without seeing Leon engage in conversation, the old investigator turned around, asked gently, "I saw in your file that you''ve been working for over a month now, right? Have you adapted to your time at the Virgin Branch?" "Well, quite accustomed." After stealthily switching out the [Elite Performer] badge, Leon suppressed the vigilance in his eyes, smiled, and replied, "Although there aren''t many people in the Bureau, and the work content is quite dangerous, both the Director and the seniors have taken good care of me; everyone in the Bureau is a good person." "..." Everyone in the Bureau... is a good person? Hearing Leon''s words, the corners of the old investigator''s mouth couldn''t help but twitch slightly. If it were another investigator, they might not be all that clear about the state of the Virgin Sanitation Bureau, but him visiting so often for investigations made him quite aware. While the people in the Purification Bureau''s Virgin Branch were not outrightly evil, they weren''t exactly close to being good either. There was no need to mention the Scarlet Hair Lady, who wiped out a nation with ruthless intent and left behind slaughter of over a hundred million. Even Tom the Ill-fated Gambler and Emma the Corpse Pivot Executioner, two First Level disaster handlers, were regulars of the investigation department too. The former violated countless rules but was extremely careful, leaving no evidence for the Bureau to catch, while the latter''s methods were too brutal and ruthless¡ªthe aftermath of her cleanup missions was more terrifying than the havoc caused by anomalous objects. Despite being repeatedly warned, she never changed her ways. The rest, such as Tape Man Harry, Sewer Emperor Jerry, Silver Demon Pioni, and Plague Alchemist Amien... None of these Level Two individuals were any easy to deal with. In those large inter-branch joint enforcement missions, they were universally hated, and basically, no one wanted to engage with them. To be honest, the biggest reason these guys have been able to stay at the Virgin Sanitation Bureau for several years is probably not due to the personal charm of the Scarlet Hair Lady, but because other branches simply didn''t want to take them on; leaving the Virgin Bureau, they had nowhere else to go. And to get along well with such a group of people, even sincerely believing they are all good people... Looking at Leon, whose appearance was handsome and smile was gentle and who otherwise just seemed like an ordinary Kingdom civil servant, the old investigator couldn''t help but take a deep breath, then subtly sensed the aura surrounding Leon. The demonic flame was immense... Someone who could get along with this bunch couldn''t possibly be a normal person. Feeling the aura behind him that was no different from that of a typical demon and even more ferocious and dark, the old investigator couldn''t help but sigh inwardly, already starting to ponder a nickname for this new employee at the Virgin Branch. This person had a high affinity with demon-type anomalous objects, appeared thin and scholarly like those cultured people in universities, and had proposed a metric called the Leon Value for anomalous objects, seemingly quite adept in research... How about calling him the Demon Scholar! sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ... Unaware that the old investigator was secretly giving him a nickname, Leon followed him into his office, first invited the two investigators to sit on the sofa, then got a chair to sit opposite them, and cooperatively spoke up, "You two, you can ask your questions now." "Then I''ll begin." The female investigator had already regained control of her emotions. Although her expression remained icy, it was no longer the hostile stance from before. She took out a stack of documents and flipped through them, then said with an air of businesslike formality, "The first question: Do you have a personal grudge against members of the Ryan family, especially Bobby Laien, who controls the Heart of Ambition?" "This... I''m not sure if it counts..." Hearing this, Leon hesitated for a moment but ultimately spoke truthfully, "Before joining the Purification Bureau, my sister contracted a lung disease due to a leak of waste gas from an alchemical factory, and because we couldn''t get the compensation we deserved, she almost died in the hospital. The alchemical factory was a subsidiary of Ryan Military Industries, and the compensation case was handled by someone related by marriage to the Ryan family, effectively making him a member of the Ryan family. Although they were just a side branch of the Ryan family, if you look at it that way, I do have some animosity with the Ryan family." "..." Hearing Leon''s candid answer, the female investigator couldn''t help but freeze for a moment. She then looked down at the file in her hand and bit her lip somewhat reluctantly. What Leon said was precisely what she had painstakingly discovered today. According to the public facts, the other party didn''t have substantial contact with the Ryan family before the Ryan Blood Night, so to avoid suspicion, they would likely outright deny any grudges against the Ryan family. At that point, she could lay out these facts to puncture his "lies" and "covers," then during the subsequent questioning, subject his answers to more "reasonable" doubts. But he unexpectedly admitted it directly, frankly saying there might be a grudge with the Ryan family, and given how extensive the Ryan family''s reach was, it''s inevitable for anyone living in the Capital City to have some interactions with them, with only minor animosities on the sidelines, not nearly enough motive to initiate the Ryan Blood Night. The information she''d painstakingly gathered ended up being a pile of useless paper due to his honesty, at best it could only serve as slight supporting evidence... Damn, how could someone under investigation not shake off suspicion but actively draw it upon themselves? Frustrated, she bit her lip and quickly shoved the file to the bottom, then coldly said, "Next question: After the Ryan Blood Night, have you been able to benefit from it?" "Yes." Leon sighed, "I was not capable enough to stop Bobby Laien''s atrocities. On the day of the Ryan Blood Night, I nearly got killed by him several times and was significantly injured. However, it seems I am a member of the Ryan family. The people ahead of me in the line of succession were all incapacitated by Bobby Laien, so while I was convalescing, I was dragged over and forcibly designated as the new Duke. The succession ritual is on Tuesday." Hearing Leon''s words, the female investigator couldn''t help but perk up, her lips curling into a cold smile, "So you''re basically admitting that you''re the biggest beneficiary of the events following the Ryan Blood Night, correct?" "Incorrect." Leon shook his head, "I have no interest in this title at all, neither in the wealth it represents nor the power behind it; they hold no significance for me. When the succession ritual comes, I plan to suggest transferring all the industries to the royal family through a marriage alliance, thereby forcing them to replace me as the inheritor of the title. Fortunately, the succession ritual is tomorrow; if you don''t believe me, you can wait a day and see if I do it then." "..." Damn it... Could he really be willing to part with the entire ducal estate? Seeing Leon''s expression, appearing genuine and seemingly prepared to do just that, the female investigator nearly bit through her lips. After sensing the demonic aura all over Leon, she clenched her fists tightly and finally couldn''t help but taunt, "Ha, it sounds saintly... But if you don''t want anything, how do you explain this aura more evil than a demon''s on you?" Chapter 172 - 172: 0150 Investigation Suspicions (Part 2 Continued)_1 *The scent even more sinister than a demon''s...* Leon frowned upon hearing this and glanced at the badge section where it read, "I Am the Demon," before he began to speak, "I carried the scent of a demon because I had an extremely high affinity with demon-class Anomalous Objects, and I had always used the demon Anomalous Object known as ''War Cornerstone.'' Additionally, please try to ask questions within the scope. I don''t believe this matter had any connection to the ''Ryan Blood Night.''" "That''s not necessarily the case." The female Investigator, exuding an air of wickedness, gave a sneer and said, "A demon was the embodiment of desire. For someone with an extremely high affinity to demon Anomalous Objects, they almost invariably had strong desires. But you, on the contrary, don''t want anything, so I have reason to suspect you''re lying, hurriedly donating your assets to deliberately evade the investigation!" As he faced the clearly antagonizing female Investigator, Leon narrowed his eyes and coldly retorted, "Donating was a deliberate attempt to evade investigation? What if I didn''t donate, chose to take the Duke''s title, and the Ryan Family''s wealth? Would you then say I orchestrated the ''Ryan Blood Night'' to gain benefits? Is this how you investigate?" "I didn''t say that." Although it seemed like she held great animosity towards the entire Virgin Sanitation Bureau, the female Investigator, despite her continual troublemaking in her questions, wasn''t entirely senseless. Naturally, she wouldn''t leave such a remark and retorted, "You had a high affinity with demon Anomalous Objects yet appeared to want nothing. I merely suspected that you were deliberately concealing something. Hence, I raised a reasonable doubt." "Why would you question your horse?" Just as Leon slightly squinted to consider whether to set her up, the Black Goat, who had been listening silently, couldn''t help but struggle out from a shopping bag, spitting a thick yellow wad of old tobacco phlegm at her. Watching the startled female Investigator dodge in panic, the Black Goat chuckled gleefully, then opened its goat eyes and asked, "Hey lady, why didn''t you bring your mom along when you left the house? Afraid she''d interfere in finding you a new sugar daddy?" "You...?!" "What, you? Using your words, this is called reasonable doubt! Of course, if you did bring your mom, then you''re picking the next sugar daddy yourself... Haha, isn''t it reasonable doubt? As if no one can do it!" After a few sharp words left the female Investigator''s complexion purplish, the Black Goat raised its eyebrows at Leon, giving him a reassuring look of leave-it-to-me-before taking a deep breath and continued, "You couldn''t even **pee in a puddle and look at yourself, with your **ugly** face, thinking you''re being ...hmmm?" Watching its suddenly sealed shut mouth, as if it never existed, the Black Goat was left stunned, its eyes wide in surprise, and hummed a chaotic tune of disbelief. The senior Investigator, who had been silently recording, placed down two fingers crossed in a diagonal manner, nodded apologetically, and said to Leon, who showed a surprised expression, "Sorry, Eisha has some bias against people from your bureau, indeed her questioning method was inappropriate. Let me handle the questioning from here. However, please keep that Anomalous Object somewhat under control. The bureau''s regulations on such matters are very strict. Even though it''s just routine inquiry post-incident, besides Her Excellency Olivia as the director, others aren''t allowed to listen in or interfere as a rule." "Alright, since you were being reasonable, I will also be reasonable." Using the Holy Spirit pendant to pick up the Black Goat, Leon placed it across from the female Investigator who was shaking with anger. After an exchange of stares between goat eyes and human eyes, Leon raised his own query, "But you should know, Miss Eisha, seems to have a deep prejudice against our bureau, which even affected her judgment and behavior. I don''t think she should have been part of this investigation at all. The General Bureau sending down Investigators with conflicts against us was not only unfair but also couldn''t guarantee accurate inquiry results." "..." The senior Investigator was slightly surprised at these words, a gleam of contemplation appeared in his eyes, seemingly hesitating on how to respond, whereas the female Investigator couldn''t help but scoff, "Do you think I wanted to come? To ensure the fairness of the results, Investigators must investigate in pairs. The entire General Bureau has only nineteen Investigators in the Northern Triad, sixteen of which have vendettas with you, and two hold grudges to death! Ha, who do you propose to come next time? Just don''t choose me¡ªI can help you request anyone!" "..." Holy crap... did that mean eighteen out of nineteen Investigators were offended? Using the Black Goat''s soul vision, Leon saw that what the female Investigator said was true. Shocked by the degree of bad karma, Leon smacked his lips in disbelief and tried to reconcile, "Well... even though I''ve not been in the Virgin Branch long, I''ve interacted with some of the seniors, and they all seemed pretty good, doesn''t that indicate there''s some misunderstanding here?" "..." Hearing Leon''s words and finding no trace of a lie, it seemed he genuinely thought so, even the previously sarcastic female Investigator''s expression stiffened, full of disbelief as she said, "You...you actually think they''re okay?" "Uh... is there a problem?" Leon pondered briefly and frowned, "The director, albeit prone to excessive drinking, was shrewd and capable when sober, often looking after me and occasionally inviting me for a drink; Senior Emma was gentle and meticulous, I managed to survive several crises thanks to her invaluable experience; As for Senior Jerry... he did seem to have a not-so-good habit of stealing, yet he was generous and enthusiastic. I helped him with a small matter, then he gifted me both Anomalous Objects and weapons, teaching me carefully how to use them. He was also a great senior." "..." The alcohol-obsessed Scarlet Hair Lady invited you for a drink, the ferocious Corpse Pivot Executioner treated you gently and patiently, and that Sewer Emperor didn''t steal from you but gave you things? Dang... this was either you''re living a dream, or I simply haven''t woken up? Listening to Leon''s description of the Virgin Sanitation Bureau, where everyone was kind and friendly, seemed like a newcomer''s heaven, the fierce look on the female Investigator''s face unknowingly faded, and she mumbled defeatedly, "You''re something else... Damn it, just pretend I said nothing." "???" Watching the female Investigator cover her face with a file and lay back on the sofa motionlessly, Leon stood silently for a moment before turning to the elder Investigator, sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Did I say anything wrong?" "No, you''re all right." Seeing Leon thriving in a place like the Virgin Sanitation Bureau, even viewing everyone as kind, the senior Investigator was rendered speechless and had to vaguely acknowledge, then quietly unfolded the inquiry form, writing seven consecutive question marks under the mental state section. ??????? This guy''s brain must have some sort of problem! Chapter 173 - 173: Investigative Doubts (Part 2)_1 *Why was my psychological evaluation filled with a series of question marks?* Recognizing the text reflected in his pupils from the Young Ha he was observing, Leon couldn''t help but slightly furrow his brow upon seeing the seven question marks following the psychological status section. After receiving a reminder from the Red-haired Director, Leon exercised the utmost caution, seating himself with two investigators on the right side of the sofa, near a storage cabinet. He discreetly sent Young Ha, who was holding a small mirror, into the glass of the cabinet''s open glass door. Under normal circumstances, the position where Leon sat wouldn''t allow him to see the contents of the investigation form. But with the help of the "Mirror Dog," every word the two investigators wrote on the paper was reflected into his pupils without missing a single detail. He saw the series of question marks as soon as they were written down. *Nevertheless, despite the peculiar evaluation of my psychological state, it seems that my overall evaluation was quite favorable.* Cooperating with the elderly investigator, Leon answered some not-so-pointed questions. Despite the prior warning from the director to "be careful of this person," his impression of the elderly investigator continued to rise as he saw a dozen or so evaluations categorized as "outstanding" and "excellent." Even after being chased out of the director''s office and having a minor conflict, the elderly investigator managed the questioning without bias, even mildly protecting him on trivial matters, which was quite impressive. In comparison to the female investigator next to him, who marked many crosses on his evaluation and liked to create issues out of thin air, always steering topics towards the entire Virgo Branch, even hinting that he could report his colleagues¡ªshe was significantly better. ... "Mr. Lyon, we have finished our questions. Thank you for your cooperation," The elderly investigator stood up and shook hands cordially with Leon, without sharing the results, and then left Leon''s office with the silent female investigator. Shortly after, having completely exited the Virgin Branch''s vicinity, the elderly investigator glanced at the female investigator, whose expression was quite peculiar. He tugged the corner of his mouth and smiled, inquiring, "Eisha, what do you think of this person today?" "..." The female investigator remained silent for a moment after hearing this, then sighed and said, "Honestly... he seems to be a rare good person. Not only is he kind-hearted, but he is also diligent and meticulous, hardworking and honest yet not obstinate, and he seems quite intelligent. Senior Camus, from my perspective, he is practically the ideal template for a Cleaner. It''s really a shame for him to stay in a place like the Virgin Branch." "Oh? No wonder your evaluations of him were so low, so you used the low evaluations to help transfer him to a branch with a better environment?" "Yes." The female investigator nodded, speaking with a hint of admiration in her eyes, "Senior Camus, according to our previous division of labor, I was responsible for investigating him as a person, while you were responsible for investigating Ryan Blood Night. Although we exchanged information beforehand, some things just don''t manifest in the data. Before joining the Virgin Branch, he was almost driven to the brink by money several times; presumably, his desire in this aspect should be quite intense. Yet, he never became a slave to money¡ªnot even Scales Gold Sect''s Holy Spirit could control him. Aside from money, his desire for power is also very weak; he is quite resistant to becoming a Duke and tried to escape as soon as he recovered from his injuries. These things can''t be faked. He indeed isn''t a greedy person¡ªthe only thing he truly values seems to be the emotional bonds between people. He not only treats his family well, taking care of his younger siblings after his parents'' death, but also remembers all the good deeds done to him. Even with those people at the Virgin Branch, he gets along quite harmoniously, which is really remarkable." Hearing the female investigator''s words, the elderly investigator seemed to have discovered something amusing, and he couldn''t help but chuckle slightly. The corners of his mouth naturally turned upwards, paired with crescent eyes filled with kindness and deep smile lines by his eyes and mouth, making him seem approachable when he smiled. However... "Eisha, you have completely read him wrong this time." Shaking his head slightly, the elderly investigator took out his investigation form and handed it over. The female investigator took it and was shocked to find it filled with eye-catching red crosses and numerous comments like "Dangerous!" "Must be monitored!" "Recommend thorough investigation!"¡ªcompletely different from the form Leon had seen. "He seemed too normal. And within our Purification Bureau, the more normal a person appears, the more terrifying they often are!" Facing the female investigator''s slightly confused gaze, the elderly investigator shook his head and explained, "The Cleaners are constantly exposed to the corrosion from Anomalous Objects, witnessing the most extreme human evils repeatedly during their missions, and engaging in brutal life-and-death battles with countless entities coveting this world. Eisha, always remember: the biggest influences on a person''s character and behavior are always their encounters and experiences. Someone engaged in such work is bound to deviate from the realm of a normal human continuously, so how could he behave so normally and maintain such an unusual stability?" "This..." Hearing the elderly investigator''s words, the female investigator was stunned. She couldn''t help but express her doubt, "Could it be that he''s just recently joined the Purification Bureau, so he hasn''t changed too..." "It''s not a matter of time or the strength of the change, but a certain more ''solid'' feeling. Even with abilities far exceeding an ordinary person''s, there''s no deviation in his self-awareness at all. Right now, he still believes himself to be part of the ''ordinary people,'' even genuinely treating the Purification Bureau''s tasks as a similar job to that of a civil servant. This eerie sense of stability is truly terrifying. Just thinking about it makes one''s skin crawl." Saying this, the elderly investigator pondered briefly before shaking his head again, "Moreover, he didn''t behave quite as normally as he appeared... you know? He was watching us write that investigation form the entire time." "Huh?" "Just like that Sewer Emperor, he also keeps a pet from the Mirror World, which stayed in the glass beside us the entire time, projecting every word you wrote into his eyes." "..." As the female investigator looked utterly baffled, the elderly investigator sighed and began elaborating on his findings, "Not only that, the Ryan Blood Night is closely connected to him. I strongly suspect that those people didn''t actually die at Bobby Laien''s hands¡ªthey were killed by him. When I traced back the scenes, Bobby Laien seemed equally shocked by the events, his eyes full of desperation. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But this person was meticulous, never revealing any flaws. All interactions with Bobby Laien and that Goat Demon happened within the mental realm. I had no way to eavesdrop by tracing back the scenes. Even the Heart of Ambition submitted to the bureau didn''t seem to have any influence from him and consistently claimed that the person who acted was Bobby Laien. Besides that, I went to the Secret Investigation Bureau and traced back the events before and after the Ryan Blood Night, observing his two interrogations of that female Rebel. This person... how should I put it? He has a strange, innate talent for playing with the human mind..." After contemplating briefly, the elderly investigator solemnly summarized, "In conclusion... he is most likely a madman!" Chapter 174 - 174: 0152 Intuition and Intuition_1 So... was I deceived by him? After listening to the old investigator''s summary, the young female investigator stood there, stunned. It took a while for her to come to her senses, and then, with a look of indignation, she took out the investigation report and tore it into pieces! "Don''t be hasty." A hand, with skin yellowed and loose, covered with age spots, gently waved, and miraculously, the torn paper flew back together, reassembling into a complete investigation report, as neat and intact as before, with no sign of having been torn. The old investigator took the report from the female investigator''s hand and curved his crescent-shaped eyes into a welcoming smile as he teased, "Eisha, didn''t you think highly of him before? What happened? Planning to rewrite the investigation report now?" "I... thank you for your guidance!" The female investigator, whose face looked a bit troubled, took a deep breath and then respectfully bowed to the old investigator. "This time, I didn''t think it through. Without your reminder, I might have been fooled by him. I am still too naive and have much to learn from you." "Hehe, these are not things that can be learned." The old investigator shook his head, his eyes curving with a gentle smile. "Strictly speaking, all the judgments I just made are without any evidence; they are just empty conjectures. The way I judged that something was wrong with him wasn''t based on concrete logic but rather on a feeling that was closer to the subconscious. To do a good job in our investigation department, we have to be like bank tellers, constantly in contact with more ''real money.'' If a person has handled real money all their life, when they come across counterfeit money occasionally, they may not need to discover anything specifically; they will instinctively feel that the money in their hand is different from the real thing. Our investigation work is similar. This subconscious sense of disharmony cannot be learned; it can only be gradually mastered through enough contact with people." "I understand, Senior Camus!" "Hehe, as long as you understand. I''ll keep this investigation report here. After I finish writing the investigation results later, I''ll attach it to the back of my report and submit them together." ??? S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing that he was actually planning to submit her investigation report too, the female investigator couldn''t help but ask anxiously, "But my investigation had mistakes. How can it be submitted?" "Indeed, there were mistakes, but the fact that such an experienced investigator like you made mistakes is excellent evidence in itself." The old investigator smiled at this, waving to a steam carriage on the roadside as he explained, "As you just said, not everything can be reflected in the data. My investigation was based on a ''something''s wrong'' intuition after contacting this person, with no evidence to speak of. But your investigation was purely logical, with evidence supporting every judgment; its credibility was higher than my investigation. Only by submitting your flawed investigation and comparing it with my results can those responsible for review take notice and understand what''s wrong with this newcomer from the Virgin Branch... Eisha, you won''t blame me for making you lose face, will you?" "Not at all... After all, I did make a mistake, and it''s only right for you to report it." "Hehe, as long as you don''t blame me... Hmm... Since the investigation is over and we generally agree, let''s end it here together; your car is here." Uh? My car? The female investigator was slightly stunned when she heard this, then hesitantly asked, "Aren''t you planning to return to headquarters with me?" "I won''t be returning now." After sending her off in a luxurious two-seater steam carriage, the old investigator smiled and said goodbye, "I have an old friend around here, someone I seldom meet. Before this mission, I had agreed to meet him here to catch up, so I won''t be returning with you this time." "Alright, then take care." "You too." After waving goodbye to the female investigator, as her carriage drove away, the old investigator did not wait for the so-called old friend, but instead, he waved again and summoned another empty steam carriage. After looking up and down at the old investigator''s attire, which seemed finely tailored, the coachman, thinking he might be a big customer, couldn''t help but smile and, as the old investigator boarded, politely asked, "Sir, where to?" "Not sure, just wander ahead for a bit." "Alright... okay..." As he heard the words that sounded as cold as shards of ice, the coachman shivered suddenly, then couldn''t help but sneak a glance at his passenger in the rearview mirror. His eyes were narrow and long, with eyebrows and mouth corners slightly drooping, giving him a look as if he were about to cry even without any expression. *This old man looks so gloomy... Oh well, as long as he can pay the fare* ~ ... "Director, that old investigator was quite nice." After recounting the inquiry process and the two investigation reports seen through Young Ha, Leon curiously asked, "He hardly asked any difficult questions, and even in his soul, there was no malice towards me and you. Why did you warn me to be careful of him?" "If I have to give a reason... it''s probably a kind of intuition." The Red-haired Director rubbed his temples upon hearing that, blinking with his fox-like eyes and looking perplexed, "I can''t really explain this feeling, but it''s like when a case of twelve bottles of Margaux''s dry red wine has a second-label wine mixed in secretly. *Even if the taste may not differ much, even if the grape vines are just separated by a river, after drinking a lot, you''d instinctively feel the acidity is slightly off, and the alcohol would feel stronger.* *And he is like that mixed-in bottle of wine, where no matter how you savor, something doesn''t feel right, especially when he heard your call for help and came preparing to wake me up. At that moment, I almost instinctively felt that I mustn''t let this person get too close to me.*" After sharing his feelings, the Red-haired Director unwillingly asked, "Leon, after observing his soul, did you really not find anything abnormal?" "Really, nothing. His soul was entirely normal." "I see..." The Red-haired Director furrowed his brow, *"The soul is the core of a person, and there should be no way to fake it. Maybe there''s something about him that poses a threat to me, which is why I instinctively resisted getting close to him... Hmm... But you still need to be careful; there is a subtle sense of disharmony about him, and it''s best not to have any contact with him."* "Alright, I''ll remember that." Nodding slightly, and taking the Red-haired Director''s advice to heart, Leon spoke up, "Director, the ceremony for the title conferral is tomorrow, but I still have some official business to finish. If it''s alright with you, I''m heading back to the office first." "Go ahead, go ahead, and stop using the formal ''you'' for me; it sounds exhausting... Oh, by the way." When saying this, the Red-haired Director seemed to remember something, and looked down to rummage through a drawer, pulling out a photograph tied with a strand of hair. "Here you go, your stuff." Chapter 175 - 175: 0153 Vices and Inferior Flowers_1 Was this... the photograph that Anna lost? Through the gap in his hair, after identifying what it was, Leon couldn''t help but open his eyes wide in astonishment. "Director, how did this end up with you?" "Well, that''s a question for your good senior." The Red-haired Director smiled warmly and said, "Did you really think that guy Jerry could resist his kleptomania and not swipe something when he saw you?" "But... this thing should have been at my house, not on me." "That''s the effect of an anomalous object called the [Cunning Hand of Fate]. When Jerry wants to steal something from you, it doesn''t matter if it''s just at home or even in another world, the result is the same. As long as he''s close to you and reaches out, the thing that has the greatest impact on your life will be directly taken by him. Even a True God cannot fully exempt themselves from this ability." After briefly explaining Jerry''s ability, the Red-haired Director asked with a smile, "Though he did something quite unpleasant to you, I made him compensate you doubly. Are you satisfied with his apology?" "..." *So that''s how it is... No wonder Senior Jerry was so generous, insisting on a buy-one-get-one-free and giving me not just two anomalous objects, but also teaching me many tricks to use them, and even gifting an absurdly expensive bomb...* "Very satisfied. Senior Jerry helped me a lot." Having understood the reason, Leon shook his head in a bit of speechlessness and, recalling the evaluation of the Virgo Branch members by the two investigators earlier, couldn''t help but inquire, "By the way, Director, is our bureau''s reputation... not too good?" S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Indeed, it''s not that great, or you could say it''s quite lousy." Hearing Leon''s question, the Red-haired Director nodded, openly admitting the bad reputation of the Virgo Branch and then sighed, "But there''s nothing we can do about it. All the people in our bureau are born carriers of anomalous objects, and behind these self-carrying anomalous objects are curses that none of us can shake off. Jerry with his thieving hand can''t help but steal, Emma with her Undead body is particularly afraid of death, Tom with his dice is addicted to gambling, Harry who sticks to everything can never hold onto anything... These all fall into this category. While gaining power, everyone also has to pay a corresponding price. Other branches may also have people like this, but either their abilities aren''t as great, resulting in less extreme situations, or they only have one or two people, not as many as us, so they haven''t caused big troubles. As for us... Well, although none are bad people, each has their vices hard to change, and there have been quite a few issues in the past. Coupled with my notorious executioner reputation as Director, naturally, our reputation can''t be good." *I see...* After hearing the Red-haired Director''s words, Leon couldn''t help but nod knowingly, while the Red-haired Director, after glancing at him, couldn''t help but ponder his situation. As for Little Leon... Forced intelligence acquisition, an ability related to the cognitive world, according to this logic, could his "vice" be... an excessive thirst for knowledge? No, that''s not it! Recalling Leon''s usual behavior, thinking that although he treasured knowledge, he hadn''t reached the level of a "vice," the Red-haired Director couldn''t help but shake his head slightly, dismissing his guess. It seemed Leon''s "vice" wasn''t Jerry''s kind of "positive reinforcement" of anomalous objects, but more likely Emma''s and Harry''s kind of "reverse conflict" type... "Director?" Under the somewhat thoughtful gaze of the Red-haired Director, Leon slightly tightened his scalp, quickly picked up the photograph on the table, and said goodbye, "I have no other questions to ask, so I''m leaving!" "Mm, off you go, off you go!" After Leon left through the door, the Red-haired Director interlaced his fingers and leaned somewhat lazily against the chair back, continuing to ponder the earlier issue. The "vices" developed by a Cleaner after Corrosion generally fell into two common scenarios. Either there was a positive reinforcement concerning the anomalous object, such as the ability to steal with the [Cunning Hand of Fate] and Jerry''s kleptomania, or a reverse conflict with the ability, such as the ability to maintain a living body''s Undead state and Emma''s extreme aversion to death. As for Leon''s anomalous object ability, relating to the cognitive world, since he hadn''t shown an excessive thirst for knowledge, it wouldn''t be the first scenario, but rather the second one. A character trait directly opposing the expression of the abnormal ability. Then the reversed cognitive world... Would that mean Leon had a complete understanding of the laws of the world, which was extremely resilient and not easily changed? ... Unaware that his "cards" had been turned over seventy percent by the Director, nearly about to be fully exposed to the knees, Leon didn''t start working immediately upon returning to his office. Instead, he checked the family photo of his sister Anna and his parents. [Name: Warm Home (Under Repair, Unusable) (Prayer, Doll, Alteration)] [Appearance: A brand-new family photograph, seemingly normal from the front but showing numerous unhealed cracks and deep brown scorch marks when viewed from the back, as if repeatedly torn and burned with flames] [Ability: Obtaining family, controlling family, altering the world] [Cost: Under updating, visible upon repair completion] [File: One of the many functional anomalous objects the Purification Bureau''s Aquarius Director created to fulfill a wish, tentatively numbered 0006. This anomalous object with a particularly special ability was born out of a child''s deepest longing for family members. However, it doesn''t bring family members who truly love the user but rather puppets that obey every command. After discovering this, its creator directly denied the significance of this anomalous object and tore it apart, lifting the control over "family members" but also causing irreparable damage. However, after years of mutual companionship, its creator and the family brought by this anomalous object slowly became true family in the true sense, and the significance of this anomalous object was once again acknowledged, beginning a slow self-repair process. Please note that once this repair is fully completed, there will be entirely unknown new changes in its ability, based on the creator''s situation.] [Evaluation: Even if it is an Evil blossom born of deceit and malice, as long as it is carefully nurtured with kindness and love, it may yet bear warm and beautiful fruit.] [Contamination Value: ?] *So... Was the original me indeed not Anna''s real brother but a fake family member "kidnapped" by this anomalous object?* Though he had already had similar suspicions, after reading this family photograph''s file, Leon couldn''t help but close his eyes, leaning back on his chair with a complicated heart. However, such complex emotions didn''t last long before being violently shattered by a strong sense of crisis. *Aquarius Director again!* Looking at the family photograph''s file, once again containing information about the Aquarius Director, Leon''s eyebrows furrowed deeply. *I didn''t expect Anna''s family photograph to be one of the anomalous objects he created to fulfill a wish... So, what exactly is the Aquarius Director''s wish? In the process of achieving his wish, will Anna be harmed?* Chapter 176 - 176: 0154 Rebel group meeting with..._1 "Leon Laine..." Just as Leon was holding a family photo with his sister, pondering how to dig into the secrets of the Aquarius Director to speed up the bureau''s investigation of this character, a group of people was holding his file, contemplating how to remove this obstacle from their path. "Do we really have to take action? Can''t we deal with him using ordinary methods?" After quickly flipping through a few documents in his hand, a short man sitting at the end of the long table couldn''t help but speak first, "His schedule was pretty fixed, leaving from Bridge Street every day to head to work in the municipal area where the police department is located. If we ambush with the right people in advance, we might just need a few bombs..." "Useless." A young man sitting across from him shook his head and, biting his teeth, said with a face full of resentment, "He''s with that Purification Bureau, carrying more than one Anomalous Object for protection; ordinary alchemical bombs likely wouldn''t kill him." "Then blow up his house!" The short man suggested again, "Even with Anomalous Objects for protection, he might not be able to defend every hour of the day. We could sneak over at night and blow up the entire apartment on Bridge Street!" "Can''t sneak over." A young woman wearing a hat shook her head and quickly said, "The apartment''s view is excellent. The northwest corner''s tower could directly oversee the whole street. When I was assassinating the Princess earlier, I had considered making it the first sniper point, but once I jumped over the fence, I found an intimidatingly strong old man staring at me with giant scissors. I shot at him, and he was fine. He almost killed me with a backward snip. I later took twenty people over and, in the blink of an eye, they were tied up tightly by an old white-haired lady and thrown into the street corner''s garbage station. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. While the old man didn''t kill me, he held onto the meter-long scissors, snipping at my head for over half an hour. He shaved not just my hair and eyebrows but even cleaned up my nostrils; they haven''t grown back since." Raising her head slightly to show everyone her empty nasal cavity, the young woman sighed and said, "I later learned that the apartment itself was an Anomalous Object. Both the strong old man and the white-haired old lady had been dead for over ninety years. With these two old ghosts guarding the apartment, we''d need heavily armed troops to forcibly enter and plant bombs. Oh, by the way, have you ever seen heavy weapons? I snuck into Ryan Armaments Company last month. The heavy weapons ordered by the military were only half-finished, but the report falsely claimed completion; aside from the most critical units, many were not yet deployed. We could exploit this..." "Alright, Charlotte, your intelligence is very useful, but it''s unrelated to this meeting. We''re discussing how to solve the problem of Leon Laine." After interrupting the young woman, the middle-aged man sitting at the main seat spoke, "Everyone, according to the intelligence returned by Barton, this Purification Bureau employee is not weak. Dealing with someone carrying Anomalous Objects by conventional means has a low probability of success, so we need you to take direct action." "We have no problem taking action, but what happens after we do?" Sucking his teeth, a somewhat shabby old man reminded, "He''s with the Purification Bureau. The person who gave us Talents warned us that the Director of the Virgo Branch was incredibly strong. Even if we''re all together, it would be a suicide mission. If Barton were still around, we could have killed him in the Duplicated Space Barton created. But now Barton''s gone, and killing him might provoke that woman to step in personally..." "No, it won''t. That woman from the Virgo Branch has her own responsibilities and generally won''t intervene personally. Plus, we don''t necessarily have to kill him, just erase his Ability and memory." The middle-aged man at the main seat said this while turning to look at the drowsy child on his right, knocking gently on the table, "Phoebe, join this mission. You''re responsible for making the target forget all our intelligence in his mind and the Ability that allows him to glimpse others'' souls. Can you do it?" "Huh?" Hearing the middle-aged man''s question, the drowsy little girl suddenly shivered, then said, with a face full of confusion, "What mission?" "..." "Ambush Leon Laine." The little girl sniffed and continued to ask, bewildered, "Who is Leon Laine?" "An employee of the Purification Bureau who exposed Barton''s identity and took Samantha''s Ability." "Who is Barton? And who is Samantha?" Faced with the little girl''s repeated inquiries, the middle-aged man wasn''t impatient. Instead, he explained patiently, "They''re our comrades. Barton was a spy in the Secret Investigation Bureau, a burly uncle with a scar on his face. Samantha was the aunt with bandages on her hand who could heal others or cause them to rot..." "Oh..." After reluctantly nodding as if she understood, the little girl rubbed her eyes, then asked again, "Who are you?" "I... forget it." Rubbing his temples in frustration, the middle-aged man waved to the seat on the little girl''s other side, saying with some helplessness, "Lucy, your sister''s amnesia has flared up again. She''s not in a state to discuss. Just infuse the necessary information directly into Phoebe''s head!" Chapter 177 - 177: 0154 Rebel group meeting with..._2 "Alright." A hoarse and elderly voice echoed. An old woman, her face crisscrossed with wrinkles, straightened up and reached out with her trembling hand to caress the young girl''s forehead. Seeing that this odd pair of "sisters" was ready, the middle-aged man nodded in satisfaction, then instructed the wrinkled old woman, "Lucy, the target this time has the ability to probe others'' soul states, so once the meeting is over and we''ve chosen who will execute the ambush, I''ll trouble you to step in again. To prevent the selected individuals from harboring hostility towards the target and inadvertently alarming him, please implant a layer of false memories in the chosen ones to temporarily mask their original memories. Is that alright?" "No problem." "Thank you." Nodding towards the old woman in appreciation, the middle-aged man leaned slightly forward, his hands pressing on the tabletop as he spoke directly, "So next, it would be best to first determine the ambush location. Do you all have any suggestions?" "I suggest we act while he''s at work!" A man on the right side, covered in burn scars, raised his hand and coldly proposed, "We should all move in together, storm that Purification Bureau or whatever, kill that red-haired woman first, then burn everyone else to death, and then..." "Alright, alright, shut up!" Hearing the burned man''s suggestion, which couldn''t be considered a death wish but seemed rather suicidal, the middle-aged man sighed and waved in the burned man''s direction. With a peculiar explosion sound, the burned man instantly disappeared from the room, leaving only a dust-covered empty chair in his place. Having used some unknown method to expel the burned man, the middle-aged man said with a headache, "There''s no need for such foolishness; does anyone have a slightly more feasible suggestion?" "I do." A rather scruffy old man raised his hand and seriously proposed, "What about during the Duke of Lionheart''s investiture ritual? How about an ambush there?" The Duke of Lionheart''s investiture ritual? Hearing the unkempt old man''s suggestion, the group of rebels in the room fell silent for a moment, then they started nodding one after another. "Very good!" "Quite fitting!" "I think so too!" The middle-aged man at the head seat thought for a while, then nodded along with a smile, "It''s indeed a good choice. The Duke of Lionheart''s investiture ritual will surely draw many important figures, even the royal family might send representatives. If luck is on our side, we could not only solve the Leon Laine problem but also eliminate a large number of nobles and officials in one stroke. Let''s set the ambush location at tomorrow''s investiture ritual! As for who will carry out the ambush, does anyone wish to volunteer?" "Me! Me!" Hearing the middle-aged man''s words, a young woman with a shaven head, courtesy of a burly man, excitedly raised her hand, "I can strike from five kilometers away..." "Not you." Interrupting her again, the middle-aged man at the head seat shook his head and said, "Your ability is covert enough, and the range is sufficient, making you excellent for assassination, but your destructive power is too weak. You might not break through the abnormal object the target uses for protection. Moreover, we don''t need to kill him this time; just subdue him so Phoebe can erase some of his memories and abilities. So, you''re not suitable for this mission." "Count me in then!" Just as the bald-talking woman pouted in dissatisfaction, ready to argue, a slender young man stood up eagerly, announcing, "It was Barton who stayed behind to cover, so Samantha and I could escape. This time I..." "Sorry, you''re not suitable either." The middle-aged man shook his head and said, "Now is not the time to provoke that red-haired woman at the Purification Bureau. You were closest to Barton, and I''m afraid you''d kill the target in vengeance for Barton, making it impossible to wrap things up. So you should stay back." "..." Seeing the young man sit down dejectedly, the middle-aged man stopped asking for volunteers and named his choices directly, "So, aside from Phoebe and Lucy, David and Luke, you two come along! Your abilities are clearly most suited for this mission." "No problem!" The man who initially suggested setting a bomb responded. "Okay." S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The scruffy old man nodded. "Then it''s settled!" After confirming the participants, the middle-aged man looked at those heading towards Lucy to willingly accept the memory implant, nodding in satisfaction. Once they accepted the memory implant, he waved at everyone inside the room, and the peculiar explosion sound rose again, making everyone vanish, leaving only the dust-covered chairs. And the middle-aged man at the head seat seemed to age a decade instantly, his once jet-black hair streaked with strands of gray. ... *Was there still no one who could survive into the future?* Looking at the empty meeting room and the dust-covered chairs, the clearly aged middle-aged man sighed deeply. He then struggled to stand, controlled the future body he inhabited, and walked towards the door. After his last attempt to change things, he still couldn''t alter the Kingdom''s fate of downfall. The Faction of War Advocates, led by the Princess, failed abruptly, plunging the entire Kingdom into eleven years of brutal conflict. The once prosperous Capital City turned to ruins under bombardment, leaving countless people homeless and living worse than death. Chapter 178 - 178: 0154 Rebel group meeting with..._3 In those future visions where he had successfully assassinated the Princess, the royal family and nobility surrendered willingly. First, they ceded territories and paid reparations, then handed over all ports and mines. They even forcibly abolished the legal currency. The once prosperous nation was almost entirely drained, yet the people could barely maintain their lives. As for himself and the "Rebels" he gathered... in every future vision, they didn''t exist. Only he endured the *pain of a ruined nation and family*, struggling to survive. *Because only by staying alive could he send messages back in time, trying to save his doomed country!* Staggering to the door, the aged middle-aged man took a deep breath, his bony hands grasping the rusted doorknob with force. *Come on! The Ryan Family, which caused massive military deficits and led to the lack of the army''s strength, had been completely wiped out, replaced by a new Duke of Lionheart. I want to see what this future will look like!* "Creak!" Accompanied by the creaking sound of the old door hinge, it was as if he had opened a door that separated two worlds. Vibrant, almost blinding sunlight poured in, together with an overwhelming, lively noise, bathing the middle-aged man. "This... what is this?!" Seeing the exquisite, orderly buildings, the bustling streets, the huge airships adorned with ribbons flying overhead, and people gathered at the street corner around a giant, strange screen, engaged in heated discussions, the middle-aged man froze in place. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *I did it! I finally did it! The Kingdom is saved!!!* An overwhelming sense of immense joy seized his heart. Tears streaming down his face, the middle-aged man fell to his knees with a loud thud, emitting a hysterical roar uncontrollably. "Oh dear! Gave me a fright!" "What''s his problem? Suddenly yelling like that!" "Prince Lyon was caught cheating, how could he be so happy?" "Guards! Guards! There''s a madman here!" "..." Amidst the curious glances of passersby and their chaotic pointing and gossiping, the middle-aged man, finally witnessing a beautiful future, abruptly raised his arms, shouting exultantly to the heavens. "Long live the Kingdom! Long live the Kingdom!!!" His shout startled the crowd considerably, causing them to take a collective step back. Then they began whispering among themselves, puzzled expressions on their faces. "This man is crazy, isn''t he?" "What''s wrong with him? Yelling ''Long live the Kingdom'' out of nowhere?" "Yeah, wasn''t the Kingdom gone a long time ago?" What did you say? The Kingdom was gone?!!! Hearing the conversation between two women holding vegetable baskets, the middle-aged man sprang from the ground, rushing to knock the woman over, shouting wildly: "How could the Kingdom be gone?! Who did it?! Who did it!!!" "No, no, no... it wasn''t me! It wasn''t me!" Terrified by the "madman''s" actions, fearing he might bite her in a fit of anger, the vegetable-selling woman raised her hand, trembling, and quickly pointed to the large screen on the street corner. "Find Prince Lyon; he did it. It has nothing to do with me!" Prince Lyon? Following the woman''s guidance, he looked toward the strange screen at the street corner, seeing the handsome man waving his hands repeatedly, emphasizing that the rumors of his infidelity were false, and that he did nothing that night. The middle-aged man froze in place. Lyon... Ryan? *I''ll kill him! I''ll go back and kill him right now!* Chapter 179 - 179: 0155 Vegetable Basket and Trade_1 "Bang!" After figuring out who destroyed the Kingdom, the strange explosion that once "sent off" other rebels resounded again. The middle-aged man lying on the vegetable vendor woman shuddered violently, regaining his consciousness. *Was I... temporarily replaced by my past self?* Having understood what had just happened, the middle-aged man''s expression changed. He quickly reached into his coat and pulled out a leather booklet. After carefully checking the booklet and finding no signs of it being flipped through, his past self hadn''t seen the contents. The middle-aged man''s face changed again and again. He then grabbed the shoulders of the woman below him, shaking her frantically as he shouted with urgency in his eyes, "Tell me quickly! What did I do? What did I just do?" *This madman... he seems even crazier than before?* Looking at his eyes like he wanted to devour someone, the vegetable vendor woman clenched her vegetable basket tightly, wanting to bash it against the back of his head. But she worried her strength wasn''t enough and might provoke him further instead of knocking him out. Shakily, she answered, "You just... just asked me who destroyed the Kingdom..." "What did you say? What exactly did you say?" "I... I... I just told the truth..." Frightened out of her mind by the man''s increasingly frenzied expression, the vegetable vendor woman answered tearfully, "Wasn''t it Prince Lyon who ended the Kingdom? He announced it himself five years ago." "And then? What did I say after hearing that?" "You... after hearing that, you gritted your teeth and repeated Prince Lyon''s name, then looked up and howled strangely, and then... then you just collapsed on me without moving..." "..." *Damn it!* Imagining the scene the vendor woman described, the middle-aged man broke out in a cold sweat, realizing his past self probably misunderstood something. The sweat drenched through the back of his shirt. His past self repeatedly borrowed the anomalous object to observe the future, but the results only got worse each time. Despite continuing to struggle, he was almost in despair deep down inside. Given his past mental state, upon emerging from the door this time and hearing the Kingdom had completely disappeared, his first instinct naturally wouldn''t lean positive. Instead, he would focus on worse outcomes like the country''s early downfall and complete occupation. With his obsessive and mad nature back then, once he returned to his original timeline''s body, the first thing he''d likely do was find a way to take out Prince Lyon! *I''m such an idiot! I''m such an idiot! At least read what I wrote in the booklet before you leave!* After swatting himself hard across the face twice, to prevent this world¡ªone of the only decent outcomes¡ªfrom being altered, the middle-aged man shot up from the ground, aiming to find others with time-based abilities to try and stop his past self from doing something foolish. Unfortunately, as soon as he got up, the middle-aged man was hit in the back of the head by a vegetable basket thrown from behind, full to the brim. It was a hard hit, knocking the middle-aged man flat on the spot. Even the two radishes in the basket, each bigger than a human head, shattered upon the violent impact. "Ouch! My radishes!" Just as the vegetable vendor woman began to pick up the basket to see if the radishes were still edible, the middle-aged man, knocked down by the basket, began crawling forward, yelling hoarsely at the crowd, even as he crawled. "Quick... send me... send me to the Purification Bureau! This world... needs me to save it..." "Save my ass!" After swinging the basket and hitting him again, the vegetable vendor woman watched the middle-aged man collapse onto the ground, out cold. She pursed her lips disdainfully, "This madman... save the world? Does he really think he''s Prince Lyon or something? Oh? By the way, who is Prince Lyon again?" ... *Eliminate him! Leon Laine! The one who ended the Kingdom must be removed!* Returning to his own body, the middle-aged man, who had been "napping" on a long table, suddenly opened his eyes. He took a deep breath, filled with murderous intent, ready to summon all the rebels with abnormal abilities back and draft a new assassination plan. As he lifted his hand, intending to activate the anomalous object again, he heard a strange, almost imperceptible knocking on the door. *Who is it?!* Hearing the intermittent knocking outside, the middle-aged man shuddered, a deep wariness flashing in his eyes. His anomalous object, the "Gate of the Other World," besides granting brief access to the future, could keep shifting behind every door in the Capital City. Only certain doors recognized by him could lead stably into the world beyond. For someone to successfully knock on the "Gate of the Other World" without him noticing meant they knew which doors were "real," possessing the ability to directly track him down. As the middle-aged man hesitated between immediately fleeing or rallying everyone to fight, a voice as cold as ice shards came from outside. "Nathan, it''s me." Opening the door that was no longer twisting weirdly and had become completely stable, a black-robed elder walked in, raising his hand to remove the hood and revealing a naturally sorrowful face. "It''s getting harder and harder to find where you place your door. I rode around in a carriage for ages in the Capital City before barely finding a ''real door'' that was about to disappear." "There''s no choice. That Rat guy from the Purification Bureau is too troublesome; he has spies all over the Capital City. If I''m not cautious, I would''ve been caught long ago." Seeing it wasn''t someone from the Virgin Sanitation Bureau but the black-robed elder he had collaborated with, the middle-aged man relaxed slightly, then frowned and asked, "Didn''t you say last time that we were all scraps, myself included, and none of us met your requirements, and that you wouldn''t contact us anymore? Why have you suddenly come looking for me?" "I need your help, of course." Seemingly indifferent to the middle-aged man''s disgruntled tone, the black-robed elder''s long and drooping eyebrows lifted slightly, speaking coldly, "Just a few hours ago, I found something that might meet my requirements. It should be a photo, kept in the drawer of the Virgin Branch Commander''s office in the Purification Bureau. Nathan, you should''ve seen firsthand how strong that Virgin woman is in some future. I''m not confident I can retrieve what I want without alerting her, so I need to borrow your power." Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man raised an eyebrow slightly, immediately understanding the black-robed elder''s implication. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You want me to move the ''Gate of the Other World'' to the office door so you can sneak in directly through it?" "Yes." "Okay, but in exchange, you need to do something for me too." After pondering briefly, the middle-aged man narrowed his eyes and proposed, "Temporarily strengthen Phoebe''s ability for me, so that anyone she touches vanishes from everyone''s memory. Can you do that?" Chapter 180 - 180: 0156 Fleet and Road_1 On a Tuesday morning, the moon had just completely vanished at the horizon, and the sun wouldn''t rise for another hour. It was the darkest time. However, under the illumination of thousands of whale oil street lamps, the entire Redwood Avenue glowed as bright as day. The usually quiet Redwood Avenue came alive early in the extravagant lights. Coal, flour, spices, lamps... crates of all sizes and baskets, piles of expensive utensils, mountains of silken ribbons... Carriages carrying various supplies and gifts nearly filled the wide transport road entirely. These carriages, linked one after another, were like intertwined dragons winding their way toward the Ryan Manor at the end of Redwood Avenue... *Wow, the Duke of Lionheart''s inheritance ceremony is sure spending a lot of money!* A young woman in a light blue ceremonial dress stuck her head out from a two-wheeled carriage. After seeing the seemingly endless line ahead, she quickly shrank back due to the biting autumn wind, rubbing her red, round nose as she muttered, "I messed up. If I''d known it would be this cold, I would have worn more layers." "..." Watching the young woman warming her hands with her breath and stomping her feet, the middle-aged noblewoman sitting opposite her couldn''t hold back any longer. After trying and failing to keep silent, she finally reminded her, "Princess Veronica, even if you sneaked out, please mind your manners!" "Oh, let me off today. I''m too cold to care about manners right now. Honestly, if you can make it warm in here, I''d even give you a dance." After joking with the middle-aged noblewoman, the young woman tugged at her woolen shawl, covering the nearly exposed smooth curves above her underskirt. She then leaned sideways against the carriage window, continuing to observe the procession outside. "There sure are a lot of people here today..." As she squinted at the noble-exclusive drive lane for a while and counted the number of passing carriages, the pretty young woman said with a half-smile, "Silver Chalice, Birds of Paradise, Light Shield... Ha, in just a short time, three noble families have already passed by. It seems the Ryan Family''s inheritance is indeed tempting. Regardless of whether they belong here, everyone with any ability wants to come and take a bite. Today''s inheritance ceremony will surely be lively!" "..." *Whether the ceremony will be lively or not, I don''t know, but that dress you''re wearing is certainly ''lively'' to an excessive degree!* Watching the young woman leaning against the window frame in a way that nearly exposed her ample bosom, the middle-aged noblewoman couldn''t help but twitch her eyelids. She quickly yanked her back, eyes full of irritation as she exclaimed, "Your Highness, mind your manners! Really... If your identity gets exposed at the ceremony and people see you dressed so immodestly, the entire royal family will be humiliated! At least find a better-fitting dress before heading out!" "Well... there''s nothing I can do..." Looking down at her formal dress, the young woman pulled the pleats at her waist, showing the middle-aged noblewoman how much excess fabric there was. She then said somewhat helplessly, "My dress size is special, so they''re usually custom-made. This is already the best-fitting dress I could find in a hurry. Look, there''s a lot of room at the waist here, any bigger and it wouldn''t fit." "..." Observing the dress that would be considered plain in style but looked strikingly impactful on her, the middle-aged noblewoman couldn''t help but twitch her lips twice. She rudely snatched the young woman''s shawl, yanked tassels from the carriage cushion, and tied dozens of knots along the side of the shawl, fashioning a mesh edge to cover the front. After placing the modified shawl back on the young woman, the middle-aged noblewoman sighed in relief upon seeing her chest obscured by the knotted mesh. She then threatened through gritted teeth, "When we get to the manor, even if you sweat to death, you cannot take off this shawl; you must wear it properly! Got it?" *Really?!* Surprised by her words, the young woman''s face wore an awkward expression as she glanced at the remarkably heavy shawl. "This is pure wool, and it''s the densest kind! Plus, there are coal stoves burning in the Ryan Manor. If I don''t take the shawl off..." "Princess Veronica!" "Alright, alright, I won''t take it off." Seeing the "wear it or die" look on the middle-aged noblewoman''s face, and recognizing this as her bottom line, the young woman sighed and obediently wrapped the shawl tightly. She then once again poked her head out to watch the flowing carriages. "By the way, suggesting I take the transport road instead of the drive lane was a great idea. If I were on the drive lane, I wouldn''t see so many interesting things." After a few carriages bearing the crest of three copper feathers sped by on the drive lane, the young woman counted the participating nobles and joked with the worried middle-aged noblewoman, "Look, that snobby little Earl has also come. I wonder if he brought that cabbage with him?" *Snobby little Earl?* Hearing the young woman''s words, the middle-aged noblewoman couldn''t help but frown and asked, "Your Highness, what does ''snobby little Earl'' mean?" "It''s an insult." The young woman explained with a laugh, "The new Duke of Lionheart had some conflict with that snobby little Earl a while back. Upon discovering that, despite his title, the Earl''s crest only had three basic feathers, the Duke disdainfully poked the crest on his chest and called him a snobby little Earl, nearly enraging him to death on the spot. Later, after the snobby little Earl recovered, he sought revenge for the Duke''s mockery by displaying a cabbage at home. He then proclaimed that the Duke of Lionheart''s title would likely rot faster than that cabbage." After providing the middle-aged noblewoman with the backstory of the "snobby little Earl" and the "cabbage Duke," the young woman smiled brightly, "Even though he''s about to inherit the Duke title, the Duke of Lionheart feels very un-noble. The reason I insisted on witnessing the inheritance ceremony today is to see what interesting antics he''ll come up with." *Ah, Her Highness... still such a young person who loves excitement...* Seeing the young woman smiling happily, no longer wearing her usual thoughtful frown, the middle-aged noblewoman''s heart softened slightly. She was about to say something when they suddenly heard a commotion behind them. "Clear the way!" "Make way! Make way!" S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The royal family is on the move, everyone step aside!" Shocked, the two in the carriage looked back and saw the temporary barrier dividing the transport road and the drive lane getting forcefully pushed down and stacked to the roadside. Next, two teams of brightly dressed guards wielding long poles with hooked ends, used to clear people, began shoving numerous carriages that couldn''t dodge out of the way, forcibly widening the center of Redwood Avenue to allow an opulent carriage drawn by eight fine horses to drive through. Chapter 181 - 181: 0157 Carriage and Carriage_1 Certainly. Here''s the translated text with the required formatting and tense adjustments: --- A robin with a diamond crown... a royal emblem? Looking through the small window at the back of the carriage, the young woman saw the robin emblem engraved on the front of the luxury carriage and her face darkened. The cheerful smile with a hint of slyness on her face instantly transformed into boundless anger as a storm approached. "Behind us... it should be Prince Joshua''s carriage." Watching the overturned freight carriages being shoved off the road and the small merchants who hurriedly picked up their goods with angry yet resigned faces, the middle-aged noblewoman''s expression also turned a bit sour. Though equally displeased with the prince''s behavior, upon seeing the anger growing deeper in the young woman''s eyes, she hurriedly warned, "Princess Veronica, you went out in private today, without a retinue, and not even the Guard Troops. If you go out now, not only will you disrupt the Duke of Lionheart''s investiture ceremony, but if the Rebels find out you are here, it will definitely cause a major uproar!" "Hmm... I know..." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, the lively and cheerful young girl was completely gone, returning to her usual solemn and dignified demeanor. After glancing again at the luxury carriage behind her, the young woman... or rather, Princess Veronica withdrew her gaze, her expression calm as she instructed, "Drive the carriage off the road and let Joshua''s carriage pass first. After the investiture ceremony ends, have someone write a pamphlet from the small merchants'' perspective about today''s events and make it sound as tragic as possible." The middle-aged noblewoman was slightly startled upon hearing this and asked in confusion, "Are you planning to complain to Your Majesty with the pamphlet and ask him to restrain Prince Joshua''s behavior?" "No, in past financial disputes with the nobles, my father owed Joshua''s mother too much, so he was overly indulgent towards him. Even if he knew Joshua did such things, he would at most just scold him with words." The princess shook her head, gazing at the rapidly passing luxury carriage, and said blandly, "If you truly want to solve the problem, this pamphlet should be given to the Lower House, to those members who are always finding faults with me. Give them the opportunity to make an issue of it. *No matter how much I advise Joshua, it would be useless. Only when the entire royal family''s reputation is thoroughly damaged and substantial interests are forcibly taken away will my father''s slap reach Joshua''s face, making him realize what should and shouldn''t be done.*" "Your Highness, you truly are..." After hearing the princess''s words, the middle-aged noblewoman couldn''t help but chuckle and then shook her head as she glanced at the distant luxury carriage, sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "*Given Your Majesty''s temperament, Prince Joshua is in for a tough time. If you are compelled by those members to yield something, Prince Joshua probably won''t have a carriage to ride for half a year.*" Would just getting a slap and not having a carriage to ride for half a year be considered tough? Upon hearing the noblewoman''s words, the princess didn''t speak but looked through the window at the dozens of overturned carriages on the roadside and the scattered cargo smashed on the road. A light rain had just fallen the night before, and even on meticulously repaired paths like Redwood Avenue, the roadside could not avoid being muddy, with ponds of water here and there. *Among the goods transported by these small merchants, the porcelain and lamps directly shattered need no mention. Things like coal, flour, and spices, they can''t come into contact with water either.* The velvet ribbons and similar items meant for decorating the investiture ceremony that got stained with mud wouldn''t be accepted by the Ryan Family, meaning they''d certainly made the trip for nothing. Moreover, the Charl Department Store, in order to protect itself, had been forced into low-price sales for more than half a month already, leaving small merchants struggling. Supplying the Ryan Family''s investiture ceremony was a rare opportunity for them. *If I guessed correctly, many of them owe money on their goods, or even took out loans, and now Joshua''s guards overturned everything onto the roadside.* *If I ignore this, more than half of these carriage owners might go bankrupt. Those who are now crying while gathering goods on the roadside might soon end up in the Capital City''s slums.* "Forget it, I shall not attend the investiture ceremony." After glancing at the ribbons in the mud and the crying merchants by the roadside, the princess couldn''t help but shake her head in resignation and waved her hand dismissively, "Let''s go, we''ll find Joshua''s Guard Troops first and make him compensate these people. Otherwise, someone among them might..." "Make way! Move aside quickly!" "How did the freight wagon get onto the fast road? Get it off now!" "Push them aside! The Duke''s carriage is behind us, and we''re delaying the investiture ceremony''s time!" Hearing the commotion coming from behind, the princess''s brow furrowed again. She leaned out of the window and looked back. This time, the newly arrived carriage, pulled by eight tall and vigorous char horses, nearly occupied the entire ten-meter-wide road. Its opulence surpassed Joshua''s carriage. The mahogany carriage engraved with a crowned lion crest was decorated with gilded bronze nails, inset with contiguous jewels, and the white steel wheels bore beast-like imprints, leaving lion paw print patterns on the ground. Every aspect was crafted to perfection within the regulations. The Duke of Lionheart''s carriage? Troublesome... Seeing the road thrown into chaos yet again, the princess sighed inwardly. To avoid that scoundrel Joshua, most of the carriages in front had moved off the fast lanes. Many had just barely returned to the road, and restoring order would take at least twelve to thirteen minutes, making it impossible to evade again in time. As for the new Duke of Lionheart, if he wanted to reach Ryan Manor within the usual time, he might have to mimic that scoundrel Joshua and forcibly shove these carriages aside, staining yet another batch of goods... "Stop where you are!" Just as the princess hesitated over whether to reveal her identity and discuss with the Duke to buy some time for these small merchants, a head suddenly popped out of the carriage window, halting the guard preparing to overturn the carriages. "Why rush people? Isn''t this road wide enough... hmm..." Looking at the half-occupied fast lane and estimating the width of his own gaudy carriage, realizing it indeed wasn''t quite enough, Leon silently swallowed his words and turned to glare at the perspiring richly dressed old man beside him, speaking discontentedly, "I said there''s no need to take the carriage. Walking wouldn''t take long. It''s just that you all fuss too much, making me return for this whole grand show... Look! Now we''re blocked!" Feeling stifled by Leon''s words but having no real recourse, the previous duke''s old butler could only smile and persuade, "Duke, riding the ''Lionheart Car'' to the manor is a tradition of our Ryan Family and part of the investiture ceremony. Please endure it a bit longer, just a little longer!" Chapter 182 - 182: Either... or... _1 Sure, here is your translated text: --- *Endure? Why should I endure anything? I don''t even want the Duke''s title, so why should I care about your crappy traditions?* With utter disgust, Leon glanced at himself in the mirror, seeing his face painted ghostly white, and the usually polite Leon couldn''t help but roll his eyes at the old butler. He originally thought that by simplifying everything and compressing the long-winded inheritance ceremony into one day, it would save him a lot of trouble. Who knew that even the simplest version of the ceremony would be an ordeal, with the attire and makeup alone tormenting him for over two hours. Not only did he have to change into a ridiculously cumbersome outfit corresponding to nobility, but they even stuffed a specially made padding between his legs, filling him up supposedly to enhance his "masculinity." Besides that, he had to clip on false hair, apply lip balm, have eye makeup and face wax, and even slather a thick layer of lead powder on the exposed skin of his forehead and neck. After much refusal, he finally got them to swap it out for a harmless paste. And just when he managed to sort these out, he had to sit in this so-called meaningful carriage, traveling down the main road of Redwood Avenue, relying on the tire pattern to leave the "Lion''s Footprint," symbolizing the new Duke of Lionheart arriving at his domain... sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all this nonsense, he was already irritated beyond measure, yet the inheritance ceremony hadn''t even started! *Complete and utter bullshit!* Using his sleeve, he dabbed some water, harshly wiping off the jumble of makeup on his face, then twisted open the carriage door handle and leaped out directly. *I absolutely must not follow their way anymore; who knows how many more torturous and bizarre procedures await me if I keep going?* "Duke, your makeup! Your makeup!" "What makeup? I''m done with it!" Yanking off the wig from his head and roughly wiping the markings on his face, Leon glared menacingly at the furious old butler chasing after him, "Either I go like this, or you find someone else to be the Duke. You choose!" *Do I even have a choice?* Watching as the new Duke, having run out of patience, began throwing a tantrum, the old butler realized he wasn''t joking. Forced to stamp his feet tenaciously, he then clutched his chest in bitter plea, "I¡­I''ll obey you, alright? But at least return to the carriage¡­" "I''m not going back!" His patience completely exhausted, Leon, looking disdainfully at the carriage filled with jewels and exuding a nouveau riche aura behind him, replied irritably, "The carriage is too ridiculous, and besides, it can''t even pass through. Either get me another carriage or find another Duke!" The old butler shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this, face filled with despair, "Your Grace, this really can''t be changed! Every Duke, upon inheriting the title, must leave the ''Lion''s Footprint'' on Redwood Avenue. It is tradition! If you switch the carriage, how will the Lion''s Footprint¡­" "What bullshit ''Lion''s Footprint,'' isn''t it just the tire marks? Roll it over yourself with a wheel, and don''t use it to mess with me!" "This¡­this¡­this really cannot be changed! There''s never been such a precedent¡­" Having finally wiped off the cream mixed with pearl powder from his face, Leon, unwilling to make any further compromises, said maliciously, "Either there''s no precedent, or there''s no Duke. Which do you want?" *I¡­ I want to die!* Observing the new Duke, who had evaded both maids and guards, now walking towards the estate, the old butler felt as though the world was spinning around him. If not for the need to maintain appearance, he likely would have beaten his chest and wept tears of anguish. *Old Duke! You left after choosing this oddball, but he''s still here to torment us! Why didn''t you take me with you back then?* Just when the old butler was clutching the carriage, lost in painful despair, a voice from the Duke called out ahead. "You, come over here!" After disembarking and taking only a few steps, Leon saw a heap of overturned carriages on either side of the road. Waving the old butler over, Leon waited for him to catch up, huffing and puffing, then pointed at several shattered boxes of porcelain beside the road, furrowed his brow, and complained, "Look at what you''ve done. Not only are you driving people off the road, but why are you smashing their goods? Who pushed them down? Hurry up and compensate them!" "Your Grace¡­ this¡­ this wasn''t our doing." Hearing he might have to pay up, a guard with a dark complexion couldn''t help but speak up in defense after sneakily glancing at Leon''s expression, "These carriages were already overturned at the roadside before your carriage even arrived. It was probably the group ahead that drove them off." *The group ahead?* *"Your¡­ Your Grace."* Managing to catch a breath, the old butler first queried a servant, then explained, face pale, "The carriage ahead was likely Prince Joshua''s, the one that passed by as we were waiting for you to board at the intersection." *Oh, so it was that one which almost splashed me with mud.* Hearing the butler, Leon recalled the other ostentatiously attention-grabbing carriage drawn by eight horses and couldn''t help clicking his tongue in disgust. *Nobles, royal family... tsk... not a single good person among them!* Looking at several distressed merchants crying by the roadside, and considering it wasn''t his money, Leon, adhering to the principle of being as generous as possible, said, "Then pay them, after all, if not for delivering goods to your family, they wouldn''t have encountered him. It''s reasonable for the Ryan Family to bear some compensation." "This¡­" "What do you mean ''this''?" Having slept poorly and been thoroughly harassed, Leon''s mood was particularly foul. Turning around, he squinted at the old butler and growled, "Either you pay the compensation, or find someone else to¡­" "Pay, pay, pay! We''ll pay everything!" Having been threatened with abandonment several times by Leon, just the sound of the words "or" had the old butler''s heart, already nearing its limit, pounding chaotically. Firmly clutching his erratically thumping heart, feeling he would lose ten years of his life today, the old butler grabbed Leon''s arm with a tearful face and beseeched, "Your Grace! I''ll agree to anything you want to do! Just please don''t say ''or'' anymore, alright? The Ryan Family won''t manage without you! I''m old¡­ my heart isn''t good, I really can''t take this¡­" *Ah, this...* Seeing the old butler''s face slightly purple, grasping his arm tightly with a look that said he''d kneel on the spot if he dared to refuse, Leon hesitated. Logically speaking, although in soul vision, this old butler wasn''t a good man either, mostly engaging in schemes and political maneuvering, he hadn''t directly committed any heinous acts. And at his advanced age, was it really right for Leon to relentlessly torment the old man? But... Leon truly hadn''t planned on becoming the Duke. Once the inheritance ceremony began and everyone gathered, he intended to find a way to reject it. And seeing the old butler''s suffocatingly purple face, could he bear it when he discovered what Leon intended? "About that¡­ I have something I think it''s best to inform you about in advance. Please, don''t get too worked up when you hear it¡­" After hesitating briefly, Leon went over to support the butler''s back, then cautiously leaned in and whispered to the somewhat "startled" old butler, "Once everyone''s gathered later, I plan to propose to the Princess, using the entire Ryan Family as a dowry. That way, they can either choose another Duke or end up with nothing at all. What do you think?" "..." "Oh shit! Don''t faint! Stand up straight! Oh man, why are you foaming at the mouth now?" Chapter 183 - 183: 0159 Right up my alley_1 The new Duke of Lionheart was indeed... not very noble... Watching from afar as Leon, carrying the old butler who was foaming at the mouth, hurried towards the enormous carriage, the middle-aged noblewoman couldn''t help but pull her lips into an extremely speechless expression. Although she didn''t know what exactly was said to cause the old butler to faint from anger on the spot, she vaguely heard the "either...or." At this moment, the only thought in the middle-aged noblewoman''s mind was that the Ryan Family was truly out of luck. Having gotten such an unconventional new Duke, the Ryan Family was probably counting down to its doom. *Hmm... thinking about it this way, Princess Veronica actually wasn''t too bad.* Although she sometimes lacked decorum and couldn''t help but do some outrageous things in private, at least she could communicate normally most of the time. In important situations, she could listen to advice and wouldn''t run herself ragged like the Duke of Lionheart did to that poor old butler... ... "Haha, this trip was truly worth it!" Unlike the somewhat gloomy middle-aged noblewoman, after closely witnessing this farce, Princess Veronica quickly pulled herself back, promptly shutting the carriage window with a forceful and "tempestuous" laugh. After quite a while, once she''d laughed enough, she raised her hand to wipe away the tears at the corner of her eyes and, while gently rubbing her flat belly through her dress, complained: "Ouch... my stomach hurts from laughing. This new Duke of Lionheart indeed knows how to drive people crazy... *Hmm... but he''s not a bad person overall.*" Looking back through the gap in the window and seeing that the Ryan Family was indeed paying compensation and even helping right the overturned wagons at the new Duke''s request, a trace of admiration flashed in Veronica''s eyes. She then smiled and said to the middle-aged noblewoman: "To be honest, if he hadn''t inherited the title of Duke of Lionheart but some other title, it would have been great. If he were a Marquis from the Silver Chalice or Light Shield family, maybe he could even be my prince; what a pity~" ??? Upon hearing the princess''s words, the middle-aged noblewoman couldn''t help but shiver violently, then replied stiffly: "Your Highness? You''re... you''re not joking with me, are you?" Seeing the middle-aged noblewoman''s terrified expression, Princess Veronica couldn''t help but smile, shook her head, and replied: "No, I''m serious, I really think he''s quite good. Putting everything else aside, if I had someone like him as my prince, life would certainly be interesting." *Interesting... more likely life-threatening! If he really became your prince and passed on his penchant for turning things upside down to you, I''d probably lose at least ten to twenty years of my life!* "Princess Veronica!" Watching the princess with bright eyes, realizing she was actually quite interested in the Duke of Lionheart, the middle-aged noblewoman quickly spoke to prevent her fate from aligning with that of the unfortunate butler: "He''s really not suitable for you! Even if the Ryan Family turns into an empty shell, they are still the nominal leader of the old nobility. All of the old nobility with marital ties to the Ryan Family wouldn''t tolerate the Ryan Family getting close to you!" "Hehe, don''t worry, I understand that." Through the carriage''s rear window, Veronica looked regretfully at the lion-engraved carriage. Seeing the nervous expression of the middle-aged noblewoman opposite her, she joked with a smile: "Look how tense you are... those words were just said in passing. I wouldn''t casually choose someone to be my prince. "Well... speaking of choosing a prince, my father actually leans more towards marrying me off compared to letting me pick one. He has mentioned quite a few candidates to me recently, like the fourth prince of the Kingdom of Morna, the grand duke from the Kingdom of Heisen, or possibly the leader of the Labor Party from the Kingdom of Orleson. "So unless something goes wrong, I should end up choosing one out of these few... Hehe, to be honest, purely on the conditions alone, they don''t necessarily beat the Duke of Lionheart." ... Hearing the princess''s words, the middle-aged noblewoman''s expression froze slightly, then she fell into a deep silence. If Princess Veronica got married off, not only would she be far away from home and the kingdom, but the candidates selected by His Majesty, though all grand nobles with immense strength, were almost all pushing forty years of age. Moreover, that fourth prince of Morna was once married, but his wife died in childbirth; the grand duke of Heisen had a leg that was crippled in a falling accident when he was a child and seemed to have a somewhat extreme and sinister demeanor; and the leader of the Labor Party from the Kingdom of Orleson was also said to be difficult to get along with. Though with Princess Veronica''s abilities, even if she were married off, she would likely not suffer losses and might even seize the opportunity to steer their backing forces towards the kingdom. But a political marriage solely maintained by interests, given such a great disparity in the conditions of both parties, would naturally be devoid of happiness. So if she indeed got married into such a situation, Princess Veronica''s latter half of life might not be very pleasant... ... "Hmm? How come as we were talking, you''re starting to worry about me?" Seeing the face full of concern and reluctance on the middle-aged noblewoman, the princess couldn''t help but feel a slight warmth in her eyes, then smiled and comforted: "Don''t you know my capabilities? It''s not just in the neighboring kingdoms, places where I can easily lean on forces; even if I went alone to marry across the sea, I could still live quite comfortably. Rest assured!" S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 184 - 184: 0159 Right up my alley_2 *Yes... No matter where you go, you will have a good life, but... will you be happy?* After looking at the princess, whose face was smiling but whose eyes seemed calm and indifferent, the middle-aged noblewoman couldn''t help but grit her teeth and then lowered her voice to ask, "Your Highness, do you really have to marry outside the country? Can''t you stay? Even... even if it''s with the Duke of Lionheart?" "It''s not a matter of whether I want to get married or not, but rather what my father thinks, because from the beginning, this kind of thing was never up to me to decide." Upon hearing the middle-aged noblewoman''s inquiry, the princess raised her eyebrows slightly, then spoke calmly, "After failing to seize the Department of Finance, my father may seem to have stepped back, handing over the royal family''s manpower to me, but he has never given up the idea of completely controlling the kingdom. And to control the kingdom, it''s nothing more than legislation, personnel, military power, and financial power. Joshua''s mother happens to be the Minister of Finance''s sister, so after a few years when he grows up, as long as they agree to let him inherit the throne, it''s very likely that the Minister of Finance will support the royal family. Moreover, by that time, no matter if my reforms succeed or fail, they should thoroughly anger the old nobility and the Lower House. Father only needs to announce the cancellation of my eligibility to inherit the throne, marry me off to another country, and he can easily quell everyone''s anger. By doing so, he can take over most of the power I''ve seized from the old nobility at the lowest cost, gain strong support from outside the kingdom, pave the way for Joshua''s succession, and turn the Minister of Finance to the royal family, thereby completely controlling the Department of Finance. Haha, just a failed marriage of the eldest daughter can bring so many tangible and intangible benefits. Knowing my father, he would never let such an opportunity pass." "This... how can this be?!" After listening to the princess''s deductions, the middle-aged noblewoman couldn''t help but stand up abruptly, her eyes filled with anger as she said, "You''ve done so much for the kingdom over the years! Even if His Majesty doesn''t let you inherit the throne in the end, he shouldn''t treat you like this! And besides, if it were someone else inheriting the throne, it would be one thing, but Prince Joshua, he just... well... it''s just too much!" "This isn''t a matter of being excessive or not." Princess Veronica shook her head, smiling as she said, "As the king''s daughter, before I was even born, I already had everything that ninety-nine percent of this country''s people dream of, but as a cost, I also lost some things. Besides, you actually don''t need to feel sad for me. I''ve only lost the right to choose my marriage, but Joshua is truly the pitiable one. Due to father''s overindulgence, Joshua has even lost his mind. Isn''t he worse off than me?" "At a time like this, how can you still crack jokes?" Seeing the princess seemingly accepting her fate and even having the mood to joke with her, the middle-aged noblewoman couldn''t help but stomp her foot, "Your Highness! Why aren''t you angry at all! Are you really going to accept it just like that?" *"What else can I do if I don''t accept it?"* Hearing this, the princess''s eyes flickered for a moment and then she replied calmly, "If I want to reject such a future, should I immediately overthrow everything and make every effort to connect with the old nobility? Or should I try to lean towards the Prime Minister in the parliament and let those so-called ''economic bills'' that wantonly exploit ordinary people pass? Or perhaps offer a bounty and hire someone to assassinate my brother? Or should I launch a coup, lead the military into the royal palace, and personally hang my father on the gallows?" ... *Seeing the princess''s expression calm to the point of indifference, with eyes revealing deep fatigue, the speechless middle-aged noblewoman felt a lump in her throat, and her vision suddenly blurred. She had looked after the princess for so many years, and as a child, she used to be a very lively child, always playing wildly in the royal palace garden, often getting covered in dirt, and never feeling sad even when being scolded, her face always carrying a sun-like brilliant smile.* *After growing up, although she still liked to smile, unknowingly, her smile changed in nuance, smiling gently, helplessly, self-deprecatingly, and wearily... as if she no longer smiled genuinely from the heart like when she was young.* *In her memory, when was the last time she saw such a brilliant smile? Three years ago? Five years ago? Or even longer?* "Oh dear! Look at you! Getting all worked up just talking about it! What I just said were all guesses, and even if it happens, that''s a long way off, and besides, there might be other opportunities in these few years~" Seeing the noblewoman whose eyes were slightly red after hearing her words, with her mouth beginning to uncontrollably curve downwards, seemingly wanting to throw herself over and cry on her shoulder, the princess couldn''t help but smile and then teased, "For instance, if the Duke of Lionheart is charmed by seeing me one day and against all family pressure, proposes to me with the entire Ryan family as a dowry, then the situation would be completely reversed. Facing the opportunity to completely control the Department of Road Administration and the military, father might arrange for Joshua to marry a female monkey and then kick him across the sea, welding the throne onto my behind~" "Pfft!" Hearing the princess''s cold joke, the middle-aged noblewoman couldn''t help but burst into laughter, uncharacteristically disregarding etiquette, she reached out and pinched the princess''s waist, her eyes still red as she complained, "How dare you say that! The Duke of Lionheart hasn''t even turned twenty this year, and you are already twenty..." "Oh no!" Seeing that some of the kingdom''s top secrets were about to slip from the middle-aged noblewoman''s mouth, the usually composed princess finally panicked, rushing to cover her mouth, gritting her teeth and threatening, S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "We agreed not to talk about this! If you dare mention it again, I''ll take you with me to marry across the sea! And tie you to a fishing rod to catch sharks on the way over!" "Mm... I won''t mention it! Is that not enough? You... please move your chest a bit... you''re suffocating me..." ... The two inside the carriage seemed to have reached some kind of understanding and avoided discussing future marriage topics, instead playfully sparring in a relaxed manner. Meanwhile, the carriage adorned with the lion insignia at the rear, after a pause of over twenty minutes, finally resumed its movement, swiftly passing through the path cleared by small merchants, carrying a reluctant duke towards the end of Redwood Avenue to the Ryan Manor. Once that excessively luxurious Heart of Lion carriage departed, the two inside the double-wheeled carriage calculated the time for the succession ritual, realizing they were almost late for the opening. They then moved from the cargo path to the noble-exclusive avenue. With the coachman continuously accelerating, the sightseeing double-wheeled carriage sped along, its wheels nearly falling apart, barely entering the gates of Ryan Manor before the sun fully rose. "It''s alright, we made it! It just started!" Stepping down from the carriage using the footstool, handing a maid the invitation with a false identity, and seeing the manor''s main building door still open, the princess, eager to watch the spectacle, quickly lifted her skirt and sprinted off, with the middle-aged noblewoman persistently advising her to slow down. "I''m going ahead! Hurry up a bit too!" "You! Wait!" Seeing the princess running hastily with skirts lifted, her run still noticeably "magnificent" despite the covering cape, the middle-aged noblewoman couldn''t help but stomp her foot in frustration, wishing to pull her back for several etiquette lessons. But as Princess Veronica ran further and further, worried her identity might be revealed, the middle-aged noblewoman could only let out a helpless sigh or two, then followed suit, lifting her skirt and running after her, breathlessly reminding her, "Vi... Vinnie! Posture! Mind your posture... huh?" Seeing the princess suddenly halt by the door, standing there dazedly, the middle-aged noblewoman felt a chill of fear, thinking that Princess Veronica''s identity had been exposed, she hurriedly rushed over to help cover up, only... "Slap!" From inside the main hall, came an incredibly loud slap. The arriving middle-aged noblewoman watched with horror as the newly appointed duke, who should have been receiving guest congratulations, single-handedly lifted Prince Joshua, spat harshly on his swollen face, and coldly sneered, "Trying to prevent me from becoming this Duke? Okay! You better make good on that!" Chapter 185 - 185: 0160 Precision Stepping on Mines_1 *Time moved slightly backward to when the Lionheart carriage was still stuck on the road.* Important guests had already arrived, but the crucial Lionheart carriage, bearing the new Duke, had yet to make its appearance. The new head of the Ryan Family and the only remaining elder were on the verge of losing their minds. "Has old York gone senile!" Unaware that his fellow "Ryan Three Elders," the old butler, had been tormented by someone''s elementary school-style sentences to the point of a heart attack and was taken directly to the hospital, the rotund and plump family head, dressed in a specially tailored large tuxedo, couldn''t help but complain, "He said he''s served the old Duke for so many years, been through all sorts of special occasions, and absolutely wouldn''t mess up. That''s why I agreed to let him handle it. But just taking people out and bringing them back by carriage, such a small matter¡ªhow did he manage to delay the time?" "Don''t worry, let''s wait a little longer." Compared to the new head of the Ryan Family, the family''s elder was obviously more composed. After sending two chamberlains to urge him on, he frowned and said, "Our new Duke is different from the old Duke. He''s someone from the lower echelons who never received a noble''s education. It''s inevitable for him to make a mess in this kind of grand ceremony. We can only trust old York now and give him a little more time." "Give him more time? Who''s going to give us more time then?" Peering through the gap between the curtain tassels, spotting some impatient expressions on the guests'' faces in the hall, the Ryan family head let out a sigh and said, with a lamenting expression, *"If I''d known this could go wrong too, I wouldn''t have set so many procedures beforehand. It would have spared him from some troubles, and we wouldn''t be on such a tight schedule, with no room to spare!"* "Don''t worry, the more at times like this, the more you need to keep your calm." Taking a slow sip of the tea beside him, the Ryan elder pulled a handkerchief from his breast pocket, wiping the tea stain from his white beard, and calmly advised, "The new Duke is somewhat reckless, and he doesn''t understand what it means to be a qualified noble at all. If we want him to cooperate with us willingly, we must first let him understand that even though he is the Duke of Lionheart, the Ryan Family cannot continue without the help of the three of us. So, it''s actually a good thing that the ceremony is complicated. It can temper his character and let him know our importance. Without us stepping in to arrange it, he wouldn''t even be able to handle the inheritance ritual. This way, he will know his boundaries when dealing with us in the future." "I suppose you''re right..." Somewhat persuaded by the elder''s words, the Ryan family head hesitated for a moment, then eventually nodded. "Alright! Then let''s do everything according to the previous plan. You keep sending people to urge them, and I''ll go to the front hall to calm down those impatient guests." "Hmm, go ahead." ... When the two Ryan elders reached a consensus, with one sending people to fetch the new Duke and the other trying to stabilize the guests, the time continued to pass, but the ceremony had yet to start. The guests on the main building''s first floor were growing extremely impatient. "Heh, our new Duke certainly knows how to make an entrance!" Noticing the growing frowns around him, a certain Earl, known throughout the Capital City as a "petty nobility" because of Leon, couldn''t help but sarcastically remark, "Everyone here has marital ties with the Ryan Family. Many have been associated with the old Duke for a lifetime, and half are actually his elders, with some even older than him by two generations. In light of the recently deceased old Duke, we, the elders, woke up at the crack of dawn to support him, traveled under the stars to attend the ceremony, and are we just going to wait like this?" Although the Earl''s remarks were blatant, almost as if he had "I''m stirring up trouble" written all over his face, the truth was that everyone here, attracted by the stink of benefits, was a flock of crows drawn to feast on the Ryan''s "corpse." They all knew each other''s "credentials," so there was no need to fake nobility. Secondly, having woken up early to attend the ceremony only to be left hanging like this was infuriating. When the Earl finished, not only was there no opposition, but someone even chimed in in agreement. "Indeed, the Ryan Family did poorly this time." "It''s not that they did poorly; they didn''t consider us affiliates, did they?" "After all, they''re one of the Kingdom''s pillars. Why would they care about us minor nobles?" Instigated intentionally by some and cooperated with by others with ulterior motives, when the Ryan family head emerged from backstage, the entire hall was already in chaos, full of candid criticisms and sarcastic comments. "Everyone! Please, please calm down, and listen to me first!" Hearing the uproarious accusations in the hall, the Ryan family head broke into a cold sweat, quickly raised his voice, and shouted, "Sorry, sorry, today''s ceremony was indeed arranged in haste. The Duke was delayed on the road due to certain matters. It''s our Ryan Family''s inadequacy, neglecting to host you esteemed guests properly. But the reason for this is to express our gratitude for your attendance by preparing meticulously. Unfortunately, complexity often leads to issues. We hope you longtime friends and relatives will overlook it due to our longstanding relations. Furthermore, besides you all, Lady Anne representing Prime Minister Leonard and Prince Joshua representing the Princess are also present. Please give them some face and bear with us a little longer. I sincerely thank you all for your generosity!" As the Ryan family head completed his speech, the once noisy hall suddenly quieted down. The reason was simple: though hurried, his words were highly effective in controlling the situation. Without hesitation, he first apologized, acknowledged his mistake, and soothed emotions. Then, with a tactical turn, implied the delay was not intentional neglect but out of utmost respect for everyone, skillfully reclaiming the moral high ground. He then pointed out the Prime Minister and the Princess''s presence, implying that causing further trouble would disrespect them, suppressing instigators like the petty Earl. Finally, by thanking everyone for their tolerance, he completely blocked the option of "intolerance." It must be said, the ability of the Ryan Three Elders to climb to power after the Ryan Blood Night, becoming the actual controllers of the Ryan Family, wasn''t solely due to seniority but because they indeed had some skills. This hasty series of moves from the Ryan family head certainly proved his rhetorical prowess. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unfortunately, although his words successfully appeased 99% of the people, they managed to anger the most troublesome person among them. "I am no one''s representative!" Upon hearing "Prince Joshua representing the Princess," the elegantly dressed young man standing in front of the guests, engaged in conversation with the Prime Minister''s wife, couldn''t help but scowl. Ignoring the discreet tugging of his female companion, he unhesitatingly retorted, "Watch your words! If you must mention representation, then I represent the royal family, not anyone else!" Chapter 186 - 186: 0161 Who is the winner?_1 Mouthy idiot! Seeing the solemn front hall and the unmasked anger on the young prince''s face, the elder of the Ryan family backstage couldn''t help but curse silently, then hurried out to replace the one who had stepped on the mines precisely, smiling benevolently to smooth things over, "All the same, all the same, no need to rush. Whether it''s Prince Joshua or Princess Veronica, both are children of His Majesty the King and can rightfully represent His Majesty and the royal family. Today, no matter which of the two attend, it is an honor for the Ryan Family. Haha, speaking of which, the last time I saw Prince Joshua, he was only about seven or eight years old. In the blink of an eye, he is already able to represent His Majesty and attend the title succession ceremony of our Ryan Family. Time flies by so fast!" Hmph! How can I be the same as her? You old geezer, selling age and seniority! Watching the white-haired old man rush out from the backstage, trying hard to smooth over the situation, Joshua¡ªwith two irregular freckles on his cheekbones that seemed like dirt¡ªnarrowed his eyes, seemingly wanting to say more, but someone pinched him harshly at the waist. "Your Highness!" Hearing the slightly angry low call from his etiquette teacher and seeing the slightly panicked expression on his female companion''s face, the freckled boy grudgingly bit back the reprimand that was about to spill out and impatiently urged, "Fine then! When can your new duke make it here? Ask him to hurry, don''t waste our time!" "Almost there! The Duke should arrive shortly!" Seeing that they had finally appeased the arrogant and volatile young prince, the two elders of the Ryan family simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief. They then stood up, guiding the guests back to their original positions, chatting with the freckled boy with smiles, and the tense atmosphere in the hall returned to harmony...until the commotion of horses neighing came from outside the manor. "Duke! You have finally... hmm?" Spotting the figure of someone he had been eagerly waiting to see, the expectant elder quickly went to meet them, eager to follow through with the remaining procedures. However, upon meeting up, they discovered that the duke had changed his appearance since leaving; not only was his makeup wiped off, his carefully chosen accessories removed, and the specially tailored suit changed, but there was also a large stain on the front! Damn it! The duke looks like he''s fleeing from a disaster; how can the ceremony proceed? Is this how old York handles things? Listening to the whispering among the guests in the hall and feeling the eyes resembling thorn pricks on his back, the elder of the Ryan family felt his world spinning! "Duke!" Seeing the stain on Leon''s chest, the head of the Ryan family couldn''t help but angrily and incredulously demand, "What happened to you? Where''s your makeup? Your clothes? Old York?" "Uh..." Seeing the desperate eyes of the two elders before him, Leon, who had barely spared the old butler from being sent off, felt guilty and replied awkwardly, "The old butler... he suddenly had a heart attack, and I barely saved him. He is now lying in the car, and this stain on my chest is from when he had a fit and spat saliva..." Oh... He was perfectly fine when he left. Did he just coincidentally have a heart attack? Hearing Leon''s explanation, the two Ryan elders exchanged a glance, both seeing deep helplessness in the other''s eyes. "Don''t worry! There''s still a way!" Hearing the increasingly loud discussions in the hall, the elder of the Ryan family took a deep breath and instructed the panicked head of the family, "You first find a way to calm the guests. I will take the duke to the back to redo his makeup and change clothes, then come out again. Maybe then it can..." "No need to go to such trouble, I''ll just say a few words." Although he wanted to add, "or else... or else...", considering the two old men were quite advanced in age and might be provoked into further health incidents, Leon suppressed the urge to elaborate, instead pulling away the hand of the family head and striding toward the hall. "Duke? Wait for a moment!" "Wait! What... what are you going to do?" Of course, what I want to do is to get rid of this unfortunate duke title! Ignoring the two elders chasing him hurriedly, Leon pushed through the crowd of guests, stepped onto the main stage of the ceremony, and addressed the crowd below, "I am here to announce something. If you insist on me being this duke, then I intend to use the entire Ryan Family..." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Scoundrel!" A familiar shout interrupted Leon''s words as a notorious earl from the Capital City emerged from the crowd, compared him to the freckled boy with a dark face, and sinisterly provoked, "Daring to arrive late for the succession ceremony, delaying the esteemed guests for this long, you don''t offer any apology?" You are... oh, so it''s the little troublemaker. Recognizing the speaker by the emblem pinned to his chest, Leon couldn''t be bothered to reply, but he did glance at the pair of male and female guests in the front row. The lady on the left in the plain gown seemed to be the Prime Minister''s wife, whom he had seen in the newspaper photos with him, looked quite pleased; as Leon caught her gaze, she even nodded and saluted actively. Whereas the half-grown child on the right with the "dirty" spot on his face must be Prince Joshua, who had once splashed him with mud and toppled a caravan on the road. This brat was glaring at him angrily, only restrained by people beside him. Best not to come out! Saves me trouble! ... Sadly, although Leon only gave a brief glance at "the esteemed guests," and immediately withdrew his gaze intending to finish quickly and abandon the unfortunate title, the eyes are windows to the soul, and his seemingly had more transparency than others; even just a glance conveyed his inner disdain. "How dare you!" After meeting Leon''s gaze for just a moment, with eyes showing three parts contempt and seven parts disgust, and underneath, a fierce looking down that couldn''t be hidden, Joshua, already filled with suppressed fire, exploded. Shaking off the arm of his companion, the freckled boy angrily looked up and scolded, "You are nothing but a lowly commoner, who stumbled upon immense luck to inherit a title, and you dare look at me with those eyes?" "..." Are you an idiot? Merely glancing at him resulted in an onslaught of incomprehensible insults, leaving Leon not even having the time to get angry, only feeling utterly bewildered. Reasonably speaking, characters likely to explode with just another look like this disappeared twenty years ago; not even third-rate dramas use such a clich¨¦ for villains, yet here he was encountering one today? Damn it! I must blind those damned eyes of yours! Witnessing firsthand as Leon''s gaze shifted from disdain, to doubt, then to sudden comprehension, finally revealing a hint of pity like that for a fool, Joshua, already stoked with fury, saw his anger flare like a roaring fire. "You lowly..." "Prince Joshua!" It wasn''t just Leon startled by the sudden outburst from the freckled prince; snapping back from shock, the etiquette teacher immediately stepped in, grabbing Joshua and sternly admonishing, "Mind your poise! Don''t shame the royal family and your sister!" "Shut up!" Pushing aside the etiquette teacher who stepped on a landmine, the freckled prince snapped with bulging veins, "She is her! I am me! Don''t bring Veronica''s stuff to me! I am myself, not her copy! And you!" Looking at the man on stage who genuinely looked down on him, and feeling his self-esteem battered, the freckled prince stomped toward the main stage, raging as he walked, "You festering commoner! Illicit fruit hung from a crooked tree! Black-haired mongrel mixed among dogs! As a wild-born duke, you dare scorn me? Believe that I can have you removed from being duke! Tomorrow you could be packing up your wildlings and leaving the Capital City. I... "Ah!" After swinging his arm with all his might, landing a resounding slap that sent him spinning sideways, Leon felt considerably eased. Amid the ensuing silence, he lifted the freckled prince by his collar and spat viciously on his "dirty spot." Raising his sleeve, he stretched it to wipe harshly at the spot with his saliva, realizing it wasn''t dirt but his natural freckles. Leon, somewhat disappointed, withdrew his hand, patting Joshua''s rapidly swelling left cheek under his terror. "Want me gone as duke? Alright, you''d better do as you say! If not, I''ll consider you my grandson!" ... I might know why old York suddenly had a heart attack... Watching the new duke who not only spat on the Prince''s face but even threatened to be the King''s father, the head of the Ryan Family felt his heart rate wildly accelerate, rushing past 180 and constantly pushing toward 200 beats per minute. "Elder... Elder, think of something quickly!" In the tight moment, it wasn''t just nine deaths for one life but rather being better off dead, the head of the Ryan family turned to their only hope, but... "Thud!" Before the head could turn, the oldest of the three elder Ryan members, the very last pillar, had already rolled eyes up and collapsed on the carpet, mouth askew and twitching, seemingly predicting the Ryan Family''s tragic fate. Worse still, the new duke, who had landed the Ryan Family in deep trouble, casually tossed aside the trembling Prince, openly declaring to the bewildered guests, "Listen up! If you insist on me being this duke, then I propose using the entire Ryan Family as my dowry to marry Princess Veronica! At worst, we... "Okay!" A clear voice rang from the back as a woman utterly unexpected in such a setting stepped swiftly into the front hall. Under gazes ten times more bewildered than before, she joyously responded, "I accept your proposal! From now on, you''re my prince!" Chapter 187 - 187: 0162 Where are the people? Are they all dead?_1 Faced with the sudden outburst, which killed the "competition" with just one sentence, everyone at Ryan Manor was completely stunned. From the Prince Freckles, who was thrown to the ground, to the middle-aged noblewoman behind the princess who almost fainted on the spot, everyone who witnessed this scene could only widen their eyes uncontrollably and then instinctively open their mouths... "Huh??????" [Under the witness of Prince Joshua and half of the kingdom''s nobility, First Princess Veronica personally agreed to your proposal. You have obtained the Gold Level Identity Badge "Prince of Lutung."] [Prince of Lutung: A prince of the Kingdom of Lutung, husband of First Princess Veronica. Although you do not qualify to inherit the throne, your words and actions can to some extent represent the royal family''s will.] [Wearing Effect: As a prince of distinguished status, within the Kingdom of Lutung''s territory, you may request anyone of lower status to salute you proactively.] [Advancement Route: If your marriage to Princess Veronica is maintained long-term and remains intact even after she inherits the throne, this badge will automatically advance to Heterochromatic Badge "Man Behind the Queen (Rice White)."] [Hidden Traits (no need to wear): Because this is purely a political marriage, Princess Veronica is quite fond of you but lacks a sufficiently deep emotional foundation. Thus, she will not interfere much in your private life.] "..." *Could she really be a princess?* After closing the automatically popped-up new badge, Leon opened his mouth, watching the voluptuous beauty striding towards him from outside the door, not knowing what to say for a moment. *The investigators from the Purification Bureau had just left yesterday, and the suspicion on me regarding the Ryan Blood Night hasn''t been cleared. Logically, I should act cautiously now and quickly shake off the identity of Duke of Lionheart.* But... this was a Golden Badge! And it even had a clear Advancement Route, likely leading to an Abnormal one. If I changed my mind immediately, the badge wouldn''t be taken back, would it? ... "Apologies, the visit is a bit sudden, sorry for disturbing everyone." While Leon hesitated on the stage, unsure whether to advance or retreat, a certain princess who seized a great opportunity had already walked briskly to the main stage. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After nodding in greeting to the nobility who were dumbfounded by her sudden appearance, Princess Veronica gently lifted the hem of her simple long skirt and gracefully curtsied. Then she straightened up like a swan, turned lightly, and extended her white arm covered with a thin veil towards Leon on the stage, her cheeks slightly red as she gazed into his eyes, conveying a determination of breaking the boats. *I originally just wanted to watch the fun, but I didn''t expect such a windfall waiting for me. This man before me, a few years younger than I am, is the last piece to saving the kingdom!* *If I can leverage this marriage with him to successfully take over the political legacy of the Lionheart Family, it would be worth it even if it means completely offending the old nobility today or inviting the mad assassination of the rebels!* "No! I don''t agree!" Seeing the man on the stage hesitate slightly and then actually reach for his sister''s outstretched hand, a prince with a severely swollen left cheek couldn''t help but shiver all over, showing deep terror in his eyes, immediately raising a loud objection! As the king''s offspring, political literacy was naturally a crucial compulsory course. Although Joshua was arrogant and volatile, he was not completely foolish. After the initial shock, he immediately understood the meaning of this "hand-holding." If that damned Duke of Lionheart successfully wooed Veronica by offering up the entire Ryan Family, it would mean that half of the kingdom would fall into his sister''s hands. Their status would instantly reverse, with him ending up as the one abandoned by their father completely! If Veronica were ruthless, he wouldn''t even have a shot at inheriting the throne and might be thrown across the sea to feed the monkeys! *No! Absolutely not! Whatever it takes, I cannot let her succeed today! Never!* "Veronica!" After drawing everyone''s attention with two loud shouts, disregarding the still-faint pain from the slap mark on his face, Prince Freckles sternly rebuked, "Father has already set the scope for your selection of a prince, and you must choose from those people! By agreeing to the Duke of Lionheart''s proposal now, you are defying Father''s orders!" "Is that so?" Watching Prince Freckles, who suddenly jumped out to cause trouble, Veronica curled her lips, maintaining the pose of extending her arm to Leon, responding unhurriedly, "No choice, Duke of Lionheart is valiant, kind, young, and handsome, especially when he slaps someone in the face. It made me fall for him at first sight. Since love has come so suddenly, I can only disappoint Father''s sincere intentions. What''s more, as his most beloved daughter, being a little bit willful regarding my lifelong decisions, I believe he won''t blame me. He will probably even feel happy for my happiness... don''t you think so, Joshua?" Hearing his sister''s loaded response, a dark expression immediately crossed Prince Freckles'' face. *Damn it! That old guy would indeed be glad, but it''s not because of your so-called happiness. It''s because the leader of the old nobility suddenly went mad, bringing the Department of Road Administration and the military to side with the royal family!* *This is troublesome. It seems she''s determined to seize the opportunity to swallow up the Ryan Family''s inheritance. This path seems to be a dead end now!* "Where are the people of the Ryan Family?" Seeing his sister determined to marry the Duke of Lionheart, even if bringing up Father couldn''t suppress her, and knowing that the Duke was audacious and wouldn''t fear his threats, the unwilling Joshua quickly switched targets, trying to find the actual controllers of the Ryan Family to pressure that damn duke. Coldly scanning a group of young golden haired people around him, Prince Freckles didn''t even bother pretending, continuing to look for someone with decision-making power while sharply questioning, "Is there no one left in the Ryan Family? Are you just going to watch this bastard duke wreak havoc? Do you willingly allow him to give away the entire Ryan Family?" But even with his face already torn, no one from the Ryan Family stood up, responding with a stretch of silence and the guests'' murmurs and whispers. "Say something!" Seeing the Ryan Family still not emerge in such circumstances, the anxious Prince Freckles knitted his brows and shouted angrily, "Are you really just going to watch? Is the Ryan Family all dead? No one dares to stop his nonsense?" "..." "Don''t bother looking, there really is no one left in the Ryan Family." Watching the young wolf baring its fangs, trying to find someone to suppress him, Leon on the stage felt strange and couldn''t help but remind, "The former duke''s butler had a heart attack and is being treated in a carriage outside; the only remaining elder is quite old, and when I slapped you, he couldn''t withstand the shock, passing out directly; as for the new head of the family, when your sister agreed to my proposal, I believe he clutched his heart and fell as well... ah, the one lying at the door should be him." "..." Huh??????? Chapter 188 - 188: 0163 Heartbeat Moment_1 "Poof." Looking at his younger brother''s face, swollen on one side, with an expression that was two parts shock, three parts confusion, and five parts incredulous amusement, the Princess bit her lip tightly, her face turning red as she inadvertently let out a small sound from the corner of her mouth. Etiquette! Mind your etiquette! It was as if she heard the psychic transmission of some middle-aged noblewoman. The amused Princess pinched her own thigh hard, barely holding back her laughter with the help of pain, and then raised the back of her hand higher towards Leon, speaking softly with a hint of reproach: "My dear Prince, how long must you make me wait here?" "..." Gazing at the Princess below the stage, her pretty face flushed (from holding in laughter), her eyes filled with allure (from stifling laughter), with a notably dazzling white chest (that part was real), Leon hesitated for a moment before finally bending slightly to take her hand voluntarily. *It wasn''t that I craved power, nor was I captivated by beauty, but... this was the Golden Badge!* And moreover, the Princess was the first in line for the throne. As long as he maintained this superficial marital relationship with her, the moment the Old King passed away, the Golden Badge would be upgraded to abnormal color. How could anyone refuse that? Success! Grasping Leon''s hand, simultaneously seizing the Ryan Family''s legacy and the future of the entire Kingdom, Veronica felt a sudden release, as if a shackle that had been crushing her was instantly lifted. Taking a step onto the main platform, intertwining her fingers tightly with Leon''s and standing by his side, Princess Veronica''s charming face couldn''t help but flush with excitement once again. With this one-of-a-kind opportunity, she could completely assimilate the inheritance left by the Ryan Family, ensuring the royal family and her own power could control the Department of Road Administration and the military, allowing her long-desired reforms to proceed! Next, she would clear away years of accumulated issues, find solutions to the fiscal deficit, and rebuild the military that had nearly been eroded by the Ryan Family, leading the Kingdom back to strength! The Kingdom of the future would never again be like it was six years ago, when it crumbled instantly on the battlefield, and an invading army forced the displacement of more than half a county''s citizens, displacing nearly a million people... "Boom boom!" With a Contamination Value that already exceeded 3, though Leon''s physical conditioning wasn''t enough to grant him completely non-human capabilities, his sensory abilities had already been significantly enhanced. When the Princess stood by his side, aside from her increasingly rapid breathing, Leon vaguely heard her escalating heartbeat. "Boom boom! Boom boom!" Seeing the Princess with a somewhat unfocused gaze and increasingly flushed cheeks, feeling the humid warmth from her soft palm and her rapidly climbing body temperature, Leon couldn''t help but frown slightly, softly inquiring: "Your Highness? Are you all right?" "You can just call me Veronica, or even Vini." With nearly a decade of intense yearning about to be fulfilled, and the country she deeply loved finally on the brink of dawn, the intensely excited Princess gripped Leon''s hand tightly, responding with eyes full of joy: "I''m fine, really fine! I could even say I''ve never felt better than I do now!" "Prince... no! Leon! I really must thank you, and on behalf of the entire Kingdom! Although I''m still unclear why you proposed to me, I can assure you, your choice was the right one! I... I seem to be a bit too excited..." "Boom boom! Boom boom! Boom boom!" Though still firmly clasping Leon''s hand, as the heartbeat grew more intense, the Princess''s body began to unconsciously lean against him, eventually looping her arm around Leon''s and softly resting her head on his shoulder, speaking quietly with a blushing face: "Support me, Leon... please support me? Perhaps... maybe I''m just too happy, I''m feeling a little dizzy now... and my heart is racing a bit..." Whether intentionally or unintentionally, when the Princess leaned in, her glossy and full lips brushed slightly against Leon''s earlobe, spreading searing warmth like contagion to Leon''s ear, turning it red as well. And her soft breath as she spoke tickled Leon''s ear, causing his heartbeat to quicken as well. Leon felt his heart pounding like a drum, frenetically hammering against his chest and speeding up, the sound growing louder and louder... "Boom boom boom! Boom boom boom! Boom boom boom!" At some point, the entire hall fell silent again. Neither the whispering guests nor the Prince with eyes full of resentment made another sound. Instead, they all instinctively clutched their hearts. *What''s happening to me?* Feeling the heat and flush rising in her cheeks due to the rushing blood, the Prime Minister''s wife, standing in the front row like Prince Freckles, touched her unusually red face in confusion and looked toward the chamberlain at her side, hoping he could help her leave the increasingly stifling hall for some fresh air. But before the Prime Minister''s wife could speak, the chamberlain''s legs gave way, and he stumbled forward a couple of steps before collapsing in front of the stage, struggling unsuccessfully to rise. His collapse seemed to trigger some strange switch, as the hall was immediately filled with the thuds of falling bodies. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Like a collective drunken stupor, the hall''s guests wore strange flushes, staggered a few steps, and then toppled in all directions... "Poison! Someone''s poisoned us!" At that moment, someone finally perceived the anomaly. Prince Freckles, sprawled on the floor, flipped over, glaring at Leon on the stage like a hungry wolf, and roared with fury and despair: "It was you! You poisoned us, didn''t you?" *Idiot! This has nothing to do with poison, it''s clearly an attack from an Anomalous Object!* Ignoring Prince Freckles''s wild speculations, listening to the drum-like heartbeats resonating throughout the hall and sensing the ever-increasing blood flow within him, Leon, also feeling quite uncomfortable, took a deep breath, supported the now disoriented Princess to the side, and pulled out a small mirror from his coat, shaking it at himself. "Woof~" Along with Young Ha''s understanding bark, a shopping bag with a goat''s head and a black broom with cat paw prints on the handle instantly appeared in Leon''s hand. ''Kid, we''ve figured it out a bit and realized your luck seems quite bad indeed.'' Peering through the holes in the shopping bag at the scene of chaos in the hall, the Black Goat summarized reluctantly: ''You really are a magnet for trouble, just like that Conan Demon God you mentioned. Wherever you go, something has to happen. No matter what you plan, nothing goes smoothly.'' ''Enough with the nonsense, let''s get to work!'' Touching the Black Goat''s horn, Leon quickly surveyed everyone''s soul status in the hall, finding them all "normal," which deepened his frown. He issued a mental command via "direct message": ''I suspect this is an attempted assassination of the Princess by the Rebels, but I couldn''t locate the person deploying the Anomalous Object. Their "range" might exceed my vision. However, it''s also possible they used some means to evade soul-detection abilities after acquiring my information, so keep watch for me!'' Chapter 189 - 189: 0164 Trueè·¯Heartbeat Moment_1 He neither attacked nor ran away? Quite cautious indeed. Feeling the heartbeat on the main stage that was getting faster but still not moving and staying in place, an old man among the guests, dressed slightly shabbily and with a face full of pain, raised an eyebrow in surprise. His ability temporarily "enhanced" the heart of everyone within range, accelerating their blood circulation. If the opponent became overly tense or retreated immediately when sensing danger, the enhanced heart would receive double stimulation, causing the blood flow to surpass the body''s limit, rendering them incapable of resisting. In simple terms, the faster someone moved within his ability''s range, the quicker they would fall, just like the two old men from the Ryan Family. During the ten minutes his ability slowly took effect, they ran around, chatted with guests, and chased the target back and forth twice. Emotionally, they were continuously stimulated, combined with their poor health due to old age, so they collapsed even before his ability fully activated. Yet the target on stage, although affected by his ability, had a heart less impacted than others, at about seventy percent. Combined with a physique slightly above an ordinary person''s, he had not yet lost his ability to act... "Seems I''ll have to apply more pressure!" *Apologizing to his companions internally,* the shabby old man applied pressure with his palm on his own chest, causing his frail body to tremble. Simultaneously, the whole hall of people shivered along with him. "No... I can''t anymore..." "Help... Help..." "I don''t want to die!" Since everyone''s physical strength varied, some could still lean against pillars or other objects to barely stand. However, under the sudden rush of blood to the brain, they all clutched their chests and fell, unable even to plea for help. Now, Leon was the only one still standing in the entire hall. ... Success! Feeling the heart on stage racing towards its limit, the shabby old man couldn''t help but smile subtly. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even if you saw through my ability and knew the more you move, the quicker you fall, it did not matter. Whether you ran or not, you would still collapse from holding out! "Step, step, step." Hearing footsteps suddenly echoing from the stage, feeling the heart finally moving, the shabby old man smiled knowingly. *"Finally losing composure?"* Unfortunately, it''s too late. Although my ability is highly limited, not only in small range, lengthy activation time, and indiscriminate of friend or foe, failing to escape immediately upon sensing abnormality means you''ve already lost! "Tap." Surprisingly, the footsteps on the stage didn''t last long or even leave the main stage at all, stopping instead at a spot suitable for addressing everyone present. "Ladies and gentlemen." Glancing at the guests below, confirming they''d mostly lost mobility, Leon took a deep breath and loudly asked, "Why don''t you rise and salute the Prince?" ??? *Are you mad?* Hearing Leon''s question, the shabby old man hiding among the guests almost laughed aloud. These people were under his ability, their hearts almost driven to death; how could they stand and salute now? At this moment, he thought only he who wielded the ability could... Wait? Only I can stand now?! Realizing something was amiss, the shabby old man trembled, eyes filled with terror, wishing he could go deaf. But it was too late. As Leon''s words fell, the shabby old man, previously lying in pain, suddenly released the hand pressed to his heart, sprang up from the carpet, and respectfully bowed to the target he planned to assassinate, face full of fear. "Greetings, Pr..." "Bang!" The shabby old man, just standing, seemed grabbed by an invisible giant hand and bent backward at a sharp angle, hitting his head with a "bang" and passing out. ... "Seems it''s him." Feeling his heartbeat stabilize and confirming the anomalous object causing it to accelerate had stopped, Leon''s frowning brow finally relaxed. Beckoning to the fallen shabby old man with his fingers, he used the power of the Holy Spirit pendant to drag him over and searched his body, finally finding a hard metallic object near his heart. [Name: Heartbeat Moment (Enhance, Synchronize)] [Appearance: A pacemaker made from flexible brass embedded in the chest cavity of a patient, driven by high-concentration whale oil injections at regular intervals, with an extremely intricate internal structure. If you listen closely, you should hear the hiss of a micro-steam engine operating and the meshing sound of dozens of micro-rods driving gears.] [Ability: Heart Enhancement, Heartbeat Synchronization] [Cost: None] [File: A precision instrument smuggled from Croak, the City of Machinery, to help patients with congenital weak hearts maintain their heartbeat. Just the material cost is enough to buy a hundred-acre sugar cane plantation. Due to its exorbitant cost, each user gains a healthy body and escapes death from a weak heart but cannot avoid the greed of marauders.] [Evaluation: Although this anomalous object''s ability is extremely concealed and nearly impossible to detect, if you don''t have a heart several times weaker than normal, it''s advised not to use it.] [Contamination Value: 2.5] [Through personal observation and summarization, you''ve gained a lot of intelligence on "Heartbeat Moment," activating the heterogeneous badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)." Understanding the activation rules of "Heartbeat Moment" greatly increased your resistance to this anomalous object, allowing you to block its deeper influences.] ... *So... its ability is to first enhance its heart, then forcibly synchronize all hearts within range?* Tearing open the shabby old man''s shirt to look at the complex and intricate device, Leon hesitated but refrained from removing it. Instead, he took a rope and tied the unconscious man up. Instructing the Black Goat to keep watch for abnormalities and to notify him immediately if anything arose, Leon took out the [Plague-Infected Blood Band] obtained from a female prisoner, first wrapping it around the man''s leg to temporarily deprive him of leg health, then around the back of his head to heal his head injury. "Ah! My... um?" After his concussion healed, the groggy shabby old man felt sharp pain in his leg but couldn''t scream as a salty old rag was stuffed into his mouth. "I have a question for you." Tossing the other sock into his portable mirror, Leon, with one shoe back on, looked at the despairing man and asked rapidly, "Are your accomplices nearby?" "Indeed, there are more... So including you, how many rebels possessing anomalous objects are around? One? Two? Three?" "Only two people? Then..." Chapter 190 - 190: 0165 Recruitment doesnt have to be new, as long as it works_1 "Kid, the gun!" "Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!" Just as Leon was leveraging the Black Goat''s ability to quickly extract the intelligence he needed, a blond guard who had fainted outside the door suddenly pulled out the nail gun from his waist and fired four consecutive shots at Leon''s head, forcibly interrupting his interrogation. Blond? Could Ryan''s family also be joining the Rebels? Relying on the shield of the Holy Spirit pendant to block all four nails, Leon watched as the blond guard, swift and deft, replaced the gas canister, preparing to shoot at him again. Feeling that something was off, Leon furrowed his brows and aimed his invisible long nail, initially intended for the guard''s head, at the nail gun in the blond guard''s hand instead. "Crack!" With a sharp metallic rupture, the newly replaced gas canister exploded instantly, and the rapidly spreading compressed air pushed the blond guard, sending him flying backward into the wall behind him. "Damn it!" Looking at his nail gun, with the air channel split and rendered unusable, the blond guard cursed bitterly. He then threw the nail gun toward Leon and rolled his eyes before toppling groundward. At the same time, another guard, who was in Leon''s blind spot, suddenly stood up, pulling out a nail gun from his waist and firing four nails at the back of Leon''s head. "Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!" *Indeed, that member of Ryan''s family was merely being controlled, not another Rebel''s true form. As for the other Rebel''s ability, it must be some way to forcefully control others'' actions.* Upon hearing the noise, Leon turned his head back and looked at the nails scattered on the ground and the guard still shooting at him from a distance. He couldn''t help but take a deep breath, cold sweat streaming down his back. *No wonder the Cleaner''s death rate is so high. When facing opponents armed with various peculiarly powerful Anomalous Objects, especially those who could control Anomalous Objects, even the slightest negligence could be fatal!* *If I''d just acted on impulse and used the Holy Spirit pendant to kill the blond guard, not only would I have wrongly killed an innocent controlled individual, but if I''d thought the enemy was dealt with and retracted my shield to conserve energy, I''d have gotten a bullet straight through my head from this blind-spot shot!* ... *Damn it! This ability is so annoying!* Watching Leon in his invisible shield, ignoring "his" shooting and instead scanning the surroundings intently, the person controlling the blond guard gritted their teeth in frustration. Having depleted all the nails in the guard''s gun without breaking Leon''s shield, he had to switch to a new body and continue shooting at Leon from another blind spot. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Toward the end, even before the preceding body pulled the trigger, and the nail left the chamber, he had already switched to a new body to continue shooting, the "bang-bang" of gunfire almost forming a continuous sound. Yet, unfortunately, no matter what position he shot from, even those impossible blind spots, he could not penetrate the invisible "turtle shell" surrounding the target. Hundreds of nails were stopped, not one falling within half a meter of the target. *How could he be killed?* Watching the potential "hosts" in the hall getting taken down one by one by the target, leaving almost no one unarmed, the second Rebel helplessly lowered his nail gun. *No wonder Barton and Samantha both fell into his hands. Although his ability is simple and brutal, it supports both attack and defense with a strength clearly surpassing ordinary firearms.* *In a surprise assassination, I could think of a way to catch him off-guard, but in this situation where he''s prepared, my abilities were completely countered!* *Have they given up? Then it''s my turn!* After the gunfire quieted, Leon looked at the middle-aged guard who had voluntarily stopped shooting in the distance and calmly asked: "Tell me, is your true self nearby?" ?!!! *Here it is! That deadly interrogation method!* Upon hearing Leon''s question, the middle-aged guard was startled and immediately resumed shooting, switching to another body to continue firing, trying to mask the devil-like interrogation with the noise of the gunshots. Unfortunately, even with that slight delay, Leon already got the answer he wanted. "So your true self is nearby." Turning to look at another guard behind him, breaking the nail gun in his hand, and cutting off the deafening gunfire, Leon''s lips curled slightly upward before continuing to inquire: "Is your true self in the hall?" "Not in the hall, huh? Then in the manor? Outside the manor?" "Not in any of those places? Then in the core building area? Still near the main building? So the target is close to the hall but not in it?" "So, if your true self is near the hall¡­ what does your true self look like? Man? Fat? Thin? Elderly? Young?" "..." With Leon''s calm questions, the people controlled by the second Rebel grew increasingly terrified. *Even if I switch bodies and play dead lying on the ground, Leon''s questioning only slowed slightly, continuing steadily and constantly.* *It seemed as if a fierce tiger was unraveling the layers surrounding me; with each question of his, another layer of my disguise was easily peeled away, reducing the barrier between me and the tiger''s maw by one more layer.* *Initially, I merely heard the "tiger''s" voice, but as more layers of "protection" fell away, I gradually felt the powerful pressure from its claw.* *Gradually, I seemed to smell the metallic blood scent from its mouth and felt those sharp teeth, hanging with bits of flesh, lightly tracing my goose-bumped neck through the last layer of gossamer-thin protection¡­* ... "A slender, somewhat short young man outside the hall yet very close by?" Recapping the answers, Leon tilted his head in thought, showing an expression of realization. "If you entered Ryan Manor without entering the hall¡­ then your disguised identity should be as a servant or an attendant, right? I recall seeing a rather short attendant unloading the footstool from the carriage earlier¡­ could that be you?" "..." *He knows! He knows who I am!* Seeing his true self exposed and overwhelmed by the slow-tightening noose, the tormented Rebel nearly lost his sanity. "Devil! You''re a devil!!!" A certain corpulent woman lying trembling at the door suddenly jumped up and screamed at Leon, tears in her eyes, before collapsing back down. Simultaneously, in Leon''s soul vision, a terrified soul dashed out of the hall, as if pursued, and hastily jumped into a new body, then sprinted madly towards the outside of the manor! *Never again! I''m never coming back!* Chapter 191 - 191: 0166 Cant the remaining sutra stop the wall hanging? _1 *It seemed I had guessed correctly.* Watching the flame a few hundred meters away that desperately fled, Leon couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow. He then swung a leg over the Witch''s Broom that automatically hovered nearby, ready to pursue and bring the opponent to justice. But just as the Witch''s Broom was about to start, the lesson from narrowly escaping a bullet shot earlier surged in his mind, causing Leon to hesitate slightly. He then turned back to the princess, wrapping the Plague-Infected Blood Bandage around her, intending to wake her up first. Although according to that shabby old man''s "testimony," there seemed to be only two rebels in Ryan Manor with an Anomalous Object, since they had found a way to evade his soul vision, it''s not impossible that they faked their stories during "interrogation." If there was indeed a third rebel nearby, once Leon left to capture someone, they wouldn''t even need to use an Anomalous Object. Even just a tiny Nail Gun could easily end the princess''s life. It was safer to take her along. ... Soon, under the "health" supplied by the Plague-Infected Blood Bandage, the princess, who fainted due to excessive blood flow, awoke with a faint bewilderment as she looked at Leon. "I... what happened to me?" "Your Highness, the rebels just launched an assassination attempt against you, which I thwarted. I am now preparing to apprehend the assailants." After briefly explaining the situation, Leon helped the still-dazed princess onto the broom, advising her to hold tight around his waist, and then gently tapped the Witch''s Broom with his heel. "Ah!" Accompanied by Princess Veronica''s exclamation, the fully accelerated Witch''s Broom shot out from the hall like an arrow, controlled by Leon as they chased after the desperately fleeing short man. "You... you stay away! Stay away from me!" Seeing that demon who could see into people''s hearts was now flying directly towards him, the short man couldn''t help but crumble instantly. His legs gave out as he nearly fell to the ground. "Pop" Yet at that moment, with the sound like a soap bubble bursting, as if a veil covering the soul was suddenly wiped away, the short man''s fear-filled, chaotic eyes cleared in an instant. *So I wasn''t a coward after all; memories of being a coward were woven into me to make me flee out of fear and lure the target into an ambush?* *Damn it! Used as bait again!* Realizing what had happened to him, even if he recalled that he had initially agreed to this plan, the short man couldn''t help but feel a twinge of discomfort in his heart. If it weren''t for being utterly crushed during interrogation by that demon, nearly leading to a mental breakdown that abandoned his escape, forcing Lucy to prematurely release part of the Ability, he might not have regained his true memories until the assassination mission was fully completed. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Lucy''s old witch''s memory Ability is... terrifying every time I wake up afterward, but it''s oddly useful for completing missions. After all, even a bait like me didn''t know there was an ambush, so the one behind wouldn''t be able to react in time.* Shivering violently, the "coward" who regained a sliver of memory managed to avoid collapsing directly. He merely staggered a few steps before regaining his footing and continued to flee madly towards the manor''s exit. Meanwhile, Leon, who was relentlessly pursuing, remained cautious, never exiting his soul vision, and suddenly detected a small ripple in the soul of the short man. *Could this be a trap?* Watching the distant soul, whose level of fear had halved, Leon''s brows furrowed slightly. He hesitated for a moment before purposely slowing down. *The Emma Remnants Scripture*''s seventh rule was to never underestimate an opponent''s intelligence. The ability to conduct "sting operations" wasn''t exclusive to Cleaners; it also belonged to intelligent Anomalous Objects, Uncontrollable Afflicted, and the Evil God-worshipping Underground Sect. Those brainy enemies, when trying to execute plans, would similarly toss out bait, luring incautious Cleaners into traps to eliminate them in advance, paving the way for their own actions. *I have to guard against this!* Reflecting on Senior Emma''s teachings, Leon squinted at the short man who was about to escape Ryan Manor. Instead of pressing the Witch''s Broom to accelerate, he pulled up the broomstick and flew upward, then gently tapped the small mirror he carried. *Wherever you want to lead me, the trap can''t work unless I''m physically "there," can it?* ... "Hiss..." Feeling a cold chill penetrate his heart as if some extremely lethal thing had locked its sight on him, the short man shivered all over, cautiously turning his head to check behind him while fleeing. *What the hell?!* Seeing Leon in the sky several hundred meters away, assembling a sniper rifle silently, the short man felt utterly doomed. According to information, the leader somehow acquired knowledge that while the target''s Ability was comprehensive in attack and defense, its maximum shooting range wasn''t impressive, supposedly only a few dozen meters. This ensured his safety. *But even though his Ability has limited range, he''s actually carrying a sniper rifle! I''m dead for sure!* Staring at the weapon gradually forming in the sky behind him, the short man ignored any ambush locations and dashed toward the nearest building, knocking out an occupant en route. He then hid behind a shelf stacked with stuff, but... "Pfft" With a faint sound like a gas leak, the sack filled with rice burst open. Shelves, walls, bricks, and outer walls... all obstacles in front of the short man were simultaneously pierced by a glowing Nail. "Ah!!!" The short man felt a sudden chill at his thigh crease; before he could react, he was knocked out by the momentum of the nail, the burning smell of scorched flesh wafting into his nostrils. *No! I don''t want to die yet!* Using the remarkable intuition of a soul-type Anomalous Object user, he vaguely sensed a second shot was imminent¡ªone that would assuredly be fatal. The short man collapsed, scrambling towards the window, hoping to plead with the demon in the sky, testing if surrendering would save his life. Yet as he crawled to the window, intending to proclaim his surrender, the man in the sky riding a peculiar broom, casting a presence more menacing than a demon''s, suddenly twitched violently, then plunged like a kite with its string cut. ... Inside the small clock tower six streets over. "I hit him!" Re-adjusting her fallen headscarf to cover her shiny bald head, the woman with odd goggles put away her slingshot and turned her curious gaze towards the middle-aged man beside her: "Chief, how did you know he would fly up?" Chapter 192 - 192: 0167 The True Power of the Gate to the Other World_1 "I saw it with my own eyes." Through the telescope in his hand, the middle-aged man, after witnessing Leon and the Princess falling from the sky together, sighed with a mix of relief and complexity as he explained, "The Anomalous Object I possess is called the ''Gate of the Other World.'' Besides being able to open behind any door in the Capital City, allowing you to enter the base at any time, it can even open a door to the Future." "What?!" Hearing the middle-aged man''s explanation of his Ability for the first time, the bald woman couldn''t help but look over in shock, asking with her eyes wide open, "The Future? Is it the Future I''m thinking of?" "Yes, it''s the Future you''re thinking of, and this Future can still be changed. Everything I did after learning about the Future can change how the Future looks. For instance, the slingshot you just fired was the ''answer'' I found from the Future." After glancing toward Ryan Manor, the gray-templed middle-aged man said with a complex expression, "That guy from the Purification Bureau is really... incredibly cautious and almost flawless in his work. At the slightest sign of movement around, he immediately uses that extremely troublesome Ability to protect himself and the Princess, not giving even the slightest chance. You know, whether it''s sneak attacks or poison blasts, yesterday, I took you from the Future and tried no less than eighty times, with more than a dozen different plans. But every time, he managed to evade it without fail, never once could we completely kill him. The two closest attempts to success: Once, we went all out, sparing no Cost to corner him into a dead end, but he activated a lethal strand of hair. Except for Phoebe and her sister, everyone else was killed instantly by that strand, without any ability to resist, and he was only slightly injured. The second time, we sent Phoebe, during one of her amnesiac spells, to approach him. When she reached out and touched him, everyone forgot about his existence. But just by touching Phoebe''s hand, everyone''s memories began to return slowly, and eventually, we still couldn''t do anything to him." After recalling the "battle of wits and courage" with "Prince Lyon," the middle-aged man turned his head, looking at the bald woman, who was already dumbfounded beside him, and sighed helplessly, "That guy''s Ability is really disgustingly perfect, almost without any weaknesses. *I really don''t know what he encountered to become so cautious, as if someone is always ready to harm him.*" "..." Uh¡­ it seems he really didn''t over-prepare, after all, you attempted to ''harm'' him over eighty times in one night. If he weren''t cautious enough, he probably wouldn''t be around anymore. "Although that guy from the Purification Bureau has a remarkable Ability, you eventually found a chance to catch him, which still shows that your Ability is stronger!" Looking at her "harmful yet persistent" leader with eyes that seemed to see a pervert, the bald woman said somewhat excitedly, "Right, Leader! You can see the Future! With this Ability, aren''t you invincible? Can''t you do whatever you want?" "No." The middle-aged man''s state seemed somewhat strange. He reached out to wipe away the sudden tears at the corner of his eye and shook his head with a somewhat forlorn tone, "Even if you can see the Future infinitely many times, it doesn''t necessarily mean you can really change the Future, because some problems are destined to have no answers." "This¡­ Leader, I don''t understand¡­" "Simply put, there are some things you just can''t change, even if you know they will happen. For instance, the Future of this nation." After looking at the slightly bewildered eyes of the bald woman, the middle-aged man hesitated slightly and then smiled with a bit of relief, explaining, "You know? Our last attempt to assassinate the Princess was actually successful." "What???" "It''s true. When I passed through the ''Gate of the Other World'' and reached the Future, we had Luke control the Princess''s chamberlain, successfully killing her. But shortly after her death, Future me found a way to send back the message. Future me said that even in the Future without the Princess, the Kingdom still didn''t get saved; it just went from completely broken to barely hanging on. And because of a moment of weakness, after exiting the door of the Future, I slightly changed the plan, letting the guard controlled by Luke choose another position, voluntarily giving up the chance for success in the assassination." "Ah this¡­ this¡­" Hearing that the failed assassination was actually their leader''s voluntary abandonment, the bald woman was dumbfounded for a while, then suddenly lunged forward to grab the middle-aged man''s shoulders, veins popping as she shouted, "Why! Why! Also! She''s the Princess! You''re a Rebel! You tell me you got soft-hearted? What the hell are you talking about?" "I had no choice. *I couldn''t not be soft-hearted, she is, after all, my sister.*" "What???" Using the back of his hand to wipe the tear stains at the corner of his eye, which rubbed off the foundation covering his face, revealing several irregularly shaped freckles that looked like dirt stains, the middle-aged man said with complex emotions, "If not for her, I would have been killed in the Capital City in the second year of the war. Since the Kingdom''s fate is as tragic with or without her, how could I bear to kill her?" "?????" So the leader of the Rebels... turned out to be the Kingdom''s Prince? I¡­ what have I been doing all along? Looking at the distinctly spotted freckles on the middle-aged man''s weathered face, the bald woman felt a rush of blood to the brain, almost driving her mad on the spot, and stammered as she questioned, "Are you really Joshua? That foolish Prince? How is it possible! You? You?!" "I''ve said it before, my Ability is called the ''Gate of the Other World.''" Gaze fixed on the distant Ryan Manor, the middle-aged man said with a desolate look, "Having the powerful Anomalous Object that can observe the Future at will naturally comes with an incomparable Cost, and the Cost I paid is akin to the name of this Ability. I, who suffered thirty years of Pain because of the Kingdom''s destruction, chose to step through the gate to the Other World, completely giving up everything I had, with no family, no past, and not even a Future anymore. Now, I am just a ghost wandering in the Other World. Even if I have the chance to save the Kingdom and change all regrets, all the regrets I change no longer have the slightest relation to me. This is the Cost of using the Gate of the Other World." "..." After explaining the truth of his Ability, looking at the completely contorted expression of the bald woman, the middle-aged man wiped away his tears and bowed apologetically. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''m sorry, I originally intended to take this secret to the grave, but in just a few more minutes, my sister... the Princess, will disappear from everyone''s memory, and I will follow and forget her too. I just couldn''t hold back the urge to confide in someone while my memory is still intact." "You... I... Damn it! Why did you choose me? Why didn''t you¡­ mm? Mm!" "Because among all of us, you''re the only one I can beat, sorry." After forcing a pinch of some strange powder into the bald woman''s mouth, the middle-aged man looked at her terrified face and said, "Don''t worry, what I gave you isn''t poison. It''s powder made from Phoebe''s nails, and according to the dose, it should only make you lose about an hour of memory. Just sleep for a while, just a while¡­ Also, thank you for listening to my secret. I feel much better after getting it all out." "..." Looking at the apologetic middle-aged man in front of her, the bald woman struggled twice but couldn''t break free, her mouth still clamped so she couldn''t curse, leaving her to continuously express her anger through her eyes. *You feel better! But now I feel terrible! Let go of me, you bastard! Damn it!* ͹(ܳÃóܳ)! Chapter 193 - 193: 0168 Phoebe and Grandma_1 "Leon? How are you?" Without knowing that her currently somewhat brain-dead brother would evolve into the ultimate creature decades later, Veronica immediately hugged Leon''s waist, dragging his pale-faced self from the soft, sponge-like ground. "I''m fine... I''m okay..." After spitting twice, trying to eject the cheese-cake-like floor tile from his mouth, Leon, feeling almost completely drained, hastily disabled the Holy Spirit pendant''s ability to alter reality. Then he pulled out the [Plague-Infected Blood Band], attempting to place it on his injured left shoulder. "Do I need to wrap this bandage?" Understanding Leon''s intent, Veronica quickly took over the bandage, efficiently wrapping it around Leon''s left shoulder, and as per Leon''s instruction, held his right hand against the bloodstained bandage. "Squeak¡­" Accompanied by the release of ''health'' from the bandage, a tooth-aching sound of bones rubbing together emerged. Leon''s fractured left clavicle slowly returned to place, and the shattered pieces of his scapula reassembled. Soon, a small metal ball, smaller than a pea and seemingly crushed by bones, was squeezed out from Leon''s shoulder as his bones and muscles resumed their positions. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Was this... a pellet from a child''s slingshot? After seeing the fallen object clearly, Leon''s brows instantly knitted tightly, a trace of genuine bewilderment flickering in his gaze. After the Demon series badges upgraded to Gold Level, the range of his soul vision had almost extended to three kilometers, but he hadn''t detected any killing intent within his range just seconds ago, indicating the attacker''s position was beyond his maximum sight. Even if he were "fixed" in the air for better aiming, someone capable of shattering his scapula from a distance of at least three kilometers with a small, soft lead projectile must have shooting skills far surpassing human abilities, suggesting it was some Anomalous Object Ability at play. But... for him to forego using the Holy Spirit pendant and opt for remote sniping was a snap decision. How had the opponent predicted this? Could it be... causality? Foresight? With such an exceedingly powerful ability, wouldn''t one save or rule the world instead of hitting him with a single lead pellet? *Isn''t this just absurdly insane?* While Leon was racking his brains over the situation, a somewhat hurried footstep echoed from a distance. Tracing the sound, Leon discovered a maid from the Ryan Family stealthily creeping around a nearby building, approaching where he had fallen. Impossible¡­ To fall from such a height and not die? Controlling the maid to peek through the small kitchen window with caution towards where the "demon" had fallen, upon seeing Leon unscathed except for a bandage on his shoulder, a short man with an injured thigh couldn''t help but gnash his teeth and hammer the floor in frustration. Should he control a guard, find a gun, and then... um... Watching the demon, who slowly turned their gaze in ''his'' direction and gradually smirked, the maid and the short man controlling her both shivered simultaneously, promptly pretending to faint on the spot. Meanwhile, from the second floor of another building several dozen meters away, a figure abruptly leaped down, rushed toward the warehouse where the short man resided, kicked open the door, and fled carrying his "out-of-body" self. One should know contentment! To escape with his life from such a demon was an enormous stroke of luck. Any greed for attempting further assassination would surely cost him even this last chance of escape! ¡­ Strange... Could it be there are no more ambushes? Narrowing his eyes, Leon, reaching for the director''s hair, couldn''t quite grasp the enemy''s motive as he watched the short man fleeing in panic within his soul vision. After remaining on alert for a while and confirming the assassination attempt was truly over without any other rebels emerging, Leon breathed a sigh of relief, yet still found himself puzzling over it. Those rebels went through so much trouble only to hit him with a single lead pellet¡ªwas that all there was to it? What were they after? "Leon, the bandage seems to have stopped." At that moment, a cautious reminder sounded. Following Princess Veronica''s prompt, Leon examined the bandage on his shoulder. It was then he realized the "health" stored within had been depleted, yet his shoulder hadn''t fully healed. Hmm... With little health left in the Plague-Infected Blood Band originally, using it today first to heal a slovenly old man, then the princess''s fainting, and now his shattered shoulder, it was no surprise it''s depleted. Replenishing it will suffice. "Stay close behind me; don''t wander too far," he instructed the princess, before using his soul vision to inspect the vicinity. Discovering a nearby building was a kitchen with a few live chickens and ducks inside, he then moved with the princess in tow to restock the [Plague-Infected Blood Band]''s consumed health. "Quack!" "Cluck cluck, cluck cluck!" Entering the kitchen, Leon was just about to grab one of the bound chickens or ducks to drain some life force for his recovery when he glimpsed a pair of curious wide eyes amidst the fluttering creatures. "Big brother, who are you guys?" "We''re here to fetch some chickens and ducks." Carefully examining the little girl''s soul and confirming she wasn''t a rebel in disguise, Leon hesitated after catching a fat chicken. Considering the creatures tied by the [Plague-Infected Blood Band] died horrifically, he refrained from acting immediately but instead attempted to cover the little girl''s eyes with his other hand. "Hiss..." As Leon lifted his left hand, his not fully healed scapula sent a piercing pain through him, causing him to inhale sharply, realizing it wasn''t currently within his capability, he turned to face the princess outside the kitchen. "Your Highness, I can''t lift my left hand. Please take the child outside first." "Just call me Veronica." Nodding in agreement with Leon''s request, Veronica, without a hint of disdain, picked up the dirty little girl and carried her out of the kitchen. Apparently fond of children, the princess affectionately nudged her forehead against the girl''s, smiling gently, as she coaxed: "Aren''t you sweet? Come on, tell me your name." "Me?" Blinking her crystal-like big eyes, the little girl extended her ash-dusted hand and patted it forcefully on the princess''s pale bust, then answered with utter seriousness: "Phoebe. Granny, my name is Phoebe!" "..." Hearing the little girl''s address, the princess, now approaching twenty-eight and thus considered an older young woman, couldn''t help but have her expression freeze. Clamping her small cheek, she feigned annoyance as she corrected: "Sister! It''s sister!" "Granny!" The little girl said while reaching up to pat her chest once more. "No calling me Granny! Call me sister, I''ll give you candy. Call me Granny again and sister will spank your butt!" "Then... give me candy first." "Candy..." Surveying her dress with no pockets, the princess, unable to make bricks without straw, rolled her eyes before resorting to a white lie: "Of course, there''s candy, but sister left her money behind. When she gets some, she''ll buy it for you!" "Granny!" "Slap!" *This little brat!* Watching the little girl call her Granny, slapping her chest every time, leaving it smudged with soot, Princess Veronica helplessly chuckled, abandoning any hope of correcting her. Following a screeching sound as though slaughtering a chicken, Leon within the kitchen finished his task and rewrapped the bandage around his shoulder. "Sorry for the intrusion, here''s the money for the chicken." Nodding at the beautiful woman cradling the child at the doorway, Leon slipped her two Silver Wheels, managing to resist the urge to glance at her bust. One leg was now straddled on the Witch''s Broom, he took off toward the Purification Bureau. "???" Why did he give me money? Standing there dumbfounded for a moment, Princess Veronica lowered her head puzzled, examining the two Silver Wheels Leon handed her. What''s this supposed to mean? A breakup fee? "Slap!" "Granny! Now you have money!" Chapter 194 - 194: 0169 Who is she?_1 "You were still thinking about the candy, while I almost lost my husband!" *After affectionately pinching the cheek of the little girl, as Princess Veronica was about to call out to Leon to ask why he suddenly left her behind, an old and hoarse voice suddenly came from the nearby window.* "Hello." *Startled by the sound that resembled a sharp object scraping against glass, Princess Veronica turned towards it and saw an old lady with sagging skin and white hair reaching out her arms in her direction.* "Can I have Phoebe back?" "Ah, sure!" *Noticing the wary look in the other person''s eyes, Princess Veronica thought she might have misunderstood something. To avoid being mistaken for a child kidnapper, she quickly set the little girl in her arms down.* However, Princess Veronica had already hesitated slightly when she was handed two Silver Wheels earlier, and now, with the sudden appearance of the old lady, Leon, who was riding on a broomstick, had already flown far away. Forget it, I know his address, I can ask him later. Looking at Leon''s retreating figure, Princess Veronica couldn''t help but sigh. Today was just... not only was there an assassination attempt by the Rebels, but she also ended up getting married without any preparation, and the Prince she chose seemed like an odd person. Especially just now, he had asked her to help look after a child one moment, and the next moment acted as if he forgot who she was, not only becoming polite and distant but even inexplicably giving her two Silver Wheels... *What a peculiar person; but since Leon worked for the Purification Bureau, it''s probably normal for him to be a bit weird?* Shaking her head full of confusion, Princess Veronica smoothed out her skirt, squatted down, and opened the little girl''s dirty, small black hand, placing a shiny Silver Wheel inside. She then smiled and patted the little girl''s bottom. "Here''s the money, go to your real grandma and let her buy you some candy~" "Grandma?" Looking at the silver-white coin in her hand, the little girl tilted her head in surprise. "Phoebe''s grandma is already dead, dead for many years." This child''s grandma is dead? Then who was talking to me? *Hearing the little girl''s words, Princess Veronica''s eyebrows furrowed slightly, then she looked up at the old lady in the distant window and asked politely but cautiously,* "May I ask, who are you to this child?" *The old lady lifted her finely wrinkled brows, gave Princess Veronica a meaningful look, then smiled calmly, and answered,* "My name is Lucy, I''m Phoebe''s sister." ??? *You''re Phoebe''s sister?* Upon hearing this, Princess Veronica was momentarily taken aback, and her tightly furrowed brows did not relax, but instead tightened further. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Impossible! You look over sixty, while little Phoebe seems to be only five or six years old, how could she be your sister? "Lucy!" *As Princess Veronica furrowed her brow, starting to suspect the old lady might have some mental issues, the little girl suddenly ran happily towards the old lady.* "Lucy, be good~" Standing on tiptoes to pat the old lady''s silver hair, the little girl lifted the coin to the old lady''s eyes with her dirty little hand and affectionately imitated Princess Veronica''s earlier words, saying: "If you call me sister, I''ll buy you candy~" "..." *Looking at the little girl full of innocence before her, a hint of sadness flashed in the old lady''s eyes, then she compliantly lowered her head so Phoebe wouldn''t have to stand on tiptoes to touch the top of her head. Then, with a hoarse and eerie voice, she softly agreed,* "Sister, no matter what you become, you will always be my sister." "..." *So... it turns out it''s not the grandma who has mental issues, but the child who might be intellectually challenged?* Noticing the sadness in the old lady''s eyes, as well as her allowing little Phoebe to touch her head, Princess Veronica fell silent and chose not to further disturb this peculiar "sisterhood," instead turning back towards the main hall. *Some things are almost impossible to change, whether it''s this little girl''s innate foolishness or the deep-rooted greed in people''s hearts.* *The only thing she could do was use the power that came with her title of Princess to try to put shackles on those excessive greeds, so these inherently unfortunate could be slightly happier.* *And her marriage to Leon undoubtedly accelerated this progress, making everything worthwhile!* ... "What happened?" "Did I pass out?" "What just happened... Earl? Wake up, my lord!" *When Princess Veronica re-entered the hall where the ceremony of peerage was held, some of those who had fainted due to the "Heartbeat Moment" had already begun to regain consciousness.* However, those waking up were mostly the younger or stronger attendees or the guards; people with higher status were usually older and physically weaker, so most remained unconscious, leaving no one to take charge of the situation, and the hall was in chaos. "Everyone, please listen to me!" *Observing the chaotic scene in the hall, Princess Veronica shook her head, then adjusted her shawl to cover the black handprint on her chest, and clapped her hands forcefully to attract everyone''s attention, then instructed the awakened people:* "The current priority is to wake people up. VinceSmoke family''s members should go fetch a doctor, while other families should move their unconscious members upstairs. As for families where no one has awakened, the Ryan Family should take responsibility. Also, check the condition of the unconscious people so that once the VinceSmoke family brings a doctor, priority can be given to those in more serious conditions." That seems... like the right thing to do now? *After hearing Princess Veronica''s instructions, the chaotic hall quieted down for a moment, then people began to subconsciously follow suit. Their actions led more people to begin assisting, and the chaotic hall gradually became more orderly.* *However, even as they followed her instructions, most people couldn''t help but have a peculiar question arise in their hearts.* *Who is this woman issuing orders... exactly?* ... "What? You encountered the Rebels with control over an Anomalous Object again and nearly fell into their trap?" *After Leon finished recounting today''s events, the Red-haired Director blinked her fox-like eyes in surprise, saying,* "That''s strange. Although the likelihood of encountering abnormalities typically increases with higher levels of Corrosion once someone joins the Purification Bureau, haven''t you been getting into accidents a bit too often?" "I do think it''s odd too and suspect I might be under some Curse..." *Leon nodded somewhat helplessly and said,* "But the Black Goat said, assured as a Great Demon, that there''s absolutely nothing abnormal about me; at least it couldn''t detect any issues, so it suggested I come straight to you to find out what''s really going on." Chapter 195 - 195: 0170 Exchange and Door-to-Door Service_1 " "I can''t see anything wrong with you either." The Red-haired Director shook his head and said, "Although I also had some sensory abilities, I was better at combat. This might involve the mysterious and the cursed. That sheep knew far more than I did. Also, even though that sheep was currently a bit weaker, it was indeed a well-informed Great Demon with an extremely long life span. In terms of knowledge in this area, there weren''t many in the Purification Bureau who surpassed it. So, if even it couldn''t see any problem, then you almost didn''t need to consider the bureau. Among those I could call for help, including the Taurus Director, there was barely anyone who could solve your problem." "..." *Wasn''t that game over?* After hearing what the Red-haired Director said, Ryan''s heart sank halfway. Even though he had [The Emma Remnants Scripture] to protect him, he could only learn Senior Emma''s caution, not her Undying Body. If he kept encountering anomalies at this frequency, no matter how cautious he became, he would eventually fail like today when faced with an endless stream of anomalous objects. Without mentioning anything else, today''s lead bullet alone was deadly. If that person shooting the slingshot from three kilometers away had raised his hand just a little while shooting, it wouldn''t just be Ryan''s scapula that shattered. "Are you thinking about the person who hurt you with the slingshot?" Seeing the somewhat fearful look in Ryan''s eyes, the Red-haired Director guessed what he was thinking and offered some comfort, "Rest assured, you''re carrying my hair on you. My hair was extremely sensitive to the scent of death. Once you were subjected to a potentially fatal attack, it would immediately intercept it. That person''s ability might restrain you, but there was still a way to avoid it." "Then, what if it wasn''t immediately fatal, but something like poison, curses, bleeding that slowly kills me?" Knowing roughly the effects of [Slaughter Blood Hair], Ryan pondered for a moment and then added with some worry, "Besides that, what if the air around me was sucked dry, or if I was forcibly moved deep underwater or underground, or if I wasn''t killed but aged by an anomalous object? There were also abilities that didn''t directly harm the body, targeting the soul, mind, or will. They could bypass [Slaughter Blood Hair]''s protection, right?" "Right..." Watching Ryan quickly come up with seven or eight ways to bypass [Slaughter Blood Hair] and successfully "kill" himself, the Red-haired Director clicked his tongue, feeling like he saw a PLUS version of Emma. *To be honest, while being a little cautious was a good thing for a Cleaner, Little Lyon seemed to be deeply influenced by Emma.* "What if, for a while, you stay in the bureau?" Tilting his head in thought, the Red-haired Director suggested, "Those two investigators have already returned. If the investigation went without issues, the sheep''s heart would be sent back in a couple of days. By then, you could visit the police department prison, get a warden position, and oversee those heinous death row prisoners. Although it couldn''t match Emma''s Undying Body, with something at the Heart of Ambition level to protect your life, you should be able to get through it without encountering extremely extreme anomalous abilities." *Yeah! And there was the Heart!* S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing the Director''s reminder, Ryan felt reinvigorated, as a bit of hope flickered in the previously bleak future. Although he wasn''t like Bobby Laien who directly put the heart into his body, with the [I Am the Demon] Golden Badge''s blessing, normally using the Heart''s life-saving ability was still feasible. As long as he didn''t encounter overly extreme situations, he should be able to hold on until he truly became strong. *Oh right, there was also the sheep stomach!* Remembering another anomaly from the "sheep offal series," eager to significantly boost his strength to cope with his terribly bad luck, Ryan directly asked, "Director! How''s the Black Goat''s stomach? Can I apply to have it?" "The stomach... that isn''t difficult, but not as quick as the Heart. It will require some waiting." The Red-haired Director thought for a moment before replying, "That sheep''s stomach was self-found, not confiscated from a task. But as an anomaly submitted to our bureau, after basic checks, we in the Virgo Bureau would have priority to apply for it. According to the headquarter''s application regulations, all you need to do was to submit an anomaly of the same basic level, or three anomalies of a lower level, and you could obtain it. Hmm... As for the Sheep Stomach, the Leon Value was about 8, but because it was part of a whole set of anomalies, the conversion requirement was significantly higher. Probably calculated at 10 Leon Value you still have any anomalies to exchange for it?" "I really do!" After checking his current stock, Ryan tapped the small mirror he carried, instructing Young Ha to throw out the model small bed sealed with the "Under-the-bed Ghost Hand." "This item had a Leon Value of 8.7, plus the 2.5 Leon Value [Heartbeat Moment] acquired today, which should be enough for exchange... uh... wait a minute." Touching the red hair around his neck, Ryan didn''t immediately hand over the items. He hesitated a bit and then spoke, "Director, could I ask for a favor?" "Hmm? What favor?" "It''s just... haven''t I been targeted by those Rebels lately? I''m worried they might come after my family, so I hope to get three strands of hair, one for each of my siblings." After explaining his request, without waiting for the Director to respond, afraid she might refuse, Ryan quickly added, "Of course, I know the [Slaughter Blood Hair] was a powerful anomaly with the number 013. Even just a few strands were very precious, and constantly drained your power, Director, so I wouldn''t ask for them for free. If you can accept it, I am willing to use the 8.7 Leon Value [Under-the-bed Ghost Hand] to exchange for those three strands of hair. Is that okay?" Exchanging [Under-the-bed Ghost Hand] for three strands of your blood hair for your siblings? Hearing Ryan''s condition, seeing his sincere expression, the Red-haired Director instinctively blinked her fox eyes, then tapped her knuckles on the table, and thoughtfully retorted, "If you exchanged my hair for [Under-the-bed Ghost Hand], what would you use to exchange for the sheep stomach? Nonetheless, anomalies with nearly 10 Leon Value aren''t easy to find. Are you sure?" "I''m sure." Ryan nodded earnestly and said, "Though anomalies with 10 Leon Value are hard to find, they do exist. To exchange for Anna''s safety, I believe it''s completely worth it." *Did family mean more to you than anything?* Staring into Ryan''s eyes for a while, the Red-haired Director confirmed that he genuinely thought so. She couldn''t help but blink, feeling a tinge of bitterness in her heart. Not only was she envious of those Ryan worried about, she also envied him for having someone who could worry about him. *How nice, not only you but Emma also still had family members to rely on. Considering my circumstances, I was destined to have nothing to do with family.... Hmm... So annoying! My mood was pleasant until you came along and suddenly made everything awkward.* "Alright then, I''ll accept it!" Swallowing back the "no need to exchange" words that rose to her lips, she took the [Under-the-bed Ghost Hand] and threw it into her drawer, which prompted her to glare at the joyous Ryan and teasingly issue a battle invitation full of malice, "Wanna drink a bit?" "Huh?" "If you drink with me wholeheartedly today, three hairs, or even thirty, would be fine!" Chapter 196 - 196: 0171 Without the Royal Palace, I can only nibble on my husband_1 Was he not coming home today as well? Unaware that Leon was risking his life in a sea of alcohol with a terrifying red-haired bad woman for the safety of himself and his siblings, Anna sighed quietly as the streetlights below the apartment turned on and Leon''s figure was still nowhere to be seen. But as she stood up from the window, intending to clear the meal on the table she had purposely left, she suddenly heard some familiar footsteps in the stairway. Could it be... he''s back? Hearing the highly identifiable heavy footsteps, the frail girl''s expression lit up ever so slightly. After wiping her damp palms on her apron, she quickly ran over to the door to open it. However, just as she stood up, she realized that although the footsteps were very similar to Leon''s, with the same heavy burden-like sound, the stride was noticeably smaller. So it wasn''t my brother... Somewhat disappointed, Anna sighed and released her grip on the doorknob. Yet those footsteps that were so similar to Leon''s headed straight toward her, and then, the door was gently knocked. "Knock, knock-knock." Someone at my house? Hearing the rather sudden knocking, Anna was briefly stunned and then cautiously inquired through the door, "Who are you looking for?" Hearing the voice from inside the door, the person outside paused and then replied warmly, "I''m looking for Leon, Leon Laine." Looking for my brother? And that voice... a woman? Although the woman''s voice was very pleasant and carried a kind of convincing calmness, Anna couldn''t help but instinctively become wary, almost subconsciously making an excuse, "He''s already asleep! And it''s very late now, you should come back tomorrow!" "..." Sensing her defensiveness, the woman outside pondered for a moment before leaning closer to the door and speaking softly, "You''re Anna, right? Leon has mentioned you to me. Also, although there are men''s shoes left deliberately outside, Leon''s pair isn''t here, so he hasn''t come home yet, right? Don''t worry, I''m not a bad person; I really came to find him." "..." Caught lying straight through the door, Anna''s face flushed slightly. She quickly turned the doorknob, feeling embarrassed, and apologized, "I''m sorry... My brother told me a few days ago to be more careful lately, saying that someone might be targeting our family, so I..." Looking at the beautiful woman in front of her, who appeared somewhat tired yet had an astonishingly good figure, Anna found her words stuck, both shocked and instinctively comparing her own measurements to the woman''s voluptuous front. It actually can be like this... This is unfair! "It''s okay; it''s normal to be more cautious when I show up so late suddenly." Seeing that she had finally succeeded in tricking her way in, Princess Veronica, who could not afford a hotel and could not return to the Royal Palace with just a Silver Wheel from Leon, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. To have a place to stay tonight, she recalled the information she had read and tried to charm her with a warm and friendly smile, "Nice to meet you; my name is Veronica. As for my identity... I''m your brother''s fianc¨¦e." ??? What did you say? After hearing Princess Veronica''s shocking introduction, the frail girl was left stunned as if struck by lightning, akin to a little duck in a daze. This is impossible! He said he would spend his life... In any case, even without a blood relationship, I''m his most important sister! He would definitely tell me about something like marriage first! This woman must be lying... um... Anna was about to scold the woman in front of her, burning with a nameless anger, telling her not to lie, but she couldn''t help but glance again at the woman''s chest. Perhaps... maybe it''s not completely impossible? After all, she''s really... "Anna?" Waiting for a long time without hearing any skepticism, Princess Veronica, whose prepared talking points were unusable, had to think on her feet and improvise, saying, "I know this news might be hard for you to accept, but I''m not lying to you. I really am your brother''s fianc¨¦e." "But... but he never told me anything, and he''s been so busy... Where would he have had the time..." "It is indeed quite sudden." Holding the frail girl''s sweaty hand, she led her affectionately inside as if she were really her sister-in-law and apologized genuinely, "Just this afternoon, in the main hall of the Ryan Manor estate, in front of all the guests attending the ennoblement ceremony, he proposed to me. Since we got along very well, I agreed after thinking about it. Because it all happened so abruptly, I didn''t have a chance to inform you... Oh, did Leon tell you where he was going today?" "He mentioned..." Not noticing that Princess Veronica had deliberately left out "dating duration" and "why no introduction to family" issues, Anna correlated this "sister-in-law''s" authenticity with whether Leon went to Ryan Manor today. Remembering Leon had indeed mentioned going to Ryan Manor for an ennoblement ceremony, and seeing the "intelligence" match on both sides, the last shred of doubt in her heart was completely dispelled due to the "all true if partly true" mindset. With complexity in her eyes, she said, "So you really are..." "I really am your sister-in-law." Her nose, smudged slightly with soot, twitched as she caught a whiff of enticing food aroma. Starving since morning, the ravenous princess could no longer resist. Pulling the dazed Anna to sit by the dining table, she naturally lifted the dish covers and pushed a small plate toward Anna, concernedly asking, "You don''t seem to be feeling well; did you eat too little and feel unwell?" S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ah..." With her mind full of her brother getting married, the bride not being... not being... her brother got married and hadn''t told her, Anna eludedly replied, "I guess... I didn''t eat much..." "Then eat a bit more; I''ll eat with you." Naturally picking up a dish and placing it before her, Princess Veronica speared a broccoli piece for Anna and then elegantly cut herself a sizable slice of still warm fried fish, impeccably put it in her mouth. Chewing the fish at record-breaking speed and swallowing it whole, the princess, successfully conning her way to a meal, scooped mashed potatoes while persuading with concern, "Hurry and eat; you look so thin. If Leon returns and sees you didn''t take care of yourself, he''ll be upset for sure." "Ah? Alright..." Under Princess Veronica''s earnest persuasion, Anna mechanically consumed two pieces of side broccoli and a few small carrot slices meant for soup ingredients. Looking at the three plates cleaned out by her "sister-in-law," Anna finally noticed something was amiss. She gazed suspiciously at the woman opposite, who was contentedly wiping her mouth. This sister-in-law... seemed to be here to swindle a meal, didn''t she? Chapter 197 - 197: 0172 Tonight no one sleeps_1 "I''m sorry, I seemed to be eating a bit too quickly." Noticing the suspicious look in Anna''s eyes, Princess Veronica didn''t panic after revealing a slip-up. Instead, she apologetically admitted, "Today has just been filled with unexpected events. First, your brother suddenly proposed to me, then we were attacked by the rebels. I haven''t really eaten anything since morning, so I couldn''t help myself just now. Please don''t laugh at me." So that''s how it is... Seeing the princess openly admit to "scamming food and drink," and recalling her still elegant demeanor despite being a bit rushed, the suspicion faded slightly from Anna''s eyes. She was drawn to a new topic thrown her way and asked with some concern, "So... how is Leon? Were you with him today? Since you were attacked by rebels, was he hurt?" "Don''t worry. Although he ran into a tiny bit of trouble, his shoulder was hit by... a small pebble, and I suspect the wound has probably already healed." After relaying Leon''s condition, Princess Veronica couldn''t help but smile at the clearly relieved yet frail girl before her. She then warmly took Anna''s hand, saying with a close expression, "Honestly, when I saw you just now, it really gave me quite a scare." "Huh?" Upon hearing the "sister-in-law''s" words, the frail girl couldn''t help but shiver slightly, as if some little secret she harbored was seen through. She forced a smile and said, "Wh-why?" "Of course, it''s because of you." Without food or a place to stay, the princess, who urgently needed shelter, employed her political finesse, smiling as she praised, "Leon mentioned he had a sister around his age, but he never told me you were so beautiful." Watching the modestly dressed girl beside her, made slightly bashful by the compliment, lower her head shyly even in a plain white dress, Princess Veronica couldn''t resist wrapping an arm around her slender waist, then sighed with three parts flattery and seven parts sincerity, "Truly... so beautiful it makes me a bit jealous, especially your waist... Oh my, really... On the day Leon and I have our wedding, you must be my bridesmaid! But you have to promise me not to dress too beautifully; otherwise, the guests might not even look at me and will keep their eyes glued to you. I would be so embarrassed." "It''s not... It''s not that exaggerated..." Embarrassed by Princess Veronica''s words, Anna''s fair cheeks tinged with a blush, and she waved her hands to indicate she wasn''t as good as the princess described her. *Suppressing a small pang of envy, Anna looked at the beautiful, graceful, and impeccably mannered woman before her and sighed softly in her heart. She then reversed the grip on the princess''s hand and said,* "You, sis... you''re the truly stunning one, and you have such a good figure. Even if I dressed beautifully, everyone''s attention would definitely be on you... By the way, how old are you, sis?" *How old am I...* Hearing Anna''s inquiry, the princess couldn''t help her expression from stiffening slightly, quickly masking it with a vague smile, "I''m just a little bit older than your brother..." A bit older? Her brother was sixteen this year, a little bit older would be... seventeen or eighteen? Nineteen? Anna thought for a moment, looking at the mature and graceful woman before her, eventually estimating upward a little and carefully asked, "Are you... twenty years old, sis?" *You mean... I look like someone not quite twenty yet?* The question prompted the princess, a fair twenty-eight-years-old beauty, to feel a thrill of delight in her heart, and her smile became a hundred times more genuine than before. *Not only was Leon''s sister pretty and gentle, but she also spoke so well and cooked deliciously. Oh my, today I really did come to the right place!* "Yeah, about right, about right!" Thick-skinned enough to accept Anna''s guess with a broad grin, the princess continued chatting with her. With both sides eager to befriend each other, the conversation felt endless, lasting long into the night before ceasing. ... "Oh my, talking was so delightful that I accidentally lost track of time!" Always glancing at the window from the corner of her eye, the princess saw that most streetlights had dimmed, estimating the last public carriage had departed. She promptly stood up with a regretful expression, "I only meant to come see you all but ended up disturbing for so long. I''m really sorry, I should be going!" Was it that late already? Looking outside at the dark streets, now pitch black with most streetlights turned off, Anna quickly stood up to stop her, "Wait, don''t. It''s already so late; sis, just stay the night!" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "How could I impose?" "What''s the big deal? You''re going to marry into the family sooner or later, so staying one night early doesn''t matter." "But since Leon and I aren''t actually married yet, staying over now seems a bit..." "It''s fine; he''s not here anyway. Besides, it''s already so late, the last carriage might be gone, and if you encounter danger on the way, what would we do?" "Well... okay then..." Unable to resist the future sister-in-law''s enthusiastic invitation, the restrained princess agreed to stay. She ended up being shown into Leon''s room for the night. Considering the clothes'' size compared to her own, Anna realized the princess certainly couldn''t fit into hers, so she thoughtfully found a few of Leon''s old clothes and left them by the bed. Chapter 198 - 198: 0172 Tonight no one sleeps_2 Picking up the old clothes and trying them on, Princess Veronica found they fit perfectly, and she smiled as she expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, it''s really been a bother today." "You''re welcome, after all, you are... well... it seems a bit late." Seeing the princess quietly stifle a small yawn, her eyelids also a bit heavy, Anna gently reminded her with a smile, "Sister, you''ve had a long day, so I won''t disturb your rest. My room is right next door, so call me if you need anything." "Okay, thank you." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After seeing Anna out of the room, Princess Veronica removed the ill-fitting dress and changed into Leon''s old clothes. The sleepiness that had been on her face suddenly vanished. Silently slipping under the covers, she sighed softly, lying on Leon''s small bed, staring steadily at the slightly worn-out ceiling above. *Falling asleep was naturally impossible. The original princess had gathered all the conditions needed, just one step away from fulfilling her dream.* *But in the blink of an eye, she disappeared inexplicably from everyone''s memory. She couldn''t even go home and had to rely on the intelligence she had on Leon to get food and shelter, lest she end up on the streets.* *She now needed enough time to think, to ponder her own future, to find a way to retrieve everything she had lost. For Princess Veronica, tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.* *However, she was not the only one destined to be sleepless tonight, as Anna next door was the same.* ... *So, brother is really going to get married...* Equally sleepless, lying in bed, the frail girl stared at the ceiling for a while before turning her head to glance in the direction of Leon''s room. *The sudden appearance of this beautiful "sister-in-law" completely shattered the reality Anna was most unwilling to face... that Leon would eventually have his own family.* *And once Leon had a family of his own, with his own wife and children, even if he still recognized her as his sister with no blood relation, they were destined not to be as close as they were now.* *At that time, Leon would likely move out, and the one keeping a warm meal for him, waiting under the light for his return, would be another woman, not herself...* *And besides, there was that strange man with a crying face!* Recalling the mysterious man who "visited" a few days ago, Anna felt a chill run through her body, shrinking back under the covers. She then looked toward the next room with a deeply complex expression. *If that man really took the "photo" and made Leon forget everything, she could have tried to find him, to see if they could become family in another way.* *But now, brother already had a fianc¨¦e, so could she... still stay by his side? Would her home... still continue to exist?* With her heart full of melancholy and worry, after staring at Leon''s room for a while, she thought of that woman, perfect to the point where she had no way, not even able to dislike her. In the tangled mess of her thoughts, a strong, peculiar notion faintly emerged. *If... if I were her... how wonderful would that be?* ... "Zzzt..." A rather strange sound came from the small mirror Leon used to store things. Young Ha, secretly gnawing on the sniper rifle barrel, jumped in surprise. "Woof?!" (What was that?!) Releasing the sniper rifle barrel from its mouth, Young Ha shook its little golden fur, turned to look at the pile of miscellaneous items Leon had thrown in, and carefully extended a paw to nudge around, finding the source of the strange noise. "Woof woo?" (This photo... something''s not right, is it?) Looking at the photo on the ground, gently trembling, the images on it shifting from three people to one, Young Ha tilted its head in confusion, feeling it should inform Leon of this. "Woof woof woof! Woof woof woof! Woof woof woof!" (Leon! Something''s wrong, Leon! Take the mirror out of your pocket!) However, without knowing why, Young Ha barked outside the small mirror for a long time, even nudged its nose out to push him, yet received no response. Growing anxious, Young Ha circled around before using its shiny black nose to sniff Leon''s scent, following the constantly shifting boundary of the Mirror World, finally finding an exit relatively close to Leon. "Woof woo... woof woo..." (So, he was drunk... Humans are really unreliable...) With its head poking out from the bottle of whiskey, Young Ha looked at Leon, lying on the table with glazed eyes, pouting speechlessly. It was about to try to bite him awake, to inform Leon about the photo exhibited strange changes in the Mirror World, when... "What? Do you want a taste too?" The Red-haired Director, eyes hazy with intoxication, extended red lacquered fingertips to pinch Young Ha''s scruff, lifting it from the bottle of whiskey with a chuckle and, ignoring its horrified expression, pressed a bottle to its mouth. "Don''t be shy, it''s my treat today! Whether human or dog, I guarantee you''ll drink your fill!" "Woof! Woof woof woof!" (I! I don''t @#£¤%!) "Zzzt..." Just as the unfortunate Young Ha bumped into the Red-haired Director''s hand, forced to stand in for Leon as a little drinking buddy, the photo in the Mirror World, ceaselessly making noises, finally began to quiet down. Chapter 199 - 199: 0172 Tonight no one sleeps_3 After the last strange writhing stopped, the family portrait on the photo completely disappeared, transforming into a voluptuous and charming young woman who looked exactly like Princess Veronica. ... "Beep!" Just as the family portrait on the photo turned into the smiling Princess Veronica, a somewhat piercing noise suddenly sounded, startling the old man dozing on the lounge chair nearby. What is this?! Following the jarring noise, he looked down at the watch on his wrist and found all six hands moving. The old man, whose eyes were crescent-shaped and who naturally wore a smile, was suddenly ecstatic and widened his eyes. It''s complete! The last condition was actually complete! He lifted his wrist to look at the last hand that had just started moving and saw that the number displayed was 0006, causing the naturally smiling old man, or rather the Aquarius Director, to pause slightly. 0006? Wasn''t this a failure? With a puzzled look on his face, he stood up from the lounge chair, walked to the table, and sat down. The Aquarius Director opened the desk drawer, took out a thick notebook labeled "Complete Record of Experiment Numbers," and quickly began to search through it. "0006...0006...got it!" Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He glanced casually at the records above, confirming it was the item he knew of. The Aquarius Director furrowed his brows and pondered for a while, then picked up a pen, wrote a few lines, and tore the page regarding Experiment 6. He then turned to the back cover and clipped this record together with the other five records. ... Number: 0006 Name: Anna Lane Form: Photo Grant Level: Highest Target Ability: Identity substitution, memory modification Experiment Details: Utilize the test subject''s longing for a happy family to induce thoughts of substituting for others and select the carrier as a photo representing the past, memories, and experiences, to purposefully cultivate the functional anomalous object with the ability to "substitute identity" and "modify the past." Record 1: Failure. After learning of her parents'' death, the test subject developed an extreme longing for family. But, after being guided to see numerous happy families, she did not develop the impulse to replace the children of others; instead, she longed even more to find her own parents. Note: It is judged that, because her usual family environment was relatively happy, the subject did not envy others'' lives but rather the fact that others had real family members. It is recommended to abandon the cultivation of the "substitution" ability and instead induce her to reject reality and develop the idea of modifying the past. Record 2: Failure. Even witnessing the process of her parents'' compensation being embezzled and being evicted from the house she grew up in, the subject still did not develop thoughts of rejecting reality, nor did she hope for her parents to truly resurrect. Note: It is judged that although the subject was very young, her will was quite firm, and she already understood the meaning of death, not believing her parents could resurrect. Also, her naturally kind nature meant she was not completely disillusioned with humanity, thus the inducement failed. Record 3: Failure. The subject activated the anomalous object, but the effect completely deviated from the target ability, shifting from identity substitution and past modification to regaining family members. Note: The experiment was temporarily shelved, awaiting the subject''s adulthood and complete mental stability with no changes, before attempting to retrieve her and look for similar qualities in test subjects. Record 4: Completely failed! After a follow-up visit, the subject''s mind was found to be not fully stable but had once personally destroyed the anomalous object she created, and wholeheartedly denied its significance. After being repeatedly provoked by my deliberate actions, her state showed no new changes, and the likelihood of success was nearly zero. Note: Because the subject''s "family" unintentionally joined the Purification Bureau''s Virgin Branch, the photo anomalous object created by the subject was in the hands of the Scarlet Hair Lady, making retrieval extremely difficult. Record 5: Success? While preparing to sleep at night, the [Dream-Seeking Wristwatch] was suddenly activated, suggesting the test subject''s psyche suffered a tremendous impact, causing a shift in her innermost desires, leading to changes in the anomalous object. The new ability happened to meet the "substitute" and "modify" criteria. Note: Pending verification. Chapter 200 - 200: 0173 if_1 "Bang!" "Ouch¡­" Leon, who had turned over in his sleep and fallen off his desk, groaned in pain, feeling as if there were three worlds before his eyes, constantly shifting and alternating. The director, she really was a dangerous woman¡­ in the literal sense. Recalling last night''s disastrous drinking party and healing his broken ribs, Leon shivered with lingering fear. Although the director was a good supervisor who took care of him in every aspect, she was indeed an incorrigible drunk. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before, there was no one to drink with her, so she could only drink alone. But ever since she met him, who barely kept up with her drinking, it was like she opened a new door, and the further they drank, the more she enjoyed it. By the time she was fully high on alcohol, even if a dog wandered into the Purification Bureau, it could be dragged onto the table for a drink. Yesterday, he even pretended to be drunk twice but was miserably seen through, only to be pulled up for more drinks with her arm around his shoulder. But it wasn''t all for nothing. Looking at the three red hairs wrapped around his right hand, the slightly pale Leon smiled reassuringly after the hangover. Anna and the others lived in Happiness Apartment, with a brawny old man patrolling with large scissors at night, and a blessing of protection from the apartment during the day. Plus, the hair he had asked from the director, they were completely protected this time, and he could be at ease¡­ Ugh¡­ my head hurts¡­ It seems like, while the drink was worth it, it was still a bit too much¡­ After rubbing his throbbing temples, Leon sighed as he sat back down at his desk, looking at the still slightly shaking world before him. He silently vowed that the next time the director tried to drag him to drink, he would refuse without hesitation, just like Senior Emma. *Although it was a bit like discarding the donkey after the millstone, taking the benefit and then not acknowledging it, but drinking with the director was really not something a human could endure. If I ever drink like that with her again, I''m a dog!* "Woof¡­" ??? Looking at the little Husky lying belly-up on his desk, also reeking of alcohol, Leon, whose vision was still a bit spinning, was stunned. He glanced speechlessly in the direction of the director''s office. *I was just speaking hypothetically, but didn''t expect you actually managed to make even a dog drink two shots!* "Wake up! Wake up!" Leon carefully flipped the little Husky over, patting its back. The little Husky, who had crashed the party, let out two puppyish alcoholic hiccups before it finally came to and opened its bleary, drunken eyes. "Woof woo, woof woo woof woo¡­" (That scared the hell out of me, who would force even a dog to drink¡­) The little Husky complained weakly to Leon, then wriggled like a fat caterpillar, its tiny legs wobbling as it reached for the photo on the desk, pulling out what had caused it to spend a drunken night. "Woof, woof woo¡­" (It''s not what you initially put in, I''m going back to sleep for a while¡­) "Go on, go on¡­" Watching the little Husky stagger into the bottle and fall asleep without a sound, Leon rubbed his brow, then warmed his hands and placed them on his eyes for a moment. Once the world stopped spinning, he reached for the photo on the desk. [Name: Hypothetical (Substitution, Modification)] [Appearance: A brand-new photo showing a beautiful woman smiling at the viewer. If you continue staring at her, you''ll unconsciously feel an inexplicable envy toward her.] [Ability: Substitute identity, modify the world] [Cost: None] [File: One of the numerous anomalous objects created by the Aquarius Director of the Purification Bureau to fulfill a wish, temporarily numbered as 0006. This anomalous object had once completely lost its original power due to the creator''s resistance and denial, but after some impactful events, the creator''s mindset began to evolve, generating new desires, allowing this broken anomalous object to be repaired.] [Evaluation: An extraordinarily powerful functional anomalous object, capable of substituting anyone you desire without cost, even erasing all associated traces. Unfortunately, a person''s heart is harder to manipulate than the entire world. Even if you can change the world, you can''t change someone who doesn''t love you; they only love the identity you''ve borrowed. If someone seeks happiness through it, they might find even greater disappointment. Perhaps this unrequitable pain is the true cost of using it.] [Contamination Value: 9] [Due to your special relationship with this anomalous object''s creator, you have full permissions to use it directly.] [Your contamination value has increased.] [The current contamination value is 4.1] *This thing¡­ is that Anna''s family photo?* As he stared at the photo, which was almost another complete anomalous object, except for retaining its world-modifying ability, Leon furrowed his brows deeply. ''The creator''s mindset evolved'' ''Generated new desires'' ''Even if you could change the world, you can''t change someone who doesn''t love you'' This explanation, exuding a certain pitiable vibe, along with the identity substitution ability and the somewhat familiar beautiful woman on the photo¡­ *Could it be Anna is in love? And she fell for this woman in the photo? To the point that it caused a change in the anomalous object?* *Ah, this?* With the limited information and his hangover-clouded mind, Leon clutched his head and scratched at his hair, arriving at this possible conclusion. *What the hell is happening! I just took a nap, and suddenly the whole situation changed!* ¡­ "Knock knock knock!" Just as Leon, full of existential crisis, was about to consult the Black Goat, trying to figure out if he had slept for a night or a week, there came a polite knock at the door. "You''re finally awake." Pushing the ajar door open slightly, seeing Leon was already off the desk, Jerry sighed in relief and then asked, "Leon, someone came to file a report at the bureau today, claiming everyone suddenly forgot about her. I suspect she might have been attacked by some sort of abnormal ability. The director drank too much with you yesterday and hasn''t woken up. There are no tasks for anyone else in the bureau except Emma and me, but neither of us is good at handling soul or mental-related situations. So if you''re available, could you give me a hand? If there''s any outcome, we''ll distribute based on contribution size, and if it''s soul-related stuff, you get it all. How about that?" "Well¡­ I don''t have any tasks at hand, but I think there might be some issues at home¡­" Glancing at the photo on the desk, though Leon was tempted by the offer, considering the changes over at Anna''s side, he decided to decline, "How about this, Senior Jerry, I need to head home first, and if it turns out there''s nothing major, I''ll then¡­ um¡­" *This person filing the report¡­ why do they seem familiar?* Seeing the door open, the woman in the hallway looking at him curiously, Leon paused, then looked down at the photo on the desk again. *Isn''t this the same person?* Chapter 201 - 201: 0174 Is there really one?_1 "Alright." After hearing Leon''s refusal, Jerry couldn''t help but sigh, then scratched the back of his head awkwardly and said, "Since you''ve got things at home, you should head back first. Once the director wakes up, I''ll help you request some time off from her..." "No! That''s not necessary!" Hastily putting away the photos on the table, Leon carefully scrutinized the woman who came to report, pondering over her relationship with Anna as he spoke, "Things at my place... aren''t really urgent. Why don''t I first ask questions with you, senior, and then head back?" "That works too..." Seeing Leon''s sudden change of heart, Jerry raised his eyebrows in surprise, but when he noticed Leon''s unblinking gaze at the woman, he gave a knowing smile. *''Stop dreaming!''* He reached into his pocket, rubbed a certain anomalous object capable of soul communication, and stealthily nudged Leon with his elbow. *''She''s already married. She filled out the registration form when she came to report this morning, and her marital status is listed as married!''* "..." *That''s not what I meant... And married? Then Anna must be...* Holding the worry that his sister might be a hidden "rouge," Leon, with a faintly aching head, invited the two into the office and sat on the guest sofa. Placing a shopping bag containing the Black Goat at his feet and taking out a small notebook, Leon squeezed his homemade charcoal pencil and politely said, "Miss, I need to know some basic information first. Could you tell me your name again?" "Veronica." Looking at Leon, whose demeanor was gentle yet faintly distant, the Princess couldn''t help but sigh inwardly. Instead of immediately revealing her connection with Leon, she chose to cooperate and answered a few questions first. "Alright." Through the soul vision of the Black Goat, Leon confirmed that she hadn''t lied and everything she said so far was the truth. He secretly gave an OK gesture to Jerry beside him and continued to ask, "Could you please describe what kind of anomalous situations you''ve encountered? How did you learn about our Purification Bureau?" "As for the anomalous situation... since noon yesterday, I''ve been forgotten by everyone. As for how I knew about your Purification Bureau... I''ve always known about your existence." Looking at the man before her, who until yesterday was her prince, Princess Veronica spoke with a somewhat complex expression, "It may be hard for you to believe, but until noon yesterday, I was the princess of this country." Princess? Jerry frowned at these words and then cast an inquisitive glance at Leon beside him. *No, that can''t be right. I remember the King should only have a son, so where would a princess come from? Is she lying?* No, she''s not lying. At the very least, she truly believes so. Slightly shaking his head, Leon gave a negative answer to Senior Jerry and then, mind slightly confused, rubbed his temples and continued to ask, "Since discovering the anomalous situation, it must have been a whole night. Did you contact any relatives or close friends yesterday who might remember you? Were they unable to recover their memories as well?" "I managed to contact some of them." Princess Veronica sighed, "But everyone has forgotten me, including the maid of honor who has always been by my side. No matter how many past events I recount, she doesn''t believe I''m the princess and even tried to call people to catch me. I only escaped after knocking her out. As for my family, well, I can''t access the Royal Palace now, so naturally, I can''t reach them to see if I can awaken their memories." "I see..." The conditions still weren''t sufficient to determine the real situation. After listening to the princess, Jerry immediately gave Leon a look, indicating that he could ask sharper questions to see if this woman was delusional or truly affected by an anomalous object. Returning a knowing look to him, Leon straightened his posture, stared into Princess Veronica''s eyes, and said, "I apologize in advance. My next question might be a bit offensive, but please try to answer: have you considered the possibility that you might not be the princess but are experiencing some kind of hallucination?" "No way." Having pondered this question all night and fully prepared, the princess shook her head, her expression resolute, "I''m very sure that I am indeed the princess of this country, and I should be able to prove it." As she spoke, she looked at Leon, whose breath reeked of alcohol, his expression visibly tired, and whose collar sported half a lipstick stain. She frowned slightly before continuing, "Gentlemen, yesterday at the Ryan family''s inauguration ceremony, are you familiar with it?" Ryan family''s inauguration ceremony? Hearing Princess Veronica''s words, Leon and Jerry exchanged surprised glances before they both nodded. "I''ve heard some things." "Not only do I understand it, but I was there yesterday." sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After answering this woman who claimed to be a "princess," Leon''s head suddenly spun, as if something was about to leap out of his memory. But when he tried to grasp this part of memory, it was as if there was an invisible thick glass barrier¡ªno matter how he reached out, he could only feel the cold, hard barrier. "I was there yesterday too." Watching Leon''s eyes, which were somewhat confused, and his hand unconsciously pinching his brow, Princess Veronica felt a flicker of hope. She clenched her fists and spoke earnestly, "It may be strange to you, but the King actually doesn''t only have a son. He has a daughter as well, and that daughter is me. Yesterday, I privately visited Ryan Manor, wanting to observe the Ryan family''s inauguration ceremony. But as soon as I entered the hall, I heard someone offering the entire Ryan family as a dowry in a proposal to me." "Wait a minute!" Upon hearing this, Leon, whose mind was growing more chaotic, couldn''t help but raise his hand and remind with a furrowed brow, "Let''s assume for a moment that you do exist as a princess, but are you really sure someone proposed to you using the entire Ryan family as a dowry?" "I''m sure." "But I don''t recall such a thing happening." Leon rubbed his temple, "The only person qualified to use the entire Ryan family as a dowry should be just one person. You may not have met me, but I actually am..." "You are actually the new Duke of Lionheart." Preemptively stating Leon''s identity, Princess Veronica looked into his surprised eyes and declared, word by word, "The person who proposed to me yesterday was you!" "???" "And I accepted." "!!!" Under the surprised gaze of Senior Jerry, which seemed to say, "You scoundrel, you did such a thing," a stunned Leon waved his hands repeatedly, "Impossible. If you really are a princess, and you accepted my proposal, then..." *Then I should have a corresponding badge, and it should start at Silver Level, possibly even Gold... Damn, I actually do!* Opening the system panel on a whim and seeing the [Migratory Thrush Prince] gleaming with dazzling golden light in the slot, Leon''s mind felt like it had been hit with a heavy hammer, buzzing into utter disarray. *Did I actually propose to her yesterday? So, is she really the princess?* Chapter 202 - 202: 0175 Confirming Identity and Starting Investigation_1 "I know it still sounds a bit unbelievable, but I do have a way to prove it." Unaware that Leon had already verified the truth of her words through another method, Princess Veronica, who had spent the entire night pondering how to prove her identity to the Purification Bureau, raised her hand to remove an old shawl and placed it on the table, introducing with a serious expression, "This wool shawl is made from the wool of the Merino white rock sheep native to Merino County. This wool is incredibly fine, resistant to dirt, and its pure coloring makes it ideal for dyeing, which is why it is highly sought after by the nobility. However, because the Merino white rock sheep grow slowly and live on sheer cliffs, making wool collection very difficult, the output is extremely low, resulting in an exceptionally high price. Even among the nobility, there are few who can afford it, and most wool garments are mixed blends. But this shawl was a gift from my father on my twelfth birthday, made entirely of Merino white rock sheep''s wool. Its texture is completely different from mixed wool fabrics, the print on it is the royal family''s red-breasted robin, and the fringe flower net was handwoven by my personal maid. There is no other shawl like it in the entire capital." "But in the end, it''s just a wool shawl, isn''t it? Replicating it wouldn''t be too difficult, and we don''t know wool, so we can''t judge whether what you''re saying is true or false." Having patiently listened to the origin of the wool shawl, Jerry frowned and asked, "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to erase the existence of a princess from everyone''s memory? Such an ability is nearly in the realm of the divine. Even if the scope were limited to just the kingdom, or even to the entire capital, finding such an abn... um... object, is not something ordinarily achievable. So, rather than believing a princess was forgotten, I''m more inclined to think this is the rambling of a madman, for it''s far more realistic that someone forged a shawl than erased the existence of a princess." "Your skepticism is entirely reasonable, but please, don''t rush; I''m not finished speaking." Determined to reclaim everything she lost, Princess Veronica was well-prepared and didn''t panic in response to Jerry''s doubts. She pushed the shawl across the table towards Leon and calmly said, "Leon... Mr. Lyon, you have a magical broom capable of flying into the sky, am I right?" Hungover from a night of binge-drinking, the news of his premature marriage, and the disparity between memory and reality nearly caused Leon''s brain to crash. But trusting in the Badge System, he cooperated by giving a slight nod, then rubbed his temples and looked at the princess, hoping she truly had enough convincing evidence to offer. "That''s correct. Yesterday, you held me as we rode on that broom." Under the gaze of both Leon and Jerry, Princess Veronica unfolded the shawl on the table, pointed to the intricately woven fringe net, and with a hint of relief in her eyes, said, "At that time, my personal maid found my outfit somewhat risq... um, in short, she temporarily wove a net using the shawl''s fringe, and when I boarded your broom, the shawl''s fringe net snagged on it slightly and tore a bit. So unless you''ve used that broom between noon yesterday and now, it may still have a strand of white-and-red wool hanging from it, from the only entirely spun Merino wool shawl in the entire capital." ?!!! Hearing Princess Veronica''s words, Leon was momentarily stunned before quickly retrieving the Witch''s Broom and checked the branches at the end of the broom. Leon and Jerry were surprised to find that although some seemed to have been blown away by the wind, there was indeed a small amount of wool hanging from the end of the broom, and its texture, color, and thickness were identical to that of the shawl on the table. "Whew... I think this evidence should prove something, don''t you?" After Leon and Jerry compared the wool, Princess Veronica, who unknowingly loosened her tightly clenched hands, said with a calm demeanor, "You can consult someone knowledgeable about textiles regarding the situation of Merino wool to see if I am lying. If I am honest, it would prove that I did indeed contact Mr. Lyon yesterday and rode his broom. Although it may sound self-aggrandizing, I believe that with a woman like me sitting behind him, Mr. Lyon would certainly not forget easily. So the only explanation is that everyone''s memory, except mine, the victim, had an issue. Do you agree?" "..." Agreed... This should be irrefutable proof! "Let''s go find the director!" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Realizing that there was a ninety percent chance that the woman claiming to be the princess was telling the truth, Jerry couldn''t help but take a deep breath, looked gravely at Leon, and communicated in a soul transmission, ''If it is confirmed that an anomalous object was used on a princess of one kingdom, then this becomes a serious issue. As per our agreement with The Twelve Kingdoms, such matters must be immediately reported to the main bureau, then handled and investigated by the branch director. From now on, this matter is no longer ours to deal with!'' ... "So... right before next week''s year-end review, the princess was attacked by an Evil God-level anomalous object?" Blurry-eyed, the red-haired director, forcibly awakened from dreams, let out a sigh of profound helplessness after listening to Leon''s report. Not that! Faced with such a deadly situation just before the year-end review, no matter how perfectly it was resolved afterward, a critique of ineffective oversight wouldn''t be avoided, and the Virgin Branch''s evaluation this year would likely be unprecedentedly low, possibly ranking last among the eighty-seven branches. What? Ever since the Ryan Blood Night incident, our branch has been locked in last place, and even the four characters of "Olivia" have already been prematurely carved into this year''s pillar of shame? Ahaha, then it''s nothing, no problem... With a somewhat despairing gaze, the red-haired director leaned back in the chair, clearing the remaining alcohol from her system, filled with unresolved anger, and began pondering how to resolve this lethal issue swiftly. First, undoubtedly, was to find that anomalous object or the person using it! "This one... um... may I know how to address you?" Upon hearing the red-haired director''s question, Princess Veronica blinked while observing her lips, nodded slightly, and said, "Veronica, you may call me Veronica." "Very well, Your Highness Veronica." The red-haired director, entering "work mode," wiped away the previous drunkenly desolate state and solemnly promised, "I assure you, in the name of the Director of the Purification Bureau''s Virgin Branch, from now until the end of this matter, you are absolutely safe; no one can harm you. Additionally, I hope you''ll cooperate sincerely with our investigation. Our Virgin Branch will do everything in our power to restore everything to its original state as quickly as possible!" Chapter 203 - 203: 0176 Royal Secret_1 "Thank you, I will do my best to cooperate." After stealing another glance at the Red-haired Director''s lips and confirming that the lipstick color matched the half lipstick stain on Leon''s collar, Princess Veronica''s eyes flickered slightly before she spoke, "Director, although I''m not an employee of your Purification Bureau, I thought about it last night and felt that there might be issues with three people. I wonder if you''d be open to hearing my thoughts?" *Your thoughts?* From the beautiful woman opposite him, the Red-haired Director sensed a slight hostility. Narrowing his eyes, he subtly controlled a strand of hair to press Leon''s hand onto the Black Goat''s forehead, signaling him to check the princess''s soul state. With a smile, he nodded, "Of course, or rather I should say it''s very welcome. Having a target to investigate is far better than searching aimlessly." "Then I appreciate the opportunity." Controlling herself not to think about the lip stain and the lipstick, Princess Veronica took a deep breath and then, with a furrowed brow, recounted, "First, there''s a grandmother-granddaughter duo. Since I visited privately yesterday, I was very cautious and had close contact with almost no one except Mr. Lyon. The only exception was in the servant kitchen on the west side of the Ryan Family estate. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At that time, Mr. Lyon was pursuing rebels, and it seemed like he wanted to replenish something in the kitchen. I was outside the kitchen coaxing a little girl named Phoebe, and during that time, she patted my chest a few times. When Mr. Lyon came back out, he no longer recognized who I was. Later, when Mr. Lyon forgot about me and left on his own, I wanted to ask him why, but Phoebe''s grandmother called me over, and I couldn''t stop Mr. Lyon in time. I suspect her grandmother did it on purpose. Also, although there''s a big age difference between them, the elderly lady named Lucy claimed to be Phoebe''s sister, and the little girl Phoebe seemed to genuinely regard her as her sister. I find these two people very suspicious." *A strange grandmother-granddaughter duo calling each other sisters?* Exchanging a glance with Leon, who was touching the goat''s head, he received confirmation from the princess''s eyes that she was not lying. The Red-haired Director pondered for a moment, then nodded and continued to ask, "Very valuable intelligence. Do you remember what that grandmother-granddaughter duo looked like?" "I do." Princess Veronica answered confidently, "The elderly lady named Lucy had a very hoarse voice and a slightly hunched back, looking about sixty or seventy years old. The little girl named Phoebe had a round face and was small in stature, about six or seven years old, with very special eyes, having a kind of... hmm... how to describe it?" After frowning in recollection, Princess Veronica uncertainly said, "Like a... very pure feeling, but not the kind of innocence a child has. Children have emotions and thoughts in their gaze, but that child''s eyes gave a feeling of... hmm..." After recalling together with her, Leon hesitantly added, "Clarity of stupidity?" "Yes! That''s exactly it!" Glancing at Leon, Princess Veronica nodded and said, "That child was like a clean piece of white paper, seeming less intelligent than kids of her age, but not genuinely stupid. It was a strange blankness from having experienced too little, knowing nothing." "Understood, it''s indeed very valuable intelligence." Looking at Jerry, who was also in thought, the Red-haired Director gave him a look to immediately investigate, and after firmly memorizing the information, he gently continued questioning, "And the third person?" The third person... Hearing this, Princess Veronica hesitated for a moment, seeming somewhat reluctant, but eventually spoke, "The third suspicious person is my brother Joshua. Although he hasn''t shown any abnormalities, I don''t know why, *but I always have a feeling that he seems involved in this... Uh... let''s forget it, just pretend I didn''t say that! After all, if this matter is really related to Joshua, considering his and his mother''s dislike for me, I fear I might have already been eliminated.*" "I see." Looking at the princess who raised but then dismissed the third suspect, the Red-haired Director, still composed, nodded and then smiled and gestured towards the door. "Princess Veronica, if you have no other information to provide, then it''s time for the Purification Bureau to work. Please wait for a while in Leon''s office. Please don''t misunderstand, we aren''t trying to hide anything from you. It''s just that you are now forgotten, so the royal family''s handbook on soul silence might not work on you anymore. Attending our meeting might bring additional danger, and I hope you can understand." "Alright." Upon hearing this, Princess Veronica nodded, stood up, and left the room. When her footsteps faded down the corridor, the Red-haired Director immediately began assigning tasks, "Jerry, have your friends go to the Ryan family''s kitchen, record all the auras that appeared there at noon yesterday, and compare them one by one to quickly locate that grandmother-granddaughter duo calling themselves sisters. Then notify Emma to temporarily set aside other tasks for the next two days and remain on alert at the bureau. If there are any traces of rebels, act immediately and bring them back! Finally, Leon, after you deliver the hair, immediately take my note to the Royal Palace and investigate Prince Joshua properly. See if he''s tied to this matter!" "Understood." After listening to the tasks assigned by the Red-haired Director, Jerry immediately left the room, while Leon hesitated for a moment and suggested, "Director, if possible, could I swap tasks with someone?" "I''m afraid not." Hearing this, the Red-haired Director shook his head and said, "You''re the only one in the bureau now who can tell lies, and you''re the best person to investigate Prince Joshua." "..." *It''s not that I think the task arrangement is inappropriate, it''s mainly because yesterday I punched that guy hard and even spat on his face. I''m afraid he might not cooperate with me...* "Leon, trust me, that woman is extraordinary. Her intuition is something to be taken seriously." Looking at Leon, who still showed some reluctance, the Red-haired Director said earnestly, "If she really is the princess, then she''s a direct bloodline of the Twelve Royal Families. And the Twelve Royal Families... hmm... let me put it this way, if you trace back far enough, the royal families of the existing Twelve Kingdoms could be considered part of the Purification Bureau." "Huh?" "It''s true." Glancing at Leon''s astonished face, the Red-haired Director hesitated for a moment but eventually explained, "Including the now-destroyed East Carleighwen Kingdom, the ancestors of the royal families of all kingdoms were once the overseers of the Watcher''s Palace, possibly even including its creators. It was due to the achievements of their ancestors that the Purification Bureau agreed to the pact with the Twelve Kingdoms, even making concessions in some areas. Most royal families of each kingdom inherited some abnormalities from their ancestors'' bloodline, and there were frequent intermarriages among them, leading to some outstanding direct blood descendants having more or less some special abilities even without anomalous objects. Leon, listen to me. If I''m not mistaken, Princess Veronica might have special abilities manifested in intuition, so if the princess thinks Prince Joshua is problematic, he most likely is, and it''s worth your effort to investigate him properly!" Chapter 204 - 204: 0177 You check on me I check on you, its normal_1 """ The ancestors of the royal family of The Twelve Kingdoms... were once occupants of the Watcher''s Palace? Originally, it was just a bit of trouble, and Leon felt embarrassed to proactively talk to the director. However, he heard such a secret, prompting him to remain silent for a while before he couldn''t help but ask, "Then does Taurus His Excellency also..." "Taurus His Excellency has no children." The Red-haired Director responded, "But if she had descendants and wanted to, the Purification Bureau would be willing to offer certain conveniences, including supporting her descendants in establishing a nation. If all went smoothly, The Twelve Kingdoms might become the Thirteen Kingdoms again in a hundred years. Leon, this world is much larger than you imagine. It''s not just the location of The Twelve Kingdoms that is suitable for human survival, and the Watcher''s Palace is the last barrier protecting the world. Given the merits of the palace occupants in safeguarding the world, the bureau believes that conditions of this sort aren''t unacceptable." "..." *Although, saving the ancestors and then ruling the world? What kind of Dragonborn setup is this...* After listening to the Red-haired Director, Leon opened his mouth speechlessly. He wanted to retort, but after thinking it over, he decided to keep his mouth shut. Compared to the Dragonborn, the royal family of The Twelve Kingdoms seemed much more normal. Although there were some doing as they pleased, because most nations weren''t solely ruled by the royal family, power was held in check to a certain extent, remaining within the bounds of "humanity." As for the Purification Bureau, with its secretive style and decentralized structure, it imposed heavy penalties for abnormal interferences in daily activities. Each branch had a great degree of autonomy and wasn''t a tightly knit power organization. Except for granting some special privileges to royal families due to their status as descendants of palace occupants, the bureau didn''t seem to have intentions of staunchly supporting The Twelve Kingdoms¡ªthus, The Twelve Kingdoms and the Purification Bureau gave the impression of having a mutually beneficial relationship. The former didn''t compete for power and relied on the latter to resist abnormal invasions; the latter needed the former to maintain stability in the surface world, providing assistance and support when necessary, maintaining a relatively stable balance. "Additionally, you need to be extra careful during this time." While Leon pondered what was really going on with The Twelve Kingdoms, the Red-haired Director, after thinking it over, uncertainly said, "I think this matter might also be related to the Aquarius Director." The Aquarius Director, yet again? Leon furrowed his brows and tentatively asked, "Is it because the rebels'' ability comes from the Aquarius Director? Are you suspecting that the Aquarius Director is actually behind this attack?" "That is part of the reason, but more so because of the intensity of the ability." The Red-haired Director said with furrowed brows, "Simply making an ordinary person completely forgotten is within the realm of possibility for many abilities. However, to make a nation''s princess vanish from everyone''s memory, the strength of the ability, the hierarchy of the anomalous object, and the cost would be incredibly high. There are very few branch directors capable of such feats. Furthermore, even with such a significant person missing, no one noticed anything wrong. Everything was forcibly ''rationalized,'' as if that nation had never had a princess... Doesn''t this ability feel somewhat familiar to you?" Everything was forcibly rationalized... After frowning and pondering for a while, Leon suddenly realized something, his eyes filled with astonishment, "Are you implying... the Brain of the Evil God, which is responsible for erasing traces of abnormal events?" "To be precise, it should be the Brain of the Evil God along with the Illusion Can that houses it." The Red-haired Director squinted and said, "The strength of this forgetting ability is somewhat excessive, so I''m inclined to believe that someone incredibly knowledgeable about the operational rules of the Illusion Can took advantage of its power. This forgetting ability might just have set things in motion, with the Illusion Can''s trace-erasing power exploited afterward, misleading the Illusion Can into concluding that the event had ended and that the princess had disappeared, prompting a large-scale erasure of the event''s traces, leading to the current situation. Otherwise, if it were merely a simple memory erasure, just a few people examining old newspapers or receiving documents signed by the princess before she was forgotten would immediately notice something amiss. Thus, only the Illusion Can within the bureau could forcibly rationalize those problems, and the person capable of doing so..." The person capable of doing so could only be the Aquarius Director! As one of the Twelve Directors, he was undoubtedly familiar with the rules of the Illusion Can. Coupled with some link between him and the rebels, the suspicion of him being behind the scenes couldn''t be said to be large¡ªit was practically tantamount to listing his identification number! Once Leon quickly grasped the logical structure in the Red-haired Director''s words, he couldn''t help but feel uncomfortable, as if some world-class trickster had set their sights on him. "Director..." Glancing at his mere 4.1 Contamination Value, confirming that his little physique couldn''t handle much turmoil, Leon, feeling that a major issue was at hand, couldn''t help but complain, "Within a week of the Ryan Blood Night, the headquarters'' review of me came down; yet here we are, having reported potential issues with the Aquarius Director¡ªhow many days have passed since then, and the headquarters hasn''t made any moves?" "What kind of moves did you expect? Should they just arrest the Aquarius Director and let you take that sheep of yours to interrogate him?" Glancing at Leon, the Red-haired Director replied testily, "After all, he''s a director! You''re a newbie who''s only joined the Purification Bureau for a month, proposing an investigation against him is like a shepherd from Laine County accusing the king of sneaking into his sheep pen yesterday. Nobody will pay much attention. Even if I vouch for you and the information becomes noteworthy, executing an investigation on him would still be troublesome¡ªat the very least, it would require agreement from three directors. And considering that most directors keep their identities secret, or aren''t even in this world, just continue waiting then! Anyway, it''s almost time for the end-of-year review. Every year, three directors are responsible for overseeing it. With Taurus His Excellency en route back, I should be able to notify four directors by next week. At that point, the review concerning Aquarius should just about be ready." A week, huh... Leon pondered, relaxing slightly. Just as he was about to continue speaking, he heard a strange squeaking sound coming from the drawer behind the Red-haired Director. "It should be a message from headquarters." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Noticing the sound, the Red-haired Director returned to his desk, opened the drawer, fiddled for a moment, and then pulled out a sheet of ink-smeared paper, quickly scanning it. "I thought it was something else; it turns out the results of your investigation are in, and you... huh?" Upon seeing something unbelievable, the Red-haired Director''s eyelid twitched violently before his brows furrowed instinctively. "Leon..." After skimming through the paper, his gaze lingered on terms like "suspicious," "dangerous," and "madness!" After a deep breath, he grimly informed, "The results of your investigation... aren''t too optimistic...""" Chapter 205 - 205: Evaluation and Visit_1 Although Leon had already felt an ill foreboding when the Red-haired Director paused suddenly, hearing the outcome of his failed investigation made his heart sink, turning half cold. "What does ''not very optimistic'' mean?" "It means exactly that, those two investigators rated you extremely poorly." Looking at the evaluation form in his hand, which, although passed judgment, was filled with almost nothing but "bad comments," and demanded that, as the branch director, he closely monitor Leon, the Red-haired Director frowned and summarized, "Perhaps it''s due to our bureau''s past bad reputation dragging you down, although there''s no evidence linking you to the Ryan Blood Night incident, they still insist you are highly suspicious, at the very least having condoned Bobby Laien''s mass slaughter. They also believe that your stable mental state is a pretense, that you usually repress your true thoughts for a long time, and despite your low desire for wealth and power, you have a very high affinity with the demon-type Anomalous Object representing greed, proving that you probably have even more dangerous desires and pursuits. "Moreover, Camus, that senior investigator, even suggested in the evaluation form that your understanding of the world might be skewed, and that deep down you disregard the rules, harboring significant dissatisfaction with the current regulations. "If given the chance to rise to a high position, or to possess a sufficiently powerful Anomalous Object, you would surely not adhere to the Purification Bureau''s statutes but would instead try to evade the headquarters'' jurisdiction, acting recklessly based on your own understanding and ideals..." "..." Wasn''t that... a bit too much of an insight from that old guy? Listening to the evaluation, which was less precise and appropriate and more like his mind had been dissected and printed directly onto the form, Leon began to sweat coldly, realizing for the first time how formidable the investigators were. Even though we barely interacted, just sat in the office chatting for a while, he managed to see so much? Did I... show myself that blatantly? "However, you don''t need to worry too much, while they rated you poorly, they haven''t caught any solid evidence." Seeing Leon, whose eyebrows were tightly knotted and face somewhat darkened, the Red-haired Director, feeling he had dragged Leon down, sighed and comforted him, "Although the bureau values the investigators'' opinions, it equally values concrete evidence, these can only be classified as personal opinions of those two investigators. "Until they find tangible evidence proving your nefarious intentions, this investigation report doesn''t have a major impact on you. With my guarantee, your application for Anomalous Objects won''t be affected, it''s just that promotion will become extremely troublesome. "If you can''t find a way to change this impression, forget about becoming a branch director, you might be stuck at a Level Three incident handler for years without any further advancement." So... this evaluation result only affects my "future," doesn''t it? After hearing the Red-haired Director''s words, Leon couldn''t help but breathe a small sigh of relief, as long as they weren''t suspecting that I orchestrated the Ryan Blood Night, losing a mere future is fine! Though internally he didn''t care much, he still needed to show some attitude. After considering a bit, Leon put on a face of "indignation" and said, "Can a few baseless conjectures ruin a person''s future? Is the bureau just going to watch them talk nonsense like this? Can''t anything be done to deal with these investigators?" "There actually is a way..." Seemingly recalling something amusing, the Red-haired Director''s mouth couldn''t help but curl up, then he said, "Next time you get into trouble and they come to investigate, go all out to pick fights with them, preferably make them your enemies." "Huh?" "That''s pretty much what people at our bureau do." The Red-haired Director shrugged and said, "Anyway, those investigators have a prejudice against our bureau, and they won''t say anything nice during regular investigations, so we might as well make enemies with every investigator who comes. As long as they don''t catch any real fault, the credibility of the investigation results actually diminishes, directly minimizing the impact." S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wow, is that even possible? Hearing this unconventional solution, Leon couldn''t help but say in speechless amusement, "No wonder... I was wondering why all the investigators seem to have a grudge against our bureau..." "Emma and the others have no choice, making enemies with the investigators proactively is better than being on the bureau''s watch list every few days, where you''re scrutinized for everything you do." The Red-haired Director sighed and said, "I originally thought you wouldn''t need to resort to such things, but it seems you can''t escape in the end... never mind, stop thinking about it for now, hurry home and deliver the hair to your siblings, then pay a visit to Prince Joshua at the Royal Palace to see if he''s related to all this." "..." "Why are you silent again? Why do I feel like you''re quite resistant to seeing that Prince?" "Well... I''m not exactly resistant to meeting him, I''m mostly worried he''s resistant to seeing me..." Leon forced a chuckle, briefly recounting what he did at Ryan Manor, then suggested to the speechless Red-haired Director, "Director, considering Prince Joshua''s character, if I go to ask him, he might not cooperate. How about I wear a mask to disguise myself, use the Black Goat to secretly observe, and you send someone else to accompany me?" "Alright..." Seeing the once diligent and dependable Little Leon starting to quickly align with the troublemakers of the bureau, the Red-haired Director opened his mouth as if to warn Leon about something, but ultimately gave up, rubbing his temples and pointing outside, "Go find Emma, she''s free now, let her accompany you." "Got it!" ... "Crash!" A crisp cracking sound resonated as an exceptionally exquisite ceramic vase was violently hurled against the wall, shattering like a certain prince''s fragile ego. "Aahhh!!!" Seeing his own heavily swollen left cheek in the mirror and the slap mark on his face that seemed to mock him, Prince Joshua''s freckles involuntarily twitched. "Boom!" He lifted a foot and kicked the table beside him, toppling the elaborately carved red pine table onto the carpet. Recalling being slapped in the face in front of hundreds of guests and having someone spit on his face yesterday, Prince Freckles couldn''t help but let out another hysterical howl. "Ah! I''ll kill him! I''ll kill him!" "Damned Duke of Lionheart! Damned Leon Layne!" "Kill you, kill you, kill you! I''ll definitely tear you to pieces!" Seemingly not satisfied with just voicing his anger, Prince Freckles hefted a chair beside him and hurled it with all his might at the door, crashing it open with a loud bang, revealing a trembling maid in the hallway and a man and woman exchanging glances behind her. What on earth did you do yesterday? Why does he hate you so much? From the look Senior Emma cast, Leon, wearing a mask and cloak, read her curiosity and responded with an awkward smile. Yesterday... I proposed to his sister, that''s why he seems to hate me so much. He''s probably a siscon, I guess? Chapter 206 - 206: 0179 Strange Dreams (Part 1)_1 "Prince Joshua," Led by the trembling maid into Prince Freckles'' room, Emma, standing in for Leon as the primary interrogator, disregarded the chaos that looked like a storm had passed through and politely initiated the conversation, "Long time no see, you seem to have grown a lot since the past." Hmm? Hearing the words of this tall and beautiful woman, the fierce-looking Prince Freckles couldn''t help but raise his eyebrows, scrutinizing her for a moment before hesitantly saying, "You are¡­ hmm¡­ the woman who joined the Purification Bureau six years ago?" "Yes." Emma smiled gently, then gracefully threw out a bandage and righted the overturned furniture in the room, introducing her purpose with a calm demeanor, "Prince Joshua, our Virgin Branch received a request for help this morning regarding rebels plotting against the royal family. We need you to answer some questions. You know, our branch also bears the responsibility of guarding the royal family. However, due to chronic understaffing, there are occasional lapses. To better protect you and your family''s safety, we hope you can cooperate with our investigation." "Tsk¡­ More people from the Purification Bureau¡­" Hearing Emma''s words, Prince Freckles couldn''t help but touch his face, traces of lingering anger in his eyes. But considering the presence of the eerily snake-like bandage, he ultimately refrained from speaking harshly, instead questioning with dissatisfaction, S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Are you even aware of your role in guarding the royal family? Then why do other kingdoms have Purification Bureau staff permanently stationed beside their royal families and even some powerful nobles, while we have nothing?" "We ask for your understanding in this matter." Facing Prince Freckles'' accusation, Emma maintained her gentle demeanor, responding unhurriedly, "Our branch''s situation is somewhat unique. Our personnel is only a fraction of other branches and, with the Kingdom experiencing frequent anomalous incidents in recent years, our manpower is extremely tight, making it difficult to allocate a permanent team for royal protection. However, our director remains stationed in the Capital City almost year-round and never ventures too far, constantly monitoring the Royal Palace and surrounding areas via anomalous objects. So unless it''s an extremely unique situation, the safety of you and your family can be assured." "Hmph!" Prince Freckles seemed still unsatisfied with Emma''s answer, continuing to nitpick with a displeased expression, "If it were standard situations, would we even need you? Isn''t the Purification Bureau''s existence meant for handling special situations? If you ask me, your director doesn''t know how to prioritize. When short on manpower, the royal family''s safety should be the first priority, not bizarre anomalous incidents! If the royal family encounters danger, the entire Kingdom will descend into chaos. Those anomalies occurring in other counties, even if blown up, only result in the deaths of some ordinary people, hardly causing any significant turmoil. Why can''t those be dealt with later?" "¡­" Having endured Prince Freckles'' lengthy diatribe, Leon couldn''t help but take a deep breath, his wrists trembling involuntarily. *Damn it, what if I really want to smack him right now? Who on earth taught this prick? How can someone be so infuriating? Speaking of which, your sister''s talent is intuition; is your talent attracting animosity?* "Alright, I will relay your suggestions truthfully to the director." Not provoked by Prince Freckles'' accusations, Emma merely smiled warmly, then gently gestured toward the sofa, "Prince Joshua, would you mind being questioned by us now?" "Go ahead, ask away!" Pleased with Emma''s deferential manner, Prince Joshua first sat down in the single seat on the sofa, and Leon and his companion followed suit, sitting across from him. "Wait a minute, who are you?" Observing the man across who was covered in a robe and mask, as if fearing recognition, Prince Freckles inexplicably felt a surge of strange aversion, glaring at Leon''s mask and scolding, "She''s a grand noble and has the privilege of sitting before me. What about you? Coming in without greeting, sitting directly across from me without a word? Hasn''t anyone taught you what etiquette means?" "¡­" *The etiquette you''re referring to, does it involve using your face to warmly embrace my palm?* Irreconcilably at odds with this pompous prince, Leon bit the inside of his cheek beneath his mask, amused by the absurdity of it all, and reached out to remove his mask, intending to turn the questioning into a downright interrogation. Yet, just then, a soft, warm hand clamped down, seizing Leon''s right hand and pulling him back, gently pressing his knee to signal him to hold back. "Prince Joshua, if you persist, you''ll put me in a difficult position." Seemingly incapable of ever getting angry, facing Prince Freckles¡ªwho seemed to be a walking, talking prickly nuisance fresh from the proverbial sewer¡ªSenior Emma still smiled sweetly, "He''s my colleague, a junior under my wing. He''s usually shy and reserved, unfamiliar with proper etiquette when meeting the royal family. I ask for your patience. Besides, he''s well-versed in soul, will, and spirit, areas that complement my abilities. Should you ever encounter minor troubles in these areas, he might be of assistance then." "¡­" Faced with Emma''s soft persuasion, seemingly imbued with a ''calm aura,'' Prince Freckles hesitated, finally retracting his thorny demeanor, sighing as he leaned back against the sofa with slight impatience, "I have business later; hurry up and ask whatever you need." "Alright, for the first question," Gently patting Leon''s hand to calm him, Emma spoke with a soft voice akin to a cloud, "Please, have you ever had private contact with members of the rebels?" "What kind of ridiculous question is that?" Prince Freckles frowned, his demeanor unfriendly, "Why would I have a connection with those people? They want to assassinate me! If I had private dealings with them, wouldn''t that be courting death?" *He''s speaking the truth.* Seeing Prince Freckles'' soul flame steady as ever, Leon silently reached out, marking a check on Emma Senior''s soft lap through her satin skirt. "I''m sorry, that was a routine question. Let''s move on to the second question," Her thigh involuntarily trembled slightly at the feedback. Emma smiled, then continued, "Prince Joshua, if you had a sister stronger than you in every way and the first in line for the throne, how would you perceive her?" Chapter 207 - 207: 0180 Strange Dreams (Part 2)_1 "What''s this weird question of yours?" Prince Freckles, who felt completely confused, said with a bit of impatience, "I am Father''s only son. Where would I have a sister? If you''re wasting my time just to ask this kind of... um..." At this point, as if recalling something, Prince Freckles hesitated slightly and then glanced warily in Leon''s direction. "Did you... somehow spy on me while I was asleep to see what dreams I had?" Dreams?! Upon hearing Prince Freckles'' words, Leon and Emma both raised their eyebrows in unison, then instinctively exchanged a glance. "Prince Joshua, while the Purification Bureau does have Cleaners capable of dream invasion, our Virgin Branch doesn''t have anyone with such abilities... but we can''t guarantee that the Rebels don''t have someone like that." After exchanging opinions with Leon through their gaze and feeling that this could be probed further, Emma immediately sat up straight with a somewhat serious expression and said, "Prince Joshua, we now suspect that someone might have invaded your dreams and is trying to harm or control you through them. To ensure your safety, you must tell us the contents of your dream!" "Uh... It was just a jumbled dream, a nonsensical type with no logic. Do I need to talk about it, too?" "Yes, it might be critical intelligence!" "This... okay..." Startled by Emma''s serious demeanor, Prince Freckles hesitated for a moment but ultimately hesitantly confessed, "Just like your question, I happened to have a similar dream last night. In the dream, I wasn''t an only child but had a sister about fourteen or fifteen years older than me. I think her name was... Vera... Vero... something..." "Veronica?" "Yes! It''s Veronica!" Feeling a bit surprised, Prince Freckles clapped his hands gently before pausing slightly, then looked up at Leon, who picked up where he left off, with a face full of suspicion, "How do you know the name of the person in my dream? And, why does your voice sound kind of familiar...?" "Of course, we know that name!" Emma, senior to Leon, gave him a discreet pinch on the leg to stop him from speaking out of turn and replied with a slight frown, "Because there''s a woman named Veronica among those Rebels, Prince Joshua. We suspect that woman possesses an Anomalous Object that allows her to invade your dreams!" "So that''s what''s going on..." Upon hearing this, Prince Freckles seemed to realize suddenly, then surprisingly said with some relief, "That explains why the dream was so strange; it turns out everything was controlled." Strange? Upon hearing this, Emma blinked her eyes and promptly asked, "Prince Joshua, aside from having an additional sister, was there any other strange content in the dream?" "If we''re talking about strange... the whole dream was strange from start to finish!" After frowning and recalling for a moment, Prince Freckles recounted with some distaste, "In that Rebel''s manipulation, in the dream, I looked like a Clown. "From childhood, Father constantly compared me with her and made me emulate her in everything. Mother also took every chance to emphasize that she was my greatest threat to inheriting the throne, urging me not to trust the kindness she showed me, warning me that she might harm me for the throne. "Then... hmm... and then the me in the dream was rather foolish. "Even though my relationship with her wasn''t bad when I was younger, and she often took me to play in the Royal Palace, I started wanting to oppose her a bit once I got older. She was frugal, so I was extravagant. She was gentle, so I was forceful. I kept causing trouble for her later. Eventually..." As he recalled more details through active recollection, a hint of pain unexpectedly appeared in Prince Freckles'' eyes. Then, as if narrating his own story, he spoke with an uncomfortable expression, "Later... the Kingdom was attacked. They first blocked all major deep-water ports with warships. The main roads were bombed to the point where a quarter of them were unusable, and more than half of them were occupied. Half the Kingdom''s transportation was almost completely cut off, with airships dropping bombs overhead every day. "As for the army under the control of those useless military officials, they were utterly incompetent in front of the enemy, almost collapsing with just one strike. Only my sister and the Minister of Defense managed to organize a few new forces with some resistance capability. "But no matter how many numbers or weapons they had, they were far inferior to the other side. Although they relied on Old Hill''s command to fend off several attacks and stabilize the situation, my... my mother and some in the Finance Ministry kept dragging them down..." Recollecting his foolish actions in the dream, Prince Freckles could hardly continue talking. Suddenly, he slammed the table hard with rage and said, "Anyway, I didn''t do anything right! "Then the new forces couldn''t pay salaries, nor could they supply any more ammunition and weapons. Although they were barely holding together with my sister''s prestige, they couldn''t hold on later and were mostly trapped in Merino County. "Later, the Capital City was captured, and there were refugees everywhere. As I was mixed in with the Finance Ministry people with my mother, we got separated and couldn''t escape. Then... and then my sister came back." At this point, Prince Freckles paused slightly, then said with a highly complicated expression, "At that time, neither Father, Mother, nor Uncle came looking for me, but she was the only one who fought her way out of Merino County''s siege with her people, re-entered the Capital City, and found me in a converted air-raid shelter in the Old Town. "I... I asked her why she came. She said she didn''t want to either, but I had to stay alive. Father had only two children; I couldn''t just die like that, I had to live in case something happened." "I didn''t understand what she meant at the time, but later, after Father died while on the run, she was caught and executed after failing to resist, and after her death, the disbanded troops and those who didn''t want the Kingdom to be completely annexed began turning towards me, saying I was the last Robin of the royal family. "However, I... the me in the dream was utterly useless, with no ability to resist like her. All I could do was retreat again and again with the people, relying on complete submission to other kingdoms and signing a lot of harsh, unreasonable treaties to barely keep a piece of land less than three counties. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "And to avoid being entirely wiped out, we had to pay a large sum of precious minerals and almost 40% of our fiscal revenue annually, almost comparable to a major county of the other Kingdoms. Even though I worked as if my life depended on it every day, the situation kept deteriorating..." *As if experiencing it himself,* Prince Freckles recounted another self''s "experience" with an expression of gloom, then said with some bewilderment, "Just as everything seemed to be heading towards the worst result, with the entire Kingdom impoverished and unbearable, and almost to the point of disappearing forever, an old man with naturally smiling eyes, both squinting and smiling, asked me if I wanted to change it all. "Then he opened a door for me, telling me that stepping inside would allow me to undo the regrets, but the cost would be losing everything. As for the me in the dream, I was either utterly desperate or felt there wasn''t anything more to lose, so I just went in directly..." "..." "And then?" After waiting a while without hearing more, Emma, who was a bit engrossed, couldn''t help but ask, "What happened to the you in the dream after entering the door?" "After that?" Prince Freckles blinked, seeming a bit dazed, "After that, nothing. At dawn, I woke up." Chapter 208 - 208: 0181 Saving people is crucial_1 "..." *You''re unbelievable... You won''t be happy until you get hit today, huh?* Hearing the crucial part cut off was frustrating not just for Leon, who clenched his fists, but even for the usually good-natured Senior Emma, who took a deep breath and then tried to speak as calmly as possible, "Prince Joshua, thank you for your cooperation. We will have a thorough discussion about your dream when we return." "Why discuss it later?" No longer recalling the nightmare from last night, and shaking off the strange feeling of weariness, Joe "Hedgehog" Shua suddenly became more humanlike, blocking them with an unfriendly expression, "This is my dream, and I personally told you about it. If you''re going to discuss and analyze it, you have to do it in front of me! You can''t leave until you explain the situation clearly!" "Your Highness, it''s not that we don''t want to explain it to you, but we currently don''t have enough information, and we''re not particularly skilled in dream-related abilities. We can''t clarify it for you yet." "Then bring someone who is skilled!" For some unknown reason, Prince Joshua seemed unusually persistent about the strange dream from the night before. He squinted his eyes threateningly, "I remember there''s an agreement between your Purification Bureau and the royal families of various countries to protect us from anomalies as much as possible, right? But it seems you haven''t achieved that!" After hearing the implication in Prince Freckles'' words, Emma paused slightly, then softly said with her usual gentleness, "Prince Joshua, please don''t make things difficult for us. I can pledge on the Alman Family''s honor to inform you as soon as we have results. Is that acceptable?" "Alman... ha!" Looking like he was being tormented by last night''s strange dream, with bloodshot eyes, Prince Freckles bluntly rejected, "Don''t mention the Alman Family''s honor to me; ever since you plotted a coup to overthrow the royal family, the Alman Family''s honor has been worthless!" "Em... Are you Emma? Considering you''re the last member of the Bauhinia Family, I''ve been quite courteous already. But don''t be ungrateful! You''re definitely hiding something from me. I need to know why I''m having this dream right now!" "And that Veronica from the rebels, she dared to pretend to be my sister in the dream! You must catch her immediately and hand her over to me! Otherwise, I''ll expose the Virgin Branch''s negligence!" Alman... Bauhinia? That Duke family, known as one of the twin pillars of the Kingdom alongside the Ryan Family? From Prince Freckles'' words, Leon captured some incredible information, suddenly remembering the redwood tree across from Ryan Manor, which was used as the execution platform for the Bauhinia Family. Senior Emma... is she from the Bauhinia Family? That means her friends, family, parents, husband, and almost everyone she knew were executed because of the coup? But... doesn''t she have a daughter? Why would Joshua say she''s the last person from the Bauhinia Family? ... "Prince Joshua, please try to control your emotions." While being watched in amazement by Leon, Senior Emma maintained her composure and calmness despite hearing Prince Freckles'' threats. She didn''t smile anymore but explained in as gentle a tone as possible, "I can see that you''re being tormented by yesterday''s strange dream and are a bit too agitated, but threatening us won''t really solve the problem. It would instead invite inquiries from the central bureau and slow down our normal investigation process, so..." "I''m not tormented by any dream!" Prince Freckles shouted angrily, "It''s just a dream, you get it? Fake!" "I''m my father''s only son, the kingdom''s only heir! I''ve received the best education since I was young, destined to rule this kingdom from birth!" "How could I be like that useless clown in the dream, doing so many foolish things? How could I be like him, crying at Veronica''s feet, begging for forgiveness like a dog? It''s an insult to me!" With his anger causing veins to surface, after spilling the details he hadn''t shared earlier, Prince Freckles seemed to realize he might have misspoken. Embarrassed and enraged, he scolded them, "Get out! I''ll make sure my father and your central bureau hear about the Virgin Branch''s negligence, and replace all of you!" "Especially you, a family of traitors who staged a coup. You all should''ve been hanged! You''re lucky to still be alive because of the royal family''s mercy, and yet you dare show your face before me? Counseling me to calm down? If I wasn''t calm enough, you''d have gone to join your dead relatives long ago!" "..." Hearing him mention her family, Emma, who had always maintained her emotional composure, couldn''t help but slightly clench her right hand, causing her knuckles to turn faintly red. But looking at the frenzied Prince Freckles, she knew he was completely dazed by the contrast between the dream and reality, so there was no point in arguing with such an irrational person. Emma loosened her fist and silently turned to leave, but then... "Close the door on your way out." With a voice whispering in his ear, Leon, who was about to leave with her, turned back immediately. In Prince Freckles'' dumbfounded expression, he delivered a swift kick to his gut. "Ah!!!" After taking that kick, which had been held back for over half an hour, Joshua screamed as he flew backward, crashing into the table Emma had just helped up, knocking the heavy wooden table over onto the carpet. After holding back for quite a while, Leon naturally wouldn''t be satisfied with just that. He dashed over with a move from the ancient Yagami style martial arts, slammed him hard onto the ground, then grabbed his collar to lift him up, executing a perfectly delivered slap. "You... you..." After being familiarly lifted and receiving another all-too-familiar slap, Prince Freckles spat out a tooth, looking utterly bewildered, "You''re that... that..." "I''m your... never mind..." Originally about to say "I''m your dad," Leon decided it was an ill omen, so he swallowed the last word, then once again raised his right hand, ready to forgo unnecessary communication in favor of action. But just as Leon''s next slap was about to land, a piece of bandage wrapped itself around his wrist. "That''s enough, it''s unnecessary." After casting a slightly grateful glance at Leon, Senior Emma softly advised, S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "After all, he''s a prince, and your investigation just ended. There''s no need to bring further trouble upon yourself..." "What trouble? I''m saving him!" After shaking off the bandage wrapped around his wrist and delivering several more satisfying slaps, Leon turned back with a serious expression, "Didn''t we just say it? The rebels used an anomalous object to invade dreams, trying to manipulate and control Prince Joshua. Fortunately, the anomaly was discovered by you and me." "In order to prevent the esteemed prince from falling under their control, we had to use mild pain to keep him awake, making sure he didn''t forget who he was and eventually become a puppet of the rebels." "As for the minor disagreement between us, as the director put it, they''re separate issues. We might have had a dispute with him, but it doesn''t stop us from saving him fiercely!" "By the way, I didn''t sleep well last night, so I''m a bit off today. Senior, would you be willing to help me beat¡­cough, save him for a while?" "You''re really..." Glancing at Leon''s serious nonsense and then at Prince Freckles with a face swollen like a pig''s head, Emma couldn''t help but shake her head in amusement, smiling despite herself, "Leon, in terms of being... mmm... cunning and adaptable, you''re exactly like the director... You take a break, and I''ll help save him a little, too!" Chapter 209 - 209: 0182 Family Conflicts and the King of Nightmares_1 "Don''t¡­ don''t hit me anymore..." After a hellish mixed-gender ''rescue,'' Prince Freckles, who had been beaten black and blue, passed out and woke up again, could no longer hold on. He wrapped his arms around his head, curled into a ball, and protested on the ground, "I¡­ I''m a Prince after all, you guys from the Purification Bureau and the royal family have an agreement to¡­ to ensure our safety..." "Prince Joshua, you''re being unfair." Shaking his somewhat sore wrist, Leon, who was truly delighted after the rescue and amazed at how deeply entrenched Prince Freckles'' views were, couldn''t believe that even after such a thorough beating, he still clung to his identity as a prince. Leon earnestly and nonsensically said, "We''re ensuring your safety right now. After being rescued by us for so long, don''t you feel much better? No more of those weird feelings of being controlled or influenced?" "¡­" *That feeling never existed in the first place! I just wanted to know what the dream was all about!* Even though he wished he could tear these two damned cleaners to pieces, Prince Freckles, having taken the first beating of his life, was genuinely a bit scared for the moment. With his butt sticking up, he nodded repeatedly and said, "No more, no more, really not a bit of that feeling anymore. I''ve never felt better!" Joshua was only taught crooked views, not actually lacking intelligence, so he naturally understood the underlying message in Leon''s words. Feeling much better probably meant no more beatings, whereas not feeling that way at all meant still being controlled and requiring further "rescue" until he really felt better! Well then, just as I''m relieved too. Seeing this prickly creature finally concede, Leon, who had been rescuing him for quite a while, was truly exhausted and immediately turned his head to the tall, beautiful woman next to him, politely asking, "Senior Emma, do you want to rescue him a bit more?" "No, I''ve already vented my anger." Returning a rather bright smile to Leon, Senior Emma reminded him, "Leon, remember to heal his wounds before we leave, otherwise when the investigators from the bureau come down, it will be hard for you to explain." "Got it." Nodding in response, Leon took out the [Plague-Infected Blood Band], and amidst Prince Freckles'' struggles and screams, he forcibly pried his arms away from his head and wrapped the dirty bandage around his head twice. As the health extracted from a fat chicken in the kitchen rapidly infused, Prince Freckles'' face, swollen like a pig''s head, took only about a dozen seconds to deflate, revealing his original appearance. *Finally¡­ finally, is it over?* Noticing that his face suddenly didn''t hurt anymore, Prince Freckles hurriedly reached out to touch his face and almost cried out when he found the swelling had subsided. Although the national ruin and family destruction of last night was tragic, it happened in a dream after all. With a layer of separation, the impact was not so deep. The extreme remorse that felt like heart-wrenching and meat-cutting gradually faded after waking up from the dream. But the beating he just endured now was real pain, truly palpable! In all these years, aside from a few childhood scrapes and scratches, he had never been beaten so badly; even his father, the King, had only slapped him once¡­ Ah! "Tsk, why did you move?" Seeing Prince Freckles, who was slapped to the ground again, holding his face in utter confusion, Leon couldn''t help but furrow his brow and said with displeasure, "I accidentally healed yesterday''s slap along with your injuries, and since yesterday and today were for two different reasons, one slap can''t substitute for another. So, I have to reprint that slap... Get up! Hands down! Stand properly and don''t move! If I miss again, I''ll have to redo it from scratch!" "Alright, alright, let''s leave it at that." Seeing Prince Freckles trembling as he put his hands down, eyes shut tightly with a mournful face, waiting for Leon to reprint the slap mark, Emma couldn''t help but shake her head. She walked over, hooked Leon''s arm, and pulled him out of the room, stopping him from giving another slap. "Senior Emma, why are you pulling me?" "To keep you from getting into more trouble, of course!" Seeing Leon still seeming somewhat dissatisfied, Emma couldn''t help but sigh, "No wonder the director specifically told me before coming here to keep a tight rein on you. Even though we found a pretty good excuse, this will still definitely attract investigators from headquarters. Since he has already admitted he wasn''t harmed, you should have stopped. If you keep hitting him, it will cause trouble." "Don''t worry; I already thought of a reason before I took action." Leon chuckled after hearing her concerns and explained, "Though I have no memory of such a thing, didn''t his sister say she had agreed to my proposal? In that case, by name, I am his brother-in-law. If a brother-in-law and little brother-in-law have a spat, and I lightly slap him a couple of times without using any Anomalous Object to hurt him, wouldn''t that be considered a family conflict? The investigators from headquarters wouldn''t bother with something like this, right?" *You can do that?* Emma was slightly taken aback, then she said with amused resignation, "You really are something¡­ fine, you got me there!" "I''m not all that, senior; you''re the truly amazing one." sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thinking of Emma''s remarkably stable emotions and her calm and rational handling of unexpected situations, Leon couldn''t help but genuinely admire her, "I''m just a bit more flexible in thinking, but when it comes to capability in handling matters, there''s still a lot for me to learn from you¡­ By the way, senior, your soul jumped violently before; did you discover something?" "Don''t call me ''senior''; it makes me sound old. I''m actually not much older than you. Just call me Emma from now on." After correcting Leon''s form of address, Emma, in a very good mood, smiled and said, "As for discoveries, I did find a few¡­ Have you heard the name ''King of Nightmares''?" "King of Nightmares?" "The King of Nightmares is also known as the Lord of Nightmares, mastering the Nightmare Authority within the realm of dream Authorities. It is one of the True Gods worshipped by the Bai Ye Sect. Because its true form only exists in the dreams of intelligent beings and never interferes with reality, even headquarters has little it can do about it. It''s quite a troublesome entity." After briefly explaining the situation of the King of Nightmares, Emma pondered while explaining, "The ancestors of the royal family of our Kingdom once fought with the King of Nightmares and repeatedly forced it away, thus suffering some curses from it. As they grow older, each direct Blood Descendant of the royal family begins to encounter repetitive nightmares, constantly reliving their most regretful past in dreams, and the older they get, the more regrets they accumulate. These dreams become more real and more painful. The current Old King is tormented by such nightmares and has fallen ill. So, if I''m not wrong, last night Prince Joshua likely experienced an incredibly painful nightmare, which is why he suddenly lost his mind and acted so madly, wanting to know what the dream was about no matter what. This is also why, at first, I didn''t plan on paying him much attention; he suffered through such a horrifying dream last night, so being emotionally unstable is quite normal, and he does have his own reasons." Chapter 210 - 210: Emmas Request_1 "..." *Did he have his own difficulties?* Remembering that arrogant, overbearing, and irritating Prince Freckles, whose face practically screamed "I need a beating," Leon couldn''t help but click his tongue inwardly. Alright. Since he had his difficulties, I couldn''t be too unsympathetic. The next time he ended up in my hands, I could slap him with a sympathetic look! ... "Hmm, hold on a second!" After pondering over how to deal with his nominal brother-in-law in the future, Leon carefully considered Senior Emma''s words and found something didn''t seem right, prompting him to voice his doubts, "Shouldn''t what the King of Nightmares makes people dream of be past regrets? But why did Joshua dream about future scenarios? Could it be that he simply had a nightmare?" "I''ve considered that possibility too, but it''s really low." Emma shook her head and said, "Simple dreams are very fragmented; they wouldn''t be so smooth, continuous, and logically clear, nor could they cause such a huge impact on a person''s mental state. Moreover, he already lost his memories about the princess. He doesn''t even know who Veronica is, so how could he dream about her?" S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That''s true..." Nodding in agreement with Senior Emma''s judgment, Leon couldn''t help but frown along with her. "So what''s going on? Could it be that even the Authority controlled by an existence as powerful as the King of Nightmares could make mistakes?" "Yeah, I can''t figure it out either." Emma shook her head and said, "I really have limited knowledge about dreams, souls, minds, and such, so I plan to go back and ask the Director to see if she has any insights... By the way, Leon, are you planning to come back to the Bureau with me, or go home first?" "I''ll go home first." After glancing at the sky, Leon touched the photo in his pocket, then smiled and said, "Today is Wednesday, and Bridge Public School lets out earlier. If I calculate the time right, Anna should have already picked up the two little ones from school, and I''ll get home just in time. As for Prince Joshua''s dream, I just heard about the King of Nightmares today. Even if I go back, I won''t be of any help. I''ll just wait for Senior Emma... um... for you and the Director to figure things out, and let me know what I can do then." "Alright, I won''t see you off then." Emma waved at the two steam carriages waiting by the roadside and paid the fare before Leon, then hesitated slightly after boarding the carriage and poked her head out to ask, "Leon, do you remember that I once asked you for a favor?" "I remember! Of course I remember!" Hearing this, Leon, who was about to get on the carriage, hesitated slightly and then promised with a serious face, "Senior Emma, you not only taught me a lot of the knowledge needed for work at the Purification Bureau, but you also saved my sister''s life during that incident at the hospital! As long as it''s within my power, just ask whatever you want!" "Why are you calling me ''Senior'' again..." Blinking somewhat helplessly, Emma smiled and said, "Since you say so, I won''t stand on ceremony. Next month is my daughter''s birthday, and I... although I''m her mother, have seldom been by her side, so I don''t know much about what children like. Leon, you have three younger siblings, so you should know a bit more about this than I do. Could you spare a day to help my daughter have a birthday with no regrets?" You spoke so seriously, but it turns out just to spend a birthday with your daughter? Was this what you wanted me to help with before? Hearing Senior Emma''s request, Leon couldn''t help but pause slightly, but since he couldn''t find a reason to refuse and didn''t want to reject it, he thought a moment before nodding in agreement. "Sure, what day exactly? I''ll definitely be there!" "The 6th! Next month, the 6th!" Hearing Leon agree to her request, Emma couldn''t help but smile happily and waved farewell to him, saying, "On the 6th, at 8 a.m., I''ll be waiting with Ellie under the big tree at the entrance of Treasure Flower Manor on Redwood Avenue. You must come then!" "Alright! I''ll definitely be there!" Having made arrangements with Senior Emma and watched her leave, Leon boarded his carriage and took out his pocket notebook, noting down the event on the latest page. [To-do list: 1. Observe Senior Tom''s soul state a few more times to see if it was influenced by the Aquarius Director (currently everything is normal) 2. Talk with the Director about my luck issues (Director has no solution, shelved) 3. Infiltrate the Scales Gold Sect meeting and upgrade the Holy Spirit Badge to Gold (uncertain time, about three weeks later) 4. Go home to give my hair, then ask Anna about the photo, and confirm her sexual orientation. If there''s danger, seek help from the Director (it probably isn''t about sexual orientation) 5. Investigate the princess incident (no clue for now, but it surely involves the Aquarius Director¡ªdamn Aquarius Director! Always has to meddle everywhere!) 6. Senior Emma''s daughter''s birthday (Next month, 6th, 8 a.m., under the redwood tree at the entrance of Treasure Flower Manor, named Ellie)] Hmm... these were probably the most important. After looking over these six items, Leon nodded in satisfaction, just about to put away his notebook, but remembered something and marked a big question mark on the last item with his charcoal pencil. Prince Freckles just said that Senior Emma was the last person in the Bao Hua Family, but she still had a daughter. Was she secretly kept safe by the Director? Or did Prince Freckles make a mistake? Moreover, the entire Bao Hua Family... Senior Emma''s whole family was executed... And with a daughter to care for, no wonder she was so cautious and unwilling to take any risk, even with an Undying Body. Oh, and! Even though I don''t know what Senior Emma originally wanted my help with, it definitely wasn''t just for her daughter''s birthday. I better pay attention to this too! ... "Bridge Street, number thirty-five." While Leon was musing over Senior Emma''s matters and absentmindedly doodling circles in his notebook with the charcoal pencil, the coachman in front reminded him. "Sir, it''s time to get off." "Oh, oh!" Snapping back to reality, Leon put away his notebook, opened the carriage door, and got off, looking towards Happiness Apartment. "Snip snip!" "Snip snip!" "..." Seeing the big old man carrying large scissors, who suddenly popped out from the garden bushes and began gesturing at him, Leon couldn''t help but twitch slightly at the corners of his mouth before giving the man a sincere thumbs-up. Old man, you''re truly reliable. I just got off the carriage, and you''re already here waiting with scissors, truly dedicated to a full twenty-four-hour surveillance of me, huh? However, just as Leon planned to bypass the big old man and find the curly-haired old lady to deal with him so he could go home to see his siblings, he unexpectedly saw two familiar little heads popping out of the bushes right behind him. "Big brother?" Seeing Leon standing outside, the two little ones couldn''t help but gleefully tap their feet on the fence and enthusiastically wave. And Melanie, who had changed into a pretty little dress, exclaimed excitedly, "Big brother! Sister-in-law has already moved in! When will you bring her home to marry?" Sister-in-law... the princess? Hearing Melanie''s words, Leon couldn''t help but blink in confusion. *Strange, how did they know about this? And also, when did the princess move in? Last I left, she was still at the Purification Bureau.* Chapter 211 - 211: 0184 daily_1 "Melanie!" Just as Leon was racking his brains, a somewhat annoyed shout came from the direction of the Happiness Apartment lobby. Quickly sprinting out from the main entrance, and grabbing the troublemaking little sister Melanie by the back of her collar just before she could escape, Anna put her hand on her hip and tugged on her ear angrily, saying, "Don''t talk nonsense! Miss Amy just moved next door and came by to visit the neighbors, how did she become your sister-in-law?" Amy? Hearing Anna''s scolding, Leon thought for a moment and remembered. So it was the eldest daughter from Charl Department Store. Back when he didn''t know she was the owner''s daughter, he''d recommended she move to Happiness Apartment. But later on, she was kidnapped by the Marston family and the moving arrangement fell through. After he rescued her from Rose Manor, he thought she might not consider moving again, yet there she was after all. "Anna." Scorned by the stern looks of the grumpy old man, Leon, stricken with "benevolent brother syndrome," couldn''t help but plead for the little Melanie, who was yelping from having her ear tugged, "She''s still young, she probably doesn''t understand the meaning of those words. Just a gentle lesson to let her know she can''t speak carelessly is enough. There''s no need to go overboard... oh, look, her ear is already red." "Yes, Sister Anna, let go. Melanie doesn''t understand anything." Seeing Leon speak up, William also nodded his little head in earnest and chimed in, "She just told me that after Big Brother and Sister Amy get married, she''ll take me along to rummage through the nearby garbage bins to see if they can find their niece or nephew first. She doesn''t even know where babies come from. It was probably just a random thing she said." "..." That makes sense... Compared to Leon''s fruitless persuasion, William''s assistance was quite effective. Anna''s already not-so-intense anger was instantly quenched, and she unconsciously released Melanie''s ear. "This time let''s just forget it." After rubbing Melanie''s slightly reddened ear and watching her little sister hang her head dispiritedly, Anna squatted down, softly patting her back as she kindly explained, "It''s not that your sister wants to control everything about you, but your Sister Amy isn''t even married yet. If these words are heard by some people who like to gossip, it might cause trouble for her, so you can''t speak carelessly, understand?" "Oh..." Melanie complied reluctantly, saying, "But Sister Amy really fits well, why can''t she marry in?" "This..." Hearing Melanie''s question, Anna couldn''t help but glance at Leon, then began to coax, "Whether she marries in is Miss Amy''s business. These kinds of things still depend on your Sister Amy''s thoughts..." "Then I''ll go ask her now! See if she''s willing to marry in!" "Oh, you stop right there!" Once more grabbing Melanie by the back of her collar, stopping her from eagerly "proposing," Anna¡ªfaintly sensing something off¡ªcouldn''t help but furrow her eyebrows and question, "What''s wrong with you today? Why are you so dead set on having Miss Amy as your sister-in-law?" "I..." Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Probably because Sister Amy is very generous." Acting like a little adult, William put his hands behind his back and, taking advantage of his understanding of his twin sister''s thought process, seriously deduced, "The chubby-breasted sister who left our home this morning, while also very pretty, only bought each of us one piece of candy as a gift, whereas Sister Amy gave Melanie a new dress on her first visit. I guess she thinks since Big Brother has to marry someone anyway, instead of marrying that chubby-breasted sister, why not marry the more generous Sister Amy? That way she could get more gifts too." "..." "I! I''m not thinking like that at all!" Hearing Sister Anna''s breathing grow heavy, Melanie¡ªrealizing she was in big trouble¡ªquickly struggled to defend herself, "He''s talking nonsense! I just have a better relationship with Sister Amy! It has nothing to do with the gifts!" "She''s lying." As Leon and Anna cast inquisitive looks towards him, William, feeling no psychological burden, sold out his sister and directly confessed, "Just now while we were digging for worms, she told me that Big Brother seemed to prefer looking at those chubby-breasted sisters. Worried that Sister Amy couldn''t compete, she forced me to sneak a bowl of the papaya soup Anna drinks over every day to see if it could make her a little chubbier too." "..." Hearing this, Leon and Anna both tensed slightly, feeling embarrassed but also exchanging a quick glance. *You actually drink papaya soup every day?* *No wonder you chose Miss Veronica!* After exchanging a surprised yet awkward look, the two adults didn''t say anything, instead simultaneously turning their gaze towards Melanie. "You! You''re talking nonsense!" Sensing an impending crisis in her brother and Sister Anna''s silence, Melanie couldn''t help but struggle in a desperate effort to save herself, "I never said those things!" "You did." William seriously stated, "And you even promised me that if the papaya soup I stole for Sister Amy successfully made her our sister-in-law, I could borrow your favorite doll to play with for two days." At this point, William paused slightly, then disdainfully evaluated, "How childish, I''m way past the age of liking dolls. How could I be moved by such a condition? If you''d offered the tin frog instead, maybe I would have kept it a secret for you." "Then why didn''t you tell me!" Knowing there was no escape, Melanie gave up defending herself, glaring at him angrily, "If you wanted to play with the tin frog, I could have borrowed it for you, why betray me?" "Borrowing isn''t as good as owning." William seriously retorted, "Helping you steal Anna''s papaya soup would definitely lead to a beating, and even if it worked out, I''d only get to play with the tin frog for a few days. But if I turned you in, Sister Anna not only wouldn''t beat me, she might even buy me a frog outright. What would you choose?" "..." "Don''t worry, this beating won''t be in vain. When my tin frog arrives, you can borrow it for two days too." ... "Knock knock knock." After knocking on the neighbor''s door, the doll-faced girl¡ªwho lost to a tin frog¡ªflashed a brilliant smile at Leon while holding a large bag filled with things. "Mr. Lyon, I''ve moved here to be your neighbor!" "Welcome, welcome." Although feeling a bit curious about her plans, Leon, being polite, didn''t ask her why she moved to Happiness Apartment, instead inviting her inside first, and then glancing at the bag she was holding. "And these are..." "Just some small gifts!" The doll-faced girl batted her big, sparkling eyes and laid out the contents of the bag with a cheerful smile, "Don''t worry, they''re just ordinary things. The most expensive one''s this coat suitable for winter¡­ Mr. Lyon! When you rescued me last time, the coat was scratched by Rose Manor''s roses, it''s only fair I get you a new one, right? As for the rest, this is a perfume for Sister Anna¡ªit''s a scent I made myself, so apart from the materials, it didn''t cost much¡ªand a few small toys for William and Melanie... Oh, where are they? I just heard their footsteps heading upstairs!" Upon hearing Amy''s question, Leon''s expression froze slightly, glancing at the closed inner room. He then steeled himself to explain, "Uh... they might be catching up on homework inside? Schools nowadays assign quite a bit of... um..." "I! I was wrong!" A rather familiar voice cried out, interrupting Leon''s fibbing. "Sister Amy''s chest isn''t small at all! Not small at all! She really doesn''t need to drink papaya soup! Sister Anna, you don''t need to drink it either! Oh, stop hitting me! Boohoohoo, I really know I was wrong!" Chapter 212 - 212: 0185 Unexpected Gain (Part 1)_1 "..." Watching Amy across from him, her smile frozen on her face as she instinctively touched her chest, Leon couldn''t help but twitch at the corner of his mouth, his toes curling up instinctively. To prevent any more fatal remarks from emanating from the room, pushing the current awkwardness to new heights, Leon quickly stood up, opened the door to his room, and proactively extended an invitation, "Why don''t... we talk in my room?" "Okay....." Hearing Leon''s invitation, the doll-faced young girl, her face slightly red, quickly nodded, then picked up her bag again and followed Leon into his room. Once Leon shut the door with a bang, keeping terms like "papaya soup," "size," and "sister-in-law" outside, Amy finally breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Leon a bit sheepishly, "Mr. Lyon, the reason I came over this time is actually to invite you to our house. You saved me from the Maserney family, so you''re a great benefactor to my family. My parents want to meet you! If it weren''t for my mom not being well yet and my dad needing to take care of her while maintaining the company, they would have come with me this time. Please believe us, we genuinely just want to thank you properly!" "This... I''m sorry." Seeing Amy looking at him unblinkingly, her sincerity almost palpable, Leon deliberated for a moment before refusing, "I''m not necessarily refusing the invitation, but recently, I''ve been so busy with work. I can''t even guarantee I''ll be home at night. Even after having a few words with Anna, I still have to rush back to the bureau. I''m really out of time lately." "Alright... sorry for bothering you." Though sincerely inviting him, the doll-faced girl found herself refused once more. Her head drooped slightly, and a deep disappointment flickered in her eyes. After clenching her fists a bit reluctantly, she didn''t persist in attempting to change Leon''s mind but looked up again, her face full of hope, as she asked, "Mr. Lyon, is there anything in your work that I could help with? Ah! Please don''t misunderstand, I''m not trying to push you to come to my house as a guest. It''s just... since you''re too busy recently to accept our family''s thanks in person, at the very least, let me do something within my power to give us a chance to express our gratitude to you. Would that be alright?" "This..." Seeing the young girl with big, sincere eyes set her stance so low, Leon couldn''t quite resist her goodwill. After hesitating, he spoke, "Recently, our bureau has been keeping an eye on the rebels, but their trails have been incredibly hard to track. Even the Secret Investigation Bureau within the police department has no leads. If your family has any means, could you help by paying attention to them? Hmm... But remember not to do anything else, just keep an eye out. Those rebels have some things you can''t contend with." Rebels? After hearing Leon''s words, Amy blinked, seemingly recalling something. After a slight hesitation, she said softly, "When it comes to rebels... our family''s department store used to have some connections with them. If you want to find them, Mr. Lyon, maybe we could really be of help." Ah, this... an unexpected gain? Raising an eyebrow in surprise, Leon, who was originally planning to send her off soon, took a deep breath, then invited her to sit on the room''s only bed. Sitting on a small stool across from her, he asked earnestly, "Miss Amy, could you explain a bit more detailedly?" "Ah? Okay!" Looking at Leon sitting opposite with a serious expression and bright, focused eyes watching her intently, the doll-faced young girl suddenly felt a bit nervous, unsure of where to place her hands and feet. Mr. Lyon... truly a capable and reliable man. Watching the steady composure and focused gaze of Leon before her, even though his clothes were rather cheap, Amy couldn''t help but admire his extraordinary aura. She slightly bit her lower lip, then began to speak, "Mr. Lyon, our family owns the largest department store in the Capital City, you probably know that?" "Yes, and with the lowest prices." "That''s right, and aside from being the largest, offering the lowest prices, and having the most stores, our department store also has the most comprehensive range of goods. My dad, as vice-chairman of the chamber of commerce, has good connections with the Lower House and several departments, securing nearly all categories of sales licenses. Before guns were completely banned in the Capital City, he even sold some small firearms, with significantly reduced range, in limited quantities..." After briefly explaining the characteristics of Charl Department Store, the doll-faced girl tried her best to recall, sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Just before the full implementation of the gun-ban edict in the Capital City, someone, taking advantage of our department store''s merchandise not yet being removed, purchased nearly a hundred civilian nail guns from a dozen of our stores in batches. My dad feared these people might cause trouble with these weapons, impacting Charl Department Store, so he dug a little further, and he was shocked to find that besides these firearms, those suspicious people had been doing business with our family for many years." Many years of business? Leon frowned and asked, "Are these people the rebels? Do you mean they''ve bought a lot of nail guns from your Charl Department Store?" "Not many nail guns, actually." Amy shook her head in response, "My dad is very cautious. Even though the profit from selling firearms was decent, he never stocked them in large quantities, only keeping a few counters in stores with very stable conditions. What these people really bought in large quantities were various ordinary supplies, like seasonal clothing, oil, salt, sugar, alcohol, blankets, food, and utensils. And it''s not just a one-time purchase, but a long-term, continuous, and covert buying habit, twice a year for clothing, once every one to two months for oils, salts, etc., and large batches of fresh ingredients weekly." After finishing the discovery made by Old Charl, Amy, sitting on the bed, spoke to Leon, who seemed to be deep in thought across from her, "To this day, those people haven''t stopped buying. My dad calculated the amount of these supplies, realizing they could sustain seven to eight hundred people living normally, and during the busiest half-year, it even reached the sustenance level for a thousand people. The frightening part is, this small thousand-strong group has never caught any attention. If they hadn''t rushed to buy a large number of nail guns before the gun-ban, alerting my dad, probably no one would have discovered their existence. And after noticing the anomaly, although my dad didn''t make deep contact with them due to being cautious, after comparing the news about rebel activities and the changes in their supply consumption, he still hypothesized about the identity of this group." Chapter 213 - 213: Unexpected Gains (Part 2)_1 Yes, they needed to purchase living supplies in secret for a long time, and the amount consumed changed with the news of rebel activities, so the identities of these people were self-evident. After listening to the baby-faced girl''s words, a touch of embarrassment appeared on Leon''s face. After joining the Purification Bureau, he had somewhat fallen into a fixed way of thinking. Especially after experiencing the convenience of soul vision, his first reaction was always to use "abnormal" methods to find targets, forgetting all these basic techniques. Rebels were people too! They needed to eat and wear clothes! Moreover, they were quite a sizeable organization. Apart from those abnormal ability users created by the Aquarius Director, there were at least three to four hundred members and their families. The consumption of these people was not a small amount. As for why these people gathered together instead of hiding dispersed throughout the Capital City... It could only be said that the risks and difficulties of dispersing and hiding might not really be smaller than gathering together. There were no cell phones for instant message transmission here. Most people still communicated long-distance by letter. The wealthy could go to the communications bureau and use a device similar to a telegraph to send some simple messages, but these methods of message transmission were both difficult and dangerous for the rebels. After all, the Secret Investigation Bureau of the Police Department was not eating dry rice; they could even track the passenger trajectory of steam carriages. If someone suddenly received a letter before each rebel action or directly became a mystery, it would be no different from announcing their identity. Relying on code words or something to complete attacks was even more difficult. If one was caught, all the codes would need replacing, and in situations where opportunities were fleeting, it was almost impossible to ensure the action contents were communicated properly. For those precise attacks, sometimes lasting seven or eight minutes, other times only thirty to fifty seconds, and withdrawn timely before the Police Department arrived, communication methods as primitive as codes simply couldn''t support it. At least with the average level of the rebels, it was impossible, so there had to be places akin to gathering points! ¡­ "Thank you! Your information really helped a lot!" After figuring out how to find the rebels'' gathering point and tracking down those anomalous object holders, the overjoyed Leon first expressed his gratitude, then seriously instructed: "Miss Amy, those people have very dangerous items in their hands. It''s better if your family doesn''t get involved in the following matters. Just tell me the stores where they habitually buy supplies!" "Okay, I''ll write down those stores right away!" Hearing that she indeed helped with Leon''s work, the baby-faced girl was also very happy. However, after searching her pockets and finding she didn''t bring a pen and paper, she looked up at Leon again. "I have a pen and paper here." Comprehending in one glance what she was looking for, Leon originally intended to hand over the small notebook from his pocket, but after considering the contents recorded above, he hesitated a bit and instead only took out a homemade graphite pencil, then pointed to the bedhead: "Move my pillow, then flip up the bedrest with the storage secret compartment; inside should be some scratch paper Melanie used." "Ah, okay, I''ll take a look." Curiously glancing at the oddly shaped graphite pencil in Leon''s hand, the baby-faced girl, following Leon''s instructions, moved his pillow, preparing to flip up the bedrest with the storage secret compartment. However... This... This was... Seeing a rather boldly styled and unusually "mature" women''s intimate garment lying beneath Leon''s pillow, the two in the room both widened their eyes in unison. Don''t even mention the possibility of it being Anna''s; putting aside that this purple-black lace corset didn''t match Anna''s temperament at all, just those two huge openings left for the southern hemisphere were absolutely not the "scale" that Anna could handle. Amy knew at a glance that this belonged to a rather "remarkable" woman, especially considering the terrifying size gap between the southern hemisphere support and the waist, the owner of this garment undoubtedly had a "dominating" figure! No wonder! No wonder I heard something about "papaya" and "size" as soon as I came in! No wonder! Staring at this corset that noble ladies often wore to evening banquets for waist-constriction, especially focusing on those two surprisingly big "lower halves of bowls", the baby-faced girl couldn''t help but pucker the corners of her mouth, her round, cute nose twitching twice as she felt a wave of inexplicable bitterness rush to the tip of her nose, her eyes slightly reddening. "You... you..." "If I said I don''t know where this thing came from... would you believe me?" Interrupting Amy''s teary moment, Leon walked over to look at the corset, checked his bedsheet and pillow, then frowned: "It seems like someone has slept in my bed... Anna likes to tidy up the room every night, so probably someone came yesterday, and the clothes should have been placed under the pillow at that time. I didn''t come home yesterday as I slept at the bureau... Never mind, I''ll just directly ask her." To avoid being considered a pervert collecting women''s intimate garments, Leon seriously explained a few sentences, and seeing the baby-faced girl''s expression still unusually strange, he simply opened the door and shouted in the direction of the interior: "Anna! Did anyone come to the house yesterday?" "..." Hearing Leon''s shout, Melanie''s loud crying from the interior paused slightly. Shortly after, Anna, looking quite well after exercise, opened the door, glanced toward Leon, and then nodded with a somewhat complicated expression. "Yes, Miss Veronica came by. We talked for a long time, right until the last carriage stopped running. I let her stay in your room for the night... Is there a problem?" Miss Veronica? The Princess? No wonder... Recalling the situation of that Princess and then looking back at the corset on the bed, Leon, realization dawning on him, replied: S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "There isn''t any big problem. It''s just that one of her clothes was left in my room." Clothes left behind? Hearing Leon''s words, Anna blinked in confusion. What Veronica was wearing when she came was the same as when she left, how could it... Uh... Realizing in a flash, she hurried over, looked at the bed in Leon''s room, and then her pupils shrank sharply, presumably also shocked by the size of this garment. "Anna, Miss Veronica will be staying at the bureau for a while. Please gather her things and pack them in a bag. I''ll take them to her when I return to the bureau later." "Okay!" While Anna went back inside to find a bag, Leon turned around and explained to the skeptical Amy: "Miss Veronica is the one attacked by rebels this time. She came to our bureau for help this morning, and we are pursuing the rebels because of her... Um... Can you help write down the locations of those stores now?" Taking out his small notebook, tearing off a page to pass over, and then looking at the sturdy old man climbing up the sixth floor little by little outside the window, despite being tied up with yarn, Leon couldn''t help but urge urgently: "If you can, it''s best to write faster. It seems like I don''t have much time left..." Chapter 214 - 214: 0187 Siblings Night Chat and Finally Arrived_1 "Brother?" After coming out with a clean little cloth bag, Anna found that the doll-faced girl was gone, leaving only Leon standing by the door. She couldn''t help but curiously ask, "Where''s Miss Amy?" "I don''t have much time to stay at home, and there are still some things I need to ask you, so I asked her to head home first." Leon glanced out the window and saw that the sturdy old man was almost climbing in, so he decided to keep it short and grabbed his sister''s shoulders with a serious expression, saying, "Anna, you need to tell me..." "When did things start between you and Sister Veronica?" "Huh?" Seeing Leon''s somewhat bewildered expression, Anna, who had prematurely asked the question, lightly bit her lip and then softly complained, "Just...how did you meet her? And how did you decide to get married? Why didn''t you tell me anything?" "..." "Can I say that I''m still confused about it myself?" After hesitating for a moment, Leon explained, "Anna, you should know that in this world, there are many things that don''t belong to the ''normal range,'' like your photograph, with all sorts of incredible abilities. And Miss Veronica was influenced by something similar, causing everyone in the Kingdom to lose their memory of her, you and me included." What? Everyone forgot about her?! Upon hearing about the photograph, Anna couldn''t help but feel a tightness in her chest, instinctively clutching the hem of her dress. But after hearing about the Princess''s ordeal, she exclaimed in shock and sympathy, "Then...hasn''t she lost everything? Not only her identity but even her friends, family...lover...all gone?" "Yes." Receiving the affirmative answer from Leon, Anna immediately fell into silence. In such a situation of suddenly losing everything, if it were her, she would probably break down completely. Yet Sister Veronica hadn''t shown any signs of *pain,* and even yesterday, she could still chat and laugh with her. Except for the slightly heavy circles under her eyes, indicating she hadn''t slept well at night, on the surface, there wasn''t any *abnormality,* it was truly... "She''s so strong..." "Yes, she really was a very ''strong'' person." Understanding what his sister was marveling at, Leon, who had seen the Princess''s soul, nodded in agreement. In the soul vision of the Black Goat, everyone''s soul had its own ''base color.'' This didn''t refer to actual colors like red, orange, yellow, or green but more of an essence. Anna''s base color was longing and warmth, the policewoman Yisha''s base color was compassion and responsibility, while Princess Veronica''s base color was an unparalleled extreme resilience, with a belief so firm it was almost terrifying, as if she was born not knowing what despair was. Moreover, this belief wasn''t the type that held confidence in certain success, but rather that even if knowing the odds were slim, she would still continue forward without hesitation, walking until her legs were worn down, with no end except death. Well...in a way, her brother''s soul felt like that too. The two royal family members he had interacted with had souls with remarkable ''hardness.'' However, if Princess Veronica''s base color was belief, then her brother''s could only be described as pride. Even after being beaten by both him and Senior Emma, losing several teeth, that guy still looked down on him from the heart. Maybe it was just a royal family trait! ... Shaking his head slightly, Leon stopped thinking about the odd soul of Prince Freckles. He glanced at the sturdy old man''s progress climbing the window, then turned to his sister, who had an expression of admiration and a hint of envy, and asked seriously, "Anna, can you tell me what you thought when you met Miss Veronica yesterday?" Huh? What was I thinking? Momentarily stunned by Leon''s question, Anna hesitated for a bit before answering, "Just...very envious of her?" "Just envious?" "And a little...wanting to be like her..." Glancing subconsciously at the papaya placed in the kitchen, Anna spoke softly with a touch of admiration, "My health isn''t good, but Sister Veronica is very healthy, very energetic; I am somewhat too skinny, while her... physique is particularly good; and her character too. In stark contrast to my not-so-talkative nature, she was very talkative, cheerful, with a charm that makes people subconsciously trust her...much like the personality of the mother in my memory." After reminiscing about past events, Anna''s eyes filled with warmth as she said, "Actually, since childhood, I''ve wanted to be like her and mother, but I just couldn''t," "..." So...Princess Veronica was Anna''s ''ideal type,'' and the envy and desire to be like her that Anna developed after interacting with her led [Warm Home] to be repaired, transforming into a [What If] that could replace someone else? It seemed reasonable enough, but the extent seemed somewhat off. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To allow the ability of an anomalous object to change, this "I''d be better off if I were her" notion must have been quite strong. Would Anna have had such a strong thought if it were just pure envy? Frowning and pondering for a moment, and worried that returning the photograph to Anna might really cause her to replace the Princess, Leon didn''t take out the photograph. Instead, he grabbed Anna''s shoulders, his expression serious, and said, Chapter 215 - 215: 0187 Siblings Night Chat and Finally Arrived_2 "Is that all? Really, nothing more? Think carefully! Is there anything else?" As for the other things... The frail girl bit her lower lip upon hearing this, and a vision of a crying man''s face flashed through her mind. She then glanced at Leon with a complex expression. If I obtained a family photo, and that man got hold of it, he would restore everything. You, William, and Melanie would regain your original lives, and I would no longer be part of your family. *If that happened, I would become alone again, and your only family would be Sister Veronica. I truly envy her...* *But it was because I used that photo six years ago that I took away your original lives, separated you from your true family. Do I have the right to stop that man and prevent him from putting everything back on its original course?* I don''t... After her lips moved slightly, Anna shook her head with a somewhat gloomy expression, murmuring in reply, "I don''t..." "You do! Anna! You are definitely hiding something from me!" Even without using soul vision, Leon could see the hesitation in his sister''s heart. If it were something else, it might not matter. Everyone has their secrets. But the matter Anna didn''t want to talk about was likely related to the Anomalous Object created by the Aquarius Director, and that allowed no ambiguity! "Though I don''t know why you''re hiding it from me, it''s related to that photo, isn''t it?" After utilizing the power of the Holy Spirit pendant to toss out the robust old man who had already crept inside, Leon grabbed his sister''s shoulders and looked into her eyes seriously, "Anna! Listen to me! "Whether you are trying to avoid past mistakes or think that keeping it from me might be better, or whatever other reason, never do that!" Paused for a moment, looking at his sister who hadn''t denied anything, Leon continued to emphasize while pondering, "I am your brother. If you''ve made a mistake, just tell me directly! I will do whatever I can to help you make amends! "If you think it''s for my own good, then there''s even less reason to keep it from me! My matters are for me to decide. You can try to persuade me, but you''re not allowed to make choices for me!" "I... I just..." "Don''t say anything else. Right now, you can only choose to tell me or continue to keep it from me." After secretly touching the Black Goat''s horn and checking Anna''s soul condition, Leon''s expression softened a bit, and he gently said, "Just like I mentioned just now, the choice is up to you. I can''t make it for you, but I still hope you can tell me what''s going on. "Anna, you have to be prepared. If you keep it from me, I will definitely be very angry, extremely angry! "But rest assured, because I''m your brother, no matter how angry I get, I will eventually forgive you! Now, it''s time to make your choice!" Even though the choice was hers, if she still chose to hide it from me after all this, then I''d go find the director and figure out a way to borrow a mind-reading Anomalous Object! "I..." Unaware of Leon''s underhanded plan, Anna felt her eyes well up. Even at this moment, seeing Leon still chose to trust her and return the choice to her, she choked up a little and said softly, "I choose to tell you! I''ll tell you everything!" ... "What? The Aquarius Director has already been to the Capital City? And even been to your house?" After hearing the selectively relayed information from Leon, even the always composed Red-haired Director was startled by this news. "Yes, and it was very recent, just the night before the investigators came to the office." After explaining Anna''s ordeal and her conversation with the Aquarius Director, Leon bit his lips fearfully and said, "Director, this person is terrifyingly dangerous and is likely planning something extremely risky. Can''t we move up the internal inquiry?" "We can''t." The Red-haired Director shook his head helplessly, "The year-end review in six days is the fastest we could arrange. There''s genuinely no way to advance it any further... "Um... If you''re worried about your family''s safety, you could have your brother and sisters temporarily stay at the office these few days to keep them safe, and I can protect them until the year-end review is over." "That''s what I intended... Thank you, Director!" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sincerely thanking the Red-haired Director and feeling a bit of pressure finally lifting off his shoulders, Leon let out a long sigh, then handed over the photo. "Director, though I don''t know why the Aquarius wants it, whatever he''s planning is something we should stop. This should stay with you because I''m afraid I can''t keep it safe." The photo that can replace an identity, right? After looking at the image of Princess Veronica in the photo, the Red-haired Director pondered for a moment but didn''t take the photo. Instead, he took out a dirty little mirror from a drawer and waved it over the photo. Seeing the photo flash and then directly turn into two, Leon couldn''t help but widen his eyes in surprise. This is... a duplicating type of Anomalous Object? Is the director trying to... "This thing is called [Duplicating Duo], one of the Anomalous Objects I privately own. It''s also a Numbered Anomalous Object, with a real strength ranking around thirty." Chapter 216 - 216: 0187 Siblings Night Chat and Finally Arrived_3 As for the ability, just like its name, it could duplicate anything into an identical copy, including anomalous objects. However, the ability would be slightly diminished, and only one duplicate could exist at a time. Additionally, as long as the duplicate wasn''t destroyed, it would continuously drain my power. The longer it was maintained, the greater the power consumption would be, making it a troublesome anomalous object with many limitations... but the effect was still very useful, especially when fishing." After pushing one of the photos over and seeing the sudden realization in Leon''s eyes as if he understood something, the Red-haired Director couldn''t help but curl his lips into a smile and said, "It seems you''ve already guessed it. I haven''t reported the Duplicating Duo to the Bureau, so Aquarius shouldn''t be aware. It''s perfect for trying to set a trap for him. And to prevent him from having any ability to sense the location of anomalous objects and using some strange anomalous object to steal things, I used fake photos here for insurance. The real ones were placed in your small mirror. As for safety concerns, you don''t need to worry. For creatures not from the Mirror World, everything in the mirror was just an illusory reflection, without any physical form at all. If you didn''t take it out, he absolutely wouldn''t discover it." *Goodness, being able to go fishing and having double insurance, the sober Director sure was reliable!* "Alright!" After looking at the Red-haired Director with some admiration, Leon was just about to put the photos away when he saw the Red-haired Director take out a small box and push it over next to the real photos. "What''s this?" S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The heart of that sheep... Hmm... it''s called the Heart of Ambition, right?" Seeing Leon''s eyes suddenly light up, the Red-haired Director said with a smile, "Although the evaluation given was ridiculously low, you''ve indeed passed the Bureau''s investigation, around the time you and Emma slapped Prince Joshua. The General Bureau sent some people over with the items." "Uh..." "Was it you who led the beating?" Seeing Leon''s slightly embarrassed expression, the Red-haired Director''s smile faded, and he squinted his eyes as he said, "Emma said she did it, and you were just standing up for her, but do I need to say what the truth was? Do you know that foolish prince filed a complaint through the King, sending an extremely long complaint letter to the General Bureau!" "..." "He complained that our Bureau was negligent, violating the agreement between the Purification Bureau and the Kingdom, ignoring the safety of Royal Family Members, failing to capture illegal anomalous object holders effectively, beating the heir to the throne recklessly, causing the cleaning mission to affect the innocent, and almost leading to the extinction of a Great Noble family... He wrote over 30 points in total! *Honestly... it''s a good thing you hit him today. The complaint letter was sent in before the year-end review. Otherwise, with the strength of his complaint this time, we''d probably be dead last next year!* "..." After grumbling a bit, the Red-haired Director habitually took a wine bottle, intending to take a sip to ease his troubles. Still, after thinking about it, he put it back and instead picked up a cup of hot tea, smiling at the embarrassed Leon, "Little Leon~ You brought me so much trouble today, shouldn''t you take on a slightly more challenging task to make it up to me?" "..." Seeing the Red-haired Director''s fox eyes squint, Leon instinctively felt something might be seriously wrong, but having just been caught in a tight spot, he could only nod resignedly. "Okay..." "That''s good!" The Red-haired Director tapped on the photo on the table with her hand and said with a smile, "Once I lure Aquarius away during the audit and ensure there''s no danger, how about you go undercover among the Rebels with it?" Chapter 217 - 217: 188 Three tasks_1 "..." *Go undercover with the Rebels? Are you kidding me!* When Ryan heard the Red-haired Director''s suggestion, his first reaction was that she was talking nonsense again. After all, even without bringing up his identity as the Duke of Lionheart, he was already marked by the Rebels. First, there was the bandaged woman who intended to attack the Ryan Family, then the doppelganger who went undercover in the Secret Investigation Bureau at the Ministry of Police, and finally, the shabby old man at the conferral ceremony whose presence sped up people''s heartbeats. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. All in all, three Anomalous Object holders from the Rebels had ended up in his hands, and the reason he asked the Director for those three "protective feathers" was to safeguard his family from the Rebels. This relationship, even if not a deep-seated grudge, could certainly be considered a never-ending feud. And now he was to join the Rebels to infiltrate them? This was just... *Huh... Maybe it''s not impossible?* ... After glancing at the [If] on the table, Ryan pondered for a moment and realized that this task wasn''t as far-fetched as it seemed. Now that he possessed the Heart of Ambition, his safety was undoubtedly assured. And with the intelligence provided by Amy, as long as he could locate the Rebels'' gathering point, he could use the [If] to impersonate a Rebel member directly, try to contact those holding Anomalous Objects, and attempt to capture them all at once. Considering the unclear relationship between the Rebels and the Aquarius Director, doing this would not only eliminate the threat from the Rebels, ensuring his family''s safety, and help Princess Veronica retrieve her lost identity, but also reduce the help Aquarius might have, and thwart any possible conspiracy he had. Five birds with one stone... After weighing the risks and benefits of the undercover task, Ryan nodded decisively and agreed. "I''m in!" "Excellent~" The Red-haired Director nodded with satisfaction and said, "Ryan, the inquiry into the Aquarius Director will officially begin in about five or six days, but the timing can be slightly advanced, maybe in two or three days. Once I and Taurus His Excellency initiate the inquiry, the Aquarius Director will certainly rush back to Headquarters to fully prepare for the internal inquiry, and from when he''s drawn away to the inquiry''s conclusion, there will likely be about two weeks. During this period, I can roughly track his whereabouts to ensure he won''t appear at the Rebel gathering point, and with the Heart of Ambition for protection, your safety will be maximally guaranteed. So from two days later until two weeks later is your specific timeline for this infiltration mission. If the inquiry succeeds, the time can be extended. If it fails, you must leave immediately. As for the mission target..." At this point, the Red-haired Director thought for a moment and then lightly tapped the table with her fingertips and said, "The primary targets are the grandmother and granddaughter who might have the ability to erase memories. You need to prioritize finding them to quickly help Princess Veronica restore her identity. The secondary objective is to contact the other Anomalous Object holders, clarify their abilities, and confirm their locations. Before the inquiry against the Aquarius Director begins, I will remain in the Bureau. If I go to participate in the inquiry, then Emma will remain in the Bureau to oversee things. Once you''ve determined their locations and abilities, you can send the little dog Jerry gave you to deliver the news, and I''ll or Emma will come to apprehend them." "Alright, I''ve noted it down." "I haven''t finished yet." The Red-haired Director shook her head and said, "Besides these two missions, you have a hidden task. I hope you can confirm whether there is another Prince Joshua among the Rebels." *What?* Seeing Leon''s astonished look, the Red-haired Director didn''t immediately explain and instead asked, "Do you remember that nightmare Prince Joshua had when you and Emma went to visit the Prince?" *That ''future-predicting'' strange dream?* After recalling, Ryan nodded and then asked curiously, "Of course I remember... Was there an issue with that dream?" "A big issue." Pouring tea into an empty wine bottle and taking a big gulp to drown her sorrows, the Red-haired Director said with a headache visible on her face, "Prince Joshua''s nightmare should be the King of Nightmares'' curse on the royal family. The King of Nightmares believes that, compared to the fictitious horrors of ordinary nightmares, the deepest regrets in one''s heart are a person''s most feared nightmare. So, the curse from the King of Nightmares has always been to make people recall their most painful pasts, rather than those hollow, unreal nightmares. This clashes with the content of Prince Joshua''s nightmare." "So... you suspect there are two Prince Joshuas?" "Yes." The Red-haired Director shrugged helplessly and said, "I know it sounds absurd, but when paired with Emma''s recount of the nightmare''s content, the only conclusion I can come up with is that there''s another Prince Joshua who has experienced those painful futures and returned to this past, which is his present. As Prince Joshua''s age increases, his intelligence gradually matures, his concepts and personality become fixed, and his soul begins to align with this future Prince. Thus, when the future Prince suffered the King of Nightmares'' curse, the real-time Prince unluckily ''shared'' this nightmare." "..." *That actually... could make sense?* After weighing the Red-haired Director''s theory, Ryan found himself somewhat convinced. There weren''t many significant flaws in her proposal. "So, you think the Prince Joshua from the future has likely hidden among the Rebels?" "It''s uncertain, but based on what the Rebels have done in the past, there''s at least an eighty percent chance... After all, a future Prince Joshua, filled with persistence, wouldn''t simply come back to take a look, right?" "Makes sense." "If it makes sense, then get ready!" Taking out a small notebook from the drawer, writing a few lines, and then closing the notebook and handing it over, the Red-haired Director said seriously, "Take this to the Ministry of Police and find the first assistant to the Minister of Security. He will appoint you as the warden of the dead cell. With this identity, you can activate the vicarious dying ability of the Heart of Ambition. Additionally, given that your intelligence about the Aquarius Director is completely transparent, it''s possible he might inform the Rebels. Therefore, refrain from using the Witch''s Broom, Holy Spirit Pendant, and other Anomalous Objects registered in the Bureau unless absolutely necessary. Otherwise, your cover might be blown. However, to come into contact with those Anomalous Object holders, it would be best to show a bit of special ability... Hmm... Do you have any unregistered Anomalous Objects or abilities?" Unregistered Anomalous Objects or abilities? "In terms of abilities, I actually have one..." After taking the notebook and putting it away, Ryan hesitated for a moment, then glanced at the brilliant-looking [Migratory Thrush Prince] on his badge panel and said somewhat unsurely, "If the conditions are right, I might be able to forcibly make others bow to me." Chapter 218 - 218: 0189 Bang Bang Bang_1 Forcing others to bow to you? What kind of ability is this? After curiously blinking his fox-like eyes, the Red-haired Director was quite interested and said, "What about the specific costs? What are the consequences of failure?" These... seem to be nonexistent? Leon frowned and said uncertainly, "They should be very low, right? It''s just that the target range is a bit narrow, only effective on people who meet certain conditions." "I see." After thinking for a moment, the Red-haired Director directly suggested, "If you''re sure there''s no cost, then why not try it on me?" Should I try it on the Director? *Leon couldn''t help but feel a stir in his heart upon hearing the Red-haired Director''s suggestion.* *He had long been curious whether the effect of the "Badge" could affect the "high-end powers" of this world, and the Red-haired Director, possessing extremely strong capabilities and unaffected by whether the test succeeded or failed, was undoubtedly the best test subject.* "Then I''ll give it a try!" Grabbing this good opportunity decisively, Leon immediately switched to the [Migratory Thrush Prince] badge, then looked into the Red-haired Director''s eyes and asked slowly, "Why aren''t you saluting me?" "So, it''s activated by language... huh?" As soon as Leon finished speaking, the Red-haired Director''s body trembled slightly, then promptly stood up from her chair and gave a strong, deep bow. However, between the two was a sturdy large office desk... "Bang!" Oh, crap! Watching the Red-haired Director''s forehead hit the desk with a loud thud, Leon couldn''t help but gasp. He then unhesitatingly turned to run, but unfortunately, he was pulled back by the hair tied around his neck before reaching the door. "This ability of yours... is interesting." Sitting back in the chair and covering the crack on the desk with a document, the Red-haired Director, whose face turned a bit red, cleared her throat and said, "How should I say this... the stealth of activation is quite impressive, especially since it took effect so suddenly that even I couldn''t react. Overall, it''s quite good." "..." *Yeah, sure!* "Don''t think I''m just making excuses." Seeing Leon''s real thoughts through his eyes, the Red-haired Director, who just lost face, clenched her fists and explained, "I was afraid that resisting too fiercely would cause you harm due to excessive cost, so I intentionally restrained my strength and even cooperated on purpose, which is why... uh... why not try again this time? I''m sure I can block it!" "Well... maybe we shouldn''t?" After hearing the Red-haired Director''s invitation, Leon awkwardly shook his head, sensing trouble, and said, "It was just a test of intensity. Since it took effect when you weren''t paying attention, it should also work on those rebels, and that''s enough for the test." "Not enough, not enough." Grinding her molars hard, the Red-haired Director smiled and said, "Testing abilities should be as detailed as possible. How can we just do it half-heartedly?" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Uh... okay then..." Under the Red-haired Director''s "generous invitation," Leon returned to his original position and suggested guiltily, "Uh... why don''t we change locations? Keep a slight distance from the desk..." "No need! Let''s do it right here." "..." Seeing the cold light in the Director''s eyes, Leon, hoping for the first time that the badge''s effect wouldn''t be too effective, reluctantly said, "Would you... salute me?" "Bang!" As soon as Leon finished speaking, the [Migratory Thrush Prince] on the badge panel flashed slightly, and the Red-haired Director stood up again, forcefully banging her head on the desk! "..." "..." It''s over! Looking at the Director maintaining a bowing posture, her butt sticking up on the desk, especially noticing her rapidly reddening ears, Leon''s mouth couldn''t help but twitch. *After these two bangs, will I be given a hard time from now on?* "Uh..." "Again!" Sitting back in the chair with disbelief in her eyes, the Red-haired Director, who had smeared some ink from the document on her forehead, gritted her teeth and argued, "Just now, I was a bit negligent. This time, I''ll use an Anomalous Object to block together, doubling the resistance. If you can''t handle the cost, stop immediately, and don''t try to be brave!" "..." Seeing the upside-down "approved" printed on the Red-haired Director''s forehead and knowing she was a bit unnerved, Leon held onto the last bit of hope and tried to refuse, "Director, I have some things to do later. How about we call it a day for the test now..." "Come!" "..." "Would you... bow to me?" "Boom!!!" For the third time, standing up along with the chair tied to her behind, and a large chunk of flooring pulled out by her red hair, the Red-haired Director once again gave a loud, solid head bang to Leon and slowly sat back down, feeling as if her whole worldview had been reshaped. *This isn''t scientific!* *My maximum Leon Value exceeds seventy, combined with the [Slaughter Blood Hair] No. 013, it''s not something an ordinary Anomalous Object could affect! Forcibly making such a combination bow, it would probably take the Master of Bows or the God of Kowtows descending in person!* *But in this world, would there be such a boring True God? Or...* Looking at the somewhat anxious Leon in front of her, the Red-haired Director fell silent for a moment, then weakly waved him off, "Just now... I wasn''t very calm... um... you might want to get busy, I... I want to be alone..." "Okay!" Without asking who she wanted to be alone with, the moment the Red-haired Director let him go, Leon didn''t brush off the dust on himself and left the Director''s office without saying a word. Watching his more disheveled back, the Red-haired Director, whose mind was a confused whirlpool, couldn''t help but laugh for a second before shaking her head in perplexity. *Little Leon''s Hierarchy may be more absurd than I imagined...* *Yeah... but if used correctly, it might have miraculous effects at critical moments?* [After receiving the appointment of Minister of Public Security, you have successfully obtained a part-time job and activated the Bronze Level badge "Warden"] [Warden: A senior manager in the prison system responsible for ensuring prisoners are treated appropriately, supervising prison discipline and management, overseeing prison staff behavior, and assisting prisoners with rehabilitation and reform so they can reintegrate into society in the future] [Wear effect: During capture-type work, work efficiency will slightly improve] [Advancement Route: None] [Hidden Traits (no need to wear): Due to frequent contact with a large number of different types of criminals, familiarity with various criminals'' traits and behavior patterns grants you an extremely special intuition about the existence of criminals.] Chapter 219 - 219: 0190 Temporary - clutching at straws - _1 *Ah, this... is actually an unexpected gain?* Holding the small notebook given by the director, after exchanging it for a side job as the warden of the death row, Leon couldn''t help but show a rather sincere smile upon seeing the new badge that appeared on his panel. *I made a big profit!* Although the new badge was only of Bronze Level, both the wearing effect that could improve arrest efficiency and the ability to discover hidden traits of criminals were quite practical. However, this also seemed to have made his badge slots a bit tight... Currently, he had a total of six slots, with "Materialism" permanently taking one, "Connected Party," which improved work efficiency, taking another, and considering the upcoming undercover mission, "Elite Performer," which enhanced acting skills, would also take one. This already occupied three slots. The remaining slots needed to be shared by "Warden" for finding criminals, "Poop Scooper," which allowed him to communicate with Young Ha, "I Am the Demon," which enhanced the effect of sheep head and sheep heart, "Prince of Lutung," which enforced bows, and so on... Although they could be temporarily switched, there might inevitably be times when he couldn''t switch in time. *Hmm... it seems that if there''s a chance, I still need to acquire more Anomalous Objects to increase the number of badge slots just in case...* "Mr. Lyon." After being given the appointment paper, and seeing Leon''s somewhat wandering eyes, the assistant to the Minister of Public Security softly called him and then asked Wen Yan: "Excuse me, are you satisfied with this outcome?" "Ah, satisfied! Very satisfied!" Retracting his gaze from the badge panel, Leon smiled and shook hands with the middle-aged man in front of him, then asked: "However, besides this, I have another matter that I need your help with." Upon hearing Leon''s words, the well-mannered middle-aged man smiled and then responded: "You are very kind. Before I came, the minister specifically instructed me to assist with all your requests within my capacity, so feel free to ask whatever you need." "Thank you!" Receiving the affirmative answer, Leon said with some joy: "I wonder if the police department has someone who is particularly good at unarmed combat and exceptional in skills? Could you recommend someone to me?" Someone good in combat? Upon hearing this, the assistant to the Minister of Public Security was slightly stunned, then said with some confusion: "Mr. Lyon, are you... looking for a bodyguard?" "No." Leon shook his head and said: "What I want is not a bodyguard but a teacher in combat. Oh, by the way! I don''t want someone with great strength¡ªI want someone particularly skilled in techniques who can quickly teach me some practical combat skills." ... In theory, with a sniper rifle that had a range of 500 meters and the "Holy Spirit Pendant" with a maximum destructive range of close to 100 meters, Leon actually didn''t need to learn close-combat techniques. However, since the Rebels most likely had intelligence regarding the Holy Spirit Pendant, making this Anomalous Object that Leon relied on the most "banned," and the sniper rifle could not be used as a regular weapon, To prevent himself from becoming an ordinary person who couldn''t even defeat a chicken, Leon had to temporarily clutch at straws, trying to make use of these three days and two nights to see if he could earn a combat badge. "I see." After listening to Leon''s overall request, the assistant to the Minister of Public Security thought for a moment, then said somewhat uncertainly: "As for our police department... because we have a restrained attitude towards firearms and are not as reliant on them as the military, there are indeed quite a few people who are good at combat in recent years. But combat is something that heavily depends on Talent; having great strength and speed generally gives an edge, so people who are purely skilled... uh... I think there actually is one! Follow me!" Leading Leon out of the office and down to the hall on the first floor of the police department headquarters, the assistant pointed to a photo posted on the hall''s display board: "Mr. Lyon, this is a photo from this summer''s department combat contest; the three on the podium are the top three, and the third place is exactly who you need!" Third place... Holy crap? Seeing the long-legged woman on the podium with bandages around her forehead, a bronze medal with a fist painted on it hanging around her neck, and a disgruntled expression, Leon couldn''t help but gasp. "Yisha?" "You know her?" "Uh... yes, and we should have a pretty good relationship, right?" "Haha, that''s even better!" Seeing Leon directly call out the name of the policewoman, the assistant to the Minister of Public Security became even more enthusiastic, eagerly recommending Yisha: "Miss Yisha is not only the flower of the Secret Investigation Bureau but also a genuine elite of our police department! In every skill, whether it''s shooting, combat, driving, or investigation, she ranks at the top! Her combat skills, in particular, are consistently in the top three! Additionally, although she only took third place in the contest because there are rule restrictions, many of the attacks on... uh... vital areas like the eyes can''t be used; otherwise, the outcome might be hard to predict." "..." *Don''t think that leaving your sentence incomplete means I don''t understand you. She''s especially good at kicking people in the nuts, is she? Is she?* With a somewhat embarrassed smile, the assistant to the Minister of Public Security concluded, seeing Leon''s speechless expression: "In short, if you ask the police department who the best fighter is, I might not be sure, but if you ask who has the best combat skills, it''s definitely Miss Yisha! After all, given the female physique and their capacity to withstand strikes, being able to take third place in a competition with many dangerous moves restricted and without weight classes already proves just how outstanding her combat skills are!" "..." *Well, in that case... it does make sense.* Looking at the images of the two "bear" policemen with gold and silver medals, and considering their size difference with Yisha, Leon couldn''t help but nod in agreement. "I''ll go find her myself then. Thank you very much for your recommendation." "You''re welcome." The polite middle-aged man smiled and said: "I just helped save you a bit of time. Since you and Miss Yisha are acquainted, even if I hadn''t recommended her to you, she would have eventually offered to teach you anyway." ... "I won''t teach! Absolutely won''t teach!" Contrary to the prediction of a certain middle-aged man, when Leon found the policewoman at the shooting range and stated his purpose, he was met with an outright refusal. After throwing the earmuffs used for soundproofing into the storage box, the policewoman gritted her teeth and questioned the scumbag who stood her up yet still had the nerve to ask for her help: "Do you seriously have the nerve to come to me? Do you remember what you promised me before?" "..." S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *What did I promise you before?* *Um... when was the last time I saw you? There have been so many chaotic things lately that I kind of lost track...* "The dungeon! The dungeon of the Secret Investigation Bureau!" Seeing Leon''s somewhat puzzled look, knowing he had completely forgotten, the policewoman was nearly furious as she stamped her foot and said: "Before, I got you a chance for a one-on-one interrogation of the Rebels, then found out our director was one of them, and the entire dungeon got blown up... do you remember now?" "..." *Oh, right! That did happen.* After her reminder, a look of realization flashed across Leon''s eyes. The policewoman wanted to learn about the scarred-faced director afterward, but since he didn''t want to explain about Anomalous Objects and was preoccupied with rescuing someone at the Rose Manor of the Massey family, he casually told her he would explain the next day. Then the policewoman nodded and said she''d wait for him at the office the next day... *Uh... from then until now, it''s almost been a week, right?* And the worst part was, the policewoman had no Contamination Value, so memories involving Anomalous Events must have been altered by the Brain of the Evil God, meaning the agreement between them was likely messed up. "Um... with a lot happening at the bureau, I genuinely can''t recall our agreement back then... could you perhaps say it again?" Scratching the back of his head under the policewoman''s glare, Leon sheepishly requested: "Also, I am about to embark on a very dangerous mission without using firearms, so I need to temporarily learn some combat skills, and the assistant to the Minister of Public Security said you''re the best in this regard in the police department, so... could you please teach me?" "..." "Could you?" "..." Faced with Leon''s thick-skinned plea for coaching, the policewoman, filled with anger, balled her fist, nearly wanting to punch him, but ultimately let it go in resignation. *You''ve laid it all out there¡ªwhat else can I do but help you? It''s not like I can truly refuse and watch you head towards danger unprepared.* "Alright..." Rolling her eyes at the brazen man, the policewoman sighed in submission, picked up her belongings, and replied with a disgruntled hum: "Go wait for me at the playground... just so you know, when I teach combat, it''s through practical experience, so don''t complain when you get beaten up!" Chapter 220 - 220: 0191 True Inheritance_1 "Normally, if you want to learn martial arts, you must first train your physical condition, then consider techniques and strategies, but... since he only had two or three days, I''d better teach some quick self-preservation techniques first?" Looking at Leon, who had taken off his old coat and stood five steps away, with a rather lean build, the policewoman hesitated slightly before asking, "I know a mix of martial arts techniques, but the ones I''m best at and are most suitable for quick learning are police combat and military combat. Which one would you like to learn?" Leon, who didn''t know anything about martial arts, hesitated for a moment before asking, "What are the differences between these two?" "They have different goals and traits. Military is primarily for quick kills, to immediately incapacitate the opponent... like this!" No sooner had the policewoman finished speaking than her entire body suddenly sank, moving close to the ground at a speed that seemed to drag her into the earth. Then, like a black fish writhing on the ground, she crossed nearly three meters between the two of them in an instant, ghosting up to Leon''s front. *What the hell?* From the moment the policewoman crouched down, Leon tried to follow her movement with his eyes. But even with high reaction speed brought on by a Contamination Value of 4.1, he could only see a blurred figure "bowling" toward him; he was in such a hurry that he couldn''t even distinguish her limbs. As Leon instinctively retreated, a leg clad in black, tight-fitting pants with incredible elasticity was already in front of his right knee. It slightly lifted along with Leon''s backward momentum, directly unbalancing him and flipping him horizontally backward. Immediately afterward, before his body had even fully hit the ground and while he was flailing mid-air, a finger was gently poked between the third and fourth ribs on his left side, closest to his heart. "If I had a dagger in my hand, you''d already be dead." Standing where Leon originally was, the policewoman made a gesture with two fingers mimicking a stabbing move, and satisfied with the shocked look on Leon''s face, she suppressed a smile and said with a straight face, "A new recruit only lasted under my hand for 0.5 seconds! Listen, when learning martial arts, the first lesson is not about how to knock down your opponent, but ''don''t move recklessly''! "Your body is sturdier than it looks, and your leg in the standing position has a longer reach than mine when I''m charging. If you hadn''t withdrawn recklessly just now, but instead mustered up the courage to kick, the outcome would have been different!" A kick? Recalling the recent scene, Leon patted the dust off his body and stood up, reflecting, "If I kick, could I block that move you just made?" "No, you can''t." The policewoman shook her head, "But you''d die a bit slower. I''d need to make a second move to kill you, and the total time would increase from about 0.5 seconds to roughly 0.8 seconds." *???* *So, the difference between kicking or not is whether I die immediately or have a chance to stretch my legs before I die, right?* *Hmph! This is for ditching me!* Noticing the frustration on Leon''s face after hearing her response, the policewoman, who had been maintaining a stern expression, finally couldn''t help but laugh. Then she also contemplatively studied Leon. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Compared to explaining with words, actually experiencing something is a more profound memory in martial arts. So her sudden attack was meant to give him a wake-up call and secretly teach him the first lesson in martial arts¡ªkeep your eyes open. Yes, the first lesson for beginners wasn''t just about not moving recklessly, but about learning to keep your eyes open. When novice fighters are approached by the enemy and their face is attacked, they instinctively close their eyes. For rookies who can only observe the opponent with their eyes, this habit is no different than surrendering. Originally, the policewoman''s intent was to rush to face Leon and throw a punch at his face to scare him into closing his eyes, directly teaching him the most important lesson: when learning martial arts, you have to overcome the instinct to close your eyes. However, what surprised the policewoman was that, even though Leon''s eyes couldn''t follow her movements, his mind and body responded. He seemed to intuitively sense her attack target and retreated in time, moving his face out of range. So the first lesson changed from "don''t close your eyes" to "don''t move recklessly." *Hmm... long limbs, quick reactions, intuition or judgment is accurate, and physical condition... seems much tougher than it looks?* She slightly moved her right leg, recalling the resistance she felt against Leon''s leg just now. Getting an idea of Leon''s "foundation," the policewoman nodded slightly, knowing how she should teach him now. "You should still not learn military combat. Although it''s more lethal, many small tactics are about surprise attacks and strong strikes, requiring great force and being picky about the environment. Although you can meet the learning requirements, it doesn''t seem to suit your habits of exerting force." Walking over and pinching the muscles on Leon''s shoulder and back, squatting down, and patting him on several spots on his thigh, the now calmed policewoman gave her honest evaluation: "Leon, although you look slim, your strength is actually decent. It''s just that compared to your speed and reaction capability, your strength seems quite ordinary. Your qualities in these two aspects should be extremely... hmm... outstanding, and your judgment is also very good." Chapter 221 - 221: 0191 True Inheritance_2 The difference between military combat techniques and police combat techniques lay in their objectives. Police combat techniques aimed at arresting, controlling, self-defense counterattacks, and restricting movements. Simply put, it was about seizing the opponent first, trying to limit his movements, and then using joint techniques and the like to control the situation. The challenge of police combat techniques was a high demand for speed and situational judgment. But it suited your situation well. I thought you could learn a few extremely practical and effective moves with just two or three days of practice." "Then let''s learn the police techniques." Although Leon was a bit tempted by the clean and decisive one-strike kill technique he''d just seen, as someone who knew nothing about fighting, he naturally chose to trust the judgment of the professional, observing the policewoman as she demonstrated police combat techniques obediently. ... "Kingdom Police Combat Techniques consisted of 22 basic moves. Among them, three were offensive strikes, three were to cooperate with teammates to subdue the target, and the remaining 16 were self-defense counterattacks for various situations." After rehearsing the stance of the Kingdom Police Combat Techniques, the policewoman, slightly flushed, exhaled a breath of white air and seriously explained to Leon, "Since you only have three days, I''ll pick three typical moves out of these 16 to teach you. If you can master these three moves, with your physical condition, you should be able to subdue most people instantly in a one-on-one situation." "Uh... can you teach me a few more? I feel like I learn quickly." Looking at his badge panel, Leon, determined to "level up," suggested, "For instance, the offensive strikes, can you teach me one or two of those as well? Always being on the defensive isn''t quite right, is it?" "Don''t aim too high! In such a short time, learning these three self-defense moves is already challenging!" The policewoman stopped her movements upon hearing this and sternly admonished, "Don''t think self-defense is just taking hits. Self-defense moves should actually be called defensive counterattack moves, the core of which is to catch the flaw in someone else''s attack for a counterattack, whereas offensive strikes will certainly expose a weakness to the opponent! More importantly, even if your defensive counterattacks are poorly executed, they can at least help you defend; poorly executed offensive strikes, however, might inadvertently expose your vitals to the opponent''s blade!" "Oh..." Well then... let''s just learn first. If I don''t get a badge, she''s probably right. If I get a badge, then I''ll learn the rest from her later. Unaware of Leon''s thoughts, seeing him no longer persist and instead learning from her honestly, the policewoman couldn''t help but nod in satisfaction before she spoke, "Watch closely! The three moves I''m going to teach you are the most important and fundamental among the self-defense counterattacks, which are responses for when the opponent attacks your upper body, your lower body, and from behind." The policewoman demonstrated an outside arm block gesture as she spoke. "Imagine your two arms are like shields... Never mind, that''s too abstract, come over here! Punch me directly! Hit faster!" "Okay!" Nodding at the policewoman''s words, Leon stood opposite her as she requested and threw a punch directly. Immediately, it was as if the scene of the previous "one-strike" kill replayed itself. The policewoman, who had been standing directly opposite Leon, suddenly lowered herself, half her body slipping out of Leon''s sight. Then Leon only felt an ache on the inner side of his arm, and his attack was swiftly deflected. At the moment his right hand went numb, two soft "black snakes" climbed up and clasped his shoulder sockets. Something then struck his neck, and a nimble leg hooked his left knee''s inner side powerfully, causing him to fall back instantly with the tips of someone''s toes gently tapping his belly. "Use your arm bone to hit the opponent''s pressure points, and while he''s numb, close in and grab his shoulders towards your body, headbutting his neck... If you want to go for the kill, hit the Adam''s apple directly!" Making a move of clasping shoulders and headbutting forcefully, the somewhat fierce-looking policewoman continued her demonstration while explaining, "I''ve just covered the upper body part of this move, but your lower body has to move as well. At the moment the collision completes, use your leg to hook the opponent''s leg back, then press forward with your body when he loses balance and finish with a kick! If aiming to kill, don''t kick the belly; aim lower and stomp between the legs!" Goodness! Seeing the policewoman''s shoe abruptly kick forward, just a fist away from his manhood, Leon couldn''t help but shudder, an ultimate fear for men being awakened. So the first move was a groin kick! It seemed that the assistant to the Minister of Security was right; competitions indeed restrained Isha''s performance... "Did you remember?" Ignoring Leon''s shock, the policewoman in teaching mode wore a stern look upon her lovely face, pulling Leon up from the ground before commanding seriously, "If you remember, switch roles; this time I''ll attack you, and you block then trip me!" "Alright..." Getting up and posing as required, facing the approaching right fist from the policewoman, Leon mimicked the move she taught, dropped his shoulder, and blocked, followed by locking her shoulder sockets with his hands and headbutting. However, Leon was not yet familiar with the move. He dropped his shoulder too much, plus the policewoman had impressively long legs, standing as tall as an average man, causing the intended headbutt on her neck to slightly miss downward. Oh no! Upon colliding with his head, Leon realized he''d made a mistake. To avoid turning this teaching into a real fight, he quickly tightened his grip on the policewoman''s shoulders, his leg meant to hook her knee instantaneously retracting for defense, blocking his vulnerable spots to avoid immediate disaster at any cost. Surprisingly though, despite being hit hard by him, the policewoman''s body merely stiffened a bit but didn''t retaliate. Instead, she fell backwards, following the force of Leon''s headbutt, even reaching out to protect his head during the fall to prevent a direct knock on the ground. "..." "Such a poor performance!" After pushing the off-balance Leon away, the policewoman stood up again, patting the dust off her body, and made a displeased assessment, "Your form completely collapsed! Except for knocking on my pressure points, your follow-up headbutt missed the target! The footwork didn''t follow through! Moreover, the most crucial part, you forgot to release my shoulders, which led to both of us falling down, making the final kick impossible! Get up and try again!" Uh... Didn''t get mad? Or even ask for an explanation? Are you such an understanding person? Where did the rash, fierce Isha go, the one who flipped my tray when arguments failed? "Don''t dawdle, continue!" Seeing Leon examining her repeatedly in disbelief, the policewoman finally lost composure, her ears turning a tad red, as she stomped her foot and gritted her teeth, "Hurry up! You have a very dangerous mission three days later, right? Learn more now, and you''ll be a bit safer then! Stop thinking about those random things! Hurry up and practice!" "..." So... she cared about my safety, that''s why her temper had subsided? Seeing the policewoman maintaining a fierce look while stealthily pinching at her sleeves with her fingers, Leon couldn''t help but chuckle lightly, then under her slightly mortified glare, he stood up straight, reassuming his blocking pose, and seriously declared, "Again! I''ll surely learn it this time!" ... [Through Isha Hill''s meticulous and repeated sparring, you successfully unlocked the Black Iron Level Badge "Fighting Novice."] [Fighting Novice: After relatively systematic training, you have mastered some combat techniques. Although your level is not high, you have established a rather solid foundation.] [Equipped Effect: As a novice fighter, even though your techniques are somewhat immature, with corrected execution method and habits, your power and speed in combat have slightly increased.] [Advancement Route: Upon completing 20 actual combat incidents or 200 practice sessions, this badge will automatically advance to the Bronze Badge "Fighting Veteran." Current Progress: 0/20, 0/200.] sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Hidden Traits: Through proper cultivation and rigorous training, your talent in combat has been fully developed, granting you slightly predictive abilities in enemy attack direction.] "Sss..." [Through self-study and reflection, you have mastered low-level combat abilities, activating the Abnormal Badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)." Your understanding of combat is "low," but due to being adept at summarizing experiences and self-adjustment, you successfully learned some notably unique skills from the instructor. When attacking the enemy''s eyes or groin, your hit chance and inflicted damage significantly increase.] Chapter 222 - 222: 192 Dream-Seeking Wristwatch and Entrustment_1 In the early morning two days later, in the Old Town of the Capital City, Patriot Avenue. In the streets of the Old Town, where sanitation was generally substandard, night-time security was in shambles, and garbage trucks visited only once a week on average, Patriot Avenue was absolutely an exception. It had a garbage truck passing through every day, patrol guards specially assigned by the police department, and walls that were repainted three times a year. Yes, unlike other streets that nobody cared about even if the paint on the walls completely peeled off¡ªsometimes for twenty or thirty years¡ªPatriot Avenue not only had dedicated sanitation measures, but the walls were even extravagantly repainted frequently, so clean and tidy that it barely resembled a street located in the Old Town. As for the reason... Patriot Avenue, rebuilt with special funding from the Treasury Department to commemorate the soldiers who bravely fought in the war to defend the homeland, was not only a face for the King and the Parliament but also a residence for a large number of soldiers wounded in the war six years ago. It was only natural that it should receive some preferential treatment, and no one would question this. Unfortunately, such preferences in public expenditure seemed unable to solve the prevalent poverty among the demobilized soldiers. The glorious experience of fighting for the country did not spare them from violent beatings by the patrol guards when they urinated against the walls after drinking. ... "Stop! Damn it! Pull up your pants!" After hurriedly kicking the drunkard standing by the wall to the ground and watching the fresh urine trickle down the fiery red wall, two patrolling guards were filled with an indescribable sense of frustration. Damn, how did it happen again in the area they patrolled? Their pay was surely going to be docked! Seeing the drunkard on the ground, having soiled his pants after being kicked mid-stream, the two guards glanced around the deserted street and couldn''t help but gather around, gritting their teeth as they beat the drunkard. "You bastard! This wall was painted to commemorate the war to defend the homeland!" "It''s already the third time this week! Damn it! Can''t you guys go somewhere else to piss?" "Beat him!" After a while of kicking and beating, the drunkard, curled up and silent, still didn''t appease the two guards, who were sure to have their pay docked. They dragged him to the urine-stained wall, tossed him a dirty rag, and angrily ordered him to clean up the urine stains. But as the drunkard shakily stood up, he didn''t pick up the urine-scented rag on the ground. Instead, he reached into his pant pocket and grabbed something, swallowed hard, and spat out a thick phlegm, yellow with a tinge of green, toward the freshly painted bright wall. Accompanying a light "ding," an iron combat commemorative medal, imprinted with the feathers of a Robin and only awarded to those who participated in the war to defend the homeland, was "spat" onto the commemorative wall alongside the phlegm. "Patriot Avenue? Ha!" ... Unfortunately, it still fell short. Watching the hands on the watch continue to flicker but ultimately stop in the "Human" zone, failing to reach the "Abnormal" zone, the elderly man with drooping corners of his mouth across the street shook his head, then spoke to the middle-aged man across the table: "This person isn''t bad. He has a painful past and intense emotions, nearly meeting the standards for becoming abnormal in every aspect, possessing the potential to let the seed ''germinate.'' But his soul isn''t pure enough; there are too many chaotic thoughts. To truly transform into abnormal, he would need to experience a more heart-wrenching pain, completely plunging him into the abyss of despair... Does he have family?" "Yes." The middle-aged man, whose temples showed a few strands of gray hair, looked at the drunkard being beaten by the two guards, paused for a moment, and then replied: "Old Baskin''s wife died of illness, but he has a twenty-year-old son who joined us three years ago and is now responsible for procuring living supplies." "Oh?" Upon hearing the middle-aged man''s words, the old man with a naturally sorrowful face raised his eyelids with interest and asked: "How''s their father-son relationship?" "Very bad." The middle-aged man, or rather, the Rebel leader, hesitated before shaking his head and saying: "Old Baskin sustained numerous injuries in the war to defend the homeland six years ago. His right leg was pierced by a Nail gun, and his stomach was wounded by a whale oil bomb dropped from an airship, causing him unbearable numbness and itchiness during rainy or snowy days, so he has been drinking heavily for years to ease his pain. "The compensation from the Kingdom was not much, most of which he drank away. So when his wife got liver disease, there was no money for treatment, and she died within two years. After that, he drank even more heavily and often beat young Baskin when drunk, whom in turn extremely hated his father." "That is truly pitiful indeed." The Aquarius Director glanced at the drunkard across the street with a hint of mercy and sighed: S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It''s a pity, if he had a son who was unwilling to give up on him at all costs, continuing to care for him, it would be better. "In that case, as long as the last person unwilling to abandon him expressed complete disappointment or a slight incident was designed for his son, extinguishing the last bit of light in his heart, the pain that erupted could completely cleanse his soul. "Under the refinement of despair swelling to its peak, his soul would be stripped of all impurities, at a certain moment existing only in the purest obsession, thus truly stepping out of the ordinary frame, successfully crossing into the threshold of being abnormal, but now..." Chapter 223 - 223: 192 Dream-Seeking Wristwatch and Entrustment_2 Looking at the "soul" hand stuck below the abnormal line on the watch, Aquarius Director shook his head and said, "It was impossible now. If it was right after his wife had died, perhaps I could have given him a push. But after all these years, his soul had become thoroughly numb, covered with a thick layer of dust, and no longer met the conditions to become an abnormal person." "So that''s how it is..." After sighing together, the middle-aged man got up and said, "Then let''s go see the next person. Over the years, I''ve met quite a few people who might become abnormal. Since you came to find me, we might as well meet them together!" "Sorry, I''m afraid there''s no time." Looking at the watch on the other hand, Aquarius Director shook his head and said, "There will soon be an internal inquiry targeting me. If I don''t pass the inquiry, I will have to undergo a memory reading by the bureau, so I must return early to prepare. There''s no time to look at each one." An internal inquiry by the Purification Bureau? The middle-aged man was stunned for a moment, then frowned and asked, "What''s going on? Aren''t you one of the twelve directors with the most power? Why are you being subjected to an internal review? Who can review you?" "Of course, it''s the other directors." Aquarius Director said with an indifferent expression, "I have done so many things outside over the years, though I have always been very cautious and never even used my real face, but there are inevitably some traces left. With so much talent in the Purification Bureau, someone was bound to notice something wrong. Or rather, that I made it until now before being questioned was beyond my expectations. From the Serpent Bearer... um... from a major past event, the world had become more chaotic in recent years, with many Outer Gods growing restless, causing the bureau to lose quite a few excellent talents. Otherwise, I think I would have been exposed much earlier." "..." "I don''t understand these things." The middle-aged man shook his head and said, "I just want to know when you''ll probably be back?" "If things go fast, one or two weeks." Aquarius Director added with an indifferent expression, "You should be able to guess that for such a large and loose organization like the Purification Bureau, to complete an inquiry on a senior member within one or two weeks is surprisingly quick." "And if it goes slow?" "If it goes slow, then I might never come back!" As if recalling something amusing, Aquarius Director chuckled and said, "This time, those initiating the inquiry on me include not only the top three-ranking directors in the bureau but also several directors from the Zodiac Branch Office. If I can''t get through it, I probably won''t even have the qualification to run; I will be taken down on the spot. Hmm... putting it like that, let''s set a two-week limit. If I''m not back in two weeks, you should assume I''ve been dealt with, and then run or hide as you see fit. After all, with your ability to conceal yourself, there aren''t many in the bureau who could actually find your location." "..." *You really are... quite straightforward.* The middle-aged man clicked his tongue speechlessly, then said expressionlessly, "Then let''s wait for you to successfully come back from the inquiry! I''ll look after those people first." "Well... if you want to check the qualifications of those people, you don''t necessarily have to wait for me to come back." Hearing what the middle-aged man said, Aquarius Director thought for a moment, then surprisingly removed the strange watch with six hands from his left wrist and tossed it to the Rebel leader. "This thing is called the [Dream-Seeking Wristwatch]. Its original ability was to realize dreams, but after my modification, it can also check whether a person has the potential to become abnormal. It only requires a drop of blood or hair or something like that as a marker." While speaking, Aquarius Director extended a finger to point at the watch''s cover, indicating the hands below as he explained, "These six hands are divided into three groups, representing past and future, body and soul, character and emotion. Among these three groups of hands, if each group has one that reaches the abnormal range, it proves that the person has the quality to accept a ''seed.'' For example, that gentleman across the table, Mr. Old Baskin, has his ''past'' hand and ''emotion'' hand both reaching the abnormal range, but the ''soul'' hand did not reach the mark. So, he lacks the conditions for the seed to sprout and is unlikely to become abnormal." Past, future, soul, body, character, emotion? After carefully remembering the meaning of these six hands, looking at the three groups of strangely patterned hands, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but ask in confusion, "Why is it enough for just one in a group to move for someone to become abnormal?" "Well... it''s a bit hard to explain... How about this, you can understand the world as a piece of canvas, and each person as a brush." Aquarius Director thought for a moment, dipped his finger in coffee, and drew a coffee-colored line on the tablecloth, then continued to explain, "A person''s past experiences, and future development are the traces they have drawn and will draw on the world; whether they have a unique soul or a miraculous body determines the technique used by this brush when drawing, whether it''s realistic or abstract. As for character and emotion, the former determines how a person treats the world, while the latter is the feedback they give the world after experiencing it, equivalent to the color of the marks this brush leaves on the canvas." Seeing the middle-aged man who looked somewhat confused, Aquarius Director sighed and said, "To put it more simply, these three groups of hands are probing what kind of picture a person is drawing on the world, what technique they use to draw it, and what kind of paint they use. So within these three groups of hands, if each has a type of ''abnormality,'' it ensures the picture drawn by this brush is also ''abnormal.'' Then, I need only provide a little help for this abnormal brush to draw a picture called ''abnormal''... Did you understand?" "I kind of got it..." With not much confidence, the middle-aged man nodded and asked curiously, "Then if all six hands start moving, what kind of anomalous object could such a person produce?" "If someone indeed makes all six hands move..." Aquarius Director frowned and said, "That would be a painful past, a great future, a strong body, a pure soul, an obsessive character, and frenetic emotions... To be honest, if you meet such a person, I suggest you run as quickly as possible." "Huh?" S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "If such a person existed, whether they were good or evil, they would be destined to completely change the world and stir up incredibly terrifying waves. The anomalous object derived from such a person would be like a magnificent painting drawn with the most brilliant and chaotic colors, using the most free and unrestrained brushwork... Of course, it could also be a scroll of total destruction." "..." "In short, change is terrifying, especially for people like you and me who are not very good. Trying to follow him and add fuel to the fire might be a path of nine deaths and one life; standing against him trying to hold back the tide would be certain death. So, if you encounter such a person, don''t think about anything unnecessary, don''t do anything extra, just run and hide as far as you can." "Alright..." "Also, this watch isn''t left with you for free." Looking at the middle-aged man who seemed a bit dazed, Aquarius Director raised his hand and gestured towards the police department, saying seriously, "Apart from investigating the potential for others to become abnormal, this thing can also help you find the anomalous objects I''ve created... Don''t forget what you promised me!" "Are you talking about... the thing in the redheaded director''s drawer?" "Yes." Aquarius Director nodded, earnestly instructing, "There''s something very important to me kept in that woman''s drawer, it roughly looks like a photograph. Normally, you wouldn''t have an opportunity, but one of the people initiating the inquiry on me is her, so when the inquiry starts, you can take advantage of her absence to sneak into the Purification Bureau using the [Gate of the Other World]. After that, the [Dream-Seeking Wristwatch]''s hands will automatically lead you to the photo I want. If you can successfully bring it back to me, I will certainly give you a reward that satisfies you." Chapter 224 - 224: 0193 Exposure and the Directors Doubt_1 "So, you mainly want me to help you steal something, right? No wonder you''d give me such a precious watch." Faced with the terms offered by the Aquarius Director, the middle-aged man thought for a moment before nodding, then asked, "What if I steal the item, but you fail the inquiry?" "If the inquiry fails, I''ll have my memory read, and considering the number of violations I''ve made, I''d either be executed or possibly turned into an anomalous object." The Aquarius Director spoke with a nonchalant smile, not bothering to hide his potential fate, "If I''m really finished, this watch will be your payment, and you can do whatever you want with that item. Is that enough?" "In that case... it''s enough!" "Then goodbye." After the middle-aged man put on the watch, the Aquarius Director slightly nodded, then stood up and left his seat, walking steadily toward the door. As he rose, the stars belonging to the Aquarius Palace in the sky lit up one after another, breaking through the sunlight''s cover for a very brief moment, projecting towards the Capital City, instantly reflecting off the Aquarius Director, but also caught the attention of certain observant eyes. ... "Get ready." After taking a sip of the deep brown tea from the bottle, the Red-haired Director, who was gazing out the window at the sky, turned around and said to Leon, who was waiting in the office, "Aquarius Palace just lit up. Judging from the direction, Aquarius used his director''s privilege to shift back to the main office. You don''t have to worry about bumping into him when you go undercover with the Rebels. "Moreover, this time is different from before. You must remember, you only have a maximum of two weeks for your investigation. Do not exceed this time limit." Emphasizing the maximum time limit for the task once again, the Red-haired Director, rare in his seriousness, advised, "Leon, if the inquiry fails, Aquarius, who can use the Star Palace Shift, might return before I do, and the identity you''re substituting with a photo may not necessarily fool him. "Though I''ll try to delay him for a while, to be safe, if I''m not back in two weeks whether the mission is completed or not, you have to evacuate immediately. "If the inquiry succeeds, you can reconnect with the Rebels afterward, but if it fails and Aquarius catches you in the act, then I really can''t guarantee your safety." "I understand." Faced with the director''s repeated instructions, Leon nodded and carefully noted, then couldn''t help but ask, "Director, is there a high chance of success for this inquiry?" "It''s decent." After thinking for a moment, the Red-haired Director responded, "The three directors hosting the year-end review, plus Taurus His Excellency, make four directors capable of participating in the inquiry against Aquarius. "In addition, there''s me, the Lion, and Gemini, three directors from the Zodiac Branch Office, along with other branch directors who also noticed Aquarius Director''s activities in their jurisdictions after receiving information. "We exchanged some intelligence and evidence we had. We feel there''s a thirty percent chance his actions could be exposed on the spot!" sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ah? Only thirty percent?" "Aquarius Director isn''t a fool. He''s always very cautious. A thirty percent chance is already quite a lot." The Red-haired Director stated seriously, "Besides, this is an internal inquiry, not a court trial. There''s no need to form a complete chain of evidence. As long as we can reveal his suspicious behavior and force him to expose his motives, the goal is achieved. "As long as he can''t prove his innocence or provide reasonable explanations for those suspicious and dangerous actions, that''s enough to take him down and force him to undergo memory reading." "I see..." Hearing this, Leon pondered for a moment, then casually asked, "Director, what kind of mistake would warrant being dragged for memory reading?" "Don''t worry, it''s a very troublesome process." Giving Leon a sidelong glance, the Red-haired Director snorted coldly, "It requires causing significant harm and holding a high position to enjoy such treatment. What you''ve done at the Ryan Family isn''t enough to warrant such a level of examination." "Uh..." "So now you''re worried, hearing that the bureau has memory-reading abilities?" Seeing Leon a bit awkward, the Red-haired Director couldn''t help but glare at him, then grumbled, "What kind of person are you? Investigators from the bureau may not know, but surely I do. So many nobles died during the Ryan Blood Night, and they were all major criminals. How could it be completely unrelated to you? "The main thing is that the Heart of Ambition insisted that Bobby Laien was responsible for the Ryan Blood Night. Considering it wasn''t your anomalous object and it was against you, with no motive to cover for you, I didn''t think further. "But after you took the heart from me the other day, facing the enemy who killed its previous master, the thing was so overjoyed it almost went crazy! It pounded inside the box as if it wanted to jump straight out and cling to you. Even if I were foolish, I should know whose side it''s on!" "..." "Anyway, be careful with your task this time. Don''t cause too much commotion, sigh..." "Uh... I''ll try to be more careful..." "You better be... Also, one last reminder, you can actually be slightly more conservative when executing your task." Looking at Leon, who nodded sheepishly, the Red-haired Director sighed and said, "When I ''bowed'' to you earlier, I activated a part of [Slaughter Blood Hair], slightly exceeding the human hierarchy, so I recovered some memories concerning the Princess... Leon, I think it was me who suggested you propose to her." "What?" "Don''t give me that. I didn''t really want you to marry her; it was to help you shed the Duke of Lionheart identity by proposing to the Princess. Who knew you''d actually succeed?" Rubbing his temples, the Red-haired Director summarized with exasperation, "I sent you to the Ryan Family to investigate Yang Xin, and you directly turned Ryan Blood Night into an event; I suggested you recognize kinship at the Ryan Family, and you turned into the Duke of Lionheart; I suggested you propose to the Princess, and now you''re practically a Prince... "Leon, tell me honestly, what are you planning for this mission? By the time I return in two weeks, will you already be the chief of the Rebels?" "No way! Absolutely no way!" Listening to the imaginative thoughts of his director, Leon shook his head repeatedly, "Director, you''re being prejudiced. I''ve always made very conservative choices!" "Although I don''t fully understand the Princess situation yet, during Ryan Blood Night, it was Bobby Laien who barricaded the estate, preventing me from leaving. Otherwise, I would have definitely run away, and it wouldn''t have ended up in a death struggle!" "True, but what if you''re cornered again and forced to rise?" "How could that happen?" Faced with the Red-haired Director''s baseless assumption, Leon couldn''t help but protest, "This undercover mission is only for two weeks. Just how chaotic would the Rebels need to be for me to become their leader in that time?" Chapter 225 - 225: 0194 Aroma_1 "I think it''s time we had someone else take the lead." After glancing at the empty seat at the head of the table, a slightly stout middle-aged man looked around at the people seated and then, with a smile, said, "Although this organization was initially created by His Excellency Nathan, he did gather us all together, everything changes over time. In my personal opinion, His Excellency Nathan is no longer suited to lead us. What do you all think?" "What do I think? I think nothing!" After the stout middle-aged man finished speaking, a bald woman who was playing with a slingshot snorted, her eyes showing discontent as she said, "The leader is always the leader. He saved my life and helped me gain my ability. I don''t care what others think. I only acknowledge him!" "That''s normal, very normal." Not surprised by the bald woman''s attitude, the stout middle-aged man nodded at her, then explained with a smile, "Don''t misunderstand, I''m not here to deny His Excellency Nathan''s contributions. Many of us have benefited from his actions, even I, who hope for a new leader. But whether or not you want to admit it, His Excellency Nathan has grown old. These past two years, he hasn''t been the infallible, ever-correct leader he once was; instead, he''s been making blunders." At this point, the smile on the stout middle-aged man''s face faded slightly, replaced by a sorrowful expression, and he said in a low tone, "A few years ago, we were all doing well, but since the failed assassination of the Prince at the beginning of the year, first Samantha was captured, and the bandage anomalous object was taken by the Purification Bureau. Then Barton, who was undercover in the Secret Investigation Bureau to cover for Samantha''s group''s evacuation, was trapped there by the cleaner named Leon Laine and never returned. Later, His Excellency Nathan led a team for revenge, sending David to infiltrate the ennobling ceremony to use the Heartbeat Moment to ambush that Leon Layne, but he also got caught in the Purification Bureau''s hands, and likely won''t be coming back either. Compared to the past few years, after losing three companions consecutively, one corner of this once-crowded long table is now empty." "..." Unlike before, when the stout middle-aged man finished speaking, he looked at the three vacant chairs around the table, and the rebels fell silent. Even the bald woman, known as part of the ''leader''s faction,'' did not speak out in opposition at this moment. "Everyone, I admit, His Excellency Nathan has undoubtedly contributed a lot in the past but have we not also made sacrifices?" After waiting a while, feeling that everyone''s attitudes seemed to be softening, the stout middle-aged man''s expression changed again, pointing angrily at the elderly woman and the little girl opposite, slamming the table, S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Not to mention others, but how much have the sisters Lucy and Phoebe sacrificed for us over these years? When they first joined us, they were both youthful and beautiful, but because of the frequent use of their abilities, one''s age regressed to the point where her intelligence is that of a five or six-year-old, unable even to speak coherently. Even though Lucy fared a bit better, she''s now an old woman, not even thirty, yet her physical condition resembles that of someone in their seventies or eighties. In terms of sacrifice, have they given less than Nathan?" "Enough, stop beating around the bush!" As the people around the long table remained silent, a man covered in burn scars snorted, impatiently saying, "Oliver, why don''t you just be straightforward and say you want to replace Nathan and become the leader yourself!" "I do have that thought." Hearing the burned man''s words, the anger on the stout middle-aged man''s face vanished, revealing an unconcealed glee, and he said excitedly, "Do you remember? When we first joined, our aim was revenge against everything that forced us down a dead end! To destroy this kingdom riddled with sores! To prevent our tragedies from ever repeating! It wasn''t to engage in inexplicable chaos, clashing repeatedly with the military department, the parliament, the nobility, or commerce guilds, nor was it to provoke that extremely troublesome Purification Bureau! So everyone, the time has come when change is necessary," After finishing his speech, the stout middle-aged man went through a rotation of emotions "joy-sorrow-anger-delight," and returned to his initial cheerful demeanor, standing up and suggesting with a smile, "I think His Excellency Nathan over the past two years is no longer the person he once was, and is even less fit to be our leader. We must change immediately while there is still time! If we let His Excellency Nathan continue to act recklessly, it will be too late for everything!" "I agree!" As soon as the stout middle-aged man fell silent, the burned man who had just confronted him impatiently, surprisingly raised his hand without hesitation, being the first to express support. "I don''t support Oliver as a leader, but I do support replacing this position." Facing the surprised gazes from the rebels, the burned man licked his lips and squinted his eyes, saying, "I don''t care about change or timing. I just think Nathan is not suitable for leadership now because, compared to when I first met him, he no longer has that scent." "What nonsense are you talking about now?" Rolling her eyes at the burned man, who seemed even more clueless, the bald woman stood up, scolding impatiently, "What scent on the leader? What nonsense are you spouting?" "Of course there is!" Casting a disdainful glance at the bald woman, the burned man snorted, "It''s normal for you not to smell it. It''s a fragrance only strong individuals possess! Naturally, only those as strong as us can detect it! This scent belongs to the strong, the kind who believe that as long as they''re alive, even if all their bones are broken, they can still stand up again and bite their opponents to death with their teeth! I joined back then because I was drawn to the scent on Nathan, thinking he could achieve what he spoke of, so I was willing to listen to him!" "But these past two years, every time we conducted a major operation, he would spend some time alone, and when he returned, that scent would be slightly weaker, growing increasingly hesitant and depressed. After the ennobling ceremony, the scent changed again. Now, he smells like a helpless fawn abandoned before being weaned! Weak! Foul!" "..." After listening to the burned man''s somewhat chaotic speech and barely understanding his meaning, the rebels couldn''t help glancing at each other. Even the bald woman put away her anger, sitting back in her chair, biting her lip. What the burned man described as the "scent of the strong," translated into a less "beast-like" description, would likely be referred to as confidence. Compared to the leader who previously brimmed with confidence, His Excellency Nathan now seemed to exude a strange air of decay. Like the mythical figure who pushes a boulder towards the mountaintop only to watch it roll back into the valley again and again, today''s leader, compared to before, seems to have truly lost the confidence to change everything... *Could it really be time to choose a new leader?* ... "Inhale..." Just as the rebels fell into silence, a loud inhaling sound suddenly echoed inside the room. Taking a deep whiff of the unchanged air through nostrils resembling black cavities, the burned man suddenly kicked back his chair, stood up, and squinted as he looked outside. "Tiger! There''s a hunting tiger that''s come in! The scent is so intense!" Chapter 226 - 226: 0195 Lurking and Meeting_1 Was this the secret gathering place of the Rebels? Carrying a heavy oil canister filled with orange-red palm oil, Leon blended in with other Rebel procurement members and entered an old warehouse on Patriot Street in groups. What appeared before Leon was not a dusty, dim warehouse packed with miscellaneous goods, but a lush, green valley dotted with numerous low buildings. Many people were bustling back and forth on the dirt paths they had dug by hand, busily preparing something. Realizing something was off, he quickly took a deep breath, then pretended as if carrying the oil canister had exhausted him. Taking advantage of the moment he switched the canister to his other shoulder, he glanced around the surroundings. Every other direction looked normal, with nothing to help ascertain his location, but in the northwest of the valley, a towering "7"-shaped giant tower could be vaguely seen in the clouds. That steel-framed giant tower, constructed by the people sent from the Crolock Kingdom, was indeed the Boarding Tower used for embarking on rigid Sky Clippers. The short stroke at the top of the "7" served as the "platform" for passengers to board and disembark the Sky Clipper, making it one of the landmark structures of the Capital City. ... If the Boarding Tower was to the northwest... then this must be a valley southeast of the Capital City? With his exceptional eyesight, Leon found the Boarding Tower and confirmed his current position, causing him to involuntarily draw in a sharp breath. Judging by the size of the Boarding Tower, this valley was roughly fifteen to sixteen kilometers away from the Capital City. He had just passed through a door and ended up directly more than ten kilometers away? No wonder, no wonder the Secret Investigation Bureau almost turned the Capital City upside down yet couldn''t find the Rebels'' gathering place. As it turned out, this place wasn''t even in the Capital City; it would be strange if they could find it! *Truly...* *this spatial manipulation type of anomalous object was indeed a bit too outrageous!* After committing his discovery to memory, Leon switched the oil canister from his left shoulder to his right. He suddenly felt a bit dizzy, stumbling back a half-step with weak legs. He then *instinctively* reached out to grab the door frame of the warehouse and had to "unavoidably" brace himself on the door handle to barely steady himself. "Materialism" had no reaction. Too bad, it seemed that although this door had the ability to traverse space, the warehouse door itself was not the anomalous object. Most likely, it was just some kind of vessel, or perhaps the "abnormal" didn''t reside in the door frame and handle but adhered to something else... "Hey, Baskin Junior?" Unaware of Leon''s ulterior motives and seeing him first gasping and switching shoulders, then suddenly stumbling and grabbing the door frame, the chubby uncle behind him quickly reached out to steady the oil canister, expressing concern as he advised, "If you''re not feeling well, just put the oil canister down and go home to rest. I can take another trip later." "No need." Upon hearing the chubby uncle''s words, Leon, who didn''t know where his "home" was, quickly shook his head, declining the offer. He then steadied himself again, forehead veins bulging and sweat pouring down as he carried the oil canister, following the others toward the Warehouse. *This kid...* *ah! He''s just like his dad, a stubborn mule who won''t be swayed even by nine bulls...* Watching "Baskin Junior"''s sweat-soaked clothes and laboriously arched back, the chubby uncle, who was also carrying a large bundle, couldn''t help but sigh. He then quickened his pace to catch up, prepared to lend a hand when the boy could no longer hold on, preventing the oil canister from cracking open and also saving Baskin Junior from hurting himself. However, strangely enough, despite Baskin Junior appearing drained of strength, his body even swaying, he persisted for a long time, practically wobbling the entire way. Though he seemed about to fall at any moment, he managed to carry the oil canister all the way to the Warehouse successfully. "Whoa?!" After taking the oil canister from Baskin Junior, the person responsible for tallying almost got pulled to the ground by its weight, narrowly avoiding being pancaked by the canister. Stumbling a couple of steps before steadying himself, the clerk finally managed to hoist the canister up by pressing it firmly against his belly. Looking at "Baskin Junior," he remarked in surprise, "What''s going on? Why is this oil canister so full? Aren''t they usually just half full?" "..." *Ah?* *Were the large palm oil canisters supposed to be filled only halfway?* Upon hearing the clerk''s question, Leon, who had knocked out the real Baskin Junior during the oil filling to take over his identity, felt a slight embarrassment. He then realized why the expression of the oil shop owner seemed so hesitant and on the verge of speaking at the time. His family being small, they had always used small jars for oil, never having bought such a large canister. After knocking out the real Baskin Junior, he had naturally filled the canister to the brim before carrying it out. The oil shop owner, having witnessed his "assault" on the real Baskin Junior and been instructed by Amy to cooperate, didn''t dare to mention anything and just let him carry the huge oil canister away... "I''m not sure either." Wiping the sweat forcibly squeezed from his forehead, with a rather handsome face but a somewhat cold expression, "Baskin Junior," while working his shoulder, expressionlessly said, "That''s just how much the oil shop owner gave me. I also asked him, but he said there was no mistake, so I just carried it back." "Is that it?" Not surprised by "Baskin Junior"''s cold demeanor, the clerk pondered for a moment, then confidently stated, Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That might be because this batch of oil was nearly sold out, and with the transport trucks leaving soon, he was in a hurry to clear out the canisters to catch a ride to the station for new supplies. He might have just poured all the remaining oil into your canister." Chapter 227 - 227: 0195 Lurking and Meeting_2 "Pretty good, haha, little Baskin, you had some good luck today and snagged a nice little bargain for us." "Maybe." After responding in an indifferent tone, the inherently aloof "little Baskin" turned and left the warehouse, heading back in the direction he came from. The person doing the accounts wasn''t upset by his impolite behavior but cheerfully greeted the next person. *He was right... Thankfully, he chose this aloof, expressionless face...* Glancing back at the expression of the person doing the accounts and confirming there was nothing unusual, Leon felt a sigh of relief in his heart, grateful for his choice. Amy''s list of suspected rebel procurement agents had about twenty people. He chose this little Baskin because his personality was aloof and taciturn, and he seemed not very sociable. Although such a person wasn''t very hidden, due to his lack of communication and expression, it was least likely to reveal anything when information was scarce. If he were a more cheerful, talkative person, it would be much harder to appear "normal." Good luck! After surveying the surroundings, Leon set his sights on the building at the center of the valley. Since he had successfully infiltrated, the next step was to complete the task: prioritize finding the grandparents suspected of having memory manipulation abilities and try to get the Princess''s erased... "Little Baskin!" Just as Leon was about to start his investigation, the chubby uncle who had helped him from behind earlier quickly chased after him from the warehouse. After calling out to the "stubborn" little Baskin, the unshaven chubby uncle couldn''t help but complain, "Why didn''t you call me to lend a hand with that full barrel of oil? What if you hurt your back? It''s no small matter." "¡­" *I knew it; thinking I had good luck was definitely an illusion!* Seeing the familiar person initiating a conversation with limited information, Leon felt a headache coming on. He then tried to maintain little Baskin''s aloof persona, responding coolly, "I tried lifting it and felt it was fine, so I just carried it back myself." "Nonsense!" Seeing him still playing strong, the chubby uncle became a bit angry, and with puffed cheeks, he scolded, S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I tried lifting it earlier, and I nearly hurt my back. How can your body handle carrying such a big barrel of oil for so long?" "Besides, when you passed the door earlier, you almost tripped, and I saw it all from behind! What''s the point of showing off?" "¡­" *Really... Knowing this would happen, I should have held back a bit and not touched the door frame and handle directly.* "Why are you so stubborn, kid?" Seeing little Baskin stubbornly keep silent with his head down, the chubby uncle sighed and said, "I know you''re bitter inside, trying to find things to do to numb yourself, but also pay attention to your body; don''t exhaust it too much. You may not notice when you''re young, but when you''re older..." "Mind your own business!" Worried about investigating the situation and fearing that talking too long would give him away, Leon was eager to shake off this kindhearted but chatty uncle. He raised his head, glared at him, and unceremoniously said, "I know my body well enough! I don''t need you to nag me." "¡­" "You... What''s up with you?" Startled by the suddenly irate "little Baskin," the chubby uncle was taken aback and then said with a hint of suspicion, "Little Baskin? Why are you acting a bit strange today? You never talked to me like this..." "¡­" *Ah, looks like even if you look exactly the same, the familiar people can still tell the difference. Did he already notice something wrong?* As Leon''s eyes darted around, thinking about how to cover up, the chubby uncle made his own conclusions, saying with a bit of annoyance on his kind face, "Is it old Baskin? Did he hit you again these past couple of days? Did he steal your money to buy booze?" "¡­" Taking Leon''s silence as acquiescence, the chubby uncle''s round face quickly turned red. He grabbed Leon''s wrist and rolled up his sleeve, finding several long bruises on his elbow. "Damn it! That bastard! He''ll die from those damn drinks one day!" After swearing angrily, the chubby uncle grabbed the "domestic abuse victim" Leon, heading back in the direction they came, saying angrily, "We can''t let this go on! You come back with me to confront him! I''ll help you get your money back!" "¡­" *Oh no... I worked so hard to get in here, and now I''m getting taken back out without having done anything?* Having only just strayed a little from his script and been found out, Leon dared not improvise any further, allowing the chubby uncle to drag him away, looking back every few steps, getting further from the suspicious building at the center of the valley... "Bang!" Just as Leon was reluctantly dragged back to the door, about to cross the strange portal door and leave the valley where the rebels gathered, the old iron warehouse door twisted twice and then made a loud bang, turning into a redwood door carved with floral and bird patterns. As the hinge softly creaked, the redwood door was pushed open from the outside, and a middle-aged man who still looked quite young, but with some gray hair at his temples, walked in. "Were you guys heading out?" Chapter 228 - 228: 0195 Lurking and Meeting_3 The middle-aged man entered from outside, seeing Leon and the big uncle "inside" the door, then smiled kindly and said, "I''ll change the destination back right away." "Ah, we''re not in a hurry!" Seeing the middle-aged man, the big uncle instinctively stood up straight, then lowered his head with reverence and said, "Sir Leader, you''ve been looking quite worn out lately. Please take care of your health." "Hehe, I will." The Leader?! Leon, following behind, felt his pupils narrow. He then mimicked the big uncle, lowering his head respectfully, while repeatedly memorizing the middle-aged man''s appearance in his mind. The Rebels'' leader, whom the Secret Investigation Bureau had spent years trying to find, was standing right before him, just two meters away. *He had to remember this face clearly... Hmm... Why did his features seem somewhat familiar?* "Done!" Unaware that one of the two people before him was a Cleaner from the Purification Bureau, the middle-aged man closed the door again, touched the nameplate on the edge of the redwood door frame, and the luxurious redwood door twisted back into the old iron warehouse door. "Go out now, I''ve changed the destination back." "Thank you, Sir Leader!" "Hehe, you''re welcome." Leon, who was watching the middle-aged man''s operations throughout, was deep in thought as he stared at the nameplate on the door frame. Meanwhile, the middle-aged man, unintentionally revealing his identity, smiled and asked, "By the way, Owen, you and little Baskin are drenched in sweat. Have you just returned from shopping? Why don''t you rest before heading back?" "We both..." The big uncle named Owen hesitated for a moment, then sighed and confessed, "Lord Nathan, little Baskin got beaten up again yesterday, and his money was stolen. I''m worried that old Baskin will squander the money, so I wanted to take him to get it back as soon as possible." "I see..." Hearing Owen''s words, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but remember the scene from the morning, then looked at the bruises on "little Baskin''s" elbow, and the smile on his face faded. "You probably won''t have time to find him." Shaking his head slightly, the middle-aged man looked at "little Baskin" with a hint of guilt and said, "When I was meeting a friend on Patriot Street this morning, I actually saw your father on the opposite side of the street. He was stumbling out of a tavern, likely having spent the entire night drinking on your money. But before I could go over, he started urinating on the National War Memorial Wall in the street. When patrolling guards saw him, they kicked him a few times and took him away. Your money is likely gone for good." "It doesn''t matter. I''ve gotten used to being beaten up and robbed." Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Leon adjusted his facial expression to appear like a dead-inside youth, all the while gazing with a hint of longing as he asked, "Sir Leader, what... what should I do to gain such miraculous powers like yours?" "..." Unable to fight back against his alcoholic father, he longed for power? *Such a naive and superficial wish could never give rise to a true Abnormal.* Looking at the "little Baskin" in front of him, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but shake his head internally. He had long assessed this somewhat solitary youth and concluded that he didn''t possess the conditions to become an "Abnormal," not even including him in the observation list for the Aquarius Director. But... Seeing Leon''s frail arms layered with old and new bruises, and recalling that morning''s scene with the iron combat medal spat with anger and phlegm by old Baskin onto the wall, the middle-aged man fell silent momentarily. Then he let out a deep sigh and extended his hand toward "little Baskin." Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Give me a strand of your hair, and I''ll take a look for you." Chapter 229 - 229: 0196 Test_1 "Did you want a strand of my hair?" Upon hearing the request from the rebel leader across from him, Leon immediately became alert. Although the opponent''s ability seemed related to the "Gate," there was a connection between the rebels and the Aquarius Director, and Aquarius had created so many Anomalous Objects, it was very likely they left him with one or a few casually. So, if this Anomalous Object could use hair to test someone''s state, would the identity he "borrowed" through the photo risk exposure? ... "Little Baskin?" Seeing that Leon didn''t immediately pull out a strand of hair but instead stood silently in place without any action, the chubby uncle beside him couldn''t help but get anxious, quickly reaching out to nudge him. "Hurry up! What are you waiting for?" "Sorry, I... I''m a bit too excited!" Using the momentum from the chubby uncle''s push to stagger slightly, Leon quietly slipped his hand into his chest, tapped the small mirror, beckoned to Young Ha inside with his finger, then said with a grateful expression, "Thank you, leader, for the opportunity! I''ll pull out some hair right away!" With a curious crowd watching, having played his part as a boy "frozen" with surprise, Leon quickly pulled his hand out from his chest and then reached behind his head to pull hard. "Leader, is this enough?" "It''s enough, it''s enough... Actually, you didn''t need to pull out so much, just one would do..." Seeing the small bunch of black short hair in "Little Baskin''s" slightly trembling hand, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but give a wry smile, then took one from it, and gently rubbed it on the inside of the watch, following the method taught by the Aquarius Director. "Squeak~" Accompanied by a faint sound similar to metal gears grinding together, a small gap suddenly opened on the side of the watch worn by the middle-aged man, revealing the internal mechanical structure. Under the "shocked" gaze of Leon and his companion, the six-needle watch, with its bizarre design, seemed to come alive, and the brass gears, flywheels, and eccentric pillars, resembling sharp twisted teeth exposed in the gap, directly swallowed the black hair. "This is something a friend of mine gave me. It can use hair to test whether someone can possess ''special'' powers. The more and larger the needles move, the better your talent is." After briefly explaining the function of the watch, the middle-aged man held the switch on the other side of the watch and gently turned it. "Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!" With an extremely faint sound, five of the needles almost instantly began to jump, quickly moving towards the anomalous range. Past, body, soul, personality, emotion... Even someone with Old Baskin''s experiences only triggered three needles, and this kid had so many aspects deviating from normal people? After giving "Little Baskin" a glance of surprise, the middle-aged man lowered his head, somewhat expectantly watching the watch. When all the needles stopped, he couldn''t help but reveal a look of regret. Although three needles passed, they weren''t in three different groups; it was the past, body, and soul that passed. The final emotion and personality group only moved slightly and was far from becoming anomalous. *Little Baskin had a painful past, but not a great future. His body and soul were both abnormal, but his emotions and character weren''t up to standard, the movement barely a ripple.* *It seemed, just as I suspected, that while this kid had a painful past, with Old Owen''s family taking care of him, he hadn''t truly sunk into darkness, just had a slightly radical character and emotion due to family upheaval.* S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *What a pity, like his father, Old Baskin, while not impossible, ultimately fell short at the final hurdle.* "Sorry." Facing the intensely hopeful eyes of Old Owen and Leon, the middle-aged man shook his head slightly, directly giving a negative answer. "Little Baskin might not be completely without talent, but compared to the minimum standard, he''s a bit lacking. As it stands, he doesn''t have that kind of talent." "..." "Is that so..." Hearing the middle-aged man''s response, "Little Baskin," personally deemed talentless by the leader, couldn''t help but have his gaze dim as he lowered his head, crestfallen. Meanwhile, the chubby uncle let out a deep sigh, patting him on the back as a comfort, then forced a smile at the middle-aged man and said, "Thank you for your trouble, leader, but even without those magical abilities, we believe that as long as we work hard, we can still accomplish something!" After hearing the chubby uncle''s words, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but fall silent for a moment. *Just by working hard? Then why, despite trying so many times, did everything still slide toward the abyss both before and after I crossed the Gate of the Other World?* *In this world, some things just can''t be accomplished through effort alone. No talent means no talent, no qualification means no qualification!* "Yes... just work hard... it should be possible." Feeling a dull ache in his chest, the middle-aged man smiled and told a lie he didn''t believe himself, then stepped aside to clear the path to the Capital City, and instructed Leon, "Hurry back. Although much of your money was likely drunk away by Old Baskin, and the remaining might have to pay fines for defacing the memorial wall, he probably didn''t carry all the money with him. There might still be some left at home." "So you can go check if there''s any money left at his place, and if you find yourself short on funds, go to finance for an advance, just say I sent you." "Thank you, leader..." Facing the middle-aged man''s concern, the dream-shattered "Little Baskin" nodded weakly to express gratitude, then followed behind the chubby uncle who was softly comforting him, looking despondent as he walked through the warehouse doors and left the valley that served as the gathering point. And after their figures disappeared, unsure if disappointed by not acquiring a new Anomalous Object or lamenting a shared, powerless fate with him, the middle-aged man sighed as well, turning to walk toward the center of the valley, prepared to arrange the upcoming actions for some time. But he had barely taken a few steps when he saw a robust figure rushing over, that person sniffing excitedly as he ran, and upon seeing the middle-aged man, his face lit up with joy as he dashed over. "Nathan... Leader! Is this your aroma? How have you gotten even more fragrant?" "???" *What aroma? What does it mean that I''ve gotten more fragrant?* Faintly startled, the middle-aged man sniffed his sleeve without finding any special scent, furrowing his brows as he asked back: "Teague? What on earth are you talking about? What fragrance do I have on me?" "..." *Indeed no fragrance... or rather, it''s not his scent, and it''s getting fainter...* Leaning in close to the middle-aged man and taking a couple of deep sniffs, the strange man, covered in burn scars, shook his head in disappointment, then questioned with a face full of disdain, "Lea... Nathan, have you come across a true powerhouse? Where is he?" Chapter 230 - 230: 0197 Glory and Pain_1 "The true strong ones?" After hearing the burned man''s words, the middle-aged man naturally thought of the Aquarius Director from the morning, then nodded to acknowledge, "There was indeed someone, but he''s gone now. It''s unlikely he''ll return anytime soon, and he won''t join us." "Tsk..." Hearing such an uninteresting answer, the burned man couldn''t help but click his tongue in disappointment, then turned to leave, but was stopped by the middle-aged man. "Teague, how''s the situation at Louther Arcade?" S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Huh? What do you mean?" "Of course, how''s the arson going?" Seeing the burned man showing a somewhat dismissive attitude and not paying much attention to him, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but frown, and asked sternly, "Didn''t I instruct you to start a fire at Louther Arcade to pressure the wealthy district to force the Secret Investigation Bureau to patrol there? How did that go?" "Oh, that, it''s done, it''s done!" The burned man replied somewhat impatiently, "I went out at night and burned some trash bins and traffic posts, watched over some big merchants and nobles'' houses, burned down their gardens and carriage houses, and sneaked into a few small noble homes without guards to set some fires. That should be enough." "Not just enough, it must be certain!" Seeing that this subordinate was becoming increasingly difficult to control recently, the middle-aged man frowned, "After Barton''s death, we no longer have anyone at the top of the Secret Investigation Bureau. Now we are in the dark about the secret police''s actions, so we must be extra careful. We need to draw the secret police away as much as possible before we act! You''re like this..." "Got it, got it, then I''ll go set more fires!" Responding impatiently, the burned man, who had failed to find the "tiger," couldn''t be bothered with the middle-aged man, who reeked of weakness, and turned away disappointed. The middle-aged man sighed, then looked up towards the northwest of the valley, gazing at the towering, cloud-piercing "7"-shaped steel tower. He shook his head slightly, suppressing the anger in his eyes. Forget it, it wasn''t necessary. After losing three people in succession, manpower was urgently needed, and it wasn''t the time to argue with such a fool. After all, if this operation failed again, there wouldn''t be much time left for him and Kingdom... ... "Woof! Woof woof!" (It hurts! It really hurts!) "Woof woof woof!" (@#£¤% profanity in dog language) "Woof woo? Woof woof woo? Woof woof woof!" (What are you doing? Suddenly pulling out so much hair from my butt? It really hurts!) Seeing Young Ha''s pitiful eyes barking at him reflected off the lamppost lamps, puddles on the ground, and shop windows along the road, Leon could only give it a genuinely apologetic glance. I''m sorry, I''m so sorry. Mainly, I didn''t know what was up with that watch of his, worried that giving him my hair could expose me, or there could be some ability like tracking or control. And since the Mirror World was an illusionary reflection and could avoid these things, and in a rush, I couldn''t get anyone else''s hair, I could only pull out dog hair of the same color from your butt. I''m really, truly sorry, I just had no choice, I won''t do it next time, and once we get through this period, I will definitely make it up to you! "Woof woo..." (You better keep your word...) I will! I definitely will! "Little Baskin..." Waiting for a while without hearing Leon speak, not knowing that he was, in reality, apologizing to the dog over some butt hair, the plump uncle sighed softly and comforted, "Don''t be too disappointed. Not having such mystical abilities isn''t that big of a deal. Back then, old Baskin didn''t have any abilities either, yet he braved more than three hundred nail gun shots to carry me out of a trench full of corpses. So rest assured! Even without such magical powers, as long as we are brave enough and lucky enough, we can still achieve many things!" So... the reason you take care of "me" so much is because old Baskin once saved your life? Hearing the plump uncle''s words, Leon, walking behind him, had an epiphany flash in his eyes. Glancing at the two rather haunting scars below his collar, Leon calculated for a moment, wanting to gather more intelligence, then said softly, "Uncle Owen... tell me about the past." ?! You used to hate listening to this, so why now... Hearing a request he had never received before, the plump uncle was startled, turning back to glance at Leon with some surprise, sensing that something seemed different about the child. But looking at the somewhat despondent "Little Baskin," recalling the scene from hope crashing to deep disappointment, he couldn''t help but sigh, dispelling the strange feeling in his heart. Yes, possessing such Talent yet missing another life path by a hair''s breadth, it would be strange if this child showed no change... "Alright, I''ll tell you!" With a kind smile at Leon, recalling the years he and old Baskin fought for their country, the plump uncle couldn''t help but stir with emotion, wanting to recount those days in full. Not only could it comfort the disappointed little Baskin, but it might also help this child, who always hated old Baskin, understand that his father wasn''t entirely hopeless; before drowning in alcohol, that old drunk was indeed a brave man! But... Looking at Little Baskin''s thin body and the bruises left by the cane on his arms, the plump uncle suddenly fell into silence, his gentle round eyes showing a deep sense of bewilderment. What did his and old Baskin''s honorable past mean to this child? With the household losing its pillar, the military pension perpetually in arrears, this child''s mother had to pinch and scrape, working long and hard hours, only for her body to collapse entirely, spending her final year tormented day and night by liver disease. And old Baskin, due to severe injuries sustained during the war, was left with such severe ailments that without alcohol to numb the pain, it became unbearable; after exhausting their money, he could only watch his wife die of illness, which led to his complete collapse, turning into the man who now abused his son and even robbed Little Baskin of his money to buy alcohol. He remembered before the war began, how happy old Baskin''s family was, with Little Baskin having a reliable father and a gentle mother. His and old Baskin''s proud past was the beginning of his fall from Heaven to Hell... "..." Understanding why Little Baskin was incredibly averse to hearing about the past, the plump uncle''s back hunched unconsciously, his expression quickly lowering. "In reality... it''s just some... some past stories, and the past has passed, hmm... It''s not that I''m unwilling to tell you, but there''s nothing wrong with not hearing them too. Let''s go get your money back quickly, lest old Baskin gets released early. That would be troublesome." "Uncle Owen, do tell." "If you really want to hear..." After a couple of vague responses, the plump uncle with a slightly suppressed tone quickened his pace, saying warmly while walking forward, "Come over to my house for dinner tonight, and then I''ll tell you, okay?" Chapter 231 - 231: 0198 Question and Retest_1 "Baskin... I... I truly regret it..." At night, in a small cabin within the rebel settlement, after drinking a glass of cheap wine with a gloomy expression, the red-faced chubby man held ''Little Baskin''s'' neck, tears flowing down his face, and said, "If you hadn''t come to save me back then, maybe the injuries on my body could have been less, I could drink less after being laid off, and your family wouldn''t be in its current state... Boo hoo hoo... I... I really tried to scrape money together for you back then, not only the house and my wife''s jewelry, but I even sold the reserved spot that wouldn''t be cut by the military department, yet in the end, I couldn''t even gather one-tenth of it. I... I didn''t not want to give you money, truly I didn''t! I really tried hard, even going to the relief bureau to beg... but your wife''s illness was truly beyond saving, and if I had given you all the money to throw in, not only would your son not be taken care of, but you''d most likely starve, and so would my wife... I... I wronged my wife, I wronged you, I wronged your wife, I wronged your son, I wronged your entire family! I... I spent my whole life... I didn''t do right by anyone!" "..." "I''m sorry... Owen mistook you for the old Baskin after drinking too much, making you watch a joke..." Amidst the incoherent cries and howls of the drunken chubby man, a gentle-looking woman wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, with a slightly pleading expression said to ''Little Baskin,'' "I know I''m not suitable to say this... but... but could you not blame your Uncle Owen, he really did his best back then... could you?" "Mm..." Looking at the woman in front of him, who was probably not even forty but appeared quite old, Leon couldn''t help but nod, murmuring an "mm." After understanding the past of these two families through the fragmented recollections after the chubby man drank, even though he didn''t have the same experiences as the real Little Baskin, a heaviness seemed to settle in his chest, as if something was blocking it, and his breathing inexplicably became difficult, suddenly making him want to go out for some fresh air. "Little Baskin..." Seeing Leon, who hung his head silently, the gentle woman sighed and then said, S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You haven''t been drinking, but it''s already late, your home is still at the other end of the valley. Why don''t you just stay and sleep in Owen''s room today?" "No." Shaking his head to refuse the woman''s kindness, Leon said softly, "Aunt Fanny, I haven''t tidied up at home yet, and... I want to go out for some fresh air." "Fine... then button up your clothes, don''t catch a cold." "Mm." After leaving through the door with the gentle reminder from the woman, Leon made his way quickly down the dark dirt road toward the other end of the valley. ... As undercover missions went, this time''s reconnaissance was rather a failure. Apart from being a competent listener and hearing the chubby man talk about many past matters, he didn''t gain much intelligence about the rebel higher-ups, nor did he even figure out where his own residence was. But... it seemed it wasn''t entirely fruitless. At the very least, he confirmed that most of these rebels weren''t power-hungry opportunists, but ordinary people who only wanted to live a peaceful life. After finding a slightly elevated spot to sit, Leon observed the layout of the entire valley''s buildings while seriously contemplating what he should do. If he only considered it from the identity of a Purification Bureau Cleaner, he had already found the rebels'' settlement, identified the rebel leader, and preliminarily secured a foothold. Next, all he needed to do was showcase his "abnormal" and join those rebels who possessed anomalous objects to complete the mission, help the Princess regain her identity, and thoroughly destroy this organization. But aside from those eight or nine anomalous object holders, the entire rebel group consisted of nearly a thousand people, and aside from their family members, quite a few even were under wanted and bounty lists. They relied on that leader''s strange ''door ability'' to take refuge in this valley, and if they returned to the Capital City, they would likely be immediately captured and thrown into prison, and their families would once again lose the means to maintain their existence. Although all of this seemed to have nothing to do with him, once he controlled those anomalous object holders, the rest would fall outside his work scope, but... Looking at the coat that the gentle woman had draped over him before he went out, and the tear stains left by the chubby man crying on the lapel, Leon couldn''t help but sigh deeply. Replacing someone else''s identity... didn''t seem to be an easy task either... "Little Baskin?" As Leon let out a long sigh, a middle-aged man with graying hair silently emerged from the nearby shadows, frowned, and asked, "What are you doing here?" Finally willing to come out, huh? This man''s guard was really up... Having already detected his presence and deliberately approached him, Leon had equipped the Performer Badge in advance. Upon hearing the inquiry, he jolted his whole body and turned around with a look of surprise, feigning astonishment as he said, "Leader Sir? What are you doing here?" "This place isn''t far from where I stay, I couldn''t sleep and came out for a stroll." Not minding Leon''s counter-question, the middle-aged man first answered, his eyes flickering, "What about you? Why are you not home so late?" "Home..." Leon fell silent for a moment upon hearing his words, then shook his head and said in a low voice, "Where do I have a home?" ??? Hearing ''Little Baskin''s'' words, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but frown, lifting his hand to point at a small dimly lit cabin in the distance. Chapter 232 - 232: 0198 Question and Retest_2 """ "Little Baskin, what are you talking about? Isn''t that your home?" Oh, so that was "my" home. Leon gazed wistfully at the small house, memorized its exact location, then shook his head indifferently, and said in a very light yet resolute voice, "That''s not my home, it''s just a house where I live." "..." Unaware that he had been baited, upon hearing "Little Baskin''s" response, the middle-aged man''s heart involuntarily quivered slightly, a wave of hollow pain surging up. For Little Baskin, that was no longer his home... and the current Kingdom was also no longer his kingdom... *No matter how much change and effort I put in, what was meant to happen had already happened,* he thought. *Wherever the world goes from here, whether the result is good or bad, it no longer concerns me.* *My family is long gone, my regrets doomed to remain unresolved,* he reflected. *So for me, who no longer has a "home," is this Kingdom not just an empty house as well?* "That''s true..." After Leon''s phrase "that''s not a home" left seven or eighty bloody holes on his heart, the middle-aged man sat down beside him and silently let the night wind blow. ... After a short while, the "homeless youth" broke the silence first, gazing at the lights in the valley, he softly asked, "Leader... In the end, can we really change this country, so the tragedies that everyone suffers won''t be repeated?" "..." "We can." Though he didn''t really believe this himself, the middle-aged man, who still needed the Rebels, nodded affirmatively, earnestly deceiving, "This country is beyond saving, as long as we keep trying, we will eventually sweep it into the trash heap and then on the ruins..." "Leader." Interrupting the middle-aged man''s words somewhat impolitely, Leon said in a somewhat confused voice, "After you confirmed that I wasn''t qualified, I thought seriously about how I could change the Kingdom without that kind of magical ability. "But I found that I couldn''t seem to do anything, even with you leading us, we couldn''t do anything." In the middle-aged man''s somewhat shocked expression, "Little Baskin" spoke at a steady pace, "Although I haven''t read much, looking at the situation in the upper and lower houses, I feel that the politics those big figures talk about is, in essence, convincing more people to believe in you, to agree with your judgment, to be willing to listen to you, and thus gather enough strength to change the status quo. "Yet what we''ve done over these years is to make enemies everywhere... The nobles hate us, the merchants fear us, the royal family hunts us, even ordinary people are distancing themselves from us, only when forced by pain to the point of no return do they consider us a last resort. "Leader, do you really believe that this can change the country? And even if you succeed in the end, how can you ensure that what rises from the ruins is the future you speak of, and not another doomed Kingdom heading towards decay from the start?" "..." After hearing these words that stabbed like knives into his heart, the middle-aged man abruptly stood up, scrutinizing "Little Baskin" in disbelief, then cautiously demanded, "Who taught you to say this? Or... are you not Little Baskin?" "?" "Leader? What are you talking about?" Hearing his words, "Little Baskin" looked up in surprise, baffled, "If I''m not Little Baskin, then who am I? And these words weren''t taught by anyone; I thought of them myself." At this point, Leon sighed deeply and briefly mentioned listening to past stories at Uncle Owen''s house. Following that, with a "confused look," he gazed at the middle-aged man, speaking with longing, "By the way, Leader, since you can be our leader, naturally you are the one who knows the most among us. There are some things I''d like to ask you. "Uncle Owen and... my father, they were right to fight for the country, and the Kingdom gave a generous pension, so it''s not wrong, my mother and I did nothing wrong either, so why did it end like this? "My mother has to die in the hospital, my father became a worthless man, I have to endure the past of being beaten every day, and Uncle Owen, who tried his best to help my family, has to feel guilty for a lifetime... Can you tell me why these things happen? "Also, under your leadership, apart from being able to break things everywhere, because we don''t even dare to show our faces and are stuck in this small valley, do we really have the ability to change all this?" "..." ... Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Could Little Baskin be real?* Mumbling incoherently in response and hastily escaping the high cliffs after a barrage of soul-searching questions dispelled his doubts yet left his mind reeling, the middle-aged man wandered aimlessly back home in the night. *Why did I go out to talk with him? Wouldn''t it have been better to just leave? What were those questions he asked? Why couldn''t I answer even one of them?* *And just from discovering he lacked the Talent to become something extraordinary, could Little Baskin think of so many things? I''ve obviously been through so much in my past life,* he mused bitterly, *but why can''t I figure anything out? Are differences between people really this big?* Carrying a belly full of messy questions, he staggered to his home, ready to push the door open when suddenly his expression turned alert, and he looked towards the nearby large tree. "Who''s there?" "Leader, it''s me..." Under his cold gaze, a man with a bloated figure and flushed cheeks, smelling strongly of alcohol, sheepishly stepped out from behind the tree, shooting him an awkward grin. Old Owen? After slightly furrowing his brows, the middle-aged man relaxed his guard a bit, asking curiously, "What are you doing here so late instead of resting? Do you have something urgent?" "Actually... it''s nothing urgent... I just wanted to ask if you could use that watch to test Little Baskin again." Presenting a hair he retrieved from the drinking table with both hands, the fat uncle, now much soberer, explained with a slightly pleading expression, "Leader, Little Baskin carried a big barrel of oil all by himself during the day, he was already tired then, and he suffered beatings these past days, lacking proper sleep, maybe he wasn''t in the best condition, and just barely missed meeting your standard. "That kid didn''t say much the whole day after failing your test, even tonight, although he hates when others drink, he took a couple of sips himself and has been distracted ever since. I''m a bit worried about him. "Leader, could you possibly test him again? What if he passes this time?" "..." *So it''s because of this; you truly see him as your son...* Looking at the hair in the fat uncle''s hand, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but shake his head helplessly. "Owen, this test isn''t one of those where the results drop because you didn''t get enough sleep or just exercised intensely... hmm..." At this point, seeing the uncle''s imploring gaze, the middle-aged man hesitated slightly, recalling Little Baskin''s peculiar questions, showing a trace of uncertainty in his eyes. "Alright." After pondering for a bit, he, surprisingly to himself, nodded, taking the black hair from the uncle''s hand and lightly rubbed it on the side of the wristwatch. "Kr-chk~" Under his operation, the noise of gears meshing sounded again, the watch soon "opened its mouth" and swallowed the hair, vigorously "chewing" it. "Owen, though I''m willing to test again, you shouldn''t hope too much." As the watch began its evaluation, the middle-aged man gently reminded him, "This device measures not just the body but leans heavily on aspects of mind and will, and Little Baskin did fall short in these areas, so even retesting probably still..." "Click, click, click, click, click, click." Watching as the pointer, without even a slight wobble, hit right against the six crisp collisions, all moved to the far right, firmly locking in place, in fact, trying to move even further right, the middle-aged man''s eyes instantly bulged, sharply inhaling a breath of cold air. "What??????" """ Chapter 233 - 233: 0199 Future and Notification_1 ''What if all six watch hands started moving?'' The middle-aged man''s body trembled uncontrollably after witnessing the wristwatch''s six pointers violently spring up simultaneously, only to settle steadily at the far-right end of the dial. ''If the six pointers... then it''s a painful past, a great future... destined to change the world!'' ''For people like us... following them means a slim chance of survival... standing against them means certain death...'' ''Don''t do anything unnecessary! Stay as far away as you can!'' *The few words exchanged with the Aquarius Director during the day rapidly replayed in his mind countless times, until they were stripped down, leaving only a final piece of advice.* Stay as far away as you can! *The middle-aged man knew very well his own limitations; even possessing a rare abnormal ability, the Aquarius Director of the Purification Bureau was still an untouchable force for him.* *Someone like that, someone even he wasn''t willing to provoke, the best choice was to heed the advice and leave immediately upon discovery.* But Young Baskin was, after all, "one of us," and might not necessarily conflict with him. Even during the day, he hadn''t met the standard; he might have just completed his "shedding," perhaps not yet reaching a level that required immediate avoidance, and besides... There really wasn''t much time left for him and the Kingdom. He glanced toward the northwest and saw the towering silhouette illuminated by countless lights, still guiding the approaching Sky Clippers, and his fists clenched involuntarily. The scouts sent by the Crolock Kingdom should''ve already detected the Kingdom''s special mineral deposits. If he couldn''t destroy the Boarding Tower and kill those scouts carrying the mineral data, an invasion many times fiercer than six years ago would be inevitable! S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And the thousand Rebel members in the valley, along with the weapons accumulated over these years, were his means to assault the Boarding Tower, kill the scouts, and thus secure the Kingdom''s most critical card! If he chose to withdraw immediately to avoid being implicated by Young Baskin, what could a lone person even do, despite knowing the future? *Would he sacrifice all his remaining life span to deliver a message to Joshua about the future? By that wretched existence, even with knowledge of the future, what good would it do?* Damn it! Why! Young Baskin! Why did you have to appear at this moment? ... It worked! It actually worked! Seeing all the pointers leap to the far right after swallowing Young Baskin''s hair, the chubby uncle was overjoyed and looked excitedly at the Rebel leader, eager to seize the moment and speak a few good words for Young Baskin. However, on the middle-aged man''s face at this moment, there was no sign of joy. Instead, there was shock and a hint of struggling menace. "Leader... sir?" "Hmm?" Snapped back to awareness by the chubby uncle''s call, the middle-aged man''s eyes cleared, and he once again displayed a friendly smile, gently patting the chubby uncle''s shoulder and praising him, "Very good! Owen, very good! Not only is Young Baskin''s talent good, but you did well too! If it wasn''t for you, I would have missed such a promising youngster!" Upon seeing the middle-aged man return to normal, showering both him and Young Baskin with praise, the chubby uncle breathed a sigh of relief, his chubby red face revealing a simple smile. "This is what I should do. Without your protection, most people in this valley would find it hard to live a normal life. Young Baskin surely thinks the same. Knowing he can help you, he should be very happy!" "Haha, this time it''s not just good news; once he gains a special ability, his burden will also increase significantly. "Right, I''m planning to have a meeting to discuss our future actions. Bring him to see me directly tomorrow morning!" "Yes, leader! I will definitely inform him by tomorrow!" "Go on, go on." With the middle-aged man smiling, the chubby uncle, still a bit tipsy, left with a joyous expression, staggering back toward his home. But just reaching the end of the small path, out of the middle-aged man''s sight, the chubby uncle, full of earlier joy, immediately stopped and slapped himself twice, then ran toward Young Baskin''s house with gritted teeth! Bad news! *Although the leader quickly regained his composure, his initial expression was definitely not right! This test is more likely a curse than a blessing! Bringing Young Baskin''s hair might have put the child in danger instead!* "Bang!" He kicked open the flimsy wooden door of Young Baskin''s house, which was barred, and seeing Young Baskin at the table under an old oil lamp, drawing something, the chubby uncle, whom sweat had sobered, urged breathlessly, "Quick! Pack your things! Something''s wrong!" Something''s wrong? *Without any change in expression, Leon quietly put away his hand-drawn map of the valley and somewhat puzzled, asked,* "Uncle Owen... what happened? Why are you in such a hurry?" *How could I not be anxious? The leader might want to kill you!* After quickly explaining the situation and his recent discovery, the sweaty-faced chubby uncle stomped his foot in frustration, "Young Baskin! It seems that the more the needle moves on the dial, the worse it is. Before taking you tomorrow morning, the leader''s expression was very off; he probably means harm! "Damn it! It''s all my fault! If I hadn''t taken your hair to ask for another test, maybe nothing would have happened... Anyway, you have to go quickly! It might be too late if you delay any longer!" So... you took my hair to test again? Did I just pluck out a whole bunch of dog fur for nothing? *Recalling Young Ha''s bald patch on its butt, Leon, unexpectedly betrayed, could only shake his head helplessly, giving up all hope in his dogshit luck.* Fine, sudden misfortune or whatever, I''ve grown a bit used to it. Every time I plan to do something, unexpected events are almost certain. "Uncle Owen, don''t worry yet; maybe it''s not as bad as you think." After reassuring the chubby uncle for a bit, although the news indeed caught him off guard, Leon felt confident because of the Heart of Ambition to protect him. He calmly assessed the current situation, then asked, "Then what about you? If I just leave now, what will you do? What about Aunt Fanny?" "We can''t leave." On the way here, having already pondered over this issue, the chubby uncle replied with a face full of bitterness, "Even if Fanny and I could get out, what about Nicole?" Chapter 234 - 234: 200 NIE YUAN_1 """ "..." *It seemed like my intelligence gathering was still not thorough enough.* Ryan had no idea who the "Nicole" mentioned by the fat uncle was, so his prepared persuasion got stuck and couldn''t proceed. The fat uncle clearly assumed Ryan knew this person called "Nicole," so he didn''t explain further. Instead, he rolled up the bedding on the bed, stuffed some money and necessities inside, tied it up with a rope, and strapped it onto Ryan''s back. "Go! Hurry up!" After dragging the reluctant Ryan out of the house, the fat uncle tore open his own coat, pulled out the stuffing used for warmth, and shoved it into the collar of "Little Baskin." Then he forced two wind-resistant thick coats onto him and pointed to the dim mountain path in the distance, urging, "If you leave through the ''door,'' the leader will definitely find out. You have to take the mountain path! Then head south to Laine County, and don''t come back!" "..." *Looking at the fat uncle in front of him, who whispered anxiously and urged him repeatedly, Leon, who was stuffed like a plump bear, couldn''t help but try his best to resist,* "Actually... I think things might not have reached..." "Go!" After giving "Little Baskin" a hard shove, the fat uncle angrily urged, "I know you''re afraid of implicating me and Fanny, but even though the leader seems kind, he is actually a proud person. If only the two of us old folks are left, he might not do anything to us. But if you stay and don''t leave, he will definitely take action against you! I saw his expression clearly at the time, believe me! He won''t tolerate you!" "Uh... what if I go ask him and see..." "Go! Do you have to drive me to death to be satisfied?" "Alright..." *Seeing the fat uncle stomping his feet in the cold wind with anger, Ryan knew he couldn''t stay with conventional means, so he sighed deeply, in line with "Little Baskin''s" character, and then, wearing the "bear warmth suit" forced by the fat uncle, turned and walked up the mountain path out of the valley.* *Finally sent him away....* Just as the fat uncle stood in the cold night wind, watching Ryan leave, another person stood on a high rock, squinting in the dark, watching the only road out of the valley. *As expected, things went as I thought.* Watching the distant "bear" trudging up the mountain path, the middle-aged man on the high rock let out a long breath. *Following him was not an option, nor was confronting him.* The best way to deal with such a prickly situation, that couldn''t be ignored, was to make a little noise and let him perceive the danger and leave on his own. As for Little Baskin, Old Owen had always treated him like his own child, so as long as he showed a hint of hostility, it would be enough to alarm him, prompting him to actively seek out Little Baskin and scare away the troublesome prickly hedgehog, thereby achieving his goal of maintaining stability. What would happen to Little Baskin in the future was not something to ponder now. For himself and this kingdom, the most important thing at the moment was to disperse the police force''s patrols, then launch a full-scale attack on the Boarding Tower before the Crolock Kingdom''s agents left, destroy the data on mineral distribution, and kill all those who could bring destruction! "Phew..." After deciding what to do next, the middle-aged man once again exhaled, then turned and walked down the rock to his place, sitting at a table piled with various data. "Barton... Sigh..." Looking at the data from the police department on the desk, remembering the reliable subordinates that folded in the Secret Investigation Bureau, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but sigh again. The police department''s patrol map... After Barton''s rebel identity was exposed, the intelligence he desperately sent out was already of little significance. However, it was because of looking at this defense map and noticing the signature in the lower right corner, remembering loyal Barton, that his mood turned heavy and he went for a walk, coincidentally encountering the transforming Little Baskin and sending away this hidden ticking bomb ahead of time. *Perhaps... this is Barton''s blessing.* After sighing lightly, the middle-aged man put the defense map aside, then reached out to light the whale oil lamp on the table, and began reading through other materials. The personnel situation of Ryan Armaments Company... might be useful. After the new Duke of Lionheart took power, the veterans of Ryan Armaments began seeking their own paths and desperately selling assets. Perhaps, they could take the opportunity to acquire some powerful weapons, making it easier to attack the Boarding Tower with people. The shipping company''s schedule along with the special passenger list... very important! Those agents mostly entered the Capital City by water, then took the Sky Clipper back to the Crolock Kingdom. Although it was unknown which agent discovered the mineral deposit, they were certainly on the passenger lists of these private ships. The construction plan of the Boarding Tower... this would be the last resort! Picking up the feather pen at hand, the middle-aged man''s eyes revealed a hint of ruthlessness as he circled several main beams of the Boarding Tower. *If they could fight their way in, get the data recording the mineral deposits, but if they couldn''t reach the top, for the sake of the kingdom''s safety, they would have to find a way to blow up the entire Boarding Tower, costs be damned!* ... "Sizzle..." As the whale oil lamp burned gently and the cotton-wick length shortened, the thick white grease in the brass lamp decreased. Yet, as the lamp''s light dimmed due to a lack of fuel, the darkness outside gradually turned clear. Eventually, the morning sunlight streamed softly through the thin curtains, scattering into the room, lighting up the table piled with various data, as well as the middle-aged man who had stayed awake all night in front of it. *Phew... It''s almost done!* Rubbing his bloodshot eyes, looking at the action files compiled through the entire night without sleep, the graying middle-aged man nodded in satisfaction, then stood up, took his coat from the hanger, and walked out of the room with the files. Next, *it was the time for a "showdown!"* After glancing at the meeting house in the center of the valley, the middle-aged man, who appeared aged, confidently walked toward his destination. *To save the kingdom, I have made all necessary preparations! Be it weapons, equipment, intelligence, manpower, everything is impeccable!* Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Even at the most critical moment, with Barton''s blessing, I discovered and successfully defused a deadly hidden bomb, eliminating all potential disruptions.* *Finally, just by setting a great fire in Louther Arcade to engage the Capital City''s defense forces, then sending the remaining Anomalous Object holders to attack everywhere, diverting the already scarce Cleaners of the Virgin Branch, there would be no one left to stop me from attacking the Boarding Tower!* "My plan, infallible..." As he turned a corner, seeing the "bear" curled up with two thick blankets, snoring at the "conference room" door, the middle-aged man''s lips trembled, and his face suddenly turned a deep shade of iron blue. "*Didn''t you leave yesterday? Why did you come back?*" """ Chapter 235 - 235: 0201 Meeting? Usurp the throne! (Part 1)_1 "Leader?" After scanning the middle-aged man''s complexion, Leon, who had spent the night sleeping in the wild, sniffled and asked with a concerned expression, "You don''t look so well. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?" "..." *Why don''t you think a bit and guess why I might not look well after seeing someone?* The middle-aged man''s answer to the clingy small Baskin came almost through gritted teeth. "Not bad..." To be fair, compared to a certain prince who was preoccupied with hierarchy and power struggles, the middle-aged man''s emotional control had improved significantly after witnessing the country''s downfall and the kingdom''s destruction. After taking a deep breath, he managed to regain some of his usual calm. He didn''t lose his composure due to unexpected circumstances but instead smiled faintly and continued at an appropriate distance, "As for my body, there''s an important meeting today, so I stayed up late last night and may indeed be a bit tired... Oh right, didn''t you go home last night, small Baskin? Why did you sleep here?" Of course, it was to attend the important meeting you mentioned. Besides, without enough intelligence gathered, the grandparents with memory abilities unlocated, and another potential Prince Joshua undiscovered, how could I leave? Moreover... Why do I feel like, compared to the killing intent the fat uncle mentioned, this rebel leader''s look towards me holds even more dread? ... Through the subtle change in the middle-aged man''s demeanor, Leon inadvertently squinted his eyes, noticing some differences. There was no way he could leave; definitely impossible! Given a rare chance to confirm the Aquarius Director''s whereabouts, if he didn''t take advantage of this window to understand the rebels entirely, he courted death should the Director''s inquiry fails and he returns to the Capital City, only for Leon to sneak into the rebels again. And now, with the most formidable Aquarius Director partaking in the inquiry, the remaining rebels likely had no way to handle the Heart of Ambition, at most capturing him. Yet, he still had the Whale Oil Bomb that senior Jerry gave him. According to senior Jerry, its power could obliterate an entire building instantaneously, so if he got caught due to exposure, he could always cry for Young Ha to throw the Whale Oil Bomb, blowing their faces directly! From the few rebels he had encountered, the ability of these anomalous object holders seemed very singular, making them unlikely to have protective abilities. At close range, even a Nail Gun could be too much for them, let alone if they faced a Whale Oil Bomb head-on, potential total annihilation was possible. Great! The advantage was mine! After quickly assessing the enemy''s strengths and weaknesses and confirming that not only would he be in no danger, but he also had the ability to "unfairly pass," Leon''s heart settled completely. Then, playing the role of "small Baskin," he gave the middle-aged man a rather "aloof" smile. "Didn''t Uncle Owen ask me to come find you yesterday? I feared oversleeping would delay matters, so I simply came over last night to keep watch in advance. Looking at it now, the timing is just right." "Heh, you are quite cautious." After exchanging a few perfunctorily polite sentences, the middle-aged man opened the door and entered the "meeting room" first, heading to the head of the long table to sit down. Speaking of which... Why does small Baskin feel a bit off? Watching him consciously sit at the very end of the long table, directly opposite himself, a hint of doubt flashed through the middle-aged man''s eyes. Although he didn''t know how Owen spoke to him, small Baskin must have already known he had shown hostility towards him yesterday. However, not only did he not leave overnight, but he also came knocking on the door, even pretending nothing happened last night. These actions practically belonged to another person, not something the paranoid and cold small Baskin could do. But if he was not the real small Baskin, then what about those lethal questions last night? ... "Leader." Although he noticed the suspicion in the middle-aged man''s eyes, thinking he feared him more than wished to kill him, judging that he wouldn''t strike first, Leon''s actions became considerably more "unrestrained." After surveying the rebels'' "headquarters," "small Baskin," sitting with his back to the door, asked with some anticipation, "Weren''t you going to have a meeting? Why haven''t the others arrived yet?" "Soon." With a knowing glance at "small Baskin," the middle-aged man checked his wristwatch, maintaining a calm demeanor as he replied, "They''ll be here shortly..." "Bam!" Before the middle-aged man had finished speaking, a rather rough noise of a door being opened echoed, accompanied by a peculiar exclamation. "What a fragrance! It''s the smell of yesterday''s tiger!" ??? What fragrance? Tiger? No way... Do the rebels'' diets really have such variety? Eating even tigers? Leon turned around in surprise to find that the previously solid wood door had, somehow, become a strange iron gate... or prison cell door. And a man covered in extensive burns was striding through the cell door, his two vicious orange-yellow eyes brimming with interest as he studied him. "His name is Teague." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a succinct introduction, the middle-aged man, with a blank expression, said to the burned man, "This is small Baskin, a soon-to-be member with an anomalous object..." "Leader." Upon hearing this, Leon timely interrupted, "If by anomalous object, you mean the special power, then I think I already have it now." ?!!! Upon hearing "small Baskin''s" words, the middle-aged man''s complexion changed slightly, and the dread in his eyes became several degrees more intense. To awaken anomalously without even possessing the "Seed of Abnormality" ¡ªcould a Level One Talent really be that terrifying? "..." "Uh-huh, I understand." After several seconds of silence, the middle-aged man, having regained emotional stability, took a deep breath and, having no clue how to handle this hot potato, vaguely nodded, fudging his way through. He then instructed the burn-scarred man, who was fixated on "small Baskin," "Teague, take a seat first. I''ll introduce small Baskin''s situation once everyone arrives." "Alright." Usually indifferent to the "weakling" leader, this time, due to something occupying his attention, the burned man didn''t object, directly sitting next to Leon, with those more beastly than human eyes fixated on him. (¡Ñ?¡Ñ) "Do you want to be the leader?" "Huh?" Lightly dilated nostrils, savoring the "Ç¿Õß·Ò·¼" rushing from his nose straight to his lungs, the burned man grinned, revealing a set of dazzling white teeth, and beamed at Leon. "You''re much more reliable than him, and if you want to be the leader, I''ll support you!" Chapter 236 - 236: 0202 Meeting? Usurp the throne! (Part 2)_1 This fool! Watching the burned man who had just come in and started babbling nonsense before even warming his seat, the middle-aged man felt a throbbing pain in his temples. He had stayed up all night to regain his confidence, only to have half of it ruined by a "hot potato" sleeping at the door. Now, the burned man was openly supporting that "hot potato" to become the new leader in front of him, the current leader. *The confidence he had left was once again cut in half.* *Damn it... everything was supposed to be moving toward the goal he had planned. So why was it all going awry all of a sudden?* ... "Heh heh, Teague... old man, you''re joking..." While the middle-aged man was rubbing his temples in frustration, Leon, who was being harassed by the burned man, could hardly keep his composure, his expression growing stiff. *Seriously, you''re the Rebels who have made the Capital City restless. Can you at least be a bit more reliable in your actions? Why would you slap ''the imperial robe'' on someone and force me to take the position as soon as we meet?* *If I really became the leader while undercover, what would the director think of me when I return? How would Yisha view me, racing around with secret police, trying to capture rebels? What about the Princess, who''s engaged to me and has been targeted by rebels several times?* *Could we not do this? This job truly doesn''t suit me!* "Heh heh, I don''t joke." After taking another deep breath and greedily sniffing the scent coming from "Little Baskin," the burned man, grinning like a perverse creep, said, "Amazing! The smell is truly amazing!" "Just sitting next to you, I feel like my head is in the tiger''s mouth... Little Baskin! Be honest, do you have the capability to kill me instantly?" "Uh... my name is Little Baskin..." "That''s not important!" Patting Leon on the shoulder, the burned man said eagerly, "My nose tells me you''re a true powerhouse! Strong both in methods and in heart. And don''t be fooled by your smiling face at me; deep down, you look down on me, and Nathan too! "Ahaha! By the way, your scent is exactly like Nathan''s back in the day! "It''s just a pity he''s lost it now and turned into a pile of stinking dog shit while losing the fragrance you''re carrying! Little Baskin! Make sure you hold onto it and not become as unbearable as he is!" "Uh..." *I do look down on what you rebels do, and I certainly look down on that leader of yours who leads you in chaos, but is that something you could smell?* Reflecting on the burned man''s words, Leon realized there might be some deeper meaning veiled as insane rants, and he became instantly wary. *This madman''s Ability... could it possibly be some sort of beast-like instinct?* However, just as Leon was speculating about the burned man''s problem and prepared to probe his Ability, he felt a slight rise of the hair on his back, and his right ear caught a sharp rushing sound. "Snap!" With a pop as the air displaced, the burned man, who had been laughing toward Leon, leaned back slightly to dodge something rushing toward his mouth. That peculiar object, shrouded in momentum, embedded itself into the wall with a thud, sending a large chunk of plaster bursting out in pieces. *Was that... a lead pellet from a slingshot?* Seeing what was embedded in the wall, Leon felt a slight itch on his shoulder, remembering another lead pellet that had been shot from three kilometers away and still managed to shatter his shoulder blade. "Teague!" Stooping as she walked out from a small rainbow-painted door, the bald, slingshot-wielding woman said furiously, "If I hear you speak of Lord Nathan that way again, the next pellet will definitely aim for your temple!" "Heh heh, as you wish." "You!" "Never mind, sit down first!" Raising his hand downward to make a calming gesture, just as he was about to introduce someone, he saw the door behind "Little Baskin" twist and shift continuously as five people¡ªthree men and two women¡ªsuccessively came in through the door. Turning to look at the arriving members, Leon couldn''t help but mull things over and notice these Rebel Anomalous Object holders were rather evenly distributed. ... S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the Secret Investigation Bureau, there was the tall scarred face director, a short man who snatched bodies at Ryan Manor, a pot-bellied middle-aged man resembling a wealthy merchant, and a lean young man, covering all height, body types, and ages. Then, there were the beast-like burned man, the bald woman with a slingshot, an old lady with orange peel-bumpy skin and gray hair, and a bewildered young girl, rounding out the spectrum of gender, age, and physique. There were twelve known Rebel Anomalous Object holders, apart from these eight "tall, short, fat, and thin, male, female, young, and old" people. The others known were the bandaged woman whose bandages he had taken, the heartbeat man caught and sent to headquarters, and the leader who could open doors anywhere... So, was there still one person missing? But strangely, just as Leon was looking at the main door to see who the twelfth rebel might be, he heard the middle-aged man in the main seat clap his hands and announce, "Everyone, since we''re all here, let''s begin." Was everyone here already? Hearing the middle-aged man''s words, Leon''s brow slightly raised. *Although from the perspective of personnel, I''d like to know what this last Anomalous Object holder looks like to facilitate the arrest by the Bureau later.* *But due to the lack of Intelligence now, I worry that asking ''why is one person missing'' might result in ''how could you not know XXX does such and such'' and thus prematurely expose my identity.* So Leon simply turned around honestly and looked up at the middle-aged man in the main seat, however... "Little Baskin, can you answer a question for me?" Watching Leon, who had been staring at the door until he said "everyone was here" and only then turned around, the middle-aged man narrowed his eyes slightly and asked calmly, "You seemed to think... someone else was coming in?" "..." *Hell! I just turned back a bit late and I''m already suspected? Could it be that you''re paranoid?* "No." After secretly cursing the overly cautious Rebel leader twice, Leon shook his head and said with a normal expression, "I was just curious about your Ability, Leader. It''s just so magical how you can fold space to let us travel from such a far distance just by opening and closing a door." "I see." After hearing "Little Baskin''s" explanation, the middle-aged man nodded ambiguously and continued staring at Leon as he asked, "I thought you wanted to see her... By the way, it''s been so long since she''s come to attend a meeting that I can hardly remember her name. Could you remind me of it?" "..." *Is this... him starting to suspect me?* Hearing what essentially was an "I suspect you''re an imposter" question, Leon''s heart skipped a beat. "Leader, are you joking with me?" Sensing the changing gazes of the rebels in the room, Leon slightly frowned, desperately trying to devise a strategy while attempting to delay with evasive small talk, "Yesterday, Uncle Owen told me it seemed you held some hostility towards me, and I thought he''d just had too much to drink. But now it seems you really..." "Stop, we can discuss that later." Interrupting "Little Baskin''s" ramble, the middle-aged man said slowly and clearly, "I just want to know, what is her name?" "..." *How the hell would I know that person''s name?* Feeling the less-than-friendly gazes directed at him, Leon sighed and was just about to give a "I don''t know" answer to enjoy the Rebels'' binding package when a thought suddenly struck his mind, recalling what the middle-aged man said earlier. "I thought you wanted to see her..." *So this last Anomalous Object holder is someone I... or rather Little Baskin knows?* Given Little Baskin''s solitary nature, likely having a social circle not even filling one hand, the person''s identity could probably be deduced from Uncle Fatty''s family. Last night, Uncle Fatty knew staying might be dangerous, yet he claimed they couldn''t leave, that even if he and Aunt Fanny could go, but... "Nicole." Holding an approach of always filling in the answer card regardless of whether the answer was correct or not, Leon looked up to meet the skeptical gaze of the middle-aged man, boldly making up, "Her name is Nicole." Chapter 237 - 237: 0203 Meeting? Usurp the throne! (Part 2-2)_1 "..." After hearing the answer Leon provided, although no one spoke up, the previously tense atmosphere noticeably relaxed. As for the middle-aged man who had already started to doubt Leon''s identity, even though the suspicion in his eyes had not completely disappeared, his expression softened a bit as he smiled and said, "Correct answer... Young Baskin, I hope you won''t blame me for being overly cautious. After all, I am the leader and responsible for the safety of many people. "And you were just an ordinary person yesterday, but after a little night breeze, you suddenly awakened an abnormal ability. This transformation is indeed a bit too quick, so just in case, the necessary tests can''t be skipped." "You are right." Knowing there was no way to argue with the middle-aged man on such matters, Leon nodded calmly and replied casually, then directly asked as if nothing had happened, "Leader, as you just said, until yesterday, I was just a regular member and not familiar with everyone. Could you please introduce them to me?" "Of course." The middle-aged man nodded, then looked at the burn-scarred man beside Leon and said at a steady pace, "Sitting next to you is Teague, whom you already know, then there''s Luke, Oliver, Phoebe, and Lucy..." After simply reporting everyone''s names and completing an introduction that couldn''t have been more basic, the middle-aged man smiled and said, "As for everyone''s abilities and so on, explaining them one by one is indeed a bit troublesome, and since there''s a very important matter to discuss later, let''s skip it for now. You can find them later on your own to learn more." "..." Later, go learn on my own... Most of these people didn''t seem to be in the valley; they each had other hidden identities. Where am I supposed to learn? So after all this, the only thing I get is a bunch of possibly fake names? *With an expression of slight speechlessness, Leon watched as the middle-aged man shifted his focus, introducing him to the others:* "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Young Baskin, originally responsible for resource procurement in the organization, but awakened his abnormal ability yesterday and thus joined us. "By the way, Young Baskin, what is your ability like? Mind sharing?" ... *So, I went through all this trouble to infiltrate, not only to gain no intelligence but also to be probed for information?* Leon squinted slightly as he looked at the middle-aged man, who clearly had already begun to be wary of him, then nodded amid the curious gazes of the rebels and revealed, "Of course, I can. My ability is quite simple, really. As long as the conditions are met, I can make anyone bow to me." Make anyone bow to you? What kind of crazy ability is that? Upon hearing Leon''s words, everyone, including the inquisitive middle-aged man, was momentarily stunned. After not hearing further explanation, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but ask, "And then?" "That''s it." Leon shook his head slightly, saying with an honest expression, "That''s all... or at least that''s all I''ve discovered so far." "..." This... *Seeing the honest expression of "Young Baskin," and confirming he wasn''t joking around, all the rebels inside the room exchanged glances, not knowing what to say for a moment.* "Your ability... is quite unique..." The middle-aged man gave "Young Baskin" a skeptical look, pondered briefly, then continued to ask, "So, how long can your ability last? How far can it take effect? How long between each use?" Oh, right! These, too! Upon hearing the middle-aged man''s questions, the disappointed rebels inside the room suddenly regained interest. Forcing others to bow sounded useless, but if it could compel someone to bow from several kilometers away all day, or continuously, it might not be entirely without merit. As long as the conditions were right and used properly, such a seemingly useless anomalous object might have miraculous effects at critical moments! "In terms of duration..." Under the expectant eyes of the rebels, Leon thought for a moment and then answered, "It''s about one bow; once bowed, it ends." "..." "The range must be face-to-face, about the size of a slightly larger room; further than that, it doesn''t work." "..." Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "There aren''t any intervals, but the ability requires persuading the other with words; if they don''t let me finish speaking, they don''t have to bow to me." "..." *Well, that''s rather useless...* *Even though they had mentally prepared themselves, the rebels couldn''t help but show extremely speechless expressions after hearing about this seemingly useless yet thoroughly futile ability.* To be honest, Young Baskin''s lousy ability seemed less effective than a nail gun. *Not only did it have to be face-to-face, and its effect was just one bow. With that time, you might as well pull out a gun and shoot them outright, wouldn''t it be faster?* And... what does it mean by persuading with words? ... "That''s literally what it means." After the middle-aged man, on behalf of the rebels inside the room, asked this question, Leon "honestly" BS''d, "For instance, if I wanted to make everyone bow to me, I have to first find a way to convince you, make you sincerely agree with my viewpoint, then you would enter the range of my ability and bow to me according to my demand." Chapter 238 - 238: 0203 Meeting? Usurp the throne! (Part 2-2)_2 """ "..." Ah, really... are you serious? Hearing this utterly ridiculous condition for activation, even the burnt man beside Leon, who had always believed Leon was "unusual," couldn''t hold it in. *Seriously, bowing only face-to-face is already useless, but you have to persuade the other person first to get them to bow to you? Are you sure this can be called an abnormal ability?* "Are you bullshitting us?" After rubbing her bald head, the straightforward bald woman stood up first, questioning with a face full of disbelief, "The effect is weak enough as it is, but the restriction is so big? You have to persuade the other person first? You call this an abnormal ability? I could point a nail gun at someone''s head and force them to bow faster than you can!" "Maybe... the effect isn''t very useful, but I can guarantee that this ability''s manifestation is certainly not something achieved by normal means; it''s definitely a kind of abnormal ability. If you don''t believe me..." Blinking with some difficulty, Leon suggested, "How about we try it out a bit?" "Give it a try and..." "Hold on!" Stopping the bald woman who wanted to experience it firsthand, a middle-aged man squinted, scrutinizing Leon, and then slowly asked, "Little Baskin, don''t blame me for overthinking, but everything about your bowing ability comes from your words; we don''t know what it''s really like. Want me to hypothesize that the true nature of your ability might not be bowing, but rather controlling after cooperation, spying on inner secrets, or even having people obey your every command in the future?" !!! Hearing the middle-aged man''s words, the rebels in the room stiffened, their expressions suddenly becoming dangerous as they looked at Leon. *Right! How could there be such a boring ability to make someone bow? He probably said this to lower our guard and induce curiosity, causing us to actively cooperate within the range of his ability!* *If things are really as Nathan guessed, then everyone might end up as this kid''s puppets!* "Leader, you''ve misunderstood." Sensing the unfriendly gazes from the rebels, Leon sensibly raised both hands in a gesture of surrender, trying hard to explain, "The situation is not what you think; my ability really is just to make people bow, and as for the test just proposed, it doesn''t require you to cooperate; just listening to me speak a sentence is enough. If listening to my words would get you controlled, you''ve already heard so much from me; wouldn''t you have already been controlled by now?" ... *Fair enough...* Hearing "Little Baskin''s" defense, the rebels pondered privately and soon felt Leon had a point. The burnt man beside Leon impatiently stood up, waving his hand in a shooing gesture, S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Those willing to try, stay and listen; those who aren''t, plug your ears or roll out and wait outside! What''s with all the fuss over such a simple thing?" After blasting at the rebels, the burnt man sniffed and then turned to Leon, "Come! Try it on me first! I want to see how one sentence can make me bow to you!" "Alright." Hearing the burnt man''s words, Leon didn''t speak immediately. Instead, he looked around, seriously reminding everyone, "Everyone, a final reminder: my ability is triggered by language, so if you''re worried about being controlled, please cover your ears tightly or, better yet, leave temporarily." "..." Hearing "Little Baskin''s" reminder, the rebels fell into silence again, but none chose to leave, not even the middle-aged man in the main seat, who hesitated for a moment but remained. *After all, if it were as simple as just hearing a sentence, "Little Baskin" would have had countless opportunities to activate the anomalous object before stating the rules...* "Since everyone is ready, let''s begin." Leon, noticing no one leaving or blocking their ears, nodded in satisfaction, raising two fingers. "I believe one plus one equals two; those who agree, please stand and bow to me now." "Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!" The moment Leon finished speaking, a multitude of chairs scraping against the floor resounded simultaneously, and the rebels were horrified to find themselves genuinely losing control over their bodies. Everyone in the room stood up from their chairs simultaneously and gave a rather standard bow towards "Little Baskin," as two shorter individuals even bonked their heads on the table. "Holy crap! It''s real!" Rubbing her forehead, which had turned red from bumping into the table, the bald woman exclaimed in surprise, "I just thought for a moment that what you said was right, and I actually couldn''t control my own body and bowed to you! Wow! You really weren''t lying! There is such a useless abnormal ability that as long as one agrees with you... uh... leader?" Looking at the only one still seated, the middle-aged man not bowing to "Little Baskin," the bald woman asked in confusion, "This isn''t one plus one? Why didn''t you..." "It''s because I didn''t use my ability on him." Just as the bald woman was questioning the leader''s math skills, Leon interrupted her, "Since Nathan is recognized as the leader by everyone, I felt it wasn''t right to have him bow to me, so I deliberately didn''t target him when activating my ability." "Oh, I see!" Confirming that "Little Baskin" hadn''t lied and had been truthful from the start, the bald woman''s demeanor turned friendlier, even chuckling as she complained, "Really... you should''ve said something; I thought the leader didn''t even know how to add one plus one!" *Whether he knows one plus one, I don''t know, but I now know exactly who he is!* Giving the bald woman a warm smile, Leon glanced at the [Prince of Traveling Thrush] where a golden light flowed, and then turned to look at the middle-aged man on the main seat, a smile involuntarily appearing on his lips. *So it was you!* ... Not using the ability on the leader was, of course, nonsense. As per the [Prince of Traveling Thrush]''s ability, everyone with a "status" lower than my prince status should immediately stand and bow under the badge''s compulsion. The only possible exception is someone with a status equal to my "prince" status, which means that unknown "prince," Prince Joshua, who somehow traveled from the future back to the present! *I never expected the troublemaking leader of the rebels to be a prince of the Kingdom... No matter how old he gets, he still deserves a good beating!* After casting a meaningful glance at the middle-aged man, discovering the concealer on his cheeks and vaguely recognizing some facial features, Leon finally understood where the sense of familiarity when he first met him came from. *Don''t ask why; it''s because he''d been slapped, and not just once¡ªa classic old acquaintance!* "Everyone!" Flexing his right wrist, which suddenly felt itchy, Leon, having proved himself honest, sat back down with a smile, "I remember there was supposed to be a very important meeting today? Can we continue now?" *Right! We were supposed to have a meeting!* Hearing Leon''s reminder, the others, still pondering the bow, quickly snapped back, chiming in one after another, "Yes! There''s something important!" "Indeed, we should continue!" "Absolutely, it''s been delayed long enough!" "..." *Why does it feel... like things are a bit off?* Looking at "Little Baskin" at the end of the long table, hands crossed and eyes fixed on him meaningfully, the middle-aged man in the main seat felt a wave of discomfort, his chair becoming more uncomfortable by the second. Both the members'' echoing and the meeting prompt that was supposed to come from him seemed to hint at something, as if with that strange bow earlier, something supposedly tightly within his grasp had suddenly started "flowing." That strange, intangible yet crucial something was steadily, yet unstoppably, seeping along the length of this old council table, draining away from him and flowing slowly towards the other end... """ Chapter 239 - 239: 0204 Meeting? Usurp the throne! (Part 3)_1 *Strange, why hadn''t it started yet?* The people in the room had already prepared for the meeting, but after waiting for a while, they didn''t hear the leader who was supposed to host the meeting start speaking. They all cast strange looks over. Then everyone noticed that the leader, who had just been menacingly questioning "Little Baskin," was now, for some reason, staring blankly at Little Baskin with a dazed expression. In his bloodshot and cloudy eyes, which had been up all night, there were signs of fear, doubt, panic, confusion... various weak and chaotic emotions, paired with his slightly greying temples, making him look unusually... Old. Yes! Old! With this strange thought arising in their minds, the rebels in the room were unconsciously startled. The true age of their leader should not yet be fifty. While his features were somewhat aged and his eyes often carried an inexplicable fatigue, he was still considered to be in his prime. Therefore, among these rebels in the room, although some were dissatisfied with his autocracy, some questioned his decisions, and some wanted to pull him down and take his place, none of them really thought he was already old. But now... "Leader?" Accompanied by a slightly rising intonation inquiry, the attention of the rebels was pulled from the head of the long table and fell on Little Baskin seated at the lowest position. This young man, not yet twenty, although slightly slender, looked very upright. Even sitting on a low chair without a backrest, his spine remained straight without the slightest hunch. He likely hadn''t slept well last night either, with his black hair slightly disheveled, bits of frost clinging to his collar, and his eyes harboring considerable bloodshot, yet those dark, shiny eyes remained lively and keen, as if pouring out boundless energy. Especially when looking at the leader at the head of the table, those eyes emitted a focused gaze, faintly carrying a scorching heat that could capture a soul, like a young predator who had spotted an old weak antelope, baring its sharp claws and fangs at the prey with nowhere to escape... *Was this the "tiger" that Teague referred to? It indeed seemed so...* Witnessing this stark contrast, aside from Phoebe, who was sitting in a chair with a candy in her mouth, all the others in the room had almost the same thought surge through their minds. The leader... seemed to be really old. ... Unaware that his "intent to capture" on middle-aged Joshua had already been misinterpreted by the rebels as ambitious intent, Leon, anxious to gather intelligence after waiting so long without the meeting starting, frowned slightly and couldn''t help but voice a reminder: "Sir Nathan!" "Just now, you first doubted my true identity and then questioned my actual ability, wasting a lot of unnecessary time. Now it''s time to proceed with the meeting!" Hearing the loud reminder from Little Baskin, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but tremble slightly, finally struggling out of that strange sense of loss. However, facing the gazes from everyone, the topics he had prepared all night became abnormally stagnant, and he couldn''t express them no matter what. "..." *I seem to know what it was that just "slipped away" from me.* Feeling this indescribable "sense of domination" and seeing the gradually strange gazes of the rebels, the middle-aged man finally understood what he had lost after the two rounds of confrontation. It was the "power of speech" to actively control the situation, the "trust" granted as a leader, and even the "blind faith" gradually cultivated through past correct judgments! And these things were the most basic form of power! *''Although I haven''t read much, politics is essentially about making more people believe in you, recognize your judgment, and be willing to listen to you, thereby gathering enough power to change the status quo.''* Recalling what Little Baskin mentioned last night, and comparing it to the scene before him, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but feel a wave of powerlessness. *So... Did Little Baskin just show me those two flaws to make me make two wrong judgments in front of everyone, thereby shaking the credibility of my words, and then seize some of the power of speech?* *Could it be that he had already begun to plot to seize the leader''s position from my hands even before entering this meeting room? Or... perhaps even the questions from last night were a form of test for me?* ... Carrying a belly full of doubts and a colossal sense of crisis, like sitting on pins and needles, the middle-aged man had no choice but to take a deep breath and, following Leon''s "instructions," started hosting the meeting: "Today... we need to determine our next actions for the coming period, starting with Teague." Pulling out a few pre-marked maps from the materials he had prepared the night before and pushing them across the long table, the middle-aged man stared intently at Little Baskin and said expressionlessly, "Your task remains the same as before: continue leading people to set fires at Louther Arcade and the surrounding affluent areas, but the intensity and scope must continually expand!" *Start fires in Louther Arcade?* Hearing the words of middle-aged Joshua, Leon couldn''t help but raise his brow slightly, recalling the task previously assigned by the Red-haired Director to investigate the arsonist haunting Louther Arcade. *So the director indeed pinpointed the right target. If I hadn''t gone to Rose Manor to rescue someone earlier, I might have encountered an Anomalous Object holder among the rebels even sooner... Speaking of which, the rebels have been setting fires for so long without really starting a massive fire; their purpose probably isn''t just to attack the affluent areas, right?* "Great! This is a good job!" While Leon was frowning and thinking, the burn-scarred man took the map, glanced at it, and exposed a grin full of cold intent. "When I used to work in the smelting plant, I almost got scalded to death by the molten material that came tumbling down. Those bastard factory owners insisted they had no money to compensate, but privately, they had money to live in such good houses. I''ve been dying to set a big one on fire for a long time!" "Watch the scale." After casting a glance at Leon, who hadn''t objected, the middle-aged man turned to look at the burn-scarred man and reminded him with a frown, "Your goal isn''t to injure more people but to cause widespread arson-induced panic, forcing those rich folks to pressure the police department and try to redirect all of the Capital City''s patrol power there to facilitate other actions!" "Yeah, yeah, isn''t it just being a decoy?" The burn-scarred man waved his hand impatiently, "I''m very familiar with this job, definitely won''t mess it up. Just tell me the next task already!" "..." Having no way to deal with this reckless guy, the middle-aged man once again took a deep breath and started sequentially assigning tasks to the rebels. "Oliver will continue handling the transactions, but this time, apart from buying weapons from Ryan Family''s munitions company, you should focus on using arms transactions to scout out several armory locations. Taking advantage of the chaos during the military''s power transition, we need to seize the opportunity to raid armories and try to acquire some high-powered weapons and bombs..." "Next is Lucy and Luke, your tasks have changed. Lucy, you are to infiltrate the ''Gear'' Shipping Company as a priority and investigate the situation of those private ships that do not accommodate regular passengers. Meanwhile, Luke is to infiltrate the Boarding Tower, check the Sky Clipper schedules bound for Crolock Kingdom, and also plant bombs on crucial support structures in the Boarding Tower with those members recently retired from the military!" "What?!!!" Upon hearing the task assignments given by the middle-aged man, not only did Leon, seated at the end, have his pupils contract, but the entire room of rebels erupted in astonishment. The portly Oliver was the first to stand up, asking in a daze, "Sir Nathan! You want us to attack the Boarding Tower?" "Precisely speaking, it''s an attack on a Sky Clipper headed for Crolock Kingdom." After correcting Oliver''s words, the middle-aged man said with a steady gaze, "Blowing up the Boarding Tower is only the last resort. What I truly hope for is to kill the Crolock Kingdom sniffers and retrieve the data on the kingdom''s county minerals they possess." *Crolock Kingdom sniffers? County mineral data of the Kingdom?* "What''s the point of retrieving those?" The short Luke couldn''t help but stand up, voicing his doubts, "We can''t even use that information, and that is Crolock Kingdom, the City of Machinery! The most powerful country in the western world! The kingdom hasn''t even finished paying back the debt to them from six years ago! Never mind whether this attack will succeed. If we really end up blowing up the Boarding Tower, killing those sniffers, under pressure from Crolock Kingdom, the entire kingdom would desperately hunt us down! Even if we succeeded in assassinating the King, the consequences might not be this severe!" "I know, but this task still has to be done." Facing the doubts from the rebels, the middle-aged man said, "The reason I still can''t explain to you, but just like the countless correct judgments I''ve made in key moments in the past, if we don''t carry out this task, the outcome that awaits us and this country will only be worse!" "But..." "No buts." The middle-aged man tapped the table, announcing calmly, "Regarding my true ability, all of you should have some suspicions. Now I can tell you directly that being able to shuttle between all the doors in the Capital City is indeed only part of my ability. My true ability is... Little Baskin? What are you doing?" "Nothing." Getting up from his chair at the end of the long table, Leon walked to the door of the meeting room. Reaching out to touch the plaque on the door frame, he replied without looking back, sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Go ahead and say what you want, I''m just touching something." Chapter 240 - 240: 0205 Meeting? Usurp the throne! (Part 3-2)_1 [Name: Beyond the Gate (Gate, Space, Escape)] [Appearance: No physical form, manifests as a strange door with an indefinite width and height, unknown thickness, and material and style not easily determined. The only feature that can be confirmed about this anomalous object is the softwood plaque with strange nail-carved words "I really want to escape" that always appears on the door frame it parasitizes.] [Ability: Parasitic door frame, space traversal, crisis diversion] [Cost: Before the placed "door" disappears, a part of your power will be permanently occupied, or you will lose everything, becoming a wanderer seeking the Other World''s arrival] [File: The anomalous object of the rebel leader "Nathan," Eerily crafted by the Aquarius Director of the Purification Bureau to fulfill desires, it is one of many utility-type anomalous objects tentatively numbered 0001. As part of the Aquarius Director''s proudest creation, to ensure its safety, it was forcibly fused with another anomalous object called "Escape Plaque," granting the holder an exceptionally strong escape ability. Due to the powerful effect of "Beyond the Gate," which can transfer regardless of distance, even after several years of strict royal kingdom pursuits, the rebels, numbering over a thousand, had never been truly exposed, until they caught the attention of Virgin Branch cleaner Leon Laine during an attack...] [Evaluation: Possesses a potent ability to freely traverse all doors in the Capital City and can unconditionally activate in a crisis to instantly take the holder away, making it nearly uncatchable. Additionally, when initiated by the first user, Joshua Robine, this anomalous object will reveal its true form, becoming the "Gate of the Other World" capable of temporarily connecting to the future.] [Contamination Value: 0.1] Damn, it''s watertight... Looking at the item description laden with terms like "escape," "crisis transfer," and "uncatchable," Leon clicked his tongue in his heart at the thought of this "Any Door," temporarily dismissing the idea of snagging it. *All he could say was that, whether it was his own director who wasn''t drunk or that old silver coin of an Aquarius Director, those who climbed high in the Purification Bureau seemed to handle things with heads and tails well-protected, unwilling to leave even a needle-thin loophole for others.* *Thinking about it carefully, it was indeed reasonable. After all, if they were truly careless in handling matters, without enough contingencies, let alone rising to a high rank in the Purification Bureau, they likely would have fallen within their first few months of joining with its ten percent annual death rate. Among these people, the incautious were the exceptions.* *Well... even if he probably wouldn''t end up with this extremely useful anomalous object, this trip had led to finding another hidden prince, meeting that "grandfather and granddaughter" pair with memory abilities, and obtaining plenty of intelligence. With three lurking targets nearly completed, it seemed the net could finally be drawn.* Reluctantly withdrawing his hand from Beyond the Gate, Leon reached into his bosom to tap on the small mirror, signaling for Young Ha to hold onto the valley terrain map he had sketched yesterday, or rather the location map of the rebel base, and to rush back to the bureau to gather reinforcements. Then, amidst the surprised gazes of everyone, he turned back to his position. "Nathan, your ability, should be foresight of the future, right?" After voicing his "deduction," Leon glanced at the middle-aged man with a grim face above the main seat while secretly switching out the Elite Performer badge, revealing an expression of extreme disappointment. *"It''s unfortunate; no matter what you saw in the future, I still think that your command over us has led to a series of serious mistakes."* ... *If yesterday he had called for reinforcements, it should have been the director himself to reel in the net. But the director had now likely headed to the main bureau to question the Aquarius, so senior Emma should be holding the fort at the bureau.* *And because the rebel''s base wasn''t in the Capital City, but in this remote valley far from the Capital City, senior Emma would need some time to arrive. Accounting for Young Ha''s time to run back to report through the Mirror World, it would likely take about forty to fifty minutes.* *What Leon needed to do now was to find a way to hold everyone present, especially the middle-aged man leader and that grandparent pair with memory ability, for these forty to fifty minutes for senior Emma to apprehend them, thereby fully completing the set infiltration targets.* Having confirmed his task was to buy time, Leon, not waiting for the middle-aged man to retort, shockingly declared, "I don''t know what kind of future you saw or why you attacked the Boarding Tower, but I clearly know one thing: if we continue to act on your command, it will only lead us into another failure!" sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "..." "What do you know?" Hearing "Little Baskin''s" very assertive assessment, the middle-aged man, who had been holding back for long, couldn''t help but feel a surge of anger, stood up, glaring at Leon, and spoke, "You don''t have the slightest idea of the kind of future I''ve seen! If you don''t do as I say, then Crolock... oof¡­" Mid-sentence, the middle-aged man paused slightly, then stroked his temples before slumping back into his seat, angrily reprimanding, "You understand nothing at all!" "I do understand." Catching the anger he successfully provoked and sneaking it back into the small mirror, Leon, having played his hand, observed the rather flustered middle-aged man, first eyeing the areas where his hair had turned significantly whiter, then calmly inquired, "Nathan, if I''m not mistaken, it seems you can''t directly tell us about the future, or you''ll rapidly age, or even die... Am I correct?" "Correct!" Affected by the Black Goat''s violent anger aura, which temporarily lowered his intelligence by thirty percent, the middle-aged Joshua admitted the guess directly. At this moment, his heart was only set ablaze with rage, forcibly suppressing the urge to curse, and instead, with eyes full of malice, questioned, "Since you believe I can see the future, why do you still doubt my decisions?" "Simple, I''m not questioning the future you see, but questioning your judgment about the future, or to put it more bluntly, I''m questioning you as a person." In the bewilderment of the rebels, "Little Baskin," who had just joined the core rebel team, actually stood up, gazing at the middle-aged man leader with utmost sincerity, and said, "Nathan, I''m sorry, but I don''t think you have the talent of a leader. Even if you can see the future, you can''t make the best judgment based on the information... and I''m pretty sure I''m not the only one who thinks so." After saying this, Leon looked around, slightly bowed, and said, "Everyone, I apologize... Those who think I''m right and believe Nathan doesn''t have the talent to be a leader, please bow to me." ?!!! Completely unprepared for "Little Baskin''s" dispute with the leader to involve themselves, caught off guard, the rebels, under the influence of Prince of Lutung''s power, stood up unanimously, performing a standard bow to Leon. The only two who didn''t bow in the entire room were the sleeping little Phoebe, who had dozed off at some point on the table, and the bald woman as a staunch "leader faction." But the more crucial point was, upon seeing everyone "agree" with Little Baskin''s words that Nathan wasn''t a competent leader, the bald woman, with a face full of shock, hesitated for a moment, then also due to "internal turmoil," bent her waist. "You... impossible! You''re lying!" Seeing one after another acknowledging Leon''s statement and indeed bowing to him, the rebels couldn''t help exhibiting intense eye-shaking, but quickly realized, glaring at Leon, saying, "The conditions for your power''s activation are surely not convincing others! I have always been correct in the past! Even when movements didn''t succeed, they ended without losses! I''m a superb... at least a competent leader! They... they shouldn''t think this way!" "Alright then..." Upon hearing this, Leon didn''t argue but rather looked at him with slight pity, then nodded compliantly, "If thinking like that makes you feel a bit better... then let''s say I lied to you." "..." *After being collectively "betrayed" before his face, surely even if he escaped from senior Emma''s hands later, he wouldn''t think of taking others with him to flee, right?* *Seeing the middle-aged man''s self-confidence being severely battered, stymied by an unprecedented "betrayal," and in case he still clung to any hope of taking others to escape, Leon decided to add more fuel to the fire.* "I can actually grasp why everyone thinks this way." In the bewildered expressions of the rebels, Leon sighed, directly voicing what they wanted to express, "Nathan, you don''t understand that we who willingly joined the rebels don''t want to succeed in every attack. Instead, we want to see a truly better future! Here, future doesn''t mean the kind of future you see, but everything is truly changing! It''s everyone''s future, even the whole kingdom''s future moving towards a better direction, but what have you given us?" Pausing a bit here, Leon allowed everyone to align their thoughts with his, but without giving much time, immediately asserted, "Attack! Attack! And more attacks!" "Attacking merchants, attacking officials, attacking nobles, attacking the royal family... you don''t understand how to lead progress better; all you know is to initiate one meaningless destruction after another! In the years you''ve led the rebels... sorry, I tried not to use a derogatory term, but thought long and hard that ''rebels'' best suits our absolutely meaningless actions over these years." A thorough questioning regarding the "rationality" of the rebel''s existence turned the middle-aged Joshua''s face blue, and the habitually incisive Leon, leveraging the effectiveness of the Elite Performer, dolefully jabbed further, "After all these years of diligent assaults, are those greedy factory owners more charitable? Are the corrupt lethargic officials more efficient? Have the arrogant nobles restrained themselves? Has the ineffectual royal family changed? If none of these happened, then what did you attack? Only capable of leading us to ''successful'' destruction everywhere, but failing in all other aspects¡ªhow do you dare to claim to be a competent leader? Nathan, do you understand now why people are reluctant to keep following you?" Chapter 241 - 241: 0206 Meeting? Usurp the throne! (Finale)_1 *It seemed... was it really the case?* After hearing Leon''s analysis and questioning, the Rebels, who had been somewhat muddled with their bows, uncertain whether they truly opposed the leader, finally became thoroughly "sober." Yes! That''s exactly it! Although I wasn''t as clear-headed as young Baskin, able to directly articulate why, I must have vaguely sensed something was off, which is why I felt Nathan was unfit to be the leader! sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No wonder, no wonder I suddenly bowed to young Baskin earlier, it turns out that although I couldn''t articulate the reason, I had already started to think this way in my heart... "You... don''t let him fool you!" Noticing the gradually changing gaze of the people in the room and their subtly shifting attitude towards the opposing side, the middle-aged man, sensing that "the tide had turned," couldn''t help but exclaim anxiously, "Think carefully! How old is young Baskin this year? And apart from attending a public school for a few years when he was young, he hasn''t studied since the age of thirteen or fourteen. How could he possibly know so much? Use your brains! Those words just now, could someone who attended only a few years of public school say such things? I suspect he''s not even young Baskin at all!" ?!!! After hearing the middle-aged man''s reminder, the group of Rebels in the room couldn''t help but change their expressions, vaguely realizing that "young Baskin" indeed seemed off. Several people who moved around the valley more, with some knowledge of young Baskin''s family situation, immediately cast doubting glances. *Was Nathan... not wrong, after all?* Setting aside why the supposedly silent and withdrawn young Baskin suddenly became so eloquent, even his educational level from a community school couldn''t possibly allow such an impromptu, clear-cut analysis, let alone the latter part, where he examined in layers with aggressive questioning. ... *I was indeed a bit too hasty... but it doesn''t matter!* Feeling the suspicious eyes of the Rebels upon him, Leon couldn''t help but squint slightly, then sighed with a look of disappointment, "Mr. Nathan, you still didn''t understand where exactly you went wrong. You think questioning my identity, forcefully labeling me an impostor, eliminating me as someone who dares stand up to question you, would make you right as the leader again? To be honest, I even find you a bit pathetic now, pitiful in that you can''t even identify your true opponent!" After deliberately obscuring the focus to divert attention, Leon sat back in his chair, in the gaze of all present, unhurriedly dragging out time as he said, "Mr. Nathan, before I give you this answer, could you first tell me what the first textbook a six-year-old child receives from the community school upon enrollment is?" "What are you trying to pull?" Caught off guard by Leon''s strange question, the middle-aged man quickly realized that he must not let the topic be diverted, and interrupted him straight away, "We''re discussing your identity right now! It has nothing to do with school textbooks at all! Don''t try to use this method to evade my question!" "I am answering your question!" Having seized the initiative again, Leon spoke rapidly as he said, "If you''ve forgotten, I''ll tell you! The first set of textbooks in community school is about reading and phonetics, and the material used to teach children to recognize words is the nearly three-hundred-year history of the Kingdom! The first sentence all the children in the Kingdom learn while grasping reading is about how the Kingdom came into existence! Do you remember what that sentence said?" "Of course I remember!" Striving to regain control of the conversation, the middle-aged man said, "But that sentence has nothing to do with the current sit..." "It has everything to do with it!" Leaning on his excellent script skills brought by [Elite Performer], Leon gave a powerful shout, regaining control of the discussion, and solemnly recited, "With the joint support of nobles, citizens, factory owners, and merchants, the royal family expelled the previous rulers, absorbed fragmented city-states that couldn''t bear the plundering of other kingdoms, thus establishing the current Kingdom. This is the first sentence a vast majority learn!" "So what about that and the current sit..." "So, it wasn''t the royal family that established the Kingdom and then obtained the majority''s support; it was after winning the support of most forces that the current royal family successfully established the Kingdom! This is something even children know!" After interpreting this sentence, Leon looked at the somewhat dazed middle-aged man and shook his head, "If you truly meant what you said about preparing to save this country, then you should showcase the change you can bring, garnering more support, rather than recklessly launching attacks that make everyone fear and even oppose you!" "That''s easy for you to say!" Discomforted by Leon''s words, the middle-aged man gritted his teeth and struggled to argue, "We are the Rebels! Those who join us are either impoverished, injured veterans, desperate bankrupt civilians, or workers living under unbearable oppression. What value can these people provide, and why would those forces support us? Instead of daydreaming about baseless hopes, we might as well do as I say, first, gather¡­" "You see, that''s our biggest disagreement." Interjecting again to cut off the middle-aged man''s argument, Leon shook his head, earnestly provoking, Chapter 242 - 242: 0206 Meeting? Usurp the throne! (Finale)_2 "Sir Nathan, I don''t know your exact background, but I do understand one thing. Even if you created the Rebels single-handedly, deep down, you still look down on us and don''t believe we have any value!" Damn it! Hearing Leon''s words, the middle-aged man, realizing his slip of the tongue, was startled and quickly tried to amend, "This isn''t about looking up to or down on anyone! I''m stating facts! Whether it''s the nobility, merchants, or parliament, no one would support us!" "Have you ever considered why those people wouldn''t support us?" Feeling the gentle vibration of the small mirror in his pocket, along with a tap on the belly from a dog''s paw, Leon knew that Senior Emma was almost here. He calmly continued, "Because under your leadership, we are just a wandering will-o''-the-wisp, burning wherever it goes, never even opening our mouths in daylight to ask for what we really want! To put it plainly, precisely because you look down on us from the bottom of your heart and never tried to tap into our value, the Rebels in your hands are just weapons to launch attacks. Of course, they get no support!" As Leon spoke, he discreetly touched the Black Goat''s horn, peering into the souls of the Rebels. Anger, resentment, doubt... *It''s working!* After his deliberate provocation, the Rebels were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with middle-aged Joshua. By the time Senior Emma arrived, Joshua might not even be able to rally them! ... "Sir Nathan!" From the start of entering the meeting room, it took no more than a single meal to bring the Rebels to the brink of disbandment. Leon continued to fan the flames, "For so many years, there have been thousands of old soldiers who retired due to injuries around the Capital City alone; workers risking losing limbs from machines, working high-intensity shifts for over ten hours a day, yet can''t even earn enough to feed their families, numbering in the hundreds of thousands! There are also small handcraft workshops going bankrupt under the impact of big factories; farmers having their land seized and grain prices driven down, forced to work on noble estates; and impoverished citizens struggling to find even one stable job... Do you have any idea how many people there are in total?" "I... I think..." "You couldn''t possibly know! Because you''ve never thought we were worth it, you haven''t even bothered to pay attention, so how could you know such things?" "..." Facing the middle-aged man, choked into silence, Leon, who also didn''t know the exact number, slowly stood up and said earnestly, "There are so many people living in pain, longing for change. If you genuinely saw them, were willing to lend a hand, even if just one-tenth... or even one percent of them began to identify with us, no one would dare ignore our opinions! If you did that, even if the royal family didn''t support us, they wouldn''t arrest us; even if the nobility didn''t support us, they wouldn''t dare to bully us; even if merchants and factory owners didn''t support us, they wouldn''t hate or even oppose us!" "..." "When we start trying to voice ourselves in the open, when citizens and workers see hope for change in us, this initial force will start gravitating towards us! And once we have this genuine pivot, there will be so many more things we can do next!" "The royal family wants to balance the nobility, to control the increasingly massive group of merchants; parliament wants to limit the powers of the royal family and the nobility, to regulate business practices of the chambers of commerce; the nobility wants to gain more power, to truly have a share in commerce; merchants want to break free from binds, to establish favorable business laws, to prevent being strangled and squeezed by the other sides..." After briefly outlining the basic demands of the Kingdom''s various factions, Leon, while calculating Senior Emma''s arrival time, sincerely painted a large vision, "To gain support, we must first make ourselves valuable! When we truly become a force, we become a crucial weight that can be thrown into the balance in these power struggles, influencing the swing. In exchange, the forces backed by us must also offer some benefits. If factory owners want our support to avoid being squeezed by the royal family and the nobility, they must carve out salary space for ordinary people; if the royal family wants to crush the Old Nobility with the help of citizens and workers, they need to provide more legislative protection; And if the parliament wants support from citizens, they must not only help push relevant legislation through but even offer seats in the parliament..." At this point, Leon paused slightly, scrutinizing the captivated expressions of the Rebels within the room, and raised his tone slightly, "Ladies and gentlemen! Once those who follow us truly savor the benefits we bring, letting more people see the significance of having someone to speak for them, more and more people will start leaning towards us! sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And when we become truly powerful, competing with the royal family, the nobility, the parliament, and the chambers of commerce, we can even reverse the situation, actively forcing other forces to make concessions to us!" "By that time, the nobility, fearing being completely crushed, must appease us! Merchants and factory owners, worried about boycotts and bankruptcies, will have no choice but to favor us! Chapter 243 - 243: 0206 Meeting? Usurp the throne! (Finale)_3 "As our seats in the Parliament increased, the Prime Minister had to take our opinions into account when issuing decrees! The royal family even needed to consult us before making important decisions! And this! This wasn''t even the end!" *It wasn''t over yet? We had already become so powerful, and there was still more to come?* Upon hearing that this was not the endpoint, the Rebels inside the room could hardly bear it any longer. Each one clenched their fists with rapid breaths, eyes tightly fixed on "Little Baskin" as if he was glowing, eager to hear how much more formidable the future Rebels could become. Leon''s hollow visions were detectable to those who were truly experienced in politics. Just a bit of tasting with their upper lips, and they could tell that the filling of this pie wasn''t substantial. Although the feasibility of these things wasn''t entirely absent, and was certainly better than mere fantasies, the extent of its goodness was quite limited. Just figuring out how to unite everyone wholeheartedly and avoid being co-opted and divided was a hurdle that couldn''t be bypassed, not to mention how to deal with the counterattacks of other forces, or even being crushed by joint forces. If these issues couldn''t be resolved, it might just lead to an endless quagmire. But for the Rebels, who barely had average community college education, or had dropped out of their initial birth education, and couldn''t write anything except their own names, these seemingly magnificent promises were enough to dizzy them with excitement. As for co-opting and dividing, or counterattacking and crushing... *Laughable. Over the years, we''ve been chased by the military and secret police to the point where we dared not show our faces, only able to hide in this valley eight hundred miles away from the Capital City, living in mud houses. The worst was running into a big tiger baring its teeth while going out for a pee. Could things really get worse than they were now?* ... *Finished! Completely finished!* Looking at how everyone in the room was staring fanatically at Leon, with not a single person glancing at him, the middle-aged man felt a chill run through his body. *The Aquarius Director''s warning... was accurate word for word! This person, whether or not he''s Little Baskin, was indeed incredibly dangerous.* After years of effort, he finally gathered enough strength to launch an attack on the Boarding Tower, but in less than thirty minutes, it was all ruined. *He not only destroyed the Rebels but also wrecked my plan to conceal the Kingdom''s mineral resources through the Boarding Tower attack and thus avoid war.* *It''s over! From now on, everything is over!* Gritting his teeth fiercely, middle-aged Joshua glared at "Little Baskin" across the room. He regretted not going over to kill him straight away when he discovered the six pointers had moved last night, and even allowing him to attend the meeting! *I was truly foolish!* Watching "Little Baskin" stand up among the expectant gazes of the crowd, seemingly wanting to say more, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but take a deep breath, then slowly stood up as well. "Nathan, sir?" Noticing his movement, Leon raised his eyebrows slightly, then paused his speech to gaze at him and took the initiative to ask, "Do you have anything else to say?" "Yes." The middle-aged man slowly nodded, then opened his mouth and said, "I was thinking, if I had... Nicole?" Accompanied by his startled voice, the door behind Leon squeaked as if someone pushed it open, causing Leon''s heart to jolt as well. He then turned back to look, and then... "Bang!" A spiraling silver-white nail suddenly drilled out of Leon''s heart, disappearing into the empty doorway. And this wasn''t the end. Before the shot Leon could even turn his head back, the middle-aged man, who hated him to the core, continuously pulled the trigger, firing seven more shots in rapid succession, turning Leon''s back into a bloody mess! "Huh?" "Little Baskin?!" "Nathan!!!!!!" "What I meant to say was, I wish I had done this back then!" After emptying the magazine into "Little Baskin" from behind, effectively killing him, the middle-aged man, eyes still burning with hatred, threw the nail gun onto the ground. He pointed at the Rebels who had betrayed him and coldly laughed, "Moreover, you fools! Do you really think following his plan would work? Do you think those nobles and merchants are here to do charity, and would honestly follow the Kingdom''s laws to play that out in the open?" "Heh, I don''t deny that Little Baskin had the ability to accomplish what he claimed. After all, he made you betray me over a single meal, and in that aspect, he indeed had a terrifying talent. But do those nobles and merchants need to out-talk Little Baskin as I did? They only need to spend a little money to hire a desperate fool with a gun, like me... Bang!" After making a shooting gesture, the middle-aged man coldly laughed, "Wake up! The only one who can save the Kingdom is me! No matter how beautiful the path Little Baskin pointed out to you seemed, that worthless ability of his which merely makes people bow couldn''t protect his safety! As soon as he, the leader, died, everything would just be a delus... You... you''re not dead yet?" "Sorry... pah!" Spitting the bloody foam out of his mouth, Leon felt the hole in his chest heal, then adjusted his clothes before turning back. He faced the Rebels, who were nearly in shock, and offered an apologetic smile. "I''m sorry. I just found out that my ability seems to go beyond making people bow. It should also include an Undying Body." sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 244 - 244: 0207 does not have second inversion and鈥︹€?1 "..." Watching Leon, who had just finished speaking and was now bouncing around, middle-aged Joshua truly felt a bit numb. This "Little Baskin" of unknown origin seemed like someone sent down from the heavens specifically to disgust him; his years of hard work had been destroyed in just thirty minutes. Now the rebels he''d personally established not only had nothing to do with him anymore, but judging by the look in their eyes, they were already considering whether to take him down. If he delayed any longer, it was questionable whether he could even get away. ... "Phew... I admit you won!" Glaring at "Little Baskin" across the table, the middle-aged man, who had lost miserably, gritted his teeth and said, "But don''t think it''s over. When these fools following you hit a wall and realize how unrealistic your talk is, they''ll betray you just like they betrayed me today!" "You''re wrong. Today, in this room, nothing happened that had anything to do with betrayal." *Rubbing his heart that still throbbed with phantom pain, Leon resisted the urge to grimace.* He shook his head and, with a solemn expression, continued to speak piercingly, "You couldn''t bring them the results they wanted, nor could you make them agree with your ideas, and you couldn''t give them a future worth expecting. Of course, they wouldn''t choose to follow you. Or, if you insist on using the word betrayal, it''s not them who betrayed you; you betrayed them first." "..." "I won''t talk to you about this!" Knowing that his way with words wasn''t even worthy to tie the shoes of the person across from him, the middle-aged man, who realized he had lost the upper hand, decisively abandoned debating with Leon. After taking a deep breath, he clenched his fists and rationally negotiated, "Little Baskin... whether you really are Little Baskin or not, I''ll just call you that for now. If you really are, as you say, prepared to save this country, then you must follow my instructions, lead people to raid the Boarding Tower, kill those Crolock Kingdom scouts, and destroy all data concerning the Kingdom''s mines!" "..." Not expecting that even at a time like this, middle-aged Joshua would still think about attacking the Boarding Tower, Leon, who knew he came from the future, couldn''t help but frown and ask, "Why?" "I can''t say!" Upon hearing Leon''s question, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but scowl and replied darkly, "The more I disclose about the future situation, the greater the impact, and the quicker I''ll die! Understand? Also, since you''re so smart, why not figure it out yourself?" "..." *That insufferable attitude... confirmed, this guy was absolutely Joshua.* Looking at the middle-aged man before him who obviously needed a "favor" but insisted on putting on airs and talking down to him, Leon couldn''t help but smack his lips in exasperation. *Since yesterday, he had felt a sense of familiarity, and the reason he didn''t associate it with Joshua was because back then, "Sir Nathan" appeared to have decent emotional intelligence and seemed kind and courteous.* *A person like that could never be connected to the Joshua in the Royal Palace, whose brain started spinning inside his skull at the slightest shake of the head.* But now it appeared that after personally experiencing the country''s downfall and family breakup in the future, this guy seemed to have matured quite a bit. Even though he would reveal his true nature when irritated, he at least learned how to put on an act in normal times. Hmm... his words needed to be carefully considered. Following the train of thought suggested by middle-aged Joshua, and pondering the potential scenarios, Leon squinted slightly and said, "You mean the scouts discovered a highly valuable mineral deposit, and that the Crolock Kingdom would go to war against the Kingdom in the future just to obtain those minerals?" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That''s not what I''m implying!" The middle-aged man snorted at Leon''s words, instantly denying his speculation, yet he subtly raised his hand to smooth his hair, showing Leon that his temples had turned a shade whiter. *Suddenly aged... so I guessed it right?* Faced with the intelligence Joshua provided at the cost of his life, Leon couldn''t help but furrow his brow slightly, vaguely understanding why he suddenly wanted to attack the Boarding Tower. ... If there were to be a ranking of the twelve countries in this world by overall strength, the Kingdom could only rank around seventh or eighth, whereas the Crolock Kingdom, known as the City of Machinery, was steadfastly aiming for first or second place. That micro-nation with a population of only a few million and an area merely half the size of a Kingdom county boasted a level of mechanical capability that surpassed other kingdoms by at least a hundred years, with the vast majority of work already taken over by machines. However, the intense mechanization induced an almost pathological craving for energy. In addition to the most basic coal and petroleum, there was Thunderstrike Mine, unique to Thunderstorm Country Vandastone, concentrated whale blubber processed from the whaling ships of Thousand Sails Maritime Country Sayo, and the feathers of the solar bird from The Refraction Kingdom Riviere... Anything capable of providing energy would immediately catch their attention, and they would demand to purchase it by force. If it could not be obtained through conventional means, they wouldn''t hesitate to start a war. Even the Sky Clippers that traversed the skies, along with the Boarding Towers standing tall in the territories of various kingdoms, were technologies "shared" without charge by the Crolock Kingdom to achieve their goal of energy-seeking. What they offered in exchange for bestowing the "power to conquer the skies" upon the major kingdoms was the guarantee that scouts sent by the Crolock Kingdom would move unimpeded, allowing them to obtain intelligence on various mineral and energy sources promptly. This demonstrated their enormous demand for energy. Chapter 245 - 245: 0207 does not have second inversion and鈥︹€?2 But... isn''t this still not quite right? After pondering the situation in his mind, Leon''s brow furrowed slightly. The Crolock Kingdom, though incredibly strong, was lightly populated and couldn''t afford heavy casualties. It also held a lot of advanced technologies, making it extremely easy to profit from "international trade," so it usually acted reasonably. This nation wasn''t the kind that was uncooperatively aggressive, and it would not resort to force unless absolutely necessary. Especially concerning energy purchase transactions, it was so generous that it was almost frightening. So if it were a typical energy resource, given the Kingdom''s usual stance, it should have opted to hand over the mining rights in exchange for a large sum of money and technological support from the Crolock Kingdom. Why choose to go to war? S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Or, to put it bluntly, the muscular capacity of the Kingdom and the Crolock Kingdom weren''t even on the same level. The latter could likely just flex slightly, and given the Kingdom''s traditionally weak foreign policy, it would probably surrender immediately. How could it escalate to the point of war? "Are you sure?" Secretly grabbing the Black Goat''s horn, Leon seriously asked, "In the future, will the Kingdom really escalate to necessary war with the Crolock Kingdom over those explorers'' mining data?" "I know nothing." Though he said he didn''t know, he raised his hand to point to his graying temples and said solemnly, "I already told you, guess for yourself!" "¡­" No need to guess, your soul has already given me the answer... After observing the middle-aged man''s intense yet steady Soul Flame, confirming his truthfulness about witnessing a future Crolock Kingdom attack, Leon frowned and asked, "So why?" Noting that middle-aged Joshua wasn''t bluffing¡ªalthough disagreeing with his rash attack on the Boarding Tower and the ire it drew from the Crolock Kingdom¡ªLeon still asked: "What exactly did those explorers uncover? How could it lead to such chaos?" "Do you want to know?" Glancing at Leon''s furrowed brow, the defeated middle-aged Joshua let out a cold laugh, gleefully saying, "If you want to know, go ahead and lead a raid on the Boarding Tower and seize the mining records!" Ha, little Baskin, even though you''ve thwarted me now, I believe that once you see those documents, no matter what you think, you''ll eventually make the same choice as I did!" As he spoke, the middle-aged man pointed remotely at Leon in challenge, full of resentment, "Just wait! The facts will prove to you who is really right between us!" "¡­" "Besides, don''t think you can capture me." Eyed variously around the room, surrounded by faintly looming Rebels, the middle-aged man said with disdain, "Don''t waste your energy. As soon as there''s any danger, I''ll be teleported away immediately! You damned traitors, you''ll forever¡­" "Prince Joshua." ?!!! Hearing his name from "little Baskin," the middle-aged man was taken aback, choking on his unfinished threats and looked with shock at Leon across the room. The Rebels inside the room, initially unaware of the name''s significance, quickly connected the dots upon seeing his expression, gazing in astonishment at their Predecessor leader. ¡­ "Judging by your expression, I must have guessed correctly." Seeing that the middle-aged version of Prince Joshua seemed ready to flee, Leon, lacking the means to hold him back, had to reveal his identity. Having successfully achieved his goal, stalling the withdrawal of Prince Joshua once more, Leon discreetly tapped a small mirror, signaling Young Ha to urge Senior Emma, then calmly inquired, "Prince Joshua, I''m curious¡ªwhat exactly have you experienced in the future to change from an arrogant, naive prince into your current self?" "¡­" "Little Baskin... you truly are a terrifying person..." Silent in contemplation for a while, middle-aged Joshua drew a silk cloth from his pocket and wiped the thin powder off his cheekbone, revealing the two iconic irregular freckles in the Rebels'' bewildered eyes. "That''s right, I am Joshua... but not the foolish prince of now, rather the Joshua of the future: the last King of the Kingdom!" "This... this..." "How is that possible!!!" "A prince? The Rebel leader is a prince!" Facing the middle-aged Joshua, who calmly confessed his identity, all the Rebels faltered, the bald woman in the staunch leader''s faction grasping her head in utter Pain. If the Rebel leader was a prince and the entire group he built by hand, then what exactly had they been opposing all this time? A bunch of fools! He cast a disdainful glance at these former subordinates, then turned his eyes back to "little Baskin" across the room, perplexed, "Tell me, how did you discover me?" "¡­" Actually, it wasn''t me. Another you had a Nightmare, and after Senior Emma conferred with the director, they deduced your existence after ruling out other possibilities. I merely piggybacked on their conclusion. Chapter 246 - 246: 0207 does not have second inversion and鈥︹€?3 Certainly, here''s the translated passage: Of course, those blunt truths were not something he could tell the middle-aged Joshua. With a slight curl of his lips, Leon gave a profound smile to the perplexed middle-aged man in front of him and improvised, "Well, that''s because you''ve shown too many flaws." "Flaws?" "Yes, flaws." Sneaking a glance at the middle-aged man''s wristwatch, Leon estimated how much more time Senior Emma would need and then slowed his speech to continue stalling for time, "Even though you''ve changed a lot, even to the extent of treating an ordinary person like me with such gentle words, that inherent pride in your bones just can''t be altered. Aside from that, your obsession with saving the Kingdom and that inexplicable hatred for the parasites of the Kingdom set you apart from others." With a gesture toward others, Leon continued his serious nonsense, "Others might also want to save the Kingdom, but they aim for change, striving for a better future, whereas the hope you express seems more like trying to make up for regrets; Others'' hatred towards those parasites stems from empathy for the victims'' plight, but your anger appears more like someone is ruining what belongs to you. Perhaps it''s not obvious when looked at individually, but when you display such emotions of hope and anger while with others, you seem out of place." "¡­" *Just such small differences, and I''ve given myself away?* Completely unaware of the other version of himself having nightmares, the middle-aged man, having been thoroughly hoodwinked by Leon''s nonsense, couldn''t help but take a deep breath and gazed at Leon with complicated eyes, saying, "So in your eyes, I have a family environment that could foster a proud personality, regard the entire Kingdom as my property, know what has happened in the future, and am desperately trying to save the Kingdom... these aren''t enough! Little Baskin, it''s one thing you could see through the Kingdom''s situation at a glance and propose feasible plans, but with just these details, I don''t believe you could deduce my identity!" "¡­" *Indeed, because it''s not something I deduced.* *I only sneaked in yesterday, how would I know any details? These words were crafted to fit an answer, purely to stall for time and fool you. It''s supposed to sound unreasonable!* "Of course, relying solely on these isn''t enough, I do have other pieces of information." Narrowing his eyes while assessing the middle-aged man''s expression, the successful trap-setter Leon smiled and retorted under the amazed gaze of the rebels, "Prince Joshua, now we both have things we want to know. Are you willing to make a trade with me? You tell me what those mines truly are, and I''ll tell you how I guessed your identity. What do you think of this deal?" "I..." Unaware of Leon''s intention to pull a fast one, faced with the offered exchange, the middle-aged man, filled with questions craving answers, unconsciously clenched his fist, engaging in a fierce psychological struggle. After a moment, he slightly loosened his tightly clenched fist and shook his head with gritted teeth, "You devil... I won''t trade! If you want to know what it is, go see for yourself!" Relying on immense willpower, he refused the deal with "Little Baskin," seemingly afraid he might relent, the middle-aged man immediately drew a handgun, aimed it at his own head, preparing to activate the fallback left by the Aquarius Director under crisis. However, what the middle-aged man never expected was that just as he pulled the trigger, the "Little Baskin," who was only supposed to make people bow, merely raised his hand and, with a mime of squeezing air, crushed the gun into a scrap of metal! ?!!! Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon seeing the golden sparking toad pendant within "Little Baskin''s" collar, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but shudder, nearly widening his eyes to the limit! "You... you are!!!" Chapter 247 - 247: 0208 Comfortable and Unanimously Passed_1 *Ryan Laine?!* After recognizing his true identity through the toad pendant on his chest that flickered brightly and then dimmed, middle-aged Joshua''s mind felt like it had been struck with a broken gong. His eardrums hummed loudly. He even heard the sound of his angry blood rushing into the blood vessels in his ears with a swoosh. *What the hell is going on with this little Baskin? The guy who completely destroyed my years of hard work is a Cleaner from the Purification Bureau pretending to be someone else! And he''s that Ryan Laine, who has repeatedly opposed me and in the future even personally ended the Kingdom!* *I won''t let him go! I absolutely won''t let him go!!!* "Aaaah! I''ll kill you!!!" ... *Huh? The hatred was actually held back!* Watching the middle-aged man, whose eyes instantly turned completely red, climbing onto the long table with both hands and feet and pouncing towards him in fury, Ryan, who unexpectedly "retained" him successfully, couldn''t help but feel a bit of joy in his eyes. Considering the many aspects of the instructions for "Beyond the Gate" that seemed impossible to capture, he had originally given up hope of capturing the middle-aged version of Joshua. However, seeing that Joshua was about to run, and unable to wait for Senior Emma''s support, he decided to gamble on the chance, using the Black Goat''s intersections to intensify Joshua''s anger to the maximum. Somehow, because Ryan didn''t plan to kill him, or maybe Joshua, whose mind was filled with anger, couldn''t perceive danger, the crisis-shifting ability of "Beyond the Gate" didn''t activate. Instead, Joshua was allowed to rush at him barehanded. *Perfect! I just learned some fighting techniques a couple of days ago!* Watching Joshua, full of openings after his reckless charge, Ryan, delighted by the opportunity, quickly released his grip on the Yang Jiao, stepped on the long table, focused his breathing, pulled back his stance, wound up his arm... And delivered a swift and clean big slap! "Smack!" With a resounding slap that echoed throughout the conference room, middle-aged Joshua''s left cheek and Ryan''s right hand made an incredibly close-up intimate contact. Joshua''s body, which had rushed forward like an arrow, spun horizontally with the same speed, crashing into a chair on Ryan''s left with a loud bang. Even before his body hit the ground, Joshua, with his jaw suffering a heavy blow and his brain shaken, rolled his eyes in midair. His consciousness and half a mouthful of teeth nearly left his body simultaneously, and he fainted on the spot without even managing to make a sound. *Serves you right for secretly attacking me!* Feeling the familiar touch on his uncle-in-law''s face, Ryan, finally delivering the slap, felt as if he was placing the last piece in a puzzle. A tingly itch traveled from his spine straight to the top of his head, filling him with an inexplicable sense of relief. *Hmm... I just forgot to use the newly learned fighting techniques.* After diligently studying combat with the female police officer for two days, Ryan was eager to try it in practice. But as Joshua''s face came within range, somehow, his right hand seemed to have a mind of its own, instinctively swinging over with a smack. *Perhaps the previous few slaps created some kind of strange muscle memory, causing my hand to move faster than my brain... what a pity.* Though he didn''t get to showcase his hard-earned new skills, a slight flaw in what would have otherwise been perfect, Ryan still managed a satisfied smile as he watched Joshua''s face swelling rapidly amidst the pile of broken wood. *You know, with the handprint I left on his face, the two Joshuas finally look the same... Hmm... That face seems most pleasant to look at when it''s swollen from a slap.* ... "What... what the hell is going on here?" Watching Joshua, who had been preparing to escape one moment and then rushed furiously the next, only to be slapped and sprawled out the next, the rebels in the room had been bewildered by the startling turn of events. "It''s nothing, just that the conditions for the ability to activate weren''t met." Covering the Holy Spirit pendant on his neck, Ryan subtly shifted his footing, kicking the broken nail gun in Joshua''s hand under the table. Maintaining a calm exterior, he explained, "Nathan just... hmm... let''s call him that! He just explained that if any danger approaches, he''ll be relocated immediately. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But I didn''t intend to harm him, just gave him a light slap, so his life-saving Anomalous Object may not have considered him to be in real danger, and thus didn''t relocate him." Briefly explaining why Joshua didn''t escape, and after putting the Yang Jiao that incited Joshua''s anger back into the mirror, Ryan, still waiting for Senior Emma to appear, tried to avoid the attention on the flaws he just exposed. He tapped lightly on the small mirror and continued to urge, shifting the topic, "Everyone, although Nathan''s identity has issues and his previous directives had personal motives, I still believe that the intelligence he just provided on the Crolock Kingdom''s scent agent is worth our serious consideration. What do you all think?" *We... we wouldn''t know that?* Hearing the inquiry from "Little Baskin" and recalling the formidable Crolock Kingdom, the rebels looked at each other, momentarily unsure whether to speak. *To say the least, compared to the former leader "Nathan," the new leader Little Baskin is clearly more... hmm... he seems to be Little Baskin, but just from what he''s said, whether he''s Little Baskin isn''t important anymore.* *All these years of effort, though many things have been done, upon careful thought, nothing seems to have been accomplished. Everything has been muddled, and in recent years, we''ve even lost track of whether what we''ve been doing is right or wrong.* *And today, just sitting here listening to Little Baskin speak for ten minutes felt like a streetlight suddenly lighting the way on a dark path, or like someone forcefully opening the door to a dark room, making our minds suddenly clear, finally knowing which direction to step in. This feeling should be called...* *Reliable!* *Yes! Following him feels reliable!* Seeing the nearly identical meaning in each other''s eyes, the rebels finally relaxed their expressions. *Though we don''t know much else, this new leader is evidently much more reliable than the last one, also clearly a lot smarter.* *While we might not be as smart as Nathan, compared to Little Baskin, we''re probably miles behind. Knowing nothing about the Crolock agents, there''s no need to voice opinions on such crucial issues, just follow the smart guy and call it a day!* ... "I''ll listen to you!" The short man, whose ability temporarily took over physical control, spoke up first, "Little Ba... Leader! I don''t know much about the Crolock Kingdom, but I trust what you say is right! I''ll follow you!" "Yes!" After the short man spoke, apparently motivated by some force, more voices of agreement followed. A small-framed man stood up and said, "I think so too! Although attacking the Boarding Tower is risky and may provoke the Crolock Kingdom, I believe in you! Leader, I''m sure you have a plan!" The elderly woman, holding a sleeping little girl, nodded slightly. "I follow the Leader''s decision!" The man''s burned nose expanded slightly. "Doesn''t matter, I could smell that you''re reliable!" "..." Seeing the "favorable situation" of having passed four votes in front of him, and hearing the continuous chorus of "Leader," Ryan''s smile froze... *Don''t mess this up! I wanted you to discuss whether to attack the Boarding Tower to delay time for Senior Emma to arrive and capture everyone. When did I say I was going to be the leader of the rebels?* *Also, setting aside my intention to arrest you all, if we talk about true identity, I''m currently the Duke of Lionheart within the Old Nobility! A Prince of the Royal Family of Traveling Thrush! I hold positions in both nobility and royalty!* *Even if you count my position in the Ryan Family, I have hundreds of large and small factories and the largest arms company in the entire Kingdom under my name! If you elect me as the leader of the rebels, how is that any different from electing a Jewish person as the German leader?* "Um... why don''t we first discuss the Boarding Tower issue." Unable to explain his true identity and afraid of overachieving the Red-haired Director''s "expectations," Ryan awkwardly added, "Everyone, I''m still young and haven''t dealt with much actual business. If you expect me to lead, it''s impossible. So let''s discuss the Boarding Tower plan first. I haven''t done much of this before, and if I were to take charge of attacking the Boarding Tower, I wouldn''t even know where to start... hmm... do you have any suggestions?" "Leader, you''re being modest." Observing a "Little Baskin" who didn''t come across as overbearing this time, not presumptuously accepting a leadership position but rather relinquishing part of his speaking rights, the plump middle-aged man''s eyes showed satisfaction as he stood up with a cheerful grin, "Age is not an issue, lack of experience can be slowly compensated for, but long-term vision is innate! Leader! Please don''t decline any further, you''re the only suitable one for this position. Additionally, should you need experience in the future, I, Oliver, would be more than willing to offer any support needed!" "I... I have no objection..." Discussing the Boarding Tower plan wasn''t on anyone''s mind anymore. Among the remaining seven rebels, the bald woman, the sole "former leader supporter," touched her head and sighed, "Though Nathan saved me, but... but his true identity was actually the Prince, and he''s been using us as tools. I can no longer believe in him. Little Baskin... no! Leader! As long as you continue to lead us forward, I will always recognize you as the leader!" "Hoo..." As if to match the mood, little Phoebe, who was fast asleep, shivered slightly, showing a sweet and adorable smile in her sleep. "Wow... it''s so sweet!" "Zzz..." [Through cunningly devised plans, you completely shattered the trust that the rebel members had in their original leader and gained unanimous recognition from the seven current core members. You have earned the Silver Level Hidden Badge, "Usurper."] Chapter 248 - 248: 0209 Second Hand and Second Hand and Second Hand_1 [Usurper: Driven by immense ambition, an aspirant seeks to completely overthrow a legitimate regime or organization using improper or unethical means to fundamentally alter the existing order.] [Wearing Effect: Your stealth and efficiency will be greatly enhanced when engaging in illegal or unethical activities.] [Advancement Route: After completely usurping a national-level organization or ten regional-level organizations, this badge will automatically advance to the Gold Level Hidden Badge "Unrighteous Pretender King".] [Hidden Trait (no need to wear): Upon successfully usurping a regime or organization, you will forcibly acquire a high-value item from the usurped party.] ¡­ Receiving "official certification" from the Badge System, Leon, who had secured his identity as the leader of the Rebels, couldn''t help but sigh deeply in his heart. *Damn¡­ the director was right,* he thought. *I really went undercover all the way to becoming the leader¡­ but this badge seems quite powerful?* Leon glanced at the new badge on his panel, flickering with a dim silver light and seemingly ready to emit an evil laugh at any moment. He couldn''t help but turn his gaze to the middle-aged Joshua beside him. Unfortunately, Leon had acquired the Usurper badge only after completing the usurpation. If he had received it earlier, he might have had the chance to "take" the "Beyond the Gate" from middle-aged Joshua. But now, according to the behavior of the Aquarius Director, if he really attempted to act against "Beyond the Gate," that thing would probably activate immediately and escape with Joshua¡­ Wait a minute! As he pondered this, a sudden realization struck Leon, and his eyebrow twitched slightly before he spoke to the group of Rebels, "Since everyone trusts me, I won''t decline¡­ "Additionally, attacking the Boarding Tower involves the Crolock Kingdom, and I don''t know enough about it to ensure the right decisions, so the attack is temporarily shelved. However, the investigation can start first. Does anyone have any objections?" "No objections." "I agree!" "Alright¡­ I was looking forward to a good burn." "¡­" "Since nobody objects, let''s conclude today''s meeting here!" Not having figured out exactly how to manage these Rebel members and considering a way to remove "Beyond the Gate," Leon decided not to wait for the long-overdue Senior Emma and instead made a direct decision to dismiss the meeting, saying, "If there''s nothing else to discuss, since the ''gate'' opened by Joshua hasn''t closed yet, let''s head back. Once there''s progress on the Boarding Tower investigation, we can reconvene¡­ Additionally, Phoebe and Lucy, please stay behind." Us? Hearing the new leader''s request, the elderly woman looking quite aged paused slightly, then nodded while holding her still-sleeping sister, not moving. The other five members of the Rebels, filled with anticipation, left the meeting room one after another, passing through the ''gate'' as Leon instructed. *Sigh¡­ troublesome¡­* Watching the expectant figures leaving, Leon couldn''t help but rub his temples. Although these core members of the Rebels weren''t truly bad people, under Joshua''s misguided leadership, they had still committed many wrongdoings. Leon wasn''t in a position to forgive them on behalf of the victims but couldn''t justify disposing of them according to the Kingdom''s laws either. After all, they were also victims. Besides Joshua''s misguided leadership, they had been manipulated into nurturing Anomalous Objects under the Aquarius Director''s influence. Their increasing Contamination Values had magnified the extremism and hatred in their hearts, making it difficult to control their actions. *Maybe¡­ after the director finishes the questioning, I should ask if these people meet the standards for recruitment by the Purification Bureau? If, for the sake of guarding a normal world, they risk a nearly ten percent mortality rate to fight against Abnormals, perhaps it could also count as atonement?* "Leader?" Watching Leon''s ever-changing expression and the complex look in his eyes, the elderly Lucy couldn''t help but ask, "Did you have something difficult you needed us sisters to do?" "Indeed, there''s something I need your help with." Leon nodded, "Your grand¡­ uh¡­ your sister Phoebe used an Anomalous Object at Nathan''s request recently, erasing many people''s memories. Can you have her lift that effect?" "I can do that; it''s not difficult." Hearing Leon''s request, Lucy readily agreed, but looking at the sleeping Phoebe in her arms, she couldn''t help but ask, "Leader, if possible, could we wait until my sister wakes up? You don''t know, last time she overused her ability, and her sleepiness is actually restoring her spirit and stabilizing her soul. If she doesn''t get enough rest, I''m worried she''ll¡­" "No rush. It''s fine to lift it when she wakes. Additionally¡­" Already aware of the sisters'' soul status through the Black Goat''s soul vision, Leon pondered for a moment before reminding them, "Your abilities are quite unique and can produce effects far exceeding your Contamination Value¡­ um¡­ far beyond your level''s limits by paying extra Costs. That''s why you''ve ended up like this due to excessive usage. "During this period, unless absolutely necessary, try to use your Abnormal Abilities as little as possible. Let me think of a way; maybe there''s a chance to revert." *What?!* Hearing Leon''s words, the incredibly aged Lucy was overwhelmingly ecstatic. At this moment, she couldn''t care less about the surprisingly detailed knowledge of Abnormal Ability operations that clearly didn''t belong to "Little Baskin." Filled with disbelief, she asked, trembling, "Leader, are you serious? Can my sister and I really return to our original appearance?" "Yes, you can." Having consulted the Black Goat, Leon nodded, answering with confidence, "The process should be reversible, but the recovery will take a very long time and can never be entirely complete. In the end, there will always be some lingering issues. "For example, your physical state will still be somewhat older than your peers, and your sister''s mental age will remain much younger than her peers, but your appearances should be restorable." "Enough, enough! That''s enough!" Touching her wrinkle-filled face, Lucy, overwhelmed with joy, couldn''t help but cry tears of happiness. Large droplets of tears fell into the neat braids on Phoebe''s head. "We¡­ don''t need to be exactly like normal people. Being able to revert even a little is already plenty! Leader! Thank you! Thank you!" "You''re welcome; it''s what I should do." ¡­ Smiling as he sent the grateful Lucy on her way, Leon watched the meeting room, now empty again, and silently walked over to Joshua, who lay amidst a pile of shattered wood. He couldn''t resist giving him a firm kick in the butt. *You certainly caused a lot of trouble!* *Clearly holding the script of a reborn hero protagonist from a sensational novel where the country is saved after falling into ruin, you wound up carrying out petty attacks and caused destruction, doing nothing but causing trouble like a third-rate villain. You really are¡­* *Well¡­ never mind. Not having personally experienced the things he went through, my criticism might be unfair. But this kick was necessary.* Resisting the urge to spit on him, Leon pulled out a rope and tied him up, then removed the watch capable of detecting "aptitude" and tossed it into the small mirror. He then knocked on the mirror''s surface, calling out Young Ha. "What''s going on? Why hasn''t Senior Emma arrived yet?" "Woof! Woof woof woof!" ("She''s not here! She isn''t at the Purification Bureau!") Senior Emma isn''t here? Hearing Young Ha''s report, Leon frowned. Before heading to the questioning, the director had promised him that Senior Emma would be stationed at the bureau, ensuring she could assist at any time. And with the responsible nature of Senior Emma, an ordinary situation couldn''t possibly lead to her "abandoning her post." So¡­ was there an "Abnormal" launching a large-scale assault in the Capital City? Or was there an issue with her daughter? "Woof woof woof, woof woof woof!" ("She''s not here, but there''s a letter for you on her desk!") If she still left a letter, then the situation shouldn''t be too dangerous, right? Hearing Young Ha''s words, Leon felt a bit relieved. He then accepted the envelope, still bearing Young Ha''s tooth marks, tore it open, and read through it swiftly. ''Leon, about an hour after you and the director left, investigators from headquarters came, claiming that a few high nobles who had betrayed the Bauhinia Family were dead, with traces similar to those left by my "Execution Platform" on their bodies. They requested my presence at headquarters for investigation. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''The situation caught me off guard, and I had no choice but to try evading the investigators and leave a message for Jerry''s "friends," asking him to sit in at the bureau in my stead and take on the responsibility of supporting you. However, his previous task hasn''t ended, so it''s unlikely they received the message in time. ''If you''re seeing this letter, it means you are likely in a dangerous situation, so please hold out for two days! He will definitely arrive in two days!'' ¡­ Damn Aquarius Director! After reading the letter left by Senior Emma, Leon''s face darkened, realizing it was probably another move by the Aquarius Director. Leon and the director had planned to take advantage of the Aquarius Director''s absence to directly raid the Rebels'' base, but the Aquarius Director hadn''t been idle either. If Leon deduced correctly, he had likely used methods similar to Senior Emma ahead of time, eliminating her enemies. His objective was most likely to strike the Purification Bureau while the director was away and Senior Emma was under investigation, aiming to seize the photos in the director''s drawer. As for the person tasked with attacking the Purification Bureau¡­ *Tch¡­* Looking over at the Mirror World, where the watch with six pins clung unwaveringly to the "photos," Leo couldn''t help but click his tongue. There was no need to guess; it was certainly Joshua, and this watch was the tool intended to find the ''photos.'' Lucky for Leon, his usurpation was swift, allowing him to capture Joshua beforehand. Otherwise¡­ *Well¡­ otherwise, he''d have only managed to steal fake photos.* Confirming this incident had turned out to be a close call, Leon couldn''t help but laugh, his foot once again involuntarily kicking the conniving old brother-in-law involved with the Aquarius Director. It could be said that when it came to cunning, his director wasn''t any less crafty than the Aquarius Director and could even be considered a step ahead. Not only did they prepare fake photos in advance, but they also sent Leon ahead to wipe out the Rebels'' stronghold preemptively. Besides, capturing Joshua was an unexpected bonus. Conventionally, touching the "Beyond the Gate" would cause it to disappear instantly, but with Senior Jerry, the "Master Thief," around, the Aquarius Director was likely to lose it. Thinking of the "Cunning Hand of Fate" that could steal the object most influencing a person''s destiny, Leon couldn''t help but look up, gazing at the "Beyond the Gate" left open after the sisters had left, showing a confident smile. *When it comes to the thing that most influences Joshua''s destiny¡­ apart from it, there probably isn''t anything else.* Chapter 249 - 249: What has had the biggest impact on Joshua_1? "''So... you want me to help you "steal" from him to see if we can pilfer that anomalous object called the "Beyond the Gate"?'' Returning to the bureau after completing the task and hearing Leon''s request, Jerry hesitated as he looked at the middle-aged man tied up on the sofa in his office, ''This might be slightly difficult. It''s not that it can''t be done, but... we might be in a bit of danger...'' ''?'' Facing Leon''s somewhat puzzled expression, Jerry organized his thoughts and explained, ''My "Cunning Hand of Fate" has a very high hierarchy, but overall, it still falls within the realm of "human." To use the analogy of the "Leon Value" you summarized, it can effectively work on targets with a Leon Value below sixty points. According to our director''s estimates, sixty points in Leon Value is roughly the boundary between human and god. Once this line is crossed, intelligent life forms more resemble some kind of humanoid anomaly compared to humans. Not only can they resist part of the effects, but if the power gap is too large, they can trace back along the source of the anomalous effects. And the Aquarius Director''s Leon Value has surely exceeded sixty points. So, if that "Beyond the Gate" is truly from the Aquarius Director given to this person, then when I use the "Cunning Hand of Fate" on him, he''ll most likely be able to locate us, and might come directly.'' So that''s how it is... *After listening to Jerry''s explanation, Leon pondered for a moment, then said,* ''We''re not afraid of alerting the Aquarius Director. Before leaving, the director promised Senior Emma and me that regardless of whether or not the questioning succeeds, he will definitely keep the Aquarius Director tied up at the main bureau, to facilitate our actions here. We can''t guarantee too much time, but for at least a week or two, even if he knows what we''re doing, he definitely won''t be able to come back... Jerry, what''s your success rate of stealing the "Beyond the Gate"?'' ''That, actually, is quite high.'' Jerry thought for a moment before responding, ''If I directly used it on the Aquarius Director, I reckon I could only steal a few fragments. But since this person''s anomalous object was given by the Aquarius Director, an intermediary''s in between, the "Cunning Hand of Fate" should still work normally.'' ''Then let''s steal it!'' After hearing Jerry''s words, Leon weighed the pros and cons and the potential outcomes, then decisively made the call, ''Even though our director initiated the questioning, its success rate isn''t actually high. He just wants to catch a slip-up by the Aquarius Director to force him to accept memory reading by the bureau. If we can get the "Beyond the Gate" out as evidence and present it to the main bureau¡ª even if the person who created this thing is the future Aquarius Director and not his current self¡ª it would still be enough to trouble him immensely!'' *That''s a valid point...* *After hearing Leon''s analysis, Jerry thought for a bit, and nodded in agreement.* *If they could prove the future Aquarius Director dared to target the royal family, it would indirectly increase the suspicion that the current Aquarius Director is also breaking the rules, helping the director confirm his accusation of privately mass-producing anomalous objects.* *As for offending the Aquarius Director over this...* *The director had long since made an enemy of the Aquarius Director, and if it weren''t for the director''s protection over the years, his life wouldn''t be nearly as comfortable as it is now. So both emotionally and rationally, he couldn''t stand by and do nothing.* *Moreover, with such hard evidence thrown into his face and with several directors and bureau chiefs surrounding him, even if the Aquarius Director had an Undying Body, he might be pummeled to death by those fierce individuals. And, really, what is there to fear from offending a director who was about to be dealt with?* Do it! ... *Having dispelled his doubts through the discussion with Leon, Jerry first took a deep breath and flexed the fingers of his right hand. Then he extended his hand toward the midriff of the unconscious middle-aged Joshua, gently flicking at his heart.* The surface rippled. *As if the whole person turned into a clear lake, the fabric near mid-aged Joshua''s heart slightly swayed, silently rippling out in concentric circles. And as the ripples quickly spread, two blurred shadows gradually emerged from beneath the waves.* *Strange, why are there two things that impact his fate the most?* Seeing the shadows under the lines of fate, Jerry couldn''t help but frown slightly and turned to look at Leon. "Leon, could you take a look, which of these two things seems more like the "Beyond the Gate" given to him by the Aquarius Director?" "I''ll take a look." Moving closer to Jerry, Leon tried to discern the two emerged shadows, and his brow furrowed as well. The two colorless shadows, with the one on the left having an extremely irregular shape, and pulsating slightly as if sentient, were completely unrecognizable as any particular object. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The one on the right was slightly more regular, with a faintly discernible outline, resembling a hand with fingers slightly spread, but nothing else was visible. Neither of these things seemed related to a "gate," did they? "Can it be any clearer?" Having a hard time determining what the two things were, Leon couldn''t help but ask, ''At least have a more distinct outline, or perhaps some color, or can''t you just take both?'' ''That''s not possible.'' Jerry shook his head at these words, ''This matter, after all, involves a director. Achieving this level is already extremely difficult. As for taking both, it''s even less possible. The super-high hierarchy of "Cunning Hand of Fate" comes at the cost of the fewest possible actions. It''s effective only on the first use for the same target.'' "Then, Senior, just pick one!" Fully aware that his own luck was mostly terrible, Leon simply delegated the choice back, saying to Jerry, ''I have a vague notion of the "Beyond the Gate," but neither of these things seems quite a fit to me, so I can''t tell which one is right. Just pick any one, Senior. If you choose correctly, all the better, but if not, no matter; we can find a way to the main bureau and deliver this unconscious Joshua ourselves. The effect should be the same.'' "Alright, I''ll make a selection and see." *Thinking that Leon''s argument made sense, Jerry nodded and accepted the responsibility of choosing. After contemplating the two shadows for a bit, perhaps finding the indistinct substance on the left somewhat unsettling, he reached toward the safer-looking "hand" on the right.* "Hmm?" When Jerry''s hand touched the shadow of the hand, apart from Joshua, who was still unconscious, the other two in the room both shivered in unison. Jerry was surprised to find that he seemed to actually grasp a living person''s hand, even faintly perceiving that warm touch, while Leon, on the other hand, was shocked to feel as if his right hand had just been tugged by someone. "..." "..." ???" Chapter 250 - 250: 0211 The Secret of Aquarius (Part 1)_1 "I think I understand why you grabbed my hand..." After trying to pull away three times and finding his right hand tugged three times by an inexplicable force, Leon recalled "Young Joshua''s" premonitory dream and suddenly understood, saying, "Just like how the King of Nightmares makes the two Joshuas have nightmares together, in the judgment of the Cunning Hand of Fate, these two Joshuas should be one person with two fateful paths, so there appear two ''items'' that have the greatest influence on him. And if I''m not mistaken, the shadow on the left should be the thing that most influences Middle-aged Joshua, while my right hand is probably the thing that most deeply impacts Young Joshua''s fate, which is why it appeared among the options as well." "..." In that case, it barely makes sense? After hearing Leon''s guess, Jerry nodded slightly in agreement, then asked with some puzzlement, "Leon, what''s with your hand? Why does it have such a significant impact on Prince Joshua''s fate?" "Uh... it''s really nothing, just slapped him a couple of times..." After briefly recounting the big brawl during the inheritance ritual and the incident when he and Senior Emma investigated and gave his real brother-in-law a thorough beating, Leon explained with rightful confidence in the short man''s horrified eyes, "I didn''t use an Anomalous Object; it was just a pure hand slap. In the agreements of the main bureau and various royal families, it only states that you can''t use an Anomalous Object to influence or harm Royal Family Members; it doesn''t say you can''t directly beat them up, right?" "..." The agreement indeed doesn''t include that clause, but that''s because for a normal person, the likelihood of attacking a prince and killing him is higher than the likelihood of slapping him in the face, right? You sure are... I thought stealing from the royal family was outrageous enough, yet there''s someone like you. No wonder you''re part of our Virgin Branch; you''re certainly not one to be trifled with! After giving Leon a wordless thumbs up, the short man changed the target of the Cunning Hand of Fate, reaching toward the vaguely trembling unknown entity on the left. Although they couldn''t determine which was the Beyond the Gate before, now that they knew the one on the right was Leon''s hand, the real Beyond the Gate was naturally on the left. Next, as long as he stole it out... huh? The anomaly reappeared. Accompanied by a soft popping noise, the shadowy entity on the left burst forcefully the instant Jerry grabbed it, then, like a beast that caught the scent of fresh flesh or a ghost finding a thread to escape purgatory, it crawled madly along Jerry''s right hand! ?!!! Witnessing this bizarre scene, the two immediately realized that something was wrong. Jerry didn''t immediately pull back his right hand; instead, he reached his left hand toward the office window glass and let out an urgent dog bark. "Woof!" With a crisp and clear response, the golden retriever''s head flashed across the window glass, instantly placing an unsharpened short dagger into Jerry''s left hand. Grabbing the short dagger etched with strange patterns, he vigorously pulled back his captured right hand while tightly placing the blade against the skin on the back of it, slicing off a small piece. Meanwhile, Leon tore the red hair tied around his neck and threw it at Joshua''s heart. "*Mabu Bu!"* Accompanied by a bizarre roar half-furious and half-despairing, the arm that was grabbed by the shadowy entity suddenly turned into the small piece of skin Jerry had voluntarily cut off. Following his pulling motion, a small part chasing out from Joshua''s heart was instantly sliced into countless bits of flesh emanating black gas by the blood-scented red hair from the director, smeared all over the carpet. Where''s the Beyond the Gate that was promised? What the heck is this thing?! ... "Don''t go!" Just when Leon and Jerry were still recovering from the scare, seemingly having recognized their race, the shadowy entity spoke human words in an unknown language. "Take me out! Take me out!" Following the fluctuations of the Cunning Hand of Fate that hadn''t yet dissipated, the entity pursued all the way to Joshua''s heart, hammering desperately from the inside, creating intense ripples on Joshua''s heart, while furiously howling, "Wealth! Power! Youth! Even eternal life! As long as you can get me out, I can give you anything!" "Go to hell!" Forced to use a dull knife to cut off a large piece of his own flesh to escape this unidentified entity, Jerry couldn''t help but angrily curse, preparing to stop the Cunning Hand of Fate immediately, letting this clearly dangerous entity roll as far away as possible. But just as he was about to stop, Leon reached out to hold him back. ''Wait, let me ask it a few questions!'' Using soul transmission to halt Jerry, Leon first took out a bandage to wrap around Senior Jerry''s hand, helping him heal the wound, then stared intently at the now clearer shadowy entity, asking rapidly, "What exactly are you? And what is your relation to the Aquarius Director of the Purification Bureau?" "Aquarius!!" At the mention of the Aquarius Director, the strange entity suddenly got agitated, howling, "It was him who imprisoned me! He grinds my bones! He cuts my flesh! He drains my blood! Damned Aquarius! If I get out of here, I''ll make sure he personally experiences the torment I have endured for over two thousand years!" Two thousand years? Hearing the howls from the unknown entity, Leon and Jerry were shocked and exchanged glances, then Leon continued to ask, "Are you saying... the current Aquarius Director has already lived for over two thousand years?" "Live two thousand years? As if!" After angrily cursing the Aquarius Director a few times, the entity seemed to regain some sanity, understanding that the two humans in front of it couldn''t possibly release it, likely just probing for intelligence. The entity sneered mockingly, "You wretched short-lived species, no matter how powerful you become, you can''t transcend the binds of the body. Unless you replace your body, a hundred and fifty years is your human limit! The Aquarius who imprisoned me wasn''t this current loser; it was the Aquarius Director fifteen generations ago! These damned bastards made me their family''s property, passing me down for fifteen generations!" Remembering the endless torment it had suffered over two thousand years, the entity unleashed another bout of hysterical cursing, mixing in some incomprehensible ancient languages, accompanied by a strange, harsh sound like a knife scraping glass, stabbing Leon and Jerry''s ears with pain. After a thorough and satisfying vent of curses, seeing that the two humans "outside" were clearly uncomfortable but not leaving, the mysterious entity nodded approvingly, then sneered, S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Enough with the nonsense. I can tell, no matter what benefits I promise, neither of you bastards would take me out. But you''re obviously not on Aquarius''s side, and the reason you found me is probably to get a hold on him... so hurry up! Ask whatever questions you have before Aquarius notices someone contacting me!"